The Resurrection of Shadow Fox

Chapter 3- Darkest Storm

Greetings yall! Joe here, bringing you Chapter 3 of his new epic Sonic fic! Coming up, a new character rears his head, and the gathering of the Chaos Emeralds continues! All feedback welcome!

Enjoy everyone!

Disclaimer: I own neither Sonic nor any of Sonic Team or Sega's assets.

--

Far away from the gathering storm, a lone figure looked up at the dazzling night sky.

"So, this is the place. It seems...quieter than I thought"

A pleasant tingle ran up his spine, the cool night breeze tickling the soft fur on the back of his neck. He pulled the long coat he was wearing tighter, the overlong sleeves rolling down his arms as he did. Several sizes too big for him, it was the only personal artifact in his possession. Momentarily, sadness flickered across his face as he observed the twinkling lights above him.

"Beautiful. So beautiful"

A hand flicked the bangs of hair out of his face, a new look of determination crossing it as he scanned over the rolling valley below him, the vaguest shimmer of light on the horizon his immediate focus.

"Wherever you are...I'll find you"

He jumped down from his vantage point, and as soon as his feet touched the ground he booted down the slopping incline, eyes rivetted ahead.

"I'll find you Sonic the hedgehog"

--

Sonic leered at the gathering storm clouds, the window pane running with rain that continued to spatter against the glass.

"Rain. Why does it always have to rain on me?" the hedgehog sighed, his feet itching from the forced confinement. He hated water at the best of times, but when it prevented him from running that was a step too far. Sonic couldn't think of a worse torture than being unable to run, something he was relieved Eggman had never took advantage of all those times he'd had him at his mercy.

"It fits the present mood perfectly" he heard Tails mutter behind him, rolling his eyes as he finally turned away from the window.

"Way to lift my spirits Tails"

The orange fox furrowed his brow as he watched the blue hedgehog collapse into a threadbare armchair. "Aren't there more important things to worry about at the moment Sonic? Not concerning the weather?"

"Hey, cool the third degree pal" Sonic lifted his hands in mock defense. "I am taking things seriously" he slouched further back into the chair, folding his arms behind his head.

"Very seriously indeed" the blue hedgehog yawned widely and shut his eyes, much to the annoyance of the twin tailed kit.

"Sonic!" Tails yelled, earning a chuckle from the blue one.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding!" Sonic jumped out of the chair, walking up to Tails and slapping him on the back. "Man your easy!"

Tails huffed, jabbing the hedgehogs chest with a finger. "Just be thankful Knuckles isn't here, cos he wouldn't take it kindly"

Sonic raised an eyebrow "Your telling that to the guy who's been at the receiving end of many an angry echidna fist?"

"You'd have thought that would have knocked some sense into you" Tails sighed, unable to stop a small smile. The hedgehog had a way of making Tails smile even when the moment didn't call for it. "Then again, this is you we're talking about"

Sonic bit his tongue at this, forcing back a laugh. "Woah, where did you get that smart mouth from all of a sudden?"

"I learned from the best" Tails smirked. "Besides, I'm bored of the whole 'sweet innocent kid' shtick"

The blue hedgehog tutted "And you used to be such a nice kid"

Sonic looked over the two tailed fox, finding it hard to believe that the young adolescent was once the tiny little ball of fluff he'd 'adopted' as his little bro all those years ago. He was taller by a few inches, still not quite Sonics height but catching up fast, orange fur now exhibiting the signs of muscle tone that hadn't been there before. His hair was now longer, the three bangs on his forehead sweeping over his eyes only to be flicked back every once and a while by the fox. Even his voice was showing signs of maturity, less high pitched than once it was. This, coupled with the fox's recent frequency in wearing clothes, made it clear that Tails wasn't really a kid anymore.

Sonic didn't know what was worse. The fact that Tails was getting older, or that he was.

"Seriously though," Tails said, all hint of amusement now gone. "What are we going to do Sonic?"

Sonic shrugged "Not much we can do. If Angel Islands gone, there's not much hope of getting it back. That waters pretty deep" he suppressed a shiver at this. Water had that affect on him.

"Poor Knuckles" Tails shook his head. "That was his whole life. I can't imagine what that must feel like, to lose everything you had"

"Truthfully Tails, I don't want to know" Sonic replied, emerald eyes shining determinedly. "But you and I are gonna find who's responsible, and why"

The fox nodded "You bet"

"Just like old times. Sonic and Tails, fighting the good fight!" the blue one smiled widely, the itch of boredom now replaced by eager excitement.

Tails lifted a finger in question "Just one thing...where do we start?"

Sonic didn't falter for a second "At the source little bro. If Shadows involved in this, we'll go to the one person who'll have an idea of what he's up to"

The kit groaned "You don't mean...?"

"Fraid so" Sonic replied, not liking it any more than the fox.

"We're gonna have to talk to Rouge"

--

Knuckles had heard them leave some time ago. They hadn't bothered to check in on him, probably not wanting to tax him any more than he had been already.

The echidna appreciated their concern. But this was his fight, and he wasn't going to be denied.

Shadow had stolen the one thing that had given his life purpose. Guarding the Master Emerald was his birth duty, his task as the floating islands Guardian as it had been for his forefathers for generations. Now it was gone, and the emptiness left behind was worse than any injury, any agony the red one had felt before.

He would make Shadow pay. He, and anyone else responsible for his stolen life.

Knuckles had heard the one thing he'd needed to hear from Sonic and Tails. He knew where they were going, and he also knew that he would be joining them, whether they liked it or not.

The former guardian looked at the swirling torrent outside, the rain failing to cool the fire coursing through him.

He was going to make Rouge tell him everything.

No matter what it took.

--

"Well, isn't this just peachy?"

Rouge the bat eyed the two new arrivals with a mixture of amusement and disdain.

"I don't normally get visitors in here. Can't imagine why"

"Cut the act Rouge" Sonic snapped, pointing a single finger at the bat from across the table they were sat round, he and Tails on one side with Rouge at the other end of the tiny cell.

"My my, aren't we a little tetchy this morning" Rouge purred, placing her hands under her chin as she propped up her elbows over the table surface.

"We want some information, and your gonna tell us what you know" the hedgehog gritted his teeth, the bat always managing to grate his nerves despite his best efforts.

"Or what exactly, my big blue dreamboat?" she drolled, lips pouting as she batted her eyes at the blue hedgie.

"Believe me, you don't want to know" Sonic replied tersely, knowing full well he could never bring himself to hit any female, even if they were as aggravating as Rouge.

"I'm trembling" the bat turned her attention to Tails, her smile widening as she eyed over his form. "Well Tails, puberty's been really good to you hasn't it honey?"

Tails felt his cheeks heat up, fur prickling under his shirt. He was never able to keep it together whenever Rouge addressed him, not from any sort of attraction but simply down to his shy nature around any girl.

"Those jeans really suit you" she purred, amused at the affect she was having on the poor shy fox. "Nice and tight"

"Leave him alone Rouge" Sonic cut in, much to the relief of Tails. "We're not here for your amusement"

She pouted in mock forlorn "Oh Sonic, why do you always have to be so negative? Life's too short hon, you've got to enjoy every minute of it"

Sonic felt his hackles rising in irritation. Not even Amy was as aggravating as Rouge sometimes.

"Where's Shadow? We know you have some idea where he is"

Rouge faltered at this, all trace of amusement melting from her face. "Shadow? Thats why your here?"

"Yes. So why not make this easy and just tell us where he is"

Rouge's lips pursed so tightly together they became nothing but a thin line on her face, eyes suddenly ablaze with anger.

"What makes you think I have any idea where that creep is? Or for that matter, why I would care?"

Sonic was surprised by this reaction, his eyebrows raising at the sudden change in Rouge's temperament. "You mean...you don't know where he is?"

"That slime ball! That snake!" Rouge continued, almost to herself. "Hasn't even had the decency to visit me in here, and after all I did for him! Miserable little..."

"Woah, woah!" Sonic cut in, trying to defuse the situation before steam starting pouring from the bats ears. "Just...just chill for a second"

Rouge glared at the pair, making them both wanting to recoil as the intense mask of hatred she was sporting.

"So, let me get this straight" Sonic spoke after a seconds pause. "You don't know where Shadow is?"

Rouge let out a mocking laugh "What was your first clue, blue boy?"

"And you don't know whats he's planning?" Tails spoke for the first time, jumping back as Rouge's head snapped towards his direction.

"Oh, the little fox has a voice does he?" she snapped, staring bullets at the kit. "Like I said, I've not seen him. He hasn't been to see me, and whatever he's 'up to', he hasn't let me in on it. Satisfied?"

Sonic stared open mouthed, feeling like an idiot as no words came to him. Weren't they supposed to be the tough guys?

"I guess the old sayings true," he thought. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned"

"So," Rouge spoke up, surprising the pair. "I guess you got your answer. Anything else?" she leered at them, almost daring either of them to speak.

"N-no...no thats fine" Tails stammered, desperate now to leave.

"Yeah, err, thanks for your help. Urm, we'll...we'll just be going now" Sonic matched his pals nervous speech as he got to his feet, trying not to look the bat in the eye.

"Oh, and Sonic?"

The blue hedgehog turned at the bats question.

"Next time you visit, make it worth my while"

Sonic couldn't get out of the room quick enough.

--

The shimmering glow of three Chaos Emeralds lit up the albino fox's face, his reflection multiplied in their glass-like surfaces.

"And I thought one Emerald was dazzling enough" he clicked his teeth in a grin. "But these...these are indeed perfection"

Nack the weasel and Shadow watched silently as the fox placed each emerald into a separate container, leaving four vacant slots for the remaining Emeralds.

"You've done very well, both of you" Shadow Fox spoke, turning to face his two allies. "Especially you, Shadow" he eyed the midnight black hedgehog almost in admoration.

Nack snorted silently. "He didn't get frostbite" he thought begrudgingly.

"You know my reasons for helping you" Shadow replied solemnly, his trademark stony face unmoving under the fox's piercing gaze.

"I do Shadow," the albino smirked. "Believe me, I do"

Shadow removed his gaze from the fox, turning his attention to the four empty slots of the emerald container.

"Do you have a trace on the next emerald?"

Shadow Fox nodded. "The Master Emerald has locked onto our next objective. The control emerald will soon be ours"

"So wheres it at?" Nack spoke up, fed up with being ignored.

The fox turned to the giant control screen above the emerald container, an image of a map with a glowing red spot indicating their target. His muzzle cracked into a sneer.

"Oh, I think we can have some fun with this"

Hig above the swirling clouds, the Death Carrier began its descent.

--

Rouge the bat fumed in her cell, hands clenching and unclenching involuntarily.

The nerve of those two, she thought to herself. The very idea that she would have anything to do with that snake in hedgehog clothing called Shadow. She hadn't clapped eyes on the ebony one for months, and the fact that he hadn't even attempted to her knowledge to visit her made it quite clear that any relationship they may or had was well and truly over.

This thought made her sad, something that didn't happen often in her life. She'd like Shadow once, in fact it was his reclusiveness that made him all the more attractive to her. She saw in him a deep sadness she had wanted to fix, and for a time she'd thought she had managed to find a chink in his armour. Shadow was beginning to open up more to her, something he hadn't done since Maria had died.

But then...that had all changed. Suddenly he had become distant again, in fact even more so than he had been previously. All of a sudden, she started seeing less and less of the black hedgehog until finally he had disappeared altogether. She had been hurt by this, but that had quickly been replaced by anger. Just when she thought she had managed to get through to him, he had turned around and blanked her. The ungrateful...

Still, she thought with a smile, there were plenty more skittish boys she could get her claws into. Tails was top of her list, followed by...

"Knuckles"

The bat jumped to her feet at the sudden appearance of red echidna. She hadn't heard him come in, or had any idea on how he had actually got in.

"Well, this is a surprise. Whats a big strong man like you doing...?"

"Where is it?" came the curt reply from the guardian, shutting Rouge up instantly. That voice, that wasn't Knuckles. It was too angry, too hateful...

"Come again?" Rouge replied, before a white gloved fist impacted with her cheek, sending the bat headfirst into the wall.

"I won't ask you again" the echidna walked slowly up to the fallen girl, eyes betraying no emotion.

Rouge stared up in horror as the red echidna loomed over her, his face expressionless as he grabbed her round the neck, pressing her flat against the wall.

"Where-is-Shadow?"

Rouge felt the air being crushed from her lungs, as a powerful fist aimed towards her...

--

It was still raining hard as Sonic and Tails made their way through the deserted street, shoes soaked through from the endless puddles.

"Okay, so were back at square one with no clues as to where we go next" Sonic said as he shook water from his quills. "Still, it could be worse"

"Could it?" the drenched fox at his side muttered.

"Yeah. We could be soaked to our skin. Now that would really suck"

Tails didn't even bother to reply as they continued their trek back to the Tornado, their encounter with Rouge had made them both want to cool off.

Neither felt the pair of eyes staring at them intently from a nearby rooftop, as a lone figure watched their trek through the darkening storm.

"I've finally found him. Sonic the hedgehog"

At last...

--

Any clues as to our mystery guy yet? This, and much much more coming soon!

Joe.