Yeah! I found time! Anyway...thank you to all of the reviews that I got! I had to stare at the number for a minute in order for it to sink in. Thank you! Any questions, let me know because I would be happy to explain. This chapter is a little choppy in my opinion so let me know what you think. On to the story!

I found second generation in a clearing…arguing. I dropped down next to Shadow and crossed my arms. He glanced at me, nodded, and then looked back at the kids.

Jr and Miley were fighting about going back to help me (they didn't notice I was already back). Miley wanted to help, but Jr kept protesting I'd be fine…and if I wasn't it was my own fault. While Jr was arguing with Miley he was fighting with Annie at the exact same time (which I don't understand) about Arianna. Jr was absolutely convinced that Arianna had turned evil, while Annie kept insisting it was a clone. Meanwhile, Arnold and Topaz were having an argument about…being a guardian?

"For the last time Topaz, I don't want to do it!"

"Why not, you get to guard a giant emerald! An emerald! I'd kill for that job!"

With a small sigh, I rolled my eyes and began a mental argument with Shadow.

"Why didn't you tell me!?"

"I didn't want you to worry."

"Yeah, and an evil elder sister is something to not worry you enough to tell me. What's the real reason?"

"…I didn't want you to know your sister who you thought was kidnapped was actually a murderer."

"Well at least you're being honest now! Anything else you want to tell me, like…I don't know…what was that about wanting me dead?"

"Why did I let you know you could do this?"

"Because you knew I'd need it eventually and decided to teach it before Arianna showed up."

"…That's part of the reason…"

"Yeah, it is. Now what about killing me?"

Shadow seemed to lose interest at this point and fell silent.

The kids were starting to bring out their claws. Hammer girl had pulled out a hammer and was attempting to hit Jr, but he just pushed Miley in the way and ran. Miley was attempting to shoot Jr and Annie with her laser gun on 'sting' mode while trying not to get smashed with a hammer. Over to the side, Arnold and Topaz were continuing their verbal argument by calling each other names.

"Knuckle-head!"

"Sneak!"

"Slacker!"

"Thief!"

"Why, thank you."

"It wasn't a compliment!"

I rolled my eyes. Then my mind wandered back to Arianna's appearance. Okay so I know she killed first gen. but they were not the target. Shadow was, but that doesn't make sense. She forgave him a long time…unless she was lying which is not like Ari at all. What is going on? And why did I want to…help her? I don't hate Shadow…right?"

I shook my head. Now was not the best time to argue with myself. Annie had somehow thrown her hammer and it had hit Arnold so now we had the bat and echidna in the fight. Next to me, Shadow sighed and reached into his pocket (? Seriously, where do they keep their stuff? Do they have hidden pockets in their fur?) and pulled out…was that an air horn?

Sure enough, I covered my ears just in time as a long blast rang out which deafened the other teens. Shadow was not happy. He marched forward and pulled the kids apart.

"Is this how you treat your team?! What are you thinking?! Just because you're looking for a reason to fight, doesn't mean you get to turn your anger towards your team!?"

Jr crossed his arms. "I was yelling at Miley and my sister…that was about it. No team, unless you count Annie if she wasn't my sister."

For what happened next I don't know who was more surprised; Jr or me. Shadow walked over and smacked the blue hedgehog across the face.

"You need to accept Nicole and Miley as teammates because obviously your old ones aren't going to be here anytime soon! They're you're only hope if you want to beat Arianna! So stop treating them like trash! I know about the bullying so don't you think for one second you've snuck anything under my nose! You teens think you're indestructible but you aren't! And the only two humble enough to understand that are the two that you will not allow on the team! Miley and Nicole could beat the four of you up easily!"

I raised an eyebrow at that. Okay…he's mad. Shadow was right about the indestructible thing…but beating the four of them…that might be a little of a stretch.

Jr was so startled after the smack he didn't say anything.

"You want to test that?" Topaz asked with a smirk on her face. She crossed her arms and walked over to Shadow.

I groaned and caught Miley's eye. She looked just about as scared as I felt.

The mentor raised an eye. "What?"

"You're claim. I bet we could beat those two in two seconds."

I thought Shadow was going to pull out but to the displeasure of the fox and me he just nodded. "Alright. Three hours. Master Emerald clearing. But don't be surprised if you get beat."

Arnold smirked at me. I could already feel the pain that was about to come. Maybe Shadow could help us…

It was as if Annie could hear my thoughts. "You're on! But one condition, you can't help either team prepare. This all the kids. Got it?"

Shadow shrugged. "All the same to me. But before we do this, let's talk about Arianna."

Miley exploded at that comment. "Why didn't you tell us!? And don't say you didn't know! I know you knew! How could Ari kidnap my sister and kill our parents?! What is wrong with her!? And what was her problem!?" the yellow fox took some deep breaths.

Shadow gave her a blank expression. "Are you done?"

"Not quiet. One more question, but this is for Nikki…can I have that chaos emerald back?"

I had completely forgotten about the green emerald. Within seconds I had pulled it out and tossed it back.

The other teens looked back at Shadow. He sighed and motioned all of us to sit down. "I guess I should tell you the whole story…"

We gathered around and sat down in a neat circle. I had the ridiculous flashback of story time when I was a little girl.

Shadow took a deep breath and began. "It all started about eighteen years ago…"

So what do you all think, too choppy? Let me know and review please! And to let you know...I am probably not going to post in a while. This next part is kind of complicated...but you get to get to know Shadow a little better...so yeah...r&r please!