Tikal’s Prayer in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the Master Emerald, and Why Robotnik Lost
Pretty big spoilers down below. Take caution.
When Robotnik was absorbing the Master Emerald and going Chaos Control, he exclaims that, “chaos is power”, something most Sonic fans may recognize as being a part of Tikal’s Prayer.
If you don’t recall or maybe are unfamiliar with it, Tikal’s Prayer goes like this,
“The servers are the 7 Chaos. Chaos is power... Power enriched by the heart. The controller is the one that unifies the Chaos.”
(Take note that although this is called Tikal’s Prayer, its origins are actually unknown as it was passed down to her by her grandmother, who was taught it from her ancestors, and so on)
This phrase - along with Tikal - first appeared in Sonic Adventure. In the game we see Tikal’s story. She was the daughter of an echidna leader who is described as being a warmonger. She befriends the chao and their guardian, Chaos (a mutated chao consisted of concentrated energy and the first known guardian of the Emeralds). Her father sees this power and attempts to take the Emeralds for himself. Chaos is enraged enough to the point it wants to destroy the world. Tikal stops it by sealing its spirit in the Master Emerald but is only able to do so by sealing her spirit in as well. Regardless, the tribe is left in ruins after Chaos’ attack, likely prompting them to change their ways and instead protect the Master Emerald from being misused.
This is probably a familiar story. Still though I find it interesting to look into the dynamic of the Emeralds and how they are used, especially in the Movieverse. What could the prayer have to do with the Movieverse? Let me try and break it down...
“The servers are the 7 Chaos.“
This refers to the seven Chaos Emeralds very obviously. Movieverse really threw me (and others) in a spin when learning that it’s the Emeralds that are responsible for creating the Master Emerald. We don’t have a clear origin story of the Emeralds’ creation just yet, but this is some of the best lore we’ve gotten out of any iteration. A wee tangent there, so back on track: the Chaos Emeralds quite literally serve to create the Master Emerald.
“Chaos is power...“
I can still hear Jimbotnik yelling this out during Chaos Control. Really was a great scene. Anyways, chaos is a harnessable power for whoever is lucky enough to get their mits on the M.E. The flashback showing the Emerald’s creation with that one Echidna warrior and the times it is used in the movie is proof enough. It’s the power to make thoughts and desires come true. For the warrior, it was victory and conquest. For Robotnik, it’s destroying Sonic, followed by universal domination. For Sonic, it was to protect his family.
What gave him that victory though? I understand that the whole lesson is supposed to be that Sonic relied on his friends and family which is what saved him in the end, and it truly did. He protected them in return. Robotnik’s Death Egg Robot was no match for Super Sonic, and this brings me to the final part of Tikal’s Prayer...
“Power enriched by the heart. The controller is the one that unifies the Chaos.”
To our knowledge the Death Egg Robot was Robotnik’s most perfect design. It was his dream creation without any limitations holding him back. It withstood Tails’ missiles, Sonic’s speed, and Knuckles’ best hits, all with no problem. Even after losing the Master Emerald, Robotnik was able to get it back on its feet and nearly destroy his target. His machine itself was more or less fine, it was his main power source that was taken from him.
Now lets look at Sonic. He was given flight, invulnerability, strength, and even greater speed. As stated earlier, Robotnik’s greatest creation made with the use of the Master Emerald (although no longer in his possession) was no match for Super Sonic. Why is that?
The most obvious answer would be that Sonic had the Master Emerald and Robotnik simply did not which is probably the case and I’m looking too deeply between the lines. However, I once again point back to Tikal’s Prayer: “Chaos is power... Power enriched by the heart.” To enrich something is to add to it, to strengthen, even. The Master Emerald is only a tool. It’s the heart of its users that make it a fearsome power source.
Early on in the movie, we see Longclaw’s message to Sonic say that he has a heart unlike one she has ever seen. This heart of his is what made him so formidable when using the Emerald’s power. This is why Robotnik failed. Even if he had the power of the Master Emerald while against Super Sonic, he still wouldn’t have won simply because his heart is nowhere near like Sonic’s.
To roughly summarize: the Master Emerald creates a reflection of the user and amplifies it to the extent of the user’s heart will allow it. Robotnik’s greed and want for vengeance is outshined by Sonic’s desire to protect his family. As soon as Sonic got a hold of the Master Emerald, Robotnik - with or without the advantage of the Emerald - lost.
hey so unsure about how they’re gonna introduce amy into the third movie but a little idea popped up.
you think when sonic is imprisoned on that island that she’ll show up and introduce herself there? it’s not a bad point to introduce her, but i think maybe it would be a little late in the story to do so.
ngl even if the mario movie turns out being mid (which i doubt) i am so looking forward to the soundtrack. that music in the recent trailer was absolutely schmackin.
