Shadow and Sperk stood their ground in Relic City. The ruins around them creaked slightly as the wind picked up slightly. The sun above only sending a few beams of light through the thick clouds overhead. Shadow looked around the destroyed park, "You picked an interesting place for us to fight."

"It provides both of us with a deserted place to fight. I don't want you holding back for anything."

"I never do!" Shadow cracked the bones in his neck, "Lets get this over with." Shadow ran at Sperk. Both hedgehog met in the center of the park in a flurry of punches and kicks. In close combat, Sperk's speed was no better than Shadow's. They locked hands and got into a muscle match. Shadow held his own, but Sperk was slowly over powering him. Shadow clenched his teeth as the green hedgehog started to twist his wrists. He slammed his foot into Sperk's stomach that caused him to release his grip. Shadow grabbed the back of his neck, being careful not to cut his hands and flung Sperk into a tree. He pinned him to the tree and rammed a series of punches into Sperk's gut. Shadow had to wear his opponent down as fast as he could. With Knuckles's powers, Sperk had more strength and stamina. Shadow threw another punch, but Sperk caught it. He pulled Shadow's arm down and rammed his fist into Shadow's gut. He lifted Shadow up with his fist and released his arm. He grabbed Shadow's neck with his free hand and tossed Shadow several feet away. Shadow hit the ground as Sperk curled into a ball and shot at him. The black hedgehog jumped clear as Sperk shot past. Shadow curled into a ball and shot across the ground as Sperk stopped and uncurled. He slammed into his back and knocked the green hedgehog down. Shadow uncurled and jumped back as Sperk pushed himself up. "Your tough, but no real challenge."

Sperk spat some blood from his mouth, "I have more power than you. I am stronger, faster, and better."

Shadow chuckled, "But not smarter. You throw that extra power around so poorly. I thought you were just playing with me, but I guess I was wrong. You are strong, but have no experience in a real fight."

"I've fought."

"But never for your life. Never for something that you truly believed in. I've been through hell and back. Seen the darkest side of evil. Your just some punk who managed to get a free pass. I can respect what Robotnik did to you, you have my pity, but not my respect."

Sperk clenched his fist tightly, "I don't need your respect. But, by the time I am done, you'll wish you just given up." Sperk spun his arms at high speed and burrowed into the ground.

"Spare me!" Shadow jumped onto a tree branch and then onto what was left of the park's boarder stone wall. He heard rumbling under the ground, but saw nothing, "What is he up too?" It hit Shadow and he jumped into the air as the ground under him collapsed. Sperk shot out of the ground and slammed both of his fist into the face of Shadow. The black hedgehog fell back and crashed into a damaged car. Sperk pulled out of his daggers and threw it at the car. It hit the car and Shadow managed to get clear as the car exploded.

"A free pass!" Shadow stood up as Sperk stepped up, "When I finish you off, I'll take out Sonic and then I will be the number one hedgehog." Both hedgehogs curled into balls and shot at each other. They slammed into each other repeatedly as the rolled through the city. They uncurled and ran up the side of a still standing building. The entered Chaos Time when they reached the roof. Both hedgehogs stood on the distorted roof for a few seconds and then attacked each other. In real time large explosions of sound filled the city and rubble exploded as the hedgehogs fought in Chaos Time. In a flash of green light, the hedgehogs reappeared in real time. Both landed on a thin strip of undamaged road. Both of them were breathing hard. Sperk charged at him at full speed.

"Chaos Blast!" Red energy exploded around Shadow and the green hedgehog was blasted back. Shadow quickly closed the gap between them and jumped into the air. He slammed his foot into his back and Sperk hit the pavement hard. The black hedgehog grabbed Sperk's arm and helped him up, "Give it up! You'll never be like me. Tell me where Robotnik is and I might forget the fact I want to kill you."

"You know nothing! Chaos Blast!" Sperk exploded with red energy. Shadow managed to jump clear before the blast hit him.

"Is the best you have all stolen from others?"

"No! This is mine!" Sperk pulled two gold gems from his belt and put them onto each wristband, "Chaos Surge!" Sperk exploded with crimson light and transformed into his super form. Sperk smiled as his energy aura tore apart the ground around him, "Top this! Chaos Shot!" Sperk threw out his fist and a crimson beam of energy shot from it.

Shadow rolled clear as the beam cut into a building and caused it to collapse, 'Just have to stay alive long enough for him to run out of energy.' Shadow took off running as Sperk flew into the air.

"Thats right! RUN!" Sperk fired another beam of energy. Shadow turned and went down an alley. Sperk vanished and reappeared in front of Shadow. He delivered an uppercut to Shadow's chin and sent the hedgehog flying out of the alley. Sperk stepped out of the alley as Shadow picked himself off the ground, "How is this for original?" The crimson hedgehog slammed his fist into the ground and crimson energy tore apart the ground. Shadow took off running as the street and surrounding buildings collapsed and fell into the ancient subway and sewer systems.

Shadow dusted himself off and managed to smile, "Done!" Sperk was back in his normal form and looked as winded as ever. "Chaos Control!" Shadow vanished in a burst of green light. He reappeared in front of Sperk, "Tired?" Shadow threw a kick.

Sperk blocked it and grabbed his leg, "I'm not done yet." He slammed his free hand into Shadow's chest and flung him up. He dropped Shadow and stumbled back, "Damn it!"

Shadow rolled to his feet and rammed his fist into Sperk's face. The green hedgehog hit the ground. Shadow sat down on a piece of rubble, "Not bad!"

Sperk slowly stood up, "I will kill you!" He grabbed his last two gems, "One more time!" Shadow jumped up and grabbed one of the gems, "Chaos Surge!" Both hedgehog exploded with light. Shadow was in his silver super form and Sperk was in his crimson. Both hedgehog's broke apart. Their aura's clashed as the built up their power. They shot forward and their fists impacted. An huge dome of crimson and sliver light exploded from the impact. The force of the blast leveled half of the city. As the smoke cleared, Shadow was lying on the flattened ground. Sperk was still standing. Both were bleeding from multiple cuts. The green hedgehog pulled a knife from his belt, "I win!" Sperk fell to the ground.

Shadow slowly stood up, "I don't think so!"

Robotnik crushed the computer consol with his fist, "He failed! I aloud him to do as he pleased and he failed." He turned towards Metal, "Prepare my transport. I am going do personally to make sure nothing else goes wrong."

"Sir!" Metal bowed and walked out of the lab.

Shadow walked with a slight limp, but managed to keep moving. He picked up the dagger Sperk had dropped, "This ends now." The black hedgehog looked at his fallen foe for several moments before he tossed the dagger away, "No! I will not kill you while you are helpless." Shadow turned away, "I will kill you while you are on your feet." He stopped as a green glow appeared in the sky. "Chaos Control?" A green ball of light floated down from the sky and flew past Shadow. It floated over Sperk and transformed into a female echidna. She bent down and touched Sperk's forehead. His body glowed a light green color and healed up.

"You must hate us!"

"You work for Robotnik and your boyfriend really annoys me. Hate may not be a strong enough of a word."

The echidna managed a small smile, "I wish there was a way to apologize for all of this. I am to blame for all of this." He held her palm out towards Shadow and a soft green energy beam flew out and engulfed the hedgehog. The light vanished and all of Shadow's wounds were gone. "Better?"

"Much! What is with the change of heart?"

The echidna touched the collar around her neck, "Robotnik holds the trigger to this bomb. If we didn't do what he said he would have killed me." She stood up, "Please forgive Speed. It is my fault he is the way he is."

"Tell me where Robotnik is and I'll forget about the two of you for the time being."

"I'll answer that!" In a flash of green light, a large red robot dropped from the sky. Standing ten feet tall, the bot had spiked feet and large metal fist. Robotnik was sitting in a cockpit that served as its head. "Surprised to see me?"

"Not really!"

Robotnik laughed, "I had hoped to prolong your suffering for a while longer, but circumstances force me to speed up my schedule." He unclipped a small silver box from his belt, "Leda, I' afraid that you have stepped out of line."

"Hold it Robotnik!" Sonic ran up with Knuckles and Tails close by, "You blow her up and so does your plan."

"Your smarter than I give you credit for." Robotnik returned the device to his belt. He snapped his fingers and a squad of ten hedgebots appeared in a flash of green light, "Kill them!"