Yep… I'm almost done with this story! I hope yall like the new chappy!! I'm really hoping you do because its almost done…maybe another 2 chapters and epilogue… and I already have the epilogue! Yay! Okay enjoy chapter 4! :3

Chapter 4

I stared at Knuckles for a moment, letting it sink in. "He can be healed?" I asked quietly. I fidgeted with my gloves as he turned his attention to me.

The tribal echidna nodded. He stayed silent and started to walk near Shadow. Shadow started to back up and hiss a little. I found this strange, he had no problem with Knuckles before…

He sharpened his gaze on shadow and the dragon seemed to calm down a little. I cocked my head to the side. 'What exactly is going on?' I asked myself.

"He's nearly feral, Sonic… its any wonder that you didn't get eaten already…" he said as if he were reading my mind. I blinked at this. 'feral?' I thought to myself.

Knuckles had approached Shadow and tentatively touched his wing, then gripping it and forcing it down. The dragon gave a hiss and roared at Knuckles as he examined Shadow's wing. He growled at Knuckles as he walked over to the tip of his wing and spread it out full length.

I crossed my arms. "Knuckles what on earth are you doing?" I asked. "Shadow doesn't seem to like this treatment…"

"I know but if you want that antidote you'll have to trust me." He says. I took a glance at shadow and blinked at the angry expression on his face. "I'm coming with you to get that antidote… its at the red mountain zone…" he says quietly. "On the tallest peak, or the volcano in this case, known as red mountain. Its not easy because there is a plant that grows only at the mouth of the volcano."

"So why are you…" I started.

He looked over at me and finished my sentence. "looking Shadow over? Because only a dragon can withstand that heat there. And since he's been mutated into one, he should have no problems." He says. Shadow huffed and looked away from Knuckles, stubbornly sitting down and pulling his wing away from the echidna, folding them close to his body and crossing his arms, nose up in the air.

I chuckled a little. 'That's just like Shadow.' I thought. I came close to him and looked up. "Shadow, you ready to go?" I asked. He looked down at me and nodded a little bit, his eyes determined. Knuckles smirked.

"lets get a move on then" he says, taking a running start and gliding from the cliff, circling around and heading for red mountain. I nodded and climbed on Shadow's back again. Amy Rose and Tails were still watching as we left and Rouge retreated to the house, probably to get some paperwork done.

As we flew, Shadow did his telepath deal with me again. 'I don't trust this echidna…' said he.

I laughed and spoke aloud to him. "Red is harmless, he doesn't lie to anyone, though he is really gullible." I said to him and smiled.

He snorted as we entered the Red Mountain zone. I looked at the mountains. "whoa…"

Knuckles was only a little ahead of us and looked back to us. "Okay then… look up there." He points at a really God-awful tall volcano. "That is Red Mountain. At the top is the antidote…" he says looking back up. "I'll climb, you guys can fly." He says jumping up and gliding toward the mountain, latching onto its side and starting to climb. It still amazed me when I saw him do this stunt.

Shadow blinked and snorted a little, taking off and flapping his wings. He pulled himself up into the air and we flew upwards, toward the mouth of the volcano. It really was amazing how fast that echidna could climb… he kept up well with us.

I laughed and soon we were at the top. Shadow landed with a cocky look on his face as knuckles pulled himself up over the edge.

"We beeeeeeeaaaaaat you!" I taunted him. He just grunted at me and walked along the ridge. He looked over the fiery mouth of the mountain and gulped.

"Guys…" he said.

"Yeah?" I asked him. Shadow had strolled over to the mountain's mouth as well. He blinks and starts going over the edge, toward a large, glowing, and red flower.

"ACK! Shadow where do you think…" I shouted after him, looking at the lava. "YOU ARE CRAZY!!!"

He looked up at me and snorted but lost his footing. I gasped and watched him land on his back and slid down the mouth, a tremendous roar emitting from his throat as he fell. I couldn't look away.

"Sha…" I start. He screeches as he falls into the fiery pit. "SHADOW!!"

Woooooooooooooooooooo!! Cliff hanger! Sorry to do that to you guys! Hhehhehehehe!! ;o meh…I'll finish it soon! *hugs her loyal fan ppl*