Nocturne
She tip toed silently down the halls. She was having a hard time, the orange echidna was, tugging all of these objects along in her hands. They weren't many, but they were oblong in the way that they were made, making it hard to get a grasp on them. Add the fact that her gloves were already bulky, and you have a recipe for annoyance. Every now and then, she would stop to get a better grip on the items in hand, said new grip would soon crumble down a few feet later. She was getting annoyed by all of this, but fortunately, she was near her destination. Giving a quick nudge, she opened the stone doors that led to the inner most sanctum.
He stood there, as he usually did, arms crossed, crimson eyes glaring out the window, wearing nothing but the gold bands around his wrists. How many days had he been here now? Four, she believes, and so, it took four days for him to finally stop rambling to himself. Normally, she would enter, to find him going on about how he had to return to his 'ship'. It didn't take long for her to realize that 'ship' was interchangeable with 'metal bird'. So, she figured that 'Ship' was the giant metal bird's name. In all honesty, it was very confusing. However, today wasn't going to be a day, where they spoke of his metal bird. Today was different.
"Shadow..." she called out, gaining his attention.
As usual, he slowly turned to face her. That visage of his, as indifferent as usual. Boy, did she hate his domineering glare, but she was learning to deal with it. It no longer scared her as much as it did before.
He didn't answer her call, as that gaze of his was words enough. She really felt little under it. However, as stated before, she wasn't going to be pushed down because of it. Taking a few steps forward, she walked up to the pedestal where he had been lain on before. And finally, after such a while, she dropped the items she had brought with her. They landed with a clank on the pedestal, while she let out a much-needed sigh. After dragging her arm across her forehead, she shifted her blue gaze to him. That face of indifference had finally left her, to move down to the items she brought.
"Clothing..." she said, answering some invisible question he posed, "It's clothing..."
The black and red hedgehog's gaze moved up to her, as his ears twitched to hear the call. Though he was physically stronger than he was when he first woke up, he was still a far ways away from his peak. One could tell he was weaker, simply by the way he walked. Though it was still pronounced, and very stern, there was just something off about this stride. Or maybe. She was looking to hard into it.
Slowly, he made his way to the pedestal. Hands reaching forward, he took a hold of the items before him.
"Clothing?" he questioned, glancing up at her.
"You just can't walk around naked, Shadow." she replied, easily enough.
His inquiring glance lowered down to the garments once more, as he picked out a very specific part of clothing. The brown sandals that lay in his hands were surely not to his standards, the echidna could tell. They were bigger than her's, and sturdier as well, for these were the shoes all echidna males wore. On the sides, golden beads, with feathers attached. Surely, this act of fashion was the works of the girl before him, but he wouldn't question her on it.
Glancing down to his feet, he found them to be naked. Honestly, he had forgotten about his shoes all the way up to this very moment, and now, he began to long for his red, white, and black, skates. The girl before him realized this, as she began to fret inwardly.
"You don't... like them?" she questioned, terribly hidden sadness within.
He glanced down. Laying beside the pedestal in a state of poor condition, was his air shoes. The fall really did a number on them.
"I made them myself," Tikal stated, bringing his eyes up to her, "So, I'm sorry if they aren't to your standards. I'll... go to one of the fabric workers. They'll make better ones."
He shook his head, however.
"No," he whispered, as he sat on the pedestal, "They're alright."
His foot slowly slid down into the sandal. Toes being parted by the split at the edge, he found it weird at first. Eventually, his feet seemed to groove in, however. With the sandals on, he found that his feet were oddly comfortable. Funny really, for he had never worn another pair of shoes, other than his own.
Regardless, his ruby eyes moved back to the pedestal, so he could see what else Tikal brought him. Immediately, his eyes snapped onto the sight of gloves. Glaring down to his naked hands, he really couldn't wait for them to be snug and warm in the white fabric. So, he slid them on quickly. Once again, just like the shoes, he found them to be comfortable as well. It made him think.
"Did you make these as well?"
As his red eyes moved up, she locked up. Honestly, she didn't know what to say. The sight of his face bending in displeasure finally gained her attention, however.
"Uh... yes..." she answered, with a slight blush, "I made them too..."
Oddly, he found that be answer enough as to why his clothing were comfortable.
After a few opening and closing of his hands, he felt them to be perfectly stable in these new gloves. So, finished with them, he glanced down to what else Tikal had brought for him. The last object, and possibly the one that gave her the most trouble, was simple. A bronze metal plating, that would fit perfectly over his chest. Only thing he had to do, was put it on. So, lifting the object, he laid it firmly on his shoulders. The bronze item hung low, covering his chest, but not his white chest furs. As he constantly readjusted the plating so it could get comfortable, Tikal found herself marveling at him. The way he looked with clothing made for echidna men made her feel. Different. Why is that.
"Tikal," he called, fidgeting with the plating's backside, "I need some help over here..."
Shaking her head clear of those thoughts, she stepped forward. Though his back was turned to her, his eyesight wasn't. He still scanned her closely, motioning to come forward with his fingers.
"Tikal..."
Finally, she walked up, coming to his backside. Head turning away, he instead pointed to the other metal chest plate she brought. The first one only made part of the full clothing, as the back-end would complete it. Alone, he wouldn't be able to put on the back plate, he'd need her help.
So she reached forward, grabbing the other bronze plate. Lifting it up, she shifted her blue gaze to the hedgehog before her. His ears were twitching, showing impatience. Hands moving forward, she slowly got closer, and closer. Why was she acting this way? This timidness wasn't with her before, so why now? She didn't like it. Not one bit.
The back plate hovered just over the front plate. On the shoulder's of the chest plate, were small little indents, that held the holes of the back plate's screws. All she had to do, was slide them in, and the two would connect together tightly. But she did so slowly. What should have taken seconds, took little over a minute. For some reason, she just couldn't bring herself to slid the plating down, not quickly, at least. The quills on his back folded down, as the back plate got closer and closer.
Finally.
CLICK!
"Was that it?" he questioned, glancing back to her.
She was so at a lost of words, she merely nodded. This, in turn, caused him to nod.
"Thank you..." he replied, glancing away.
He stood up from the pedestal then, and his feet brought him over to the window.
Tikal neglected to stand, however. She continued to look at him, her blue eyes shining. His dark frame stood in the only sunlight that came from the window. Those rays gleamed against his body, causing him to shine. Or maybe. Maybe that was just her mind playing tricks on her.
But of course not! That's silly! He's just a man. Just another man. Okay, he's not just a man. He fell from the stars in a metal bird and survived. He also fought Chaos 0, despite massive injuries, and caused him pain. Not only that, but he's been on her mind as of late. But, of course he'd be on her mind! She's afraid of him! But. If she was afraid of him, then why did she make these pairs of clothing for him?
Tikal was so confused. There was this mysterious aura floating around him, that made him so alluring. But at the same time, that aura terrified her. She knew, that behind those crimson eyes, lay a murderous being. It was just something she knew. This, sixth sense. Maybe it was all of those hours spent around the Master Emerald and Chaos Emeralds. She could just tell.
Who is Shadow the hedgehog? She found that thought running through her head. And, oddly, the thought made her ask a question.
"Do you wish to leave?"
Her inquisition gained his attention. Arms crossing, he turned to look at her. His overbearing gaze, made her turn away.
"I'm... sorry," she continued, "I spoke out of line."
He looked to her, quite quickly. Weakly, she brought her eyes back up to his. And for a moment, things were frozen there. She just couldn't help but to stare, stare directly into his eyes. Those eyes.
Those crimson, blood, demonic, eyes.
She stood up. He stepped forward. She stepped back. His mouth opened to talk. She turned away quickly.
She left.
…
"CHAOS!" she yelled out.
Her soft feet marched up the stair case, eventually bringing her to the Master Emerald's midst. Hand meeting her face, she wiped clean the visage she was currently wearing. Her call melted away, and she took see near the Master Emerald. Her back laid upon it, and she gripped tightly onto one of her dreads. Hand dragging alongside it, she started to murmur lowly.
She felt embarrassed, honestly. Even though she didn't understand why, it didn't make the feeling any less powerful. Her heart was racing. Each thump, pounded against her chest. Grabbing it, she tried to lower the feeling. Eventually it did, but not after a few seconds. By the time she felt her blood settle, she noticed the aqua creäture before her.
"Chaos..." she whispered, hand reaching forward.
The water deity did nothing, and allowed her to touch his aquatic skin. His cold body brought her to comfort, and she sighed happily.
"I'm fine..." she said, answering his question, "I think I'm... just acting to weird."
His head cocked to one side.
"I'm just confused." she whispered, "So, very confused." she glanced back up, "Who is he? And... why do I feel so weird? It's like I'm scared but... I'm not supposed to be scared."
She brought close her legs, where her lithe arms hugged close her knees. Slowly, she brought down her head, and laid her chin upon her knees. Still confused, Chaos was, as he knelt down to be near her. Lifting his liquid arm, he dragged it across her cheek. Where she would usually gaze up to him, she instead retained her glare on nothing.
"I don't like him, Chaos," she whispered, eyes closing instead, "Every time I get near him. My skin crawls. There's... something about him. Something I just don't trust."
As she continued to sulk, wayward footsteps echoed about.
Almost immediately, Chaos dropped, fading away into a puddle, as usual. Tikal stood from the Master Emerald then, as her blue eyes scanned the area around her. Eyes moving up, she took note of the individual Chaos Emeralds, which all lied at the top of columns, surrounding the Master Emerald. Moving her eyes down, she saw the maker of the noise.
Well. Sorta.
A cloaked being walked forward. Said beings head moved left and right, scanning close the area. As soon as his gaze moved over to Tikal, she ducked down, avoiding his stare.
"Good..." said being whispered, "No echidnas here..."
He gripped his cloak, and moved it back. To Tikal's surprise, it was another echidna.
"Marauders..." she whispered.
The echidna in question stepped forward, laying his hand upon the column before him. Giving a devilish smirk, he moved his hand into his cloak, and once it returned, it revealed a weapon. It looked like a lizard had crawled in his hand and died in a 'C' shape, from how weird it looked. Tikal was confused by the thing in his hand, but she knew it was bad.
Once again, his head turned up to her, causing her to bend back.
"Okay boys," he said, waving about the weapon in his hand, "Let's get moving. I hear the Knuckles Tribe have a guardian for these things, so I recommend we work quickly."
Tikal had to think on his words. Boys? What boys? Peering over the edge of the balcony, she saw what boys. From the shadows, many other cloaked beings appeared. In each and every one of their hands, that same freaky weapon she had seen before. What were those things, and where did they come from? But, more importantly, why were marauders here?
The one from before, the one she figured was leading the group, lifted up his weapon. Placing his cloak back on his head, she saw him smirk just briefly. He aimed his weapon at one of the Chaos Emerald columns.
It fired.
A green blast launched from the strange weapon, and slammed into the side of the column. A loud explosion was sent out, and the column fell down. Tikal, whose eyes were closed at the sight of the explosion, glared forth once the sound subsided. To her horror, she saw the marauders take the purple Chaos Emerald that lied on the column. The leader then shifted his gaze to another column, this one holding the blue Chaos Emerald.
The orange echidna couldn't believe it. The marauders were attacking them! Sure, this has happened before, but never directly at their city. Normally, the attacks would happen in the middle of fields, or somewhere distant. Never like this. Never like this. She needed to do something.
"STOP!" she roared, ceasing the marauders' actions.
In unison, all of the cloaked beings looked up to the echidna staring down upon them. Despite all the fear she was feeling, she still stood tall before them.
"Lookie here," the leader said, stepping forward nonchalantly, "If it isn't Pachacamac's daughter." he removed his hood, to show his angered face, "What are you doing here?"
"Protecting the Emeralds!" she yelled.
"Protecting the Emeralds?" he said with a shrug, "Oh! You mean these things?"
He suddenly started laughing, as if the woman before him had made a joke. It didn't take long for that laugh to fade away, however.
"Listen girl," he said, dementedly, "I recommend you stave off, less you want to get hurt."
She stepped back.
"Oh, I'm not the one whose getting hurt," she stated, "You are."
Glaring up, she suddenly let out a daunting command.
"CHAOS! ATTACK!"
The ponds around the Master Emerald rippled. As the earth shook, the individual marauders began to fret. It didn't take long for him to appear.
He splashed out, and landed on the steps of the Master Emerald. His emerald eyes shot forward, and let out a most monstrous of roars. After making his position known, the water god grew silent, while began walking slowly forward.
"So," the marauder said, eyes squinting, "This is the guardian we've heard so much about." he smiled, "Goooooooood! I've wanted to see what these things do against them."
A strange clicking noise resonated from the weapon in is hand. It started shaking then, and flashed a red. The mere sight of it caused him to smile. And then, he thrusted forth the weapon in his hand. Once again, it launched out this green blast, but it was bigger this time. The bolt of energy slammed into the Chaos' body.
He exploded.
Left and right, water was thrown. Tikal felt the liquid drench her foe. Almost immediately, she started to fret. That wasn't supposed to happen? In fact, how did that happen!?
"Was that all?" the echidna before her said, "Really? Oh well..." looking over to his allies, he gave a quick head nod, "Continue with gaining the Chaos Emeralds. I'll deal with the girl."
In unison, they nodded back. The echidna before her stared back, and started to approach her dauntingly. At the same time, Tikal started to walk back. In all honesty, she was a great fighter. It was natural for all echidnas in the tribe to be so. But she hated to fight, it was just so wrong. Regardless of if she wanted to fight or not, she felt the urge to protect herself diminish. That thing that lied in his hand, was able to make Chaos exploded. What would it do to her.
"Just stand still," he said, "It'll happen quickly."
Once again, the item in his hand started to change red. As it shook with power it could barely hold, he aimed the weapon forward. Before he shot it out, however, he moved down his cloak. And then, it fired.
The green bolt flew forward, cutting air and sound as it traveled. Tikal moved her hands up, as she let out terrified scream.
This was it, she felt. In slow motion, she saw her life flash before her eyes. She was sure, that this was the end. She couldn't dodge it, the blast was too fast, and seeing what it did to Chaos, she was sure it was over. And yet, she couldn't think about much. All she saw, were those ruby, violent, eyes.
PWEEEE!
That noise was awkward.
A large explosion echoed far away. Tikal could feel the earth rumble because of it. Surely, she was supposed to be dead, so why wasn't she. Slowly, her blue eyes opened, allowing her to look forward.
She saw black.
"Attacking those weaker than you," she heard him state, "That's just pathetic."
The echidna before them gave a confused look, as the hedgehog stood tall. He had appeared out of nowhere, the hedgehog did. A black blur that appeared from the wind. No, a black blur that was the wind.
"Tikal," Shadow whispered, not turning to face her, "Stay behind me..."
"Chaos..." she answered, "They hurt Chaos."
The hedgehog scoffed.
"I know..."
"Who are you!?" the marauder yelled, demanding an answer, "And how did you deflect that blast!? It's supposed to burn through anything!"
But Shadow would not give him such pleasure. At speeds no one could see, he reappeared before the marauder. The echidna stepped back surprised, as the movement caught him off guard. After he finally got his footing correct, his chin met Shadow's fist.
The attack was powerful, to say the least. Shadow's punch literally knocked the marauder away, and down the stairs. He tumbled down violently, before crashing at the grounds below. The black and red hedgehog neared the edge of the Master Emerald pedestal, as his ruby eyes glared down upon his foes.
"What are you waiting for!?" the marauder roared, "Kill him!"
Shadow was surprised, honestly. How that echidna remained conscious after the hit was a testament to his peoples training. Or maybe, Shadow was just a bit weaker. Either explanation was good.
The cloaked marauders ran up. At first, they peered down, but then, they glared up. Looking at Shadow, they aimed forth the weapons in their hands.
"Where did you get guns from..." he whispered to himself.
"Guns?" Tikal questioned, running up to his backside, "What are guns?"
Suddenly, she felt Shadow's arm wrap around her. His hand reached down, and gripped tightly around her stomach. She gasped at the sudden touch, but screamed when she was suddenly in the air. Shadow leaped up high, as green bolts from the marauder's guns darted around in the sky around them. With expert skills, he dodged the individual attacks, all the while carrying Tikal in his arms. She felt gravity rush in different ways, as he spun them around to avoid the attacks.
Finally, they landed, right on the bridge before the Master Emerald altar. Shadow laid Tikal on the ground, while his fingertips began to surge with chaotic energies. Glancing toward the enemies before him, he suddenly moved his eyes down.
"Stay... down..." he ordered.
She nodded.
Things happened in slow motion next. As his gaze moved up, she saw the burning sensation in his eyes. It was like, he was made for battle. His powerful palm thrusted forward, and a yellow bolt of chaos launched out.
"CHAOS SPEAR!" he roared.
An explosion echoed out. Tikal covered her eyes, as dust particles were launched her way. At the same time, Shadow dropped down, to cover her body entirely. She felt the earth shake under his arms, but oddly enough, she felt safe at the same time. He felt so warm right now, so warm against her. She felt so protected.
Finally, the dust subsided. Tikal's eyes opened, so she could take in the sight of the destruction. A great scorch mark lay on the Master Emerald Altar stairs, but the grounds was relatively clean. But that wasn't the worried them. The marauders. All of them were gone. Where could they go so quickly?
Behind them, the great doors to the Master Emerald opened. She heard people run in, with one voice being all to familiar.
"Tikal!" her father called out, "Tikal where are you!?"
"Chief?" she replied, gazing up.
Shadow's body moved away from her, only so she could feel another pair of arms wrap around her. Gazing up, she saw the closed eyes of her father. He hugged her closely, his powerful limbs increasing in grip. After a few seconds, she did the same.
"Dad..." she whispered.
Her eyes opened. Looking back, she saw the demonic eyes of the Starman glaring back, his arms crossed. She broke free of her father's grasp then. Stepping toward the black and red hedgehog, she kept her eyesight down. Right now, she felt timid before her hero.
"Thank you for... saving me... And the... Chaos Emeralds..."
She looked up. His arms remained cross, and his face indifferent. And yet, he nodded. That one simple nod, made her heart flutter.
"You saved my daughter." Pachacamac stated, causing both to look at him, "Starman... I don't know what to say..."
"I didn't save Tikal for your thanks," he replied, gazing toward her, "Someone had to do it."
She didn't know how to react to his words. Just gazing into his eyes made her silent once again. That fire within his stare was there, but it faded away slowly. Feet moving, he made his way down toward the Master Emerald. And as he did so, someone started chanting.
"All hail the Starman."
At first, it was ignored, but someone started to follow the chant. Louder, and louder, they chanted, 'All hail the Starman.' After a while, he found himself stopping to gaze back. All the echidnas who had arrived chanted the statement, over and over again. All except for one.
Tikal just looked forward in stunned silence. He glanced away.
"Chaos..." he called out, "Chaos!"
Water began to pool, and he noticed green eyes gazing back. He was weak, the hedgehog could tell, but he was very much alive. Shadow nodded at the sight, and Chaos made his way back to the Master Emerald's pools, so he could heal.
Shadow began walking again, but his foot clashed against something on the ground. He looked down quickly, seeing the gun that the marauder's were holding. He crouched down and grabbed it. It was heavy in his hand, and otherworldly in design. Shadow laid his hand on his head.
"Now... where did you come from?" he questioned aloud to himself.
He would get no answer, of course, and that made him angry. For now, he would think, and return. His body was screaming at him, for the battle was harder on him than he imagined. Yeah, he was tired.
So, standing tall, he shifted his gaze back to the many groups of chanting echidnas.
Trivia Time!
Yeah, I know their supposed to be rare, but people tend to enjoy them so, why the hell not?
As you can tell, or at least I believe you can tell, the plot's beginning to pick up. When I write, I usually gaze upon the first three chapters to be my intro chapters. Then again, I just like to write, so that can't get all kinds of muddy. Regardless, I'm beginning to ramble so... let me explain things!
I want to talk about the Marauders. If you don't know who they are, then they will be described in the future, of course. I mean, why were they attacking the emerald shrine like that? But that's not what I want to talk about! What I want to talk about are their guns! Yeah! The guns! Why? Well, in my head, the guns are called maulers. No, no, no, you won't find them on any Sonic wiki. Buuuuuut, if you take a look at the Perfect Dark wiki, you'll find them. It's just an in joke, honestly. I just wanted to use a weapon that was otherworldly and none familiar. Don't go thinking Skedar or Maians are going to be popping up. For those who don't know, by the way, Skedar and Maians are aliens that appear in Perfect Dark. Anyway, the maulers are weapons in the game that shoot lasers. They also have the ability to charge up shots, and make them into one hit kills.
But enough silliness aside. I hope you all are enjoying this. From what I see, this is the fastest story of mine to date. What I mean, by the way, is that it has gotten a lot of views quickly. Honestly, I'm surprised. I just want more reviews. Yeah, I'm a review whore, so what? By the by, I hope you don't mind me asking, you want this story to be more actiony, or romantic? Just a question.
Anyway... Till the next chapter!
Maverick Kay Prime