CHAPTER 3

THE ANGER WITHIN

The next day came and Shadow decided to stay at home with Rouge with two reasons. One he was suspended and two he hated Espio.

Rouge was resting in the bed while Shadow sat on the bed comforting her.

Shadow gently laid his hand on her stomach, "For you it's just pure luck. That punch Espio gave you yesterday was a close call."

"I'm glad that our baby is safe, but enough about me what about you? Espio, said you were coughing up blood."

"Yeah, what about it?"

"You should've said something when we were at the hospital yesterday. Why didn't you?"

Shadow shrugged, "I didn't want you to get concerned."

"Shadow, you could've died yesterday. You should've said something."

"I didn't want to okay?" Shadow's voice had became loud startling Rouge.

"All right, you don't have to yell. If you ask me your temper's been way out of control lately."

"My temper? What do you mean by that, Rouge?" He was getting upset over Rouge's judgement.

"Don't take it the wrong way or anything it's just..."

"You just think I'm a stubborn hedgehog huh?"

"Shadow, I didn't mean it like that."

Shadow stood from the bed, "I'm going to get some fresh air, to clear my mind that is." He left the room slamming the door on his way out.

Later at the Chaotix everyone was bored as usual.

Vector waiting around for the phone to ring.

Tonya filing her nails.

Charmy flying around the building bored. He flew over to Vector. "I'm bored."

Vector wasn't surprised, "So are we, Charms. It's deja vu all over again ain't it guys?"

Tonya looked away from her nails, "What do you mean?"

"Before Espio, Shadow, and Rouge joined the team it's been just me, Charms, and you."

Tonya then began to think about it, "Yeah it does feel like the same thing."

Charmy nodded, "I wish Shadow and Espio didn't have that fight. This place seems empty without them."

Vector nodded, "I had to suspend them or else they'd start another fight the next day."

Tonya crossed her arms, "You're right for their own good."

Later on the streets of Tech City Shadow was walking on the sidewalk trying to cool down from the argument with Rouge muttering words under his breath, "Rouge, who does she think she is? Telling me how to control myself, but...what if I do have a problem? What if I can't control it?" He then eyed a dark alley that lead to an old small building.

That building was the home of the Street Punks. Their leader was Lance the Fox. A grey fox that was very cruel hearted. Shadow knew him because he had met him when he was six. When Shadow had first laid eyes on him he hated him. That sinister look in his eyes made Shadow angry. Shadow only hated him for one reason and that reason was that Lance was the one who killed his father.

Shadow clinched his fists and smirked, "Perhaps he won't mind if I visit." Shadow walked into the building with pace. He opened the door and saw all the Streets Punks gathered in the small room talking, until they saw Shadow.

Shadow eyes first laid on the grey fox looking back at him.

The grey fox walked towards him looking as though he didn't want to hurt him, "Well, well if it isn't our good friend, Shadow."

Shadow once again smirked, "Nice to see you too, Lance."

"Is there a reason why you stopped by?"

"I just came to chat."

"If you must know we've been very good lately", a brown chipmunk said getting involved in the conversation.

"Really? I don't think you've been doing your best. So let me teach you how", Shadow stood in a stance wanting a fight from their leader.

A red porcupine jumped in front of him, "Lance will not be putting up with your shit today, hedgehog."

"Outta my way, Appex. I want your boss not you", Shadow wouldn't allow any distractions during his fights with Lance.

Appex stood like he wanted to fight him, until Lance pulled him back. "What? You're not actually gonna fight this guy are you?"

Lance smiled at him, "Of course, besides he can't win against me. I taught him everything he knows."

"Yeah when you had me brainwashed", Shadow still could remember the pains the chip gave him in his brain.

"Can't we just get this over with?" Lance came at Shadow with a punch, but Shadow blocked it with his wrists and pushed him back. Lance almost fell to the floor, but found his balance. Before he knew it Shadow came at him with a kick in the face.

Shadow stood way from him panting, "That was for my father."

Lance wiped the blood away from his mouth, then came at Shadow with another powerful punch, "This is for me!" He hit Shadow making him meet the wall.

Shadow kneeled to the floor exhausted.

"You can't beat me and you never will."

Shadow stared at the dirty floor with anger and hit the hard floor with his fist while blood dripped from his nose. He thought back to his father's last words, 'Make them pay, Shadow. Take vengeance.' "I will avenge you, father." He stood from the floor looking into Lance's blue eyes.

"You decided to try again?" Lance was making him madder.

Shadow took out his small knife that transformed into a machete and stabbed Lance through the stomach with it. With force Shadow stabbed the blade deeper and deeper into him.

The rest of the Street Punks gasped as they saw a pool full of blood exit Lance's body.

"...Lance..." A green and black squirrel said with sadness.

Afterwards Shadow quickly removed the blade from Lance's bloody stomach and put it back in his belt.

Lance's body uncontrollably fell to the floor.

Shadow looked at his hands covered in Lance's blood. He stared at the dark red liquid. He took his tongue and licked some of the blood away from his hand. It was weird, but he enjoyed the taste.

The rest of the gang on the other hand was disgusted.

"The sick bastard..." Appex said under his breath unaware of Shadow hearing it.

He looked up to the rest of the group with anger along with blood all on his face. "Lance's death goes for all you fuckers. You hear! So don't come near me or my family again." Shadow turned his back on the group walking out of the door leaving them all questioned.

Later that afternoon Shadow came back to his house with an apology for Rouge. When he went inside he saw Rouge and Espio talking at the table in the kitchen. Shadow was full of hate again, "Rouge, what the fuck is he doing here!"

"Shadow, wait I can explain", Rouge tried to say something before he did, but he spoke before her.

"Get out, Espio!"

Espio tried to explain, "Shadow, I just came to apologize. Look I was worried about the baby so I came by to see how he was doing and I wanted to say I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you."

Shadow wouldn't listen to his apologies, "Shut the fuck up, Es! Just shut up!"

"Shadow, please!"

Rouge saw Shadow walking towards Espio knowing he was going to hit him. She held him back, "Shadow, no. Don't you dare hit him!"

"Why not? He hurt you."

"Honey, I'm fine. I'm not dead nor the baby, calm down please."

Shadow gave up resisting, "Fine."

"Now, accept Espio's apology."

Espio held out his hand, "I'm sorry for hurting you and Rouge. Can you forgive me?"

Shadow sighed and shook his hand, "Yeah, I forgive you."

Rouge smiled their friendship was growing again.

When Espio took his hand away from Shadow's hand he noticed a red stain on his white glove, "Hey, what the fuck is this?" 'Blood?' He thought.

Rouge then felt a strong pain in her stomach, "It's time", she said in pain.

Shadow set her on the floor trying to keep her calm. He eyed Espio noticing that he was just looking at them, "What the fuck are you waiting for? Call the hospital."