A/N This chapter is LONG! I hope you like it. I know there are some really weird things in here (Starbucks coffee, for example). A friend of mine dared me to have Shade sing a song, so I went for it. The song is "Rhythm and Balance", the background song for the White Jungle stage in SA2: Battle (That stage was a pain for me to beat! But so much fun!).
I make a reference to another Sonic game in this chapter; can you find it? Put your guess in your review!
sonicgirl – In the game, Shadow doesn't realize what Maria really wanted until it's nearly too late. But, yes, the twins aren't doing the right thing. If they were, they wouldn't be evil. Thanks for the review!
PokemonHokeycon – You better hurry up with your story Hokeycon, I wanna read more. And you really like this story? Arigato! Chapter Four will follow Sonic and his pals. Any suggestions for what they talk about? Thanks for stopping by!
Chapter Three – Chaos in the City
I examine myself in the full-length mirror, eyeing my reflection critically. I want to blend in to the crowd. As much as a black hedgehog with red eyes can blend in, anyway. Blood red tank top, midnight blue denim jeans. Midnight blue denim jacket tied around my waist. A black leather purse that has the bracelet Papa gave me in it, along with some money and a map of the city. A sports watch, black and red of course. ::Damn I look good:: I allow myself to chuckle, a dry rasping sound. I always did like dressing up. I stretch slowly, admiring again my muscles. I think I'm enjoying myself too much. I walk over and switch on the radio. A song starts up, with a nice beat...
Oh yeah, hurry through, the island's callin'!
I'm not scared at all!
Oh, are you scared or something?
Oh yeah, hurry through, the island's callin'!
I don't mind these walls, or any obstacles!
Oh yeah, hurry through, the island's callin'!
I'm not scared at all!
And I don't wanna hear you...
I tap my black shoes on the stone floor. I like this rhythm. It's hard and heavy. "Oh yeah, hurry through, the island's callin'!" I'm getting into this beat. I turn up the bass to full volume, and the floor seems to vibrate. I bob my head, humming the beat loudly. Eggman's probably going to have a coronary, but I frankly don't care. "Having fun?" I whirl to see my brother smirking at me. "Oh, shut up." I mutter. I look him over. Dark blue denim jeans like me, and...a white T-shirt? "What's with the T-shirt? It doesn't suit your coloration, or your personality." He smirks wider, showing his white fangs. "Well, I don't look dangerous, do I? Unlike you. Sister, you look dressed to kill." I wink and chuckle. "I'm ready to do this. You?" He walks over and switches off the radio. He comes to me and wraps his arms around my shoulders. "Of course. I'm always ready... For Maria." I lean against him, relishing his closeness. "For Maria." I repeat. "For her revenge!" He lets his arms slide from my shoulders. "Let's not keep Eggman waiting." I nod.
(Time passes)
I step off the plane, looking around curiously. I can see the city, not too far away. For obvious reasons, Eggman can't drop us off in the middle of the city. I glance at my brother, wondering what's going on inside his head. I walk over to him and look him eye to eye. "We should split up. If one black hedgehog draws curious stares, two black hedgehogs might start a riot." He laughs, harshly. I turn to Eggman. "Don't worry about picking us up. We'll use the power of the Chaos Emeralds to return to the base." He nods, a bit mystified perhaps. Then he takes something out of his pocket. "Just in case..." He hands a cell phone to both my brother and I. "Call if you get into trouble. My number's programmed already." I nod. "Good luck." he says. My brother chuckles darkly. "Luck, hell. We're Ultimate Lifeforms; we don't need luck." Laughing, Eggman goes back into the plane. My twin and I take cover in a stand of trees as he blasts off. "Well, shall we?" I ask, looking at my brother. He nods, and we make our way to the city limits. Bidding each other farewell, we split up.
(Time passes)
I lean back on the bench, and heave a sigh. I check my watch; it's only 6:35pm. ::I'm getting bored:: I yawn slightly, lace my fingers behind my head. ::I certainly got my exercise for today:: My eyes wander over the people of San Francisco. There are humans, as well as all sorts of furries and reptilians, and even an insectoid here and there. I watch a group of three walking my way. The one in the front is either a crocodile or an alligator; he looks tough and snobby. Behind the crocodilian is a chameleon; behind him, a bee. As they pass I notice their glances; judging and guarded at the same time. I sigh again, and stand up reluctantly. I've already memorized the routes to and from the facility where the Chaos Emerald is; now all I have to do is wait for darkness. Talk about boring. A third sigh, and I stroll down the street once more. My throat feels parched. ::Damn, where can I get something tasty to drink?:: I look up at the building closest to me. ::Starbucks Coffee? Ah, well...:: I push the door open, to find that there isn't much of a line. I head over to the cashier. "What kin I get fo' ya, ma'am?" The light blue kitsune asks politely. "I'll have a medium chai tea latte please." "Okie, that'll be 3.95, ma'am." I hand the young cashier a five. "Here's your change, ma'am. The latte will be ready in a min." I smile, drop the change into the tip jar, and circle to where the coffee maker is. "Medium chai tea latte." the guy behind the counter says, sounding bored. "That's mine. Arigato." I take the cup from his hand. He looks at me curiously. "You speak Japanese?" he asks. I smile shyly, feigning embarrassment. "Only a little." He smiles widely. "Well, have a good day." he says cheerfully. "Sayonara." I say back, heading out the door. ::What a dumbass:: I stroll down the sidewalk, humming to myself. Something's happening across the street. I turn my head to observe the commotion, and I take a sip of my latte. ::Tasty:: I take a bigger gulp...
CRASH!
Someone crashes into me, and I land on the concrete, choking on my latte. ::Damn it, someone's going to get their ass kicked:: I cough violently, trying to breathe. "Miss, are you okay?" a concerned sounding voice asks. ::No, I'm not, you ass:: I want to say something, but I can barely breathe. "Raise your arms above your head." a second voice says. I do so, and suddenly I can breathe better. I gasp a couple times, and rub my throat. "S-sorry I was in your way." I mumble, playing the shy girl again. "Oh, no, it was our fault. We didn't see you." I turn to look at the two furries. One of them, a blue hedgehog, isn't that impressive, save for his rather pretty green eyes. The other one, however... ::Wow:: The red echidna standing somewhat off to the side is solidly built, with violet-colored eyes. ::Oh, my...This guy's good-looking:: "M-my name's Shade." I stutter out, flashing a shy smile. "I'm new around here..." The hedgehog smiles warmly. "Hey, you want us to show you around? I'm Sonic, and this is my pal Knuckles." ::Sonic? That's the one Eggman hates so much:: I flash another shy smile at the two of them. "You're really sweet." I scratch the back of my head, between my spines. "Where should we go?" Sonic grins boyishly, and points down the street. "Let's go see the Golden Gate." Knuckles shrugs. I smile warmly. "That sounds nice." The three of us start walking towards the bridge, Knuckles reluctantly. ::I have a plan...:: I smile to myself.
We arrive at the bridge a few minutes later, and the sun is just starting to set. "Hey, I'm gonna call my uncle and tell him where I am, OK?" I ask, hands behind my back. "Sure thing." Sonic says, smiling. I smile back, and walk several yards away for the two, till I think I'm out of earshot. Best to be safe though. I turn on the cell and select the only number in the phone book. "Shade, what is it?" Eggman's voice comes on the line. "Uncle Greg, guess what? I'm with Sonic the Hedgehog at the Golden Gate Bridge!" I say excitedly, grinning inwardly at the expression Eggman's probably wearing. "Oh, really? What about what you were going to do?" He asks cautiously. I pause for a moment. "I don't want to go party with my brother; he makes too much noise. Could you give him a call and tell him to go on ahead without me? I'll catch up with him later. Actually, tell him to give me a ring before he goes out." I can hear Eggman laugh suddenly. "OK, I see. Surfing in his wake, are we?" he asks. I chuckle; this the lamest conversation I've ever had. "Yeah, whatever you say. I'll be home by 10 o'clock, all right?Seeya laterUncle Greg. Bye." I laugh a bit as I hang up.
The three of us go out to the middle of the bridge and lean on the railing, looking at the glorious sunset. It's the first time I've bothered to watch the sunset on Earth, and the colors take my breath away. "The sunset sure is pretty." I murmur. "Yes. It is beautiful." whispers Knuckles. I turn to look at the echidna. "You don't talk much." I say simply. "Well, I'm not used to having people to talk to." he replies, shrugging. I sigh happily, and stare out across the water. We stand like this for a long time, as the sun slowly sinks beneath the western horizon. At this moment, thoughts of revenge leave me. The wind, the water, the colors of the setting sun, they calm me. I feel very relaxed. My phone rings, and I'm shoved back into reality. "Be right back guys." I tell Sonic and Knuckles, as I walk away from them. I flip open the phone. "Bro." I say simply. "Yeah. The egg told me to call you 'before I partied'." he says dryly, and I laugh. "So, why did you want me to call?" he asks. I take a breath. "Well, you know that two-fold prank we're gonna pull tonight? I was thinking you should start ahead of me. That way, I won't be caught, and we'll get the last laugh." Silence for a moment. "That makes sense. Okay. Talk to you later." I smile. "Ai shiteru, aniku." I say. "Ai shiteru, imoto-chan." he replies. I hear him hang up, and I put the phone in my purse. I untie my jacket from around my waist, and put it on.
"Hey, Knuckles, Sonic?" I wander over to the two of them. "Yeah Shade?" Sonic replies, looking up at the first stars of the evening. "I'm gonna go home. Thanks for hanging out with me." I smile slightly. "Maybe we'll run into each other again sometime." Knuckles looks over at me and smiles. "I would like that." I wave to them and turn to go back the way we had came. As soon as I'm out of sight, I start running at top speed. ::They are my enemies...But, they are so kind::
I make it to where the Chaos Emerald is stored at about five minutes flat. I hide in the shadows, my fur blending in with the darkness around me. I watch the guards carefully, trying to find the best way to get in. Suddenly there is a large commotion among the guards. I'm too far away to catch what's being said, but they sound nervous. Then, a large group of them run off. ::Looks like Shadow got his Emerald:: I notice that all the guards are facing away from me. I take the opportunity; darting from my hiding place, I race to the side of the building. Lucky day. There is a vent at ground level. I'll have to take the cover off, but that should be easy. Glancing from side to side, I take firm hold of the grate and tug at it. It comes loose in my hands. I crawl backwards into the vent, taking the cover with me. I gently pull it back into place. I smile to myself; this is too easy.
I finally get to the room with the Chaos Emerald. I gaze at the gem, memories of the ARK rushing through my head. Papa had always been fascinated by Chaos power. Shaking my head, and my memories away, I brace myself. Taking a deep breath, I lunge at the Chaos Emerald. Snatching it up in one hand, I leap into a different vent in the ceiling. Loud sirens bombard my ears. I race through the small vent, going as fast as I can without tripping. ::I knew that was going to happen... I better go up to the roof:: I jam the Chaos Emerald into my purse, and start climbing up the vertical vent shaft. While not impossible, it's not something I like to do.
I emerge into the cool evening air. I take a deep breath, feeling excited. I consider using Chaos Control right now, but I toss that idea aside. I'm not sure which direction Eggman's base is from here; I'll have to go back to where he dropped us off. Or maybe I just want to run. I jump down from the roof, landing in the shadows without a sound. I stretch my muscles for a moment, then I take off at full speed, the Emerald in hand. I feel like running forever. I feel like kicking someone's ass. I feel like proving that I am the Ultimate Lifeform. The chill night wind rushes past me, howling in my ears. The street lamps are streaks of light as I race by. I gradually slow down, not tired at all. I end up in a dark alleyway. I can see the place where we landed. I hear a rustle behind me. And then...
"Shade, it's late! You should be home by now! What are you doing...out...here..." ::Sonic. He noticed the Emerald:: I turn around and grin cutely, putting my hands behind my back. "Wanna race?" I chirrup, laughing on the inside. "How did you get the Chaos Emerald?" he demands. I chuckle, and toss the Emerald up and down a few times. "Tell you what. You catch me, I'll give it back." Sonic glowers at me. "Hand it over. NOW." I laugh again, a bit darker this time. "I'm afraid not, Sonic. This Emerald belongs to Eggman now!" I take off running again, laughing evilly. ::I am having way too much fun:: I hear him following me, but he can't quite keep up. I make it to the clearing, and turn around. Sonic races up a few seconds behind me. He stops, cautious. "Who are you?" I smile darkly at him, flashing my fangs. "I am the Ultimate Lifeform, Project Shade. And I will have revenge for what happened aboard the ARK." I state, holding the Emerald tightly. It begins to pulse with energy. "You are one of Professor Gerald Robotnik's creations?" the blue wonder asks. "I am. And now I serve my creator's grandson, Eggman Robotnik. Farewell, Sonic the Hedgehog. We will meet again!" I take a couple steps back. "CHAOS CONTROL!" Green energy surrounds me, and the last thing I see before I vanish is Sonic's look of disbelief.
Wow, that was a lot of stuff, huh? My muse obviously had way too much caffeine, because I was up till 1:30am typing this. On a school night no less.
I dunno, but I think Shadow's going to kill me...
So, what do you think? Are you throwing roses or ninja stars? Praise or rotten fruit? Review and tell me!
-Sora the Bladedancer