Chapter Revised [x]

(Rachel's POV)

The sound of loud splashing and laughter could be heard nearby. The number of people in the shallow pool was quickly depleting, as time got later and later.

It was a Friday night, and my parents had decided to treat me and my twin brother and sister to a fun-filled day at the world renowned Twinkle Park. We'd arrived earlier that afternoon, and had been here approximately seven hours. I remember that the first thing we did was ride Go-Karts, which was usually the first thing we did everytime we came here. It was the Tower Family's Twinkle Park tradition.

I always loved the way the karts hovered, as opposed to being restricted to wheels, and how the race track took place in a black void that resembled outer-space. Everyone knew how much I loved outer-space. But what's not to love? It was so beautiful.

At the end of this particular race, I came in second place, and my Dad placed first. (No surprise there) We then rode some rides throughout the park and took a walk through all the attractions. Now we were done with the thrill, and simply relaxed by the pool while my parents sat together and ordered drinks at the cabana.

I opened my eyes, feeling somewhat like I was in a dreaming state. My body was sprawled across a lawn chair. I inhaled a deep breath and looked up. The summer air was surprisingly clear tonight, so instead of a sky filled with gray smog, it was peppered with blinking stars, and even a few flowing cascades of blue and violet that must have been blossoming from space. It almost felt like I was viewing the galaxy from a spaceship. It made me smile.

My name is Rachel Tower. I'm sixteen years old. I have dark brown hair and green eyes. My birthday is July 1st, which was pretty recent actually. But it isn't just an ordinary day with cake and lit candles. My birthday was on a day that literally everyone on the planet knew about. No, it wasn't a holiday, with fireworks or anything along those lines. In fact, it was hardly something to celebrate. I was born the day the world nearly ended.

According to my mom, while she was giving birth to me, a T.V. in the hospital room she was residing in flashed to life and a man known as Dr. Ivo Robotnik let the world know that he would soon be taking control of the planet and would rise his own empire, enslaving the entire population. My mother says she was already panicked enough at the time, since I was her first child and she had never given birth before. And it was hard for her to stay conscious through the agonizing pain. But she understood the extent of the situation. She didn't want to bring me into a world where this evil mastermind was going to be our ruler. Not like she really had a choice though.

Nonetheless, she said that shortly afterwards, the moon was blown up by some sort of laser from space. It was that moment when half the moon shattered, that I came into the world screaming.

I could see the moon from where I lay now. Half of it was made of its natural moon rock, and the other had been reconstructed with some sort of tiled metal. It was so interesting to watch. To think that the real moon had been destroyed the very second I was born, and never existed in my lifetime. This was the moon I would see for as long as I lived. It was a little depressing, but still managed to leave me awe-struck every time.

The last important fact that should be known about me, is I was the granddaughter of the G.U.N. commander Abraham Tower, whose base was located in Westopolis. He was my paternal grandfather, and we got along very well. Years ago, when I was about seven, he told me the entire story of his past and how he had lived in a space colony known as the ARK. That was the day that I learned about a creature known as Shadow the Hedgehog.

Ugh...I shivered at the thought of his name. Shadow the Hedgehog, a.k.a. the heartless monster that brought so many innocent people to their deaths. He completely ruined my grandpa's life, as well as many others. Although I knew I never had the chance to meet him, I couldn't help but loathe the very thought of him just from hearing what he'd done to us. The worst part was, I had no idea what he looked like. Every picture ever captured of him had been taken down by the government around the same time as the Black Arm invasion.

So far, I pictured in my head that he was like our beloved Sonic the Hedgehog in nearly every way, since you know, they were both hedgehogs. Same eye color, voice, quills, shoes. Not very original, I had to admit.

The only difference was I always saw him having all black fur. His name was Shadow after all.

Shadow…such a dark...mysterious...unforgiving word.

"Rachel! Come on! Get in the water!" I heard my little sister Emma shout from inside the pool, right before she was dunked underneath by her twin brother, Travis. "Yeah, don't wimp out! It feels great!"

I rolled my eyes to myself playfully. I was currently laying out in my swimsuit, not really to get a tan (since it was nighttime already) but I had worn them under my clothes all day. Said clothes were now in a bundle next to the lawn chair. Upon arriving at this area of the park, I decided to change out of them just in case I decided to get in the water. The bathing suit itself was white with thin red stripes crossing over each other. My mom gave it to me for my birthday.

I took a peek at the water, which was rippling in a light shade of blue. The color glowed from the underwater lights and printed white, swirling prisms along the concrete surrounding it. Needless to say, it looked extremely inviting.

I finally gave in to temptation and stood, walking over and dipping one bare foot in at a time. I sat on the edge while waving my legs back and forth in the water. The surrounding speakers were playing music. I listened closer, and could hear what sounded like some bubbly dance song. Twinkle Park never played music with words in them, leaving everyone to use their imagination. Once I could remember the beat, I started humming innocently along with it.

Emma treaded over to me on all fours, which was unnecessary because she could stand in the pool if she wanted. Perhaps she was just getting practice in.

She called Travis over, and they both began splashing me mercilessly. I squealed in laughter and turned my head as the twins both took turns drenching me until I was completely soaked. I gave up, seeing as I was already wet, and dropped into the water, with it going up to my stomach.

Once the twins strayed away, I let my legs float up from underneath me, and gently glided along the surface. My brown hair now looked black from all the water it was retaining as it fanned out around me. I pushed my bangs over my forehead to get a better view of the sky.

The feeling of floating on top of the water, looking up at the star-splashed night, and the music chirping through the speakers, was all incredibly relaxing. I took a heavy breath and closed my eyes. This couldn't be any more peaceful.

"Kids! Come on, we need to go home! It's getting late and I don't want to miss the new episode of Emerald Coastalicious!" my mom called from the cabana. They both got off their stools and walked over to us.

The twins started whining in protest, while I simply stepped out of the water, ringing my chest-length hair out. I dried myself briefly with a towel from the chair, and then threw my T-shirt and denim shorts back on. My hair left wet stains on my shoulders, but I didn't mind. My siblings eventually got out, simply wrapping themselves in towels instead of getting dressed. We then left the pool area and continued toward the exit.

On the way out, my parents looked at all of us. "So did you guys have fun today?" my dad asked. The twins nodded eagerly while I smiled. "Yeah, it was great. I think we should do this more often," I said happily.

Suddenly, we all heard distant cheering, and the sound of cameras clicking. We rounded a corner and saw bright flashes bouncing off every wall. I then heard people cheering.

"Oh my gosh! It's Sonic the Hedgehog! Sonic the Hedgehog!"

My eyes grew wide. Woah. Sonic the Hedgehog? He was here at at Twinkle Park? I instantly grew excited. It was rare for anyone to see Sonic when he wasn't running, whereas he was so fast the only thing visible to the naked eye was a blue blur. He lived in Station Square with the rest of us, so him being here was sort of a regular thing. But he received the same treatment as a celebrity. I always wanted to at least get close to him, but the crazy crowds usually blocked us from getting to the front.

Emma and Travis both exchanged large grins while my parents pushed us along past several people. I never even got a glimpse of the heroic blue hedgehog. None of us did.

Once we left the elevator and headed outside, we began pacing down the city streets. The twins huddled together for warmth while my mom carried their clothes under her arm. Dad held up his arm to signal a taxi-cab. Within seconds, one pulled up, and we all quickly shuffled inside.

On our way home, I looked out the taxi window, back towards Twinkle Park. New clumps of people were forming together, each wrestling to get in. I heaved a long sigh.

Either we should've left earlier so I could see Sonic before the crowds showed up, or we shouldn't have left at all. Maybe he was going to go to the pool area. Maybe he was going to lay out just like I had. Maybe I would've had the chance to tell him how much I love him for what he does, and that I can't thank him enough.

You never know.

I leaned against the glass tiredly, waiting for our house to come into view.

(Shadow's POV)

Robots? The Doctor really believes that's all he needs to stop me? Just robots?

They all began charging at me at the same time. Some had blades, others had lasers, and even a few had built-in machine guns. As soon as they started firing their weapons, I leapt into the air, using my agility to dodge every beam and bullet they threw my way. I then landed, crossing my arms over my chest. A red glow formed around me, and I conjured up as much energy as I could. It was slowly bubbling from the inside out. Once it reached a certain level of power, I released it like hellfire.

"CHAOS BLAST!" I shouted. A large burst of power exploded from me and spread throughout the room. Every robot caught in the field disintegrated upon impact. Bits of charred metal fell around me like rain. I frowned in annoyance and continued on, leaving the room without a single look back.

Doesn't he know that his stupid toys can't stop me? They never could. Never will.

I slowly walked through the base, throwing Chaos Spears at anything that got in my path. I even wiped out the cameras mounted in the corners of every hallway. As I left all the destruction behind me, the florescent lighting in the base turned bright red and began blinking to signal an intrusion. An alarm sounded shortly after. I didn't let it slow me down. If he decided to send more of his contraptions after me, then so be it. I could take on whatever dared to challenge me.

All his bases looked the same from the inside. At least, the various routes were exact replicas of one another. He really should reconsider a new layout so it wouldn't be so easy to find him.

Sure enough, I reached his office, otherwise known as the central control room, in record time. Dr. Eggman was turned away from me, fiddling with several buttons and levers on the control pad in front of him. Above his head were screens that monitored the security cameras, now all covered in noisy static from where I'd blasted them. He seemed to be in a desperate hurry.

"Dr. Eggman," I said somewhat loudly. His hands froze in place, and he slowly turned his head. As soon as his eyes met mine, he spun his chair around completely, letting out a disbelieving gasp. "What? No…i-it can't be!" He yelled.

I took a good look at him. He hadn't changed much over the last sixteen years. Even his clothes were the exact same. The only difference I could spot was the orange-brown color of his large mustache had faded, and more age lines had appeared under his goggled eyes. But his obesity seemed to remain the same.

I crossed my arms. "Alright, no more playing around, Doctor. I know you have a chaos emerald in your possession, and that's what I came here for. So hand it over."

He still looked shocked. "Shadow...Shadow the Hedgehog? Is this really happening? I didn't even know you were alive, let alone in the same galaxy as me! How did you manage to find me? How did you manage to get here without a spaceship?"

I was getting agitated. I used Chaos Control to tauntingly disappear and reappear behind him. I was standing over the control table. He noticed I had teleported and looked around frantically. I grabbed his chair and spun it around to face me, then took him by his collar.

"I'm not asking. I'm telling you to hand it over. I could just take it by force, but that would involve hurting you in the process. And you wouldn't want that, would you?"

He didn't struggle. He just broke into a sweat. "Okay, okay! Take it easy! But can't I at least know what you need it for? You have one for chaos control, and I have one that serves as more efficient power for my ship. And as long as I have it, no one can get all seven. What purpose could an extra one possibly serve you?"

I frowned harder. "I'm not looking to get one extra. I'm trying to uncover all seven. Don't ask me how, and don't ask me why. Because there's no way I'm telling you. That's for me to know and for you to never find out," I said viciously.

He still seemed fearful, but then paused and looked at me with a nervous grin. "Well. Seeing as your plans don't have much to do with me, I don't think it would make a big difference if you let me help you, right?" He asked.

I just blinked. "What are you getting at?"

"Alright, hear me out. How about this Shadow. As a...say welcome back present, I'll give you the one I have and also tell you the location of another one. But I only know the whereabouts of ONE, and after I tell you where it is, my help ends there. But, if you needed me to, I could possibly uncover the others as well."

"I don't need your help," I said flatly. "I can find them all on my own."

He continued grinning, which wasn't making sense to me. "I don't doubt that you can, Shadow. But searching for the emeralds when they're scattered all over the universe would be a little time-consuming wouldn't it? And if you take mine-"

"Which I will."

"...Then you'll have two. I could help you get the third one faster, as well as the remaining four."

I couldn't help but be a bit interested in his offer, but I knew that he wasn't one to be generous. There was something in it for him.

"And how will this benefit you, Doctor?" I asked him.

His nervousness was completely gone now. Now he seemed a little excited. "All you'll have to do is help me finish making my newest creation. The Supernova Cannon."

I lifted an eyebrow. "Supernova…cannon. You mean like the Eclipse-"

"Yes Shadow like the Eclipse Cannon. I know it's been quite some time since we were back on Earth, but if you remember the Eclipse Cannon's power, you know what it's capable of. It could do quite a hefty amount of damage for being something constructed over sixty years ago. Now imagine what we could do with our present technology! Since you know a little about the history of the Eclipse Cannon, you can help me modify the Supernova Cannon. It's a match made in heaven!"

I was still suspicious. "And just what do you plan to use such a powerful weapon for, anyway?"

His grin widened. "That's for me to know, Shadow, and for you to never find out."

I frowned and released his collar. He brushed the wrinkles away and looked back at me. "I assure you, once you finish helping me, you can take the chaos emeralds and be on your way. Whaddya say?" He then held out his hand for me to shake.

I couldn't believe I was giving in to his bribe. I wasn't crazy about the idea of working with Dr. Eggman again. But all I needed was the seven chaos emeralds. He would be giving me two in the process, and as long as I helped with his stupid cannon, he'd aid me in getting the rest. It shouldn't be that bad. I held my hand out and shook his. "Fine, Doctor. But if you dare try to turn on the deal or find a way out of it, you'll regret it."

Dr. Eggman let out an uneasy laugh. "Ohoho...that won't be necessary Shadow. I'm a man of my word. Now, as for the third chaos emerald. Let me start up the Egg-Carrier, and we'll be on our way to Earth."

I winced. Earth? Of all places, it had to be on the planet that was dominated by the very thing I hated. Humans.

"Are you sure that's where it's located?"

"I'm insulted that you doubt me. Of course I'm sure. It's the closest one within our range, as well. Now come on, planet Earth awaits!"

He then left the control room, with me following behind.

I had the strange feeling that I would run into Sonic once we reached Earth, no matter where we went. Well if he decides to get in my way, I won't hold back on anything. I'll kill him if I have to. The last thing I needed was my old foe making an annoyance of himself and getting in my way. I had my own agenda that needed completing.

As Dr. Eggman continued walking, he said without looking at me, "The G.U.N. commander knows where the Chaos Emerald's being kept. I think we should pay him a visit, don't you? It's my belief that he currently lives in Westopolis. He's not retired, but he's too old to work full-time, so persuading an oaf like him should be a piece of cake. I also know that he has a son. So if he doesn't cooperate, we could possibly capture his pathetic offspring and hold him prisoner until he gives us the Chaos Emerald, or until we're certain that the soldiers won't follow us or interfere with our plans. We all know how the commander cherishes his family...so it's a bit of a no-brainer."

I nodded to myself. I didn't care. I'd do whatever it took to get that third emerald, even if it meant imprisoning a weak, pathetic human.