Chapter Three

The big city was a big place, especially to Espio. Having lived in a ninjitsu dojo until he met Vector and the other Chaotix, his life was pretty quiet. Now he lived in the mean streets of the city, hiding…from his best friend.

After everyone separated, Vector somehow became the city's chief of police, though he himself was a criminal for a while. Charmy…well, he didn't make it…he died defending the poor rabbit Cream from the crocodile and his gang…what's more, he had just turned fourteen a month before that. Espio could never forgive Vector for that, and thus, they separated.

The day was like any other day for the chameleon ninja. He sat in the rafters of a largish martial arts dojo for most of the day, watching the class train. The resident master, known to Espio as Master Sahka, knew of his presence, and decided not to tell the police. In fact, they had become quite friendly, often sitting down for tea together, talking of philosophy and current events.

That day, there were few classes, so he and the master were able to spend lots of time socializing.

Sahka brought up the subject of current events. "Have you heard, Espio? Mayor Robotnik vetoed the new integration laws again. As long he remains mayor, no good laws can be passed in this city."

Espio clenched his fist. "He's just as bad as his uncle Ivo. How I wish I could simply march into his office and give the whatfor. But alas, I cannot. Oh, DAMNIT!" Espio slammed his fist into the table, making a dent.

"Please, Espio, control yourself," Sahka quickly said as he rose to comfort the angered chameleon. "That was a good table."

Espio turned back to him with a fire in his eyes that rarely appeared, and poked Sahka in the chest. "You talk of tables being broken while so many in this city are lucky to even have a family, let alone a decent table! And you call yourself a wise person! Feh!" Espio realized that he had let his anger get out of control and quickly calmed himself.

"I am sorry, Master Sahka…I let my emotions get out of control…excuse me, but I need some air." Espio hastily left the room. His outbreak of anger was not tolerated by his master back at the great dojo in the mountain. He popped out the back door of the building and scaled the walls. He looked out on the city and sighed.

"I wish there was something I could do to help…"

"There it is…the Prime Echidna City…still gives me chills just looking at it." Shadow whispered to himself as he sat in a tree, looking at the site. The huts were fairly simple, made of stones and plant material. It was all like that, except for the biggest building…out of the earth poked a massive crystal castle…faceted more cleanly than the best gems, and shone a rainbow of colors. It was so mystical…only someone was powerful as Knuckles could live there. But Shadow had no plans of going there; he was on his prisoner run…freeing a captured individual from an opposing city. It was the least he could do to ease the suffering of the loved ones who were imprisoned.

"This house seems like a good place to start…" Shadow said as he picked a hut. Little did anyone within realize that it would be a meeting that would ultimately change the world.

Shadow quietly crept around, looking for the said prisoner. He was surprised that he had not been found out yet, and was relieved as such. Poking his head into one room, his acute vision noticed two echidnas sleeping the same bed…Cadmus and Talyah were asleep, completely unaware of being watched. Talyah had fallen asleep nuzzled up against Cadmus, and he had his arm on her head. Shadow couldn't help but find this cute. He tiptoed out of the room and into the next room. There he found his objective. Shadow lit the candle and looked inside. There, sleeping fitfully, was Tsuko, apparently having a nightmare.

"Hey you…wake up." Shadow whispered as he shook the sleeping hedgehog. Tsuko bolted straight up with a cold sweat, and quickly looked around.

"Huh? Who…are you?" Tsuko asked as he calmed himself.

Shadow took a few steps back. "My name is Shadow, and I'm here to rescue you. How long have you been here?"

Tsuko stood up. "This is my second day here. But thanks…I guess I'd like to go home. I'm getting nightmares here."

"Keep it down, will you? Those two echidnas will hear you!"

Apparently Shadow couldn't take his own advice. Cadmus was up and about, staring straight at them and tapping his foot.

"Okay buddy, that hedgehog stays here. Just get out of here, or so help me, I'll pound you into a pulp."

Shadow snickered, raised his hand and uttered "Chaos Hold." Instantly, Cadmus went stiff, but remained standing.

"Woah…" Tsuko muttered as he saw this incredible feat. He felt himself being tugged by Shadow.

"C'mon! We need to get out of here!" Shadow said as he pulled the astonished Tsuko out of the second-story window. Soon they were out of sight of the village.

Cadmus came out of the spell soon enough, and was in a rage when he did. Talyah had since entered the room, and was shaking her head in disbelief.

"Tsuko's gone…who took him?" she asked.

"It was some damn hedgehog named Shadow. I don't who he is, but he's made me mad! I'm going after him."

"Caddy…please be careful…"

"Don't worry, love. I'll be back soon…"

"Damn…I really wish we didn't have to be in this jungle…" Cadmus muttered to himself as he pushed away yet another bunch of low foliage. He had been searching for hours for Shadow and Tsuko…but with no luck. It was the middle of the night…no one in their right mind would be out at this hour. Still, he kept looking. He wasn't about to let Talyah's favorite helper slip out of his grasp.

As Cadmus rounded another tree, all of a sudden he felt his quills stand up on end, and a massive pressure coming down on him. He tried to scream, but couldn't. The pain was far too excruciating for him to do much. He rolled on the ground, trying to make the pain go away. Still, nothing worked. Eventually, he just gave in, and went out like a light.