~Chapter 5~
Shadow waited for at least two hours for Claire to wake up. Claire stirred in her sleep. "She looks beautiful," Shadow thought to himself. He then shook his head, trying to get that thought out. Shadow then stood up and removed the restraints from Claire.
Shadow was kneeling when Claire started to awaken from her sleep. "What happened? It feels like a meteor landed on my head," said Claire. Shadow looked up. Pleased that she was finally awake, Shadow stood up and said, "Claire, I have to tell you something." Wide-eyed, Claire asked, "What is it Shadow?"
Shadow told her about Eggman's machine and why Eggman shot a seditive at her. Shadow then hesitated when he told Claire about the report. "Most importantly," Shadow said. "Do you even know how that entity got inside of you?" Claire's gaze went from Shadow's eyes to the ground.
"Shadow, do you remember when you first asked me if I knew who Nightmare was," Claire asked. "Yes," said Shadow. "Well, after you told me not to give Black Doom the chaos emeralds, I went back for the forest and waited for him to see if I had the chaos emeralds for him. When I told Black Doom that I didn't have them, he was disappointed. The next thing I knew, a black cloud surrounded me, followed by a flash of bright light. I then noticed that my colors changed from blue to black and red, like your colors. I don't remember much after that, but what I do know is that he is using the dark side of me, the side that he calls 'Nightmare', to get the chaos emeralds and use them for something evil. I'm sorry I didn't tell you when you found me in the forest the next morning, but I thought it was a dream."
Shadow had a look of disappointment on his face. "Claire," Shadow said. Claire looked up at Shadow, afraid of what he might say. "Y-yes S-shadow?" Noticing that she was a little afraid, Shadow put his hand on Claire's cheek and said, "I am glad that you told me the truth,Claire. But please, next time, tell me a little sooner." Claire was relieved. "Shadow was always like an older brother to me, it is a good thing I know he still cares," Claire thought to herself.
As Claire and Shadow were leaving Eggman's base, Claire asked, "Shadow, what am I going to do now that I know that part of me works for Black Doom?" Shadow turned to look at her and then turned back. He then said, "I will take you to the Ark, so I can keep you safe and far away from Black Doom as possible." Claire looked at Shadow with confusion. "I don't think you ever brought me to the Ark, Shadow. I'd like to go there with you," Claire said. Pleased, Shadow wrapped his arms around Claire. "What are you doing, Shadow," Claire asked. Shadow then took out a chaos emerald and shouted, "CHAOS CONTROL!" The two then disappeared.