Chapter 1: Dissatisfaction
Location: Space Colony Ark
Shadow the Hedgehog gazed out onto the Earth from SCA. He longed to be there, back on that vivid planet, enjoying its beauty. His brief visit before hadn't given him the time to fully explore it. He could still remember the open blue sky, the lush green trees, and the sparkling lakes…
Beautiful.
It had been two years since he had set foot on the ground there.
The black hedgehog closed his eyes, and began to recall his last few minutes on the Blue Planet…
Location: Spagonia, Eggman's Base (2 years ago)
"W-what?" Shadow had whispered, not fully comprehending what he had been told. The evil Doctor Eggman, who sat high above him in his Egg Carrier, grinned a toothy smile.
"You heard me, Shadow!" He chuckled darkly. "In order for you to help protect this planet, you had better return to outer space, where you properly belong…"
"Shadow!" screamed Rouge, who had been standing somewhat further away. "He must be lying, please don't listen to him! You…you CAN'T go!"
Shadow grimaced. "She's right. How do I know that you're not lying to me, doctor?"
Eggman laughed harshly.
"Well, I suppose you wouldn't believe me right off, Shadow. This is why I brought some…persuasion."
The ebony hedgehog cocked his head. "Persuasion? What do you…?" But before he could finish, Eggman pressed a small button on his Egg Carrier. Shadow heard a strange noise from behind him, and he spun around. His crimson eyes widened in shock.
What he saw, was unbelievable.
A tall glass pillar had risen out of the flooring, holding two world-known anthros. A familiar blue hedgehog placed his fists on the glass the instant he saw Eggman. He began to beat on the pillar, cursing violently. He had scrapes and bruises all over his body, he must've really taken a beating, Shadow thought, somewhat amused. He couldn't help it.
The cobalt hedgehog continued to kick and punch the pillar, shouting several threats to Eggman, claiming he'd break free shortly. Eggman paid no mind however, for he simply watched Shadow.
Shadow then called to the ticked-off hero. "Sonic! Regain your composure!"
Sonic jumped at the sound of Shadow's voice, having not noticed he'd been there. He turned swiftly.
"S-shadow? Wha… what're you doing here?"
Shadow smirked. "I might ask you the same question, hero."
Sonic gritted his teeth.
Suddenly, the other anthro behind Sonic came into view, she'd just woken up, it appeared. She quietly whispered the hero's name. Sonic's jade eyes widened. He'd apparently forgotten she was there, and he spun around.
Shadow saw the pink hedgehog stand up weakly, and look around. Sonic grabbed her hand.
"You okay, Ames?"
Amy Rose nodded slowly. "Yup, I'm pretty sure I'm fine…" She then noticed Eggman, causing her to scream. Sonic cringed. The deranged doctor simply grinned, then turned to a stunned Shadow.
"Shadow. You now have a choice to make."
The black hedgehog snapped to, and turned to him with a questioning expression. "Yes?"
"You have a Chaos Emerald, do you not?"
Shadow looked down. Yes, he currently had the cyan Chaos Emerald… he debated on saying so, but then looked up slowly. "Yes, Doctor. This is correct." Eggman smiled. "Leave using this emerald. Use Chaos Control! And go back to Space Colony Ark where you came from. Or I shall kill these two." He pointed towards the glass pillar. Amy's eyes widened with fear, and Sonic just smirked playfully.
"Oh, really?" the azure hero laughed. "I'd really love to see you try, Egghead!" Eggman growled lowly. "Do NOT test me, hedgehog!" And with that, he pulled out a strange device that resembled a T.V. remote. Sonic laughed. "Ha! Whaddya gonna do, Egghead? Change the channel? Ooh, I'm SHAKING!"
Without a word, Eggman pressed a red button on the remote.
Shadow saw a spark of electricity shoot through the glass pillar.
Sonic dropped to his knees suddenly, cringing. Amy fell to the floor and let out a sharp scream.
Shadow turned to Eggman with a shocked expression. How did he manage to capture Sonic, anyway? He wondered. Then he realized:
He must've threatened the girl somehow. Sonic always seemed fond of her, to a degree.
Eggman giggled slyly. "I'd watch your mouth, hero."
Sonic opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again when he heard Amy sobbing in pain. "So this is what you meant…" Shadow whispered. "Yes." Eggman said coldly. "If I destroy the world's hero now, I can rebuild the Earth as my own, beautiful Empire. And what I meant in saying earlier about your decision in leaving was literal. You can 'save' the world by leaving. For if you do…" he hesitated. "I'll let your counterpart and his girlfriend go."
Shadow, not trusting him, looked to Sonic, who was now laying on his back, breathing heavily. That electric shock must've proved to be stronger than anticipated. Amy laid next to him, hand on his, her breathing in perfect unison. She appeared to be sleeping.
Sonic lifted his head slowly. And apparently, he was to hurt to speak, for he mouthed: 'Don't trust him…'
But Shadow was no longer sure.
Eggman had pulled this trick (or at least a relatively similar one) before, except with Rouge. And Eggman had kept his promise then. He'd set her free. But then again, this was different. Sonic was Eggman's mortal enemy. Now that Eggman had him right where he wanted him, he may not be so generous this time around. Because of this indecisiveness, he turned to Eggman.
"What makes you so sure I'd believe you?"
The evil doctor shrugged. "It's your call, Shadow. But I'd hurry if I were you. Need I refresh your memory?" He rested his thumb on the button again. Sonic, who had been watching, mouthed: 'No..'
Eggman grinned and pressed the button.
Sonic gritted his teeth to avoid screaming. Amy awoke with a start, then began to shriek in pain. Sonic grasped her hand tightly, as if attempting to comfort her, despite the unbearable pain. When the electricity surge ended, Amy collapsed into Sonic's arms, who faltered. Rouge, who'd been silent all this time, yelled to Shadow: "Don't just stand there, you idiot! Do something before he kills them!" Shadow sighed. He again turned to Sonic, who'd began another tongue-lashing for Eggman with tear-filled eyes. Shadow could not decide whether these tears were from pain, or out of concern for his unconscious lover, who laid motionless in his arms.
Shadow turned away and locked eyes with Rouge.
"I'm sorry…" He mouthed slowly. Rouge's azure eyes widened. She knew exactly what he planned to do.
"No!" she screamed. "Shadow, don't do this!"
But the ebony anthro paid no attention to the distressed bat. He could no longer bear the sight of the torture of his cobalt counterpart, no matter how much he may have deserved it. He held the cyan Chaos Emerald high above his head. Eggman noticed this and grinned.
Sonic looked to Shadow, sensing the jewel that was connected with his soul, and gasped. He knew what Shadow was doing.
He was leaving him and Amy there to die.
"No!" he shouted through the glass, but Shadow did not listen. However, the two hedgehogs did make eye contact. Sonic growled. He couldn't believe Shadow had actually trusted Eggman…
'I hate you.' he mouthed.
Shadow smirked, as he had expected nothing less from his counterpart.
"Chaos…Control!" And in a flash of cyan light, he was gone.
Location: Space Colony Ark (present)
And now, Shadow wondered, if he'd done the right thing that day. He left to save Sonic and Amy, but what if Eggman really had lied? What if he had killed them right after his departure? If the supersonic hero really was dead, Shadow no longer wished to see what had become of the Earth, despite its alluring beauty. He sighed.
"But looks have always proven to be misleading…"
To be continued…
Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed chapter one! Don't worry, more is to come. Please R&R, and I beg of you to take it easy… this is my first story! See you around, the best has yet to come! J
