Shadow X

A Better Tomorrow

Knuckles had made it back to his Angel Island, the final pieces of the Master Emerald in hand. He placed the last shards on the Altar as he was enveloped in a white light.

When his vision returned, Knuckles was back in the past as he saw the Shrine under siege, Tikal being the only defense with her arms stretched outward wanting to protect the Chao behind her.

"We can't do this father, it isn't right!" Tikal begged.

"Tikal, we need those Emeralds. They will bring our clan great peace!" Her father replied.

"But at what cost!?" Tikal responded, her voice trembling. "Father, you want peace but at the cost of ruling over others! It's wrong Father, and you know it! And I won't let you do this. If you want the Emeralds, you'll have to go through me." Tikal challenged.

Her father closed his eyes, a tear forming as he opened them again. "TAKE THE EMERALDS!" He roared as the rest of the warriors charged in, easily shoving Tikal to the side as they trampled through the Chao. Tikal reached up, grabbing her father's arm as she pleaded him to stop this before it's to late. But his mind was made, his heart was hardened. He ripped his arm away as he to charged to the top of the Altar and Chaos formed.

What Tikal heard next were screams of agony. A mighty storm started to brew as Tikal ran up the stairs where she saw Chaos facing the sea. The ground around her started to split apart, water spouts forming up. If this kept going, Chaos's rage would destroy the planet. So Tikal did the only thing she could think of.

"The Seven Servers...are the Seven Chaos." Tikal started to pray, reciting the chant Chaos had told her. "Chaos is Power...Power is enriched by the heart...." She stated as she glowed an emerald green when she started to float. Chaos had turned around, his eyes filled with rage as Tikal looked at him in pain. "I'm sorry my friend...But I HAVE to stop you. Forgive me..." She said as Chaos was filled with a white light, and was dragged into the Master Emerald.

.

Shadow and Maria sat on the island where they had landed. Shadow contacted Tails, stating they were alright and to meet them at Angel Island. Maria had left to wander a bit and she was glad she did. She saw an odd structure of trees, weirdly twisted together. Taking a look inside, she saw the White Chaos Emerald. She grabbed it quickly, turning to get out of the forest as she found Shadow again.

"Shadow..." She stated as she showed him the Chaos Emerald. Shadow nodded with a small smirk and nod, picking her up.

"Maria...Keep yourself close." Shadow warned as Maria got a good hold before rocketing off. She closed her eyes as they neared the water, then felt the spray of it on her face. "Maria, cover your ears!" Shadow warned as Maria kept her face close to Shadow's chest and covered her ears before feeling the Sonic Boom they just went through. And not just one, but two Sonic Booms occurred. But if she was traveling at Mach 2, then why was her skin not being peeled off right now? Maria cracked her eyes open, looking ahead when her eyes widened. Just in front of them was a yellowish dome, protecting them. But then she looked around her as the water and the world around her sped by. She couldn't help but laugh as she felt alive for the first time in...awhile. She looked down as she saw Shadow's legs moving so fast they looked more on the lines of a blur. She looked at Shadow, who wore a small smile. But the trip ended to soon as Angel Island came into view.

.

Knuckles came back to the present as he shook his head. It all made sense now. And now he had a way to stop Chaos once again. The only problem is the ancient scripts say that when he has all seven of the Chaos Emeralds, nothing could stop him. He looked back as he saw Shadow and Maria coming up and he was glad they made it. Shadow needed to know this...