A/N: Fwee! I have five reviews! does a happy dance I've started work on Chapter Three, and it's LONG! So, while I work on that, enjoy Chapter Two of Project Shade!
Poll: In your review, tell me: Should I switch viewpoints from time to time? As in, should Chapter Four follow what's going on with Sonic&Co, instead of always following Shade?
Reviews:
midnightblue56 – You think so? Arigato!
sonicgirl – I might do more flashbacks, now that you mention it. I might make an entire chapter that's a flashback! Thanks for the review!
PokemonHokeycon – Hey, I like Pokemon! pout Oh, well, I still love you. Thanks for dropping by!
virtual-reality – Ack, not butter! I'm watching my weight! Hehe. Danke!
Chapter Two - A Wish for Vengeance
I look around the room that Eggman has given me. It's sparsely decorated, which is fine with me. I never did like luxurious rooms. I examine the walls, finding the hieroglyphs etched on them interesting. I stretch my muscles, reveling in my condition. My muscles haven't deteriorated much in my hibernation, so I'm still strong. I glance at the electronic bracelet on my wrist, and smile fondly. My fingers lovingly trace over the dark metal. I can remember when my creator gave it to me...
------- FLASHBACK -------
"Shade, Shade! Come here, Shade."
The female black hedgehog ran up to the old scientist, smiling widely. "Yes Papa?" she said, her vermilion eyes glowing with innocent joy. Gerald Robotnik knelt down and hugged his creation, his heart warmed by her love. "Papa, what do you need me for?" Shade asked, returning the hug. "I made something for you and your brother." Gerald said. He scooped the young hedgehog up in his arms and lifted her high, causing Shade to giggle. He carried her all the way to his main laboratory. "What did you make me?" chirruped Shade as Gerald placed her back on the ground. "It's a special bracelet. When you get older, I'll teach you how to use its power." Shade eagerly took the proffered bracelet. "Oh, it's pretty Papa! Arigato!" The aged scientist smiled at her joyful exuberance. "Go on now, go play with your brother and Maria." The young hedgehog raced out of the room...
------- END FLASHBACK -------
"It's been fifty years..." I murmur, as the memory fades. A gentle hand on my shoulder startles me. I turn my head, to meet my brother's eyes. "Shadow..." I whisper softly, a sad smile on my face. My brother takes a step closer, and wraps his arms around my shoulders. I sigh and lean my head on his broad shoulder, my arms moving to encircle his waist. "Where's Maria?" I whisper, not knowing if I want to hear his answer. Maria had been living with us aboard the ARK. "She's...dead. She was the last thing I saw aboard the ARK. She died so that the two of us could get into an escape pod. They didn't need to kill her." My brother's voice is full of anger, and I can sympathize. We had loved Maria dearly. She was our sister, our playmate. I feel a couple of tears slip down my muzzle, but I don't care. Shadow is the only one, besides Maria and Papa, who has ever seen my emotions. I feel him stroke my spines, and I relax into his embrace. "Did she tell you anything?" I ask, my tears falling onto my twin's shoulder. "She told me...to give the people of Earth what they deserve." I look into his impassive eyes, my own gleaming with tears. "She asked for revenge?" He nods. My eyes harden into twin rubies, anger courses through me. "Then...I promise Maria revenge!"
(time passes)
"You have something for me to do?" I ask, tromping into the control room. Maybe my voice was a bit too dark, because Eggman looks at me nervously as I enter. ::Too bad. We've been sitting around here for two weeks:: "Well?" I ask sourly. "I'm bored just sitting around here. And I can say the same for my brother. We want to do something other than twiddling our thumbs and sitting on our asses." He definitely flinched that time. I must be a bit spiteful, because I enjoy seeing this man squirm. "Well, I do..." Eggman says, sounding a bit flustered. "And...?" I ask, walking over to his side. "Well, look at this."
He hands me a map of a city. I skim over it; there are two areas circled in red ink. "What's this for?" I ask, puzzled, as I look at the red-haired human. He smiles, and indicates the circled areas with a finger. "This is a map of the city of San Francisco. One Chaos Emerald is stored at each of these locations. It would please me if you and Shadow would retrieve them for me." I nod, slowly. ::Chaos Emeralds...So, he seeks to harness Chaos:: "Sounds like a challenge. If my brother accepts, we will have to coordinate this. If only one Chaos Emerald is taken, security around the other will be increased. Not to mention that it might be moved to a different location entirely."
"We will need some time to get the lay of the city. No use getting lost while carrying stolen property." My twin's voice, dry and sardonic, comes from a dark corner of the control room. Eggman jumps, somewhat startled; I laugh underneath my breath. "How long have you been standing there?" I ask, wry amusement in my voice. "For the past fifteen minutes; I cannot believe you didn't notice me." he admonishes, walking over to me. He takes the map and looks over it. "Let's do this tonight. That way, less people are likely to see us." I nod. "Good thinking. In the meantime, let's go scope out the city. We should wear some normal clothing. We have your approval, Eggman?" My gaze turns from my twin to the human. "Yes, yes. An excellent plan." Eggman smiles. "We'll depart in two hours. That should give you plenty of time to become familiar with the city. I'll also provide you with some spending money."
::Spending money?::
So, what do you think? Are you throwing roses or ninja stars? Praise or rotten fruit? Review and tell me!
-Sora the Bladedancer