Chapter 5: The Dark That Follows
One month later…
Though my internal alarm clock had adapted to sense for movement against me, it still woke me up after an extended period of absence of movement. I stirred slightly, squeezing my eyelids tight because I didn't know why there wasn't any disturbance. As I prepared myself for the worst, I prayed it was the best. Slowly, I opened my eyes to find that my prayers had been answered. Swift was merely absent, a wrinkled spot to show that she had been there. I searched for a note, but came up short, which was cause for slight worry. Deciding to take on the attitude she used when I wasn't present, I ignored the paranoia rising up in my chest. Snatching the brand-new iPod the Professor had nabbed from an experimental lab on Earth for us, I plopped it in the amplifier and scrolled until I hit 'Shuffle Songs'. Then, I depressed the center button. My ears peeled back as high pitched squealing crashed out of the speaker. I barely managed to keep my balance as I pressed the 'Next' button to discover an actual guitar playing instead of someone strumming random strings in the background.
Now, I looked to be around 13 years old. My quills were hardening into the dangerous weapons that an adolescent-to-adult hedgehog possessed and the highlights were becoming a brighter and brighter crimson every day. Swift, though incredibly intelligent, was still absorbing the information on higher end conversations. She was learning, however, and that gave no reason for panic. Swift now looked to be around 11 or 12, and her charcoal streaks had yet to sharpen against the radiant navy blue fur. Though Swift remained a temporary installment until her survival was insured as mine was, Maria became the singular permanent fixture for me to revolve around during thick and thin… because there were some nights I would be on edge until everything was set straight once more. It soon became apparent that I needed Maria to live. I needed her life to allow mine to continue, since Swift's soul still dangled precariously over the edge to oblivion.
It was becoming apparent to the researchers that I had more power in stock than I let on, as did Swift. So, they forced me to aim for perfection in the art of controlling Chaos. As I trained by myself, I practiced hitting targets, charging up, and most importantly, not overloading. Usually, Swift would sit up in a shielded room and watch me carefully, often times mimicking the moves I made and occasionally producing sparks of the stuff, but never enough to draw a ton of attention to herself.
"Shoot." I muttered to myself as I mindlessly stubbed my toe on the doorframe between the bathroom and the bedroom.
"Shadow!" The Professor's voice suddenly called from the intercom, startling me just enough to cause me to spin around and unleash a torrent of Chaos upon the opposing wall. Shocked by my lack of control and the destruction that had resulted, I staggered away from the wall in utter alarm until my back smashed not too softly into the nearby dresser… Swift's dresser.
"Y-yes, sir?" I asked shakily, knowing he would have heard the fracture in my voice.
"Are you alright, Shadow?" He probed quickly, clearly urgent to get to the original reason upon which he was calling.
"Fine, just a little… unnerved." I explained, still quite shaken up as my eyes bore into the black mark I had created on the wall.
"We need you in the Chaos Training Room! Swift's in trouble!" My brain short-circuited. I couldn't breathe, speak, see… nothing. I was absolutely blank, all thought gone. As my vision flickered back into focus, all I could see was Swift's face…
"Because you know I won't fail you." I muttered quickly as soon as I could find the strength to take another breath.
"Shadow?" The Professor yelled desperately through the intercom, but I was already out the door, sprinting at lightning speed towards the sound of Swift's distressed thoughts ringing in my ears for only me to hear.
I launched myself literally through the thick metal sliding door, saving precious seconds instead of waiting for the scientists on the other side to walk slowly to the door and swipe their cards to allow the door to open. While the researchers freaked when they saw me surrounded in debris, I ignored all of their scolding and slid to the Professor's side.
"What's wrong?" I half-shouted, trying frantically to see into room where Swift was apparently kept away.
"These idiots-!" The Professor yelled over his shoulder at some of the researchers that stood as far away from the equipment the slightly crowded room allowed. "-Tried to induce Chaos Blast from Swift through her anger." He said more calmly.
"How?" I asked skeptically.
"They threatened her with your life." He stated blandly, trying to remain logical about the situation.
"They threatened to kill me!" I whirled around threateningly.
"Focus, Shadow!" The Professor ordered. I obeyed, turning on my heel back to face the screen. "They had fake tape of you battling the robot we used for your test, only you were losing."
"So, she actually thought I was dying…" I uttered, murderous thoughts beginning to blot out my original plan.
"Yes. She's already used Chaos Blast, but the video apparently got worse and she drew in too much energy. So now, she's in an internal battle. If she doesn't keep it in, this Chaos Blast will kill everyone on this colony… perhaps minus you, but the energy she has within her right now is more than I've ever seen…" The Professor pondered the circumstances versus my capabilities.
"If she keeps it in?" I prodded.
"If she doesn't trap the energy in reserve properly, it will kill her from the inside. If she does bottle it up successfully, everyone'll live to see another day." The Professor seemed a tiny bit doubtful on that last part.
"What can I do?"
"Coach her through it; tell her you're still alive. Anything! I don't want to lose a daughter." I wasn't really listening.
Swift, it's Shadow! I'm not dead, okay? They were lying to get you to Chaos Blast! I never was in any danger… I pressed out on the boundaries of my mind, surpassing them easily. However if my mind had been able to crack as it hit something through telepathy, it would have when it smashed headlong into Swift's mental barrier. From the way it felt, the force field was put up merely instinctively, for a second of negative waves within her mind would result in death. Swift?
I'm… here… Her reply was weak with mental strain and I was finally able to peer over the equipment into the sealed room. Swift was on her knees, clutching her head in her hands and almost clawing at her ears and temples. And then as she slowly lowered her mental boundary to allow me to clearly connect with her, I felt the amount of energy she had drawn in. It was absolutely huge and could have literally covered everything within a 100-mile radius of the ARK.
How'd you manage to even bring that much energy into you? I stared disbelievingly through the screen.
I got scared… panicked. She explained shortly. I knew she didn't have much time left, if any at all, so I quickly condensed all of the information I learned about controlling energy from experience and lessons.
Okay… do you have any hold on it at all? I asked, running through some diagnostics.
Yeah. I've got a grip on it. She groaned back, pushing the mental barrier down further.
You know… I can't help you rein it in… I can't save you… I said sorrowfully after a moment of realization. In any other situation, I would have jumped in at this second and taken some of the load off. However, this was her survival fight… and she had to be able to stand on her own, even if I couldn't.
I know… But, your just being here makes me stronger. Her grip tightened on the hefty load of Chaos. I just needed the reassurance. I could feel you there; I just refused to believe it until I saw you. Without warning, she started to bottle the energy up. She was beginning to pull away from it. However, she began a race between her heart and the energy. Both were losing. She had put forth too much effort into keeping it steady while the energy resisted any shaping.
You're drained from holding onto it so long! You could die if you bottle it! I clenched my fists disbelievingly. She was so close… and I would still lose her. I couldn't think about it. I wouldn't allow my mind to see the truth… Swift was dying before my eyes… and there wasn't a single thing I could do except drive her faster towards her final straw.
Shadow… because you know I won't fail you… These words froze me dead in place. All communication other than the light brush of our minds in instinct cut off. Suddenly, this little semi-clone of me managed to restore my hopes with merely seven words. I had absolute faith in her. She had to make it because if she didn't, the world would fall apart and I'd be left with nothing to stand on. You still with me? She shrilled the question, pain from the pressure rising up in her mind's voice. Her heart was pounding louder than her voice now. The logical part of me told me that I needed to say goodbye to her. The masochistic part of me forced me to become optimistic.
Yes, Swift! Yes! You can do this! I actually believed the words as they flew from my mouth. With the rational part of my mind subdued, I went mad with glee. You're going to make it! I began giggling with insanity. The Professor cocked his head at me almost fearfully. I cackled almost insidiously now; something had taken over my soul.
You're just as vile as your biological creator.
My mind froze.
What's wrong with me? I sucked in a huge gulp of air and reoriented myself. Scolding myself sharply, I focused more attentively on Swift's racing heart. Easy now. Don't overexert yourself. I cautioned tentatively.
You're turning freakin' bipolar. She smirked as the energy completely overpowered her previous growth pattern. As she drew in more and more energy from the stockpile and bottled it up, waves of it pulsed outward to me, increasing my growth as well. Golden light enveloped her body and radiated over mine, blocking my sight. Years passed in merely seconds. Potential lifeforce flowed out of my body, circled around me, and reentered with crushing power, nearly overloading my own body. I staggered under the new weight being added within split seconds and couldn't imagine the amount of pressure even the tiniest ounce put on Swift.
Why are you… doing this?
Dunno! It's helping relieve the pressure, if you can believe that. She explained almost excitedly.
You're affecting me too!Sorry! I don't exactly know what I'm doing!
Just make it out alive! I practically screamed aloud. She was getting closer and closer, but could slip at any second. The energy flow was beginning to ebb as her strength was sapped away. As the last drop of her power was taken away, the golden light abruptly disappeared and a moan came from the center of the disturbance, Swift.
With the extra foot I had gained during the waxing of the energy, I peered anxiously over the control panel. Swift, who had risen to her feet to gain better control of the pulsations while I was blinded, faded out of consciousness and allowed her knees to buckle and collapsed upon herself. Her heartbeat thundered persistently in my eardrums like a battle drum while I slowly ambled to the huge door that stood between us. I moved in slow motion while the scientists sprinted ahead of me into the room, all gathering around her. Two seconds later, I reached the edge of the ring of researchers. They parted instantaneously, allowing me to see her for, it seemed, the first time. Only a few more scientists remained in my way, so I waved my hand to motion them to move, startling myself with the radiance of the crimson streak on my arm. They sidestepped out of my way with shocked expressions on their faces.
What…? What is it? What did I do?
They're… surprised. They were too focused on me that they… didn't see you when they passed. They didn't expect you to be affected as well. Swift groaned softly.
Shh… Quit expending energy. I found myself with a whole new word bank to choose from, but remained more simplistic for old times sake.
"Shadow?" The Professor appeared behind me and placed his hand on my shoulder. Panic lodged my heart in my throat. Her heartbeat became more and more faint as the seconds trickled from my fingertips.
I'm not anymore… I have my own locking bracelets now… Sure enough, the first thing my eyes fell upon were the brand new and brilliantly shining golden bracelets. But I instantly flicked my eyes to the rest of her. She had grown even more than I had, but from the looks of it, still remained a touch shorter than me, since she was supposed to be late 14. Her navy quills glowed defiantly against the charcoal that stained them. She could have been sleeping for all anyone knew, but she wasn't out of the woods yet.
Don't you dare stop! I wanted to shake her like a rag doll for letting her beat slip.
I'm trying… I could feel her struggling as the curtains began to fold upon her mind.
"No!" I hissed sharply.
"What is it?"
"She's not going to make it!" I screamed and barreled through the researchers who had gathered about her again. Skidding to her side, I knelt beside her and flipped her on her back.
Easy… She winced softly, unable to manage much more. I'm not… giving up…
I know. You just need a little help.
What happened to no helping me through this?
You're through the Chaos thing. This is different.
"What's going on, Shadow?" The Professor strode up and remained standing beside me.
"She's…" Words caught in my throat and I had the sudden urge to rip them out.
I won't… let you die.
Who said I was dying?
Your heart.
"I've only got one shot at this. I have to jump start her heart with more Chaos."
"That could kill you both!" The Professor exclaimed rather angrily.
"I don't care." I muttered, glaring up at him determinedly, watching as his face contorted painfully. I felt her tense up beneath my hand and watched as a tiny liquid diamond fell from her closed eyes.
I didn't mean to… I-
Don't. I'll handle it from here. You can't help what your heart betrays.
I'm sorry… Her chest stopped in the middle of an ascent and fell hard, last breath hot on my cheek as I leaned to listen for another, coming up fruitless. She went limp just as fast as she had tensed.
"I'll make it okay." I murmured, entwining the fingers of my left hand around her right. "I promise."
"Shadow, what are you-?"
For the second time that day, Chaos surged. Rippling from my left arm, it shot through my palm into her's. A light moan came from her lips and I felt the burn I caused within her as our minds tapped. I poked her with the cool feeling I was receiving from this exchange.
Thanks.
The feeling I was getting from combining our sensations was rather odd, like holding onto dry ice… so cold it burned.
You're getting that too then.
Feeling stronger?
Much.
Ignoring the icy blaze, I pumped a touch more Chaos into her, sealing the shock inside of her. I finally released her hand to discover I had left more than my Chaos signature on her. Slashed diagonally across her right palm was another streak of black tainted with blood red fur in the center. Her breath came in short gasps for a few seconds before falling into my own labored rhythm from the transfer.
"I can't believe this." A thud from behind me couldn't draw my attention. I could care less about a scientist passing out.
"She'll be okay." Suddenly, my eyes were on hard tile instead of fur. My head jerked up furiously, finding Swift in the Professor's arms.
"Where are you taking her?" I snarled, fighting back killer instincts.
"The infirmary. You may follow, if you wish." He explained calmly. "She's a bit heavier than the last time I held her." He added happily, shifting her weight. I turned away as she adjusted her own body, curling up loosely in his arms.
Will you be okay?
After an effort from you like that, I don't see how I couldn't be. She sent her message with a part of the remaining arctic flame.
"Coming, Shadow?" I was the only being that remained in the room, aside from the Professor, who stood in the doorway clutching Swift.
"Yeah." I said meekly, suddenly overcome with fatigue.
"We can get you a bed in the infirmary as well while we check you over." The Professor whirled around and headed out.
I'll take that offer. I sighed, receiving a light chuckle from Swift. I don't see how anything worse can happen.
Don't you?
A/N: I'M SO SORRY FOR THE UBER LONG WAIT!! I gots to go and work on other Snapple now... Bye for now... At least I know what I'm writing about for the next chappie! Keep a look out!
-When darkness falls, heroes will rise-
-Swift-
