(A/N: to make up for the short chappie, I decided to do another for today! You get two for the price of one; I am also trying to torture you more with cliffies, yay torture!)

Chapter 17: The Face behind the Shadow

The cloth was very thick, preventing me from screaming very loud. I felt somebody pick me up, it wasn't very hard to guess who. I could've resisted, but I felt that if I didn't it would end sooner. We were traveling at a good speed, and from the sounds of leaves and twigs crunching, I could tell we had headed into the forest. After about five minutes of moving I felt the "mysterious stranger" put me down and take the cloth off. I opened my eyes to see Gale standing over me, murder in his eyes.

"Look." He commanded as he pointed to my left. I saw the metal monstrosity that was Sclera's base. "I could drop you off there right this second if I wanted to. So don't push me." He was really getting me angry now.

"And I could have given you a much harder time getting me here, what are you trying to prove? That you're superior to me? Or is it because your hiding a massive inferiority complex?" I accused him. He stood there, fists clenched, refusing to show any emotion.

"I am trying to show you that I don't want you interfering with my plans more than you have already."

"Then why didn't you just club me yesterday when you had the chance? Why didn't you just make me think it was all a dream, huh?" I was raising my voice to a yell now, and so was he.

"Because!...Because!..." he sagged his shoulders, "because I didn't want to hurt anyone else." I relaxed a bit. He was standing a few feet away from me, I stepped a little closer.

"Anyone else?" I asked. He hung his head, trying to avoid my gaze.

"I haven't told anyone, it was just easier not to. Maybe I shouldn't tell you…there is no reason for you to know." I sighed, why does he have to make me feel guilty this way?

"If you want to get it off your chest, what reason is there not to?" I responded. He was silent for a while, then he began.

"when I was back on Earth, Crimson was my only friend, my parents never paid any attention to me, and school wasn't much better. All I wanted was to get noticed, to be the center of attention. Then, one day, on the way home, I met this man, he called himself Dr. Robotnik, he offered to help me. Crimson, he wanted to do it, but I wasn't so sure. But before I could object, he opened some sort of portal and brought me here, and before he left me he gave me a Chaos Morpher. When I used it and discovered its power, it was intoxicating; I could makepeople listen to me. But then Dr. Robotnik cam back, he wanted something in return for my new found power; he wanted me to do his bidding. So of course I said yes, so we returned to Earth, and I was his secret weapon, fighting the Sonic Team so he could get the emeralds, I also hurt a lot of people in the process. When I finally came to the realization of what side I was actually fighting for, I came back here, so I could keep myself from fighting. Keep myself from doing anymore harm, and I couldn't show my face, I connected too much destruction to it." He finished. I was surprised, and now I felt even guiltier than before for yelling at him like that, he didn't deserve it.

"Well, obviously my cousin and everyone else has forgiven you, otherwise I would never have met you. You don't need to hide anymore, there is no reason to. Just be Gale." I encouraged him, trying to take him out of his depression. He lifted his head up, staring me straight in the eye.

"I can't. They would never accept me, they barely do now." I sighed. He just didn't get it. I decided that it was enough; I turned to leave the forest,

"That's too bad, I would have liked to get to know Gale better." I smiled to myself because it was true, and continued on my way. I heard his footsteps following me, getting closer, and before I could react, I felt him grab my arm and spin me around, then I felt pressure on my lips…

(A/N: OOOOOOOOOHHHHH! I had to do it u know! I could not reveal until this moment that I am a TOTAL SHADOW FANGIRL! I hope u like it, cliffhanger and all!)