CHAPTER 11

The Padawans fell asleep around the same time that night. It would have been peaceful but the darkside hung thick in the air. It seeped into the Padawan's minds like poison, digging deep into their pasts and memeories. Mostly in the mind of Shadow Yukimako.

In his dream he heard that deep voice calling him again. It seemed to be leading him down a dark tunnel. If he tried to turn around or stop the pull would become stronger and he'd be forced to proceed.

Where am I? he asked himself. Where is this voice taking me?

Shadow, the voice called again. Come. The time of judgement in near.

Judgement? he thought, not understanding. What does he mean? Why is he even telling me this?

Because, the voice said again. We need you.

Need me?
You're one of us, Shadow Yukimako.

One of you? Shadow was confused. Her raised a hand to swipe at the fog swirling around him. What do you mean? What are you?

Suddenly the fog burned away. A huge dark figure loomed over him. Three large yellow eyes stared down at him with strange intelegence. The thing reached out a black hand is if it were offering it to him.

When he spoke his words burned deep into Shadows mind. "I am Black Doom. I am the reason for your existance!"

Shadow fought into wakefulness and sat up breathing heavily. He looked around himself and saw only the others lying in their beds around him. He was in the hotel not that dark world. He looked out the window and saw the planets two moons glowing like silver coins in the sky.

What was that about? he wondered, staring at the orbs. What did he mean? Black Doom? Why does that name sound familiar?

The driver of the speeder had decided it was time to leave Mobius and return to Macoo to face his fate. He was out of information and out of time. He knew if those shadows came after him again he'd be dead. If he turned himself in maybe the Masters would let him live a little longer.

He doubted it but he could hope.

When his ship landed on the landing pad near Queen Blazes Castle the driver was startled to discover that two shadows were waiting for him outside. Irad took some deep breathes and he tried to quiet his pounding heart. He breathed like that until he felt himself enter an area in his conciousness that made him view things as if he were a third person. At this point his body slip mechanically out of its seat and headed toward the hatch. This opened instantly and he stepped outside. He walked down the ramp and faced the shadows, ready for a quick end.

"So you've returned," the one shadow said stepping toward him. "You know what that means don't you?"

The driver nodded. "Yes I do," he heard himself saying. "But it would be unwise to kill me now."

"Why?" the other shadow demanded.

"The Masters might want to see me first."

The two shadows looked at each other. "How did he know?" the both asked together. They looked back at the driver, who hadn't moved. "Fine," one said. "The Masters are waiting anyway."

The driver stood like a stone statue as one of the shadows walked behind him and snapped electrabonds on his wrists. The next instant an explosive pain filled his skull and he fell to the ground where he instantly lost conciousness.

Shadow couldn't sleep so he decided to go for a walk. After about ten minutes of walking he found himself in a local bar not very far from the hotel. He chose a bar stool by the door and sat down in it to think.

"Hey, hon, what can I get ya?" a bartender lady that looked like a tiger asked, walking over to him.

"Anything will be fine," he said absently.

"Okay," she said, setting a beer infront of him. "If you need anything else just let me know." then she walked away.

Shadow picked up the glass and sipped his drink, hoping it would get his mind off the voices in his head. It didn't help. His mind seemed to go into a meditative state and the voice returned.

There's not much time left, it said. You must return to us and face your destiny. Shadow. You must help us destroy the Jedi!

Shadow shook his head, as if doing so would get rid of the voice. I'm a Jedi! I won't help anyone destroy us!

"Hey!" a voice shouted as a huge hand clamped down on the black hedgehog's shoulder.

Shadow snapped out of his trance instantly. He looked up at a big grey, beefy looking bird. "Yes?" he said.

"That's my seat," the bird said.

Shadow looked at the stool and said, his words slightly slurred. "I don't see your name on it."

The bird wasn't in the mood for smart aleck remarks. He grabbed Shadow's tunic collar in one of his ham sized hands and pulled the hedgehog's face up to his. "I don't like your lip," he snarled. "Who do you think you are, punk?"

Shadow was surprisingly calm and feeling cocky, thanks to the achohol, and grabbed the bird's hand in both of his. "That," he said squeezing hard. "Is privilaged information."

Suddenly the bird let out a pained scream and let the hedgehog go. "My hand!" he shouted, staring at his hand/wing, as he fell to his knees. "He broke my hand!"

"That's what you get for crossing me," Shadow said, looming over him.

The bird glared at the black hedgehog and tried to take a swing at him. Shadow avoided the blow then used the Force to throw the bird back. That fat fowl screamed and landed on a table, breaking it under his weight.

Shadow then raised his hand and flipped the bird off (well he is a teen!)

"Why you!" the bird growled, scrambling out of the wreakage and swinging a punch at the hedgehog.

Rouge found she couldn't sleep either so she went for a walk around the capital city of Deninggrad. The city proved to be just as lovely at night as it was during the day. Earlier when she and Shadow had walked through it she hadn't taken the time to notice but now that she wasn't looking for a source she could just enjoy the view.

Just as she was starting to relax the front glass window of a nearby bar shattered as a body went flying through it and into some bushes.

"And stay out!" a big beefy bird shouted from the broken window.

Rouge heard another voice shout back a stream of profanity. She gasped, She recognized that voice.

Shadow?

There he was. The hedgehog scrambled out of the bushes and pointed a drinken finger at the bird. "Your mamma fucked cows!" he shouted.

"Why you!" the bird yelled, crashing out of the bar.

Instantly Rouge reacted, seeing the bird was about to slaughter Shadow. "Enough!" she shouted standing between them with her arms stretched out wide.

"Move, woman," the bird ordered.

"No," she told him. "My umm boyfriend isn't feeling well," she said as Shadow seemed to wilt. He leaned his head on her neck. "He's not thinking straight. He's sorry for insulting you like that."

"He'd better be," the bird glared at Shadow then headed back into the bar. "And he's better not do it again!"

"He won't!" she called after him.

When the bird was gone Rouge turned on Shadow. "What are you doing?" she demanded.

"I just went in there for a drink," he said smiling at her for some reason. "He started that... I love you!"

Rouge put her hands on his shoulders. "Shadow, you're drunk," she said as she led him away. "C'mon. let's get back to the hotel. You need sleep."

A/N

Things are starting to come together a little.