7 Continents, 7 Crystals Part 6: An Ancient Past

*Just as Vibes is about to land a Punch on the hedgehog girl, the echidna grabs her fists and throws her towards Sonic*

Sonic: OOF!

*Vibes scowls*

Vibes: Hey! That's not fair!

Sonic: Grrr!! *spin dashes into the echidna*

???4: Hmm...*observing everything*

*Vibes scowls*

Vibes: You want to play dirty? Fine. STEAL MODE!

???4: Heh! *runs up and presses the gem on his pendant. The resulting pressure causes a force field to surround the other cloaked figures*

Vibes: No way!

???4: That ain't all! *he then lets go, and the resulting energy explosion sends Vibes flying to a wall*

*Vibes groans as she gets knocked to the ground*

Vibes: Ow. Ow....ow.

Sonic: Something about these guys....

*In the distance a mysterious figure watches the fight*

*BACK IN THE THEATER*

Amy: *rehearsing a "One Woman Show"* *groans* Why can't I hit this high note right?

*Sal sighs*

Sal (thought): Oh great. Up against another diva!

Sticks: You shouldn't really stress out. When you do, you get bags under your eyes. And when that happens it makes it easier for government drones to pick you out of a crowd and force you to test tacky beauty products!

G: *just facepalms*

Knuckles: Uh...does anyone know where there's a printer? I need to print out some poems.

Tails: Wait what now?

Knuckles: Well with all these flashy and gimmicky stunts someone has to bring a little culture to this performance.

Tails: You.........bringing culture......

Knuckles: Exactly! *smiles proudly*

Tails:..............right. *gets back to working on his routine*

*Sal sighs*

Sal (thought): I really should fire my agent.

Tails: Phew! *takes a breather, looks to Sal* So how's your routine coming along?

*Sal smiles*

Sal: It's going great...thanks.

*Sal looks back at the mirror and sees herself fat*

Sal's reflection: Who are you kidding?

Sal's Reflection: You know you're going to blow it like last time.

*Sal tries to hold back the tears*

Sal: It...it's different. I'm an adult now.

Sal's Reflection: Oh come on. You can hide from everyone else, but not me.

Sal: Sh-Shut up....

Tails: *just looking at her talking to the mirror*....Um....are you sure everything's alright?

*Sal smiles awkwardly*

Sal: I...I just need to take a break for a minute.

*Sal rushes outside*

Sal: Need doughnuts need doughnuts need doughnuts...

Tails: Hmm...this is serious.

Amy: *walks up* I know I've seen this kind of behavior before. Something's bugging her and because of it she's lacking in confidence. She doesn't believe that she can succeed. I'd love to help fix this but at this close to show time I don't think we can.

Tails: Hmm..*looks at the booth he's working on* I think I have an idea. If this works, I'll not only get an assistant for my act but it should give Sally the confidence boost she needs!

*Amy smiles*

Amy: Excellent, you do that.

Amy (thought): Phew, for a moment there I nearly lost my chance to win.

Tails: *sighs* She's really lucky I can't read "thought bubble".

*Meanwhile with IG and CG*

*IG grins as she juggles with giant rocks*

IG: This is going to be a cinch- with your sharp shooting and my strength who the heck can beat us?

CG:*is blindfolded* Yeah I know. Still that colorful band of idiots did look like they could really stir up a crowd.

*IG shrugs*

IG: Meh, I reckon we can take them.

CG: That's what you said the last time our butts were whipped...

*IG smiles*

IG: Well...we could...

CG: Cheat and sabotage the other acts?

IG: I was going to say practise really hard but that works too.

*Back with Vibes and Sonic*

Sonic: OOF! *hits the ground as the four figures surround both him and Vibes*