Chapter 2: Drastic Measures

When they got there, Shadic changed back and they ran inside, searching for a present for their son. Shadic went to the music section and looked at the CDs, then saw some Crush 40 albums and smiled.

Silver saw them, too. "Perfect." He said with a smile.

His partner smiled and bought it. Once they were outside, Shadic looked at him. "Shall we race back?"

A competitive glint appeared in the white hedgehog's eye. "You're on!" He said.

Shadic chuckled, and took off at the speed of sound. Silver took off at a similar speed. They ran across Station Square, almost neck and neck with each other. Shadic smiled and his partner as they ran, dodging cars and trucks. They both reached home at almost exactly the same time.

"You almost beat me," Shadic said, grinning.

"Shut up." Silver said, playfully pushing him away. Shadic chuckled and walked inside. He wrapped up the CD and put it in the closet. "He's gonna be happy." Silver said. "I can feel it."

"Yes, he is."

Soon, Silvond came home from school. They heard the door close as he came in. "I'm back," he yelled, and walked into the room.

Shadic and Silver turned and smiled at him. Silvond smiled, and went upstairs to do his homework. That night, Shadic walked outside to get a breath of fresh air. He looked around as his eyes narrowed, then looked up and saw two hawks perched on the roof of his house. Shadic frowned, knowing who they were. The hawks noticed him and narrowed their eyes at him. One prepared to attack, be the other stopped him.

Not here, it said to the other.

The one that was preparing to attack relaxed. It glared at Shadic, who turned into an eagle and flew up to the roof, perching beside them.

What do you want? Shadic asked them.

Both hawks remained silent. The eagle glared at them and flapped its wings, looking out at the city. It wondered why the hawks were at his house. Clearly, they were shapeshifters, as was he. A thought came to him and he sneered evilly, then turned back to normal and jumped down on the ground. He walked into the house and went upstairs to his room. Shadic pulled a drawer open and saw a golden ring. His eyes flashed red and he chuckled, then pulled it out and put it on his finger. Instantly, he was filled with evil, and laughed. With the power of the One Ring he had brought back from his journey through Middle-Earth, he would get those animals to talk. He was the Dark Lord there, after all.

When he came back out, they were gone. This didn't deter him, however. He smirked and went back inside and took off the ring, knowing they'd come back. He got the feeling that he should keep an eye out for them, but he didn't want his family to get suspicious, either. It was then Shadic noticed the two hawks outside his window. He frowned and put on the ring, going outside as his form changed. He grew until he was around eleven feet tall. Once Shadic had reached that height, black armor started forming on his body. It was mostly flat, with slight outward curves where it went over certain sections of his body. Spikes also adorned his armor, curving up from the shoulders. A helmet finished the change, completely covering his head. Shadic's eyes turned blood red as a mace appeared in his hand. The Dark Lord glared at the two hawks, and he sneered evilly as he saw the fear in their eyes.

The hawks assumed their dragon forms again. The female let out a high-pitched, screeching roar, while the male let out a deep, thunderous growl. What do you want from us? The female asked. We have done no harm to you!

If it's a fight you want, then we'll give you a war! The male added, his tail glowing bright blue and his claws crackling with electricity. He was going to charge when an outstretched white wing blocked him.

Not yet, brother! She snapped at him. We cannot harm him...yet...

"Yet?" Shadic asked, tightening his grip on the mace. He chuckled. "You have no idea who you're dealing with. I have seen you watching us for days, and the two of you are obviously up to something. Tell me, what do you want from us?"

We want nothing from you or your family, She told him. We can get what we need elsewhere.

"Then why have you been watching us? Following us? I heard you the other day say that we're the ones she meant. What are you talking about? I demand answers. Now."

The Dark Lord snarled, and the ring on his finger glowed. The dragon's eyes widened as they felt the evil coming from this being, and nodded.

The white dragon fearlessly stared him in the eye. You want answers? Then listen close. We were sent to observe you by a powerful sorceress, and she believes that you and your family will be of great significance in the near future. She sent us to observe you so she can figure whether her prediction was accurate or not.

"And is it?"

The dragon shook her head. She knew now that Shadic was filled with evil; his appearance proved it, and she could sense the darkness inside him. She looked at the ring on his finger. Her eyes narrowed when she saw the evil thing. She looked back at her brother, then nodded to him. He roared, and a ball of electricity appeared above him. She too began to charge an attack, this one a large ball of fire. When they were fully charged, the siblings launched these attacks together, and the flame and electricity entwined and strengthened each other as they soared towards the Dark Lord. Shadic simply stood there, not moving. The attack hit him, but when it faded, he stood there, unharmed, as did the ring. The Dark Lord sneered.

"If you are thinking about destroying this ring, you cannot. Nothing can, except from where it was made. I am the Dark Lord of Mordor, from Middle-Earth. My father, Shadow, was the first. I am the current one. Silvond will be next."

The black dragon swooped down and grabbed the ring with his electrified claws, sending a shock that would have killed any other living being through Shadic as he struggled to pull the ring from his finger. The ring stayed where it was. Eventually, the two dragons gave up. They landed and looked at Shadic. They turned their backs on the Dark Lord and flew up into the sky and above the clouds. Shadic sighed and walked inside the house. Silver was sitting on the couch and looked at Shadic. His eyes widened. Shadic then realized that he probably should have taken the ring off before he went inside.

"Sorry," he said, and took the ring off. His appearance became normal, and he put the ring in his pocket.

Silver just stared at him in shock and opened his mouth to speak. He looked like he was about to have a panic attack, which he probably was. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, then opened them again and looked at his partner. "Can I speak to you in private?"

Shadic nodded and they walked upstairs. Silver closed the bedroom door and whirled around, then began to shout at him. Silvond could hear them yelling at each other.

"What were you doing?" Silver yelled. "Why were you in that form? You almost gave me a heart attack! You know I don't like seeing you as an evil Dark Lord!"

"There were creatures watching us!" Shadic yelled back. "They seemed to be too strong for my normal powers alone, so I had to take drastic measures!"

"Is that so? I didn't see anything!" He looked at Shadic. "I know you're the Dark Lord of Mordor but you don't have to spread your evil ways in this house! I swear, if you corrupt Silvond..."

"Not until he is older." Shadic said. "He is too young now." He glanced out the window and could see the two dragons flying in the distance. "And as for those things that were watching us, I'm sure they'll be back, eventually."

"And what will you do then? Kill them like you killed people when we were in Middle-Earth?"

Shadic said nothing, and Silver slapped him. "What was that for?" He asked, rubbing his cheek.

"I don't want you to become the person you were then." Silver said. "You needed to have some sense knocked into you."

He walked off and headed downstairs. Shadic sighed and sat on the bed, then took out the One Ring and looked at it. His eyes gleamed red for a second before going back to violet. He placed the ring back in its drawer, knowing that if he held on to it, he would only regret it later. Shadic was about to leave when he heard the ring's call. He hesitated, and then pulled the ring out of the drawer and put it in his pocket. Then, he walked downstairs.