SSS, TTM story part 5

Sonic, Shadow, Silver
The Three Musketeers
By Arecus. Conberma
Chapter 5: Marian, or Maria? Friends?

--

--Monseir’s House--

“What was that about?” Sonic shouted as they had stormed into the house of D'Artagnan’s friend.

Shadow ignored Sonic’s question instead he walked himself in a circle, questions in his heads. “How can this happen? That girl is definitely not Maria!! This is not happening! This is not happening!” he kept murmuring to himself.

Until he was stopped by Silver grabbed his shoulders, “Shadow! Would you please sit down and tell us what the heck was going on?” he demanded.

Shadow thought for a moment, he sighed and sat down on a chair, and then he spoke, “Sonic, do you remember I once had a human-girl friend Maria?” he asked.

“Yea, why do you ask?” Sonic said.

“Uhhh…” Silver was totally confusing.

Shadow ignored Silver’s confusion as he continued, “And that dancing girl this morning, her face, her eyes and her heart…they are the same!!” he claimed, seriously.

“You mean, she looks exactly Maria!?” Sonic cried out.

Question marks filled in Silver’s head.

Shadow was sweat-dropped, “Don’t tell me you didn’t see her?” he asked.

Sonic sheepishly nodded and Shadow slapped his forehead. Silver couldn’t take any much longer as he blurted out, “Can somebody please tell me what are you talking about?” he shouted, swing his arms widely in confusion.

“Well, Silver. You see, this happened before we met you…” and so, Sonic and Shadow explained together to Silver the story of Shadow, and the promise between Shadow and Maria.

It took 30 minutes of explanation for Silver to understand, he cupped his chin and said, “I see, but even though, that dancing girl couldn’t be Maria, right?” Silver exclaimed.

“But I was sure of it that she was Maria!!” Shadow shouted.

“She’s only similar to Maria!” Sonic cried, grabbing Shadow’s shoulders to force him to look into his emerald eyes.

Like splashed by a bucket of cold water in his head, Shadow was calmed down by the word from Sonic’s mouth “similar”. Finally, he asked. “What do you mean, by “similar”?”

Sonic sighed, “Look, in this world, this is the world of storybook. Someone may look like someone you know. Just take Monseir for example, he looks like Big but he’s not.” He explained.

“How do you know?” Silver then asked.

“I’ve been sucked into the storybooks twice, one was in the “Arabian Nights” and the other was in “King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table”. And it is in the same formula. In “Arabian Nights”, Knuckles looked like Sinbad, but in “King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table”, he was Sir Gawain.”

Shadow and Silver were speechless and stared at Sonic in disbelief, Sonic sighed again and took his hands off Shadow’s shoulders. He turned to them and said.

“Just remember, keep in mind that our friends and enemies aren't exactly who they formerly were.” He finished without emotion and sat beside the fire.

The other two hedgehogs shared a glance to each other and thought a while. They walked towards Sonic and saw beside him, the azure one was between them. Sonic titled his head at his other two hedgehogs, “Now what? If you want a rematch, I’m not in mood.” He grunted, wrapped his legs by his arms.

“Actually…just wanna talk.” Silver sheepishly said.

“Huh?”

“I mean, from the first moment we met. We always fight and fight with no reason, not even a small chat we could survive. Why?” Silver asked, staring at Sonic with questioned-face.

For the first time, Sonic didn’t know how to reply a question, neither do Shadow. But Shadow broke the awkward silence, “I think…we’re trying to show to each other who is the best. At least, that’s what I did when I first met you, Sonic.”

Sonic finally chuckled lightly, conjuring the memory when he met Shadow. “Yea, that time you first called me “Faker”.” He said.

“And “Ibblis Trigger”.” Silver added with a grin.

Finally, for the first time in their life, they actually laughed together. It was awkward and yet felt something warm in their heart. When Sonic saw the true smile and laughter from the dark with red stripes hedgehog, he was surprised, in fact, he really liked his smiles.

“You know you should smile often, it really makes you look good.” Sonic commented.
“Yea, he’s right, Shads.” Silver added.

“Shads?” Sonic and Shadow asked and frowned in sync.

“Well, if we’re friends, we should speak each other’s nickname instead of real name. I mean, you could call me Silv if you want to. At least, that's how Blaze used to call me.” Silver explained.

“Who said we’re friends anyway, Silv?” Shadow then asked, teasing in his tone with a smirk and crossing his arms.

Silver was nervous a bit, but then Shadow burst out another laughter, and so did Sonic. Sonic held his one palm out in front of them, “We’re best friends now.” He said, eyeing at them for something. “Best friends?”

Hesitantly, Silver placed his palm on top of Sonic’s, and gave him a confident smile. “Best friends.”

The two looked at Shadow, returned a look to each of them. He grinned, and placed his palm on top of theirs. “Best friends.” He said.

Then they gave a big push of their hands and the sheer pressure of their hands pounding on had created a small wind in the house. They could feel it.

“That was odd.” Sonic spoke.

“No, that was down right scary.” Silver joked.

They shared a few laughs, Sonic then suggested, “What do we say we take a visit to this ‘Maria’ dancing girl?”

“Really?” Shadow asked.

“Hey, it’s been…how long you haven’t seen her?” Sonic then asked.

Shadow looked at the ground and said under his blush, “…50 years.”

Silver was shocked, “You’re THAT old?”

“You’ve got a problem with that?” Shadow said as he sent the young one a glare. “And yes, let’s go.” He replied Sonic.

“Alright, Shads.” Sonic teased.

The nickname gave the ebony a shiver down in his spines, “Please, give me some time to get use with this so-called nickname of me.” He requested.

“No problem, Shads.” Silver giggled.

Shadow shuddered a bit, “STARTING RIGHT NOW!!” he cried with a deep flush, and they laughed again.

When they got outside, they saw D’Artagnan stood beside a tree, aware of their purpose. “May I join you? It will Monseir a whole day to finish the clothes. Beside, I need to take you three to see Marian.” He asked.

“Sure, no problem.” Sonic replied.

D’Artagnan had seen everything from the beginning, he lit up a small smile, he wouldn’t let them know because they would kill him if they knew. And so they walked towards the way to Ca’dina and seek the witch Marian.

--

When they were back at the same place where they last saw the dancing girl who looked like Maria, crowded people were every where but still no sign of the girl they’re looking for.

“Maybe she left already.” Silver said.

Shadow hated to admit but Silver probably right about it. However, suddenly a girl’s cry behind them. At the end, Silver was wrong. That the same girl was standing beside the wall, with some soldiers surrounded her with lust.

“Stay away from me!” she cried.

“Why should we, from a pretty girl like you?” one of the soldier said.

“And blind.” Another one said and they burst out laughter.

The girl nearly cried in tears, at that sight, Shadow had already ran in front of the girl who looked like Maria, holding a fighting-stance as a sign to protect her. Even though she was blind, she could feel the presence of Shadow.

When Sonic, Silver and D’Artagnan approached them, one of the soldiers had quickly recognized the Musketeer. “You! You’re D’Artagnan the traitor!” he claimed.

“Traitor? Your will is the traitor!” D’Artagnan shouted.

“In the name of the King of France, you’re under arrest.” The captain announced.

Before D’Artagnan pulled his sword and ready to fight, Shadow on the other hand, secretly leaned his head to Silver and whispered in his ears, “Silver, could you hypnotize him?” he asked.

“Well, I can, but why?”

“Just do as I say.” Shadow whispered with a low tone in it.

And so he did, Silver gave the captain a hypnotize psychic, and Shadow commanded, “You and your troops will go back where you came from and tell your leader, you are going down.” He finished, and secretly put something in the man’s pocket.

Shadow then hit on horse’s butt and it ran in lightning along with its whinny after Shadow hit it, as well as his troops followed him.

After they were out of their sight, Sonic grumbled walking beside Shadow, couldn’t believe he let the ones who tried to hurt the girl who looked like his beloved friend.
"Shads, you're too polite this time. I’m so disappointed." Sonic blamed.

"Yea, how could you let him get away with this?" Silver agreed.

Shadow then looked at them, “You think I would let them get away with THAT easily?”
Shadow then smirked which made them confused, "I put a handkerchief in his pocket, of course licked with a female’s gland." He explained, "Fifteen minutes from now on, all dogs or creatures in the city will be interested in this guy." he spoke with satisfied.

Although, the three were shocked, but yet quite impressed by the black with red stripes hedgehog. "So you take philter as balm?" Sonic asked, staring at him with a doubt.

“I didn’t even know you had this on your hands.” Silver added innocently.

Shadow shot them a dead glare and tried to ignore him and waited the show. Soon, as Shadow foretold, all the dogs or creatures in Paris had gathered and chased on the captain. The captain was panicked and he didn't know what to do but he knew that he had to run as fast as he could while the others and the villagers were laughing crazily at him.

"Wow, we must take snapshots of this rare view, is there a camera?" Sonic excitedly asked.

"This is a storybook and nearly 17 th Century, where can you get a camera? A prize from a cereal box?" Silver mocked.

"You could hire a artist to paint it down if you want." D'Artagnan said as he gave Sonic some gold coins, amused as well.

Sonic grinned and nodded as he snatched the coins and stormed away to hire a painter. Shadow, Silver and D'Artagnan both shouted while Sonic was still running, "Get some maximum snapshots back!" they shouted in sync.

The Musketeer turned at the terrified shaking girl who was wrapping her arms around the tree, he walked towards her and knelt at her. “Marian, I have seek of your request.” He said.

‘She’s Marian!?’ the three hedgehogs were shocked when D’Artagnan pointed out her.
Fear had slowly faded from her body, her hand tried to search for another hand, and Shadow quickly took it before D'Artagnan did. Marian just grinned, though she couldn’t see anyway. “Please, let’s not talk here. My place would be safely to talk. Come.” She said.

“But how could you show us the walk when you’re…” Silver couldn’t say that word ‘blind’.

However, Marian had read his mind as she interrupted, “Blind? Do not worry.” She firmly said and then she whistled.

A black dog with a crossed scar on its forehead revealed from the crowd, it barked happily when it saw Marian as it ran around her repeatedly, Marian giggled when she sensed her dog around her. “Okay, easy down, boy.” She said, giggling.

The dog barked as a reply, and started licking her face. But when it saw Sonic and his friends, it changed its facial and growled at them angrily. Marian then assured it, “Don’t worry, boy, they’re our friends.” She said as she petted its head.

Its growl stopped, the blind witch looked up at the D'Artagnan and the three hedgehogs, “Apologize my silly furry friend, he’s a bit…over-protective to me.” She said, “His name is Shade and he will lead us to my home.”

“Nice doggy.” Silver said as he petted Shade’s head.

It growled in happy way, unexpectedly, usually Marian was the one who could always pleased him, and now he could let a strange yet talking-hedgehog made him feel comfortable. Marian giggled again, which confused Silver, Silver then asked. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, Shade maybe loves people who pet his head, but only me. You’re very special hedgehog.” She said.

“Wait…how did you know-” Sonic asked.

“I knew the day you three will arrive, now come, we don’t have much time.” Marian interrupted and she grabbed Shade’s fur, as he leaded the way.

While they were walking, Marian was holding Shadow’s hand still. Although Shadow didn’t mind at all, but he couldn’t help the strange feeling when he was with the one who looked exactly like his best friend. He felt his heart was beating faster than usual, and his cheeks were burning as it changed into red when he was around her. He couldn’t help but having this strange new feeling.

Could this be…love?

--

Finally they had arrived, it was a small cart as a house, for gypsy, it was enough for them as a shelter. The cart was full of flower as a decoration and with some item as a protection against evil. Shade then sat down, guarding the house loyalty, Marian giggled lightly as she petted his head and went inside the house.

When they got inside, Marian shouted a name, “Grandfather, we have special guests.”
“Alright, just make yourself comfortable.” Replied the voice.

Sonic spotted a chair and sat on it, Silver, Shadow and D’Artangna spotted themselves for each, the same chair that gathered in ac circle with a crystal ball on the round table.
“May I see?” Marian pleased.

“See what?” Silver asked curiously.

“Your fortune, of course.” Marian replied with a light giggled. “Give me your hand, Monsieur Silver.” She requested.

“How do you know--” Marian then shushed quietly at the nervous hedgehog.

“Relax, young one, I have seen something greatness lies in your hands.” She replied as she gently grasped Silver’s hand.

Silver couldn’t help but blushed a bit, as he had never been touched by a girl, except Blaze. However, Shadow felt a bit jealous of Silver. Marian frowned a bit and then suddenly she grasped Sonic and Shadow’s hands at the same time, “Strange…” she murmured.

“What? What is it?” Sonic seemed a bit concern about this.

“Both of you three hands, they are the same.” Marian responded, still touching their hands.

“What does that mean?” Shadow then asked again, paying full attention on Marian.

“Isn’t it obliviously? You three are brothers in vain.” She stated, releasing their hands.

The next thing she knew is, their complains. First one, Shadow. “Look, I’m not in mood today! So I just repeat ONCE! I was born in created! That faker was born naturally, and that psychic-freak came from the future!!” he declared, slammed hard on the desk.

But Marian was remained calm and still, Shadow was surprised of her bravery.

Sonic was up next, “I’ve heard people said I looked like somebody else, like pop-stars and famous heroes. But didn’t expect it would be these two!” he cried, pointing at Shadow and Silver.

Finally, Silver. “You know, the word of “Friend” is hardly suit for us already, “Rival” or “Enemy” would be perfect for us. And not mention the word of “Brother”, it makes me SICK!!” he shouted.

But still, Marian continued her manner, kept calm. D’Artangna had had enough as he slammed the table harder than Shadow, which had shocked everyone. “I hope you would be careful your words. Because in Musketeer, friends are very important, believe me, I know.” He claimed, and then he at alone on the floor.

Marian thought in a while, it took her a few minutes to speak, “I will never lie, you three are in vain. But in different way of born.”

“Oh yea? Prove it!” Sonic claimed.

The gypsy then took out a pile of cards. “These cards can let us see the past, present and future. Let’s see the past, shall we?” She explained while separating the cards. “Now, select one each.” She instructed.

Sonic, Shadow and Silver were hesitated a bit, but they had to do it no matter how much they didn’t want to. They took each in order, Shadow first, then Sonic and finally Silver. Marian told them to give her the cards, and so they did.

As recalled, Marian had sensitive organs as she could easily touched the curls of the cards, “King, Queen and the Death.” She murmured.

“What does that mean again?” Sonic asked, a little impatient.

“They’re saying that…” suddenly a cry interjected the conversation.

“TEA TIME!!” another figure came out behind the curtain, whose face also similar to Sonic and Shadow, especially the ebony one.

“Professor Gernald?” they asked in unison.

“What, hell, no, my name is Lamoreus. I’m a doctor around here.” He explained.
“A doctor?” Silver repeated suspiciously.

“Sorry, you look like someone I knew a very long time ago.” Shadow apologized.
“Grandfather, that time already?” Marian whimpered, trying to use the puppy face.

“Now, now, you know you must take your medicine. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have a day to see the day of light again.” Lamoreus scolded, playfully.

“Aww…” Marian gave up and took the medicine.

The word of “medicine” had perked Shadow’s ear up, he asked Lamoreus. “Excuse me, medicine?”

“Oh, poor child. She was blind since the day she was born. Never see the true light of day, only the darkness in the dark night. As her grandfather and a doctor, I would do anything to help to heal her eyes.” He explained while he was setting up the tea.

‘The same fate happened to Maria as well…could it be this is a second chance for me?’ he thought.

“Tea, anyone?” Lamoreus announced, snapped Shadow back to the reality.

“Oh yes, please do.” D’Artagnan replied, was given a cup of tea.

“We’ll talk about the cards later, right now, we must gather the energy from above for tonight event.” Marian announced.

“Tonight event?” D’Artagnan asked. “But what about Milady’s plot?”

“Patient is virtue, you should know this, D’Artagnan.” Marian replied with a sip of her tea that mixed with medicine.

Shadow watched Marian took the medicine and he needed to do something quickly before the history repeated. He would give his life if this is his second chance to protect someone like long-lost beloved Maria.

--

To be continued…