A/N - Thanks so much for all reads, reviews, faves and follows! =D
Chapter Ten
Rough's ship was parked where he'd left it. Situated between a green caterpillar-shaped ship and an empty space that had previously occupied a massive cargo carrier. A rather rudely parked one that had made getting on and off his own ship nigh impossible.
The stench of oil and sweat stung his nose as he climbed on board. Gadget huddled against the wall where his computer was wired up, muttering to himself as he read over something on his holoscreen that Rough couldn't see. He half expected Gadget to be surrounded by a stink cloud, and he wafted his nose as he strode past the wolf.
"Had a shower lately?" Rough scoffed as he flopped into his chair.
"Rather hypocritical coming from a skunk, wouldn't you say?" said Gadget. "I'll shower once we leave this wretched pirate-infested dump of a sky-city."
"There's a shower right across the docks." Rough pointed a finger towards it, and glanced back to make sure Gadget was looking. He wasn't.
"There are too many pirates. They'd snap up my bounty like candy."
"Just tug your coat over your head. No-one's gonna care!"
Gadget made a spitting noise and leered at the skunk. "Oh they'll care. Besides… You lot are like fleas on a rock, I can't stand it. When are we leaving?"
"In one hour," said Rough.
"You said that two days ago."
"Well it took me a few days to track down someone who's sellin' those cloaking technology plans you want for cheap," Rough explained. "And the last guy stiffed me."
"That's a pirate for you," said Gadget. "Now define 'cheap'?"
"'Not expensive'," Rough joked. "A lot of pirates here crank the price right up. You don't find too many who do things fair."
"'Fair' has 'space pirate' written all over it," Gadget spat.
"Exactly. Need to tease out the ones that are doin' you dirty."
"And what guarantee do I have that it will work?"
"It works on my ship." Rough caught the unimpressed look on Gadget's face and growled. "Look, doc. I know what I'm doin'. I've been doin' this since I were a pre-teen. You want the schematics or not?"
"If it'll work, I'll take it." Gadget returned to his computer. "At least then we can get away from this dump."
"Yeah, and you can stop stinkin' up my bridge." Rough turned back to the controls, half-tempted to drive straight into the washroom and throw the wolf into the nearest sink. "The seller is gonna deliver them here. If you don't want them to see you, I suggest you hide."
Gadget didn't budge, but Rough could feel his eyes on him. Staring. Rough shrugged and tucked his hands behind his head, kicking his feet up on the control deck.
Space pirates moved back and forth across the docks, and the rumble of nearby engines signaled ships leaving, or docking. It had been a long day, and the skunk felt himself drifting off to sleep. But he snapped right out of it as a high pitched whistle reached his ears, followed by a fist thudding at the ship's door.
Rough looked back over his shoulder, mirrored by Gadget still huddled in his corner. It hadn't been an hour yet, surely? The space pirate flipped himself from his seat and went to investigate. As the door hissed open, a tall leopard greeted him with a playful grin. Siesta. So she was early? And behind her stood a sly-looking purple weasel-wolf in a fedora.
"Nack?" Rough scoffed. "What are you doin' here?"
"Oh, I helped score the schematics," said the weasel. "Although I had no idea they were for you."
"Where are the rest of your hooligans?"
Nack grinned, choosing to remain silent.
The leopard girl's smile fell and she frowned down at the skunk. "Is this about to get ugly? Because I don't get involved in others' affairs."
"Nah, I want my share of the cut, sugar." Nack folded his arms and his grin turned sinister. "I'll wail on this idiot later."
Rough chose to ignore the hybrid, instead glaring up at Siesta. If only because she'd chosen to work with one of his biggest rivals.
"How much?" he asked her.
"Two thousand credits, as agreed," she replied.
Rough's fur bristled along his spine, but if it was going to get him his brother back, then it was worth every credit. So he tapped it into his computer and a beep came from the leopard's dress. Her visor snapped into place, typical of those who worked in her chosen trade, and she gave him a satisfied smile.
"Pleasure doing business with you." She held out the computer chip.
"Hang on. We agreed paper," he said.
She shrugged. "I couldn't get paper."
"Well I've been screwed over once already," he growled. "You ain't goin' nowhere until I check this is legit."
Nack tugged a laser from his belt, but Siesta raised a hand, not looking back at him. "Leave it, Nack. Let him check it if he wants."
Rough looked between the pair then popped the disk into the side of his computer. It loaded up on his holoscreen instantly. Schematics for a cloaking device. One that could be adapted to any scale, from a cargo ship to a tiny pistol.
"All right." He tucked his computer away and nodded at the leopard. "You came through, lass. You've got yourself another customer."
Siesta gave a small chuckle. "I don't cheat in my trade, skunk. It's bad for business."
She turned from him, ushering Nack on alongside her. The weasel was frowning at his own visor.
"Oi!" he exclaimed. "We agreed forty-sixty!"
"Exactly," said Siesta. "You get the forty."
"That wasn't the deal!"
They were barely off the docks when Rough closed the door to his ship, shutting their bickering outside. He'd got what he wanted. If things turned nasty, that leopard could handle herself. She looked strong enough to pick Nack up by his neck and toss him into the nearest trash skip.
"All right, I've got 'em." Rough fell back down in his seat.
"Then give them to me," said Gadget.
"Don't be so hasty, doc." Rough bared his canines. "First you're gonna save my brother, then you can have the schematics. We're headin' back to the Beatdrop Capital."
"How can you be so sure your brother is still there?" Gadget asked icily. "It's been nearly a week."
"Really? I hadn't noticed." Rough shot him a glare over his shoulder as he pulled the ship out from the docking bay. "You planted a trackin' chip on him, didn't you?"
"I did."
"Then get trackin'. The sooner we get him, the sooner you can take these plans and do whatever you want with 'em."
The thought left a bad taste in Rough's mouth. But he pushed it aside as he turned his focus back onto saving his brother. And keeping Gadget at arm's length.
...
Silver had gathered up as much information as he could about the school. It was rather overwhelming. An entire list of teachers and students currently at the school, and all of them were there that day. It was drawing close to the end of the exam season, and a lot of students were engaging in after school study activities, pushing the teachers into working overtime. Where did one even begin? Silver had no idea what time the killer would strike, or who for that matter. Day or night? Would he have one target, or would it be a massacre? The hedgehog pinched his nose and grimaced. The latter really didn't bare thinking about.
His office door opened and Blaze strolled in, her expression unreadable. The cat still wasn't happy with his accusations, but neither was he. He didn't want her to turn out to be the murderer. Part of him hoped the killer would reveal himself soon, preferably while he and Blaze were on watch so they could save any more innocent lives from being lost.
The lavender cat set a steaming mug of coffee down on Silver's desk, then stood back and shifted her weight to one leg.
"I've been thinking," she said slowly. "About your suggestion to watch the school?"
"I'm not alone there then." Silver picked up his coffee and sipped it. It was very welcome.
"It seems too flawed a plan," Blaze went on. "The school is massive, and there's only two of us. That's two detectives watching out for a killer amid thousands of people. And only one of us is capable of fighting right now, especially given you're still recovering from your run-in with Metal Sonic."
Silver groaned at that. He let his head rest in one hand, masking his frustration with tiredness. "The problem is, Blaze, if we go in with an army then the killer might not show himself."
"I'm not suggesting we do." A small smile graced the cat's face, lifting Silver's spirits. "I have a better, much more effective plan."
"Oh?" She had his interest now. He lifted his head and his eyes widened.
"I say we evacuate everyone," she said. "Send them all out of the Beatdrop Capital."
"Isn't that a bit extreme?" said Silver. "I mean, it's the thick of the exam season. Where would they even go?"
"There are schools in other cities. Besides, once news gets out that the school is being targeted, attendance is bound to plummet. We can't keep this secret if we know what his next target is."
"Okay." Silver let out a small sigh. "And how do we go about that? It could take me hours to send out a mass email, and that's if the ones on record are even used regularly."
"Leave it to me."
"Leave it to you?" He raised an eyebrow. "How do you plan to do this?"
"Simple." Blaze sipped at her own coffee. "You appear to be forgetting that I'm the Mayor's daughter. All it takes is one little plea to my father, and he'll deal with the rest."
Silver's jaw dropped, drawing another smile from the cat.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he even finds them all lodgings," she said. "Clear out the school, reduce the threat to its minimum, and swoop in before the killer even knows what's hit him."
Silver shook his head in disbelief and let out a chuckle. "You're amazing, Blaze. I would never have thought of that."
"You're welcome." Blaze returned his smile and turned towards the door. "Let's face it. I need to prove my innocence somehow, don't I?"
Silver flinched and sank down in his seat as he watched her go. Even if she managed to prove her innocence, deep down he felt she'd never let that accusation go.
The cat paused by the door and cast a glance back over her shoulder. "They might have a suspect, now, anyway. Have you seen the news this morning?"
"No?" The joy in his voice even caught him off guard.
"Oh." She scratched behind her ear. "I suggest you have a little look. It's rather surprising."
She closed the door, leaving Silver feeling a lot lighter. He shunted the pile of names aside and quickly brought up the news site on his holoscreen.
...
Amy had decided against working in her studio. Instead, she sat at the breakfast bar, sketching away while sipping at her third coffee that morning. Her and Tangle sat in peaceful silence, broken only by the occasional grunt from the sleeping jackal.
Infinite took up the entire sofa, his tail curled up around his body and one arm hanging over the edge. Amy questioned why he'd not pulled it out into a bed, instead lounging in an uncomfortable fashion in a way that gravity threatened to soon ruin if he shifted any closer to the edge.
She desperately wanted him to wake up, and not just because she wanted the comfort of the sofa. Tangle was still reading the Beatdrop News site on her pocket computer, but the front page was emblazoned in Amy's mind. The police had a suspect for The Heartbreaker, and it thankfully wasn't Infinite.
Of course, it didn't explain his constant tiredness, or that odd tower he'd built. The latter was likely a coincidence.
Tangle had become excited when she'd read the article, but daren't breathe a word for fear of rousing Infinite. But Amy could tell the lemur had already structured an essay in her mind, and as soon as it was safe to blurt it out, Amy could bank on being on the receiving end of it. And it would likely be strewn with conspiracies backed with 'facts', and theories on how this killer actually worked.
Not that the news article hadn't already brought with it its own speculation.
Amy was just finishing off the final details on a cute star pattern she'd been working into a bobble hat, when a rustle came from the sofa. Followed by a loud yawn. She looked up as Tangle leapt from the bar stool to lean over the back of the sofa.
"You awake now, cutie?" she crooned.
Infinite fixed a crimson-tinted eye on her. "Don't ever call me cute, primate."
"I say what I see," said Tangle.
"Give him some space," said Amy. "Unlike you, he's not a morning person."
"Oh, I'm a morning person." Infinite sat up so quickly Tangle had to dodge a head-butt. "I just don't usually have to sleep this often."
The jackal moved into the kitchen and flicked on the coffee machine. Then, muttering to himself, he opened the various cupboards in search for his breakfast. As Amy expected, a jar of peanut butter and a box of gravy bones appeared on the counter. Then, much to her surprise, a box of frosted flakes. And a bowl. He poured out an even amount of gravy bones and frosted flakes into said bowl, then scooped out a handful of peanut butter to accompany it. He then opened the fridge, reached for the milk, muttered a 'nah' and grabbed an open bottle of apple juice. Amy's muzzle crinkled with disgust as he poured it into the bowl.
He grabbed his coffee from the machine, and plonked down opposite them both at the breakfast bar. A spoon appeared before his muzzle, stopping his hand mid swipe, and he raised an eyebrow at it.
Tangle leant her head on her free hand, bobbing the spoon up and down. "Manners?"
He let out a sigh and snatched the spoon, resigning himself to use it.
"They think they've found the serial killer," Amy said, returning to her sketches.
Infinite froze with the spoon in his mouth, staring at her. Prompting her to elaborate.
"Oh yeah!" Tangle leant towards him with a huge grin. "Some weirdo just showed up at the scene of the crime, then vanished into thin air!"
Infinite grunted and waved his spoon at Amy. "I want to hear it from her."
Amy looked up then, and Tangle's mouth tugged down into a frown.
"Aw, come on!" she whined. "I've been wanting to talk about this all morning, but no. I had to stay quiet for fear of waking the dragon!"
Infinite huffed and returned to his breakfast. But Amy couldn't help thinking that, given the circumstances, he'd taken that as a poor choice of words.
"Tangle has been looking into it quite a lot, actually," said Amy. "I think she knows more than me."
The lemur grinned at her then turned back to Infinite. But he didn't meet her eye. Instead he stared at Amy, eye narrowed, the claws of his free hand digging into the marble.
Amy shook her head, hoping he'd take the message that no, she had absolutely not said anything to Tangle about his concerns.
He gave a weak shrug and nodded at the lemur before returning to his breakfast.
Tangle let out a squeal and shifted so she was kneeling on the bar stool. "Get this! DotMatrix's house mate came home last night to find some weirdo in his bedroom. Just standing there. Then he just vanished! Poof! They think that's how he's been doin' it. Locked rooms and all that? Not a problem when you don't need a key, eh?"
"So who is it?" Infinite asked.
"Some black hedgehog," said Tangle. "They think his name's Shadow, or somethin'."
Infinite spluttered, scattering his breakfast medley over the bar, fortunately not all over Amy's work. He swiped a hand across his muzzle and stared at Tangle, wide-eyed. The lemur flicked crumbs from her face and shook out her ears.
"Thanks for that," she said, rather too chipper.
"Shadow?" Infinite gasped.
Tangle inclined her head on one side. "What? You know the guy?"
Infinite lowered his spoon and his eye flitted around the room. "I suppose it makes sense. You have a Sonic…"
"Huh?" Amy lowered her coffee to look up at him.
"So it makes sense you'd have a Shadow as well."
"What are you talking about?" Amy pressed. "What do you mean we 'have a Sonic'?"
Infinite clenched his fist around his spoon, oblivious to her question. "Unless… no he couldn't have followed me here! Are there photos of this Shadow?"
"Aye, yeah, there are now." Tangle whisked a webpage up onto her computer and flicked it towards Infinite. "People thought this wanted poster was to bait in space pirates, although I was always skeptical. But now-"
Her words were cut off as Infinite snatched it from her. He bared his canines and a growl slipped from the back of his throat.
"It is him!" he roared.
"You recognize him?" Amy asked.
"Of course I recognize him!" Infinite glared at the mugshot leering back at him. "After all he's done… and now he's trying to frame me?!"
"You're jumping to conclusions!" said Amy. "We don't know for a fact he's the killer!"
"He's the killer," Tangle scoffed. "Why else would he show up at a crime scene, pokin' around?"
"Investigating?"
"Mainframe have been dogging that guy for decades, Amy," said Tangle. "Apparently for 'reasons of scientific interest', whatever that means. Why wouldn't he lash out? Get back at the authorities. Throw a spanner in the works. 'Distract the bad guys'."
"You don't think he's a bad guy?" Infinite growled. "This guy murdered my friends!"
He tossed the computer onto the bar top and slid from his stool to march back into the living room.
"Dude, don't take it out on my Pineapple." Tangle grimaced as she retrieved her computer and brushed a hand over its screen.
Amy watched the jackal as he paced towards the sofa and stopped, running a hand over his masked muzzle. A small frown tugged at her lips and she slipped from her own stool to approach him.
"You said something about us having 'a Sonic'," she said. "If there's versions of us in your universe, how can you be sure he's actually your Shadow and not part of Mainframe?"
Infinite shrugged. "He wasn't born, he was made. Why would that happen in two separate universes?"
"Similarities?" suggested Tangle.
Infinite glanced back at her and snorted. "Sounds too easy. No… I think he came through Null Space when I did, and got himself caught up in his own mess. Now GUN want two aliens for their own sick reasons, yet little do they know they can't stand each other! Think about it. I break free, everyone hears about it, then all this starts? It's personal!"
Amy clenched her hands together, fighting the urge to shake her head and put him straight. She didn't know. It was perfectly plausible more than just Eggman and Infinite had come through Null Space. Eggman had even bought his own robot with him. Maybe someone else had survived and zipped away unnoticed, probably assuming Infinite had died during the explosion? He had told her he'd been left for dead.
But part of her couldn't help worrying that it was all wrong. That whatever Infinite's Shadow had done to him was so traumatizing he couldn't let go, and was lashing out at the wrong person. A doppleganger. Someone who just happened to look like him, and have the same name, but had lead a completely different life in a completely different world.
"Isn't it possible," she said quietly, "that you're wrong? You did say something about us having our own Sonic."
"I recognize Shadow," said Infinite. "I didn't recognize Sonic. I just assumed the fact he was a blue hedgehog with the same name was nothing more than a coincidence."
"You mean he looks different?"
"Old. Tired. Run down. Sickly…" Infinite lifted his hands in a shrug. "Sure, I never personally met my world's Sonic, but in the photos and videos I'd seen, he looked younger. Sprightly. Energetic. And very, very annoying."
Amy huffed. "Old? He's not much older than me!" She let out a sigh and ran her hands through her quills. "Although I know what you mean. He did look exhausted. I think he was run off his feet by that Gadget."
"Why am I not surprised?" Infinite flopped onto the sofa and rubbed his hands over his mask. Briefly considering taking it off. "I want to find that Shadow, so I'm going to do a bit of research. Don't interrupt me for a while."
Tangle appeared behind him and offered her computer. "Need this?"
"No. Now be quiet, primate. The Chaos Network gives me a headache, and I don't need you yammering in my ear."
He didn't look up, holding his head in his hands. Amy and Tangle exchanged glances then returned to the breakfast bar, leaving the jackal to his own devices.
...
Already noon. And there was still no sign of Rouge. Shadow had waited at their freshly-chosen hiding place in Beatdrop's entertainment district. A bar that had recently closed, a 'To Let' sign in its boarded-up window. Still fully furnished, and barely a hint of dust since it had only closed down a few days ago. No draft, no leaks…
The black hedgehog poked his head outside again, checking the rooftops for any sign of the bat. Nothing. Where on earth was she? It wasn't like her to be late, let alone several hours late. He considered contacting her again through the Chaos Network, but his last message hadn't been responded to yet.
His heart began to race, and not for the first time. Had something happened to her? It was beginning to look very likely. He paced back into the empty bar, went to sit back down on the sofa, then changed his mind. Instead, running back to the door to peer out at the street.
Nothing.
He let out a small groan and backed into the bar. Just caught up somewhere. That's all it was. Any minute now, she'd waltz through that door all smiles and sunshine. She'd tell him what she'd found, how much she'd sold it for, then playfully dig at him for being worried about her. Then she'd try to hug him, and he'd let her…
He balled his hands into fists and screwed his eyes shut. Never this late. She was never this late.
Something was wrong.
A soft sound came from the door and he jerked his head up towards it, his heart in his throat. "Rouge?"
The door nudged open wider and the small tin head of a robot dog poked around it. Its tongue lolled out when it saw him, in what was meant to be a friendly dog-smile. One that tried to assure him it meant no threat.
Shadow didn't trust it. He took a step back, leering at the metal canine as it strutted further into the bar, huge eyes on his. Smiling. Almost laughing.
Shadow bared a canine and lifted his hand, crimson energy surrounding it. One chaos spear would be all it would take to reduce the barking tin-can to shrapnel.
The dog's eyes lit up, freezing Shadow mid-strike. He braced himself to leap instead, to dodge whatever laser projectiles the dog had at its disposal. But it never came. Instead, a holographic image appeared at his feet. One Shadow instantly recognized.
Rouge knelt there, smiling up at him. She lifted her hands and the first thing he noticed was that she wasn't bound in any way.
'I'm sorry, Shadow,' she said. 'I'm still getting over a nasty tranq dart. But I want you to know I'm okay. And so are you. The soldiers I'm with don't believe for one second that you are the killer. In fact, they want to offer us somewhere to hide until all this blows over.'
"You're back with them, aren't you?" Shadow spat. "Back with GUN?!"
'I know what you're thinking,' she went on. 'And I've not turned back to GUN. These guys? They don't work for Eggman. They're trying to keep you away from him. If anything, they're the good guys! Please, Shadow. I can explain more when you get here. Just follow the dog. Its name is T-Pup.'
The hologram blinked out and the dog - T-Pup - lifted its head to look at him. Tongue still lolling out, panting like any flesh and blood dog would do. Then it let out a high-pitched yip. Shadow leapt back from it, unsure whether or not to actually follow it or trash it where it stood.
"She's right, you know."
Shadow looked up at the voice. A blue hedgehog stood in the doorway, his rifle strapped over his back. An easy grab if he needed to use it. Shadow recognized him instantly as one of the soldiers who'd ambushed him and Rouge in the park. Although he'd been more pre-occupied with Metal Sonic.
"Shadow, right?" The blue hedgehog leant against the wall and folded his arms. "My name's Sonic."
Shadow took a step forward, chaos energy surrounding both his fists and spreading to the rest of his body.
Sonic lifted a hand, his emerald eyes widening. "Hang on there. I'm not here to fight. I'm here to take you to your friend."
"She told me to follow the dog."
"I'm here in case you destroyed the dog."
Sonic didn't look remotely amused at the idea. Something about the tone in his voice told Shadow if it had come to that, he'd be dealing with that fight Sonic allegedly didn't want.
"Look," Sonic went on. "Tails and I? We don't believe you're the murderer. Neither does Rouge. But Eggman does. It's all over the media, Shadow. You were found at the scene of the crime, with no permit to even be there. And then you vanished without even explaining? It all looks suspicious. If you come with me and T-Pup, we'll take you to Rouge and you can hide out knowing you're safe."
"And then what?" Shadow growled. "You'll turn me over to whatever authorities you work for?!"
Sonic stared at him for a moment. Too long a moment. Shadow's quills bristled and that crimson energy intensified.
"No," Sonic finally said, taking Shadow by surprise. "I'm not about to turn over an innocent man. As far as I'm concerned, when all this blows over, you're free to go. Even if it costs me my job."
"And how do I know this isn't a trap and Rouge is the bait?"
"I guess my word isn't enough?" Sonic shrugged and pushed himself back from the wall. "Look. I'll tell you where she is, and you can use the Chaos Network to take us there. Then you'll see for yourself."
"You could be sending me right into an ambush." Shadow folded his arms and frowned at the other hedgehog. "We walk, and you lead me."
Sonic let out a lone laugh. "If we walk, you might as well have teleported yourself into an ambush. It's a long walk, pal. Right at the other end of the Beatdrop Capital. Everyone out there is gonna be keeping an eye open for you, so I'd say the Chaos Network is your safest bet."
"Then tell me where she is, and I'll go myself."
"Oh, I don't advise that." Sonic shook his head slowly. "You'll need me to get in."
Shadow clenched and unclenched his fists as he looked between the other hedgehog and the door. Rouge was with them. That meant, despite what she'd said, he wasn't entirely sure she was safe. If he wanted to save her, he needed to get to her. And the only way to do that was to go wherever this hedgehog took him. If things turned nasty, he could always fight back, grab Rouge and run.
He turned his crimson eyes back onto Sonic. "Fine. Then let's go."
A beaming smile split Sonic's face and he joined Shadow's side, stooping to pick up the robot dog. "Flux Alley. The old warehouse. Know where that is?"
"Of course I know where it is."
Before Sonic could reply, the Chaos Network appeared around them, forming a tunnel of data code. The trio shot along it, and Sonic let out a surprised yell that Shadow couldn't help smirking at. T-Pup, however, appeared to be having a blast. Its tongue lolling behind it as it watched the code fly by with utter fascination.
But it was only brief. The trio appeared in the specified alley, at the end of it, hidden behind a skip.
Sonic grimaced and shook a banana peel off his boot. "Couldn't land us by the door?"
"There might have been drones, or an ambush," said Shadow. "I wasn't taking that risk."
"Tails disables all spy cameras twice a day," Sonic explained. "It used to be once ever few days, but Eggman keeps cranking up the security recently." He stood beside the skip and waved a gloved hand into the alley. "And what did I tell you? No ambush."
Shadow followed his gesture then turned his eyes to the rooftops. Sonic wasn't lying. Not a soldier in sight. Shadow crept from his hiding place and followed Sonic and T-Pup to the warehouse shutter. A quick flash of his keycard, and the shutter rattled up on its rollers. The blue hedgehog ducked and rolled into the warehouse, with T-Pup skittering along beside him.
Shadow approached the shutter cautiously, ducking to peer inside. A dim light lit up what appeared to be a workshop, scented with grease and oil. Weapons adorned the walls, and several workbenches lay scattered about, strewn with all kinds of equipment. Some of which Shadow expected to find in a torture chamber.
Beyond all that was a small sitting area, where a white bat sat sipping tea and nattering to a fox. The soldier had his back to her, too busy with whatever he was working on to give her any time of day. But when the blue hedgehog greeted her, she responded with a smile. Then she lit up when she spotted Shadow standing in the open doorway.
"Hey there, handsome!" A playful smile appeared on her lips. "Were you worried about me?"
Shadow seethed, clenching his fists so tight his claws dug into his pads. "We're leaving!"
Rouge lowered her teacup, and the two soldiers looked up at him.
"Why?" she asked. "They want to help us."
"It's clearly a trap!" Shadow marched through the warehouse towards her.
"It's not a trap!" Rouge almost spilled her tea as he grabbed her wrist. "Shadow, please! If it was a trap, would I be sat here like this?"
He froze, looking her up and down. His pulse began to race again and he released her, taking a step back. He wanted to tell her she was scaring him, but the words wouldn't form. Instead, he bared his canines and his eyes flashed with chaos energy.
"Were you luring me into this trap the entire time?!" he roared.
Her jaw went slack and she did spill her tea then, sending the cup onto the floor. "What? No, of course not!"
"Well it looks like it!"
"Shadow, I used to work for Eggman!" Rouge protested. "These two don't. Do you honestly think I would have risked Omega's life like that? He died trying to protect you! And I've had a price on my head for the past year! I've not been lying to you!"
"Then what are you doing here with them?!" He pointed blindly into the room.
"I came here trying to find out if Tails' tranquilizer dart was why you're having problems with your powers lately!" Rouge rose to her feet and swiped tea from her body suit. "That pink mist? Your flawed teleporting? I was worried, and I was trying to help you."
Shadow screwed his eyes shut, still clenching his fists at his sides.
"I just happened to be here when I found out that Mainframe now thinks you are the murderer!" Rouge went on. "But all three of us in this room, and T-Pup, don't. And we all want to help clear your name. Okay?"
"She's right." Sonic had at some point drawn his rifle, and he strapped it over his back again. "This is a safe zone, pal."
"We are not pals," Shadow growled. "Besides, what happens once my 'name is cleared'? Are you just going to let us go?"
Sonic exchanged glances with Tails, and the fox shook his head, returning to his work. The gesture turned Shadow's blood to ice and he grabbed Rouge by her wrist.
"We'll give you a chance to flee," said Sonic. "Our job is still to turn you into our boss. But I'm not happy to do that when everyone thinks you're the murderer. They'll kill you if they believe it's you, and that doesn't settle well with me or Tails."
T-Pup barked once, but Tails said nothing.
"So what's it gonna be?" Sonic leant on the back of the sofa and folded his arms. "Are you gonna stay with us, where there's safety in numbers? Or are you going to continue running blindly through busy streets filled with soldiers and robots who won't hesitate to shoot you?"
Shadow blinked at the two soldiers, then turned back to Rouge. Suddenly, he didn't want to run anymore. Yet he wasn't happy staying there with two soldiers who's main job was to turn him over to their own little branch of GUN.
"If they can't find you," said Tails, "it won't be long until they unleash a Judge-grade robot. Then things will get very messy." The fox lifted up a sharp tool to examine it in the light. One that was designed to cleave through metal. "But I know a thing or two about deactivating those."
Sonic turned back to Shadow and grinned. "That's his way of saying he's got your back."
Shadow made a spitting noise through his lips and tugged Rouge closer to him. The Chaos Network was right there. He could get both of them out, and Sonic and Tails wouldn't be able to stop him.
"Please," Rouge whispered. "At least think about it? I know you find it hard to trust others, but you learned to trust me?"
"That was different," Shadow replied. "You weren't about to turn me over to the authorities once your own little plan had fizzled out."
"I never had a 'little plan'."
"Exactly."
Rouge sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder, avoiding his eyes. "Okay. If you really want to run…"
Shadow looked over at the soldiers again. Tails was still occupied with his workbench, but Sonic stared back at him from behind the sofa and shrugged.
"It's up to you," he said. "But once you're out of our hands, our protection ends. You don't want it, then we'll be back to hunting you, alongside whatever else Eggman throws at you."
Shadow grimaced and turned away from him, back to Rouge. The bat met his eyes then, worried, pleading. He sighed and released her, taking a step back.
"Fine," he said. "I'll give you a chance."
"Great!" Sonic pushed himself back from the sofa, and T-Pup joined his side, its spindly tail wagging frantically. "I'll go make us all some tea, then, eh?"
"Decaff," said Tails.
Shadow's entire body tensed, refusing to relax. He watched as Rouge returned to her spot on the sofa, idly wiping at a patch still damp with tea.
He closed his eyes and sighed. "What have I got myself into?"
...
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XtraXP - Hey, nice to see you back! =D I know what it's like to be so far behind on a story. Pretty daunting to catch up! Thanks for sticking with it! I hope you continue to enjoy =3
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