Chapter 3
Shadow's icy eyebrows widened.
"Omega, you can't be serious."
"Of course I am, now, what will you do?"
"Nothing." Shadow sneered. "I know you won't harm her."
If Omega had a mouth, he surely would have smirked. "Very well."
Will still holding Rouge in a choke hold with one metallic arm, the other sprang forward towards the bat's arm. The giant silver claws made impact on it, creating five bloody holes.
Rouge screamed in pain and wiggled in his grip. She faced Shadow.
"Shadow, please help me."
Shadow's expression turned from shock to anger as he heard Rouge's plea. He looked at the robot.
"Let her go Omega!"
"Order denied!" Omega took his arm and slashed at Rouge's shoulder, tearing her clothes and creating a long bloody line.
Rouge screamed again. "Shadow, please!"
The Ultra hedgehog clenched his fists as a dull white energy started surrounding his body. He felt his power increase.
"Sensors indicate heightened power level." The robot droned.
Shadow raised his arm and pointed it towards Rouge and Omega. A light blue energy orb formed.
"Let…her…go! NOW!"
"Affirmative."
Immediately, Omega dropped Rouge and she scrambled behind Amber. Shadow still had his hand pointed at the robot. The dull white energy had faded away but the energy orb remained.
"Why did you do it Omega?"
Omega bowed his head.
"Apologies Shadow."
"That won't cut it." The orb grew bigger.
"Let me explain the reasons for my actions."
"NO!"
The orb got even bigger and Shadow was about to shoot when the injured form of Rouge jumped in the way.
"Shadow stop."
His icy eyes met her emerald ones which made her shiver.
"Why?"
"Just let him explain. I'm sure Omega has a good explanation and if he doesn't, you can blast him, okay?"
Shadow thought for a minute before the orb disappeared and he lowered his arm. Rouge turned around towards the robot.
"Go ahead Omega."
"Affirmative! My action's intentions were to test Shadow's power."
Rouge tilted her head.
"What?"
"My sensors indicated greater physical and mental strength capability than that displayed by the Ultra form in Shadow."
Shadow raised a brow. "So what you're saying is that I can go beyond the Ultra form?"
"Affirmative."
Shadow's curiosity got the best of him as his fur flashed from ice blue, to silver, to gold, to black. The hedgehog landed on the ground and walked towards Omega.
"Are you sure?"
"Affirmative."
"But why did you threaten me?" Rouge asked.
"My knowledge indicates that the new form can only be achieved through a great sense of urgency to protect or by anger."
"But why Rouge?" Knuckles asked. "Why not Sonic, Amber, Tails, or me?"
"Sensors indicate Shadow's brain wave patterns are mainly focused on Rouge."
Everyone's eyes widened.
"M-Me?" Rouge stammered.
"Affirmative."
"Shadow, is that true?" Rouge turned to the dark hedgehog's spot but he was no longer there. She smiled.
'I guess he does care.'
Tails walked up to Omega. "Omega, how do you know all of this?"
"My intellectual design is based upon every bit of information on Earth."
Tails whistled. His eyes suddenly widened.
"Wait a minute, that means that you have information to the rest of Dr. Gerald's files."
"Affirmative."
Tails jumped up and down. "Now we can find more out about Shadow, Eclipse, and Amber."
Rouge faced him. "Really?"
"Yeah, come on everyone, let's go inside and check it out!"
Everyone nodded as the group made their way out of the rain and back towards the mansion.
Sapphire Island
Shadow stood upon a giant five star hotel's roof, thinking in the form of words.
"Damn that robot! How dare he invade my own personal thoughts! I do not focus my thoughts on Rouge."
A picture of the beautiful bat flashed in his mind and he shook it out.
"Damn it! I guess I do focus my thoughts and worries around her. But why? I mean, it's not like I lo"-
Shadow cut himself off. "Why couldn't I say that last sentence? I guess I do have an emotional attachment to her. But it can never be . I am immortal and she is not. Besides, I do not want my heart shattered again. "
Shadow stared at the beach for a few seconds before disappearing with Chaos Control.
Unbeknownst to Shadow, a cloaked gun robot had recorded the whole one-sided conversation. Through the live satellite camera, the new G.U.N. Commander saw it all.
"Hahahah, I finally found a way to control Project Shadow."
He smirked. His plan would have to wait though. This was not a problem for him since he had an abundance of patience.
"Drone 346375238, return to base."
The cloaked drone received the message and flew off into the distance.
