Alright, here's the new chapter. I hope it's up to scratch…

Sonic: I think you've lost some of the style that the first chapter had.

Maybe. But, this is just how I wanted to present this chapter, so I guess it stays.

Shadow: Whatever. Illumini doesn't own us.

On with the story!

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A pothole in the country road sent the carriage flying up into the air for a second, causing the blue hedgehog to awaken with a start. He looked to his side, or at least attempted to, when he tried to turn his head to look around he found himself pushing it into a patch of soft fur. Blinking, he waited for his eyes to adjust to the dusk lighting. He realized that he was pressing his head into the bicep of his new master, and instinctively, sat bolt upright, wide eyes staring at the black hedgehog. He calmed slightly as he saw that his master was still napping, though his jaw now had a frown set upon it, and he was squirming a little, as if searching for something.

I don't know what he wants, Sonic thought to himself, pressing his lips together, but he wasn't like that before.

Anxiously, Sonic scooted back over towards Shadow, nuzzling gently back into his arm. Almost instantly, the frown on his master's face twisted itself into a gentle smile, and his left arm slid along Sonic's back, slowly making its way up to his arm.

Besides, Sonic thought, nuzzling in a bit more, he's so warm…

Sonic's eyes slid open again, and a frown formed on his muzzle. A cheerful thought? He couldn't remember the last time he'd had one of those. For years now, his life had just been one long nightmare. Being bought and sold, raped and abandoned, captured and trained… It was all just a vicious circle that had no finish, no light at the end of the tunnel.

At first, he had refused to submit, refused to allow himself to be so degraded. It was a foolish concept, after all. Him, a slave? The whole idea was preposterous. But the slavers had been quite… Persuasive. If a slave didn't quite grasp what was being asked of them, then the whip tended to help them along with it. Likewise, if a slave flat-out refused to obey their masters, then a few days in The Hole usually showed them the error of their ways.

And, at some point – He could no longer remember when – He had just given up. Perhaps it really was better to just do what his owner demanded of him, rather than be punished and forced to do it anyway. Perhaps it really was better to unquestionably obey his master. And perhaps, above all else, he really was just a slave, a pleasure toy, an object that was no higher than the ground his master walked on.

But this black hedgehog… There was something different about him.

A loud yawn awoke the blue hedgehog from his daydream. He looked to his side; his master had woken up, a groan escaping from him as he scratched at the plume of white fur that sat on his chest.

"Uh…" He moaned tiredly, bleary eyes staring at the slave. "Good evening, my pet… Did you sleep well?"

Sonic continued to stare at him for a second, before he realised that he had been asked a question. He quickly nodded his head. "Yes, master, I did…"

"That's good… There really isn't much else to do in this thing, I apologise." The black hedgehog continued.

"Oh, no… It's fine, master… I'm just happy to be able to serve you…" A massive lie. In his entire history of being a slave, he had never enjoyed serving his master. Why would he? All his masters had beaten, demeaned and raped him, and he had been expected to take it on the chin, all the while giving thanks and singing the praises of his master. He despised his position. But non-compliance would always result in the whip, so he had no choice.

Shadow chuckled lightly. "How can you say that? I've not requested that you do anything yet."

Sonic bowed his head, staring at the white leather that lined the coaches seats. "Well, feel free to, master… I am yours now, after all…" He said, trying his best to sound seductive, but was unable to keep the sorrow out of his voice. He hated being used by his master, from both a physical and sexual point of view.

"Well, I don't think now's the best time for that…" Shadow chuckled slightly again, beginning to run his hand along the slave's head and down his back. "Besides, I've only just met you… I'd much prefer you adjust before we get into anything like that."

"Mmm… Yes master…" Sonic murmured, a faint purr emerging at the caress. The azure tilted his head back, letting out a little yawn. Gradually, his eyes slid shut and his breathing shallowed as he resumed his slumber, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Yes, that's it… Sleep…" The black one whispered to the snoozing slave. Slowly, he slid the blue one's resting body off from his arm, and laid him down on the seat, sliding a cushion under his head. "We'll be there soon…"

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It was completely dark by the time that the carriage arrived back at the Lord's manor. Shadow jerked his head up, staring around the vibrant gardens that surrounded his home. Satisfied that everything was as it was when he had left, he returned his gaze back to the azure hedgehog sleeping on the seat opposite him. He couldn't deny it, he was certainly an interesting specimen. As was typical of most nobles, Shadow had owned many slaves throughout his rule, and as was typical of most slaves, many of them had escaped his care, one way or another. Some had sneaked away, some had joined pacts, there had even been one or two who had been so desperate to escape their life of slavery, that they had taken it. But all of his slaves had something in common – They were exactly that, slaves. No matter what their colour, gender or species, they had been nothing more than Shadow's plaything, an object existing solely for his pleasure.

But this blue one… There was something different about him. Maybe it was the pure blue pelt, that was unlike any he had ever seen, maybe it was the slim, athletic body, maybe it was simply the sheer fact that he was so submissive, so willing to serve… It was a feeling that Shadow had never experienced with his pets. And it scared him.

Looking around once again, Shadow noticed that they were fast approaching the manor itself. Leaning over, he stared at the peaceful form of the blue creature for a few seconds, before reaching in and gently shaking him. "Sonic…"

The blue one's eyes slowly flickered open, revealing his emerald irises. He stared at Shadow for a few moments, before slowly sitting up, rubbing one of his eyes with his paw.

"We're here." Shadow announced in a whisper, smiling at his pet.

Sonic gazed out the window, his jaw hanging open a little. This place certainly had a bit more class than his previous few owners. Trees, shrubs and bushes, as far as the eyes could see, all in abundance of natural beauty. As the carriage continued up the stone path, the house itself slowly came into view. Like the garden, it was simply magnificent – Like something out of a picture.

The carriage finally came to a halt outside of the manor, a servant walking down from the small set of stairs and opening the door.

"Welcome back, my Lord." The white hedgehog said, helping Shadow out of the carriage. He looked back inside, noticing the blue hedgehog that was now staring blankly at him. The servant turned to Shadow. "I see you did acquire a new pet."

"Yes, I did, Silver." Shadow glanced back at Sonic, motioning for him to get out of the carriage as well. "Quite a lovely creature, isn't he?"

"Yes, he is…" Silver glared at Sonic with a look of scorn. "May I ask what his name is?"

"Of course. Silver, this is Sonic. Sonic, this is Silver, my butler." Sonic smiled at the white hedgehog, holding out his hand. Silver simply looked away, snorting.

"You two had better get inside, then." Silver continued, staring up at the sky. "It looks like it'll rain soon, and I'm sure you're very tired after your journey."

"I guess I could do with a bit of sleep." Shadow admitted, starting up the stairway to the house. "Come, Sonic!"

"Y-yes, sir." Sonic stammered, beginning to run after the Lord. He let out a small squeak as Silver grabbed the collar of his ragged shirt, pulling him back.

"Listen, you little squirt." Silver hissed, a bit of spit flying from his mouth. "I've dealt with enough slaves to recognise trouble when I see it. So you better watch your step, 'K?"

"I-I'm not trying to do anything…" Sonic gasped, wriggling in the albino's grasp. "I just want to serve my master, and make him happy…"

"Whatever…" Silver scoffed, releasing Sonic from his grip. "Just remember: I've got my eye on you…"

Sonic simply nodded, before running up the stairs after Shadow. Silver watched as the carriage disappeared back down the stone road, looking up to the sky as the heavens began to open. "I don't care who you are, hedgehog…" He growled to himself, the first few drops of rain beginning to fall. "But Shadow WILL be mine."

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Heh, looks like Silver'll be causing a bit of trouble in the future…

Silver: Why's that?
Oh, no reason…

Shadow: Hey, it's Silver…

Sonic: Yeah… Hey Silver…

Silver: Oh God… Help!

No. Anyway, please review!