Shadow slowly stood, the blurred figure of Sonic approaching him from the back. Sonic's foot drove deep into Shadow's ribs, knocking the wind out of him. Shadow slammed to the ground. Air rushed violently from his lungs.

But the forest scenery faded away, revealing two chambers. One for Sonic, one for Shadow, each locked together in virtual training combat.

"Alright. Training's over, guys." Miles "Tails" Prower, Sonic's assistant, yelled to the two, bringing them back to reality. "Rouge! Knuckles! You two are next!"



Sonic and Shadow stepped down from the chambers, Shadow grasping his pained ribs.

"Chill, dude. It was a simulation." Sonic said soothingly.

"Your friend Tails is a genius. Didn't you notice? The simulator generates pain with electric shocks at the right time." Shadow replied. "Besides, I'm tired. See ya." Shadow's hand shot out for the Chaos Emerald. "Chaos Control!"

Shadow vanished. Sonic shook his head, grinning. He, too, retreated to his bedroom inside of the colony ARK, now the training area.