Well, here is another chapter. A big thanks to all my reviewers! And I know, no-one in the story's time and place wouldhave a katana, but Shadow does in his new game, and that is a dream come true for me, so I had to use it in here.

Anyway, the cast is the same as before plus...

Metal-Sonic: Count Rugan.

Enjoy!

(If you honeslty think I own any of this, you're more delusional than I am!)

The sword fight began, and it became obvious from the start that both men—er—animals were masters in the art.

The two never seemed able to hit each-other, but the skill and speed with which their swords moved was dazzling.

Knuckles parried, dodged, and attacked with great skill, but the masked Hedgehog was more than a match.

The two fighters soon made their way to the top of a castle ruin.

Not quite seeming to realize he was in a duel to the death, Knuckles began a conversation. "Ah, you're using Bonneti's defense against me."

"I thought it fitting," The Hedgehog replied, equally as casual. "Considering the rocky terrain."

"Naturally, you must expect me to counter with Capo Ferro." Knuckles thrusted and the Hedgehog dodged.

"Naturally." The Hedgehog parried another attack. "But I find Thibault cancels out Capo Ferro, don't you?" The Hedgehog then jumped back down to the ground.

"Unless the enemy has studied his Agrippa…" Knuckles somersaulted over the Hedgehogs head and landed right in front of him. "…Which I have."

"Don't worry guys," Sonic interrupted. "I have no clue what they're saying either."

"Just get on with the sword fight!" Charmy shouted.

"Okay, okay, sheesh! Anyway…

The two continued fighting.

Knuckles fought with enough skill to take down any swordsman… that is, except the Hedgehog.

Knuckles found the tide of the battle turning as he was being forced towards a crumbled wall at the edge of the cliff.

"You are a wonderful swordsman!" Said Knuckles, not even breaking a sweat.

"Thank you." The Hedgehog replied. "I've worked hard to become so."

Knuckles finally found his back against the wall. The Katana pushed against the Emerald Sword, and Knuckles knew if he couldn't do something he'd be pushed over the wall and off the cliff. "I admit it," He said, smiling more then he had in his life. "You're better than me."

"Then why are you smiling?" The Hedgehog asked.

"Because I know something you don't."

"What's that?"

"I'm not left-handed!" Knuckles pushed his opponent away long enough to take his sword in his right hand and the tide of battle instantly changed again.

If Knuckles' skill with a sword was good before, it's perfect now. The Emerald Sword is all but invisible because Knuckles moves are too swift for the human eye to see. Or animal eye for that matter!

"You're amazing!" The Hedgehog admitted.

"I aught to be after ten years!" Knuckles replied.

The Hedgehog was now the one pinned down, for Knuckles had pushed him back into an old pillar. "There's something I should tell you…" He said.

"Then tell me."

The Hedgehog smiled now. "I'm not left-handed either."

With an immense burst of strength, the Hedgehog pushed Knuckles away. He then threw the katana into the air and caught it with his right hand.

Once more, the tide of the battle turned, and the two fighters once again found themselves climbing up onto a higher battlefield.

Knuckles tried his best, but it didn't seem like enough against this masked hedgehog.

Suddenly, the Emerald Sword was knocked out of Knuckles hands and onto the ground below.

Knuckles saw an old bar in an archway over the spot where his sword lay. He jumped to it, swung down and retrieved his weapon.

As if he saw a need to outdo Knuckles, the Hedgehog threw his sword down to the ground near his Echidna foe, and jumped to the bar.

But rather than simply swinging off of it, the Hedgehog swung up, around, up again, then jumped off with a back flip, as though he were performing in a circus act.

He landed gracefully on the ground and casually retrieved his katana.

"Who… are you?" Knuckles asked.

"No one of consequence." Was the Hedgehog's simple reply.

"I must know."

"Get used to disappointment."

Knuckles just shrugged. "Okay then." He charged for the Hedgehog, but he simply dodged.

Knuckles, was desperate now, using all the tricks he could think of. But to no avail.

The Hedgehog finally knocked the Emerald sword out of Knuckles' hand and held the katana blade to his throat.

Knuckles closed his eyes and sank to his knees. "I admit defeat." He said. "Kill me quickly."

"I'd sooner destroy a stained-glass window then kill an artist like yourself." The Hedgehog replied. "But since I can't have you following me either…" He hit Knuckles over the head with the katana handle, not killing him but knocking him out cold. "Please understand, I hold you in the highest regard." The Hedgehog said, before speeding away to find Eggman and the princess.

"Inconceivable!" Eggman shouted, when he saw the Hedgehog running towards where they were. "How could he have beaten Knuckles?" He turned to Big. "That's it! I'm taking the princess on ahead. You take care of him. Your way!"

Eggman grabbed Amy by the arm and walked off.

"Oh, my way. Thank you Doctor." Said Big. "But… which way is my way?"

Eggman stopped and turned back to Big. "The Hedgehog in black will walk around that boulder over there any minute. You pick up that rock and wait. And the second his head is in view, HIT IT WITH THE ROCK!"

Eggman stormed away with Amy.

"My way isn't very sportsman-like." Big said with a frown.

But, he picked up the rock and waited, as he was told.

As Eggman said, the Hedgehog came running around the boulder. Suddenly, a rock hit the boulder and smashed into dozens of pieces, missing the Hedgehog's head by only a few inches.

He turned around fast to see Big picking up another large rock.

"I did that on purpose." Said Big. "I didn't have to miss."

"I believe you." The Hedgehog replied. "So, what now?"

"We face each-other like God intended. Sportsman-like. No tricks, no weapons."

"You mean, I'll put down my sword, you'll put down your rock, and we'll try to kill each-other like civilized beings?"

"I could kill you now." Big joked, holding up the rock.

The Hedgehog just shook his head and took off his sword belt.

The two walked up to each-other slowly. "To be honest, I think the odds are slightly in your favor." Said the Hedgehog.

"It's not my fault I'm so big and strong." Big replied, throwing down the rock. "I don't even exercise."

The Hedgehog rushed at the gigantic cat. He slammed right into his chest, but Big didn't even move. The Hedgehog tried twisting his arm, pushing him, and even tried picking him up. But he would have had better luck wrestling the nearby boulder.

"Are you just messing with me or what?" The Hedgehog asked, out of breath.

"I just want you to feel like you're doing a good job." Big replied. "I'd hate for someone to die embarrassed."

Big lunged for his opponent, but the Hedgehog dodged just in time. "You're quick." He said.

"It's a good thing too." The Hedgehog replied.

"But why do you wear a mask? Were you burned by acid or something?" Big charged again.

"No, I just think they're comfortable. I think everyone will wear them in the future." Another dodge. And this time the Hedgehog jumped onto Big's back and wrapped his arms around the giant's throat.

"Now I know why you're so much trouble." Said Big, who was now having a hard time breathing.

Big ran backwards towards a boulder and slammed the Hedgehog into it.

"Why is that?" The Hedgehog asked, despite the pain.

"Well… I haven't fought just one person in a long time. I've been specializing in groups… fighting gangs for local charities… that sort of thing." Big slammed the Hedgehog into the boulder again.

"Why should that-OOMPH!-make such a difference?"

Big was starting to black out now. "Because… you use different moves when fighting 7 or 8 people at once…" Big fell to his hands and knees. "…Then you do… when you're only… fighting… one…" Big finally lost consciousness and fell to the ground with a thud.

The Hedgehog, relived that the fight was over, got up and turned Big onto his back. Not without some difficulty, of course.

The Hedgehog put an ear to Big's chest. His heart was still beating. Good.

"I don't envy you for the headache you're going to have when you wake up." He said, as he stood up and looked down at the mountainous feline. "But till then, rest well… and dream of large female cats."

The Hedgehog picked up his sword and ran off to find Eggman.

Meanwhile, back at the ruins at the top of the cliff, Knuckles is no longer lying unconscious in the dirt.

Instead, Prince Antoine and a group of soldiers are there, searching for Amy.

Antoine carefully placed his feet into each footprint, calculating each and every move Knuckles and the Hedgehog in black made.

Meanwhile, the soldiers watched him from their horses. As did a certain metallic hedgehog.

"There was a mighty duel." Antoine said at last. "It ranged all over. They were both masters."

"How did it end?" Count Metal-Sonic asked.

Antoine continued examining the footprints. "The loser ran off alone… and the winner continued that way, following those other footprints towards Hollow Bastion."

"Shall we track them both?"

"The loser is nothing. Only the princess matters." Antoine turned to the soldiers. "This was clearly planned by warriors of Hollow Bastion. We must all be ready for what lies ahead."

"Do you think it could be a trap?" Metal asked.

"I always think everything could be a trap." Antoine replied, as he got onto his horse. "That's why I'm still alive."

The Antoine rode forward, followed by Metal and the rest of the group.

At this moment, the Hedgehog in black finally caught up to Eggman and Amy.

He found them sitting at a rock, with a cloth draped over it like a table.

There was even food set out, like a little picnic. However, the fact that Amy was tied up, blindfolded, and had a knife held to her throat made the scene far from picturesque.

The Hedgehog stopped in his tracks when he saw this. Eggman just chuckled.

"So," He said smugly. "It is down to you, and it is down to me." The Hedgehog nodded and took a step forward. "If you wish her dead, then by all means come closer." Eggman pressed the knife into Amy's neck, not hard enough to draw blood, but still much too close for comfort.

The Hedgehog stopped momentarily, but continued slowly and carefully. "Let me explain." He said.

"There's nothing to explain. You're trying to kidnap what I rightfully stole."

"Perhaps there can be some kind of arrangement?"

"There can be no arrangement." Eggman pushed the knife just a little bit harder. "And you're killing her."

The Hedgehog stopped, but just smiled at Eggman. "Well if there can be no arrangement, then we're at an impasse."

"Hmm, I'm afraid so. I'm no match for you physically, and you're no match for my intellect."

"You're that smart?"

"Let me put it this way: Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?"

"Yes."

"Morons compared to me."

"Really? In that case, I challenge you to a battle of wits."

"For the Princess?"

The Hedgehog nodded.

"To the death?"

Another nod.

"I accept!" Eggman put away his knife.

"Good, then pour the wine." Eggman poured wine into two cups, as the Hedgehog sat down opposite to him.

The Hedgehog pulled out a small container and handed it to Eggman. "Smell this, but don't touch it." He said.

Eggman sniffed. "I don't smell anything." He said, handing the container back.

"What you don't smell is called iocane powder. It is odorless, tasteless, and is one of the deadlier poisons known to man… or animal."

The Hedgehog took the container and the two cups of wine and turned his back to Eggman, making sure the doctor couldn't see what he was doing.

He turned back around and placed one cup near himself, and the other near Eggman.

He dropped the now empty container, meaning only one thing. "Where is the poison?" The Hedgehog asked. "The battle of wits has begun. It ends when you decide and we both drink. Then we'll see who is right… and who is dead."

"But it's so simple!" Eggman chuckled. "All I have to do is divine from what I know of you. Are you the sort of person to put the poison in your own cup or you enemy's? Now, a clever man would put the poison in his own goblet, knowing only a great fool would take what was given to him, so I clearly can't take the wine in front of you. But you must have known I was not a great fool. You must have counted on it, so I cannot choose the wine in front of me."

"You've decided then?" The Hedgehog asked nervously.

"Not remotely. Because iocane comes from Australia, as everyone knows. And Australia is populated by criminals. And criminals are used to people not trusting them, as you are not trusted by me. So I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you."

"Truly, you have a remarkable intellect."

"Wait till I get going! Now where was I?"

"Australia."

"Yes, Australia! And you must have known I knew the poison's origins so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me!"

"You're just stalling now." The Hedgehog was very nervous now.

"You'd like to think so, wouldn't you!" Eggman shouted, becoming more and more confident. "You beat my giant, so you're very strong, and you probably thought you could rely on your strength to save you, so I can't choose the wine in front of me. But you also defeated my echidna, so you must have studied. And in studying you must have learned man (and hedgehog) is mortal, so you would have put the poison as far away from yourself as possible, so I can not choose the wine in front of me!"

The Hedgehog was scared now. "You're trying to trick me into giving something away… It won't work."

"It has worked! You've given everything away! I know where the poison is!"

"Then choose."

"I will! I choose-- what in the world can that be!" Eggman pointed somewhere in the distance.

"What? Where" The Hedgehog asked, turning to look.

Eggman took the opportunity to switch the glasses of wine.

"I didn't see anything." Said the Hedgehog, turning back towards Eggman.

"Really?" Eggman said innocently. "I could have sworn I saw… Oh, never mind. Must have been my imagination." Eggman chuckled.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, I'll tell you in a minute. But first, let's drink. Me from my glass, and you from yours." The two picked up their glasses and drank the wine.

"You guessed wrong." Said the Hedgehog, putting down his empty glass.

"You only think I did!" Eggman shouted. "That's what's so funny! I switched glasses while your back was turned! MWAHAHAHA! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The best known is "never get involved in a land war in Asia", but only slightly less known is "Never go up against an evil genius when death is on the line! MWAHAHAHA! MWAHAHAHAHA..." Suddenly, Eggman fell down, dead as a doornail.

The Hedgehog just smirked, before jumping up to untie Amy.

He took off her blindfold and started untying her wrists.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"I'm no-one to be trifled with." He replied. "That's all you need to know."

"And to think," She said, looking down at Eggman's body. "The poison was in your wine all this time."

"Both cups were poisoned." The Hedgehog replied, as he finished untying her. "I've spent the last few years developing an immunity to iocane."

He took Amy by the hand and led her away.

Meanwhile, back where the Hedgehog had fought Big, Antoine was once again reenacting the past scene. "Someone has defeated a giant!" He announced. "There will be great suffering in Westopolis if the princess dies!" He mounted his horse again and they rode on.

Later, after they had walked a long way, the Hedgehog finally let Amy rest.

"Catch your breath." He said harshly.

"If you release me…" She said, though short of breath. "Whatever ransom you want, you'll get it… I promise."

"And what is that worth? The promise of a woman. You're very funny Highness."

"I was giving you a chance. No matter where you take me, there's no greater hunter than Prince Antoine."

"So, you think your dearest love will save you?"

"I never said he was my dearest love! And yes, he will save me."

"So you admit you don't love your fiancé?"

"He know I don't love him."

"Humph! Aren't capable of love you mean." The Hedgehog sneered, but Amy glared.

"I have loved more deeply than a killer like you could ever dream!"

The Hedgehog raised a hand, as if to hit Amy, causing her to flinch.

But he just put his hand down again. "That was a warning Highness. Next time my hand flies on its own. Where I come from there are penalties when a woman lies."

"Wait a minute." Cream interrupted. "I don't like the Hedgehog anymore."

"What?" Sonic asked.

"He's mean to Amy."

"Well he doesn't mean it."

"He doesn't?"

"Well, no he… just listen already!"

"Okay. Sorry."

"It's okay. Now where were we…

The Hedgehog grabbed Amy's wrist and pulled her along again.

Back at the place where Eggman lay dead, Antoine was examining the empty container and the cups on the rock. "Iocane." He said at last. "I'd stake my life on it." He looked in the direction Amy and the Hedgehog had gone. "There are the princess's footprints. She's alive… or was an hour ago. If she is otherwise when I find her… I shall be very put out."

Back with Amy and her newest captor, the poor female hedgehog was getting exhausted.

As they neared a steep hill, the Hedgehog let Amy go and she fell to the ground.

"Rest." He said.

"I know who you are now." She said, looking up at him. "Your cruelty has revealed everything. You're the Dread Pirate Chaos, admit it!"

"With pride." The now revealed pirate bowed to Amy. "What can I do for you?"

"You can die a slow and painful death!"

"Well, that's hardly complimentary. Why loose your venom on me?"

"…You killed my love."

The Pirate Hedgehog looked solemnly at her now. "It's possible. I've killed lots of people. Who was this love of yours? Another prince? ugly, rich and scabby?"

"No! He was a farm boy. Poor… poor and perfect. On the high seas your ship attacked, and everyone knows the Dread Pirate Chaos never leaves anyone alive."

"I can't afford to. If a pirate starts going soft no-one listens to him, then it's just work, work, work!"

"You mock my pain."

"Life is pain Highness! Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something." Amy turned away, trying not to cry. The Pirate saw this and his tone softened a bit. "I remember this farm boy of yours. This would have been what? Five years ago?" Amy nodded slowly. "Does it bother you to hear?"

"Nothing you say can upset me."

"Hmm. He died well, that should please you. None of the blubbering, or bribing people usually do. All he said was 'please… please, I need to live.' It was the 'please' that caught my memory. When I asked him what was so important for him. 'True love' he said. And then spoke of a girl of surpassing beauty and faithfulness. I can only assume he meant you. You should thank me for putting him out of his misery. Before he found out what you really are."

"What do you mean?"

"Faithfulness he spoke of. Your undying faithfulness. Now tell me, when you found out he was gone did you get engaged that same hour or did you wait a whole week out of respect!"

"You mocked me once! Never do it again! I died that day!" The Hedgehog heard horses and turned to see Antoine and his party riding up not far away. Amy took advantage of his distraction. "And you can die too for all I care!"

She shoved him and he fell down, rolling dangerously down the steep hill.

As he rolled away he called, "As… you… wish…!"

Amy was hit with the sudden realization of who she had really shoved down the hill. "Oh my sweet Shadow." She gasped, just before purposely rolling down the hill after Shadow.

Back with Antoine and his group, the prince was beginning to get frustrated.

"They were right there!" He growled. "But he must have seen us coming. Which might count for his error. If I'm wrong—and I'm never wrong –they're head into the Fire Swamp!"

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the hill, Shadow, bruised and battered, finally managed to get back up.

He crawled over to Amy, who was still lying on the ground.

"Can you move at all?" He asked, cradling her head.

Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him. "Move?" She asked. "You're alive! If you want, I can fly!"

"I told you I'd always come for you. Why didn't you wait for me?"

"Well… you were dead."

Shadow shook his head and smiled. "Death can't stop true love. All it can do is delay it for awhile."

"I'll never doubt again."

"There'll never be a need."

The two held each-other and began to kiss.

"No, no, not again!" Charmy whined.

Sonic sighed and put the book down.

"Shut up Charmy!" Said Tails.

"Yeah," Cream added. "Shadow and Amy are back together. Don't you find it romantic?"

"No. It's just gross."

"Someday you may not mind kissing so much Charmy." Said Sonic.

"Skip to the Fire Swamp. That sounded cool."

"Fine, you're sick, I'll humor you." Tails and Cream glared at Charmy. "Okay, where are we now? Oh yeah, Shadow and Amy ran along the bottom of the hill…

Shadow stopped to look up and saw Antoine and the others at the top of the hill.

"Ha!" He laughed. "Your pig fiancé—or whatever animal he is –is too late! A few steps more and we'll be safe in the Fire Swamp!" Shadow and Amy ran to a group of trees, which stood at the opening of the infamous Fire Swamp.

"We'll never survive!" Amy protested.

"Nonsense!" Shadow replied. "You're only saying that because no one ever has!"

Okay, sorry to end it there, but I got really tired. Tune in next time!