This Scratch project is a part of a story series. You can read the story down below in the "Notes and Credits".
{Setting: Crisis City} Iblis bellows as it readies another attack, but in a flash of turquoise the hedgehog is gone, only leaving behind a trail of light. Silver’s ears turn to the sounds of growling and barking around them, as the claws of the beasts’ feet click against the ground. He stays huddled over Florence, shielding her. As a biter charges up its fire, Silver’s body tenses. The monster blasts out its attack, but a shield of turquoise comes over Silver and Florence. Silver: *peers up and sees the dome of energy around them* Otto: ! *skids to a stop and lets out a relieved sigh* Venice lands onto the street, and his quills raise as psychic power visibly builds up around him. Recognizing the attack, Otto drops to the ground. With a yell, Venice waves out his hands, and a blast of energy releases, striking all of the nearby enemies. Otto gets knocked back, but catches himself. Then as the dust settles, he cautiously peers up. The monsters have vanished, leaving the street uncomfortably quiet. Otto then watches Venice look towards his family. Venice: *hurries over to Silver as he drops the shield, then kneels by them. His ears raise at the sound of Florence’s labored breathing.* Silver: *slowly sits up* F-Father…she’s hurt. Venice: *reaches down, then scoops up Florence and clutches her close, but as he does, he feels his glove against her side become soaked* Florence: *her face is paling by the second, and her eyes are glazing over.* Venice…I’m…s-so sorry. *shamefully lowers her ears* Venice: … *presses his head to hers, then carefully lies her down and brings his hand to her side* Silver watches as Venice creates a band of energy around Florence’s waist. Florence briefly winces at the tight feeling, but it keeps her injury securely wrapped. Venice: *takes Silver’s shuddering hand and brings it to the same spot* “Do this for me, Silver.” Silver: …I… *grimaces at the sight* …I don’t k-know if I… Venice: “Please, I need your help. Your Mother needs your help.” Silver: … *his breath sputters again, but he manages to deeply inhale, and bring both of his hands close to Florence’s side, and maintains the band of energy* Venice: *his eyes sharpen as he takes notice of the power behind him* … *stands up* Otto: *stands up as well as his eye glows* Venice: “Silver, is the being with the orange aura responsible for this?” Silver: Y-yeah… *small nod* …Mother said…he was a-an old friend of yours…but he attacked her! Venice: *his brow tightens in both a confused and furious manner, his quills further sharping. He turns to Otto.* As their gazes meet, Otto gets a chill up his spine, and his tail curls close. He’d never seen the hedgehog with such a cold look in his eyes. To make matters worse, Otto’s scowls with bewilderment as his vision goes on the fritz, showing various unclear scenarios. All of them racing through his mind, distorted. Otto: *thinks: What’s going on? Why can’t I see a single clear path?!* Venice: “Why did you do this?” Otto: ! *nervously steps back at his tone* … Venice: “WHY did you DO THIS?” *gripping his hands* Otto: … *his aura glows over his head* “I…can’t tell you.” Florence: V-venice please…*worried frown* …the energy you have…y-you…have to stop Iblis! Venice: *his face twinges with conflict* … *shifts his foot a little closer towards Otto* Otto: *his brows raise in realization as his vision alters again, and continues to change without ceasing* ! … *thinks: Wait, is his indecision doing this to my vision? But how?! How can the future’s path be THAT unclear? JUST BECAUSE OF HIM?* Silver: I…I’ll protect M-Mother this time— I swear, Father! Please go stop Iblis! Venice: . . . Otto: …hm. *shakes his head and thinks: Whatever the reason, I’M THE ONE WITH THE FUTURE VISION! I can still change it in my favor!* … *scoffs* “Is that why you haven’t already ripped me apart? I can tell you want to— it’s in your eyes— but you also don’t want to waste your energy on me, do you? The energy you need to defeat that thing.” Venice: . . . Otto: “I bet it’s just like before. You’re foolishly hoping there’s a someway have it all. Defeat Iblis AND protect your family— save your friends and the humans too— well guess what?! You make that choice again, and you’ll lose EVERYTHING AGAIN! Whether you like it or not, it’s time to take your pick, Venice!” Venice: *his eyes narrow with a glisten of recognition* Florence: We can’t…d-do this again! This is…our only chance, Venice! A roar echos through the city, as Iblis’ steps become louder. With each staggering step, the monster nears the section of city they’re in, pursuing Venice. One of the hedgehog’s ears turns to it. Otto: “I think it’d be smart to listen to your family.” *waves his hand* “Go on. Defeat Iblis. Save the world. Be a hero! That’s what you decided to be, isn’t it? And that way…we can both get what we want.” Venice: “…what do you want?”