Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. All characters belong to Sega and Sonic Team.

Author's note: I hope my story is to everyone's liking. It's been quite some time since I'd had the inspiration to write, so I apologize if I'm a bit rusty.

Chapter 2: Between Angels and Demons

Since Dr. Eggman was broadcasting his empire-to-be to people all over the world, Shadow felt it was wise to stick around, and see the outcome.

The moon was to be destroyed as a demonstration of what would happen to all those on Earth if they did not comply.

Shadow watched as half the moon exploded into rubble, and turned to the monitor to see people running around, looks of shock and astonishment on their faces.

However, the world leaders did not look the least bit alarmed; this caused Eggman to become furious, hitting and kicking the computer console before him.

Rouge entered, and in quite high spirits. "That was impressive! You have the whole world in a panic! Does this mean we can control the planet, and do as we choose?"

"Where have you been?!" Dr. Eggman barked impatiently.

"Something happen?" Rouge queried, looking at Shadow.

"Our threat fell on def ears," he explained, turning back to Eggman, "the cannon won't charge up fast enough at this rate. You'll need all seven chaos emeralds."

"Just look at you, throwing a tantrum like a little kid," Rouge admonished, "how totally embarrassing!"

"Remember your end of the bargain, bat-girl! You're suppose to collect all the chaos emeralds. There's still one missing! Where's my emerald?" Dr. Eggman griped, turning to her.

Rouge presented him with a news article, showing Sonic's friend, Miles 'Tails' Prower being awarded a chaos emerald for saving the city from a missile attack.

"Why didn't you show this to me before? This will makes things much easier!" Dr. Eggman headed for the Eggwalker, then to the teleportation device.

"Where are you going?" Rouge asked.

"I have some business to take care of," he replied, "and so do you! Find that fox, I want that chaos emerald!"

Shadow starts to leave, but notices that Rouge hasn't budged. I'll look into that later, he assured himself, right now, I must look after Pyro. With that, Dr. Eggman and Shadow left, leaving Rouge to her own devices.

---

Shadow entered the garden, and much to his dismay, Pyro and Charlie were fighting again. "Pyro, what did I say?" he shouted incredulously, approaching the twosome, and prying them apart.

Pyro chattered in chao language, recoiling from Shadow.

"What do you mean, 'he started it'? Pyro, you know better!" Shadow chided, anger in his voice.

Charlie scurried away, feeling it best to avoid this particular confrontation.

"You promised me, no more fighting…" Shadow trailed off, his voice betraying disappointment.

Pyro began apologizing, trying to explain.

"No," Shadow said sharply, "no more excuses! You have lost my trust!"

Pyro cried plaintively, looking up at Shadow tearfully. He said in his language, "No, no! Please…don't do this! I'm sorry, I really am!"

Shadow turned away from Pyro's tearful gaze. He felt betrayed. The only creature he truly trusted, for he did not trust anyone, and it had lied to him. He did not want to look at Pyro; he was far from being primitive. He had no excuse for lying, for breaking his promise.

"Master, please don't hate me. I should have listened to you…please, forgive me!" Pyro implored, tears streaming down his face.

Shadow sighed. The chao was sobbing quietly behind him, clutching his leg. He could not stay angry with him anymore; Pyro was being sincere.

"Why," Shadow whispered, his gaze softening, "why did you lie? Why couldn't you keep your promise?"

Pyro explained in chao language, his explanation easily translated in Shadow's ears. "I tried to tell you, Charlie started it. He said bad things about you."

"Why would he do that? What kind of things?"

Pyro replied quickly.

"That I'm not the ultimate life form?" Shadow echoed, beginning to laugh. Pyro looked at him strangely, cocking his head.

"Master?" he inquired.

"Pyro, you didn't have to defend me. We both know that I am! Come here," Shadow chuckled, relief washing over him, "I forgive you. You meant well." He has not betrayed me after all, Shadow mused, he has proven his loyalty.

Pyro snuggled closely to Shadow, shaking with tears. "You don't need to cry," Shadow soothed, "I'm not angry. Just please, no fighting. Don't listen when they say something like that. Don't let it bother you, okay?"

Truthfully, it bothered Shadow. What had led the other chao to say something like that?

"Pyro, do you know why he said that?" he asked after a moment, rocking the chao gently.

Pyro babbled something, the name 'Rouge' coming out in common.

"You guys were talking about what we do for Dr. Eggman?" Shadow repeated.

Pyro exclaimed, nodding. He continued his explanation, but Shadow interrupted, getting the gist.

"So, she doesn't believe that I'm the ultimate life form, eh? Hm…there is more to Rouge than meets the eye," he looked down at the chao in his arms, "did Charlie mean any offence by it?"

Pyro made a non-committal response, thinking. "I'm not sure. Why, master?"

"Well, I don't think he did. Perhaps he can tell me more about Rouge?"

Pyro replied, "Maybe, but he is loyal to her…"

"I'll be careful while asking, of course," Shadow insisted, "after all, I am the ultimate. I can be stealthy…"

"Yeah, right." Pyro replied in chao, giggling mischievously.

"Yeah, right? Yeah, right?" Shadow responded, a wry grin forming. "Well, Pyro! How unlike you to display doubt in your master! Should I tickle you, then? Will that be proof enough for you?"

Pyro babbled a quick response, giggling anxiously., dancing out of Shadow's reach.

"Are you sure?" Shadow replied mockingly, "I really could…"

Pyro babbled again, waving his arms in surrender.

"Changed our tune, have we? Okay," Shadow chuckled, then turned serious, "now, I need you to listen carefully. I'm going to need your help questioning Charlie. We need to be as inconspicuous as possible."

Pyro responded with something in chao, cocking his head questioningly.

"How? Leave that to me, my friend."

---

"I don't like this." Pyro complained in chao, tugging at the recording equipment's wires.

" I know it's uncomfortable, but you have to wear it. If I try asking him myself, at least right now, it'll be too obvious. We need the recording equipment. That way," Shadow continued, placing the ear-piece in Pyro's ear, tucking the wire behind his left spire, "when he thinks it's only you talking to him, he'll spill the beans."

"Not after the fight we had," he said, "what if he figures it out?"

"He won't," Shadow assured him, "that bow you're wearing is big enough to conceal it."

"That is suspicious enough in itself!" Pyro exclaimed.

"Just say I gave it to you as a gift," Shadow shrugged, "it's not so unbelievable. Your birthday approaches."

Pyro inquired, surprised.

"Well, maybe. I don't remember when you were originally born. You've had a few lives since then!"

Pyro seemed satisfied with this answer, then looked at the bow in disgust. "Why is it pink?"

Shadow chuckled, "Ironically enough, I borrowed it from Rouge; she said she hadn't used it since she was a child, and I told her I needed it for the day only, to celebrate your birthday," he emphasised, "whether she believed me or not, or even cared, is beyond me."

Pyro shrugged, then asked Shadow another question.

"I want you to approach the subject lightly, carefully. Maybe apologize for the fight? You could ask what Rouge does for Dr. Eggman, what her work involves, and if you think it'll make him less suspicious, you can tell him what role I play."

Pyro made a discouraged statement, translating into, "But he doesn't believe you're the ultimate. Rouge misled him. He believes what she believes."

"You don't have to say I'm the ultimate, even though I am. It'll only cause another fight, most likely. Besides, I'm not just a title, Pyro," Shadow remarked, "I do a lot of other things. I help to come up with the master plans, set the traps, not to mention I can cover ground faster than either Rouge or Dr. Eggman."

"Okay, I'll do it, master." Pyro declared, grinning.

"I'm counting on you," Shadow patted the top of Pyro's head, "I'm leaving the gardenb for a few minutes, ten probably. Is that enough time?"

Pyro made an affirmative sound, then asked Shadow a question.

Shadow sighed, chuckling slightly. "Yes, I'll bring you food. There's no time to lose. Do your best!"

---

As Shadow re-entered the garden, he noticed Pyro swimming, Charlie alongside him. "Hey, Pyro. Come here!" he called to him, his arms laden with skills fruit.

The other chao all looked up, and raced toward Shadow hungrily. Oh, no… Shadow groaned inwardly,

Pyro hurried forward, getting to Shadow before the rest of them. "Master, just give them some other food. That will stop them." He said pointedly.

Shadow nodded, dropping the five skills fruit at Pyro's feet, and hurried around, grabbing the tree fruits that normally grew in the garden. He quickly passed them out to the other four chao, who seemed happy enough.

When everything quieted down, Shadow pulled Pyro off to the side. "Any news?"

Pyro said something affirmative, fidgeting with the bow. He pulled out the recording equipment, handing it gingerly to Shadow, keeping it hidden from prying eyes.

"She's researching me? That's odd. Why would she be doing that?"

"I'm not sure. But there's more on the tape. After he said that, I couldn't understand the rest. He began speaking in a different chao dialect." Pyro explained.

Shadow hid the recording equipment behind his quills, "Good job, just the same. I have to go now," Shadow stated, hugging the chao quickly, "but I will return to you."

---

Before returning to the space colony, Shadow decided to visit the Hero Garden. Pyro hadn't understood the other dialect Charlie had used, and thus, Shadow needed someone who could translate it to him, in full.

I hope she helps me, Shadow thought, I wonder how long a chao can hold a grudge?

He approached a hero swim-type by the name of Venus. He looked down at her. She looked up at him, blinking.

"Hi, there."

"Ak bah!" she shouted. Stay away!

"Look, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to step on you, it was an accident, and it was weeks ago…" Shadow apologized, kneeling down to see her at eye-level.

Venus squealed something incredulously, making an accusatory statement.

"Ten times? It's been that many?" Shadow stifled his laughter, perspiration forming on his neck.

"Stop laughing at me!" Venus growled.

Shadow couldn't contain it any longer. A choked giggle came passed his lips, causing him to slap his hands over his mouth, shaking with suppressed laughter. "I need…your…help…" he finally managed.

But, it was too late. Venus turned her back on him, her seal-fins crossed. "No way! If you want my help, you will beg me to forgive you."

Shadow groaned, regretting his disrespectful behaviour toward the Hero chao. "Okay, okay. You're right. They weren't all accidents. You're a hero chao, you're raised by my foes-but I still need your help. My chao doesn't understand this one dialect, and you do…" he trailed off, his voice betraying hopefulness.

Venus glanced back at him. "I'm waiting." she said bluntly, using the main chao dialect.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have treated you so badly. It doesn't matter who raises you. You're still a chao, still a sentient being, and thus, worthy of respect. Much more respect than an ultimate life form like myself deserves," he grovelled, his pride suffering greatly, "please, Venus. Help me."

She babbled something, looking at him inquisitively.

"Yes, I promise. I won't laugh at you anymore." Shadow agreed hastily, eager for her co-operation.

"Okay."

Shadow handed her the recording equipment, and let her listen to it. After a few minutes, Venus opened the bottom line, explaining in the main dialect.

"Rouge is a spy? What else?" Shadow asked, listening carefully.

Venus replied again.

"That's what Pyro said, too. Any clue as to why?"

Her answer translated into, "To figure out if you truly are the ultimate life form."

"So she's a government spy…I'll bet directly ordered by the president himself! And she's to find out if I'm the ultimate life form, or not?"

Venus nodded.

"But why?"

Venus shrugged. "It doesn't say."

"Alright, thanks for your help, Venus. I'll try not to destroy your master."

"It is Knuckles." Venus bristled.

"The echidna? Then you have nothing to worry, so long as he doesn't stand in my way. My focus is on that blue hedgehog." Shadow said darkly.

"I will tell them all of this."

"I understand. I'm prepared for them anyway. I wouldn't want to have an unfair advantage over them." He grinned wryly, chuckling.

Venus snarled something, disgusted.

"I mean it. Besides, whether they are informed or not, there is no way they can defeat me. I am the ultimate!"

Venus replied morosely, glaring at Shadow in distrust.

"No, I suppose you shouldn't have helped me. But, your information came in handy. Farewell!"

---

Author's ending note: Well, I hope this chapter was satisfactory. Please read and review. 