I haven't updated in like...forever! Why? That's easy, because my writers block is still kickin' strong! I've had this written a LONG time ago, back at like chapter 10, but I never took a huge liking to it so I never posted it. But plans changed because of my lack of movement forward with my projects, and I am afraid that I might expose you to yet another disappointment of mine xP
This was a huge challenge for me, a one-shot that is not only a certain couple and a certain theme to play by, but also to combine several canon story-lines. This includes Sonic Rush, Sonic Rush Adventure, Sonic 06, and Sonic X.
As you will read, it is after the final episode of Sonic X, where Shadow supposedly 'dies' but more so disappears. Strangely enough, same thing happens to Blaze in sonic 06. Anyways, I pictured that he had been transported to her dimension after the Meterax incident, and that's when they would meet. I also really wanted to tap into the 'regal' side of Blaze. Her character Wiki page often talks about her graceful skills, and poised talking. Not to mention, the long list of her abilities and fighting is very impressive! Did you know she is the only female character to have come to a draw when fighting Sonic? I find that utterly awesome! Woops, off track.
So continuing on, because I am still fresh out of material to write about, I have sent out a request on my Deviant Art page and I ask that you check it out and comment to leave me an idea. Anastasia921 is my name, and i hope you check it out! I would love for some boosts of creativity! I also added a twist to this story, something about Blaze's aging, because I wanted to see how it would play out.
Anyways, as I said, this is not a favorite of mine, as I have been contemplating whether or not to post it, but finally just decided to bite the bullet. So, here it is. Theme 23!
I don't own Sega characters.
Time
His senses were slowly reawakening. The feel of a soft breeze sifted through his fur and danced on his quills. He could feel the bending blades of grass beneath his body, and see the red haze of the sun beating down on his flushed lids.
Muscles felt stiff, but contracted and tensed when he sensed bodies close by.
"What should we do with him?" a male voice spoke, the sound of clinking armor in his movements.
"I don't know. He's unlike anything I've ever seen."
"He could be dangerous."
"But he's sick. Let's get him to the infirmary, and then decide what needs to be done."
"Alright. Sarah should know what to do with him."
Shadow's mind raged, unhappy with the feeling of being lifted against his own will, but still too worn to refrain the movement. His thoughts were boggled, the last thing he could recall is fighting the Meterix, and freezing time in a single spot of space.
He had held the portal open so Sonic could go in and search the lands for Cosmo, giving the hero time to escape before teleporting the entire planet to a new part of the galaxy. He remembered feeling all his energy drain from his body, an emptiness and hollow feeling of death clutching at his dark soul. So where could he be?
He tried to comprehend an answer, but felt darkness tugging at his consciousness, and the voices faded into black.
Shadow awoke, snapping his eyes open in a spurt of energy and alarming, as he rapidly sat up from his spot on soft cushions.
Hands immediately began pushing at his shoulders, coaxing him to lay down again, "easy there sugar. Take it easy." a voice to the left of his bed soothed.
The ebony hedgehog, if at full strength, would have pushed the hands away and stalked out of the room. Unfortunately, his weakened state made him at a loss as he flopped back down to the white sheets.
Crimson eyes darting about, they landed on the owner of the voice. Standing with a clipboard in hand, in a long white coat clipped professionally with a crisp clear name tag; She was a tall weasel, chestnut fur with sapphire eyes, matched with a button black nose.
"I'm glad your awake. I wasn't sure if you'd pull through, but you seem to be healing faster than normal." she noted, scribbling notes sloppily onto her clipboard.
Shadow narrowed his eyes at her. "Where am I?" he growled, clenching his fists as she pampered his pillow.
The weasel was becoming fidgety under his cold gaze, "you are in the infirmary."
This caused the hedgehog to frown. He despised hospitals and doctors. After being created from a scientist, he felt his life had been filled with enough syringes and tests.
"What world?"
The weasel furrowed her eyebrows, "excuse me?"
Shadow clenched his teeth in frustration, "what world am I in?" he prodded.
The nurse placed her hands on her hips and shook her head, "I don't know what you're talking about sir, but you are in the kingdom of Soleanna."
The news caused Shadow to frown. Either he had somehow landed on a distant planet on the other side of the galaxy from Mobius, or was somewhere else entirely. He needed answers, and his patience was wearing thin.
Plucking the IV from his arm, and shoving the covers away, Shadow swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. His vision danced momentarily before the fog cleared, and he made his way toward the door.
The nurse yelped in surprise at his sudden movement, jumping in his path with hands out, "wait! You are not fully healed! You cannot just up and run about, I must check your..."
"You've done enough. Now move." he snarled, peering at her intimidatingly.
For a moment, she seemed to comply to his demand, and took a step back in fear. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you go. The guards that had found you said you could be dangerous, and I am to make sure you stay where you are until further can be analyzed about your intentions."
Shadow growled, crossing his arms in defiance, "I am dangerous. But my intentions are to get home, and in doing so, I need to know more about where I am. Do you have a ruler for this so called kingdom?" he questioned.
The nurse nodded quickly, "y-yes. We have a princess. But we don't consult her often because..."
"Then take me to her." he snapped, the edge in his voice sharp enough to make the nurse jump back.
Regaining her composure somewhat, the weasel nodded and opened the door to reveal a white hallway, with other nurses bustling about busily.
"Guards! The patient has a...request." she called out the door.
In response, two armed guards entered the room, their intimidating presence doing little to Shadow's nerves.
The panther, who seemed to be the leader of the two based on his authoritative stature, raised an eyebrow at the nurse, his gaze flickering to Shadow momentarily before speaking, "what is his request?"
The nurse hesitated before leaning over and whispering in his ear.
Shadow narrowed his eyes at the secretive movement, clenching his fists, preparing for a fight if one came.
As the weasel pulled away, the guard's green eyes widened, "he wants to see the Princess?!" he whispered rather loudly back, the volume just enough for Shadow to catch the rest of their conversation.
Upon hearing the request, the lesser guards' eyes also widened, holding traits of both shock and fear. This intrigued Shadow, as the reaction of his request was not one that he would perceive as normal in a Kingdom of a world.
"But...that means we must take him to the temple." the panther spoke exasperatedly, his long sleek tail twitching anxiously behind him. "And who knows if he'll come out alive or not. You've heard the rumors about her Sarah." he warned.
The weasel, who's name seemed to be Sarah, nodded gravely, "we all have. But he claims he is not from around here. He wishes to talk with who's in authority so he can find a way to his home." she relayed.
The second guard, whom was a black lab, shook his head. "I don't think that is wise. We don't..."
"I want answers." Shadow interrupted, stepping into the conversation sternly. "I need to talk to someone who has knowledge of this world. If the Princess is the person to give me those answers, then take me to her." he snarled.
This was confusing him to no doubt, that the ruler of this kingdom was a Princess who was feared by her people. What kind of culture were these people living in?
The panther guard swallowed harshly, but complied to his demands with a curt nod. "Very well. I will take you. You would not be able to enter the temple without assistance."
Shadow eyed the guard with suspicion. "Hmph. Fine. Let's go."
Shadow desperately wished he could just run there with his rocket shoes, or flash there with Chaos Control, but in not knowing where he was suppose to be going, he had to settle with going on foot with an anxious guard who kept looking over his shoulder every two seconds, and fidgeting with his sheathed weapons.
His behavior was beginning to prod at Shadow's nerves, and he was about ready to snap at the pansy panther when they finally halted to a stop.
"We are here." the guard spoke gravely.
Shadow frowned. 'Here', was out in the middle of nowhere. As far as the horizon stretched in all directions, were grass filled plains, endlessly. "I thought you said there was a temple."
The guard frowned, obviously upset with being doubted of his intelligence, "the Sacred Temple is hidden underground. I just have to find the secret notch to open it..." there was a hesitation in his voice as he began circling around and scratching his head. "If I can remember what that is exactly."
The hedgehog resisted the urge to lunge at the panther for his stupidity. Closing his eye-lids, he focused on the energy of Chaos inside him to reach out with his senses. Almost immediately, he felt a fluctuation of power below the ground. Something powerful, with high energy forces was underneath the surface of the dirt.
It was a familiar presence, comforting even. The amount of power that radiated from the objects was the same as Chaos emeralds, only there was something wrong about them. It wasn't Chaos energy, an equal power yes, but not Chaos. He did not possess the ability to control whatever held that power, but he had a feeling someone else did.
Opening his eyes, the same scene played out before him, the guard still squabbling about, searching for the opening key.
"I know it's around here...somewhere." he talked animatedly to himself, as Shadow watched with growing disdain.
In a moment of remembrance, the guard let out an excited "Ah!" and trotted over to gopher hole. Bending down, the panther reached into the hole and clicked a tiny red button.
For a brief pause, nothing happened. When the reaction finally came, Shadow was surprised at the supernatural way the ground began lowering, collapsing in on itself in a way only magic could conceal. The ground before him opened into a vast hole, it's path unclear as it was veiled in shadows, the only light flickering from the torches that were chained to the walls of the cavern.
"This is the doorway to the temple. If you wish to see the Princess, you must go through there. But beware, for she is cursed with great evil." the guard warned gravely.
Shadow glanced at the panther with disdain, questioning the truth in his words, before slowly descending into the darkness below. As he passed the entrance, the gaping hole above him enclosed itself once more, leaving him to face the shadows of earth alone.
His steps echoed throughout the dirt packed walls of the cave, the length stretching onward.
'I wonder what it is about this princess that makes her sound so possessed.' Shadow wondered to himself, feeling wary of his trapped surroundings.
Not far into his trek, the ground beneath his feet began to harden into a rough edged gray stone, as the dirt walls and ceiling were covered with a green rock, the color of lush emerald en-carved with intricate golden and silver patterns, the sequence becoming more complicated the farther into the ground he delved.
Just as he was beginning to question if he'd started walking in circles, the level began climbing just ahead, and over a small arch of an underground hill, was a sheet of light.
'Finally. Time to meet this accursed princess.' he grumbled.
As the edge of the surface lowered and he stepped into the underground temple, his eyes rested on a spectacular sight.
The room was an open cavern, in circular shape. The walls filled with dazzling rubies and emeralds that reached the tall ceilings above, each glowing an eerie light. Though dirt was encrusted in the underground hovel, it's dampness was outshone by the natural beauty of the gems and shrine that was placed in the middle.
A circular stone slab, etched with ancient stories that read of victory and sorrow held seven notches in it's rough hide, a power radiating gem in each socket. They emanated the same power of Chaos, yet seemed to be from a polar opposite universe, an entirely different substance. Their edges were crystal clean cut, sharp and polished to glow with luminosity.
Despite all the great wonders held in the temple, none surprised him like the figure that loomed above it all.
A silver pole was centered in the stone shrine, standing tall and straight, with a gold and deep green vine entwined around it's neck. Poised with power, a feline stood atop of the pole, her balance all resting on the ball of her one foot, arms crossed over her body in a resisting gesture, her other foot gently crossed behind the other.
Her fur was of vibrant lavender, a ruby gem embedded in her fore head, a henna like design en-cresting a star. A white powder muzzle circled straight lips, her figure strong and elegant in build. Her clothes were uniquely regal looking, deep amethyst robes draping off her shoulders, with scarlet trimming. A ruby broach rested against her chest, the neck-lining framed in gold, and she balanced perfectly on scarlet heels, striped with white, her ankles and wrists tufted in white. A tail swung gently behind her, and her hair was pulled above her head in a pony tail to show her graceful facial features.
The entire ancient atmosphere of the temple radiated power, a power that the feline centered of seemed to attract. His senses tingled like crazy, and he could feel the entire room was being gravitated towards the lavender she-cat.
Noting all of this into fact, he knew very well that if he were to fight her here and now, he would lose...painfully. This was her domain.
He veered his eyes around the temple once more to soak in the sights. In every world, every section in space that he had ever been, not even the views from his home on the Ark compared to what he was seeing now.
Turning his attention back to the feline, whom was seemingly ignoring his presence. Red eyes searched her form, finding no flaw in her features, and he longed for her to open her eyes, to see what color iris lay beneath her lavender lids.
"Why have you come? Not many disturb my captivity." a voice echoed through the cavern, and though it came from the mouth of the feline, it bounced from all directions, reverberating through his head in a fluent melody.
Looking up at the feline, she finally shifted, her arms uncrossing from her small frame and held outward for even more efficient balance.
Her lids peeled open, revealing the hidden treasure of vibrant amber eyes, their golden radiance sharp and analyzing.
Shadow watched, as her eyes fluttered open and scanned the room, landing on his form in a piercing hard stare. Though her eyes flickered like an inferno, they were cold, a reflection of his own red orbs.
"You must be the Princess." he stated bluntly, careful as to keep his face blank. This feline was detailed, aware of small and significant happenings in her surroundings, that was for sure. "I came wondering if you knew about world travel. I am not from around here."
The Princess's eyes flashed with an emotion that looked to be recognition. She eyed him for long moments before speaking again, "I know more than you would think. I can see why you would need to go as far as to contact me for help, for no one in Soleanna believes my travels were ever sincere." she explained.
In a swift movement of momentum and gravity, she leaped off the pole, twisting in the air, and landing in a graceful crouch. From the sudden movement, Shadow took a retreating step back, clenching his fists and readying his stance for any sign of attack.
The feline noticed this and narrowed her eyes disdainfully, "I suppose you've heard the rumors of me being cursed."
Shadow hardened his gaze, slowly un-clenching his hands and relaxing his posture. "Rumors are hardly my type, Princess. I'm always cautious about the unknown." he claimed.
Golden eyes skeptically watched him, as she folded her arms under her chest, "it's good to know that not all hedgehogs are as impulsive as Sonic I suppose. Then again, you seemed to be very different from him altogether."
Upon hearing his rivals name, his eyes widened in surprise, "you know Sonic?"
The feline nodded, turning her back to the ebony hedgehog and taking long slow strides towards the stone center where the seven emeralds resided. "I've been acquainted with him twice. I once was sent to your dimension by accident, as he was to mine the next. Though my adventures with him were brief."
Shadow walked slowly next to her side, both looking out over the stone slab and gazing at the glowing seven emeralds. Something about the way she spoke, it was so different than Rouge's suave tone, and Amy's out bursting squeals. Her words were articulated properly, her poised prowess enchantingly unusual. She looked to be eighteen, yet talked of years experience and wisdom gained. "So I'm not only in another world, but a different dimension." he responded, shifting his gaze from the emerald shrine to the she-cat.
The lavender feline nodded, "that is correct. How you got here is a mystery, but you radiate an inner power. My senses tell me you can perform many things with the power of Chaos, am I wrong?"
Shadow was shocked of her insight, but came across as nonchalant as he nodded. "Yes, more than most." he stated. A pause came in their conversation, before the hedgehog finally asked aloud the nagging question he had in mind.
"Princess, why do they believe you are cursed and possessed?" he asked in sparked curiosity.
In his eyes, she seemed to be fine. Normal? No, there was nothing normal about this girl. But whatever it was that made her different than most, it made her much more tolerable than others he'd encountered.
The feline closed her eyes, inhaling and exhaling sharply. She seemed to be calming herself, trying desperately to keep a control on whatever emotions she concealed behind her mask.
"They believe it, because it is true."
That was not the answer Shadow had expected. Furrowing his eyebrows in silent question, he sent a look towards the feline, prodding her to elaborate.
"You see, I have powers that are not natural of this world. They fear them, because they cannot control them. I have lost control of them more than once also, the image creating me to be a monster. As for me being possessed, that is also partially true. I have traveled through many dimensions, and various times. In one of them, I had helped save the future of Mobius. Do you recall hearing of the Iblis incident?"
Shadow nodded. "Yes, I took part in that."
The princess gave a soft sorrowful smile, "then I suppose you've met Silver?"
A memory of golden eyes, funky spiked quills, black boots and unusual powers flashed through Shadow's mind. "I'm acquainted. Myself, Silver and Sonic stopped Mephiles the Dark."
Nodding, she continued her story, "yes, I remember hearing that. But there was more to be done than just that. Elise, by blowing out the flame of Iblis when it was young, erased it from the past time. By you three defeating Mephiles and Iblis in present time, that also rid of the beast. But what of the future time? Just because it was erased from present and past, did not mean in completely disappeared from existence in the future."
The ebony hedgehog narrowed his eyes in thought. He hadn't realized that upon Mephiles defeat. "What did the hedgehog do? If Iblis wasn't erased from the future, than he would have eventually reformed in the past and present."
The she-cat looked down, remembrance flitting through her mind. "Silver wasn't able to do anything. He tried locking the flames in his soul, but Iblis didn't except him for the vessel..." she trailed off.
Shadow turned, his eyes locking on her form in understanding. "So you took his place." he finished.
Giving a small nod, she turned her gaze upward toward the tall ceiling of the sparkling cavern. "Yes, I took his place. I was able to because of my curse. I have the power of flames, and have since I was born. This is unnatural for a princess in this world. For a long while, they tolerated my powers, as I had used them to save this world many times. But for the last few years, after I had returned with more flames inside me, the council insisted I be locked away."
Shadow remained still. This was a familiar story to him, people fearing the unknown and power, something they can't control. He knew it well in his own life. "You must be Blaze..."
The feline turned and raised an eyebrow at him, skeptical as to him knowing her name.
"The white hedgehog, I remember him talking about his friend Blaze in our time working together," he explained.
"And you must be Shadow; I've heard much about your...adventures."
There was a paused moment, as Shadow realized she might know of his past evil doings. Instead of bringing the subject up, she continued, "to finish my explanation, the world has been thriving by itself for some time now, in no need for me, or my Sol Emeralds as it has stabilized on its own accord. Now that my flames serve no purpose, I am only a danger."
The hedgehog gritted his teeth. People's fear had ruined so many lives, his own included. "How long have you been in here?"
Blaze chuckled coldly, "time is a funny thing Shadow. You see, my world has slower time than Mobius. I haven't seen Sonic for three years in your time, but it has only been a year and a half here. So in your time, I have been in here for two years." she explained, fidgeting with the fluffy trimming on her gloves. "This also causes age to become a complicated subject. I am eighteen years old in my world, but to your timing, I am thirty six."
Narrowing his eyes, Shadow studied this new information on the female. She looked not a day over eighteen, a healthy stature and developed features. Picturing her as middle age was not simple, nor possible in his mind.
Turning towards him, she gave a feeble shrug, "I do not ponder much on age and time. For even when another eighteen years pass in my time, I will still look as I do today."
Shadow widened his eyes, his mind freezing in mid-thought, "you're...immortal?"
"No. Not entirely. All guardians have longevity in years from the powers of radiation in the gems they protect. I will remain and not further decay till the Sol Emeralds fade. On that day, I will begin to age. However, the Sol Emeralds power is endless, and will not fade for less than another age at the least. I was sure you would be familiar with such information as it goes for the same as the red guardian in your own dimension."
The hedgehog raised a brow. He never conversed much with Knuckles, and only knew minimal on his character due to Rouge chatting about him often, though he never endured her babbles long and would begin tuning her out.
"I wasn't aware of this. It is…intriguing to say the least." A revelation hit him as he angled his eyes to a frown and tilted his head curiously, "if you are to remain until the emeralds fade…what of your imprisonment?"
His words came out sharp, and he instantly regretted it as he saw her steely eyes wince, and ears droop. An exasperated sigh escaped her lips as she turned away from him to hide her distress.
"Then I shall remain. I have no place in this world, but it is my duty to see it is safe," she spoke distantly.
Shadow angled his eyes into a deeper frown. He was silently fuming. It was all too familiar. A memory of his shadow with evil emerald eyes telling him of his future, that he would be hunted and killed in fear of his power by people he trusted. Knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists tightly.
He couldn't leave the princess to the same fate. Not if he could help it.
"Come with me."
The words escaped his mouth before he could ponder their meaning, and he watched silently for the reaction of the lilac she-cat.
Her ear twitched, mind registering his words as she slowly turned to face her acquaintance. Eyelids fluttered in astonishment, "w…what?"
Shadow stood firmly, letting the truth flood to his eyes as he repeated his offer. "Come with me."
Blaze stood in silence for another pause, taken by surprise.
For a moment, a glimmer of hope began to sparkle in her eyes, but it faltered all too soon as she slumped in posture and shook her head.
"I can't."
"You can," he persisted. "You said yourself this world has become stable without the emeralds, and because your life line is tied to them, you're free to go. Make your own choices and live your own life."
Blaze drank in his every word, hanging on each sentence with purpose. She longed to leave as he said, to be whisked away to a place where she had friends, such as Cream, and she could live for herself, not for the fate of others. But could she really do it?
Her eyes turned to his, "I…I don't know."
Shadow stepped forward, determined to help. He understood her position, but even he had more freedom then her. He had power, but he had the choice to use it for and who he pleased, whether it is evil, good, or himself. He wanted to give her that choice too.
"Blaze, I promise it will be better than this life. You can't live in a cave for eternity," he bribed.
The feline felt her decision being swayed by the truth and honesty in his words. Could she really leave everything behind?
The answer was obvious. She had nothing here. No one. No purpose.
She pulled her royal demeanor together, composing herself in the utmost dominant voice she could muster amidst her inward trembling for change. She turned to him with a glinting eye, scanning him skeptically and crossing her arms. "My friend trusted a hedgehog with a remarkable resemblance to you once. He ended up almost destroying the world. How do I know you're not made of just the same stuff?" she challenged.
Shadow eyed her wariness, and instantly guessed she was talking about Mephiles.
"I promise." His words were firm, and he meant every word he'd said to her. It was just as his promise to Maria, he would not let this feline down.
Blaze bent a single brow, her eyes showing inner anguish. "And what about Cream and the others? I'll age half as fast as them, and keep on living. I'll be forced to watch them grow old and die. I don't know if I can live like that," she spoke, careful to refrain the quivering from her voice.
The dark hedgehog softened his gaze. It was a concept he didn't find pleasure thinking about either. In a moment of comfort, he stepped forward and grabbed her hand. "I'll still be here. Always."
It was then that the Princess agreed to go with him, for the two of them to combine powers and open a portal to his own world and enter it together.
A soft smile grazed her lips, as she took a shuddering breath.
"Okay Shadow."