A/N: For the next installment of Chaos Hymn, we take a look at the prestige of the Lords of Order and their final acknowledgement of a threat that surpasses the Chaos Messiah and her heralds. In their history books, they unlock the key to understanding the evil warlord of the past. Will they respond to the threat properly or make a mistake that the mighty mammoth will anticipate? Stay tuned, as we pick up with the Lords of Order.

(End A/N)

Chapter IX: The Mayhem of Chaos, Part II: The Mogul's Shadow

As it stood, the research had been going in the favor of the Lords. Each book they looked into, led them further into a history of war fought by the powerful Ixis Lord. He faced numerous faces in battle over the domination of not just Mobius, but the Chaos Emeralds as well. The most recent travesty was how the ancient mobian managed to slay the equivalents of them within the realm: who had been dubbed the Ancient Walkers by old civilizations. The fact that he managed so much, despite the resistance of the Mobians in large numbers; this was unfathomable to Sir Dage.

"Well Sir Yulic, this is all the proof we need. There is no chance that the Chaos Messiah can be the truth threat: not in the face of all this knowledge." the pair had been commanded to more research, as the Lords were looking for proof of Mogul's evil being a greater threat. In the eyes of Sir Dage, there was nothing deadlier to order itself.

"I agree, I think that we should take action against him immediately. We must stop him and quickly, in order to avert another apocalypse." Sir Yulic, normally a more cautious knight, felt eager to prove himself against such a threat.

Caution and the drive to stop someone who would commit atrocities surged through the veins of the youngest of the Lords. There needed to be some kind of bridge, the gap closed between the experience they had and that thrill that pressed the pair into action.

"Let's bring it up with the council, its time that we took action." Sir Yulic was the one who thought it wise to bring up.

Sir Dage nodded, not bothering to verbalize the answer of his agreement. Once he stood, his cape billowed behind him and showed the haste of his movement. He wanted the chance to get after this Mammoth Mogul first, having never seen such a decorated opponent. It was eagerness and duty that brought him towards action, also the chance for glory. Sir Yulic followed, more worried than desiring glory as this foe had a long list of victims unnamed during those wars and a set of the equals of the Lords of Order amongst his victims in the Ancient Walkers.

This was more than a little cause for alarm, he hoped that the others would agree. There needed to be action, for Mogul would be the one to act first and there would be oblivion if they waited to take action. As the two entered the great hall, the debate would begin soon afterward. Herein lay the chance for the Lords to make a real move in what both Yulic and Dage believed were the right steps. Now they just needed the support of the others to make their plans.

-With Sonic & Co..-

Amongst Tikal's friends and allies that had been gathered thus far, each had been set into action. With Chaotix looking into the Lords of Order and looking into the actions of Doctor Eggman, it was a plan to stay ahead of the good doctor. Shadow was still training everyone who could wield chaos, even with just the potential of it: he drilled them in the art of summoning chaos energy. Even the likes of Knuckles: who preferred his fists to the use of chaos, was being pushed hard with the training. Tails was finally starting to show signs of sensing the chaos and Sonic...was being Sonic when it came to Shadow, it meant the pair were bickering.

"C'mon Shadow, its time for a break, its' been nothing but 4 hours of drills. I can see Tails isn't doing so hot, and he still has to work on his devices to help us detect the energy those weird guys use." Sonic did make a point as though Knuckles could still go, even he was looking winded.

"I swear Faker, this is why you can't use the power even a little. A small bit of effort and you are ready to quit. Very well, take your break, 10 minutes." Shadow crossed his arms and waited for a reply, he got it quickly.

"10 minutes after 4 hours of work? No way! We'll need at least an hour of recovery." Sonic retorted, still sporting his trademark grin.

"An hour? Your weakness disgusts me! You'll get no more than 20 minutes, Faker. Not one minute more." Shadow would not allow weakness to get in the way of their team effort. Especially since he had his work cut out for him.

"Thanks Shadow, I knew you could be reasonable." Sonic turned and left it at that, grin still on his features. He knew that if he asked for something outrageous, he'd get a better result from Shadow and it worked like a charm.

The Ultimate Lifeform bit his tongue, almost cursing the Blue blur for his trickery. But he chose to let it go, especially since he was going to have to show good temperament to show that he was fit to be the Head of the Chaos Knights, a good part of him still enjoyed that. He was in charge of defense and training a gaggle of would-be heroes into shape. A part of him reveled in the challenge and the other smug part of him enjoyed commanding the Faker. The only issue he had was how civil he had become in a short time, as it was the calming nature of their would-be Messiah of Chaos that relaxed him.

He knew little about her, only that she was a member of the Knuckles' Clan where the iconic Master Emerald Guardian and aptly named, Knuckles hailed from. There was little to know except that she failed her duties at first and managed to come back and make something of herself later long after her passing. Somehow she'd been revived, these were all facts that he kept in mind. This power that he commanded was indeed great, as it revived someone and gave her new purpose. The thing that troubled him was that while her essence flowed with chaos, she did not wish to fight.

"Hmph...she should not waste her potential." this was Shadow's belief on the matter. As one's personal beliefs did not dictate how an enemy would react and should she be separated from her protectors no matter how miniscule the chance, she was doomed.

-With Tikal-

While the others took their break, Tikal had been inside the house with Amy. The two had been having long discussions about all kinds of things: from boys to fashion to the situation at hand. There was so much in the world that Tikal herself did not understand, it was nice to get a view of the modern world from another female. It was what Amy called 'girl talk', a subject that the Ex-Emerald guardian came to realize colored a variety of topics. There was almost no limit in it, which was fine with her, since she didn't often have another girl to talk with.

"Sooo, how are you and Sesumi doing, Tikal?" Amy was eager to hear anything that her new friend was willing to share.

"Well, it's been nice. Sesumi is still trying to define where his protection duties end and our relationship begins. We haven't done much, but he...holds me a lot. I really enjoy that, we just stare at one another too." Tikal sighed gently, it was a wonderful sensation to be held by someone you cared about.

"Aww, that sounds so sweet! You two are so adorable together." Amy was gushing a little bit, it really did sound romantic. She only wished that Sonic might hold her like that some day.

Tikal blushed softly and looked down, though she thought of something else they'd been discussing. It was a subject of minor conflict for her, even though she had been told by Makius that she needed to fight. She decided to ask Amy what she thought of it all.

"Amy, I have a question for you."

"What is it, Tikal?"

"...Do you think that it's alright to defy one's personal principles because fate demands it of you?"

"What do you mean, Tikal?"

There was a moment of silence between the pair. Amy looked on and hoped that she'd continue and tell her what he meant. After a moment, Tikal picked up where she left off.

"Well, I mean that I really don't like to fight. In the past, I stood for my principles and stood before my end without a struggle. Right now that I have my life back, the chance for love on my horizon for one...and a mission that I've been given, I realize I'll have to do away with what defines me. My very love of peace and my want not to fight." it was a mouthful to say, but Tikal got it out and looked up; hoping that Amy might have some kind of answer for her. She needed to hear something in response.

With a gentle hand, Amy rubbed her friend's shoulder and shook her head at the words she said, "That's not true Tikal. You aren't doing away with what defines you, you're defending it."

Tikal looked interested, eager to hear what Amy was saying, she had to know what she meant by her words, "How do you mean that? I'd be fighting and hurting others."

"Sometimes one has to fight for what they believe in. This includes peace, especially since our enemies in this case won't care that you choose peace sometimes. It means that you'll be vulnerable, that is when you fight. Just consider it as a last resort, to protect that which is dear to you."

Tikal was quiet a moment, giving thought to what Amy just said. It was hard to get more realistic than that and she needed no more reason to agree. Some part of her still felt that it would be just fighting, but the reasons would be her own alone. She could fight, if only as a last resort. That meant she'd be learning combat than her basics.

That which she learned from her father personally. He could not understand his daughter's wish not to def3end herself, it was something that she still felt had been excessive. But she understood the principles well enough: combat was something that she found natural to her. Between what she remembered and what she desired to learn, there was one person that she'd be asking once she and Amy were done here. She intended to ask Sesumi to instruct her in his combat form.

"Thank you, Amy. You are my truest friend, and I cannot be thankful enough for your kindness."

"There's no need to thank me, Tikal! That's what girl friends are for, right?"

"Right!"

Tikal hugged Amy right after saying this, she found herself happy to be resolved about something. She was no longer as conflicted about the issue as earlier on since her return. While the pair enjoyed the embrace, eventually Tikal let the pink hedgehog go and sat back. The two continued to talk after that, with Amy focusing on giving Tikal pointers. After all if this worked on Sesumi, she had to have a good chance with Sonic, right?

-With Sesumi-

Speaking of the Hyperstone Champion, he was presently in meditation while sitting by the cliff edge. Listening to the ocean waves crash upon the rocks below while in focus often brought him ease and clarity. Such was very similar to the oceans on Coron, that much was comforting. He was concentrating on the Hyperstones, focusing on his unity with them and how well they understood one another. Applying the power would be important for him as the conflicts grew and he had to be ready for the next Lord of Order.

'You are trying to focus on us, are you? What about your precious Chaos Emeralds?' the first of the hyperstones to speak, the Uyntai, spoke with a callous opener.

'Certainly we aren't going to cover this again, are we? The power is something that I cannot fathom, that WE cannot fathom; besides how can I focus on something beyond my grasp?' The response was simple and factual, Sesumi didn't understand the power chaos.

'Pah, its' amazing you survived the destruction of our World with such thoughts. You must learn everything about our opponents, especially how to beat them!' Uyntai was complaining at him for his lack of knowledge.

Ignoring the complaint, Sesumi went back to focusing on the unique pulse of energy that the stones gave off. The swell of the seven different stones was almost overpowering at first; the same way it always had been for him even when in training. The seven energies were soon focused into one all encompassing wave and he welcomed the feeling in his mind. The imagery in his head was a splash of seven colors, each a glow amidst the mental dusk of his mind. He was the focus of their power and the one that would remain amongst the sea of energy.

'The seven flows into you and consumes you, but cradles the soul.'

'The seven clashes with you, but curls around action.'

'The seven invade you, but swirl within.'

'The seven clutch your aura, but feed into it.'

'The seven shall siphon from you, but shall be as one.'

'The seven guild have challenged at once, the selection is complete.'

'The seven shall hold you high, as you are their champion.'

These mental statements were the voices of the seven that inhabited his mind and body as much as he did. There was a very sudden feeling spreading throughout his body as he let off a gasp of air. The air pressure around him thinned and he could feel the Sky hyperstone, the known as Gyntai, at work. The blue stone held the color of a shifting sky within its form, this brought the air around a soft glow and that glow extended to his body. It was an experience beyond words, to be overcharged by the Hyperstones, it was a breathtaking feeling to say the least.

For a moment, he floated off of the ground and achieved the sync of the previous hero of the hyperstones, his immediate predecessor and Uncle. They were not close, because being the champion had consumed him and unfortunately he perished in battle as a true champion would. It was the only thing that he had to base his actions off of, the very means of being a champion. Though it wouldn't do well for him if he was perishing, now would it? He felt the power and attempted to balance it, since it did overcharge him.

The overflowing feeling was beyond anything that he could put to words. Still though words could not fit it, he felt the overbearing aspect as a notable, feeling to remember. He did not want to be bursting with power, since it offered a great deal of problems for him if he let it ride him.

'Focus'

He whispered these words to himself and forced the power back, absorbing the swell of power and focusing it into one point was the key. He channeled the sky blue energy into his left fist and felt the enormous weight bearing down in his fingertips. It was pure pressure, that's what it really was...the sensation was akin to holding an impossibly heavy stone. The force was bending his arm in an odd manner, but he seemed to be holding it. This was the kind of mastery that he needed...though he couldn't call this mastery.

Carefully, he withdrew from the power and let it fall away harmlessly. The pressure stopped crackling around his knuckles and once he'd managed to let it loose, his hands was sore. Looking at it, his arm was entirely sore; up to the shoulder. He was a little worried about it, as to what it could mean for his body, as he was supposed to house this energy evenly through his body. This meant that he would have to train harder, perhaps he'd take up Shadow on a spar or two.

"Sesumi!" there was a call from behind, it was Tikal's voice.

"Tikal? Good to see you!" Sesumi turned, happy to see the lovely echidna as she approached him.

Tikal had run out to him, meeting him as he finished turning. She greeted him with a warm hug and a peck on the cheek, before drawing back. The pair shared a close embrace for several moments, before parting completely.

"Anything that I can help you, Tikal? You seemed to have something urgent to ask." Sesumi had gotten this from a feeling he had, considering her speedy approach she looked excited.

"Yes, Sesumi I want to ask you to train me in combat. Hand to hand most specifically." Tikal kept her request simple and to the point.

"I can do this of course, but what occasion is this for?" Sesumi of course was curious as to why, he had no opinion on her learning: he'd be glad to share some of his lessons of martial skill with her. He felt that she had the right grace for it.

"I want to fight, to protect the peace in my life and...those that I care about." Tikal blushed a little, but the statement was clear.

Sesumi was pleased to hear her words, still like her they were innocent and full of zeal; the want to do right by something. It was an honorable trait to have, though he wondered how serious she was about the training? He would not judge her a delicate woman alone by appearance, but by her demeanor and the way Tikal herself chose to appear. He had to ask her how far she intended for this to go. Respectfully, he posited the question as best he could; while hoping not to offend her.

"Begging your pardon, Tikal, I need to ask...how intense do you wish this training? I want to know what degree we are taking this at, not doubting any of the strength of spirit you've shown." the question was legitimate enough, still he had wanted to show her that he believed in her as well.

"As intense as it needs to be, Sesumi. I intend to learn the skills, so I can't have you taking it easy on me." Tikal said this with an assuredness that seemed unlike her.

Though that look in her eye told Sesumi that she was every bit as serious as she meant to be. He could not have been prouder of her thus far, she was not waiting to be sidelined if things got bad enough. That was enough for anyone to learn to defend themselves.

"Then I will return that spirit with the complete intensity of the sea." Sesumi was definitely going to make sure that she got the training she was looking for.

He looked towards a future where they'd all be safe and he could really experience the wonders of this planet, Mobius. Until then he'd had that chance, he was going to take steps to see peace was achieved. Addressing Tikal with this in mind, he presented her with the option right away.

"We can begin now if you'd like, I was just finished with my focus exercises and I was ready to train." he was ready to start right now for her.

"Alright, let's start...I don't know how I'll do. It's been a while since I've been involved In more than just the basics." Tikal admitted this was a common thing for her.

Exercise was something that Tikal kept up with, after all keeping in shape wasn't done by sitting around. She made sure that she kept pace with her training every day, the echidna combat basics were in her system. this would give her some groundwork for the new style that she'd be learning today. She had seen it in motion and was enamored with the skill used behind it. She'd witnessed a great being of power being shoveled around by the flow of power.

That grace and that strength, the energy that it gathered, all of it was something that she recognized somehow. Even though she'd never directly been introduced to the style, it reminded her of a martial art that her grandmother used. It made her feel excitement for the first time in a while, a chance to enjoy something that she was doing. Perhaps this was what she was looking for in the past? She stopped thinking and stood at the ready, with her hands at her sides.

Sesumi noticed the change in her demeanor and the multitude of thinking she appeared to go through. It was only once she was ready that he gave her the gesture to follow him towards the edge of the cliff. They were going to practice by the ocean, where the water crashed against the waves, in order to hear out its tremendous strength. He figured that he could get her to focus, as once he explained how the style worked; he figured she was a shoe in for it. Tikal had a way with both magic and nature, he figured it would be hers to command with ease.

"Alright, the first lesson is the most important Tikal. We will be using your natural affinity for magic to draw upon the moisture in the air to make use of the power of the waves. The first step is to realize the force we are summoning. The element that makes up the waves flows all around us, and that force is a dangerous one in the right hands." Sesumi imagined that she knew something about it.

"You mean the water, yes...it is a terrible power, in the wrong hands." Tikal shuddered a moment, remembering Chaos's fury against her tribe.

Though she was disturbed by it, the chance to wield that element brought some peace to her mind. She could hear the waves crashing against the cliffs and was able to envision the very force he spoke of. Having seen the destruction of water firsthand, she imagined the image of crashing waves against the stone. She could feel it almost, the way the waves generated the force and were increasing with each accompaniment of wind or more water. As she did, her hand rested over her heart, and her breathing adjusted to match the very force itself.

Sesumi almost didn't want to disturb her, as he could feel the presence around her growing denser. Her focus on magic seemed to grow and eventually, droplets forged from the air around her. It made the guardian's eyes widen, she was already this far along? He wanted to say it was incredible, then again he remembered the reality check, she'd been here longer than he knew. She existed before he did and had been alive long enough to learn some of the very arts he was asking her to use.

"Incredible, that is exactly what I was hoping you'd be capable of. The water sings...and it dances around you, the gift you have will bring you great success wielding this art." Sesumi complimented her and he watched the water move with her.

It was time to see that she harnessed the power that she had now, he hoped to see her focus it. "You can dismiss the magic, since we aren't quite at that level yet. There are movements to learn towards the martial skill itself."

Doing as he suggested, Tikal dismissed the magic and still felt incensed by the power, the water and the gentle magic. With the flow away from her, she felt the subtle hum of magic still ample around her. She waited for instruction then, imagining that he had more to share of his wisdom than just words. Once he moved to stand at her side, and spread both palms wide in front of him.

"Start like this, nice and slowly, spreading your palms out in front of you. Do it slowly, as this form is more about grace, less speed or force. The finesse and each accentuated movement will draw more power behind the waves, especially compared to forceful moves." Sesumi explained the reasoning behind each sway, the movements of the oceans were about churning; gathering power with the whole body.

As Sesumi went through the motions slowly, he made sure Tikal was following him. With each step, the entire body moved in a graceful and swaying movement. "Each motion is a natural shift, pivot, or adjusting step. As Balance is maintained at a maximum, you have chance to recover from the enemy's attack. That's at least, the aim of each movement."

Tikal absorbed the words he said, listening was easy, as were the movements for the most part. This was less rigid and far more relaxed than her echidna clan boxing and other hand to hand combat forms. She half closed her eyes and followed the movements again as they came. She made sure she had seen the whole motion before completing it herself. As the lesson proceeded anyone who could see how well Tikal took to it they would know, the lesson was a success.

Though as the sun set on the day, with both new information from Chaotix, a new person to try and recruit; the last person it seemed the Chaos Messiah and her vanguard would need. They were soon to make a move for the hope of Mobius. As they made preparations for the next day's trip, they did so without knowing that Mammoth Mogul paid them close mind. Watching every action as it proceeded, none had any idea what the ancient Mobian had in mind for them all.

As Neither the Lords of Order or those who followed Tikal, were free from the grasp of the mighty Mammoth Mogul.

(End Chapter.)