Protector of Chaos - Chapter 1

Protector of Chaos - Chapter 1: The Seventh Night ~Amethyst's Chosen~

Six Days Later

---

Though Night Babylon is a well known casino district, it is also a popular site for tourists of Emerald Town who just want to kickback, relax, and enjoy all of its leisures. Night Babylon hosts several different companies that advertise a various of casino-like activities such as gambling, as well as a "jackpot" center, a movie theater, a hotel, and a bar. When Alter has had a long and tiresome walk, the bar is his go-to area to rest. He usually comes by there every night to buy himself a drink, making him one of the bar clerk's favorite customers, though the bar clerk himself has always been a little intimidated to have a conversation with the lone wolf. Today was different.

When Alter stepped through the doors of the bar, the bar clerk – who was wearing his usual uniform that consisted of a white short-sleeved shirt that had a Chaos Emerald design at the center with the words "Bar Clerk" imprinted purple in the Emerald, black pants, and white shoes with a black and purple design and black laces – turned to the wolf with a smile on his face.

"Welcome, Alter!" the clerk said while waving his hand. "The usual?"

"Yeah..." the wolf replied, taking a seat at a table near an unpopulated corner.

The clerk grabbed a glass from the cabinet behind him and placed it on the counter. From there, he pulled out a fruit blender from below the counter, then opened a refrigerator, pulling out various types of berries and other fruit, but mostly Alter's favorite, cherries. He added the fruit into the blender, then poured a cup of milk and frozen yogurt into it as well. The clerk closed the lid of the blender carefully, then pressed the button, making the blender mix in all of the ingredients of Alter's smoothie. Alter waited patiently in his seat for the smoothie to finish. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes. The clerk thought this would be a great chance to get to know this lonesome figure a little better.

"So, Alter..." the clerk began a little nervously. "Ya know, you've been a very loyal customer of mine for a few months now, and I really appreciate having you come by every night, but all I know about you is your name! Do you mind telling me a bit more about yourself?"

Alter opened his eyes. He noticed immediately that the clerk was not the only one who was interested in learning more about him. Every other customer that was also in the bar sitting at other tables and booths all had their eyes on Alter in anticipation on what he had to say about himself. Alter spoke loud enough so that everyone could hear him.

"Well... As you know, my name is Alter. I moved here a few months ago. I live in that palace that was constructed a few blocks from the theater."

"Where did you come from? Does anyone live there with you?" the clerk asked consecutively.

"No one lives with me. I come from a city very similar to Night Babylon, only colder and more business oriented. I'm sure you've heard of Empire City."

"Of course! But don't you ever get lonely?"

Alter closed his eyes once more and turned away from the clerk. "All I need are the moon and the stars."

"Oh, come on. Everyone needs at least one person to talk to. Here, your drink just finished," the clerk said while stopping the blender. He poured the contents of the blender into the glass, then he brought the cup over to Alter and sat across from him. Alter grasped the drink, then took a sip from it.

"What do you want from me?" Alter queried.

"It's not what I want," the clerk answered. "It's what YOU need, and that's a friend. Someone that you can trust."

"I told you, all I need are the stars and the moon. Everything else is obsolete."

Alter suddenly began to take huge gulps out of his smoothie, obviously in a hurry to get back out to the streets. The clerk felt his enthusiasm declining.

"Well, if you ever need anyone to talk to, just know that I am always available to give you an ear, okay?"

Finishing the last of his smoothie, Alter placed the glass down on the table, then stood up.

"Very well. Here's my change," he said while withdrawing several coins from his pocket. The clerk shook his head.

"No need to pay me. This one was on the house," he said. "Be careful out there. Strange things have been happening lately."

"Thank you for your concern, but I can take care of myself."

Without another word, Alter exited the bar and went back into the streets of Night Babylon, walking around the district's plaza. He thought about what the clerk had told him, but he knew that it was no use trying to befriend others. He hated having company, and found most people to be rather bothersome and self-centered. Still, there was something different about the bar clerk. Maybe he wasn't so bad.

Alter came to a halt at the exit of Night Babylon leading into Central City. He hadn't noticed how far he had ventured from the bar. Before Alter passed through the exit, he noticed a rather peculiar building that beared resemblance to a very well-known figure. The building was slightly round and had a metal mustache and a doorway that appeared to be closed metal teeth. Two glowing yellow eyes and a long red nose defined its face, and what would appear to be goggles were at its peak. Alter studied the building's strange physique. It looked very familiar to him, but he couldn't remember where he could have seen this building before. He shrugged, then proceeded through Night Babylon's exit and into the bustling streets of Central City.


Gimme Shelter; Eggman's Underground Base

---

The building that Alter could not identity turned out to be the not-so-secret base of Doctor Eggman called Gimme Shelter. If one were to enter Gimme Shelter, they would find themselves in an elevator which would go down to the next floor upon stepping into it. The next floor was located underground. The base, just like any other of Eggman's bases, was filled with advanced machinery, spare robot parts, and massive engines.

Near the entrance was another area called Metal Depot where Eggman allows his newly built robots to train and test out new programs and targeting systems. The doctor himself was currently monitoring the night sky with his mother computer, waiting in anticipation for the final Protector to be selected. He especially was interested with this specific Protector due to the huge possibility of him or her getting assigned to the Emerald that absorbed his dark sphere.

"When I get my hands on this final Protector, that Emerald WILL be mine!!" he proclaimed. "Ho ho ho ho ho!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

While the scientist was laughing, his computer began to sound an alarm. It has begun. The doctor immediately regained his composure and checked the status on his computer.

"What?? It's happening already?! Orbot!! Cubot!! ONE of you!! Go check to see if the sky is alternating colors!! And HURRY!!!"

Orbot turned to Cubot and sighed. He then made his way to the elevator and ascended to the surface. Moments later, he returned to the base.

"Well?" asked the impatient doctor.

"Just as you calculated, boss!" the droid confirmed. "I already have the predicted location pinpointed! According to the charts, the final Protector will be selected within Central City."

"Excellent! That's right around the corner. Let's move out!"


In Central City

---

Alter was still enjoying his stroll through Central City when he noticed the sky had started to glow purple, an amethyst purple to be more exact.

"It's happening again," he muttered under his breath. "This is the seventh time the sky has changed colors this week. The first night, the sky glowed a ruby red, the second night it glowed a sapphire blue. Then, the nights after that, the sky glowed topaz yellow, emerald green, clear diamond, and cyan blue."

Alter closed his eyes in thought.

"What does all of this mean? I thought I would be able to see the stars tonight..."

Just when Alter was about to resume his walk, he noticed waves of pulsating energy rippling across the horizon.

"What's happening?!"

Many people were also looking at the sky in both wonder and fear. Most of them ran away to go take cover in buildings, while others chose to stay outside and photograph or record the sky's mysterious beauty. Those that were driving in cars found themselves easily getting in accidents as most drivers were too busy paying attention to the sky and not keeping their eyes on the road. Children in particular were the main ones still outdoors trying to capture the sky's brilliance, though their parents would try to drag them unwillingly to safety, much to the children's displeasement. Alter was about to turn back to return to Night Babylon, but he was quickly engulfed by a dome of bright light.

"Aah!!" the wolf cried out while shielding his stinging eyes from the light with his arm.

Once the light had dimmed, he lowered his arm and blinked several times to regain his vision. He noticed immediately that he was no longer in Central City.

"What is this place...??" Alter wondered while looking around.

He was currently standing in the middle of a field of grass. There were a total of eight altars near him, all of which were aligned together in a circle with one larger altar that was in the middle of the strange realm. Most of the altars were empty with the exception of two altars. The larger altar at the center of the circle contained a very large stone sited at its center. The stone was completely clear with no color whatsoever. At the base of this altar was a small glowing pool, emanating a powerful presence that Alter could feel, but something else was triggering his instincts even more.

Alter turned his attention to the other altar, which contained a much smaller stone. This stone was levitating on its own power, and was emblazoned with amethyst. Alter stared at the stone almost as if it were calling to him, begging for him to take it and claim it as his own. A temptation ran through his mind, a temptation that he could not fight or ignore. Alter ran towards the altar and ascended its steps. He then walked up slowly to the stone, and grasped it in his hands. The second he touched the stone, he felt a sharp pain in his mind, as if a link of some sort had been established. There was a rapid dark feeling building within him, but it quickly resided. Alter rubbed his forehead.

"Ugh, what was that...?!"

"I've always been a little concerned about the nature of that Emerald," a voice said from behind Alter.

The wolf turned around and saw a young female echidna walk up the steps of the altar.

"Who are you?" the wolf asked. "And what is this place?"

"My name is Tikal," the echidna princess introduced herself. "This is the realm of the Master Emerald. The Master Emerald controls the power of the seven Chaos Emeralds, such as the one that you have in your hands."

"A Chaos Emerald, huh..." Alter said while looking at the Emerald.

"I can tell that you don't know much about the Chaos Emeralds. It's written all over your face," she teased. "Allow me to explain. The Chaos Emeralds are said to bear incredible power. They are even able to give one good luck if one were in possession of one. Gather all seven, and great power will be bestowed to their collector. If this power is abused, then the whole universe could fall apart and come to an eventual collapse. To prevent this from happening, I went into your world and brought the Emeralds here. Within a week's time, I came to a conclusion. I decided that the Emeralds should select seven bearers. Each bearer would be assigned to guard their appointed Chaos Emerald with their lives. I gave these chosen bearers a title, 'Protector of Chaos'. And you, chosen one of amethyst, are the final Protector of Chaos."

Alter took in a deep breath and released it slowly, letting all of this new information sink in. "I see now... So, that's why the sky has been glowing like that lately," he said. "And there are other Protectors?"

Tikal nodded. "You will meet them all soon. I've arranged a sort of conference that you all will partake in. Until then, I'm counting on all of you to uphold the dark forces of your world. Never lose sight of your Emerald."

"Well, I don't have anything better to do, so you can count on me. Do you mind transporting me back to my world?"

"Remember, I was not the one who brought you to this realm in the first place. Your Emerald is what summoned you here. You'll want to ask your Emerald to return you back to your reality."

"Uh..." Alter scratched his head in confusion.

"The Emeralds usually respond well to the phrase 'Chaos Control'. Have a set destination ready in your mind before you say it though," Tikal explained.

"Hmm..." Alter began to focus on Central City's crowded streets. He was soon able to picture the city perfectly in his mind. "Chaos Control..." he whispered. The Emerald gleamed with light, and the outline of his body started glowing an amethyst purple. A brief flash occurred, returning him to where he was standing before he was summoned to the Master Emerald's realm. Alter gazed at the sky, which was now normal again.

"Protector of Chaos..." he mumbled. "This is the craziest dream. Did all of that really happen?" He looked down at the Emerald that he was still holding. "So, it was all real... Everything."

"Yes, it was," a calm voice said from above.

"Huh? Who said that!!" Alter called out.

From the top of a building, a black hedgehog with red stripes was staring at Alter with interest in his eyes. He jumped down, and landed a few feet away from him.

"I see you have an Emerald," the hedgehog said while walking up to Alter.

"Humph. What's it to you?" the wolf said with an attitude. "I don't know who you are, but you better stay out of my way."

The hedgehog grinned. "Take it easy. Your fight isn't with me."

"What do you mean?"

Before the hedgehog could respond, a dark shadow began to loom over the two. It soon covered the whole city. They looked up and saw where the shadow was originating from. High above the city was a massive battleship being piloted by none other than Dr. Eggman. People screamed and ran away in fear. A lift-way could be seen opening from below the ship. Several troops of Egg Fighters and Egg Launchers jumped through the opening and landed around Alter and the hedgehog, surrounding them. A pod began to descend from the ship next. It contained the doctor himself, who navigated the pod in a safe range from the two Mobians.

"I should have known you would have been around, Shadow," the scientist spoke. "Always snooping around in my business as if you don't have anything else to do!"

"You should talk, Doctor," Shadow said. "If you think these pieces of trash will get your job done for you, then think again." Shadow quickly turned to Alter. "I trust that you're capable of defending yourself, seeing as you are a selected Protector of Chaos."

This 'Shadow' guy must be one of the Protectors. "I'm perfectly capable of doing just that. I highly advise you not to get in my way."

Shadow grinned again. "You'd better prepare yourself."

"Blow them to oblivion!!" the doctor commanded his troops. "But make sure you acquire the wolf's Emerald. That is your primary mission. Now, attack!!"

Several Egg Fighters began to rush their bodies at Alter and Shadow, attempting to tackle them. Shadow jumped into the air and formed a Homing Attack, taking out the Egg Fighters that were trying to attack him. Alter simply aimed his hand at his attackers. "Cryo Blitz!" he shouted. Ice shards shot out of his palm and fatally pierced through the armor of his opponents, causing them to explode. The Egg Launchers locked-on to Shadow and Alter and fired several missiles at the duo.

Shadow used his Homing Attack on the missiles to deflect them off course, making them hit the ground instead. More missiles were still locked-on to them. Thinking fast, Alter created a wall of ice around the two, protecting them from the missiles as they exploded on the wall's surface. The Egg Fighters began to tackle the wall, trying to break through it. "Wrong move," the wolf said cockily. As he snapped his fingers, the wall of ice began to fall forward, crushing the battle robots under its massive weight.

"Urgh!! Why you...!!" said the frustrated doctor. "TAKE THEM OUT!!!"

More robots appeared from the battleship, landing on roofs. The Egg Launchers stayed sited on the roofs, but the Egg Fighters jumped down and began to attack Shadow and Alter. Shadow dodged a few punches and sword swings from the Egg Fighters, then he produced a shock wave with his Chaos Blast, which made their bodies disappear in a flare upon contact. Alter also stayed on the offensive. He covered his hands in ice and punched one of the robots that was trying to attack him. He noticed another robot jumping at him from above with a sword. He countered by jumping up and double kicking the robot into a building.

Shadow and Alter took care of the remaining Egg Fighters by shooting them consecutively with ice shards and Chaos Spears, back-to-back. The Egg Launchers on the roofs took aim on the duo, then fired streams of missiles at them. "I can handle this," Alter said while stepping towards the incoming missiles. Alter aimed his hands at the sky. Seconds later, multiple ice shards rained down on the missiles, destroying them and the Egg Launchers who could not escape the attack.

"What?!?! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" Eggman roared.

"It looks like you're out of reinforcements," Shadow said.

"What a waste of time," Alter said while shaking his head.

"This... is not the end... No, in fact, this is only the beginning!" the scientist said confidently. "This may have been a failed mission, but I'll take what I've learned here and use it against you in our next meeting! Until then, wolf boy, you can hold on to that Emerald for me."

"Wolf boy???" Alter growled resentfully, an ice shard appearing in his hold.

Eggman knew what would come next. He swiftly accelerated his Egg Mobile back to his battleship, but not before Alter pierced the base of the pod with his shard. Shadow and Alter watched as the ship disappeared in the clouds.

"Yeah, you better run," Alter said.

Shadow's G.U.N. communicator began to beep. He put his wrist to his mouth and answered the call. "Go ahead," he said.

"Shadow!" cried a female's voice. "Omega and I are being pursued by Metal Sonic! He's all over-- Aaah!!"

"Rouge!! Rouge!!!" Shadow called through his communicator frantically. "Urgh! I got disconnected!!"

"Try calling again," Alter advised, getting interested.

Shadow did so. Much to his surprise, Rouge answered.

"Ugh, my head..."

"Rouge, quickly tell me your location!" the hedgehog demanded.

"I'm at Emerald Town's jewelry store, of course!"

Shadow shook his head. "I'll be there soon," he replied, then ended the transmission. Shadow turned to Alter. "I assume you heard everything."

"Yes. It would seem that you have your hands full. And I assume you want my assistance?"

Shadow nodded. "No time to waste here talking. Let's get moving, Protector."

"You can just call me Alter..." If I help him with this, I may be able to learn more about these Chaos Emeralds...

"Alter, huh?" Shadow said while withdrawing his emerald green Chaos Emerald.

So, he is a Protector of Chaos!!

"Brace yourself," Shadow warned as he lifted his Emerald into the air. "Chaos Control!"

Both Shadow and Alter disappeared in a flash of light.