A/N: I don't own anything. See chapter one for information.

Yo, Happy New Year guys! Now that today becomes our brand new one, let's start this one with a bright mood! Oh, as this was the special case, this chapter will be my first one to post in 2012 and hopefully I'll keep posting throughout this year. Okay, enough talk. Let's get on with the story!

"Talking"

'Thought'

"Inner Thought"

Unknown world

As soon as Shadow reached the world, or more precisely on the top of one of the high building, the black hedgehog waste no time as he searched around his surroundings. When he looked up, he saw a lot of futuristic building and places like it was totally different compared to his world, though it didn't surprise him at all since he already know some of it. One particular thing that makes him curious is the zeppelin that was flying around the sky. There was some kind of announcement placed on the side of it and each ones represent of something which Shadow doesn't know about it.

"Hmm, this world seems interesting," Shadow said in little amazed as he witness something new to him. The black hedgehog couldn't help but want to know more about this city, no, this world to be precise. "Rachel, what do you make of it? Do you think this world seems trouble for you?"

"Well, I haven't seen so much trouble within my sight here, but you need to keep your guard because when I saw in my prediction, something huge is bound to happen here, and it's not good either," Rachel spoke inside Shadow's mind.

"Hmm, you got a point there," Shadow replied as he aware that he arrives here to solve the mystery and not having fun, though he would admit that he wants some fun even if it is just a bit. His ears suddenly perked up when he heard a voice from the distant. Yes, Shadow can heard a sound far away from his position like a dog, no, even far superior than the dog or the bat was. When he tried to focus the source of it, he found out about it and wasted no time he teleported using his trademark ability "CHAOS CONTROL!"

Unknown Area

Two girls, one with short black-haired while wearing a headband of artificial flowers, while the other one had black long-haired. Both of them wear their school uniform and at the moment, both of them cornered in the middle of area because they were being chased by vicious dog. "Uiharu, you shouldn't drop your ice cream earlier and look what happen now!" The long-haired girl shouted in desperate at short-haired one.

"But, Saten-san!" The short-haired named Uiharu yelled back. "It's your fault for flipping my skirt when I was holding the ice cream for both of us, you should know that!"

"Ah ha, sorry, old habit dies hard," the long-haired named Saten said sheepishly. Unknown for both of them, the dog keep barking on them while on top of its head lays the ice cream that was Uiharu dropped earlier. Both of the girls now become scarred when they realized that they have been cornered and there is no way to escape. When the dog finally reach the distance and jumped on them, Saten and Uiharu just hugging each other and closed their eyes hoping that someone will rescue them. A few minutes later, both of them still close their eyes tight and they didn't feel anything after seeing the dog jumped at them. They both curious what's going on and Uiharu is the one opened her eyes. When she does, she saw a black hedgehog, or Shadow to be precise holding down the dog with just bare hands. This caught her attention as she never saw a hedgehog can do something like this.

On the other hand, Shadow arrived just in time in front of the girls while holding down the vicious dog. He couldn't help but let out a small sigh though he already promises that he will protect innocent people. When he look down on the dog that still struggle to move because of his grip, he decided to let out his glare while saying, "GO AWAY!" With his glare and his word, the dog suddenly became tremble in fear when it saw Shadow's glare. Its eyes now become terrified and when Shadow let go of it, the dog immediately run away from the scene and never return again.

Shadow slid down his arms as yet another silly incident (according to his point of view) solved and turned back to see the girl were alright, though he wouldn't say that because he can see the girls' eyes widen of what they just saw. Shadow can understand because he has this experience before in his life. The black hedgehog stayed calm while asking their condition. "Are you girls alright?"

Saten is the one who react as she approach the black hedgehog in bright eyes, "N-no way! Y-you can talk? I have never seen a creature like you exist! Are you some kind of alien or something?"

Uiharu pulled the girl away from Shadow as she knows that Saten scaring him by her sudden act, "Umm, sorry for my friend behavior there, but she was right. I was surprised as well as she does. What are you exactly?"

"First thing first, are you girls alright or not?" Shadow ignored the question as he focused on his own. The girls looked at each other and nodded their head. "Good, as for you question about my existence, it's classified but you can call me Shadow."

"Aww," Saten pouted as she cannot find out about Shadow's existence, at least she got his name. "You're so mean Shadow-kun. Please tell us! We promise we won't tell everyone about your existence!" She clasped her hands begging for the black hedgehog.

"I know you have good intention, but I'm very sorry that I cannot grant your request," Shadow simply replied while looking at the disappointed girls. He knows their feeling but he need to stay in low profile as low as possible. "Of course, that would change one way or another if I want to."

"Really? You do?" Saten asked and Shadow giving her a nod. "Okay, I'll be waiting then!" She smiled brightly.

"Saten-san, please, you're asking too much of him," Uiharu scolded at her friend while looking at Shadow and bowed at him. "Thank you for saving us, Shadow-kun. I hope we can repay you sometimes."

"It's okay, it was nothing really," Shadow simply replied while letting his faint smile. At least he knows the meaning of helping people and that is good enough for him. He then realizes that he was already stayed too long and he fears that he would attract more people if he stays longer. "Sorry girls, but I have to go. Don't want to attract more people here. By the way, what's your name?"

"I'm Saten, Saten Ruiko!" Saten replied with her smile while pointing at Uiharu besides her. "And this one name was Uiharu Kazari!" Uiharu bowed at the black hedgehog.

"Saten, Uiharu, it's nice to meet you girls. I must go now," Shadow said while remembering the name the girls he just met and who knows that these girls can fill his heart. The black hedgehog looked up into the sky while chanting his mantra, "CHAOS CONTROL!" Within a second he disappeared, leaving the awestruck girls by the display of Shadow does.

Unknown place, on the top of the building

Shadow arrived in one of the top of the building after using his Chaos Control saving the girls from the trouble they had. The black hedgehog couldn't help but let out his smile as he made new friends once again, and when both he and the girls trust each other, he can tell them about his background but for now, he needs to find out more about this world he just arrived just a few minutes ago. "Rachel, any clue about this world so far?"

"Ah yes, Shadow-kun. I just found out about this world we arrived," Rachel replied. "This world or you should say this city was called Academy City and has more advanced technology in 20 or 30 years more ahead than any country in entire world."

"Hmm…that was interesting," Shadow mused as he found out about this city, but what makes him curious is the technology they used. If what was Rachel said true, he cannot wait to see what kind of technology they had and hopefully asked Tails to come this place since he knows how will the kitsune react when he sees this city. "Anything else?"

"Well, I'm afraid this is the only information I got," Rachel replied with sad tone. "I'm sorry there Shadow-kun. I wish I can get more of this."

"It's okay, that's good enough. We can search more as we stayed in this city," Shadow simply said not too concerned about the small information because it doesn't matter how small or detailed it was, everything is important for him and that's good enough for him to know. He decided to move forward from his position when he realized something weird is going on. Even though he's on the top of the building, he can feel no sign of human and he was alone in weird place. "Rachel, we better prepared. I think we've got company."

"Hai. Shadow-kun."

Shadow looked around the surrounding and indeed it is. He was trapped in some space as he can tell there's no one else other than himself. The black hedgehog aware that someone was setting this up for him. "I wonder why I can't sense people here," Shadow said rather confused. Then a voice appear out of nowhere saying, "Rune."

Shadow took notice of the source and looked towards of it. When he found out, his eyes widened and his mouth went dry as he saw the vision of beauty in front of him. Long, lustrous black hair that was tied in an exotic ponytail and onyx eyes stared down at him. She had a princess-like face and a very well-proportioned body, which was accentuated by her shirt that was tied at the bottom, baring her midriff and her jeans had a torn corner. All in all, she was the most breathtakingly beautiful female that he had ever laid eyes on. And Shadow knows that she's one behind all of this. "I suspect that you're the one setting this up?" Shadow asked cautious.

"Yes, this is a Rune which created a space that cannot be interfered to the outside world, and indeed I'm the one who set this up," The woman said. Shadow took notice of it and knows that he needs to explain this easy way or the hard way. "But I'm curious since I've never seen such creature like you took notice of this. Moreover, you can act like normal human does yet having massive energy inside your body. It doesn't make sense."

Shadow knows what energy she was talking about as she refers to Chaos Emeralds not just one, but two inside his body ever since that incident occur. He knows that this woman had strong sense of energy and judging by her appearance, she's not the woman that you usually met in your daily life. "I appreciate your comment, miss…" Shadow wants to continue but he doesn't know the woman's name.

"Kaori. My name is Kanzaki Kaori," The woman named Kaori said. "And you are?"

"The name's Shadow, Shadow the Hedgehog," Shadow introduced himself. "So why did you set this up? You know nothing about me at all and yet you trapped me in some sort of space."

"Because I believe with the massive energy you had there, you can be a threat for that girl that Kamijou was taken care of," Kaori replied in calm tone. Shadow doesn't know absolutely anything about the girl she mentioned and Kamijou as well, but the black hedgehog decided to let her continue her speak. "With that, I believe it is my duty to dispose you so you won't threaten the girl anymore," She said while holding her sword on her wrist.

Shadow wants to debate about Kaori's misunderstanding, but seeing her standing like that in fighting stance, the black hedgehog had no choice but to prove her that he's nothing but just newcomer. "I guess I have no choice. It will be hard way then," Shadow let out his sigh as he prepared his fighting stance. "I hope you don't regret this, Miss Kaori." The moment Kaori's hand vanished from Shadow's line of vision was the moment the battle started.

The distance between them was over ten meters. No normal human could cross that distance within a split second, not even with a two meters long weapon. But Kanzaki Kaori is no ordinary human. Shadow didn't react at all. It was as if the air around him was screaming in agony as something erupted near his face and a small gash appeared on his cheeks as the box behind him crushed apart. A simple, invisible slash.

"Interesting. I wish I don't want to summon this but you leave me no choice," Shadow let out his smirk as he was trembling in excitement. Why? Because he just witnessed yet another strong person in front of him and on top of it is a woman. He raised his hand and summoned his favorite weapon. A long sword appeared in front of him and its name was Arondight, the one that he loves to use it. Kaori narrowed her eyes as she just witness yet another action from the black hedgehog that she cannot explain.

"Did you really think that weapon of yours can beat me?" Once again, Kaori vanished from his sight. Shadow wasted no time as he ducked in a response. He then uses this chance to counter attack using his sword, but Kaori managed to block it. She was sent back a few inches away was going to attack again but notice Shadow wasn't there anymore.

"You're too slow," Kaori blinked in surprise as Shadow appeared behind her with a blink of her eyes. The black hedgehog swings his sword diagonally, but the woman ducked in response. Kaori couldn't believe by what she just saw. She didn't know that Shadow can move very fast and it was surprising her…a bit.

"Nanasen!" the air shrieked and the ground around Shadow shattered in an explosion of dust and asphalt. Shadow shut his eyes as he jumped towards the safest place, though he still trapped.

"The speed of the slash wreathed by my Shichiten Shichitou, Nanasen, kills someone seven times over in an instant we call a 'split second'. I wouldn't think it's wrong to call it a certain death," Kaori warned calmly.

"Really? I've seen much worse than that," Shadow said with a hint of taunt, and Kaori got caught with him as her eyes became angrier than before. "Why don't you try that skill of yours again? That is, if you can hit me."

"You'll regret saying those words Shadow! Nanasen!" Once again, the magician called out as the ground erupted again. When the skill was over, Kaori couldn't see where Shadow was and she realize that the black hedgehog was already behind her when she turns around. She couldn't believe what just happen, her favorite skill has been dodged in split second by this hedgehog but more surprise to come as she can feel her cheeks being cut by his slash even if it's just a bit. She touched her cheeks and her eyes become widen. "H-how did you…"

"Did you really think I'm just dodging your attack and not attacking you?" Shadow replied with his smirk while holding his sword beside him. "If you think that way, then it will be your lose I can guarantee that!"

"It seems I'm underestimating you," Kaori said, her hand coming up to touch a small cut on her cheeks. She was bleeding. To think… someone had actually managed to cut her. Kaori allowed herself a small smile, as if congratulating Shadow for this feat. "Then, very well. Even though stating my other name is a death knell, which goes against what I stand for…I have no choice but to dispose you quickly!

Shadow wants to argue but he had no choice but to learn this the hard way as he narrowed his eyes noticing the difference of Kaori's sudden power. "Oh? So you have other name? That's interesting," he said mockingly.

"Humph. Do not regret this. My name is Salavre000! I shall be the salvation of those who cannot be saved!" Kaori shouted as her hand rested once again on the hilt of her weapon. Steel wires converged suddenly and Shadow could barely make out the attack coming as fire erupted around him, engulfing the black hedgehog in its infernal embrace. As the fire died down and the steel wires stop their cutting, Kaori observed the ruined street carefully. She had not used enough power to kill. Maiming or serious injuries perhaps, but nothing that would be… serious. Kaori blinked in surprise. There was no sign of Shadow's trace in the location. She didn't know what happen but she could feel that Shadow still alive.

"I have to admit, that skill of yours is exceptional," a sudden voice appeared and Kaori went towards the source of it. The magician looked up to see Shadow floating in the air, but this time he had transformed himself into Super Shadow as golden aura surrounding him all of his body. Kaori seeing this scene and then…she remembered about this scene during the past. And when she realized what she was doing now, she suddenly in one-knee position with her sword on her side. This surprised Shadow by her sudden act. "Umm, Miss Kaori? What are you doing?"

"Please, forgive my insolent act there, Shadow-sama!" Kaori said in begged tone she had her head down begging for his forgiveness.

"Hey there, I didn't know what is going on, but could you please raise your head and stop doing such thing? It's kind of irritating me somehow," Shadow said rather annoyed as he went down and landed softly while facing towards Kaori who had her head up but still in the position of begging. "Alright Kaori, could you explain me what just happen and why are you calling me –sama now?"

"Because…you're the hero that once saved this world 5 years ago," Kaori explained. "I didn't know what you are exactly until you change your appearance with your golden form, and it reminds me about the incident 5 years ago."

Shadow was awestruck. He never knew that his fight alongside his friends against Nazo had been influenced into this world as well. It seems like all the other world was getting influenced as well if he can predict that much. He let out his sigh as his quest might be not what he expected, or at least he likes to. He returned to his normal form and decided to walk towards Kaori. "Okay, I think I can understand your appreciation, but could you please just stand and stop calling me –sama? I just want simple conversation and that's that."

Kaori stand up from her position and put her sword on her wrist as well. She couldn't believe that she just saw a hero standing in front of her, and she admires him. Shadow on the other hand seems a bit annoyed by this fact, notice that the history about his fight had been influenced into this world as well.

When the fight was ended in rather awkward, the rune that was surrounding on the building disappeared and Shadow can feel the presence of living things back. The black hedgehog decided to move away, but not before facing Kaori, or he would call her Kanzaki from now on since it's the simple way for him. "By the way, Kanzaki?"

"Yes, Shadow-kun?"

"I need to know more about this city and yours as well. Could you come with me?"

A few minutes later

Shadow was walking…err, I mean jumping from building to building since he doesn't want to be main attraction. He's currently walking beside Kanzaki Kaori whom he just fights earlier and ended rather awkward. Shadow wants to know more about this city so he asked the woman if she got the information he needs to. According to the woman said, the people here each had their special abilities and they both called esper or power users. The abilities they had is different in each individual and each of it had different level from level 0 to level 5 according to the strength of their abilities. The level 5 that Kanzaki mention so far had seven people on it. Shadow began to raise his eyebrow as this become interests the black hedgehog and he couldn't wait to see what they have in store for him.

"What about you Kanzaki? Judging by your appearance, you're not ordinary one and when I see you're fighting, it becomes clear that you had abilities," Shadow asked as he and Kanzaki stand on the top of building watching the sunset scenery.

"Actually, I'm a magician if you must know Shadow-kun," Kanzaki stated which it didn't surprise the black hedgehog since he already met one before.

"Alright, go on."

"I'm working for English Anglicans called 'Necessarius', and it is my duty to observe and protect Index for any harm as you can see," Kanzaki wants to continue but was being held off by Shadow.

"Hold it. You mention the name 'Index'. Does that mean she's the girl you mentioned during our fight?" Shadow asked and Kanzaki give him a nod. "Okay, but why did you accuse me back there? You know that I'm just arrived here and know absolutely nothing about that Index and Kamjiou boy you mention. Heck, when I was trying to argue, you're already in fighting mode so I have no choice but to follow you rules."

"I'm really sorry Shadow-kun. It's just that when I sense the massive energy inside yours, I have the feeling that you can be a threat towards Index, until you changed into golden form and it realize me about your history," Kanzaki feel the guilty and bowed slightly at Shadow. "Again, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, I really don't care about the past anyway," Shadow simply stated but still accept the woman apologies. "Besides, I can tell that you're one strong woman when you say your other name. Say, does every magician have their own nickname?"

"Yes, every magician had their different nickname depending on their status and abilities," Kanzaki explained calmly. "As for myself, I was known as the Saint, the 'Child of God'. You can say I'm far stronger than most magicians in the world, and my powers have been compared to a weapon of mass destruction by my peers."

"Hmm…interesting. A Saint huh?" Shadow let out his smirk as he was glad that he met one of strong people, and most of all is that she is a Saint. He really doesn't know anything about religion stuff, but when it comes in term of power, he couldn't help but smirked. "So basically, your strength can compared to 'Child of God', is that what you're saying?"

"Hai, that's right Shadow-kun. But I'm really impress by your skill back then," Kanzaki nodded as well tell his admiration of Shadow's skill. "You managed to wound me, a Saint, and on the top of it, your skill was like super human or something. I guess that was expected from the hero 5 years ago."

"I'm appreciate your thoughts about me," Shadow appreciated when he heard Kanzaki words. The black hedgehog knows better that he needs to do a lot of training because there is stronger opponent out there in vast world than he does, especially a certain blue hedgehog. When the sun reaches its peak to set, Shadow decided to leave the place as he's about to move forward, but not before thanking Kanzaki for the explanation. "Thank you for the story Kanzaki, but I must go now if you don't mind."

"Where are you going Shadow-kun?" Kanzaki asked. "Why don't you stay at my organization? We can provide you with the protection and the support you need."

"Thanks for the offer, but I have to reject it I'm afraid," Shadow said without turning around. "Besides, I dislike that kind of stuff and I would prefer if I'm searching for my own place. I hope you understand my situation. See you later," With a split a second; he disappeared in front of Kanzaki's sight.

"That hedgehog…he is really something," Kanzaki let out her small smile when she saw Shadow disappeared instantly. She was about to tell about his background to the organization and the archbishop, but knowing the black hedgehog's behavior, she decided to keep it secret just between her. She then looked towards the scenery and move away from her position in an instant as she continues her duty once again.

A/N: And oh my, it looks Shadow just encountered some of the to aru cast as soon as he arrives here. On top of it, it's Kanzaki Kaori nonetheless. Man, I wonder what will Shadow do in his next chapter? Nah, I won't give you spoiler that's for sure.

By the way, I suspect you guys wondered if both Shadow and Kanzaki were serious during the fight. Well, I can tell you that both of them still holding back and such, you can expect more action in next chapter. Oh, and about the fight against Nazo, I can suspect it has been influenced into this world, so yeah, you can predict Shadow won't have this quest easier than expected, though he will like that way.

That's all for today. See you later~!

sonic-elric

01 January 2012

08.50 AM