Chapter 2

The following was taking from Shadow's personal journal.

I knew it; something bad was going to happen when I went to Eggman. Why does Eggman have to be so stupid, he may not care, but after this clone breathes one breath of air, or takes one step, then it's going to want to live forever. Eggman treats the clones like they're toys, and if they break, he can just replace it. I just don't think its fair, being used like that, living entirely off someone else's will. And I know he'll create about ten lives before he quits. That's ten lives lost because of his stupid experiment. One way or another, I'm going to have to fix this.

Rouge barged through the door, not even knocking.

"Ever heard of knocking," Shadow asked.

"Knocking would only slow me down, hey what's that."

Rouge made a grab for Shadow's journal, but he pulled it back.

"I guess you have a diary you don't want me to see, what, are you embarrassed," Rouge taunted.

"It's not a diary it's, ugh, you're so immature." Shadow pulled his journal out of her reach, so she spread her wings and started to fly upwards towards it. She grabbed the book, and in rush to stop her from reading it, he struck his arm out, which was still holding the book, and it struck her with tremendous force.

"Ahh," Rouge lost all balance, and fell down and hit the floor with a thud. She felt around her jaw where the book hit her. She winced a little when she felt where he hit here exactly.

"What was that for? Shadow?" Shadow didn't answer her question, he was too busy looking at the blood that was around her mouth.

"Shouldn't try to read my stuff," he stammered, still dumbfounded by what he had done.

"What is it Shadow?"

"Um, Rouge,"

"What?" Rouge continued to feel around her mouth until she looked at her hands to see them stained red. Next thing Shadow knew, Rouge had slapped him and was out the door.

At least she's gone, he thought.

Eggman looked through papers, adding stuff here and, trying to see if there was anything wrong with his plans, making sure he would succeed the first time he tried his experiment. Shadow looked through the door.

Hear I go, he thought.

"Oh, Shadow, you're just in time to see my experiment so far," he asked.

"Have started yet?"

"Not yet," Eggman said, not noticing the relief on Shadow's face.

"Well, Eggman before you start, I just thought you should know my opinion on the matter."

"What's your opinion Shadow," Eggman said rolling his eyes.

"Well," Shadow started, "every time you start a cloning experiment, you don't seem to care about how they're treated," Shadow said.

"I take great care of my clones," Eggman almost sounded offended.

"Says the man who tried to kill his clones. Look, all I'm saying, is that you shouldn't destroy something because it's not perfect and you should stop taking advantage of them while they're perfect," Shadow challenged.

"Maybe you shouldn't tell me how to my job, I mean, they're just a form of artificial life."

"I'm a form of artificial life," Shadow said, angry now, "It's great to know that the clones aren't the only ones being mistreated!" And with that he got up and left, it now obvious to him that it was impossible to change his mind.

Eggman knocked on Rouge's door, patiently waiting outside.

"Come in," Rouge shouted.

The door opened and Eggman walked in while Rouge was putting on her pink lipstick. She continued what she was doing.

"What do you want Eggman?"

"Well," Eggman twirled his fingers, "Shadow doesn't really agree with my project, so I want you to keep an eye on him."

"Why would you want me to do that, Eggy?"

"I'm sure that Shadow will try to sabotage my experiment, and he'll do anything to stop it," Eggman said.

"Well, if Shadow's so upset about it, then he could just leave," Rouge added in.

"He won't leave when he knows I'm creating life forms."

While he Rouge were talking, neither relieved that the door was open, nor did they notice the black hedgehog listening in on their conversation.

"So," Shadow finally spoke, taking the two by surprise, "You ignore me, you use me, and now you've decided to spy on me. How much more betrayed can I get?"

"Shadow, I, I," Eggman stammered.

"Everywhere I go, I get used. I should just stop trusting everyone then, shouldn't I?" Shadow said angrily.

Rouge ran to Shadow looking at him pleadingly.

"Please don't make me apart of this, Shadow. He came to me, I swear."

Shadow walked past her and went straight to Eggman.

"You seem to be asking for me to leave," Shadow said.

"Oh, so you would leave me with a clone all by myself for me to decide how I'll train it and what will happen to it if it's 'not perfect' as you say," Eggman challenged.

"Fine then, I'll stay," Shadow said, "but only for the clone."

"Good, because the clone well be ready shortly."

Eggman took this chance to exit, never looking back and heading straight for the door. Shadow left right behind him, and Rouge could hear his door slamming.

That ruined my day, she thought.