All Characters belong to Sega/Archie except my OCs.

Chapter 3

Sonic

"Are you alright," I asked as my partner looked around anxiously once more. Her jade green eyes went to me and she smiled nervously.

"Yea," she murmured. I rolled my eyes at her but went back to writing my essay on what I knew about her and such. Honestly, this girl wasn't much of a mystery. It was obvious that she was shy, hurt, and scared. Why? I'm not sure and I couldn't bring myself to care at the moment. All I needed to do was finish this stupid essay so that I could get on with the rest of my day. I'm still wondering who came up with this stupid class. It's not like it's going to help any of us. "So," she said quietly. I glanced up at her to see her staring curiously at me. "How are you enjoying high school so far?"

"It sucks. How is it treating you?" She shrugged her small shoulders.

"Could be better I guess." I finished the last sentence of the essay and looked up to my partner. At first, I had to admit that I was a bit happy to be paired with her. I mean, she was gorgeous. But then I got to see how quiet and shy she was. I didn't really go for that in a girl. Sure, I could always break through her shell and get to know her but I didn't want to do anything yet. I at least just wanted to get through the first year of high school first. "So, you know that Scourge guy right?"

"Yea, why?"

"He's nice, right," she asked, tilting her head at me. I raised an eyebrow at her.

"You do know that Scourge is his nickname right? And nicknames have to come from somewhere." She nodded slowly, disappointment running down her face. I leaned forward on my elbows and gently tapped her hand. Amy pulled her hand away quickly, looking up at me in surprise. I wanted to apologize for scaring her but I knew that wouldn't do any good. This child was too fragile. "You like him, don't you?"

"No, it's just that we're becoming friends and I just…I wanted to make sure his intentions were good."

"Understandable," I said with a small shrug. "The only advice I have for him is to just be careful. He can be…unpredictable at times."

"Do you know him well?"

"Yea…you could say that…"

"How long have you known him," she asked, leaning closer.

"My whole life, really."

"Are you guys related?"

"Yea," I said with a sigh. Amy raised her eyebrows in surprise. I could tell that she was about to jump to ask more questions but to my relief, the bell rang. Immediately, I rose from my seat and walked out the classroom. I could feel Amy's big eyes boring into my back as I did so but I couldn't bring myself to look over my shoulder at her. I didn't like talking about Scourge or our relation too much. It was just too unfair.

We were born twin brothers by the same father but when our parents split, my mom took me while our dad took him. We were so little that we couldn't realize the two very different lifestyles that we were walking into. Our father himself was a big drug lord and Scourge was his heir. I would have been the other heir but he doesn't give a shit about me anymore. Hell, he barely cares about Scourge from the looks of it. A part of me still wonders why Scourge puts up with all of our father's crap when he could easily just come live with our mother. Maybe because even there he would have it rough. Our mother married a rich gang leader who abuses her every chance he gets. Sometimes he comes after me too but I learned how to fight back against him. Once he saw that I could defend myself pretty well, he started to respect me more and sent me to MMA classes and such. It's still not nice to live in that house though. There was always company, my mother was constantly being beat on, and I was always witnessing someone being killed. It's not the best life to live but I deal with it the best I could. Apparently, I was going to get initiated into my stepfather's gang soon so hopefully that won't be too bad. At least then I might actually have a sense of what it's like to have a family.

Scourge and I were never truly close to each other. Hell, we barely even liked each other. When we were younger, we used to have an unspoken competition over everything. From grades to sports to girls. One of us always tried to get one step up on the other. Our little competitions only ended in us fighting and despising each other even more. For some reason, Scourge wanted to prove that he was better than me. Or maybe he just wanted to prove that to our parents. After our mom left my brother with our dad, they kind of had an estranged relationship. We were only about five when our parents had split so Scourge didn't really know how to understand the separation. I'm guessing our father explained it in a completely different matter than it was which concluded in my brother thinking that our mother didn't love him. Our mother didn't exactly help the situation since she never called in nor did she visit him. She just acted as if he never existed. Well, except when she sees him. Then she would stare at him with such sadness and regret in her eyes that I could tell she really wanted to be in his life. Once when I guess her regret caught up to her, she tried to meet up with him and explain her actions. The meeting ended badly per to say and Scourge exclaimed that he hated her and he hoped that she was happy that she was finally rid of him. After that, she never spoke of him again.

Instead, our mother put more of her concern into me. She claims that she only married the man she was with now because he had the money that could occupy my needs. Plus, she had once thought that he had genuinely cared about us. After that bubble busted, my mom tried to leave him but he roughed her up so much that she ended up in the hospital for a couple of days. She never considered leaving ever again after that night. Sure, maybe she still thinks about it but she would never ever try it again.

"Hi sweetie," my mom said as I got into her car after school. My mom was a beautiful woman with her warm face, bright light green eyes, long waves of blue hair and skinny stature. It was no wonder why my step-father wanted him to stay with her. But it wasn't just her looks that made her attractive. She was also very bubbly, humorous, light-hearted, caring and attentive. She found it easy to make friends – whom she kept for a long time – and she was always giving out helpful advice. Everyone in our neighborhood loved my mother.

"Hi," I replied as I shut the door. She leaned over to kiss my temple softly. "Mom," I groaned. "We're still on school grounds. That's embarrassing."

"Oh come on, sweetheart, you're a freshman. It's my job to embarrass you." I rolled my eyes at her causing her to laugh softly. Although my mother was an all-around great person, she wasn't the best mother in the world. She got high around me often and drank consistently. It was only when we were out of the house that she put the mother of the year façade on. Other than that, I couldn't exactly say that she was a good role model for me – or my outlook on girls.

Although I'd never had a serious relationship, I wasn't a virgin. No, I slept with some girl in the bathroom at a school dance when I was only in seventh grade. Too early to be having sex, I know but my mother nor my stepfather was there to tell me what to do about my sexual desires. Hell, they never even told me that sex was supposed to be a special moment for people who loved each other. All I knew was that sex was something that made you feel good. So, I used that definition to my own advantage. I wasn't exactly a player but I wasn't boyfriend material either. If I liked a girl and she liked me back then we would just fuck whenever we were together. Girls around here didn't cherish their bodies so it wasn't exactly hard to find a new girl to sleep with once I was done with someone else. I used this as another competition with Scourge who saw girls much the same way I did. We viewed them as toys, not people. But his view was probably thanks to our shithead father while mine was because my mother didn't respect herself. If I couldn't respect my own mother than how could I respect some other woman? It just didn't work like that in my book.

My mom drove us home while she chatted away about her day and such. My mom worked as a nurse at the local hospital so she liked to tell stories about what was going on and such while she was in there. Her job did her some good though. What with her crazy hours and everything, it got her away from my stepfather and all the drugs and alcohol that he supplied her with. But of course when she got home, she went right back to doing what she did best – numbing herself. We lived in a big apartment somewhere in center city. Some say it was very luxurious but for me it was only Hell in a building. My stepfather practically owned the whole condo complex since everyone who lived there was in his gang or worked for it. No matter where we went in that building or anywhere in the city, people knew who we were. They knew not to mess with us which was good but I hated the way they stared. Not only did they stare because they knew of my mom's abusive marriage but because of the fact that they were wondering what my stepfather was going to do with me. He had no biological children so who was going to carry out his duties when he resigned from leading the gang? Everyone speculated that he would assign me as his heir but I didn't want to run his gang.

Now, most boys would kill to be heir of a gang as huge and powerful as my stepfather's but I had no interest in following in my stepfather's footsteps. My reason for it was something that most people didn't understand. I only didn't want to lead his gang because it was the main enemy/rival of my father's drug business. Although I may not care much for my father nor him for him, I wouldn't betray him like that. Just because my stepfather adopted me and put me under his name did not mean that Delgado didn't stop running through my veins. No matter what the circumstances, biologically I was still my father's son and I was not going to be a shame to my own bloodline. Besides, if I did end up becoming the leader than Scourge would probably try to kill me. Since he is heir for our father's business, he's already training to take control as well as making sure no one got in the way of our father's plans. If I was made leader then there was no doubt that our feud would run deeper than it already was. Sure, I may not like Scourge but I didn't hate him. I wasn't sure if he hated me or not but I still didn't want to fight him for my life. I could fight him to get anger out, yes, but I couldn't bear myself to kill him.

Out of the two of us, I was always the softer one. While he was always mean, devious and evil, I was the nice one. Usually, I was his good conscious. As kids before our parents' split, I would help to advise him on doing the right thing and help him try not to let his mean streak get the best of him at that young age. After we were separated, I saw that my good influence on him faded away and he turned into the evil, selfish bastard he was now. I felt guilty for it at first but I then came to terms that he was going to end up that way anyway. There was only a certain time period before he would eventually stop listening to me. Then he would go do whatever he wanted anyway.

As my mom went over to sit on my stepfather's lap in the living room, I made my way into my room. My stepfather had called after me to tell me that I had MMA classes at six and that he was going to drive me. I didn't respond. I just kept walking. After I had earned my stepfather's respect, he began trying to get close to me. He should know that I didn't want nor need a father figure – especially not if it was him trying to fulfill the role. Once I was in my room, I flopped down on my bed and stared up at the ceiling.

My mind went back to Scourge and my hidden emotions came to surface. I would never admit this aloud but I missed my twin brother. We had a great bond when we were younger. Wherever I went, he went. We ate together, slept together, and played together. But we were just kids then. We probably would've been at each other's throats even when we got older because of our major differences. But that's just brothers for you. Of course we would fuss and fight but then we'd get over it. It's just what siblings do. I sighed as I silently reminisced my childhood. Although things have been carefree around here lately, I knew that my stepfather was about to make my life a living Hell with this gang.

X

Scourge

"I'm back," I yelled as I walked into my father's penthouse apartment. I looked around the empty apartment I made my way into my room. With a soft sigh, I shook my head. Of course that stupid shithead didn't leave me a note saying he was leaving. He never does. I could only hope he brings me back something to eat for dinner. If he doesn't then there would be a serious problem. The least that man could do was feed me. It wasn't like he did anything else. Sometimes I wonder why he even kept me. He should have just put me in a foster home or an orphanage or with that god forsaken woman for all that he puts me through. Never home, never talks to me, and never spends any time with me. Stupid shithead. He wonders why I act out so much. It's his fucking fault. Maybe if he would show his son some attention then maybe I wouldn't always be getting in trouble.

After doing my homework and changing my clothes, I grabbed a bag full of weed and made my way outside. I walked absentmindedly down to the alleyway where all of my friends hung out. As I was walking though, I spotted a boy from my stupid ass counseling class. It was that Dante boy. I only recognized him from his ripped up clothes and orange hair. It seemed as if he was sneaking away from the store that he had come out of. I raised an eyebrow as I noticed he was holding something in his pockets quite securely. "Hey you," I yelled, causing him to look to me in surprise. Immediately, he began to walk faster. I sped up as well to try to catch up to him. When he noticed me following him, he took off into a run. Dammit. Reluctantly, I ran after him.

Thank god I was a fast runner or else this kid would've ditched me. He was fast as shit. But not faster than me. Effortlessly, I caught up to him and grabbed his jean jacket. "Hey, don't walk away from me when I'm talking to you," I said as I whipped him around to face me. Before he could reply, I threw him onto the ground. "Now what the hell did you steal?"

"What's it to ya," he spat back up at me, his dark green eyes cold. I narrowed my eyes at him. Did this kid not know who he was talking to? I could easily knock his teeth out and not think twice about it.

"I'm not going to turn you in, I'm just curious."

"So, you chased me all the way down here out of curiosity?" I shrugged.

"I had nothing else better to do." Dante looked away as he stood up.

"It's just some apples and other stuff."

"You don't have food at home?" Dante glared at me.

"Did you not hear what I said the first day of that god awful counseling class?"

"No. I was too busy staring at stripper girl's hot ass. Oh and the teacher's as well. But that's not the point here. Why were you stealing?"

"Because I don't have any food at home right now," he snapped. He then blushed lightly and looked down. "I shouldn't even be telling you this. I should go." He turned to leave but I grabbed his jacket again.

"Hey," I said, causing him to look at me. "Why don't you have any food at home?" Dante shook my hand off of his jacket as he eyed me questioningly.

"Why do you care," he asked sharply. I almost raised an eyebrow at my own self. Why the hell did I care? I saw hungry people stealing all the time but I never stopped them. But then again, all of those people were older and I knew they had fucked up somewhere in life. With Dante, he was only my age and whatever was going on in his life was not his fault. I would know. I mean, it wasn't exactly my fault that I only had friends who liked me just because of the drugs I supplied them. It was because of my shithead father who scared everyone to their core. He raised me to be just like him. Intimidating, nonsocial, mean, and a player. So, because we shared similar traits, people treated us the same way. The kids my age were petrified by me therefore leaving me isolated in my own little shell of anger and misery. It didn't help that I was always going it at with my stupid twin brother. Sure, it let me know that he cared somewhat to keep competing with me but it still didn't make my life any easier.

"I think I can help…if you want," I let the words flow out my mouth, surprising myself. Dante raised an eyebrow at me. Yea, I'm pretty sure he knew who I was. Who didn't? I was a drug lord's son and heir to the company. How couldn't you know who I was? "I mean, I have some fruit and stuff at my house if you wanna take that back to your house and have something for a little while."

"You're funny, Delgado," Dante said before looking away. "See you around." Before I could snatch at his jacket again, he was already making his way down the hill. I darted after him again, coming up beside him.

"Wait," I said. Dante looked to me, this time with annoyance. "Where are you going?"

"None of your business. Don't you have better things to do, rich boy." He spat the name at me with venom, letting me know that he was angry at me. Of course he would. I just offered him food as if he was a bum on the street. But I only wanted to help. Maybe I wanted to do more than just help. Maybe I just wanted another friend. I guess I just hoped that maybe if I helped him then he would be my friend in return – just like how I helped those other people. I didn't like to be alone but that's how I found myself often. No friends, no family, and no girlfriend. Half of the girls in this town only wanted drugs or money from me anyway so I didn't even bother with sleeping with them. It just wasn't worth it.

"I'm sorry if I offended you. I just wanted to help. I-"

"Save it. Look, I'm sorry if no one wants to hang out with you but I'm not going to hang out with you just because you gave me food."

"I'm figuring that out," I muttered, trying to numb down the hurt I felt. I stopped walking, looking across the street at the alleyway that I usually meet my so called "friends" at. They were all there of course but I could tell they were getting impatient. All they really wanted was the weed. They probably couldn't care less about me. I sighed mentally. I had come to the facts that no one could ever truly care about me or love me. My own parents didn't so why should anyone else? Dante noticed I was no longer walking beside him and looked over his shoulder at me. He must have noticed my sad look of realization since his face immediately softened. He turned around and walked back up to me. "I'm sorry," I muttered. "I didn't mean to buy your companionship. It's just that I do it so often and people usually comply so easily…"

"Wow, I didn't think it was that hard to make friends," Dante said.

"Well, it's hard for me. I'm not exactly a nice person."

"Hm, yea I know. I've heard about you." He hesitated but nudged my arm. "Come on," he said. I raised an eyebrow.

"Where are we going?"

"The park."

"Why?"

"You wanna attempt to make a friend or should I keep it moving?" I tightened my lips together before looking to the alleyway. I didn't think as I looked at the irritated faces of the other teens in the alleyway. I only felt the emptiness that always ran through my body. Their company never helped anyway.

"Yea. Let's go." Dante smirked as we began to make our way back down the sidewalk. Suddenly, I felt a sudden burst of fullness. I had felt the same way that I did with Amy. It was as if I was feeling their care towards me. I'd never been cared about before so I guess that's why it felt so weird now. But being here with Dante, I knew that I had stopped the right guy. If I had anything to do with it, he was going to be my only close friend.

So there goes a starting glimpse into Sonic and Scourge's heads for ya. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the next chapter but i'll figure out something to get that up for you guys. Thanks so much for the reviews! It's keeping me very motivated!

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