UlTrRa SiK pRoDuCtIoNs pReSeNtZ:
Epilogue: The Path Of Brilliance
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Sega's characters….but I'd be a very happy guy if I did!
-Wow, I haven't updated this bad boy in awhile! Sorry for the delay, but with all the reviews… I'm pumped up to write! But yeah, enjoy the long chapter goodness! I'll have the next chapter up pretty quick. I'm halfway through writing it already!
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-Epilogue: The Path Of Brilliance-
Robotnik, Julie
In a blitz of green energy, Chaos appeared. The orange echidna stood before the crown of Angel Island; he was front of the Master Emerald's shrine. He didn't take notice of the beautiful green grass, the opal clouds in the sapphire sky or the beautiful lookout over the sea. It mattered not to him. He clenched his fists until his knuckles turned a ghostly shade of white.
Power, he needed more power if he wished to have unrivaled strength. He closed his amber eyes for a second as he pictured that foolish, filthy black and red hedgehog. The strength of his attack was a glitch compared to his own strength, no real threat.
But Chaos wasn't as foolhardy as the others believed him to be. He knew he had to wipe out that black hedgehog before he manifested into a threat. That hedgehog had a decent amount of Chaotic energy. And so did that young bat. They do not rival my strength, but I must deal with them accordingly.
His amber eyes slowly opened and he glanced to the top of the shrine. He knew Meda was there, sitting at the top of the shrine. He knew she was nearby and Meda knew Chaos was nearby. It was a mutual relationship.
Turrok slowly ascended the stairwell, slowly making his way up to where the Master Emerald sat. The god of destruction's eyes narrowed at the sight of the young echidna. She was standing beside the Master Emerald with a large walking staff in her hand.
If he didn't know any better he would think she was Tikal, but the way she carried herself, the atmosphere around her proved that she wasn't the echidna princess. Where Tikal was quiet and diffident, this echidna was bold and fierce. She was staring Chaos right in his eyes.
"Meda?" The way he phrased the question made it sound as if it was a statement. But he was still testing the water.
"Turrok." She confirmed his answer. He eyed the echidna chief momentarily before he smirked, "Well, apparently the Master Emerald's powers have turned you from a shriveled prune into a moist peach."
"Why are you here?" Meda narrowed her eyes, "Certainly you haven't come all this way just to pay me compliments."
"Insightful as always," Chaos still had a smirk on his face, "However I have returned to take the Master Emerald's complete power. As the current guardian, I need it at my whim."
"Fortunately, that I cannot allow," the echidna elder replied.
"And why is that?"
"For one to claim himself as the guardian of the Master Emerald, you know little of its proceedings," Turrok narrowed his eyes slightly, "It is forbidden for anyone to take, or even attempt to absorb the Master Emerald's complete energy. Surely you are not attempting to take all of the Master Emerald's power now are you Turrok?"
"No. But I do require more than I have taken."
Turrok removed his glance from Meda and went to stand before the Master Emerald. It was a faint green with its glow whickering faintly. With all of its energy, the emerald would have been lustrous, glowing garishly.
At Chaos's approach, Meda noticed that the emerald dimmed slightly. The echidna chief narrowed her eyes as she focused back on the approaching guardian. Before he could reach the emerald, Meda stepped before him.
"What is it now, Meda?"
"Yet again I ask: why have you come here?"
"As much as your foolish little inquires amuse me, now is not the time. Remove yourself."
"If you wish to have the power of the Master Emerald, again I refuse you."
"…Now why would you do that!?" This time Chaos seemed to have lost his mirth.
The young chief smirked back as she flipped her staff within her hands, "Surely you know why I cannot allow you to do this."
"Why!? Why NOT you senile, foolish old woman!?" Chaos said through his teeth.
"Well another rule any true guardian would know, is that I cannot allow you to absorb the Master Emerald because of checks and balances. Check and balances are--"
"I know what checks and balances are you old goat!"
Meda feigned shock, "Oh? So now I'm old? I thought you said I was a ripe peach?"
"Stop wasting my time and tell me why I cannot have the power of the Master Emerald!"
"Well, as of right now, both you and I have the same amount of Chaotic energy," Meda smiled at him with a false charm, "And since no one can be the most powerful, you cannot have the emerald's power."
Chaos narrowed his eyes, evaluating her for a second, "…I see…" Meda turned her back to him for a second with a smile on her face, "…Very well then. But I shall require power. Perhaps that of…oh, the Chaos Emeralds?"
The elder chief frowned; Chaos had found a loophole to her plan. She slowly turned around and saw Chaos plucking the emeralds from their assigned pillars. Meda's mind was running in overdrive, trying to formulate a plot to stop him from gaining another large sum of power.
She clenched the staff tightly in her hands and narrowed her eyes. She had to do something or Chaos would transform into a very potent being, one that no one would be able to stop. Just when she was about to speak out, Turrok turned to look at her, "…Where is the last emerald?"
"What?"
"There are only six emeralds here. In order to use their power, I need all seven!" Chaos hissed with a rising anger.
Meda blinked. Where was the last Chaos Emerald? She believed that specifically the green gem was missing out of the set. She blinked as an image of a black and red hedgehog came to mind.
She remembered her granddaughter's husband, the blue fool, the fox, the pink hedgehog and the red and black one who had visited the shrine. The aqua-eyed elder recalled the hedgehog picking up the emerald before he and his friends disappeared with the technique she recognized as Chaos control. Meda smirked, 'So, those nuisances really were good for something.'
"I do not know," Meda replied, smiling, "Perhaps it just…disappeared."
"I do not enjoy spending unnecessary time with you, old hag," Turrok spat, his eyes gleaming amber, "I am more than sure that you are aware of the location of the last emerald. And to pay for your arrogance, you shall repay your insolence through your granddaughter's tears."
Meda's smile vanished quickly. Though her young face held an emotionless state, her knuckles were white from her tight grip around her staff. Tikal may have screwed up by allowing Maria into their family, but she was still her granddaughter.
The echidna could remember when Tikal was nothing more than a small infant who could barely get around on her two pudgy little legs. Then that cute tot grew little an adorable girl and that cute girl grew into the attractive young woman she knew today.
How could she allow a bastard like Turrok to harm her own blood? The same sweet girl who inherited Meda's aqua eyes. The echidna elder narrowed her eyes, "Soon, your power shall end. Your sun is rising, but soon, it shall be dusk for you and your plans. Pray that I am not the one who brings your demise."
Turrok smiled at her darkly, and after having one last silent face-off. Turrok used Chaos Control and disappeared just as quickly as he reappeared.
---
"So it really makes you wonder," Tails began as if he was in deep contemplation, "Did the chicken or the egg come first?"
"Or the Chaos Emerald," Sonic chuckled, laughing at his own humor.
"…" The group stared at him like he was an idiot.
"What!? I was joking! JOKING! J-o-k-i-n-g! Get bent you guys!"
The large group of assembled heroes were making their last preparations for their departure to Angel Island, Jake especially. The tall blond had notified his subordinates of his sudden departure. McCloud assured them that his leave would be brief and it was definitely business orientated.
While he was giving directions in his leave of absence, McCloud was quite displeased to find that his assistants weren't completely listening to him. The blonde's jaw clenched as his eyes narrowed dangerously, "I'm sorry, am I boring you all to death!?"
The assembled group of assistants before him instantly snapped to, weary of an ireful Jake McCloud. While the young McCloud was brilliant, he was also very well known for his terrible temper. He was cool as an ice cube most of the time, but he sure didn't have a problem unleashing his wrath or frustration; in fact, it was a pastime of his.
"N-n-n-no, sir," one of his assistants barely stuttered his response out, but he only managed to irritate Jake further.
"Well then, what is so important for all of you not to be listening to me?" McCloud's voice was monotone, but it was iced with a thick layer of irritation.
A man behind the first speaker slowly raised his hand and pointed. Jake turned to see that his assistant was pointing to a nearly crimson-haired woman of slender build. She was currently laughing at the antics of a blue, chirpy hedgehog.
McCloud slowly turned to face his workers, scowling at them disbelievingly, "…I truly hope you are pulling my leg."
"D-Do you know her sir?" One man asked with a bright blush on his face.
"C-could you introduce me to her sir?" another asked.
"Yeah me too!"
"And don't forget me sir!"
"Count me in too!"
For a split second, the serious McCloud protégé looked stunned as his men had made a growing clamor over that stupid, tactless Robotnik girl. When he seemed to remember who he was, Jake's face become stone again, "…You all have until the count of ten before I release the barracudas."
"What was that sir?"
"Ten…"
"Huh? What did he say?"
"Nine…"
"I don't get--"
"Eight."
"Oh! I think he wants us to run!"
"Seven…"
"Oh crap…"
The men instantly high-tailed it out of there like they were running for their lives. Something about the sight of seeing them flee made just the slightest smirk appear on Jake's face. He turned and brought himself over to the object of their attention.
Julie spun to face him with a smile, "Done already, stiffo?"
The golden-haired boy frowned, just what in the world did they see in her!? In this crazed nut-ball? This certified screw-bag!? She was the only person who had the audacity to insult Jake Axel McCloud, one of the top scientists in Westopolis.
"…Just hurry up and take us out of here," he deadpanned.
"Aye Aye capt'n!" Julie saluted him and when she turned her back to him, she missed one of his rare 'WTF!?' faces, "Shadow! You heard el stiffo over here! Get us outta here, stat!"
---
Flash stood outside with a healthy smile on his face. The drawstrings on his green hooded sweater were gently levitated by the wind. With his arms on his hips he sighed; the day was beautiful: there was a bright blue sky plumped with fluffy clumps of clouds, thick thatches of green grass and flowers.
And since he happened to be close enough to the Master Emerald, he was able to see the beautiful, sparkling sapphire sea. Flash smiled wistfully; if he had a pair of swim trunks he'd be swimming in there right now! Unlike his father, Sonic Flash Hedgehog couldn't get enough of water.
"Huh?" Flash squinted his eyes and elevated his hand to shield the sun from his eyes. Were storm clouds coming in the horizon? Too bad, it seemed like it was going to be a nice day. He and Maria could have taken a cool dip in the sea together.
But something more twisted was coming his way, he watched as the blue-black, bruised-looking clouds began to set forth, and the sea's color slowly drained into a solid pitch-black. Soon the light, gentle wind transformed into a full-out gale.
He stepped back in recoil at the sudden change in the weather. No, it wasn't just the weather that changed, but the entire atmosphere had twisted and shifted into something ugly. It was as if Angel Island had suddenly started to decay.
Flash gaped agog, as the dark clouds began to roll through the murky sky in swift clusters and he watched as the dark waters churned and lashed violently, as if the sea was disconcerted. Just as the athlete took a step back in shock, the ground began to shake. Flash stared at the ground seconds before he was knocked off of his feet.
He tried several times to find his balance, but it was pointless. He crawled to the top, the pinnacle of the Master Emerald shrine and gasped at the sight. He finally managed to make it to his feet as he watched the trees starting to crash down, birds fled from their homes and into the sky feverishly, animals scattered out of the green forest.
Flash even noticed fissures starting to break forth within the earth's crust. Multiple cracks rippled and spread through the island infectiously. One of the newly formed splits even started to tear the island apart. As the earth broke and cracked, Flash swore that he heard a low moan rising from the island as if it was in pain.
The sapphire-blue hedgehog tripped over his own feet and fell, but before he hit the ground, he grabbed onto the master emerald. 'If worst comes to worst, I'm right next to the Master Emerald…S-surely it could help me…somehow…'
The rough wind ripped his long quills out of his face as he glanced over his shoulder. There he saw Echidnas' beautiful stone home trembling, as if threatening to collapse. His green-gold eyes went wide; oh no! Maria and Sol are in there!
"Maria! Sol! Get outta there!" he screamed, but it was no use, the moan the island was emitting was drowning out his voice.
One moment the Echidna's stone house was there, then the next it conflagrated. Jade eyes grew wide at the sight of the beautiful house exploding, ripping apart viciously by an unknown force. The only thing remaining of the house was smoke, debris and the skeleton of where the complete house used to stand.
Flash stared into the sky blankly, a solid horror heavy on his face. His grip on the pulsing, warm, king emerald tightened, 'Maria…Sol…No, please tell me they aren't…they can't be de…dead…'
Then he squeezed his eyes tight as he bared his teeth; he did anything to keep the tears from coming out, 'This can't be happening, it just can't be! This isn't true! This isn't true!!'
"I…Sol…Maria…damn it," he whispered as tears started to roll down his face.
He looked into the Master Emerald for a moment; it was the only thing he could hang onto, it was the only thing he had left now. He lowered his head, leaning the top of his skull against the emerald, and allowed the tears to drip from his face.
As he choked back his sobs the emerald hummed with warmth, glowing a blue shade that mirrored the coat of his sapphire fur. Then the emerald blazed, it changed from being a comfortable warmth until it burned to the point where it was unbearably blistering.
Flash cried out as he eagerly released the emerald and moved away from it slightly. The emperor of all jewels was acting peculiarly, it was flashing agitatedly, blinking rapidly. The stone was flickering on and off. It went from being dead black until it was an orange, ochre color.
He stared at the stone uncomprehendingly, wondering just what it the world was it doing. Flash removed his gaze from the emerald when he caught sight of an approaching, well-built figure.
The blue hedgehog felt his stomach turn uneasily as he recognized the newcomer. It was Chaos himself. The god of destruction slowly walked up the stairs leading to the Master emerald regally.
At first his expression was stolid, as if his face had been carved right out of gravel, but when he was finally within reach of the emerald, his expression twisted sinisterly into what looked like satisfaction.
He stepped right before the emerald looking terribly triumphant. Flash glanced from the echidna, who seemed not to even notice him, and looked at the emerald. Now the emerald was blinking twice as fast, as if it were in a frenzy. Flash felt himself go cold; the Master Emerald had been trying to warn him.
At the sound of malignant laughter, Flash instantly looked dead at Chaos. The orange echidna laughed again, but louder and more jubilantly at his obvious triumph. He licked his lips before he grabbed onto the emerald.
The jewel flickered faster for a few moments longer before its blinking pulse died completely. Flash watched in horror as the stone was slowly being washed black. The dark color was traveling, running through the stone as if it were ink. When the emerald turned completely ebony, tainted by Chaos, Flash quickly glanced at the echidna.
Now Chaos was looking at him. His eyes were completely black as he smiled at the horrified youth. Sonic Flash scooted away from him as Chaos' dark smiled spread venomously, "Now I am complete! I am complete! No force on this miserable planet shall stop me! Pathetic hedgehog, you poor excuse of a rodent, begone!"
Turrok stuck his hand forth and sent a wave of green energy at Flash. The youth had no time to react and he found himself soaring through the air, right off of the Master Emerald's shrine. He landed with a painful thump and did his best to bite back a scream.
Flash groaned, and cracked an eye open to glance at Chaos. The tyrannical echidna smiled down at him immorally. But what surprised the blue hedgehog was when Sol strolled up next to him. Together they both shared that same evil smile.
"S-Sol!?" Flash cried out.
Sensing that someone was near him, Flash turned around and saw Maria right behind him. Flash quickly tried to rise to his feet, "M-Maria!"
He stood up shakily and stared at her neutral face. If anything, he had to protect Maria from Chaos. Whatever he did to Sol, his best friend was gone. Like Chaos his eyes were completely black and his smile was poisonous.
"Don't worry Maria, I'll keep you safe," he growled, turning to look back at the two echidnas.
"No you won't." her voice sounded dead.
"What?" Flash spun to face her.
"You can't even protect yourself, Flash. You're too weak for me." She lowered her head
"What!? Maria, don't be afraid, I'll take care of them, you just run! Run, please!"
"I'm going to join Sol. He's much stronger than you'll ever be." Flash looked shocked, as if she had slapped him, "You never were good enough for me, you reject."
This time, when Maria looked up, her beautiful fuchsia irises were gone and her eyes were completely black. Flash stepped away from her in horror as she smiled darkly; the same smile Chaos and Sol wore.
She was gone, his Rouge Maria was gone. Before Flash could step away from her, she leaned forward with a poisonous smile on her face, "Oh look, he's sad. I think I broke his little heart."
"I think the fool is going to run," Chaos said amused.
Flash shivered, trembling from everything but the cold. He glanced at Maria one last time before he took off. Just as he took two steps, he felt a strong grip grab his sleeve. His face paled when he saw Maria's own comely face inches from his, "Where are you going, Flashy!? I thought you liked me? Don't you think I'm pretty?"
In the background Flash could hear the derisive laughter of Chaos and Sol. The young hedgehog struggled within her grasp as she locked down. Grimacing, Flash struggled as her face drew closer, "What's wrong? I thought you'd like it if I had my hands on you."
With a dirty smile, one that Flash hadn't seen her make, Maria closed her eyes and licked the side of his face. Flash instantly put his motions into overdrive and managed to put himself out of his green top. After falling, Flash stumbled but got to his feet to run.
He glanced over his shoulder at Maria's disappearing frame. He turned around to look forward and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the black-eyed girl standing in front of him again.
"Scared? Well, if that's the case, then you won't be needing this anymore." Flash gasped as Maria leaned forward and shoved her hand straight through his sternum. Flash gasped as he felt pain lance through his chest. He stumbled backwards as Maria smiled. She raised her hand and showed him his most prized muscle.
His heart.
Flash glanced at his torso and saw a gaping hole. He stumbled away in confusion and fear, wondering how it was possible to have an empty hole where is heart was. He felt a scream tear from his mouth; it was shrill and strident, marking the sky with his fear and pain commingled in one terrible noise. He suddenly felt his systems closing off as he dropped to his knees.
---
"Flash, Flash! Flash!!"
The blue hedgehog groaned as he opened his eyes. Maria was towering over him, glancing at him skeptically. The blue hedgehog jumped seeing her. Maria backed away him slightly.
"What's wrong with you?" She asked as he stared at her like she was a ghost.
"It was a dream. A really bad dream…" Flash shook his head, "You are Maria…right?"
Maria blinked. Then blinked again, "Of course. Who else would I be, Sol!? I--"
The white bat squealed when suddenly Flash reached out and tickled her neck. Shivers crawled down her spine and she hastily launched a fist into Flash's gut. The blue hedgehog coughed and spluttered but he smiled, as Maria loomed over him ominously, "What the hell!? You know I detest being tickled!"
"Yep…" Flash hacked, "you're…you all right, savage as hell."
"…Do you want to die today?"
"Hey!" Daisy, along with her gray-eyed daughter, appeared, "The others are back!"
Flash and Maria exchanged looks before they shared smiles, "Cool."
"Awesome!"
The two youths went outside to join the two yellow hedgehogs. Outside the whole gang was back, and then some! Maria recognized the chatty redhead; she was like one of her dad's best friends.
And that's surprising; in most cases Shadow couldn't stand humans. Maria also liked Julie; the girl was funny, lively, a little bit eccentric, but all in all, she was trustworthy. Her purple eyes moved off of Julie, who was already engaged in another conversation, and she glanced at the other human. Unlike Robotnik, who was chirper and welcoming, he was reserved and cold.
He kept away from the others and gauged them, as if he was trying to study them for any signs of weakness. If Julie was the sun, bright, warm and hot to the touch, then this new guy was the moon, cool, dark, impassive and mystifying.
"Ah Maria!" the white bat snapped out of her reverie and glanced at the approaching redhead.
"Hey Julie!" Alongside of the slender scientist was a small white hedgehog, waddling beside her. Ceres smiled at Maria brightly and waved to her, "Hiya Maria!"
"Ceres! Every time I see you, you get so much cuter!"
While their congregation seemed merry enough: chatty, loud conversations, smiled and laughter; Sonic Flash saw behind the ruse immediately. This fake, pseudo comforting reminded him of the atmosphere of a funeral. Yeah, that's what this forced happiness was similar to; a funeral.
Luckily in his short eighteen years Flash had only experienced one funeral. The funeral was for a great uncle of his who had claimed Sonic as his favorite nephew. At the time of the funeral service Flash was fourteen and he remembered that miserable day perfectly. The day was ugly and rainy that cold morning.
Flash remembered watching his father carrying the sleek casket out into the storming weather. That was the only day he had seen his strong, happy-go-lucky father break down with tears. After the funeral, unknown relatives had told Flash that his father was not only named after his newly deceased uncle, but Sonic was a near clone of him as well.
"What's going to happen?" Flash asked himself. Maria's keen ears picked up his question and she glanced over at her friend, "Huh? What was that, Flashy?"
"Don't you sense it?" he whispered, "Don't you feel it? It seems as if something bad is going to happen. There's something the adults aren't telling us."
The albino bat gauged her friend's profile for a second before she gazed away wistfully. Flash always did seem to pick up things quicker than she did. In his life, Sonic Flash was like a good chess player; he was able to anticipate moves and events before they happened.
That was also one of the main reasons why he was such a great football player; where his opponent would charge at him head-on, Flash would already be thinking three moves ahead of him.
This reflection about her best friend made Maria snort; whether he would admit it or not, Flash was some sort of genius. And as for Maria herself…well…she wasn't dumb. It just took a little longer for the lights to come on, that's all.
Maria watched as the adults congregated into the house. She watched as her uncle Knuckles walked into his home with a zombie-like look about him. The pallid bat was pretty sure that no one be happy if their mate was kidnapped and at the mercy of a bloodthirsty, licentious echidna.
Well, Maria really wanted to know what was going on, so she sprinted forward until she matched strides with her dad, "Hey dad, what's going on? And who's the new guy?" Rouge Maria motioned to Jake.
"He's a scientist from Westopolis," Shadow replied, "He's come to help us out against Chaos. Wait out here with the other kids."
"But---!"
The look Shadow shot her left no room for dispute. With disdain, Maria watched as the adults filed in the house. She groaned; boy, her dad should be a politician! He can both answer and yet dodge a question at the same time. Shadow never actually explained what they were planning.
Maria sneered slightly; oh lemme guess? This was one of those 'it's too dangerous for you kids' things. The bat-hedgehog hybrid glanced at her hedgehog friend and caught Flash's eyes. Judging from the slightly miffed expression upon his face, it seemed that they both were thinking along the same lines.
"They're doing it again," Sunny groaned, "Treating us like babies."
"…Jerks…" Maria hissed.
"…" Sol remained silent but wasn't forgoing frowning.
"Old, rotten…frickers…" Flash wasn't above swearing, but he wasn't going to do it in little Sunny's presence."
Just as the tension and frustration was beginning to grow, Ceres skipped over to Flash and poked him in his shoulder, "Tag! You're it!" Her innocent action managed to deflate the tension as the teens all exchanged weary glances at each other.
"…"
"…Well, you're it, Flash."
"…Sol, just shut up."
---
With a muffled groan, Tikal slowly rose from her bed. She didn't even bother to untangle herself from the slew of white sheets. Chaos must have been in a very congenial mood because all his attempts at courting the fair princess so far were…well, mild.
The heiress to the echidna throne slowly sat forward. She stretched her back and yawned, feeling the bones in her vertebrae pop and her muscles stretch. Tikal ran a hand through her disheveled locks as she tried to wake herself.
Tikal rose to her feet and made her way to the tall ivory fountain. She glanced at herself in the amethyst-colored water as she pulled her quills back into a thick bun. The blueblood hadn't even bothered removing her clothes for the evening; Chaos was lurking around and she certainly wasn't going to give him anything to look at!
With a sigh, Tikal cupped her palms and scooped up a handful of the cool lavender liquid. Just as she began rinsing her face, the double-door to her room opened. Tikal gasped and spun around angrily, "I thought I said that I do not wish to see your face! You--"
The very breath that fueled her angry words died. Clear crystalline eyes widened in shock at the approaching figure. Slowly making his way toward the crown princess was not Turrok, or Chaos but he was…
"K-Knuckles!?" Tikal gasped.
---
As the others were making their way to seats around Knuckles' small coffee table, a gift from Amy, Shadow immediately stepped before Julie. The nearly ruby-haired scientist blinked, "What is it Shadow?"
The self-claimed ultimate one (A/N mid-thought: And he is…most of the time, but not in the Shadow the hedgehog game. It was so bad and don't even get me started on Black Doom--) sighed impatiently, "You can't fool me, Robotnik. What is bothering you?"
For someone who was barely in tune with his own feelings, Shadow was an emotional-radar; he could tell right off the bat if a person was out of sorts and he could pick up any traces of gloom, fear or sadness.
The Robotnik girl blinked, then smiled sadly, "By the end of this day, you're going to hate me; straight to the core." It was an understatement to say that Shadow was shocked. His normally stoic face even betrayed him, "…What?"
She barely touched his face, "I better savor this moment: Shadow the Hedgehog in stupor. I'm sorry, but I have to do this."
The claret-streaked hedgehog grabbed her slender wrist and glared incomprehensibly at her, "What are you blathering about!? Your ambiguity is doing nothing but rousing my ire."
Julie smiled sweetly at him, but the hedgehog-radar went off again and he was able to detect the glinting sadness within her eyes, "I'm apologizing right now friend. Sorry. And I mean that from the bottom of my being."
With those cloudy words, she twisted her wrist from his grip and paced into the living room. All mirth was gone from her face and her chocolaty eyes seemed as if they had faded into ebony.
She stepped in front of the group ready to speak. She closed her eyes, trying not to focus on the black and crimson hedgehog who was lacerating her with his hard stare. For a brief second she glanced up and met the cool eyes of the blond scientist. He barely inclined his head toward her.
The words of their previous conversation were still fresh within her keen mind. Julie closed her eyes a second time before the large crowd. She was gathering strength.
---
The flaxen haired scientist appeared. The presence he carried his lean figure seemed to be in one of two ways: a.) he was either perfectly relaxed and cool, or b.) he was uptight and on guard. At this moment he didn't deviate from his habit and today he was relaxed.
Julie had requested to speak with him, so she was at Jake's command. Therefore, McCloud was relaxed. He'd be judging her right now. He slipped his hands in the pockets of his blue jeans casually as he leaned against the nearest wall, "What do you want now?"
His impassive stare focused on the pouting fair-faced Robotnik girl. His eyes narrowed; geez, was this really the great Julie Robotnik? She acted more like a girl than a woman: she threw tantrums, used unchecked curses, and she consistently had childish spats with any and everyone who managed to miff her.
"Did…" she hesitated, "Did you see that Chaotic energy reading?"
Jake looked away and scoffed, "Simpleton, was I not present in the laboratory the entire time? You measured everyone's Chaotic energy output…And you even measured my nonexistent energy and had a rather childish laugh over it."
Julie almost smiled at that memory. Then her face went serious "…I meant the other levels."
The stoic blond waited silently for her to continue, "Shadow's level was clocked in at 50,000, but I then measured one energy that was completely out of his league. I…I think it was Chaos."
The pretty redhead lowered her head slightly, "Shadow and the others…if they go against him, they will be crushed. It won't even be a contest."
The McCloud protégé narrowed his eyes for once in an un-derisive mannerism; instead he was calculating, "So what do you suggest then to remedy this obvious dilemma?"
"They will need more help…They will need strong allies to conform with them," Julie started shaking, "And I'll have to do something awful…Shadow, Maria, and all the others are going to hate me for it…" she choked.
The spiky-haired blonde stared at her levelly; where Julie Robotnik was subjective, he was completely objective; factual. Logic, numbers, statistics, and reason was what compelled him.
He had a steel reign over his emotions and never allowed them to factor into anything he did, "Regardless of the consequences," he said suddenly, bringing Julie to look at him, "Do you believe that this ally will help them trump Chaos? Or at least increase their success substantially?"
Julie made a noise halfway between a sob and a choke, "Y...yes…"
Then it was decided then, "…Then get off your pathetic ass and make it happen," Jake replied with his normal callousness.
They both stared at each other; big, watery brown eyes met cool, icy blue, "We're adults. We do what has to be done in means of our own self-preservation. So sniff up your tears and do what you have to do, or stop wasting my time."
With that, McCloud turned and left Julie to contemplate his words alone.
---
The aquamarine-eyed princess stared in great shock as her husband approached her. His long quills swayed rhythmically with each step he took and his purple eyes were smoldering. He stopped walking until he was a couple of feet away from her.
Tikal gazed at him in a fixed awe as the shadow of his taller framed engulfed her. This couldn't be true! Her beloved Knuckles couldn't be standing no more than three inches away from her.
Well, there was always one way to find out if he was real or a figment of her imaginings. Slowly the princess reached out a quivering hand toward her husband. She gulped visibly before she stretched forth her hand and placed it softly upon his face.
The red echidna studied her small hand before he glanced back at her with a smile, the monarch herself looked pleasantly surprised. She slowly took her sight from her hand and onto Knuckles, "You…you are truly real. You truly stand before me as flesh and blood…"
" Tikal, I stand before you whole," Knuckles smiled lightly at her.
With a sob the crowned princess jumped into Knuckles' arms and latched onto him tight. She cried as her fingers relished the feel of his smooth quills in her fingers and she cherished the warmth of his strong build against her slight frame.
"KNUCKLES!" She cried, laughing and crying in all one breath, "You're here! It's really you! I love you! I love you so much!"
"Then prove it to me."
They both dove into a passion of bliss as their lips met and their hands locked within the long tangles of each other's quills. Tikal had her breath swept away when Knuckles hoisted her over his shoulder, she laughed slightly as she left herself being hauled away as if she weighed nothing. Well, Knuckles is the strongest being she knew.
She smiled to herself as she felt his firm muscles in his shoulders shift with each step her took. Somehow this was how she imagined herself being rescued from Chaos; within the clutches of her husband. Tikal couldn't help but smile, she really felt like one of those fairytale princesses now.
But then a thought made her brows cease together, the exit was the opposite direction Knuckles was heading. In fact, right now they were headed toward the large bed. The echidna princess glanced at the back of Knuckles' head with a faint blush; just what was really going through his mind?
"Love, c-could this wait?" Tikal's face was almost as red as her husband's, " I…I missed you too, but we must make haste before Turrok finds us!"
"No." His flat response was followed by flipping Tikal over his shoulder and onto the bed. The princess grimaced at the force her spine hit the fluffy bed. Regardless of how soft the cushions were, the force of the impact still hurt. Still wincing, she peeled an eye open to glance at Knuckles.
For a still second he stood over her with a chilling smile, then he honed in on her position so that they were no longer two inches apart. Tikal felt her heart pounding feverishly against her chest, she couldn't describe what she was feeling; anxiety, excitement…fear? Wait, why fear?
Because there was something slightly unsettling about him, that's why. But why would this feeling surface around Knuckles? He was the only creature, besides Sol, that she was completely at ease around. Sol was her child, a creation from her own flesh, but Knuckles was her soul mate. He was the one who could see her as eternally beautiful.
Even when she appeared her worst, she would return from a hard day of training and be covered in layers of sweat and soot, quills unruly and wild, and Knuckles would still stare at her with that intense, passionate gaze and say something on the lines of, 'Damn, you're beautiful' or 'Do you know how hard you make it for me to keep control over myself?'
Also, he was the only one that she could share all of her secrets and passions. He was the only one she would think steamy thoughts and dreams about. So now, back to her fundamental thought: why was she slightly put off by him? Why was she slightly unnerved around him?
Before she could meditate on that thought, she felt Knuckles' lips beginning to crush hers. Tikal shivered; his touch felt foreign. Even worse, his touch made her feel revolted and filthy.
Where Knuckles was usually gentle and playful, he was currently cold and harsh. It was as if he was trying to work his way through a mission. That thought made Tikal's eyes snap open; a mission? Am I a mission, an objective to be completed!?
She suddenly pulled away from him, glancing at him uneasily. Knuckles stared back at her blankly; a mixture of impassivity and ire swirled within his eyes, "What's the matter with you?"
"I…I" she was stumbling, she never had trouble speaking to Knuckles before, "I…this does not feel right…I am sorry, but I cannot do this…I--"
A strong hand gripped her shoulders painfully. She felt herself begging squeezed painfully to the point where her eyes were beginning to water and her shoulders were starting to turn red, "I think you can, and therefore you will, princess."
His lips found her mouth feverishly as Tikal stared off into space blankly. Why was Knuckles doing this! Why? He always listened to her pleas and requests! And since when did he ever call her a princess? He never mentioned her status as a blueblood, and when he did he referred to her as a queen. His queen.
The princess's face suddenly blanched before it colored in anger. Her eyes went from being a cool aquiline blue to a raging, burning magenta. With a roar her chaotic energy manifested around her, swirling around her lithe frame furiously, "Turrok!"
Knuckles stared at her for a second before he presented her with a smile that she had never seen upon his face. It was condescending and ruthful. All his smiles he gave to his beloved Tikal where loving and warm, like embers of fire.
"Well, princess, it's decided: you are not an entire idiot."
"You! Charlatan!" she cried, "How do you!!"
With an unusual fury, the princess roared furiously, throwing multiple punches at the smiling pseudo Knuckles. All her blows were hitting him and yet they were having no effect! With one last blow, Tikal cracked the imposter Knuckles across the face.
She managed to turn his face but it ultimately proved ineffective. The red echidna chuckled darkly as he slowly turned to look her dead in the eyes. Tikal gasped and moved away from him.
"Y-you are…" she breathed.
"Yes…" the crimson echidna's dark purple eyes slowly faded into Turrok's original haunting amber eyes. His smile was just as daunting as his alien eyes on Knuckles' face.
He watched as the beige echidna stumbled away from him. Turrok smiled as he was sure that Tikal was just beginning to understand his strength, "So you finally realize my strength? The true extent of my power, fair one. And this is only with a minimal absorbance of the Master Emerald's power!!"
The princess stumbled backwards, not daring to take her eyes off of the approaching atrocity. Tikal had never been this terrified before of an individual. Her blows had bounced off of him like nothing! How were Knuckles, Sol and the others going to combat a fiend this great?
"Truly, do you see it? Do you see my strength now, woman?" Turrok smiled as his appearance began to morph into his own, "All echidnas, especially females appreciate the strength of a warrior. The power of his might."
Tikal continued to stumble away from him until she backed herself to the opposite side of the room. She cringed as she realized that she had no place else to go. Fearfully she turned to look at the approaching echidna.
"Does my strength excite you? Does my might melt you? Or does my power leave you weak where you stand?" Turrok said in a purr, "It is ludicrous how weak your husband is compared to me."
Turrok slowly brought his hand forth and cupped Tikal's face within his large hand. She was trembling terribly, but Chaos continued to ignore her fear, "But do not fear princess. Do not fear me princess of royal blood; for if you submit to me and take your place as my queen, bear my worthy heirs. Our dying echidna clan shall flourish once again!"
After stroking the monarch's cheek, Turrok bent forward to taste Tikal's lips. The princess flushed out of embarrassment before she narrowed her eyes. For the split second Turrok left his guard down, Tikal slapped him across the face.
"I shall never be your wife! The very idea of being near you makes my stomach revolt and twist with nausea! How dare you think I will mother your children! My dream is to be with Knuckles, and I shall not give that up for no one!"
Chaos stared at the smaller echidna for a second before his features contoured in anger. He grabbed both of her shoulders and slammed her against the wall, "Why you worthless urchin! Regardless of your foolish tantrums, you shall submit to ME!"
A flare of venomous jade-green energy flared around Chaos. He bared his teeth as he effortlessly hoisted the princess off of her feet and into the air. She gaped at him in shock as she realized that he was holding her in the air by her shoulders. She refused to cry out in pain as she felt Chaos' fingers squeeze into the blades and contours of her shoulder.
Finally, just as Tikal felt her arms going numb, Chaos released her and tossed her across the room. The princess went down in a terrible tumble as Turrok stormed out the room. He slammed the large doors and left the royal heiress to herself again.
---
The ultimate one took a seat between Amy and Sonic and checked his seat before he sat down. This was to make sure that Sonic didn't try to booby-trap his seat.
"You think so low of me," Sonic smiled.
Shadow glared back at him, "…I know."
"Will you guys stop your flirting for a second!?" the rosette hedgehog growled, "Julie's about to talk!"
"Guys," Julie said, "While I was taking your Chaotic energy readings, with Shadow's being the most expansive, I have discovered something else. If you plan to face Chaos…Then you are far out of your league."
Everyone fell silent. Well, that wasn't good news. The blue wonder rose to his feet, "W-what do you mean?"
"Chaos' energy may be larger than all of yours combined. That's what I mean," Julie replied.
A raise of unnerved murmur rose. The only two people in the room who waited in silence were Shadow, who was still studying his friend after their enigmatic encounter, and then there was Jake.
Aloof as always, he was watching the Robotnik girl wondering if she was going to take his advice from earlier and do what had to be done…or be a sissy and wuss out. Right now he was judging her character.
"You guys can't do this on your own," she said in what was to be a whisper, but all still caught her quiet words. Tails scratched his head before he exchanged glances with Cream, "Well, what do you think we should do, doctor? Is there anyway to gain a possible boost of Chaotic energy?"
Sonic snapped his fingers as a thought came to mind, "Hey! What about the Chaos emeralds?" A happier wave of conversation rose. Cream and Daisy glanced at each other and smiled as Tails high-fived Sonic; who knew the blue guy had such great ideas within him?
"Sure," Julie shrugged, "Anything to try and get a boost of power."
"Well what's your solution?" Cream asked. She was thoughtful enough to pick up on Julie's low-key mood.
"You'll need another ally," she replied.
Shadow couldn't explain quite why, but that announcement made his blood run cold. He sat silently now, trying to think of any and everyone who could possibly aid them against the great Chaos.
"Cool," the blue hedgehog beside him replied, "So who do you have in mind? Team Chaotix? Shad works with those guys anyhow."
The rosette hedgehog frowned, "…I don't like that one crocodile. Whenever Sonic left, he kept hitting on me…"
"No, not them," Julie gasped out; she suddenly covered her mouth as if she was trying to hold herself back from retching. Shadow slowly rose to his feet; he didn't know why, but this person…the ultimate one was sure that he wasn't going to like them.
The crimson-streaked hedgehog was sure that Julie knew this as well. So who was this new ally his good friend was referring to? Scythe scoffed, "Well redhead, do we know 'em?"
"Y-yes…" she replied, trembling. "You…all…do…"
Now Shadow was really felling nauseous. Who was she talking about? He froze in place when he saw Julie look dead at him, as if she was trying to send him some secret message meant only for him. Then she turned her head away, no longer able to take Shadow's strong stare.
"…You're going to need help of someone really powerful. Therefore I need to awaken…"
Awaken? What does Julie mean awaken? Who could possibly be…? Shadow's sky suddenly went black as his friend spoke the next word, "…Achilles.."
-To be continued!
So now I'm gonna do something different. To show my appreciation for the reviews, I'll gonna answer your reviews, only Scythe will be doing it in my stead. Scythe, let 'em have it.
Scythe: WTF!? (Groans) Whatever. Well, I guess fans would want me to answer them. After all I'm not only strong but I'm sexy too.
…Uh…
Goldenwing57: Yah damn right we're gonna kick Chaos' ass! But I still don't get how Shadow has a chaotic level that high! He must do some Chaos energy enhancing drugs or something.
#17: Omega who? Wait, I think I remember now. Isn't that one of Egghead's robots or something? I don't know exactly why he should be in the story, he's completely inferior now that I'm around! Muwhaha!
Mystery001: Hey, this guy's a loyal reviewer why I'll---what the hell!? Just what's SO impressive about SHADOW!? Heck, anyone could have blown that stupid, Emerald-whatcha-ma-call-it up into pieces! …But thanks for your continual reviews! I bet I'm your favorite character, huh?
SangoBakura: Bakura? Is that another character? If so, if you ask me, your penname should be HedgehogScythe or CyborgScythe, perhaps ScytheTHEgreat or something. Heh, you really like these stories, eh? Thanks a lot, and keep readin'. Well, I'm probably one of your favorite reasons why you read, eh?
Shadowsole: …Shadowsole? Your penname is Shadowsole!? Well what about Scythesole!?!? Jeez, really now!? What is so fantastic about SHADOW!? (grumbles) Thanks for the review and no more of this Shadow nonsense!
SexyShadowGirl: SexySHADOWgirl!?!? ARGH! What is this!? It's all about HIM isn't it!? Shadow, Shadow, SHADOW! (growls) Oh, and you were expecting that red and black loser to have more chaotic energy!? I swear, when we're done with Chaos, I'm gonna kill him!! THANKS FOR THE REVIEW! (darts off to find Shadow)