Kazuma Prime: Well, I'm pretty happy with the way the first chapter was rewritten, so I figured I'd keep the ball rolling. This one will have a little more action in it, and a few surprises that you may or may not see coming. Hope you enjoy. And R&R if you would, it always makes me feel better about this story when I get input.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Everything else is owned by the respectful owners.

Shadow's eyes shot open, staring up at his ceiling. He groaned as he sat up in his bed, rubbing his brow as he awoke. Glancing to the window, he noted that bright sunlight was filtering through the closed mini-blinds. Throwing the sheets off him, he got up and grabbed some clean clothes from his closet, choosing some black jeans, a red button up dress shirt, and stuck with his usual skate shoes. Glancing at the clock, it read 1:23 pm, giving him more than enough time to get ready and enjoy some free time before he had to head to the school to help prepare.

He shook his head, attempting to clear the thoughts of his nightmare out of his head. "Get ahold of yourself Shadow, it was just a dream. Doesn't mean it really will happen...I hope."

3 hours later...

Scourge, Tails, and Knuckles were over at Sonic's house. All three of them were currently playing Halo 1 on Sonic's Xbox 360. The score was Sonic: 50, Scourge 50, Knuckles 39, and Tails 25. They were on Blood Gulch with sniper rifles as the default weapon. Needless to say, Sonic and Scourge were having a heated competition, with Knuckles and Tails doing what they could for kills.

"Damnit..." Scourge grumbled as he missed Sonic with a full clip of ammo, his Spartan jumping and moving from side to side on the far side of the map.

"What's wrong Scourge? Can't handle a little movement?" Sonic stated while heading around the red base, taking out Knuckles on the way as his football buddy sighed in defeat.

"Just hold still!" he said a little louder as he looked all over his part of the screen for the hedgehog. Grinning, Sonic glanced over at Scourge for a second, which was long enough for Knuckles to come blazing out of nowhere, running the hedgehog down with a Warthog.

"DUDE! WEAK!" Sonic said in mock anger. Tails, Knuckles and Scourge all fell over laughing at Sonic's unfortunate fate of becoming roadkill.

Footsteps descending the stairs told them of at least one person coming down to the game room, no one bothering to look away from the screen.

"You guys do know the dance starts at 7, right?" Sonia stated as she joined them, Sonic's younger brother also joining them.

"Yeah, why do you think we're already dressed in our tuxes?" Sonic replied while taking down Knuckles with the butt of his rifle, before being sniped by Tails across the map.

"Damnit Tails!" Sonic growled, earning another laugh from the two-tailed fox.

"Yeah, but don't you guys have dinner with the girls?" Manic asked.

The four boys stopped what they were doing, and checked the time. The clock read ten till 5. "Crap, we better go," Knuckles said as he set his controller down and got up.

"Yeah, I don't want to upset Cream," Tails stated while getting up.

"Good game guys," Sonic stated while turning off the 360.

"Wait, aw come on guys! We've still got time," Scourge stated while watching them head up the stairs.

"You wanna piss off Fiona?" Sonic said while peering around the corner from the stairs.

Scourge shot up and started for the stairs. "Yeah, I think it's about dinner time, wouldn't you agree blue boy?"

"Yeah, verily," Knuckles said as they headed upstairs, allowing Sonia and Manik to start watching TV.

"Seriously sis, if you watch any of that Disney channel stuff, I'm going to hurt you…" was what the boys heard, all four shaking their heads as they headed towards the restaurant.

Knothole High Gym – 5:45 pm

Shadow was busy setting up equipment for the DJ, listening in general disgruntlement as the 20-something tiger tried again and again to hire him as his equipment handler. Checking things over, the tiger nodded to him.

"Nice job kid, maybe you'll wise up here after this shin-dig and join me on the road. I'll cut you into the profits, 40-60," he said with a light chuckle.

"Yeah, no thanks," Shadow said, inwardly laughing at the tiger's sheer stupidity. As he left, he glanced over his shoulder. Well, what he lacked in brains, he made up in decent brawn. He might even give him a run for his money.

The hedgehog made his way over to Uncle Chuck. Even though he was the principal, the class had gone through their first three years with him as the guidance counselor and cross-country coach. So things for the class of '11 didn't change drastically in terms of Chuck's name.

"Alright, that takes care of our brilliant DJ," the dark hedgehog said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Yes well, he was the best we could do since the one we asked for backed out last week. He'll do," Uncle Chuck said.

"Anything else you need?"

"Yes, why not see if anyone needs help in the kitchen?"

Nodding to the favored teacher, Shadow walked in where two freshmens' mothers had volunteered to help with refreshments.

"So Shadow, who might the lucky lady be that's going with you tonight?" one of them asked.

"Yes, it's getting pretty late. Shouldn't you be getting ready?" the other asked.

"Sorry, but was unsuccessful this time. So instead, I thought I'd help make my friends' last homecoming one to remember," Shadow said lightheartedly.

"Oh what a shame. I'm sure my daughter would have said yes."

"Who's your daughter?" Shadow said, leaning against the counter.

"Her name's Cosmo, she just moved here recently.

"Oh right, I met her at the game last night. She's alright, I just thought I'd try for someone closer to my age, so then it wouldn't be too awkward for us," he said while looking between the two.

"Well, perhaps when she's a sophomore?" the seedrian persisted.

"Uh…we'll see. Who knows what will happen in a year," Shadow said, making sure his face wouldn't betray his inward embarrassment.

As he walked out a while later, he checked the time.

6:45 pm… guess I should get going then. Shadow thought, sighing as he threw on his jacket. Drinking down a cup of punch the kind ladies had offered him, he listened as the DJ prepared his line-up. Turning, he headed out the door, hands in his pockets as he made his way toward his truck.

Although he had intended on getting out before anyone saw, it was not to be as he had just closed the door when he looked back and sighed in defeat. The cars and limos started to arrive, meaning he wouldn't go completely unnoticed. Thinking quickly, Shadow decided he'd leave after they went inside.

The dark hedgehog sighed to himself as he had the volume of his stereo turned down, making sure to not be seen as he had his window down, the night air of October surprisingly warm and not bitter cold like it had been.

His gaze drifted over the ingoing students, the girls dressed in ball gowns of varying colors and textures and the boys clad in black tuxedos. Shadow spotted Sonic and Amy, Sally and Ken Khan, Knuckles and Julie-Su, Scourge and Fiona, Tails and Cream, and various other students he was familiar with. His gaze shifted away when he saw Mina Mongoose hanging onto Ash, sighing as he waited for his chance.

A few patrons turned toward the parking lot as the white truck revved up and headed out, following behind a few of the limos. Sonic sighed as he watched his friend leave.

Shadow watched in his rearview mirror as the lights of the school got smaller, sighing again as he turned on his stereo.

Get ahold of yourself, maybe you're better off alone this year…

His thoughts drifted elsewhere, the lyrics of "All of Me" fitting his mood to a T.

10:45 pm

A few hours had passed since the class loner had taken off toward home, and the dance was in full swing. Dancing was the main thing on everyone's minds, those that didn't have dates were either talking on the sidelines or at the punch table.

"This homecoming wasn't too bad," Knuckles said, his arm around Julie-Su.

"You got that right Rad Red," Sonic said, bumping fists with his football buddy.

Amy had her arm linked with Sonic, and though he smiled in response to her look, he had reminded her over, and over, and OVER, that they were there strictly as friends. Nothing more than that. The last thing he wanted, was drama; he'd dealt with that enough last year when he and Sally had that public blow up. It was only until mid-August that he'd gotten her to talk to him; but even then the news that he never saw coming, that she was together with Ken Khan? That basketball star from a neighboring school and a guy who had a short temper to say the least. It was even harder to hear he'd had a crush on Sally for years, little uppity chimp that waited for just the right moment…

Sonic was shaken from his thoughts at his friend's staring, others having come over to chat. He glanced from Amy, down to the cup of punch that had been half-gone. Now his hand was sticky from the contents that he had unknowningly squeezed out. He sighed, his left hand rubbing his brow.

"Sorry guys, wasn't paying attention. I'll be right back, Tails can you get that buddy? Thanks," Sonic said as he turned and headed toward the bathroom after the fox nodded to his response.

Nearby, Sally had not been unaware of what happened, watching in concern as Sonic crushed his cup and then had to be snapped out of it. Could he possibly still be upset over her new relationship. Though she started for him, she was stopped by Ken.

"Sally, you have to let him go. He made a choice, remember? He'll get over it, just give him time," he said to her confidently.

"I guess you're right…" she said quietly, her eyes lingering on Sonic's back a few more seconds before following Ken to the other side of the dance floor.

Sonic finished washing his hands, his hands propping him up on the counter as he stared into the mirror. He'd been so sure, so certain going into the year that he could handle not being with Sally. How wrong he'd been.

He shook his head, looking sadly down into the sink as he thought about how stupid he'd been. Sure they'd been disagreeing about things for weeks beforehand, but he didn't realize at the time her father was in the hospital. If he had, he would have stayed home from vacation and been with her. Instead, they got into a shouting match in front of the whole school.

Which ended with Sally slapping him, shouting how incentive he was, and leaving him on the spot. Though they both had apologized thoroughly and a thousand times since, they both agreed to take a break and see other people. But inside, Sonic felt like his guts were being torn apart at the sight of her being with someone else.

A voice coming from the vent overhead caught his attention.

"…please…just stop…"

"…don't see what you're problem is…"

"…not ready. Please try to understand…"

"…been going out for years, how can you not be ready?"

"…just not, alright? Let's just go back to the dance."

By now, Sonic had made his way out and to girl's bathroom door. He listened for anymore voices, both sounding familiar. He strained to hear more as he quietly opened the door a crack.

"Mina, just stay here a few more minutes."

Sonic knew he was dealing with Ash and Mina now, his temper growing short as he heard the ruffling of clothing, most likely Mina's lavender dress.

"Ash I said no!"

A resounding slap was heard as the stall door banged open, that being all he could take. He whirled around the corner, fists balled tight as he looked to see Mina, her dress and hair askew. Her hand was holding her cheek while Ash stood over her.

"I'm tired of you pulling crap on me. Always what you want me to do, well I want-oh well look who's here! If it isn't the girlfriend-stealing bastard himself!" Ash said in anger.

He didn't have time to say much else, as Ash was soon being shoved against the wall. He shoved back against Sonic before they soon crashed out of the bathroom, landing in a heap in front of Knuckles, Tails, and Scourge.

"Whoa whoa whoa! What the hell's going on!" they shouted as they tore the scuffling teens away from one another. Julie-Su, Amy, and Fiona soon came up, wondering what was going on.

"You son of a…what did you do to Mina!" Sonic said, struggling against Scourge's and Tails' grip.

"Whatever I want to do! She's my girlfriend, you stay the HELL away from her!" Ash shouted, loud enough for some of the teens nearby to hear. Worse for him, Mina heard as she had by now exited the bathroom.

Ash heard the bathroom door, turning his head to see Mina with tears coming down her face.

"Wait…I didn't mean-" Ash was cutoff as Mina turned and ran out the door. Knuckles shoved him against the wall, the others shaking their heads. "Yeah you did, you perv," Fiona said in disgust.

Julie-Su and Amy walked up and both slapped Ash, pinning him to the wall. "You ever go near her again, we'll both personally make sure you understand what a big mistake you made hurting her was," the echidna growled into his face, kneeing him in the crotch before they all walked away, leaving the mongoose groaning in pain.

"Seriously, that's messed up," Scourge said as he guided Sonic away from the scene, Tails doing his best to ease Sonic's anger. "It's okay Sonic, you made sure to stop it from going any further."

"Yeah, but Mina ran off. We better go find her," Sonic said as he headed out the door, followed by Knuckles and Tails.

"Fiona, you take Julie and Amy and check around the school. I'll take the car and check the streets. The neighborhood around here isn't too friendly…" Scourge said as his eyes narrowed, pulling out his keys.

"You be careful buddy," the fox said as she pulled said echidna and hedgehog and went to tell the others. The green hedgehog smirked in response, chuckling inwardly. "When aren't I?"

25 minutes had passed since the outburst and the dance had wrapped up. Ken and Uncle Chuck were keeping an eye on Ash, making sure he didn't go anywhere. Already he was threatened with expulsion after being found out in the bathroom. Sally was on the phone with Sonic while Bunnie and Antoine sat at a nearby table, listening as best they could.

"…are you sure you've looked everywhere?…This isn't good Sonic, what do we tell her mother?…Don't worry about him, your uncle is taking care of that…If you feel that your parents would be up to that, then I'll let them know…Alright, well if it gets any later, then you should probably call it a night…"

Sonic on the other line wasn't happy at hearing this.

"No way Sal, you know as well as I do that being out on the streets at this hour is the worst thing for someone our age, especially if you're a girl…You know what I meant by that…I know, I'm worried too…"

The blue hedgehog sighed as he thought for a second then turned back to his conversation.

"Sally, there is one other person that needs to know…"

The black hedgehog was sitting comfortably at his place, arms behind his head as he sat watching a movie that was being shown on tv. His thoughts drifted elsewhere, glancing up at the clock. 12:15 am, everyone's probably at the after-dance party by now…he thought to himself. He was shaken from any further thoughts as his phone started going off.

"Who would be calling me at this hour?" he said as he glanced at the ID. It read Restricted. He sighed as someone probably gave out his number as a practical joke, deciding to take the call.

"Whoever this is, if it was Sonic that gave you my number, just know that he's a dead man on Monday," he said in a bored tone, eyes focused on the movie.

"Shadow, this isn't a joke," the chipmunk spoke.

The dark hedgehog raised an eyebrow at this. "Sally? Sally Acorn? Why are you calling me?"

"We need your help, Mina's missing and we-"

He shot up into a sitting position, hunched over with his feet already going into his shoes.

"What did you say? Mina's what?"

"Mina's missing, Ash tried to rape her in the bathroom and-"

"HE DID WHAT! I'll kill that bastard!"

"Sonic already beat you to it. Look, she went missing over an hour and a half ago and nobody can find her. Please Shadow, we don't know where she is and its got everybody worried."

Shadow kept his cool as he listened to the fear that was evident in her voice. He nodded to himself as he spoke in a firm voice.

"Sally, don't worry. I'll find her, just stay there at the school. I'll keep you posted and please do the same."

"Will do.…" Sally said as Shadow cut the line, pocketing his phone before rushing out the door. He locked it behind him, jumping onto the Harley parked in his driveway. Firing up the engine he revved up the engine and roared out onto the street, taking off into the night.

Hang on Mina, please. Just please be alright… Shadow thought to himself.

He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't see the oncoming car coming his way to his left as he crossed the intersection. All that was heard was the screeching of tires and the honking of a horn, time seeming to slow as the car drew closer and closer…

Next time:

The search intensifies, more and more being brought in.

Sonic: She's out here somewhere, I'm not going to stop looking for her.

Sally: Sonic, please relax. Someone will find her…

And Mina finds herself in more trouble than she bargained for.

?: Don't worry cutie, I'll take good care of you.

Mina: Please…don't…

And before the night's out, someone may not come out of it in one piece.

Sonic: Shadow! This isn't the way! You've got to stop!

The update took longer than expected, but I hope you enjoy it. Until next time!