(sigh) Another chapter… I felt depressed just writing it. ;-; Plus it didn't seem to be as easy to write as the last chap was… hence it's a bit shorter. I don't think I could make it any longer without detracting from the effect, though. So short it stays:P Sorry it took so long to get it written… Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst eats my brain. .

Thanks to all who reviewed! They feed my ego—er… creativity! ¬.¬ Yes… . For those of you who enjoyed the humor in the last chap, sorry to say that this one is too swamped with angst for any laughs. ;-; Poor Sonic… now let's get on to his angsty suffering:D

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Chapter 4

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No.

That can't be right…

It can't be!

"You have a twisted sense of humor, Shadow," I say with a short laugh, but even I recognize how hollow it sounds.

No smile cracks on his face, no hint of amusement in his eyes.

"It's no joke, Sonic."

My stomach's twisted itself in knots. I look to Knuckles, hoping to find something—anything—to contradict Shadow's words. But he looks just as grim, head bowed and gaze fixed on his clenched fists.

No…

"There's… gotta be some sort of mistake…" I stutter, and I can't help sounding desperate. "Maybe the doctors were wrong… maybe I'll heal just fine!" But even as I say it, I realize that the pain in my legs isn't getting any better.

Shadow never takes his eyes off me. "Perhaps you don't remember clearly," he says almost coldly, but there's a fire in his eyes. One that even I have rarely seen. "But I do. I saw what Metal did to you. How mangled you were…" He pauses, and for a moment I think he's going to look away. But he doesn't, and I can't figure out why. "Truthfully, I'm surprised you'll be able to walk at all."

That… that jerk! How can he be so callous! I glare at him, disbelief quickly turning to anger. "Of course you'd say something like that. You've always hated the fact that I'm just as fast and strong as you! Shatter my hope of ever running again and you've nixed one rival, isn't that right?"

Shadow looks shocked, making me feel a little satisfied. But it's cut short when Knuckles growls and starts yelling at me.

"Don't be an idiot, Sonic!" He's mad, alright, but he also seems frustrated. "Do you really think we'd make this up? Get it through that thick skull of yours—this is real!"

His last statement echoes in my mind.

Real…?

"How does it feel, hedgehog, to know that your worst nightmare is about to become a reality?"

That horrible laughter…

Now I realize what he meant.

Everything they've been saying…

It's true

I clench my eyes shut, fighting back tears. "N…no…" My voice is choked. I can't help it anymore. "This can't be happening… can't…"

"It is, Sonic," Shadow says quietly, staring at me again.

"Why?" I'm breathing fast now, and my eyes burn. "Why!"

"Because of Eggman and his demonic robot, that's why!" Knuckles shouts angrily. "I'll kill them both, I swear I will…" His fists are clenched so hard now that they're shaking.

But I don't care.

Not anymore.

Nothing matters now…

"Leave me alone," I mutter, and I can finally feel hot tears on my cheeks.

Knuckles looks both startled and apologetic. "Sonic, I--"

"Just get out!" I yell at both of them. The effort causes more pain in my legs, and I finally break down into sobs. Even my dignity's gone now. "Go away…"

I'm blinded by my own tears, but I hear Shadow moving towards the door. "Let's go." A few seconds pass before I hear Knuckles get up and leave the room. I can still see a dark blur standing in the doorway, though.

"I'm sorry," he says in a low voice. I turn my head the other way and glare out the window. He's the last person I want condolences from. The door clicks shut, and finally I know I'm alone.

Nothing stops me from crying freely now.

It's not fair!

How could I have let this happen?

How could I let him beat me?

I was caught off guard… I should've been ready…

He came out of nowhere as I went after Eggman, leaving the others to deal with the badniks. He rammed into me headfirst, knocking me senseless. It was all I could do to dodge his rapid attacks after that. Looking back, I realize that he was driving me further from my friends with each attack.

Further from help.

Before I knew it, I'd lost sight of them and was barely aware of the sounds of their battle. Then Metal's tactics changed.

I'd never seen him fight like that before. Knuckles put it well—it was like fighting a demon. Yet, despite being an expressionless robot…

…he seemed maliciously happy.

I couldn't dodge his attacks, couldn't block them—his strikes came in fast and hard. A fist to the gut to knock the wind out of me, an elbow to the head to disorient me, a kick to the back to send me face-first into a wall. He planned it all out, down to each blow. It's fuzzy after that. All I remember was ending up on my back on the floor…

…staring up into those glowing red eyes…

I couldn't move—I could barely even see straight. But I could hear him—taunting, laughing at me. His voice rose into the air…

"And now, the world shall know 'Sonic' no more!"

The sound of his jet engine rushing down at me. A thousand daggers tearing at my legs. Pain, unbearable pain…

I thought I was gonna die.

I thought he would kill me.

"There are fates far worse than death, hedgehog." He was right.

The physical pain is less now…

…but there's a deeper pain that's so much worse.

"You'll never be able to run again."

The rush of the wind, the blur of passing landscape, the adrenaline-induced euphoria….

The freedom.

It's all gone.

Forever.

How can I live now, a prisoner of my own body? What kind of life is that!

My fur's soaked from tears of anger and despair. Sonic the adventurer, the hero, the speed demon…

…is dead.

I sob uncontrollably, my complete and utter defeat finally overwhelming me.

I wish…

…he had killed me…

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(sigh) Gomen, Sonikku. ;-; I'm so mean.

…but I see why Metal had so much fun. ¬.¬

Anyway, I'm not entirely sure which chapter I'll write next, so it'll be a surprise for all of us:D And since I've started school now, who knows when it'll get written… Add to that that I've already started making a concept map for a Stargate/Sonic crossover that I can't seem to get my head around… . (double-sigh) My train of thought's gonna explode when all these spiffy new Sonic games come out…

As always, thanks for reading, and feel free to drop a review and let me know what you think! Chao!