Chapter Five – Corruption
No one had seen the Blue Blur move or even enter the house, and now they all surrounded him, desperate to get the Bat from his grasp. But he was fuming, having obviously watched the footage along with everyone else. He heaved, and then to everyone's complete and utter surprise, he just, out of nowhere, let go of Rouge, as she immediately ran to hide behind Knuckles.
He growled, roaring in frustration, and then rubbed his face. He heaved.
"Thanks. Shads." He spat, and looked all around in desperation. "I swear that was not how I'd planned for you guys to find out. I was going to let you in gently." He added. The young, Fox cub with a unique mutation of two tails instead of one. He had mostly yellow-orange fur with white fur around his muzzle, front torso, and the tips of his tails. He had blue eyes. He wore white gloves and red shoes with white toes. Tails stared and then gulped.
"Gently?" He asked. Of which the Blue Blur just slumped over, dangling his arms, in total bewilderment. It was quite funny. He shrugged.
"I don't know." He sighed, genuinely having no idea how he would have told them. Suddenly, he gaged and heaved, his still bulging stomach not comfortable at all. He then goes white, then very green, and then with a hand over his mouth, his runs straight past everyone, and throws up a huge amount of blood straight into the kitchen sink. It was gruesome. He collapsed onto the work surface, panting hard, blood still dripping from his mouth. He blinked. "The next time Shads asks me out for dinner, I'm not going. I ate way to much. He worked up my instincts, right royally. I've thrown up twice since G.U.N." He sighed, and the paused, looking at the sink. He smirked. "No, three times, and I'm never doing it again." He banished, his head on his hands. But Tails, to everyone's surprise just giggled.
"Yes, you will. Your a Vampire." He smiled, of which Sonic looked up and grinned, licking away the blood off his face. He smirked.
"Oh, yeah." He agreed. But then he giggled inanely. "Oh, by the way, I hope you like red, Tails, I've repainted your roof." He grinned, and which the Fox just rolled his eyes. He growled, rubbing his face, relaxing around the Vampire.
"You threw up, up there?" He snapped, of which Sonic just nodded, but Tails stormed right to Sonic, who backed right up to the counter. He hissed.
"Next time, sink." He leered, pointing at it, but then looked at the mess, and sighed. "Not that that's much better." He added. He hated blood, but as he looked into his best friend's eyes. The sparkles and light was still there, as it always had, nothing had changed. Did he trust him? He didn't know, but with all the sneaking out, he was expecting something like this, just not quite so gory. Knuckles gulped.
"But Tails, he's a Vampire." He stammered, pointing at Sonic. But Tails just smiled.
"And one, whom I suspect, had been drinking blood for months. Trust me, if he wanted us all dead, he would have done it by now." He grinned, of which Sonic just nodded, somewhat taken aback at Tails' sudden acceptance of him. But he did have a very good point, and one that was indeed true. But Amy squealed, right at the Blue Blur.
"Your a monster." She spat, but Sonic growled, moving so fast to stand right next to her, and no one physically saw him move. She screamed, causing Sonic to put his hand over his ears and deeply hiss at her. Suddenly, his temper exploded, and so did his Vampire fangs from his jaws. He roared.
"Don't scream. I can't stand screaming." He spat, of which Rouge immediately grabbed Amy, a hand over a mouth, the both of them intensely shook their heads. The room was silent, everyone watching Sonic intensely. He was bend over slightly, his hands still over his ears, his deep growl on his voice. Nobody dared move or say a word. Finally, after about ten minutes, Sonic looked up, his red eyes glaring, and seeing the stillness and hearing the silence, he calmed right down, turning back to normal again. He heaved.
"Sorry, about that." He sighed. "My instincts really don't like screaming. Properly how I ended up eating to much. I just wanted the painful noise to stop." He added, and then he looked at Amy. He heaved. "I'm not a monster, Ames. I'm just higher up the food chain then you. I kill to eat. A carnivore, a predator. That's all. I don't have a choice. I was born this way. I'm not Shadow. I don't kill for sport." He added.
The mention of the Ultimate Lifeform got everyone staring. Knuckles growled, his temper flaring, remembered the fangs on the Black Hedgehog. He roared.
"What did he do to you?" He spat, of which Sonic just giggled.
"What, Shads?" He grinned. "Nothing. It's more of a case of what I did to him." He added, to an absolutely stunned Echidna. Knuckles blinked.
"What?" He asked, completely dumbfounded. But Sonic heaved.
"Shads and I were both Vampires even before any of this started. I was born one, a pureblood, and Shadow, well, Vampire D.N.A. was used in his creation. I could always smell it on him." He smiled. But Knuckles blinked. Silence, causing Sonic to roll his eyes. He growled. "Did you guys really not notice? We share a trait that's classic Vampire." He hissed, of which Tails cut across him, as the penny dropped and hard. He gasped.
"The Super-Speed." He stammered but Knuckles rounded on him, frowned.
"But Tails, there are others with Super-Speed." He hissed. But Tails just heaved.
"That is true, Knuckles, but the standard Chaos Power of Super-Speed tops out at about two hundred miles an hour. But Sonic could so much faster, and for years, I couldn't work out how, Shadow too." He sighed, but Sonic just giggled, throwing out his hands.
"Well, now you know." He grinned. But Knuckles just frowned at him. Sonic looked no different to normal, and yet he was frightened, knowing that beneath the surface he was something entirely unique. However, he did begin to relax around him, realising he wasn't actually in any danger from him. He sighed.
"So what did you do?" He asked, deeply curious as to when Shadow got his Vampire fangs. Sonic sighed.
"I just wanted to help, that was all. I thought he'd suffered enough at the hands of G.U.N. but I swear I had no idea he'd kill everyone." He stammered, but everyone just blinked at him. He heaved. "Which in hindsight, is not that surprising." He added, and then he sniffed, to then to everyones surprise, tears rolled down his face. He sniffed. "What none of you realise this that Sonic The Hedgehog doesn't exist. I'm a foundling. I have no birth certificate, no records, family, nothing. I was left as a newborn in a basket. I have no idea who left me there or why. Then imagine my horror, as I grew up, that I not only did I realise that I different to everyone else, not even a Hedgehog at all, but a killer. I desperately tried not to be, but I was starving to death, physically unable to eat anything else. I would have just let death take me. In fact, I even did, but it didn't work. As the last of my kind, and now with an entire species worth of power, the Vampire's longevity had become immortality, and I desperately didn't want it. Anything but the killing. But I didn't have a choice, but the pain was just too great." He cried, but Tails wondered over to him. He smiled.
"Then you met Shadow?" He asked. Sonic nodded.
"I hid it from all of you, because as the Hero of Mobius, I'm not a killer, but how was I going to eat? I tried buying the blood, but it was nowhere near enough. I was desperately lonely, as no one understood me, and when Shadow came. His scent, it was a breath of fresh air. Someone like me, someone who got it." He smiled, but then his heart fell. "But he didn't. The Vampire D.N.A. It was only partial, a small amount, and when I saw being him treated so badly at G.U.N., still controlled while being told he had freedoms, it was appalling. So I freed him from all that. I bit him, my venom combined with this Vampire D.N.A. to change him into a full Vampire. It completely rewrote his D.N.A. and now he's free from that dam programming. Shadow's not rogue, he's just really annoyed. I would be after that." He spat. "And in return, all I asked for, was a companion, a blood brother who'd understand me, help me deal with the intense loneliness. You have my deepest respect, Knucklehead, being the last of a kind is not fun." He added, as he whirled around to the Echidna.
Knuckles was an Echidna with red fur that covers most of his body, peach skin on his muzzle, a white crescent-shaped patch of fur on his chest, and purple eyes. He had seven deadlock-like spines around the sides and back of his head and a medium-sized, tri-crooked tail. Knuckles wore red and yellow shoes, each with green cuffs and a grey, sextuple-bolted plate on top. He wore large, white, mitten-like gloves with sock-like cuffs and two spiked knuckles on each hand.
But he was stood there shaking like an absolute leaf, the colour draining from his skin. Dawn was raising through the windows, and Sonic sniggered as he saw his fellow comrade, with his vicelike grip around the Echidna's neck, his other hand around his shoulders, his eyes glaring a deep blood red, hissing through his very present fangs. Silence as nobody dared scream, because if Sonic didn't like it, then Shadow definitely wouldn't, potentially killing everyone in that room. The Blur Blur giggled.
"Morning, Shads." He smiled. "Er, not that one please. He's a pain in the backside but I like him." He added, pointing at Knuckles. Shadow looked at him, and their eyes met, and then looking at Sonic, to everyone surprise, without a single word, he let him go, smirking, immediately releasing his grip. It was obvious that some kind of agreement had been made between them, regarding their lives. No one had even seen the Ultimate Lifeform arrive, accept Sonic, who, giggling, hadn't said anything. Knuckles ran to the opposite end of the house and Shadow just silently wondered over to a wall, and absent-mindedly leant his back against it. He stretched. Rouge heaved, staring at the mighty Black Hedgehog.
"You know, you wanted for murder." She spat, and which Shadow just looked at her. He smirked.
"I kill people for a living. Rouge." He hissed, but Tails gulped, seeing his fangs still protruding from his upper jaw, over his bottom lip. A droplet of deep, vivid, dark orange, highly-potent venom appearing on the end of one of them. The Fox stammered.
"And eat." He stuttered, but Shadow just stood up from the wall and prompting pointed at the Blue Blur, he exploded with a very large smirk, a huge amount of warmth in his voice. He sniggered.
"Not as much as him. I mean, where did you even put it? I thought I engorged myself at G.U.N. but what you ate was ridiculous." He added, somewhat forgetting himself. "I'm surprised you kept it down." He added. But Tails giggled. Seeing Shadow so warm was weird, but he quickly realised that actually, with Sonic was around, he was safe. Well, for them anyway. He could see Sonic's huge influence on the mighty Black Hedgehog. The Fox smiled, looking at Sonic then back at Shadow.
"He didn't." He grinned. Shadow rolled his eyes. He heaved.
"Well, that explains why this place stinks." He hissed. The smell of the regurgitated blood wasn't actually that bad, but to Shadow, as a fellow Vampire, whose nose was so much better then anyone else's, it was extremely unpleasant, and wasn't liking it very much as all. Especially when Sonic, promptly went green again, and threw up down the sink, for a fourth time. Now, it began to smell, but Shadow's temper exploded. To him, it was so bad, he just couldn't bare it, and Tails immediately pushed a collapsed Sonic away from the sink, and ran the taps, cleaning it all down the drains as fast as he could. Shadow's anger caused him to rumble under his breathe. Soon the blood and therefore the horrendous smell was gone, Tails putting his hands to him. The Ultimate Lifeform nodded, satisfied. He turned to Sonic, whispered almost silently under his breath, knowing the Vampire's super sensitive hearing would hear him.
"He didn't like that." He hissed, of which Sonic glanced back at him.
"I noticed." He mouthed in return. The look on his face was clear. Any control he potentially had over Shadow was incredibly tenuous indeed. If he seriously wanted to kill all of Sonic's friends, there was relatively little the Vampire could do about it. The Ultimate Lifeform was just so much stronger then him. He had to make Shadow not want to kill his friends, even though he'd promised, and Shadow was a Hedgehog of his word. But he wasn't a Hedgehog anymore, and truthfully now, as a Vampire, anything could happen.
Shadow had calmed down, but he was still shaking with the anger, so Sonic, having cleaned himself up, wondered over to his fellow Vampire and nuzzled him. Shadow immediately responded, closing his eyes, deeply purring, his anger instantly dissipating, and, as his instincts took over, he nuzzled him back. As he folded his ears back, he allowed Sonic to lick his fangs. It was an highly unusual display of affection from what used to be, the two deadly rivals. It was clearly a Vampire thing, as no one objected, especially if it kept Shadow on side. Suddenly, Sonic got a lung full from between Shadow's teeth, and immediately, he backs away, hissing, his own ears folded down. His eyes turn red, and his own fangs come flying out his jaws. He growled.
"Shadow." He spat. "Why can I smell Eggman on your breath?" He hissed, but the Ultimate Lifeform just smirked, licking his own fangs. He sniggered.
"Well, the Human had yet to meet me in my new form." He hissed. "You didn't expect him to survive such as encounter, did you?" He smirked. He had indeed slaughtered Eggman, right in his bed, the Human begging for mercy. Shadow had drank him dry. It was most enjoyable, except the screaming, which had seriously rattled his instincts. But Sonic just roared in anger. He growled.
"I didn't change you into a full Vampire, for you to just kill everyone in sight." He hissed, almost in tears. But Shadow just smirked, deeply shrugging, rolling his eyes.
"It's Eggman." He sniggered, sarcastically. He did have a good point. The Human was Mobius' worst ever evil tyrant, but regardless, it didn't stop Shadow then loosing his temper at the Blue Blur. He growled. "Well, what did you expect, you naive Vampire. Killing is what I do." He spat. Sonic was about to argue back, but it was Knuckles who got there first, to everyone's surprise. He'd finally found his voice, since Shadow's arrival. The Ultimate Lifeform had seriously shaken him up. He sighed.
"It's not naivety, Shadow, it's desperation. I know, I get it. Being the very last of your kind is a horrendously lonely place to be, even if your surrounded by friends. If I had the chance to befriend or even bond with another Echidna, even if he was the worse evil in the world, I'd immediately do it." He grinned, nodding, but then he gulped, going slightly white, looking at the Ultimate Lifeform. "No offence." He added. But Shadow just smirked, his temper settling, as he folded his arms. It took the statement as a total compliment. He sighed.
"None taken." He hissed, the warmth back in his voice, to the surprise of everyone. It was so weird to hear, but then he deeply sighed. "I'm not the worse evil in the world, Echidna. Not even close. I have always been upfront about what I do." He added. That was indeed very true. "It is those who aren't, are the ones you have to watch out for." He snarled, his voice hissing. Sonic also growled, knowing exactly what he meant.
"Eggman." He spat. The Human was infamous for his backhanded schemes and hidden agendas. They all suffered at the hands of them, none more so then Shadow. The Ultimate Lifeform nodded. He hissed.
"It isn't just Eggman. Corruption is rife in both G.U.N. and the Mobian Authorities. I overheard them during just my observations when I first went back as a Vampire. The silent rooms in the Headquarters, weren't so silent anymore, my new super-sensitive hearing piercing straight through the walls. They intend to use the Chaos Emeralds and the Master Emerald as a means of controlling the world. It is possible, I have done it myself with a prostitute. Flood anyone with enough Chaos Energy, and the mind physically can't cope. It cracks, completely breaking and then they'll do absolutely anything you want. Most of the G.U.N. soldiers there have already been broken, hence why they're so loyal, but they must have found the means to enhance the Chaos Energy hugely, as enormous quantities would be needed, to take on someone like, for example, you or I." He paused, indicating himself and Sonic. "Because Vampire or not, we can still be broken. It was that along with the constant controlling was why I took out G.U.N.'s foundations. I overheard them readying themselves, to permanently corrupt me. Them not knowing l'd already been changed, of which now I am eternally grateful." He heaved, nodding to Sonic. "If I hadn't have been, I'd be working for them, and you lot would literally be either dead or corrupted by now." He added. Everyone stared. Rouge went white, walking right up to him, gulping hard.
"Can you prove any of this?" She asked. Shadow gritted his teeth, moving away from her. He growled.
"No." He hissed. That was true. All he had was just hearsay. He not seen anything to back it up, and had no evidence to prove it. If such a machine had been built, then it wasn't in G.U.N. Headquarters. They would be fools to put it there, but the Chaos Emeralds had been very scarce lately. Tails had two, his own plus Shadow's but that was it. No sign of the others. There had been nothing more in over a year, which was unusual. Normally a Chaos Emerald showed long before now. If the Mobian Authorities had got the rest, it would make sense. But Tails frowned. He been working frantically on his computer while Shadow had been talking. Something about what he was saying, was making sense, especially with the intelligence he'd recently been gathering. Suddenly, he piped up, delighted.
"Got it." He squealed, pointing to the screen. He heaved. "Your not the only one, Shadow, to notice something weird going on with G.U.N. and the Mobian Authorities. In the search for the rest of the Chaos Emeralds, I kept finding random spikes in Chaos Energy here and there. Ok, for Chaos Emeralds that's normal, but this spikes were lasting far longer, then you'd expect for a one of the gemstones, and by the time I went to ground, I found nothing but empty warehouses and buildings. I have just searched now, for the latest spike and found a huge Chaos Energy surge in some sort of facility, just a few weeks ago. Don't know what it is at all." He shrugged, but Rouge immediately ran up to him and stared at the monitor. She gasped.
"I know it." She gulped. "I've been there. Went for a inspection there a few years ago. It's the training facility for the new recruits for G.U.N." She stammered. But Sonic growled.
"Seems that there might be some truth to your allegations, Shadow. Why else would the Chaos Energy be there?" He heaved, but then, out of nowhere, the mighty Ultimate Lifeform was right among them, having moved very fast and absolutely silently. He was right at Tails' shoulder, making the Fox squeal in fright, desperately shaking, as Shadow stared at the monitor. Knuckles intervened having gained even more confidence back. He growled.
"Hey, that's way too close." He spat. Shadow looked behind him, and again at the Fox. His heart fell. He'd enjoyed immensely the trust these friends had afforded him over the years. The loyalty. They had backed him up in difficult situations, but now, as a Vampire, he realised he have to start all over again, from scratch. He wasn't surprised but it was tough. He nodded, silently moving away, but not before popping the memory card from the computer. Tails noticed and squealed.
"Hey." He growled. But Shadow just smirked, placing the memory card in the palm of his hand and closed his fist hard. The memory card crumpled and was left nothing but dust. He heaved.
"Neither G.U.N. or the Mobian Authorities know that I'm a Vampire and I'd like to keep it that way." He paused. He was trusting them with this information, in the hope of maybe some trust in return. But he doubted they'd actually say anything, not with their precious Blue Blur a Vampire as well. They would do anything not to loose him. Shadow leered. "To give myself as much advantage as possible. I know you haven't copied the files on that memory card, Fox, you just played what was on there." He hissed. Tails shook his head, he hadn't. Shadow leered. "They will come for me, I'm sure of it, and they'll know I have an accomplice, especially with all the bite marks everywhere." He sniggered, staring at the Blue Blur. He went rather red. "That was why they sent me after you, they wanted you for corruption." He hissed. Sonic growled, very defensively. That wasn't happening. But then Shadow heaved. "Rouge, I'd suggest you don't go back to G.U.N., not even undercover. Resign. They know your association with me and us with this place. Don't be surprised Fox, if G.U.N. comes looking. Which is why I'm leaving, to steer them away from here." He sighed. "Stake out that facility. Found out whatever you can." He asked. Silence, as everyone nodded. Suddenly he made for the door, as Sonic's heart fell. Despite all the killing, having Shadow, a fellow Vampire, around had been huge fun, and it had meant the world to him. Shadow noticed and smirked.
"I'll be back." He hissed, warmly, reassuring him, and with that they rubbed noses, and he was gone, the front door closing behind him. Everyone heaved a huge sigh of relief. Knuckles heaved.
"Who's side is he on anyway?" He spat, but then suddenly, Shadow's voice rang straight through the closed front door, as he hadn't actually gone yet. He smirked.
"The side that doesn't peeve me off." He paused. "So don't." He sniggered and with that, he finally vanished, a flash of bright white light, teleporting away. Sonic howled with huge laughter, as everyone just looked at him, gobsmacked. The Ultimate Lifeform make a joke. That was unheard of. But Sonic just giggled.
"Honest answer." He smiled. He knew he had a sense of humour, newly developed as a Vampire, it just exceptionally rarely showed itself. Was he still trustworthy? That was still up for debate, but to Sonic he meant the world, and didn't regret, at all, his choice to change him. Shadow was extremely dangerous, that was true, but the Blue Blur had a hunch, he'd come round. He'd done it before, and he very much suspected, he'd do it again. He just had to convince the others of that. He sighed.
Time to get to work.