The dank cave hallway ended abruptly. At this end was another cave opening, and after that, a bottomless drop. The sound of rushing water has come to its' peak here. The echidna General Nazel peeped around the opening, making sure not to touch the filthy walls. He pressed a white cloth over his nose to keep the moldy air out. He saw a vast space, about 400 feet wide. The roof in this space was a half oval with malicious looking stalactites protruding out all over it, pointing towards the center. General Nazel looked down, and out of the walls of this room water violently rushing in, falling into oblivion. Nazel lifted his head and blinked. Soon he squinted his eyes and saw a platform, hanging by the rope, in the distance.

He turned around to the Chief, "Impressive, but how do we get across."

The Chief slammed his fist into a low stone with a slash carved in it. The General felt a deep rumble. Then another rumble came and then it seemed the whole earth began to up heave. Nazel pressed his perfectly white gloved covered hands against the cave wall in for support. The Chief did not move throughout this. Nazel once again look out into the oval room. Below this entrance tons of water shot out. Water continued to gushed out as a stone walkway appeared. It was being pushed out towards the small platform. The chief walked out on to it and Nazel pursued in his usual stiff, well manage walk.

The chief crossed his arms, "This is why I did not give you the High Royal General position yet."

Nazel look down all he could see was the water rushing down into darkness.

The chief spoke, "Why do you think it has taken the great Echidna Army 10 years to defeat The Dingo Empire."

"The Dungs are maggot beasts; they do not know when they are defeated. Madness."

"True."

"They have no gods. You should had seen them fight, whooping and babbling to their death. The worst of it all was their smell, awful."

Soon the wet walkway met the platform. There was a large jewel was placed on a low pedestal.

The chief pointed, " Look at this."

"The kingdom has plenty of riches. I don't understand."

"You are looking at complete power."

Nazel listen in closely.

The chief continued, " For the last year I have been translating some of the ancient writings. At first I was confused, it talked about energy and how great power lies in opposite ends of the same energy. It made me curious. So powerful…only if I had that energy…The tablet was broken in some places, but I think I figured it out… this opposite energy is this —a Chaos Emerald, a fragment of the beginning of all. Each have a unique power, but when all seven are gathered there is a miracle. With that power not only I can secure The Floating Island for the Echidna Kingdom, but Mobius as well."

"Mobius! Quite ambitious." The thinly built general said.

"Nazel, our ancestors dealt with Hegioa for a reason. They were not chosen by the Walkers to rule this is land, we were. The Walkers have granted us with responsibility, so that we would protect the Master Emerald. We are the only ones who are pure and capable of doing this. Any other race then echidna would be inferior."

"But, why Mobius?"

"The savage other is always lurking, searching our weakness, wanting our power. The only option for them is to be our subjects or die."

"You need all seven to do this?"

"Yes, the excavation in the sand lands is going slowly. The writings say there is more out there, we just have to find them."

The Chief picked up the emerald, "What is worse is defending our power from our own. The rumors are true. There are echidnas in this city who do not believe in my god given right to rule! It is just as strange as what the Dungs have…a group of commoners making decisions. Blasphemy! The Ancient Walkers understood why rule should be in my hands, they have written so! A chief is wise, not like the ignorant masses. Those echidnas must be eliminated also."

Nazel's hand brush over his red military suite, which was starched straight like a board with no wrinkles. He said, "Such Revolting people."

The general watch the Chief place the emerald back in its' former position on the pedestal. He interjected, " And that is why Sonska is so important."

"My Lord, I must say that repulsive foreigner is no material for High Royal General…"

"I understand how your feel, giving your promotion to Sonska. The hedgehog's antics dazzle the masses. As long as he in front the city will think everything is peachy in Echidnaopolis and any popular decent support will wane. The people will not be curious about our doings. He makes them feel safe, they love him… a perfect distraction from the business in the sandlands."

"That Egoistical Boy!" sharply pronounced the General.

"That boy is the reason why we still have our heads!" the Chief paused, "We need him. He is critical for our successes—My only problem is that he questions authority. He either doesn't care or doesn't know any rules. Like last night he tried to correct me when I was disciplining the Princess. Any other Mobian would have lost a limb over that."

"I know what you mean, during combat he left his post and started to fight on the other side of the battlefield. He said there was not enough action so he decided to leave…. Hum maybe I should be thankful. 'Cause when he did leave he saved me from being clubbed to death." interjected Nazel.

Nazel paused to take in some air, "He's a dilemma, huh? Maybe we should have someone watch him to see what he is getting into."

"Very good idea" complemented the Chief.

"Who are we going to send to watch him?"

" From what I remember you have been to his apartment."

"Ah yes, the artist—earth caring—free you spirit and what's under your robe part of the city? Ha! Only gutter trash live their… Oh….. Oooooh no, no, no. I can't be seen there my lord? It would be impossible to track him. He is too fast!"

"Get a team of soldiers and follow him. You are the best pick General. When we're finished, you'll be promoted to High Royal General of this Kingdom.?"

"Please my lord."

"Am I right?"

"Walkers! Fine, I'll do it."

"Good. Start now …Oh and will you be joining me for the Showing the evening?"

"Ah… of course your majesty… sir, may I speak informally."

The chief nodded.

The thin echidna crossed his arms, " She is a bit young…sixteen sir."

"Will you miss her General?" the Chief gave a husky laugh.

Nazel swallowed.

"Lets' go then." The Chief abruptly stated.

***

Tikal's sweat soaked her fur. Her mind was wheeling in excitement. Her embrace tighten as she prepared her body for a raging orgasm. Her lover felt this force growing in her. Her low moans encouraged him to thrust deeper and faster. At first he filled her with his thick present and now with ejaculation. This was the last ingredient she needed to set off her organism. Tikal almost screamed in pleasure. He only covered her mouth. His milk warmed her deeply. She could feel it drip out onto her priceless sheets. Her body tightly held onto him like a starving baby on its' mother's breast. Throb. Throb. Throb. He felt each quake ripple through her body. Her hard breathing started to die down. He became softer. Soon, her grip on his quills loosened. Sonska slipped out and lay on his side next to her. Their sweat seems to glistened off her body. Sonska took a moment to enjoy the satisfied expression on her face.

He whispered, "Ti! Do you want your grandfather to find us out?!!"

"No, of course not!" She responded softly.

He smiled an kissed her cheek, "At least I know you liked it."

A cool smile crossed her face and melted away. "I should be more careful. I don't know what Grandfather would do if he found out about us, or that his little princess isn't fit to marry anymore."

"Fit to marry?! Ti, I said a hundred times for us to ditch this place. Let's go to Mobius and…and we can get married!"

She turned her face to him and touched his face with her right hand. The hedgehog pulled the covers over her.

Tikal explained, " I can't my grandmother says I have a purpose here and it is important that I am here when it happens."

"What happens?!"

" I… I don't know yet."

"Bullshit."

"My grandmother is an oracle. She would never lie to me!"

"You don't even know what it is? And you are still willing to stay! Com'on Ti, let's go." encouraged Sonska.

"We had this conversation before. I don't want to argue with you."

With a long sigh he submitted to her. Next, he covered his eyes as the sunrise split through the curtains on Tikal's Balcony.

He came close to her and hugged and kissed her genuinely again. Then the hedgehog played delicately with her dreadlocks.

"Being a High General is boring," he grumbled with distain, " I thought I would be on the battlefield or doing somethin', The Chief has not assign me anything."

"You just got this position, be patient."

"Ti don't you think it is a bit weird. Hiring someone and then giving them nothing to do?"

Her right eyebrow lifted.

His eyes were ablaze with thoughts of glorious carnage," I want to be out here…the battle. It's great! The war cries, the thrill of dodging the enemies! Making a bloody shower as I pass by… the way they fall… ha… poetry."

"Sonska, how can death of any sort be good?"

"When the Dungs invade the city and murder innocent people, it is only justice that they would be slain on the battleground!"

He noticed her expression did not agree with him. "Ti, why do you have compassion for them?"

"All I know that war never breads peace. Peace only comes with equality and fairness."

He thought for a second and said, "Fairness you ask? What about you."

"What about me?"

"Gandpa… at the party you could have really stood up to him. Ti you need too... I hate seeing what he does to you."

"Sonska… I tried… I can't… he is so powerful, more than me."

"Stop talking like that!" Sonska reached down and tickled her side. She playful hit his upper arm and giggled. " Stop… Stop… or I'll tickle your feet!"

"No way! I'm way too sensitive there."

"No one would have ever guessed with feet that large."

"Hey! Respect… I wouldn't be the fastest thing alive without them."

Then he smiled at her, "I will be looking to see if the candle is lit tonight."

The princess let go of him as he elevated himself from her bed. She looked at the silhouette of him putting on his sandals and tribal gear. He seemed to turn to her for an instant and then was gone with only the swish of air to replace him.

As he left a flood of old feelings began to etch into Tikal's spirit. Tears arose on her face. Small whimpers became the sounds the bedroom would hold. Her right hand gently found a place on her stomach.

Then a knock at the door.

Tikal sat up, " Come in."

Underneath the shield appeared her grandmother. She was not ageing well. Her feeble steps and shaky hands made Tikal worried about her. The many years in service to The Ancient Walkers has drained her physical body. She warmly smiled at Tikal.

"Tikal are you doing well this morning?"

"I'm fine." the princess responded shortly.

"Today is a busy day my dear up, up, up!"

***

The morning sun began to heat the ancient city streets. Sonska blazed past the shops and citizens who were beginning their day. Children would squeal with happy sounds and jump up and down as he passed. Others would find something to hold onto. Sonska liked the sound of his quills cutting through the air. It would push him to go faster. The pounding of his feet against the road was complete exultation. The rush would hit his body. He almost reached optimal pleasure when something shiny caught his eye.

Sonska pressed his face into the window. The object almost seemed to glow his eyes. It was so beautiful. The shiny necklace was made of gold with fat wide links. In the middle of it was a blue heart. The jewelry store was not opened yet. Sonska felt his mouth slightly fall.