Chapter 10: What's my purpose?

All he could hear was the sound of the sea. Water streaming back and fort, pushing and dragging the pebbles along the coast making a rattling, but still soothing, sound. It has been less than a week now since he opened his eyes for the first time into his new life in this new place. Still he didn't feel the joy of life, he felt empty, a very frustrating emptiness. His mind only had a little amount of information he received in the first days; what he was, where he was, all the possibilities, but it wasn't enough for him.

Suddenly the wind started blow waking him up from his short afternoon rest. He was lying on a thick branch high up in a tree where he couldn't be disturbed that easily. From there he could see and hear the sound of the sea. This became his favourite spot, away from everything and everyone, alone there with his thoughts. He sat up stretching out his arm and legs and started to stare at the sea waves.

'So, this is it? I'm a chao.', he thought bitterly. "There must be something more to it?", he mumbled.

"Hello!!", a voice kindly greeted him.

He gasped and immediately turned around to where the voice came from. It was an Omachao unit flying high up, descending toward him. The tiny robot landed on the same branch a few inches away from the chao.

"I was patrolling the area when I saw you here. Is everything ok?", he asked concerned.

The chao didn't feel like chit-chatting, but still he answered the question with a stern voice; "Yes, I'm fine."

"You are all alone here. Would you not rather be with the other chao?"

"No, I prefer to be alone. Need some time to think." His voice was starting to sound irritated.

Omachao didn't detect his mood yet, so he continued questioning. "What could a young chao like you be thinking about so much?"

"None of your business.", the chao answered with a harsh tone.

Omachao was slightly shocked by the chao's rudeness, but he continued as if he didn't hear that last answer.

"Well, I would not put too much time into that, if I where you. There are many things to do, many things to learn, especially a young chao like you. You must first find where your interests are mostly focused and then you can start thinking about a purpose in life."

"A purpose?", the chao repeated with a great astonishment in his voice he couldn't hide from the robot chao.

Omachao was pleased by hearing this reaction. A clear sign he was actually listening to him. "That's right, something you want to achieve and that you are willing to work hard for. Everyone must have a purpose in life, which is what makes life worth living.", he explained.

"I have to continue doing my work. That is my purpose, to ensure safety and peace on this island. Well, see you some other time!!", he said while he flew off.

It was clear this Omachao made a greater impression on him than he had expected. At first he thought Omachao would just start nagging in his head like all the other chao, but no, he sounded like a guide giving valuable advice.

'A purpose, huh? Is that what I need to find to fill this emptiness?', the chao wondered.

"Omachao is right, sitting here all day won't help me find the answers I need.", he said as he stood up and jumped off the branch. To slow down his fall he flapped his wings until he reached the ground. He wasn't able to fly great distances yet or keep himself airborne like other chao do. His wings were still not strong enough for that, but still he was able to make short flights and lift his body a few inches from the ground.

After staring around for a few seconds, he finally made up his mind and started to walk toward the beach. Before reaching the sandy area, he noticed a group of chao coming toward him from far away. They were six adult chao running at full speed.

'Do chao races go through this area as well?', the chao wondered as he remembered the race he saw a few days ago.

They past him by without noticing him completely focused on their goal in taking the lead.

"Quite interesting…", he mumbled as he continued walking in the same direction the chao group went. He wanted to check what's on that part of the island.

So far, his daily activities consisted mostly on exploring the island. He already wandered through Chao Park, which he eventually considered as crowded. His desire to move away to a quiet place brought him near Pearl Beach with his pearl coloured sand and crystal clear water. With the sounds of the sea waves and the sea breeze caressing him, he was able to relax.

Now that he had a spot he could call home, he continued to the other areas still unknown to him. The beach was very long; the sand area stretches as far as his eyes could reach. There was also a bridge spanning over the river's mouth and from there the path continued into a forest with countless palm trees. He decided to take the path that would soon take him off the hot sand.

'What is this place?', the chao wondered while standing in front of a building surrounded by wooden walls.

After a while of walking through the palm tree jungle a strange looking building fell in his field of vision and without delay he left the path to investigate. It sure wasn't like the Chao Center building, where he went two days ago for the gathering. To his great luck, the gates were open so he went inside. There was a small but beautiful garden in front of the building and there was wide path going from the gates straight to the front door.

The chao wanted to remain unseen to admire the place in peace, so he took a side path that went around the garden instead of straight through it.

The garden was filled with life. There were birds living in every single tree; several pounds and fountains with different kinds of fish, flowers of many colours made a fascinating décor all over the place.

Finally, he reached the building, that seemed as peaceful as the garden surrounding it but something seemed to be happening indoors. The chao could hear combat shouts coming from inside.

"What is going on?", he wondered as he started to walk along side the building looking for an open window. He slowed down his pace as he was nearing a wide open door. The floor of the building was twenty inches above the ground and each door had steps to climb up to this elevated floor. He lowered his head and sneaked toward the steps to see what was going on inside. What he saw affected him with great awe.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

A combat was taking place between two adult chao. One was a female dark chao with a round head-shape and two perfectly round buns high up on each side. The tip of her hands and feet were light and dark purple.

She was clearly a skilled fighter but her strength and speed didn't have much effect on her opponent, a full red, neutral, echidna looking-like male chao wearing a white gi with a black belt. The female chao was fighting with great precision and passion making every single punch and kick count, but most of them were dodged or blocked by the neutral chao. Both chao were panting heavily but it was clear which one was on the winning side. After exchanging some more punches and kicks the red chao finally delivered the final attack by dodging the female's last punch, grabbing her arm and quickly tossing her in the air. She fell making a great clap on the floor where it took a while before she slowly rose up again.

The red chao stand down his guard and walked up to his defeated opponent.

"Good, I can see great improvement in your techniques.", he said while stretching out a hand to help her stand up. She held his hand and stood up but wasn't very pleased with the complement.

"What's the matter?", the red chao asked, noticing the frustration on her face.

"If I…if I really did improve I should be able to defeat you, master.", she said with an exhausted voice.

"Your progress doesn't have to be proven by defeating your opponent, Jill. You should focus your determination on improving, rather on defeating your opponent. The last thing will eventually come when you least expect it."

"Yes, master." , Jill said with a faint smile. "And thank you." Then she gave a respectful bow to her master.

He bowed as well. "That will be all for today. You should work more on your defence, than you'll be ready for the final exam.", he advised.

"I will, master.", she said as se turned around to leave.

"I recommend a long and warm bath for the sore muscles too", the master said noticing how she was holding her upper left arm with her right hand.

"I'll sure do. Bye.", she said with a low giggle in her voice.

The master smiled as he saw his student leaving.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

The little chao was still outside watching and hearing everything.

'That was an amazing battle. That Master Chao is highly skilled. He wasn't fighting, not even close, to his full strength against that girl chao.', he thought with great certainty.

"Well, well, who do we have here?", a voice suddenly came from behind the little chao's back.

He turned around and came face to face with two male dark chao. They were both glaring down at him like two evil demons, but the chao wasn't alarmed by this and was staring back with a serious look on his face.

"So, one of the rookies decided to sneak into the Chao Dojo, ha.", the dark chao standing on the left said.

"This place is off limits for baby chao. Unless you came with an adult chao as a guide.", the first chao continued.

"No, I don't have one. I don't need one anyway, I can find my way out of here the same way I came in.", the little chao replied with serious and daring voice.

Both dark chao were a little bit surprised with this response, they expected the little chao to leave right away but he remained there like nothing wrong was going on.

"Looks like you don't understand kiddo. Those are the rules. We, adult chao, don't want rookies playing in here. This is a place for serious training, you know.", the dark chao on left said trying to sound more dominant than angry.

"I was just watching, not playing.", the little chao said calmly. Although he was starting to get annoyed of constantly being referred to as a rookie. He had enough already with little chao and kid.

"Even if you say so, kid, you still have to leave."

"Yeah beat it, rookie."

That was the last draw. The little chao wouldn't stand it to be pushed around like that any longer.

"First of all don't call me rookie. Secondly, I'll leave whenever feel right.", the little chao shouted with clear anger on his face and in his voice.

He turned around to continue walking around the building but one of the dark chao grabbed him by his arm right away.

"Where you think you're going?", he bawled furiously.

The little chao immediately slapped the dark chao's arm making him let go of his. "Get your hands of me.", he grunted back furious.

The dark chao was angry for real now and his companion as well by seeing and hearing so much impertinence coming from one little chao.

"You insolent little brat. I'll teach you to respect and obey your elders."

The little chao readied himself expecting anything. One thing was certain, he would not retreat nor surrender to this two bullies.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!!", a familiar voice shouted from the dojo's side entrance.

All three chao turned around and saw the Master Chao glaring down at the group.

"Master Atlas!!", the two dark chao exclaimed in unison.

'Atlas? The master's name is Atlas.' The little chao repeated the name over and over again in his mind.

Atlas narrowed his eyes on the two dark chao and with a stern voice, he started questioning. "I can hear your shouts all the way inside. What's going on here?"

"Master, we caught this baby chao sneaking around without supervision. We ordered him to leave but he refuses and shows a lot of disrespect toward us as well.", one of the dark chao explained.

By hearing this, the little chao crossed his arms with an aggravated look on his face. 'He's now putting all the blame on me. That coward.', he thought.

Atlas sighed disappointed. "That's no reason for you to lose your temper like that, Quodan. You know very well that these younglings still have a lot to learn about respect and obedience."

"Yes, master.", Quodan said lowering his head feeling a frustrating shame.

"We are not in class now, so just call me Atlas. You two may leave now, I'll take it from here.", Atlas ordered.

"Yes, m… Atlas." The two dark chao turned around and left.

After a few seconds of silence the little chao started to walk away to leave as well.

"Where are you going?", Atlas asked.

"I'm leaving. I no longer have any interest in remaining here.", he said over his shoulder while walking away.

"Hmf…" Atlas was quite amused with this little chao's attitude. He didn't try to stop him; there was no point in that. He knew he would see him again anyway, very soon.

"That kid…, he didn't show not even the slightest fear toward Quodan and his brother. Normally any baby chao would run for his life if a dark chao gave away one of their dark glares. There is something special about him, I can feel it.", Atlas whispered with a troubled look on his face.

He shrugged the thought of his mind while going back into the dojo. 'Oh well, looks like this is going to be a very interesting year with these new batch.', he thought.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

'It was so interesting until those jerks showed up.', the chao was thinking as he continued his journey toward another, unknown to him, part of the island.

Being once again alone helped him to calm down. He was walking through a vast forest, but still he could hear yells coming from straight ahead. His chao curiosity made him move close enough to see what was going on. By poking out his head through some bushes, he saw a crowd of chao standing on the edge of a lake cheering at what seems to be a swimming competition, encouraging their favourite contestant. About eight chao were splashing and dashing their way through the water from one point to another and back. All of them with the same purpose as the speed chao he saw before; to take the lead and finish in first place.

The aquatic contest wasn't much to his interest so instead of checking who the winner would be he continued his stroll through an unusual path. It took him to another part of the beach on the northern part of the island. When he finally came from out of the trees he was standing once again on the Speed Chao Course.

'So, this track goes all around the island.', the chao assumed while looking at the many footprints left in the soil, all going in the same direction.

The route went right along the edge of a towering cliff. He stood right on the edge, unafraid of the height, crossing his arms and staring down from his high location. He gazed at a beautiful sunset while it lasted. Then he was once again caught by the rushing but relaxing sound of the waves that swiftly took him to what seems to be a dream.

---- ---- ---- ---- ----

Begin dream

He was out of their reach, standing on the highest spot on a suspension bridge. All they could do was make a lot of noise, giving commands through a loudspeaker, their wailing sirens, flying choppers and dashing jet planes ready to fire their rockets.

His mind wasn't focused on all that circus show. He lifted up his sight into the clear night sky and suddenly a ghostly like face of a beautiful young girl appeared in front of him. The girl had a mixture of scared and worried look on her face. He stretched his arm trying to reach her when she suddenly said: "Shadow, please…help…"

On that moment, many guns began to fire at him.

End dream

---- ---- ---- ---- -----

His eyes popped wide open, looking around confused. He was still standing on the edge of the cliff and no one was there as far as he could see.

"What…what was that all about? Where was I? Who was that girl I saw? Who, who was I?", he ended asking noticing that when he stretched his arm toward the girl he had a very different hand. A gloved hand with a golden bracelet.

Just like Sonic Chao he had many questions, but they all remained unanswered. His mind made him have that strange dream, but as he tried to remember more his mind only went blank again.

"It feels like she's a very important person to me. She called me Shadow.", he said tasting the sound of it in his ears. "That's my name?", he asked doubtfully but immediately turned the uncertainty into a final decision.

"That will be my name; Shadow. I won't rest until I find out who that girl was."