ORIGIN OF CHAOS

Chapter Twelve: The Road to Ruin

Aero and Chaos emerged from the floor of Zeenint's Chamber. It was the same as Aero had remembered it with the exception of the Chimera's absence. He supposed they were all fighting the immune. The walls were still coated in a glossy green shade, the throne stood in the center of the room, and the five viewing portals were still remaining on the southern wall. Chas walked up to one of the portals and tapped it with his claw. He could actually feel himself being pulled inside, but pulled away before it could succeed. He checked to make sure he still had Stream's opal; it was held safely in place inside his left hand.

"That felt unusual." Chaos said. "What are these things?"

"They're one of Zeenint's more, even I admit, brilliant inventions." Aero lightly explained. "They are portals. Zeenint mostly uses them to watch over Parasiden. We Guardians use them for transport. That's how we were able to reach you so fast." During his explanation, Aero took notice that Chaos wasn't paying attention. Aero was offended. "If you don't want an answer, don't ask questions."

"I did not mean to offend." Chaos waved. "But I do wonder what that is?"

Chaos pointed to the ceiling and Aero followed it. The brightness of the chamber paled in comparison to the smooth silver sphere that hung over their heads. It stood a good ten feet tall, wide by a large margin, and looked as soft as if it were made of silk. They could hear whispers coming from the sphere, sending chills down The Guardian's spines. Looking closer, they could see that the sphere was made of a million tiny wisps, all bearing horrified expressions.

"Those things look as if they are being tortured." Chaos commented.

"That's because they are." Eise said.

"What do you mean?" Chaos questioned.

"Those are the souls of all the live Zeenint has stolen during his tyranny." Aero explained. "That's the reason Zeenint has been so eager to exterminate all life on this world. He needs into to restore his old body back"

"What for?" Chaos asked.

"For the ultimate power." Said a voice; belonging to neither Aero, nor Chaos.

AT the first moment they registered this, they turned on their heels back to the entrance they came from. Zeenint was not on the entrance, but instead on the ceiling above it; his shoes clinging to it. Chaos could never forget when he first met the psychopathic hedgehog as Stream. He still held the same crazed expression of amusement from their last venture together. Though he did look somewhat tired and pained from the black scar on his chest; he didn't bother covering it up this time.

"You!" Aero's voice brimmed with hate. "You have a lot of nerve showing your face here."

"Well, seeing as how this is my chamber, I have a right to be here." Zeenint retorted logically. Aero felt slightly embarrassed, but shrugged it off. "You on the other hand have no right entering into my domain."

"I am no longer your servant." Aero stated. "I no longer need permission to wander through."

"Yes, your trail of deceit was easy spotted the moment it reached your mind." Zeenint said malevolently. "You were never much of an actor. But even I admit I did not think you could assist in the resurrection of Chaos. I applaud you, Aero."

"Stream had his fair share of help." Chaos said seriously. "You most likely remember him, I bet. He sacrificed his history and existence to bring me back. To stop you from destroying this world he loved and called home."

"Yes, I was not affected by his sacrifice." Zeenint said in a sinister manner. He looked at hand where Chaos kept Stream's opal. "So, you defeated my dragon, huh? And now you carry that jewel as a trophy of victory."

"This is no trophy!" Chaos said outraged; he clutched the fist with Stream's opal. "This gem belonged to a great hero who was far greater than you'll ever be!"

"Some great hero." A familiar, growling voice said.

Aero and Chaos' blood ran cold. A large figure began to emerge from the entrance where Aero and Chaos arrived from; Zeenint seemed delighted by his arrival. It first started with its horns, its eyes, and then its teeth until its head was completely in the room. It was the dragon the heroes thought they had defeated. Its venomously green blood was leaking from the hole created from Aero's sword and from where Chaos ripped its jewel off. Zeenint jumped down from the ceiling onto the beasts head as the rest of its body snaked into the room. Chaos and Aero were pinned back to the wall next to the viewing portals.

"Damn, I was hoping we had seen the last of that monstrosity." Aero cursed under his breath.

"I am not so easy to dismiss." The dragon smirked. "Lucky enough, the roodak blood in me merged with my basilisk blood, enabling me to spar myself from death."

"As you can see, Tyrol, the dragon, is the ultimate life form." Zeenint said prideful. "But if you cannot defeat him, then you may as well surrender."

"You'd like that wouldn't you, you filthy rat." Aero spat rudely.

"How dare you!" The dragon, now called Tyrol, exclaimed. "Master, allow me to add this worthless scum to your collection of souls."

"Go right ahead." Zeenint smirked. "I guess a few more extras would hurt."

"Extra?" Chaos repeated. "What do you mean by extras?"

"There is one thing I never told you, Aero." Zeenint said. He held his tongue, wishing to prologue the suspense. As he had expected, Chaos and Aero looked ready to jump. Satisfied, he answered. "I've had enough souls to break this shell for the past three years."

"Three years?!" Aero exclaimed. "But why wait so long to restore yourself?"

"I learned from my previous mistakes." Zeenint explained. "You see, before I arrived on Parasiden, I was part of a greater society."


--Flashback--

It opened up to a dark room with four figures kneeling, each a different color: red, blue, green, and purple. They were kneeling to a shadowed figure that was shrouded in a column of light. The figures were lined up in a row in a specific order. The first person was the red figure was the tallest and clearly the oldest of the four. Next was the purple figure, who was the only female of the four. Next was the blue figure, who widest of the four. The last was the green figure, whom was the smallest and youngest of the group.

"It was many years ago that my siblings and I were made Guardians." Zeenint told. "As a gift, our great leader provided us the power to protect others."

The next picture showed the four siblings going in different directions, not looking back. Unknown to the other, the green figure held a greedy expression.

"After that we were scattered and left to protect what we were assigned." Zeenint explained. "I was the only who could see what an opportunity this was."

The picture changed again. This time, the green further stood on the roof of a palace, overlooking the carnage he had created. His sibling stood before him, ready for battle.

"I knew I was destined for great, so I used my powers for conquest." Zeenint continued. "I tried to persuade my siblings to see my views, but they were arrogant. He battled, which ended with my defeat."

The next picture showed the green figured chained and trapped in an orb of energy. The next minute he was transformed it the green hedgehog that was known as Zeenint.

"When the leader received word of this, he punished me by sealing me inside this shell." Zeenint seethed. "He knew I despised anthros and forced me to become one of them."

--End Flashback--


The scene returned the Zeenint's chamber. Zeenint growled with burning spite as he relived the memory.

"I quickly learned that only by using the souls of anthros could I break this shell." Zeenint explained.

"So that's why you escaped to Parasiden." Aero said logically.

"There were only two anthro planets in the galaxy, Parasiden and Babylon." Zeenint explained. "But Babylon was the first place I attack, killed every soul. Even destroyed their escape vehicle, The Divine Wings. It was only after that I realized me mistake."

"With nowhere else to go, you retreated to Parasiden." Chaos said. "But why wait for so long when you could have broken from your shell at any time."

"If there was one thin I feared, it was you, Chaos." Zeenint grimaced. "You had powers that I could never imagine. I knew that if I broke my shell early, I would be weak. I waited and gathered. Now I have enough souls to make myself three times stronger than I was before!"

"Master, shall we end this?" Tyrol asked.

"Yes, my pet, we shall."

Zeenint held his palm towards the viewing portals which suddenly merged as one. Aero and Chaos unknowingly fell back into it, shortly followed by Zeenint and Tyrol.


A portal emerged in a burned down forest in the middle of nowhere and dropped Aero and Chaos onto the charred ground. The two Guardians pushed themselves back to their feet just as Zeenint and Tyrol appeared. Zeenint jumped down to the ground across from the heroes.

"Enjoying the settings?" Zeenint asked mockingly.

"The scenery could be a little more colorful." Chaos joked.

"Now is not the time to be conversing with the deadly enemy." Aero stressed, drawing his sword.

"I figured you would appreciate this place, Chaos." Zeenint grinned. "Or at least Stream would."

Clearly hinting towards something, Chaos searched the area for whatever Zeenint was talking about. All he could find were the dead trees, dry soil, and the humid sky. Though the crumbled cave and dried up river seemed to bring up thoughts. Then he saw it. A small black stone sticking up from a mound of dirt. It was cut, leaving markings that presented a name.

"That's Prowl's grave." Chaos said slowly. "This is the Forest of Brindil, the place where Prowl died."

"A the location where you first set out to kill me." Zeenint said. "It's ironic, isn't it? Where you first began your journey will also be the place where it ends."

"Starting with your death!" Chaos exclaimed.

The Legendary Guardian, despite Aero's clear warnings, ran forward with his claws open to strike. He threw his arm forward, which stretched to an unbelievable length, aimed for the tyrants head. But Tyrol's blocked it with his greedon armor. The vicious dragon swung its tail around, knocking the wind out of Chaos. He flew over Aero's head and flopped into the dry riverbed. Chaos groaned and rubbed his head. He didn't have much of a chance to do anything else when Tyrol headbutted him into the ground.

"Chaos!" Aero cried.

"You should worry for yourself rather than him." Zeenint whispered close by.

Aero jumped and looked sideways. He could see him for a moment before Zeenint fisted him across the face. The Wind Guardian tumbled across the dusty dry ground. Aero pressed his claw into the ground to slow down, But Zeenint was already ahead. He teleported and kicked Aero in the stomach just as he was getting up off the ground. Aero doubled over in pain, clutched his middle region, and fell to his knees with his face in the dirt. Zeenint pressed his foot at the top his head, laughing.

"Look at you, squirming in the dirt where you belong." Zeenint said mockingly. "And to think, I used to like you. Whatever happened to that noble debonair you used to carry?"

"It died away." Aero said weakly. "When I opened my eyes."

It a surprising feat of energy, Aero whirled around and knocked away Zeenint's foot, knocking the evil master off balance. He drew out his sword and swung across the top of his head. Zeenint regained just enough balance to pull his head backwards before the blade could reach him. He set his spine straight up and threw a punch at the traitor. Aero raised his sword to block, recoiling slightly on impact. It was a struggle between two strong wills, neither willing to submit to the other. Finally, Aero dropped his guard and flipped back; Zeenint's fist formed a crater in the soil. Aero stepped up and thrust his blade through Zeenint's head. He was lucky enough to dodge it in a split second, but it left a cut on his cheek. His chrome blade was stronger than Prowl's steel blade. With a blink of his eye, a gust of wind blew Aero back several feet.

"I must say, I am truly impressed." Zeenint said amusingly. He traced a finger over his wound, which healed a moment later. "My older siblings were the only ones who could ever harm me. You are the first anthro ever to as even lay a finger on me."

"From what Chaos has told me, I am not the first." Aero sniggered, referring to the black scar on the hedgehog's chest. "I believe it was – what's his name – Stream, left his mark."

"That was mere luck." Zeenint said seriously. "I think that you would accept praise, Aero."

"Do not call me by that name." Aero said sternly. "I have discarded that name. From now on, you will refer to me by my true name."

"If that's what you wish." Zeenint smirked. "As if it will make any difference. In the end, you will pay for your betrayal."

Zeenint raised his fists, glowing with green energy, and Aero held up his blade. The two jumped at each other. Not far away, the soil erupted beneath the ground. Tyrol was slithering out of the massive hole he made with his head to the sky. His jaws were open and Chaos was struggling between them. Tyrol tried to snap them shut, but Chaos was putting up a tough fight.

"Why fight it?" Tyrol asked menacingly. "This is your fate. Why not accept it?"

"My fate is to protect this world." Chaos groaned, struggling under the pressure. "Yours is in a pot of soup."

"Such bravado at the moment of your demise." Tyrol chuckled.

"Yeah, laugh it up." Chaos encouraged. "As it turns out, you're not the only one with tricks up their sleeve."

Chaos softened his gripped which was the perfect moment to strike. Tyrol snapped his maw completely shut, crushed Chaos under the weight of his teeth. He seemed so satisfied that he was drooling. But it wasn't drool, because it doesn't move. The pool of water shot up onto the beast's snout and reformed into Chaos. Tyrol was in shock that he didn't try to stop Chaos when his slammed his fist between the dragon's eyes. Tyrol fell, roaring in pain, his venomous blood slipping across the soil. Tyrol was still terribly weak from his previous battle. Chaos looked down at him and took pity. He pats its snout.

"I feel sorry for you." Chaos mumbled.

"Save it." Tyrol growled. "I don't need your sorrow. This is how my existence must end: in the midst of battle."

"You were given life, but did not know how to use it." Chaos said solemnly. "It's a wonder why you exist."

Chaos gave it one last sorrowful look and turned away. Tyrol couldn't understand. He had stolen Stream's essence and tried to kill him. So why did he spare him? Did he even have the heart to kill anyone? From the looks of it, he was a brave and gentle warrior. Aw well, that's his problem. Tyrol thrust his head at Chaos' backside. Just as he was ready to snap his jaw over the Guardian's head, he stopped. A moment later, his body was split in two and a puddle of water merged with Chaos' back.

"Like I said," Chaos chuckled. "You aren't the only one with tricks up their sleeves."

Just then, a large explosion attracted Chaos' attention. Aero could be seen flying over head and past the dead remains of Tyrol. When Chaos looked back, Zeenint had already grabbed him by his neck.

"You have defeated my perfect creation." Zeenint seethed. "My life's work gone!" Zeenint created a burst of green energy, which blast Chaos back to Tyrol's dead body. "You have agitated me for the last time! Die, you filthy beast!

Zeenint, succumbed to his rage, held out his open palm to form a sphere of green energy. This was nothing at all like the time he fought Hollow, Chaos had no idea how to stop it. He didn't have time to stand as Zeenint threw it forward at lightning speed. It was over; he has failed everyone. But more importantly, he has failed Stream. His sacrifice was for nothing. The Legendary Guardian closed his eyes, accepting his failure. But the hit never came. Suspicious, Chaos opened his eyes. But when he did, he wished he hadn't.

Aero took the hit.

"You were always a fool." Zeenint said, somewhat happy over the events. "I always knew your betrayal would lead to your end. Good bye...Sonic."


Only one more chapter until the grand finale. Will Aero survive the deadly blow? Will Chaos find the strength to stand up against Zeenint? Find out on the final chapter of Origin of Chaos!

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