Chapter 5: The Rise of Enerjak

Kicks had always been a lone echidna. She wasn't one to form bonds beyond simple acquaintances. Though in truth, it was simply due to trauma from her past, having lost a father during her younger years. She hated the idea of losing those to her, so she never bothered becoming friends with anyone. Until now that is, where formed a genuine bond with those she called friends. The Chaotix were in danger, and she needed to find them… Quickly.

Starring:

Kicks the Echidna - Lone Guardian

Archimedes - Antagonistic Force

Echidnas of the Past

Kicks: "Urgh… Mighty? Ray? Vector? …Ugh…"

*Kicks starts to stir, shaking her head as she blinks away the blurriness from her eyes. She found herself in some kind of ruins. The architecture immediately reminded her of the Sandopolis ruins, giving her the impression she was back on the island.*

Kicks: "Sandopolis? I'm…back on the Floating Island? How long was I out?"

*She looked around, but found no one but herself around her. She crossed her legs as she began to think back to what happened before she was knocked out.*

Kicks: "Let's see… Me and the Chaotix fought a giant mechanical monster and saved Ray. Mighty told me his anonymous tip was Archimedes… Archimedes!"

*A voice rang out, catching Kicks' attention.*

Archimedes: "Well well, sleeping beauty. You finally woke up. Sorry for the sleeping gas, but I needed you alone."

Kicks: "Alright, coward! I'm tired of playing games! Come out already!"

Archimedes: "Apologies, but I'm not quite sure you are ready to meet me yet, Guardian."

Kicks: "Where are the Chaotix!? What have you done with them!?"

Archimedes: "Calm down. They are with me, safe and sound asleep. I haven't done anything beyond inviting them into my cozy abode."

Kicks: "And how can I trust you? Huh!?"

Archimedes: "Feisty words can only get you so far, young echidna. You'll have to take me at my word."

*Kicks growled, looking ready to kick the nearest wall and just break down the ruins just to get to her team. But then Archimedes asked a question that changed the subject.*

Archimedes: "How about a question to deviate from your frustrations? Are you familiar with your kin's history?"

Kicks: "My kin's history? What do you mean?"

Archimedes: "Exactly that. You want to find me and your friends, right? Then look to your past… And your present."

*Kicks screams out for Archimedes, but she is met with frustrated silence. Gritting her teeth she took a moment to steady her breathing.*

Kicks: 'The past, hm? Yes. I am familiar with it. My dad would tell me all kinds of stories.'

In the distant past, our society, Echindapolis, was a prosperous city filled with wonders beyond that of current technology. Our advanced prowess became an enigma among those who could not understand; where those around us were still figuring out how to make fire, we were many years ahead of that time. It was during that time that we were still part of the world below, within what is now called Downunda. However, two scientists, my ancestors, discovered a most alarming discovery… The White Comet. This event would have destroyed our city, had it not been for the combined efforts of the excavators. With the power of twelve Chaos Emeralds, the island separated from the land below, becoming the Floating Island. Many years later though, another event occurred, one involving my distant grandfather, Edmund, and his brother, Dimitri.

*Within the Chaos Chamber many years ago, two Echidna scientists were examining the Chaos Emeralds with their equipment. One scientist, with straight dreadlocks but with fashionable glasses, was looking at a monitor while another scientist, one with braided dreadlocks but no glasses, was making sure the Emeralds were stable.*

Glasses-wearing Echidna: "Dimitri! This is astounding! After all these years, the Chaos Emeralds are still giving off a consistent energy output as all those years ago! After all this time, our hypothesis may just prove correct."

Dimitri: "Yes, but we've only gone through simulations, Edmund. While I'm confident in our scientific study, I admit that I am worried about the council rejecting our suggestion."

Edmund: "I know how you feel. But our time in the sky has passed. It is time we reunited with the earth below. And besides, brother, our argument is sound enough that even the council won't say no."

Dimitri: "Ah. You're right. I'm sorry for my doubtful thoughts. Come, let us have some rest."

*The two brothers adjourn from their tinkering and, the next morning, head to the council hall with a large gathering of Echidnas. After explaining their findings and hypothesis, the chief magistrate gave his verdict after talking with the jury.*

Magistrate: "After careful consideration of your theories, Edmund and Dimitri, we of the Echindapolis council have decided to deny your appeal for this experiment?"

Dimitri: "What!? What for!?"

*Edmund put a hand on Dimitri's shoulder, trying to calm him in his outburst.*

Magistrate: "As it stands this is merely a baseless theory. Attempting to mess with the Chaos Emeralds would lead to very serious consequences and possibly endanger the populace. We are sorry, but the decision stands firm."

*In his anger, Dimitri storms out, leaving Edmund behind. The cooler headed brother left the council hall to follow Dimitri, but when he arrived at their room, he found a case opened. A case that once contained their experimental Chaos Syphon.*

Edmund: "No! If he took that he… That fool!"

*Edmund made his way to the Chaos Chamber, sliding down the secret entrance just in time to see Dimitri using the Chaos Syphon to absorb the energy from the Chaos Emeralds.*

Edmund: "Dimitri! In the name of reason, stop!"

Dimitri: "Hah! 'Reason'!? Reason had its chance! But now… What has begun… CANNOT BE UNDONE!"

*A massive explosion shakes the Chaos Chamber, throwing Edmund back to the wall as the Chief Magistrate and several councilmen run in from the commotion.*

Magistrate: "Edmund! Are you alright?"

Edmund: "I am… But Dimitri… He didn't make it…"

Councilman: "Neither did the Emeralds it seems. But then… Why are we not falling?"

*The group see a single Chaos Emerald remain on a pedestal, providing energy to the rest of the island. As they question how it was possible, a single figure rises.*

'Dimitri": "It is because a single Chaos Emerald contains infinite energy. Energy to shape reality at a person's whim."

Edmund: "D-Dimitri? Is that you?"

*The figure, "Dimitri", only laughs, raising a hand to fling those present to a wall as reality around them starts to warp and refashion itself by "Dimitri's" thoughts.*

"Dimitri": "No, dear 'brother'. I have evolved past simple mortal prowess. I am now Chaos Energy itself. The Chaos Force! I am… ENERJAK!"

Edmund: "Brother! Listen to reason! Don't do this! With that much energy you could destroy everything and everyone!"

Enerjak: "Oh, I intend to. And reshape it into my image. My world. Mobius will be mine!"

*As Enerjak laughs, the formations acting as chains start to come loose as fire ants break through the walls. Edmund falls to the ground and finds the Chaos Syphon, or at least the main component. He runs to it and grabs it.*

Edmund: "Sorry, Dimitri! But you leave me no choice! Hasta la vista!"

*Edmund presses a button, releasing some kind of energy from the machine that causes Enerjak to start screaming out, cursing Edmund as his body vanishes.*

On that day, Enerjak was defeated, but no one knew if he was truly destroyed. Edmund, for his bravery and valor, and as a way to atone for his brother's misdeeds, was elected as the first Guardian of the Floating Island. And from then, a tradition was born, as his son became Guardian, as did his son and so on. All the way down to me, the latest Guardian. Echidnapolis was lost and so our island became a peaceful place… until Robotnik and Archimedes showed up.

*Kicks took a deep breath before standing up. As she stood up, she walked out of the ruins, calmly.*

Kicks: "'Look to my past', huh? I still don't quite get it. But… Archimedes might be referring to the Chaos Chamber… Where it all began… Where we became one with the sky and… Where our deepest sin lies… Tch. Listen to me… I spend a little while meditating and I start sounding like some prophet."

*Kicks starts dashing quickly, leaving a trailing dust cloud behind her as she runs.*

Kicks: "Well time for a rhyme! 'Swiggity swooty, I'm coming to kick your booty, Archimedes'!"

*As Kicks runs off towards her destination, something within the Sandopolis ruins begins to emerge, creating - or recreating - itself molecule by molecule. A cackle is heard as the being takes the shape… of an echidna.*

*Kicks arrives at the Chaos Chamber, the crystal walls reflecting her genuine confusion as to what she was looking for. As she walks around, Archimedes begins to speak.*

Archimedes: "My, my. Aren't we a clever girl. I suppose when it comes to where your history starts this would be the earliest location."

Kicks: "Stop taunting unless you want to lose a couple of teeth once I find you."

Archimedes: "Still aggressive though. So I'll simply tell you that you are on the right trail. But you'll need to dig even deeper. Can you solve this next riddle? Let's find out."

*Archimedes once again cuts communication, leaving the Guardian to stew on his words.*

Kicks: "Tch… The condescending tone is what really ticks me off… But dig deeper, huh…? Wonder what he could mean…?"

*A thought then crossed her mind as she looked to the floor. She tapped her foot a bit before finding a hollow sound. Kicking that part of the floor down, she finds a hole leading further underground. To a Hidden Palace. She falls down and finds herself in a hallway, seemingly long forgotten. She runs through the halls, avoiding the various traps within the place before finally coming to a door. She hears voices on the other side; reeling back her foot, she breaks down the door and finds… The Chaotix, all okay and being served food by some robot, and a small red Mobian ant dressed like some kind of huntsman.*

Vector: "There she is! Got here just in time, Kicks!"

Charmy: "Yeah! We were about to eat without you!"

Ant: "Welcome to my humble abode, Guardian. Glad you could finally make it."

Kicks: "So you're Archimedes? And what the heck is this? WHAT'S GOING ON!?"

Archimedes: "Hehe! Don't worry! We've got time to explain!"

*As Kicks had reached her destination in the Hidden Palace, the earlier echidna stood in the midst of a desert, looking up at the night sky as he raised his hand. A staff forms into his hand from nothing, and following it, a large structure begins to form. A castle of his own design.*

Echidna: "After so long… I can finally claim revenge on the one who's family destroyed me long ago. This time, no one shall stop me."

*Kicks sat at the table, glaring at Archimedes as she really didn't trust him at the moment.*

Archimedes: "Knock off the scary look, Kicks! Like I said, we have time to explain. So ask any question you want!"

Kicks: "...Fine. Who are you, really? And where did you come from?"

Archimedes: "Hah! I said before, my name's Archimedes. And I happen to be a friend of your dad, Locke."

*This seems to soften her glare a bit, causing her to lean in closer.*

Archimedes: "Yep. He asked me to train you to become a worthy Guardian, just as my father did for your dad, and my grandfather for your grandfather. So on and so on."

Kicks: "Train me? Aren't I worthy enough?"

Archimedes: "I won't say what you were doing before wasn't impressive. Fighting off a dictator twice and leaving your post to save someone who you never met. But while those are fantastic feats, those aren't the signs of a worthy Guardian, since you smashed the original Chaos Emerald, which you are meant to protect."

Kicks: "Desperate times. It was either that or innocent people get hurt because of my island being turned into someone's joy ride."

Archimedes: "I'll give you that one. You thought about the consequences, but in the end, you got lucky. Had it not been for the spare Emerald."

*Kicks went quiet at this. It was true that she got lucky because of having that spare Emerald. If not for that, Knothole would be in ruins either way.*

Archimedes: "So allow me to tell you where I came from. In truth, I was always there, from the very beginning, watching your progress from afar. As is tradition between you echidnas and we ants."

Kicks: "Tradition?"

Archimedes: "From the very beginning, we ants have helped your kin with your troubles out of the kindness of our hearts. From helping raise the Floating Island to the sky to helping release your great grandfather several generations removed so he could defeat-"

Voice: "Me?"

*The sudden voice causes Archimedes and Kicks, as well as the Chaotix who were just listening in, to jump to their feet, looking around before an echidna appears before them.*

Echidna: "Many years it has been since my 'brother' had disassembled my atoms to mere nothingness. But by the powers I possess I have returned to claim what is mine. To take Mobius as my conquest! So says…"

ENERJAK!

An enemy from echidna history has returned from the dead to seek revenge on Edmund's current descendant, Kicks. What does he plan on doing to her and her friends? Can Kicks stop him, a living Chaos Emerald? And will Archimedes help her stop this seemingly impossible foe? Find next time on… The Reign of Enerjak!