Here is the third chapter of the Story of the Protector. I enjoyed writing this part though it kind of saddened me slightly. It was a very different tone from what I normally write so I hope you guys like it.
Thank you all for reading my story. It truly means a lot to me that you guys take time out of your day to read my content. Thanks again. Tell me what you think in the reviews and as always I hope you enjoy.
It was late at night, as Shadow stared off into the starry, night sky. The stars twinkled beautifully as they lit up the sky above. Shadow was content with the the peace he had for once. Not a lot of moments where the hedgehog gets to rest because of the overload of work that GUN has been giving him lately. Now he had time to take in the peace and quiet that he finally had.
That was, until he heard heavy footsteps moving closer behind him. Shadow didn't move from his spot nor did he acknowledged them. He recognized those footsteps anywhere.
"Greetings, Agent Shadow," Tower appeared and stood next to him.
Shadow went to do his usual greeting with a salute, but Tower raised his hand. Shadow looked at him in confusion.
"No need to do that, we're not in a mission or in the workplace," Tower said stoically.
Shadow stared at Tower quietly, then relaxed once again. Shadow looked off into the sky once more to enjoy the view above.
"You know," Shadow's ear twitched at the sound of Tower's voice. "I could always see the Ark above from here when it's not cloudy at night."
Shadow looked over to his commander, curious, "Really?"
"Absolutely," Tower confirmed. He raised his hand and pointed towards the sky, "It's over there."
Shadow followed the direction of Tower's gesture and looked. Shadow's eyes widened as he can see the Ark visible in the sky. Shadow always loved staring at the sky no matter the time of day so he would do it frequently. No matter how many times he stared off into the sky, he never noticed the Ark being visible ever. Memories of Maria and Professor Gerald began running through his mind as he stared at the Space Station.
Tower turned his gaze over to the dark hedgehog and studied him. Shadow seemed completely entranced as he looked at the Ark. Surely, it makes the ebony hedgehog reminiscent whenever the Ark is mentioned. The same could be said for Tower himself. Tower turned his gaze back to the sky above.
Silence enveloped the both of them as they left to their own thoughts. Shadow and Tower are an odd pair that you wouldn't see together unless they're working. It's always about business with those two and they never hang around leisurely, especially Tower. But whenever they're around each other with no work, they'd stand with each other quietly. Not a lot of words are said between the two. There weren't really a need for a conversation to them. They prefer the silence and stillness when things are peaceful. Now really thinking about it, those two are very similar in a lot of ways which explains why they worked so well together.
All that mattered to them was the safety of their home world and they will do whatever it takes to keep it safe. That's where the respect originates from that they had for each other.
"Commander Tower.." Shadow said almost in a whisper.
Tower turned his attention the ultimate life form. He couldn't get a very good luck from his face but his voice held uncertainty. He remained silent as he stared at the dark hedgehog.
Shadow continued, "Do...do you think Maria would be proud?"
Tower stared at Shadow more intently as he replayed the question in his mind.
"Not just of me," Shadow said quietly. He turned his gaze to Tower, "But of both of us."
Tower widened his eyes in surprise as he heard Shadow's words. He was tongue-tied towards the questions. Not really sure how he could answer that question.
"I mean, when we first met," Shadow turned his gaze back to the sky. "You said that Maria was a sister to you. She loved you like a sibling as she did for me."
Tower eyes the hedgehog more in disbelief. That moment hasn't been brought up in their conversations since Tower had the courage to apologize years ago. Then, flashes of Maria started flooding Tower's mind. She always showed him kindness even when he didn't return it. She loved him dearly and treated him as if he was a part of her family. Maria...was one of a kind..like a guardian angel. She would never dislike anyone or anything. That's the kind of person she is.
A small smile formed on Tower's lips, "I think she's proud of both of us."
Shadow slightly gazed at the old man but he said nothing.
"We're preserving the lives that she wanted you to protect. I may not have been a part of that promise...but I feel as though I have to preserve that promise as well," Tower stared quietly. Shadow blinked at the commander. Tower turned his gaze down to the black hedgehog, serenity flowing around him, "It's my way of paying respects to her."
Shadow nodded his head in response. He couldn't help but respect the man for being so tenacious when it comes to protecting the lives of others. Tower's reasonings were no different than his own.
"I know that I don't have that much time to continue working. Promise me that one day," Tower's voice trailed off. He turned very serious as he stared at Shadow, "Promise me that you will continue to protect the world for Maria and I when my time comes."
Tower extended his arm towards Shadow. Shadow stared at Tower blankly as he processed the words Tower had just said.
Shadow nodded slightly and shook Tower's hand, "I promise I will continue to keep fighting. Even if the world turned against me, I will strive to protect this world for you and for Maria. That I promise. You also have to promise to fight by my side as long as your able."
"Of course, we'll both fight to protect this world no matter the cost." Tower stated.
"Good," Shadow said quietly.
Tower chuckled to himself, a rare gesture, then looked back to the sky, "Maria would be ecstatic to see us now."
Shadow smirked in response and gazed towards the stars above, "Yeah, she would be happy to see us fighting together for her."
"ABRAHAM!"
Shadow dug through the rubble around him. The whole office had been blown away from the rocket that was coming earlier and now Shadow frantically searched for Tower's body.
"ABRAHAM!" Shadow moved the concrete out of the way and froze instantly.
He found his body lying on the ground. He looked as if he was voided of any life that Tower had left. Shadow quickly placed his head onto Tower's chest. His heart had stopped. Shadow placed two of his fingers on Tower's neck hoping for a pulse. There was no pulse. Shadow could not give up on him. Not now, not when they fought so hard to keep the peace of the world. Not when he finally had a chance to open up to another individual he could actually relate to.
Shadow went to use CPR as a last resort in hopes of reviving the commander. Tears were streaming down his face as he continued pumping Tower's chest.
"Shadow!" A female voice called from the distance.
Shadow couldn't hear the voice. He was locked in his own frenzy as he tried to revive Tower. He couldn't focus on anything else.
Rouge walked in the destroyed office. She noticed a corpse lying on the left side of the entrance, covered in dirt and wounds. She looked around and her eyes landed on the black hedgehog, so she glides to him.
"Shadow," Rouge called his name out once again but he didn't respond. As she got close to him, she gasped as she see what's happening, "Oh god."
Tears started to form around her eyes as she seen Tower's lifeless body under Shadow who still continued doing CPR.
Rouge raised her communicator to her mouth, "I need a medical team in the commander's office immediately!"
"Roger that, we'll send them up there now," a person replied on the other end.
Rouge turned attention towards Shadow who didn't stop. She felt terrible as she watched the hedgehog start to fall apart for the second time. His eyes were becoming red as more tears flowed from his eyes. The look of determination was planted on his face but the look in his eyes didn't convey the same thing. His eyes was showing defeat, anguish, and anger. He knows that he can't save him and he doesn't want to accept that fact. He couldn't accept that hard, cold fact. He failed to save Maria, he can't fail to save Abraham. He can't...not again.
"Commander, we're surrounded."
Tower sighed to himself as him and Shadow attempted to analyze their situation. Both of them were hiding behind a table that's been flipped to its side. It was quiet as the attackers moved silently, closing in on the duo.
Tower closed his eyes, "How many of them are there?"
"I'd say there's 30 of them," Shadow stated quietly, looking vigilant of his surroundings.
"Are the reinforcements close?" Tower queried.
Shadow shook his head, "Not close enough. They are ten minutes away."
"Then it seems we'll have to fight until they get here," Tower slightly opened his eyes. He turned his gaze towards the dark hedgehog, "And I doubt they will wait until reinforcements get here."
Shadow looked at the Commander with confidence, "I can take them. You stay here and I'll-,"
Tower glared at Shadow intensely which made Shadow stop, "What do you take me for? A weakling?"
Shadow raised an eyebrow as he stared blankly at Tower. Tower slouched over and grabbed an AK-47 that was on the ground in front of them. He took off the clip to see how many bullets were inside. Afterwards, he loaded the gun and looked back at Shadow.
"We're going to take them out together," Tower stayed firmly. "You push forward and attack and I'll cover your six."
Shadow smirked at the commander, "Yes sir."
"On three," Tower whispered. "One."
"Two," Shadow counted with him as he readied himself.
"Three!"
Gunshots could be heard from the outside. Rouge and the Spider Troupe ran towards the entrance. Everyone covered the area vigilantly as they maneuvered through the building.
"Clear!"
They got closer to the gunshots that was ranging throughout the building. They made it to the door that was blocking them from the violence that occurred. It became silent as they seen the door. A very eerie silence. Andrews walked to the door and motioned the others to the door. They breached through and everyone had their guns aimed around looking for anything that moved. Instead, they looked around and all of them stood there speechless. Shadow cracked his knuckles as he looked around the area for any others. Commander Tower sat on the table with the assault rifle resting on his shoulder, looking very menacing. Both of them landed their eyes on the troupes at the door who stood there flabbergasted.
"You're late," Shadow and Tower bellowed simultaneously.
Rouge raised her hands in defense jokingly, "Hey, hey, we got here as fast as we could."
Andrews walked further into the large room towards the duo, "Seems like you two handles everything."
"Hmph," Shadow folded his arms. "They're nothing but small fry."
Tower set his rifle down on the table, "Nothing we couldn't handle."
"Oh wow, you actually had some action, Abe?" Rouge teased.
Andrews chuckled, "I never seen the commander in action before."
"He has precise and exceptional aim," Shadow turned his gaze to his commander. He looked back at Captain Andrews and smirked, "You pale in comparison."
Andrews' face twitched in annoyance, still keeping his smirk, "Oh really. How about I use you for target practice."
"Enough, did you bring Forensics with you?" Commander Tower queried, stoically as usual.
"They are coming in now, sir," one soldier stated.
Tower nodded his head cooly, "Good. That will be all for now."
Everyone nodded and followed Tower out of the building.
As they walked, Shadow looked at Tower, "I didn't know you were well versed in combat."
Tower looked down at Shadow, voided of any emotion like the dark hedgehog, "I wouldn't have my title if I wasn't."
Shadow looked forward and smirked, "Hmph, I can't refute that. You've handled yourself better than any other human I've seen."
Tower chuckled quietly, "I'll take that as a compliment."
"We make a pretty good team," Shadow stated quietly.
Tower looked at Shadow thoughtfully in silence, then looked up towards the sky, "I suppose we do, Agent Shadow. It was actually...exhilarating fighting by your side."
Shadow widened his eyes and gazed at the old man in shock. A small smirk formed on his muzzle, as he turned forward again, "Likewise."
"Come on." Shadow said quietly in defeat. "You can't die yet...not now.."
Shadow stared at the blue and brown eyes that were once filled with life that now had lost their shine of life. Tears landed on Tower's motionless face and slid down to the ground. Shadow clenched his teeth as he began shaking. He was losing his mind slowly as his world began to crumble apart in front of him once again.
Why? Why does this have to happen?
Why...why does this always happen?
First Maria, now this? Is this some sick joke!?
Why?
Why!?
WHY!?
Shadow felt a pair of arms wrap around him. Shadow froze instantly as he stared at the ground, tears still falling from his eyes. He turned his head slightly to see Rouge holding him close as tears began trickling down her face, messing up her mascara. Shadow lowered his eyelids as he turned back to Tower. Shadow rested his hands on the ground as more emotions began to pour from him. He openly sobbed as Rouge held him, trying not to breakdown herself as she tried to hold her best friend together.
The Medical team entered the office and gasped in horror as they seen Shadow and Rouge weeping over Tower's lifeless body. Some of them gritted their teeth in frustration, others remained quiet as solemnity covered the room. A heavy silence weighed in as everyone went to work around the destroyed office. The bodies of the assassins were taken and way first. Abraham Tower's body was the last to be retrieved. Shadow gave him one last look before shutting his eyes and turning away in shame.
"Shadow.." Rouge stood up and looked glumly at the ebony hedgehog. "Come on, let's not stay in here..."
Shadow remained silent. He looked down at the ground motionlessly.
"Shadow, please. Don't stay up here." Rouge pleaded, wiping her tears away.
Shadow turned his gaze towards the treasure hunter and Rouge couldn't help but widened her eyes. Shadow was voided of all emotion completely, dried tears very noticeable on his face.
"I'll meet you in the lobby," Shadow stated quietly.
A few tears began to form in Rouge's eyes, "Shadow-,"
"I will meet you in the lobby." Shadow stated more firmly, still withholding his emotionless demeanor.
Rouge stared at the ultimate life form helplessly as tried to form words in her mind to convince Shadow to leave now.
"Please..." Shadow's voice cracked. He turned back to the ground, "Just leave me be...for a few minutes...I'll meet you down there later."
Rouge walked towards Shadow and embraced him, "Ok, I'll go...just...don't take too long...ok?"
Shadow slowly nodded his head in response. Rouge stood up and walked towards the doorway. As she got closer to the hallway, she looked back at Shadow one last time. He sat there at the same spot, not moving a single inch. Rouge sighed to herself and walked towards the stairwell. Shadow put his hand on his chest and gripped it tightly. It's that same pain again. The same pain he felt when Maria pulled the lever to save him. That same searing, excruciating, and heart breaking pain.
He struggled to breathe as the air started feeling thin around him. He wasn't sure if he was hyperventilating or if it's something else but he didn't care. Nothing else mattered to him right now. The only thing that struck Shadow was one word.
Failure.
He failed once again. He failed to save someone who mattered once again. He failed to save Maria all those years ago on the Ark. he didn't react quick enough when Maria pushed him into the capsule and he was too weak to break the capsule to stop the GUN soldier from fatally shooting her. Now, he failed to save Abraham Tower. He actually had a chance to save him this time around, but he still couldn't pull through. He didn't move fast enough to finish the assassin, he didn't get to the office sooner, and he didn't react fast enough to be shield Tower from the rocket.
The rocket...
Shadow instantly stood up and walked towards the window. Based on the projection of the rocket, it appeared to have been shot from the building right across from him. Shadow glared intently at the rooftop for a few seconds. Someone is out there. The person that Shadow fought in here must have been an underling and a loose end. Whatever the case, whoever shot that rocket knew very well that Shadow would capture the attacker and that they could use him to track the mystery person, so this person did not want Shadow to capture him. He or she took matters into their own hands and severed any possibilities that could lead to them.
Shadow tightly clenched his fist, a raging terrifying anger caused Shadow's eyes to glow a dark crimson, "I will find you, whoever you are. You won't get away with killing Abraham. I. Swear. It."
"Shadow."
Shadow turned his gaze down to his communicator.
"Shadow, are you coming down?" The voice belonged to Rouge.
Shadow took a few moments to breathe and calm himself, then replied, "I'm on my way. I'll meet you down there."
"Ok, see you there.." Rouge said.
Shadow took his last few looks around the office, then towards the rooftop. Shadow started walking out of the office and slowly made his way down the stairs. Little did he know that a pair of eyes were sticking to him while he left the office. The dark wolf lowered their binoculars once Shadow was out of view. A pair of ice, cold blue eyes were revealed. He stood up and looked towards the launcher behind him.
He picked it up and gazed at the office one last time, "The commander is out of the picture now. Now, all I need to do is rid that hedgehog, then my plan will be set in motion."
He pulled a locket from his front pocket and opened it revealing a beautiful grey wolf Mobian smiling wondrously in the photo.
"Don't worry, beloved," the black wolf whispered. "Everyone will understand our pain soon."
He put the locket away and got his things together. Afterwards, he jumped off and disappeared into the shadows.