Mysterious changes

Two months pass, and the atmosphere has mysteriously changed. Sapphire is the first to wake up, coughing in the changed air levels. Shadow soon awakens, noticing Sapphire struggling to breathe.

"Sapphire, are you alright?" Shadow asks, in shock of Sapphire's ever-changing condition

Sapphire, still coughing, tries to speak.

"No --- The air has changed --- It's suffocating…" Sapphire says

"I'll help you to your feet. What's happening to you?" Shadow says and asks

Sapphire, as the atmosphere still changes, is unable to speak with her breathing conditions getting worse.

"Forget what I've asked. We need to find out what's going on."

Sapphire nods in agreement, she is soon stood up and her bracelet shows her father, dealing with the same as her... but, much worse.

"Father --- can you hear me ---?" Sapphire asks, just

"Yes --- I can. You're needed in the city. Everyone is coughing --- struggling to breathe. The same will soon happen to your friends --- in your home. Who is that --- next to you?" Her father says and asks

"I'm Shadow. I know Sapphire." Shadow answers in Sapphire's place

"You're the one I've been --- hearing about. You're also needed. You both --- need to be together for this one…" Geraldine's father gets worse, in an instant

"Father --- we're on our way."

The communication soon unexpectedly cuts off, causing the bracelet to become neutral.

"Could this be what that chant is for?" Shadow asks, beginning to struggle with his breathing

"I don't know --- are you okay?" Sapphire answers and asks

Shadow soon begins coughing, as his breathing begins to struggle. Sapphire helps Shadow out of his home and to the others; to find that they're struggling with the same thing.

"I can stand on --- my own. You get yourself into --- your city appearance. Fast!" Shadow says and instructs

Sapphire leaves Shadow to transform into her city being. Sapphire soon returns, rushing to catch Shadow, as he falls to the ground. Sapphire's fingers soon click; a piece of paper appears. It reads: 'Your breathing is shallow; the haze is invisible. Use these words, with your other half to breathe the air needed: The air's poison, go with the wind; powers combine to breathe in clean'. Sapphire soon notices more writing at the bottom. It reads: 'Warning: The enemy you are to face can reverse this with one attack. Don't get hit by the enemy's attacks!'

"Right, that's helpful --- not really." Sapphire says, remembering that Shadow is struggling with his breathing

"Have you got --- something that's gonna help us both?" Shadow asks

"Yes, it's a chant. But you'll --- have to say it with me." Sapphire answers

"Okay, helpful. More magic."

"Trust me. Say it at the same time as me…"

"The air's poison, go with the wind; powers combine to breathe in clean." The pair say in unison, quickly regaining lost air and breathing normally

"That worked, miraculously. Now that we can breathe, what do we need to do?" Shadow says and asks

"We need to get to the city."

As this is said, Sapphire's father shows up on her bracelet, again. Sapphire is her human self at this point.

"Father, I can speak again. What's needed?" Sapphire informs and asks

"Communications cut off --- before I could finish. You two are --- needed at the Catholic cathedral --- in the city centre. Geraldine, you know where --- the cathedral is. You both have no time to waste. People are dying." Geraldine's father informs

"Do you have anything more?" Shadow asks

"On your travels --- there will be smaller enemies to face. You won't be able to face the boss --- without defeating those --- first. Hurry, time's running out!" As the words are said, communications are cut off

"We need to move, before your friends follow the same fate!" Sapphire informs, warning

"Let's get this, cruelty under control." Shadow says, with adrenaline rising for the fight

Shadow quickly retrieves his weapon and he races with Geraldine to the city.

"Shadow, in the city you have to call me Geraldine; since that's the name I'm known by." Sapphire informs

"Yes, understood. Let's just get these people saved." Shadow responds, readying his gun

Geraldine's hands soon glitter, with a burning sensation. Soon, auras appear around both hands, readying Geraldine for her fight.

"Let's get these douches over with!" Geraldine shouts, with adrenaline rising

"Remember the chants we both learned, for the attack? We're gonna need them, but we'll need to say them fast." Shadow informs

"Whether they'll work when said quickly, we'll find that out. Let's just proceed."

Geraldine and Shadow, as stealthily as possible, proceed to where they're needed; for several enemies to circle around them. Sapphire soon remembers something she's learned, from a book she read years ago.

"Powers o' great and powerful, ready your attacks and do the bidding." Sapphire says her words, with her hands readying spells to use, using hand gestures

"Where did you learn that?" Shadow asks

"A book I read years ago. Let's get on with it!"

The fighting duo get to fighting the enemies. They kill most of them, for Geraldine to find her old friend, Felicity-Rose.

"Geraldine, over here!" Felicity shouts, stuck under a piece of debris and struggling to breathe

"I see you, Felicity. Hold on." Geraldine says, using magic to move the debris

Felicity soon stands on her feet. Struggling to breathe, she begins to lose her balance. Sapphire rushes to Felicity's aid.

"Hold on to my shoulder, I've got something for you." Geraldine says, using her hands to bring up a breathing aid

"Wait, you're giving me this?" Felicity asks, with shallow breathing

"You need it. It's only gonna last three hours. Find somewhere safe and stay there. Don't go to the cathedral."

"Like I would wanna go there; it's not Sunday, and I'm not a Catholic."

"Like I said, find somewhere safe and stay there."

After this is said, Felicity runs to find safety, knowing that her parents are dead from the haze. Geraldine soon realises that her friend doesn't have anywhere to go.

"Hey, Felicity. Head to my place and fast!" Geraldine instructs

Felicity runs to Geraldine's city home. Shadow notices Geraldine's concerns.

"How long have you known your friend?" Shadow asks, trying to calm Geraldine's mood

"Since kindergarten. Anyway, that's unimportant. We need to save this city." Geraldine says, reminiscing the good times with her friend

Geraldine and Shadow fight more enemies until they reach the cathedral. They approach the building, for another monster to show up. The pair ready themselves for another fight. However, this isn't a monster; it's a guide to where the boss is. Geraldine and Shadow follow the guide; to face yet more evil enemies.

"Why is that thing guiding us to the boss, when we keep bumping into these things?" Geraldine asks

"I don't know. Let's just get these things killed." Shadow answers and instructs

The pair are soon circled by enemies, again. Geraldine uses her magic to conjure up a poisonous ground for the enemies.

"What have you done?" Shadow asks, shooting at the enemies

"I've made a poisonous ground, to lure the enemies to us. If we step on it, we're dead in an instant. The enemies need to get onto this ground. So, follow my lead." Geraldine answers and instructs

"Understood."

"Right, turn with your back to me if you haven't already. Move back, on my call, so that our backs are touching. Got it?"

"Yeah, got it. What does this ground do to the enemies?"

"It poisons them, not killing them; that's for us to do."

"What's the point of it, when it doesn't kill them?"

"Their weakness is poison; it slows them down. Now, shut up. We need to pay close attention to them."

The enemies quickly step onto the poisonous ground, slowing down.

"Move back, slowly. They're still moving, just slower." Geraldine instructs

The pair move back, so that their backs touch one another. Geraldine soon realises that the ground is returning to normal.

"Right, we need to kill these things and fast! The ground is returning back to how it was." Geraldine calls out

Geraldine and Shadow go on their killing spree, to save the city and their homeland. They soon follow the guide to the boss; of whom looks like Geraldine's mother. Geraldine's bracelet soon shows her father.

"What now, father? We've reached where we need to." Geraldine asks and informs

"Brilliant. The boss is your mother, made evil. As harsh as it sounds, once you've defeated the evil monster covering her, you need to kill your mother; to save everybody. Sorry to sound harsh." Geraldine's father informs

"Wait, how are you talking properly?"

"Felicity had a breathing aid. I've used that."

"Not good, father. That was made to fit Felicity's specific breathing needs."

"Oh, right. Anyway, get back to it. Time is limited."

Soon, communications are cut off.

"Wait, you have to do… what?" Shadow asks

"Kill my mother. As harsh as it sounds, is as helpful as it's going to be for all of us. I'm guessing to kill my mother, once she's out of the evil casing; I'll need a blade of some sort. I might not be able to use my magic to stop her existence." Geraldine answers, dreading her next move

"Unless she says otherwise. I know it's harsh, but it'll do us all some favours. In the city, and back home."

"I know. Let's get this over with."

Geraldine and Shadow continue forward, to face the boss. After defeating some of the casing, Geraldine sees part of her mother's face and begins to move back, in her own fear and stress.

"Geraldine, what's gotten into you?" Shadow asks, noticing Geraldine's stress and fear

"I see my mother's face, or part of it. Her eye is staring directly at me." Geraldine says, trying to not fall under her mother's spell

"Don't let it get to you, or she'll win. We need to make her lose, not let her win."

"Yes, I know."

Geraldine soon closes her eyes, and uses her magic to heal her mental wounds, and remove the brainwashing. Her eyes soon shine a purple light.

"Right, let's get this over with." Geraldine instructs, with her magic coursing through her body

As this is said, the boss prepares to attack.

"Powers o' great and majestic, the attacks so fierce protect our souls from the harm." Geraldine and Shadow say in unison

Soon, a stronger shield is created in front of them; blocking the attacks and making the boss' casing weaker with every deflect.

"How is the casing getting weaker, and your mother left unaffected?" Shadow asks

"My mother is on the inside, and the casing is her form of protection. After the casing is gone, we've got more work to do to defeat my mother. Shoot your gun at the casing." Geraldine answers and instructs

"Are you out of your mind?! We've got a shield up!"

"Just do it!"

Shadow shoots his gun at the casing; the bullets go through with ease. The shield is soon made stronger. With her magic reaching the point of going out of control, Geraldine is soon surrounded by flames, of the magical kind. The purple light in her eyes gets brighter, causing her magic to course through her body at a faster rate.

"What's happening?" Shadow asks

"I think you're about to find out." Geraldine answers

Soon, the shield comes down and Geraldine is in mid-air; still surrounded by flames. Geraldine soon makes a shield to protect Shadow from harm. Leaving herself exposed and able to make her own shields, she does a strong spell to attack the remainder of her mother's casing.

'Casing destroyed. Now to see what my mother has in-store.' Geraldine thinks to herself

Geraldine soon spots a dagger in a stone. Geraldine is blocking her mother's attacks, with her strong shields.

"Shadow, there's a dagger in a stone. Get it and keep hold of it." Geraldine instructs

"I've reached the stone. I can't get the dagger out." Shadow informs

"Does it say anything on the stone?"

Shadow looks at the stone. It reads: 'Dear one, only those that bear the magic of light may bear the dagger from the stone'

"What does it say?" Geraldine asks

"It says, 'only those that bear the magic of light may bear the dagger from the stone'. That's referring to you, Geraldine. You're the only one who can bear the dagger." Shadow answers

Soon, Geraldine gets back to fighting her mother. Surrounded by flames, Geraldine uses these to her advantage, bringing them down. The two women are soon on the ground, with Geraldine's mother weak from the fight. Geraldine is soon stood on both feet, firmly.

"So, is that all you've got? Looks like someone's weak, and hopeless." Geraldine says, prompting movement from her mother

"Looks like someone turned up. Geraldine Daenerys Hawthorne. Daughter, hero, lover. Not for long, when I take your life!" Geraldine's mother says, charging towards Geraldine

Geraldine deflects her mother's attack, making her weaker; yet more determined.

"Look who's weaker, trying to attack. Smart move, 'til you see what I've got next!" Geraldine says her words, casting a poison spell over her mother

"What have you done?!" Geraldine's mother asks

"Figured out your weaknesses. That's what. You hate poison, thanks to your religion and you hate having a lack of power, thanks to how you were when I lived in your premises. Now, that I have power over you and you're poisoned, I've got the largest advantage."

Geraldine soon slits her mother's throat, with magic. This makes her mother weaker and fall to the floor. Geraldine runs to the stone and finds another engravement. It reads: 'The magic of light bearer, battled with a lover must bear the dagger with her lover; use the dagger alone.'

"Shadow, I need your help. You need to pull the dagger out, with me." Geraldine informs

Shadow goes to Geraldine's aid, and the pair bear the dagger, together. Geraldine soon takes the dagger and goes to her dying mother.

"Look at you, weak, defenceless, hopeless. Your magic is useless, inactive, powerless. Your words can't hurt me anymore. You're worthless, and that's clear as day." Geraldine says her words

"Okay, okay, you've said it. My magic doesn't work, you've made me bleed to death. Just do what you came here to do, bearer of light. Put the dagger to my heart; kill me with one blow!" Geraldine's mother says her words, giving in to her defeat and soon says "Use your magic alongside. Do it!"

Geraldine soon puts poison on the dagger, using magic. Geraldine finds her mother's heart and stabs the dagger inside, taking her mother's life with one blow. She takes out the dagger, of which cleans itself and turns into a sword. Geraldine soon touches her waist, to find somewhere to put her sword away. She puts her sword away, walks back in her own remorse. Geraldine soon turns her head away from Shadow and is reduced to tears.

"Hey, come here." Shadow says, giving Geraldine a hug for comfort

"Geraldine." A voice says

Geraldine and Shadow look up to notice Geraldine's father, standing at the prayer room entrance. Geraldine's magic subsides.

"Father, you're still alive." Geraldine says, with her mood seemingly improving

"Look who I brought along with me." Geraldine's father says

Geraldine's father moves aside, to reveal Felicity, looking fully recovered... and very regal.

"Felicity, you're alright!" Geraldine says, trying to contain her excitement

"Yes, I am. Thanks to you giving me the treatment." Felicity responds

"You're welcome. Explain the regal get-up."

"I've got magic, and by the people I am dubbed the Princess of Light. As for you and Shadow, you're dubbed the Guardians of Light. Now, it's time to put this cathedral back to its former glory."

Felicity soon does some magic spells to restore the cathedral to how it was. The restoration is complete, leaving Geraldine's mother's dead body on the floor.

"What about the body?" Shadow asks

"For Geraldine's mother's crimes, she'll be sent to burn in hell; of which is the first place she was going to end up, for the abuse she put Geraldine and her father through." Felicity answers and soon says "She doesn't deserve another chance at life."

Felicity uses her magic to send Geraldine's mother to where she belongs and clean up the pool of blood in the prayer room. As for the other world, everything has returned to normal.

"Looks like Sapphire and Shadow have done it." Tails says

"You got that right." Sonic says

As for the city, Geraldine hears a sound and sends everyone with her, behind her. She soon draws her sword, as a precaution.

"Who's there?! Come forth and show yourself!" Geraldine asks and gives her order

Soon, a figure comes out of its hiding place; a monster that she had forgotten to defeat.

"What do you want?" Geraldine asks the figure

"You seem to know your powers, and place. I'm intrigued, hand over your powers!" The figure speaks their words

"No, I can't. I'm born this way."

Soon, the figure grows larger and more dangerous.

"You've defeated my master with your powers, weapons and words." The figure says, using magic to lift Shadow into mid-air; causing him to drop his gun

"Put me down, you dark fool!" Shadow shouts

"Shadow!" Geraldine shouts, getting worried

"Now your concerns grow, with your boyfriend in danger." The figure says, putting Shadow in a bubble, with no escape

"Let me out, you fool!" Shadow shouts, unable to be heard

"Put Shadow down, let him go!" Geraldine shouts, getting angered

"Battle me. No magic, just a sword. I'll deactivate your magic, to ensure that you don't use it. Battle me. If you win, Shadow goes free. If I win, you surrender and take his place."

Geraldine soon realises that she can't use her magic. Geraldine's father soon realises the danger his daughter is getting into.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this? Geraldine!" Geraldine's father asks and calls, with Geraldine not listening

"Geraldine! Take this." Felicity says as Geraldine turns to her

Felicity hands over a shield to Geraldine. Knowing its purpose, Geraldine's adrenaline begins to course through her body.

"You, out of control figure of evil freakiness. Bring it!" Geraldine instructs

Geraldine soon tells her father and Felicity to evacuate the cathedral.

"We'll head back home. Let's go." Geraldine's father says to Felicity

Now alone in the cathedral with an evil figure and Shadow in a ball stopping sound from being heard, Geraldine begins battling the evil figure.

"Geraldine… Geraldine!" Shadow shouts, trying to get Geraldine's attention, with no avail

'It's no use. This ball is stopping every word from reaching her.' Shadow thinks to himself, giving up hope

As for Geraldine, she's getting weaker with every blow from her opponent, stronger than what her mother was. Shadow soon finds a flaw in the ball's closure; darkness is what's closed it. He soon realises that sunlight is the only way out. Shadow soon clicks his fingers, for a piece of paper to appear. It reads: 'When stuck inside a flawed trap, use these words to summon the sun's light. The flaw of the trap I've been put in, sunlight I summon to do the bidding'. Shadow soon notices more writing. It reads: 'This chant is intended for this battle only.'

"The flaw of the trap I've been put in, sunlight I summon to do the bidding." Shadow says the chant, freeing himself from the ball

"Shadow, just in time. Grab your gun, help me out." Geraldine says and gives her order

"I can't. My weapon has been turned into stone." Shadow says, fearful of the monster's intentions

"Hah ha, no you can't. You've escaped my trap, and I've turned your weapon to stone as a result. Now, for another trick up my sleeve!" The evil figure says, using a spell to freeze Shadow into place

"I can't move!" Shadow shouts, trying to move

"You've done it this time!" Geraldine shouts

"Your anger is only making me stronger."

The evil figure has accidentally given Geraldine guidance to bring it to its defeat.

'If being angry is making them stronger, then I'll do the opposite and stay calm.' Geraldine thinks to herself

Geraldine stops fighting, and calms down, causing the evil figure to become weaker. She puts her sword up to her face, straight up ensuring that she doesn't cut herself. Geraldine calms down, readying herself for her attack. She slices the monster's leg open, reactivating her magic powers.

"No, but how did you…?!" The evil figure says in his defeat

"I was calm, I made you weak. You were angered, that made me even calmer. I got my magic back, and my arms did the hard work for me. My hands, well. They used the sword to my advantage. Your weakness was clear, my strength became stronger. Now, time for me to deliver the final blow." Geraldine says her words

Geraldine soon realises that her sword has gotten stronger, thanks to her having her magic back. Staying calm and continuing to weaken her opponent, she uses the magic that has transferred to her sword, to deliver her final attack, defeating the monster and setting Shadow free. Shadow can pick up his gun now that the spell has been broken.

"Now, tell me how you did that." Shadow says, trying to flirt

"Strategy, smarts and subtlety. That's all there is." Geraldine answers, keeping to the tone that Shadow has set

Geraldine soon puts her sword away and uses her magic to clean up the mess. As for Shadow, he's waiting for the right moment to make his move.

"What are you waiting for? An invitation?" Geraldine asks

"No, I'm waiting to do this." Shadow responds

Shadow goes to make his move, kissing Geraldine on the lips. The pair soon stop their romantic encounter and head for home. As for Felicity…

"Where's Geraldine?" Felicity asks

"Geraldine has gone home; with her lover." Geraldine's father answers

"So, will she ever come back?"

"She'll visit, when she's not so busy with her lover and saving the world, we live in."

As for Shadow and Sapphire, they get out of the city and near to their homeland. Sapphire says her words and transforms back into her Mobian self. Observing her body, she's proud of the changes that she's gone through, as is Shadow. The pair get to their homeland, to notice the others waiting for them.