Disclaimer: I do not own Sonic the Hedgehog.
A/N: ^^;; Wow. So many people were freaked out by the fact that I gave Shadow green eyes and blue fur? Hmm. *shrugs* Actually, that was just a spur-of-the-moment idea, but I thought of a way to make it fit into the plot...
Well, enjoy this next chapter, as short as it may seem to be... *sighs*
The next morning, Shadow awoke early.
Sleepily, he made his way to the bathroom. He jumped at his reflection in the mirror, having forgotten about his 'new look.'
He blinked once, trying to clear his vision, then sighed at his image. His red stripes and black fur, gone...
Shadow sighed and leaned on the sink counter. He took another look and saw that everything, minus the peach-colored skin around his face, was colored...
He scowled, then started the water going. Furiously, he rubbed the blue color away from the small tuft of fur on his chest. When it was a clean white again, he stepped back and looked at himself in the mirror again.
'Not quite... but it'll do for now...'
Shadow wondered if he'd ever be able to be himself again...
~*~
But at that moment... his chances suddenly slimmed.
Far off, in a different part of the world, G.U.N. was hiding, healing its devastating wounds and recuperating.
But this time...
...they were prepared.
G.U.N. had a mission.
A mission... to wipe out Project: Shadow.
The organization wasn't sure if the experiment, Shadow the Hedgehog, was still alive or not...
...but they now had a new adversary.
The blue hedgehog.
The one who was a worldwide hero.
His origin: unknown.
His past: unknown.
His motives: unknown.
G.U.N. had a terrible mission. One that dealt with the events, fifty years past.
Few knew the truth behind the attack on ARK.
Their real reason... had been to wipe out all forms of life that could possibly become more powerful than themselves...
...humankind.
Project: Shadow might be dead.
But it might not.
But this blue hedgehog... was most certainly alive.
When the awards ceremony had been broadcast worldwide, G.U.N. had instantly noticed this hedgehog.
Who was he... where was he born...
...how was he born...
For G.U.N. had constructed an interesting... yet startling... theory...
...maybe... just maybe...
...this blue hedgehog... "Sonic"...
...and Project: Shadow...
...were somehow linked.
Because, for a normal hedgehog to be born with such a strange mutation...
...super speed... speed that surpassed the speed of sound...
...was not scientifically acceptable.
Not to G.U.N.
To G.U.N.... the two needed to be eliminated.
Sonic. And Shadow.
For G.U.N. believed that Man was the ultimate race... the one that would forever hold power over the planet.
And with such... such threats...
...who knew what damage these creatures could create, should they decide to turn on humans?
G.U.N. had a mission.
They would not abandon it.
Because, unfortunately...
...what Man does not understand, he fears.
What he fears... he hates.
What he hates... he destroys.
~*~
"Hey, you guys, you ready to go?" Tails asked, starting up his new plane.
"Just a minute!" Amy called from the door, gathering up the belongings that she had taken with her to the island.
"Hurry up!" Sonic yelled, hopping into the plane. "You ready, Shadow?"
"Mm-hmm..." Shadow murmured, climbing into the plane also.
"Okay! We're taking off in ten... nine..." Tails called, teasingly, to Amy.
"Ah! Wait! No! You can't do this to me!" Amy screeched at them, grabbing her backpack and clambering into the plane.
"Haha!" Sonic and Tails broke into laughter. Even Shadow couldn't help a smile.
"Ooh! Sometimes, you boys...!!" Amy frowned, folding her arms and sitting in the back. Sonic and Tails laughed even more.
"Ah, come on Amy, just a joke..." Sonic grinned apologetically.
"Yeah, whatever," Amy sighed, looking at Sonic's shining green eyes. 'I just can't stay mad at him...'
Tails glanced back, making sure everyone was securely fastened into their seats. He did a double-take at Shadow. "...you know, I don't think I'll ever get used to you looking like that..."
"Neither will I," Shadow muttered.
Sonic grinned and folded his hands behind his head. "Hey, once we get to Station Square, let's set everyone straight on you. Then you can walk around in public without that getup on."
Shadow sighed. "Let's hope..."
Sonic gave him a thumbs-up. "Hey, it's not like G.U.N.'s still after you or anything."
"Hm... I suppose..."
The four friends took off into a clear blue sky...
...blissfully unaware of the storms that would lie ahead.
A/N: ^_^ Yes, I know I haven't updated in forever. And this chapter seemed a little short to me... hmm. Anyway, I figure that I can turn out a whole bunch of little chapters a little bit faster than if I try to make a big one all at once, so the next chapter should be coming along pretty soon. I finally broke the writer's block on this story, so I'll be trying to work on this one as much as possible! Thanks for waiting, though!
-Ryuko