Knuckles and Tikal Meet Again Secretly/Knuckles Meets Starfire

*(A week and a half later at the settlers' base, which has now become a fort-like camp since the Azteca Tribe ambush incident, it is raining while the settlers are just completing building the place. Unknown to them, Pikachu wandered into the camp via climbing a tree near the wall and climbing in there swiftly and still hidden as he wandered around in curiosity. During all of this, Knuckles is helping Tombo and the Badniks finish the last part of the wall)*

Scratch: All right! This one’s ready to hoist!

Coconuts: Two on each side.

Grounder: Ready now.

Scratch: Push!

*(The wall piece starts slipping)*

Coconuts: Watch it, it's slipping!

Grounder: (Helping make the slipping stop) Come on, it's just a little picket fence!

Scratch: Little picket fence, my tail feathers!

Coconuts: (To Scratch and Grounder) Enough arguing! *(To Knuckles and Tombo)* Steady, steady!

*(They finish putting the last piece in)*

Grounder: There you go, all finished!

Tombo: (To the Badniks) That'll keep everything out. *(To Knuckles)* Right, Knuckles?

*(He and the Badniks noticed Knuckles then walking away to his tent)*

Tombo: Something wrong, Knuckles?

*(Hearing him, Knuckles responded with a shrug)*

Knuckles: (Shrugs) Well, nothing's wrong, it's just....

Tombo: It's just that you've been quiet the last few days.

Knuckles: Let's just say....

Grounder: (Cutting him off playfully) Oh, he’s just mad that he missed all the action a few days ago.

Tombo: (Reassuringly to Knuckles) Ah, don't worry Knuckles. You'll get your chance to deal with the Indians.

Grounder: (To Knuckles) Yeah, we’ll take care of them like that we did last time, *(To Scratch and Coconuts)* right guys?

*(Then he posed his pickaxe like a gun and sang his heart out while Knuckles secretly got concerned upon seeing this, due to the fact that he learned from Tikal and her friends, especially the Dazzlings, on appreciating Tikal and her people's home and culture)*

Grounder: **We shot ourselves an Indian**

**Or maybe two or three....**

*(Scratch and Coconuts got annoyed that they interrupted him by Scratch kicking Grounder to the ground in anger and annoyance)*

Scratch: Shut up, you howling drill-nose!

Coconuts: Get to work!

Grounder: (Recovering sheepishly) Sorry, guys, but come on, I'm just having a little fun.

Coconuts: (Sarcastically) Oh sure, we’re having loads of fun, alright. *(Seriously)* But look at us; No gold, no food, no drinks!

Scratch: (Agreeing in anger, pointing at Dick's tent) While Dick Dastardly sits up in his tent all day, happy as a clam!

*(Inside his tent, Dick, with his helmet and coat off, is not happy, he is right now concerned and anxious)*

Dick: I am doomed! I should be wallowing in riches right now and I haven’t seen so much as a speck! It’s got to be here somewhere. Where could it be?

*(During this seated nearby, Meowth and the Dazzlings are hanging around when Meowth got up to his small toy carousel, ready to activate it. The Dazzlings were leaving when Dick noticed)*

Dick: And where are you five going?

*(Hearing him, the Dazzlings lied)*

Dazzlings: Just to explore with Knuckles.

Adagio: See the forest again.

Trixie: We love the wonders of nature.

Starlight: And rest assured, we'll be fine.

*(Successfully falling for it, Dick gave in nonchalantly)*

Dick: (Nonchalantly) Very well. As you were.

*(Then with that, the Dazzlings left. Nearby, Meowth activate his toy carousel, revealing its small fish-shaped treats as it plays the music box tune to "London Bridge is Falling Down")*

Meowth: (Whispering) Chow time.

*(Then he took one treat and ate it. But just before he grabbed another, he noticed, to his shock, all the treats are suddenly gone. He stopped the toy carousel, as well as its music box tune in confusion, only to notice a familiar yellow lightning bolt-shaped tail hanging down. He looked up and realized it was Pikachu, eating his treats. Seeing him, Pikachu smiled with some treats in his mouth)*

Pikachu: (Happily with his mouth full) Pika.

Meowth: (Shock slowly turning to anger) You again!

*(He prepared his claws)*

Meowth: (Angrily) When I get my claws on you...!

*(Then he proceeded to chase Pikachu out of the tent and out into the forest, with Dick completely unaware of this due to him studying his maps in his tent)*

Dick: I’ve mined the forests, hills, and swamps, and still nothing! Why can’t I find it? What am I overlooking?

*(Suddenly, Dick heard Muttley coming into his tent, groaning a bit. He turned and saw, to his shock, Muttley is wearing a headband shaped like an arrow having struck through his head, although Dick didn't know it yet)*

Muttley: (Pretending to be in pain) I, I.... (He then got happy and removed his arrow headband) I made it myself.

*(Angered at Muttley for pranking him, Dick snatched the arrow headband from him)*

Dick: Take that silly...!

*(Then he stopped, realizing something. He looked at the arrow headband and then smirked evilly in realization)*

Dick: Of course.... The Indians.

*(Then after discarding the arrow headband, Dick asked away to Muttley, still smirking evilly)*

Dick: Muttley, why do you think those insolent heathens attacked us?

Muttley: (Guessing) Because we invaded their land, cut down their trees, and dug up their earth?

*(Dick then goes up to a canvas stand holding his map of their current location)*

Dick: It’s the gold! They have it and they don’t want us to take it from them.

Muttley: (Pondering in confusion) And what if they don't want to share with us?

Dick: (In determination) Well, I’ll just have to take it by *(Punches the stand down)* force then, won’t I?

*(Outside in the camp, which is now becoming the settlement of Jamestown slowly, the rain ended and Dick approached the Badniks, who are sleeping when he shouted at them, bolting Scratch and Coconuts awake while Grounder still slept)*

Dick: You there!

*(Then they see Grounder still sleeping)*

Grounder: (Sleepily) Five more minutes, Mommy....

*(Scratch smacks Grounder awake)*

Grounder: (Bolting awake, in alert) What, who, where, why?

*(Then he noticed Dick glaring at him, Scratch, and Coconuts and all three Badniks stood up like soldiers)*

Grounder: Oh, hi, Dick.

Dick: Where's Captain Knuckles?

Scratch: Oh, he left.

Coconuts: Along with the Dazzlings, saying they're just going exploring and on patrol.

Grounder: (Dagger glaring at Scratch) Maybe it was your squawk you call your singing that scared them away.

Scratch: (Angrily) Was that an insult?! *You* were the one singing before!

Dick: (Cutting them off angrily) Well, then go get him, for Heaven’s sake!

Coconuts: And the Dazzlings?

Grounder: Don't you care about them as well?

Dick: (Nonchalantly at first) Yes, them as well. *(Angrily again)* Now go find him!

Scratch: But what if we run into any Indians out there?

Dick: (Happily at first) That's what guns are for. *(Angrily again)* Now arm yourselves and get moving, now!

*(Back in the forest, Meowth continued to angrily chase Pikachu until Pikachu disappeared behind some bushes. Meowth followed him there, and upon emerging and slowly panting in anger a bit, he noticed that Pikachu is suddenly nowhere to be seen, only a moose standing nearby. He then resumed his search)*

Meowth: When I get my hands on that electric rat, I'm gonna make him my scratchpost!

*(Then with that, he disappeared deep into the forest. The moose then made a grunt to a nearby bush, and Pikachu emerged)*

Pikachu: (Happily) Pikachu.

*(Then he gave a fish-shaped treat to the moose, who accepted, and left. Back at the Azteca Village in the cornfield, Zazu is on lookout like a hawk on one of the cornstalks while below him, Tikal and Therru, with Therru wearing her white apron, are gathering some corn in their own baskets with the Gangreen Gang standing nearby, on patrol as well. Noticing Tikal in a calm smiling daydream daze, Therru got curious)*

Therru: Tikal...?

*(Suddenly, Pachacamac approached, checking on them)*

Pachacamac: Tikal, you should be inside the village.

*(Tikal, Therru, Zazu, and the Gangreen Gang gave reassuring smiles)*

Tikal: We'll be alright.

Therru: We’re just gathering food for when the warriors arrive.

Ace: And we're keeping a close eye on them.

Zazu: Making sure they don't get hurt.

*(Understanding with a nod, Pachacamac gave in with a soft smile)*

Pachacamac: Very well, but don’t go far. Now is not the time to be running off.

Tikal: (Nods) Yes, Father.

*(Then Pachacamac smiled softly at Tikal's armband still on her right shoulder)*

Pachacamac: When I see you wear that armband, you look just like your mother.

*(Tikal, smiling softly in agreement, gently caressed her armband)*

Tikal: (Smiling softly in agreement) I miss her.

Pachacamac: (Nods reassuringly) But she is still with us. Whenever the wind blows through the trees, I feel her presence. Our people looked to her for wisdom and strength. Someday, they will look to you as well.

*(Tikal smiled softly at those words of wisdom)*

Tikal: I would be honored by that.

*(Then after a short pause, they then snapped out of it and Pachacamac proceeded to leave with a reassuring smile)*

Pachacamac: Anyway, you shouldn’t be out here alone. I’ll send for Seifer.

*(Then he leaves. Therru then resumed her conversation with Tikal)*

Therru: Anyway, Tikal?

Tikal: Yes?

Therru: Are you hiding something from me?

Tikal: I'm not hiding anything.

Therru: (Reassuringly) Tikal, you can tell me. We're best friends, right?

Tikal: Of course.

Therru: Then, just tell me. I'll keep it a secret.

*(Suddenly, as soon as Therru said "Secret.", she suddenly noticed in surprise Knuckles and the Dazzlings arriving next to them behind Tikal. Even Zazu and the Gangreen Gang happily noticed them)*

Therru: (Shocked) Tikal, behind you!

(Noticing Knuckles and the Dazzlings as well, Tikal got happy at first, but then surprised)

Tikal: Wait, why are you here?

Knuckles: We came to see you.

Sonata: We'd said we would, right?

Billy: (Giggles goofily a bit, blushing) Duh, yeah.

*(Therru got confused)*

Therru: Wait a minute, you know ea...?

*(Tikal immediately covered her mouth)*

Tikal: Calm down, and let me explain.

*(She then whispered in Therru's ear, if she has any, and her eyes widening a bit in realization. As soon as she calmed down after realizing, Tikal removed her hand from Therru's mouth)*

Therru: So, basically, he and those five girl ponies are your friends, even if they're one of the outsiders?

Tikal, Zazu, and Gangreen Gang: Yes.

*(Suddenly, they heard Seifer calling out for Tikal)*

Seifer: (Voice-over) Tikal? Tikal?

*(Tikal looked at Therru with a pleading look)*

Tikal: I beg of you not to tell anyone, please!

*(Slowly understanding finally, Therru gave in and nods)*

Therru: If those six outsiders are your friends, then you have my honor and word that I'll cover for you.

Tikal, Knuckles, Zazu, Gangreen Gang, and Dazzlings: (Nods in gratitude) Thank you.

*(Then with that, Tikal, Knuckles, Zazu, the Gangreen Gang, and Dazzlings quickly left, disappearing into the forest. Then immediately, Therru resumed picking some corn just before Seifer arrived)*

Seifer: Therru, where is Tikal?

*(Remembering her promise to Tikal, Therru, like any loyal best friend, covered for her)*

Therru: I haven't seen her since a few minutes ago.

*(Unknowingly falling for it, Seifer understood)*

Seifer: Okay, but Tikal just can't keep wandering off at a dangerous time like this. If you see her, tell her that. She listens to you.

*(Then he left. As soon as she's alone, Therru gathered enough corn and looked out at the forest's direction)*

Therru: (Whispering to herself) She does listen, but I believe in my heart that she, along with those strangers, are probably doing this for both our people possibly.

*(Then she returned to the village with the corn. Out at Starfire's glen, Pikachu has finished eating the last of Meowth's fish-shaped treats when he saw Tikal, Zazu, and the Gangreen Gang arrive with Knuckles and the Dazzlings, the latter group amazed by the glen's beauty. Pikachu then met up with them)*

Knuckles and Dazzlings: (Amazed) Wow....

Adagio: This place is incredible!

Dazzlings except Adagio: (Agreeing) Yeah!

Aria: Definitely beautiful!

(They greet Pikachu upon meeting him)

Knuckles: (To Pikachu, petting him a bit) Hey, Pikachu. *(To Tikal)* And to think, we came all this way just to dig it up for gold.

Tikal, Zazu, and Gangreen Gang: (Confused) Gold?

Pikachu: (Confused) Pika?

Ace: What the heck's gold?

Snake: Even I'm confussssed.

*(Realizing their New World friends don't know what gold is, Knuckles and the Dazzlings explain away)*

Adagio: It's a shiny object that is yellow with a somewhat darker shade of yellow.

Knuckles: They usually grow from the ground.

Trixie: And they're usually valuable.

*(Interested in realization, Tikal, Zazu, and Pikachu's group then showed one of the three corn ears they brought with to them)*

Tikal: Oh, we have that. See?

Ace: This is called corn.

Zazu: And like your biscuits Pikachu's group likes, this, too, is food.

Billy: And it's very yummy.

*(Interested with the corn ear, Knuckles and the Dazzlings accepted it)*

Knuckles and Dazzlings: Thanks.

Adagio: But gold is not food like this corn is.

Knuckles: *This* is what gold looks like.

*(He shows Tikal, Zazu, and Pikachu's group a gold coin. Amazed by it, Tikal then lets Knuckles give it to her to have a closer look with Zazu and Pikachu's group)*

Zazu: A very peculiar object.

Arturo: It's shiny, alright.

*(Grubber blew a raspberry in agreement)*

Tikal: Yet, honestly, there's nothing like that here.

*(Knuckles and the Dazzlings got surprised)*

Knuckles and Dazzlings: (Surprised) Really?

Sonata: Wow, no gold here....

Tikal: Not that me and my friends have seen.

Zazu and Gangreen Gang: (Agreeing) Yeah.

Pikachu: (Nods in agreement) Pikachu.

Knuckles: (Gives a light scoff) All this way for nothing. My men are in for a big surprise.

Adagio: Especially Dick Dastardly.

Tikal: Who's Dick Dastardly?

Adagio: Knuckles' crew's governor from London.

Aria: And he is a selfish greedy jerk!

Starlight: The only reason he came here was because he's in for the gold and popularity, not the discoveries and sharing it to the world.

Sonata and Trixie: Yeah.

*(Tikal, Zazu, and Pikachu's group understood)*

Tikal, Zazu, and Gangreen Gang: We could tell from what you're telling us.

Pikachu: (Nods) Pika pika.

Tikal: (To Knuckles) And about your men, will they leave?

Knuckles: Some of them might.

Tikal: Will you go home?

Knuckles: Well, it’s not like I have much of a home to go back to other than London. In fact, I’ve never really belonged anywhere.

Tikal: You could belong here.

Knuckles: Well.... My father was an explorer.

Tikal: What about your mother?

Knuckles: All I knew from her and my father is that she was just a special person, once from the New World. Yet I never knew where from the New World.

*(Then a gentle breeze blew by, getting their attention. Then they heard some vocals from the Wind Spirit while Knuckles and the Dazzlings got confused. Then after the vocals ended, they noticed Tikal, Zazu, and Pikachu's group looking at the weeping willow tree they are sitting at. Then the tree glowed a bit and then stopped)*

Knuckles: What was that?

Dazzlings: Why did it glow?

Tikal: Just watch.

*(After a short pause, Knuckles spoke up)*

Knuckles: (Confused) Uh, what are we looking at?

Tikal: Look.

*(They watched the tree again, and then the tree glowed again, and then as it died down, Starfire emerged, much to Knuckles and the Dazzlings' amazement)*

Starfire: **Let it break upon you**

**Like a wave upon the sand**

*(Then she spoke to Knuckles and the Dazzlings)*

Starfire: Hello, Knuckles the Echidna and Dazzlings.

*(Snapping out of their amazed reaction, Knuckles and the Dazzlings got interested)*

Knuckles and Dazzlings: Wow....

Trixie: An actual tree spirit....

Knuckles: And she's talking to us.

Tikal: (Reassuringly with Zazu and Pikachu's group) It's alright.

Zazu: (Agreeing) She's completely harmless to all friends.

Starfire: (Nods) It's true. *(Chuckles a bit)* In fact, my bark is worse than my bite.

*(She winks at Knuckles and the Dazzlings while two owls, watching this nearby, just looked at each other flatly at Starfire's joke. Then Knuckles and the Dazzlings, under Tikal, Zazu, and Pikachu's group's silent encouragement gesture, approached Starfire)*

Knuckles: Hi there.

Dazzlings: Nice to meet you.

Starfire: May I have permission to observe you?

Knuckles and Dazzlings: Sure.

*(Starfire observed them, and then smiled)*

Starfire: You definitely have good souls.

*(She happily looks at the Gangreen Gang going up to the Dazzlings)*

Starfire: And it's no wonder the Gangreen Gang fell in love with you girls.

*(The Dazzlings blushed and chuckled a bit while letting the Gangreen Gang chuckled with them a bit)*

Starfire: (Looking at Knuckles next with a smile) And you are extremely handsome and manly for an outsider echidna.

*(Knuckles and the Dazzlings smiled at her compliment to Knuckles)*

Knuckles: (To Tikal) I like her already.

Dazzlings: So do we.

Tikal: We knew you would.

Zazu: We told you she's harmless to friends.

*(Suddenly, they heard the Badniks calling out for Knuckles and the Dazzlings nearby, holding guns)*

Scratch: Knuckles, Dazzlings?!

Coconuts: Where are you guys?!

*(Tikal and Knuckles hid with the Dazzlings, Zazu, and Pikachu's group behind Starfire)*

Knuckles: (Whispering) We can't let them see us.

*(With the Badniks, they looked around cautiously, with hints of fear)*

Grounder: This place gives me the creeps. The savages could be hiding anywhere.

Scratch: Yeah, well, if you see one....

Coconuts: Don't ask questions, just shoot.

*(Starfire, giving a playful smile, lifted her root up and tripped the Badniks. Scratch and Coconuts glared at Grounder after the three recovered)*

Coconuts: Watch your tank-like feet, you big oaf!

Scratch: Why did you have to trip us like that?!

Grounder: It wasn't me, it was this tree.

Scratch: (Sarcastically) Oh, sure it was the tree!

Coconuts: (Sarcastically agreeing) This tree had to lift its roots and...!

*(They suddenly see the root laying down back into its place. They began to calmly freak out)*

Scratch: (Nervously) Uh, we take it back, Grounder.

Coconuts: (Nervously) We believe ya.

Grounder: (Nervously) L-L-Let's get out of here.

*(Starfire then secretly whipped the Badniks' rears with her tree's vine-like branches with her magic)*

Badniks: Yeow!

Scratch: (Panicking) Run!

*(The Badniks then retreated back to the Jamestown settlement's direction)*

Grounder: But what about Knuckles and the Dazzlings?!

Coconuts: They're responsible grown-ups!

Scratch: They can take care of themselves!

*(After the Badniks are gone, Tikal, Knuckles, Zazu, Pikachu's group, and the Dazzlings came out of hiding)*

Knuckles: (To Starfire) Glad to see you're on our side.

Tikal: Along with Therru.

Starfire: (Magically showing off her tree's vine-like branches) There’s still some snap in these old vines.

*(Then Knuckles and the Dazzlings, deciding to return to the Jamestown settlement as well, turned to Tikal, Zazu, and Pikachu's group)*

Knuckles: We'd better get back before they send the whole camp out after us.

Dazzlings: Or we'll all be in big trouble.

Tikal: When will we see you again?

Knuckles: Tonight, right here.

*(After thinking it over, Tikal agreed with Zazu and Pikachu's group)*

Tikal: Okay.

Zazu: We'll have to sneak out of our village to get here.

Pikachu's group: (Nods in agreement) Yeah. (Pika.)

Dazzlings: Same with us and Knuckles at our settlement.

Tikal and Knuckles: See you tonight.

*(Then with that, Knuckles and the Dazzlings left. Starfire then had a conversation with Tikal, Zazu, and Pikachu's group)*

Starfire: Well, I haven’t had this much excitement in 200 years.

Tikal: (Making a handmade necklace with the Gangreen Gang) But what am I doing? I shouldn’t be seeing him again. I mean, I want to see him again....

Starfire: Who wouldn’t? I want to see him again.

Ace: My boys and I would definitely want to see the Dazzlings again.

Zazu and Gangreen Gang except Ace: (Agreeing) Yes. (Yeah.)

Pikachu: (Happily agreeing) Cha!

Tikal: But still, something inside is telling me it’s the right thing.

*(Tikal, Zazu, and Pikachu's group finished making the necklace while Starfire realized in happiness)*

Starfire: Perhaps it’s your dream.

*(Hearing her say that, Tikal got curious)*

Tikal: (To herself) My dream? *(To Starfire)* Do you think he’s the one the spinning arrow was pointing to, Starfire?

Starfire: (Pondering) Possibly.

*(Then Tikal got up and headed back to the Azteca Village's direction, when she, Zazu, and the Gangreen Gang, the six latters staying put, see Pikachu running off)*

Ace: Pikachu?

*(Pikachu then explained away)*

Pikachu: (Reassuringly) Pika pika, pika chu.

*(Zazu and the Gangreen Gang understood while Tikal got confused)*

Zazu and Gangreen Gang: (Nods) Okay.

Tikal: What did he say?

Zazu: Rest assured, Tikal. Pikachu said he's going to meet us here with Knuckles and the Dazzlings tonight.

Pikachu: (Nods in agreement) Pi. Pika.

*(Giving in, Tikal nods)*

Tikal: Be safe.

*(Then with that, Tikal left for the Azteca Village's direction quickly while Pikachu headed off in Knuckles and the Dazzlings' direction and Zazu and the Gangreen Gang stayed put with Starfire)*

***Coming up: Upon learning that their own people are gonna prepare to fight each other, Tikal and Knuckles try to convince them at their respective home and settlement that they don't have to fight, with Tikal not revealing her secret friendship with Knuckles to Pachacamac and her people, except Therru who knows already.***