CHAPTER 4
The sun rose peacefully over Station Square the next morning. Early risers were either eating breakfast, going to work, or just taking a walk. Barely anyone knew about the trouble from the night before. Not that they would care or know what it was anyway.
That particular morning a girl about fourteen got up earlier then usual. One reason was she's heard so much noise the previous night she couldn't sleep. She'd waited till morning before she went out because she didn't have to worry about running into trouble in broad daylight.
She was just rounding another corner when she stopped and stared. She saw a wrecked car, down electric wires, and in the middle of all the chaos Sonic and Knuckles sprawled on the pavement as if they'd been thrown there by something.
The girl ran up to them. "Hey, wake up" she said shaking them.
Sonic woke first. He stared at the girl a moment then looked around. "Where am I? What happened? Where is that guy"
The girl blinked. "What guy" she asked.
"You didn't see him" the blue hedgehog asked looking at her.
She shook her head. "I don't even know what you're talking about."
"I did" Knuckles said.
Sonic looked over at the echinda, who was just getting up. "Where? When"
"Last night before I passed out" Knuckles replied. "He jumped over a building. He's long gone by now."
"Shoot" Sonic said.
"Uh" the girl interrupted. "May I ask what you're talking about"
"I can't tell you" Sonic told her. "It's best that you don't know."
The girl was about to ask why but that instant they all heard an explosion.
"What was that" Knuckles asked.
"What we're after" Sonic said looking at the echidna. "Let's go"
They ran off, leaving the girl staring after them totally confused.
A few blocks away Shadow, the ultimate lifeform, was napping on someone's window still when he too heard the sound of an explosion.
"Hmm" he mumbled opening his eyes.
He heard it again. This time it was closer. What's that? he thought sitting up.
A scream. Gunfire. More explosions.
"I'd better check that out."
He was instantly on his feet.
The black hedgehog jumped off the window sill and ran down the street.
Some people ran past him. He looked in the direction they came from.
He saw a huge hole blown out of the front of the bank. Smoke was rising from the hole and he could see fire coming out of the front windows.
"What happened" he asked running forward.
A metallic hand came down at him. "Argh" he exclaimed seeing it coming.
He jumped back just in time.
Sharp silvery claws dug into the pavement where he'd been standing just seconds before.
Shadow looked up at the owner of the claws.
He couldn't believe it!
The thing was none other then Metal Sonic!
"You" Shadow gasped. "I...I..."
Metal Sonic stepped toward Shadow. Data identification reading: Recognized as Shadow the ultimate lifeform. A computer voice said.
"Shadow" the robot hedgehog mused over the name. "Ultimate life form. Ultimate power."
Metal Sonic lunged at the black hedgehog.
Shadow instinctly jumped out of the robot's way.
Metal Sonic turned and lashed out at him with his clawed fingers.
Shadow jumped into the air and landed a kick on the robots face. The robot fell backwards. He grabbed a street light to regain his balance. His claws dug into the metal surface and cut into the wires.
The light exploded in a furry of electric sparks.
The robot threw the broken pole at Shadow.
Shadow dodged it and landed a punch in Metal Sonic's face. The robot's view screen went blank and he stumbled backward, grappling at air blindly.
Shadow dashed at the robot, his hands glowing a bright green. "Play time is over" the black hedgehog shouted. "TAKE THIS"
Shadow released a blizzard of Chaos Spears at Metal Sonic. The tiny spears punctured the robot's metal armor and sparks shot out of its front.
"Ahhhhh" the robot screamed grabbing its sides.
It fell over.
Shadow moved away expecting an explosion.
Nothing happened.
"What" Shadow said in confusion.
He stepped toward it then had to jump back as Metal Sonic suddenly sprang to his feet.
"I will not go down that easily, Ultimate Life form" the robot said electricity sparkling around him like mad fire works.
Shadow backed away. This thing was crazy!
He noticed it held something in its right hand. When he realized what it was his breath caught in his throat. It was the white Chaso Emerald!
"Drop that" Shadow commanded.
Metal Sonic glanced at the Emerald. "You mean this" he asked holding it up. "I'll gladly drop it"-he dug his claws into it"after I use it to drop you"
Electric sparks flew everywhere as the Emerald's power began to fuse with Metal Sonic.
Shadow backed even further away. He couldn't believe it! How could Metal Sonic use Emeralds like that!
Metal Sonic laughed an insane laugh as the Chaos Energy gave him power. Suddenly he shot the electric strings at the black hedgehog.
Sahdow dodged then tried to go at Metal Sonic. I have to stop this maniac!
Metal Sonic grabbed the black hedgehog's wrist and pulled him in. Shadow looked him right in the eye. He saw insanity and a lust for power.
"I'll take your power too" the robot shouted thrusting its claws in Shadow's chest.
Shadow screamed in pain and kicked Metal Sonic away. The robot fell back. The black hedgehog grabbed his chest and felt blood coming from it.
He glanced up at Metal Sonic.
The robot came at him.
Shadow stumbled backward, panting. His vision already was beginning to grow dark. He couldn't breath. He couldn't see.
Metal Sonic came at him again.
Shadow felt his body being pelted the he was in the air floating, floating... He fought to stay concious as his body hit the ground.
I can't let him win! he thought in desperation. I can't let him win!
Still holding his chest he staggered into a standing position but couldn't hold it.Shadow felt his body pitch forward. It felt like an eternity before he hit the ground. When he did he blacked out.
Metal Sonic stood over Shadow's body feeling a sense of triumph. He'd actually beaten the ultimate life form! Now his power is mind.
The robot leaned over to finish the black hedgehog off.
The next instant he was lying flat on his back.
The robot sat up looking around, trying to spot his attacker.Oh it was just him. The robot's eyes fell on the blue hedgehog he'd had a little fun with last night.
"You" the robot exclaimed.
"So it was you" the blue hedgehog said. "I see you're the one causing all the trouble. Eggman was right after all."
Metal Sonic stood up. "I don't know who you are or what you're talking about, blue hedgehog" he said. "But this isn't the end. I will get the ultimate power. Sooner or later Shadow's power will be mine as well"
"Yeah, whatever" Sonic said.
"Farewell, you spiky headed rat" the robot shouted dashing off.
"I always knew Metal Sonic was a coward" the hedgehog said.
"Sonic" Knuckles said.
Sonic looked back at the echidna. He was leaning over Shadow. "Is he all right" the blue hedgehog asked, walking over to them.
"He's still breathing, but Metal Sonic got him pretty bad" Knuckles explained.
"I think we'd better take him to Amy's" Sonic suggested. "She'll know what to do."
Knuckles agreed. "Good idea."
"Let's go" Sonic said beginning to walk away.
Knuckles picked Shadow up and threw him over his shoulder. Then he followed Sonic to the house of Amy Rose.