Past Secrets

Chapter 48 - The Last Problem

Shadow's POV

Dark and me drove back to North End in silence. I could tell just by his aura he was confused and angry with me about what I was trying to say about Amber and Paul. I don't care he'll know when we get back to my place and then he can make his choice of who he allies himself with.

"We're here!" Shouted Dark as he pulled into our driveway.

I slowly got off as Dark pulled out the key to the engine and put it into his front pocket.

I approached the front door and opened it quickly while holding it for Dark who was coming along just as fast.

"You first." Insisted Dark.

I nodded and let him take the door. I slowly entered the house and waited for him to say something.

Dark slammed the front door with force and took me by the arm. He quickly dragged me upstairs and into my room. He shut the door behind us and pushed me onto the bed.

He looked into my eyes with anger as I stared at him with curiosity.

"What are you hiding about Amber and Paul?!" Asked Dark in force.

I took a deep breath and replied.

"Nexus agreed to inform me of who it was that ordered his services to find out where my emeralds where before I died. He told me Amber and Paul were the one's who informed him of my ware bouts after the fight with Amy last night. Nexus also said…!" Dark cut me off with rage.

"Your saying that the two people who we trust and who have helped us, especially you; are the cause to what happened to you last night!?"

I stood back up and Dark turned away.

"Nexus said…!" Dark once again cut me off.

"Your believing what that crazy psychopath told you!?"

"Nexus doesn't lie! He my have been crazy, but he never lied to us!" I shouted in response.

"Nexus attacked you! Nearly killed you and he has confused you!" Shouted Dark.

"Confused me?!" I questioned.

"He's trying to get you to turn on them! Shadow; Paul and Amber were the one's to save your life back when we killed Eggman! They supported you when you were hurt!" Yelled Dark.

"No! Shade was the one to help me!" I replied in anger.

"Don't bring her into this!" Ordered Dark while getting into my face.

I pushed him back and he stood his ground a few feet away from me.

"Amber and Paul, were hired by Eggman for something called Operation Decisive! Eggman planned to kill us back on ARK when I was sent to kill Nexus! He planned…!" Dark interrupted me.

"You were sent to kill Nexus when we use to work for Eggman?! How come I didn't know about this!?" Yelled Dark in rage.

"Eggman wanted me to go alone! I know we always did our missions together brother, but Eggman said there was no time to get you!" I replied.

"I was with Maria! How wasn't I able to go?!" Asked Dark in confusion.

"Nexus was collecting the remaining emeralds! Eggman said he was going to use them to kill Maria!" Dark stopped in shock and I continued to lay on the pressure.

"I was to devoted to keeping her safe back then and once I heard that, I ran straight off to kill him! The problem was Nexus didn't want to kill her, he was collecting them for Eggman!" I shouted.

Dark looked at me in confusion.

"But you said..!" I cut him off.

"I said it was all Eggman's intentions! He used me to eliminate a future threat to the corporation! I was suppose to get back with the emeralds and then I was to be killed on sight along with you and Maria! Eggman started to early and we managed to escape! Operation Decisive was Eggman's back up plan! He knew we wouldn't agree with his true intentions so he decided to have us killed when we weren't looking! Once we escaped with his emeralds plan B came into play! Paul who we both trusted survived the attack on ARK and Eggman hired him to find us, gain our trust, and stab us in the back once he found a way to get the location of the emeralds out of me! Amber, was his partner. She's one of his top spies in the corporation! Just another pawn for Eggman! Once Paul and Amber disposed of us and had the emeralds they were suppose to give them to Eggman, but we managed to kill him before that so Paul decided to take over the plan as the ruler with Amber as the queen! Amber hired Nexus to find me and kill me once he had the emeralds, he was going to kill you next for yours, but Paul pissed him off and Nexus was going to use them for himself! Once I knew this I couldn't let it happen! I killed Nexus and now only those two remain! I will find them and kill them for playing us from the very beginning! With or without your help!"

I waited for Dark to respond.

Dark began to shake and then he grabbed me by the shoulder extra hard.

"I don't believe you!" Shouted Dark.

I smacked his hand off me and replied.

"Then I'm on my own."

I walked over to my dresser and pulled out the bottom shelf. Inside I had a special lock mechanism with a keypad. I typed in the five digit pass code and the top opened up exposing my old gear and my emeralds.

Inside I had my old combat duffle bag and I took that out first and put the three emeralds inside safely. Dark watched in confusion.

I glanced at him and slowly pulled out my old uniform from Eggman incorporate. Me and Dark use to be special ops for Eggman's Military forces. I had everything in there from after the attack.

Eggman always had us in control and everyday we were in the demon form during a mission. These cloths were only meant fore that form. I quickly took off all my cloths except for my boxers and began to get dressed.

I first put on the clothing, my black BDU with black Cargo pants outfitted for fast mobility. Also was my black socks nothing special about them at all. Once I was dressed I grabbed the armor and first threw my body armor on the bed along with the pads. The last piece of clothing was personally my favorite. My old bandana. Pure black to cover my face. I tossed that on the bed and went deeper into my shelf. All that was left was my weapons. I kept all my old guns luckily somehow after the escape. First was my M9 with it's custom suppresser and pure black paint finish. Then came my combat knife along with two flash bangs and two grenades. All that was left now was my primary. I gently took it and raised it to my face. It was an MP5 with a holographic mil dot sight along with an suppresser. This baby killed plenty in its lifetime. I attached it's old sling and held it under my shoulder as I turned back towards Dark who now was looking at me in shock.

I smiled and said.

"You never thought I got rid of this stuff did you?"

Dark didn't reply.

I ignored him and tossed on my body armor and leg and knee pads along with my shoulder and elbow pads. Once I was set I started to walk to my door. Dark jumped in front of me with anger.

"Your not leaving Shadow!" Yelled Dark.

"Out of my way Dark; Now!" I ordered.

Dark refused and replied.

"I won't let you hurt them!"

"This is your only chance brother to move or I will hurt you." I said calmly after taking a deep breath.

Dark didn't move or reply.

I grew tired and lifted my gun towards him. My MP5 pointed straight at his gut as he looked at me with shock.

"Your really going to hurt me aren't you?" Asked Dark.

"If you don't move in the next three seconds I will." I replied.

Dark smiled and stated.

"I'm not moving and I know your better then that! If you want to leave then drop the gun and the armor and move me like the hedgehog I know you are!" Shouted Dark.

I thought about it and I really was threw with his time consuming. I let my MP5 hit the floor and I quickly tossed off my pads.

Dark lowered his guard as I got undressed.

I smiled with my gnarly teeth and once my last pad hit the floor I turned back around towards him and shouted..

"Have it your way!"

Dark couldn't react fast enough in his normal form. I charged him and a hard as I could I punched him straight into the stomach. Dark opened his mouth in pain and I back up and let him roll onto his side while grasping his stomach tightly.

I smiled and began to walk by him towards the door. Just as I was about to reach for the knob Dark grabbed me by my ankle and pulled me off my feet. I hit the floor face first and Dark got on top of me while trying to hold me down.

"I'm sorry Shadow, but I won't let you hurt them!" Shouted Dark while holding my arms down.

"I'm sorry as well. Sorry that you can't see what I have seen. Sorry that you weren't there to hear Nexus for yourself. I'm sorry your defending the one's who are trying to kill you!" I shouted as I raised my arm.

I elbowed dark in his mouth and he was sent across my room into my bed. As I got on my feet so did he. Dark then charged me with all his force and swung at my cheek. I grabbed him by the arm and he looked at me in shock. I smiled and twisted his hand back and he screamed in pain. A split second after his scream I kneed him straight in the balls and he bent over in severe agony. As soon as he bent into me, I raised my right knee and brought it straight in this face as hard as I could. Dark's head was sent into the air from the blow and I released his arm and he was sent stumbling backwards. Dark took a few steps back and I went in to end this. I clutched my right hand and swung with all my strength. Dark looked and it was too late. My fist connected into his cheek and he was sent into a mid air spin into the ground. Dark lied there with blood coming out of his mouth. I took one last look at him and turned towards the bed. I grabbed all my gear again and then walked towards the door. I began to turn the doorknob and just as I was about to open it I heard Dark.

"Shadow!" Shouted Dark as he struggled to get on his feet again.

I looked at him with sadness and rested my gear on the floor next to me.

Dark got on his knees.

"I won't…let you…hurt….them." Dark stumbled his words as he began to raise to his feet.

I shook my head in disapproval and began to walk towards him. Dark had blood on his chest fur and he looked like he was completely done. I knew he was finished, he couldn't keep going and he knew it.

Dark didn't try to attack as I approached and once I was close enough I used all my power to drill him one last time in the stomach. This time Dark coughed up blood over my shoulder and fell into my fist. His body fell into me and I grabbed him and place him on the bed gently.

I slowly leaned into his face and whispered.

"I know your holding back. Your stronger then this. You won't hurt me and I know it's not because I'm your brother. You won't hurt me because your unsure about why I would hurt you."

Dark took a deep breath and replied.

"I know you wouldn't hurt me unless you were completely sure about this. I'm just confusd. Why would Amber and Paul betray us?"

I took a deep breath and replied.

"The same reason Eggman did. Power. Only few people can handle it brother and Paul and Amber are not one of the few."

"Are you sure?" Asked Dark.

I reached for his arm and started to lift him back up until he was leveled with me.

"This is the first time I was sure about anything, except for when I met Amy and I knew she was my true love." I replied.

Dark smiled and wiped the blood off his face.

"I trust you Shadow more then anyone and if you think this is true then I will help you get them." Stated Dark.

I stood back up off the bed and reached for his arm.

"Then lets end this." I said.

Dark took my arm and he stood back up in front of me.

"Lets end this." Replied Dark.

I looked at my wall clock and it was 7:30pm. I quickly looked back at Dark and asked.

"Where's your gear?"

"At my house in South End." Replied Dark.

"Lets go get it." I suggested.

Dark nodded his head and I handed him the duffle bag with the emeralds.

"You hold on to them during this." I ordered.

Dark nodded again and flung the bag over his shoulder.

Dark turned towards the door and began to walk towards it. He stopped because I wasn't following.

"You coming?" Asked Dark.

"I need a minute to get my stuff in order. I'll be downstairs in a few. You can wait for me." I replied.

Dark nodded and began to head downstairs.

Before he could leave I shouted.

"Don't call any of our friends and tell them about this! We don't need them to worry we can tell them everything later when we get back!"

Dark nodded and went downstairs.

I looked to my gear once again and began to put it all back on. Once I was ready I found my shoe's next to my bed. Shade must have put them there last night after the dance. I really hope her and Dark didn't do it in my bed. I sat back on my bed and began to put on my shoes.

Dark's POV

I walked down the stairs and waited in the living room for Shadow to get done whatever it was he was doing up their.

As I sat on the couch I thought about what Shadow told me not to do and I couldn't do something like this without letting my love know I might die today.

I quickly looked at the stairs and Shadow wasn't there. I then pulled out my cell phone and dialed Shade's number.

"Ring!"

"Hello." It was Shade.

"Hey babe." I replied.

"Dark! Are you ok? Where's Shadow?" Asked Shade.

"He's fine I found him." I replied.

"Dark found Shadow guys!" Shouted Shade to all our friends at Silver's house.

I heard everyone cheer in joy and someone ran up to Shade.

"Dark is he ok?" Asked Amy.

"No not really, but he's alive." I replied.

"What's wrong is he hurt?!" Asked Amy in shock.

"We both our in a way. Listen I called to let you know me and Shadow are going to be leaving North End for a while." I replied.

"What?!" Asked Shade and Amy in surprise.

"It's something we have to do. I'm sorry we have to leave on Christmas, but its really important and I need to let you know the dangers." I replied.

"What are you talking about Dark?!" Asked Shade.

"Me and Shadow could not be coming back." I stated.

I didn't get a response.

"Listen, me and Shadow will be leaving his house soon. I'm sorry if I upset you. I love you Shade and I promise this is the last problem we will ever have to face." I stated calmly.

Out of no where I heard Amy.

"Your at Shadow's house?"

"Only for a few more minutes." I replied.

The next second after I said that I heard Shade take me off speaker. I didn't know I was on speaker. Then the next thing I heard was them hang up the phone. I hope I didn't upset her.

I slammed my phone down on the couch and rested my head on my lap. A tear slowly rolled down my cheek.

"I understand." I heard a voice come from behind me.

I turned and to find Shadow behind me sitting on the stairs.

I wiped my face off and asked.

"How long have you been listening?"

"I heard everything." Replied Shadow.

I didn't respond.

"I knew you'd call her don't worry. It was a test." Said Shadow.

"A test?" I questioned.

"I wanted to see if you would call her even though I said not to. I had to know if you truly cared about her. You do and I'm proud of you brother." Replied Shadow.

I smiled and approached the stairs while he still sat there watching me.

"I love her Shadow." I stated.

"I know you do and I love Amy. I always will no matter what." Replied Shadow.

"What do you think our chances are of doing this?" I asked.

"Not good, but we can't let the odds stop us." Replied Shadow.

"Do we even know where Paul is?" I asked.

"No." Replied Shadow while standing up.

"Then how are we going to find him?" I asked again.

"We'll go to South End first and search his place for clues, after that we'll get your gear from your place and continue our search." Replied Shadow.

I nodded my head then someone surprised us.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

I jumped as Shadow stared at the front door.

"Get it." Ordered Shadow.

I listened and opened the door slowly.

Shade pushed her way by with the rest of our friends behind her.

"Shade!" I shouted in surprise.

Shade immediately hugged me and kissed me tightly. Once she let go she looked into my eyes softly.

"What's going on?" Asked Shade calmly.

I didn't reply and when I didn't Amy came to me along with Silver and Tails and Knuckles.

"What going on Dark?" Asked Amy.

I didn't know how to reply and Shadow knew it.

"Our last mission is at hand." Stated Shadow.

No one but me knew Shadow was sitting on the stairs and everyone looked up at him in shock.

Shadow slowly stood up in all his gear and in his new skin and started to walk down the stairs.

Everyone but me began to back up. Only because the last time Shadow was like this he tried to kill us.

Shadow got to the bottom of the stairs and looked at Amy softly.

"It's ok Amy, the demon took over my body, but my soul has not been pushed out yet. In a few hours if I don't seal it I will be gone forever and my demon will have control over everything I say or do, but because I only turn about an hour ago I'm still in full control but I process all his power. Its not like before. I'm still me." Said Shadow.

Amy looked at him closely then she slowly approached him.

"Shadow…how?" Asked Amy.

Shadow looked at me and I nodded my had in confusion. Shadow looked back at all our friends and said.

"Come take a seat we have to talk." Stated Shadow.

Everyone followed Shadow into his living room and Shadow pointed at the couch. Everyone found a seat as I sat next to Shade and Shadow continued to stand.

Shadow took a few seconds to started but he started on a high note.

"Amy, me and Dark are not who you all think we are."

"What do you mean?" Asked Amy.

"I told you before we used to leave on ARK right?" Asked Shadow.

Everyone nodded.

Shadow began to pace himself around the room.

"I don't know if I also told you how we were made." Said Shadow.

"Made?" Questioned Amy.

"Me and Dark have no mother I guess that's why we love Maria so much, but me and Dark are experiments." Stated Shadow.

"What?" Questioned Shade.

"Dark and I were formed by an DNA strand in a lab on ARK. Dark and I are perfectly alike…twins. Eggman made us back when he was good for what it is worth. He designed for us to be the ultimate killers." Stated Shadow.

"Why?" Asked Amy in confusion.

"Its what we were meant to do. Eggman wanted us to be the Ultimate assassins for his military forces. He took us from the moment we were made and trained us to be the best, the most fearless, the most ruthless monsters in the world. He designed this form into us. Called our demon form. When we were old enough Eggman found a way to have us in this form whenever he wanted us to. He sent us on missions, very high risk assassinations. We were used to kill anyone that opposed his cause and at the time it was to save the world. We didn't learn about his true intentions until I was sent on a solo mission to kill my own cousin." Replied Shadow.

"Your cousin!" Shouted Amy in shock.

"Eggman said he was collecting the chaos emeralds to kill Maria. I went to stop him but to only learn Nexus was collecting them for Eggman. He worked for him like always but Eggman wanted me to kill him so he wouldn't have to deal with him later. After I was suppose to kill him I was going to give the emeralds to Eggman and then I was going to be killed along with Dark and Maria herself. Eggman knew we would disagree with his true intentions and he had to get rid of us to prevent any future problems. But he started the attack on us to early and me and Dark managed to escape. Maria was shot saving us. Eggman killed her. That was the reason we went after him and finally killed him." Shadow stopped and everyone was staring at us in shock.

Amy stood up and approached Shadow. Shade looked at me.

"So your assassin's?" Asked Shade.

"Always were." I replied.

"So that's why your so strong." Added Silver.

"We never had a childhood. No school only boot camp since birth we were always around adults I knew saw another kid on ARK but Dark." Stated Shadow sadly.

Amy stopped in front of him with tears in her eyes as Shade looked at me the same way.

"Why hasn't your form taken you Dark?" Asked Shade.

"It will soon. It's been held too long." I replied.

Shade began to cry and I held her in my arms.

"Will I lose you?" Asked Amy in tears.

Shadow gently took Amy in his arms and held her tightly.

"I promise I won't let that happen my love." Relied Shadow.

Amy smiled and Shade slowly retracted from my arms with a smile.

"I promise you won't lose me ether." I stated with a smile while staring into her beautiful crimson eyes.

Shade smiled widely and Silver looked at me in approval.

Amy retracted from Shadow's body armor and asked.

"Is this your uniform?" Asked Amy.

"Yes. Me and Dark are going to South End to get his. Then we have to go and finish off our pasts." Replied Shadow.

"What do you mean?" Asked Tails.

"I was attacked after our fight Amy, my cousin hurt me trying to figure out where I hid those emeralds I took from ARK that he had in his procession." Shadow pointed at me and I opened up the duffle exposing the three emeralds as everyone looked in surprise. I then pulled out mine and Shadow took out his and Nexus's. Shadow looked at me and said.

"We have six of the seven emeralds. The people we are going to kill have the last one and once this is over we're going to use all of them to seal away our forms for good."

I nodded and everyone looked as we put all the emeralds back in there places.

Amy smiled once again and grabbed Shadow by the head and brought him in for a kiss. As they kissed we all smiled until Amy felt around his ear. Amy immediately screamed and back up scared. Shadow frowned and said.

"I know."

"What happened!?" Shouted Amy.

"Shadow moved his quills aside exposing his ear or what was left of it. Me and Shade looked with widened eyes as Silver and Tails and Knuckles looked in shock and awe. Amy stared at him with confusion.

Shadow covered up his ear again and replied.

"Nexus cut it off trying to get me to talk."

"Are you ok?" Asked Silver.

"I'm fine. I can hear just as well as before and don't worry it's nothing big." Replied Shadow again.

"I'm sorry Shadow I never should have let leave last night. None of this would have happened. Its all my fault." Said Amy sadly.

Shadow approached her and kissed her gently.

"It's not your fault and I'm sorry for hurting you; I didn't mean anything I said during that fight." Stated Shadow.

Amy smiled and let Shadow go gently.

"Come on Dark we better go." Said Shadow while walking away towards the door.

I nodded and looked at Shade.

"Go Dark, I'll be here when you get back." Said Shade in approval.

I smiled and kissed her one last time.

Once she let go I said.

"I love you."

Shade smiled and replied.

"I love you too."

I then stood up and followed Shadow out the door with everyone behind us.

Shadow started the engine and I got on back. Amy approached us one last time and gave Shadow a passionate kiss goodbye.

"I love you Shad. Please come back for me. Both of you." Said Amy.

"I will." Replied Shadow.

Shadow pulled away into the driveway and looked back at Amy.

"I love you too Amy. Goodbye." Shadow then hit the gas and we were off to end this. Everything ahead of us was going to be force, killing, no regret. I put my hand on my heart and I could feel the demon coming; he would be here soon. I don't know if I can control him.