Raaaawr. I live! - I'm glad I finally got this chapter up. I leave on saturday to go to boston ) I won't be able to write until wednesday. It took me a while to finish this, simply cause I've been so busy.

Yes, this chapter lets you know how our echidna friend is doing (Not so great, but you didn't hear that from me) and there is more villiany and monologues. Did you know Monologuing is not a word? O: Perposterous, I know. Plus, there's more Truth-y goodness in here somewhere. I do love him, scitzo-boy :)

Anyway, Read, Reveiw and Enjoy! See you next chapter! :D


Shadow the Hedgehog

"Echidnas are an amazing race, don't you think?" His voice was laden with smug contempt. I climbed the stone steps slowly. He hadn't been hard to find, in fact I would not be surprised if he was waiting for me. He had been in the first place I'd looked, the Emerald Shrine. However, he didn't seem all too alarmed at my presence.

"Where is he?" I directed my question to the over-confident shade, who was hovering above the shattered remains of the Master Emerald. Although, once my foot hit the top step, my question was answered. Lying in a broken and bloody mass at the foot of the Master Emerald was the formerly missing Echidna. Mephiles saw the expression of disgust on my face at the red creature's wounded state and chuckled.

"He put up quite a fight, I didn't want to kill him, yet he kept coming at me." The shade said, examining his claws passively. I examined the echidna closely from where I stood; somewhat relieved to see the slow rise and fall of his chest. At least he was still alive. "He refused to assist me in any way to put this thing back together" The shade waved a hand below him, signifying the 'thing' to be the shattered emerald.

"What're you planning?" I wasn't about to listen to the shade monologue to himself, I had questions of my own that needed answers

"Well, aren't you a seasoned conversationalist." He commented dryly. "I take it Truth is dead, or nearly there by now, if you had the bravery to seek me out while he was still out and about." I narrowed my eyes at him as he lowered himself down, drifting forward so he landed in front of the Echidna.

"Not dead, but he will be if you don't answer my question" My threat earned an outburst of laughter from Mephiles. Dark, cold laughter that was all too familiar to me.

"Do you think I give a damn if he is killed?" He began to slowly make his way towards me "Honestly, Shadow, I'd think you to know me better." My eyes narrowed further as the hedgehog stopped, midway between Knuckles and I. "He is nothing more than a tool, something to keep your hero friends busy while I go about and do what needs to be done."

"And that is…?" I hoped he would finish my sentence, but he only chuckled again and shook his head slowly, his toxic green gaze fixed on me.

"Ah, so that's it" he said, sounding genuinely interested "The only reason you haven't attacked me yet is because you hope my monologue will tell you everything you need to know. Shadow, I'm hurt. I thought you enjoyed my company." At that, I knew I would find out no more through negotiation. Upon second thought, I really should've known better than to try.

I lunged at him, my hand curling into a fist and flying for the shade's face. I did not have my emerald, so Chaos Control was not an option for me. He however, did not seem phased by my sudden attack and simply exploded into a dark mist upon contact with my fist. I growled as the mist drifted backwards and then took on a solid shape once more. This time, Mephiles had taken on his crystalline shape, though his laughter still rung about the shrine.

"Ah, Shadow, I have long awaited this moment" He said, spreading his arms and lifting slowly into the air. "You are more than aware that you alone cannot defeat me" I clenched my teeth and let out another feral growl, taking a step back and widening my stance.

"You seem confident" I retorted, narrowing my eyes.

"And you seem to forget, Shadow, I can travel through time. Your future is no secret to me" He chuckled darkly. I had forgotten that detail. "Long have I waited for the time which I can fully extract my revenge on you…Without your meddling comrades interfering, or an emerald to call to your aid." A large purple sphere appeared in his right hand, completely engulfing it, sparking with energy. "No, my little Shadow, It's just you and me. It's time to see exactly how powerful you are"


Rouge the Bat

I cringed as the red and black hedgehog rolled down the steps of the shrine, landing awkwardly on the grass. The hedgehog had many wounds, most of them bleeding, now deepened by his tumble down the stone steps. It took every ounce of self control not to fly out there and help him, but I knew he'd be furious if I interfered. For now, I forced myself to watch.

His attacker followed, floating down effortlessly to Shadow, who was now pushing himself to his knees, blood dripping from his mouth.

"Really Shadow, I must say I'm disappointed in you." The crystal hedgehog touched down softly in front of the wounded one, a wild look in his eyes. I stopped myself from taking him out myself, and for now I strained to listen.

Shadow had put up a fight for just over an hour, and mid-way between that hour, he slipped up and took beating after beating. The moon was now high in the sky, and while I was sure the hedgehogs had no trouble seeing each other in the darkness, I doubt they could see me; hiding in the shade of a tree, hanging from one of the highest branches.

My eyesight and hearing was not hindered by the darkness, and I could see the events unfolding before my eyes as if they were occurring in the clear of day.

"I expected you to be harder to defeat, even without the help of others or an emerald" The strange hedgehog delivered a solid kick to Shadow's stomach, sending him rolling across the grass. Shadow however, seemed determined to stay in the fight. He slowly pushed himself to his feet, though his wounds were clearly visible and blood dripped freshly from them.

The dark violet creature crossed his arms over his chest, as if mocking the bloody hedgehog. I couldn't help but to think I'd seen him somewhere before, but where exactly I could not place. I was almost surprised to hear the dark hedgehog's voice speak out.

"This is far from a 'fair fight'" he growled, holding onto a large gash that had been carved into his arm. As soon as the hedgehog had fully gotten to his feet, he was knocked back down by a wicked punch to the gut. Shadow rolled across the ground again, coming to a stop a few feet away from the mysterious hedgehog.

"Well, let's try not to be a hypocrite, Shadow. We both know you've never fought 'fair'." This earned another feral growl from the wounded one, who was pushing himself to his knees once again. The crystalline hedgehog burst into a cloud of black mist, only to re-solidify in front of the ebony being, a hand gripping at his neck tightly, causing him to choke.

"M-Mephiles" Shadow stuttered, reaching up in an attempt to pry the fingers away from his windpipe, to no avail. Now I knew the creature's name. I knew I'd heard it before, but I couldn't quite place where.

"Oh come now, Shadow, this is far too easy." Instead of lifting the dark hedgehog off his feet, Mephiles spun and dragged Shadow along the grass by his throat; much like a young girl would do with an oversized doll. Shadow still grabbed at the other hedgehog's hands in a desperate attempt to free himself, but I knew he was too physically exerted to pull it off. I winced as he was dragged up the stone steps. As Mephiles reached the top steps, I dropped off the tree and kept low tot eh ground, quickly fluttering into the shadows of the building, to better hear their conversation.

There was a muffled thump; I assumed it to be Mephiles throwing Shadow aside, and then the eerie hedgehog's voice again.

"Don't worry, my little Shadow, I won't kill you…Yet" He chuckled darkly as the wounded hedgehog coughed. "No, you're going to stay where I can find you, and you're going to endure that beating every day for the rest of your pitiful life…Until I get tired of you, that is." There was another growl, but I wasn't sure from whom. "Perfect revenge in my eyes, an eternity of suffering…"

"Don't count on it working" was the harsh reply. There was the sound of footsteps. I cast my gaze upwards and tucked my wings behind my back, pressing up against the shrine wall. Mephiles was standing on the ledge, looking out over the field.

"You live on such a beautiful planet Shadow, I'm surprised you're not grateful I'm not going to kill you" The hedgehog chuckled; I prayed to go he wouldn't look down, for he surely would've spotted me. "But you will live to watch this planet burn…" there was a wild glow in the shade's eyes, one that terrified me. "You will live to hear the dying scream of every one of your friends, and every man, woman and child on this pitiful planet…Human and Mobian alike…shall crumble beneath my power" the hedgehog chuckled darkly and spun.

There was strange shuffling noises that followed, and a loud growl of protest. I suddenly could not hold on any longer, I spread my wings and took off into the sky, turning around just in time to see Mephiles activate the power in a red chaos emerald, one foot over an injured red echidna and gripping Shadow's neck tightly, pulling him off the ground

"Chaos Control!" In a brilliant flash of light, the three being were gone. My eyes widened and I scanned the ground for any sign of the trio that had stood there seconds before.

"Damnit!" I cursed under my breath, I knew the effects of Chaos control all too well. I knew I wouldn't find them anytime soon. But…there was still the matter of Sonic to deal with, and that 'thing' called Truth. I quickly dove towards the ground to pick up speed and then shot off for the city, hoping to make it there by morning.


Sonic the Hedgehog

I yawned, my head nearly sliding off my hand and onto the table. I'd been here for hours. The hybrid was sitting on the other side of the kitchen; he was bound by ropes, tied securely to a kitchen chair. We'd never really had the issue of taking prisoners before, so we were at a loss with what to do with this one. Though Tails had taken the precaution of bolting the creature's tail to the ground, as it seemed to be the most damaging part of him.

We hadn't bothered covering his wounds; we didn't really see a need to. He simply sat there, glaring at me. He looked rather exhausted, but so was I. I'd spent the remainder of the night up watching him, to ensure he didn't try to get away. Most of the night had been spent glaring at each other. I nearly jumped out of my skin when he spoke.

"I'm hungry. Feed me." It was spoken in a demanding voice, yet there was a childish hint to it. Very confusing. I raised an eyebrow at the creature and shook my head, leaning back in my chair.

"Not a chance, dude. You're not a guest here" I glanced at the clock, nearly 8:00. When I glanced back, Tails was coming through the kitchen doorway, careful to keep his distance from 'Truth'. I'd told him to go get some sleep; I didn't want him staying up all night with this thing.

"Hi Sonic" The kitsune said, smiling somewhat as he sat in the chair beside me, not taking his wide eyes off of the hybrid, who stuck his tongue out at the young fox defiantly.

"Hey Tails," I said. "Sleep well?" The fox shrugged.

"As well as I could with him around" His voice was hushed, and he averted his gaze from the deep red being.

"Hey, Guy, I can hear you just fine." the creature snorted, rolling his mismatched eyes.

"That's just peachy" I said sarcastically. Tails stood up and began to start on a breakfast. I just then realized how hungry I was as my stomach growled. The creature's right ear flicked and he grinned.

"So, I'm not the only one who's hungry" He licked a pointed fang and I narrowed my eyes at him, hoping to get a warning across.

"Yeah, but you're not eating"

"I'm not?"

"Dude, you tried to kill me and my friends, you can live with no breakfast"

"Ewww." Tails' sudden outburst caused me to turn my head. He slammed the fridge door shut and gagged.

"What's up?" I asked as he stumbled away from the fridge

"The fridge stopped working at some point, something smells repulsive in there." He plugged his nose, emphasizing his point. I frowned.

"Well, I guess I could run out and grab something for brekky." I cast a weary glance to Truth. "But I don't want to leave you alone with him"

"I can handle it!" His eyes lit up at the task, I knew he being trusted to watch the 'prisoner' would be a great honor for him, but I still felt uneasy. "Pleeeaassee?" He begged. "Besides, you're the fastest hedgehog around!" There was a mischievous glint in his eyes "Surely it would only take you a matter of minutes to run out and grab breakfast." The stroking of my ego won him the prize. I grinned

"Alright, kiddo, you win." I said after a dramatic pause. I began to head towards the door, stopping in front of the creature and growling a quiet warning. "You hurt a hair on his head, buddy, and I swear, you won't live to see tomorrow" With that, I shot into the living room. This time, I remembered to open the door before I ran out, leaving a waving Tails behind me.

-Insert amazing breakfast fetching journey here-

When I returned, the house was quiet.

"Tails?" I set the bags of groceries down beside the door; I wasn't quite sure where they went. But my bigger concern was the silence, my young friend hadn't responded to my calls. I was hesitant to go into the kitchen. As I stood at the large doorway and looked ahead, my mouth dropped. I'd only gone for about seven minutes, and all this had happened? Chairs had been thrown askew, the table was snapped in half and the pieces lying on opposite sides of the room. In the very center of the room was my fox friend, his hands bound roughly by rope. I dashed forward, noting that he was bruised and had several deep gashes; I was relieved that he wasn't bleeding.

"S…Sonic?" He called weakly, looking up to greet me. Tears began to prick in the corner of his eyes "S-Sorry Sonic…I-I couldn't s-stop him." I shushed him with a hand, and began to work at untying the ropes around his hands. He looked up at me, his face drained of emotion. At this, I froze.

"Tails, where is Truth?"

"I-I don't k-know…He l-left." I stood up straight, leaving the binds on his hands for now. I couldn't help the feeling of suspicion that had suddenly surfaced. Was this really my little buddy? Truth did have the ability to shape shift, I knew this. But to what extent?

"How do I know you're Tails?" I asked slowly, and his jaw dropped. He held up his hands, as if encouraging me to undo them. "No, Tails, you'd understand that I need to be sure, first." I said sternly, causing him to frown. The tears that had gathered in the corners of his eyes intensified and they rolled slowly down his cheeks, accompanied by soft sobs.

"S-Sonic…h-help" He pleaded quietly. I took a step back. Half of me wanted to rush forward, unbind the fox and cheer him up. I hated seeing my kid brother cry, but at the threat I knew he could pose, I was cautious.

"Tails…" I said slowly, "What'd we have for breakfast yesterday?" It wasn't the best question I could think of, but it would at least ensure this Tails was the real deal.

"I-I d-don't remember" he said, shaking his head and crying further. Despite the fact that he hadn't been able to answer the question, those tears still urged me forward.

"Who stayed with us last night?" I received a similar answer, a shake of the head. The tears stopped. "Do you remember who came to visit yesterday?" There was further silence; the kitsune lowered his head slowly. There was no way he could have forgotten all that, but I waited for an answer.

"Ugh. You hedgehogs just aren't as gullible as you used to be." The fox stood up, I was almost shocked he could do that in his physical conditions. He pulled his hands apart, and the rope broke under the strain. Tails lowered his hands to his sides.

"Tails?" I asked slowly,

"Well obviously not." He replied "Good god, do you have a rock for a brain?" He wrinkled his nose in disgust. Although I knew this wasn't my two tailed companion, it was strange to hear those words come from his mouth.

"Where is Tails?" I instantly thought about my true little buddy, and what this imposter had done with him.

"Safe…ish." I flew at him, curling into a ball. He dove aside and I crashed into the living room, but was back on my feet in a matter of seconds. "That did a whole lot of good."

"Shut up, where is he?" I demanded again. The fox grew in height, his fur darkening. I knew what was happening, and only seconds later did the creature's tail scrape along the ground. Truth flashed me a fanged grin.

"Like I said, he's safe-ish."

"Safe-ish? That's not an answer." I dove aside to avoid the blade on the end of his tail, which had flown at me.

"I beg to differ." I narrowly missed the strike a second time, the bladed end of his tail grazing my shoulder. I noted this trait was familiar with scorpions. This also told me how his tail, if no other part of him, could keep up with me. But I was faster. His tail dug into the wall, another failed attempt at hitting me. It became temporarily lodged; this gave me the chance I needed.

"Surprise!" I pounced on the creature, using my weight to pin him to the ground. His tail was still stuck into the wall, so he fell awkwardly and landed on his stomach. I grinned triumphantly. "Now, where's my friend?"

"I ate him" He giggled as my face froze. Ate him?

"You'd better be joking" I moved my hands to his throat.

"I am. You take things way to seriously" He said, his grin widening. His right ear flicked as I tightened my grip, causing him to wheeze.

"Seriously, you don't tell me where he is, and I swear I'll kill you."

"Why does everyone cling to my neck?" He said. His voice was strained "You want to know where your friend is?" I lifted him off the ground slightly and then quickly pushed him back down, hitting his head off the floor.

"Yes!"

"Well, he's right behind you." I twisted around, releasing the creature from grip. Instead of seeing the fox, as I'd hoped, I came face-to-face with the razor sharp blade that tipped the creature's tail.