Chapter Three: History's Reckoning

DISCLAIMER: I own NONE of the characters shown in this story! I do claim ownership over Nightshade and Neo! All the other characters belong to their rightful creators/owners.

Jenny crashed through the roof of her house. Neo burrowed through the front door with a spin dash. Jenny put Brad on his feet and quickly ran into the kitchen. Jenny gasped in horror. Mrs. Wakeman was lying on the floor, pale like the moon and shivering frantically, muttering to herself. Jenny kneeled down beside her mom, holding her close. "What did he do to you!?!" Jenny exclaimed. "D-d-darkness…EVERYWHERE!'' Mrs. Wakeman screamed.

Neo looked in horror at such a sight. "How could've done this?" said Brad.

"A man…without a heart.'' said an echoing voice from behind. Neo and Brad turned around to see a familiar looking hedgehog; Ultimus.

His whole body was blue and transparent, and levitating in mid air. He was in the afterlife you could say. "I see you're having problems.'' he said.

"You know it! What's with this…Nightshade?!" Jenny exclaimed angrily, pointing at Ultimus.

The elder raised an eyebrow, "Nightshade? There's no way a Nightshade could've done this.'' Ultimus said.

"A Nightshade? Do you mean there's more than one?" asked Neo.

"No. No. There's…just…well I really don't know. I'm more surprised than you are.'' Ultimus replied.

"I think you got those words the other way around. We're seeing a floating blue ghost dude right in front of us!'' Neo said.

"Forgive me. I am Ultimus. Guardian of the Temple of Fates." Ultimus introduced himself.

"How are you alive? Shadow told us you just left that day.'' Jenny replied.

"What day?" asked Neo

. "The day the 2nd Dimensional War ended. Yes, I know. To be honest…I died.'' Ultimus confessed.

"That's just…wow.'' said Neo.

"How?" asked a confused Brad. "

That's another story for another time my friends. Now, you must tell me everything. Nightshade, anything strange, tell me now.'' Ultimus said.

"He only cares about this! He rarely talks during any battle. I'm surprised he doesn't gloat when he's whooping my butt.'' Neo said.

Ultimus looked at his staff, it too was transparent. "I've told you about everything for the last twenty minutes or so! You got any ideas on how to stop him?" Neo complained.

"It doesn't add up. That's what's confusing me.'' replied Ultimus.

"What doesn't make sense?" asked Jenny.

"The last Nightshade died eons ago.'' Ultimus said out loud, walking out of the room.

"Eons? Hold on there buddy!'' Neo followed after him.

Neo made an attempt to stop Ultimus with his hands, but his hands just went through the old hedgehog's body. Neo looked at this in shock. Ultimus stopped in the living room, and sat down. "There's something obvious you're not telling us.'' Jenny said, walking into the room with Brad by her side.

Ultimus looked at them out of the corner of his eye. "If you must know. Many eons ago, there existed a man. A man who would later become death in physical form.'' Ultimus began.

Neo, Jenny and Brad sat down to listen to this story. "There existed two civilizations. One was known as the Great Shade Empire. The other was called the Crescent Moon Kingdom. The two were like Yin and Yang. The Shades lived underground and sought to making materials for the Crescents above them. The Crescents would produce food and other materials that would help the Shades. The two were in perfect unison, but unfortunately there was one thing the Crescents didn't share eye to eye with the Shades." Ultimus continued.

"And I already have a guess why; Nightshade.'' Neo answered.

"There Neo, you are right and wrong. The Shades honored Nightshade as their god. He never existed to them. Until they decided to bring him to life. When they began this ritual, every century, the beginning of the year after the hundredth, the Shade would sacrifice one of their own to become…Nightshade." the elder continued.

"They killed one of their own…to bring forth a maniacal killer? That's devotion.'' said Neo.

"Not necessarily. The Shades were all humans, as were the Crescents. For each new Nightshade, the sacrifice would become an anthropomorphic animal. And so-"

"Wait a minute! Nightshade is actually an animal? Like me?" Neo interrupted.

"It all depends what animal was chosen for him. Anyway, after they were chosen, they were forced to live a cursed life. Everyday they underwent horrific nightmares. Voices clouded their heads telling them to kill. Every Nightshade chosen was forced…to hate everything." Ultimus changed his tone to a dark one.

The three looked very worried at this point. "So what did each one do?" asked Brad.

"Stories were created to tell others. No one has ever seen one," Ultimus continued.

"That's good then.'' noted Neo.

"Because they didn't live long enough before they were killed." Ultimus added.

"Oh.'' said Neo.

"Nearly every Nightshade chosen committed suicide between about thirty or fifty years later into their lives as Nightshade. They all went to the same spot.'' Ultimus continued.

"Where?" asked Jenny.

"Dead Man's Point. At the bottom of the pit were nothing but the sharpest curved stone spikes. Once it reached my ears I saw it as nothing but pure…madness.'' Ultimus said.

"What about the one we're facing now? By the look of things from him, he enjoys being a megalomaniac!'' exclaimed Neo.

"He's the last Nightshade. I still can't believe it. Every one of their people were chosen to become the new Nightshade until none of their people were left.'' Ultimus finally finished.

"Everyone? Even children and women?" Neo asked.

Ultimus nodded his head…yes. "That's just insane.'' Neo clearly stated.

"It confounds me that there is still one Nightshade left. Very intriguing." Ultimus said, caressing his chin.

"How can this be intriguing? We're talking about a homicidal maniac here!" exclaimed Jenny.

"True.'' Ultimus added.

"Is that suppose to make us feel better?" asked Neo, shrugging.

"Jenny has a point. Every Nightshade does not have a heart.'' Ultimus said.

"Thanks for pointing out the good news captain obvious!'' Neo exclaimed. Ultimus ignored his comment.

"I'm serious. Every Nightshade chosen was born without a heart." Ultimus explained.

"So is that why they're considered demigods?" asked Brad.

"Not entirely. Nightshade was honored as a god. Once they reach a certain mental limit, they become a full fledged…Death God.'' Ultimus continued.

"So…was each Nightshade considered a demon then?" questioned Jenny.

"Yes. Nightshades were considered demons. That adding a reason why NO one ever liked them. Nightshades were cold, heartless, and merciless life forms…forced to be put on this Earth with no purpose but to kill and cause suffering. And the Shades…have succeeded.'' Ultimus continued.

"When exactly will our Nightshade become a full fledged demon then?" asked Neo.

"Usually takes a century or more. But I have no idea how long this Nightshade has been alive. That's what worries me.'' Ultimus replied.

"This Nightshade sure has proven he can handle living this way.'' Neo noted.

"What I don't get is that he has a robotic hand. Any idea on that Ultimus?" asked Jenny. "Not that I know of." he replied.

"Our enemy is a sadistic ancient demon who'll become a full fledged monster in who knows what time, and we have no idea what he truly wants!'' Neo complained, pacing back and forth.

"It's clear he wants the Transformator no doubt." said Jenny, pointing at it.

"That much is obvious. I want to know his intentions for it!'' Neo replied.

"In ancient myth, it says that Nightshade will seek the one of pure metal. Then he will finally show love, compassion and care.'' Ultimus resided.

Jenny looked away at this point. "That's what fears me Ultimus. We may think the 'one of pure metal' is Jenny.'' said Brad.

Ultimus formed an angry and disturbed look. "FOOL!'' Ultimus thundered, stomping his staff on the floor, shaking the ground.

"A Nightshade DOES not care! He does NOT show mercy! He does NOT show sympathy! He…does…NOT…SHOW…LOVE!!'' Ultimus yelled. The three teens before him were all hiding behind the couch, looking up from behind it. Ultimus finally calmed down, taking in a deep breath. The three came out from behind the couch.

"I am trying to give you all FAIR warning. Nightshade is not one you should try and threaten. He should not be shown pity! BY ANYONE! Do you understand? This man was once a normal human being…now he has become death itself.'' Ultimus said in a strong tone.

"Okay, we got it.'' said Neo, trying to calm the old man down.

"Calm? I have faced previous Nightshades before in my lifetime, and I can tell you…EVERY SINGLE ONE WAS A MONSTER! I don't know what force of nature brought this one back…but YOU must know that Nightshade will go to endless lengths to get what he wants.'' Ultimus snapped.

Neo may have just met Ultimus, but he's already beginning to wonder…who should he be afraid of most; him or Nightshade. "If he's so dangerous, what are you planning for us to do? He'll keep coming back for the Transformator no matter what.'' Jenny stated.

"Simple…keep moving.'' Ultimus answered her question.

"To where though? Nightshade will somehow find us.'' Jenny added.

"Improvise! Throw the demon off course! One thing about Nightshade is that he'll let his obsessions overcome himself…ultimately leading to his downfall.'' Ultimus replied.

"Then we'll use Chaos Control!" Jenny got the idea. Ultimus nodded his head in agreement.

Minutes later, Jenny and Neo were ready to leave, as was Ultimus. "So where you going?" asked Neo.

"I shall return to the heavens above. I'll aid you when the…right time…comes.'' he said in a changed tone, before vanishing into thin air.

"Weird guy.'' Neo made a side note.

"His so-called weirdness just gave us a plan to send Nightshade packing, so don't blame him. He's been through a lot.'' Jenny said.

"I know I shouldn't ask why.'' Neo said.

Outside Neo was in his Werehog form. Jenny just exited the house, Brad standing in the doorway. Jenny looked over her shoulder, smiling at the sight of her friend.

"You sure you don't need me Jen?" he asked.

"Don't worry. I'm sure.'' she assured him.

Brad looked to his feet. He quickly walked down the stairs and pulled Jenny into a hug. She blushed immediately. "I know you don't…want to talk about…us. I just want you to know I still care about. Be careful out there.'' he said.

Jenny slowly lifted her arms up, regretting every movement she was making. Jenny then stopped, lowering her arms by her side. Brad broke from the hug, walking past her and down the sidewalk, like nothing had ever happened. Neo watched from where he stood. Jenny readied her jets and flew up into the air. Neo leaped across rows of houses, following her. Neo continued to jump off the ground each time he landed. It's something he wanted to 'try'. For their whole trip, the two shared no conversation. They just met, what would anyone suspect? It's what can easily be classified how focused they can be, which is a key trait in a great hero.