I would like to give a special word of thanks to my one and only (quite literally) reader, Shadow Love 13, for being a dedicated reader of a mere n00b's flights of fancy. Anyway, enough gab. On with the fight scene!

Chapter 4: Interference

Shadow loosened off three rounds toward the treetops. His crimson eyes detected the form of Rowan streaking through the branches, narrowly missing Shadow's barrage of bullets.

In retaliation, Rowan sent a storm of arrows back toward Shadow, her upgrade making each arrow divide into three, tripling her attack. Shadow dived deeper into the forest, arrows thudding into trees all around him.

xxx

Tails was just approaching the clearing when he witnessed the back and forth exchange of bullets and arrows. His eyes widening, Tails slammed on the brakes. "Mode 4… activate!" Tails whispered urgently.

The Tornado 4 extended, and started to change into a vaguely humanoid shape. It stood on the two legs of the old Tornado walker, with the new rapid-fire Volkan cannon and lock on blaster as its arms. The cockpit, with Tails inside, served as the head. The Tornado 4 was now in Mech Mode.

Rockets in the feet of the mech activated, and Tails soared off toward the battle. Now… to pinpoint the assassin's location.

Tails flicked on a scanner. The readout showed Shadow and one unidentified hedgehog. That has to be her! Hang on Shadow, help's coming!

xxx

BRATATATATATAT! Shadow raised his head as the sound of machine gun fire roared through the forest. What's this? A new player in the game… but are they hunting Rowan, or me?

Shadow watched as Rowan fled with the gunfire right behind her. A familiar looking mech flew through the clearing a second later, spitting out bullets.

Shadow's eyes widened in realization. Tails!

xxx

Rowan sprinted through the forest, with the Tornado 4 right behind her. Who is this idiot? He has no idea who he's dealing with! I don't want to kill this fool, only Shadow… but it appears he is giving me no choice…

Rowan notched an arrow on her bow.

xxx

Shadow activated his rocket shoes and flew after Tails, cursing under his breath. What does Tails think he's doing? The girl is an ASSASSIN, for crying out loud! He's just going to get himself killed! I have to stop him before he dooms both of us!

xxx

An arrow soared effortlessly through Tails' barrage, landing straight inside his gun barrel. The entire arm shorted out, billowing steam.

Tails wheeled up, surprised. Yaah! Wow… Shadow wasn't kidding about this girl's strength. She took out my major means of attack with one arrow! Still, it's not like I'm defenseless… Tails raised his right arm and fired a missile straight at Rowan's departing form.

xxx

Rowan looked over her shoulder to see the missile coursing toward her. "Don't you know when to give up?" she snarled.

She shot a modified arrow at the missile, which divided and pierced the missile in three different places. The missile exploded, sending flaming debris falling towards the ground.

xxx

Shadow watched the missile explode. Growling savagely, he soared right next to Tails. "Tails! Get out of here now! Don't you know what she will do to you?" Shadow roared.

Tails jerked, surprised. "Sh-Shadow! I can fight! My new mech is fully equipped! I can beat her-" Tails babbled.

Shadow shot Tails a patronizing look. "You just had both your major means of attack negated by her arrows. You can't beat her with tech alone, Tails. Now get out of here before you get killed!"

Tails shook his head stubbornly. "No! I can help you! Just give me a chance!" Shadow heard the telltale whoosh sound and quickly turned to see Rowan aiming straight at them.

Shadow's eyes widened as he saw five arrows, which quickly became fifteen, soar toward them.

Moving quickly, Shadow pulled open the Tornado 4 and dragged the paralyzed Tails out.

He then withdrew his trademark light green Chaos Emerald and yelled "Chaos Control!"

xxx

Rowan smirked as she saw her arrows pierce the bodywork of the Tornado 4. The mech fell to the ground and exploded.

"Well… hopefully that moron can take a hint," Rowan muttered to herself as she walked away.

xxx

Tails and Shadow materialized outside Tails' house. Shadow glared at Tails. "What… Were… You… THINKING?!?" Shadow spoke through gritted teeth.

The fox hung his head, ashamed. "I… I thought I could help…" he mumbled.

"Tails, she could have killed you! You thought you can just swoop in and help me? There's more than one way to fight a battle, Tails!" Shadow shouted.

Tears trickled down the fox's face. "Yes, Shadow," Tails whispered, "I understand."

"Good, maybe now you'll know the right way to help next time." Shadow turned on his heel and skated away, leaving Tails behind.

Aww...I feel like such a jerk for doing that to poor Tails. The poor guy only wanted to help. NEXT TIME: Who sent Rowan to take out Shadow? Why do they want Shadow dead? The answers REVEALED! Plus, Tails tries a different tactic against Rowan...