Chapter 8: The Master's Plan
The bat flew out and changed into a wolf as it landed. It looked around and let out a loud howl. It continued to run along the path through Mystic Ruins and turned around to go off track and came to the edge of the forest and saw Rouge's house. The wolf growled as it saw Shadow enter the house. It crept silently along the brush, its yellow eyes glowing in the dark. Ir crept up to the house and inside the house. Sonic saw Shadow head upstairs to Rouge's room and growled. He ran up the stairs and just as Shadow was about to enter Rouge's room Sonic lunged at a Shadow.
The evil vampire screeched as the wolf growled at it. The wolf growled, showing its fangs. Shadow! Come on, I know you're in there! You have to fight it! Would the Ultimate Lifeform really give into something like this! Sonic shouted, telepathically at Shadow. Would your friend Maria want you to kill?
The vampire hissed and became a wolf also. What are you doing? It yelled at Sonic.
Stopping you from doing something you'll regret later, Sonic told Shadow.
The evil wolf roared and kicked Sonic. It growled and turned back into Shadow. You are disobeying the Master's orders, it told the other wolf, which growled as it advanced on the vampire.
I don't care. I just want my friends safe and your making that super hard, Sonic snarled. Ultimate Lifeform? If you really are ultimate how come you don't have control and I do?
The vampire growled. The Master chose me as well as the others, including you. We have no choice but to obey him.
Sonic growled at Shadow. We do have a choice, Shadow. A choice to stop this from happening and help our friends find cure to stop it. I know you don't want to kill and be a monster...I don't either. That's why we have to hold back as best we can and help our friends...not the enemy. Sonic narrowed its eyes at Shadow then.
There is no cure! Shadow roared. There never will be. This disease is incurable. We are the immortal ones now; the Master commands and we must obey. You were given free will...temporarily...for a reason.
Sonic widened his eyes and snarled at Shadow. That's a lie! There is a cure and Tails will try and find it and save us!
He's telling the truth, the Master said in the wolf's head. There's no cure for this disease.
How would you know? Have you even tried? Sonic shouted back, angrily. I will never give up my hope on the fact that there is no cure! I won't! It's not who I am!
You will! The Master laughed. There's a reason you were given free will by me temporarily! You will become the next Master!
Sonic widened his eyes at this and began to shake in fear. W...What? Why me? Just...why choose me?
Because you are a valuable asset! You are the hero of this city, but soon you'll be the leader of the vampires! It will happen when you lose your free will at the end of the month. There is nothing you can do to stop it.
Sonic transformed back to normal and stared at the ground in horror. I...I can try, Sonic told the Master, frowning in determination. I will not become a monster or anything like you.
The Master chuckled. You will fail. It is destined to happen.
Sonic growled back. Destined? I don't believe anything like that would be destined for me. A thought then hit Sonic. What will happen to you if I become this...new Master?
When you become the new Master...you and I will trade places.
Sonic was now confused. Trade places? What do you mean by that? Why would you even want to give up being the Master to anyone, anyway? Sonic frowned when he said this, he thought it had to believe that the Master really wanted him to be the Master. And them trading places? If he had it great with being the Master why trade places with him?
You will become the Master; there is no stopping that. I have chosen you because you have potential of being a grand vampire. Every Master must choose a successor eventually.
Sonic gritted his fangs in anger. There are other people who have much better potential than me. Shadow has chaos powers and some one from plane may have greater potential than me. So, why me? I don't get it!
The Master's voice came again. You are a hero. I chose you because of what you have done. You'll be evil and lead our species into a new age.
Sonic sighed and bowed his head. He nodded in acceptance and closed his eyes. He didn't want to believe this, but he had no choice. He would help Tails as much as he could in time he still has his free will. He opened his eyes and noticed that Shadow was gone and growled. He heard a cry of surprise and ran into Rouge's room to the see the hedgehog lunge at the bat. Sonic knew he had to stop him. Rouge need to help Tails. He ran at Shadow and pushed him against the wall and held him there by the neck and and left arm.
Rouge looked at them in shock. Shadow looked at her and hissed, showing its sharp fangs. Come with us, it told Rouge.
Sonic snarled at Shadow and looked at Rouge. Don't listen to him, Rouge! He's not in control of himself!
"What...are you two?" Rouge asked.
We're vampires, Shadow said. It hissed again. And soon you'll join us!
Sonic turned his attention to Shadow and kept him pinned to the wall. No, she won't! No one else has to suffer this!
The evil vampire hissed. It's too late!
He closed his eyes and sent a mental wave towards Rouge, knocking her unconscious. Then he knocked Sonic away and lunged at her, drinking her blood.
Sonic turned toward Shadow in horror. He ran at Shadow, grabbed him and threw him out the window. He ran over to the bat, lying on the ground and shook her. Rouge! Rouge! Answer me, please!
Rouge said nothing. Sonic groaned and fell to the floor, holding his head in pain. He stood and looked at Shadow, grinning.
Shadow chuckled. Come. Let us return.
Sonic nodded. They turned into wolves and ran off.
