Chapter 10: Teaching A Pharaoh

Sonic looked confused. Who's Apophis?

A demon. The deity of evil, darkness and chaos. He is also known as Apep. He is my greatest enemy, and I have fought him since the beginning of time, each time the sun has set. He wishes to devour Earth, and I cannot allow him to destroy my creation.

That sounds...Really boring.

Ra chuckled. Not if you're trying to save Earth.

The reason doesn't make it any less boring. You better not die while I'm your Avatar. No way I'm spending eternity doing that.

If Apophis comes to Earth somehow, you won't.

Just don't die while I'm your Avatar.

The god fell silent. Sonic sighed and closed his eyes to rest. It was a while before he woke up again. His energy was fully recharged, and he walked into the living room to see Shadow looking at a book. The black hedgehog was frowning in confusion at the words.

"I can try to teach you if you want," Sonic said.

"Teach me?" Shadow asked, confused.

"How to read those." Sonic pointed to the book. "You were confused, so I assumed you can't read the language."

"I don't understand what any of this says," Shadow said, handing the book to Sonic. "Whatever your language is, it all looks like gibberish to me."

"Would you like me to teach you?"

"I suppose. What language is that, anyway?"

"English."

"English? What kind of language is that?"

"Most of the world knows English in this time," Sonic said.

Shadow nodded, but was still confused. "Is Egyptian still around?"

"Of course."

"That's good. What other languages are there?"

"Way too many to name off."

"Can you speak any other languages?"

Sonic nodded; he could speak Italian and Japanese. "There are a few I'm really fluent in because I go to those countries a lot. But I've picked up things from a lot of different languages."

"That's great," Shadow said. "I'd love to hear you speak some. I'm sure you'll get a chance to at some time."

Sonic smiled. "How is it you can speak and understand English if you can't read it?"

"I think I have the magic to thank for that."

"Cool."

Shadow looked down at the book and sighed. "I suppose this isn't the best book to start learning with."

"I'll get another one," Sonic said, and went to the bookcase. Sonic looked over the books before pulling one out and looking back at Shadow. The pharaoh wasn't going to like this. "The best place to start learning to read is a children's book," Sonic said. "So we'll start with this one."

The Pharaoh blinked. "Children's book? I'm not a child."

"I know. But it's the best way to start learning to read." Sonic looked at the book in his hands and walked over to Shadow. "This story isn't so bad, either."

"Fine. Let's get started." Sonic sat down next to Shadow and handed the book to him. Shadow opened the book, flipping through the pages. "There are pictures in here too, it looks like. And the words are pretty large."

"It's a book for children. They had to make it easy to read."

"All right. What do I do? I still can't read it."

"I'll teach you."

For a few hours they stayed on the couch. Sonic taught Shadow how to read as best as he could. Shadow was getting the hang if it, and could read a few sentences.

"You're learning pretty quick," Sonic said.

"Thanks," Shadow said.

Sonic smiled. "Hey, would you like to take a walk around town? There are some things I haven't shown you yet."

"Sure."

Sonic left the house with Shadow, locking the front door.

"Have I shown you Angel Island?" Sonic asked.

"Not yet. I don't think you've even mentioned the place."

"It's where my friend Knuckles lives. Come on; I'll take you there. Can you turn into an emerald so we can teleport?"

"Sure thing."

Shadow closed his eyes and transformed into the emerald again. Sonic took it and teleported to Angel Island.