Chapter 21: Getting Ready

Peach's Castle: Lobby

The heroes were all either sitting in chairs, leaning against a wall, or sprawled out in the floor as they discussed plans to rescue Princess Peach and to defeat Bowser and Eggman.

"OK guys," Sonic said, leaning back in his chair. "We can't allow Bowser and Egghead to threaten this world any longer. It's been going on for too long. I say that we just go attack their base."

There was some murmuring amongst the heroes until Luigi spoke up. "But that's impossible!" He stated. "The castle gate is heavily guarded! We'll never get in!"

Sonic nodded. "It will be impossible unless we work together." He said, at which Mario and Tails nodded in agreement.

"Then let's do it!" Mario said, standing up. His excitement was suddenly halted when Yoshi reminded:

"Uh…won't we need a plan first?" The green dinosaur asked the question that everybody had forgotten about. Everybody had a strange look on their faces as they tried to think of a plan when a familiar voice spoke from the front door.

"Don't worry about that." It said. "I already have one." The heroes turned around and to their complete shock saw none other than Shadow the Hedgehog walk in.

"Hmph, what are YOU doing?" Knuckles questioned suspiciously.

"Yeah." Rouge nodded. "I thought you were with Eggman."

"I was, until he double crossed me!" Shadow snapped, with fire in his eyes.

Nobody was really surprised with Shadow's answer; and Knuckles and Silver actually chuckled.

"Well, how'd it happen?" Sonic asked the black hedgehog, who sat down in a chair by the door…in case someone tried to kill him.

"Well…" Shadow began. "It happened like this: I was walking toward the storage room to check on the emeralds when I heard voices in the throne room. I went to check it out, and this is what I heard:

"'So once we defeat the heroes,' a voice that I recognized as Bowser's said. 'Are we going to keep our promise to Shadow?' It was obvious that they were just finishing up making a plan.

"'No.' I heard the Doctor say. 'I promised that if he helped us defeat those pesky heroes that I'd bring that one human girl back…I forgot her name already. But anyway, I will not be keeping that promise. Besides, his usefulness is almost used up anyway.'

"I was shocked by what I heard. Anger and rage flew threw my body as I heard what he said. All my work for him was for nothing! I was about to run in and strangle him when I heard Bowser Jr. talk.

"'But is that a good idea?' He asked.

"'Don't worry.' The Doctor told him. 'Shadow will never learn about this.' At that point I had enough, and I burst through the door. 'What!?' He exclaimed, seeing me at the doorway, his expression one of horror.

"'You liar!' I shouted, with fire in my eyes, and electricity shooting out of my hand. He stepped back slowly.

"'Uh…Shadow…' He said hesitantly. 'How wonderful it is to see you again…'

"I walked toward him as he continued stepping back. 'I should have known you would never have kept your promise!' I shouted angrily.

"'What!?" The Doctor tried to act innocent, but I knew he was only faking it. 'What are you talking about!? Of course I was going to keep it!'

"'Then explain why you just told that Koopa over there that you weren't going to!' I demanded, clenching my fist. 'You lied to me, and you're going to regret it!'

"Before I could do anything though, I heard Dimentio's voice. 'Looks like you just got busted Eggy.' He taunted, turning visible.

"Eggman growled, and then turned to me. 'All right, it's true Shadow.' He admitted, although I already knew. 'I wasn't going to bring that girl back. But if you consider your work here I promise I will reconsider.'

"I was extremely angry, and I still wonder how I controlled myself and didn't destroy the entire castle. 'Her name is Maria!' I shouted, with hate in my voice. 'And I don't trust you! You're going to pay for lying to me!' I showed him a Chaos Emerald that I had swiped from the storage room the day before, which he looked at in shock.

"'But…how did you get that!?' He demanded.

"'I paid a visit to the storage room yesterday in case something like this would happen!' I told him. 'You will pay! Chaos Control!' With that I vanished, and I appeared here."

The heroes listened in surprise to Shadow's story.

"So wait, Eggman only has one emerald now right?" Knuckles asked, at which Shadow nodded. "Then we must get it!"

"Agreed!" Sonic and Luigi said in unison.

"Then let's get ready!" Mario said, standing up.

"OK, but who will go, and who'll stay?" Tails asked.

"Luigi, Yoshi, and I will go." Mario said, patting his brother on the back.

"I'm going!" Sonic said, stretching. "I'm not missing this!"

"Me neither!" Knuckles chuckled.

"We'll come to!" Vector said, waving at the Chaotix.

"I'll come to!" Silver said, standing up.

"And me." Blaze nodded.

"I have a score to settle with Eggman." Shadow said, the fire still in his eyes. "I'm going."

Rouge looked at her friend with something like compassion in her eyes. "I'll go with you Shadow." She said quietly.

"I WILL ASSIST AS WELL." E-123 Omega boomed.

"OK, so that leaves Toad, Amy, Cream, and Cheese." Mario counted.

"Cheese and I will stay." Cream said shyly. "That way we won't get in your way."

"And I'll stay with her!" Amy said, putting her hand on Cream's shoulder.

"Me too." Toad said.

"Alright!" Sonic nodded. "Then let's do this!"

Bowser's Castle: Throne Room

The villains were all discussing Shadow's departure.

"I can't believe that Shadow left, and stole a Chaos Emerald!" Eggman said angrily, slamming his fist against the wall. "Ouch!" He exclaimed, holding his hand in pain.

Dimentio chuckled. "He sure is sneaky isn't he?"

"What's that supposed to mean!?" Bowser's voice boomed from the throne.

"We have to make sure they don't get the last emerald." Bowser Jr. reminded the others.

"If they attack us, then we'll be ready for them." Eggman said confidently.

"Yeah!" Wario said, flexing his arm.

"We'll beat them good!" Waluigi promised, trying to do the same as Wario but failing.

"But what about our attack?" Dimentio questioned.

"That will have to wait." Eggman said. "We have to prepare for the heroes attack!"

Peach's Castle: Front Yard

The heroes were all preparing for their attack.

"Is everybody ready?" Sonic asked, at which everybody said "Yes!" in unison.

"Then let's a go!" Mario said, grinning.

Cream walked up to Tails with a worried expression on her face. "Please be careful Tails." She said with tears in her eyes. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"Don't worry Cream." Tails assured her. "We'll beat up Eggman and Bowser. I'll even tell Eggman you said hi." He and Cream both laughed when he said that.

"Chaos Control!" Shadow said. A bright light engulfed the heroes and when it cleared there was no sign of them. They were on their way, but whether to victory or destruction one can but only guess.

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To be continued...