Shadow reentered from Chaos Control.
His knowledge of the Chaos Energy had grown sturdier with his Time at Nate Morgan's stoop. He'd been able to locate massive amounts Chaotic Energy and focus his teleportation on it. How he'd found the emerald the last time with Sonic was a true feat.
Sonic...
The bad taste from being in that faker's presence was not as bad as the last few times. Shadow could understand him a little better if not for Shadow's own issues of mistrust. Still he let go of the false emeralds in his care and pawned them off on somebody who could suffer from them. Ever since Shadow acquired one, he had been feeling sick but now that he was relieved one of them he'd never felt better. Since then he'd gone and found the two other fake emeralds hidden relatively close to Station Square. Whoever was producing such grotesque jewelry was leaving them rather tightly. Still he felt a little groggy with the gems but managed to power through without the help of fatigue or hunger like last time.
Shadow surveyed the clear eve on the tundra. He pulled the cloak and hood from his Chaos Energy and donned the clothes yet again. He made good on his promise and returned to the frozen Southern Tundra. His Chaos Control felt a little more potent after he passed the 50 million-ring milestone. He'd come to inform Nate Morgan of his newest discovery and maybe get a free square meal.
Shadow came in view of the onyx castle and his anger rose.
The castle took some huge hits with debris blasts toward the outside. Someone got in and hurt the people Shadow called friends. The black hedgehog ran to the entrance and saw snow covering some of the inner layouts of Nate M
organ's secret home. Shadow walked into the foyer and made a left down the hall. The damage had been for a while, any sign of the enemy would be buried under the snow.
"Dr. Morgan!" Shadow called. Shadow passed the kitchen and saw the huge hole in the brick wall leading to the mountainside of snow and ice. Whatever happened here, it was big.
"Eddy!" Shadow called again. No answer. The hollow winds and ice cold air were the only responses this hog was getting. Shadow ventured downstairs, hoping the two would retreat to a more secure surroundings. Shadow opened the wooden door and took to the stone spiral steps. The spiral ended and the rest were straight stairs where Shadow stopped to survey the room from the top step. Nate Morgan's equipment was trashed and the containers holding the rings were strewn about the room. Someone came here with a purpose and Shadow was ready to find the underlying cause of it.
"Nathan!" Shadow called.
"...Shadow?" a faint voice called. Shadows ears twitched and he easily pinpointed where the overlander was.
"Dr. Morgan?" Shadow pushed some rings aside and found the man, he was injured and looked a bit malnourished.
"Don't worry I'll find the ones who did this to you!" Shadow grabbed Nate by the hand and started to pull.
"No wait, Ahh!"
Shadow ceased his pull.
"That machine is on my leg, it's why I haven't been able to move." Nate grimaced in pain.
Shadow went to the machine right away and tried to pick it up. It didn't budge. Shadow sighed and reached for the rings on his wrist. They expanded to normal size and vanished in his Chaos Energy. Shadow easily picked up the machine and tossed it to the other side of the room. Shadow became winded and hurriedly put the Inhibitor Rings back on. Shadow exhaled and helped up Nate Morgan.
"Thank you Shadow, you came in the nick of time."
"Where is Eddy?"
Nate looked at Shadow and then to the ground. "I'm afraid Eddy didn't make it. Our intruder caught us off guard and the damage is as you see. The intruder showed me Eddy's corpse and then threw him aside like something worthless. I'm afraid I wasn't any help to my protector, pitiful man that I am."
"Who did this to you?"
"A man I'd never seen before, who spoke no words, bore no Chaos Energy, yet he was strong enough to penetrate my castle. All I'll ever remember are those eyes, those horrible menacing eyes."
"Had you considered my offer to relocate to Knothole you wouldn't have been in this mess."
"There was no time, he came soon as you left." Nate informed him. Shadow paused wishing he'd stayed for just a little bit longer. All of this could have been prevented if he just stayed a few seconds longer.
"Shadow it's fine."
"I refuse to believe that doctor. Eddy is dead, your home is compromised and no one else is here to protect you. What should happen if they come back again?"
"He won't be coming back again, he took what he needed, after smashing my equipment. All my research of Chaos Energy and Power Rings has fallen into the hands of those crimson eyes."
Shadow couldn't take anymore of this. He set Nate down on a partially broken couch and went into his master bedroom.
"I'm taking you to Knothole, Nathan." Shadow announced. "I refuse to have you be in jeopardy while I hunt down your aggressor."
Nate sighed. "Finally your direct about something for once."
Shadow rolled his eyes, eventually coming out with a stuffed suitcase full of clothes. "Exile or not you need safety and I won't let a friend be in danger. Knothole is the safest place for you. It's full of noble and genuine people with aspirations of a peaceful life. Although naïve in their thinking, they seek to do some literal good among this fathomed world. They've fought hard and-"
"Shadow! I'm not arguing..."
The black hedgehog stopped and set the case down.
"Maybe you were saying that for your own sake, hmm?"
Shadow picked up Nate and placed his arm over his shoulder. "Don't make me hurt you old man. Chaos Control!"
_Shadow and Nate teleported into the evening life of Knothole City_
Nicole appeared right next to the two intruders.
"Shadow the Hedgehog." Nicole stated, unsurprised. "Returning from your quest?"
Nicole scanned the guest and approached him cautiously. "An overlander?"
Nate Morgan looked to Shadow who had just folded his arms.
"Nathan Morgan, I presume." Nicole bowed. "I've consulted your past work many times doctor."
"It's good to be recognized by such a beautiful girl." Nate complimented.
"Flattering as it may seem my appearance is litigated by however I see fit."
Nicole shifted to look a large dragon, then an ant, and finally a copy of Nate Morgan himself. Nate eyed her up a bit as Shadow started to proceed into the city.
"What brings you into the city this night Shadow?" Nicole asked, "Knothole possesses no Chaos Emeralds at the time and bureaucratic interests of the king doesn't suit you. The percentages of you being here without purpose is highly unlikely."
"I want to have Nate free from exile and stationed here in Knothole, in the meantime I want to find out who ransacked his home in the Southern Tundra."
Nicole motioned and split into two. "Dr. Nate Morgan follow me I will show you to your new home."
"What kind of person are you?" Nate asked.
"I am the holorealmatic moderator of the city, Nicole."
Shadow nodded in agreement while letting Nate down from his shoulder. Shadow handed Nate the suitcase and Nicole lead him away. The second Nicole had Shadow walk with her.
"Shadow, we understand what you have done to and for Knothole these past years. Although some would mark you a criminal and others would mark you a savior, Sally Acorn and I have sought to come to an understanding with you."
"An understanding? My allegiance lies with no country, I'm only here to proclaim myself as the ultimate life form."
"And in no way would we want to contradict your proclamations but we would like to offer you a permanent residence within these walls as well as clearance from all crimes."
"Offers like these don't come cheap." Shadow folded his arms. "What does Knothole want from me?"
Nicole stopped and pointed at the tree. It was large and brown with spring green leaves along the beaten path of the city. Then the tree opened and Nicole directed Shadow towards it again.
"Answers lie within."
Shadow just stared at Nicole, wondering if this was some kind of trap he was getting into. Shadow approached and entered the tree. Nicole shut the bark-covered door behind him and fizzled away. Shadow slid down the tube and unfurled from ball mode. He crouched and looked around finding Nicole yet again.
"This is Freedom HQ, a sanctuary for the Freedom Fighters to delegate missions and information for the protection of Knothole." Nicole directed Shadow into the mission room and he apprehensively followed.
Nicole continued. "Knothole has come to a point where it needs every ally it can get especially with a dark cloud looming over us."
"Thank you Nicole." King Elias stepped into the room. "But I can handle things from here."
"You're majesty." Shadow stated with an air of sarcasm.
"Good evening Shadow, I'm glad you were able to come here in our time of need. I intended to send a party for you but here you are at our doorstep."
"Don't act like I'm just something that waits on you hand and foot. I have trouble trusting the crown ever since King Max died."
"And that is a legacy I will dare try to match but I will not have that luxury should a war impede it."
"War?"
"Yes Shadow," Nicole added. "It's the reason we've brought you here."
"In so many words, Station Square has plotted to take our secrets while making us look like a kingdom of fumbling buffoons."
Shadow gave a small chuckle. "Seems about right to me."
"As King of Knothole, Shadow I'm offering you a chance to act freely within our government so long as you become a part of the Freedom Fighters and help fight in this doomed war."
Shadow was the least bit interested.
"I realize I haven't much to offer especially with resources the way they are-"
"I will do it." Shadow looked at the King.
Elias and Nicole shared a momentary pause.
"I was sure we were going to need weeks of convincing, this is not the Shadow the Hedgehog I have studied."Nicole calculated.
"That's because I'm turning over a new leaf; through Nate Morgan I've understood that each individual life form has something to offer. I've watched Sonic the Hedgehog go on without doubts in his mind and with the full assurance he can rely on the people around him. All this time I have been a loner, carrying my own weight and it's only gotten me fifty-million. Over these past few months I've come to eventually respect Sonic like the other side of the same coin. I will join the Freedom Fighters."
King Elias was stunned.
Shadow the Hedgehog was truly one for the theatrics and the surprises. Nicole simply analyzed the conversation and would add this to her list of things to study. Shadow slammed his hands on the table.
"So when do I start?"
Elias looked at Nicole and then back at the black hedgehog. "Umm, they're on an away mission to Casino Night, none of them has checked in yet-"
"I will provide backup then. Nicole brief me on the way back to the surface!"
Nicole lead Shadow from the headquarters as King Elias was still shocked from the situation. Shadow had joined Knothole and the Freedom Fighters easily - a little too easy. Shadow, in the past, always held his personal goals above all else, but with this so-called new leaf would he betray them again. A war with Station Square would surely bring his true nature out. Had Elias made the right choice?
Only time would tell.
Elias pulled out a roll of parchment paper and started to personally write a message.
_Shadow appeared in Casino Night Zone, fully aware of the situation_
Shadow appeared next to Tails, Amy, Cream, and the incapacitated Rouge.
Shadow didn't expect to see the closest lady in his life trapped in augmented reality. Tails slammed Shadow with an unexpected punch and sent the hedgehog flying.
"Shadow?" Amy questioned, before getting into a stance.
"Sonic and Sally are missing, Mammoth Mogul is off the grid, and now we have to deal with old emo here, great." Cream sighed. "Another day another villain to take down, I guess."
"Amy get Mina to safety!" Tails ordered. "Cream you take Rouge and go too. I can take Shadow."
"A spate of confidence from the fox but I doubt you could best me." Shadow landed in the street across from the others. "If I wanted a battle you'd already be dead... I came to aid. From what I understand you're going to need all the help you can get against Mammoth Mogul."
"He's trying to deceive us!" Tails yelled. "Stand your ground."
"Those methods are beneath me now." Shadow tossed a scroll to Tails and folded his arms. The golden fox looked smugly at the black hedgehog who just stared at him with those scarlet eyes. Tails directed his attention to the scroll, opening it slowly and catching the gloss of the King's seal.
"Knothole approved of this?" Tails threw down the scroll. Cream controlled the scroll into her hands and read it aloud.
"Due to the direness of Knothole's current situation we are starting to recruit all the help we can get." King Elias' note read. "For now the most crucial piece is Shadow the Hedgehog. Somehow through an odd set of circumstances he has convincingly sided with us for the moment. I hurriedly scribe this note to inform you he is our ally but a close eye wouldn't hurt. Add Shadow to your mission, I'm well aware each of you know his abilities so add him to where you see fit. Your King, Elias Acorn."
"Well ain't this a kick in the balls." Cream smiled.
Tails wasn't so accepting though, his fury causing him to shake in response to the letter.
"Well Shadow, welcome to the Freedom Fighters." Amy shrugged.
Tails gritted his teeth and tightened his fists. Shadow was everything evil with the world - consumed by selfishness and greed, he was not to be trusted. Tails didn't understand the additions that were made, which made him question the smile of everyone around him. Then the golden fox, in a moment of zen, smiled like he had figured everything out. He had nearly forgotten his plan of action.
Rouge snapped from her hypnotic state, breathing in a huge amount of air.
"Rouge!" Amy screamed
"Mammoth Mogul is down!" she said, still groggy from the illusions she saw.
"Rouge are you okay?" asked Mina.
"I'm fine, at least I will be, darling." Rouge got to her feet. "Mina, we're you hurt?"
"I'm fine Rouge, really, just a little freaked out." she explained.
Shadow chimed in. "I've located Mammoth's Chaos Energy signal, it's weak but... Everyone get in close."
The ladies hesitated a bit but then got within four or five feet while Tails stood opposite Shadow. Tails went from a deathly grimace to a devilish smile and closed in on the black hedgehog.
"You're not going to warp us to a volcano are you?" Tails asked.
"I'm still on the fence." Shadow said. Tails got within range as Shadow closed his eyes. "Chaos Control."
The Freedom Fighters appeared at the gates to Robotropolis and noticed Mammoth Mogul's body instantly and the case right across from him. Shadow fell to a knee with Rouge holding him steady.
"Well darling, I knew you'd eventually come around."
"Around to what?" Shadow questioned.
"Fighting for something other than yourself."
"I'm just here to find out who tormented my friend." Shadow stood back up. The toll of multiple Chaos Controls over vast distances was tearing him down. He had enough energy for three major teleportations. Amy and Cream examined Mammoth Mogul as Tails picked up the case.
"I thought Sonic and Sally were going to be here?" Mina looked around, "That was part of the plan right?"
The others focused on the subject at hand which was a downed Mogul in the streets of Casino Night.
"He's got a nasty gash in the back of his head, his immortality healing powers are already working but he's going to be a couple days."
"Old ivory here's got a weak spot huh?" Cream folded her arms. "Good to know."
"Something else that's good to know." Tails read some of the first few pages. "These are contracts. Evidence linking the assassination and the Destructix back to Mogul. But then there's this large one at the back..."
"Let me see." Rouge was handed the big blue packet. Paper clipped to the front was a note which Rouge read aloud.
"By the time you're done reading this I will have conquered."
The Freedom Fighters looked at each other.
"What does it mean?" asked Amy.
"The case is a plant. Mammoth Mogul was working with someone." Shadow stated. The Freedom Fighters looked to Shadow who was deep in thought. "And I think I know who."
Next time we return to Sonic and Sally facing the dreaded Metal Sonic in the next issue of the epic series, Sonic 51. Read & Review and don't forget to go to /starsquadenterprises to hear my instrumental album "Seven Deadly X's". Farewell Freedom Fighters.