So , with Espio still in containment, Mighty spent more and more time over at Shadow's house, to spend time with Sari (the two becoming inseparable in the last few days. Which didn't bother Shadow at all (seeing as Mighty and Claire were just kids). He enjoyed seeing the two playing their games outside. Which gave Shadow and Claire more time to watch their horror movies (everyone in a while going outside to see if they were ok).

Such was today, Shadow glanced from the Predators movie to the window, hearing Sari burst out laughing brought a smile to his lips, then glanced back over at Claire," Sound like they're having fun."

"I hope so, Sari starts school in a few days right?"

"Right."

"Any feelings behind that?"

"Saris' fine, she's excited to be around kids her own age, not just her old man all day-"

"NO I mean you."

Shadow glanced over, slightly confused ,"What do you mean?"

"You're little girl is going to school, aren't you nervous? You wont be able to be with her all the time."

"well, I guess" he shrugged, "But I think I taught her all the right things she needs to know , so far, she should be fine." then he glanced at Claire, "right?" as though he suddenly didn't have faith.

Claire, smiled, "Yeah she'll be fine."

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Mighty collapsed right on the grass, gasping for air, sitting up he saw Sari running after him, "Sari how come you run so fast?"

She shrugged sitting by him," I Don't know, it's always like that."

"WELL, its' no fun to play tag if you're so fast.'

"WELL it's also not fair if there's only two of us."

The two sat there a moment, racking their minds. Then Mighty got a bright look on his face, "Why don't we go to the base?"

Sari's face shared the brightness, of course!

A few weeks previous, Claire, with permission from Shadow, took the two kids into the forest and dug them out a small base to play games. Not so far as they couldn't run back (or get lost) if they could. It was their favorite place in the world. Sari ran over to the house, yelling into house, "Daddy! We're going to the base is that ok?"

"Yeah sure kiddo, be careful." he yelled back

Furthering excitement, Sari ran and grabbed Mighty's hand, the two setting off into the forest, the two friends were already thinking of the many adventures they could have while there, they could do anything! It was paradise.

As they hurried through the large leaves ( a path marked out by Claire). Just as they could see the large apple tree (which marked the base). Mighty suddenly pulled on Sari's hand, halting her run, "wait wait!"

Feeling frustrated, she turned to glare at him, "what? We're almost there-"

"Sari, LISTEN"

Sari sighed, but suddenly she hear it too. Voices, footsteps. The two crept forward, on their hands an knees and pulled back the leaves.

IN their sacred Base sat 2 snake Mobian boys, somewhere around the age of 13,their face covered in gauges, clothes torn and cans ,filled with something foul smelling, covered the ground. Mighty growled slightly, he wanted to kick them out, but he couldn't risk Sari. Scooting back, he grabbed her hand, whispering, "Come on, we need to hurry before-"

"Before what?" came a cold, sadistic voice.

The two children turned around, right behind them stood a tall 15 year old bear Mobian, his face, not covered in gauges, but his clothes just as torn. He smiled a yellow smiled, "Don't you know its rude to spy on people?"

Without a choice, the tall bear grabbed them both from under their arms and , his rough hands cutting their delicate skin drug them to the base, pointing to the log, "Sit."

Sari looked over at Mighty, hoping for some sort of encouragement, but Mighty could offer none except a smile, taking her hand they both sat down. The three boys stood in front of them, their arms cross and, for some reason a twisted smile on their faces.

The beat knelt down, "Hey there kiddies, what are you doing out here without your mommies and daddies?"

Mighty, gripped Saris' hand slightly, putting on a brave face, one of Espios many lessons had been 'Don't scared, especially in the face of the enemy.'"We came to play on our base, but you were here so we decided to leave."

"Aw, poor kiddies, " the Bear looked back on the two snakes, '"Hear that? We were in their base, isn't' that sad?" he turned back to the base, "Let me tell you what, why don't we share? You share you're BASE. And we'll share our drinks" holding up one of his cans, to them, Mighty could smell a bitter acidic smell wafted from it , knowing immediately what it was,

"NO I don't want any. We're not aloud to drink."

"Oh? Who says?"

"Our Guardians.'

"Oh your GUARDIANS." laughing loudly he spread his arms out, "Look around! Is there anyone here to stop you? Is you Mommy and Daddy here now? Are they watching?" he asked teasingly, face in Saris'

"no…"

"So there's no one to stop you."

"They trust us-"

But the boy laughed even louder, this time he stumbled back into the two snakes, (them both falling over). The bear pulled himself to his feet again, the alcohol kicking in and walk back over, grabbing Mighty by the front, "TRUST?" he breathed the acidic decay in the boys face,' What do you know about trust? Because we know about you , and you friends in the Chaotic, and from what we heard, Espio betrayed the Chaotic. Isn't that right?" he tilted his head to the side mockingly, "Or did a brave man like yourself not hear about it/"

Mighty growled, he knew aright, it had not even been that long ago," MY master is NOT a traitor, he was loyal to his bloodlines and did what was right!"

Instead of influencing the teens, as he had been hoping, they threw their heads back, laughing so hard that the bear released Mighty , making him fall on his knees. Sari went tot his side,' Mighty are you o-" suddenly she cried out as she was yanked away, bringing Mighty back to his feet.

The bear stood in his place, holding Sari by the hair, the girl gripping his hand and pain in her eyes. The bear chuckled at Mighty, "Oh is this your girlfriend?" he teased lightly, "Tell me something, little BOY. Does this make you angry?" he pulled on Sari's hair even more, drawing a whimper from the girl

Mighty fidgeted, he wanted to pull Sari away form the jerk, but he was outnumbered, even with his strength. He had to think of something.

When he didn't answer, the Bear reached into his pocket drawing out a crooked and rusty knife (rusty with what? Mighty didn't want to know). The armadillo felt his heart stop as the bear held it to Saris' head,

"Does this bother you? Would it bothered you if I cut her pretty little pigtails?" he lowered the knife so the blade was touching her face, "Or would it better if I cut her face? Would you still love a hideously scarred little girl?" he snorted, waiting for the Armadillos reaction.

While Mighty didn't understand love yet (or need to, or have it for anything besides video games and candy) understood when a friend was in danger. But, blood boiling in his head, rage took over as he lunged forward, socking the Bear In the stomach with his mighty strength sending him flying back into his friends and releasing Sari.

Not waiting to see what happened to the Bear, Mighty grabbed Sari's hand and started to run back towards the house, he had to get Sari away from here, he had to protect her.

When they were about to the entrance to the trail, a foot shot out and caught Mighty in the back, sending him flying into the forest floor, and sending dirt into his eyes. He grabbed at his eyes struggling to see again when another foot stood on his stomach, the angry voice of the Bear shooting out, no longer playing games, "Someone should teach you RESPECT, boy-"

"stop it!" came the voice of Sari

Mighty felt the foot on his stomach shifted, and he could only assume that Sari was trying to fight him off of Mighty, something he felt grateful, but also horrified, "sari d-"
there was a flash of blue light and the pressure left all together as the boys started crying out in pain. Confused Mighty felt the ground, coming across a tree and feeling his way to his feet, 'Sari! Sari! Where are you?"

888

Shadow stood up suddenly, a uneasy feeling shooting through his spine he could feel the Chaos Energy around him become disoriented and unbalanced, a feeling he was unused to, but some how he knew it was connected to his child. He felt Claire touch his shoulder, "Shadow? What's wrong-"

"Its…its Sari, something's wrong, I need to find Sari." without a further word, he ran out the door. He could feel the energy all surging in one area, was there a fight? Eh leapt off the porch and ran down the densely covered path, cupping his hands to his mouth, "Sari! Mighty!" he desperately listened, before running on.

Finally he saw the bright red shell of Mighty's shell, which also held the source of the Chaos Disorientation. He leapt through the trees and landed in the clearing, by a tree he saw Mighty clinging to it for dear life, his eyes closed and eyelids covered in small scratches, on the ground he saw 2 snake Mobians, and a Bear, cringing and thrashing, he ignored them for a moment and ran over to Mighty, and knelt down grabbing his shoulder.

The boy cried out in fear grabbing the tree tighter, "who-who is it?" eh demanded

"Mighty, its me Shadow, what's going on? Where's Sari?" he could feel his heart pounding in his chest frantically,

"Th-those boys were trying to hurt us, I-I tried to get us away...but-but they caught us and threw me into the ground. I-I couldn't see after that."

"Couldn't see/" shadow touched the boys face gently before realizing the extension of his injuries. Which sent blood boiling through his head. Jumping over to the boys he grabbed the bear but a hand shot out and grabbed his. Jerking his head towards the protector of the boys, he was surprised to see Claire, her face slightly worried, "Shadow, CALMDOWN."

"WHAT the hells is wrong with you?" he yelled, "They attacked Sari and Mighty-"

"SHADOW, I KNOW." but , with her eyes, never leaving his, she gently rolled over the Bear boy, "Look at their eyes.'

He growled slightly but did as he was told, his heart coming to a pause when he saw what was wrong.

The boys face was withered, the veins popping out of his face were glowing a blue that matched the light coming from their eyes, there mouths opening and closing in a mute scream as they cringed and jerked in horror. Disgusted he pushed the boy away, "What's' happening to them?"

Claire could only shake her head. Shadow growled again but then closed his eyes, concentrating, he had to find Sari…..

The Chaos force continued to twist and swell disorienting around him, drawing from everything around them, the trees, the grass, even from the boys. He pressed his hand against his face, if it WAS drawing on life, what ever IT was, then why wasn't' it hurting the three of ! And why couldn't he sense Sari- Suddenly it dawned on him and he felt horror grip his chest, "NO." he stood up again, (ignoring Claire's inquirer). If it was drawing on energy, then did it mean Sari was doing it? Its wasn't so hard to believe, ever since he had discovered his Childs true nature, he had been waiting for the day when Saris' powers would surface. He just didn't think it would be so soon.

Shadow put his hands out to either side and concentrated as hard as he could. Letting his own Chaos energy flow from his body, his stream of energy joining the main stream and conforming in one spot, jus at few feet away!

His eyes shooting open he ran forward and ducked around the tree in his way, at the base sat a very scared and , very small Sari, her bloodied knees drawn to her chest and her knees buried in them. Shadow's first instinct was to hold her but he knew that had to wait, because , despite the face he was going to kill them later, there were 3 teens fighting for their lives. EH quickly knelt down and grabbed her shoulder.

Sari jumped and looked up at him, her face , tearstained, and her eyes were glowing a milky white, the fear wa clear on her face, "D-Daddy-"

"Sari, I known its hard right now, but you need to concentrate." his voice was harsher then he meant for it to be, but he couldn't let his daughter become a murderer like him.

"I-I can't-"

"Yes you can ."he glanced back wondering how much longer the boys were going to live, before turning back he looked at her seriously, "sari, you have to. I cant' help you do this."

The tiny girl, shaking with fear (shadow suspected she knew what would happen to the boys if she didn't' ) and squeezed her eyes shut, Shadow concentrated too, at first the Chaos in the air stayed the same. He heard Sari whimpering, his heart aching to comfort her but knew it would be impossible until the situation was detained.

Finally the Chaos Energy started to draw away form the child, straightening out and joining the main force. But they weren't out of the danger zone yet, Shadow turned from his daughter to call back to Claire, "Claire! Are the jerks ok!"

There was a pause then,' Yes! They've stopped glowing! And they've stopped grimacing!"

Relief shot through his body, and called back in a slightly optimistic voice ,"that's great! Sari you-" he looked back to where his child had sat only to find her gone. Terror returning he stood up, "Sari! Sari this isn't funny!" He called, "Where are you!"

88888888888888

Sari had just started running, in a haze of tears in despair. What had happened to her before? What were those lights? What was that energy? She found herself tripping on the bottom stair that lead up to the house, she just laid there, tears pouring out of her eyes, "what's wrong with me?" she asked herself, her voice breaking in emotion,

"Sari!"

She gasped and turned around, she could hear her father in the forest, coming closer. She couldn't face him again, standing up she ran into the house and into the bathroom. Slamming the door behind her. she twisted the lock before backing away from the door.

888888888888

Shadow burst through the woods in time to see Sari run into the house, "Hey!" he called after her, why was she running from him? Confused he leapt up the stairs in time to see the bathroom door slam ,"Sari stop!" he slid in front of it knocking urgently," Sari are you alright? What's wrong?" when he didn't get a answer he knocked again, "Sari-"

"Go away please!"

Well, at least she answered, and remembered her manners, "Sari why did you lock yourself in there? What's wrong?"

"I don't wanna talk to you so go away!'

Shadows drew back slightly, Sari had never talked to him like that before, what was going on? "Come on Sari, talk to me-"

"No! You don't understand."

"Don't understand?" Shadow felt frustration fill his chest again, he yelled back, "How can I understand if you wont talk to me?" he demanded, but he didn't get a answer, "Sari-"

"Shadow!"

He paused and turned around, Claire was standing in the doorway, a blinded Mighty in her arms and her face starring at his intently, "Shadow, drop it for a moment, give her time, ok? Right now please help me with Mighty before he looses his sight forever." she looked at him slightly pleadingly, "Please."

Shadow looked from Claire to the bathroom , he knew Sari was crying, no child deserved to cry alone. He put his hand on the door , wanting to say something comforting, but right now he was filled with too many conflicting emotions. He turned and walked back.

8888888

After a few minutes, Shadow was safely able to remove all the shards form Mighty's eyes and wash them out, giving Mighty his vision back, or at least most of it. Luckily Shadow concluded that , all he needed now, was more drops and sleep. So they sent him to Shadow's room to lay down.

He looked back towards the bathroom door, he hadn't heard a word from Sari in a few hours now, he knew she didn't leave, why wasn't' she talking to him? What had HE done wrong! Feeling anger rising again, he stormed out the front door, slamming it behind him. He walked out into the center of the yard, hand to his head as he closed his eyes, what was he missing?

"Shadow?"

Turning around, he saw Claire standing a few fee behind him, her face full of sympathy, and sadness, "Shadow its not you…"

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't do anything wrong, Sari's just scared now, she knows what she almost did, even if it was a accident, she feels like a monster…" her eyes dimmed over, as though remembering, for a moment then looked back at him, "She's not going to talk to you."

"But why , I don't understand I'm her father-"

"But she doesn't think you understand.""

"why_"

"Tell me this, did you ever once tell her about your past? With the ARK? With Black Arms? With Maria? With herself?"

'Of course not, why would I do that! IF she ever found out HALF the things I did she'd never-"

"See? That's how she feels, if you want her to open up to you, you have to open up to her-"

Shadow spun around angrily, "That's the stupidest thing I ever heard! I cant' tell her! This is different, she didn't have a choice, she was trying to protect Mighty, I didn't have any reasons for my actions, I nearly destroyed the world, TWICE," a heavy weight fell over his chest, "IF she ever found out her creation...she would never forgive herself….she wouldn't' feel loved….." he added this part a bit quietly, closing his eyes

"I don't think so."

He opened his eyes to see Claire right in front of him, her warm hand on his shoulder, "What-"

"I think she might even feel more love,"

"don't be stupid="

"Think about it, you knew about her past all along, but you still cared about her. That should say something about her ," she smiled kindly, "And about you."

He paused, walking towards the house he paused for a moment, then looked back on her, taking her hand gently, "Thank you." he whispered then walked back inside. And walked right up to the bathroom door, putting his hand on it gently, "Sari?" he called softly, "Are you there kid?" he didn't get a response, but he could hear her sniffle, "Kid there's something….important I need to tell you….can you listen?" he waited for a moment, then heard her footsteps shuffle over and sit by the door, even if she didn't say anything he knew she was listening, "Sari, I was born in a place called the ARK….50 years ago…"

8888888

After a few hours Shadow walked out the front door, and saw Claire sitting on the top porch-step, she turned to him and smiled sadly, "How did it go?"'

"I'm not sure." he saw down by her, "I told her everything but she didn't say a word, so I left.' he sighed heavily, putting his face in his hands, to rest his head. He felt a arm wrap around his shoulders comfortingly and hug him gently, "She just needs time to think, she's been through a long day…."

"But what if this didn't help!" he looked at her , his face loosing his normal scowl and was full of worry, 'what if-"

" I was so scared before." came a thick childlike voice

Unable to believe his hears, he stood up (pulling Claire with him )and turned around, Sari was staining at the front door, her big gold eyes swelling with tears, small hiccups coming out and making her shoulders jump, "I was so scared because I didn't know what was going on ," she bowed her head trying to stop her tears, "I was so scared-"

Shadow hurried forward and picked her up , holding her tightly in his arms, his voice became thick , for a reason he didn't know, "its alright Sari, I know, you were very brave Sari, I'm proud of you."

"So-so Remy was never my brother? I-I'm a chaos emerald?"

"It doesn't' matter, Remy- I mean Remus, he still cared about you dearly. And it doesn't matter where you came from, you're here now."

Her tiny arms tightened around his neck, "But I'm so scared Daddy….. I don't want to hurt anyone else…."

"That's' why I'm going to help you, you'll never loose control like that again."

"Pr-Promise?"

"I promise….."Shadow felt something wet roll down his face and quickly touched his face, "These things again?" he asked himself , looking up he saw Claire looking right at him, a sheepish smile on her face as she struggled to keep from giggling, "what?" he demanded," quickly covering Saris' ears with ear plugs

"Nothing."

Shadow looked back at the wet spot on his hand then quickly started rubbing his eyes with furious speed, "My tear ducts just broke! They do that!"

"Of course they do Shadow, of course they do."