Hello again, readers! Thankz again to those of you that are reviewing, your comments are always welcomed.
This is the first big battle scene in the story, so I hope it's not too confusing. I think everyone needs a little action and danger right? Well, this chapter has all of that and more.
Once again, I don't own Sonic and Co.
PLEASE REVIEW!
Brown-eyedFiction
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Sonic and Star leaned over the railing of the ferry as they made their way over to Prison Island. Star licked her lips and tasted the salty sea air. "So, this Shadow… is he like a clone or something?"
Sonic laughed, "Hardly. We are two complete opposites when it comes to each other. The only thing we have in common is that we each are constantly rivaling. I have my purposes for doing things, and he has his. This causes constant head-butting between us."
"So why does he want the chaos emeralds?" Star asked looking over the side of the boat at her reflection. Her eyes met with his reflections eyes.
"It…has to do with his past. Shadow is a complicated person. He was created by Eggman's grandfather and has yet to find a purpose for his existence. His life is based on so many questions as to why he was brought to life and sources believe that the chaos emeralds are the key to finding answers to those questions." He sighed. "I believe that Shadow's purpose is a good one, but if manipulated by evil, he has the capability to do whatever to whomever he chooses. And that is why he must be stopped."
Star glanced up as the island came into view. She immediately discovered why this was called Prison Island and not Fantasy Island. The concrete walls and barbed-wire fences created an atmospheric vibe that sent chills down her spine. She glanced over at Sonic who also had felt the presence of the island sneak up on them. Why would something of such power be located at such a desolate place?
"Star, you coming?" Sonic asked, tapping her on the shoulder. Star nodded and followed him off the barge. Once they reached the main gate, Sonic placed an arm in front of her. "This is gonna be dangerous." He muttered reaching into his pocket. Star's eyes widened as he pulled out a handgun. "This plan B." he explained handing it to her. "You know how to use one of these"
Star took the gun and opened the barrel to see it full; she then closed it up and turned off the safety. This was something she could do if needed.
"You ever have to go to plan B?" She asked casually placing the firearm in her back of her pants. She pulled her shirt down to cover it.
Sonic swiped a coded card in the slit that caused the door to swing open. "Not yet, but that doesn't mean we won't have to." The pair made proceeded through the lobby. It was an abandoned, spider-web covered base. The company looked as though it had been shut down forever, but due to what?
"Where do you want to look first?" Star spoke up.
"Shh!" Sonic hissed. "Shadow could already be here. Keep your eyes open. I'm gonna head down this way." He said over his shoulder.
"You check out the southern cell blocks."
Star nodded and headed off in the direction he insisted upon. Sonic turned back to the path ahead. He felt bad for lying, he really did. But sending her off in the wrong direction was the best thing. She didn't need to be where the danger was. If Shadow were to target her, since she possessed the master emerald, then he'd never forgive himself.
Sonic spent the next few minutes searching throughout the prison for the main security safe that Tails had told him about. When he came across the door marked "Security Only" he knew he'd hit the jackpot.
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Shadow slowly typed in an access code to the vault. It beeped confirming the number and the sound of the door clicking open echoed in the empty room. Shadow pushed the door aside, carefully avoiding triggering any alarms. He looked up at one of the shelves that were filled with boxes of useless things. Things probably like cash or jewelry, worthless junk that humans saw as valuables.
Shadow walked over to a particular box; one that seemed to stand out above the rest. This box contained the next chaos emerald. This box made him one step closer to his goal.
"Don't do it, Shadow." An all too familiar voice called from behind. Sonic stood behind him in a fighting stance ready for anything. "Don't make me fight you."
Shadow pivoted slowly on his feet and faced the blue blur with a raised eyebrow showing he was no threat. "We meet again Sonic." he spoke as his lips curved into a smile. "I can't let you have that chaos emerald, Shadow." Sonic declared taking a step foreword. However, a gun shot froze him in his tracks. He glanced down quickly and saw a newly formed hole in the floor about an inch from his left foot. A sniper obviously, and it wasn't out to kill, just to warn.
"Hired some help?" Sonic smiled keeping his cool. "That doesn't sound like you, Shadow."
Shadow scoffed, "We had common grounds."
Sonic's eyes darted to the silver safe door that reflected anything that was behind him. The sniper was no where to be seen, so Sonic was stuck.
Shadow, seeing his back was covered, turned to pick up the chaos emerald. Sonic growled from behind him, but was ignored. "Keep you're eyes on it Shadow, it won't be yours for long"
A second gun shot rang making both of them jump. Shadow glanced to his side and noticed a hole where the emerald was just a moment ago.
"What the hell are you doing up there?" he barked at Kya.
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"Good girl, now put it down." Star instructed the shooter. She had the girl at gun point and held a steady hand. The darkness kept her from making out any facial features, but if she made any moves Star wouldn't hesitate.The sniper rifle dropped to the floor and the feminine figure stood up, stepping into the light.
Kya held a fierce look on her face, one that showed she was no where near happy that this girly-girl had found her so easily."Who the hell are you?" Star demanded.Kya then smiled but said nothing. Star cocked the gun. "Look you either tell me who you are or I'll blow you and you're boyfriend's brains out. I can learn how to use that thing really easily." She smirked referring to the sniper rifle.
Kya took a breath. "Not if he takes out your boyfriend first." She countered.
"He's not my boyfriend." Star spat. "He's my cousin. Or didn't you see the resemblance"
Kya slightly turned her head to look down at Sonic and Shadow who were still exchanging words as well. "The only thing I see is two different personalities." She replied after a moment.This caused Star to slightly relax. This was the first time that someone had seen her and her cousin as two separates, rather than "almost twins." It left her in shock.
"Tell me what your name is." Star spoke in a more calm voice. "I think I've seen you before..."
"It's Kya," the purple hedgehog spoke, her voice growing soft, "Kya the Hedgehog."
Star's eyes suddenly lit up with realization. "Matt… you're that girl that spilt the sprinkles!" She declared on the verge of laughing. Kya suddenly got defensive, "What the hell are you babbling about?"
"You were at the Westopolis orphanage! When my parents died, I went there for about two days, there was this guy, Matt, he was the one that showed me around the place… and I remember, he spoke of this little purple hedgehog named Kya, who had recently spilt a bag of sprinkles while making Christmas cookies!" She suddenly laughed, "That was you!"
Kya gradually got uncomfortable. Who the hell was this girl? She didn't remember her at all… and Matt had never spoken of her…but how did she know all of that? Could she have gathered the information and made some things up? It didn't seem likely.
"How do I know you aren't making that up?" Kya spat, "I'm not stupid"
"Oh really? Then how come I'm the one with the gun?" Star demonstrated by waving it around.
Blood rushed up in Kya's cheeks. "Lucky guess." She concluded.
Star then lowered the weapon, "Look, I don't want to shoot you. All I'm asking is that you leave Sonic alone."
"Shadow needs the chaos emeralds." She argued as if it were that simple.
Star placed the gun back at her side. "So does Sonic, but he doesn't go around killing innocent people to get what he wants. He finds a better way."
"You have no room to talk." Kya snapped. "Shadow has his reasons."
"Oh, and what are they?"
Kya paused for a moment because well, she really didn't know. "You'll soon find out." And with that she jumped over the railing and landed gracefully on the floor below, yards away from Sonic and Shadow.
"Oh, no you don't," Star said and jumped after her. She landed on her butt and let out a few "owies" before jumping to her feet again. Kya had run to the side of Shadow, who held the chaos emerald with the intention of keeping it. Star ran and stood behind Sonic.
Shadow's eyes rose at what lay before him.
"Well, well, what do we have here Sonic? G.U.N trying to make an army of the nation's favorite hero with cloning? I think they put the wrong chromosomes in the concoction." He smirked and Kya giggled.
"Shadow, for the last time, hand over the chaos emerald. You don't want to do this"
"Of course I do." Shadow spoke coldly. "And after this is over, I'll get the final ones as well"
Star and Sonic locked eyes for a moment and the locked on Shadow and Kya, "Over my dead body." Sonic threatened with rage in his eyes. "Would there be any other choice?" Shadow eyes turned cold. He felt completely on the topic of indifference.
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"Where did it go?"
Knuckles eyes shot up at the yell. He sat up sleepily rubbing his eyes. The sun had long been up. Not that he really could blame himself for sleeping in. Rouge had made it so that last thing on his mind was going to sleep. He yawned, no doubt she had found that little note he had left for her. She wouldn't be happy...probably far from it.
"I can't find it anywhere!" Tails shouted panicked.
"What the hell is going on?" Knuckles yawned as he stretched. He stood up stumbling towards the direction in which Tails had shouted.
Tails ran into the house in a state of panic. "Knuckles it's gone! Idon'tknowwhathappenedonemomentitwastherethenextitwasgone!"
"Whoa, slow it down kid. You're giving me a headache," he had just woken up let alone distinguish where one of Tails sentences ended and another began.
"The chaos emerald that fuels the Tornado! It's gone!" Tails explained in frenzy.
Knuckles eyes widened. This news had shocked him from his post-slumber grogginess. He ran out the door straight into Tails' shop. He stopped only to locate the Tornado. With out hesitating he climbed the control panel and sure enough there the holder was displayed... empty.
"I came out to do a check and when it wouldn't start I decided to check the emerald that's what I found." Tails explained.
He gave her more credit than that. He wasn't sure what hurt more the fact she had played him for a fool or the fact she stole right for underneath his nose. She stated she knew where Tails' emerald was but he didn't think she'd pull something like this… Sure she'd take an emerald if offered, probably even talk you into giving her one, but not like this. She'd try to steal the master emerald, but also returned its pieces to him as well. He clenched his fist slamming it down on the control panel making everything shake. "Damn it!"
Reaching underneath the panel he caught hold of two wires that were detached as if they had been pulled. Yes, no doubt about it…it was her. To steal an emerald at this time and use his emotions against him though? This was an all time low...even for her. "Rouge did this." He spoke bitterly.
"Rouge?" Tails repeated.
"Yeah, I'm sure of it. She was trying to get my emerald as well. " He scoffed as he jumped down.
"There's no way we can get it back is there?" Tails' ears fell a bit.
Knuckles laugh was short, terse, and forced, "Where would we look? Rouge probably left last night. There's no telling where she could be now."
"But if she has the emerald that means were only have one chaos emerald now! That's two to one to one not counting the current emerald their both after. If Sonic finds out we only have one now when he returns he won't be happy." Tails sighed.
"When he returns?" Knuckles looked at Tails suspiciously. "Where'd he go?"
Tails's expression went from surprise to an "uh-oh" one.
"Tails?" his tone edged on a warning.
"I found the other chaos emerald last night on Prison Island. Star and him left early to get it before Shadow could…" he looked away.
"What?" Knuckles rage was evident.
First Rouge pulls this and now Star ran off? Hell she could whatever she wanted after the master emerald was removed from her. Right now he was her guardian and that meant she couldn't run off without him. It was just too dangerous especially with the master emerald having such sudden side effects.
"Hey, don't shoot the messenger!" Tails retorted as he crossed his arms defiantly, his two tails flicking irritably.
He really was getting more like Sonic… "Sorry, it's just…everything seems to be hitting at the same time," Knuckles left out an agitated sigh.
"They left early this morning so if they found him the confrontation probably already happened. It would be pointless for you to leave now.
You might as well just stay here and wait for there return." Tails added.
"Yeah, you're probably right…" he was far from happy right now. If he left he'd only run the risk of passing by them on their return. He'd just have to take Tails' advice. But mark his words, when they returned he'd give her a piece of his mind.
"In the meantime I'm starving..." Knuckles felt the pains of hunger starting to take effect.
"If you ask Amy nicely she might fix you something up." Tails replied.
"Yeah I guess I'll do that then," he nodded.
Sonic glared at the hedgehog that stood in front him. His very composure was mockery. Damn it, since when had Shadow put such little value on any life except his own? And if that was the case how the hell had he managed to dig up a friend? His eyes glanced over to the purple hedgehog whose eyes held a deep resentment and anger to them. Having help with anything didn't seem to be Shadow's style. Of the late however, he was beginning to doubt whether Shadow even really had a "style."
In a blink of an eye he was gone rushing at his opponent. He reached back throwing his momentum into the punch. He brought it down only to have it stopped savagely by an arm. Shadow had thrown it up to block and had succeeded.
However it caused him to toss the box that held the emerald behind him, out of the reach of either of them.
"I'm not sure who you have been facing lately, however if you hold back on me Sonic it'll cost you you're life," Shadow's emotionless portrayal even displayed in his voice.
He reached his left hand back since blocked with the right and Sonic already knew he was in trouble. Shadow shot forward with his hand striking Sonic hard in the chest open-palmed. It sent the blue hedgehog skidding backwards.
"Don't think you can beat me as you are now. There is no way you can beat me if you don't aim to kill," Shadow's eyes flashed dangerously as he approached the fallen hedgehog.
"Sonic!" Star shouted however as she started to run to help her cousin a purple flash stopped right in front of her.
Kya placed on hand on hip the other shaking her finger at her. "No, no. You're battle is with me." She growled as she brought up her fists.
Star merely smirked, "Oh really? It seems I still have the gun…" she slowly brought the gun up until Kya laughed, her voice almost hauntingly echoing throughout the room, "Can you really shoot me?"
Star aimed it at her chest. Could she really pull the trigger? Could she really take this girl's life? Even if she did have warped views, a life was a life…wasn't it?
"See you talk big, but it went it comes down to it you can't pull the trigger," she shook her head with a heavy sigh.
A shot echoed throughout the room making Kya nearly jump. She turned to Star eyes blinking absently.
"Don't underestimate me," she growled.
Kya merely smirked, "Very well then."
And with that she was gone, racing towards Star in a blur of speed. It was nothing impressive especially compared to her or even her cousin for that matter, but it was fast enough. Star knew was trouble immediately but it was too late to do anything. She wasn't going to fire the gun…that was something they both knew.
Kya's hand grabbed the side of the gun pulling her towards Star with her elbow leading the way. She rammed it into her upper chest caused her to stumble backwards letting go of her precious firearm. A surge up pain hit her chest causing her to gasp for breath. Regaining her stance she realized this was going to be anything but an easy fight. And now Kya had the gun…her eyes flicked to that of a set of stairs….perfect.
Star dashed towards the stairs as a means of escape. Kya's draw was quick enough to open fire upon her causing her to have to abandon the last couple of steps and dive for cover. She was the cousin to Sonic so speed ran in her family. She was pretty quick herself…when she wanted to be. The fact Kya had drawn quick enough to even have a hope of making a clean shot told her just how skilled she was, especially with a foreign gun.
Using up the limited clip, Kya tossed the gun aside before taking after the hedgehog. She grabbed the railing throwing herself over it to skip a couple steps before racing after her. When she reached the top she paused. Wooden crates created a maze upon the second level, dust covering them all. The iron-rod bridge like second floor was rust and eroding leaving everything to groan underneath her weight. Her eyes scanned the scene carefully looking for things that were out of place.
Star hid herself behind the crate waiting for the footsteps to draw closer. They stopped coming so quickly and slowed. Star swallowed her own heartbeat pounding quickly in her ears. She had to force herself to remain still letting the footsteps approach. A little more…
She leapt out from her place behind the crates throwing her momentum into the leg she extended in front of herself. Kya turned her head just in time to get a hard kick to the side. She doubled in pain falling backwards several feet before coming to a stop upon the ground.
Damn, she wasn't too bad. She pushed herself up flinching a bit, her back towards the female hedgehog. Yeah, that'd leave a mark. Star stepped back a smirk up her lips as new confidence rose within her. "I warned you not to take me so lightly"
Kya only shook her head before looking upwards, that was when her eyes caught the glisten of something in the shadows. A wide twisted smile spread up her lips. It would do perfectly. With a sudden burst of speed Kya lunged forward. Her eyes set upon the prize.
Star didn't see the rifle until Kya was almost to it. Futile really, there was no way she could get that gun around in time to fire it, not with her speed. Star went after her this time her fist raise to strike. "There's no way you have time to fire that," she snorted.
"Who said anything about shooting it?" Kya smirked letting Star take that last step to close the gap. With all her momentum she stood, twisting with holding out the butt of the rifle, catching her opponent hard in the eye. It hit Star with such tremendous force it sent her reeling, her vision full of gaps due to the various colored spots that now invaded her sight. She crashed into one of the wooden crates it's dilapidated state causing it to implode. At first she couldn't feel anything, her whole head went numb. Allowing her to regain her footing, she turned back around to Kya. Only to fall to her knees Pain exploded within her head causing her to fell stick to her stomach. She could barely see yet along think clearly do to the massive headache she had received. Her head like it would split into two. Her eye would no doubt swell to the size of a melon. She had never expected her to use the other end of the weapon…she just flat out never saw it coming.
Kya's lips pulled back as she began to swing the gun around.
Shit.
Star jumped up, almost losing her breakfast in the process. She turned around and took off, down an aisle made by the crates. She'd have to put some distance between them and let at least her sight return before this fight would continue…that was if she wanted any hope of winning.
With a sigh Kya swung the sniper rifle on to one arm. She wasn't going to shot it her, not if she couldn't see that move coming, it would just be a waste of ammo. The girl took of with speed though. Kya only walked in pursuit. There was no need to hurry, right now she knew that she had taken a hard hit to the face, one that would be one hell to fight with.
She followed her down the bridge even through the half closed door into the next room. The sounds of fighting and sirens beginning to scream flittered through yet this only edged on Kya's thoughts. Shadow was a big boy; he could take care of himself. Besides the alarm didn't seem to work in this room anymore…it was all just a thing of the previous room what interested her now laid within this one. This place was filled with pipes eroding and a ceiling dripping. A mess of machines were below them each with old values and meters. In the center of the room was a massive tank that extended down into the ground several meters. Even if she fell it could meet certain doom, especially crashing through the rust corroded top of the tank. Tetanus, anyone?
She looked ahead and saw that the next door was seal shut, so that meant she had to be in here somewhere. "All right I know I messed you up pretty bad, but by now your vision should be clearing"
As if on clue the spots were starting to drift away, though the pain still resided.
"Well, I introduced myself…what's you're name?" she called scanning the area.
"Star," came the short, terse reply.
Kya turned heading towards the direction in which it had come. They both knew that answering these questions would direct Kya to her hiding spot. So it made her weary, she wasn't sure what Star had up her sleeve, not yet.
"You don't have much experience in the real combat do you?" When no reply came Kya only smirked with a shake of her head. "I mean you couldn't even shoot me even with two chances"
"I was close though…" Star retorted, the intense pain was beginning to ebb. It was far from perfect, but at least she could now fight.
"Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades," Kya retorted.
Star jumped out from her spot trying to attack from above. Kya was too advance for such a tactic however, she merely jumped out of the way. Star lashed out once more and Kya dodged it with ease. She refused to give up however. She kept throwing punches, kept kicking, and Kya kept dodging. She'd back step to the left, right, roll, duck. This was doing little more to her than making her lose her ground. Star kept pushing her backwards, but it wasn't because anything was planned. Kya watched her lash out with anger and determination rather than calculation and skill. The girl was just mad and wanted to take her out. No wander her moves were so easy to predict. If that was what she wanted Kya could continue this all day. She'd let Star wear herself out and then finish her off. It would be the easiest for her after all.
Star dropped down swing her leg around to sweep Kya off her legs. A good move, for a beginner and Kya was no novice. She threw her weight back doing a back flip only to land upon the bridge that connected the two ends of the room. Star paused, out of breath and panting. This was her chance! She backed up a few steps, if she could create some distance and charge out her making it the finishing blow to this battle. That was when she heard a screeching creak of old metal beginning to bend…and give. She turned, her smirk wiped clean off her face, her eyes wide. This whole center bridge was rusted near threw, the rails had already given away. Just a little more wait and…
Star let out a yell as she started to charge her fist ready to strike. Kya turned her hands held out in front of her as in a "freeze" motion.
"Stop!" she shouted, panicked.
It was too late, Star had too much to speed to stop even if she wanted to. As soon as she set foot a little to close to Kya all went to hell. The sound of metal scarping and breaking to shatter in rusted pieces, and screaming filled the room. With no time to think, Kya called upon reaction. Slipping it off her arm, she grabbed hold of one end of the shoulder strap throwing it up above her in a last ditch effort. By some struck of pure luck, it wrapped around on what was left of one rod upon the side of the bridge. The scream reached her ears to incorporate her decision into reaction in just enough time. She watched Star fall her eyes wide in tear and horror. With little time to spare,
Kya snapped her hand out grabbing hold of anything she could reach. Her head slid the momentum overcoming her grip, with a new sense of resolution Kya clenched her hand only to secure Star's wrist. The sudden jerk and tearing of her joints from holding the rifle with one hand the Star with the other caused Kya to shut her tears and clench her jaw in pain. The arm that held Star screamed, sending streams of boiling pain up her arm. She could feel her ligaments stretch to their limits, her muscles tearing.
She opened her eyes continuing to grit her teeth. She refused to let go. Star had chosen not to shot her back there. She desired the same treatment, not only that but Star wasn't really her enemy. She had nothing to do with that night in Westopolis. That was one thing Kya refused to do. Oh she would kill, she just wouldn't kill senselessly. Besides, she knew Matt, Kya was curious as to what all she knew…
Her eyes caught hold of a platform jutting out form wall, a sublevel. Perfect.
"Star…are you okay?" sweat began to bead her face and her voice was a bit shaky from the pain.
Star had frozen, hanging by an arm. Her eyes just stared at what laid to her if Kya decided to let go. The metal from the bridge had crashed through the tank leaving not only for her to fall to the bottom of the tank but sharp metal to be stabbed with. Sounded so much fun…
Hearing her voice, she blinked before looking up. Kya's face was twisted with pain yet despite all this she still hung on. It would've spared her so much pain to just let go, yet she hung on to her…why? Star thought she had this girl pegged. The more she thought of it however, the more she realized most were assumptions based off of what Sonic had said about Shadow. She just assumed since Kya sided with him, she was the same. Looking up at her now, her mistake was evident.
"Yeah…" she merely nodded.
"Okay I'm going to swing you over to that platform. It's a bit of a drop but you should be fine…" Kya explained. With a jerk that caused Kya to give out a short scream of pain she began to swing back and forth. Each time they swung out a little farther back and a little closer to the platform. Star just watched a bit dazed from the head injury and now this. Kya let Star's wrist slip from her hand sending the blue hedgehog to fall before roughly landing upon the platform. Star shook herself before standing up covering in dust and bits of metal. Kya let out a heavy sigh for the pain in her arm decreased dramatically so that all it was now was a dull ache…that was until she moved it. She winced as she tried to bring it up. She forced her other hand to grab the shoulder strap and began to pull herself up.
The sound both hit them at the same time causing them to freeze. The ends of the bridge were extremely fragile now that its supporting middle was no longer there. The side began to give underneath Kya's weight and movement. She felt herself dropped and she could see it all…falling into the tank and…she flinched.
"Kya!" Star screamed in fear. Kya was dangling hap-hazard from the end of the rifle, with only enough strength to hang from her "good" arm. The end of the bridge was now slanting downwards barely holding on. It would only be a matter of minutes before the whole thing collapsed with Kya sending her to a fall she'd never come back from.
"Hold on I'll-" Star started staring up at bridge in worry.
"Don't do anything!" Kya shouted, "If you get up there the whole thing will come down with both of us. And I'm sorry to say…" Kya's fierce expression softened as she looked up at the rod that held the other head of the strap, replaced by a more exasperated one. "I think my luck just ran out..."
Star watched in fear and helplessness. It would take her too long to find a way up there let alone find a way to retrieve Kya without causing then both to fall. She could do nothing all she could do was stand there, the other hedgehog too far too reach out too….too far gone.
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"So this who you are now? You don't give a shit about anyone else except yourself. It doesn't matter who or how many have to die as long as you reach your goal," Sonic sneered.
"You catch on quickly." Shadow retorted with a shrug as if to state this was obvious.
Shadow had dropped the box earlier, so seeing an opening Sonic dashed reaching out of the little box. Only to have it suddenly skid across the floor. He turned his body around to avoid the second kick Shadow directed now at him. Sonic rolled before coming to his feet.
Damn it when had become so good? Fighting him had never been easy, he'd admit that, but now…it seemed like this had no end. Sonic was near out of breath yet Shadow stood before him calm and collected like he could do this for hours.
"I told you. You can't beat me…not without the intention to kill." Shadow crossed his arms.
Sonic glared at him before taking off upon his feet. He could defeat him without killing him, he was wrong on that he'd prove it. Shadow counted on him making a frontal assault and that was his mistake. Sonic side steped at the last moment and brought himself around to his opponents back. This was his first break so he'd had best make the best of it.
He brought his leg around hitting Shadow hard in the back. He caused him to stumble forward almost falling face first. Sonic knew he couldn't let up, he'd have to make this a chain hit if he wanted to get anywhere. He ran up at ready to send him flying with a punch…
He extended his arm only to have Shadow duck causing him to miss, his fist flew over his shoulder. Shadow gripped his arm before standing back up using the mixture of Sonic's force with his own to throw his rival over his shoulder.
"I don't fall for the same trick twice," Shadow growled.
Sonic found himself hurtling through the air only to crash into the glass case shelving unit that held the emerald pervious. Glass shattered everywhere including digging into his back. He fell leaving what glass was left blood streaked. The building erupted in alarms alerting that not only were their intruders but they now had the emerald. Damn.
"Well it seems I can no longer stay to play since this place will soon be swarming with G.U.N. members. I guess I shall-"
Shadow was erupted by the faint noise of metal crashing and was that…screams? He turned his eyes scanning however he saw no commotion above him, both girls were now gone. Where the hell did they go?
Being that Shadow was distracted Sonic made the most of it. He raced for the emerald not stopping until he had the box in his hands.
"Come on Shadow…have you ever head of keeping your eye on the ball?" he shook the box as if to mock him.
Shadow's head whipped around as he glared at Sonic, his ever present frown deepening once he saw the hedgehog holding the emerald.
"Don't be so arrogant. Though your spines protected you from most the glass it has sliced open your arms and legs. You won't be running as fast as you normally could, not in that condition. Taking it will be more than easy," Shadow began to walk towards him his lips curled malevolently.
Sonic clenched his fists. As much as he hated to admit it, he was right. His arms and legs were cut up pretty could, he could feel the pain from just standing on them becoming an annoying ache. There was no way he could keep up with Shadow…not anymore…
That was when a scream echoed through the large room; perhaps it was because the alarms were now just a thing of the background but someone it seemed to overpower them causing the shriek to cause both of them to freeze. "Kya!"
Sonic froze for he knew that voice anywhere, it was Star and it sounded like she was panicking, in trouble, or hurt. It was a shout of fear and distress, unnerving him. What caused the black hedgehog to stop was not the voice but the name that was shouted. He turned his attention back to the second floor, however they were no where to be found. He decided to back track a bit. He exited the room from the first level, but what awaited him stopped him dead in tracks in the door frame. There was Kya in a predicament that would cost her life if something didn't happen quick. What was left of the bridge was slanted, he could see the iron rods bend and snap just standing there. He turned his head spotting the other hedgehog upon a platform about half a floor. She was panicked and full of horror. He stared at his bag that contained the other two emeralds in it a few feet away. He had thrown it there to keep it out of his way for when he moved around the security system around the emerald. Of course, he didn't expect it to be so lacking… Looking at the bag however he realized he had a choice.
He looked back at Sonic who was now limping with the box in hand. He had enough time to rush over to Sonic, kick him away and the emerald to his collection and leave….or he could use the emeralds he had and save Kya. His mind was flooded with memories of a blonde smiling…falling….bleeding…dying. Fifty years he never had a chance to correct the wrong that was done to Maria….but this wasn't fifty years ago. She should've meant nothing to him, that's the basis both of them laid out at the beginning. He should've been able to turn his back on her without a second thought….he should've done a lot of things. He raced towards the stairs grabbing the bag along the way and slipping it over his shoulder. He raced up the stairs and vaulted over the rail to land upon the second floor…
Kya felt the bridge giving, her grip loosing, and her body giving up. No…despite all that had happened to her she had changed her mind. She didn't want to die….she no longer wanted to waste away…she no longer lacked the desire to put one step in front of the other. It wasn't that she didn't live without the nightmares…they haunted her both day and night. But she had made a decision; she'd seek her revenge and then live on… Now look at her…
She felt a tear slid down her cheek at the cruel fate she had been dealt. Maybe she wasn't supposed to have been spared after all…maybe she was supposed to die in that building along with everyone else. It seemed fate was playing some cruel joke on her. Looking down at what awaited her she turned away, 'Please…I don't wanna die…'
Star could do nothing more than watch on; Kya was going to die and she could nothing about it. That was when a blur caught her eye. He blended into the shadows making it hard to see him until he dashed into the light from the center of the room.
Her eyes widened; she opened her mouth to shout 'no' however there was no need.
His last step caused the bridge to release. With the rest of the momentum, he dove towards her only one hand free, the other clutching a chaos emerald.
Kya started to fall her eyes closed and face twisted in anticipation. What she didn't count on was the strong grasp of a hand. She turned to look up into crimson eyes flashing with emotions she'd never seen before. Shadow grabbed her wrist using it to pull her closer to him despite they had only a few more seconds before they hit the bottom of the tank. He let go of her wrist quickly wrapping his arm around her waist to keep her to him.
Still in shock at what was happening, Kya could only wrap one arm around his neck leaving the other to clutch her rifle. She couldn't believe he came to help her; her head just couldn't process it. They were falling head first down the tank yet she knew now she was safe…
"Chaos-"
Star opened her mouth to scream however, a blast of light caused her to shrink back. When the light died a few seconds followed and then the sound of metal crashing into the tank resounded throughout the room. What the hell was going on!
Star forced her way through the debris, stumbling and tripping in her haste. After several minutes she finally made it to the top. She paused, before forcing herself to stare at the sight below her. She looked in the tank only to find…twisted metal.
"They're-they're gone!" She shouted in a strange mixture of confusion and relief.
She turned to look at her cousin who was now at the door frame, where he had seen the whole scene. He merely nodded his eyebrows knitted in concentration. He thought he had finally figured Shadow not this time…but the damn hedgehog seemed to make it his goal to evade him.
"Well that was fun." Star stated drawing him from his train of thought. It was then that Sonic got a good look at her, her eye was swelling horribly and her arms and legs were bruised badly. Not that he could say anything really. His back was tense from its own swelling and the gashes from the glass made even a little movement very painful.
"You okay?" he asked after a moment.
"Everything but my pride." Star retorted.
Sonic half smiled as he placed the emerald in his pants pocket. It was almost a relief having her there. Unlike some of the other girls he knew, Star wasn't one to just worry, she would act. And this was probably the only thing they had in common. "Shadow has this power with the chaos emeralds: teleportation. We have no idea where they went, or where they are going next."
"Well, if you tried as hard as I did then they won't be going there anytime soon." Star pointed out. "I thought Kya's arms were gonna fall off due to my body weight."
"Kya? Is she that purple girl?" Sonic asked limping over to her. Star wrapped an arm around to support him.
"Yeah, she's wicked with a sniper rifle, and not so bad in the ass-kicking department either. Be my eyes huh?" she laughed slightly embarrised.
"Yeah sure. You wanna stop by the doctor's or something for that?"
Star only looked behind him at the bloody fragments of glass. She rose an eyebrow causing Sonic to chuckle.
"Yeah, me neither."
