Hero
By Formerly Known As

Chapter 4
Calling to the Darkness

Sonic breathed deeply, inhaling the ancient scents of oil and rusted metal. He was still in the Dikes and even more lost than before. Night had also fallen. But right now he didn't care. He leaned against a wall, his eyes closed, breathing deeply. Fighting to keep the tears inside. He was winning, sort of.

Much to his surprise, running had helped Sonic. His panic had burned away quickly in the rush he got from running. The frustration burned away slower. The grief remained strong as ever. But it was cleaner now, not clouded by other emotions. Sonic was able to get a grip on the emotion now and he was slowly calming down.

He was almost capable of logic and coherent thought, so he headed out of the alley to look for a way out of the Dikes and to grounds he knew better. He began down one of the deserted streets looking for a fire escape or some way he could make it to the top of a building, figuring that from there he could the lights of the rest of Station Square.

Sonic's ear twitched. He thought he heard something. He turned around quickly, trying to find the sound. There was nothing on the street behind him. He scanned the dark street but saw nothing, which wasn't unusual, Sonic didn't have much in the way of night vision. He slowly turned back around and started on his way further down the street. He whipped around, hearing the noise again. A sort of whispery sound, sort of like the wind moving through the grass. There was still nothing behind him. His eyes narrowed. Sonic turned to face forward again. But this time he stood where he was, listening carefully.

There. There it was again. A soft swish, the sound of something moving. Only this time it was to his left. He listened. Sonic resisted the urge to tap his foot. There was the sound again. Closer this time. Sonic remained still. He heard it again, closer still. He frowned. It was an oddly familiar sound. There it was again. To his right.

Sonic spun around, facing the sound. This time he wasn't too slow. In the dim light present, Sonic saw a shape. A fast moving shape, darting back into the darker shadows. Sonic narrowed his eyes. There was someone else out there.

Sonic called out into the darkness. "Hello? Is there someone out there?" he called, hoping to receive a response of some sort.

Sonic held still listening to his echoes fade away. Silence was the only answer he received. Then came the soft swish, from behind him. Sonic spun towards the sound but spotted nothing. Whatever was out there it was fast.

Sonic tried again. "Hello? Don't worry, I won't hurt you. You can come out!"

Still no answer.

Then the soft sound came again, to his right, followed by a cracking sound, as something hit Sonic's head.

Sonic let out a loud curse, placing a hand above his eye. Whatever, or whoever was out there had just hit him. Sonic growled in frustration and pulled his hand away from above his eye. Even in the darkness of the alley, Sonic could see the blood staining his white gloves. Sonic snarled softly, anger keeping him from feeling his pain.

"Show yourself!" he shouted into the darkness.

Sonic braced himself, moving automatically without thought into his fighting stance. There was no noise in the dark alley except for his own angry breathing.

Sonic held still, listening intently. With each passing second he grew more and more frustrated and less and less patient. He became aware of every sound in the alley, from the gentle tapping of dripping water hitting an old pipe to the wind sliding over the old ruins of the Dikes. Sonic also became aware of his blood trickling slowly down the side his face from the wound inflicted by his faceless attacker. Finally he lost his temper.

"I know you're out there! Show yourself whoever you are!"

There was a faint rustle to Sonic's right, like wind passing through papers.

Sonic's eyes narrowed. He resisted the urge to turn in that direction. Instead he shouted again.

"Show yourself, you coward!" Sonic smirked suddenly. "Or are you scared?
Are you too scared to even show yourself? Instead you're attacking me in the dark rather than have a real fight with this hedgehog? That's it, isn't it?" He stepped into his regular cocky pose, using one hand to slick back his quills. "I understand, of course," he said, grinning for his invisible audience. "This hedgehog is just way too much for anyone to take on. You just know you can't-Oof!"

From the shadows the unknown figure dashed out and with a well placed leg, sent Sonic sprawling.

"Hey!" shouted Sonic as he hauled himself back to his feet. He turned to see the figure run out of the alleyway and into the streets beyond. With a growl, Sonic crouched down, ducked his head down, and dashed into the street after the figure. Before he fully cleared the alleyway, the mysterious figure turned and ran off down the street.

Sonic turned in the direction his attacker had gone, blinking in confusion. He hadn't seen anybody that fast since...well himself. And Shadow. But Shadow was dead and...Sonic was himself so who...who was that?

The figure was standing in the shadows just beyond the dull yellow gleam of a street lamp. The figure crossed its arms and tapped its foot. Sonic's ears went back in rage. That...that THING was mocking him!

Sonic moved without thinking, before he even had time to think, heading down the street towards the figure. The figure turned and glanced casually over its shoulder at him, further enraging the hedgehog. Then it sped off, running down the empty, dank streets of the Dikes, with Sonic hot on its heels.

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Author's Note: WHOO HOO!!!!!! I finally completed this chapter. Plot hole successfully filled, chapter fully written! Will edit someday (really I will!). Till then, enjoy what I've written so far!

See ya next chapter!...Whenever that will be...