Disclaimer: I own little

This is the sequel to "The Thousand: Chaos Controlled", this will make more sense if you've already read it, otherwise, bear with me.

For Bez, for inspiration,enthusiasm and artwork,
Also Vanyel, Bunnykins, Vulpus and Kim, for patience, crisps and fire-extinguishers!

Chaos Theory: Cause and Effect

"Butterfly flaps its wings in Peking; weather is different in New York"

Knuckles always said the village looked like fairly lights. The mountain air was cool-fresh. Shadow breathed in deeply. Above the stars were shining too, only a few clouds darkened the late summer sky. Sighing Shadow closed his eyes, smiling, happy and content. He looked up, traced the shape of the constellations with his eyes, so many myths and legends were applied to those distant suns… He liked to forget what they really were, and think of them as the light of past souls, always watching and guarding, providing a guiding light for all those who'd lost their way. Knuckles said Maria was up there somewhere, Shadow liked to believe him.

Down in the village something was amiss. Shadow's eyes were drawn there by a subconscious force. For a long time as he gazed at the human village he couldn't work out what was wrong, the twinkling lights seemed to merge together into a faint orange glow. Shadow had to blink a few times to ensure it wasn't his eyes. The orange glow was spreading, consuming more of the twinkling lights. With horror Shadow realised what that orange glow was…

Knuckles looked up from the chopping vegetables in their small stone built cottage. He had the strangest sensation, like someone had just walked over his grave. He frowned to himself and looked out the glassless window before him. Shadow was standing in his usual place, looking down at the village; the bubbling mumble coming through the Bond was as quiet as it ever was. Nevertheless Knuckles dried his hands on the only towel in their small kitchen and wandered outside.

Shadow heard Knuckles approach, a sick numbness prevailing.
"Shadow you ok?" Knuckles asked, then his nose caught a scent, acrid, choking… "Shads, why can I smell smoke?"
Shadow raised his arm, and pointed down at the village, not looking at him.
Knuckles' world seemed to collapse around him. "Tell me you didn't…"
"Of course not!"
Together they looked down. Fire had by now consumed almost a quarter of the buildings. Black smoke was billowing into the sky, blocking out the stars and blowing in their direction. The village glowed orange. Occasionally they could hear a faint roar as the flames tore through the houses.
"Go get your things" Knuckles muttered, his feet pinned to the spot.
"But… why?"
"Just go!" Through the Bond Knuckles gave Shadow and incentive to be on his way. Somewhat unwillingly he returned to the house. After a stupefied moment Knuckles followed him.

He shoved all the food they had into a flimsy green backpack Sonic had left behind on his last visit. That done he ran into his bedroom and pulled the rumpled blanket off his bed, hastily folding it as small as possible. After ensuring Shadow was elsewhere Knuckles broke a strong stone box in the corner of his room. Kneeling down he pulled from the rubble a small metal box. Briefly he opened it, inside sat two simple silver rods. He closed it and shoved it into the depths of the bag. He ran on to Shadow's room, removing his barely used blanket from his bed and shoving that into the bag too. Shadow was staring out the window, the small blue teddy bear, Harry, Knuckles had given him hanging limply in his hand. He turned to look at Knuckles, his eyes tormented; realisation had set in.

Shadow brushed past Knuckles. He ran into the kitchen. He grabbed the towel and hastily wrapped several knives in it before shoving it into his bag. He pulled their first-aid kit from under the shelf that held what served them as a sink. Shadow racked his brain for anything else. Nothing came. Just then he heard the roar of an engine. Knuckles ran up behind him and grabbed his hand.
"Let's go!" He yelled.
The last thing Knuckles took from their house was his hunting crossbow as they raced out the door.