Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Sonic characters, none, zip, nada. If I do, I certainly didn't know about it and am wondering were all my money is and why the hell I'm not living in a bigger house. Anyway, now that we have established that I don't own anything, except for any OC I decide to put into the story, lets move on.
Notes: This is actually my first posted fic, I hope everyone who reads it is able to enjoy it as much as I did writing it. Plz feel free to put forth any suggestions and I will see if they are able to fit into what I have planned for the story.
It was the early hours of the morning, and Shadow lay awake pondering over events just passed. He had joined with Rouge and Omega, aided in the destruction of Eggmans air fleet, and played a part in the defeat of Metal Sonic. But what he had failed to learn was why he was in the capsule, and whether or no he was original or just a copy. A fake. The word stung him as nothing ever could. The though of him being a mere image caused anger to swell up inside him. He had managed to learn who he was, or at least who he was supposed to be, from Rouge. She had told him how he was created and why, even showing official government records to back up her statements. She had also told him what she knew of the insident back on ARK, and although all this information seemed familiar and he recognized several parts of it, the question still lingered: was he the original? The noise of other life broke him from his deep thoughts. Rouge had awakened. She was probably in the bathroom readying herself as usual. After their last encounter with Eggman, Rouge had surprised him with her offer to let him stay at her place, and since he had no where else to go, he accepted. In the time they had been spending together the pair had gotten a lot closer, Shadow even began to feel something for her he hadn't felt in a long time. But it was something he felt he couldn't admit, not yet anyway.
"Hmm, look who's awake." Rouges voice rang, "What brings you out of the coffin so early?"
Shadow had been sleeping in a lot lately, so he wasn't surprised at the question. He sighed before making his reply, "I don't know…"
Rouge frowned at the cryptic answer and went into the kitchen. "Really…"
She sounded kind of disappointed. Rouge had been trying to get him to open up more, but it was kind of hard for him.
"You know, I got a call from Sonic,"
Shadow growled at the mention of his blue counter-parts name. He didn't know why, but he didn't really like Sonic all that much. Maybe it was his Arrogance or his attitude, but he didn't really care at the moment. Rouge had obviously heard him because of her change in tone,
"You know, all he wants to do is talk. He says Tails found out some things about why you where in the capsule, and you haven't really bothered to question them much."
This was true, Shadow hadn't bothered on questioning Sonic, it wasn't something that was on his mind. Shadow remained silent on the matter until Rouge walked in and sat in front of him.
"Look, I know you don't like Sonic all that much, he's not my favorite person either, but isn't it worth the information at least?" Rouge's expression and tone made it hard for him to deny her.
"Fine…but if he pisses me off…"
Rouge nodded and stood up, "Well, that's fine I guess, let me finish up some things and then we can leave."
Shadow skidded to a halt in front of Tails workshop, a cloud of dust rushing past him from the sudden stop. As the cloud settled he set Rouge down. They had been walking to the train station, but since Shadow had wanted to get the whole ordeal done and over with as soon as possible, he had scooped up Rouge and ran to their destination. Rouge had obviously been very surprised at his suddenness, and he couldn't help but chuckle as she turned around and tried to hit him.
"You jerk! You scared the hell out of me! Couldn't you have at least warned me?" Shadow ducked the first one and caught the second hit, turning her around and pulling her back against his chest, and effectively restraining her from trying to hit him again, but made sure not to hurt her.
"Ok, ok, I'm sorry. Ill warn you next time." Shadow chuckled, "As long as you stop assaulting me, I want to get this over with as soon as possible."
Rouge was speechless for a moment; it wasn't often that Shadow had made physical contact unless he was fighting. Usually he just dodged. And his voice…it actually sounded like he had some fun with that, it was usually so monotone. She couldn't help but blush at the unexpected turn of events.
"Fine." She stammered, trying not to give away how she felt.
She might have said more, but it was then that Sonic and Tails decided to make themselves known.
"Aww, how cute! Didn't know you had it in you Shadow!" Sonic laughed as Tails merely grinned at the scene.
Rouge instinctively pulled away from Shadow as he let her go, blushing, as she knew what it probably looked like. Shadow on the other hand looked like he wanted to kill Sonic then and there. Rouge decided to say something before it become more than just a look.
"Yeah, yeah. Look blue boy, just cause you can't have me doesn't mean you need to poke fun." Shadow lifted an eyebrow at this and Sonic merely chuckled.
"Well?" Rouge inquired, "You invited us here and aren't going to let us in?"
Sonic motioned for them to come inside and led them to Tails' computer. Once everyone was seated Tails began to tell what he had found.
"According to what I found in Eggmans database, he found Shadow in a weakened state in an unnamed location after he fell through the atmosphere. The capsule he had Shadow in was meant to not only keep him in stasis, but accelerate his recovery, allow Eggman to manipulate Shadow's memories, and let him implant whatever he wished into Shadow's body." Tails brought up some schematic on his computer illustrating the capsule and its functions before continuing.
"Eggmans original plan had been to infuse you with the Chaos' powers and replace your memory with only what he wanted you to remember, but before he could finish Metal found out about it and decided he wanted the power for himself so he could destroy both you and Sonic."
Rouge was slightly alarmed by this, "What do you mean 'before he could finish?'"
Tails brought up some charts on his computer, "See here? The process was started, but wasn't finished. So Shadow does have some of Chaos' powers in him. Just not like what Metal had. It will probably just increase Shadow's Chaos abilities."
Shadow thought of what he had recently gained abilities to do. His Chaos powers had increased dramatically, but they only did so when he was actually near a Chaos Emerald. But the things that he normally needed a Chaos Emerald for, like Chaos Control and Chaos Spear, he was now able to perform on a whim. He had also mastered some new attack techniques since he had moved in with Rouge, one of them he liked especially, he called it Chaos Nightmare. It created a small shockwave of Chaos energy around his hands, throwing whatever was near him back violently. He decided he had gained all he wanted to know from Sonic and Tails and got up to leave.
"Shadow? Where are you going?" Rouges voice inquired.
Shadow turned and looked at her. "Going to take a run, I want to think about some things. Ill see you back at your place."
And with that he was gone.
Shadow ran a long way before taking rest on cliff overlooking a green valley. He sat down on a rock nearby and began to gather his thoughts.
"Well, at least I'm original." He mused.
The thought was satisfying to him; it made him more at ease with himself. But the fact the Eggman had wanted to wipe his memories angered him. Shadow also wanted to confront Eggman and find out more detailed information about this Chaos creature and just how far the extent of the effects of him being infused with it went. Questions only Eggman himself could answer. Shadow looked up and found that it was growing dark around him, he had been out longer than he thought. Shadow decide he had stayed out long enough and started toward the city, taking to the rooftops once he was near enough. He didn't like to show himself to the general public. Even though he had been pardoned for his actions after his release by Eggman due to his aid in stopping ARK from crashing into the Earth and helping stop Eggmans air fleet, the general public still felt uneasy with his presence. The few times he had gone out into public he could feel the people's fear of him. Everyone got out of the way when he walked in a crowd and placed their eye's upon him, something he didn't like in the least.
"Being a living weapon and trying to destroy the planet tends to get you that kind of reputation." Shadow thought as he went from rooftop to rooftop.
When he finally got to Rouge's apartment he found her on the couch watching something on the news.
"Feel better?" She asked.
Shadow joined her on the couch. "Yeah…though I would like to get a hold of Eggman. I want to know just what the extent of what he did is. But I'm not sure where to start looking."
Rouge smiled at this, "You know, being a government spy does have its advantages." Shadow glanced over at Rouge, his interest perked. "I have reports of his activities in a concealed canyon base not far from here. He isn't doing too well of a job in concealing it, seems he was purposely building it so others could find it."
Shadow thought for a moment. "Why didn't you mention this to Sonic and Tails back at their place?"
Rouge gestured towards the TV. "Take a look."
The news was showing pictures of the Federal Reserve Bank, where the one of the Chaos Emeralds had been placed. The 1-ton vault door had been completely removed from its hinges and thrown across the room.
"As you know, the Chaos Emerald was being kept at the bank. And who do we know who can make something capable of ripping a 1-ton door of its hinges and throwing it like it was nothing?" Rouge asked.
Shadow didn't even need to respond, they both already knew. After a moment of silence Shadow looked over to Rouge.
"You didn't tell the others because you want to steal the emerald, don't you?"
Rouge gave him a sly grin, "You certainly know a woman's heart don't you? Think of it this way, you'll get to confront Eggman and we get a Chaos Emerald."
Shadow didn't really need further encouragement. "Very well, we head out tomorrow then?"
Rouge nodded and headed to her room, "Night Shad."
Shadow was left to himself for the moment. He really didn't like being called that, but o well. After a moment of thought he too retired into his room.
Their adventure was about to begin.
End notes: I will try to post the next chapter soon, plz review. =)