Chapter 9
Three days. That was all the time Shadow had let before he would have to face Eclipse again. The dark hedgehog was currently back at Emerald Beach. After the fighting and apologizing, everyone thought it best to go to bed.
Shadow took his spot in Rouge's room and awoke that morning before anyone else. Since he had some time alone, he decided to make the best of it, so he returned to the beach.
Shadow could not really figure out why but the waves crashing against the beach, slowly wearing the sand away and the stormy sky somehow calmed him. The dark hedgehog looked around. He was the only soul on this beach. Not that this surprised him since a monstrous storm was overhead.
'Look at those waves slowly destroying the sand.' The hedgehog thought. 'That is what time will do to the others, but not me.'
His eyes caught a single bolder sticking out of the water, unaffected by the waves. 'Is that my fate? To be unaffected by time and be alone for all eternity? I do not want it all. I want a normal life. A normal life with…'
Shadow's thought were cut short by a single bolt of lighting destroying the solitary rock. Small pebbles flew in the air before coming back down to the ocean, making small prickles in the already churning waters.
Shadow observed the whole thing and once again pondered on his life. 'Maybe there is a chance for me. That rock was cut down to size by a great power. Maybe I can too. Maybe I can cut down my immortality to a smaller portion of itself. But how?' Shadow's spirits began to lift a little at the slight possibility of a normal life.
'I will find a way, even if I have to challenge the gods themselves. I will find a way.' Shadow completely forgot about his fight with Eclipse and chaos controlled away.
Rouge The Bat's Mansion
Rouge lazily made her way over to the living room, where everyone else was seated. They had already eaten breakfast composed of eggs, bacon, and toast and were now just finding something else to do to pass the time.
The white bat sat down on one of the white couches, letting the silky pink robe she was wearing loosely drop down beside her.
Amy was sitting beside Sonic, also wearing a pink robe, but unlike Rouge's, it wasn't quite as revealing. Amber was seated beside Knuckles, with her head against his powerful shoulders in a light peaceful sleep. Cream and Tails were sitting Indian style on the next couch playing paddy cake.
After a long silence, Sonic decided to break the ice. "Soooo, where do you think Shadow i"-
Sonic was cut off by a flash of light in the center of the room. This caused everyone to sit up slightly, Tails and Cream stopped playing, and Amber awoke from her sleep. After the light subsided, Shadow took its place.
"Looking for me Sonic?" Shadow asked while squeezing some water from his quills.
Sonic opened his mouth to respond but was beat by Rouge's voice. "Well Shadow, you never miss a cue. But I would have to ask you not to set my living room under water."
Shadow stopped squeezing his quills and looked at the bat. "Oh yeah." He mumbled slightly. Rouge only sighed and threw him a towel that she conveniently brought with her since she was planning on taking a shower.
Shadow caught the dull yellow towel and began drying off his wet fur. "So what are you doing?" Shadow asked while stroking one of his back quills with the towel.
Sonic sighed and slumped back a little. "Not much, we were just trying to find a way to pass the time."
Shadow thought about it for a second while still stroking his wet quills. All of a sudden, a thought hit Shadow as he stopped drying himself off.
The dark hedgehog looked over at Sonic before speaking. "How about a race?"
Sonic's head snapped up at the sound of the word 'race.' "What did you say Shadow?"
Shadow smirked. "A race Sonic. You and I will race." Shadow paused slightly to let his next comment sink in. "Unless you're scared."
Sonic immediately jumped up at his counterpart's remark. "Oh yeah, I'll show you!"
Shadow's smirk grew. "Then let's go."
"Uh, Shadow." Rouge interrupted. "If you haven't noticed, it's poring down outside and Sonic is afraid of water." Rouge smirked while looking at Sonic. "Aren't you Sonic."
The sea hedgehog did not respond but only looked down on the ground while mumbling some things. Shadow arched a brow. "Oh really?"
Sonic looked back up at the hedgehog. "Okay so I don't like water, so what?"
Shadow looked up at the ceiling slightly before responding. "Oh I understand. I just thought you were a hedgehog, not a cat."
Sonic was kind of shocked that Shadow had a sense of humor, small as it may be. He did not have to think about this though as everyone in the room burst out laughing.
Sonic looked back towards Shadow before responding. "All right, you've got yourself a race!"
Shadow looked back towards the blue hedgehog while smirking. "Excellent."
Rouge only rolled her eyes at the two hedgehogs. "Do whatever you want, but I'm going to take a shower." And with those words, the white bat got up and disappeared upstairs.
Sonic shrugged. "Alright, but you'll miss all the action." Sonic faced the remaining animals in the room. "Who wants to come watch?"
Tails and Cream didn't respond, but went back to their game of paddy cake. Sonic looked over at them. "Okay…I guess they don't want to either. Anyone else?"
Knuckles slowly stood up. "Sure, why not? I don't have anything better to do anyway."
Sonic smiled at the Echidna. "Sweet, that's one. How about you Amber?" Sonic asked while facing the yellow hedgehog.
Amber smirked. "Sure, I'd love to watch…" Amber hesitated slightly before finishing. "…Shadow smoke you."
Sonic looked at her in disbelief. "WHAT?"
Amber smirked again. "Oh Sonic, of course you must realize that Shadow is way faster than you."
Sonic crossed his arms and huffed. "He is not!"
Amy got up and put an arm around the blue hedgehog. "Don't worry Sonic, I'll support you."
Sonic looked at her and smiled. "Thanks Ames."
Amy smiled a little as a hint of rose tainted her face. 'Aw, he gave me a nickname.'
Shadow tapped his foot impatiently. "Can we start this now?"
Amber looked at her brother. "Hold on, let me just get mine and Amy's coat!"
Shadow crossed his arms. "Well hurry up!"
Amber shoved him a little. "Watch it mister, You're still my little brother."
Everyone in the room laughed as Amber made this comment and Sonic was about to say something when Shadow cut him off by giving him a glare. "Say one word Faker and I'll be serving you your heart on a silver platter!"
Sonic abruptly shut his mouth at Shadow's threat. Amber exited the room and returned with two yellow raincoats, one which she gave to Amy. "Alright, let's go!"
