A/N So I finally am feeling in the groove again(And just because I said that I'll drop out soon, you'll see) and I am working on this story finally for reals. Anyway with my inspiration temporarily back I am working on ideas and making them happen. I think it was Archaon that said he/she didn't expect Shadow to appear and I would have thought of all the people to make it through this kind of world it would be Shadow… course then he also brought up a point that of all the people in the world Eggman would have on his hit list Shadow would be second arguably first(Since in my opinion he's more powerful and less morally restricted than sonic is)
Also thanks for the other kind words, I'm glad you enjoy Fiona and Tails so far. I will go more in depth and explain Tails' turn to the darker side at some point but for now this chapter will more or less explain how Shadow has been surviving, how he got the scar, hole in his ear and the leg brace(PS if you don't get what I meant by Mad max leg brace look up a picture, it hard to see but it's two bars going down his…. Right leg I think. Lastly the fourth character will be joining the cast and I bet you'll all be surprised by who it is. Although at the same time you won't be since they've been in a dystopian world before(Hope that isn't too much of a hint)
(Also Ps I have no idea who any of the freedom fighters are putside the main people I specifically mention so that's why I don't mention more sorry if that annoys people. Didn't feel like learning about anyone I wasn't gonna use for a real reason)
So enjoy…
"So you are planning to break into Eggmans fortress, get through all the defenses, not die and kill him?" Shadow said briefly re-iterating what the two foxes explained to him. They were currently in his office… well it was a shack that had a desk and chair in it with a small lamp so the best office he could get.
"Is it too complicated for you?" Tails asked not liking to repeat himself.
"What your mouth kid, you may not be the kid I knew years ago but you could still never beat me. You'd both be dead before you hit the floor right now" he said eyeing the male intimidatingly.
Fiona on the other hand answered his question "Yes that's our plan, but we ned help and considering you are the mystery guy we were looking for I say we're trying to recruit you"
He hummed in thought rubbing his chin considering it. Like them he wanted Eggman dead but even with his fantastic powers and much more people he had failed and nearly been killed.
"Do you have anyone else?" he asked looking up at the standing foxes while he was in his chair.
"No but would your town be willing to help?" Fiona asked. Tails rolled his eyes, he didn't want their help. The best they could be was cannon fodder.
"Really? So what gave you confidence to even start this? He eyed them skeptically now his hands clasped together on the desk like he were a boss interviewing someone. He seriously considered the idea they both went partially insane, would explain why Fiona hadn't been killed by the male yet.
"We have my underground lair, and everything that's inside including anything I've ever made" Tails argued.
"Right cause some gadgets and three people are gonna win this" he crossed his arms losing faith in them both, but it did answer a question for him. He had wondered where the fox had been hiding even before Eggman destroyed the world.
Fiona growled frustrated at his skepticism "We aren't done looking for people. I was going to ask you if you knew where any of the other are, if they are even alive"
It was silent and Shadow looked down at the desk, more specifically his hands "They're all dead" he sighed actually looking saddened by that.
Tails subtly shifted in place and his ear twitched but Fiona gasped in horror "… All of them?" she was no short of breath, they were all gone and she never even got a chance to apologize.
"What happened?" the female asked.
Shadow took a deep breath and sighed and said "Only hours after Eggman attacked the fortress he has no rose from the ground, everyone was so mad at him they just went in… I was too but I like think I was thinking somewhat clearly…." He stayed quiet before continuing.
"Most were quickly cut down by the many defenses, only a few were left alive by the time the worst happened…"
Flashback…
Shadow dipped and dodged enemy fire grunting from a hard landing. They had been here only ten minutes and things were bad. Most of the freedom fighters were dead or dying. Only ones standing were Sally, Amy, Knuckles and of course Sonic.
Shadow wondered why they hadn't retreated yet, must have been blind anger. He saw it in Sonic's eyes when they met right before the attack. It was more like barely contained rage.
Either way it got them in trouble quickly due to their blunt attack. Early in the fight he had been shot in the ear and only motivated him to go faster.
He huffed jumping away from an approaching missile and slid to a stop near a boulder. They had barely broken faster the outer fence and had been slaughtered.
He looked around desperately hoping to find his few remaining allies either retreating or already out of harms way. Unfortunately, only Amy seemed to do any of that was because she was panicking.
Timing it right he dashed over and slid to a stop beside her, luckiy behind a small rock which forced him to sit down to stay low enough "Are you alright!?" he yelled over the fire.
She barely noticed his presence death clearly in her eyes and tears streaming down her face. He gritted his teeth, she was broken and he needed to get her out of here, but nowhere was a safe place to run especially with a passenger. He'd have teleported her away but something was effecting his chaos powers, like a field around the base wasn't allowing him to draw power from his emerald.
That brought up something in his mind, as soon as he showed himself a large portion of the defences attacked him. He wanted the emerald making him want to get away even more.
The dark hedgehog ignored the crying girl for a moment and looked over the rock to spy for anyone else. First he saw Knuckles, bloodied but dying, he was panting hold his arm in distress. Luckily he found a safe place to hide, not that he didn't leave a fine trail of destruction behind him.
He growled yet another ally down for the count, only Sally and Sonic left, plus himself.
His eyes darted to Sally who was now about to be killed, he had been shot in the leg and a robot was approaching already. It was too far, the defenses had been ready for super sonic speeds which was why even him and Sonic had no progress. He had no choice but to watch from afar.
But a blur or blue went by punching straight through the robot disabling it. The blue turned but came to a horrid sliding stop as a bullet managed to lead him properly. He wasn't dead but he'd soon be.
He looked away knowing there was only one course of action, he'd have to find a way to save Amy and knuckles, there was no chance for Sonic and Sally, he already heard a shot ending the female. He didn't want to look over and confirm it.
Bu his eyes flashed to Sonic who was getting up despite a shot to his shoulder, he was panting and looking around and met with his long time rivals eyes. There wasn't anger anymore, only remorse, sadness and regret for what he had done to them all. He was their leader and led them all to their deaths.
But he also seemed to send Shadow a message with just his eyes and the ebony hedgehog knew what it was. He nodded and got ready.
The blue hedgehog shot off for the last time running in the opposite direction as all the defences turned to take him out once and for all.
Shadow picked up the weeping girl and dashed for Knuckles, his incredible strength would allow him to carry them both to safety.
It may have been split seconds but to him and Sonic it felt like a minute, as long as he continued to hear shooting and explosions he was sure Sonic was still alive and the longer he'd have to run.
As he picked p Knuckles though it all stopped, no time to mourn, he had only once chance and he had to take it know while everything was still partially watching Sonic. His skates activated to full power and he blasted away from the base as fast he could with his two passengers.
In half a second he was now the target but in the half a second he had cleared most of the distance to the small hill.
He was barely fast enough to void it all except a missile explosion which made him and his two allies sail forward just clearing the small incline and they all slid to a stop on the ash covered ground.
Knuckles groaned in pain but tried to stand "W-where's everyone else…?" he panted out looking around only finding Shadow and Amy.
"We need to keep moving or the robots will catch up to us" Shadow said partially avoiding the question so his last useful ally wouldn't go into a rage and get himself killed.
"Alright, get her and let's go" he said holding his arm and running as Shadow picked u Amy again and followed.
Hey escaped with ease after that and once they stopped Knuckles asked "So where is everyone else?" he knew there were casualties… but not everyone.
Shadow layed Amy against a rock and said after a short moment "Nobody is left besides us…"
Present…
Shadow sighed and finished "He got mad as you'd expect but I knocked him out and continued on with both of them"
"Then what happened to them Fiona asked hoping they were ok. Hearing of Sonic death saddened her, she dated him and despite it not really happening he had been a nice guy. She looked to Tails but he only seemed to be in deep thought or waiting for Shadow to continue.
Two months later were attacked while on the move. It had been a trap meant specifically for us. In the end Knuckles died fighting and I got caught by a trap that was like a bear trap but faster, specifically designed to catch people of my speed. That's why I have this leg brace now" he said gesturing to it.
"And Amy?" Fiona asked fearfully.
"I fought off a bot that tried to cut me down even with the trap around my leg, the blade managed to cut my mouth" he gestured to the scar on his lip "But in the end it was destroyed. Amy came right after and using her hammer smashed the unlock switch and freed me… we got separated after that and I was forced to run…. So I don't know what happened to her. When I came back shortly after there was no body besides Knuckles. I was atleast able to bury him" He sadly explained his fist clenching angrily clearly frustrated ay something in the account.
All three were silent, two mourning while the third waiting for more words to be spoken, you can probably tell who.
"So. how'd you end up here?' Fiona finally broke the silence.
For another month I stayed away from people, but I found this town about to be wiped out because it's people were too rebellious. I saved them… barely I still didn't have the leg brace so I walked with a limp and enough pressure made it hurt. In thanks they made me the brace and gave me a place to stay. Eventually they put me in charge because I was the most experienced. And so for nearly two years I've been here, keeping these people safe…. It's all I can really do now" he frowned looking down feeling near useless.
Fiona nodded but Tails finally spoke "So what's with the wall?"
Shadow suddenly snorted "You mean the kiddy fence? Hardly worth my time, more to keep people like you out"
"Why keep people out?" Fiona asked suspiciously.
"Because I'm here" he smirked "Eggman won't admit it but he needs me, or atleast what I have" he revealed the chaos emerald, the green one, from his desk "I surmise he has all of them besides this one and he wants it" tossing it up and catching it.
"So why not obliterate the town and dead from your charred remains?" Tails asked bluntly arms crossed suspiciously.
Shadow smirked more bearing his fangs "Cause I can destroy it"
Both went wide eyed "You can destroy a chaos emerald?"
"Yup… well actually not detroy, more like absorb so much energy at once it shuts down forever…. Then I explode" he said.
"How do you know you can do that then?" Tails once again suspicious
Shadow laughed "I don't, I just know I was convincing enough when I said it that Eggman is scared. He laughed again as he revealed he was theoretically lying.
"Too smart for your own good" Fiona smirked shaking her head at his smart play.
"So now we've been sitting in a perpetual stale mate, I can't get everyone out of here without suffering casualties and he can't commit to an attack because I could destroy the emerald" Shadow explained staring at the emerald.
Tails asked "You mean you actually care about these people?"
Shadows eyes shot at him, yes he originally wasn't the nicest person. He still wasn't that nice but the people had been good to him for what he did and he felt like it gave him a purpose again "Let's just say these people are worth keeping safe"
All were silent until Shadow asked "So you've seemed to ask me all the important questions, what have you two been up to?"
Fiona explained her story same as before to Tails feeling that lying wouldn't help him trust them.
"So Scourge finally left ya for dead, I was wondering when he'd leave you to die" He wasn't smirking or laughing, he actually sounded somewhat sad for her. Perhaps he knew he had been her only ally and friend.
"…Ya… if I had a chance I'd kick his ass" she said crossing his arms.
The hedgehog looked to Tails who waited a moment before speaking "After I left the freedom fighters I worked on my a new lab, the one I have now underground. For months I worked and expanded the place eventually becoming a disaster bunker. Bet you can tell it came in handy"
Shadow didn't seemed to find it to be enough information but also realized he wasn't gonna get much. He too found the new Tails disturbing.
He was quiet once again the only sound was of shifting feet before he finally sighed "I might have one more recruit for you, he's not just another random guy. Although he's a little young and inexperienced… and hard headed. He's got good intentions and has basically been the other major defender of this town. I'm sure he'll say yes, he's way too hard headed… not to mention enthusiastic"
Both foxes looked to one another and Tails asked "If he is so useful how come he sounds so dumb?"
"Cause he kinda is…. I've been trying to refine his kills and abilities since we met… I can't protect this place on my own" he explained getting up planning to go find the mystery person.
Both foxes watched as he passed and proceeded to follow.
Walking through the town it felt a lot like Fiona's home except even worse. Since they were disconnected from the small help Eggman gives them the town was falling apart.
She felt terrible for them all, none of them looked even remotely safe but guess that's what it was like having yourself surrounded by a wall covered in guns.
Shadow eventually asked someone where his guy was and eventually he walked to a small shack and yelled to the roof "Hey Kid get down here!"
They heard someone stand and walk to the edge and jump down. Standing in front of them was a white, maybe silver hedgehog. He was clearly a bit younger then them all at around 14 or 15. His young face smiling excitingly waiting to hear what Shadow had to say.
His quills were fashioned strangely, it oddly gave him a look like his head was shaped like marijuana. It actually made Fiona hold back a giggle. His sender arms had gold rings on them, more like thick bands. Finally he wore black boots that reminded Fiona a lot of Amy's boots just coloured differently.
Shadow growled "What are you doing?"
"Umm… responding to your call?" he asked scratching his head confused.
"Without getting someone to cover your lookout!?" he said chastising the poor kid.
The younger hedgehog took a step back "Sorry… I'll go do that, give me a sec" he jogged off to find someone to cover his post.
Fiona smiled and chuckled "Why so hard on the kid?"
"Because he's essentially the second most powerful person here. He has the ability to use telekinesis and can lift objects, throw them, slam them whatever you want. He can also fly using his powers on himself" Shadow explained.
"SO he's like your apprentice?" Fiona jokingly asked.
Shadow answered seriously "He kind of is, his Name is Silver the hedgehog and once he hears your plan he might never leave you alone. As I said eager and stupid"
"We can't afford stupid" Tails said bluntly.
Shadow shrugged "He might surprise you. In a fight or mission he gets single minded and focused. Nothing diverts him from his goal. It's an advantage and disadvantage" he shrugged "As I said, he's good but he needs refinement"
The hedgehog came running back and said "Ok, got somebody, sorry"
"Just remember next time" Shadow growled to him but then pointed to the foxes "These are some old friends of mine. They're here looking for help and I thought you might want to hear what they got planned" his hands clasped behind his back.
The snow which hedgehog looked to the two foxes and smiled "Nice to meet ya, I'm Silver, any friend of Shadows is a friend of mine"
Fiona shrugged "I'm hardly a friend, even from back then. More like we knew eachother, him on the other hand" she gestured to Tails "They actually spoke, but yes we got something planned"
"Let's hear it" he said enthusiastically.
Tails started "We're building team to kill Eggman"
The young Hedgehogs eyes went wide in amazement "You want to kill Eggman… but… you told them the story right?" he looked to the older hedgehog.
He nodded back but gestured for him to keep listening.
Fiona spoke next "I recently met up with Tails here and after some… talking" The both rolled their eyes at this "We decided to find other people to help us. Our first stop was here and we ended u finding Shadow, and as an extra you"
"So it's just you two?" Silver asked a little worried that it wasn't nearly enough support.
"We're not done recruiting people, this was just our first outing" Fiona said to the young hedgehog, she felt it was kinda obvious after what she said.
"Oh then sorry" he apologized.
Shadow just watched from the sidelines, he knew Silver was waiting to hear if he said yes to the plan. The kid had some confidence issues but if Shadow was involved he'd always join.
"I know it isn't a lot of info but do you see anyone else trying to end all this?" Fiona tried to persuade him.
Silver thought and nervously said "Uhhh… well I don't know…"
Tails growled "Listen hedgehog, you either say yes or no, but realize we're the only people trying to do anything besides sit around and meaninglessly fight for a dead end town" he approached him aggressively but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Touch him and consider yourself kicked out of town" Shadows harsh voice said.
Tails growled but backed off crossed armed staring in some random direction.
"Sorry, he's a little angry at the world… but mostly me" Fiona cleared up only confusing the young man.
"But then… why's he with you?" he asked his face heavily questioning.
"Necessity, we met awhile ago by accident. I was looking for help just like we are now, I had no idea it was him. In the end he nearly killed me… twice before I convinced him to help me. Despite all that I'm fully expecting to get shot in the back if we both survive through all this" Fiona explained making Tails roll his eyes. When Tails was worried about her dying first back when they were cuffed she truly realized that was planning that probably.
"Oh… ummm… will he be a problem?" Silver asked.
"If you piss him off, yes" Fiona nodded.
"Soooooo… what did Shadow say about all this" Silver finally asked.
Shadow smirked glad he still could predict him "Totally honest I want your opinion" yet another test to see if Silver was learning, he had made is choice, what it was he had yet to answer.
"Well I've heard your story about how everyone was killed when you attacked before, I'm sure it's only gotten stronger since then. We have far less people so far and no plan of attack, atleast I assume that one" he thought aloud.
Shadow smiled but said "And you left out the fact that none of us know eachother enough in a fight to work together coherently. Silver and I do, but we don't know you two, and I'm sure you don't know eachother at all" He could be wrong on that though, consider they fought together in the past it may not have changed much.
Tail shrugged "I'll have a plan once we have everyone we can get"
"Hope you do" Shadow commented "Sadly if you haven't noticed this town is only standing because I'm here. If I leave then this place gets fire bombed"
"Forget about them, we have the world to save!" Tails growled.
That was totally uncalled for, Tails of all people said that and everyone glared daggers at the heartless fox.
"Hey, you may want to save the world but these people matter to me. As much as I want to help these people are my friends, I'm not leaving them for dead" Silver growled actually showing a spine.
Tails growled back "If you aren't too young to remember someone once said 'The needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few"
"Tails! I truly thought there was a still heart in there" Fiona poked him making him flinch but reach for his gun to take out Fiona.
"Keep you hands where they are" Shadow growled stopping everyone his emerald glowing with power.
Fiona watched ferfully of what either male would do as the rage in Tails slowly died down. Silver just watched scared to do anything until Shadow acted first.
Fiona watched as Tails' arms went back to a crossed formation and huffed.
She sighed "What a great first impression" sarcastically.
Tails just growled "Shut up… fine…" it sounded very much like he didn't want to ask but did anyway "How can we help this place?"
Well that's another chapter down. Hope you guys are liking so far. Man that last part was even unexpected for me it just happened as I wrote, heartless Tails. I promise he'll get better.
So who realized it was Silver from my hint above? Cause I knew he had to be here. In this dark world climsy, dumb and young Silver is perfect. I was honestly planning to make Silver Shadows son for awhile but I realized the time between the comics and this was too short for Silver to be as old as he is. So I decided to substitute it for this mentor relationship.
As for Shadows background I hopeit all made sense and was good. I'll explain Silvers past soon as well. Hope you guys are enjoying the read. More action will be coming up soon.
Also Shout to Spock for the 'neds of the many out weigh the needs of the few line"
Also shout out to Spock for my recently used closing line "Live long and Prosper" RIP Leonard Nemoy(Kinda late for that but still amazing actor, I'll miss him)
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