Yeah, you guys already know all this disclaimer stuff, so I just wanted you to know that there is going to be a death in this chapter and slight Shadow OOCness.

Chapter 3: The Struggle Within

The fight lasted longer than the previous ones that took place not too long ago, but neither hedgehog was willing to give up the brawl just yet. Shadow was just starting to tire, with the ever present bead of sweat on his forehead, but DSS looked like he hadn't even started.

The trees and wildlife quickly passed the racing hedgehogs with every step.

"Is that all you got? I expected more form the ultimate life form." DSS taunted. What neither of them knew was that Sonic's friends had appeared and had been watching them fight for over an hour. Shadow still couldn't believe that Sonic was his brother, after giving it more thought, so he had been hesitating a bit as to not severely hurt his otouto, no matter how much he needed it. He just then remembered a song he heard on the radio a few days ago.

Maybe this will bring Sonic back to his senses, he thought desperately. If not, I'm screwed. He then maneuvered behind DSS and threw him into a tree, and, by using Chaos Control, tied him up with chains. (Don't ask, Okay?) Shadow then took out the radio he carries (Again, don't ask.), switched it on and played the song.

As it started, Shadow quickly said, "Sonic, I have a secret to tell you. I am your nii-san." The he sang:

Brother, my brotherTell what are we fighting for?We got to end this war.We should love one anothercan't we just pretendthis war never beganWe can try...Brother my brother (yeah)We face each other from different sidesthe anger burns, can't remember why.It's kinda crazy to face such pain.Our foolish pride makes us hate this waywe watch our world fall apart.Tell me what good is itwhen you lose your heart (Chorus) Brother, My brothertell me what are we fighting for?Isn't life worth so much more?We should love one anothercan't we just pretendthis war never began?Tell me why...Brother, my brotherwe can try...Brother, my brotherLet's take a moment and look deep inside, and say we'll give love another trywe're not as different as we seem to be.There's so much more to me then what you seewe don't have to be this way, think about the consequences, don't turn and walk away. (ChorusX2)(Brother my brotherX10)

DSS was furious. He thought that Shadow was telling lies In order to catch him off guard to win.

Meanwhile in the Void….

Sonic was shocked and confused. How can Shadow be my nii-san? Shouldn't we look something alike? (Sonic's stupid moment.) Of course! He did save my life a couple of times, which must've been his brotherly instinct to protect me!

Sonic then started to fight DSS for control, determination flowing through his entire body.

Outside the Void….

Everyone was shocked, Tails and Amy especially. They were stunned to hear that their hero/idol was related to the malevolent and angst Shadow.

What surprised everyone now was that DSS somehow broke free from the chains and was clutching his head in pain, his fur switching back and forth between the midnight blue color off DSS and the sapphire color of Sonic.

After what seemed like hours, the switching colors stayed on cobalt blue, and the pupil less white eyes turned to the emerald green eyes of the hero they knew and loved. Shadow sighed in relief, while Tails landed the Tornado near them.

"Well, now that he's taken care of, mind telling me why you're out here, Sonic?" Shadow asked, with a hint of concern in his voice. Sonic glanced at Tails briefly and explained what happened in Chapter 1.

"… and that's why I can't' go back. I don't want my friends to get hurt," Sonic finished, refusing to look at Tails and Shadow in the eye.

"You know, I have to admit, you wanting to protect your friends is noble, but, Sonic, think about it. Your friends will get hurt, and you hesitating to hurt them will only out them in more danger in a fight." Shadow said. "What do you think will happen if they are kidnapped and used as bait?"

Sonic thought for a moment and then remembered his incident with Black Narcissus. He shuddered at the thought if the outcome if Eggman had not interfered. Shadow saw him shudder and placed a comforting hand on Sonic's shoulder, as though knowing what the younger hedgehog was thinking.

Just as Sonic had cooled down, Eggman appeared out of the blue. "So, I see you managed to learn the secret between you and Shadow, eh, Sonic?" He chuckled. Sonic's mouth fell agape. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Even Eggy knew? And never bothered to mention it? Anger filled Sonic as his fur changed and became DSS again.

"Why did you never tell me?" he asked furiously.

"Now, now, Sonic," Eggy backed away, "let's try to keep your anger under control…." He said in fear.

"Your shouldn't have interfered that day," DSS said in a dark and cold voice before using the same attack he used on the Silver Metarex on Eggman, rendering him into chopped up body parts. DSS stood in front of the corpse, grinning a fanged smile.

"FOR FUCK'S SAKE, SONIC, CALM DOWN!" Shadow yelled. Upon hearing his nii-san's voice, Sonic turned around and changed back to normal with a look of confusion on his face. "I'm starting to think that you have anger- management issues, lil' bro."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Sonic asked.

"Look behind you."

Sonic looked, and when he saw Eggman's bloody corpse missing limbs, he stood there in shock and horror.

"I did that?" He said guilt evident in his voice before vomiting.

"No. When you let your anger get out of control, you let Him take over," Shadow explained.

"Isn't there a way to get rid of Him without killing Sonic in the process?" Tails asked.

"No, there isn't." Knuckles answered.

"Then what do we do?" Amy questioned.

"How about this? I travel around for a few years, take Sonic with me and teach him how to control his anger as well as teach him how to properly use Chaos Control," Shadow suggested.

"Good idea, Shadow. Maybe Sonic will also get more serious," Knuckles said.

"Yeah, and maybe Shadow will enjoy life and get a sense of humor," Sonic responded sarcastically.

Twitch, BONK! "Ow! Geez, Shad, what was that for?!" Sonic asked in pain.

"I don't take sarcasm well," Shadow responded.

"I can tell. Anyway, when do we start?"