Chapter 38: Blackout

After getting beaten by his ex girlfriend. The Blue wonder is sitting in a chair at the infirmary of the Ark being treated by a nurse fixing his nose. He's leaning forward with cotton in his nose. He received a brutal hit to the nose and a busted lip. He's a bit lightheaded but he's still smiling and shining. Tails is sitting next to him at a wall glaring at his best friend, Brother, and Hero.

Tails: "Man, you look like a mess."

Sonic: "I always told myself to never get on her bad side. Guess, I forgot the memo that Shadow is a part of us now."

Tails: "I don't blame her for knocking your lights out. She does have a point y'know."

Sonic: "What do you mean?"

Tails: "Knowing you, you do have a gift to change the way people think. You know how to touch someone deep down in everyone. The way you shine. The way you look upon the world. You do know how to change people's moral thinking. You were blessed with this gift to keep moving forward and never look back. You were born with it. Have you ever stopped and think about what everyone else is feeling about you. You may not know it but I worry about you sometimes man. With that speed going to your head hundred percent of the time. You tend to lose focus sometime. Amy loves you man. She'll always will. But man… She gave up on you. She gave up chasing you. have you noticed a change in her? like she hasn't called out your name? or came looking for you? As a matter of fact, she hasn't came to check up on you? have you noticed that?"

Sonic: "N-no, she hasn't."

Tails: "Well my guy, I know you want to end this in a hurry but dude you can't just expect us to keep up with you. We're not as fast… Mentally not as fast. It's like you know how to leave your worries behind. I grow jealous of that sometimes. Bro, you are like one of the most greatest people I know. You know how to deal with things. By not looking back."

Nurse: "Sorry to interrupt but move your head a bit forward."

He moves his head and a few drips of blood come out his nose. She pours alcohol on a rag and puts it on his nose.

Sonic: "Ah. Ow."

Nurse: "I know baby, I know."

She grabs onto his nose and moves it into place a bit.

Nurse: "Blow for me please?"

He does and a good portion of blood comes out of his nose and he starts to regain breathing again. She elevates his head up and she walks to the fridge to get an ice pack for him.

Sonic: "Man that felt good a bit."

Nurse: "This might hurt as well."

She grabs another rag and wets it. She walks towards him and wipes off his nose with cold water and wipes of all the blood. She puts the ice pack on his nose.

Sonic: "Aww.. duaghhh. Uhh."

Nurse: "Yep. That should do it for now."

She gets a band aid and puts it on his nose, good enough below his eyes.

Nurse: "Keep this ice pack on you for 15 – 20 minutes."

Sonic: "sigh, Thanks mom."

Nurse: *Giggle*

Sonic: "I guess you're right. I do have a way of changing people."

Tails: "Yeah. About Shadow. He's not like you man. He's suffering man. He's still trying to put his past behind him. You don't have what he has. It's like a yin yang between the two of you. He's cursed, You're gifted. He has to deal with a whole lotta things. He's immortal, he's suffered in this place, He lost his family here, He's been at war with himself and the things in his head. He's lost in the darkness. He's just trying find the light."

Sonic: "Yeah. You're right Tails. Me and Him are different. I shouldn't have said that about him."

Tails: "So about you and Amy?"

Sonic: "I have no problem with her."

Tails: "Are you sure about that?"

Sonic: *Sigh* "It's not that I have a problem with her, it's more of like I'm afraid what might happen to her because she chose him. I'm a bit worried and shocked she would choose him but. I don't know how to describe it."

Tails: "Jealosy?"

Sonic: "If I'm being honest, maybe. But it took me a long time understand how she was feeling. I took one look back at her and I guess I saw something in her. Something that was missing from me."

Tails: "What was that?"

Sonic: "Maybe love. Maybe Me. I don't know. All I know is that I did notice her. I was starting to fall in love with her, until…"

Tails: "Until what?"

Sonic: "Until your aunt came back."

Tails: "I always knew you two were a thing."

Sonic: "Maybe that's the problem. When she came back, I was happy. It felt like this was a second for me. I didn't want to hurt Amy nor did I wanted to hurt Sally. I guess it was some joke about love I been playing out for years. Then if that's really the truth, I guess love is really another form of weakness."

Tails: "I know how you feel."

Sonic: "I think I'm starting to realize that now."

In the air ducts of the Ark a black hedgehog is overhearing the conversation of the heroes of mobius. He smiles and sends his eye pupils in the back. He goes deep into his head and makes contact with someone.

Mobius: Mobotropolis

House of Acorn

While sitting with her brother and father in the evening with some other rich folk and visitors. Political agendas and grounds being talked about and the new threat that they're worried about. Sally is sitting on her phone with Nicole texting to Bunnie about the group that went with Sonic and Shadow into space.

Sally's text: "I'm worried about them."

BR text: "I know you are sis. I read they reopened that place up above. New research being made by most of the world's smartest geniuses."

Sally text: "I have a strange feeling they probably ran into Eggman."

BR text: "They'll hopefully send him out into the void of the endless vacuum of the infinite."

Sally's text: "Wow Buns, that dark even for you?"

BR text: "What's even more dark is the fact that he experimented on a child and left her part cybernetique. }:("

Sally's text: "Touche. :b"

BR text: "Speaking of which, what are they up there for?"

Sally's text: "Looking for something to find a way to beat the black arm creatures."

BR text: "So when do you think they're coming?"

Sally: "Right now would be a good time since our best are up there. But anytime they feel like it. I'll be ready. Made a few upgrades of my own."

BR text: "I would love to see them."

Elias: "Hey Sis!"

Sally: "Oh sorry."

Nigel: "You kids with those damn button mashing phones."

Sally: "Sorry, I was texting bunnie."

Nigel: "I still don't understand why not just call. Could've talked about something in the ear without the need to type down something that could've be said sooner."

Sally: "It has it's uses old man."

They all chuckle to themselves about it.

Nigel: "So honey, that boy Sonic? He's up there with them right?"

Sally: "Yes, they'll be back until they find out what they can use to stop Gloom."

Rich politician: "So that Gloom feller that slaughtered innocents 3 weeks back? I heard he was related to that hedgehog known as Shadow. Is that true Ms. Acorn?"

Sally: "Yes, why?"

Rich Politician: "Why not just bring Shadow in and study him so we can know how to kill him?"

Sally: "Sorry sir, but he has every right as a person as well. I've promised him that we do everything in our power to contain him."

Rich politician: "You do know he has to pay for his crime's right?"

Rich politician: "Not to mention the lives of innocent civilians and soldiers he slaughtered for the fun of it."

Rich politician: "Last time we didn't stop him and coming from reports you and a bunch of jungle people barely stopped him. So why not just hunt him down and the rest of those disgusting creatures?"

Sally: "Guys, He went easy on us on purpose. If he slaughtered well trained soldiers and a whole army of G.U.N forces, then there's no telling what he'll do next. You didn't meet him guys."

Rich Politician: "We beat these things before and we'll do it again."

Sally: "Then why is his kind robbing from your banks and buisnesses."

Rich Politician: "Uhhh…"

Sally: "He clearly has our attention he ordered and delivered a message stating they're back. The threat is real and we all need to pitch in together."

Rich politician: "So what do you suggest we do?"

In the shadows of the House of Acorn

Black arm soldiers and spy's infiltrate the house of acorn. The mystery partner of Gloom's is wearing all black. He has a helmet on and is dressed in gear like he's a swat member. He has a no consciounce, no personality, no expression. Just a black dark tinted helmet covering his whole face and head. He has body armer on and with a Symbol of a fists with spikes poking out its wrist. He hops up top the walls with other black arm creatures and sneak into the house of acorn without anyone noticing. They run through the rooms and avoid any guard or maid passing by. They blend in with the environment if they can, but mostly in dark places. Some black arm creatures are on the rooftop and some are on the balcony. Gloom's mystery partner walks up to the balcony and sees the target he's after. He here's a voice in his head.

Gloom: "Do you have her?"

?: "We have eyes on the target. She is having a meeting with Acorns finest."

Gloom: "Remember we need her alive and unharmed."

?: "Understood."

Gloom returns to himself in his head in space while they carry out the mission. He signals his team to get in position so they could catch her alone. They all hide while they wait for their meeting is over.

Elias: "Now hold on sis, are you sure that's necessary?"

Sally: "It always works. Believe me it does."

Nigel: "Are you sure? We could send someone else?"

Sally: "Listen guys, I devoted my life to this place and these people. I know I been gone for a long time, but this time I'm gonna set things straight. I'm pretty sure I can do this. I can handle it."

Rich Politician: "That's a brave little girl you got there, Nigel."

Nigel: "She takes after her mother."

The meeting is over and they all separate to talk about other stuff. Sally walks off while black arm Spies follow her. It gets darker and darker in the night at the palace and she walks into her room. They reach her door wait for the signal to cut the power. The mystery pulls out a walkie talkie and signals for it's right hand man to cut the power.

?: "Cut the power."

Black Warrior: "Lights out."

The whole power Shuts down in the palace and it's a blackout. A few guards pull out flash lights and Sally walks out the room with her phone light on.

Sally: "What was that?"

Palace Guard: "Don't worry everyone, we'll have it under control."

They all walk out to the power box while Sally just walks around. She heads to find Elias and a dark shadow rushes past her. She looks around and sees nothing but an empty hallway. She puts on one of her blade rings and it lights up the darkness. She continues to keep moving and find her brother and anyone. She hears footsteps and looks around and see's nothing but the wind blowing the curtains.

Sally: "Elias?"

She walks through a room and goes up some stairs. She walks outside in the palace garden and a hand touches her shoulder.

Sally: "GAHHH!"

She swings her blade barely missing her brothers head who ducks at the right moment.

Elias: "Woah its me!"

Sally: "Oh my Gosh, I am so sorry."

Elias: "It's fine. Sorry I spooked you.

Sally: "So, what's happening?"

Elias: "Someone cut the power. There's been a breach in the palace."

Sally: "We should go check on dad."

Elias: "Yeah."

They walk towards their fathers room and find him asleep in bed.

Elias: "Sleep tight old man."

Sally: "At least he's fine."

The power cuts back on and elias gets a phone call.

Elias: "Talk to me."

Guard: "We found the wires cut and hey wired. There's a knife here left by the intruders. They stole some furniture flowers."

Elias: "They can get replaced. I need this place scouted and the cameras system online. See if we can track the Bastards."

Guard: "Right."

Elias: "Scout the whole place. Make sure no one gets in or out."

He hangs up.

Elias: "Listen, im gonna go check on them. you should head back."

Sally: "Yeah, goodnight."

Sally walks back to her room and the electricity comes back on for a few seconds and off.

Sally: "What's going on?"

She walks to her room and opens the door. She lays down on her bed and texts her phone. The lights come back on again. The lights turn off only in her room and she gets up and see the door cracked with the hallway light on. She walks to her switch and turns on the lights only to find a bunch of black arm creatures standing around her. one of them sneaks up from behind and chokes her and covers her mouth. She passes out from the choke and they lift her up and storm out her bedroom window with her. The mystery spray paints the symbol of a fists with the spikes forming around the wrist and leaves. It leaves a message. "Bring us Shadow the Hedgehog!"

The Ark outside at final rush

Sonic is siting outside in space at final rush since it's the one good place he loves on the ark because it looks like a giant race track. He sits on the edge looking down at Earth while having the ice pack on his nose that Amy busted. Everyone else is researching and helping trying to find shadow's gift. He sits there thinking and wondering what Sally and everyone else is doing down there on the planet.

Sonic: "Man, this sucks. Mot a lot of places on this ark to run around. I guess this is what Shadow and his friend felt like when they couldn't go to earth."

Shadow: "I said the same thing too."

Sonic turns around to see his Rival standing behind him.

Sonic: "Oh hey. Sorry about earlier man."

Shadow: "It's fine."

He stands up only breathing out of his mouth with two cotton balls in his nose to help if he starts bleading again and an ice pack in his hand.

Shadow: "Damn, She fucked you up bad."

Sonic: "Yeah, she can do worst than this. Always remember to stay on her good side. I just got a brief reminder that she is a part of your good side."

Shadow: "As much as I like seeing you beaten to a bloody pulp for the first time in my life, I pity you."

Sonic: "Meh, I've had worst. Listen again, back there it wasn't me. I don't know what got over me."

Shadow: "It happens. So what are going to do now that she doesn't care for you anymore?"

Sonic: "She's a good girl, she can do whatever she chooses. I don't have a problem with it."

Shadow looks at sonic for a moment.

Shadow: "Do you have feelings for her?"

Sonic: "Uhhhh… what do you mean?"

Shadow: "I'm just asking, after so many years of her joining the battles for you, so many times she tried to get your attention towards her, now suddenly over the past few weeks since my brother first appeared during that party you have some sort of affection towards her? After so many years of her chasing after you, why chase after her?"

Sonic: "Well uuhhh…"

Shadow: "Listen I respect your personal business, all I'm asking is what changed?"

Sonic: …

Shadow: "It's fine."

Sonic: "Do you believe in second chances?"

Shadow: "In some forms yeah."

Sonic: "For so long, I've been afraid to fall in love again. When sally left, I always felt that a part of me left along with her. I was afraid to let Amy in to be honest. I was afraid. I just missed the way she admired me. I don't blame her for being upset with me. Or for the fact I love Sally more. I know I dusted her in the wind over and over and over again. But there's was not one time I did not look back. I made her think it was one sided and I hate myself for that."

Shadow: …

Sonic: "But hey. It's your gal now. No matter what she does, I'll support her till the end."

Shadow: "You wanna race?"

Sonic: "Oh thank chaos. Why?"

Shadow: "For fun. Something to calm our nerves about things."

Sonic: "Sweat."

Shadow: "Starting point right here. Across the panel deck of this place like we did years ago."

Sonic: "Anything goes?"

Shadow: "Anything goes."

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Shadow: "This place has a 12:00 timer. It's 11:59 now. You'll know when we started."

Sonic: "Alright bring it on!"

Sonic and shadow stretch it out before the time starts. They crack knuckles and pop joints and bones before the race starts. The race will begin in 20 seconds and the Ark starts changing environments. It glows of its solar panels around night time and releases energy to get a good look at it from the sky at night on the planet down below.

Sonic charges up and the wind from the air ducts surround the both of them. 12:00am, midnight hits and a loud horn sound blows and they both get the message that means go and the two take off. They run side by side from like they did years ago here at this place. Shadow and sonic run on a space highway of electricity and wires and tubes to grind on. They run through a tunnel of lights and circuitry in the outside part of the ark in the vacuum of space. Sonic tries to breath through his nose but its still in pain from the kick he received in the face earlier today. He ignores the pain and continues to run fast as he can to get ahead of his Rival/Friend on his home turf. They run through the obstacle course following the path as the highway leads them around the space colony. Shadow hops and grinds on one of the rail tubes through final rush. Shadow runs up a platform that starts to separate them both. Shadow grinds onto a rail that takes him up a platform above. Sonic continues down the road a bit lightheaded from losing blood but he pushes himself further. He Jumps over a gap and grinds on the yellow rails that take him across a big gap and back on a different highway. Shadow trails sonic from behind and sends chaos spears towards him. Sonic quickly dodges the incoming wave on chaos energy from him and see's shadow getting close. He decides to go full throttle and use his sonic speed. He boosts towards with Shadow and a purple light fly's past them. They both read each others mind and they fight and clash with each other to get it. They smack and hit each other like pinballs while racing down the highway to get that power core. They stumble across meteorites that float along their path and float around the space ark. They try not to smash into them knowing it will decrease their speed without that energy core. Shadow runs across a platform that starts to terraform since the space ark is being used again by the scientist and they gather intel and resources from different panels everyday. Shadow quickly grinds on a rail and on a different highway from sonic. The energy core is right ahead of him and he needs to grab it to get the boosts he needs to win the race. Sonic continues through the highway he's on and runs through a tunnel with lights. The energy core starts to float of into the air where shadow cant reach it and so he continues his course knowing it'll be around. He notices he's running out of road except he has antennas he can swing upon. He swings and wall runs through the antennas and grind onto more rails. He runs onto a different highway that takes him through a different tunnel. He grinds on another rail while sonic is running on a ramp that send him up. Shadow hops off the rail and up near the Sonic. They past each other and a camera catches the two at a perfect timing.

Security

G.U.N Agent: "Excuse me. Bee guy?"

Charmy: "Yeah."

G.U.N Agent: "Are the these your friends racing each other on the outer colony solar panels?"

Charmy takes a good look at the camera and sees the two hedgehogs caught by the camera of those two side by side in the air or should I say airless space at a perfect timing where their legs look crossed and they past each other."

Charmy: "So cool."

Reasearch lab

Tails is with Beth inventing something to stop Gloom. Beth holds a purple crystal in her hand that she invented from those meteorites. She puts it into something that'll be revealed later while tails is reading her the information he gathered from the books he has from home. Tails starts to hear something he recognizes from outside. He hears footsteps and a loud wind boost. He looks outside and sees his best friend racing against shadow outside. Beth looks out just to be nozy and sees what tails is seeing.

Beth: "Very interesting."

Tails: "What are that purple light?"

Beth: "Power cores. Invented by Gerald. They're used to give out electricity and power the station. They're also a good and renewable energy resource."

Tails: "Hmm. What about wind energy?"

Beth: "However you use it."

Final Rush

In the midst of the race, Sonic and shadow are pushing themselves to get that power core. Sonic grinds on a rail and runs across a panel wall with shadow trying to get ahead of him he bumbs into shadow. Shadow gets sent back a bit until he sends out more chaos spears at him. It looks like a direct hit but the blue blur burns out of the smoke and grabs the power core. He feels his heart pumping and the power of his ability increases. He Hurries dusting shadow in the wind who pulls off his rings and goes full power. He catches up with sonic for a bit but sonic increases his speed at the last stretch. He runs faster and faster hiting meteorites out of his way. A surge of electricity comes from his body and it grows all around him him he's fast as lightning now until he lets it all out giving him a release of energy as he wails the whole electricity lights up the ark for a bit. He sets it off and the place looks bright enough for people on mobius to see the night sky light up. While that's happening Gloom was watching the race from an antenna. He is shocked to see the fastest thing alive hold that much power.

Gloom: "That blue one is very interesting."

He teleports somewhere else out of sight on the Ark.

Sonic beats Shadow in the race and it looks like his face healed. His nose is back to normal. Seems like his body healed fast thanks to that energy core.

Sonic: "Man, that was the best. I need to come up here more often. Wait. My nose is healed!"

Shadow comes up seeing sonic back to where he started with that ice pack laying on the same spot as he left it.

Shadow: "Fastest thing alive. You earned that name."

Sonic: "That energy Core healed me."

Shadow: "Did it now?"

A certain lady comes on the monitor for the entire ark.

Beth: "That was very interesting boys. Sonic and Shadow, report to the research lab immediately. Sonic and Shadow the hedgehog. Report to the research lab immediately."

Sonic: "Guess duty calls."

Shadow: "Yep. They probably made a breakthrough."

Sonic: "Yeah, by the way. Good race."

Shadow: "Yeah. Good race"

Sonic: "And now I think I might fall on my face."

He slams faints face first from the race thanks to him losing blood and releasing and incredible amount of energy. Shadow sighs and picks his tired out body to the research lab.

Shadow: "I guess that race tired you out. Especially that power core. Feels good to be home again."

To Be Continued…