Chapter thirty-five

"Thanks again for inviting me Lord Collin." Tails said excitedly as the two walked down the corridor and towards Shadows bedroom.

"Don't mention it Tails. Now to see if Sonic and Shadow are up." Collin smiled back as they stopped in front of Shadows chamber door.

Collin raised a fist to knock on the door then he suddenly froze half movement at the shouting coming from the room. Tails and Collin glanced at one another in concern as they listened to the two lovers arguing.

"Well you didn't have to jump like that on me. I keep telling you there are much nicer way to wake me up in the mornings slash evenings." Shadow shouted out with an angered look and pose after buckling his belt, his darkness showing itself in the form of those shadow creatures that whooshed above their heads.

"It's your fault we have to be up early any way. You just had to go off behind your dads back and drag me along for the ride." Sonic shouts back as he too was looking highly pissed off, apart from the glowing black eyes, pulling his jeans up and doing the belt.

"Yeah that's right just pin the blame all onto me, just like everyone else does around here." Shadow says as he turns away from Sonic with crossed arms over his chest while also getting his dark shadows to put his boots on his feet, lifting each foot up one after the other.

"But this time it was your fault." Sonic growls as he watches Shadow turn away from him.

"You didn't exactly stop me." Shadow resorts back as he turns his head back around, glaring with narrowed eyes, himself now dressed and ready, apart from his robe that is.

"I damn well tied to but I wasn't just going to let you wonder off on your own, especially when your emotions are all whacked up." Sonics shouts out, his anger hitting a very high point, then he puts a plain white t-shirt on himself he had thrown at him by Shadow a few minutes ago.

"Oh yes my damn condition, let me guess that is also my fault just like Mephiles is. You know what I'm going, I don't want to be in the same room as you right now." Shadow said with a dangerous tone and some level of hurt in there also.

Shadow grabbed his door handle and opened it roughly, he glared at his father and Tails then pushed through them. He walked down the corridor with his dark shadowy creatures following him. Collin and Tails slowly walked into the room and looked over at an angry Sonic.

"Is everything alright?" Collin asked with a concerned look.

"Not really, Mr sensitive is extra sensitive this morning." Sonic sighed out as his anger fizzed away.

"That's the first time I've ever heard the two of you argue." Tails says in a slightly shocked tone.

"We argue but never on this scale, name a couple that never argues?" Sonic lightly smiles at Tails as he speaks, slipping his shoes on his feet at the same time.

"Good question, even me and Emily have out disagreements. I have yet to hear of Max and Tanya have a falling out though." Collin grins as he replies.

"How long have we got before we need to leave?" Sonic asks with a sigh, knowing he will have to make a mends with Shadow while he is still pissed at him.

"In under an hour, we are going to have a quick breakfast then leave shortly after." Collin answered with a smile as the three walked out of the room.

"I'll go and find Shadow, see if I can calm him down. Why don't you both go to the dining room and wait for us there." Collin added as he kept smiling.

The mortals nodded then left in one direction and Collin walked in the other. He didn't need to guess or ask where his son was, he knew where to go and was heading there right now. Collin walked out of the palace and towards the fountain in the garden. He spotted his son sitting on the stone bench with glowing black narrowed eyes, staring at the falling waters. His darkness whooshing in and out of the water in a playful manner, well that is what it looked like to Collin. One was circling around Shadows hand, that was placed on the bench and gripping the edge, then every now and again it caressed it gently.

"Shadow are you alright?" Collin asked as he took a seat next to his enraged son, sounding sincere.

"Does it look like I'm alright?" Shadow spat out in anger as he kept his eyes on the water feature, trying to calm down.

"No it looks like you are very upset about something." Collin replied, ignoring the tone of Shadows voice.

"Yes I'm upset and no I don't want to talk about it." Shadow frowned as he finally looked over at his father.

"I will respect your choice not to talk about why you are upset but I heard your argument so I already know why. I'm sure Sonic tried other ways in getting you up before he jumped on you and deep down you agree with me. I'm also sure if you weren't already in a state of flux, you wouldn't have reacted the way you did." Collin said with a warm tone.

Shadow listened to his fathers words and found himself calming down as he did agree. He sighed out loudly and looked down to the ground with a sad expression.

"I over reacted big time." Shadow whispered with drooped ears as his eyes went back to normal.

"It's not your fault, you aren't able to think clearly before you react at the moment." Collin replied as he put a comforting hand on Shadows.

"I should go and apologise to him." Shadow softly said as he stood, making his father retract his hand and stand also.

"Sonic and Tails are waiting in the dining hall for breakfast. Come lets go and join them." Collin smiled as he guided his son inside.

Once they reached the dining room, both father and son took their seats. Shadow looked to his mate next to him with a sad expression then put a hand on Sonics lap to get his attention. Which it did and Sonic looked over to him with a small frown.

"I'm sorry for over reacting Sonic. I didn't mean to." Shadow says with a sad tone as he gave a very apologetic look.

"And I'm sorry for jumping on you to wake you up. Maybe next time I'll wet ya instead." Sonic also apologised then teased with a playful grin.

"Yeah you do that and see what happens…my bet is a full blown water fight, which you will so totally lose by the way." Shadow smirked playfully as he spoke back to his mortal lover.

"I sense a challenge my way." Sonic said as his grin grew a little devious.

"Erm Shadow…could you?" Tails nervously asked as he pointed to a shadow creature playing with his spoon.

"Sorry Tails, I swear they have a mind of their own sometimes." Shadow smiles then waves a hand to call back his darkness.

"Thanks." Tails sighs out now feeling more relaxed.

Early breakfast was served and everyone tucked in. Once done Collin led the way to the front entrance then stopped, making all stop as well.

"Shadow you need to wear your robe, wait right here and I will run and get it ok." Collin said then dashed back inside to his sons room.

"Tails, how are things?" Shadow asked innocently, making light conversation as they waited.

"Yeah things are quiet and running smoothly. No sign of Eggman turning up anytime soon." Tails smiled as he replied.

"That is good to hear." Shadow smiled back.

After a couple of more minutes Collin returned and handed Shadow his robe to put on. Now that they were ready it was time to leave. They walked up to the gates and waited for the guards to open them. Once open they walked out and stopped a little away from them.

"Right a warning to you Shadow, I don't want you touching anything. I also need you to show some level of interest, same to you Sonic ok." Collin said as he turned to face the two he addressed.

"Yes dad." Shadow whined as he rolled his eyes.

"Sure thing." Sonic grinned with a thumbs up.

Collin smiled then turned back around and made the portal to the research centre, they walked through and the portal snapped shut behind them. The portal opened up at the front entrance of the research centre, they walked out and the portal closed. Sonic and Tails looked at the building with smiles.

It was just your basic building you would expect a research centre to look. It had glass double doors, dark red brick walls, three stories high with blackout mirrored windows all around it, some small trees at the front on both sides of the concrete path leading up to the building. They all pressed forward and walked up the five small steps leading to the front doors. The doors opened automatically as they approached.

Inside the main reception area was white walls and black tiled flooring, with a large wooden desk posted opposite the entrance doors. There was a row of seats on one side of the room, having six in total and a small table filled with magazines, newspapers and leaflets. There were two lifts on either side of the desk and one had a sign that said up, the other one had a sign that said down. They walked over to the desk and the male human posted there, with green eyes black hair and slightly tanned skin, dressed smartly in a black suit, looked up from his work.

"Hello and welcome to the research facility. Please take a seat and I will inform Professor Jives you are all here." The receptionist politely announced with a friendly smile and a bow of his head.

"Thank you." Collin smiled back and ushered everyone to the seating area.

Tails was buzzing with excitement as he sat next to Sonic, who was next to Shadow who was beside his father. Sonic was inwardly groaning at how boring this little trip was going to be and hoped it wasn't going to be long. Shadow was thinking on ways he could make this trip worth while, without getting into trouble with his father. Collin, well he was just preying his son was going to behave and not do anything unpredictable due to his emotional imbalance.

"Dad I was thinking we could half the work on this visit. This is a big place and will take all day so I suggest you and Tails go with someone while me and Sonic could go with another. When it's done we can regroup and swap information." Shadow whispers to his father in a slightly serious tone while also looking at him with an innocent smile.

"As much of a good idea that is my son but it would be best if we stay together." Collin softly replied with a slightly nervous smile as Shadow frowned deeply.

"Or in other words, keep an eye on Shadow and make sure he is well behaved. Really, when have I ever not been professional when out with you?" Shadow said with crossed arms and pouted a little as he looked down to the floor.

"Granted you are but right now, and I'm sorry to say this, I cannot trust that you will not act on impulse." Collin sighed as he laid a hand on Shadows shoulder.

"Then why bother making me come then? In fact don't answering that, you just want me to suffer more than I already am." Shadow lowly growled as he removed his fathers hand off of him, his eyes starting to glow with anger.

"Hay Shads, you might want to take deep breaths, someone's on their way." Sonic softly said as he placed his hand on Shadows lap.

Shadow growled lowly again and moved Sonics hand gently then closed his eyes. He knew deep down this was not the place to be getting upset over silly things but right now he really couldn't care less. Just hearing that his father didn't trust him hit a nerve that usually wouldn't have been hit and simply would be shrugged off indifferently. Collin stood up and shook the scientists hand firmly with a smile. Sonic and Tails also stood and had smiles, well Sonic forced one on his muzzle. Shadow remained in his seat with his eyes closed and just listened.

"Welcome all to our research facility, I'm Professor Jives. Please follow me for the tour and I will show you all what we are achieving here." Professor Jives, a tall slightly pale human with dark hair, brown eyes and wearing a lab coat with black trousers and shoes, announced with a cheerful tone and smile when he reached the two mortals and two royals.

Shadow opened his eyes and looked up at the human with neutral expression. His eyes still glowed but they were now a dangerous black. Professor Jives took a step back in surprise at his future ruler and a shiver ran down his spine when Shadow faintly smirked at him. Collin raised a brow then glanced down at his son, finding what the problem was as soon as he did.

"Shadow, are you alright?" Collin asked with high concern and a little fear was there also.

"Oh please not here." Collin thought as he kept his gaze on his son.

"I am fine father, shall we press on with the tour….Professor Jives." Shadow said with now a full blown smirk as he stood up slowly, keeping eye contact with the human in front of him.

"I knew his gift was dark but it just never quite prepares you with actually seeing it for yourself." Jives thought as he was glued to Shadows stare.

"I'm not sure if you are fine Shadow, maybe you should take a walk outside. You can rejoin us when you are calm." Collin advised with worry as he looked at Shadow.

"But I'm fine and I am calm." Shadow turned his head and raised a confused brow at his father.

"Your eyes are glowing black Shadow, that's a clear sign you are not calm." Collin grinned a little as Shadow tilted his head in puzzlement.

"They are? But I feel calm and have done for a few minute now. Why would they be glowing black if I'm not calling upon my gift or enraged?" Shadow asked with a worried look.

"I do not know, maybe deep down in your subconscious you are angry about something." Collin tried to answer but had to just assume.

"Maybe, so should we get cracking?" Shadow smirked at his father, one eye twitched and they flashing a little brighter.

Collin hesitated but nodded, making a mental note to keep a close eye on his son during their visit here. Well until his eyes went back to normal and stayed that way for a consecutive amounts of minutes.

"Right then. Please follow me to the down lift where the research happens." Jives smiled then led the way to the lift.

The lift button was pressed and the doors opened. They all got in and Jives pressed the button that will take them down to the bottom floor, there was one floor between the surface and bottom but that was just storage and the archives. The doors shut and the lift moved down slowly. Collin glanced at his son and frowned as his eyes remained a bright glowing black. He could sense something was seriously bothering Shadow but if he didn't say what then there was nothing he could do.

"Here we are." Jives smiled as the lift stopped then the doors opened.

Jives walked out first and the others followed. They walked down a metal corridor with open door ways leading to labs on both sides. They turned a corner and carried on walking until they went into the end lab that was used for disease studies. Jives stopped in the middle of the busy lab, turned to his guests and smiled when they stopped also.

"Here is where we work closely with different diseases and try to find a cure for each one. There are no deadly diseases being worked on today, we didn't want to risk any of your safety if something would so happen to have gone wrong. Not that it does usually but one can never know if it would or not." Jives explained the purpose to this lab with a smile and friendly tone.

"I have a question if you don't mind. You say there are deadly diseases and minor ones right, can the minor ones cause permanent damage to someone if they were unlucky to catch it?" Tails asked with a curious tone and a slightly eager look to know.

"That all depends on the type of disease my young friend. Take the one Jane over there is studying for instance. That one can cause blindness that will never be cured, we are trying to find a way by using the disease to bring back the sight." Jives grinned at the curious fox as he briefly pointed to a hard at work white rabbit looking through a microscope and taking down notes.

"The one Zack is working on a little away from Jane is a little worse. It will cause paralysis from the hip down but it only lasts a couple of years. Still an inconvenience and if we could find a way to shorted it then it would be a great achievement." Jives explained as he kept his grin on his face, pointing to the pale human, also hard at work.

Shadow tapped Sonics arm and motioned him to follow over to one of the workstations. No one noticed them walk away and they both stop by a station with different chemicals in tubes, dishes that were labelled with vampiric language, microscopes and someone's notes left open. Clearly who ever was working here went on a small break or went to storage to get something. Shadow smirked as he picked up one of the sealed dishes and inspected it closely to his eyes.

"Shadow I'm not sure you should be touching that." Sonic whispered then glanced at Collin, Tails and Jives, who were still talking and yet to notice they weren't there.

"Interesting, this one is labelled cure." Shadow mused as he looked at it, totally ignoring his lovers words.

Shadow shrugged then placed it back on the workbench then picked up a chemical. It was smoky white in colour and smelled a little like bleach mixed with alcohol. Shadow sniffed it deeply and gave a grossed out look at the strong smell, feeling a little dizzy afterwards. He looked at the label with a raised brow, there was a sticky label on yeah but it didn't have any writing on to say what the chemical was.

"It doesn't say what it is." Shadow thought as he kept looking at it, trying to ignore the small headache forming.

"Shadow put that down, you don't know what that is." Collin called out as he finally noticed his son was gone then caught where he had wondered off to.

"It's not labelled, any reason as to why that is?" Shadow asked as he carefully placed it back where he got it from, his headache growing a little stronger.

"Everything in here is labelled." Jives raised a brow then walked over and had a look himself.

"This is strange, I've never seen this before…attention everyone, does anyone know what this is?" Jives said then called to everyone in the room.

The four researchers stopped what they were doing and came over with curious yet worried looks. Shadow took a few steps back and put a hand on his head as he closed his eyes in discomfort. As all inspected the unknown substance, Sonic noticed his mates discomfort look and started to get concerned.

"Shadow are you alright? You look like you're in pain." Sonic asked with worry in his tone.

"N-no…I…I…" Shadow shakily said as the pain got worse, making him hiss through clenched teeth.

"Collin I think something is wrong with Shadow." Sonic called to the vampire Overlord, getting his attention straight away.

"Shadow, son what's wrong? What hurts?" Collin said as he rushed over to his son and held him steady as Shadow was swaying a little.

"My…head h-hurts." Shadow whispered through the pain and suddenly pushed his father away roughly with his gift, making Collin stumble back but not fall.

"Shadow!" Sonic cried out with fear for his mates safety.

Shadow cried out in distress and was holding his head with both hands as the pain come to its climax. His gift surfaced in the form of his dark shadowy creatures and they swirled above his head aggressively, sparking with electric.

"Sonic, did any of that chemical enter Shadow?" Collin desperately asked with fear.

"No it…wait he sniffed it, he inhaled it deeply through his nose. You don't suppose the chemical has effected him?" Sonic fearfully said with panic in his eyes.

"Ahha my head." Shadow cried out as he took a few more steps back, backing into a wall then slid down to sit against it.

"What's going on?" A newcomer called out with a firm tone as he saw the group gathered on the far side of the lab.

He was a light brown hedgehog in his lab uniform with his quills similar to the way Sonics were but a little longer in length and sharp blue eyes. He walked over to the gathered group with a sense of calm and looked at Shadow briefly before turning his head to Jives.

"Well, what is going on?" The hedgehog asked again and much more firmly this time round.

"A mystery chemical sir. Master Shadow noticed it had no label and sniffed the substance. He drew our attention to it but no one knows what it is or where it came from. As you can see it has effected Master Shadow, he complaining of severe head pains and it as activated his gift in an aggressive manor." Jives explained with worry.

"I…I can't, stop it." Shadow called out as he opened one eye to look at his father, fear of what will happen was seen, his eyes were looking far darker than they were before he sniffed that substance.

"Can't stop what son?" Collin asked as he walked over and sat on his knees beside Shadow.

"Th-this was…how I f-felt like when…" Shadow said then stopped as he drew in a sharp breath through gritted teeth and had both eyes shut tightly, trying really hard not to lose it.

"Does anyone have a sedation?" Collin turned his head around to the group and asked in a deadly serious tone, understanding what his son was telling him.

"Yes, I'm on it." Jives replied then rushed out of the lab.

"What's happening?" Sonic asked with fearful eyes at seeing his mate in so much pain and discomfort.

"I-I'm…sorry…" Shadow whispers then chuckles darkly as he opens his eyes.

Shadow waves a hand and sends his father flying backwards along the floor, making him stop by the group. Shadow stands up with a sinister look in his eyes as he eyed everyone up.

"So who want to be the hero and stop me from destroying this world…ring any bells my love but the question is would you really put a stop to me?" Shadow laughed evilly as he locked eyes with Sonic.

Sonic took a step forwards and held a serious look.

"Shadow that chemical has done something to your mind and I know you would never raise a hand on anyone with a clear head. You have to fight back control, I know you can do it babe." Sonic said in a soft tone figuring if he can keep Shadow talking then it gives Jives more time to get that sedative.

"You think you know me so well. I have news for you Sonic, you don't." Shadow deeply frowned spitting his words out with a venomous tone.

"Oh yeah so what don't I know?" Sonic grinned a little deviously at his lover.

Shadow chuckled with dark amusement in his threatening black eyes as he smirked at Sonic.

"You really want to know then I'll tell you…" Shadow never finished that sentence for he fell unconscious from the sedative dart Jives shot at him, now laying on the ground.

"Great timing." Sonic sarcastically said with a roll of his eyes.

Collin went over to his now sleeping son and kneeled down to his level. Shadow mumbled something in his language that made Collin gasp in shock and held a sad look. This might not have been the first time he has heard these words from Shadow but that didn't mean they never shocked him every time or made his chest shoot with heartbreaking pain.

"What? I know he said something, I saw his lips move. What did he say?" Sonic asked the Overlord with a curious tone and a worried look.

"He said…he said kill me." Collin sadly replied as he turned to look at Sonic.

(Thanks for being patient for this next chapter and hopefully the story wont be much longer until it is finished. I feel it is getting a little long-winded so I will try and wrap it up after a few more chapters. I'm aiming for 40 chapters but it may go over by one or two, depends on where it goes…hope you liked the chap, let me know by reviewing.)