Chapter six
It's only a Blood Snap
An eight year old Shadow was wondering around the palace feeling very bored. He has finished his report for his tutor and had absolutely nothing else to do. His father was busy in is study, his mother was out visiting the nursing home where her elderly aunt was living and Tanya was staying over with Travis and Katherine, Shadow's and Tanya's aunt and uncle. Even the councillors were bust doing whatever they do in the thrown room.
"I'm so bored…well since everyone is busy maybe I could sneak out through the passageways. It's better than wondering about aimlessly." Shadow thought as he smirked to himself.
He walked into an unused room filled with different sized shapes covered in white dust sheets that were going to be moved to a new room soon. He stopped at the far side of the room and gently put his hand on the cream colour painted wall. Shadow lightly pushed the wall and it slowly opened to reveal a doorway. Smirking to himself he walked in and closed the entrance, so no one would see where he went. Once it was closed he walked down the few steps until his feet hit the cool stone ground.
"Ok so where to now? Must remember not to be too long or dad will know I am not around." Shadow muttered to himself as he wondered down the dark tunnel then stop where the tunnel separated into three directions.
Shadow looked down each one as he thought on where he wanted to go and debated which place would be a shorter distance than the other. Shrugging his shoulders he opted for the right tunnel and walked down there. This one would eventually lead to one last set of tunnels then by turning left he would reach his destination in less than forty minutes, if he took a slow stroll that is.
"It's a shame I'm still learning how to make a portal and get it to go where I want it. It would be so much quicker that way instead of walking fast." Shadow said to himself as he walked down the left tunnel when reaching the end to the one he was in.
After walking for almost ten minutes Shadow suddenly stopped as his ears picked up on some movement up ahead of him. He cautiously moved forwards and soon came to a stop when he could just about see something in the tunnel with him. He tilted his head as he was not sure what this creature was or how it even got in to the tunnel system.
"What is that? Oh damn it's turning around." Shadow whispered as he watched the creature with sharp eyes.
The creature wiggled its vine like tentacles as it moved fully around to face Shadow. It was neon blue in colour that glowed a little as it was in the dark, about the same height as Shadow and looked a lot like a venus fly trap with a huge bud looking mouth in the middle of those tentacles. It opened its mouth wide and bared its three rows of very sharp very deadly teeth at Shadow. Its tongue wiggled as it gave a threatening yet scared roar at Shadow when it sensed the young vampire with it in the tunnels.
"Are you scared of me? You do know you are way more terrifying looking than I am right now." Shadow raised a brow at the creature as he called out to it, picking up on the creatures fear that he had no clue he could even do.
The creature hissed and moved a little towards Shadow using its tentacles, dragging itself along the stone floor. It closed its mouth as it moved a little more, not feeling any threat coming from Shadow and somehow could understand what was being said to it. Shadow smiled warmly as he could now sense the creature was calming down and the fear slowly disappearing. He extended a hand out to the creature as a gesture of peace and to show he wasn't going to harm it.
"That's is come a little closer, I wont do anything to hurt you…wow you really are big aren't ya." Shadow softly said as the creature did move closer and stopped right in front of Shadow.
The creature lifted a single tentacle up and wrapped it around Shadows hand as if feeling what the appendage was. Shadow lightly chuckled as the action tickled his palm a little then the tentacle moved up his arm and towards his face, caressing his cheek a little.
"I know what you are now, you are a Blood Snap and a girl. What are you doing in the tunnels?" Shadow calmly said as he closed his eyes half way as he discovered he was able to communicate with the creature and it with him.
"You want me to take you back home with me? Oh right you are hungry, ok then we can have something to snack on then have some fun together since there is absolutely nothing to do back home." Shadow cheerfully said with a bright smile, unaware of how dangerous Blood Snaps can be.
"My name is Shadow and I will call you…Joy, because we are going to bring someone a lot of joy after our snack." Shadow deviously said as Joy dropped her tentacles to the floor.
"This really is going to be my best prank ever, Edward is going to totally freak out." Shadow thought as he turned around and motioned Joy to follow him back to the palace.
Now you are probably wondering why Shadow was going to even do this, so to enlighten you I will explain. About a week ago Shadow was minding his own business…in fact lets just have a flash back…
A week ago…
Shadow was in a very good mood as he sat on the top step of the garden entrance. He was happily looking out and waiting for the thunderstorm to arrive like the weather guy said it would this afternoon. It had yet to but Shadow knew it was going to happen for he could faintly hear very quiet rumbles in the distance, that and it was starting to faintly rain.
"I'm telling you they are a pest and have no purpose." Shadow heard someone say as whoever it was that was talking seemed to be walking this way.
"Edward they do have a purpose, they maintain a manageable population of their food source. Would you rather we are over run with a higher and more dangerous creature than Blood Snaps?" Another voice replied with an amused tone.
"I would rather them than Blood Snaps Tony." Edward said with fear in his tone at the carnivorous plant creature.
"So Edward doesn't like these Blood Snap things, very interesting. I'll have to remember that for when the next time he starts on me I can threaten him with one, whatever one is." Shadow grinned to himself as that thought went through his mind but before any other thoughts could be thought of Shadow was disturbed.
It wasn't that Edward would personally go out of his way and start on Shadow but he would criticise Shadow with this and that, make wise crack remarks under his breath thinking Shadow couldn't hear him and on odd occasions gives Shadow a distrustful look. It wasn't personal it was all down to Shadows gift and on the fact no one knew much about it so therefore no one truly understood it.
"Master Shadow, still waiting for that thunderstorm?" Tony smiled down at Shadow as he spoke, stopping by the child still sitting on the step.
"Yep and it wont be too much longer, the weather man said so. It already has started to rain and is getting more heavier." Shadow innocently smiled up at the two council members when he turned his head to reply.
"Yeah just don't go disappearing outside and splash in puddles." Edward smirked down at Shadow with amusement in his eyes.
"I was two years old so sue me Edward." Shadow said with a small frown up at the fox.
"Yes quite, shame you still sometimes act like you are two. Well I have big important grown up things that need doing, enjoy your little storm wont you." Edward deviously said with his smirk in place then walked off down the corridor with a smug stride.
"Pay no attention to him Master Shadow. I will see you later, maybe, ok." Tony smiled down at Shadow then too walked off in the same direction as Edward.
Shadow watched Tony walk out of sight then glared out into the garden thinking on the perfect way to get Edward back for insulting him…
Present day…
"I'll show him I am not someone to mess with without there being consequences." Shadow sniggered with high amusement in his whispered tone while walking with the Blood Snap very closely to his side now.
Soon enough Shadow made it to a different entrance to the tunnel system, the kitchen store cupboard. He figured so there was no casualties, which took him a good ten minute long self debate if it was better or not to have Edward attacked, they was going to make sure the Blood Snap had fed first.
"Ok if you just stay here Joy and I will get you something to eat. I wont be long ok just don't go anywhere or follow me in just yet." Shadow semi firmly said in a whispered tone as he did not want anyone to hear that he was in the tunnels again.
Shadow slowly yet cautiously opened the hidden door and peeped inside the store cupboard. Seeing it empty he got about quickly grabbing food for his newest plant friend, not that he goes around making friends with plante on a daily basis. Grabbing a few blood bags and some clot crisps, he dashed back into the tunnels and closed the door shut. Shadow smiled at the plant happily as it had listened to him and stayed put.
"Ok open up, this could get messy." Shadow smiled brightly at the plant as he held up one of the three bags of blood.
All three bags of blood was messily consumed by the plant, blood getting all over its mouth and some tentacles, and one of the two packets of clot crisps. Shadow once again led the way to a different exit/entrance of the tunnels while eating his packet, every now and again throwing one out for Joy to catch and eat, until they too were all finished with.
"Ok here we are, this will take us out of these tunnels and into one of the empty rooms of the palace." Shadow happily said then pushed the wall so it would open.
The wall clicked and slowly slid open to reveal the tunnels. Shadow ushered Joy out first then walked out after her. Shadow once again put his hand on the wall, pushing it, and it closed up with a light thud. Shadow turned to look at the Blood Snap with a devious grin.
"Ok now that you are no longer hungry we are going to have some major fun together. I want you to chase someone for me and act like you want to eat him but do not harm him, it wont look good for us. He is a dark grey fox named Edward, he is dressed in blue robes, black trousers and I think he has a white shirt on today. You understand the description ok?" Shadow said with a soft smile.
"Oh good you do." Shadow beamed out cheerfully when he got a positive response from Joy in the form of a soft growl and tentacles touching his cheeks briefly.
"Lets go fox hunting." Shadow deviously chuckled as he once again led the way out of the room and down the corridor with Joy following very closely behind.
Shadow avoided all the palace workers and anyone who would raise the alarm before the prank could start. He knew roughly where Edward would be but he was a little longer than he first planned to be out so right now he was only hoping the fox was still there. Shadow stopped by a corner and motioned for Joy to stop as well.
"Ok I think he is in that room but he wont be alone and the other council member will be with him. Don't give them any indercation you want to go near them and only approach Edward. I will be very close by and will intervene if things get out of hand and you are in danger of being attacked. Ok go on then and relax I wont let anyone hurt you Joy." Shadow whispered with a determined look in his eyes then watched Joy move and enter the thrown room, himself now walking and poking his head through the side of the now wised open door.
"OH MY GREAT GODS, HOW THE HELL DID THAT THING GET INTO THE PALACE!" Edward cried out as he stood up and pointed over at the creature he feared above most things, shaking a little as the Blood Snap slowly approached him a i looki read to kill.
"Someone go and get the guards, quick." Marcus called out as he locked eyes with the plant that seemed only interested in Edward.
Shadow chose this moment to walk into the thrown room with a fake confused expression and stopped in the middle of the room. He figured it would look more convincing that he wasn't involved if he was seen coming in here than sneaking out side while spying.
"AHHA…GET IT AWAY FROM ME. IT WANTS TO EAT ME!" Edward screamed out as he quickly began to back away.
"Edward screams like a little girl, this was so worth it." Shadow thought as Tony rushed passed him to get help.
"Master Shadow, get back!" Amber called out as she saw her future ruler just standing there in the middle of the thrown room.
"NO STAY AWAY!" Edward once again cried out in fear and panic then dashed away from the approaching Blood Snap, heading out of the thrown room.
Edward ran down the corridors with the Blood snap chasing after him. Shadow had also dashed away and had nodded to Amber to signify he was going to do what she had suggested. Everyone was now in a panic upon the Blood Snap lose in the palace and no one had any clue Shadow was the one who led here. Edward was still being chased about while screaming at the top of his lungs as Joy snarled aggressively behind him, almost catching the fox with her vines a few times.
Shadow was finding the whole thing very entertaining and couldn't help to let out a snigger every now and then as he followed the chase. Finally getting his own back was bliss and maybe now Edward would think twice in starting on him too, that is if everyone figured out it was him that brought the Blood Snap here and set it on Edward. It wasn't long before the guards were on the scene along with Collin. They stood at the end of the corridor near the front entrance as Edward came running down towards them.
"Alright someone get Edward and make sure the Blood Snap doesn't grab him. The rest of you I want you all to do your best in restraining the creature before we neutralise it." Collin seriously ordered and gained firm nods from all five guards.
"Ok here hey come…SHADOW! Get away from that thing." Collin said then when he caught a glimpse of his son behind the plant he called out in a panic to him.
"Ok I think this is as far as this prank need to go now." Shadow thought as he sped up to run along side Joy.
"SHADOW!" Collin called out when he saw this and fear rose up and settled into his chest.
It was a well known fact Blood Snaps were very dangerous and have known to kill anything they see as an easy target, including vampires young and old. Edward had made it to the guards and was guided away by one like planned. The Blood Snap stopped in front of everyone and hissed as it whipped its vine tentacles in the air. Shadow also stopped running and stood beside the Blood Snap with an innocent smile at his father. He knew this was risky and he would get into huge trouble but the way Edward was, was worth the most horrific punishment in the known universe.
"Shadow just slowly back away from that thing, don't let it think you are its food alright." Collin calmly and slowly instructed his son as he held a very scared expression in his eyes.
"Joy wont hurt me dad and she is very sorry for chasing Edward, she didn't mean it. did you Joy?" Shadow replied with that innocent expression then turned his head to speak to his plant friend.
Joy's aggressive state quickly changed into a more calm one as she purred with affection as Shadow began to lightly scratch one of her vines. The guards and Collin's jaw dropped as they witnessed all that their eyes were showing them, all frozen in shock. Shadow laughed as Joy wrapped a tentacle around Shadows body and pulled him into a protective hold while also stroking his cheek gently.
"S-see she is harmless dad and she says she wont hurt the fox so long as he stays away from her." Shadow beamed out as he looked over at his father.
"Y-you can understand it…her?" Collin asked with a puzzled expression as he tilted his head ever so slightly.
"Your orders My Lord?" A guard whispered over to Collin as he and the rest kept their guards up just in case, his reply was a hand up fr Collin to signal to wait a moment.
"Shadow how did she get into the palace?" Collin calmly asked as he slowly approached his son and his 'friend'.
"Er well I found her wondering about on her own and she was hungry so I brought her back and fed her." Shadow replied as he left all the get-me-into-big-trouble parts out of his explanation.
"Where was she when you found her Shadow?" Collin firmly asked as he could just tell his son was not telling him everything.
"I may or may not have found her somewhere where I'm not supposed to really go by myself without an escort of some kind." Shadow nervously said with a hand through his quills.
"You went into the tunnel system on your own again didn't you. Shadow how many times do I have to tell you not to go down there on your own? We are going to return her to where she belongs and if I hear that you have gone to see her you will be in so much trouble young man." Collin stressed with a deadly serious look at his son.
"Fine." Shadow sighed out with drooped ears.
Collin dismissed all the guards as he was going to make the portal for his son to usher the Blood snap inside. The portal was made and now Shadow was saying good by to his pranking partner.
"If you go through there you will be back home where your friends and family are. It wont hurt you or anything but it might make you feel a little dizzy for a few seconds." Shadow sadly said as he looked at the Blood Snap he grew quite fond of.
Joy grumbled as she wrapped her vine tentacles around Shadow and pulled him close as she didn't want to leave him. Shadow could sense this but knew the palace was no place for a wild plant with tendencies of feasting on others. He knew he had to be firm no matter how upset he was at saying good bye forever.
"You have to go home now, thank you for your company but you cannot stay here." Shadow seriously said as he thought back the tears, using a much more firmer tone.
The Blood Snap dropped her hold on Shadow and slowly wiggled towards the portal then began to go through it. Shadow stood and watched as she disappeared and never looked back at him. The portal snapped shut and Joy was gone forever. Collin put a hand on his sons shoulder and lightly squeezed it in a reassuring manner as Shadow wiped a few tears away that fell with the back on his hand.
"It is the right thing to do Shadow, she wont have been happy here and belongs with her own kind. Now as for your punishment for disobeying me, causing a huge panic and scaring Edward to near death." Collin calmly said with some amusement at the mention of Edward then led his son down the corridor.
"I just have one thing to say before I except my punishment…Edward so screams like a little girl." Shadow sniggered unintentionally giving himself away.
"So this was not just an accident then?" Collin asked with a devious grin on his muzzle as he looked down at his son.
"I have no idea what you are talking about dad, I had no clue Edward would react like that. I'm just stating facts that he does in fact scream like a girl and it is funny." Shadows confidently lied with a matter-of-fact tone.
"Yeah he sure does, just don't go telling him that alright." Collin replied with a disbelieving roll of his eyes.
"And have him think I sent that Blood Snap on him on purpose, no thank you." Shadow half seriously said as he kept his innocent act up, even though his father didn't believe he was innocent, he wasn't going to admit he did do that.
"You know your mother is going to have forty fits when she finds out about this but I will stress to her I have dealt with it so you wont have a double punishment coming your way. So don't give me any complaints or I might just so happen to forget to tell her that." Collin lightly blackmailed his son with a playful tone.
"You know this is teaching me to threat and blackmail others so they do what I want them to do." Shadow teased back with the same playful look up at his father.
"Is it working?" Collin smirked a little deviously as he asked.
"Yes unfortunately, you wont have any complaints coming out of my mouth and I will carry out my punishment till the very end with no trouble." Shadow smiled as he spoke back then thought, "again it was so damn worth it."
(I hope you all enjoyed the latest chap to Shadows life before Sonic. Next chap will be up soon so keep your eyes pealed for it or if you just add story to your fabs list and follow it, I think you will get a notification it has been updated, not all too sure. Might be easier doing that instead of checking every so often but it is up to you. Also a review wouldn't go a miss either, many thanks and again hope you enjoyed the chap...)
