Chapter Five

"What do you mean, you don't want to go back!" Shadow exclaimed. "You probably have a girl or something waiting back there for you! Don't deny her that."

"I want to see the world, Shadow. I'm tired of being stuck in my village, constantly bowing to someone. I want to go to the big city."

Shadow sighed and shook his head. "Alright, you can come. But I don't want you getting in my way." With that, he walked on. Tsuko quickly followed.

"You know…I'm actually a pretty good fighter. Just give me a chance, you'll see." Tsuko noted with a touch of pride.

"Heh. I could kick your sorry ass any day of the week." Shadow said with a somewhat wry smile. "Now come on…it's nearly sunrise…and I prefer to avoid being seen in daylight.

The pair traveled relatively silently for a few hours, and just as sunrise began, their destination loomed in front of them. Skyscraper after skyscraper rose from the earth, looming like giants in a group hug. Traffic was light at sunrise, so they decided to follow the highway into the city, staying the forest all the while.

It wasn't long before Tsuko's head was craning up, looking at all the tall buildings. Never before had he been into a human city, let alone the biggest one of all.

Shadow turned down an alleyway and sat down next to an empty dumpster, somewhat tired from his long walk. Tsuko sat down across from him, leaning against the wall.

"We'll hang around here for a while. I've been here hundreds of times, and not once have I been found here."

Tsuko nodded and closed his eyes. He hadn't slept all night. Of course, his stomach had other plans. Moments after he closed his eyes, his stomach began to growl.

"Damn…I'm hungry. How about you, Shadow?" Tsuko inquired as he put his hand on his empty belly.

"I don't need to eat that often. It's hard, but I manage," Shadow lied. In fact, he didn't need to eat at all, but what would Tsuko think if he learned that the one who had saved him was not born of hedgehog.

"Still, there's gotta be some food around here." Tsuko replied. Tsuko looked around and noticed a ladder. "Hmm…maybe we can look for a place from the top of these buildings…"

"No dice. The police fly choppers around the top of the city. We'd be caught…they don't like vagrants one bit…but there is one place I know of. An old friend of mine works there…I'll lead you there. As long as we stay off the main streets, we'll be fine. But she doesn't start until noon. Think you can wait that long?"

Tsuko groaned, but nodded. And so the long wait commenced. The hours to lunchtime seemed endless to the hungry and bored Tsuko. He was not one to wait.

Eventually, noon did roll around and the two hedgehogs were on the move again. Tsuko, in his hungry and tired state, had trouble keeping up with the nimble Shadow. But soon enough, they entered a back alley with a small door into one of the buildings.

Shadow knocked on the door and stepped back. There was no answer for a minute or two, then the door opened. A female bat with a slightly sagging bosom stood there, and her eyes widened with surprise.

"Shadow!" the bat squealed, and hugged Shadow, who hugged her back. "Haven't seen you in quite some time…18 months, is it? And who's this guy? He a friend of yours?"

Shadow motioned Tsuko forward. "Not really. He's from the forest a few miles from the city. Rescued him from an echidna city. His name is Tsuko."

"Hello, ma'am…may I ask your name?" Tsuko replied, bowing politely, as was custom when addressing a lady.

"The name's Rouge…so, how do you like the city so far?"

Tsuko wasted no time in answering. "It's amazing! How do the buildings get so high? Not even the Overlord's castle gets this high!"

"Who's the Overlord?" Rouge asked.

"It's Sonic, Rouge." Shadow answered. "You don't remember?"

"I never heard him being called that before. Overlord Sonic…doesn't roll well off the tongue. Okay boys, c'mon in. My boss is attending his brother's funeral, and I'm running the place until he gets back."

Rouge led the two hedgehogs inside, and down a side hall. Stopping at a door, Rouge pulled out a ring of keys and flipped through them. Soon she found the right key, and she opened the door. The room was completely empty except for a small table and a chair, and a single bare light bulb. Shadow took a seat on the chair.

"Hey! Where am I supposed to sit?" Tsuko whined. Rouge huffed at this statement.

"Sit on the floor, jungle hedgehog. I don't want to move chairs." Rouge then turned to Shadow. "Okay, Shad, what can I get you?"

"I think I'll have a chili dog or two today. Tsuko, tell her what you want."

Tsuko thought for a moment. "You make arboreal pigeon stew?"

Rouge was taken aback by this. "You really are from the jungle. How about I get you a pot of chicken soup…it's great stuff. Oh, and by the way Shadow, my treat today."

"You're a peach, Rouge."

Rouge made her way to the kitchen after delivering Tsuko's and Shadow's meals when she heard the door open. A beefy, mean-looking crocodile walking on two legs tromped in.

"Excuse me, sir, do you have a reserva…Vector!"

"That's Police Chief Vector to you, miss. Table fer one."

"Y-y-yes, sir. Right away. Table or booth?"

"Table."

Rouge quickly led the crocodile to a large table. He sat down, and opened a menu.

"Everything's good today, Vector, sir. What seems good to you?"

Meanwhile, Shadow began listening in as he ate his chili dogs. When he learned who had just entered, he growled a little.

"Is something wrong, Shadow?" Tsuko asked after swallowing a bit of one of his game hens.

"Damn that Vector. I can never shake him when I'm here." Shadow mumbled.

Tsuko was now very curious. "Who's Vector? What's your problem with him? Does he have a score with you or something?"

Shadow said nothing. Tsuko suddenly began to smile wryly. It was all to apparent to him that Shadow was hiding something bad from him. "Okay, Shadow…what are the charges?"

"Just for being the ultimate weapon, and that everyone wants to use me."

"Wha? What do you mean ultimate weapon?"

Shadow knew that he had to tell Tsuko the truth...it would have happened eventually. Helooked somewhat away fromTsuko."I was created many years ago by a genius scientist named Dr. Gerald Robotnik…he made me to be the ultimate lifeform. I don't need to sleep, eat or even drink water. I don't age much, and I can't get sick. Basically, I'm pretty much immortal. I can speed up to hundreds of times the speed of sound, and I can even slow down time for myself. Now every single military organization wants me…but I don't want to do that. I wanted to live a peaceful life…but I can't."

Tsuko didn't seemed too phased. "Wow. So much power and you don't want to use it. That takes a lot of willpower."

Shadow thought about it for a minute. Tsuko did have a point. He was perhaps the third most powerful being of all (save Sonic and Knuckles). He could rule entire nations…but he chose a different path in life. He took his last bite of chili dog and closed his eyes. Just then, Rouge burst in, with a very scared look on her face.

"Guys…you need to bolt. Vector's coming this way! If he finds you…just get out of here!"

Tsuko rose and chuckled. "This Vector guy doesn't sound so scary! I'll take him on!" Before he could be stopped, he was on his way into the main hall. He ran into Vector just as the crocodile was starting to turn down the hall.

"Huh? Who the hell are you?" the crocodile asked in a very angry tone.

"I'm the one who's going to teach you a lesson, you bully." With that, he lunged at Vector with his fist. The strike connected, sending the crocodile reeling back.

"Heh…nice arm, for a runt," Vector chuckled. Vector picked up a chair and flung it at Tsuko. Tsuko didn't have room to dodge, and took the hit. Vectortook advantage ofthe opening and dashed toward the fallen hedgehog. With a fearsome punch, he sent Tsuko back into the wall, which broke from the force.

Shadow wasn't about to let Tsuko get beat up. As Vector passed the room with Shadow inside, he leapt out and nailed Vector in the head. As Vector lay somewhat dizzy on the floor, Shadow grabbed the slightly bleeding Tsuko and ran out the back door.

Vector quickly came to. He grabbed a radio out of his pocket, flipped a switch and yelled into it. "Come in, all units! This is Police Chief Vector! Project Shadow, accompanied by an unknown hedgehog, has been spotted at the corner of 19th and Ivo Streets. Use all necessary force to subdue both these individuals! I repeat, use all necessary force to subdue, but not to kill them!"

"Great! This is just great! You had to go and challenge him!" Shadow yelled angrily at Tsuko as both dashed as fast as their feet could take them.

"Sorry…I just can't let a lady be bullied around like that…" Tsuko replied. As they dashed, he looked for an alleyway to dodge into. When one presented itself, Tsuko leapt into it. Shadow noticed Tsuko's sudden change of direction, and, desperate for safety, decided to follow suit. They hid in the darkness of the alley as the police cars whizzed by.

"We lost them…nice move, Tsuko." Shadow said to him as they stopped to catch their breath. "You aren't as stupid as I thought."

"Um…thanks," Tsuko replied, not sure of whether to take it as a compliment or an insult. "Okay, what now?"

Shadow thought for a minute, then suddenly he perked up, and he appeared to be listening for something. He turned a one-eighty and rushed at what seemed to be thin air. He instead ran into something solid. It was a purple chameleon who had apparently been sleeping invisible. Thankfully, the attack just grazed him, but was enough to wake him up.

"Hey! What did you do that f…well…if it isn't Shadow! Am I glad to see a sane face…I think…"

Shadow chuckled a little. "Espio…didn't expect to see you here. Well, sorry about attacking you. This place is a hellhole."

Espio stood up and "You do realize that the entire city is going to be put on lockdown and martial law will be enforced. You're a dangerous weapon, Shadow. By the way, who's this character? Haven't seen him around here."

"His name is Tsuko…" Shadow answered. "I'll explain the rest later…got some place safe?"