Greetings readers! I just got off of Spring Break (hence why I hadn't posted this chapter earlier). Chapters 7 and 8 go hand in hand in Shadow's POV mostly. 9 will go back to Angel Island, since I know everyone is dying to see what happens to Espio and the others. As always, reviews are welcome and I hope you enjoy the long awaited Chapter 7!

Chapter 7: All about the Toys

Space Colony Ark; VTS

Silver's POV

'Damn, it's no use!' I thought as I dove to my right narrowly avoiding a large ball of lava. I had been in this battle for what felt like hours. Iblis roared seeing me still moving and launched four of his smaller lava-balls from his left hand, which I caught and hurled them back in his face. 'Take that you bastard' was the only thing in my head with each impact that I made. I smirked seeing him getting frustrated at me.

The lava entity known as Iblis; this giant lava-coated monstrosity has plagued me all my life (until Shadow, Sonic, and I finally defeated him in 2006). Even here, in this simulated battle, it still boils my blood to see him as he commands all the lava and fire near him as he attacks me. I jumped to my left as my train of thought was broken by a tendril of lava being whipped at me. The stone platform shook violently and began to crumble as I covered myself in my telekinetic field and levitated up to face level. I was pissed by now, and tired from the battle.

I was panting roughly as Iblis slowly drew his gaze from where I was standing to where I floated now. His green eyes were glued to my yellow ones for nearly five minutes as we stayed ready to attack and/or repel one another at any second. Iblis blinked and I took advantage of the split second; I whipped my right hand at him from left to right while shouting, "Mind-swipe!" From my fingertips was an aqua slash of telekinetic energy that cut deep into Iblis' chest. He screamed in agony as he covered the wound with his arms and lowered his head. I dashed to Iblis, grabbing the many stones from the destroyed platform with my telekinesis and forming them into a large spear. I pulled my left hand back into a punch as I got closer with my stone spike at my side.

Before I could get close enough to even launch the spike, I was stopped by a pillar of lava that spouted from below me. It hit me directly and encased me as I increased the density the aura around me until it expanded enough to make a spherical shield around me. The focus needed caused me to drop the spike instantly which caused it to crumble into the sea of fire below me. I crossed my arms in front of my face as I began to strain to maintain the shield. I couldn't see well beyond the lava that was around my shield, but I could barely make out that the pillar had formed a lava sphere around me. My shield cracked all around as I noticed that the lava sphere was condensing on me.

"Shi-" was all I had time to say before my shield shattered into a million aqua specks and the lava flowed in. I closed my eyes fearing the worse, but nothing happened. I opened my right eye then left and saw that I was surrounded by a red sphere that was similar to my aqua one. "What's going on?" I asked aloud as I checked myself for any injuries.

Suddenly, there was a flash of white light next to me and I closed my eyes again to shield myself from the light. I then felt someone's hand on my left shoulder as a familiar voice asked, "Silver, are you okay?"

I opened my eyes to see Sonic with his right hand on me in concern. He had a red aura around him, the same shade as the shield around us "S-sonic? What are you doing here? And how are you doing this?" I questioned him.

He smiled as another voice behind me responded, "He isn't; I am." I turned to see Shadow with his back facing me and a red aura around him as well, but with a more fiery nature to it. His right hand was facing Sonic and his left was to the shield. "Chaos…Control!" he shouted as he warped us out of the lava sphere.

When we reappeared, I noticed that we were behind Iblis. Shadow was still holding Sonic in a telekinetic field as I was in my own, but dispersed the shield since we didn't need it anymore. He turned to me and I saw that his eyes were black except the red iris as he commanded, "Take Sonic; Iblis is mine."

I obeyed and caught Sonic in my aqua telekinetic grasp just as Shadow released his red one. We floated back to give Shadow room and encased us in an aqua shield, just in case.

Shadow's POV

'I figured Silver could handle this, but he isn't ready yet it would seem' I contemplated as I readied myself when I saw Iblis turning around to face me. I floated up to him, a few feet away from his face. I spread my arms and legs out as I stared into his eyes and shouted, "I am Shadow the Hedgehog; the Ultimate Life form, and I command you to die!" As I said this, I began to charge my Chaos Energies. Iblis roared and began to clap his lava-engulfed hands around me.

Right before impact, I shouted "Chaos Blast!" and my Chaos Energies exploded into a destructive wave of pure dark energy that rippled from me, completely obliterating Iblis' arms as well as the rest of him. Within seconds, the battle was mine. "Rest in pieces, you bastard" I spat as I turned and hovered to Silver and Sonic. 'At least his shield could withstand my Blast' I thought as Silver dropped the shield.

"Why did you interfere, Shadow?!" Silver snapped at me, "I could have defeated him on my own!"

"Hmm, yes, well I am so sorry for interfering," I replied sarcastically while contacting my team on the outside, "but I tell ya what; next time I see that your about to be killed, I'll leave you to perish. Maybe then you'll be grateful!" I told the team to end the simulation; after they did, we were standing in the empty white room again.

Sonic stepped between us placing his hand on our shoulders to try to calm us. "Guys come on, save the fighting for the next set of simulations okay?" he reasoned and turned to his right to face me. "Shadow, don't be so hard on him; you were the same way not too long ago," he stated, causing me to look away. "And Silver, you're not alone out there; we're a team, and teams help each other out. If I was in a bind during City Escape, I'm sure you would have helped me."

'Sometimes I hate it when he's right, but I can't argue with him. I brought them here, I need to work with them; Silver and his attitude included' I assured myself before dropping my Chaos Form. Almost instantly, I fell to my knees and placed my right hand on my forehead as I felt a sharp pain through my body. Sonic and Silver instantly helped me by laying my down.

"Shadow, what happened?" Sonic asked in concern as Silver looked me over to see if I was injured.

"He seems fine," Silver concluded, "but I don't think his pain is physical."

I shrugged them off and stood back up, ignoring their concerned glances. "This is nothing," I lied, "I'm just tired, let's get some rest. We've been in the VTS for almost three days straight." I tapped my communicator and told the team, "Pull us out, we're getting some shut-eye." A second later, Sonic and Silvers forms flashed away and everything was dark.

Five Minutes later:

I woke to see that Ben had removed my visor as well as Silvers. I leaned up slowly as my joints popped from not moving for so long. Silver stirred slightly and Ben finished removing Sonic's visor as I got out of the chair. "Direct them to my quarters once they can walk; I have two spare rooms for them to use. Do not disturb me unless the Ark is being attacked or unless one of them attacks; I'm going to get a shower and go to bed. After they are in my quarters, the rest of you have the night off." He nodded his understanding and saluted as I walked to the wall on the left. I snapped my fingers and the metal panels moved to reveal a door. The door slid open and I walked down the hallway to my room.

On the way there I let my mind wander to what happened only moments ago. 'That pain…it was stronger than last time, but I cannot let the others know,' I decided, 'if they were to find out that using Chaos Form to use abilities that are not natural to me hurt, then I wouldn't hear the end of it.' Many years ago, during the Black Arms crisis, I discovered that I had an affinity for destruction and that if I was to use abilities like Silver's then it would cause physical pain. I was made to be the Ultimate life form, after all. I knew already that my powers were to be used as a weapon upon my creation, but when I first tapped into my Chaos Form, it scared the living shit out of me (which NEVER happens to me). I rounded the corner to the right as I continued to remember that moment.

Flashback; Beginning of Black Arms Crisis

I was being assaulted by both aliens and Gun soldiers. I had used Chaos Control for the most part to warp all over the battlefield, dodging both gunfire and lasers as best as I could. After nearly two hours of using only my fists and a pistol I scavenged from a fallen soldier to hold back my attackers, I tripped and fell face-first on the concrete. My enemies quickly surrounded me; Gun to my left and Black Arms on my right. I looked around and became engrossed in rage at the fact that I couldn't remember what their reasons were for firing upon me in the first place, other than that spectral image of 'Black Doom' or whatever his name was. Despite my exhaustion, I began to feel an uncontrollable hate form for those surrounding me. I closed my eyes, expecting the worse when suddenly, something in me just snapped. I was on my hands and knees when I noticed that I didn't feel tired anymore, I just wanted them dead and to leave me alone.

I felt my pocket burn as the Chaos Emerald began to give me power. A red glow began to engulf my body as I felt a surge of pure power run through my veins and one thought was in my mind; destroy. I chuckled quietly as I slowly stood up. The power felt so good, despite the sinister thoughts that clouded my mind; and the darker my thoughts, the darker the aura around me became. All of my pathetic enemies used their little toys to their heart's content as I spread my arms slowly. I opened my eyes with a devious smile spread across my face and released all of the pent up energy as I shouted what I had decided to name this attack, "Chaos Blast!" The explosive radius of my attack was large enough to incapacitate all of my attackers as well as level two blocks. I felt the dark power subside greatly as I felt it whisper inside of me, "We are one, Shadow…we are…destruction…"

End of Flashback

I approached the door to my quarters and walked through the entrance while looking around. My 50 inch TV was on the wall on my left with a black leather sofa in front of it and a small glass-top table between them, and on my right was my desktop computer with the screensaver of my emblem spinning on it; the kitchen was right of the TV. I headed straight after closing the door and entered the hallway; halfway down the hall were guest rooms with individual bathrooms on either side and my room at the end. I took off my Airshoes and socks along with my gloves and bands (but kept my gold bands on so that my power wouldn't be released and destroy my bedroom).

I walked into my bathroom and turned the water on, then walked back into my bedroom to check my phone. I don't normally keep my phone on me, which makes Rouge furious for some reason. As I was scrolling through the usual trash text messages, I came across a picture message Rouge sent me. Normally she sends me pictures of her trying on lingerie and asks of my opinion (why she does that I can only imagine, I don't understand women), but this was a picture of what appeared to be a TV. On the screen was an orange hedgehog laying in a hospital bed with text underneath that read "Mysterious Talon the Hedgehog is hospitalized after saving the life of Princess Elise from the world's most notorious villain and evil genius Doctor Eggman". My jaw dropped from both the fact that I had never heard of this "Talon" person and that it was on the news before I heard of it. I called her as fast as I could find her number and waited impatiently for her to answer.

"Shadow, you're actually using your cell phone?" I heard her respond.

I ignored her sarcasm and got to the point. "Who is Talon and how did he defeat Eggman?"

She sighed and answered, "I don't know. I already gave our boys over there a good 'talking to'. They're defending him while he recovers. There were two who arrived on the scene of the battle right before this Talon person finished it. They reported to see him covered in a yellow light and stop two missiles Eggman launched at him and throw them back. When they hit, the fight was over as Eggman was retreating and Talon passed out. That's all I know."

My mind was racing now. I had her on speaker mode while looking at the picture; he looked like an orange version of Silver and I. 'Scary…' I thought while I heard Rouge ask if I was there. I snapped out of my thoughts and said, "Yeah, I'm still here. Keep me in the loop on any more information you get on him; I need to know if he is a threat or an ally."

"You'll be the first, sweetheart," she assured with the nickname she gave me not long after we met.

'Does she like me or something?' I thought while smiling. I thanked her and hung up. I sighed and tossed my phone on the bed. I saw steam pouring out the bathroom meaning my shower was ready. 'I need to speed their training up before Eggman strikes again' I decided while stepping in the shower. The hot water felt relaxing to my tense body as I closed my eyes and tilted my head up to the oncoming water. I washed myself and made sure that I didn't smell like I had been asleep for three days.

After I finished my shower, I walked into my bedroom wearing a red robe and bedroom slippers (I'm a force to be feared but can be comfy in my own home, don't judge me). I noticed at the foot of my bed was a case with Gun's symbol on it and my name below that. I placed the case on my bed and opened it. Inside was what appeared to be a red and black flexi-suit that matched my fur pattern that had red spikes on the shoulders that went down to my chest (like the ones on my arms and legs) and my old symbol that looked like a red-and-black swirl with spikes coming off the top and bottom of it. ~See emblem from Shadow the Hedgehog game for better understanding of the symbol~

A card was on top of it that read, "Shadow, the Chaos suits you asked for have been completed. These suits, as per your orders, are designed to fit snug yet not be too tight for the wearer. The material is breathable and has been tested in every possible scenario with positive results." I continue to read the list of what scenarios the suits passed in and smiled at each one. They can even withstand Chaos form as well as being bullet proof, knife proof, and even laser proof. I took my suit out and saw that there were new Airshoes and gloves with gold bands to replace my worn ones. I put the outfit on and looked it over; it fit me perfectly from gloves to shoes.

I smiled and was about to take it off and go to bed when I noticed that the card had a back side. The back of the card said, "The suit does not need to be removed; on the bottom of the case is the latest in communications and personal technology. It is known as the 'Zero-brace'. The Zero-brace, or ZB for short, is an arm brace that goes on your left arm. It has a holo-communicator as well as a mini-communicator (depending on preference I guess); if you need it, the ZB has it. There is also a function that retracts your flexi-suit and keeps it in the brace until you need it." I took the brace out and looked at it. It was red, the same shade as my fur, and in length it was halfway from my wrist to my elbow.

'This I have got to try' I thought. I put the ZB on and tapped the 'connect' button that was near my wrist. There was a sudden sting as it felt as though the brace was melting my arm. I gasped in shock and pain and was about to rip it off, but just as instantly the pain subsided and I felt great. I looked it over; it seemed like it was part of my arm. I touched it and was surprised to be able to feel my touch. I took out a small packet that was under the ZB that had "Instructions" written on the top. I flipped it to the page where it had the functions and sat with a confused look on my face. I turned the booklet sideways and five folds flooded forward from the packet. They all were about the ZB's functions, much to my discontent. I skimmed through it until I came to what I was searching for; physical attributes. 'Hmm…' I thought, 'it seems to fuse to the hosts' body so that it can display vitals as well as Chaos Energy levels so that we don't use too much and go into a coma or something.'

I heard the door to my quarters open and close along with what sounded like Silver saying, "Wow, this is really nice!"

"You said it," Sonic replied, "Shadow lives in the lap of luxury! That lucky bastard."

I walked into the hallway to see them looking around and then turn their attention to me in my flexi-suit. "Greetings to your new home, for the duration of your training," I said with a smile and crossed arms.

'I don't think they heard me…' I thought when I noticed them looking at my suit and ZB. "Curious as to what this is?" I asked and smiled broader seeing them nod. I uncrossed my arms and pointed to their rooms and responded, "Then check your rooms; I'm not sure which room is whose, but once you open the case, you'll know. It should match your fur pattern."

They walked in the hallway and opened the doors to their rooms. Sonic was the first to open his and saw it was silver. "This one's yours, Silver!" he called out as he turned and walked out the room. Silver heard him just as he was going to open the other case and turned to walk out.

"Thanks, now to try them on," Silver said grinning. Sonic nodded approval while grinning as they entered their correct rooms.

They opened the cases and put the suits on. Silver's matched his fur perfectly and had an aqua stripe down the arms and legs that met on his chest where a circle could be seen which lit up like his gloves when he put it on. Sonic's matched his fur as well, but also covered his furless arms with the blue material with a white-and-grey tornado on the left side of his chest.

Sonic noticed the symbol on his chest and asked, "What is this white tornado looking thing?"

I turned to him and responded, "It is your element, so to speak."

"My element, huh?" he asked.

I nodded and pointed to mine. "The element is what it is that you can do naturally. Mine is from the Black Arms crisis; I caused so much destruction there as well as other times in my past, and this emblem symbolizes my element. I am destruction."

"I think I understand…" Silver joined, "Sonic's is a tornado meaning wind, and mine is my telekinesis."

I nodded and said, "Exactly, though yours is known as 'Construction' since you can make things with your telekinesis. Sonic can control wind and you can control and manipulate objects with your mind." They nodded in understanding and I continued, "And now for a history lesson; do you know how I can change into my Chaos Form?"

They both nodded no and Sonic said, "You use a Chaos Emerald right?"

I nodded and answered, "Half-way. You do need a Chaos Emerald, any Emerald really, but to change with little to no effort is to use your personal Emerald."

"What do you mean by 'personal Emerald'?" Silver asked.

'God it's like teaching kindergarten…' I thought as I replied, "Each of the seven Chaos Emeralds have a natural affinity with an element; the elements are Fire, Water, Wind, Time, Construction, Destruction, and Deception."

"Wait, aren't those-" Sonic began before I interrupted.

"We have faced and defeated the elements of Fire, Water, Time, and Deception. After time passes, there will be individuals born that will have each element inside them; though they will not know it right away."

"Shadow," Silver asked me, "how do you know all of this?"

I closed my eyes and sighed. After a minute or so passed, I opened my eyes and walked pass them to the living room and replied, "Get comfy, it is a long story." Silver and Sonic sat on the sofa as I sat on a recliner that was to the left of them. I sat back and looked at the ceiling as I began to remember that day all those years ago. "After I remembered who I was before fighting Black Doom, I also remembered that this wasn't the first time I had met him. Almost sixty years ago, a few days after I was created, he came into my room after Gerald said that I was stable and a success. I didn't know about Chaos anything for that matter, other than the Zero experiments. In fact, not long after my awakening, I went on the most insane adventure you can imagine…"