Disclaimer: I don't own them... -exasperated sigh- I hope whoever invented these diclaimers has front row seats in hell. -.-

Shadow: So you finally decided to update the story?

Yeah, I got busy on Beyond Blue Skies. I found a bunch of information that's going to change the entire beginning of the storyline. I mean, it's crazy with all the theories you see out there about Shadow and Maria meeting, it's hard to keep with one idea. In fact, it's practically impossible. It's insanely frustrating, to be almost finished and have to change it all over again. But it's mostly fixed, and I hope to post it soon. And Shadow's not even half the age I thought he was! -.-

Soinc: -skimming the website info- Heh, hey Shadow, I didn't know you were so young!

Shadow: Can it, hedgehog.

Sonic: -laughs- I'm your senior by like...ten years, if we don't count the fifty year nap.

Shadow: Didn't I tell you to shut up!?! -whacks him-

Ugh...you two are such children. -rolls eyes-


Chapter Ten - Another Little Flashback


Atl watched the small candle-lit parade below, a smile lighting his face as the priests and priestesses marched their forever chartered journey through the trees and vegetation of thick tropical jungle. He'd seen the lights blinking through the dense forests an hour or so earlier and had moved closer to the edge of the temple grounds to see better. He now stood atop one of the seven towering block poles that encircled the temple boundaries, each one with a spiral of colored tile representing a Chaos Emerald from top to base. The chants of the worshippers were now reaching his ears, and he grinned, fingering the golden necklace with the deep blue gem he'd been given to celebrate the occasion.

After all, it wasn't every day your little sister got married, now was it?

He'd been looking forward to this day. He and Itzhuax, younger by only one year and a few months, had always been close, but he knew that as she had grown up and developed into the seventeen year old girl she was now, that she had yearned the sort of male companionship that he as her older brother, and best friend, could not provide, namely that of a husband. Alt was all too glad to see that she was finally settling down, that her dream to be the perfect wife and start her own family was being realized.

He could just barely make out her form at the little altar she stood at in order to await the procession, her turquoise hair done in intricate braids that looped upward into the traditional 'bride' bun which so many women had worn before her. Her peach fur recently brushed and cleaned of the burs and dirt she was reknowned for in her detailed hunts for the imagined treasures she believed were buried in the jungles of the island, and she, like most new brides, would probably be wearing a series of delicate silver necklaces, less bulky than his own golden one, and none of which held any gems. Silver manacles clasped her forearms and ankles, and a thin ring of silver circled her brow, a small star design of several white pearls hanging from it to bring out her rather large purple eyes.

Atl watched her kneeling at the little altar to pray, and suddenly felt very heavy-hearted. He regretted that he could not take place in the wedding, watch his sister and her to-be-husband drink the sacred wine, and celebrate the union with his fellows, but as was usual, his duties held him back from such things. Not that he didn't have wonderful vantage point; he gave his heartfelt thanks to whatever ancestors had erected these pilars, seeing as he couldn't attend the ceremony himself.

"Oyam us noinu aes aretne...."

"Oyam sus sonin neas sorup...."

"Oyam sus sadiv narepsorp rop erpmeis..."

"Oyam sus muertes el neart etnemalos sam onacrec a al zul..."

"Odicedneb aes us orutuf..."

He observed them all entering the shrine grounds as the small figure that was his sister finished her altar prayers for a blessed marriage. She'd never been very good with religious occurances, he or Mor-Ann always had to walk her through it, mostly becase she hated sitting down in one place for too long. She still had to join the procession and walk with her betrothed to the actual marriage site, but he was sure all would proceed as according to the traditions. Pacachamac would bless the union and Itzhuax would make up for her loss of a brother with a husband and children.

"Atl...?"

He snapped back, looking down at the stone monument's base, and another Echidna looked straight back up at him, someone he'd become close friends with over the past few weeks. In fact, he didn't think he'd have survived so long without her around to keep him sane.

"Hello Tikal." He came back down, a little exasperated at having to come down before he could see the marriage take place, but then again, it wasn't Tikal's fault really. She'd been comming at this time every night, and knew nothing of what he did before she arrived. She did ask a lot, and he usually couldn't tell her anything interesting. In fact, there was really nothing to tell. He sat on the steps and begged the Gods that night would come just a little faster.

"Atl, there you are!" Tikal smiled and gave a formal curtesy, as was expected in the Guardian's presence, even by royalty. After all, the sentinel was a servant of the Gods themselves, so why not treat him as such, with grace and dignity. Atl had told her many times not to bother with the manners, but Tikal took it for modesty. She saw him the same as any other resident, a great person to be honored. But she also saw him as a little more, a simple Echidna, with talents and flaws, who suddenly had no family, no friends, and was exiled to the fatherest reaches of the inner island for a great 'honor' to be bestowed upon him.

"Atl, I have to tell you something...."

The tone made him stop, everything from his feet to his heart. He froze were he stood, and the once vivid and noisy world around them dulled into a sullen gray. He could tell by her tone that she had bad news, but it was her whole body stance that told him just how bad the news was. It was something important, that much was certain.

"Father....has decided that I have come of age to wed..." She twisted the golden bracelet on her left arm, what she always did when she was troubled. Alt stared, at a complete loss for words. Tikal couldn't get married! She was the only company he had, and if she was found a husband, she would be restricted to her home and family; he would be subjected to complete solitude all over again. There would be no second rescue from that misery; miracles only happened so often in one lifetime.

Tikal must've taken his horror for something akin disbelief, because she frowned and dropped her arms to her sides, looking a little miffed.

"I agree that I'm old enough," She said, and it was true. She was sixteen, and seventeen was only so far away, a few mere months in fact. Atl couldn't really disagree, since Itzhuax was only just Tikal's senior by half a year, and as was evident by the chants of the priests and priestesses, still within hearing range.

"...but...." She sighed and returned to the bracelet-twisting, the frown on her muzzle becoming more thoughtful. "He wants a strong grandson, so that he'll have a male heir for cheiftain, and he feels the strongest children would have to to be blessed by the Gods in such a way that no other child of our line ever was, something that no one else can argue...." She looked at him uneasily, still playing with the golden jewelry on her wrist.

"...Tikal, I'm sure I understand that--" Atl began, but was cut off by the young princess almost at once.

"I mean...he wants someone who has power and strength, and can claim the throne without a hassle...but also a son in-law who he doesn't have to worry about taking over by force...."

"Most rulers do...but--"

"He wants his grandson to be the best there is, better than any...." She was so troubled by what she seemed to be attempting to say, that Atl grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Tikal! What are you trying to tell me?!"

"Father...he..." Tikal lowered her eyes. "He wants me to marry the Guardian...." Atl felt his heart rise straight to his throat, his lungs lost all their air in a single gasp, and the feeling in his legs ceased to be.

"W-What....?"

Tikal kept her eyes to the ground, unable to look the startled Echidna in the face. She too had dealt with great disbelief when she'd heard in this such manner, the inability to breathe, let alone speak or move. A marriage between them seemed almost unimaginable. Their betrothal, if carried out, would be a strange weight to bear.

"Marriage....." Atl whispered, unable to really grasp the meaning. "...but, wouldn't you marry a stranger, in order to strengthen ties between families...?" It was what was stated in the Unwritten Scriptures.

"Yes...but Father does not yet know...that we...have met..." Tikal wrung her hands through her gloves, and looked at Atl worriedly.

Atl placed his hand on hers, and sighed loudly. "Should we tell him, then?"

"I..." Tikal winced and returned her gaze to the dark ground before her. "No...I know that there is no love between us beyond that of friendship...but I would prefer to at least know the person I'm marrying...ties or no." She put her arms around him hesitantly.

Atl blinked in surprise, before returning the embrace. He could pretend to not know her, if it meant saving the companship of the only company he had left. It would be lying, but he would risk any consequences if it meant he didn't have to go without her. As for marriage....

....we'll climb that mountain when we reach it....

Neither of the two noticed the gem-like dark drown eyes glaring out of the underbrush at them as they embraced. Neither of them saw or hear the oath made by the owner of those eyes, nor could have, since the words were so very quiet.

And neither of them noticed as their new enemy slipped away...


Heh....I feel so weird doing this couple. But it's so cute I can't resist. And they're such a challenge to write about, Tikal and Chaos. Atl is getting tough to do as well. He makes my head hurt. -.- I know I said I was going to bring Chaos into this chapter, but I didn't. I'm going to try the next one, since I'm pretty sure this is going to end up being my longest running story yet. In fact, I think it already is. O--o Dunno, I'll have to check.

Shadow: So when are you updating?

Eh, why do you ask? You're getting totured in the next chapter, remember?

Shadow: I'd like to know exactly which day I'll need to hide on.

.....-.- See what I put up with? No worry it takes me so long to update. Review, and if you haven't already, go read Under A Tree, that Bil fic I spoke of before. did something to it before, but it's back now :d I love reviews....so GIVE ME SOME!!!

Buwah!