Chapter 4: Looking for Sonic

Back in the forest, Shadow yawned and woke up. He looked around and saw that Sonic wasn't there. Worry came into his system despite what had happened yesterday. As Sonic had said; it was his cave too. He ran out of the cave and into the forest, looking for the blue wolf. Looking at all the places they had gone the day before didn't help him in his search.

The black wolf growled. Soon, he saw some blood and ran up, sniffing it. It was Sonic's. Shadow growled and looked up. Obviously, something had attacked the other wolf. He sniffed the area, using the scent of the wolf's blood to lead him. Shadow growled in anger as the scent died a few minutes away from where he found the blood.

He stood in place, thinking a few moments. Maybe the other animals would be able to help, if they could even understand him. Shadow growled, and headed back to the den. He'd figure this out later. When he got back, he realized there wasn't anything to do there except think over what had happened. He couldn't get it to make any sense. Shadow growled angrily, hoping that Sonic would be okay, wherever he was. Perhaps Tails could help. Leaving the cave, he ran to Tails' house and scratched at the door. Tails opened the door a few minutes later.

"What's wrong?" He asked. "I invented a translator so I know what you're saying."

He turned it on, and Shadow spoke. Sonic is missing!

Tails' eyes widened in surprise. "Missing? Do you know what happened to him?"

The wolf shook his head. We had a...disagreement yesterday. I told him that I have feelings for him but he doesn't feel the same way, so I went back to our den. He came back and wanted to talk to me but I didn't want to, so he left. I woke up today and he was gone!

Tails frowned. "He was just gone? Are you sure he didn't find anther place to live and forgot to come tell you?"

He would have told me! Shadow barked eagerly. I looked for him and found some blood that had Sonic's scent.

Tails nodded. "Someone attacked him then, and anything could have..." Tails trailed off then, thinking about the situation. "It could have been a hunter. Or maybe..."

Maybe...what?

"I think I heard something about the zoo having a new animal, but I didn't pay much attention to it. It wasn't very big news."

Shadow's eyes widened. You don't think that Sonic...

"It's a better lead than anything else." Tails shrugged. "The only alternative I can think of is that a hunter killed him. If he was just wounded, he would have found you, wouldn't he?"

The black wolf nodded. Go to the zoo and see if he is there. If you find him, come and tell me immediately. I live in a den in the forest.

"I'll see you as soon as I can."

Shadow barked and ran out the door into the forest. When he got to his den, he ran inside and lay down, whimpering in fear.

Tails watched Shadow run off, hoping he didn't get hurt as well before he could find him. He went to the zoo as quickly as he could, quickly getting in and looking for the new exhibit. A few minutes later, he saw the new exhibit and walked up to it. Not many people were there. He saw that there wasn't anything in there and frowned.

"Isn't there supposed to be an animal in here?" he asked someone passing by.

"There is a blue wolf but it's not showing itself," the person said. "Most likely it's afraid and needs to get used to its new surroundings."

Tails looked back toward the exhibit. "Blue wolf?"

The person nodded and walked away. Tails stood there, waiting for the wolf to show itself but it didn't. Frowning, he turned and walked away. He'd come back tomorrow and see if he could get Sonic to come over. Right now, he had to go talk to Shadow. Tails walked into the forest, looking around for Shadow. After a while, he found the den and walked inside. Shadow saw him and growled.

Have you found Sonic? The black wolf asked.

"I didn't see him, but someone told me that there is a blue wolf in the new exhibit. I can't think of any other blue wolves."

Shadow nodded. That is him, no doubt. Why didn't you see him?

Tails shrugged. "The man a spoke to said he's been hiding. I guess Sonic didn't like all the attention."

We need to get him back soon, Tails. Who knows what could happen to him?

"I agree. What do you propose we do?"

The wolf thought about it. They couldn't just barge in and take him. He growled angrily, trying to think of a way. Tails thought it over, tails swishing behind him.

"I don't think the zoo would believe me if I said he was my wolf."

Shadow shook his head. There has to be something we can do. I don't want Sonic to be kept prisoner is a zoo for his entire life.

Tails sighed again. There was nothing he could think of at the moment. "I'll think on it overnight. Some idea's bound to come up over that time."

Shadow nodded. Tails, he said. Can you go to Eggman's base and see what he used to transform us? Sonic and I were thinking you and some friends could transform into wolves so we could form a pack.

"I'll see what I can find. But how will that help get Sonic back?"

It won't; I was just thinking you could do that also.

Tails smiled and nodded. "Anything else you need before I go?"

The wolf shook his head and Tails left. As he did, Shadow yawned and went into the forest to catch prey.