CHAPTER 6 MACOO

A few hours later the ship broke through the atmosphere of the planet of Macoo.

"Is this it?" Shadow asked, looking out the windshield.

"Yes," Knuckles replied, nodding in confirmation. "This is the planet of Macoo. Home of Queen Blaze Anabella. She rules the entire planet."

"That must be hard to do," Tikal commented. "Being ruler of the entire planet."

"If it is, her majesty refuses to admit it," Knuckles told her. He took the ship down. "Before you all leave I have one word of advice when you meet her."

"Yeah what is it?" Sonic asked as he pushed himself out of his seat.

"Do not get on her bad side," the echinda cautioned.

"Why?" Espio asked. "What will happen if one of us does?"

"I'm not sure," Knuckles replied. "But I'm sure you won't want to find out."

"Don't worry about us," Rouge said confidently. "I'm sure we can avoid that problem if Sonic behaves himself."

"What about you, Rouge?" the blue hedgehog demanded. "I would advice you to keep your grabby hands to yourself."

Rouge made a move toward him as if to make a swing. "Why you!"

"Please, let's not fight," Tikal begged, always the peacemaker. "It would be rude to act that way in front of the Queen."

"Tikal is right," Espio agreed folding his arms and glancing outside. "We'll have to be careful."

"I agreed," Shadow said nodding. "Let's not get into any unwanted squables in front of her."

"Fine. I'll stop," Sonic turned away from them and rested his cheek on the palm of his left hand. "Let's just get down there so we can find out about this so called 'Sith'."

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When Knuckles Star Cruiser touched down on the landing pad near the lush gadens of Blaze's impressive looking castel the Jedi Padawans were met by the captain of the guard and two soilders.

The captain of the guard was a tall reptilain creature that looked like he was a cross between a snake and a shark, aside from the fact that he had big muscular arms and warm blooded hazel eyes. The two guards flanking him were of the ferret race with soft brown fur and black piercing eyes. Both looked like they could tear somemone to shreds without even thinking of using the swords they had at their waists.

One look at all three and Shadow instantly felt a distrust.

"What's your business here?" the captain of the guard asked, stepping toward Shadow who had been elected spokes person.

"We're from the Jedi Temple at Mobius," the black hedgehog replied, folding his arms. "We are here because we were given some valuable information about possible Sith activity on the planet."

"There is no Sith here," the captain said abrumptly as he eyed Shadow suspiciosly. He looked like he wanted a fight. "You must have been misinformed."

"We were not misinformed," Shadow told him, folding his arms and glaring at the lizard coldly. "We did recieve information and it was from this planet."

The captain of the guard put his hands on his hips, giving Sahdow an impatient look. "I would like to see this information then," he said challengingly.

"We don't have it," Shadow admitted.

"Where is it then?"

"At the Temple in Mobius."

"Well then," the captain folded his arms as he seemed to hear what he'd wanted to hear. "It seems we have a problem don't we?"

"Only if you want one!" Shadow retorted, ready to slug the reptile.

"Shadow, calm down," Tikal said grabbing his arm to hold him back. "Getting angry will only make things worse."

The lizard gave the female echinda a look of satisfaction. "That's right," he said nodding. "Listen to your lady friend. Because if you do cause any trouble you won't be going anywhere."

Shadow glared at the sneering lizard. If I wans't a Jedi Padawan.. Jedi don't get angry. They are calm. Anger leads hate. Hate leads to suffering...

The captain smirked. "If that is all I would advice you to be on your way, Jedi Padawans," he turned to go.

"Captain Rinzo!" a voice shouted from further down the path.

A minute later another person came toward them. This one looked like a cat with blue and white fur. She had dark purple eyes and wore brown pants and a sand color tunic. On her feet were a pair of black leather boots. By the look on her face she hadn't seen something she particularly liked.

"Captian," the cat said, putting her black gloved hands on her hips. "What in stars name are you doing?"

"I'm turning these Jedi Padawans away," he exclaimed, facing the cat. "They claimed to have recieved information on Sith activity."
The cat looked past the captian of the guard at the Padawans. "There is no Sith activity here that we know of," she told them. "But anything is possile." she walked over to them. "What is it that you wish to do?"

"We'd like to speak with Queen Blaze," Shadow replied, looking the cat girl in the face, ready to challenge her to if need be. "Maybe she might know something."

"She may," the cat agreed, though her face showed doubt. "You could ask her."

The captain didn't like that answer. "But Shira-" he began.

"Captain!" she said sharply, turning around to lock eyes with the reptile. "See our guests to the Queen's chamber."

"Yes, Shira," the captain said giving her a respectful bow. He turned to address the Padawans once again. "Follow me please."

The five Padawans followed the guards through the castle's lush garden. Tikal couldn't help noticing all the beautiful flowers growing as far as the eye could see. She counted about six marble fountains with angels holding vases that seemed to be pouring water into the pools.

This kinda reminds me of the fountains at the Temple, she thought, breathing in the fresh smell fo flowers. I wonder who takes care of the garden here?

Suddenly, as if to answer her question, a dozen little blue and yellow creatures flew out of nowhere and began watering the garden.

What are those? she wondered, watching them in awe. Where did they come from?

Then she saw something that made her eyes grow wide. The water in the center fountain seemed to morph into a creature of some sorts. She watched the water ripple then gasped as the strange creature climbed out of the fountain and raised a hand to one of the flying creatures.

Is that the Guardian? she wondered, unable to take her eyes off it.

"Tikal!" Rouge's voice snapped the echinda back to attention.

"Yes?" she said looking at her bat friend.

"Stop staring," Rouge ordered as she grabbed her friends shoulders and began leading her down the path. "We still have to speak with Queen Blaze and if we don't get moving we'll miss our chance."

"Oh sorry," Tikal apoligized.

They hurried to catch up with the others.

A/N

Yes the fountain creature was Chaos.