This chapter has been updated as of 09/08/2020

Thursday, December 2nd, 9:03am, Sunset Park

Time and space bend around Shadow, folding to his will like paper folds into origami cranes. Each time he uses Chaos Control to teleport it becomes a bit easier; what had once required all of his attention is now achieved with nary a second thought. The familiar energies sing in his veins for a split second before receding, leaving only a faint residue, a half remembered tingling in his fingers and spine. By some miracle he lands on his feet, despite the awkward position he'd been in a heartbeat ago. His pager goes off again, but the person beeping him is only a few feet away, back to him and foot tapping impatiently. She turns at the noise and Shadow crosses his arms, holding his head high as he wills his heart to slow down. He hopes his cheeks aren't as flushed as they feel.

"This had better be good," he says by way of greeting.

Rouge opens her mouth to reply but pauses as she takes in the sight of him. Then she raises an eyebrow and her lips twitch into an amused smirk. "My my," she teases, "look what the cat dragged in. I take it Miss Rose has found you?"

If the flush weren't obvious before, it is now. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he says stiffly.

"Oh please," Rouge snorts, looking him up and down in a way that makes him feel horribly exposed. "I'm not an idiot. Besides," she pauses, eyes taking on a mischievous glint, "your blush gives you away."

Shadow scowls, resisting the urge to smooth down his hair and clothes. "I have a lot on my plate right now," he informs her. "If you only called to make lewd accusations then I'm leaving. The Chaos Emeralds won't find themselves."

Rouge huffs and crosses her arms. "Oh come on, no need to be such a stick in the mud." Shadow snarls, and she raises her hands. "Alright, alright, I yield. Yeesh." She pauses, and he makes an impatient gesture. "Were you always this rude?" she demands, before making an irritated sound in the back of her throat. "Fine, whatever. We think we've located the next Emerald. Safe to assume you're interested?"

Shadow snorts. "Obviously."

She rolls her eyes at his tone. "Right. Look, if I'm going to do this for you, I need a little something in return," she says, and if Shadow were an animal, his ears would have flattened against his skull at that. She continues on, either oblivious to or ignoring Shadow's displeasure. "I'm not asking much, but I deserve to know what I'm getting myself into."

He hesitates at that. He doesn't want to involve Rouge, doesn't want to involve anybody really, but he doesn't have a choice unless he wants to fight Sonic for every single Emerald. It's a bitter thought, and in this moment more than a little tempting. But then he remembers just how much Sonic had looked like Manic laying there, half conscious and dying. "The doctor and I need all seven Chaos Emeralds to unlock the true potential of Project Shadow and take on G.U.N.," he finds himself saying, and he hopes the summary is enough.

"But you're Project Shadow," she says, as if he'd forgotten. "And, what do you mean by 'take on G.U.N.'? Why?" Of course the summary isn't enough. Rouge is never satisfied until she knows everything.

He lets out a beleaguered sigh and shoots her a dirty look before trying to find the words to articulate his reasons without giving them away. "They... took something from me. Something precious, that I can never get back. I intend to make them pay."

"But that was fifty years ago," Rouge points out. "What makes you think the people involved are even alive anymore?"

Shadow pauses to consider her words. He thinks of Maria, and of his birth parents who he will never know. He thinks of his lost humanity. "It doesn't matter, they took everything from me. If there's even a chance that I can repay the favour, then I'm taking it."

Rouge scowls. "Oh, come off it, Shadow, be reasonable. If—"

"No!" he snaps as the Chaos saturating his every cell begins waking up, begging to be used. "Don't talk about things you know nothing about!"

"I know enough!" she retorts, reminding him that, oh yeah, Rouge was the one who found the files about him in the first place. How could he have forgotten? The reminder makes him angrier, if anything. If she knows so much then why can't she understand? Why can't she see that this is all he has left? "I've read Robotnik's files," she continues, and Shadow wants to scream at her. "He's using you."

As if that weren't obvious. "And?"

The two stand there for a moment, locking eyes and refusing to back down. Shadow struggles to control his emotions. Rouge clearly has no idea what he's going through, couldn't possibly. The nerve of her, telling him to be reasonable as if she understands, as if she can relate. His anger mingles with the Chaos in his blood, combining to become something more. It builds up like before and he focuses on his breathing, focuses on keeping it contained. There's an itching sensation in his fingers and along his spine, and he struggles to suppress it.

"Shadow?" Rouge's voice is so soft that it barely registers. "Your eyes..." Her fingers brush against his cheek, causing him to flinch and step away. He hates the pity in her expression. "Shadow, you don't need Robotnik. You're better than him. Come back to us."

He closes his eyes, takes a few deep, even breaths. When he opens them again, he's calm. There's still an almost painful buildup of Chaos inside him, but that's fine; Chaos is a part of him. He uses the ache to stay grounded, stable. When he speaks, his voice is calm. "I appreciate your concern but I know what I'm doing. Now, I've told you why I need the Emeralds, may I have the location you've found, or has this been a waste of my time?"

For a moment Rouge looks as tired as Shadow feels, but she shrugs it off. "Yeah, okay. A deal's a deal, after all. The next Emerald should be in the storage area underneath the museum, if our information is correct."

Shadow nods his thanks, even as a thought strikes him. "What's your source?" he wonders, and Rouge visibly hesitates as she debates answering. When she replies, it's in that same soft tone as before, the one Shadow has to strain to hear.

"Your mother," she says, and he hates the pang in his heart when he thinks of her.

"I see," is all he says in reply. Rouge opens her mouth to say something else, but he doesn't want to hear it, so he let's out a soft "Chaos Control" and focuses on leaving, on twisting the energies built up inside him with just a hint of power from the Emerald. Time and space fold around him once again, the familiar pressure pulling at him and crushing him all at once. Between one heartbeat and the next he goes from the sun-baked field four blocks from his house to Robotnik's control room. He appears behind the scientist in a flash of light.

Robotnik raises an eyebrow as he turns around. "Ah, Shadow. I was wondering when you'd join me. How did your… interrogations go?"

Shadow allows an insolent smirk to grace his lips. "Well. Very well. She caved before I so much as lifted a finger, begged me not to hurt her," he lies, before launching into a tale of how he alternately threatened and bribed Amy for information, talking her into revealing the location of the next Emerald before reporting in.

Robotnik is scowling as Shadow finishes up his story. "You learned the location of another Emerald and you didn't go straight to it? I'm disappointed in you, Shadow. I thought you were smarter than this."

Shadow's lips pull into a snarl and his hands clench into fists at his sides. He considers lunging at the old man in front of him, wrapping his hands around the scientist's fleshy neck and squeezing it until he feels everything that holds it together break apart under his fingers. But no, it's not the time for that. Not yet. Instead, he swallows his anger, forces it down. He can't bring himself to smile at Robotnik, but at least he manages a civil tone when he speaks.

"Apologies, doctor. I assumed you wouldn't want me acting without your approval."

That earns a scoff. "I think it's a safe bet that I want you to retrieve any Emeralds you learn about," he says, and Shadow manages a stiff bow.

"As you wish," he sneers, before turning on his heel to leave. Robotnik's next words freeze him in his tracks, however.

"And what of your meeting at the park?"

"What meeting at the park?" Shadow tries, turning back.

Something dark crosses Dr. Robotnik's features and Shadow knows he's made a mistake. "Don't play dumb with me, boy. When you requested a second pager did you really think I wouldn't keep tabs on them both? I control the networks. Anything you receive, I receive." Shadow swallows. "Now, I don't mind you having an informant, but if you're going to keep secrets, you could at least try to be smart about it."

Shadow lets out a shuddering breath as he resists the urge to smite the man before him with Chaos. His mind races for an excuse. "My... girlfriend has the other pager," he says, hating himself for putting that target on Rouge's back. But, if it keeps suspicions away from his real girlfriend, the one stuck inside this lair with its deadly robots...

Robotnik raises an eyebrow. "And you didn't think to tell me this because…?"

He hesitates, thinking of a believable reason. Well, what could be a more believable reason for not telling the scientist about his girlfriend than the truth? "I did not wish for you to know about her."

Robotnik tuts at this. "Shadow, Shadow, Shadow. So distrusting. What am I going to do with you?"

Shadow waits for a moment, before deciding he can't get into any more trouble than he likely already is. "Is that all?" he asks, turning slightly to indicate a desire to leave.

"Not until you tell me what your girlfriend so badly wanted to share."

Shadow shrugs. "She was able to convince Sonic and his friends to trust her with the location of an Emerald. Unfortunately, it's the same Emerald Miss Rose was kind enough to tell me about."

Robotnik lets out a soft tsk. "Pity, that."

Shadow nods, "truly," then turns to go. He is not stopped a third time.

...

Shadow surveys the exterior of the museum, looking for the best way into the battered building. He wonders if it's even safe to go in there. It's still standing, but the walls have visible cracks in them. He sighs and shakes his head. If there's really an Emerald in there then he has to get it before Sonic does, and that's that. Perhaps he should have looked up the building's blueprints before setting off. He doesn't relish the idea of wandering around hoping he stumbles across basement access.

Then again, he could just use Chaos Control to get in, certainly he's close enough. Using his abilities to reach unfamiliar places is probably risky, but... no, best to avoid unnecessary risks. Another sigh, and he decides to try one of the entrances. It's going to be fine. One final circuit around the building until he finds a door that's fallen off its hinges, and then he's inside.

A thick layer of dust coats everything and the only sources of light are the windows. Shadow walks through the wide corridors, pushing down years-old memories of being here before. The last visit had been when he was thirteen, on a school trip. The memory is so divorced from his current reality that it feels more like an idea than a memory. He ignores the quasi-familiar shapes of the exhibits, ignores the debris on the floor. The Emerald in his pocket is starting to resonate with something deeper in the building, and when he pulls it out he's surprised to see the energies in it pulsing quite quickly. He takes a step and it slows down, tries the other direction only to have the same result. He frowns, wondering if this means the Emerald is right beneath his feet. Except, the pulses are slowing down again, and he's not moving. Shadow growls. Like hell is he going to let another Emerald get away!

He gathers the power of Chaos into his hand, drawing from his Emerald. He focuses his energy, releases it at the ground in front of him. Golden lightning arcs from his fingers to the floor, smashing through it like little more than papier-mâché. He peers into the hole he's created and sees a light approaching, watches as the light gets brighter, feels his Emerald thrumming faster and faster. Sonic comes into view, holding a lantern in one hand and a glowing purple gem in the other. He squints up into the hole, holding his lantern higher.

"Who's there?" Sonic calls, and Shadow wonders if he should answer. "Hello?" If he answers there's no guarantee that Sonic will stick around. "What's the matter?" Sonic jeers, and Shadow doesn't miss the slight waver in his voice. "Scared?" Shadow snorts at that, considering the hole. It seems big enough... "Come on," Sonic continues, all false bravado. "Don't make me come up there," he says, trying to sound threatening. Well, that's invitation enough, Shadow supposes. He takes a step forward, dropping through the hole. Sonic yelps, jumping out of the way just in time for Shadow to land in front of him. And then Sonic starts laughing.

"Oh, Shadow, it's just you," he says, sounding relieved. "I thought it was one of 'Buttnik's robots or something."

Shadow raises an eyebrow at that. "Better for you if it were, or are you forgetting last time?"

Sonic's eye twitches at the comment, but he actually manages to brush it off. "Last time I was half starved and hadn't slept in over forty-eight hours."

Shadow rolls his eyes. "And the time before that?"

Sonic's grin falters, but he refuses to be baited. "Okay, not that I don't love our chats, but I really don't have time for small talk. So, if you'll excuse me." He turns to go, but Shadow isn't done yet. It takes next to no effort for Shadow to snap from where he's standing to directly in front of Sonic, as easy as flexing a muscle. Teleporting less than five feet, as it turns out, is significantly easier than teleporting across town. He doesn't miss the way Sonic flinches.

"Oh, but Sonic," Shadow drawls, "we haven't even gotten to the meat of our conversation yet."

Sonic snorts. "Let me guess, you want the Emerald. Sorry Shads, but I'll pass," he replies, brushing past Shadow.

Instead of stopping him, Shadow examines his fingernails with feigned indifference. "Such a pity," he says. "Amelia will be most disappointed." Sonic halts in his tracks, and Shadow pretends to be struck by a thought. "Oh, did I forget to mention she's staying with us? With me and the doctor?"

Sonic turns back to Shadow, slowly. "You did, actually," he says in a tight voice. "Is she...," he swallows, and Shadow tilts his head. "She's safe, right?"

Shadow scoffs at that. "Sure," he says, forcing his voice to remain uninterested, "for now. But, I'd hate it if something were to happen to her because of your decisions."

Sonic blinks. "And, ah, why would something happen to her?" It's clear from his expression that he gets what Shadow is saying but doesn't want to believe it.

Shadow raises an eyebrow, willing Sonic to buy his bluff. "Sorry, I forgot how dull-witted you are. That was a threat," he purrs, because that's what the bad guys do, right? And Shadow needs Sonic to see him as the bad guy if he's going to pull this off.

"A threat?" Sonic echoes, voice flat. "You expect me to believe that you would let something happen to her, just because I won't hand over the Emerald?"

"Let something happen? Of course not," Shadow scoffs, stepping closer and invading Sonic's space so that he can whisper in his ear. "I intend to hurt her myself," he confides, skin crawling at the very idea.

Sonic scowls, shoving him away. "That's not funny, Shadow. Don't play around."

Shadow wills himself to not look as nauseated as he feels. "Who's playing? Hand over the Emerald unless you want to be responsible for Amy's suffering."

Sonic swallows. "You're bluffing," he says, but Shadow doesn't miss the hint of a tremor in his voice, the way he almost stumbles over the first word. One more push and he'll cave, he'll hand over the Emerald and no one will need to get hurt; Amy probably wouldn't be too thrilled if Shadow were to seriously injure Sonic, even if he is a pain in the ass. Shadow prepares to give Sonic that final push, he just has to figure out what it will take to convince the other teen he's serious. The image of blackened flesh and green hair flashes through his mind, and he nearly gags at the memory. The thought of using Manic's death to manipulate Sonic makes the bile rise in his throat. Is he really willing to stoop so low? He thinks of Amy alone in the lair with Robotnik. He can make his peace later.

"I killed your brother," Shadow says, forcing his features to twist into some approximation of amusement. "Didn't I?"

Sonic flinches. "That wasn't you," he says, voice wavering. "It was one of Robotnik's robots."

Shadow nods. "True, but I let it happen." He keeps a grin plastered on his face, willing himself not to vomit at the memory.

"You said there was nothing you could do," Sonic protests, tears welling in his eyes.

"Do you really believe that?" Shadow asks in his most derisive voice. "I can teleport. I can slow down time. Hell, I can reverse time. I could have saved him." The truth of it all makes it so much harder for Shadow to maintain his arrogant expression. He should have insisted on bringing their Emerald along, he could have figured it out. He could have saved Manic. He's distracted from these thoughts by Sonic's wordless snarl. Before Sonic can collide with him, Shadow snaps from one place to another, easy as breathing. He grabs Sonic by the hair and yanks him back, throwing him to the ground. Sonic recovers quickly, but Shadow already has him pinned. His grin falters when he sees the tears and snot smeared across Sonic's face, and again he can't help but switch the two, picture Manic pinned and crying beneath him. It doesn't help that Sonic isn't wearing his contacts today.

Disgusted with himself, Shadow gets to his feet. "Hand over the Emerald, Sonic," he snaps. "I tire of this." He hopes the bite in his voice is taken as irritation, because he knows it's only a matter of time before the act shatters.

After a moment Sonic sits up and holds out the Emerald. "Just don't hurt Amy," he pleads. Shadow hesitates for a moment before nodding as he takes the Emerald.

"I won't, but I can't speak for the scientist. Pray he continues to see use in her." With that, he takes a step back and draws on his two Emeralds, focusing on the lair, on Robotnik's control room. He appears directly in front of Robotnik, causing the scientist to start. It's not as satisfying as it might have been another time, and Shadow wordlessly tosses the Emerald at his captor and his salvation, his means to an end. And then he's gone, disappearing to his rooms before Robotnik can say anything. He's in no mood to deal with that man right now.

...

Thursday, December 2nd, 10:36am, Shadow's Suite

Amy has just finished towelling her hair dry when she hears a thump in the next room. Her heart leaps into her throat as she pictures robots or Robotnik coming for her, but she wills herself to be calm. It's probably just Shadow. She takes a deep breath, then another, and then she cracks the bathroom door open and peers into the main room. Shadow is in the centre of the room, collapsed on his knees, staring vacantly at the floor in front of him. The air around him is wrong, blurry like the horizon on a hot day, and the red of his eyes and streaks in his hair are much brighter than she's ever seen before.

"Shadow?" she calls, tentative. He doesn't respond, doesn't even blink. She takes a step out of the bathroom and tries again. "Shadow?"

He takes a shuddering breath, and she's surprised to see tears streaming down his face. She takes another step towards him but he doesn't look up. Another step, and another. The closer she gets, the stranger the air feels; hot and thick and static-y. She kneels in front of him and can feel the hair on her head trying to stand on end.

"Shadow?" This time he notices. His eyes shift to hers and he looks so miserable that she's unable to stop herself from leaning forward and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. He's trembling and she doesn't know how to feel about that. And then his arms snake around her waist and he buries his face in her shoulder. Amy's always seen Shadow as a bit larger than life, but in this moment, with him shaking and crying into her shoulder, he seems small, frail. Like the sick child he once was, and not the immortal killing machine they'd apparently made him into. He seems like her, like Sonic, like everyone else. His skin is too hot and the static in the air causes little sparks to jump between them, but she doesn't let go. Instead, she rubs small circles into his back, hoping they're soothing. The energy around them slowly recedes in tandem with Shadow's shaking.

"Amy," he begins after what feels like an eon, "do you think Hell is real?"

The question catches her off guard, and it's a moment before she speaks. Honestly, she'd never really thought about it. "I don't know, but I guess it could be?"

He lets out a bitter laugh, pulling away to sit up straight. "Then it's a good thing I'm going to live forever." Amy has no idea how to react. What do you even say to that? Shadow gets to his feet and holds his hand out to help Amy to her own. Instead of letting him, she uses her grip to pull him back down, back into her arms. At first he freezes up, but when he sighs and leans into her embrace, adjusting until he's comfortable, she begins stroking his hair softly and hopes the gentle touches are soothing. After a while, Shadow speaks up again.

"Sonic will be coming for you soon," he says, and it's Amy's turn to freeze up.

"He is?" she asks, and Shadow nods. "How can you be so sure?"

"He believes you're in danger."

Amy hesitates. "Am I?"

Shadow shrugs. "You're in Robotnik's lair," he points out. "The lair of the man who bombed our city, killing thousands. The man whose robots are directly responsible for the death of our friend. The man who will do anything to get the Emeralds from Sonic. It's only a matter of time before he uses you as leverage."

Amy frowns. "I thought you said you wouldn't let anything happen to me?" she asks, genuinely curious. Shadow huffs at that.

"Part of that is getting you out of dangerous situations," he answers. "Situations like being held hostage by an evil scientist and his army of robots." Well, when he puts it like that...

"I don't want to leave you," she whispers, and he wraps his arms tighter around her.

"You will be safer away from me," he replies before pressing his lips softly against her own. "Please go with Sonic when he comes for you," he pleads when they separate. "I'd feel better knowing you were safe, surrounded by your friends."

It's Amy's turn to huff. "I can handle myself," she points out, earning a warm smile from Shadow.

"I am well aware," he replies, pressing another kiss to her lips. "You are fierce, and strong, and wonderful. I have no doubts that you can handle yourself. But, I can't handle leaving you here all day where Robotnik can so easily get to you. So, will you please let Sonic rescue you? For me?"

She wants to protest but the sincerity in Shadow's voice makes her all warm and fuzzy inside, and she caves. "Yeah, okay. But I'm not going to be happy about it."

"Thank you," he says, and the naked relief in his voice is enough to make it worth it.

...

Over the next few days, Amy stays in Shadow's room, spending time with him when she can and waiting when she can't. At first, the lazy pace is a welcome change, but it doesn't take very long for it to grate on her, before she starts feeling antsy. It's like the calm before a storm, and it doesn't help that she's confined to two rooms. If she could wander the lair freely, she'd at least have something to do, but she understands why she can't. She tries to distract herself with her e-reader and her textbooks. That's totally enough to keep her occupied, and she definitely isn't bored. Or at least, that's what she tells herself, what she tells Shadow. And how messed up is it that people are dead and dying and Amy is worried about being bored?

She wishes she'd thought to ask him to grab her makeup. It would have been fun to see how Shadow reacted if she got all dolled up for him. Certainly it would have been more fun than studying History, which is how they were spending their evenings. Well, at least she'll be ready whenever she goes back to school... if she goes back to school at all. The idea seems too big, or maybe too small. Going back to school? To her old life? She doubts she can. But, what will happen when everything blows over? Or, will it ever blow over? Actually, a better question is what is going to happen now? Surely G.U.N. will defeat Robotnik, but then what? And what will that mean for Shadow? Amy tries not to follow this train of thought, tries to ignore the bad feeling it leaves in her mouth the same way she tries to ignore the gnawing guilt over not helping somehow. She wonders what her friends will say when they find out she's been staying cozy and safe with her boyfriend while they've all been fighting for their lives. She wonders how disappointed they'll be. She tries not to follow that train of thought either.

On her third day in the lair, she gets a deadline and it's too soon. "Sonic will be here tonight," Shadow tells her. She's not ready to go back, to leave him. Except, she's itching to be doing something, to be useful. She tries to swallow down her conflicting emotions.

...

Thursday, December 2nd, 10:36am, Station Square Museum of National History

Sonic curls into a ball as Shadow disappears in a flash of light, pressing his hands to his face. For the second time since losing his twin, Sonic allows himself to mourn. And then, when the tears won't come anymore, Sonic runs.

He runs from the museum as fast and as far as he can, paying little heed to where he's going, his only destination being away. Familiar faces run with him, half seen in flashes and fragments in the flickering lights and broken glass of buildings he passes, in the dusted and dirty windshields of cars.

Sonia. Bunnie. Manic. Shadow. Amy. Sonia. Manic. Shadow.

Of all the losses, that one stings the most. Not because he and Sonic had been particularly close, but because the other teen had been so convincing, so sincere in his grief. The tears Sonic thought he'd heard in Shadow's voice when he defended himself after coming back without Manic, the way he looked struck down when Amy had put the blame squarely on his shoulders... To find out that it was all an act, that he could have done something to save Manic...

And now, the gall to hold Amy captive, to threaten her like that! Sonic's jaw clenches and a pit opens in his stomach. Amy cared for him enough to go rescue him. She'd trusted Shadow, her faith so strong that everybody else had as well. But in the end, Shadow betrayed everyone.

Sonic glances up in time to see the flagpole of a school rising above the houses on the next street over. Taking a sharp left, he jogs through the empty and broken neighbourhood to a relatively stable looking building that had once been an elementary school. A quick scan of the fields reveal what Sonic was hoping to find; a track loop. He automatically slows his pace to cross the field, mindful even now of gofer holes and broken ankles, but as the sole of his shoe meets the rubberized laneway, Sonic kicks back in to full speed. He needs to blow off some steam before returning to Tails' workshop. He'll need a clear head to make plans for rescuing Amy.

The track is smaller than the one he's used to, but the hypnotic circles still help to lull Sonic towards a familiar calm, pushing his anger down into the pit in his stomach where it roils and bubbles beneath a layer of frozen fury. There's nothing he can do about the others, but he has to try for Amy. He has to be better than before. There will be time to deal with the anger later when he deals with Shadow once and for all.

...

Despite his run, Sonic is still seething by the time he returns to Tails' workshop. Not only is he returning empty handed, but he's also breaking news of Amy being held captive. He wants to scream. His run gave him clarity, and he sees now that it's his fault that Amy is a prisoner. If he hadn't run off when he'd first been told about Manic then he could have gone with her on her rescue mission, and then when Shadow had turned out to be evil, Sonic could have gotten her out of there.

Shadow... the thought of him riles Sonic up all over again. He still can't believe he'd trusted that... that faker!

Tails turns to him excitedly as Sonic lets himself in. "Was it there?"

Sonic groans. "Yeah, it was, but so was Shadow," he answers, and there's a sharp hissing noise as someone sucks in air through their teeth. He glances over and is unsurprised to see Rouge perched on a workbench. She's been hanging around a lot lately, helping out however she can. He'd always thought of her as superficial before, but now he's grateful to have her quick thinking and iron determination.

"But you got the Emerald, right?" Tails asks, having way too much confidence in his best friend.

"Do I look like I got it?" Sonic snaps, instantly regretting it when Tails flinches. It's not his fault Shadow is a traitor, after all. "Sorry Tails, that was uncalled for. I just... I...," He takes a moment to collect himself, a rarity for Sonic. "Shadow is holding Amy captive."

"Oh. Well I mean, that's not too bad, is it?" Tails asks, and Sonic stares disbelievingly. Not too bad? Not too bad? "I mean," Tails continues, "they're dating, aren't they? So it's not like he'd let anything happen to her, even if he has gone all darkside on us."

"Shadow is a monster," Sonic states flatly as he throws himself onto the couch.

Rouge and Tails both look startled, but only Rouge protests. "What the hell are you talking about? Shadow can be an ass sometimes, and he has a nasty temper, but—"

"He threatened Amy," Sonic cuts in. "Said he'd hurt her if I didn't hand over the Emerald."

Rouge snorts. "And you believed him?"

"Not at first," Sonic admits, running a hand down his face. "But it's his fault Manic is dead."

"Sonic!" Tails gasps, and the heat in Sonic's chest flares up again. "Don't blame Shadow for something he couldn't control!"

Sonic's face contorts into a snarl against his will. Do they have any idea? "He told me it was his fault! He seemed amused!"

Tails flinches at Sonic's tone, but Rouge seems unimpressed. "Are you sure you didn't just misunderstand?"

Sonic is livid. "That's not the sort of thing you misunderstand!" he barks. The very idea! Rouge and Tails wilt under his gaze, and again Sonic feels a wave of shame. "Look, I know you guys were friends and all, but Shadow is bad. We need to get Amy out of there A.S.A.P.."

"That's not going to be easy," Rouge points out. "There are six of us, assuming we can get Blaze and Silver again, against an endless supply of them."

"That's fine, it's probably best if I go alone, anyway." Rouge raises an eyebrow at this, prompting Sonic to spell it out for her. "I'm fast. I can run in, grab Amy, and run out. Piece of cake."

Rouge frowns. "Don't be so sure. With Shadow working for Robotnik, robots will be the least of your concerns."

Sonic snorts. "Please, I can take Shadow. He thinks the Emeralds make him all-powerful, but he's only human."

"About that," Rouge begins, and a sinking feeling forms in his gut. She tells them about Project Shadow, about how he's a living weapon. Sonic listens as a well of despair opens wider and wider in him. How are they supposed to beat something like that?

When Rouge is finished filling them in, Sonic goes outside and finds his way onto the roof of the workshop. Stars twinkle overhead, reminding him for no particular reason of the gold hoop earrings his mother wore on occasion. Maybe he's just being sentimental now that he knows his brother was killed by a super weapon. That's all Shadow is, isn't it? Sure, Sonic's seen him bleed when cut, seen him breathing hard after a run, but he never kept his bruises, never seemed to wear his weariness like a normal person. Shadow had always been super smart, like how computers or AI are. Maybe that's why he didn't have friends except for Manic and Rouge; weapons don't care about things, why would they need anyone?

Sonic wonders briefly if there are more like Shadow, but dismisses the thought. If there were, someone would have brought them in by now to deal with this.

Glancing down at his hands, bruised and swollen with cuts across the knuckles, Sonic knows he needs a new approach. Shadow isn't like them, and Sonic can't keep fighting him like he is.

An image of Robotnik's lair floats through Sonic's mind; a group of kids holding off an army of robots with nothing but household objects. Sonic himself smashing one to pieces with a baseball bat that remained relatively unharmed through the encounter.

Even as Sonic pushes the memory from his mind, a small touch of hope brightens in the darkness of his belly and the hint of a grim smile curves his mouth. Shadow might not be human, but every weapon has a weakness.

After that, it takes three days of arguing to come up with a plan. They eventually agree on a plan much like Amy's: Tails will fly Sonic and Rouge to the lair under the cover of night, drop them off the roof, and fly off. Sonic and Rouge will then make their way inside and look for Amy. Once they find her, they will try to find a way into the tunnels underneath, or something like that. Sonic doesn't really pay attention to the escape part. It's a lot easier to plan an entrance than an exit, after all.

Knuckles is wholly against them going in without him, but there technically isn't even room for Sonic and Rouge in the Tornado, much less the two of them plus Knuckles and his very broad shoulders. And, as Rouge points out, it will do no good if they're all caught. Better to have Knuckles in reserve as the backup plan. He is, after all, the strongest of them.

And then it's Sunday night, and Sonic and Rouge are crammed into the backseat of the biplane, Rouge nestled awkwardly in Sonic's lap. He's glad that the seatbelt actually fits around the both of them, even if it's causing Rouge to shift uncomfortably against him. Better safe than sorry and all, but he does wish she'd stop squirming.

Once on top of the building, Sonic and Rouge try the roof access only to find the door locked. Sonic prepares to ram into it in an attempt to break it down, but is stopped by Rouge placing a hand on his chest.

"Easy there, big boy. Some things require a more... delicate approach."

Was... was that an innuendo? At a time like this? Sonic watches Rouge sashay past him, pulling something out of her hair. At the door, she gets down on one knee and begins fiddling with the lock. Not even a minute later, the door swings open. "Where did you learn to do that?" Sonic asks, and Rouge shoots him an amused grin.

"What can I say? I've got magic fingers," she drawls with a wink.

Sonic frowns and isn't sure what to say to that. He's not exactly one for flirting at the best of times, if that even was flirting, and now's definitely not the best of times.

They enter the building and start searching for Amy. They creep through the halls and after a while, Sonic starts to wonder where all the guards are. They don't so much as hear a robot, even off in the distance, and it makes the whole thing seem too easy, as if someone wants them to make it inside. The thought freezes Sonic in his tracks, because that's it isn't it? After their last encounter, Shadow would've had to be an idiot not to expect Sonic to come for Amy, and they've had days to prepare. Is this a trap, then? But how would they know when to expect him? Sure, they could have seen the Tornado coming, but would that have given them enough warning to get the halls cleared?

Sonic opens his mouth to share his concerns with Rouge when a familiar flash of light distracts him, and then Shadow is standing there giving Sonic and Rouge a condescending look. Sonic's blood boils over and, without a second thought, he lunges at his former ally, lashing out with the baseball bat he'd brought as his weapon of choice. Shadow scoffs, blinking out of existence in front of Sonic, but Sonic is expecting it, is ready for it, and he turns his momentum into a spin, whirling on the spot to strike the air behind him. It connects with a fleshy smack and Shadow staggers back a step, bringing a hand up to clutch his temple where a nasty bruise is already beginning to form. Sonic doesn't let up, swinging again and again, repeatedly bringing his bat against his foe. All the anger he's been holding floods out of him. How dare Shadow betray them? How dare he work for Robotnik? How dare he threaten Amy? How dare he throw Manic's death in Sonic's face like that?

Dimly, Sonic is aware of Rouge yelling at him, shouting "Sonic, what the hell are you doing!?" He ignores her, goes to strike Shadow again. This time, Shadow catches the bat in his hand and yanks it out of Sonic's grasp.

"Enough," Shadow snarls, pausing to pop his jaw back into place before spitting a gob of blood off to the side. "Feel better?" he jabs, but before Sonic can answer with a resounding 'No!', Shadow is continuing. "If you don't want Amelia getting hurt then I suggest you come with me."

Sonic freezes, swallowing down his rage, and after a pause he nods. As much as he hates Shadow, as much as he wants to make him pay, there are more important things to worry about. After all, Amy is still alive, and Sonic plans to keep it that way. With that in mind, Sonic devotes his willpower to keeping his hands at his sides. He watches as Rouge hovers around Shadow, asking if he's alright, if Sonic had left any lasting damage. Sonic doesn't know if it's the way Rouge is fawning over Shadow that makes him sick, or if it's the realization that he would have killed the other teen if he could have. He reminds himself that Shadow is a weapon, an object, and not a person.

For his part, Shadow doesn't so much as glance at Sonic or Rouge as he leads them through various hallways down to a well-guarded room near the centre of the lair. Whatever door was there before has since been replaced by a sleek metallic one, and it slides open at Shadow's approach. They walk into a well-lit chamber filled with various monitors and control panels. And there, at the far end of the room, is a man Sonic can only assume is Robotnik. With his bushy moustache, flabby physique, and ridiculously bright outfit, he doesn't look all that intimidating, but this is the man who singlehandedly levelled half a city. Not a man to be taken lightly.

"So you're Sonic," the scientist muses, looking him up and down. "I've got to admit, I was expecting more than some kid."

Sonic takes a deep, calming breath. He needs to play it cool; he can't afford to offend this man until they know where Amy is. "And you must be 'Buttnik," he begins, nickname slipping out without thought. Well, so much for playing it cool. Perhaps an air of confidence will work, though?

"Right," Robotnik says, with a raised eyebrow. "Well, shall we talk business? I assume you're here for the girl."

"Yes, and if you're smart, you'll hand her over," Sonic says, as if he isn't surrounded by the same robots that killed Manic.

"Oho," Robotnik laughs. "The kid has spunk! Unfortunately, you can't get something for nothing in this world. So how about it? Your friend for the Chaos Emeralds?"

Sonic scowls, even though he was expecting this. "No way!"

Robotnik shrugs. "Alright, then I'll kill her."

Sonic wants to protest, but a gentle hand on his shoulder stops him. "How do we know you're not making things up?" Rouge pries. "I mean, you claim to have Amy, but there's no supporting evidence."

Robotnik lets out a hearty laugh at that. "Glad to see at least one of you has some sense," he says. "Yes, it's only fair you see the cow before you buy the milk. Shadow, could you please fetch our guest?"

"It would be my pleasure," Sonic hears Shadow reply. He turns just in time to see the other boy disappearing in a flash of light. There's a good minute of tense silence before Shadow reappears with Amy by his side. Sonic doesn't miss the fact that all of Shadow's bruises are gone, as if they'd never happened.

"Ames," Sonic breathes out, glad to see her unharmed. He takes a relieved step towards her, only to freeze at Robotnik's whip-like command.

"Halt," his voice snaps. "Take one more step, Sonic, and the girl dies." Sonic bites the inside of his cheek, tries not to let his panic show.

"You're bluffing," he accuses, not really believing it.

"I don't bluff," the scientist says in a flat voice. "Shadow, prepare a Chaos Spear."

Sonic's gaze whips over to Shadow. Surely he wouldn't—

The sight of golden energy coalescing in Shadow's hand causes Sonic to take an involuntary step forward, and it's only Rouge's hand tightening on his shoulder that prevents him from taking another. He swallows, shooting her a nervous look. Her eyes are wide and she's scarcely breathing. Sonic turns back to Shadow. Maybe there's still some humanity in him? "Shadow," he implores. "Would you really—"

Shadow sneers, and Sonic is surprised by the sheer depths of the hatred he sees in those crimson eyes. "Do not test me, Sonic."

"Are we clear?" Robotnik asks, and all Sonic can do is nod. "Good. Now then, as you can see, your friend is alive and unharmed. If you'd like to leave here with her then you will have to hand over the Emeralds you have."

Sonic swallows. "Ah, about that? Y'see, I don't actually have them with me, so—"

"Of course not, only a moron would bring what I'm looking for into my own lair. But, you know where they are, don't you? So I'll give you an hour to retrieve them and bring them to me."

Sonic swallows. "What makes you think I'll bring them?"

"I'll kill your friend if you don't."

Sonic hesitates. But, if he has an hour, if he'll be allowed to waltz right back in, then Tails and Knuckles can join him and Rouge. Between the four of them, they can probably deal with the scientist and Shadow, especially if Amy joins in. "Alright," he says at last. "Deal."

Robotnik gives Sonic a sinister grin. "Glad to hear it. Oh, and one more thing; if you try to bring any of your little friends in with you, they'll be shot on sight." Sonic swallows. So much for his plan. "Well, the clock is ticking. I'd hurry up if I were you."

Sonic grits his teeth, grabs Rouge by the wrist, and takes off at a sprint.

And, boom. Just like that we're caught up. Everything after this point will be new content. I'm planning on posting every other Tuesday, provided life doesn't get in the way. I have two more chapters written, just needing edits, and then there are only two more chapters to finish writing and editing after that, along with an epilogue.