Tikal sat across from her grandmother. An incense was burning between them. Her birthday had not gone as planned but she enjoyed it none the less. As her grandmother's acolyte, she was learning to use foresight. A gift they believed the great water god Chaos had gifted them. After they had finished their prayers. Tikal's grandmother smiled at her.

"Now, my dear. Listen closely. Foresight is no ordinary tool. We use it to gain personal wisdom in future endeavors. It for the prosperity of the tribe, rather than the answer to one's own gains."

Tikal looked down at the altar. "Is it difficult, grandmother? To see what is in the future?"

"Oh yes, very," She replied, "It takes years for one to achieve proper foresight. But you, my granddaughter, are gifted. Devoted. None have been as devoted to our beliefs as you have. And it is no wonder, you have been chosen."

"Chosen?" Tikal echoed, "What do you mean?"

"It was said by the high priestess long ago. Long before my time. A priestess would one day meet the great god Chaos face to face and earn his favor. She would rise higher than the rest and bring light to the darkness, and prosperity wherever she went." Tikal's back straightened. She had long ago befriended Chaos, but to be the priestess that was prophesied? That was surely impossible. 'I have seen you go to the shrine my dear girl. I have seen the god with my own eyes, cast his favor on you, and now I know it in my heart to be true. When darkness comes, as was prophesied, you will face it and destroy it! You shall see, my girl, you shall see."

Tikal giggled. "I… don't much feel that special, grandmother."

"None who are special know what it feels like to be special. Because they do not know what it is to be 'normal'. That's what makes it so hard to tell. Now, hush, and allow me to demonstrate. Let us look into the future, and see what we can find, you and I, hmm?" Tikal followed her grandmothers steps and then closed her eyes. "You must focus on the sacred words. Chaos is power, remember this…"

Tikal flinched. She saw a broken kingdom. One she did not recognize. She saw homes built then crushed, and a web on a doorframe. But suddenly she saw her own kingdom and it was covered in black. She saw the trees once green become dead and dark webs littering them. She gasped and tossed her head as she saw spiders crawling everywhere and eating her people. Then she saw amongst the flames a figure of black with a sword who looked back at her and suddenly lunge to her to cut at her. The strike was so real so frightening she jumped and gasped for air. But when she woke she realized she was not in her grandmother's tent. No. She was laying down on a bed, her body almost bare, and warm blankets placed over her.

Tikal sat up, covering her chest only then realizing the stinging pain in her stomach. She heard men's voices and the stomping of troops. Looking down, she saw her belly was wrapped up in bandages. She groaned as she tried to sit up more. She heard someone coming. Tikal gasped as someone entered the tent.

"Oh!" A tall rabbit was surprised to see her. "Your awake! Thank heavens! I was frightened that I couldn't wake you. But you are still strong, it seems."

Tikal was unsure if she could trust this stranger. But she smelled something appetizing and could not ignore her empty stomach. She hadn't eaten in so long.

"Please, help yourself. I will be back to check on you after you've eaten. You probably don't want to listen to an old woman ask you about how you feel." She placed the tray down next to her bed. "There you are. My name is Vanilla. I am the Southern Front's physician. Let me know if there is anything you need."

The Southern Front? What did that mean? She'd never heard of such a thing. Tikal, however, did not care for long. As the smell of the bread and the soup had drawn her in. She immediately began to eat. Perhaps too quickly. She was so desperate for food and a single bight made her go for another. And it wasn't all. She had a flask of wine next to her bowl. She opened it and drank. It was the best tasting wine she had ever had. Perhaps it was because she was so thirsty. But then, she had forgotten what her own kingdom's wine tasted like.

Still, she ate and greedily delved into everything on her tray. It all tasted good. It overpowered the hazy memories of waking up in a dark cave with glowing eyes staring at her everywhere. Though those thoughts made her slow down, she looked around to make sure what she saw was real. It didn't feel like any dream. And unlike the times she thought it perhaps wasn't a dream yet turned out to be, this felt more real than those dreams. This had to be reality. The true reality. And if it was, then perhaps, her memories of those dark caves were just nightmares.

X

"Really? Alive?" Tails asked as he stopped his hammering.

"You heard me right," Silver affirmed, leaned up against a nearby tree. "She was alive. Cold, really pale, but alive. We could hardly believe it ourselves."

"The looks of the wounds on her abdomen, she was stung by brood mothers multiple times," Continued Rouge, "They were purposely keeping her alive for all this time… If we hadn't rescued her… God, I can't imagine the nightmares she had to live through…"

"Man," Sonic sighed and rubbed his head. He sat backward on the chair, leaned over its backrest. "If I hadn't come by when I did… You might never have found her."

"But we did," Rouge said as she sat up from her chair. "You did good, Sonic. Knuckles could hardly believe what he was seeing. Apparently, he knew her. Not personally though. He says her name is Tikal. She was the daughter of the chief, making her royalty, but also the acolyte to the high priestess of Chaos. An aquatic god whom they worshiped."

Tails and Sonic looked at each other. "An aquatic god… Chaos… Strange." Tails put the sword he was fashioning back in the heat and started to lift the bellow up and down. "Did she wake up yet?"

"I don't know," Rouge shook her head, "We left her in Vanilla's care. Capt. Bunny is sending out a message to the King. They may want to hear this. He might even have her escorted that way. Who knows?"

Sonic shuffled in his chair. "You think they'll want you to report to the castle?"

"They may very well," said Blaze, "But I hear talk the Princess is good friends with Captain Bunny. This could act as reason enough for her to come to us."

"The princess come here?" Tails echoed, "That would be something. I've never met a princess before." Tails began hammering again.

"Yes well, it'll make little difference to us. They hired us to protect their borders, not as a part of their army. We can't even use the same latrine as them." Rouge rolled her eyes as she began checking her dirtied nails.

"Or the same supplies," Tails added. He mentioned it as to puff his chest out and get compliments. He was, after all, the smith and the quartermaster. He handled both jobs well. It was his skill that gave most of the arms and armor the mercenaries were using now. That was, the ones at the Southern Front.

"Yes, your work has served us well, Tails. Though, I think my sword is becoming dull," Rouge mentioned as she checked her sword for imperfection with one eye.

"I'll finish this and address that after," Tails said as he heated the metal again, "I'm almost done."

Rouge gave him a smile. "I will appreciate it."

"So," Sonic straightened his back a little, "Where's Shadow and Omega? I thought they'd be here to get their gear treated."

"Omega is rejuvenating at the tent. He used most of his magic on the spiders and without the spiders throwing spells back at him he couldn't recharge. As for Shadow, Vanilla asked if he could stay nearby. He knows more about a body imbued with chaos energy. Or, in her case, pure chaos."

"Pure chaos? Like Shadow?" Sonic asked as he leaned in intently.

Rouge shook her head, "No. Shadow possesses tainted chaos. In comparison it is more volatile, and unlike pure chaos, tainted chaos is quite deadly to the touch. I don't know much about it; Shadow or Knuckles could answer you better. But if rumors are true, someone with pure chaos could heal wounds, and do unimaginable things that tainted chaos cannot. Which is why the debate of which is stronger is ongoing. We've seen Shadow in action. His powers have earned him a name. And if you've seen what I have, you'd know that isn't all he is capable of. He spoke modestly about that matriarch. But if desperate… I think that matriarch wouldn't have stood a chance… If you ask me, tainted Chaos is all we need for this war."

X

Shadow stirred the coals of the fire in front of the clinic. Vanilla was using the kettle over it to brew tea. Knuckles was sitting on a different log next to the fire.

He sighed and rubbed his chin as he stared at the tonic. "When can we speak with her? How soon will she be ready?"

"Be patient," Vanilla replied, "I understand your eagerness, Captain, but these things take time. I want her to feel safe. She needs rest right now. She survived a very traumatic ordeal. Questions are going to have to wait."

"Let me go in," Knuckles asked as earnest and persuasive as he could, "She might recognize me. Maybe she'd be more comfortable to speak to me."

"I do not doubt that she'd be more comfortable with her kind, but it is not that I do not trust. It is your restraint I am nervous about. Perhaps you could go in and she'd be relieved to see you, but your eagerness may get the better of you. Having her relive such traumatic ordeals like her capture may not help her right now. Let her rest and recover, then when she is comfortable, she can receive visitors."

Knuckles growled to himself then nodded. "Alright… but please, let me know when things change."

"You shall be the first to know," She nodded with a smile.

Knuckles gave her a nod back then paused, looking for an excuse to stay, but he knew he'd be needed elsewhere. He stood up, dismissed himself, then walked away. Shadow remained silent. He saw the steam rise out of the kettle and before Vanilla could take it off, he did it for her.

"Oh, thank you, Shadow," She smiled and moved the pot so he could pour the water in. as soon as he finished, Vanilla made the tea, and added a few herbal supplements inside then carried it into her clinic. Shadow wanted to follow her, but he restrained himself after opening the tent flap. He closed it and began to listen.

"I see you finished your food. Splendid. I hope it was to your liking."

Shadow leaned in closer to hear her voice. But the girl seemed to speak so quietly. She was probably timid.

"Ah, I'm glad to hear it. Here, I made some tea for you. I hope you like it. I added some medicinal herbs, if you feel ill, this should help."

Shadow heard a weak, "Thank you," and then stepped back. He felt rude for eavesdropping.

Tikal sipped the tea delicately and contorted her face a little. It was rather bitter, but once she took another sip it wasn't so bad.

"There you are," Vanilla smiled as she sat next to her. "Is it alright if I check that nasty wound?"

"Wound?" Tikal was reminded of the pain in her stomach. "Oh…"

She laid back, returning the cup of tea to Vanilla, so she could put it to the side. Vanilla began to unwrap the bandages and check the stinger wound. Tikal saw it and immediately felt tears well up in her eyes. The nightmares were real. All real. Her family was gone, her people, gone, and she was the last of them. She accidently let out a sob and tried to hide it.

"Oh, goodness," Vanilla gasped, "Are you alright? Does it hurt, dear?"

"It's not the wound," Tikal cried, "I'm sorry… You are very kind. I didn't mean to worry you."

"No, dear, no. Do not apologize. This is nothing to be sorry about." Vanilla started treating the wound with ointment. "I am sorry for what you have endured. No living being, not even our greatest enemies should go through what you have." Vanilla placed a comforting had on her cheek. "You are safe here, do not worry. And as soon as you are able, we will move you to a safer place. The Southern Front is hardly a place for a young lady like yourself to be. The spiders beat against these walls far too often for that."

"The spiders?" Tikal echoed and shivered. "They are coming here?"

"Not to worry," Vanilla smiled, "The Chaotix Cohort have made short work of those evil things. They will not break this line."

Tikal was comforted by her confidence, but she was still afraid. "Who are they?"

"The Cohort?" Vanilla asked as clarification. Tikal nodded on response. Vanilla cleared her throat as though she were about to say something taboo. "They're Mercenaries."

Tikal didn't like the sound of that. She had recollected the cruel demeanor of the soldiers of fortune who had been trouble to her kingdom. It was true, they were skilled, and also had repelled the spiders for a time, but when the money ran short, they abandoned them. They held out for a while, but without some of the unique skills the mercenaries possessed, they did not last long.

"Mercenaries," Tikal's gaze dropped. "I hope your kingdom is wealthier than my own."

Vanilla wasn't sure how to respond. She actually quite favored the Cohort. But she had no idea what they would do if they were no longer paid. Vanilla stepped out of the tent and sighed. Shadow was sitting on the log next to the fire again. He was quiet, and didn't ask any questions, though he was quite obviously curious. Vanilla smiled to herself and sat across him.

"She's recovering well. I think she might be back on her feet tomorrow. I've never seen anyone recover so quickly."

Shadow stared at the fire with his head resting on his folded hands. "She has pure chaos energy flowing through her body. It's actively healing her and restoring her body. So, it's no surprise to me."

Vanilla shrugged. "Well, I am glad you understand that. I have never had a patient with chaos energy… You included."

Shadow hummed in response. "I don't plan on letting that change… at least, no more than it already has."

Vanilla shook her hands. "Of course not. No, I'm quite glad I've never had to see you here. But you seem to understand her much better than I. Perhaps you are willing to keep an eye on her. I would hope your presence might deter any visitors. She doesn't need a hundred questions about her past. I'm sure the captain would be eager to oblige, himself, but… I think she needs the quiet."

"…I will do my best," Shadow replied after some consideration. "But if I am needed elsewhere, I can do little for you. My contract comes first."

"I understand," Vanilla nodded, "It also might help to have you nearby. I might need someone with your knowledge."

Again, Shadow nodded. "So longer as you remember what I've said."

Vanilla nodded back. "I won't forget it. I shall see to it you are compensated."

"Very well," Shadow replied, taking out his sword. He started scraping a whetstone against its blade.

A soldier came by then. "Excuse me, physician."

"Yes, what is it?" Vanilla asked kindly.

"It's the lieutenant, ma'am. He's feeling faint and… it's hard for him to breathe," the soldier said.

Vanilla sighed. "He deviated from my instructions again. I'll gather my things and see to him. Try rocking his bed until I get there. It should help him breathe."

"Yes, ma'am," The soldier bowed and ran off.

"I should go see to the poor thing. Watch over the girl, will you?"

Shadow nodded silently and continued to sharpen his sword until she left. Once she was gone, Shadow stopped and set his blade down to turn his attention to the cloth wrapped around the hilt. Shadow unwrapped it delicately and wound it around his hand a couple times before placing against his nose and breathing it in, his eyes shutting so he could concentrate. It had lost its sweet scent long ago… but a part of his mind still remembered what it was supposed to smell like. He opened his eyes and sighed. He missed the one it belonged to long ago. He missed her dearly, but he would not let it stop him from doing his duty. He rewrapped it around the hilt and tied it off gently then continued to sharpen the sword. He was unaware that Tikal, who was near the tent flap, was watching him. She had been listening for quite some time now.

That night, Tikal stirred in her bed and shifted to a comfortable side. It was cold tonight. Almost as cold as that cave. She tried to forget about the terrible sight of the spiders nearly eating her, watching her, devouring each other, or crawling over her body. She tried to forget how they corrupted every good memory and took the faces of the ones she loved. Worse still, she tried to forget what she had seen. Her people hopelessly fighting, the spiders overpowering them. and the greatest and largest of them all taking the master emerald and using it against Chaos. It was a creature unlike anything Tikal had ever seen. Who could have defeated the mighty Chaos? And this great spider had simply devoured him.

Tikal sat up and bundled herself with the blanket then sighed. She wish she could stop her thoughts from wandering like this. Tikal stood on her bare feet, the cold chilled her entire body. But she still walked on it and crept passed a sleeping Vanilla. She reached the tent flap then peaked out and saw Shadow there, stirring the coals of the fire and looking out at the darkness.

She stared at him for some time out of curiosity. When she saw him before, she wasn't sure what to think. He was intimidating to say the least. His black armor and fur blended into the night only to be highlighted because of his red stripes. His sword was much like him, black and red, but also fairly large. What most intimidated her, however, was his aura. She could feel a strange yet somehow familiar presence. It was like seeing an old friend, but they had changed so much you could barely recognize them, but not for the better... She couldn't place her finger on why she felt this way.

"Shouldn't you be in bed?" He suddenly asked softly. "You need to rest."

Tikal gasped and jumped back. She saw him make eye contact with her. Or so it seemed. A woman, a bat came from around the corner. "I would have been, but I was worried about you. You did not return to the tent."

"I am standing guard at Vanilla's request. She wants me to watch over our guest. What brought you here?"

Rouge sighed. "I suppose it wasn't the same without knowing you were there. I have this… eerie feeling that a spider will sneak into my tent. I guess with you there, I didn't have to worry about that."

"I'm sorry," Shadow apologized, "I should have told you."

Rouge laughed quietly. "It's quite alright… It's awfully cold tonight. I wonder how the townspeople feel. Bundled in their warm homes with their families. They are sleeping soundly with little fear right now… And we're here. Having nightmares…"

Tikal leaned in to hear them better. Shadow leaned his sword up against the log he was sitting on. "Do you envy them?"

Rouge sighed. "Every night… You seem awfully interested in this guest of ours. What piqued it?"

Shadow didn't reply. He placed another log into the fire and stirred it. "… She… looked a lot like an old friend."

Rouge sat up a bit. "Oh… I see…" Rouge went silent for a moment then continued, "Well, it is noble of you to take upon yourself the burden of her protection."

Tikal wished to understand what they spoke of. But she felt intrusive already for listening to them speak. She decided it was time to return to bed. But she had grown curious of the one who was appointed to protect her. She could still faintly hear them talking. But she couldn't make out enough of their words. It at least gave her something else to think of. Enough so that she didn't have to think about what she was trying to forget and focus on who stood outside to guard her. She laid down with her curiosity and could still hear them talk, though it was quieter.

Shadow hadn't replied to Rouge's compliment for a while. But eventually, he told her, "It's fairly light as burdens go."

Rouge smiled. "As I thought you'd say." Rouge yawned. "Well… it seems I've delayed sleep long enough. It'll be hard, but I will get used to it." Rouge brushed his shoulder. "Good night, my friend."

Shadow nodded at her. "Good night, Rouge… Rest well." After she had left, Shadow eyed the tent flap to see if Tikal was still there. He had realized she was there the moment he saw Rouge peak around the corner, but it seemed she was gone. He got back to stirring the fire, then put another log inside to keep it lit. Tikal listened to him moving the coals around. Then she slowly drifted to sleep.