Spirits in Shadows:
By Kellie Fay
Spirits dwell within the home of Shadow the Hedgehog, and he needs them especially when Sonic's soul hangs between the world of the living and the dead.
Disclaimer: Sonic and Company belong to SEGA, 4Kids and whoever else owns them not me.
Thanks to hannatrantor 16 and Phantom for reviewing.
Chapter 9
The Messenger
With that plan in mind Shadow took a quick shower, and went over to Tails' workshop. He stopped to take a drink at the village well when he saw a strange orange and silver kitsune with three tails. He wore some sort of purple and gold uniform, and elaborate gold rings, bracelets and necklaces. He held a carved wooden staff decorated with ribbons the same color of his uniform. The stranger looked down his long nose at Shadow, already making Shadow's neck ruff rise in challenge.
"You there, hedgehog, draw me some water so that I may continue my journey. I am sorely parched"
Shadow didn't like this fellow's attitude. "If you want water it's a free well. You can draw it yourself."
The strange kitsune frowned at Shadow. "Are you suggesting that I perform manual labor like a lesser creature?" He said, his fur bristling in anger. "Come now I am in hast, draw me the water. I have an errand that cannot wait."
Not only did this fool call him a lesser creature, but told him to hurry?" looking right at him, Shadow placed the ladle back on its hook, and just to make his point, knocked the bucket back into the well before turning his back on the fox. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Amy watching highly amused. Great, is she laughing at me, or at that idiot?
Suddenly Shadow felt a tingling along his quills, and he saw Amy's expression go from humorous to alarmed. Thinking a brief thanks to Sonic for teaching him how to sense energies other than Chaos, Shadow spun around, and formed a hasty Chaos Shield blocking the energy blast from the strange kitsune.
Idiot, Shadow berated himself. You should have considered foxes with three or more tails have magic! He doesn't know you, and he thinks you are an ordinary Mobian. Well this sorcerer was going to have a lesson in underestimating an individual.
And a lesson in good manners.
Already surprised that Shadow repelled his first attack, the kitsune frowned and tried again to bast him with magic. Shadow drew on the Chaos Emerald tucked into his quills that he always carried for emergencies, and batted away the blast with his hand alone. Then he shot back with A Chaos Spear, knocking the pompous kitsune off his feet.
A giggle to his left made Shadow spin around. Amy stood there trying to suppress her laughter. "What?" he snapped.
Still smiling Amy said. "Just don't damage him too much, Shadow. Sonic will want to find out why he's here later."
Shadow couldn't help the smile of mischief that crept up his face. This fellow must have annoyed Amy, or insulted her for her to enjoy watching him thrash this fox. She also trusted that he wouldn't kill him. Not that she had the right to order Shadow about, but she just gave Shadow tact permission to teach the stranger a lesson.
"Cretan!" the kitsune blustered, rising uneasily to his feet, "I am a messenger for Lord Reynard, of Crystal Caves. How dare you assault me?"
"You threw the first punch if I recall correctly," Shadow said. "I try not to start fights, but I most certainly finish those that come my way. Now be a good moron, and go about your business, and I will consider my friend's request not to harm you."
The kitsune didn't seem to know who he faced. With his three tails out like bottle brushes, thrashing back and forth angrily, the kitsune raised his staff which glowed with magical power. "Filthy peasant! I'll teach you not to challenge your betters!"
Shadow smiled and simply said two words, "chaos control!"
In a series of short teleports Shadow circled the fox, and delivered a quick series of jabs, driving his opponent back to his knees. Once down Shadow stopped; he picked up the kitsune by his throat, and squeezed just a little bit. He didn't want to make him pass out, or kill him (okay maybe he did want to kill him, but he knew he shouldn't,) he just wanted the fool to know what he could do if he was so inclined.
"Put him down Shadow."
Keeping the kitsune in the air, Shadow turned to face Sonic and Tails. Sonic's level tone told him that his blue reflection knew full well that he did not intend to hurt the rude kitsune too much. Knowing how well Sonic could pick up his thoughts Shadow said, "A friend of yours faker?"
Sonic glared at the name calling, usually done only when one or the other were seriously annoyed, but he kept his tone calm. "Not exactly, but I do have to talk to him." When Shadow hesitated just for fun, Sonic added, "If he came to see me it's important."
Shadow made a show of sighing disappointed. "Very well," he said. With a huge heave he threw the kitsune at Sonic's feet. He didn't intend to leave Sonic alone with this stranger, but he wanted to make a show out of exiting. He turned around and found himself facing the well. Amy sat there looking smug. She had a small bucket in her lap and the larger bucket at her side. She drew the water, and Shadow thought he knew why. Amy offered him the bucket with a smile. He took it, and spun around. The kitsune still sat on the ground trying to remember how to breathe. Tails and Sonic noticing the exchange between Shadow and Amy moved back slightly.
"I almost forgot, here's your water," Shadow said throwing the water onto the fool. With that he made a show of offering Amy his hand. With a grin of pure mischief, Amy took his hand, and walked Shadow off into her house.
Once safely out of sight Shadow looked back out Amy's window at Sonic trying to placate the stupid three tailed kitsune. "So does Sonic actually know that fool, or was he just trying to keep me from skinning him?"
"He's some sort of messenger for the Kitsune lord back at The Crystal Caverns." Amy said. "Ever since Sonic found Tails every now and then he or another messenger would show up, and then Sonic disappears for a couple of days."
Shadow picked up on something odd. "Just Sonic? What about Tails?"
"Humph," Amy made a face. "They act like Tails doesn't even exist. Tails will say something, and Sonic has to repeat it for them to even acknowledge it. They don't believe a kitsune without any magic is even worth noticing."
"The more fools they," Shadow said. "We benefit from the cub's technical expertise, and they do not."
"I don't like it," Amy said. "First Cream has that weird nightmare last night, and now one of them shows up. I wish Sonic wouldn't go."
Suddenly Shadow's dream shot to the front of his mind. "Sonic goes off with them every time?"
"Yeah. He won't say why. I have a feeling he owes that Lord something."
Shadow frowned deeply. "And he goes alone. He doesn't even take Tails with him."
"Sonic wouldn't expose Tails to their kind of bigotry," Amy said firmly.
"Well he's not going alone this time," Shadow said firmly. Without explaining why to Amy, Shadow marched over to the workshop. He smiled pleased, seeing the kitsune messenger flinch at seeing him enter the room. Tails moved quickly to greet Shadow. "I know he was rude to you, but we need the information he has Shadow. Please leave him be," the little two tailed kitsune pleaded.
"Because you asked me I shall," Shadow told him, "and if I have heard correctly if I stay by your side I should be rendered invisible anyway."
Tails snickered. "Been talking to Amy have you? Kitsune politics is complicated, and it doesn't bother me anyway. Besides I'd rather they ignore me than have them make all the demands that they make on Sonic."
"What hold do they have on Sonic anyway?" Shadow asked quietly. "Why does he have to go with that pompous sub-dog anyway? Bokun has better manners than that fool." With pleasure Shadow noticed the three tailed kitsune bristled at the insult.
Now Tails blushed slightly, and his ears flattened. "It's kind of private Shadow. It's something Sonic promised to do for Lord Reynard's heir. It's not that big a deal."
Shadow leaned forward until his mouth hovered next to the kit's ear. In his quietest voice he whispered, "If I am to keep the promise I made last night to your Nana, I need to know what in the name of Chaos is going on here!"
Tails eyes shot open, his ears pointed straight up, and his tails bristled out. Sonic stopped talking to the messenger, and looked over at his friend. "You okay, Tails?"
That at least snapped Tails out of his shock. "Yeah umm Shadow just reminded me of something I have to do. Come on Shadow!" Tails suddenly grabbed onto Shadow's arm and pulled him outside.
Once out of earshot Shadow pulled his arm out of Tails hand. He still didn't like to be touched. Tails noticing the gesture said, "Sorry Shadow, but I don't think Sonic should know what Cobbler told me." Then with a puzzled look asked, "you were really there last night?"
Shadow shrugged. "Tell me where 'there' was cub. I saw the palace, the old witch and you, but then I woke up, and I was home. What did she do to me?"
Tails sighed. "Cobbler is connected to every one she's ever cast a spell on. If you've gotten help from her, and she didn't get payment from you then, you're still connected to her."
Shadow sighed looking down at his writs. "I should have known there was a catch to it."
"Regrets?" Tails asked.
"Never," Shadow said. "I owe her a great deal, but tell me now, what is going on with this other fox? Do you think it is connected with this warning?"
"It may be," Tails said worried. "Quick history lesson Shadow: Sonic is the champion of Lady Katrina, daughter of Lord Reynard. Any time an unwelcome suitor shows up Sonic races him."
"Isn't that a bit unfair?" Shadow asked.
Tails grinned. "That's the idea. Katrina hates most of the guys who come to court her. Sonic doesn't let anyone know how fast he really is, even though a lot of Lord Reynard's family do know. There's a lot of room for intrigue here."
Shadow nodded, and started listing the threat possibilities. "Perhaps the current suitor knows of Sonic's ability, and means to eliminate him. Perhaps someone in Reynard's household means Sonic harm. "
"It could be Reynard himself." Tails said. He doesn't like Sonic, but he knows that Sonic is protecting his daughter."
"It could also be that someone is targeting either Reynard, or his daughter, and well you know Sonic better than I"
Tails nodded. "It won't be the first time he's put himself in danger on account of that family."
"Well then there is only one thing to do."
"What Shadow?"
….
"Oh this guy sounds rich." Sonic said to his guest. "I take it he doesn't have any clue about me?"
"Her highness does not believe he knows, but she wishes you to be very wary. Princess Andrea has had dark dreams as of late, and almost begged Princess Katrina not to summon you."
"Andy didn't want me to come? That doesn't sound like her," Sonic said.
"It has been strange times in the palace Squire Sonic." the messenger said.
"Then perhaps 'Squire Sonic, should consider bringing some back up," a deep velvet voice said. Sonic and the messenger both turned to the door, and saw Shadow standing there.
"You!" the messenger shouted angry, Sonic put his hand up silencing him.
Shadow didn't give Sonic time to ask questions or argue. "I'm going with you," he said folding his arms over his chest prepared to stare Sonic down.
For a few seconds Sonic just looked at Shadow puzzled. He didn't like doing it, but Sonic did the peculiar mental twist that Espio taught him that allowed him to communicate with others only using the energy of thoughts. He knew Shadow wouldn't answer any questions in front of Katrina's messenger, but Shadow didn't always guard his thoughts, and he had the bad habit of being a notorious projector.
Sure enough Sonic heard Shadow's thoughts loud and clear. I am going with you, no arguments, no buts, no whys, AND GET OUT OF MY HEAD!
Sonic winced because Shadow mentally shouted that last part. Meanwhile the messenger drew himself up, and puffed out his chest his three tails switching back and forth angrily. "You are most certainly not accompanying The Lady's Champion to Crystal City. That is a civilized culture, and there is no place for wild beasts there."
"You seem to think you have something to say about it." Shadow said casually eyeing the messenger coolly.
Sonic knew that tone and that attitude. No matter what you did or said Shadow would do what he pleased, and woe to the one who tried to get in his way. Sonic had no idea why, but Shadow wanted to go with him.
"Squire Sonic," the kitsune said sounding a little flustered. "You most certainly are not thinking of bringing this brute to the palace."
Sonic gave Shadow a speculating look. It would do absolutely no good to ask Shadow not to come, his mind was made up, and only Chaos knew why. Still he had to make it right with Katrina. Most of the kitsune in the Crystal Caverns were extremely xenophobic, not trusting any outsiders of any species. Most of them didn't even like him, no matter that he saved them and the royal family several times from Eggman. If Shadow wanted to come along then he would have to play along.
If you want to come keep quiet, and play along. You have to know how to talk to these people, and on that note I'm sorry in advance. Looking at the messenger Sonic said out loud, "well Shadow is my...apprentice. Yeah, he's got a natural affinity for Chaos energies, and I've been teaching him what I know." Sonic couldn't resist a glance over at Shadow who bristled in annoyance, but kept his tongue.
"Humph," The messenger snorted. "I would think you would be more discriminating in choosing someone to teach such power to."
Sonic shrugged. "Chaos made the choice. He already holds the power. I'm just teaching him not to blow anyone up."
"And you wish to take him with so little control onto the palace grounds?" The messenger asked with a huff.
"Shadow has plenty of control, or he'd have blown you up," Sonic countered calmly. "Besides I'd like Princess Katrina to meet him. He might be useful to her."
The kitsune glared at Shadow who had his best scowl on. "Can you insure that you can control him?"
Sonic glanced back at Shadow, and couldn't resist thinking at him, nope not a bit, then spoke out loud to the messenger. "Shadow knows better than to disgrace me by behaving badly."
The messenger looked at Sonic skeptical, but this time Sonic regarded him back coolly. Shadow, keeping his temper despite his annoyance, definitely wanted to come along. Sonic didn't know why, but he trusted Shadow's judgment enough to support him. He'd ask why later.
The messenger frowned, but he stopped arguing. "We leave at sunrise,"
Sonic nodded, "Sunrise it is."
Coming Soon Chapter 10
Arming up
Knuckles reached in, and handed Shadow the purple chaos emerald, and a length of woven chord decorated with beads. Shadow stored the emerald in his quills next to his red one. He didn't know what to do with the chord, but Knuckles helped him wrap the chord around his wrist in a decorative manner. When Shadow had the chord secured, he felt a light tingling along his quills, and the sense that someone stood nearby. Shadow's ears went up, and he looked behind him trying to see who he sensed.
Knuckles laughed. "You really are sensitive. Don't worry that you feel like you're being watched, you'll know if it's her or a threat."
Her? Shadow decided that the less he knew about that the better off he was. "What else's do I have to do?" he asked.
"Go back to your place for a minute, and pick up your emerald," Knuckles began.
"Already done," Shadow said. He figured that was all, but with an uncomfortable swallow, Knuckles said, "you need to get something else though."
"What?" Shadow asked.
Knuckles sighed. "You need to go into that special room of yours and find something that you're willing to take with you."
