"Attention, control. We are currently heading south. The suspect is in custody."
"This is control speaking. We verified your position. Handle suspect carefully. This one is slippery. We got one, the other is still loose."
Sonic frowned as he sat in between cops. He and Silver both had been accused of something. Silver made it out, but they caught Sonic quite easily, to his surprise. He was confused more than ever... He and Silver would never do anything wrong in the world. So, why was he in cuffs and sitting in a helicopter on his way to Prison Island, with Silver to soon follow?
"You're awful quiet." One of Sonic's guards remarked.
"So what?!" Sonic snapped at him.
"Well, from what I've heard, you caused quite a ruckus over at Prison Island the other night. Now we can't get two words outta you!"
"Guess I'm not feeling too chatty!" Sonic continued to snap.
One of the guards shot up and had his gun ready. "You'd better watch that smart mouth, hedgehog, or you'll be running laps in a 10-by-9 cell!"
Sonic smirked at them.
Then, yelling was to be heard from the helicopter.
"What's going on up there?!" Someone yelled.
Sonic ignored the yelling behind them as he shoved the helicopter door open. He looked down. "I gotta get the jump on these fly guys!" He smirked, and he jumped off on a ship object that was shaped like a skateboard. He ignored the yells of, "COME BACK!" As he fell.
Sonic yelled as he twirled downward.
...
At a skate park, kids were enjoying their fun time when Sonic sped right through them on his little skateboard. "Sorry, dudes!" Sonic called to them as he darted off.
...
Sonic skidded downtown when something met his eye. "Whoa!" He gasped.
The army's robots were headed straight towards him.
"I'm outta here!" Sonic exclaimed, and he darted away. He yelped as the lasers shot at him, and the hedgehog had trouble trying to run away from these guys. His eyes widened as they started smashing at other things instead of him, including newly repaired buildings. "Man, these guys mean business!"
Sonic dove under a manhole cover and managed to trick the bots into flying off.
...
Sonic walked around underground for quite some time, wondering what had happened. He was left alone, hoping that Silver had found refuge somewhere.
"How could Silver and I possibly sink any lower?" Sonic frowned to himself. "What are Silver and I running away from, anyway?" He wondered. "I mean, we haven't done anything wrong, have I? I just wonder what it is they think we did."
As he walked, he found himself wondering about his young friend. "I hope Penny's okay..."
...
As for Penny, she was doing fine, and still the news of Sonic being accused hadn't reached her or her brother Chris. The two siblings were at a new school, and Penny just transferred up to a higher grade, so she was no longer in Mr. Stewart's class when she got back. She sighed in thought.
"Hey, Penny." The girl she was walking with said with a smile, looking at her with wide eyes. "I heard you and your brother come from Station Square!"
"Uh..." Penny said. "Yeah?"
The girl moved uncomfortably close and squealed, clenching her fists. "Have you ever seen Sonic and Silver the Hedgehogs up close? Do you think they're related?!"
"Uhh..." Penny didn't know what to say. All she wanted was to do was run away to her next class.
"Are they really that fast?" The girl continued.
"You bet they're fast!" Penny smiled. She looked up into the sky. "They're faster than anybody, and nicer than anybody, too!"
"Wish I could meet them." The girl gave a dramatic sigh. She turned to her. "Who knows? If we're lucky, we'll both get to meet them someday! Well, I gotta get to class! Later!" She took off, leaving Penny alone. "See ya!" Penny called after her.
Her smile fell, and the girl wondered what Sonic was doing right now, and if he was okay. She wondered the same about Silver.
...
"Mr. President, it appears that our undercover operate has settled into his new mission and we will have all of the resources necessary," Cristina announced to her boss.
"Good work." The President nodded in her direction. "And what about the flood?"
"Well, sir, I read a full report over the last few days. There was some damage, but from what I can gather, none of the citizens were harmed in any way." She said, reading the report from the papers.
"And what about Sonic? Or Silver? Is there any new information?"
Cristina frowned. "I'm afraid it doesn't look good. And with the crime of this magnitude, sir, I'm not sure if the government should be involved."
"I don't know." The President said. "This just doesn't sound like either of them."
"I agree with you, sir," Sam said. "Sonic and Silver would never do such a thing. I think they've been wrongly accused, Mr. President, and I think you should do something about it!"
The President sighed. "Just... drive." He muttered.
"Either way, I don't feel it would look good for us to be involved. We should wash our hands of them."
"Do you really think so?" The President asked.
Cristina nodded. "I do, sir."
That's when the car skidded roughly to a stop, and Cristina yelped as she fell. Angrily, she pressed herself against the window and yelled at Sam. "Are you crazy?! What are you trying to do?!"
"I'm trying to do my job," Sam said. He smirked. "Just driving."
It was quiet in the museum.
Well, not all quiet.
A dark shadow of a hedgehog loomed over the cage that held a green Chaos Emerald. The dark hedgehog smirked as he smashed the glass.
An alarm was soon heard blaring around the museum. The hedgehog had the same speed as Sonic. He smirked and chuckled at the lasers. This would be too easy. The hedgehog managed to dodge the lasers of the robots that shot at him, and when they were finished, he shot flares at the robots, destroying them in a single blow.
And with that, the dark hedgehog sped off into the night.
...
"Mr. President, I have some bad news. Sonic...or Silver... we're not sure which one did it... were just seen at the National Museum of Art attempting to steal the Chaos Emerald."
The President's eyes widened. "It can't be!"
"My men are awaiting your instructions, sir."
"We have no choice." The President said. "Find both hedgehogs and place them both under arrest!"
"Yes, Mr. President. I'll alert all divisors immediately, sir." He saluted and walked off.
...
At that, the search for the two hedgehogs began. When they found out where Sonic was, they immediately started after him. No one could tell where Silver was yet... they would have to catch him next.
...
Meanwhile...
"What's up?" Penny asked as she walked up to her family and friends, who were watching the latest news. Blaze turned to her, her eyes wide. "Sonic and Silver have both been accused!"
"W-what?!" Penny's eyes widened with fear and shock. She stared at the screen.
"I'm standing in the middle of the main building in the National Museum of Art, where earlier tonight, a thief broke through security and stole a priceless Chaos Emerald. Authorities found these images on tapes confiscated from the museum's security cameras."
Penny's eyes widened when she saw the dark shadow of a hedgehog. From the back, he looked like Sonic. From the front, he looked a lot like Silver. Her eyes widened when he smirked at the screen and took off.
Chris and Blaze gasped. "Was that Sonic and Silver?!" They asked in sync.
"NO!" Cream cried, looking at the two. "It can't be! Sonic and Silver won't take anything that doesn't belong to them!"
"Yeah, right," Chuck said. "That totally was Sonic."
Penny's eyes widened. Did Chuck really think that was Sonic? She thought he looked more like Silver. Then again, the more she looked at the image of the hedgehog, she saw something about him that was different from the two.
Blaze grasped the young girl's hand and squeezed it. Then she and everyone else glared at Chuck. "NO WAY!" They yelled at him. Penny said nothing. She just looked shocked at the sudden news.
"Maybe it wasn't him..." Chuck said nervously. "I guess you always can't believe your eyes!"
"Surprisingly enough, authorities have determined and firmly decided from this footage that the thief is none other than Sonic the Hedgehog. According to reports, Sonic has destroyed numerous government tanks and fled to an unknown location. Silver the Hedgehog will be suspected as Sonic's assistant into doing these crimes."
Penny looked down. Sonic wouldn't do anything like that! And neither would Silver. "But there..." She muttered. "There must be some mistake! Sonic and Silver wouldn't... ugh." Penny groaned and put her head in her hands. This was too much. Too much to bear.
"Of course he wouldn't, Miss Penny," Ella said lovingly, grasping the girl in her arms. "I am sure there are some explanations."
Mr. Tanaka nodded.
Penny sighed as she stood up. She walked over to the window of the mansion and sighed. She put her hands on the glass and looked out. "Sonic...what's happening?!" She thought as she looked out at the moon.
...
In the sewers...
"Now, what, are you crazy or something?! Sonic... especially Silver... ain't no thieves." A man told Jerome as they sat around an underground campfire.
"I wouldn't make this up!" Jerome said. "I saw it on a TV in a repair shop window! Would I lie to you? No. I tell you, they saw him steal the thing!"
"HEY!" The man said threateningly.
"Not only that, they caught him breaking into Prison Island just last night! Red-handed! Probably trying to steal government secrets!"
That's when Sonic darted past them. The men covered their heads as robots flew ahead of them.
...
While Sonic was running away from his problems, Mr. Stewart drove Scarlet towards Prison Island so she could get the full story on Project Shadow. She was pretty surprised that he got permission in the first place.
"How did you get me permission to visit Prison Island?" She asked him curiously.
Mr. Stewart smiled as he gripped the wheel. "Let's just say that I have connections in high places." He said. He pulled out an ID and held it to the security camera. The doors opened, and Mr. Stewart drove through.
Scarlet felt some suspicion about this man. "Who are you, exactly?" She asked him. Mr. Stewart smiled at her. "Just a fellow newshound, that's all."
...
"Have you ever heard of a government operation called Project Shadow?" Scarlet asked the head chief. He frowned. "I'm afraid that's top-secret," he said. "However, after last night I'm not sure how much longer it will stay secret." He pulled out his remote and turned the security camera recordings out. "Take a look."
Scarlet watched the screen as a robot appeared on it. "This is the security video from last night," He exclaimed. "As you can see, Eggman and a hedgehog broken into the system and they're trying to steal the Project Shadow file. This videotape makes it clear as day." He turned to his two listeners with a serious expression. "Neither Sonic nor Silver are concerned for the safety of our citizens and have decided to join forces with the enemy. Those two had us all fooled, didn't they?"
"What happens next, sir?" Mr. Stewart asked.
"Quite simple. We arrest both hedgehogs and try them for high treason."
Sonic had burst out of the hole, and he managed to get rid of the robots. He smirked. "That was easy!" He said when he tricked the robots into going down into the sewer. Another robot flew down at him, and Sonic grabbed a ring and managed to destroy that one, too.
Then, a bright glow appeared on the robot. Sonic watched in surprise as the hedgehog took his form. "Good evening,h" Shadow smirked. "I must say it's a pleasure of finally meeting you, face to face, Sonic. I see your other hedgehog friend isn't around. My, my. We do look alike. It's uncanny."
"Wait a minute!" Sonic gasped. "So it's YOU that's been getting me and Silver in all this hot water lately! IMPOSTOR!" With a yell, Sonic dashed in the air and tried to attack Shadow. But Shadow merrily teleported out of the way.
Sonic looked around in confusion.
...
Back at Prison Island, Mr. Stewart glanced at the picture of Shadow on the TV. "It certainly looks like Sonic... and Silver, too. But there's something strange. Different about him."
...
Sonic glanced around where Shadow left. Then, a shadow of the hedgehog loomed above him, and Sonic looked up. Shadow was standing at a tall building, smirking down at his double. "I assure you, Sonic, I am no impostor. I possess far to much power to be anything but the real thing!"
"Well, if you're so powerful, then let's see you prove it!" Sonic hissed at Shadow. He took a running leap up the building where Shadow stood and tried to fight him, but Shadow once again teleported from sight.
Shadow chuckled down at Sonic, and the hedgehog looked up. "Hey, not bad! I'm almost impressed!" Sonic said. "How about a little race action?" And he took off, and Shadow followed.
The two ran, side by side.
...
"You're kidding! Unbelievable. Well, be sure to call us right away if anything else happens!" Chuck put down his phone and looked at his granddaughter and grandson. "That was your father." He said. "Apparently Sonic's been spotted battling a government robot on Downhill Street."
Penny shot up from her seat, and then she darted out the door.
"Penny, where are you going?" Ella asked. "I will follow her, Mr. Thorndyke," Tanaka suggested to Chuck, and darted after the girl. Soon, Chuck followed. "Slow down," Chuck said. "I'll come with you!"
Chris watched them leave in surprise.
...
Soon, Sonic and Shadow continued their race downtown. "He's tougher than I thought!" Sonic grunted.
Shadow smirked. "Think you can beat me?"
Sonic sped ahead of him.
"Not quite." Shadow smirked back, and ran up to Sonic.
...
Soon, the Thorndyke car skidded to a stop in front of Sonic. Penny looked at him, her eyes showing fright. "SONIC, LOOK OUT!" She yelled, pointing behind Sonic. Sonic grunted as Shadow knocked him to the ground. Startled by Shadow's sudden moves, Sonic looked over his shoulder and glared. "What just happened?!"
...
"Sonic's a bit overwhelmed, isn't he? Silver will be too. I certainly can't blame them, I felt rather confused myself when I encountered Shadow for the first time."
Eggman smirked as he typed in the password. The lid to the capsule opened, and the dark hedgehog shot up.
"What?!" Eggman yelled, backing into the wall in fright. "It's one of those hedgehogs! How dare you deceive me, you speedy little slime ball?!"
When Shadow approached him, Eggman realized something. "You're not Sonic, nor Silver!"
Shadow stared at Eggman. He bowed. "My name is Shadow." He said respectfully. "You've awakened me from a state of suspended animation, and I am very grateful. To show my gratitude, I am at your command."
Eggman looked at Shadow in shock.
That's when a security bot stepped in their way. "Bad timing as usual!" Eggman growled.
"Wait." Shadow said. "I will show you my power, Doctor." And with that, Shadow destroyed the robot with a single blow.
"You've met your match, Sonic!" Eggman smirked. "Compared to Shadow's fancywork, you're as slow as an amount of molasses! And now that you two have gotten a bit better acquainted, you and Silver are sure to see that for yourself!"
Eggman laughed a victorious laugh.
...
Penny watched from the car as Shadow stood over a fallen Sonic. Her eyes widened when she saw that he held a green Chaos Emerald in his hand. "He's got a Chaos Emerald!" She cried.
"Where'd you get that Chaos Emerald, you phony freak?!" Sonic snarled at Shadow. "Hand it over!" He tried to attack Shadow, but once again Shadow teleported behind Sonic. "You can do better than that, Sonic." Shadow smirked. "If you don't light a fire under those feet, you'll never get this Emerald back!"
Sonic tried to dash for Shadow, but once again Shadow disappeared. "He's even faster than I am!" Sonic cried, startled.
"But that's not speed!" Chuck pointed out. "He's disappearing!"
Even though Penny was frightened for Sonic, she still couldn't help herself from being impressed. "Whoa!" Her eyes widened again when she saw Shadow standing perfectly still on top of a light post. How does he stand like that?! This Shadow figure was something extraordinary, and she knew it.
"That's not all." Shadow said. "I'm full of surprises."
"Grandpa!" Penny whimpered, scared for Sonic.
Shadow smirked down at them. "Chaos Control now!"
"he can cause Chaos Control with just one Chaos Emerald?!" Sonic thought as he ran. "Who is he?! And where did he come from?!"
Penny's eyes widened as Shadow punched her best friend in the stomach. Then in the face. Then, Shadow swift kicked Sonic to the ground.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Penny cried. She knew it wouldn't do any good, but she had to try somehow, right?
Sonic groaned. He turned to face Shadow, who started walking towards him. "Like to fight dirty, don'tcha?"
Shadow smirked. "Consider yourself fortunate." He said. "If I'd use my full strength, you've been much worse off than this." He stepped closer to Sonic. "Many years ago, Professor Gerald Robotnik endowed me with the power of Chaos Control. A normal creature like yourself doesn't stand a chance against me."
Sonic smirked-glared at Shadow. "Don't underestimate us normal types!" He said.
Hearing sirens, Shadow smiled. "I have a feeling I should make myself scarce." He said. "Goodbye, Sonic. It certainty was a great pleasure. I can't wait to meet up with Silver. Chaos control now!"
And with that, he disappeared with a green glow, leaving Sonic for the police to catch.
Penny's heart stopped when she saw police cars and helicopters surround Sonic.
"We've got you surrounded!" One of the officers called out to Sonic. "Put your hands up!"
"No way!" Sonic spat at them. "I didn't do anything! Honest!"
The Sargent frowned. "I'm going to give you the count to five to surrender. Ready..." He looked at his watch and started counting. Sonic growled and got into a fighting stance.
Penny couldn't take it anymore. "Turn yourself in, Sonic!" She cried. Sonic turned to her. "You're already in trouble, so just do what they say!"
Sonic looked at his young friend for a few moments, then smiled.
Penny's eyes started to water. "Please, Sonic..." she pleaded.
"You're time's up, buddy." The officer frowned at the hedgehog. "Now let's move. We got a special cell over on Prison Island with your name written on it!"
"Did you just say Prison Island?" Sonic asked, now getting curious.
"Yeah, well about it?" The Sargent asked.
"Really, you mean that's where you're taking me and Silver (if you find him) from here?" Sonic asked.
The Sargent nodded. "That's where we usually take criminals."
Sonic turned to Penny. "Okay, Penny, I'll do it." He smiled at her. "I'm gonna turn myself in!" He turned around to face the officers. "All right, guys, cuff me. I'm all yours." Sonic sat down on his knees and raised his hands. The Sargent pointed at Sonic.
"Only... just go easy on the wrists, fellas," Sonic said. His thoughts went to Shadow. "You can use Chaos Control, friend, but I'm gonna have to get out of this without tricks. I'll do it...somehow. And when I do, we'll meet again."
...
Soon, Sonic was put in cuffs and led into the helicopter. Penny's heart began to pound. This was too much for her. Sonic had just started to be one of her closest friends. Now they were after Silver... if only she knew where he hid to, she would warn him.
Sonic stopped walking and turned to face Penny. He gave her a reassuring smile and said, "Don't worry about me. I'll be out before you know it, Penny."
Penny's eyes began to water. "I hope so..." She whispered. She watched the helicopter take her one and only friend away.
...
Shadow had seen the whole thing from a safe distance. He frowned. "I won't let anyone stand in my way." He thought to himself. "Least of all you, Sonic and Silver." His thoughts drifted off to a young girl. "Maria..."
...
"YEAH HOO!" Eggman cheered.
Party confetti flew around Shadow as he faced the Doctor. "We did it! We did it!" Eggman cheered. He got a little overexcited and grasped Shadow's hand, shaking it wildly up and down. "Those hedgehogs will soon be in the hoosegow, thanks to you, Shadow!"
"He's practically busting his buttons!" Decoe said as he watched the celebration.
"That jacket always was tight around the tummy." Bocoe said in agreement.
"Remember, Doctor," Shadow said. "You must still obtain five more Chaos Emeralds in order to use the Eclipse Cannon. But when you do, it will give you ultimate power and make you the master of the universe."
"Sounds good to me!" Eggman squealed, facing Shadow. He crossed his arms. "And now, to hash out the rest of our dastardly strategy! Let's see..."
Before he could continue, Bokkun flew up to him with his message screen TV. "Doctor," he began. "I have a message for you this time!" He tossed the TV to Eggman, who caught it in his hands.
Rouge appeared on the screen, holding a bouquet of flowers. "Hiya, doc. Long time, no see. I was wondering if we could get together to discuss a little business transaction."
"A business transaction?" Decoe asked.
"I would not trust her, doctor." Bocoe advised.
"Who asked you, bold brain?!" Eggman yelled at Decoe. "Fetch her!"
Hearing beeping, Decoe gulped. "Uh-oh!"
"Here we go!" Becoe winced.
An explosion followed soon after.
"GOTCHA!" Bokkun laughed.
"THAT's NOT FUNNY!" Eggman growled.
"Don't blame me!" Bokkun said. "Lots of stuff on television bombs!"
Once the dust cleared, Rouge dropped down. "I just hope this little scam of mine works." She muttered to herself.
At the sight of her, Eggman swooped up to her. "I didn't expect you so soon!" He said.
"Good evening, doctor!" Rouge smiled at him. "I have a little something I'd like to show you!" Rouge smiled as she dug into her bouquet of flowers, and pulled out a blue Chaos Emerald.
"A Chaos Emerald?!" Eggman asked, suspicious.
"It's all yours." Rouge smiled. "If you agree to my conditions. All you have to do is be a good boy and play nice, and I'll tell you where the others are. What do you say, doc. Do you have a deal?" She turned over to Shadow, who huffed a little and turned away.
"That depends," Eggman said. "What do you want?"
Shadow's mind drifted to the female girl he thought of before. Why does every girl he see remind him of her...?
"Pleasure before business," Rouge said. She turned to Shadow. "Who's this charming friend of yours? I'm Rouge the Bat. What's your name?"
"It's Shadow." Shadow turned to her. "Shadow the Hedgehog."
Rouge jumped a little in surprise. So this was the Project Shadow...
...
Soon, Penny and Mr. Tanaka, all fit in black clothing, boarded the ship to rescue Sonic. Penny turned around to face her family. "Don't worry, you guys. We'll be back soon. But this is something I have to find out for myself."
"We understand, Penny." Chuck smiled at his granddaughter. "You two take care of yourselves."
Penny turned to Mr. Tanaka. "Why do we have to dress like this?" She asked.
Mr. Tanaka smiled. "I have been inspired by my boyhood hero." He said.
...
"Come on!" Amy cried as she and Tails, and Blaze flew in the X Tornado. "Step on it! We've got to get to Prison Island in a hurry!"
"What a bossy..." Tails whispered a little, and Amy grasped his seat in a tight grip. "What did you say?!" She snarled. Tails gulped. "Uh... "
They flew off.
...
In his cell, Sonic sat there. "What a day. Who'd have thought I'd be thrown in jail for something Silver and I didn't do. I'd better think fast, use my time wisely, and figure out who that Shadow was. And what he wants."
TO BE CONTINUED...
