Sonic quickly rushed through the forest as he followed the exact directions of the Chaos Emerald Locator. His mind and soul were committed to arriving at the destination as soon as possible. However, for only a second, he decided to take a tiny break as he was still exhausted from whatever happened a couple days before.
(Shadow needs me. I have to keep going... Why do I feel so damn tired though...?) He leaned against a tree while panting, desperately desiring more air, before the snap of a twig startled him to attention.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the egotistical blue peasant. Looking for Shadow, I assume? Don't worry he's safe." The brown hedgehog pestered mockingly as he folded his arms and rolled his eyes in complete insolence.
"Rob... What the hellhave you done with him?! You CANNOT keep us apart. You do realize that right?! Love will always prevail over evil." Sonic exclaimed as he growled at the uninterested hedgehog while clenching his fists in assurance.
"Oh Chaos. Do you even realize how lame you sound? It's no wonder Shadow likes you. You're downright precious." He replied cleverly as he wrapped his arm around the cobalt's waist before yanking him way too close for comfort.
"Get your hands off me!" The sapphire hedgehog yelled furiously as his body felt especially violated before aggressively shoving the brunet hedgehog against the tree.
He dropped the Chaos Emerald Locator to the side as he got into his normal fighting position.
"You wanna dance pretty boy?! THEN LET'S DANCE!" Sonic exclaimed as he forcefully thrusted his fist into the brown hedgehogs gut, glaring in pure cruelty.
Quickly, the pinkish eyes of his enemy became serious as he rammed his leg against Sonic's knees causing him to collapse in pain.
"HAY! That's cheating!" The azure shouted as he tried to regain his stance like nothing happened even though he knew the brunet hedgehog pretty much won the fight.
"You really want to play this game?! I told you Shadow IS safe. You think I would ever let a stupid scientist hurt him?! NOT A CHANCE IN HELL!" Rob bellowed in complete ferocity as his face became slightly red with frustration and wrath.
"How can you be sure?! You probably don't even love him and are just using him!" The cobalt spat as he didn't realize the mine field he just walked into.
There was a long pause as Rob's face became especially demonic.
"I love him... More than you ever could love... I've work harder then you have ever worked and I will not let a stupid kid like you tell me what to do! I EARNED his affection... I..." The brown hedgehog's voice became slightly emotional as it trailed off in sheer outrage.
"You don't get it... You'll never get it..." He added as his face started to turn malicious while his body filled with rage and disgust.
"You... Don't... Deserve... Him." Rob spoke clearly as he reached out and pointed his finger at Sonic with sheer pain and slight guilt sparkling in his rosy eyes.
"Shadow... He means everything to me and you're getting in my way of protecting him. I am ending your life right now..." He finished as his he looked down at the ground in regret.
"You and what army bro?!" The cobalt hedgehog yelled sarcastically as he got into his running position.
"CHAOS SPEAR!" He belted as a flash of Chaos energy was released from his finger tips and aiming straight for Sonic's head.
The azure hedgehog easily dodged the spear by stepping out of the way but the energy followed him as he ran all around the forest before it finally caught up to him and zapped his body making him violently smash against a tree. A little blood dripped from his mouth as he wiped it from his face before slowly regaining his posture.
"You're not dead?! How is that possible?" Rob questioned alarmingly as he placed his hand over his mouth in sheer amazement.
"Do NOT underestimate me..." Sonic stated coldly as his body began to move on its own. Straight towards the flabbergasted brunet hedgehog.
Rob remained standing in his spot in complete shock at what he was witnessing. Pure Chaos energy circled around the azure hedgehog's body as it glowed with more power then he had ever witnessed.
The kind of pure Chaos energy he knew belonged to one person and one person alone.
"Oh my Chaos... I've made a grave mistake." He uttered dreadfully as he moved his body until he was sitting on his knees and bowed in complete submission to one of his great leaders.
"Do you not remember your job,Nedaće ?" The shining hedgehog spoke firmly and confidently in a booming low voice as Rob was reminded that it was no longer Sonic speaking.
"I do, sir. My sincerest apologies... Prince Voziti." He responded fearfully as he knew the extent of the prince's power and how easily he could end his life.
"Then I expect better cooperation and effort..." Voziti confirmed as he gave a nod of closure before the ring of energy was absorbed back into his body.
"Of course. I had no idea..." The brunet hedgehog added as his heart began to pump with discontent when he realized exactly what this meant for him and Shadow's relationship.
(The time has come... After all these years of waiting...)
Sonic's body fell quickly to the ground as Rob carefully carried him to under the nearest tree where he could safely regain his energy.
"No matter how much I hate you... I have to uphold my duties as the guardian of Miran." He quickly grabbed the Chaos Emerald Locator before gently placing it in his pocket.
He remained silent for a few minutes as emotion and frustration started to steadily build in his heart. Eventually, he couldn't hold back the pain any longer as tears started to cascade down his face. He had worked so hard to gain Shadow's trust and now it really didn't matter anymore. He was required to follow Voziti's orders and protect them both, no matter what he desired. His cries started to turn into soft pitiful whimpers as he came to the realization that there was no possibility of him and Shadow ever being together. He knew from the moment they met that the gorgeous charcoal hedgehog was the princess, however as a guardian you're not supposed to provoke the development of the royal family. This meaning, he was already breaking many rules by falling in love and caring for the ebony. Still, his love for Miran and Shadow was more powerful than anything he could ever describe.
He took a deep breath and cut his feelings away from being shown to the world as he knew this situation was his fault. All he could possibly do now was pray that this was somehow a horrible nightmare and tomorrow he would wake up with everything being back to normal. He thought of all the time he would spend with Shadow, if all of this was somehow a dream. Hopefully reading, laughing and possibly cuddling, if he agreed of course. But evidently he came to the understanding that this was reality and that he had to grow a backbone. However, he never could have imagined this day coming so soon. The day when he would have to give up Shadow to the only person he was supposed to be with in the first place.
He placed a hand softly on the sleeping azure hedgehog as a tear fell onto one of his quills.
"I hate you... So... Much." He whispered miserably as each word emphasized complete hopelessness.
A beautiful landscape filled with trees and mountains surrounded the cobalt hedgehog as a strange feeling stirred inside him. He looked up as he witnessed a gorgeous castle with breathtaking windows and archways. It was a familiar feeling as he was happy to hear the beautiful voice of the one who kept him alive for so many years.
"Voziti..." The voice cried as she stood atop one of the many stunning balconies as if she was some kind of amazing goddess.
"Miran... My lovely Miran." Sonic responded as he reached up to the gorgeous sky as if he was trying to touch her magnificent voice even though he was probably a hundred feet below her.
"I will find a way to reach you... No matter how long I have to climb or how many years I have to try..." He added as his mind started to feel a sense of harmony when he was finally able to witness her beautiful form.
She stood shyly, as her gorgeously beaded and embroidered midnight dress flowed around her in almost pure perfection. Her fur was as black as the darkest night and yet her eyes were a striking shade of crimson. The little tiara in her hair really made her look like some statue carved by angels. The azure hedgehog felt his heart sink to the ground as he realized she looked just like Shadow.
"It is you... How could I be so blind...?" He uttered as he felt a strange combination of regret and happiness.
"Voziti... I need you..." She admitted almost softly as she extended her arm out to the cobalt hedgehog longingly.
"Find me... before it's too late." She continued sweetly as she intertwined her fingers placing them near her lips almost as if she was praying.
"I HAVE been searching Miran and I think... After all this time... That I've found you." Sonic cried out in desperation as his face filled with emotion and pain when he was reminded of all the sleepless nights he had to endure while looking for her.
"I love you... You're a wonderful man Voziti and an exceptional leader. I've longed to work aside your greatness for decades." She responded as her beautiful face expressed a very passive loving grin.
"Don't worry... I will do everything in my power to make you mine." The cobalt hedgehog replied with confidence as he clenched his fist in motivation.
"Silly Voziti. I'm already yours... And I always will be. For the rest of eternity." She giggled faintly as the sight of the sapphire hedgehog's sudden motivation seemed to amuse her.
"I wouldn't want it any other way." He replied cleverly before nodding in triumph.
"I know..." The princess countered slightly teasingly before bowing in admiration.
Everything turned to black as the azure hedgehog's mind floated in nothingness.
(Must save Shadow...) Echoed through his mind as his thoughts remained motivated and strong without any desire of give up.
Nedaće (Ne-da-chay): Roughly translates to adversity in Croatian.