By Life Comes Sacrifice
Episode 1
Shadow's Mission
Sonic sat in a tree and ate a chilly dog. He was trying to enjoy his day at Angel Island with Knuckles. Knuckles sat in a nearby tree and talked with him. It was a nice day with the sun beating down on them, but it was not burning hot. The day was quiet without any problems until an old 'friend' showed up.
Sonic and Knuckles heard a crashing sound from the trees behind them. They both turned to see a black hedgehog with occasionally a red mark on his arms, head and legs. He had red eyes that seemed to look coldly at them. His voice was cold and deep when he spoke. "Have I met you before?"
Sonic looked at him with his mouth hanging open. Knuckles was staring at him, but was wondering what he wanted. "Sha- Sha- Shadow?"
The black hedgehog glared at Sonic. "I knew I knew you from some place…how do you know my name?"
Sonic looked at Knuckles and he looked right back "You mean you don't remember us?" Knuckles finally said.
Shadow thought for a moment. "A.R.K…. the Space Colony… Maria!" Suddenly Shadow ran past them and ran up to the Master Emerald. He said things like: "I must help Maria! Where are they? I must find them!"
Knuckles ran up to him. "Hey, what are you doing Shadow?"
Shadow threw a punch at him and Knuckles flew across the ruins of Angel Island and hit a tree. He smacked his head and got a huge bump. He wasn't hurt too bad though, just a little shaken…
Sonic ran up and helped Knuckles, while Shadow continued to walk around the Master Emerald. He looked like he was trying to decide weather to take it or leave it…
"Sonic!" Shadow suddenly yelled. "Get over here!"
Sonic exchanged glances with Knuckles and they both nodded. Sonic and Knuckles went up to Shadow. "What is it Shadow? What do you want with the Master Emerald?"
Shadow looked at Sonic, confused. "I don't want the Master Emerald, you fool! I need the Chaos Emeralds!"
Sonic shook his head. "Again?"
Shadow nodded. Sonic just looked at him until he saw that Shadow wasn't going to explain. "Why?"
"What?" Shadow asked. He seemed to have forgotten Sonic and him were having a conversation.
"Why do you need the Chaos Emeralds?"
"I have found Maria…." Shadow said.