Sorry for the slow updates. This fic is a little harder to write than the previous one. Anyway, enjoy!

XX

I got down from Omega's back. "So that Eggman's behind all this," Shadow wondered out loud. I pat him gently on the back.

"Good job Shadow," I complimented him. "You're finally catching on."

"Whatever it takes, he's mine!" Rouge announced before turning toward us. "Any objections?"

"NEGATIVE." Omega chanted. A long blue pathway loomed before us. I gulped. The characters in the game made it seem so easy! I took a step onto the blue path, and a strange sensation overcame me. It felt as if I was floating, but moving forward at the same time. I saw Shadow run along the path next to me. Suddenly, an idea came to my mind.

"Shadow!" I called out to him. He turned his head to face me. "I'll race you!"

"But I thought you couldn't keep up with me!"

"I can now!" I ran at full speed, overtaking Shadow in the process. The speed was exhilarating… much better than Shadow pulling me behind him. My body felt absolutely weightless as I ran forward, but, strangely enough, I didn't feel light-headed. I looked behind to see Shadow behind me. He was unmistakably running at full speed. I laughed as I continued running… only to have Shadow run in front of me at the last minute.

"I guess I win," he mumbled with a smirk.

"Shut up, I want a rematch."

"On solid land this time?"

"No way in hell." Rouge and Omega finally caught up to us.

"Thanks for ditching us," Rouge said sarcastically.

"START SEARCHING FOR EGGMAN," Omega chanted.

"All right," I gave in. "It was just a little fun anyway."

"NO TIME FOR FUN."

"All right, fine. No laughing or smiling from me." My mouth formed a straight line as I tried to suppress giggles. Rouge suddenly burst out laughing.

"You know, the easiest way to laugh is when someone says, 'don't laugh'," she pointed out. I couldn't help laughing myself.

"That's so true!"

"Wait…" I heard Shadow mumble. "Who's that?" He pointed to three figures: a purple chameleon, a green crocodile, and a bee wearing a helmet.



"Ohhhhh…" I whispered as I realized the truth. How could I not recognize the Chaotix? They were the coolest characters in the entire series… next to Shadow, Rouge, and Omega, of course.

"Man, who are those creeps over there?" Rouge asked in frustration. I saw the crocodile, Vector, turn to the chameleon.

"What's up, Espio?" he asked casually. The chameleon, who was Espio, turned to face us.

"And you are?"

"Who's this broad?" Vector asked in helpless confusion.

"Our client's adversary, perhaps," Espio suggested. The bee's face suddenly lit up.

"You mean the bad guys?" he asked in his high-pitched voice. I couldn't help smiling at Charmy's naivety. Rouge automatically took the defense.

"I know what you're after!" she yelled. "Better stay out of my way!" And with that, Shadow, Rouge, and Omega launched themselves at the Chaotix. I saw Espio disappear while Charmy tried stinging Shadow with his stinger. Meanwhile, Vector was trying to get a hit on Omega, but he kept missing. Suddenly, Rouge was tossed off her feet as Espio reappeared in her place.

"Everybody STOP!" I yelled. The Chaotix, Shadow, Rouge, and Omega turned and stared at me as if they just realized I was there. "This isn't getting us anywhere!" Espio's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"How do you know that?" he asked dangerously. I sighed.

"I just do!"

"Wait a minute, Espio!" Vector called out. "Didn't our client warn us about this human girl who knew everything that was going to happen?" Obviously.

"Are you saying this is the girl he was trying to warn us about?"

"The one from a different dimension?" Charmy asked. "Cool!" Great. I'd become part of a freak show.

"You mean Eg-he told you?" Espio, Charmy, and Vector all nodded. Eggman was so dead the next time I saw him… which would be very soon.

"You wouldn't happen to know where Dr. Eggman is, would you?"

"We just TOTALED one of his machines down at the beach!" Vector announced excitedly. Rouge's eyes widened in shock.

"Strangely enough…" she trailed off, and Shadow calmly finished the sentence for her.

"So did we."

"MUST ERADICATE ALL EGGMAN ROBOTS," Omega chanted for the umpteenth time that day.

"No way!" Charmy objected. "He's ours!"

"Guys, can we settle this later?" I asked.



"FINE!" everyone suddenly snapped at me.

"Just so you know, we've got our tabs on Eggman," Espio told us.

"We do to… Let us know if you find anything…"

"Sheesh, what did he do to make everyone hate him all of a sudden?" I asked.

"He tried to take over the world by taking control of a weapon on the ARK," Rouge said flatly. "But I'm sure you already knew that."

"Of course. Well… let us know if you find anything. We'll be going. Come on, guys." I grabbed Shadow's arm and pulled him away from the Chaotix. Shadow started running as we made our way toward the Casino Park.

XX

Wow I haven't updated in AGES! Sorry for the slow update!