SONIC HEROES: THE SERIES

Bionicle © Lego

Chapter Forty-Six: Chaotic Quest

The scene opens into the Sonic Heroes base, inside the storage room. As you may already know, the room contains relics of the Sonic Heroes' past victories, which now holds the two Chaos Emeralds and one Sol Emerald. Chaos was peacefully meditating on top of the Master Emerald as usual. And as usual, Blue was talking to Tikal on the steps of the shrine-like base.

"You were seriously forced to survive on you own in the wilderness for three days?" Blue exclaimed in shock.

It was often that the two would always have something to talk about. Blue would tell her about his missions and the outside world, while Tikal would describe the way the world was centuries ago. She now reached up to the subject of her father's teachings.

"My father said in was a rite of passage." Tikal frowned. "We echidna's were a proud warrior race, expected to fight for our lives." Tikal looked down sadly. "My father said I was a disgrace; I returned home only after one night."

"What does he know?!" Blue exclaimed suddenly. "You don't need to be muscle to be strong. You have other qualities that make you special. You're kind, thoughtful, and beuti..." Blue sputter at the last word, Tikal stare in wonderment. "I-I mean...you are dead useful. Who cares what you father thinks?"

"Thanks, Blue." Tikal said smiling; she stood up. "It's been nearly an hour. I must return to the Master Emerald. See you, tomorrow, Blue."

As Tikal motioned her way to the Master Emerald, Blue stood up, too. Blue stared longingly at the departing echidna's back. He didn't know why, but he shot out his claw, hoping to touch her. But his hand phased through hers. As Tikal reformed into a ball of light, reality crashed down on the poor clone. She was a spirit; no physical form. Blue sighed heavily and left the room. He dragged himself to the table, where Amy was serving lunch and Cream was feeding the newly reborn Cheese.

"Good boy, Cheese." Cream smiled as the chao ate. "You'll grow big and strong soon."

"Here you go, Blue." Amy said, setting a plate in front of the clone. It was Amy who noticed the clone's sad expression. "Hey, what's wrong? Did you just go and see Tikal again?"

"How'd you know that?" Blue asked surprised.

"Who doesn't know?" Cream laughed. "You're always disappearing to Tikal. It's really obvious."

"So what's the matter?" Amy asked.

"I see her everyday, but I can't never truly be with her." Blue said sadly. "We talk and everything, but she's still a spirit. Do you know how difficult it is to be with someone, but never truly to with them at all?"

"You must really love her." Cream said.

"Wh-what?" Blue sputtered. "I don't love her!" Amy and Cream stared expectantly. "Ok, I do! But it doesn't matter now? I can't love someone who isn't there."

"Well, there might be one way." Cream said. Blue looked at her in anticipation. "There's a flower that, rumor has it, can bring wandering spirits back to life. That how it got its name: Life Lily."

"How do you know this?" Blue questioned.

"Cream knows a lot about plants." Amy said. "Even more then a normal person."

"But if this thing exists, why aren't people popping back from the dead?" Blue questioned.

"The Life Lily blooms once every five hundred years." Cream explained, ignoring Amy's earlier comment. "Once it blooms, it only has a twelve hour lifespan. If I'm right, its next blooming period should have started today."

"Then that's my mission." Blue said seriously. "I'll find that flower and bring Tikal back."

The scene changes to the Egg-Carrier III, which was floating over the Mediterranean Sea. Eggman was locked away in his chamber, obsession over some plot. Bokkun, being the deviant he was, overheard Eggman's plan and informed the rest of the crew. Eggman was looking for his son, Rai. But the others didn't really seem all concerned. As of now, Metal and Violet were in the Clone creation room; check the production of black clones.

"Things seem to be running smoothly." Metal said pleasantly.

"Much better then last week's batch." Violet said. "Can you believe they ate seventeen years worth of supplies in under an hour?"

"At least Metal Espio got rid of them." Metal said. just then, Metal Espio jumped down from out of nowhere in front of them. "Speaking of whom. Metal Espio, what is it that you want?"

"Metal, sir, you told us to report anything if the heroes are up to something." Metal Espio said respectfully. "Metal Jet was listening through the bug in the Heroes' base and found something interesting."

"Get on with it!" Violet exclaimed irritably. "I'm starting to fall asleep here."

"Anyway, we've got word that Blue is on a mission." Metal Espio informed. "Apparently, he is traveling to the Mangaia Mountains in search of the legendary Life Lily."

"The Life Lily?" Violet repeated. "I thought that was only a legend."

"You know of it?" Metal Questioned.

"Only some." Violet said. "Legend has that the Life Lily can bring wandering spirits back to life."

"A power Nazo could gratefully benefit." Metal said thoughtfully. "We can't allow him or anyone to reach it." He turned his attention towards Violet. "Violet, gather as many clones needed and destroy that flower."

"There goes my Saturday." Violet muttered.

The seen changes to a far-off island several miles west of South Island. The island was a paradise untouched by modern day technology. Mata Nui, according to ancient archeologist, was what the island was named by its former inhabitants. Though a paradise it was, there ruins scattered across the land and several marking made by beasts. In the center of the island stood the fabled mountain of Mangaia. Blue, using chaos control, landed safely at the foot of the mountain.

"Cream said the flower would bloom at the highest point of the island." Blue muttered to himself. The most obvious point would be the mountain. But when Blue stared up the mountain, he nearly toppled backwards. "Why are things never easy?"

So, somewhat unwilling, Blue forced himself to climb up the side of the mountain. But unknown to him, he was being closely watched. Violet, along with three black clones, appeared on the island a minute after Blue.

"It seems my brother is going for the flower after all." Violet said amusingly.

"What shall we do, your highness?" One of the clones asked; this batch was smarter than the others.

"Highness, I like that." Violet commented. "Just do your jobs to stall him long enough while I search for the flower."

"Yes, ma'am!" The clones bowed and scattered.

Back with Blue, the chaos clone, diligently crawled up the mountain side with his mind set on his target. If he completed this mission, he could finally be with Tikal. This set in his mind, Blue pushed himself harder. A few minutes later, Blue crawled up to a cliff. Panting, he looked up. He was still only half way up the mountain, but he was making excellent progress.

"I guess those rock climbing contests with Knuckles and finally starting to pay off." Blue chuckled. "Only a few more and I'm there."

Blue reached to grab the mountainside when a sudden black blur darted toward him. Seeing this, the chaos clone back flipped away, nearly falling off the cliffside. After maintaining his stability, he looked back and found three black clones in his path.

"Aw, you guys again?" Blue groaned. "What do you three want this time."

"We're here on a mission." The leader clone said. "We must stop you from reaching the Life Lily at all cost."

"Hey, you guess can talk properly." Blue said amusingly. "That's a good thing. Or maybe a bad thing." Blue started muttering while scratching his head. "You guys can talk, so now I can understand you. but on the other hand, that means you're smart than normal. Ah, I'm so confused!"

"You not the only one." One of the clones said.

"But when you think about, is there even a good or bad side." Blue said philosophically.

"Can we just get to the part where we beat each other up!" The leader yelled.

"Sounds good to me." Blue shrugged.

The three black clones swarmed around Blue from all sides, making it impossible for him to make an escape. With three clones in front and a fifty foot drop in back, things didn't suit too well for our hero. Simultaneously, the black clones raised their claws and drove them into the ground. The force of the impact shattered the cliffside away, taking Blue along with it. the three clones looked down the broken cliff they created, looking for any sign of Blue's survival. There was none.

"See anything?" The leader asked.

"Nothing." One of the followers said. "Looks like he's finished."

"You know, I wouldn't have expected it to be that easy." The other said.

"That's because it isn't."

The trio turned on their heel surprisingly. Blue was dangling from the mountainside, clutching a purple chaos emerald in his claw. He had apparently used Chaos Control to stop time and push himself back up the mountain.

"Miss me?" Blue said amusingly.

"Kill him!" The leader screeched.

Unfortunately for them, Blue now had the advantage. Having the higher ground, Blue could target the black clones and thrash them back with his extended arms. One of the clones tried to do the same thing, but met with an unfortunate result. Metal may have increased their intelligence, but it had dissolved their shape shifting abilities. With no way to reach Blue, the trio of clones tried to throw anything they could to knock him down. Being made of liquid chaos, rocks proved inefficient against Blue.

"Get down here and take it like a man!" The leader screamed.

"But I'm not a man." Blue stated.

"You know what we mean!" The leader screeched.

"You know, I'm getting bored." Blue stated. "Why don't we end this quickly."

Blue released himself from his position and dropped down to the cliff below. While in midair, he curled himself into a ball and started spinning in circles. Once he was close to the ground, he released himself with his foot held out. his heel made contact with the ground and created a impact that Gale the Hedgehog would be proud of. The remaining fragments of the cliffside broke off; Blue stretched his arm to grab the mountain. He watch, disappointedly, as the trio of black clones tried to mimic him, seconds before hey were crushed under the weight of the rock fragments.

"I must admit, even I feel sorry for them." Blue shrugged.

Blue returned to his mission; the sky was starting to get dark. His time was nearly up. Realizing this, Blue quickened his pace. In a matter of moments, Blue heaved himself over the last rock and found himself at the top. The scenery was unexpected as the Chaos clone found himself in the ruins of a ancient temple. Blue wandered inside the temple, checking every corridor in search of the fabled flower. His search had been unsuccessful until he reached the center of the temple. He had walked into a circular chamber; the roof torn off, revealing the starry sky. Under the moonlight, Blue spotted a pure white lily growing through the cracks in the floor: the Life Lily!

"Finally, I found it." Blue gasped, racing over to pick the lily. "Now I can use it to revive Tikal."

"Not while I'm around."

In an unexpected appearance, Violet dropped down from the sky and twirled around to kick the lily from his claw. The glistening flower was tossed over to the floor near the wall. Blue nursed his claw as Violet came to a landing.

"Pleasant to see you again, Blue." Violet said.

"Wish I could say the same." Blue growled. "Look, I'm already ticked enough from those fakers you sent after me. why don't you make it easy on both of us and get out of my way."

"No can do." Violet said amusingly. "I have specific orders to stop anyone from getting that flower."

"You're my sister!" Blue roared. "We were born from the same DNA! If you care anything about our family, you will let me grab that flower and leave! I need it to help someone!"

"That's just the thing." Violet said seriously. "I don't care about our family. If fact, their isn't even a family left. All of our brothers were killed in the first battle. I believe you were the one that helped kill them."

"It's not like I had a choice." Blue said feebly. "They were..."

"You did have a choice, brother!" Violet cut in. "You tossed you consideration for your "family" aside and willingly destroyed them. Admit it, you are just as heartless as I am."

"You're wrong!" Blue exclaimed. "I do have a heart and it's telling me to get that lily."

"Then come, brother." Violet challenged.

Blue and Violet held open their claws, each of them sharpened and extended. Their feuding siblings ran ahead at one another, swinging their claws as they passed by. The clash echoed throughout the empty temple, like metal hitting against metal. Blue swung around and launched his claw directly at his sister's back. Even without looking, Violet had already seen his attack. She gracefully jumped over his claw and beautifully back flipped in midair; the moonlight glinting through her aquatic body. She landed behind her brother and through her claw at his head. Lucky enough, Blue raised his forearm to block it.

"Not bad." Violet commented. "You certainly are more aware than before."

"This is only the beginning." Blue stated.

"Let's hope so." Violet said. "This is just starting to get fun."

Blue shoved his sister back, retracting his arm, and swung around for a low kick. Violet tripped backward, but flipped back on her claws just before Blue stamped his foot down. Violet flipped into the air, tossing her claws at her brother in the process. Blue sidestepped to dodge both. But unknown to him, Violet had sent her foot flying, crashing into the side of her brother's face. Blue tumbled across the floor, smashing down the wall he collided with. He groaned, throwing the weight of the broken wall off his back. Once he senses were regained, he noticed something in front of him: the Life Lily. He grabbed the lily, seconds before Violet grabbed his ankle.

"Not so fast!" Violet roared.

Violet tossed Blue up into the air, forcing him to let go of the lily in mid flight. Blue was thrown against another wall, toppling it. As Blue dug himself out, Violet picked the hovering lily out of the air.

"G-give that back." Blue said weakly. "I need it."

"I don't get it." Violet said intriguingly. "Why would you go so far for such a little thing. You not like Nazo, so you would have no need to resurrect anything for an army. I sincerely doubt that would wish to bring back our brothers. So why?"

"Tikal..." Blue said weakly. "I need it to bring her back."

"But why would you give up such a gift for her?" Violet asked.

"All her life, Tikal has been looked down upon." Blue stated. "Her villagers shunned her and her father disgraced her. She barely had a chance to live her own life. I want to give her something no one else has: a second chance."

Violet remained silent from that point, staring down at the ghostly flower in her claw. Something was stirring in her chest; a sensation she had never felt before. She looked back at her brother; the sensation came back. She used her moments in thought, staring back at forth between the flower and Blue. Finally, she spoke again.

"You love her, don't you?" Violet asked heavily.

"More then you could ever know." Blue replied.

"Then, I shall grant you this." Violet said, holding out the Life Lily.

"But, why?" Blue asked in shock.

"I think we both know who deserves this." Violet said. "Besides, you're my brother after all."

"But what about you orders?" Blue asked.

"I tried and failed." Violet answered simply. "Take it, brother."

This was too good to be true, but Violet eyes showed that she was sincere. This was his chance. Now he and Tikal could finally be together. Blue reached out to take the lily from his sister. But before he could even touch it, the lily suddenly went grey and wilted. As Violet unexpectedly dropped the flower, realization crashed down on Blue. His twelve hours were up.

"No!" Blue cried.

"Wh-what happened?" Violet asked shakily.

"The Life Lily only has a twelve hour lifespan." Blue explained. "We wasted the last few moments fighting each other."

"I'm sorry, brother." Violet said before disappearing into the shadows. "I am truly sorry."

"I know, sister." Blue said mournfully. "I know."

The journey back home was more unpleasant then the going trip. The weight of knowing he failed was tremendous, but he had somehow managed to find his way back home. It was morning and the sun was just rising. The heroes would soon be awake. He first returned to the storage room and placed the purple Chaos Emerald back in its slot. He tried to get out fast, not wanting to see Tikal's face right now. But unfortunately, things never go as planned.

"Blue?"

Blue stopped stiff and slowly turned around towards the Master Emerald as Tikal rematerialized. She seemed quite concerned as she landed gently on the emerald shrine base. Blue knew their was no way of avoid it, so he hesitantly walked near the steps. He didn't walk up them; it was hard just being this close to her.

"Blue, where have you been?" Tikal asked worriedly. "I been searching for your energy every since this morning."

"I've been to Mata Nui." Blue answered.

"Why?" Tikal asked, knowing the island quite well.

"I was looking for the Life Lily." Blue replied sadly. "I was hoping of using it to bring you back. But it died before I could reach it."

"Blue." Tikal said softly. "You really didn't..."

Tikal was cut off when she suddenly tripped on the shrine steps. She fell fast, but Blue caught her safely in his arms.

"Watch you step." Blue joked.

"That was scary." Tikal said. "Thanks for catching me."

It took a few moments before she realized what she had just said. Blue had caught Tikal. But how was that possible? Spirits can't trip or be touched. Blue shifted Tikal into his arm and he could feel all of her movements. Tikal stared at her own hands; they appeared to be solid. To make sure, she reached up and touched Blue's face. She could feel the aquatic base of Blue's skin and her palms suddenly became wet.

"I can feel you." Tikal gasped.

"Then that means..." Blue said in anticipation.

"I'm alive!" Tikal cheered.

Tikal jumped excitedly out of Blue's arms and landed on the floor. She slipped at first, not used to using her legs again, but eventually learn how to stand on her feet. The world was brighter to her and breathed joyously as the air refilled her lungs. She was so excited that she kissed Blue on the cheek; Blue turned to a puddle. During breakfast, Blue reintroduced Tikal to the rest of the heroes. They happily welcomed her and made her an official member of the Sonic Heroes. Since Wave was the only one who didn't have a room mate, the heroes asked her if she could share with Tikal. It took some doing, some people lost their teeth, but Wave eventually gave in. The only one who did seem to being celebrating was Chaos.

"Why would you do such a thing?" Chaos spoke in his language to the Master Emerald. "It is not in you nature to be kind and care. What are you up to, Zeenint?"

The scene changes, for the first time, inside the Master Emerald. Their was nothing but a large, empty void with emerald paneling to act as a ceiling. Floating around the endless void was its only occupant, a green hedgehog with five quills pointed upwards and a blue opal encrusted in his forehead. He wore simple white gloves and black shoes with white stripes. It was the former warlord of Parasiden and the creator of the Master Emerald: Master Zeenint.

"That may have wasted a bit of my power, but it add to some motivation." Zeenint chuckled in a sinister manner. "That clone may not know all of Chaos' abilities, but he will. For now, I'll just have to rely on Eise, along with Heat and Aero's reincarnations. My time is coming soon. Master Zeenint will rise again!"

The endless void was filled with the echoing laughter made by the invincible tyrant.

Please welcome the newest hero: Tikal! What new adventures await our heroes? Why did Zeenint bring the echidna priestess back? What is the tyrant's evil plan? Find out on the next Sonic Heroes!

Please, read and review.