The Starman

The Master Emerald. A mystical rock it is. In many different ways, it works. It changes, it pulls, it works forces on our lives. Most don't even know it exists, despite the pivotal role it plays in the world. Many forces have attempted to use it. It's a vessel of infinite power, after all. For as long as the world has been alive, those echidna's have watched over it. Why? No one knows. They just do it. Maybe its a curse by the gods. Yes, they must look after it. Or else.

Or else...

Or else...

Tikal...

She raised her head at the resonating sound of the green rock. It shined brightly in her eyes, blinding her briefly. Glaring down to the hard white stone floor, she found a puddle of her own drool. Bringing her arm across her mouth, she wiped the clear liquid substance from her cheek. Plopping onto her behind, she stretched out her arms and yawned. Her light blue eyes moved along the Master Emerald's body, taking in all the light it had. She found the warmth it was giving off to be lively. She smiled.

"Oh..." she suddenly whispered, rubbing her head, "I think I slept all day..."

She had. The night sky sparkled about, those white precious orbs called stars twinkling.

"Chaos..." she called, getting to her feet, "Chaos, you there?"

Those light blue eyes of hers trekked down the white stone pedestal floors, to see a shimmering blue puddle coming up the stairs. It made its way to her, before taking a form.

Chaos 0.

"Chaos," the orange echidna said, giving a smile, "how was your day?"

The liquid god made no noises, as his green orbs moved skyward. That slow motion made Tikal giggle, though she did not no why. Following his action, she too moved her eyes upward. Each star was so beautiful in their own right. Tikal always enjoyed the warmth they gave off, even in the cold night. They felt like souls, they did. Twinkling, bright, souls. For you see, each star is different, just like each soul. That's what Tikal always felt. The differences in life. The differences in us all.

Boy. If she kept thinking like that, she'd forget to go home this evening.

Her nose twitching, she once again gave off a waking yawn, just so she could jolt herself up. Unfortunately, the thought of her father made her less than happy. Still, she couldn't run away from her problems all night. She'd have to go home eventually.

Eventually...

Chaos' aquatic limb moved up. Thinking that the water god merely wanted to play some more, Tikal waved her hand. But as Chaos' green eyes moved to her, she realized he was motioning toward something. Cocking her head in confusion, she lifted her eyesight up as well.

A star. One of them.

Was falling.

Tikal wasn't sure if she was actually seeing this or not. Her blue eyes seemed to see it, but her mind failed to process the image properly. A star. A shimmering bright star. Was falling from the air.

It fell, and fell, and fell some more, before it's shining body made its way in the sky. It approached the horizon with an increasing speed, the sparkles of its frame brightening up the night sky. She could have sworn she heard a few explosions ripple from the falling star, but she wasn't completely sure. The flaming falling object reached far beyond the neighboring mountain ridge before.

Ka-booom...

So silent was this explosion, yet so great it was. The sky grew bright thanks to the falling star, and the sight made Tikal look away in fear. Just as fast as it appeared, it faded away. The shining lights dimmed down after a while, and the night sky returned to its darkened atmosphere.

Tikal laid her opened hand above her heart. Her head moved slowly to the side as she pondered about the sight of the falling star. Chaos moved near her, as his liquid body made an oozing noise. She wondered herself if her godly buddy noticed it too, and so she stared at him. He nodded.

"Chaos," she said weakly, "Did you... see that?"

Slowly, up and down, his head moved. So, he did see it. Good, now Tikal had to convince herself if she saw it. Stars don't fall out of the sky often, ya'know.

"Chief Pachacamac!" she heard a call, "Did you see that?"

It didn't take long for the walls to open.

She gazed along the hard white bridge, to see the doors to the Master Emerald Altar open. Growing fearful of the sight of the chief, the young echidna girl hid behind one of the Chaos Emerald columns. At the same time, Chaos transformed into a puddle, to join the many rings of water that circled the Master Emerald. It didn't take long for them to arrived.

Chief Pachacamac. The leader of the Knuckles Tribe. Such a burly fellow, he was. His fur a maroon color, while his muzzle was hidden beneath a great beard. Despite the fact that he was surrounded by echidna men much younger and stronger than him, he held a certain kind of aura around him that demanded respect. Maybe it was his height. He was a tall fellow, as he easily towered over his underlings. Or maybe, it was his staff. It was taller than him, as well as all the other echidnas around him, so it was pretty hard to miss. Regardless, the agde echidna looked like someone you don't mess with, and he was one.

Slowly, the echidna chief brought his heavy hand up to chin. Brushing the white furs on it apart, he glared off in the distance. If one paid close enough attention, then the image of rising smoke could be visible. It was an interesting sight indeed.

"It seems the sky has paid us a visit." Pachacamac stated, his hand falling, "And it doesn't seem so far off."

"What do we do?" one of his subordinates asked, causing him to grumble.

"Investigate it of course." his dark blue eyes moved down to those around him, "I hope you are ready for an impromptu walk."

Since none of them would dare speak back to the chief, none of them revealed their displeasure. Even if they had, Pachacamac would have surely cared less, as the sight of a falling star was really more important than his people's feelings. So, gazing beyond the Master Emerald Altar, he started walking. It didn't take long for the rest of his people to follow. Their footsteps shuffled over the grassy fields, before eventually disappearing in the hills over yonder.

The sight around the Master Emerald was silent for a while, before a footstep clanked against the white stones. Tikal gazed intensely at the image of the echidna men leaving. Surely, if she was anyone, the sight would put her heart to rest. A group of strong able-bodied men leaving to investigate some mysterious sight would put anyone's heart at ease. But Tikal was no ordinary person. She didn't trust the chief, or the men who he was leaving with. And for good reason.

"Oh, father," she whispered, "What are you doing?"

Her question went silent against the wind. Instead, a simple thought was placed in her mind.

Go...

But she wouldn't go. That was foolish. There was no evidence saying that a star had fallen. For all they knew, it could have been nothing but a rock, or maybe the Nocturnous Tribe was performing a ritual. Who knows? Well, whenever her father was put in the mix, she knew it would be bad. She knew she had to get there first. She just didn't trust the whole scenario.

"Chaos?" she called, nearing one of the water ponds around the Master Emerald Altar, "I... think I'm going to follow them."

It didn't take long for the water to bubble and ripple, eventually bringing the water god to life. His blue limbs crossed over one another, as those green eyes of his gazed deeply into her blue ones. If he could speak, then she was sure he was saying 'no'.

"I have to, Chaos," she said, turning away to face the mountain ridge, "My father is going."

Her ears twitched. Chaos started making a series of noises, causing her to return her gaze to him.

"I know, I know," she said, understanding his nonexistent words, "But I have to go." she looked back, "Besides, I'm lighter and quicker than that whole group of men. I'll arrive before they will, I bet you that."

Still, Chaos wasn't convinced. Moving his foot up, he stepped out of the pond to meet her. As his watery limb moved forth to touch her, she quickly stepped back.

"No, Chaos," she stated, waving her hands to and fro, "You need to stay, I promise I'll be fine!"

His head shook left and right, showing his displeasure.

"Chaos..." she grumbled, scolding tone in her voice, "Just stay here. I promise, everything'll be fine."

Slowly, he brought his hand back, returning it to his side. Clearly, he was unhappy, but he would never disobey Tikal's orders. So he turned away, facing the body of water he came from. A second later, he sank it, becoming one with the pond itself. Happy that the conversation was over, Tikal moved her eyes toward the hills. She could see the group of red that was her people nearing the mountain ridge. Funny. Until tonight, she never noticed just how close it was. Regardless, she ran off.

Just as she said, she was quick. Her light feet took her through the fields quickly, while also keeping her silent. Deciding it wouldn't be too smart to come in contact with her father, she took to a different path. She found it quite funny too, when she passed the group without much than a second thought. Training her blue eyes forward however, she returned her thoughts on the matter at hand. It was rare for her to venture this far out, but she remembered the path. Albeit, barely. Upon arriving the mountain ridge, she was surprised to see it was rockier than she remembered. A long time ago, there used to be a path that led up the mountainside. After a falling out with one of the neighboring tribes, however, her father had the pathway removed. So, right now, she was left to her own devices.

Good thing she's apart of the Knuckles Tribe then.

Tightening her hands into fists, she dove them knuckles first into the mountainside. Small indents were created thanks to the powerful force she applied. A second later, she dove one of her fists slightly higher, creating yet another indent. She did this again with her other hand, reaching her a few feet forward. Again, she did this, and she began repeating this tactic in quick intervals. With nothing but her fists, she climbed up the mountainside, and she did so without the slightest tinge of fear. To her and her people, this was natural.

It didn't take her long to meet the edge. Upon doing so, she broke out into exhausted grunts.

"Oh dear," she said through gasps, "Been a while..."

After a slow and deep breath however, she felt her energy returned. Now filled with vigor, she continued on her journey. A quick glance away revealed to her that the group her father was apart of had not yet arrived. Looking forward once more, showed her smoke. The very same smoke she saw earlier. For some reason, her heart starting racing. Laying her open hand upon her beating organ, she tried to soothe herself. It didn't work.

Nearing the edge of the cliff, she gazed down. The smoke was resonating from flames that danced on the side. The sight of fire made Tikal fret. Leaping down from the cliff, she landed near them. Her blue eyes gazed up, and she realized something. The dirt in this area had been uprooted, as if something fell here. And the 'something' was right before her.

A strange vessel, she could tell. It looked small, but it was bigger than her. If she could put her finger on it, she would say it appeared similar to a giant metal bird. Said bird's wings were all bent out of shape and dented, as well as ripped from its edges and singed. In fact, all of this metal bird was singed, dented, and bent. She continued to get closer, while being as silent as she could. More and more, she felt the fear within her increase, as the unknown grew closer and closer.

That's when she heard something. A voice. Said voice stopped her.

"G.U.N. Base... this is... Shadow... the... hedge...hog... Pro...to...type... was... a... no go... I... repeat... prototype was a no go..."

Who was that?

The thought ran through Tikal's mind over and over again. All of the bravado she had within her had already disappeared at the sound of the voice. It sounded so. Demented.

There was a clicking. Said clicking resonated from the metal bird. She stepped toward it slowly, coming near the backside of the fallen machine. She laid her hand on the steel hull. A stinging burning pain forced her to pull away however. The demented voice she heard had grown silent now. It was replaced by this weird noise that sounded like muffled screaming.

"Dammit... Static..." she heard that evil voice say.

She felt like turning back now. All of this was beyond her. Something evil fell out of the sky, she knew it. Yes, she felt like the stars were actually souls, but not all souls are good. Some are tainted. And she was sure the one that fell was really tainted.

"Omega...? Rouge...?" she heard it cough, "Anyone?... Any... one...?"

For the next few minutes, all she heard was the crackles of fire. It took the calls of her people to spring her to action.

"Climb the wall you all," she heard Pachacamac call, "It's just over here."

The one order that wasn't even directed toward her, pushed her forward.

Blood. The side of the metal bird was seeping blood. She gasped, bringing her hands away. Her blue eyes moved up its steel hull.

She gazed into the face of the devil.

The being before her etched its way into the vilest parts of her mind. It had these blood-red eyes. It owned this black fur, that resembled the darkness of night. Its quills flowed upward like horns, and red ran up them. He may have been injured, but he still oozed terror. And she was most truly terrified.

The orange echidna girl said nothing. The being before her said nothing. Why hadn't she screamed yet. The action was there, but she didn't execute it. She remained woefully silent at the sight of this creäture.

This man who fell from the stars, in a metal bird.

"Who?" she whispered.

The creäture turned away at her sight. His hand reached up from the silver hole he was in. Pushing forth this glass seal, she heard him grunt and groan in pain.

"No," he said, "No..."

He pulled himself up from the cockpit of his metal bird, before falling over to the earth violently. His weak body crumpled against the ground, causing more of his blood to spill. Tikal may have believed it was evil, but she couldn't stand to see it suffer. Quickly, she pass the metal bird, to meet the creäture of sky origins.

"Are... you... okay?" she questioned, unsure if she should even be this close.

Her hand reached forward. She touched his shoulder.

He swung back and struck her, while at the same time roaring in pain.

Tikal fell back, while she gripped tightly on her hand. It stung from the hit, but surely not as much pain went through her, as the creäture before him. Still, she felt the wince of injury leave her lips.

Water appeared.

Tikal gazed all around her, as a violent puddle started to ripple around her. She waved her hands about, while saying 'No!', but it was too late.

Chaos 0 had appeared. His green eyes glared toward the weak hedgehog before him. Said hedgehog had started staring back. His crimson eyes widened, while he laid his hands on the ground around him.

"C-C-Chaos?" his demented voice rang with confusion.

The liquid god made no noise. Instead, he raised his hand. Quickly, the limb formed a great hammer. Said hammer hung dangerously over the hedgehog's body. Chaos pulled back. The demon sprung forward.

Somehow, despite all the injuries he sustained, he was able to curl into a ball and propel himself forward. He struck through Chaos' hammer, and severed it from the rest of his body. In stunned silence Tikal watched this. She had never seen someone hit Chaos before.

Ever.

Quickly, the being fell a yard away. He collapsed immediately, his hand clamped tightly on his heart. He let out many gasps for breathes, while his weak and brittle body quaked. He tried to stand, but upon doing so, his body gave out. Aquatic footsteps echoed behind him. He turned to face them. Chaos 0 pulled back his hand. The hedgehog prepared to dodge. Chaos' hand suddenly shot forth like an elastic band, but his demonic foe dodged the attack in a black blur. Somehow, he disappeared. In unison, Tikal and Chaos looked around to find this being. He was near the metal bird, much to their surprised. Though he was doubled over in pain, he still held enough strength to utter a command.

"Chaos... Spear..."

His hand surged with yellow bolts of Chaos Energy. Tikal covered her mouth with her hands, while Chaos moved over to be before her. The black and red hedgehog continued to charge, before thrusting forth his hand. A yellow blast flew from his fingertips, and collided with Chaos 0. For a brief moment, the water god quaked, as electricity surged through him. Somehow, despite all of this, the Master Emerald guardian thrusted forth his aquatic limb. The large attack came at such sudden speeds, his demonic foe had no time to dodge it. It slammed into his body, and crushed him up against the metal bird he was found in.

Silence quickly took over.

Chaos 0's green eyes looked at the hedgehog before him.

"Chaos!" Tikal cried, "You're hurt."

The water being looked to her quickly. She was sure if he could talk, he wouldn't say a word.

"Did you hear that!?" someone cried from away, "Chief Pachacamac, I believe we are nearing it!"

Tikal started to fret. The demon before her had stopped moving completely, as he now laid silent, with closed eyes. Glaring up to Chaos, she watched him splash down into a puddle, and fade away. Now alone, she returned her glare to the black and red hedgehog. She found her feet bring her forward. Her hand started to brush alongside his blood dyed fur, and upon doing so, she felt shivers spring up her spine.

The footsteps grew closer. Her father was near.

She wanted to run, but the being before her looked to hurt to move. She didn't want to leave him, it just wasn't in her nature. But if her father found her here, she would surely be punished.

Oh, what to do?

She stepped back. Her body fell behind a great rock. She pressed her lithe body up hard against the rock, as it gave her the only hiding spot from the group. They appeared suddenly, their spears drawn out. Pachacamac stood out firm from the group, his dark blue eyes scanning closely everything. If he was surprised by the carnage of everything, he sure was hiding it well.

"Look, Chief Pachacamac," one of his men called, "A... metal bird?"

That got the chief's eyes. He glared off into the area where his underling brought attention too. One of his men waved his hand to bring attention to himself.

"Look sir..." he called, voice so unsure, "It's a... man..."

Pachacamac raised his eyebrow at the call. A metal bird falling from the sky is weird, but a man too? He needed to see this with his own eyes. He grew closer to his man. Upon his arrival, said man moved away. The echidna chief glared down to the head of the metal bird, before moving his sight down.

His eyes widened.

"What man... falls from the stars?" one of his subordinates inquired.

"A Starman..." Pachacamac answered.