WHEN DO MY STORIES END CHAPTER 1
Chapter 1: Mystery of You

Sitting...watching...waiting. I'm so bored. I've been sitting on this couch, waiting for something to come, or at least, that's what I think I'm doing. It has to be something adventurous and challenging. Something that will knock the guts out of me, but so far...no progress. At all! I'm sitting on the couch playing with my fingers and leaning my head on my other arm waiting for something to happen for as long as I could remember. Waiting wasn't really one of my favorite hobbies, if you could call it a hobby. My friends are good at it but not me, and I don't really give a care for patience. I'm always on the move. Looking out for trouble, or attention, but if something doesn't happen then I go and make something happen. Right now, I don't what to make happen, which is usually rare for me. Usually, I'm out running and people would just call me for help, save the world from Dr. Eggman's madness, or having a day out with my friends until Eggman mentions something about snatching a Chaos Emerald or two, but lately, I haven't been able to do anything. I don't seem to be my very own self. I feel as if something big was going to come at me. Something that even a hero couldn't handle, or something a hero wasn't even good at; but I'm talented and full of luck, I bet I could pull through by making things go my way. I mean, I'm Sonic the Hedgehog for Chaos' sake!

Suddenly, I heard my little wrist communicator buzz. Finally, something's happening. I hope whoever is calling me gets me something to do because I was about to go to bed and sleep the rest of the day away. I looked at the clock hanging on the wall, and the black digital numbers said "2:30 PM". Yeah~... About the sleeping part, I don't think I'll be able to sleep at this time. I turned to my communicator and noticed that it was Tails calling me. My mood lightened 10X before I could even think because I always hear good news from my bro, and from good news, I mean things like Dr. Eggman wreaking havoc in the city or some unknown phenomena going on some part of the world. I tapped the response button and the screen displayed my yellow, two-tailed buddy.

"Yo Tails, what's up?" I was happy and eagerly waiting for Tails to tell me whatever he wanted to tell me. So...freaking...happy!

"Well..." I heard Tails say on the other side.

"Let me guess, you want me to run down to Westopolis and save the city from Eggy again?" I interrupted.

"Um..."

"No wait! Egghead's got a new big plot again, right?"

"Sonic?"

"Okay, wait a minute! Eggman got a hold of all the Chaos Emeralds?" I was excitedly jumping on the cushions right about now.

"..."

And when I didn't hear anything coming from Tails, I began to feel a bit...uneasy. "Tails, are you there?" Just by looking at my buddy, I figured there wasn't going to be anything for me to do today.

"Sorry to break it to ya, but there's nothing 'exciting' going on," he straightforwardly explained, and I was dumbfounded. Seriously, I could have sworn I felt my own jaw drop all the way to the floor because I couldn't believe what I just heard. For the first time...in my teenage life of being a world-renowned hero, I've never heard Tails say anything like that. I was left completely speechless, and yet, surprised to the bone. I'm Sonic the Hedgehog, aren't I? I'm the one who's supposed to attract all kinds of danger, I'm supposed to be the one to extinguish all evil that dares to take over any universe, and I'll to prove to those who challenge me to a battle, or race, so that they'll think twice about trying to take over the world because this hedgehog is the only one standing in their way of being the galaxy's most feared maniac. Now I wondered why Tails would call me when he didn't really have anything to share. By now, I was sure that my friend became very concerned for me since I didn't give him an immediate response.

"Uh...Sonic, are you okay?" Tails asked breaking the awkward silence. It was probably awkward for him, but not for me.

"Huh? Oh, I'm alright, just a little surprised that there's no trouble for me to stop, that's all," I managed to make my vocals work right. Thank goodness.

I almost yelled at Tails when he snickered, "Don't worry Sonic, I'm quite shocked myself, but I'm just guessing that Eggman is planning something big since he hasn't made his move in months. I'm hoping you at least be patient for the plan to bust."

I groaned getting my butt off the couch and pace around the living room, "Hmm... If he's planning something evil, should I go ahead and foil it anyway? I mean, I'm supposed to stop his plans before it gets set into motion, right?"

"Do you have any idea where Eggman's base is Sonic?" I didn't think Tails was willing to help me stop Eggman. He sounds like he's trying to think up of every possible question to get me blocked. I bet that's what he is planning. Despite that, who would know where Eggman's base would be? I felt my own brain click when I began to think up of a close buddy that might tell me where Egg-head may be hiding. I then turned to face Tails, who was in the screen, and smiled toothily, "I think I might know where Egg-head may be."

"Really? Where?" he sounded very excited when I announced my supposed thoughts.

"I'm going to have to get some information out from someone first," I tapped my fingers on my chin still in some thinking mode.

"And who's the guy on your mind?"

"Oh, someone who we all know and love," I teased.

"The someone who we all know and love is you, Sonic," Tails announced thinking he obviously knew the answer, though he sounded a bit sarcastic, too. I was quite touched for a moment too. Although, I wish that statement was true, but not everyone loves me.

"I'm talking about Shadow the Hedgehog," I replied. I wanted to add "doofus" to the statement but didn't want to say anything mean to my best friend.

"Why him?" Tails seemed very disinterested with my answer. "The last time we had contact with him was after he battled against Devil Doom, and after that battle, Shadow disappeared again. How exactly are you going to 'ask' Shadow if he isn't here?"

"C'mon Tails, do you always have to make things more difficult for me?" I asked. Seriously, where does he get all this information? This kid certainly knows his stuff.

"Difficult how?" Tails asked. I think he was only teasing, but that made a nerve of mine tick.

"TAILS!"

"Okay, okay. Seriously Sonic, we have no idea where Shadow could be, along with Dr. Eggman. How are we going to find one of them if the other is gone?" Finally, he gets all his thoughts together, and this is what he comes up with. Chaos! I hate Tails, why does he have to be so freakin' smart? Sometimes my head hurts from all the thinking I have to do just to be able to get things sort out, but when the time comes, Tails just has to figure out some kind of flaw in my plan, or thought. I know I don't really think things through to the end, but at least I manage to get out of trouble, right? Still, trying to find Shadow is going to be a bit complicating, I'll give him that. Plus, he managed to keep himself hidden from the world for 50 years, even though that was GUN's part. I wonder how long he's going to keep himself from the public now.

Recently, GUN has been annoying me lately. Constantly asking me if I knew where Shadow was because apparently, they want him to join them, wanting to make up the past tensions they had with each other. But on Shadow's terms, I don't think he's going to forgive GUN for shooting Maria and everything else that happened on the ARK. At the same time, I don't think he should join them because I despise them too; just...not as much as Shadow. Then again, Rouge isShadow's only closest friend—the one he would consider his friend—and she works for GUN as well so... That's it! Rouge can help me get a lead as to the whereabouts of my missing "pal".

"I got it!" I announced out of the blue which, I think, had caused Tails to jump right out of his chair.

"What?" he yelled. He seemed like he forgot what we were talking about a while ago.

"Why don't we go down to Club Rouge? She may know where Shadow is," I was so proud of myself.

"You think Rouge will help you?" Tails crossed his arms.

"No."

"Then...why?"

"I don't think. I know, buddy!" I exclaimed happily.

With that being our last thoughts, I said my goodbyes to Tails. Then, I quickly rushed out the door and to Club Rouge. I absolutely had no idea why Rouge would want to have her own club, but since she worked for GUN, she probably gets paid a butt-load of money just to be able to make it and stuff. Plus, she does a great job as an agent herself, so she definitely deserves that money. Still, I don't think she deserves to have a hold of any of the seven Chaos Emeralds. Who knows what she'll do to them. In fact, who knows what a jewel-obsessed batgirl would do to them.

I reached the front of Rouge's fancy little club and looked around for any signs of visitors and Tails. Not a crowd, that's good, and no Tails. Whatever Tails is doing, he's taking a long time to get here, or he wasn't coming at all, or he decided to not come at all. Either way, I'm going to handle things on my own anyway. Hmm...I was so used to seeing Club Rouge super busy on the weekdays that I was starting to think that I was in a different world. Maybe I am, since everything today is so peaceful and nothing was happening. No, it was because the day was going by slowly and everybody in the neighborhood is just too lazy to come out of their warm, cozy homes. Now that I think of it, it is winter by the way. Everybody is home with their families, or with someone they love right now.

Entering the club was a big relief. Outside was filled with cold and freezing wind but inside was warm and welcoming, I thought I smelled hot cocoa from behind the bar. I hoped that Rouge was here or somewhere here. I didn't want to spend anymore of my time looking for more of my missing friends. I've already got a lot to think about now. I loosened my scarf around my neck and greeted the bat standing behind the counter. Phew, at least she's working today. She looked tired and didn't look like she could handle a full house. Lucky for her, everyone is staying home enjoying their own warmth. When she saw me, she smiled lightly, "Hey there sugar, what brings you here? Can I get you anything?"

"Thanks, but no thanks, I was wondering if you'd help me find Shadow, and don't tell me you don't know where he is. You're the only one here who he would choose and trust to ever speak to. Actually, speak more than three words to," I spat. Was I really this determined to hunt down Dr. Eggman, or am I determined to see Shadow again? It is true that I like to make little games out of kicking the metal out of Eggman's robots, but Shadow makes my adrenaline hit another level of speed that I wished I felt forever. I got to say that both of them make me excited, but... I really did want to see Shadow again after a full year has passed since the Black Arms' Invasion.

Rouge giggled placing her hot cocoa down on the counter, "Calm down Sonic, you don't need to worry about him. In fact, he's alright...at home."

My ears jerked up when I heard Shadow had a home. Where is this...home of his? Why didn't anyone tell me this before? I jumped with excitement without a notice. I was beginning to think that Shadow was some homeless hog, but I guess I was wrong.

"At home? He's already living in—" I stopped midway into my sentence. Rouge looked at me irritatingly, and I figured I was being too loud. To me, at least I woke her up from her sleepy state; she should thank me for that. I sat back on one of those tall stools and lowered my voice. Something I'm not really good at, but I try. So, I sat there and waited for her to give me her answer. Finally, she looked at me and sighed. I became uncomfortably confused.

"Sonic, Shadow isn't coming back," she softly spoke.

"Wha-What do you mean? You said that—" I was beginning to think my ears were betraying me. Were they letting me listen to Rouge right?

"You have to understand this Sonic, Shadow told me himself that he wouldn't come back," Rouge told me, but I didn't really get what she meant when he wasn't coming back.

"Come back? From where?" I asked looking at her.

The batgirl sighed once more and looked away from me, "He's staying up on the ARK, I tried to tell him to stay with me, but he refused to listen a reason. But, at the least, he let me check in on him as soon as I could, and everytime I do, he just looks paler each time I get a glimpse of him." I was beginning to notice Rouge's tears. They were starting to let loose. I swear I felt my own hands becoming numb. Shadow is becoming pale? How pale is he getting, as pale as a ghost? Why didn't Rouge tell me anything from the start? Did Shadow warn her to not tell anyone else? Is he hiding from the public because he doesn't want to be put on the front page of the newspaper, and be the top headline on world magazines, and be the gossip in everyone's conversations? Okay...maybe that thought was a little bit off topic, but I could actually picture Shadow trying to stay away from the public like that. But really, keeping himself hidden from his friends, along with going as far as to causing Rouge to cry? That's just messed up, and this crazy stunt he's pulling is just going to worry everyone—well, maybe everyone as in Rouge and me, of course.

Eventually, I felt my hands coming back to feeling, and I started to glare at the counter for no apparent reason. I was getting mad at myself, or am I? I didn't actually know why I was getting mad. My eyes were starting to sting with water, my teeth beginning to grind against each other, clenched hands tightening, and my stomach churning, somewhat. What's wrong with me? I know I'm mad but there is something else. Then, I felt something touch my arm. Something warm. I looked up to see my friend Rouge, and she knew what I was feeling. Her own eyes said it all; she was sad, angry, and shameful.

Suddenly, I felt everything come lose, except for my tears; they stayed in my eyes. Locked up and hidden as any other hero would want. Showing any kind of weakness meant that the bad guys would easily come at you if they knew what you were compelled to. Never in my life would I cry... I'd smile the negativity away. "Rouge, I'm going to pay Shadow a visit," I said a little angrier than I expected.

"Y'know Sonic, I was thinking the same thing. Don't forget to tell Shadow that I want him to come back down here as well," Rouge said.

I smiled back, "Don't worry Rouge, I'll be sure to get the message through his rock-hard head!" The bat girl finally gave me her real smile. I'm glad that I was able to at least get some stress off her shoulders. Now she has put her worry to me, she trusts me, and I must not let her down—or myself. I gave her my usual thumbs-up before leaving the club all to herself. I felt like I didn't really want to leave her alone, but I didn't want to deal with the girls in the club. She needed someone to talk to, plus she's got a crush on my Knuckle-head buddy. I should at least tell him to drop a greeting every now and then for her. Yeah, that would be one of the things on my "to-do" list if I remember. Walking out of the club and feeling the cold breeze against my fur was a tad bit tingly. I tightened the hold of the scarf around my neck, so I wouldn't get frostbite while I ran.

When I was zooming down the streets towards my home, my communicator began to ring again. I raised my arm and saw it to be Amy calling me. Man, I was half expecting it to be Tails. Instead, I get someone who was far more worried for me. It had to be someone who was madly in love with me...and have a creepy way of following me around. I didn't know if I should answer it, or if I should just leave it ringing until it stopped. Being who I am, I just had to press the response button.

"Yo!" my voice was kind of muffled due to my scarf, but I knew that Amy was able to make it out. I greet my friends in a friendly, warm manner anyway.

Amy appeared on the screen and she looked at me with hands placed on her hips. She was angry. How typical. "Sonic, are you out in the cold?" She interrogated.

Wow...something original. If she knew, then why did she ask? "Um...yes?" I answered.

Amy sighed, "What are you doing out there?"

"First off, I'm heading home. Second, I'm going to grab my Chaos Emerald, and third, I'm giving my old pal, Shadow, a friendly visit."

"Hmph, why don't you come down to my place and give me a friendly visit instead? I would share some of my hot chocolate with you!"

"Sorry Ames, but I've got some things to take care of first. See ya!" I quickly hit the "end connection" button before she could object to my bidding. Talking to her just gives me headaches even if it was only for a few seconds or minutes. I like her and all, but she just takes things up a level. Ugh, my nose is starting to become ice. I can't feel it anymore; in fact, I don't think I even have a nose anymore. Seeing my house coming into view, I was immediately overcome with delight. I would finally be in my own comfy home. Too bad I'll only be there for awhile.

Rushing into my house to have the door close behind me was almost difficult for me because I was becoming a bit numb. I wasn't really planning to be going out there anytime again, at least, I think so... Good thing I've been improving on my Chaos Control. Although, I still think I need more practice, maybe I could learn a thing a two from the Faker. I don't call Shadow "Faker" much anymore because I was starting to consider him a friend of mine, but Shadow just had to go and pull off this disappearing stunt on all of us. Plus, I wouldn't count on Shadow to be considering me as a friend of his anytime soon. Ah, I remember those days when we continuously called each other "Fakers". It was fun while it lasted. Oh well, time will just have to wait for that day we call each other by our names I guess. Yeah, like when the world ends, that's probably when it'll happen.

It took forever for me to look for my Chaos Emerald. I looked almost everywhere in the house for it, and it turns out that it was hiding in my closet under all my stuff. Good thing that it was still in my house, at least. Now that I think about it, the Chaos Emerald reminds me of Shadow's burning red eyes. Yes, I have a red emerald in my hand. And it was so not my fault for picking it! It just happened to be the next emerald that we found. GAH! I've got to stay focused because Shadow needs someone and that someone is going to be me. Why did that just sound a bit...weird?

Oh whatever! I held out the emerald into the sky, more like ceiling, "CHAOS...CONTROL!"

A flash of light made itself visible through my closed eyes, and I was transported to the space colony. Thinking of the last time I came to the ARK was almost forever ago, but not a lot of time had passed since then. Sometimes I feel a little afraid to come back because you never know when it would set a crash course to Earth for no reason. Well, it's a good thing that Shadow's up here; I won't have much trouble 'til then. I wonder if Shadow will consider living anywhere but the ARK. I mean, I know it's his home and all, but he can't just decide to stay up here forever because he can't survive like this. He's not the Ultimate Life-Form even though he claims to be. Why am I thinking like that? Am I really this worried for Shadow? Anyway, I hoped Shadow didn't sense any sudden Chaos energy popping up in the middle of space because I wanted to surprise him before he could find me.

Looking around at the ARK and trying to get the atmosphere, it was still filled with dust and blinking buttons. I huffed. And to think that Shadow would be cleaning the place while he's up here too, but no, he didn't.

Dang it! I had forgotten that Shadow could be anywhere here. He probably knows this place at the back of his hand by now. Despite that being the problem, I've been practicing on sensing Chaos energy, but still, it's difficult and am still practicing. I bet I could find Shadow faster if I could sense his energy somewhere...

Crap! I heard a hissing sound. I think a door just opened. I turned around to see who the intruder was, even though I knew that Shadow was going to the only one here, and, of course, it was the black hedgehog himself—but pale...very, very pale. I feel sick. I wish I knew this sooner. I could've done something to prevent this from ever happening. Why Shadow, why did you do this to yourself? You make me so angry.

"What are you doing here, Faker?" Shadow hissed. I couldn't help but softly smile because he was the same Ultimate Life-Form I last remembered. After being gone for this long, I still couldn't believe he was still the anti-social hedgehog I knew. The only thing that changed is his appearance. He was tired—seeing that his eyes were bloodshot—and looked as if he hadn't eaten in days, maybe even weeks.

"I'm here because of you," I retorted pointing a finger at him for emphasis.

"Hmph," Shadow looked at me with disinterest and shooed me away like I was some small bug, "I don't have time for your stupidity hedgehog."

I stubbornly placed my arms on my hips, "C'mon Shadow, you already know why I'm here, and you don't want to argue with me. So, let's skip the arguing and head back down to Earth, okay? Plus, Rouge is worried for you, so that should push you to come back."

Shadow had his back turned to me. I was beginning to think that he was half-listening to whatever I was saying. If he's going to continue to ignore me, I swear I'll be doing more than just shouting at him from behind. To tell the truth, I'm kind of scared to tell him that I'm worried for him. I feel that he might find it...laughable, and he may not even come back on the planet to see us after what I would imagine myself saying. I looked to the metal floors of the ARK not being able to think of a reason as to why he should come back down to the planet. Then I looked out the giant windows that allowed me to see Earth. It was a beautiful planet. Then I began to think about the time I first met Shadow in Time Square. Shadow...the first and only enemy that became a close friend to the end. What was I supposed to do now that I'm stuck between a hard place and Shadow?