StarRisk's Deforestation Plan

**StarRisk's Deforestation Plan** is the fifth episode of the spin-off series Shard's Journey.

## Characters:

* Shard the Hedgehog
* NICOLE
* Miles "Tails" Prower (Mentioned)
* Amadeus Prower
* Rosemary Prower
* Merlin Prower (First physical appearance)
* E-16 StarRisk (First appearance)

## Plot

The episode begins with NICOLE eating some donuts and Shard doing some mediation, the former commenting the latter is concentrating very hard and that he's improving on keeping in control. NICOLE then sees some clouds enter the room, much to her confusion, but, Amadeus comments that it's just his brother Merlin entering and Rosemary offers him tea, which he accepts. Amadeus jokes that Merlin can't handle coffee and Merlin retorts that Amadeus can barely handle his brandy. Merlin also reveals he found Tails, who had disarmed a missile just yesterday, leaving both Prowers proud of their son and they introduce Merlin to NICOLE and Shard. Merlin senses that they aren't 100% organic and NICOLE confirms this by explaining she's an AI with an artificial body composed of nanites and Shard is partly roboticized. When Rosemary returns with the tea, Merlin uses his magic to manipulate the wind to carry it and he tells a curious NICOLE he is an Elemental-Type and that they are rare. He explains his Elemental Affinities are Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Light, Darkness, and Energy, making NICOLE even more surprised as she thought that the limits were only two Affinities. Merlin explains he had a fascination with magic since he was little and he found a medium to perform it. He also unknowingly predicts the future by saying that Elemental-Types may be very common within the next 200 years.

Unknown to Shard, NICOLE, and the Prowers, a robotic starfish was looking for Shard in the forest. He suddenly starts spinning around like a buzzsaw, cutting down the trees in the forest. Back at the Prowers' cottage, Shard stirs from his mediation and tells NICOLE and the Prowers that something was cutting down the trees. Immediately, he and NICOLE dash outside into the forest. The duo managed to find the starfish robot and he reveals himself to be E-16 StarRisk and Shard almost gets sliced, but, turns into his Robian state and ducks out of the way. NICOLE warns him that if he's not careful, he could get cut, but, Shard understands what he's dealing with. StarRisk fires a laser from his gem and Shard is out of breath. Just as he charges another one, NICOLE makes a shield out of nanites and fires a laser right back at StarRisk, causing him to go blind. Shard then uses his Cyber End technique to destroy StarRisk and NICOLE and Shard congratulate each other on a job well done. Upon realizing NICOLE is low on charge, Shard carries her bridal style back to the Prowers cottage and he wonders why this feels "right" while NICOLE thinks how she will bring him back home.

When they get back, Rosemary senses something is up with NICOLE and Shard, but, she responds it was purely pragmatic. Rosemary isn't convinced, but, offers NICOLE some donuts, which she gratefully accepts. As Rosemary goes to get some, Shard goes back to meditating. Meanwhile, Amadeus and Merlin are chatting about Tails and Merlin says it's almost time for Amadeus and Rosemary to meet their son again. Amadeus remarks he's looking for to it, but, is anxious all the same as the episode ends.

## Trivia

* This takes place after Episode 30, but during the events of Episode 31 as the Missile attack was mentioned to have happened "yesterday".