This Scratch project is a part of a story series. You can read the story down below in the "Notes and Credits". Updates on Tuesdays & Fridays!
{Setting: Crisis City} Venice’s tolerance for the raging energy is continuing to grow. Florence & Silver’s faces light up as Venice manages to stand and hold himself up without his cuffs, the psychic aura wildly spinning around him. And as another month passes… Venice is standing in a street holding his hands in front of him, cupped beside one another. Florence tilts his head to where he’s peering up towards a thick towering rock pillar, rivaling the skyscrapers…but to him, it’s all a blur, with a cloud of black around his vision. Florence: Aim where you’re facing. Venice: *nods, then as he speaks with a fading voice* Back away, please. Florence steps back and stands beside Silver. The boy is clenching his fists as he watches. Venice deeply breathes, and with his mental command, allows his body to produce more energy. He directs it to his hands, creating a large ball that rapidly expands as his symbols run up his arms. Venice: *takes a stance as his eyes fill with his teal aura, then flings his hands out* A giant blast erupts from his palms, beaming towards the pillar. It strikes in nearly an instant and appears to vaporize the rock tower into pebbles and dust. The remains rain down from the sky into the lava pool. Silver: ! *awes in amazement* Venice: *panting as the aura from his eyes fades* … *kneels onto the ground and refocuses on holding back the psychic energy* Florence hurries over and cuffs him. Venice places his hand on her shoulder to hold himself up. Florence: …I see what you mean now… Venice: *gazes up in the direction of her face as he continues to breathe hard* Florence: *starts to nod as tears form and she cracks a small smile* I think you’re right…I…I think we can do this— YOU can do this, Venice! Venice: … *weakly grins* Florence takes him into a hug and Silver races over to them in excitement, though to his embarrassment…Florence notices him and brings Silver in to smother him into the hug as well. Meanwhile… With Kaylee & Lynda on his heart, Otto dedicates himself to training his body and mind once again. Destroying monsters in his path, and meditating to re-learn his power, growing used to its energy drain as he did long before. Otto: *tucks some supplies away for himself in Kaylee’s small pack dangling from his arm, then glances up at a nearby wall* ! … There’s an axe in a case with a glass window. The case’s faded letters read “break in case of emergency”. Otto stares at it in a reminiscing manner for a moment, then picks up a piece of debris and smashes it into the glass. He pries the axe out of the case and gives it a twirl. Otto: *mutters to himself* This’ll make it messy…but it’ll deal a better blow than my fists or feet can. Confidently, Otto carries the axe alongside him and seeks out Iblis’ minions to cut through. He slashes biter’s torsos, beats down onto golemn’s heads, and hurls the axe at Iblis takers, destroying them instantly. More Iblis biters dart towards him, and Iblis worms dive into the ground, planning their sneak attack. But as Otto’s aura weaves around him, he sees their moves before they reach him. Dashing through them and cutting them down, strangely, as one of his eyes glows and the other is clear. Otto, at the same time…witnesses the present and the future. Sometime later, back at the hedgehog’s home base… Florence carefully holds Venice, leaned against her side, as she brings him towards the bedroom. At first, Silver is preoccupied with meditating, but… Venice: …mmmh… *suddenly dips forward* Florence: ! *gasps in surprise, but catches him* Silver: ?! *loses his focus and turns* Florence: Venice? *pulls him back up* Venice: *shakes his head, then his aura swirls around him* Florence: We’re almost there— wait until I can lie you down first. *helps him walk into and through the room* Silver: *frowns and hops up to follow, then peers around the door frame* Florence sits Venice down, then places one hand behind his head and another on his chest to support him. Silver’s brows furrow as he observantly stares at Venice. The young hedgehog had been so caught up in the training, and the excitement of his Father’s progress…he’s only just now taking a good look at Venice, and for a brief moment, he doesn’t recognize him. The once ideally constructed hedgehog has loss some of the mass in his body, giving him a more frail appearance. His fur is thinning, and his quills are dull. There’s dark rings under his pupils on his paling face, emphasizing his near lifeless eyes. A weak tremble comes from his chest with each breath. The man that previously stood tall and firm by Silver for his entire life was withering away, similar to the decaying city all around them. Silver: … *gripping the door frame as his quills raise up* Florence: *gently lies Venice back and down onto the mattress and pillow* There we go… *strokes his quills* …do your best to heal yourself, but also…please rest, okay?
