Chapter 13: The Blue Blur rises

In the week following Sonic's surprising death and revelation, the public received the official story that the werehog serum not only tampered with his heart, but his mind as well. His last moments in Central City, was part of a terrorist plot against the UF. Nonetheless, Quell himself ordered that the hedgehog receive a proper burial next to Amy Rose's grave on South Island. Invited to the funeral were many past friends such as Queen Elise to the former Chaotix. As well as former rivals including the former Babylon Rogues and Team Dark. All wishing to pay their respects to the world-famous hero turned supposed terrorist. Tails was apparently nowhere to be found. Having gone into hiding as Sonic's accomplice. Warrants for his and Flavor's arrests were issued, but there would be no government support unless deemed otherwise. As the last prayers were spoken, the mourners began to leave. Standing in front of the graves were the members of Team Dark, Vector, and a cloaked figure.

"It's not your fault you know" Vector told Shadow, "No one blames you."

"I wish I could believe that."

"Question:" asked E-123 Omega, "Were we friends of Sonic?"

"I believe so" replied Shadow, "It's hard to tell."

"Sounds about right" said Rouge the Bat.

"Well I've got things to take care while I'm here" said Vector leaving, "See ya later."

Kissing Shadow on the cheek, Rouge said " We'll see you back at headquarters. Come on Omega."

Leaving Shadow and the cloaked figure alone, the black hedgehog started to cry towards Amy's grave.

"I'm so sorry I failed you. You trusted me and I failed you."

After giving in to his grief and guilt, Shadow was leaving when he heard a heartbeat. Turning around, he saw the figure holding a heart monitor toward Sonic's grave. It continued to beep. After staring at each other for seconds, Shadow gave the figure an approving wink and walked off.

In the caverns of the Hidden Palace Zone, Knuckles, Big, Vector and Flavor led the Werehog's Children to a stop.

Directing the Children to place oil lamps at certain perches, Knuckles stated "There's a fresh spring under here. I want our water supply in one hour. We ain't got forever people!"

"Sure we do" said Sonic as he and Tails emerged from the darkness. "You can be surprised by the new sleep meds they're cooking up" he continued, "My meds were so deep not even Omega's sensors could tell my heart rate. I see my stuff was unloaded."

"Of course" said Flavor.

"And the others?"

"Getting information as we speak" said Vector.

"Good. Starting now I'm going to teach you everything. All of my ways. All of my secrets. You're going to be my army operating in the shadows. Keeping our world safe. And when the time is right, we shall fight an evil far worse than murderers and thieves. An evil that I fear, has corrupted the Federation. Now do what my friends say and get to work."

As the Children left to finish unpacking their equipment, Sonic was left alone with his friends.

"So what's this about Shadow finding you out" asked Flavor, worried.

"It's alright" said Sonic, "As long as we stay quiet they'll leave us alone. Who knows? Maybe Team Dark will join us."

"So you think someone's controlling the UF" asked Big.

"Without a doubt. The Federation's actions show patterns of being used. Quell and his two predecessors seem to have had their own secrets. And the world only makes sense when you force it to."

"You going to be alright with this" asked Tails.

"This quieter mysterious? These years of waiting? I've spent my whole life looking for a good death. I think this will be a good life."

As Tails, Knuckles, Big and Vector left Sonic and Cream's side to help set up their new base, Sonic and Cream looked on proudly at their work.

"Good enough" asked Cream.

"Better" said Sonic as he placed a hand on his lieutenant's shoulder.

To be continued