The Shadow

"HA! I told ya he existed!" Matt exclaimed for the fifth time. He had wasted no time getting to Vincent's house and had decided it was time to show off.

Tails was glowing again, just to prove Matt was right. He was covering his face with his hand, embarrassed to be there. As shy as Matt normally was, he was the most ecstatic person in the room. Vincent could only stare in awe at the bright creature.

"And he has powers, too! And he can glow, and he's just like I said he was!" Matt said. He then moved to Tails' side. "Look at his tails! Nobody can be born with two tails!"

"Actually…" Tails interrupted. "I was."

"Oh," His enthusiasm died for a second. "But he wasn't born glowing!" His spirit quickly rose again. "And we're going on an adventure, too!"

That snapped Vincent out of it. "You?! How can you think you can possibly go on an adventure? You get scared when there's lightning out!" Matt and Tails both flinched at the comment. "Besides, what are you even trying to do?"

"Get rid of my powers." Tails answered.

"Yeah, we're- What?" Matt paused. "Is that what we're trying to do?"

"Well… yeah. What did you think we were gonna do?"

Matt shrugged. "Travel around, saving people. I don't think it's possible to get rid of super powers."

"But it is possible to get rid of Chaos energy," Before Matt could ask what Chaos energy even was, Tails continued. "There's an island that is the home to a magical jewel called the Master Emerald. It can neutralize Chaos energy. Hopefully for good."

"Not to put a hole in this plan," Vincent interrupted, "But do you know where this island is?"

"Oh, that's easy," Tails said smiling. "It's in the sky."

The entire room went dead. Vincent looked at Tails, then Matt, then Tails again. Matt just looked confused. "You mean on a mountain, or something?" Matt asked.

"Nope, it's a floating island," Tails said, looking annoyed. "It wouldn't be an island if it was on a mountain."

"Well, yeah, but-" Matt began, only to be interrupted by Vincent.

"But islands don't fly! That's impossible!"

Tails snorted. "I'm a glowing, immortal fox. By that logic, anything's possible. Besides, I've seen it."

"Okay, let me see if I got this straight," The mouse took a breath. "You and Matt, an impossibly powerful creature and some timed teenager, are going to try to find a flying island, which may not even exist, might I add-"

"It does exist!" Tails interrupted, but Vincent ignored him.

"-to try and find a way to get rid of super powers, that may be impossible to get rid of, using an emerald?"

"That sums it up." Tails said. "Are you in?"

"NO! That's insane, you're crazy!" He turned to Matt. "Don't go with him. This has to be a trick, or illusion, or SOMETHING!"

"But he needs help," Matt countered, his voice more firm then Vincent had ever heard.

"Then go and get yourself killed following him! Just leave me outta it!" Vincent stormed out of the room, leaving the hedgehog and fox alone.

"I'm sorry, Matt…" Tails said, while turning back into his less 'bright' form. "I already cost you a friend…"

Matt managed a snort. "He'll get over it. Besides, I said I'd help."

"But…" Tails was interrupted by Matt.

"I know what I'm doing. Besides, he isn't that good a friend. C'mon, cheer up." He looked into Tails' rapidly color-changing eyes. "I don't blame you."

Tails took a breath. "Thanks." He smiled, for the first time that Matt could remember him doing it. "We'll go to the Mystic Ruins, and see if there's a plane still there. I'll explain on the way."

"Uh, okay," He frowned. "But how will we get there?" Tails grinned. "I'll show you…"

"YAHOOOOOOOOOOO!" Matt cried out. Tails was moving faster then anything he had ever seen, using his tails to push him across miles in a matter of moments. At the same time, he was holding Matt in one arm. "This is incredible!"

"We'll be at the Mystic Ruins in no time!" Tails answered. It was hard to see, but Matt thought he saw a faint smile on the kitsune's face…