Hero
By Formerly Known As
Author's Note: Yeah...I changed my name. Still the same old M. E. Gibbs (Or whatever name you first knew me by), just with a bright shiny and hopefully not stupid name. Hope this doesn't confuse anybody...but it felt necessary. To me.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sonic, Shadow, or anyone. I DO own the Dikes, I have realized in retrospection. I also own this story. Stealers will be towed. Or prosecuted by the demons of hell. Or my lawyers. Yeah, either one will do.
************
Chapter 9
What We Have
Staring up into Shadow's fathomless red eyes, many thoughts flitted through his head. One was the shocked realization that Shadow was alive, not dead as previously assumed.
Following shortly behind that thought was the realization that discovering someone you thought to be dead was really alive and, in the case of Shadow, literally kicking, was certainly enough to change anyone's state of mind and probably was what caused the change over Sonic. At least that was Knuckles assumed. Of course there did remain the probability, Knuckles contemplated, that Sonic did not yet know of Shadow's current liveliness instead of Shadow's supposed...deadness.
Along with this complicated and confusing train of thought Knuckles questioned how Shadow was still alive and perhaps more importantly (or perhaps not, asphyxiation can confuse one's priorities) why Shadow was trying to kill him.
Of course overlaying all of this was the thought of "Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, I'm GONNA DIE!"
Shadow stared down at the echidna, watching emotions play through the
guardian's eyes. To his credit, though Knuckles was probably developing a concussion or at least major headache and was struggling at the same time to move air past the shoe on his throat, Knuckles let no emotion show on his face. No shock, no fear. His face remained blank. His eyes were a different story, but eyes are a lot harder to control.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Shadow eased up the amount of weight he had resting on the guardian's neck. Knuckles literally breathed easier.
"So, red one," Shadow began slowly, his dark voice soft and menacing. "You've been following the hedgehog."
Shadow glanced behind him and down to the street, where Sonic was slowly vanishing around the corner.
Maybe it was because Sonic was on his mind. Maybe it was because of the recent changes in his life. Maybe it was even the asphyxiation. Whatever caused it, Knuckles said something he probably wouldn't have said otherwise.
"Are you implying that I'm stalking you?"
Shadow's dark gaze snapped back to the echidna instantly as he pressed down rather heavily on the guardian's throat.
In retrospective, thought Knuckles to himself as he gagged for air, that wasn't the brightest thing to have done. The mental chorus of 'Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit' increased.
Leisurely, Shadow once again let up off the guardian's throat. Knuckles gasped for air.
After a short time, during which Shadow's eyes had not left the guardian, Knuckles was able to breathe. Shadow's eyes flitted out across the city, taking everything in through half closed lids. "I can see what you're trying to do," he began again, his rich voice flowing to Knuckles across the distance, above the noises of the city, past Knuckles' panting gasps. "You have noble intent, trying to protect the hedgehog like that. Noble but foolish." The ghost of a smile and a sour smirk flickered across Shadow's face. "Did you truly think you could keep up with? Protect him? Keep him from harm?"
Shadow grimaced slightly. "You don't have what it takes to keep up with that hedgehog. You don't have the speed, the strength, the spirit. You're not even close!"
Knuckles eyes flashed with indignation. "What, and you think you do, Shadow the Hedgehog?" Knuckles spat at the black creature hovering over him.
The foot shot down sharply, causing the guardian to choke on any other words he might have said. Then, just as suddenly, the foot lifted off completely as Shadow turned away, staring out across the city, his back to Knuckles.
Still struggling for breath, the echidna halfway sat up and massaged his sore throat with one hand, his eyes never leaving Shadow's back.
"No, you're right. I probably don't have what it takes to keep up with him anymore than you do, red one."
Knuckles blinked in surprise. Not what he had expected the proud hedgehog to say. Not at all. The night was just full of surprises.
"That hedgehog is a surprise wrapped in an epiphany hidden in a revelation. It seems that just when you think you have him figured out, he'll take you by surprise."
Too true, Knuckles thought to himself.
"He'll take you on and beat you at your own game. He's fast, but more importantly, he's determined. He'll will show you what true strength...then let you see that you have it as well, deep inside, in that crevice of yourself you never thought you'd find."
Though Knuckles couldn't see Shadow's face, he could hear a heaviness in his voice. He found it strange, comical almost, that inside himself, Knuckles could feel that same heaviness. That heaviness he felt deep inside, that heaviness left behind when Sonic wasn't around anymore to be the hero, to be strong. And to give others strength.
It was funny. Almost.
Shadow turned back to Knuckles, his foot flying up and kicking the echidna in the chest, laying Knuckles flat out on his back again. Once again, Knuckles found himself staring up into the crimson eyes of Shadow. Only this time, Knuckles could see a strange, half wild glint sparkling in Shadow's eyes.
"That wasn't what I came to discuss with you, red one. You are to leave the hedgehog alone. He is mine. You will not touch him. You will not follow him. If you do..." Shadow's vague threat was punctuated by a swift upward kick that connected with Knuckles' chin, sending the guardian's head reeling once again.
When the echidna opened his eyes and was able to see straight again, he could see no sign of the black hedgehog anywhere, nor any sign that he had ever been there. Other than Knuckles' smarting chin and tenderized throat.
With a grunt of pain and annoyance, Knuckles rolled over onto his stomach.
Carefully, intently, he searched the dark night for any slight movement or sign of where Shadow had gone. He found nothing, which was all he'd expected to find. Instead, Knuckles turned his attention to the street, but of course, Sonic, even at his slow pace, was already long gone.
With a sigh of frustration directed at the world in general and two hedgehogs in specific, Knuckles took his leave of the rooftop. There was no need to tarry any later into the night, when the guardian knew he would have no luck finding either hedgehog. As he left the darkened rooftop, Knuckles rolled over in his head what Shadow had said. The implications of the black hedgehog's words worried Knuckles. Particularly that part about Sonic being his.
In the sheltering gloom of a nearby chimney, Shadow watched as Knuckles glided off into the city, the opposite direction from the one Sonic had taken. Shadow allowed himself a fleeting smirk at this. Things were going well. Differently. But well.
The smirk vanished like it had never been as Shadow made his way across the rooftops of the city, heading a third direction, towards the business district of town. The red one could present a problem later on. He would have to be watched. But for now, Shadow decided to wait and see how his hand would play out.
**************
Author's Note (Again): Well...That was interesting...
In oh so many ways.
A sad announcement to make. I may not post on this story again for a while. This was as far as I've got it written in my head. From here on out...I have nothing but vague ideas and the plot I've already set up to guide me. I'm surprised it turned out as long as it did, actually.
I want to keep this story really good. And to do that, I may take a while to continue it.
But don't worry, don't be blue, I'm not quitting this story or anything like that.
Just letting you know the next chapter may take time. But this story will NOT die here. Trust me on that one.
Only one comment to make to my readers:
penultimate-lifeform: Did I REALLY distract you from a Discworld novel? You're joking, right? Whether true or not, that's one of the best damn compliments I've EVER received.
Well, That's it for now!
See whenever the next chapter rolls its stubborn way out of my stubborn head!
Keep Writing boys and girls and other things. You never know just where it might take you.
By Formerly Known As
Author's Note: Yeah...I changed my name. Still the same old M. E. Gibbs (Or whatever name you first knew me by), just with a bright shiny and hopefully not stupid name. Hope this doesn't confuse anybody...but it felt necessary. To me.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sonic, Shadow, or anyone. I DO own the Dikes, I have realized in retrospection. I also own this story. Stealers will be towed. Or prosecuted by the demons of hell. Or my lawyers. Yeah, either one will do.
************
Chapter 9
What We Have
Staring up into Shadow's fathomless red eyes, many thoughts flitted through his head. One was the shocked realization that Shadow was alive, not dead as previously assumed.
Following shortly behind that thought was the realization that discovering someone you thought to be dead was really alive and, in the case of Shadow, literally kicking, was certainly enough to change anyone's state of mind and probably was what caused the change over Sonic. At least that was Knuckles assumed. Of course there did remain the probability, Knuckles contemplated, that Sonic did not yet know of Shadow's current liveliness instead of Shadow's supposed...deadness.
Along with this complicated and confusing train of thought Knuckles questioned how Shadow was still alive and perhaps more importantly (or perhaps not, asphyxiation can confuse one's priorities) why Shadow was trying to kill him.
Of course overlaying all of this was the thought of "Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, I'm GONNA DIE!"
Shadow stared down at the echidna, watching emotions play through the
guardian's eyes. To his credit, though Knuckles was probably developing a concussion or at least major headache and was struggling at the same time to move air past the shoe on his throat, Knuckles let no emotion show on his face. No shock, no fear. His face remained blank. His eyes were a different story, but eyes are a lot harder to control.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Shadow eased up the amount of weight he had resting on the guardian's neck. Knuckles literally breathed easier.
"So, red one," Shadow began slowly, his dark voice soft and menacing. "You've been following the hedgehog."
Shadow glanced behind him and down to the street, where Sonic was slowly vanishing around the corner.
Maybe it was because Sonic was on his mind. Maybe it was because of the recent changes in his life. Maybe it was even the asphyxiation. Whatever caused it, Knuckles said something he probably wouldn't have said otherwise.
"Are you implying that I'm stalking you?"
Shadow's dark gaze snapped back to the echidna instantly as he pressed down rather heavily on the guardian's throat.
In retrospective, thought Knuckles to himself as he gagged for air, that wasn't the brightest thing to have done. The mental chorus of 'Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit' increased.
Leisurely, Shadow once again let up off the guardian's throat. Knuckles gasped for air.
After a short time, during which Shadow's eyes had not left the guardian, Knuckles was able to breathe. Shadow's eyes flitted out across the city, taking everything in through half closed lids. "I can see what you're trying to do," he began again, his rich voice flowing to Knuckles across the distance, above the noises of the city, past Knuckles' panting gasps. "You have noble intent, trying to protect the hedgehog like that. Noble but foolish." The ghost of a smile and a sour smirk flickered across Shadow's face. "Did you truly think you could keep up with? Protect him? Keep him from harm?"
Shadow grimaced slightly. "You don't have what it takes to keep up with that hedgehog. You don't have the speed, the strength, the spirit. You're not even close!"
Knuckles eyes flashed with indignation. "What, and you think you do, Shadow the Hedgehog?" Knuckles spat at the black creature hovering over him.
The foot shot down sharply, causing the guardian to choke on any other words he might have said. Then, just as suddenly, the foot lifted off completely as Shadow turned away, staring out across the city, his back to Knuckles.
Still struggling for breath, the echidna halfway sat up and massaged his sore throat with one hand, his eyes never leaving Shadow's back.
"No, you're right. I probably don't have what it takes to keep up with him anymore than you do, red one."
Knuckles blinked in surprise. Not what he had expected the proud hedgehog to say. Not at all. The night was just full of surprises.
"That hedgehog is a surprise wrapped in an epiphany hidden in a revelation. It seems that just when you think you have him figured out, he'll take you by surprise."
Too true, Knuckles thought to himself.
"He'll take you on and beat you at your own game. He's fast, but more importantly, he's determined. He'll will show you what true strength...then let you see that you have it as well, deep inside, in that crevice of yourself you never thought you'd find."
Though Knuckles couldn't see Shadow's face, he could hear a heaviness in his voice. He found it strange, comical almost, that inside himself, Knuckles could feel that same heaviness. That heaviness he felt deep inside, that heaviness left behind when Sonic wasn't around anymore to be the hero, to be strong. And to give others strength.
It was funny. Almost.
Shadow turned back to Knuckles, his foot flying up and kicking the echidna in the chest, laying Knuckles flat out on his back again. Once again, Knuckles found himself staring up into the crimson eyes of Shadow. Only this time, Knuckles could see a strange, half wild glint sparkling in Shadow's eyes.
"That wasn't what I came to discuss with you, red one. You are to leave the hedgehog alone. He is mine. You will not touch him. You will not follow him. If you do..." Shadow's vague threat was punctuated by a swift upward kick that connected with Knuckles' chin, sending the guardian's head reeling once again.
When the echidna opened his eyes and was able to see straight again, he could see no sign of the black hedgehog anywhere, nor any sign that he had ever been there. Other than Knuckles' smarting chin and tenderized throat.
With a grunt of pain and annoyance, Knuckles rolled over onto his stomach.
Carefully, intently, he searched the dark night for any slight movement or sign of where Shadow had gone. He found nothing, which was all he'd expected to find. Instead, Knuckles turned his attention to the street, but of course, Sonic, even at his slow pace, was already long gone.
With a sigh of frustration directed at the world in general and two hedgehogs in specific, Knuckles took his leave of the rooftop. There was no need to tarry any later into the night, when the guardian knew he would have no luck finding either hedgehog. As he left the darkened rooftop, Knuckles rolled over in his head what Shadow had said. The implications of the black hedgehog's words worried Knuckles. Particularly that part about Sonic being his.
In the sheltering gloom of a nearby chimney, Shadow watched as Knuckles glided off into the city, the opposite direction from the one Sonic had taken. Shadow allowed himself a fleeting smirk at this. Things were going well. Differently. But well.
The smirk vanished like it had never been as Shadow made his way across the rooftops of the city, heading a third direction, towards the business district of town. The red one could present a problem later on. He would have to be watched. But for now, Shadow decided to wait and see how his hand would play out.
**************
Author's Note (Again): Well...That was interesting...
In oh so many ways.
A sad announcement to make. I may not post on this story again for a while. This was as far as I've got it written in my head. From here on out...I have nothing but vague ideas and the plot I've already set up to guide me. I'm surprised it turned out as long as it did, actually.
I want to keep this story really good. And to do that, I may take a while to continue it.
But don't worry, don't be blue, I'm not quitting this story or anything like that.
Just letting you know the next chapter may take time. But this story will NOT die here. Trust me on that one.
Only one comment to make to my readers:
penultimate-lifeform: Did I REALLY distract you from a Discworld novel? You're joking, right? Whether true or not, that's one of the best damn compliments I've EVER received.
Well, That's it for now!
See whenever the next chapter rolls its stubborn way out of my stubborn head!
Keep Writing boys and girls and other things. You never know just where it might take you.