Project Shadow

Prologue

It was cold in that room… Oh so cold… He couldn't stand it. He opened his eyes slowly. What was happening? He didn't know. He didn't even know who he was. Suddenly, he heard a cruel laugh.

"Good, good." said a cold voice, glazed over with icy pleasure. "Project Shadow is finally complete. Finally, after this long time. I was getting worried it wouldn't come out right. But it has. It is perfect. Now, here is what you must do…"

Chapter 1

Sonic yawned. He was bored. He had been sitting on this beach for so long, just sitting there. No one had been in trouble for such a long time. Sonic couldn't stand it.

"I'm bored!" he announced to Tails, who was sitting next to him.

"Yes. I know. You've been saying that for the last," Tails glanced at his watch. "five hours. Not including those other days."

"But nothing's happening! Eggman hasn't shone his egg shaped head for months!" complained Sonic. "I mean, seriously! What's taking him so long? He's never this quiet this long!"

Tails shrugged. "Amy and Cream seem to be having fun."

It was true. Amy and Cream had been taking the long vacation in stride. At the moment, they were playing volleyball, but their favorite sport was tennis. Ninety-eight percent of the time, that's what they were playing. The other two percent was used for eating, sleeping, and a tiny bit of something else in between. They also enjoyed swimming.

"Hey Sonic!" shouted Amy, holding the volleyball next to her side. "Wanna play some volleyball? All you've been doing is sitting in that fold out chair this whole time! At least come swimming!"

"Amy!" said Cream. "Come on! We have to finish this game! Remember, I'm up by three points."

"Well, you're still not gonna win." said Amy, standing up straight. "I have the record of most points scored in one game. And, I've won games more often then you."

"So? I might win this one."

Cheese, Cream's cute chao, fluttered up to her, and made a squeaking noise.

"Cheese is right." said Cream. "We shouldn't just stand here arguing about who's going to win, when we could find out right now by playing!"

"Alright. Let's go." Amy smiled. "I'm gonna win."

"Girls are weird." said Sonic. "How can they stand this? I'm bored out of my mind! Why can't Eggman resurface so we can go on an adventure?"

"Be careful what you wish for Sonic." warned Tails. "Remember when Knuckles wished he could have a chance to prove he was the best Master Emerald Guardian? And Blaze came, and you remember the rest."

Sonic nodded. "So?"

Tails sighed. "Well, it turned out to be such a mess! I just want to warn you not to make such a, a mess like that again."

Sonic shrugged. "Okay. But I'm leaving. I can't stand another minute of this beach!" Sonic stood up, and raced away. Tails shrugged again. Somehow, he got the feeling Sonic hadn't listened to his advice. He didn't know how right he was.

Sonic raced along the edge of the Great Forest. This forest had always calmed him down. This was where his adventures had first begun when he met princess Sally Acorn, Rotor, Antoine, Bunnie, and of course, Tails. (To learn more about Sonic's adventures with the Freedom Fighters, look back to the Sonic comic books when Sonic first came out. I recommend the Sonic Archives) He had also encountered Eggman with the Freedom Fighters. Eventually, Sonic drifted away from the Freedom Fighters when Eggman's threats of turning everyone into mindless robots began to die down, and when he met Amy.

Amy and Sally had been confusing. Ever since then, it had been constant battle. Both girls loved Sonic, and were both trying to impress him and prove they were the better girl. Honestly, Sonic liked Sally more in a way, because she didn't pester him the way Amy did. But Amy also had her perks. He couldn't choose between them.

Sonic skidded to a halt. Maybe he should drop in on Knothole and see how things were going. He headed into the forest. The walk was soothing. It reminded him of the many times he had saved this forest from Eggman. He remembered the times he and Sally had walked here, and the many times he had made fun of Antoine.

Sonic soon came upon the tree stump that led into Knothole. He pulled the vine that made the tree stump open up and he jumped inside. He sped down the tube, and landed on the block of hay. He smiled as he looked at the familiar surroundings. This was where it had all begun.

"Hello!" he called out. "Hello? Sonic here! I was just in this part of the forest, and I decided to drop by! Hello?"

"Sonic?" Sonic spun around and saw Sally Acorn walking toward him. Her eyes were lit up, and her red hair seemed like a professional had just done it.

But maybe it has. Sonic mused. After all, Bunnie is a hair specialist.

"Oh Sonic! I've missed you so much!" She blushed. "Well, you know what I mean."

"Hi Sal." said Sonic. "How's it been down here? How's Antoine? Still annoying?"

"Yep. Nothing's changed. Except that you and Tails left." Sally adjusted her light blue vest, and added, "I like the new boots you sent me."

Like Amy, Sally also liked to wear boots. It was something Sonic liked about both of them. He had sent Sally her favorite type of boot: deep blue, but not to far from the color of her vest, with white trim, knee high, with a great grip, sole, and very water proof. Sonic considered those boots one of his best ideas ever. He remembered not to long before he left, Sally had been complaining to Bunnie about her boots; apparently, they were starting to wear out. He was very careful not to tell Amy about this. She would get very mad, and her Piko Piko would hurt very much.

"So, can I see my old friends?" asked Sonic. "I wanna see Rotor's newest project."

"Sure. Follow me." Sally turned around, and led Sonic through the many underground tunnels of Knothole. They eventually reached a cavern Sonic remembered well: Rotor's workshop. Everyone was gathered there. They turned their heads towards the footsteps, and surprise shone on their faces, which was soon followed by delight.

"Hi guys." said Sonic. "How are you?"

"Hiya Sonic. We're all fine." said Bunnie in her southern accent. Sonic had always loved hearing that accent. They had first met Bunnie when Eggman tried to turn her into a robot – and succeeded in a way. Bunnie was half robot. Her legs and one of her arms was now robot. But it made her stronger and faster, and she was still in control of herself.

Rotor was a walrus. He was the technician. Tails had learned a lot from Rotor. Antoine was a fox – just like Tails – and he carried a sword. Sonic always liked to pick on Antoine, and they had always competed for Sally (though there really wasn't any competition). Antoine also wasn't exactly the bravest even thought he pretended to be.

"Sonic!" said Rotor, smiling hugely. "How are you buddy? I've missed you. My last project needed energy created by running on a treadmill, and I was sad I didn't have you to help me. In the end, I just put Antoine on it, and scared the heck out of him. Worked fine."

"Good job Rotor. That's exactly what I would've suggested." said Sonic. "How are you Bunnie? Is the hair business going well?"

"Oh yes." replied Bunnie. "Everyone needs a haircut these days. It's goin' really well."

"Good." Sonic turned to Antoine and grinned. "Hi Antoine. It's been awhile. Has Eggman scared you while I was gone?"

Antoine snorted. "I'll have you know, I've risen to the top of the list of heroes while you were gone. And I'm never giving it up."

"Actually, he's just the same rank as when you left." whispered Sally. "He's just showing off."

Sonic nodded. "I figured that." He turned to Rotor. "How's your newest project going?"

"Really well." said Rotor. "My newest project is cloning. So far, I've cloned an ant, a plant, and a rat. But before I can clone bigger things, like you and me, it needs a little more tweaking."

"Cool." said Sonic. "Cloning. I've always wondered what it would be like to have a clone."

"So, what've you been doing lately, Sonic?" asked Sally.

"Well, I've got a lot of stories to tell. Let's sit down. I can't wait to start." said Sonic.

They all sat down and listened.

Tails looked around his workshop. Something had set off the alarm. But what was it? He scratched his head, and decided to look outside. He entered a code into the wristwatch he was wearing, and Sonic appeared on the screen as he walked outside.

"What is it Tails?" Sonic asked.

"Something set off the alarm. I'm going to check what it is." answered Tails.

"Alright. Hey, guess what?"

"What?"

"I'm in Knothole right now. I decided to check up on our old friends." said Sonic.

"Really? That's great!"

"Yeah. And Rotor's newest project is cloning."

"That's so cool!" said Tails. "Hey, do you think I could visit sometime? I'd really like to see it."

"Sure. You can come any time." said Rotor, appearing on the screen.

"Huh?" Tails whirled around. He thought he'd heard something. Suddenly, boulders dropped in from overhead and Tails hit the ground hard. Darkness crashed over his head.

"Tails? Tails!" Sonic was very scared. The connection had broken on the other end. Tails was in trouble. "Sorry guys. I gotta go. Tails might be in serious trouble. Bye." He ran out of the cavern and away.

"Good-bye." whispered Sally as he left. "And good-luck."

***

Sonic was already almost at Tail's workshop. Thoughts flew through his mind. What had happened? He quickly reached the workshop, and gasped as he screeched to a halt.

There were boulders in a big pile. And somewhere underneath was Tails. He was buried in rock. There was no way Tails was coming out of there without a broken bone. Or crushed lungs for that matter. Sonic hurried over, and tried to lift some of the boulders. They wouldn't give. He wasn't strong enough. He ran into the workshop to get the Chaos Emerald Tails kept there. It was gone.

Sonic didn't know what to do. He decided on finding Knuckles. Knuckles was probably strong enough. Sonic ran. He ran as fast as he could to Angels Island.

I have to save Tails! he thought. I have to!

Knuckles watched the birds. They were flying away from Angels Island. They were also very beautiful. Knuckles looked down. He saw a blue shape running towards the floating island. Sonic. Knuckles thought. I wonder what he's doing here?

"Knuckles!" shouted Sonic. Was that fear in his voice? "Hey Knuckles! I need help! Tails is buried in boulders, and I'm not strong enough to lift them!"

Knuckles was surprised. "What about the Chaos Emerald?"

"Gone!"

Knuckles growled under his breath. He glided down to Sonic, and they ran. Relief was very evident in Sonic's face.

I wonder what happened… thought Knuckles. What's going on?

Amy was worried. Tails had told her he would come over to her house an hour ago. Where was he? Amy decided to go to his workshop. Maybe I'll find out why, there. Amy went outside, and boarded the next train going out of the city. She got off the train after two stops, and walked to Tail's workshop. She gasped.

Sonic and Knuckles were there. They were lifting boulders off a big pile. But what was that underneath the pile? Was it Tails?

It was. Amy couldn't believe it. Sonic spotted her.

"Hey Amy!" he called, beckoning to her. "Help us!"

Amy just nodded. It took her a minute to locate her legs and then to move them. By then, Sonic and Knuckles had already cleared away most of the rock. Finally, they could see the yellow-orange of Tail's body.

"There he is." whispered Sonic. "Come on. Let's get him out."

So, after pushing and prying, in which Amy had to use her Piko Piko to hold up the boulders while Sonic and Knuckles lifted Tails out, they finally brought Tails inside and into the medical room.

"Well, that took awhile." said Knuckles. He turned to Sonic. "So, what happened?"

Sonic bowed his head and recounted everything that had happened – even his visit to Knothole.

"- and then you came." said Sonic, pointing to Amy. "And that's it." Sonic shook his head. "I wonder who did that? Whoever it was, was after the Chaos Emerald. Obviously. But, why boulders? There are plenty of ways to kill someone without dropping boulders on them. Plus, with boulders, there's more of a chance that the victim will survive then if you take a knife and stab them."

Knuckles shrugged. "I don't know. But unlike you, I have a job to do. I have to get back to Angels Island. The Master Emerald needs protecting." And with that, Knuckles turned around and left. Sonic scowled.

"Knuckles can be so annoying!" he growled. "He's so full of himself and doesn't care about anyone else! 'I have a job to do while you worthless scum sit around and do nothing!'" he mimicked angrily. Sonic looked at Amy. She was just sitting, staring at the ground. There was fear in her eyes.

Sonic went over to comfort her. "What's wrong?" he asked gently.

Amy rubbed her eyes. Sonic realized a few tears had managed to escape her. She sniffed, and answered Sonic's question.

"It's just, Tails is in trouble and might die, and you and Knuckles keep fighting, and I'm caught in the middle of it feeling like neither of you care, and I don't know what to do!" Amy squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out any more tears that might be trying to leave her.

Sonic didn't know what to say. He knew he should comfort her and tell her he did care, but he could not find the words. All the words that came into his mind were all wrong. So he just sat by her, feeling helpless.

Amy finally spoke. "I should go check on Tails." She got up and went to the medical room. Sonic watched her leave. He felt so helpless. He sighed and got up to follow Amy. She was sitting by the bed, watching Tails. Her eyes were full of fear and frustration that she could not help him. She turned around when she sensed that Sonic was also in the room. "I wish I could help him." she said in a low voice.

Sonic nodded, knowing what she meant. "I wish I could to. But only time and a little help from technology can heal him." Sonic realized he had just quoted Tails. He remembered it as if it had been yesterday. Knuckles had been hurt this time, and Sonic didn't know what to do. But Tails had said, "I know how you feel Sonic. I wish I could just, wish away Knuckle's wounds too. But I can't. Only time and a little help from technology can heal him."

Amy nodded, knowing Sonic had just unconsciously quoted Tails. It was ironic, or at least Amy thought so. She smiled; feeling reassured that Tails would be all right. He had to be all right. If he didn't come out okay, Amy didn't know what she would do.

Chapter 2

Tails opened his eyes. He was standing on a cliff overlooking a lonely, rocky beach. The sky was a light blue, and he could count only two clouds. This place was soothing. But suddenly, a sort of dark feel came to the setting. Tails looked down and saw a dark figure walking on the beach. He also could see a few red streaks on the figures body. Tails was frightened. Somehow, the figure seemed familiar. But how? Tails shook his head. He knew he had to stop this strange creature from… From what? But before Tails could ponder this, he was suddenly opening his eyes again and found himself in a bed.

"Your awake!" said Amy, with evident relief. "I was so scared…" Amy trailed off.

"What?" Tails was still groggy, and very confused. "What happened?"

Amy shrugged. "Apparently, someone dropped some boulders on you and stole our Chaos Emerald. You were really hurt. Lucky Sonic found you when he did. He couldn't lift any of the boulders, so he got Knuckles to help. Knuckles left pretty quickly after that. Sonic was here for a while, but he's gone now. How are you? Do you feel okay?" Her voice turned anxious while she was saying the last two sentences.

Tails nodded. "I feel fine. Just, my head aches a little bit. But I had a weird dream."

Amy cocked her head to one side. "What happened in it?"

Tails explained his dream. Amy found it quite frightening.

"That's so scary!" said Amy, shocked.

"What do you think is the scary part?" asked Tails.

Amy shook her head. "I don't know. Just, something about it seems… alarming."

"I know exactly what you mean." said Tails, nodding.

"Good. But, I wonder…" Amy paused, and then continued. "Did that figure look at all like, like Sonic?"

Tails was surprised. He thought back to his dream, and focused on the dark form. He was shocked to find the figure was almost exactly like Sonic. "Yes." breathed Tails. "Yes it did. But, what does it mean?"

"Maybe, it means Sonic turns evil?" Amy trembled at this suggestion. She wouldn't no, she couldn't believe that.

"No." said Tails firmly. "That's not possible."

Amy quickly agreed with him. But what if Sonic really did turn evil? She couldn't cope with that. She would rather die.

Sonic was running to Angels Island. He wanted to tell Knuckles they should stop fighting and that Tails would be okay. But when he reached the floating island, he saw smoke. The first thing Sonic thought was Knuckles. He ran up to the smoking island and to the temple. There, he saw Knuckles lying on ground, scorched and almost unconscious. Sonic had never been more scared for Knuckle's life then now. He ran to Knuckle's side and lifted him up. He noted Knuckles was much lighter then boulders.

"The, the bl-black hedge hedgehog c-came." Knuckles whispered in a hoarse voice. "He t-took the C-chaos Emer-emerald and the…" His voice faltered for a moment, but he managed to continue, but his voice was not as strong. "the M-master E-emerald. I ha-have f-failed." With that, Knuckle's head fell back and he was unconscious. Sonic wondered what he meant. The island was still floating after all. But then he noticed the island was very slowly falling to earth. Only part of the Master Emerald was gone. Not all of it.

But Sonic didn't even think about who this black hedgehog was. All he knew, was that he had to get back to Tail's workshop – fast.