Shadow rushed into Westopolis, the clown's words echoing in his head. Already he could see Westopolis being transformed into a terrifying, hellish version of its former self. Roads would twist and turn in unusual ways and black pits would appear in random areas as a pillar of flame shot from the ground. Shadow came to a street full of demons and government soldiers fighting amongst themselves.
"Simmons is rather protective of humans," The clown said as he suddenly seemed to appear, "I bet if you kill enough of them, you'll catch his attention. Not to mention I hear that the humans have one of those emeralds you use."
Shadow turned to the battle in front of him, and leapt in, aiming a homing attack at one of the soldiers. Bouncing off of the soldier's body armor, Shadow attacked again, knocking the soldier off of his feet and causing him to drop his gun. Shadow grabbed the weapon as it fell and fired a round into the downed soldier's face. It didn't take long for the soldiers to notice what was going on as they all aimed at Shadow and open fired. Shadow dodged the bullets with ease as the demons seemed to notice their chance and charged. Between Shadow and the demons, the human soldiers didn't stand a chance. It was strange as Shadow paused to scan the area for wherever the Chaos Emerald might be, he had just killed at least twenty men, and he didn't feel very bad about it. Sonic's good heartedness must've been weighing his mind down. In fact, it actually felt good, with each death he caused he felt a small rush of adrenaline.
Shadow found the Chaos Emerald in an armored crate, wich Shadow smashed to reach the Emerald. The instant he touched it he felt a familiar power, the Chaos Force. Shadow put the Emerald away and continued onward.
"Hey there Shadow," Sonic said as Shadow approached him, "This is a pretty messed up situation isn't it?"
"I don't have time for this," Shadow said as he passed Sonic by.
"What's with your attitude?" Sonic asked as he followed, "And what's with the weapon? I guess it's your choice but I personally wouldn't be caught dead using one of those things."
Shadow scowled but ignored the blue hedgehog and moved onward, unfortunatly Sonic continued to follow.
"I seriously doubt Eggman is behind this," Sonic said, "This doesn't seem like his M.O., you know?"
"These things are demons," Shadow said.
"How do you know?" Sonic asked.
"Because someone told me so," Shadow said as they found another street full of battle, it was much bigger than the last one. Ever since he had gotten the Chaos Emerald and was re-united with the Chaos Force he felt something inside him, a new power? He felt like he could just explode with all of this new pent up energy. He decided to try it, Shadow ran into the battlefield and fought his way to the center, regardless of whom or what was in his way.
"Shadow, what are you doing!" Sonic shouted, "Some of those are good guys!"
Shadow ignored him as he got to the center; he didn't notice the fact that he was pulsating a red aura as he rose into the air as he felt another build up of energy. "Chaos… BLAST!" he exclaimed as the red aura around him was thrown out in a huge blast that covered the battlefield and killing all those within. Shadow examined what he had done with a smile, he liked this new power.
Sonic was shocked to see what Shadow had just done, "How…" he stammered, "How could you do that! Those were people! Human beings and you just… you just."
"Killed them," Shadow said, "I killed them, ended their lives and unless you want your fate to end up the same, stay out of my way."
Shadow sped off further into the city; Sonic was too shocked to follow.
Shadow stopped when he saw that clown again.
"Nice work," the clown said, "We found another one of your Emeralds for you, and just keep going the way you are and you'll find it."
Shadow looked at him for a moment, "Your boss had better keep his end of the bargain."
"He's very particular with his deals," The clown said, "He never goes against them, as long as you deliver."
Shadow watched him for a moment before continuing, following the street he was on until he found another battlefield, this one was littered with the dead bodies of mostly humans. The demons seemed to notice him coming as he approached. Shadow stopped before him and they presented another Chaos Emerald to him. Just as Shadow took the emerald, there was gunfire from above followed by an explosion of green flame. Shadow looked up to see a man with a long red cape standing on one of the rooftops, in one hand was an assault rifle, the other was consumed by a green flame. The man spread his cape and floated down to the street as the demons fled.
"You don't look like any demon I've seen," He said, "but your reputation spreads quickly. I've seen what you've been doing and I don't like it."
Shadow smirked, "Your name wouldn't happen to be Al Simmons would it?"
The man leveled the barrel of his gun at the black hedgehog, "Not anymore."