Greetings yall! Joe Stalin here with a fantastic new story! I enjoyed writing 'Shadow Fox' so much, that I just had to bring back the evil little guy! I got this idea after reading the fantastic 'Myelles Saga' by Fading Hopes. And so, sit back and enjoy...'The Return of Shadow Fox!' And don't forget to R&R!

The Return of Shadow Fox

Coming to Terms

That laugh. That cold, cruel laugh that pierced through the night. He was always there, in the shadows. Waiting, just waiting for his opportunity...to strike!

Tails awoke with a start. He was sweating, and panting rapidly. As he tried to compose himself, he tried to remember what it was that had scared him awake. It didn't take him long to remember.

Shadow Fox. Who else could it be?

Tails sighed and drew a hand through the damp fur on his head. It was the same thing every time. He hadn't had a good nights sleep in two weeks, and he was beginning to wonder if he would ever have one again. Tails flung back the covers and sat up in his bed. After a few moments, he felt relaxed enough to get up. Outside it was still dark, but Tails didn't care. This had happened too many times for him to care any more. Every night for the past two weeks, he had dreamt the same dream. And no matter how much he tried to forget it, the images remained in his head.

It was always in the same room. That dark, red room of the Prower Tech Complex. As his eyes became used to the darkness, he could make out three figures silhouetted in the darkness. Suddenly, that cruel laugh that had haunted him ever since that night perferated through the darkness, and out of the shadows he appeared. Shadow Fox. With a flash of light, Amy and Chris came into focus, both of them tied up and terrified. Above them, two giant saw blades hung menacingly. Shadow Fox then pulled out a control, but instead of pushing it himself, he offered it to Tails. And to his horror, Tails found himself pushing the button and starting the saw blades. As the spinning blades drew closer towards Amy and Chris, Tails found himself laughing. Laughing at their fear, laughing at their imminant deaths, and laughing that he had complete and utter control over them. He was Shadow Fox.

Tails shuddered at the memory. No matter how hard he tried to forget, he couldn't shake off the fact that he had come so close to killing both Chris and Amy. Even though Sonic kept reassuring him that he wasn't able to control his actions, it didn't make it any easier to come to terms with. Whether he was in control or not if it hadn't been for Sonic, Amy and Chris would have been dead. All because of him.

Tails shook his head and stood up. He yawned to purge the sleep from his body, and then walked upto the mirror that hung at a slight angle on the wall. Tails grimaced athis reflection. His eyes wer bloodshot through lack of sleep, and there were deep bags under his eyes as well. He was a wreck, physically and mentally. Tails sighed, and turned away from the mirror.

''Ah well, best to take it one day at a time. It's all I can do!'' he muttered. He stretched his arms over his head, and then looked for the first time at the clock on the table opposite his bed. 3:00 AM.

''Shit. I've really got to stop doing this! But what else can I do?'' Tails muttered bitterely.

''I know what you could do!''

That voice! It couldn't be! Tails span round, but there was no one else besides him in the room.

''Who said that? Show, yourself!'' Tails snarled, his eyes scanning across every inch of the room.

''You should already know that Tails! After all, you put me there!''

''I'm not hearing this! Its not possible!'' Tails stammered, his eyes suddenly focussing back on the mirror. With a start, Tails looked at the reflection. It was a face he had hoped he would never see again.

It was him. And yet, it wasn't. He didn't have glowing red eyes, and a deep permanent scowl. And he didn't have a cruel smile etched across his face.

''You didn't really think I would just go away did you Tails?'' Shadow Fox said with a smirk. Tails slowly approached the mirror, and lay a hand on its surface.

''How?'' Was all he could stammer as the face of his alter-ego stared back at him.

''Tails, don't you get it yet? I am you, or what you could be. You are a genius my furry little friend, and you could use that in any way you choose. You could be all powerful!''

''I already use my intelligence the way I choose! I use it to help my friends, in stopping people who think like you!'' Tails snarled and jabbed at the mirror.

Shadow Fox laughed. ''And that is exactly the attitude that will keep you as the pathetic little lackie that you are! You could have been great Tails! I could have helped you acheive that power! But instead you chose to fight me, and you threw that all away! Your pathetic!'' Shadow Fox snarled.

''Maybe so! But at least I came to my senses and stopped you before you killed my friends!''

''Friends? They are the things that are dragging you down! Once they are eliminated, there's no stopping you! Thats what I tried to do for you, but you threw it back in my face! How ungrateful of you!'' Shadow Fox smirked and wagged his finger, further angering Tails.

''How are you even talking to me? Am I going insane?''

''Not insane, no. I'm inside your mind Tails. I've always been inside you mind, waiting for a chance to get out. You can release me Tails. Even now, your contemplating my offer! You can't help it!''

''No!'' Tails shouted.

''Yes! For you also know that you are capable of greater things Tails! Oh you won't admit it, but I can tell! Deep down, your regretting fighting me. Your regretting throwing away your chance of greatness. Let me out Tails, and I can help you acheive your destiny!''

Tails faltered. He stared deeply into his alter-ego's eyes, and he knew that what he said was true. Tails did regret fighting Shadow Fox. He himself knew that he was capable of being more than Sonic's sidekick. But, no matter what, Shadow Fox was evil. And Tails had vowed to defeat evil in all its forms, no matter what.

''No! I won't let you beat me!'' Tail yelled, before pulling back his fist and smashing it into the mirror. The glass cracked, distorting the reflection. Shadow Fox blinked, and brushed himself off.

''Very well Tails. But let me forewarn you! This isn't the last you've seen of me my foxxy little friend! Sooner or later, you will see it my way!'' Shadow Fox winked, and the image distorted.

When Tails looked back into the mirror, he was greeted with his own reflection. Tails breathed deeply, and collapsed onto his bed, tears brimming in his eyes. Inside his mind, Shadows Fox's voice continued to taunt him.

''You will see it my way Tails. You will!''

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Next Chapter: Evil Has A Face

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Well, what do you think? Please R&R, and tell me what you think about Shadow Fox. Isn't he sucha sweety?