"The Third Demonstration" (Written by Seeth)
(Reinterpretation of the Creepypasta: "Demo Sonic 2")
I suppose that any member loyal to their company, no matter what happens, will tenaciously defend their interests. I had entered vacation time after spending a long time at work, which is very demanding. Having those days off has been a great relief for me. While out to see what things I could buy for lunch, I passed by a video game store. There I could see several games for sale for my console, but the one that caught my attention the most was one called Sonic Generations. I stayed for a few minutes observing. I don't have many memories of Sonic since when I try to remember something from my life I usually get a headache. I don't know the reason, so I try not to think too much about the past. But I knew that at some point I will have played a Sonic game since I do remember perfectly a Sega Genesis that was a gift from my late father. I don't remember much about him either, I only have a photo of him and several gifts he had given me. My mother never wanted to tell me what happened, she always evaded any kind of question I asked her about him, so I grew up alone.
With the game's cover alone it caught my attention, I decided to buy it to see what I could find. Curiously, I recognized the first level, Green Hill, perfectly . For a moment I was a kid having a lot of fun, but at a certain part of the background song it gave me a sad feeling, like I had associated the notes with something. I thought it was just me, so I continued. Upon reaching the second level, Chemical Plant, for some reason my head lit up and went blank. I remember that level from somewhere, but it wasn't very accurate. The music ignited a nostalgic feeling within me, which was strange since I felt like I played it before, but at the same time it's like I had never played it. This feeling disappeared when I reached the next level, Sky Sanctuary. This one didn't wake up anything, I stayed still in the game thinking deeply about the above to try to find an answer.
I turned off my console and went to investigate on the internet. This game I bought was an anniversary one, collecting levels from different games. Green Hill was from Sonic 1, Chemical Plant from Sonic 2 and finally Sky Sanctuary was from the third game, Sonic 3. I don't even remember having gotten my hands on Sonic 2, much less 3. To satisfy that doubt I had, I downloaded the Sonic 2 to try it out. After I finished it, everything I saw in that game gave me a strange feeling, like a void itself. Seeing Sonic himself made my head hurt, but playing his game, I'm sure something was missing. It was like the feeling of being incomplete. I searched for a few hours for more information in an attempt to satisfy my feeling. Fortunately, I found what I needed on a page dedicated to collecting data on video game prototypes and among so many things I found it.
Deleted level sketches , but why did my head hurt every time I looked at those concepts? I managed to find a few mods to the original game trying to restore those levels, but deep down I felt like it was different. I had already done a lot of research and came up with nothing. I thought and thought for a long time until I came to the conclusion that I would have to go to the oldest source I have on this topic, my mother. A few days later I contacted her to let her know that I would be visiting in the afternoon. When we arrived at his house we caught up and I decided to get to the point. “Mother, the conversation was nice, but I want to get to the point. Do you know why my head hurts a lot every time I try to remember something? I only asked you today because something curious happened to me. I came across a game, specifically a character called Sonic, and every time I try to play on my thoughts related to it it hurts me more than any other time. I have a feeling there is something you could explain to me.” As soon as he heard the name Sonic, he began to show signs of nervousness. Maybe he thought I wouldn't notice.
"No, your headache and difficulties remembering were something you were born with."
"Mother, please, your tremors when speaking confirm to me that you are lying, I think I am old enough for you to tell me the truth."
Before he even said a word, his voice breaking, He made me promise not to do anything. I didn't understand what she meant, but out of respect for her I agreed.
"Many years ago we had attended a hall for a large meeting since you had won a contest that was organized in the city. But in the middle of the day an accident happens and you hit your head too hard, causing permanent damage. When he mentioned a room and a meeting, out of nowhere, I felt intense pain. But I was finally able to remember something."
Thoughts formed in my mind of many children playing with a console, a card and a large room. I wanted to ask her more, but her voice and face alone told me that she was about to burst into tears, so I decided to leave her alone. I changed the subject and for the rest of the day we just talked about everyday things. It was around 6 in the afternoon, I said goodbye to her, apologizing for making her a little uncomfortable with the questions.
Once away from his house, I had to break the promise I made. Deep down I knew there was a lot more to it than just a knock, and besides, if I investigate further on my own, he doesn't have to know. While walking back to my home, I passed by several places not very related to the topic, but trying to see if any matched my recent memory and my mother's sentence mentioning the contest near here, I knew it had to be one.
After spending almost an hour going from place to place, I arrived at one where I could finally feel a comfortable sensation. It was one dedicated to renting consoles and selling games. I didn't waste much time inspecting the place, I knew this was it. I went to the counter and asked for the owner. When he was called, as soon as he crossed the door behind the counter, he stood completely still with his eyes wide open. I didn't understand why he did that until he said, 'I never thought I'd see you again. Yes, you have grown.' I didn't understand what he meant, he didn't look familiar to me, but whoever told me that I grew up had already convinced me to ask him questions.
"Hello, yes, I want to ask about something. I know that this place had a contest many years ago. You know why?"
"Let's talk about this in private. Come, come into my office, it will be much calmer."
I had nothing to lose, so I simply agreed. As I passed through the door, I noticed that the employee who had called the owner had been staring at me. I just ignored it. Behind the door was a small hallway that had other entrances that led somewhere. When I arrived at the office and sat in one of the many armchairs, the owner only sat in one in front and gave a tired, but at the same time, bitter sigh.
"Okay, now you can continue."
"Years ago in this place there had been a contest to attend a large room and there was a big problem. It has to do with the character Sonic. That's all the key and since you're the owner, I'm sure you know something. I need you to explain.
"Yes, I know what you're talking about."
"He knows? Well tell me about it."
As I was telling him this, I noticed that he was constantly looking at the door.
"Well, did he do it?"
"I will gladly tell you, but first I hope you understand. I'm already old, so my memory is failing a little. I had a friend from many years ago. He had managed to get a job with the Sega company, while I opened my store that at that time sold various video games or consoles, it was not for rent.
One day he had contacted me since his senior management was preparing a new game, a sequel to the famous Sonic game. I managed to meet him since his first game had been a success at my place. He explained to me that he needed someone very young who could test the game before its release, so any necessary corrections could be made. They already had several children from other countries chosen and I needed one from here. I told him that, to be fair, I would be holding a contest for the first Sonic game at the store. Whoever managed to earn the most points would get the chance. No need to explain that the winning child was you. You narrowly edged out another contestant. A few weeks later, everything necessary was organized to make the trip to the large hall where the game was going to be tested. You were accompanied by your mother, father and me. When we arrived at the assigned address, there was a large door and they let us through. I remember that the place was a kind of theater with a few tables where the televisions were next to the consoles and a person who was apparently a guard who protected the cartridges. At the center of everything was a large stage where the game logo could be seen through a projector. The number of people was small, but I could make out the other children who were chosen to play."
"While we were walking around, I was able to bump into my friend. He guided us to the TV where you would sit, right next to a wall. Before starting, he made both me and your parents sign several papers. Meanwhile, I saw how a child was seated at a table, but he was pointing at the projector. Out of curiosity, I asked my friend what was happening with that screen and the guy watching the cartridges. He replied that the projector was not just to show the game logo. That child was the first to arrive, therefore, he would be rewarded by not only playing, but using a screen where everyone could see him. The subject had been placed in the position because there had previously been other evidence, but that unfortunately ended in robberies, because there had previously been other evidence, but that unfortunately ended in robberies, each child with a console, the test began. Everyone went at their own pace. I, along with your parents, were watching how you played."
"I remember that many children made gestures of disgust at falling off cliffs, but in particular, the one on the big screen looked very lost. He constantly got stuck at all levels, he didn't know where to go.
"While you had already managed to overcome about 4 areas, this one still continued in this one called, Emerald Hill. After going through some levels that I remember were a casino, a desert, a large tree and others, you got these gems that I think are called Chaos Emeralds."
"Something that other children also achieved during this stage of the game, except the one on the screen. This one barely had one. By this point, at the end of a level, there was some kind of scene where Sonic pulls the seven gems out of his hands and a bridge moves aside."
"Sonic jumps down and starts on a level in some kind of golden temple. There, those who managed to get the gems witnessed the appearance of a yellow Sonic when they collected 50 rings."
"There was a mixture of confusion and excitement at seeing him like this, especially seeing the capabilities he had."
"After you reached the end of this level, Eggman could be seen trying to grab a large emerald with tweezers, but it was destroyed by his robot
in a single jump.
The level ended with Sonic climbing a platform propelled by water. The next area looks like it was a floor above a swamp of strange mixtures and at the end there was a scene where Sonic entered a large building."
"I remember the name of this level, Metropolis, since you lost a few lives in it."
"Upon finishing it, Sky Chase began. At one point, I decided to look up to see where this boy was who still hadn't gotten the emeralds. It was in this same scene where Sonic opened the bridge, only, not having them, Sonic continued walking, skipping a level, reaching the large plant. This guy came to Metropolis and managed to overcome it, reaching Sky Chase."
"While I saw that you were now in a large yellow ship, the boy with the projector something very particular happened to him that made other players pass the game and observe the level of the sky. He was abruptly interrupted by laser beams that began to hit the plane where Sonic was, causing them to fall freely."
"As they fell, many purple structures could be seen looming in the background. Apparently, they were going to enter a factory or city.
There was a slow fade to black and it stayed like that for a while. By this point, it also caught your attention, so you and your parents were also watching. Finally, the name of this level, Genocide City, appeared with apparently a single act. I remember this level well, it was all dark purple with metal structures scattered everywhere and many enemies.
The background music, when connected to a speaker, caused me a bit of annoyance since it seems that the song was not finished yet because very strange tones were being played. This kid made it to the end. Sonic just stood still behind a wall made of electricity where the laughing Eggman was.
He jumped on a large button and a beam from the ceiling quickly falls on Sonic. When this happened, the entire room received flashes that were too strong, since the beam caused many color changes in a fleeting way, so all of that light reached us. Adding that the place was small, no one could be saved from seeing that large screen throwing large amounts of light. Most people panicked and screamed because some children and parents started having attacks that were too severe."
"I managed to cover my eyes in time, but I could see how you and your father were being affected. Everything happened too quickly, among so many people shouting and moving from one side to the other, I saw that someone in a panic, accidentally pushed your chair, causing you to fall badly against the wall. Your mother was trying to help your father, she didn't notice that you were unconscious, since you were on the ground. I got up and took you away from the flashes, while your mother didn't know what to do. I noticed she was upset and desperate for both of them. After leaving you outside the place to get to safety, upon re-entering, the big screen showed only the game over message.
"The entire hall was immersed in anguish and misfortune. Some children, including the one who was playing on that projector, along with other people, were lying on the floor with their mouths full of foam. I assumed the worst. Others were calling ambulances and the last ones remaining were demanding to see Sega managers to file complaints.
"My friend managed to find me among all the chaos and only made one comment: 'I think some urgent changes will have to be made.' I looked at him with contempt, he was responsible for everything and only cared about the changes to the game. A few days after that, I received calls notifying me of the consequences. The urgent modification caused the delivery of cartridges to be delayed and the delivery of some discs was cancelled. Unfortunately, your father was one of the serious victims and the last I heard about you was that, due to the blow to the head, you developed a memory problem. Inexplicably, the whole matter was resolved beneath the shadows. That's it, you know what happened."
My head lit up at that moment, I remembered the accident perfectly. I wanted to burst into tears out of anger at finding out that it was Sega's fault, but I noticed a detail in the story the man told me.
"Wait, what do you mean by “under the shadows”? If you managed to cover yourself in time, why didn't you do anything against Sega?'
"I can not tell you."
I got up from the chair and approached to complain to him. At that moment, the phone started ringing. The man got up and answered, he put his hand to his face as a sign of distress. I asked him who it was. 'My friend wants to talk to you,' he handed me the phone. I grabbed it and started listening.
"I was notified that one of the victims of Sonic's test has his position compromised."
Now I remember, I was there, I know what happened and so do you.
"Seriously, do you think everyone who was there kept silent for selfish reasons, including your own legal guardian at the time?'
"Don't mess with her."
"Before trying the game, they signed an agreement on your behalf that strictly prohibited them from talking about anything about the game before its release. That contract has already expired many years ago, there is no way it is still valid. Let's say that the agreements allow us to modify some things, therefore, I only come to remind you that it is prohibited to talk about the subject. Plus, we provide generous compensation to your tutor for the lessons."
"That is a bribe and a lack of respect. If they change reality, it's horrible."
"You just have to trust me. This problem that now invades it will be forgotten, just as it was for years. And take care of yourself, I don't think you want to have any more problems."
The call ended. The owner looked at me with a sad face and only blurted out one sentence: 'They don't like me, I'm sorry.'
That last thing he said to me made me understand why he didn't want to tell me anything else. With complete helplessness, I opened the office door to leave the establishment. As I passed by where the exit was, I saw the same guy I asked about the owner. He looked at me with that same cold look. I'm sure he does more than just run the place. When I left, I just stood still for a while. It had already fallen into the night. I decided to walk home. I was full of anger, but deep down I was scared. I can't say anything, I don't know what they could do to me, or worse, do to my mother if I say something.
I began to feel watched, every step I take is that cold gaze getting closer. When I got home, I locked everything. I can sense many more eyes that are watching me, making sure I don't say anything, so that this incident is forgotten, and with it, so am I.