Well well well. Two chapters in under a week! How do you like that? This one hasn't got much action in I have to put it in otherwise the whole thing falls apart.


The strengths of love and friendship

Chapter Twelve, There's always a chance

"NOOO!" Cried Sonic

"TAILS!" Cried Cosmo

"YOU!" Cried Knuckles, pointing a shaking fist at the Tester "Why did you do that!? Tell me this instant or I'm gonna beat you so hard your head and the rest of your body will be in different time-zones! And that's not an empty threat!" That tried to calm him down but to no avail, he was just too angry. If it weren't for the fact he was already red he would have turned red with anger.

The Tester simply shrugged. "He was warned not to conflict with the Trials and he ignored that rule, he therefore was given what he was promised. No matter though, he would never have survived his trial anyway"

Knuckles fumed, unable to contain himself any longer. "I'll destroy you!" He bellowed and flung himself at the Tester who with a single swift slash with his hand had the echidna launched across the floor. Knuckles skidded across the ground and came to an abrupt halt as his head made sharp contact with a rock and consciousness left him instantly. Tikal ran to him and crouched down by his side, making sure he wasn't badly hurt. The Tester scoffed "Was that it? How pathetic!"

Cosmo began to cry, her tears glistening in the sunlight. Seeing this, Sonic drew himself to his full height and stared daggers at the cat. "And now what? Does Cosmo die too? Tails never took a trial, so does that mean there is no saving her?" He was practically shaking with anger.

The Tester considered for a while before speaking slowly and clearly "Well, as Miles only intervened for selfless purposes and therefore won Sonic's trial for him. I suppose a compromise can be made… I shall allow Sonic to take the young kitsuin's trial for him"

Before Sonic had time to accept this challenge he felt a hand on his shoulder and he spun round to see a familiar figure standing behind him…

Nobody had been paying attention during all the commotion but a second ball of light had appeared and vanished, in it's place leaving the sullen form of a black hedgehog, who had seen the tattered boy of his friend on the floor and was now filled with grief and anger matching that of the way he had felt for a human when she had died in front of his eyes over fifty years ago.

"Shadow?" breathed Sonic, startled to see his former rival standing there. He pulled himself together "Shadow! You're back! And about time too" he smirked despite his current predicament.

Shadow ignored him, his blood red eyes digging into the eye's of the Tester. "I shall take Tails' place, not Sonic, understood?". The Tester looked like he was about to complain but even he was silenced by Shadow's presence, even the strongest of people know when there are no negotiations and when to back down.

"Very well hedgehog, you shall fight however…" he paused "however Sonic shall also have to fight, or else the Trial will become null and void, so I shall alow this to continue but at a price… If you loose, you and all your friends shall die". Tikal and Cosmo both gasped, unable to speak properly after this proposal

Shadow didn't even hesitate, he held out his hand and he and the Tester shook in what looked like chivalry but was simply covering the sheer hatred felt between them. "Deal" he said simply.

The cat released the hedgehog's hand and nodded curtly "Then so be it, but know this. This will be the hardest trial I have ever given and it is extremely likely you will fail so…" he brought himself to say it "so good luck to you, I truly hope you do well, honestly I do" and with that, Knuckles, Tikal and Cosmo were held aloft in energy shields similar to those Tikal and Shadow had appeared in, and the third and final trial began.


Enjoy it? I sure hope so! Anyways, R&R and all that jazz please. Plus I'd like to know who you want Sonic and Shadow to fight please. I'd rather not do Dark Oak but I will if it comes to it. So suggestions please!