Living in a Shadow Chapter 14, a sonic the hedgehog fanfic

Hey everyone! I'd like to apologize for not posting sooner but I've been a little busy with school and tests…and the dumb internet is being a real pain in the neck! I can't tell you how many times I have had to open and close it because it's been unresponsive. Let's move on before I take all my frustration out on the keyboard…breaths deep. Anyway…okay so we last left off with Nicole pondering her mentor's untimely death. And I apologize for all of the awful typos. I have a ton. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I love to read them all. They made me smile and make all this worth it. Anyway…Comments on reviews!

Meadow of Blossom Patches: You are the first to admit that you've cried and that made me want to cry in happiness. If you cried then that means I am writing it really well. Also, I love all of the comments, they made me laugh and smile.

dreamWeaver1521: really? really?

Christian Ape99: Thanks and I'll do my best to keep up the awesomeness... and I don't know what to say about the aunt thing. I don't want to know anything...really I don't. It's none of my business...

Now...Lights! Camera! and... Action!

Nicole POV:

It had been two weeks since Shadow died. Second Generation had mourned properly and were now a bit confused on what to do now. I had no doubts or questions. Quickly, I had learned why Shadow was so distant. With a promise like that resting on your shoulders, it's enough to drive anyone a little bit panicky. I was terrified to suddenly be in charge of the world's safety. And I quickly realized that I wouldn't be able to do that from here.

So after thinking the matter over, I confronted second gen. with my decision.

"What do you mean you're leaving?" Jr crossed his arms and stared at me.

I took a deep breath. "I am leaving because I have too."

Everyone looked confused. Annie reacted first.

"No you don't. You can stay here with us. Wait for Ari to get impatient enough then we trap her, easy as pie."

Inside I rolled my eyes. Pie is not easy. I had tried it once and failed miserably. Shaking my head I scolded myself for not focusing. Quickly, I gathered my thoughts then continued slowly. "I have to go. I know it makes no sense but…this is something I have to do."

Arnold and Topaz shared a look. "What are you talking about?"

Without answering I turned towards the sunrise. We had gotten up really early out of old habit. I almost laughed at the sight of Annie coming out at five in the morning, but decided that wouldn't be a good idea. Her hammer hurts.

"I have to go." Then I hesitated and spoke slowly, "I'm wondering if…any of you…wanted to come with me." Quickly, I looked at the other teens. All of them seemed to shocked to say anything. As usual, Jr recovered quite quickly.

"I'm gonna go with, no, but thanks." He crossed his arms and frowned. I really wish he wouldn't do that…it looked way to much like Shadow.

Annie nodded. "I agree with Jr. I'm not leaving this place."

Without a word, Arnold and Topaz nodded in agreement.

I sighed. I'd expected this from them. But I wasn't sure about Miley…

"I'll go pack!" the fox yelped. I stepped back startled.

Everyone else immediately protested.

"You're too young!"

"What?"

"Absolutely not."

"You'll be killed immediately!"

"Are you two insane, or just dumb?"

Miley didn't pay attention to them. She simply winked at me then ran back to the workshop.

I smiled, but was a little worried. Quickly, I shook off the feeling. Miley's not a kid anymore. Besides, she's older then Tail's was when he first met Sonic. Second Generation seemed to disagree.

"Are you really going to let her go? Jr marched right up to me and got right in my face.

Since I hated when he did this, I tried really hard to not slap him. "Why not? She's fourteen, which is three years older than her father when he started. Also," I stopped and smirked. "If I recall correctly, the two of us beat the four of you during that sparing match. I think we'll be fine."

Before any of them could answer, Miley had finished packing and burst into the clearing.

"Ready!" the fox called from a shining blue biplane. The look on the gruesome foursome's faces was priceless.

"Where did you get that?" Arnold asked in an astonished voice.

My best friend smirked. "Why I made it…well sort of. This is the Tornado 5, Cosmo's plane. I helped build though…and after Arianna nabbed her and destroyed it I fixed it up. I have one, but it's not finished yet. The shielding and weaponry is giving me trouble."

I almost burst into laughter at the confusion on the teens faces. Keeping my face straight I walked over by the plane and leaned against it with my arms crossed. "You guys do know she's a Prower, right?"

Jr just blinked dumbly. "But she doesn't build things…or hack…or anything like that!"

Miley crossed her arms. "Since when? Who told you that? Oh right, you told yourselves!" She hopped down and gave me a high-five.

The team just stared in shock. When they finally had recovered, I was already in the passenger seat and Miley was getting ready to take off.

Trying one last time, Jr called out to us. "You won't get any farther than ten feet from the shield! Arianna has thousands of robots guarding the outside."

I rolled my eyes. "And I throw chaos spears and Miley shoots bullets!"

The fox laughed out loud then began fiddling with the GPS.

Annie raised her hand. "I still don't know why you're doing this. We can stay here safe from the world! Safe from Arianna! Why are you leaving that?"

I pondered that sentence for about three seconds then answered firmly. "Because that's not what Shadow would want…that's not what your parent's would want…and I made a promise."

Topaz rolled her eyes. "Oh great…now she really is Shadow."

Only half trying, Arnold called out. "Just because you are the last good Ultimate, doesn't mean the world is in your care! Use your brain!"

I rolled my eyes. Were they ever going to give up? Right then and there I decided to throw all caution to the wind. Taking a shaky breath I began to sing, softly at first but it grew louder as the song progressed.

Song: Listen to Your Heart

Artist: Roxette

I know there's something in the wake of your smile.
I get a notion from the look in your eyes, yea.
You've built a love but that love falls apart.
Your little piece of heaven turns too dark.

Listen to your heart
when he's calling for you.
Listen to your heart
there's nothing else you can do.
I don't know where you're going
and I don't know why,
but listen to your heart
before you tell him goodbye.

Sometimes you wonder if this fight is worthwhile.
The precious moments are all lost in the tide, yea.
They're swept away and nothing is what it seems,
the feeling of belonging to your dreams.

Miley hummed along as she started the Tornado 5. The rest of 2nd Gen. just stared in shock. I felt my nervousness begin to melt away as we began to inch forward.

Listen to your heart
when he's calling for you.
Listen to your heart
there's nothing else you can do.
I don't know where you're going
and I don't know why,
but listen to your heart
before you tell him goodbye.

And there are voices
that want to be heard.
So much to mention
but you can't find the words.
The scent of magic,
the beauty that's been
when love was wilder than the wind.

The biplane lifted off the ground at the edge of the clearing. Miley pulled up and circled around the island once. We looked down at our prison for the last two years…it felt really strange leaving it. I finished the song softly, more for myself than anyone else.

As I closed the song I wiped away the silent tears that had begun running down my face.

Miley glanced back at me. "Are you sure about this?"

Forcing a smile I nodded. "Take us out."

She banked to the right and headed for the force field. I pulled myself out of the cockpit and prepared myself to see the world outside for the first time in two years. As we pulled out I felt my throat catch. Miley looked out the shield with a look of horror.

"It's…it's…"

I took a shaky breath. "I know."

The world outside the island looked bleak, desolate, and void of life.

Cut! I think I'll stop right there. So, what do y'all think of this chapter. I'll try and post sooner, but I can't promise anything. Review please! I need some suggestions on how to make the characters better. Also, I'm thinking of adding a new guy (or girl. whatever…) in…not sure yet. What do y'all think? Too much? Thanks to all of those who are reading this. I really do need more suggestions…and I'm thinking of adding a little bit of romance down the road. NOT NICOLE. Just second generation, any suggestions from any of you would be appreciated. No same gender…I refuse…to awkward in my opinion. No hating on me for that. Anyway, sorry about the long song, but I found all of it very important to the story. I also want opinions on Arianna as a villain. Anything that she needs to lessen up or increase on just let me know. Any other questions, comments, or concerns let me know and I will do my best to answer them… Thanks again to all of y'all! And no, I'm not from Texas. I just like y'all.