Episode 11: Trouble Brewing (Part I)

Peach's Castle: Lounge

The heroes were all relaxing in different chairs.

"So," Sonic spoke. "We have two of the Chaos Emeralds."

"This means we need five more." Mario said.

"…Way to state the obvious." Knuckles retorted, at which Luigi chuckled.

Just then Princess Peach walked in. "So are you guys all rested up?" She kindly asked, at which everybody nodded.

"Hey guys," Said Tails as he looked out a window. "I think we have company!"

Everyone walks outside to see what it is, and they see something in the distance walking toward them.

"What is it?" Mario asked, squinting.

"I don't know." Sonic shrugged.

Shadow sighed. "I'll go check it out." He said, as he walked out into the horizon.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to send Shadow out?" Tails asked. "He sometimes acts weird."

"I think so." Cream kindly said. "I trust Mr. Shadow."

"Yeah," Luigi nodded, and then he sputtered when something wet licked him. He turned around to see what it was and jumped. "Yoshi!?"

"Hi everyone!" A green dinosaur said. "I hope you don't mind if I drop by for a visit."

"Not at all my amigo!" Mario said, hugging his friend.

"Grrr, what's taking Shadow so long!?" Knuckles impatiently asked. "I could've been there and back twice by now!"

"Be patient." Espio calmly said. "It may be somebody we know."

"Yeah!?" Knuckles challenged. "Like who!?"

"Maybe Cream's mom is coming." Charmy joked, at which Vector suddenly looked around in surprise.

"What did you say!?" He almost shouted, looking around. His actions made Charmy and Tails laugh.

"Here he comes." Sonic said, pointing to the horizon, where Shadow was walking back.

"Hey Shadow!" Tails greeted. "How'd it go?"

"About time you got back slowpoke!" Knuckles retorted.

"What's up man?" Sonic asked as Shadow passed him.

"That's my business." Shadow quietly said, walking past them and going into the castle.

"Wha…what the heck is up with him!?" Knuckles asked, shocked at Shadow's change of behavior.

"He seems upset about something." Mario mused.

"No, really!?" Knuckles snapped. "I thought he was just making a joke!"

"Let's see what's up!" Mario suggested.

"Good idea!" Sonic agreed.

The heroes go into the castle and find Shadow near the giant clock tower.

"I told you what I am doing is my business." Shadow said, not turning around.

"But we want to help you Shadow." Sonic said. "We're friends, remember?"

"You can't help me Sonic!" Shadow shouted, his voice full of emotion that caught everyone off guard. "I must do this myself! If any of you get in my way I will destroy you!" After that outburst Shadow jumped into the clock and disappeared.

"I…I did NOT see that coming!" Knuckles said, dumbfounded.

"Should we follow him?" Mario asked Sonic, who nodded.

"I think so." Sonic answered. "Shadow's up to something and we need to see what it is."

"But what about his threat?" Tails asked.

"If several of us go after him he can't stop us." Espio suggested.

Cream stepped back a bit. "I'm staying here with the princess." She said firmly. "I don't like the thought of spying on Mr. Shadow."

"All right." Sonic agreed. "Is anyone else going to stay?" Nobody said anything. "OK then, let's go!" The heroes all jump into the clock and disappear, leaving Cream and Cheese in the room.

"I don't know Cheese," Cream said to her Chao. "It doesn't seem right to spy on him."

"Chao, chao." Cheese shrugged.

"OK," Cream said. "Let's see if we can help Princess Peach with something." She started to walk out when she bumped into a box. "Hey! This wasn't here before!" She exclaimed. She then looked around nervously. "Who's there?" She asked.

"Hahahaha!" Dimentio laughed as he appeared in the room. "Hello again little girl." He greeted.

Cream gasped in surprise and horror. "You!" She said, recognizing him. "You're the one who kidnapped Cheese! What are you doing here!?"

"Just paying a friendly visit." Dimentio told her. He then looked at her carefully, making her a little more nervous. "Hmm, you must miss your mother huh?" He asked.

"What's that supposed to mean!?" Cream demanded.

"I mean being transported into this strange world, separated from your family." Dimentio kindly explained. "Isn't that hard for you?"

"Of course it's hard!" Cream said, trying to figure out what Dimentio wanted.

"Well," Dimentio kindly said. "As you have already seen, I am a master of magic. I can make it where you can see your family again. You'll be reunited with your mother, and you will no longer be in danger. What do you say? I can protect you." He held his hand out to her.

Cream looked at him for a bit and shook her head. "No." She said. "I don't trust you. You kidnapped Cheese!"

Dimentio sighed sadly. "I was trying to do you a favor." He said with a sad tone. "I wasn't even going to trick you. But oh well, if you want to refuse I'll just have to play along." He snapped his fingers and trapped Cream and Cheese inside a magic box. "Comfortable?" He teased.

"What are you doing!?" Cream asked in alarm.

"Don't worry your pretty little head about this." Dimentio assured her. "I'm doing this to help you. And don't worry about that princess friend of yours. You'll see her again. Bowser Jr. has already taken care of that."

"What!?" Cream said. "You can't do this!" She pushed against the box, but to no avail. "Someone help!" She screamed, at which Dimentio simply laughed.

"Who can help you? All your friends followed Shadow into the portal." He reminded her. "Everything is going according to plan!" He snapped his fingers and he, Cream, and Cheese vanished.

..

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To be continued...