Dreamwatcher: Chapter 13

"Piper's play"

"I'm not fit to be the one..

You do a better job then I ever will…

Why must you leave me?

Why must you go?

I feel so lonely…

Because I cannot be who you are suppose to be…

I shall bring you back…"

Author's Notes: Ugh…writer's block…this is pretty bad…blah…the ending to this chapter is a bit surprising though and might help with the action in the next chapter…enjoy.

*Knuckles POV*

I tried not to let it get to me. Seeing those two kiss was heartbreaking. How can I not take this with a good heart? Why can I not be happy for Amy? My father and my grandfathers certainly aren't happy. The two being together messed up our arrange marriage…but it was my fault this all happened. Why couldn't I have been more honest? Why did I keep this from her!? Am I doomed to be alone forever? Because of me, the bond between my island and Amy's home planet will break again. They'll think we echidnas went back on our word and try to wage war on us again. I sighed as I took the groceries home where Eggman was awaiting me.

"Well, you got everything in the list, good." He smiled, "Now I can make sushi."

I sighed.

"Are you okay?" Eggman asked, concern in a manner fathers usually do.

"I'm fine, Eggman." I answered.

"You don't see fine." He came in.

I wasn't fine, but I didn't wanted him to know that. I watched Eggman make his sushi and sighed once more. Trying to move on was a hard task, one that would take me a long time to accomplish. I wish I was back home. I really wanted to be back with family, but they have no use for me. I'm done in their lives…

*Piper POV*

I always wanted to be as strong as a Guardian. I wanted to be able to fly like on, fight like one, talk like one…but training to be a Guardian Princess was hard. My guardian training was excellent, it's my ability to be a princess that lacks it.

"Piper, that is not the proper way to walk, try again!" My father lectured.

I must've dropped more books then anyone. I had to balance several books while attempting to walk like an elegant princess. It was hard as hell and I wanted to rest. I just wanted to be more Guardian then princess. How the hell did Knuckles have the patience to do all this?! Oh, that's a stupid question. What my brother has is patience, something I lack. I picked up the books, placed them on the top of my head, and tried again. Another failure as they dropped. My father sighed.

"Let's…take a break. He left to get some water. Finally, I was free for a while. I left the old books behind and started to walk in the huge palace.

Dad blames me a lot when I don't do any proper princess routines right. Well, can he blame me? It was his fault. He and Mom got into fights and ended up divorce. I lived in the city, life as a average kid. I don't have any manners or princess skills, just Guardian skills…but I just don't have that much power as the average Guardian does. I can fly for a little while and I display bits of magic, but I don't have the full powers that my brother, father, and grandfathers do. It's probably because I'm second born. I often wonder what would happen if I was the chose to lead my people. I decided an orderly visit to the shrine in the palace…one that holds the M.E's "blood." The Chaos pool.

The place was certainly high in the creepy meter. I don't go here often. I was first introduce to this by my brother a while back. I was amazed I never knew of this until about a year ago when he showed me. Here, I would have to dip myself into the pool to see if I was worthy enough to be the heir to the people of Angel Island. I really wanted to do that, but I had to be 16 and I'm only 13 now. I sighed and stared at the smooth Chaos pool. It wasn't bubbly like stew in a pot, but smooth and calm, almost relaxing. I felt stupid for what I was gonna do next…talk to it.

"Hey, Chaos pool." I started. Nothing…which is what I expect from a tub of green glowy pool, "Well, I'm training to be a princess…"

The pool still stayed silent.

"Well…I know what you might be thinking." I said to it, "Oh, Piper is a horrible princess, even though she is an excellent and talented Guardian." I smiled a bit.

"Well, it's true." I nodded, "I stink as a princess, but I kick ass as a Guardian." The pool moved slightly. I think it heard what I said.

"I mean…I really tried…but I'm not cut out for this royal business." I sighed, "I try and try, but I don't have the patience."

"It's so boring. I wish Knuckles was back. He would do a great job as the prince, not me." I lowered down to see the Chaos pool closer, "Knuckles would definitely be a great leader to our people. He'll make thi world a much more safer place to live." I lowered my head.

"I miss him." I sniffed, "He's my role model, I looked up to him…he never gave up, he had courage, common sense, intelligence…now, he just left and gave it all up." I started to cry.

"I wish Knuckles was back to his old self again!" I cleared my face from my own tears, but it just came pouring, "But…he's not and he may never return!" I was shaking everywhere.

"I hate this!" I shouted so loud, my voice echoed in my room, "I want Knuckles back! Being a princess is frustrating! I don't know what to do! This sucks!" I panted to catch air.

"What do I do?" I sat down, arms around my knees. I sniffed back some tears as sat down in silence. Only my constant crying kept the noise going. I decided to go back upstairs. Dad was probably wondering where I am.

"Piper…"

I stopped cold when I heard someone calling my name. It was a small whisper, but enough to make me have chills down my spine.

"Piper…"

I was shaking more violently and I slowly turned around to face the Chaos pool. It was more shaky. Was it talking to me? I was scared, but I got closer to the pool. I stayed at a good distance, afraid the pool might suck me in and suffocate me.

"Chaos…pool?" I gasped.

"Close…"

Out from the pool came a transparent image of my very own ancestor, Tikal.

"Tikal?" I gasped, "What the?"

"Hello, my descendent." She smiled.

"What th-" I gasped, "Why are you here in the Chaos pool?"

"Silly, I am one with the Master Emerald." She smiled again, "I speak for the M.E."

"Oh…right." I blushed, embarrassed from the lack of knowledge I have involving my history of my ancestors.

"I need you to get someone for me." Tikal came closer tome.
"What's that?" I asked, crossing my arms."

"I wish for you to get your brother, Knuckles for me." She said. I was surprised.

"Whoa, whoa…wait…what…do you want?" I gasped.
"Your older brother, Knuckles." Tikal said again.

"Why?" I shrugged, "He left his duties, why would you need him?"

"He needs to be tested." Tikal smiled, "He needs to go in the Chaos pool and see if he is one with the M.E."

"Umm…hello, incase you've been in a cave for the past few months, Knuckles gave up his role as prince and Guardian is somewhere in Station Square."

"Yes, I know, but he is 19 now, he must be tested…he was suppose to undergo this process 3 years ago, but he never did because he wasn't here." Tikal continued, " Now, please go get your brother for the M.E."

"Tikal, my brother left this place, what makes you think he'll come back?" I made up a point.

"Try, please…"Tikal pleaded, "Please."

I didn't know what to do. I took a deep sigh and stared at my ancestor who gave me the puppy dog look. I sighed again and looked at her.

"Fine, I'll try." I answered.

"Thank you." Tikal smiled once again, "I will await here for your return." And with that, she disappeared.

I left the area and went back upstairs. There, my dad was waiting for me. He felt pretty angr that I went down there. He asked what I was doing. I told him I just wanted to see the Chaos pool. I didn't tell him about the incident with Tikal, but it looked as though my dad knew I did more then just "look" at the Chaos Pool. I continued my training. Boy, did I have a big thing to fix. How would I …how can I get Knuckles back here?

*??? POV*

"Your mission is clear…kidnap Princess Amira Rose." came the voice of my boss.

"Yes, sir." I nodded.

"Bring her alive." he told me.

"No problem, sir." I nodded again, "I shall disappoint you."

"Pray you don't…and kill anyone who gets in your way…"

To Be Continued…