A/N: Welcome to the first real not-monster-of-the-week style story arc of Sonic Chao Chronicles! Now that Team Sonic is finally set for a good majority of First Lap, we can leave that format behind for a while. There will be at least two more episodes like that to introduce the last two Neo Mobians that will show up in First Lap, but after those, don't expect to see it again 'till about halfway through Season 2. Okay, I've bored you enough, time for some plot.
Flores, Guatemala- 10:21 Local Time
A woman in her mid thirties with light brown hair, slightly tanned skin, an athletic figure, dark blue eyes, and wearing a sea green tank top over a white undershirt, brown cargo shorts, a pair of gun holsters around her waist, hiking boots, and a necklace with a wedding ring hanging from it was on the run through the streets of Flores. Several armed men were on her heels, desperate to catch her as she gracefully swerved through the stunned crowd in the island village.
"¡No deje que escapan a la mujer!" ("Don't let that woman escape!") one of the woman's pursuers shouted to his comrades.
The woman luckily knew enough Spanish to understand what the man just said, and only continued to dash through the streets. "Why is it that no matter where I go," the woman muttered to herself while looking back, "people want to kill me?" She turned back towards where she was going… only to skid to a halt when she realized that she was nearing the water. Looking back to her pursuers finally catching up to her, she groaned, "Aw, crap."
The men finally caught up, and quickly sealed off any possible escape routes. The leader of the men, a man in his mid-fifties with graying brown hair neatly combed back, dark tanned skin, hazel eyes, and a crooked smile wearing a clean gray vest over a light blue button shirt, black pants, fancy dress shoes, and a gold ring on his finger, walked toward the woman. The man simply questioned, "Now, now, Miss Rhodes… did you honestly think I would let you leave Guatemala with the Amulet of Tikal?"
"I was kind of hoping you would," the woman, Blair Rhodes, replied, nervously fingering at the right pocket of her tan cargo shorts. This didn't go unnoticed by the man. He pulled out an enforcer pistol, pointing it at the woman's head.
"Hand it over, Rhodes," the man threatened, "and I just might let you live."
"What," Blair snarled, "so you can find the lost treasure of the echidna clan, including their greatest weapon to use for world domination, in Princess Tikal's tomb? I think not. And for your information, I am 'Mrs. Rhodes!'" The man glared at Blair with anger.
"The echidna clan of the Mobians once dominated half of this planet in ancient times with an iron fist!" the man snapped, taking the safety off of his gun. "They were a great tribe, but were foolish not to use their power to its fullest potential! I won't make that same mistake, Rhodes! Now, hand it over and help me find the Princess' Tomb, and I just may let you walk away!"
"So," Blair questioned, "I have two choices. I either die now, or help you and die later." With a scowl, she replied, "I'll take die now. I will have outlived my role in your little plot."
"I don't believe you understand the plight of your situation, Mrs. Rhodes," the man warned. "You are outnumbered, outgunned, and outsmarted. If you as much as sneeze without my permission, you are dead. I am in control of your life, now, Rhodes… now you're going to help me whether you want to or not!"
"CUT!" a man yelled. Blair, the man, and his henchmen all turned to a man in his late 50s wearing a red baseball cap over his gray hair, pale skin, green eyes that were beginning to lose their sheen, and wearing a tan vest over a white t-shirt and blue jean shorts walking towards them, along with a camera crew.
"What was wrong with that take, Mr. Springsteen?" Blair questioned, clearly confused. "I have all the lines memorized, and so does Ramon."
"No, no," Hollywood director Alex Springsteen assured them. "Both you and Ramon were perfect in this scene, Lindsey. It's just that there's someone to see you." Blair Rhodes, who was actually Lindsey Speed-Thorndyke, raised one of her thin eyebrows at this announcement.
"Who?" Lindsey questioned. Just then, a certain brown haired boy walked out from behind the camera crew, wearing a green t-shirt, blue jean shorts, a light blue bucket hat, and a pair of tennis shoes. Beside him was a rather familiar pair of Chao- a blue hedgehog Chao and a two-tailed fox Chao. The boy was holding what appeared to be a rather carefully wrapped gift in his hand.
"Happy birthday, mom!" Chris grinned.
Episode 6: Surprise! A Birthday Treasure Hunt!
Thorndyke Manor- Approximately 72 Hours Earlier
"So," Danny asked, looking at Ahaw Kin with a straight face, "let me get this all straight. You want us to help you recover the Master Emerald from Robotnik?"
"Yes," Ahaw Kin respectfully answered with a bow. "I would like your help, Tails."
"'Danny,'" Chris corrected. "When he's human like this, he's 'Danny.'" Danny didn't seem to notice this, as he instead turned to Chris.
"Chris, aren't we already occupied with finding the seven Chaos Emeralds?" Danny honestly questioned.
"True," Swift admitted. "But despite the fact that these guys tried to kill us over it, they were played by a common enemy we have like a violin."
"HEY!" Spike yelled at Swift, a swirl over his head.
"I'm just saying the truth," Swift replied. "Anyways, we've already agreed to it, and since we found out that the Master Emerald could cost us our mission, and Ahaw Kin and Spike may join us in said task."
"We never truly said 'yes!'" Spike yelled at him.
"Spike, please," Ahaw Kin whispered. The red Chao only nodded to his friend, and shot Swift a look that said, "This isn't over."
"There's a slight problem, though," Chris announced. "We have no idea as to where to look for the Master Emerald."
"I think I might," Miles spoke up, an exclamation mark appearing over his head. The fox Chao motioned the others- Chris, Swift, Danny, Chuck, Tanaka, Karin, Ella, Ahaw Kin, and Spike- over to the microscope that he was apparently playing with. They all noticed the dirt sample that Miles was looking at under the microscope.
"Any particular reason why you're looking at dirt?" Spike and Swift asked at the same time, question marks over their heads.
"If it wasn't for the fact you two hold a decent grudge on each other," Chuck laughed at the two Chao, "I would say you would be great friends." Turning to Miles, he asked, "But seriously, Miles, why are you looking at dirt?"
"Well," Miles began, "back when Danny and I fought Robotnik for Helen's freedom, Robotnik had this very dirt caked onto his boots. I was curious as to where it was from, so I went back by myself after the police had left the warehouses to pick up a sample. And get this- this soil comes from the Tikal National Park in Guatemala. And it's only two or three days old, at best!"
Swift and Spike were both visibly confused by the fox Chao's findings, their question marks still evident. Ella simply explained, "This Robotnik guy was recently in Latin America."
"Oh," both Chao realized, the question marks fading.
"I knew that," Spike covered his brief mental lapse, remembering that Robotnik came to him and Ahaw Kin. "I just wanted to see if the others knew."
Swift then realized something. "Miles, weren't we living in Guatemala before coming here?"
"Yeah, we were," Miles answered. "…Come to think of it, this Robotnik guy did make a Morpher for Ahaw Kin. I think it's time we go back to investigate our old house."
"About time we went home," Swift grinned. "I was actually starting to get homesick. If we don't make any unnecessary stops, we can get back there with our speed within a week." Turning to the humans, Swift asked, "So, do you guys wanna come with us to the Mayan Empire?"
"Actually, yes," Chris answered. Danny looked at him in shock, surprised that Chris would actually be willing to help Ahaw Kin this soon. "Well, I know for a fact my mom is actually filming her latest movie in Guatemala. So, I'll be willing to go… if we can stop for my mom. But not by running though- it's too dangerous and long for us to do that, even with Hector fired. Besides, my dad wanted us to come with him on his private jet."
"Hold on," Danny scowled. "What about the Tornado? We did not work on the plane for three months only for it to gather dust!"
"I know," Chris replied, "but we barely got away from GUN last time. If we use the plane, we're going to be shot at… again. And I don't know about you, but being blown to bits isn't very appealing."
"…That actually makes a great point," Danny realized. "I suppose it would be nice if I didn't have to play airborne chauffer for a change."
"I want as little trouble as possible if we're going to find this Master Emerald. Besides, dad and I find ways to communicate with mom and say 'Happy Birthday'… why not surprise her this year by coming on set? We could also cover it a little more by inviting Helen and Frances with their families' permission."
"I've been meaning to ask," Ahaw Kin interrupted, "but this Helen girl seems to be very important to you, Sonic. Could she perhaps be your future mate?" Chris' cheeks turned a deep red at the sudden question, while the others stifled a laugh but a confused Ahaw Kin and Spike.
"Ahaw Kin," Swift chuckled, a heart over his head, "you have officially passed my initiation test to our still unnamed team, and I didn't even have to tell you it!"
"The initiation test involves embarrassing your human side?" Spike asked. "…Is there a time limit?"
"I might have one," Swift deviously smiled at Spike.
"So it's settled, then," Chuck smiled. "We're going to Guatemala. And since Monday is a day off of school, we have three whole days to find the Master Emerald."
"I will begin packing your things, Master Chris," Ella smiled, walking out of the room. Ahaw Kin looked at the woman leaving, clearly confused.
"We're not leaving until Friday!" Chris called to Ella. Seeing he was either ignored or not heard, he turned to Ahaw Kin, "Hey, you and Spike can lay low between my house and Grandpa's, okay?"
"Uh… okay," Ahaw Kin nodded.
Present Scene
"Oh, Chris!" Lindsey squealed, pulling her son into a hug, which he awkwardly returned thanks to the present (which won't be revealed until later). "How long has it been since I last saw you?" Swift and Miles both had question marks over their head while looking back and forth from the woman to Chris. Swift then had an exclamation point above his head.
"Chris," the blue hedgehog Chao gasped, "your mom's the Lindsey Speed from the Ruin Raider movies! The same one that plays Blair Rhodes!" Everyone present finally turned their attention to the two Chao that were present, Lindsey releasing her son to get a good look at them.
"So these are the two Chao you were talking about adopting," Lindsey smiled, kneeling down to pet them, being careful with Swift's quills. Both Chao had a slight dreamy looking stare as their heads were rubbed, both having hearts over their heads. "You know, Chris," Lindsey reminisced, "when I was your age, I once had a Chao… she was a hedgehog Chao just like this one is. It is a shame that hedgehog and echidna Chao are so rare these days." She then stood up, and held a thinking pose while looking at them.
Staring at Miles, she muttered, "Yellow-orange fur, two tails, tool belt, flight goggles, white muzzle, and three hairs on head that just stick out…" Miles raised an eyebrow at Chris, who just nervously giggled. Lindsey snapped her fingers in excitement, and questioned, "Miles, right?" The fox Chao, upon hearing his name, instantly snapped his attention from the heir to the family fortune to his actress mother, an exclamation point obvious above his head.
"Uh, y-yes," Miles awkwardly answered. "I am."
"So that makes the dark blue, green eyed hedgehog Chao with the odd sunglasses, quills that stick out like spiky hair, odd bracelet on his left hand, and the look that he can't sit still longer than five minutes Swift, right?"
"I can sit still longer than five minutes!" Swift protested to Chris, a swirl over his head.
"You tried to bail on me and my friends when you first met them at the mall," Chris remembered. Turning to his mom, he asked, "So, how has everything been… aside from me ruining that chase scene, that is?"
"Oh yeah," Springsteen remembered. Realizing that Lindsey would probably bail to spend time with her son (which she didn't seem to get to do often with the movies she's in), the director announced, "Okay, guys, we can do this scene tomorrow. I'm calling it early for today!" Once everyone on the set just shrugged and went away, Springsteen smiled, "I suppose we all need a vacation from this movie."
"That's agreeable," Lindsey replied. Turning back to Chris, she asked, "So… is it just you, or are there others?"
"Mom," Chris rhetorically asked, "whenever I come to visit you on location for these movies you do, when do I ever come without Mr. Tanaka or dad?"
"…Good point," Lindsey realized. "So, where are they?"
"You'll see," Chris replied, leading his mother and two Chao down the streets.
"And can I have your autograph?" Swift questioned. Chris stopped, looking down at the hedgehog Chao in confusion.
"You've seen my mom's movies, and this is the first time I'm hearing about it?"
"I never knew you were the kid of Lindsey Speed, and you never asked me if I've heard of her. We're even, here, Chris."
A Local Café- 10:49
"…Happy birthday to you!" the group, consisting of Chris, Danny, Frances, Helen, Tanaka, Karin, Chuck, Sam, Ella, Swift, Miles, Amy, and a man in his late thirties cheered for the woman of the hour (Lindsey). It was a rather cheerful celebration today- you only do turn 37 once in your life.
"Aw," Lindsey blushed, "Chris, Nelly, Sam, Ella, Tanaka… you all didn't have to do all of this!"
"Lindsey," the aforementioned man nicknamed "Nelly" but whose real name was Nelson, who had oak brown hair, tanned skin, dark blue eyes, and standing rather tall in his pale blue polo shirt and brown khaki shorts, said with a chuckle, "when have I ever not pulled out all of the stops? Besides, this is better than what happened last year."
"What happened last year?" Helen, who was wearing a vanilla colored tank top and a pair of light blue shorts, questioned Chris. "Does this have anything to do with that odd fireworks display that went wrong?" He just turned to her, and shook his head in a fashion that said, "You're better off not knowing." Helen knew that Chris' family was rich enough to do some insane things- like buying a bunch of fireworks to say, "Happy Birthday, Lindsey!" However, said fireworks were faulty… and the rest will be left up to imagination.
Anyways, Chris decided that if there ever was a time to change the subject, now was the time. "So, mom," the boy began, "how has your filming gone?"
"Oh, that?" Lindsey asked, sounding half interested as she dug through a bag she had. "Promise you won't say anything- what happens in Guatemala stays in Guatemala. It's been alright, I suppose. Springsteen thinks the Ruin Raider series has run its course with Guardians of the Abyss. As much as I'd like to admit that it's time for Blair Rhodes to hang up her history books for good, I don't think we should end like this."
"So," Swift questioned with a question mark above his head, "I've heard about Guardians of the Abyss from Chris, but who exactly are the 'Guardians of the Abyss' that are in the movie? I figured you'd say as long as I promised not to tell." Now this made Lindsey perk up.
"Why, there's only one thing they could be," Lindsey smiled as she found what she was looking for. "The long lost Mobian echidna clan!" She then placed a small book on the table in front of the group on the Mayan empire, earning surprised exclamation points over the heads of Swift and Miles, as well as shocked gasps from Karin, Tanaka, Ella, Chuck, Chris, and Danny.
"Honey," Nelson stated with a raised eyebrow, "you do realize that the Mobians, especially the echidnas, have nothing to do with the Mayan empire, right?"
"Actually," Lindsey smiled at her husband, "I've been doing some research on the Mayans, and get this- their culture, way of life, and even their structures are vaguely adopted from the echidnas, who have roamed these very lands centuries before modern humans rose up and took over the planet. One of the capital cities of Maya was even named after the Echidna princess prior to their extinction- Tikal."
"And that whole 'Amulet of Tikal' bit in the scene?" Miles egged on, interested. "Does that have anything to do with the echidna princess or the city? If so, how?"
"Well," Lindsey continued, getting into her little spiel, "it's just a stage prop here, as the real amulet is in a British museum… oh!" She then reached into her pocket, a pulled out a beautiful gold necklace with green and red bead jewels mixed in, looking like an ancient Mayan necklace. Lindsey sighed, "I can't believe I forgot to return this."
"That's beautiful, Mrs. Thorndyke!" Frances gasped. The girl was wearing a white sleeveless shirt that had the words, "LITTLE DEVIL," written on it in red letters, and a pair of magenta shorts. "And that's only the prop?"
"Well, yes," Lindsey sheepishly replied. "The real thing has authentic gold and jewels. The Amulet of Tikal is said to open up the lost tomb of the last echidna princess, Tikal, who was said to have been buried underneath the city that was named after her. However, that's only a rumor though… and that's the one we're going with for the movie."
"That's pretty cool," Amy and Swift openly voiced, hearts above their heads. Miles raised an eyebrow at the blue hedgehog Chao, a question mark over his own head. Did Swift actually pay attention during that little speech? Miles calmed down, and poked Swift on the shoulder.
"Can I talk to you privately?" the fox Chao whispered into the hedgehog Chao's ear. Swift nodded, and the two Chao got up towards a nearby alley. Once Miles was sure they were out of the others' earshot, he announced, "Hey, Spike and Ahaw Kin, you guys can come out." Spike and Ahaw Kin, who were hiding behind a dumpster said ally, walked into the mix. Ahaw Kin was wearing a brown cowboy hat, a red poncho over a white t-shirt, a pair of light brown shorts, and a pair of dark brown boots.
"I thought you said 'privately!'" Swift hissed to the fox Chao.
"I did," Miles replied, "but I wanted to ask why you're so interested in Chris' family when we're here on two critical missions that could decide the fate of the world? You hardly ever pay attention to anything when it has nothing to do with our hero business or Chaos Emeralds."
"Team Sonic can afford to goof off," Swift retorted, using the name that the media has given them. "Besides, Miles, have you ever considered the idea that you don't know Chris or even Danny's family lives well enough to understand them? I mean, look at Ahaw Kin and Spike."
"What about us?" the echidna Chao interjected, a question mark over his head. Swift grinned.
"You two beat Chris and me in our battle because you two knew each other well enough to the point that, if you took away the species difference, one could say you guys have a brotherly bond." Turning to Miles, he asked, "Have you wondered what our boy Chris had to go through before we came into his life? Miles, I know it's a touchy subject, but do you even know your parents?" The fox Chao, who was going to interrupt Swift, had to stop and think. He honestly didn't have any memories of his own family- just being locked up in a Chao Garden in Panama, being busted out by Swift, and the two's adventures that ultimately lead up to this. He had no recollection as to who his family was, and why they abandoned him to such a life.
Swift then went on. "I may come from being raised by my mom before she died and gave me my Chaos Emerald without knowing who the hell my father is, but I can't say the same for Chris. Sure, since we share a mind when he and I are Sonic, I can read Chris' thoughts, but I will never be able to fully understand Chris, even if I had such a bond with him like Spike and Ahaw Kin. Have you noticed that this is the first time in our three weeks of being with him that we've met Chris' parents? Sure, the boy has Tanaka, but his parents have so hectic lives that he hardly ever sees them. I want him to enjoy himself… at least, today. Why don't we give them today off and head back to our old base this afternoon. It will only take us an hour at tops." Miles scratched his head, while Ahaw Kin smiled at the Chao's nobility.
"You failed to answer why you're so interested in Mrs. Throrndyke's stories," the fox Chao smirked. Swift chuckled, a heart over his head.
"I wanted to be sentimental there," the hedgehog Chao announced. "But if you must know, this is Lindsey Speed we're talking about. Why wouldn't I be interested? Also, the idea that the Mayans were influenced by the echidnas? That's nuts!"
"So the Swift I know hasn't left," Miles smiled. Spike had to stifle a chuckle, while Ahaw Kin smiled at the three Chao.
"So," the human guardian asked, "when do we leave to your former home, Sonic?"
"Okay," Swift scowled, a swirl over his head, "I'm 'Swift,' the human we've been talking about is 'Chris,' and 'Sonic' is the Neo Mobian form of ours." Calming down, Swift then answered. "I suppose we can wait an hour or so… when do you wish to get your Master Emerald back from Eggman?"
"Robotnik," Miles corrected.
Ignoring that comment, Ahaw Kin explained, "Since S- oh, I mean, Chris- is busy today with his parents, I suppose we'll have to wait until tomorrow. But, I can do some scouting…."
"Good enough," Miles shrugged. "I'll tell Chuck and Dr. Naka about what you're doing. Do you know how to get to Tikal from Flores?"
"…I've snuck here once or twice," Ahaw Kin answered, embarrassed to admit that he shirked his responsibilities every once in a while.
"Good. Meet us there in about an hour and a half. Look around the park, and don't use too much Chaos Energy whatever you do. We only have two Chaos Emeralds and those batteries last only two hours without recharging. After which, you're back to human- I know, I've timed Chris."
"Hey, Swift, Miles?" Amy called, giving all three Chao exclamation points. "Where are you? Everybody wants to see where you two lived!"
"Coming!" Swift replied. Turning to Ahaw Kin and Spike, he asked, "On second thought, meet us in Tikal in a half hour. Pretend to be a guide or something… and look for a Mayan-like house." The young man nodded. Spike and Ahaw Kin then ran off, leaving Swift and Miles to meet with their friends.
The City of Tikal- 11:30
Swift got out of the bus, and eagerly stretched. "How is it that humans enjoy being cramped up in those tight spaces!" the blue hedgehog Chao asked Amy as she stepped out of the bus. The pink hedgehog Chao had to giggle at him.
"The way you say it," Amy smirked, "it seems like you have claustrophobia or something."
"Hydrophobia, actually," Miles interjected, flying off the bus. "He still hasn't learned how to swim."
"Is it my fault that my superhuman speed costs me the ability to swim!" Swift questioned, a swirl over his head. "Anyways, I don't like using transportation that I could honestly outrun!"
"Too bad the rest of us can't move that fast," Miles chuckled.
"Have you two ever considered doing stand-up comedy?" Frances asked while getting off the bus herself, followed by Lindsey and Nelson.
"No, we're being downright honest," Miles answered her. "Swift does at least have hydrophobia." Looking at their current environment, Miles smiled, "It's good to be back after a month!"
"Yeah," Swift agreed, a heart over his head. "It feels like it's been years!"
"Hey, Swift?" Helen asked as she rolled her wheelchair up to him. "Out of curiosity, is your old home wheelchair assessable?"
"Well, yeah," Swift replied. "To be honest, though, the Mayans who built our house chose to do so on flat terrain. The elevation shouldn't be any higher or lower than we already are."
"That is indeed true," Ahaw Kin said as he walked up. Chris, Danny, Karin, Tanaka, Ella, and Chuck were all surprised by Ahaw Kin's sudden appearance. Also, the fact that he was wearing a red t-shirt under a tan vest, brown shorts, and black hiking boots. "Good day, ladies and gentlemen, I am Gregorio Garcia, and I will be your guide, today."
'No way is anybody going to believe that a sixteen-year old kid is our guide,' Danny instantly thought.
"Aren't you a little young to be a tour guide?" Nelson questioned Ahaw Kin.
"Yes, but it's a part-time job," the guardian-in-disguise chuckled. "Also, it's kind of my first day… so, is there anything you want me to show you, first?"
"Well," Sam chuckled, "since everybody wants to see it, have you seen a Mayan house? Swift and Miles here have been claiming that they were living in one."
"As a matter of fact," Spike answered for Ahaw Kin as he walked up, "yes! We have seen a Mayan house of sorts!" Amy had a question mark over her head as she looked at the echidna Chao. "There's one this way, everybody. Follow me!" The group followed the red echidna Chao, Swift walking closer to Spike than anybody else.
"Nice job finding our house and playing tour guides," the hedgehog Chao smiled. "But what happened to the real Tikal National Park tour guide?" A vision of hitting a man who was wearing the same uniform Ahaw Kin was currently wearing with a conveniently located soccer ball, dragging him into the broom closet, and stealing his uniform played out in the echidna Chao's head.
"He's indisposed," Spike simply waved off. "Now, by the way, Swift about your house…"
"I can't wait to see the house again!" the blue hedgehog Chao cheered with his eyes closed and a heart over his little head. "Oh man, I've been longing to sleep in the little hammock we had just set up before coming to America!"
"What the hell!" Karin gasped, bringing Swift out of his fantasy. The Chao looked to see a small set of Mayan buildings that had the doors ripped off, bullet holes through the walls, a huge tear in one of the roofs, scorched sides, a broken water well, and a tattered hammock hanging around. Swift and Miles stared at the house with stunned looks on their faces as their dots turned to swirls and the tears began to swell in their eyes.
Their original home had been destroyed.
Human Card: Helen Rose
Occupation: High school student
Known Relatives: Marcy Rose (Mother), Howard Rose (father), Amy (Chao)
Hobbies: Origami, playing with Chao, gardening
Kingdom Rider92's Notes: Oh, who saw that coming! Poor Swift and Miles… they lost their old home to an incident. What tragic luck. Still, they finally got to meet Chris' folks in this episode!
I know that the chapter's title hints to a treasure hunt, but I'll get to that. In the meantime, I'm not getting entries from you people! PLEASE join the contest! Hell, get your still semi-loyal Sonic fan friends to join! I still need people to be part of the organizations outside of Freelance! I'll extend the deadline to freaking September 16th if I have to!
Edge's Corner: Um, maybe I should just get Amy in here for comments. I'm a little behind…
Amy: Okay, so who's first?
Salamander Hanzo by Amy: Okay, in your first comment, how did you make those hearts! I've wanted to do that! As for your second comment, um… I have a number for a good psychiatrist.
Zohaku by Edge: According to the author, you know too much. What's preventing him from doing something about it is that he finds your relationship too damn funny, you catching the reference to the Sonic X comic that he was trying, and he has no idea where you live. Also, the fact that you submitted a character.
As for Maria… well, he's finally got something about you stumped.
White Hunter by Amy: Yeah, our author's pretty hyped. This fan fiction is far more popular than his Sonic Arcadia work so he has more motivation.
SuperSpeed by Amy: Oh, yes, actually. Ahaw Kin is another name for a Mayan sun god, if I've been studying my mythology correctly. The actual name was something like Kinich Ahau, but that doesn't roll off the tongue as easily. Itzamna is actually a misspelling of Itzamal, the Mayan city that Ahaw Kin was patron god of.
Also, I am very glad to see that somebody caught the reference. The author said something among the lines of "considering how in current action cartoons that the good guy team name happens to be the name of the main character, why not?" It clashes well enough with Chris' desire not to make Sonic egocentric, but everybody's calling them that since Sonic showed up first. Also, Sam Speed says you're welcome.
Eidorian999 by Edge: This is a long one to comment on. Okay, appreciate a lot of people liking Maria II. Keep in mind that this Maria is the youngest of a family of dejected scientists, and is only human. She would see her dreams as more than what they are, being a scientist, but worry that she's drinking too much soda, as a regular teen. In my opinion, the reason why the current generation of Sonic games is falling through is due to too many characters to keep track of and not enough character development for them. Some characters only get one game and are barely ever spoken of in the series' continuity ever again! I mean, at least with the Mario universe, the creators make sure to give characters spotlight rather than let them waste! Except for those killed off… Fawful…
Anyways, where was I? Oh, yeah, Emeralds. Yeah… the author realized with a title like "Chaos Emeralds," there had to be something that these Emeralds could do by themselves. So, he decided to give them elemental abilities to make their terror realistic… sort of like Power Stone. However, he didn't realize that Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood beat him to the punch.
Codex-The-Hedgehog by Edge: Short and simple. Nice.
Kingdom Rider92's Notes: And with that, please people, join my contest, and get your friends to. I'm still accepting through e-mail! Kingdom Rider92, out!