9-Chaos' Emeralds

So, Chaos watched the civilization grow. While all the animals felt gratitude towards him, the Echidnas were more gracious than anyone. As the years went by, the Echidnas became more and more distanced from the rest of the animals, probably because they thought the rest a little too human. A little too greedy, a little too egotistic. It didn't extend to racism for most, though. Many heroes and great chiefs in the Echidnian society were not Echidnas at all. Indeed, the first Emerald Guardian–but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Chaos thought of the Echidnas–and those who were Echidnas at heart–as his children. He taught many the art of prophecy, how to open their minds to visions of the future. He helped them build their society from the ground up. When the time came, mere months after the escape from the United States, to elect the Grand Chieftain, Chaos was the most popular candidate. However, he insisted that Libertor (second place with 45 of the votes) take the post, saying he wished to guide them, not lead them. However, Libertor appointed Chaos as an advisor, a post he accepted, and Skullbash became Top General of the army (an establishment which didn't fight its first war until Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik came to power millennia later). Chaos would have stayed forever if it hadn't been for the Bliarian Civil War.

The Echidnas and other animals thought it was a meteor, but Chaos' eyes were better. Past the flame, he could see a perfect cube. No meteor could attain that shape, let alone keep it in the vigorous process of entering an atmosphere the size of Earth's. As he watched it in the Grand Chieftain's office, he turned to Libertor.

"Grand Chieftain, I must go."

Libertor turned to him. "Any reason you care to disclose?"

Chaos shook his head.

"I respect your judgment...come back soon."

Chaos hoped he could. It was either a member of the rebellion to tell him the war was beginning, an interrogator to attain all his knowledge, or an executioner to...to do his job. Either way, he did not want the beloved Echidnas dragged into it.

As it turns out, it was the first. Chaos recognized a good friend of his, Tranaar, walking from the ship.

"Chaos, my good friend," he said in their native tongue, "have you been well?"

"Very," he replied. "it's good to see you again."

"My," said Tranaar, "Zarkos Three has a lot of nitrogen, doesn't it?"

"Earth," replied Chaos, without thinking.

Tranaar turned to him. "What?"

Chaos hesitated. "That...that's what the natives call it."

Tranaar looked confused. "Here," said Chaos, putting his hand on his friend's head and showing the events that had transpired.

"Well, you've been busy. Well, it'll be a pleasure to get back home, won't it?"

But Chaos was uncertain. "They may need me. What if the humans attack them while I'm gone? The last of their governments just disappeared, but there is still much hatred."

"So create power crystals. Teach them how to use them. Let them take care of themselves."

"Good idea."

"LEAVING?"

Libertor's reaction was exactly as Chaos predicted. He was torn between the feeling that Chaos should help his own people and the fear that there may be still humans with the intelligence to produce and use nuclear weapons.

"You...I...we..."

"Calm down," said Chaos. "Listen, I'm not going to leave you defenseless. Among my species, there have been a few individuals who have poured their own energy into crystals. My friend is currently searching for suitable ones. I suspect my energy can be stored in only seven crystals, which I will entrust with you. It will only take a day to produce the crystals, then I'll rest for a day while telling you how to use the crystals, then I'll leave with my friend. I don't know how long I'll be gone. This may be the last time anyone of this generation sees me, Libertor."

Once again, Libertor was torn; this time between peace because the animals would still be safe, and sadness because he would probably never see Chaos again.

"So...the only thing that remains is what to tell the others."

"Just tell them that there are urgent matters that require my attention. I don't want to be followed."

"Even if we had the technology, we can't fight beings like you. Only the bravest, most foolish person on Earth would try."

The next day, Chaos took the first of the jewels Tranaar had found. He had taken the liberty of cutting the green gem. Chaos stuck it, sharp end first, into his stomach. After a few hours, he took it out and handed it to Libertor, who saw it had begun to glow faintly.

Libertor took it to his office. Before he could enter, he heard a young girl ask, "What's that?"

Libertor turned to face the voice, and saw a huge crowd of people standing in front of the building. Taking a deep breath, he said, "It's Chaos' emerald," and began to explain.