This Scratch project is a part of a story series. You can read the story down below in the "Notes and Credits". Going on a short break, and will not be posting on the 16th and the 20th, but after that I should return to my usual Tuesday & Friday schedule.
{Setting: Crisis City, The Hedgehog’s Home Base} Florence: Even though we have been in that state once before, before we were created or born…but still. It’s hard to process the idea of your consciousness coming to an end. Venice: “What do others believe?” Florence: Some believe we have a thing called a “soul” or “spirit”…that makes us who we are, that’s inside of us. And when we die, it separates from our bodies. Where it goes…that depends on all kinds of other beliefs. “Afterlives”, as they call the places where the souls go after death, are all different amongst cultures and religions. Some even believe there isn’t an afterlife, and spirits remain on earth resting— or perhaps the spirits are still on earth because they cannot rest in an afterlife yet due to dissatisfaction or a grudge of sorts. Venice: “Ah. Like ghosts.” Florence: Heheh…yes, exactly. Venice: “What do you think happens?” Florence: . . . *rests her hand on Silver’s back and presses her cheek close to Venice’s* … *shrugs* I…I’m not sure what I believe— but what I want to believe is…especially in a world like this, that this can’t be all there is for so many lives. Problem is I’m not sure if we have any proof such a thing as an afterlife exists… *sniffles as tears well up* Venice: *turns towards her and comfortingly nuzzles her* Florence: …but I want…I want it to be true. I want to believe all of my family is…somewhere wonderful…where I can…I can see them again. Where you can finally rest, and I can see you again. *her breath sputters as she starts to wipe her face* Venice: … “I want to believe I will see you and Silver again too. If I believe that, then I will feel a little better…but if it is true, I will still miss both of you until then.” Florence: Heh…we-we’ll miss you until then too, Venice. *melancholy smile as her cheeks flush under teary eyes* Venice tucks his arm under Florence to wrap it around her and hold her as close as possible to him. Florence rests her arm over him and Silver. The family quietly rests close together, as another day comes to an end, and they’re one more closer to the final fight. Meanwhile… Otto is sitting on the soot ridden floor of an unrecognizable building, playing events through his mind as his eyes glow from between his closed eyelids. At one failure, he shifts his thoughts, and another plan forms, then another…then another…as he mentally works through what appears to be every eventuality, until… Otto: *swings his axe down towards Venice’s head* Venice: *turns and meets Otto’s eyes* Otto grimaces as his aura wavers, his brow tightening and his hands resting on his legs tense up. His tail curls close to him. Otto: Augh! Any tiny deviation could change the outcome of the future. You CAN’T hesitate…or you’re going to screw everything up! Come on, Otto. But as he keeps trying to work through the scenario, repeatedly, he’s bombarded with distracting thoughts. Recalling Venice protecting him and Lynda all those years ago, having to hold his hand to get him to run at a decent pace, Venice’s face lighting up when seeing him recovering after falling in Flame Core. It all prods and jabs at Otto’s mind. Otto: *shakes his head and grits his teeth* This is for Kaylee— for Lynda— they’re your family! And this is for the well being of the world! *growls in frustration* For everyone we’ve lost… A day comes where the city rests eerily quiet once again. Scattered explosions have halted, tornados are absent, and the lava calmly flows. Despite the peace, the hedgehogs not only know it’s false…but an itch of anticipation runs down their backs. It raises their quills and intensifies the beat of their hearts, as they can sense Iblis’ re-emergence is near. All three of them are sat on the floor with a fire nearby, the smoke floating out through a hole in the building, taking embers along with it. Silver watches with a melancholy expression, sat by Venice, who is leaned back against a chair’s side. He’s blankly gazing in Silver’s direction. Around them are the remnants of food packaging. Florence looks on at them both wistfully and takes a breath, sitting up straight as she does so. Florence: …to be certain we’re all on the same page, let’s go over our plan one final time. Silver: *sits up straight as well as his ears perk* Venice: *uses the chair to push himself to sit up and keeps ahold of it for support* Florence: Venice, you’re going to take on Iblis when it appears, and solely focus on it. You need to weaken its physical form, then you’ll remove your cuffs to use your powers to the fullest, and extinguish Iblis’ flame. Venice: *nods again* Florence: Silver, you and I need to stay attentive to Iblis’ state. When it is time for your Father to remove his cuffs we will distance ourselves as far as possible from the fight. Silver: *nods again* Got it. Florence: Until that point, our job is to keep your Father energized by destroying Iblis’ minions, so he can absorb their energy.
