Rendezvous at Starfire's/Seifer's Attack and Death

*(Later at night back at the Azteca Village, Tikal is sneaking off towards the cornfield when Therru met up with her)*

Therru: (Whispering) Tikal?

Tikal: (Whispering) Therru?

Therru: (Whispering) Listen, I know you're doing the right thing, helping our people, but....

Tikal: (Whispering) I know what I'm doing. So, I don't need you to stop me.

Therru: (Whispering) I'm not. I told you before, we're friends, and friends always stick for each other.

*(Tikal, remembering that Therru lied for her earlier, smiled softly in gratitude, glad to hear that. Then they hugged)*

Tikal: (Whispering) I'll be back quickly. I promise.

Therru: (Whispering) Be careful.

*(Tikal nods and with that after they ended their hug, she runs into the cornfield, with Therru seeing her off silently before heading back to the village quietly. Back at the Jamestown settlement, Knuckles is in his tent with the Dazzlings and hidden Pikachu, pretending to go to sleep by putting out his candle. Then sure enough as soon as he puts it out, he and the Dazzlings, with the hidden Pikachu in tow in Knuckles' bag, quietly snuck towards the exit while the Badniks are talking about what Knuckles and the Dazzlings told them earlier with the other settlers at the campfire)*

Coconuts: Dick wouldn’t take us halfway around the world for nothing.

Grounder: But what if Knuckles and the Dazzlings are right? What if there is no gold?

Settler 1: If you ask me, Dick’s been lying to us since we left London.

Scratch: Listen to you, you bunch of idiots.

Coconuts: Those savages didn’t attack us for nothing, they’re hiding something from us.

Scratch: If they do have the gold, I reckon we’ll have to fight them.

Settler 1: Not me. I'm not risking my neck....

*(At the exit of the settlement, Knuckles and the Dazzlings successfully snuck past two settler guards at the watchtower outside the settlement. Unknown to everyone, Tombo noticed Knuckles and the Dazzlings sneaking out and snuck over to the exit to see what's up in confusion)*

Settler 2: Either too hot or too cold.

Settler 3: I haven't been comfortable since we got here.

Settler 2: Me too. I'm itching a lot.

*(After Knuckles and the Dazzlings, with the hidden Pikachu, ran out into the forest, unseen by everyone except Tombo, the said glasses-wearing boy peeked out the exit to see them disappear into the forest. Suddenly, a shadow looms behind him and pushes him out roughly. Tombo turned and saw, to his surprise, it was Dick, wearing his helmet and coat again)*

Dick: Follow him.

Tombo: Yes, Sir.

Dick: I want to know where they're sneaking off to.

Tombo: Again, yes, Sir.

*(Dick then throws a gun to Tombo, who catches it in confusion)*

Dick: And if you happen to see any Indians, shoot them.

*(For the first time, Tombo hesitated upon that order, due to the fact of what Knuckles and the Dazzlings have told him and the settlers earlier and is now doubting Dick's leadership. But regardless, he reluctantly nods and was about to leave when....)*

Dick: Oh, and Tombo?

*(Tombo stopped and listened)*

Dick: You’ve been a slipshod sailor and a poor excuse for a soldier. Don’t disappoint me again.

*(Then with that, Dick returned to his tent. Tombo became concerned while looking at his gun, and then goes after Knuckles and the Dazzlings with the said gun in tow. Back at the Azteca Village, Therru is sitting by her small bonfire, making her dinner when Seifer came up to her)*

Seifer: Therru?

*(Hearing him, Therru got confused)*

Therru: What, Seifer?

Seifer: Where's Tikal?

*(Therru, hearing him ask that, then covered for her friend again)*

Therru: She's probably at her teepee, eating dinner.

Seifer: What makes you say that?

Therru: (Confused) What do you mean? All I said....

Seifer: Because I was just at her teepee and she's not there.

*(Therru calmly hesitated. Noticing that, Seifer got suspicious)*

Seifer: Are you and Tikal hiding something from me?

*(Therru didn't answer. Seifer sighed and was about walk away upon dragging her by her arm)*

Seifer: If you don't tell me where Tikal is, I will take you to the Chief and have him get an answer from you.

*(Concerned, Therru breaks out of Seifer's grip)*

Therru: No!

Seifer: (Sternly) Then again, I ask; Where is Tikal?

*(Hesitating at first, Therru immediately cracked, feeling guilty)*

Therru: She snuck off to Starfire's glen.

*(At Starfire's glen, speaking of which, Tikal arrived, meeting up with Starfire, Zazu, and the Gangreen Gang)*

Zazu: Impecable timing, Tikal!

Gangreen Gang: Yeah!

Starfire: I even sense the earth trembling, child. What just happened?

Tikal: You're not going to believe this, but the warriors are here!

*(Then they heard Knuckles, Pikachu, and the Dazzlings arrive, with Pikachu out of Knuckles' bag)*

Knuckles and Dazzlings: Tikal, guys!

Pikachu: Pika!

Tikal, Zazu, and Gangreen Gang: Knuckles, guys!

Adagio: We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but....

Knuckles: My men are planning to attack your people. You’ve got to warn them.

Tikal: Maybe it’s not too late to stop this. You have to come with me and talk to my father.

*(Just when she led Knuckles towards the direction of the Azteca Village, Knuckles stopped her gently)*

Knuckles: Tikal, talking isn’t going to do any good.

Trixie: Knuckles and us already tried talking to his men.

Starlight: But everything about this land has them spooked.

*(Suddenly, they heard moaning coming from nearby. They turned and saw a familiar stump-shaped figure approach, much to their confusion)*

Starfire: That’s the strangest creature I’ve ever seen.

Aria: I'll say.

*(Suddenly, the stump-shaped figure toppled over and rolled down at them, revealing to be Meowth, still stuck in the stump. Then as soon as the stump landed on a nearby tree branch, getting caught in between its two extra branches, Meowth popped free from the stump and landed in Knuckles' arms)*

Knuckles and Dazzlings: (Surprised) Meowth?!

Meowth: (Upon seeing them) Oh, thank goodness you're here!

Sonata: What's going on?

Meowth: I got lost in these woods because...!

*(Then he noticed Pikachu, who stared back in confusion. Meowth immediately got angry and determined)*

Meowth: I found you finally!

*(He jumped out of Knuckles' arms and chased Pikachu all around in a fury)*

Meowth: I'm gonna scratch you so hard, you're gonna be as thin as noodles!

Knuckles: (During Meowth's line) Meowth, wait!

Tikal: (Calling at Pikachu) What did you do to him?!

*(Pikachu quickly explained while still being chased by an angry Meowth)*

Pikachu: (Explaining quickly) Pika pika pika, pika pika pika chu!

Group: (Surprised) What?!

Ace: (To Pikachu) So, that's why this cat is angry at you?!

Pikachu: (Nods) Chu!

Adagio: (To Meowth, trying to stop this) Meowth, wait! Pikachu means well!

Trixie: He's harmless!

Dazzlings: Yeah!

Meowth: (To the Dazzlings, sarcastically, stops chasing Pikachu for a bit) Oh, sure he never meant to anger me! *(To Pikachu, seriously as he resumed his chase)* Now come here!

Knuckles: (To Tikal) You see what I mean? Once two sides want to fight, nothing can stop them.

*(Then they tried to break it up between Pikachu and Meowth with Pikachu's help)*

Trixie: (Holding Meowth back) Get a grip, Meowth!

Meowth: (Struggling and flailing in Trixie's hooves) Oh, I'll get a grip, all right! A GRIP ON HIS NECK!!

*(He breaks free and continues chasing Pikachu. Billy grabs Zazu and uses him as a fencing sword against Meowth, backing him off)*

Billy: Don't hurted Pikachu, you bully!

Zazu: Unhand me!

*(Zazu breaks free from Billy's grip and Meowth began shouting angrily)*

Meowth: WHEN I GET MY CLAWS ON THAT RODENT, I'M GONNA STICK THEM RIGHT UP HIS...!!

*(Then Starfire snapped, quieting him)*

Starfire: All right, that’s enough!

*(Seeing Starfire finally, Meowth got surprised, frozen in fear)*

Meowth: (Stammering) Gh-Gh-Gh-Ghost?!

*(Then he almost fainted while he fell into the water. Then Starfire picked him up by his tail with one of the tree's branches and placed him down on the stump as Meowth still looked shocked)*

Starfire: Seeing this pointless fighting, it’s enough to make your sap boil.

*(Meowth, upon snapping out of his shocked state, then shook the water off himself and got confused)*

Meowth: Can someone please tell me what is going on?!

(Pikachu's group, Zazu, and the Dazzlings came up to him)

Zazu: If you just calm yourself, we'll explain.

Meowth: Explain what?

*(Then they got into a huddle as Tikal, Knuckles, and Starfire watched silently. Then after that's done, Meowth was surprised as he looked at Pikachu)*

Meowth: He really doesn't mean harm?

Gangreen Gang and Dazzlings: No harm.

Zazu: It's just that sometimes curiosity *can* get the better of him.

Meowth: (Points at Tikal) And who is that savage?

Snake: Whoa, whoa! Backssss up!

Ace: Tikal ain't a savage! We've been through this with Knuckles and the Dazzlings already.

Adagio: She is actually the Princess of the Azteca Tribe, and like Ace said, her name is Tikal.

Aria: And when we said "Princess," that means she's the daughter of her people's chief.

*(Looking at Tikal, Meowth eased down calmly and understood)*

Meowth: I see. And I thought all Indians are savages like Dick said.

Zazu: Well, for once, we're glad to burst that bubble, but not all Indians are savages.

Knuckles: Most of them, like Tikal and her people, are definitely intelligent.

Adagio: Whatever Dick said is a lie!

Starlight: P.S.: There's no gold in this land.

Meowth: (Surprised) No gold?!

*(They nod. Meowth gave a calm surprised look that reads "Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle." Then he spoke to Tikal)*

Meowth: Are you sure your people are harmless to friends?

Tikal: Of course.

Knuckles: The reason they attacked is because they just don't know me and my men better.

Tikal: Like how Knuckles' men don't know my people better.

*(Calmly understanding even more, Meowth gave in)*

Meowth: Well, it may sound crazy, but I guess I'll believe ya.

*(The group smiled softly, glad to see Meowth is deciding to believe them. Then everyone changed the subject)*

Meowth: Anyway, what can we do to make the fighting stop then?

Starfire: Well, take a look at this.

*(She gently dips the tip of another tree branch into the water, letting a group of ripples form and grow bigger until they slowly vanished)*

Tikal: (Calmly realizing what Starfire means) The ripples....

Knuckles: (Confused) What about them?

Starfire: So small at first, then look how they grow. But someone has to start them.

Knuckles: But they’re not going to listen to us.

Starfire: Young man, sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. But only when the fighting stops, can you can be together.

*(She then gently ushered Knuckles in front of Tikal, who stood in front of him calmly, with one of the tree's roots. Realizing Starfire's right, Knuckles gave in and smiled at Tikal)*

Knuckles: All right, let’s go talk to your father, and end the upcoming war.

*(Calmly happy to hear that, Tikal hugs Knuckles, who happily hugs back. Deciding to leave the two alone, Starfire disappeared into the tree while Pikachu's group, Zazu, Meowth, and the Dazzlings sat down underneath the tree's root for privacy, well hidden. Then as soon as they finished their embrace once all alone, Knuckles and Tikal then, for the first time, kissed on the lips. Unknown to everyone, Tombo, hidden in a nearby bush, arrived with his gun and saw, to his surprise at first, Knuckles kissing Tikal, and then he lowered his gun, actually happy to see Knuckles making friends with an Indian princess, even kissing her, now realizing and understanding that Knuckles has fallen in love with her, and she, in return, has fallen in love with him. Hidden in another bush, Seifer, upon arriving, on the other hand, saw this and was shocked. Then, consumed by jealousy and anger, he screams his Indian war cry and charged at Knuckles and Tikal, ready to kill the echidna outsider and rescue Tikal. Hearing his Indian war cry, Tikal and Knuckles ended their kiss and hug and saw, to their shock, Seifer charging at them in a fury. Then he lunged at Knuckles, knocking him on the ground on his back, and then pulling his tomahawk out, ready for the kill. Even their animal friends, still hidden, as well as Tombo, watched this in shock)*

Tikal: (In shock and then desperation) Seifer, no!

*(Seifer swung his tomahawk at Knuckles, but the latter dodged, and then flipped Seifer off of him quickly. As Seifer recovered, Knuckles was about to speak to try and reason with him, but Seifer, upon recovery, pulled his knife out and, after lunging at Knuckles, attempted to stab him, if it weren't for Knuckles holding Seifer's knife-wielding arm away)*

Tikal: Seifer!

*(Tombo rushed out of the first bush and prepared his gun after loading it quickly. Seifer knocks Knuckles on his back again after tumbling with him and tried to prepare to stab him again, but Tikal rushed over to them and tried to pull Seifer off of Knuckles)*

Tikal: Leave him alone!

*(But Seifer shoved Tikal aside)*

Seifer: I'm doing this for you own good!

*(Then he struggled with Knuckles to try and stab Knuckles again as Tombo prepared to shoot upon aiming his gun at Seifer. Tikal ran over to Seifer and Knuckles and pulled Seifer away)*

Tikal: Seifer, stop!

*(Seifer got confused)*

Seifer: Tikal, why...?!

*(Tombo immediately remembered what Knuckles taught him how to fire a gun)*

Tombo: (Whispering) Both eyes open.

*(But just when he got ready to shoot his gun, Tombo suddenly stopped when Tikal shouts at Seifer)*

Tikal: He's a friend!

*(Tombo lowered his gun slowly upon hearing her shout it. Hearing her say that, Seifer got defensive)*

Seifer: But you were kissing him!

Tikal: Because I love him!

*(Shocked on what he just heard Tikal say, Seifer calmed down as he looked at Knuckles, who just remained still, holding his knife away, hoping Tikal will clear this misunderstanding. Then Seifer immediately and slowly pulled his knife away from Knuckles, letting Knuckles let go of him, still calmly shocked and confused. Suddenly, Tombo, just when he was about to lower his gun more with a smile, accidentally pulled the trigger and the gun fired, offscreen shooting Seifer down, much to everyone's shock. Then, as Seifer fell backwards from the impact of the gunshot hitting him with a soft gasp, his hand caught Tikal's armband in an attempt to grab her arm, but his hand went limp and ended up yanking Tikal's armband off her arm, shattering it. Then collapsing on his back in the water, Seifer slowly started to lose consciousness, dying from his now covered bullet wound. Tikal, after noticing Tombo, horrified on what he just accidentally did to Seifer upon seeing his smoking gun, rushed over to him in concern as Knuckles got up in shock and concern and then he, too, noticed a still horrified Tombo)*

Knuckles: (Seeing Tombo in shock) Tombo....

Tikal: Seifer!

*(Everyone watched to see Tikal kneeling beside Seifer in concern. Seifer then looked up at Tikal's concerned face weakly)*

Seifer: (Weakly) Tikal....

Tikal: Hang in there, please!

Seifer: (Weakly) I'm sorry....

*(He slowly and weakly caressed Tikal's cheek. Tikal gently grabbed his hand, but Seifer slowly closed his eyes after letting out a soft exhale, lost consciousness, and his hand went limp, falling back into the water. Horrified, Tikal checked his pulse on his neck and realized in shock and horror; Seifer is now dead. Tombo began asking, feeling guilty and sorry for Tikal)*

Tombo: Is he...?

Tikal: (Looks at Tombo, tearfully) You killed him.

Tombo: (Feeling ashamed) I'm so sorry! I didn't mean...!

*(Knuckles went up to Tikal and helped her up. Then they both went over to Tombo)*

Tikal: (Tearfully) I understand, but...!

Knuckles: (Trying to calm and comfort her) Tikal, there was nothing any of us could do!

Tikal: (Looking at Tombo in tears) BUT HE ACCIDENTALLY KILLED SEIFER!!

*(Seeing Tombo feeling guilty upon hearing her scream it, Tikal calmed down, and apologized, still tearful)*

Tikal: (Tearfully) I'm sorry.

*(She then cried softly in Knuckles as Knuckles hugs her in comfort. Suddenly, all of this stopped when they heard some Indian war cries coming from the approaching Azteca Tribe warriors that accompanied Seifer)*

Knuckles: (To Tombo in desperation) Tombo, get out of here! Get out of here, now!

*(Quickly doing what Knuckles ordered, Tombo immediately retreated back to the direction of the Jamestown settlement with his gun in tow. Pikachu's group, Zazu, Meowth, and the Dazzlings remained hidden under the tree's root in concern. Then the Azteca Tribe warrior volunteers arrived and immediately saw Seifer's dead body laying in the water. Seeing Knuckles with Tikal, they got angry and some of the warriors immediately apprehended Knuckles, thinking he killed their fellow warrior brother. After some of the warriors that grabbed Knuckles dragged Knuckles away savagely, the rest of them gently picked Seifer's lifeless body up and carried him back towards the direction of the Azteca Village. One warrior looked at Tikal with a stern angry look. Recognizing this, Tikal sadly followed them and the captured Knuckles back to the Azteca Village's direction. After all is clear, Pikachu's group, Zazu, and the Dazzlings came out of hiding in calm concern silently. Then they saw Meowth shaking in fear, still hidden. Feeling sorry for the scratching cat Pokemon with his friends, Pikachu then gently approached Meowth and calmed him down)*

Pikachu: (Calmly reassuringly) Pikachu.

*(Calming down slowly, Meowth smiled a little and then came out of hiding. Afterwards, they noticed Tikal's broken armband laying on the ground and after Pikachu, Zazu, and the Dazzlings nod at the Gangreen Gang, they nod in agreement, since they know how to make good jewelry besides necklaces, for they decided they're gonna have their eventual spare time to fix Tikal's armband. Noticing this, Meowth silently gestured to them that he'll help out as well. Glad to see that calmly, Zazu, Pikachu's group, and the Dazzlings gave in and then they gathered the pieces of Tikal's armband and then secretly headed to the Azteca Village without being seen)*

***Coming up: After Pachacamac announces Knuckles' execution at sunrise as punishment for murdering Seifer, Knuckles is immediately the Azteca Tribe's prisoner, despite Tikal's pleas for her people to reconsider. Then, making up for being forced by Seifer to rat Tikal out to him earlier, Therru convinces the Azteca Tribe warriors guarding Knuckles to let Tikal visit him alone, to which they agree since Tikal is their princess. Then once alone with only Therru, Pikachu's group, Zazu, Meowth, and the Dazzlings watching this, Tikal and Knuckles share their sad possible last moment together before Knuckles is left alone to await his doomful sunrise fate while Tikal, Pikachu's group, Zazu, Meowth, the Dazzlings, and even Therru depart back to Starfire's glen.***