Sonic Heroes 4
Last chapter here, folks! Please review!
Espio became visible. Being invisible was taking too much concentration, and he needed all he could. He knew that Shadow was alert, so it was useless anyway.
He could hear the hiss of Shadow's rocket shoes. Espio could run, but he wasn't much match for those. The chameleon hopped over a garbage can and snapped with his heel as he cleared it. The garbage can flew back toward Shadow, and Espio heard a clang and a grunt.
Somehow, though, Shadow put on a burst of speed. Espio veered around a corner, dropped Baton, and turned invisible.
Shadow rounded the corner as well. "Baton! Baton, talk to me! You're alive, Baton, you're gonna live, I just-"
Espio flicked visible and kicked Shadow away from Baton. Shadow landed on his feet and glared at Espio with such hatred that the chameleon's horn quivered.
"You killed her," he growled.
Espio managed a smirk. "I would tell you it's just business, but you're too smart for that. Ever since I fought you in Machine City… I knew you were an opponent worthy of me. But now…" He spat. "You're just a whipped little hedgehog, too softened by love to make a move."
Shadow's brow lowered menacingly, and Espio opened his mouth to add some more. Then Shadow moved faster than Espio could see. He was standing fifty feet away, and then suddenly with one movement he was right in Espio's face. The chameleon caught an uppercut on his chin, and he was launched toward a brick wall.
Espio caught a clothesline and vaulted over it. He began tossing sodden rags of clothing at Shadow. The hedgehog smirked, dodging them all with minimal effort. Espio pushed his back against the elastic clothesline and then pulled his feet off the ground. He bounced into Shadow, kicking twice. The hedgehog flew aside.
Shadow's eyes burned with rage. Espio almost stepped back. Shadow kicked off his rocket shoes. Their fiery ends charred the air around Espio as he dodged. Shadow began a run toward Espio, and Espio was afraid.
Shadow was slower, much slower. But he was enraged. As his feet bounced off the pavement, it cracked and rose in a small wave in front of him. He plowed through shattering cement, intent on Espio's destruction.
Espio dodged a kick and prepared one of his own. But Shadow blocked the kick and grabbed Espio by the throat. Then, Shadow jumped into the air, still holding Espio. He slammed the chameleon into a high fire escape and clung on with his free hand. Espio, stars blinking before him, saw the ground waving twenty feet below.
Just then, Shadow yelped in pain and released Espio. The chameleon plummeted, but sturdy hands caught him. He looked into the grim face of Vector, while Charmy stung Shadow above.
"I don't want you here!" The chameleon wrestled his way out of Vector's grasp. "You're going to get hurt."
"What happened to Team Chaotix?" was Vector's snide reply. "We're in this together." He released Espio as Shadow dropped to the ground.
"So, you're so afraid of me you need three men," smirked Shadow. "No challenge."
Vector scoffed, and Charmy tittered sarcastically. Espio chuckled dryly, but Shadow was already in motion.
The hedgehog performed a split in midair. His feet knocked over Espio and Charmy, and his hands grabbed Vector. As the other members of the Chaotix got up, he swung Vector in a circle, knocking them over again. He released, and Vector slammed into a fire hydrant. The crack of bone and steel could be heard, and water sprayed unevenly. Vector choked as water filled his lungs.
Espio got up, seeing Vector. He knew his friend was dead.
Part of him blamed himself. He'd taken this on, and brought them here. But no. This was Shadow's doing. Now that Shadow had hit closer to home… that hedgehog would pay.
Shadow jumped into the spray of the fire hydrant. He was launched into the air and landed on Charmy. Biting, kicking, stinging and scratching, the pair flew madly as Charmy hovered around. Espio, unable to help, watched angrily.
Charmy let out a heart-wrenching, bloodcurdling scream. Espio saw in horror that Shadow had ripped off the bee's stinger. Blood spattered on the ground, but disappeared. The bee's regenerative abilities had saved him.
But Shadow still held a stinger in his hand. The pair dropped to earth and began a sting duel, Shadow with the old sting and Charmy with the new. Espio dashed in to help, but Shadow landed a fearsome slash. Charmy was down, and it looked like not even his regeneration could save him.
Shadow caught the chameleon's eye and shrugged. "You kill two of mine, I kill two of yours."
"I killed one," snarled Espio. "And that was a job."
"Omega's dead too," replied Shadow. "And if you hadn't called the police," he began running toward Espio, "that- wouldn't- have- happened!" He punctuated the final word with a gut-smashing kick. Espio coughed blood and sailed away.
With his dying sight, he saw Shadow, looming over him. Then he blacked out.
The horror of what Shadow had done hit him. He staggered, suddenly seeing blood everywhere. The blood of the Chaotix… Baton's blood… Eggman's blood… the blood of all the robots raged around him, threatening to drown him.
He collapsed on the cement.
A young rabbit walked into view, eyes tearful. She held a newspaper clipping. The headline read: AMY ROSE DEAD. She sniffled along with her two Chao and nearly tripped over Shadow.
"What's this?" she said in a tender voice. Shadow would have answered, but he felt too weak. "You look hurt… you're Shadow! I recognize you!" She saw the bodies of the Chaotix, but her eyes were firm and she looked away. "There's been enough death," she said boldly. "I'm not letting you die. Not on my watch." She giggled at her cliché and stooped to lift Shadow. He weighed a lot more than her, but her will was great enough for her to take the burden. "Come on, Mr. Shadow. You won't die."
Shadow smiled weakly as he was carried away. After all the carnage… there was this little girl. Cheese… no, that was the Chao… Cream! That was it. He didn't have to kill… not when he had her. He wondered if Baton had felt this way when he took her in…
And he fainted, dreaming of peace and calm as he was carried away.
Fin! The end! Nothing to see here, folks. Just review.
