A/N: Alright so this is my attempt at completing my first fanfiction so bare with me if this story starts out rough but believe me when I say it will get a lot better. Rates and reviews would be greatly appreciated and any ideas that you guys might have on which direction the story should go would also help out since I have a basic idea of where this story is going to go but I could always change it up. Well here we go! All Within My Hands starts now.

Prologue:

A pair of crimson eyes stared at the TV, solemnly watching the Controlling Chaos concert from years ago transpire on the screen. The eyes belonged to former rockstar Shadow the Hedgehog who now lived a quiet and dull life on the outskirts of Metropolis thanks to his former bandmates who were now flashing across the screen.

"Sonic." Shadow mumbled angrily as a blue hedgehog suddenly appeared after the camera had turned away from Shadow, who was singing and playing the rhythm guitar. Sonic was in the limelight now as he walked confidently to the right side of the stage and began to dazzle the audience with a melodic guitar solo reminiscent of an 80's power ballad. The crowd exploded as Sonic continued to play and when his solo ended, the camera panned out so that the whole stage was visible and Sonic made his way back towards center stage alongside Shadow as Tails held his notes on the bass and stood next to the neon red drum kit manned by Knuckles the Echidna.

"Knucklehead." Shadow scoffed, remembering the nickname that they used to taunt Knuckles with when Shadow was still in the band. Knuckles was a bit dense but man could that guy just go on the drums, Shadow recalled. He was in a world of his own every time he played, it was like hearing a machine gun when he did a drum fill. Suddenly the band stopped playing as Shadow held the mic stand up and pointed the mic at the audience, gesturing for the audience to sing the next part of the song. Shadow still clutched his guitar as the place fell erupted into a wall of voices as Knuckles just tapped lightly on the cymbal to keep the guys in time of when to enter.

"Because I'll never leave, and you'll always be mine

Until I lose the will to breathe

These two hearts, will forever beat in time

On and On

Will you let me have all of you

For all eternity

Because if you do, I swear it's true

I'll be your remedy

Just hear this melody

It will come to you in good time"

Shadow couldn't help it, he let a small smirk appear on his face as he watched the crowd on the TV sing along to the song, his song. It was a catchy tune that he had written a long time ago while he and the rest of the band jammed in Sonic's garage back in high school. "In Time" would eventually become a staple song of theirs and they would always play it at the end of their set. Shadow snapped out of his thoughts and continued to watch the remainder of the concert, ending with the crowd cheering as the song came to it's close. The lights dimmed as the Sonic, Tails, and Shadow took off their instruments and with Knuckles in tow headed backstage. The footage ended and the disc ejected from the DVD player. Shadow still dwelled on the couch not wanting to move. Mixed emotions coursing through his brain caused a scowl to appear on his face.

"To think that those fakers could make it without me." The ebony hedgehog growled as he got up off of his couch to retrieve the disc from his DVD player.. He grabbed the disc, his frown deepening as he read the words scribbled on the blank disc, "Controlling Chaos: Live from Metro Pine". Shadow sighed as he put the disc back into it's case and turned the TV off, plunging the entire room into darkness.

"That was the last show I ever played, didn't think it was going to end the way it did. I don't know why I can't just move on." The words hung in the air like fog, why couldn't he just move on? Was it because he was just so close to them that he didn't know what to do without them? Was it because he was mostly the brains of the group, writing the songs, writing the riffs, and handling the burden of finding gigs? Was it because to him they were like brothers? Shadow rubbed his temple as the questions continued to flood his mind. Now irritated that he couldn't answer his own childish questions he began to climb the stairs of his two story house to go to his room. I don't know why I still watch that damn concert, Shadow thought. He remembered the day he received it in the mail because it was a week after the band had ousted him. He had opened his mailbox to find a small package with a note attached to it. Shadow read the words on the note, "No hard feelings?" The question made Shadow go into a state of seething anger and he almost threw away the package immediately, almost. He was curious to see what those sell outs had given him that could even remotely make it up to him and when he had gone inside and opened the box he pulled out the DVD that contained their last concert in its entirety. Looking back on that day now Shadow felt relieved that the band still acknowledged his existence but now that feeling was bittersweet as now after fifteen years he had fallen off the band's radar as the climbed to the pinnacle of success. He felt betrayed to know that they, his band, his friends, practically his brothers, had cut him out just to have a taste of success that others before them had experienced just devastated him, not like he would ever show it to anyone, Shadow scoffed. After the band had tossed him aside Shadow had gone back to the outskirts of Metropolis where he had lived previously during high school. He had worked at a gas station just a few blocks away and paid for the house and all the bills along with it. It was a rundown piece of crap but to Shadow it was home. The weathered down, white colored house had once been home to some of the wildest parties. Shadow gave a faint smile as he remembered that after the gigs that they had performed at (good or bad) they would invite everyone back to Shadow's house and would concoct a wonderful mix of booze, rock n roll, and women. However, the house had now fallen dormant with it's only resident Shadow finding solitude within its silence. Shadow hung his head low as he walked to the end of the hallway and opened the door to his room, flicking on the lightswitch Shadow covered his eyes as light filled the room. After letting his eyes adjust for a couple of seconds, Shadow glared at his alarm clock, the bright red digits read 1:30 a.m. Shadow then sat down on the corner of his mattress and looked around his room. Posters of various bands decorated the walls, Ratt, Van Halen, Accept, and Quiet Riot were a few of them. The walls themselves were a blood red color and the floor was littered with various pieces of notebook paper and guitar books. A bookshelf next to the closet held a massive collection of CD's and the bedside table next to Shadow had numerous guitar picks from the Fender brand laying about on it's surface. Right next to his bedside table stood his pride and joy, his Jackson guitar. The jet black color made it look sleek and gave it a metallic look and the red slashes that were the fret markers was a cool decal that Shadow requested be done when he first got it. He picked the guitar up and grabbed a pick that lay on his bedside table and began to play a simple chord progression on his unplugged electric guitar. He started with b minor and began to strum, the sound of the chord jogged his memory as he closed his eyes and thought back to that day fifteen years ago as he continued to strum.

Shadow and Sonic were the first ones to make it back stage as Tails and Knuckles tagged along behind them just a few seconds later. The crowd was still roaring it's love of the show as they, Controlling Chaos now made it to their dressing room.

"Dude that was sick!" Sonic shouted as he slapped everyone a high five, sweat was trickling off of Shadow's brow and he quickly wiped it away before slapping Sonic's hand.

"Yeah, you can say that again!" Tails said, practically jumping up and down with joy. The euphoria in the group was at an all time high. They had practically just played the best show of their lives and they were ready to sign their life away on the dotted line for one thing and one thing only, a shot at a record deal. Shadow removed his leather jacket, exposing his Dr. Feelgood Motley Crue t-shirt as he placed his guitar pick in the pocket of his tattered black jeans.

"Good show guys." He commented as the rest of the band grabbed some water bottles from the cooler that was placed in their room earlier and began to drink. Knuckles chugged his water down in seconds and he wiped away the sweat that was coming down his face. His shirt was already caked in it so the guys tried to stay as far away from him as possible to avoid the aroma of roadkill that was Knuckles' stench. Regardless of how the other guys' felt he walked towards them and he had a look on his face that looked like he was about to burst at the seams with excitement. Sonic who noticed this first looked at Knuckles.

"Well what is it? Out with it already!" Sonic yelled impatiently waiting for Knuckles to spill the news.

"I thought I saw the guy from Killswitch records out there guys." At these words the rest of the band gasped.

"No way!" Tails couldn't believe his ears nor could the rest of Controlling Chaos, the record executive from Killswitch records? There's no way in hell the rest of the band thought. Sonic was the quickest of the draw and was the first to share the same feelings that everyone other than Knuckles was feeling.
"There's no way, the guy is a legend, he signed our heroes for crying out loud, Albatross Inc., Everything Evil, Wanted Man, First to Fire. He's practically signed them all!" Sonic grabbed Knuckles by his shirt and shook him viciously. Shadow intervened before the poor echidna could receive whiplash by the hands of the blue hedgehog.

"Okay, that's enough!" Shadow glared at both of them as Tails looked on watching the scene go down. It suddenly fell silent as Shadow stepped back to address the band as a whole.

"I know that the adrenaline is still running through us but we got to keep our cool. If Knucklehead did see this executive from his all high and mighty throne," Shadow paused to turn to Knuckles who in return chuckled and gave a smile before Shadow went back to what he was saying.

"So now that we have seemed to calm down I'm going to go and get us some real drinks." Shadow hinted at the alcohol at the bar and began running out of the band's dressing room in search of booze. The rest of the band cheered as the lingered inside, happily awaiting the arrival of alcohol or even better, women. They passed the time waiting for Shadow to come back by talking about the show and what they should do for next time. Ideas were being passed around and exchanged with one another, Tails remembered to make a mental note to tell Shadow all of this when he returned. The band heard a loud knock and turned towards the direction of the door.

"Oh c'mon Shadow! We've been waiting long enough! Don't tease us by holding the beer captive!" Sonic pleaded as the rest of the guys laughed hysterically at Sonic giving the door a puppy dog face just to be goofy.

"I'm afraid you have me mistaken for someone else." A deep voice replied from the other side of the door. The band stopped goofing around immediately. They didn't recognize this voice, who was this? Sonic gestured at Tails to open the door who then gestured for Knuckles to open the door which then resulted in a quick game of rock, paper, scissors between the three which ended with Knuckles opening the door. A tall, slim man stood in the doorway, he had a decent amount of facial hair and had deep green eyes. He held a black cane in his right hand which was engraved with a majestic pattern of metallic swirls that snaked it's way around the cane. He was wearing a maroon suit with a charcoal black tie. Knuckles stood in awe at the figure in the doorway before turning around to face the guys with an enormous smile plastered on his face.

"Oh my God guys! It's the executive I was telling you about!" Knuckles cheered as the man made his way into the room.

"Ah yes, Controlling Chaos is it? My name is Alfred Derriks." He said, extending his hand introducing himself to the band.
"Y-y-y-yes it's n-n-nice to meet you." Tails stuttered, couldn't quite believing his eyes at the moment. Sonic was having a hard time too, but eventually the band overcame their awe and shook the man's hand. He looked them over individually before suddenly a puzzled expression adorned his face.
"Wasn't there another one of you?" Alfred asked as he looked all around the room in confusion. Sonic spoke up and told him that Shadow had left to go and get "refreshments".

"Ah okay, well then this will make it easier then." The band looked confused by his words, did they hear him right?

"What are you talking about Mr. Suit?" Tails asked, wondering what in the world he was saying.

"Now, now, there is no need for name calling. I just want to sign you all the Killswitch records and make you one of the greatest acts on my roster." Alfred boasted, the band was still hung up on his words from earlier, still quite unsure of what this man was implying.

"Cut to the chase dude, what did you mean earlier when you said that it will make it easier for us if Shadow isn't here?" Knuckles asked sternly, wanting an answer as well as the rest of the band. Alfred sighed before his face suddenly became very stern.

"Nothing can ever get by you can it? What I meant earlier was I want to sign you but only one condition my friends." He held his hands behind his back as he glared at all of them with a serious expression still on his face.

"What's that?" The band all asked in unison anxious as to what Alfred could possibly want.

"I want you to kick Shadow out of the band." Alfred stated. The room fell silent, the band couldn't believe the audacity of Alfred right now. Shadow had been in this band since it's creation, they couldn't just kick him to the curb like this.

"No! We won't do it!" Tails shouted causing Alfred to jump back a little bit in fear.

"Yeah! He's been with us for far too long!" Sonic added in, as the band began to corner Alfred who now held his hands up defensively.

"Woah, woah, guys just hear me out…" Alfred began but was interrupted by Knuckles.

"We won't listen to any of your fancy schmancy jargon we won't have our record deal any other way than with Shadow by our side!"

"But listen just for a second! Don't think Shadow drags you guys down a little bit?" Alfred asked, causing the band to fall silent. "He thinks he is the leader of this band by doing everything, and he doesn't ask for your help or your input it seems. I've heard all about you guys, it just seems like Shadow is the one who does all the work and takes all the credit, where is your guys' credit?" The questions struck a chord with the band as it suddenly dawned on them that the words Alfred was saying were true. Shadow did do everything, he made sure to tell the band all about his accomplishments and his songs and his plans for the band and everything but where was their credit? They wanted to be remembered for something but how would they be remembered if one person just took all the credit?

"If we were to kick Shadow out of the band how would we even make it to recording an album?" Sonic asked implying that he wanted to know the future of the band without Shadow.

"He is the heart and soul of this band and his voice is what makes the songs as popular as they are, he is irreplaceable." Tails added on, wanting to make sure that everyone knew he still wanted Shadow in the band. Knuckles glared at Sonic can't believing his ears that Sonic would even ask something like that but soon his attention along with the others were directed back to Alfred.
"See that is the problem! You shouldn't be telling yourselves that he is the band and you guys should start telling yourselves that you are the band!" Alfred pointed to each of them individually with his cane, "You are the ones who make the music, he's just the workaholic with a voice that can easily be changed out for someone better." Alfred smiled on the inside as he realized that his pitch was eating away at the ties of the band, he knew that at any moment the frayed ties would snap and they would be all his. "I know some people who would love to become the new voice of Controlling Chaos! I know for a fact that a tour with First to Fire is in your guys' future." Alfred flashed a smile as the band consulted one another at the mention of their childhood heroes.

"I've always wanted to tour with them." Tails said excitedly, Knuckles just looked at Tails and shook his head.
"Are you guys sure about this? There is no going back if we sign that dotted line, we will have to find someone else to replace Shadow and that won't be easy." Knuckles addressed the band before a smirk appeared on Sonic's face.

"Of course this is the right thing! Who said rock n roll was easy! Let's do this thing!" Sonic rushed over to Alfred and held his hand out, "Where's that pen at Alfred! I wanna be the first one to sign and show that we don't need Shadow and that we can handle things ourselves!" Alfred grinned Cheshire Cat style and pulled a pen out from his jacket pocket along with a folded up piece of paper.

"Sign on the dotted line boys, your record deal and your future eagerly awaits you." Alfred chuckled as he handed the pen to Sonic first, who then handed it to Knuckles, who then handed it to Tails. Tails walked forward to sign on the paper but began to second guess himself, was this the right thing, he thought. Sonic and Knuckles were practically jumping out of their skin with impatience as Tails continued to hesitate on signing the paper. Tails afraid of their wrath, signed his name in a hurried scribble before handing the pen back to Alfred. "Ah so now the deed is done! Now tomorrow will be your first day in a recording studio and I will set up some sessions for you to jam with some musicians of mine to replace Shadow! I will call you tomorrow, see you then!" With those words Alfred exited the room and left the band feeling nervous and excited.

"Dude we get to be in a record studio!" Tails cheered slapping Sonic on the back, the band continued to cheer and celebrate before suddenly a figure appeared in the doorway. The band turned to acknowledge Shadow who was holding some beers in his hand staring daggers into each of his bandmates. Shadow had heard everything from the moment Alfred walked into the room to the time he left, and he was pissed as all hell. Before the band could say anything he took one of the bottles in his hands and chucked it across the room. The band quickly moved out of the way as the bottle broke open and glass and beer went everywhere, turning their attention away from the bottle to the doorway they saw Shadow was gone. Sonic quickly dashed to the doorway and saw Shadow angrily stomping down the hall.
"Wait Shadow I-" Sonic began, but before he could finish Shadow had left without turning his back, Tails and Knuckles joined Sonic's side and instantly they felt regret at kicking their friend, their workaholic bandmate out. What were they going to do without him, they thought. There was no turning back now, their name was on the dotted line.

Shadow snapped out of his memory and stopped playing, he placed his pick in between the strings on his guitar. He placed it back on its stand and turned out the lights to his room, the light of his alarm clock illuminating only his bed and nothing else. He pulled the sheets on his bed back and laid down, wrapping himself up and trying to find warmth in them before falling into a deep but somewhat troubled sleep.