Trials and Tribulations
This story takes place during the SATAM timeline and treats Elias like he was always with the group. During this time he becomes one of the leaders of the Mobian rebel forces along side Sonic. However, in this universe there is more than one threat and they are all ready to do what is necessary to complete their goals. Manipulation, genome projects, cloning and mind control is the norm here.
Chapter -1-
I awoke in what appeared to be a cell. I wasn't sure how I had arrived here, but I knew one thing…
I was hurt.…bad.
I tried to get off of the cot but couldn't move my legs. I could move my right arm and sit up…but my legs were useless.
I was afraid they were broken at first until I touched them and felt nothing…then I realized I couldn't feel the bed past my lower back…I hadn't noticed at first but it was true…my whole lower half was numb. I couldn't feel my tail either…damn…
What happened to me?
I noticed my reflection in a pool of water that had accumulated on the floor. I decided to look at it…see how bad off I really was.
As I feared…I didn't recognize myself…I had thought maybe my mind was hazy and looking at myself would…perhaps…snap me back…but it didn't.
I'm was alone…and I couldn't remember anything.
I saw what looked like a military uniform sitting on an old chair in the corner…perhaps…it was mine…
I used my one good arm to pull myself to the ground and drug my almost useless body across the floor and over to the chair. I pulled the tunic off the chair…Jesus it was in bad shape…claw marks, laser burns and blood stains covered it…I sighed and searched the inside for a pocket…I hoped I had ID papers inside.
Nothing.
I was about to throw it in frustration when I saw it inscribed on the front…my name. Or at least my last name. ACORN.
My brain hurt thinking about the name….but eventually I remembered. I was…Elias…Elias Acorn…but other than my name…I remembered nothing else.
I pounded my fists on the ground and yelled at the top of my lungs. This wasn't fair. What had I done to deserve this? Was I a bad person? Maybe I had deserved it.
"Excuse me…" a voice said. I turned and looked the figure. I wasn't really sure what he was.
"What. What do you want?" I said in between wiping tears and trying to slide my body back to the cot.
"I…I am here to check on you. I have to see how your body is healing. You should not be out of bed. You were hurt very badly."
I stared at the nervous boy for a few seconds. "Do…Do you know what happened to me?"
The figure shook his head. "No. You came to us in this condition. I have no idea what happened. All I know is your body was almost destroyed. You are lucky to be alive at all."
I flexed my one good arm and looked at the weakened bicep.
"Yeah…lucky…"
I looked at the figure quizzically. "What exactly are you?"
The figure smiled. "Ah, that is right…your memory is damaged. I am a human. I'm from another part of Mobius.
"Hu-man?" It was a vaguely familiar term. Suddenly the memory of human beings came back to me.
"Human…you…you are my enemy."
The boy helped me back into the cot. "No, not all humans are bad. I am not like my brethren."
"Do you know who you are?" The boy asked.
"I know that I am Elias Acorn…but that is it."
"I was afraid of this. I am going to give you a mild seditive and go get my Master…he will come talk to you."
I took the shot in my useless arm…didn't even feel the huge needle…
Wait…did he say what I thought he said? Oh god…what was going on here?"
That shot didn't take long to take effect…I got really tired really fast…my mind felt like it was 300 miles away from my body.
Suddenly a powerful looking Puma walked into the room. He looked to be about 17 years old and had piercing green eyes. He seemed to be the leader here and the other boy followed beside him discussing what I assumed was me and my condition.
"Ahh hello my Prince…I heard you had finally awakened."
"…yes…so tired…" I said weakly…the shot had taken full effect and I was struggling to put my thoughts together.
"…did…did you…call me…Prince?" I managed to say.
I tried to remember…but I couldn't. How was I a Prince? What happened to me? Was I left for dead?
"Can…can you tell me what happened?" I said weakly.
"Yes. You are the Prince of the Acornian principality. Although there isn't much left of that kingdom…your friends made sure of that…and almost got you killed."
"W-What?" I stammered…my friends caused me to be in this condition?
"Sean…our Prince is getting over worked again. Please give him another dosage."
"Yes Master…" I really didn't understand why this human called him 'Master' but I didn't question it…I was just so confused…why…why did my friends hurt me?
"Can…can you tell…me…why?" I managed to say.
"Of course my Prince. You had decided to join me and my clan in defeating Robotnik, but your sister did not agree with my methods of creating genome soldiers to fight the brainwashed servants of Robotnik. When you refused to listen to Sally she sent Tails and Sonic with you on a mission. However what you didn't know is the mission had been leaked and you were severely injured…as was Sonic…however he didn't make it…so not only did Sally injure her brother…she also killed her lover…how sad."
"…Sister…betrayed…me?" I said sadly. "Tried…kill…me?"
"Yes…it is very sad…all because you wanted to end this war. She had Sonic turned into a werehog…he changed on your mission and went after all of your teammates. We had to put him down. Several seemed to escape…but you were left for dead.
"I…I've…got to get home…got to…stop sister…." I tried desperately to get up and the Puma came over and calmed me down.
"You are in no condition to do anything my Prince. Nor is our clan in any shape to take on Robotnik or your sister. However, I can help you…one thing we have been working on our Nanomites. I can inject them into you and they can heal your damaged body…and I can also inject you with the genome serum to bring you back to your fighting strength."
"But…I…I am…broken…cannot…use…legs…"
"Yes, yes I know…you can't use your left arm either…not to mention your memory is spotty at best. I'm sure you can't even remember how to fight…and you were one of the most feared fighters in the world."
It was true…most of my fighting technique was gone…I couldn't remember any of it. If I was at one time a person to be feared in battle…now I would be laughed at.
"I can give you back your abilities my Prince…just let me fix you."
"I…will…do…anything…to…be whole…a-again…" I said with great effort.
The Puma smiled.
"Great. Sean. Go get a gurney. The Prince is no threat to us in this condition. We can take him into the base now. Then I can start the process."
"Yes Master…I will obey."
"Why…does…human…call you…'Master'?" I asked hoping for a real answer.
"Because without me he would be nothing…isn't that right Sean?"
"Yes…without my Master I am nothing." The boy droned. "I have brought the transport. I will take him to the laboratory and begin prepping his body for the first round of nano mites."
"Good. I will await your call. Goodbye my Prince, I have things to take care of. I will see you in a few hours."
I watched as the Puma walked off and then the boy known as Sean smiled at me.
"Do not worry. We will take care of you. The Master needs you…he will make sure you can fight again. I am going to give you another dosage of pain medication to put you out while I get you prepped for the process."
I blacked out. The medicine did its job and I slept a dreamless sleep.
When I woke again I was in a white sterile room. The boy and Puma were both working on other things and I managed to get their attention when I began coughing.
"Ah, my Prince you are awake. Good. I was wondering if you'd left us or your body was really that weak."
"I…I think…its…really weak…" I said with a forced smile.
"Not too much longer. While you slept I prepped you for the nanomites. I have put a chip into the back of your neck that will allow them to enter your brain, and enter into your blood stream. Once they enter your blood they will begin to fix any issue they come across. I will say now that the process is going to be painful."
"Its…fine…rather…hurt…than be…paralyzed for…life…"
"What…name…? Don't…even…know…want…to thank…" I said…I hated talking so slow…but it was hard to put any words together.
"I am Conner my Prince…I am also of Royalty but my kingdom has been gone since the beginning of the war…almost the first to go. My father…god rest his soul allowed Robotnik to take our kingdom…hoping he'd let them live…he didn't. My dad…got me out…and…I lived in knothole for a long time. We knew each other for a long time Prince. That is why I tried to save your almost lifeless body"
"Thank you…Conner…for…saving…me"
"Oh…don't thank me yet…I haven't begun anything yet."
I didn't know what he meant by that, but I didn't think anything about it.
"Alright you are going to feel a slight pinch in your neck from where I am going to insert a serum…do not worry it won't hurt…you'll probably feel better afterwards."
He was right…it didn't hurt…
I felt…good…really…good…
"How do you feel my Prince?"
"…good…Conner…"
"Lift your good arm my Prince."
I didn't know why…didn't care…Conner wanted me to do it so I did.
"Good my Prince. Very good. Do you like my voice?"
"…yes…" I really did like it…it made me feel good.
"Good. Listen to my voice…my voice is all that matters."
"Voice…all…matters…" I repeated…I wasn't sure why…but I did.
"You will allow the nano mites full access to you…do not fight them."
"I…will…not…fight…" I said…Conner's voice was like ecstasy to me…he made me feel so much better…I was so glad he was here to help me.
"I am your friend…I am your only friend… I am all that matters now."
"All…that…matters…" Conner could have just hummed and I would have loved to listen.
"I am going to insert the nano mites now. Remember not to fight them."
"I…won't…fight…" Conner was my friend…my best friend…he'd help me. "
I felt a slight pinch again and then massive pain in my head… …Conner said not to fight it…can't fight it. Why is my body trying to fight it…it is good…it will help me.
"It…hurts…Conner…why…" I whimpered.
"It hurts because your body is so damaged. You will hurt now, but just think when you are up walking again."
This was true…I remembered crawling on that floor trying to find out who I was…did I really want to be like that for the rest of my life?
I suddenly felt my knowledge of fighting and tactical warfare coming flowing back…I began to remember…but…my life…I couldn't remember still…I could only remember how to fight…why…couldn't I remember anything else?
Then my head sent pain through my whole body…so much pain it made me sit up on the table.
"I…I can remember…I know…who I am." I said excitedly.
"Really?" Conner said with surprise. "Tell me what you remember."
I told the Puma about my life…about how I was trained to become leader of the Mobians…about how I had trained to be a great leader and fighter…how I had left home to train…and when I came home everything was gone…then I told how I found out my Sister had betrayed my father and me…how the Freedom Fighters were almost as bad as Robotnik…how I had wanted to join up with Conner and his clan…how we were friends from long ago and I trusted him…how I had almost been killed by the werehog and how he had saved me…how he had helped make me whole again.
How I owed him more than anything…how I would serve him…do whatever he asked…
How…I…was…his…slave…and would…obey…his every…command…
"Repeat that last thing you said to me Prince. If you would."
"I said I owe you…I am your servant…I will obey whatever you tell me."
Conner looked at me oddly for a second. "You are Prince of all Mobius…yet you will obey me?"
"Yes…. I am your servant. You have made me whole and I am forever in your debt."
"You willingly are giving yourself to me?" Conner said.
"Yes. I am. You are my best friend…my only friend…when I needed help you were the one that saved me. I cannot resist you or your voice…I must obey."
"How long have we known each other my Prince?"
"I've known you since we were children…I was there the day you entered Knothole?"
"I see your memory is starting to improve."
Conner was right, the nano mites had hurt at first, but after a few minutes I felt great. My mind was clear and most of my memory had returned and allowed me to remember my best friend in the whole world.
The only thing that I didn't understand was why he put me in a cell instead of bringing me here first…if we were friends why would I fight him?
"Conner…why…why was I put in a cell at first…how come you'd put your 'best friend' in a prison cell…I don't…"
"That is very simple my friend…I had no idea if you had decided to side with me or your sister. I wasn't about to bring you into my laboratory and allow you to destroy it. That is why as soon as I knew I brought you up here."
That made sense…logically he couldn't trust me….but…if we were true friends…he would KNOW I was coming…and that I'd never betray him…god…my head really started hurting…
Then as quick as it begun the pain stopped and I understood what the Master had told me…understood that what he said was law and truth…I understood that he was the ONLY thing that I would listen to and that my sister was the enemy.
"…Master…?" I said hoping that was what I should call him.
"Yes my Prince?" He said with a smile.
"I want to get revenge on my sister…revenge for what they did to me."
"No…we will not kill them…we will turn them…one by one…until she is all that remains…then…then you'll have your revenge my slave…then we will rule…you will be in charge as my puppet…I will run the world secretly and allow you to sit on the throne."
"Yes…that will do…as long as my sister is not in charge…she has done more to me than even Robotnik…after all I did for her…" I said in an angry rage…my sister…hate…
"Calm down my Prince, the nano mites have only repaired your mind, not your body…you could cause yourself more harm right now."
Conner…no…the Master…put his hands on my shoulders and began to massage them…I quickly calmed…he knew exactly how to calm me…he was my best friend after all…he'd know how to make me feel better.
"Elias…I must go and get the genome serum from the vault. I will leave Sean here with you in case you need anything. Sean is your friend. Sean has been your friend for several years when he escaped from Robotnik and joined me. You remember Sean don't you?"
I looked at the human for a few minutes…I had remembered him coming to my aide in the cell…but..didn't recognize him…you'd think I'd remember a human.
"No…I don't remember him…perhaps it is a hole in my memory." I said sadly.
"Sean, how long have you known the Prince?"
"Master…I have known him for five years…we were all children then."
My head hurt again…and just like before it stopped as fast as it came…
Suddenly I remembered Sean…remembered his human body…his eyes…everything. I remembered that we had all become blood brothers before…he was as important to me as the Master…we were close…and I had almost forgotten him.
"Master…I remember…Sean…forgive me brother…I remember you…"
I was very tired…no longer frustrated about my memory…but I was still paralyzed…the Master had not given me back my life yet…I was still useless…
I lied back on the table as the Master promised to get the genome serum. Sean sat nearby watching over me.
"Prince…I am glad you are here. I am happy to see my brother again."
I forced myself to turn over and face my brother. "I have missed you as well."
"Just wait until you are given the serum. You will experience feeling like you've never felt before."
I shifted my good arm to hold my head up. "You've been given the serum?" I asked.
Sean nodded and took off the lab coat he had been wearing and exposed his shirtless body. He then unbuckled his belt and dropped his pants. The boy was well muscled and tanned all over…his smooth body was in top shape. For a human he was indeed perfect. His eyes…however were so dull…almost…lifeless.
Sean then pulled his pants back up and smiled. "The Master made me strong…I was very weak when I was younger. This changed everything. I can stay with even the biggest wolf now!"
I tried to picture him as a younger boy but it was hard to remember. I assumed it was because my memory still had holes in it. His body was fairly impressive, for a human. I had a hard time believing he could stop a fully angered wolf…but I'm sure I'd see for myself eventually.
Well…I'd see if my legs ever worked again.
Finally the Master came back and I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sean, help me set up the I.V. he has to have this given slowly. His body is far too damaged to get a straight shot of this stuff."
"Yes my Master…" Sean said and immediately went to work.
Within a few minutes everything was set up and I was hooked up to various tubes.
"My Prince…this is going to take a while…please be patient. I promise the results will be worth the wait."
"It is ok…you said to be patient and I will be. I trust your judgment and I know you want me to get better." I said with a small smile.
I watched the bright blue liquid begin flowing through the tubes and into my body. I didn't really feel much at first. But after a few hours I felt my upper body burning. Really burning…I whimpered out to the Master and he came over with a large smile.
"It is working now my friend…calm down…let the serum flow…your body is already being changed."
I didn't feel my body changing but I believed the Master.
One thing that I did notice was that I felt a whole lot closer to my Master…
I really did love him now…I couldn't wait to prove myself to him. I wanted to be near him…God…I wanted him…wanted my Master so bad.
"My slave, do you feel any different about me?" The Master said. His voice…was ecstasy to me.
"I…do…Master…I can't…resist…your voice…"
"You can't resist my voice? What about me? How do you feel when you look at me?"
"When I look at you…it makes me want to follow you to the ends of the earth…follow..every command you give…"
"So you are no longer under your own will…you only obey my commands?"
"Yes…no longer…my own will…"
"You love me, don't you Prince?"
"Yes…more than you can imagine…"
"Excellent…now I expect you to rest. You have a long recovery ahead of you and I want you back at 100% health sooner than later."
"As you command…I will…rest…" Within seconds my eyes became heavy and I fell asleep.
As I slept I was haunted by dreams…
Dreams of my sister…and how she betrayed me…
How the freedom fighters tried to kill me…
However, every now and then a flash of good would appear in the form of a two tailed fox telling me he loved me…how he was glad to be my little brother.
I tried focusing on this aspect of my dreams but it would disappear as fast as it came….leading back into dreams of my Master and how wonderful he was…
"Elias…this life…this life is a lie…remember who you really are! Before its too late!"
I suddenly jerked back into the waking world…what the hell did I dream?
The entire lab was darkened and it seems the others had gone to bed…but I wasn't sure…the time was unknown to me. I yearned for the Master but he was no where to be found. I needed him…needed to know what those dreams meant…
I grabbed the I.V. tube….with my left arm…wait…when I fell asleep I still only had the use of my right…I tried moving my legs but they still didn't work…damn…
I sat up and looked at the mirror on the wall and looked at my body. The Master was right, the serum would make me better…I was in top physical condition by my looks. My chest had filled out and I ran my hands over the abs I hadn't been able to get no matter how hard I tried. I had been given the new lease on life I needed…
Now if only the Master was here…gods I needed him. I needed his voice…I didn't know what to do and could not function without his command.
I needed to find the Master…needed his commands…
I fell out of the hospital bed, making sure to not rip out the tubes and started crawling towards the door. I had to find the Master…no matter where he was…he had to be found.
My mind was screaming for commands…it became harder to focus…the only thing I could think of was Conner…he was the only thing that mattered…I needed him…needed commands…needed to obey.
Before I could crawl out of the room Sean walked in with a look of surprise.
"Brother? Why are you out of bed, you are not well yet. The Master wanted you to rest."
"I awoke…I needed to find the Master…dreams…confused me…scared…need Master…"
"He isn't here my brother…he went to scout our first mission. He won't be back until sunrise. I promise you he will be back…"
I began to cry. "I NEED him…I can't…think without him…I need to OBEY…"
Sean picked me up from the ground and held me while I cried.
"Elias…he will return…you will be ok."
I couldn't believe how emotional I had become over Conner…he was just a boy…just…
No…he was more than that…he was my best friend…the only person I could trust…he was my caretaker now…my Master…and he wasn't here…I needed him.
"Elias, if you don't calm down you are going to re-injure your wounds…you aren't healed yet!"
"Don't…care…must find…Master!" I yearned so much for the Master it was making me sick!
"Elias! Please! I don't want to do this!"
I felt a prick in my arm and I became very sleepy…really…tired…
"Sean…so…tired…"
"I know…come on…I'll take you back to your bed…this time…STAY in it."
"Yes…I…I will stay…and rest…"
I wanted my Master…but I was so tired that I'd have to wait…so tired…
I fell asleep for several hours until I was awoken…
MASTER!
Master was here…Master was here! He came back to me!
"Elias, I hear you disobeyed last night and left your bed. Is that true?"
"Yes…I…needed…needed commands…tried to find you…couldn't…"
The Master put his hands on my stomach and started rubbing…felt so good…
"Elias…when told to do something I expect you to obey…I commanded you to sleep. You didn't and could have ruined the serum. You could have made it to where you will never walk again."
"Yes…M-Master…sorry…Master…"
"However, I also was told you cried for me and were desperate to see me. Is that also true?"
"Yes Master…I could not stand being away from you…I needed commands to obey and didn't know what to do."
"Prince, I want you to listen exactly to what I tell you and I expect you to repeat it and imprint it into your mind"
"I will listen…and repeat your commands…" I said…hoping to please my Master.
"You are not one to sit and cry…you are a warrior."
"Not…cry…warrior…" I said without even thinking.
"Not only are you are strong warrior, you are a leader. I call you Prince because that is what you are. You can do basic functions without being commanded. You are to always follow my orders, but you can make choices that fit with my instruction."
"Leader…can…make…decisions…as long as they coincide with Master's command"
"Very good my Prince. Just remember, I am your entire universe and nothing will ever change your thoughts. You are mine until death. Is that understood?"
"Yes Master…I am yours forever…I will love you and obey you with my entire being until my death."
"Will you ever listen to the lies of the Freedom Fighters? They will try and take you from me."
"NO! They will not trick me with their lies! I'll never leave you Master! You gave me a new lease on life! I'd be dead without you!"
The Master caressed my face and I purred with pleasure at the touch.
"Good my slave. I think your mind is almost 100% back to normal. You are almost ready to go out on a mission. Once your legs are healed anyway."
"My legs are still useless Master…" I said sadly.
"It takes time. They will heal. I have brought crutches so you can get around the compound. I would like to show you around the lab. We have something I'd like to show you."
To Be continued.
Hope you enjoy. Been working on this for some time now. Let me know if you like it or not!