Ch. 2- Mephiles

A mouse scurried around looking for its next meal. Suddenly, it sensed danger. It tried to run away, but a hand covered him before he could escape.

He was picked up by his tail and came within eye level with a hedgehog. He looked like Shadow, only instead of red markings, his were grey.

"Life's not fair." The hedgehog said in a gruffy, but clear voice. "You see, I shall never be king. And you...shall never see the light of another day." He gave a small chuckle. "Adieu..."

He was about to kill the mouse by crushing it with a heavy stone when he was interrupted by a voice. It was Espio.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with your food?" He asked. He sighed and asked "What do you want."

"I'm here to announce that king Shadow is on his way." Espio announced. "So you better have a good excuse for missing the ceremony this morning."

The hedgehog was about to protest, but accidentally loosened his grip on the mouse, which caused it to squirm out of his grasp and escape.

"Oh, look now Espio, you made me loose my lunch." He said.

"Ha, you're going to lose more than that when Shadow's through with you. He's madder than a chao with no food."

"Oh, I quiver with fear."

"Now, Mephiles. Don't look at me that way. Help!"

Suddenly, Mephiles caught Espio and planted his face down on the filthy ground.

"MEPHILES!" Shadow called from behind him. "Drop him."

Espio managed to roll over and say, "Perfect timing your majesty."

Mephiles lifted Espio up and tossed him to the side. Espio then started rubbing his horn, as it was hurt when Mephiles face planted him on the ground.

Mephiles walked over to Shadow and said in a sarcastically overjoyed voice, "Well, if it isn't my big brother. Descending from on high to mingle with the commoners."

Shadow replied by saying, "Rouge and I didn't see you at the presentation of Knuckles."

"That was today!" Mephiles said faking innocent astonishment. "Oh, I simply feel awful." He continued while scraping his nails on the wall. This made Espio cringe.

"Must have slipped my mind." Mephiles added.

Espio came up to Mephiles and said, "Yes, well, as slippery as your mind is, as the king's brother, you should have been first in line!"

Mephiles gave a look of death at Espio, causing him to cower behind Shadow.

"I was first in line." He explained. "Until the little pincushion was born."

Shadow came within eye level with his brother and said, "That pincushion is my son. And your future king."

"Oh, well then! I shall go practice my courtesy." Mephiles said as he turned to walk away.

"Don't turn your back on me Mephiles!" Shadow shouted.

"Oh no, Shadow." Mephiles replied. "Perhaps you shouldn't turn your back on me."

Shadow grunted loudly and leaped in front of Mephiles. "Is that a challenge!" Shadow asked him aggressively.

"Temper, temper. I wouldn't dream of challenging you." Shadow answered.

"Pity." Espio said. "Why not?"

Mephiles gave them a fake, sorrowful look and answered, "Well, as far as brains go, I certainly have the dragon's share. But, when it comes to powered-up strength... I'm afraid I'm at the shallow end of the gene pool."

And with that, he left the two behind.

Espio broke the silence by saying, "There's always one in every family, sire. Two in mine, actually. And they always manage to ruin special occasions."

Shadow shook his head and said, "What am I going to do with him."

"Well," Espio answered, "He'd make a very handsome throw rug."

"Espio!" Shadow said with a smile on his face.

"And just think." He continued, "Whenever he gets dirty, you could take him out and BEAT him!"

With that said, both of them left.

Meanwhile, Pacahamac was in his tree, painting a picture of Shadow and Rouge's baby.

"Hmmmmm….. hahaha." He chuckled to himself.

He then completed the painting with the ceremonial crown.

"Knuckles."