When Rouge Met Shadow

The gentle swaying of the ocean echoed in the distance. It was close, far closer than she expected. She didn't expect to get this close to the beaches. She thought his items would be in a far gloomier area. After all, she had heard tales about him. Tales about Mobius Hero. She had heard the titles, the nicknames, the legends. She had heard about his strength, his tenacity, his powers, but above all, his speed.

After all, one of his more prominent names was, the Black Wind.

He was the hero of South Island. So, naturally, the first area she went to first was South Island. It was said after his adventure, the island became ten-times more beautiful. That the legendary Black Wind collected six stones of amazing power, and used them to bring wonder and beauty to an island that had such wonder stolen from it by an evil dictator.

But legends spoke that there was not only six stones. That, among them, there were seven. How myths say that, when all these seven stones are collected, then the wielder will be granted unimaginable power.

All of that was uninteresting. To the white-furred bat, she cared not about legends and myths. Stories about gods and magical powers, about heroes and villains, about floating islands in the sky, she didn't care about any of that. She was more interested in the physical aspects of these items. These six stones, they were known as Chaos Emeralds. And they were wonderfully beautiful. Amazingly so.

That's what she really wanted. She could care less about the powers they were claimed to have, and was more interested in the sights they actually beheld. Though six of the Emeralds were known to have flown somewhere else after South Island's revolution, the Black Wind was stated to hold the mystical seventh. And that's why she was here.

The many and random ticks of her scouter were echoing at a higher rate now. She was a smart girl, capable of creating device like this on her own skills. At one point hiding behind trees, she tipped her head over the bark to see a vehicle. A red vintage-style biplane, one that looked to be remastered by the will and determination by someone who truly cared. There was a name on the biplane.

'Maria', it said.

The bat's nose twitched after reading the title. Raising her fingers, she tapped the side of her scouter. The lens through which she gazed showed her the image of the plane, as it was enveloped in a yellow line. Said line shifted however, as it slowly began to read the strength of a crazy power.

"There we are," she said with a sultry voice, a womanly giggle escaping her soon after.

She may have been uninterested in the power these artifacts own, but that doesn't mean she didn't believe in them. It was her job as the world's greatest treasure hunter to know about her target; inside and out. Less that bastard Nack steals the limelight from her.

She grabbed her scouter's side, pushing it up so the lens wouldn't blind her face. What she was after was definitely inside the biplane, there was no denying that. But before blindly running ahead, her teal eyes scanned her surrounding area.

The beaches. The forest. The skies overhead. The sands beneath her feet. There was no one there. The only sound she heard was that of beach's waves, and the wind in the air. The bat licked her lips, while her attentions returned to the mission at hand. She walked to the biplane, perfectly convinced she was in the clear. The Chaos Emerald was inside the plane's cockpit, she knew it. She pressed her back up against the plane's hull, staring around to make sure she was still safe. There was still no one around looking at her; was this really the Black Wind's plane? Who cared; the treasure inside was all hers.

The bat turned around, staring inside the biplane's open cockpit and the seat within. A single seater; clearly someone flew alone. Or were all biplanes single-seaters? She didn't care; her expertise was treasures, not planes. Speaking of treasures...

There it was. Glowing with a brilliant shine in her eyes. Her teal eyes appeared to glow with the stone, while they grew in size. Her gloved hand rose to grab the stone, like a baby reaching for a shiny new toy. Soon, another shiny toy would be all hers. Oh Chaos Emeralds, how you illuminate so.

PAT!

There was a grip on her hand. A powerful grip. It was tight, but not strong; she never felt to be in pain at any point in time. Nonetheless, the grip around her wrist was unflinching. She could barely move her arm, let alone her hand. It was a grip that showed there was no escape whatsoever.

The bat's eyes were wide, while her pupils and irises were small. She was stunned silent, surprised to actually be caught. Her large ears weren't just for show; they could hear a pin drop from yards away in even the most wildest of circumstances. How could she not hear anyone sneaking up on her?

The wind in the area was rushing now, sounding like the wind was howling. It all came to a stop however, and it happened right to her right. The white-furred bat looked up and over to the person who held her so strong. She found a pair of red eyes burning back.

He was taller than her, but not by much. Funny, she expected her attacker to be tall. But damn he was handsome. A hedgehog with black fur, and red streaks on his quills. On his muzzle, a distinctive scowl, while those powerful red eyes slid into even stronger glares. Who was this mysterious assailant with his hand on her wrist, and a grip tightening to the point that she started to wince? Why was he so mysterious? Why did he own these powerful eyes that felt like they were glaring into her very soul?

And then he spoke.

"I believe this is my plane," the black hedgehog said with a voice which shook her to her core.

So this was the legendary Black Wind. He was fast. Too fast. She was surprised such an action was even possible. His speed was as great as stories claimed it to be; she was foolish for ignoring them. Now she was in a tight spot, and it was only growing tighter.

The black hedgehog's face grew harder, while his grip began to hurt her even more. He yanked the limb up high as he got a better look at her. The white-furred bat could feel those ruby eyes, taking in her very image. Her teal colored eyes, the red lipstick on her lips, the mascara on her lids, her voluptuous figure, and her wings which were quite large for her.

She felt violated, if anything. How dare he stare at her in such a way? But if he was looking at her with those eyes, he surely didn't show it. The black and red hedgehog retained eyes of scorn, as his grip continued to keep her trapped.

But not for long.

"PERVERT!"

SMACK!

Her hand dashed across his cheek, unleashing his grip around her wrist. The bat stepped back as she stared up to the black and red hedgehog, eyes wide as she looked at him. His face was now looking off into the distance, forced that way thanks to her attack. But he held it there for so long, unmoving; still, like a statue. But ever so slowly, he looked back at her. His face was the same as before; scowling and aloof. He didn't show any pain from being slapped, or even appeared to acknowledge it. The only sign that he had been slapped was thanks to a slight red blush on his face.

"Wrong choice..." he stated, his voice as low and foreboding as it was before.

Her ears twitched; her eyes shot down. His right hand was now a fist. Instinctively, she knew what he was about to do. A man of action; he didn't wait around with formalities. Fortunately she knew what to do and how to do it. The bat quickly juked to the right, just in time to dodge a vanishing blow to her head.

It was intense, how fast he moved. One moment he was standing with one fist clenched, the next his fist was where her head once was. Her teal eyes traveled up the entire length of his arm, stopping at the red glares from his eyes. Through it all, his face held that indifference it had from before.

Why hadn't he hit her though? It was clear to her he could have stricken her if he wanted to, and yet he didn't. Did the black hedgehog take pity on her? Did he actually see her facade as real, and was going easy on the bat? His mistake; she was more dangerous than he could ever imagine. And she was going to punish him for taking her so lightly.

Her foot shot up like a piston, aimed for his chin. A blow this fast and this powerful was impossible to dodge, and likely to knock him clean out. As she did so, the bat gave an uppity and powerful smirk.

"Gotcha..." she whispered.

Her foot hit nothing. It careened harmlessly in the air, as she now stood on one foot. Her eyes were wide, the teal orbs within small from shock. The black and red hedgehog she attempted to strike was at the end of his biplane, staring at her with arms crossed. His eyes steadily fell into a glare, as he gave the bat this powerful look of indifference.

The bat slowly put down her foot, though her eyes did not loose their shocked expression. How did he dodge her attack; it was without warning and sure to hit. But the hedgehog now stood some ways away as if he was always there. He uncrossed his arms to reach into his plane, where in which the hedgehog grabbed an item. The bat watched as he did this, following with eyes most entranced. When the hedgehog's hand returned, within he held that which she sought.

A green stone that glowed with an almost mystical resonance. All light in the air seemed to go away, as the glow of this shining emerald drew her eyes in unanimously. She couldn't stare anywhere but there. The bat wanted it so bad now; she was practically reaching out for it with her mind.

But the black and red hedgehog pulled the Chaos Emerald back. He glared directly at the bat as he cupped the Emerald in hand. Then he placed it away, where it vanished. His red eyes returned to glaring at her, while he took a fighter's stance.

"Don't play dumb with me," he growled, fangs shown in full, "I may not know who you are, but I don't have to. You're no innocent girl; only someone trained can deliver a kick that strong. You're after the Chaos Emerald, aren't you?"

The bat's eyes finally returned to normal. No longer was she surprised by this black hedgehog, but instead entranced by him. There was something about him, about the legendary Black Wind, that drew her in. He was unlike other fools she stole from; he was clearly smarter than the rest. Be that as it may, she wanted that Chaos Emerald. He may have been faster than her, and maybe even stronger than her, but he sure as hell wasn't smarter than her. Her skill, tenacity, cunning, not to mention feminine-wiles would make him just another in a long line of victims.

She pursed her lips, licked them as well, then gave a most domineering smirk. His face didn't move in the slightest.

"Well then..." the bat said, "Let's see what'cha got!"

Today was the day Shadow the hedgehog met Rouge the bat.

The wind. How she loved the wind. It brought smells and sounds from miles away. Today, it sounded like nothing but a gentle breeze, and the smells it brought was that of flowers from far off. This area was heavenly and beautiful, the white-furred bat could not deny that. Her dark and brooding friend really knew how to pick a place to live.

He usual sultry ways were replaced today. Where she lived, the bat was known to dress stylish and in a sexy manner. But out here in the country, her clothing was always replaced by something more down to earth. Today, instead of that heart-shape crest upon her body suit, she wore overalls with a violet shirt beneath. At least her high-heels remained though.

Rouge's teal eyes scanned the hillside as she walked further and further up. Her gloved hands sat on her hips as she got closer, wondering how many more flights of grass she needed to walk up. Sure, she could have easily flew up the hill with her impressive wings, but she needed to take her time.

Their was no point worrying about it now; she had arrived. The house she came to see was just a few yards away now, sitting there alone and undisturbed. Beside the home was a large shed, showing it held something extremely important within. Turning around, the bat's eyes fell upon a village that was at the base of these amazing hills. It was like this house stood guard over them; ever vigilant.

Rouge walked up to the home, where in which she knocked on the front door.

PAT! PAT! PAT!

"I'm over here..." a voice echoed.

Rouge looked over to the shed beside the small home, walking over to it with her sexy mannerisms. The shed's mighty doors were open, showing what sat inside. A red biplane, with the name 'Maria' written upon it. Looking under the biplane, she saw a pair of legs sticking out.

The bat rolled her teal eyes, before grabbing said legs. With one pull, she yanked out who worked beneath. Her eyes met the red ones of a black hedgehog. He looked up to her with his usual indifference, while patches of his fur and muzzle were stained brown by unknown fluids. Rouge clenched her nose, trying to wave away the smell which assaulted.

"Sweet Chaos, Shadow," the bat said, "You smell so bad!"

"I've been working on the Tornado all day," the hedgehog said as he pulled himself up, grunting whilst doing so, "She's been acting so weird as of late. I took her for a spin near North Island the other day, and she was sputtering throughout all of it..." he shook his head, "I was working on her."

"Ya'know Shadow, I've bee wondering," the bat said with her usual seductive voice, her eyelids folding to be half a gaze, "Why is your plane named 'Tornado' when it has 'Maria' written on the side?"

"Not now," the black and red hedgehog said with that indifferent tone in his voice, making Rouge roll her eyes, "I've been working on the Tornado all day, and I think she's ready to take flight..." he stared out his shed to the open blue skies outside, "It shouldn't take long to fly around the island a couple of times..."

"Is it always the same two things with you?" Rouge asked in a slightly condescending manner, "Work on the Tornado, fly around. Haven't you figured out what to do yet? Who would've thought the Legendary Black Wind would be so... well... boring?"

"If you have any better ideas..." Shadow replied, annoyed by her statement, "I'm all ears right now, Rouge."

He suddenly found a piece of paper flung into his face. The hedgehog pulled back, surprised by the object as he pulled it away from his face. Looking at it, Shadow found the image of a map staring back.

"It's called the Hidden Palace Zone," Rouge said as Shadow looked at the map, "It's commonly believed to be in West Side Island, that's what this map says anyway..."

The map showed various and detailed images of the Chaos Emeralds. It also showed the island of West Side, which wasn't too far from South Island. In fact, Shadow remembered passing it on his flight to North Island. But from what this map said, West Side Island held this mystical Hidden Place Zone within it.

Whatever that was.

"So... and...?" the black and red hedgehog asked as he looked up to his batty friend.

"Well, Shadow," Rouge said as she now sat on the side of his plane, "You've been searching for the magical seventh Chaos Emerald, haven't you? Legends state that the hidden seventh Emerald is in West Side Island. They say it's inside of this Hidden Palace Zone. I found that map in a pot I stole from Station Square Museum."

"Stealing pots now?" Shadow said as he handed the map to her before crossing his arms, "I thought you were only a diamond girl."

"Oh believe me, I am," Rouge said, "Why else do you think I stole the pot? Hidden Palace is supposed to have gems and jewels that are as beautiful as Chaos Emeralds within. At least that's what the legends say."

"Do you do anything for more than personal gain?"

"I hang out with you on a daily basis," she said with a point, making his eyes roll.

"Hang out," he said with air quotes added, "And 'annoy' are two different things, Rouge..." he traveled his eyes back to the map, "But this does have me... interested... I thought I had the seventh Emerald but... I've used the green one last time..." he looked back up to Rouge, "Fine then; we'll take a quick jaunt over to West Side Island to see if this... uh..." he checked the map, "Hidden Palace Zone even exists, and if the seventh Chaos Emerald is there," he looked back to the skies ahead, "At least it'll give me the chance to test the Tornado again."

"That's the spirit!" Rouge said with her arm hooking through the air, "Shadow and Rouge, adventuring together again!"

"Yes, yes... let's not make it like the first time..." Shadow said as he uncrossed his arms.

Rouge flipped her legs over and into the biplane's cockpit, grasping the steering wheel with both hands. Shadow walked over to the plane's propellers, slapping them to make them spin. The sound of an engine cranking up echoed into the hut, making him stare up to his devious friend. She was turning on the Tornado right then and there, bringing it to life.

It didn't take long for Shadow to leap upon the top of his biplane's wings, standing tall with arms crossed. He tapped his foot somewhat impatiently, ready to get a move one, when the vehicle jerked forward. The sudden action almost tossed him off, but he kept there with steady footing. Looking back at Rouge, he watched as she gave a childish giggle.

The Tornado began to roll forward at a more steady place from then on, riding upon the endless green acres that laid outside of Shadow's home. The vehicle dipped down a hill, before using the valley within to bound back into the skies. It may not have been a runway, but it got the job done. The Tornado, Rouge, and Shadow were now all air born.

The black and red hedgehog stood on his plane's wings with arms crossed, while his ivory bat controlled it directly. They were heading North East, before a quick course change to the North West set them on the right track.

Next stop...

West Side Island...

There are seven Chaos Emeralds. Not six, as originally believed. The seventh Emerald was kept on an island, far from the others. On this island, it was known that this island advanced far faster than the others. That the civilians of the island with the seventh Emerald was capable of creating cities far larger than anything.

But they wanted more than just to better themselves. They found the need to better others. In doing so, they reading themselves to attack the inhabitants of the surrounding lands with the Chaos Emerald at the forefront. It was a horrible action; no one could stop them with the seventh Emerald backing their actions.

Horrified by the actions the users of the seventh Emerald performed, the kami of the world felt the need to punish them. The seventh Emerald was taken away from them, and was placed deep within the ground so it could never be abused by the hands of those who wish for harm. And the seventh Emerald remained like that.

Until the six Chaos Emeralds were brought together. And now, the seventh Chaos Emerald has returned. Brought back to life thanks to the revival of South Island. The world would now be thrown into turmoil once more.

Red eyes beamed through the darkness of his office room. From the head of his business, this man with a most impressive mustache stared out of a window. It was raining outside, and horribly so. But in the far distance of this, there was this machine. A giant spherical machine, being put together slowly.

Slowly but surely...

Slowly but surely...

Slowly. But. Surely.

The man started to cup the purple glowing stone in his hand.


Maverick Talks!

So this is the new story by yours truly. But ain't it kinda different? Seriously, there's just something... off about it... things are familiar, concepts and characters, but things aren't the same.

What the hell is going on here!?

Well, you won't know with this first chapter alone. This is simply a taste for the adventure that's about the occur. You might be able to tell what's going on if your a total Sonic nerd like I am, but some of you might be pleasantly surprised. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what's going on, huh?

All I can say...

Let the Conquest of West Island begin!

By the by, the line 'Are you up 2 it' in my preview of this story is completely intentional. I wonder how many of you will get the reference.

Maverick Kay Prime