This is a fanfiction, and as such, most of the characters in the story are not mine. Most characters are © Sega, and are not used with permission.

Chapter 1: Who are you?

Through the Great Forest, a blue streak zig-zagged its way between the mighty trees. To those who looked hard, also visible was a phantom shape following tightly behind, a dark whisper that appeared and disappeared before it could be identified. The black held tight to the blue, keeping up with it, passing it, and falling behind it again.

* * *

"I've been hearing stories about you, or is there another blue hedgehog roaming these parts?"

Sonic turned towards the voice that called to him. "I'm the only one I've ever known."

Behind him, a figure remained partially concealed in the shadows. It spoke, almost sarcastically, "They say you're the fastest one in these woods, if not the whole world."

Sonic replied, not liking the tone, and responded in a tough guy voice. "I've heard such things said about me."

The figure stepped out of the darkness. Sonic looked at the stranger, which looked like a twisted mirror of himself. His fur was the darkest black he had ever seen, with strokes of red and a white tuft on his chest. His eyes locked onto Sonic, each a burning red disc that resembled the fires of hell. The only pleasant thing about him was the large gold necklace he wore, with an oversized green gemstone set in the middle.

"I'd like to test those stories."

* * *

The blue blur continued to storm through the forest, unable to lose the dark phantom leaping behind him. Running between trees and over rocks, not trying to shake the darkness, but simply trying to outrun it.

* * *

"Well, this might be interesting. Mr.?"

"I am known as 'Shadow'."

Sonic looked around; off in the distance he could see a small creek in a clearing of the forest below him. On the other side was a large red rock with a single ring floating above it.

"All right, how about this, 'Shadow'. The first one to reach that river and pick up that ring on the big red rock over by the creek is the winner."

Shadow surveyed the land and pointed. "That ring?"

"That one."

"Sounds good to me."

Sonic picked up a small rock. "When this hits the ground, we go."

"Right."

Sonic held the rock, thinking for a minute. "So is this just for bragging rights?"

"What are you babbling about?"

"Why don't we put something on the outcome." Sonic took notice of the ornate necklace Shadow was wearing with the large green gem in the middle. "Perhaps you might like to put your jewellery where your mouth is."

Shadow seemed quite offended by Sonic's suggestion. "Only if you're putting your head on the block."

"Alright, alright; pride it is."

* * *

The two had reached the river and were following it towards the large rock and the ring; only they were on the wrong side, both looking for a way over without slowing down too much. Sonic had considered simply trying to run across and hope that his speed would give him the force to skip on the surface, or to find a narrow part and try jumping over.

Shadow was thinking the same thing, but he knew that the way his phase run worked, he would not be able to simply skip over the water. Instead, once they had reached a narrow part, he went for it.

Sonic continued to look for a better place to cross, only to see Shadow on the other side of the river. Shadow was somewhat behind now, but he had already managed to pass the watery obstacle, giving him a decided edge.

{How'd he get over there already? I didn't even see him cross.}

With little option, Sonic continued on as fast as he could, but he knew he'd have to cross at some point. The best way would be to head straight for the rock, though this would mean running diagonally across the river, thus running over more water than Sonic wanted. He had to time it right, if he kept going straight and tried to cross right where the ring was, his path would be longer, and he'd have trouble making the sharp turn. If he went too early, then he'd have to go over nothing but water, which would likely slow him down and possibly stop him dead in his tracks. He had to chance it.

Turning to his left, Sonic tried to skip over the water towards the rock. Along the left bank, Shadow could see the blue hedgehog's manoeuvre, but simply kept going, trying to get to the ring first, hoping that Sonic didn't have the momentum to make it all the way and would fall in the water.

Sonic knew he was slowing down; his lead over the black hedgehog was growing shorter. Giving it all he had, he pressed on, trying to reach the rock first. He was only a few seconds away from it, as was Shadow.

3…

2…

1…

Sonic reached the rock and with his foot on solid ground, leapt up to the top of the rock and the ring. Just a few metres away, Shadow had performed his final phase and had locked on to the ring.

The blue streak and the black vapour crossed paths on the rock.

* * *

"Looks like you've got some lead in your boots, Faker. I wouldn't quit your day job if I were you." Sonic wouldn't dare let Shadow forget that he lost, even though it was by the slimmest of margin.

"I'll admit you're fast, but don't think that this is the end of it."

"Oh really. You know, if you ditched all that weight around your neck, you might have a shot."

Shadow looked at the decorative gold brace on his shoulders with the large green stone in it, and scowled at the blue speed demon. "That's a precious heirloom, how dare you suggest…"

"Just chill. Anyway, I'd love to stay and chat some more, but I've got places to be."

"Oh really, or are you too scared to give me a rematch?"

"Another time, when you've improved. Ta ta." Sonic raced off into the distance.

Shadow was about to follow when he saw Sonic holding up the ring. At first it looked like the blue jerk was showing off, but instead, he saw him take off even faster than before.

"What the…"

* * *

Shadow raced around for a few minutes, hoping to locate Sonic again. He was getting very angry and wanted to teach that braggart a lesson, not with speed, but perhaps with a good solid punch to the face. Eventually he found his way to an open field, hoping that he could survey the wide expanse and spot his rival, he stopped just a few metres shy of a passing road.

"Where is that jackass?" Shadow continued to look around, occasionally moving from where he stood to get a slightly better position, but Sonic was nowhere to be seen.

"Hey!"

Shadow looked to his left towards an irate rabbit wielding a hoe.

"Get off mah property!", she screamed in a southern accent.

"What's gotten your knickers in a bunch, little lady?"

"Those are mah carrots ya're trampling on!"

Shadow looked down, and only now saw the crafted rows of green pushing up from the ground.

"My apologies." Shadow watched where he stepped and quickly got off the manicured ground.

"Well, yah should be!" The rabbit examined him for a second. "Wait, are yah Sonic the Hedgehog?"

Shadow was about to explode at hearing the name again. "No, my name is Shadow."

"Shadow?" The teenager looked him over. "I must say it fits, sugah. Yah move just like one."

"And what is your name?"

"Ya're getting a bit fresh. It's Bunnie."

"A nice name. You live here by yourself?"

"I don't think that's any of your business."

"I'm new here, but I've been hearing that this area is not safe. Some tyrant is running things around here, or something."

"Yah mean Robotnik."

"That sounds familiar."

"Well, if he or any of his tin cans show up around here, I'll give them their forty whacks." Bunnie started to flail the hoe around violently.

"I can see that you can take care of yourself."

"Don't yah forget it."

"Well, I won't waste anymore of your time." Shadow turned to leave.

"Hey! Yah want something to drink? It's rather impolite for us to be talking for so long and for me to not offer."

"Uh, no thanks, I'm fine. I really have to be going."

"Well, see yah around."

"Take care."

Shadow walked away. It was odd really, that for some reason Sonic offended him, but he could get along with most anybody else. Sure there were some total jerks out there who got the pounding they deserved, but he hated Sonic to the core, something he couldn't quite explain. He had never really met Sonic until that morning, he only heard about him, but for some strange reason, it seemed as if he knew the blue one right from birth, and didn't like him one bit.

To be continued