The ebony hedgehog could feel his back ache as he started to sit up completely surrounded by blackness. It was absolutely pitch dark and the only thing he could hear was water gently dripping from the ceiling as a cold metal bed zapped him with a sense of fear. He was too busy worrying about his location to really contemplate the weird dream he had and decided it was better to think about it when he was back to safety.

(Where the hell am I?! Some kind of chamber?) He thought frightfully as he tried to stand up but noticed that his body remained locked in place by a chain wrapped to his leg holding him to the bed frame. Not to mention the medicine that knocked him out was still in effect, causing a general sense of exhaustion.

(What?! I can't move! What's going on?! Where's Sonic?! I WANT SONIC.) He begged desperately in his head before taking a deep breath and trying to go to his happy place.

(Okay, calm down Shadow. You can figure this out, just think of cheerful thoughts.) His body slouched a little as the only thing he could think of was...

"Hello... Are you my new fwiend?" A young voice echoed through the chamber innocently as Shadow pushed his back against the wall in hesitation.

"Friend...? What is a child like you doing in a place like this?" He responded scanning the room frightfully looking for any kind of entity.

"What is a beautiful princess like YOU doing in a place like this?" The child replied playfully trying to communicate that he wasn't a threat.

"Princess? I'm no Princess and if you can't tell by my voice I'm a full grown man." Shadow stated frustratingly as he noticed that the voice sounded eerily familiar.

"I just know... I can sense it. The Chaos Energy… Your body lives off it. It's so alluring. You must be the lovely princess I have waited so long for." The adolescent voice stated with a very caring tone giving the ebony hedgehog an odd sense of comfort.

"Child, I think you are misunderstood. First of all men can't be Princess's... I think. Second of all what does Chaos energy have to do with anything? How do you even know I live off it? You ARE just a kid, right?" Shadow's face turned white for a second as he could hear shuffling at the other corner of the large prison room making him realize the voice wasn't just a figment of his imagination.

"I wish... I wish I could touch you... I bet you're incredibly soft." His voice beckoned lovingly almost hypnotizing Shadow with its sweet protective tone.

"Maybe he will let me. If I behave, that is." He added, following it with a sarcastic laugh that Shadow felt oddly accustom too.

"He? Who?" The ebony hedgehog asked as he yanked on the chain desperately wanting to get loose.

"The mustached man... He locks me here in eternal darkness where I am most comfortable. I feel less agitated when I cannot see those who intimidate me; but don't worry, I know you are not a threat." The voice answered as it could hear the rustling of chains.

"It sounds like you are trying to escape. I wonder if my princess wants to be near me just as much as I want to be near her." Once again the voice filled Shadow's ears causing a general sense of confusion. He wanted to at least be able to see the creature he was communicating with, but alas there was no light switch he could sense.

"I am a male though. How can I be a her?" He asked slightly fearfully as he realized the being was probably not safe. He had to be incredibly careful not to anger it even if it did sound like a sweet child.

"That maybe what your anatomy tells you; but what does your heart tell you?" The voice enunciated quietly, trying to comfort the scared hedgehog.

As the creature continued to talk, Shadow felt himself gradually grow more attracted to it. Not necessarily sexually or romantically more like instinctually. This child could see through him better than probably anyone and yet they didn't meet until just now.

"My heart tells me many things. It doesn't mean I should listen." Shadow responded wittily trying to sound like the creatures sweet nothings weren't affecting him.

"Your heart wants to be you but your soul wants to be someone else. This makes it rather difficult for us to make decisions in life. What is more important, to do what everyone else thinks is right or to do what YOU believe is right?" The child responded very clearly as he wanted Shadow to really think about this fact.

The kid was obviously very intelligent and somehow that thought made the ebony hedgehog nervous. He could just be buttering him up and preparing to attack when Shadow least expects it. Even though his body was telling him to openly accept the beings loving remarks, he decided to maintain his guard at all costs.

"The hell is that supposed to mean?" Shadow responded angrily as he banged his hand against the metal bed strangely startling the other creature causing it to remain quiet for a little before responding.

"It means exactly as I said. Your HEART, as in your deep conscious, longs to be accepted and loved for what it is. Your SOUL, the entity that interacts with others while growing and changing, longs to act and behave like other people. You were talking about what your soul wants. What does your heart want?" The being emphasized as he sounded slightly irritated with the ebony hedgehog's odd distrustful comments.

The charcoal hedgehog's ears fell flat across his head as he felt emotion build inside him. Is this what Sonic was trying to communicate to him? His heart does want to be with him, love him and run away never looking back; but his mind/soul wants everything to just stop. Which is the right thing to do?

"By the way, my name is Čelik. What's yours?" The voice changed the subject quickly to prevent Shadow from having a mental breakdown.

"Mine is Shadow... It's odd. I feel like we've met somewhere before although I can't put my finger on it." The ebony hedgehog responded deep in thought trying to remember exactly where he heard this child's voice.

"We have met Shadow. From the beginning of time to the end. We will always meet. It doesn't matter where or who we are. That is just how the universe works." Čelik confirmed in such a way that made the black hedgehog feel even more confused.

"What do you mean by that? How can two people continually meet forever and ever without fail?" Shadow questioned hesitantly almost not wanting an answer.

"Ever heard of destiny? Just how energy can never be destroyed. There will always be Chaos for us to control or create." The child spoke cleverly causing Shadow's pupils to dilate as he realized that he made a very interesting point.

(How does Chaos Energy work anyway? Is Chaos like the energy that exists in everything? If so, is there an opposing force or is it all the same thing? Maybe it's more like yin and yang. There is one entity that continues chaos and one who counters it to make sure things don't get out of hand. That's what Chaos control is, right? The ability to manipulate the energy of the universe into feasible power. I was created specifically to control this energy. So was there someone made to do the exact opposite?)

"In order for our world to be at peace there must be an equal balance. That's why I'm so happy I found you. We can finally convert this world to a perfect one. Where there is equal amount ofirrationality to rationality. We will rule this universe together. Forever and ever until the end of time. Chaos will never get out of hand again!" Čelik's voice erupted in pure happiness as it sounded like he was about to burst into tears.

The ebony hedgehog felt a bit insulted by the comment. The child didn't seem to care about his thoughts on the matter at all. Even though he assumed the kid was just completely crazy, it still made him feel slightly rejected. Alas, that attraction continued to grow. His mind, heart and body all started to want one thing: Be as close to Čelik as possible.

(The hell is wrong with me? What is it with Sonic and this juvenile delinquent that makes my entire sense of morality and discipline turn completely upside down?)

Surprisingly a strange light started to emanate from the corner of the cell. Bright glowing emerald eyes shrouded Shadow almost like an unfathomable hug. He looked very deeply at them as they were the only thing piercing the darkness. He felt as if those eyes were deadly to everyone else but him. It made him feel incredibly special as he reached out to them, hypnotized by their gorgeous luminosity.

"How are you two getting along?" Another voice resonated from right outside the cell as the ebony hedgehog turned his head in surprise.

"Dr. Robotnik! Why the HELL do you have a child in one of these cells?! You're evil, but I never thought you would torture a young kid. That's incredibly messed up and listen to him, he obviously has some severe psychological trauma!" The charcoal hedgehog shouted practically disgusted at Ivo's lack of humanity.

"He was like that when he awoke, Shadow. He is my latest and proudest creation!" The scientist exclaimed as if he created god himself and was relieved that his little experiment was a complete success.

"Creation?" Shadow asked in confusion as the Dr. had never created a sentient being with the ability to emote before.

"I did it Shadow! Just like my grandfather. I created an Ultimate Lifeform utilizing the general designs when they were constructing you combined with a certain someones DNA and he seems to know exactly his purpose." He confirmed as Čelik's eyes glared at Ivo with incredible anger and disgust.

"What purpose? To be locked in a cell without any hope of escape!?" Shadow noticed the child's rage and agreed that this was unbelievably abusive.

"No Shadow. I see you already care about him. That happened much quicker than expected. His purpose is to create a perfect world and I need your help." He confirmed as the ebony hedgehog reacted by growling while the doctor spoke perfect world.

"Help? What could you possibly need me for?" Shadow asked irritatingly as every part of his heart wanted to break the poor child out and escape.

"You're the other piece to the puzzle. I know it and Čelik knows it. How do you think this universe became so organized? It couldn't have been luck and right now the world is thrown out of whack because certain hedgehogs haven't been doing their duties." He confirmed as he started to smirk in triumph for his little plan was working perfectly.

"You are my gateway to a new and flawless world without crime, fear or pain. Where there is just enough control that everyone is in order but enough freedom that everyone can be satisfied." He continued as Shadow glared in complete confusion.

"All you have to do is awaken and I am willing to do anything. Including recreating your eternal lover who is under my complete control. Not to mention the fact that your jail cell is surrounded with Chaos energy. It would be almost a death sentence to try and use Chaos control while your inside, especially with the limited amount of energy you have without a Chaos emerald." Quickly, Eggman pushed a large button next to the jail doors allowing lights to illuminate the area.

Shadow was shocked to see a very familiar face. A little blue hedgehog sat silently at the other side of the jail cell with his hands covering his eyes as the blinding light penetrated his face. He was much shorter than Shadow and seemed to be just a bit older than a toddler. A very secure rope like object made out of what seemed to be pure chaos energy was strapped to his leg preventing any ability to escape or run. Behind him was an outline of a painting drawn in dark crimson red of a beautiful lady hedgehog with a long silky ball gown and petite wings. Her face drawn vividly as she had an overwhelming sense of control. It was odd, she was so beautiful and graceful yet had an aura of fear and obedience that made her almost look like a porcelain doll.

As the child's pupils contracted allowing him to see in front of him. He reached out wanting nothing more than to be close to the ebony hedgehog.

"Shadow... You look just like her. I knew it was you. I'm so happy..." Čelik's face filled with tears as he continued to extend desperately desiring to touch Shadow.

"Just to clarify who you are speaking to right now, is the new and ABSOLUTELY improved Metal Sonic. Prepare to get nice and cozy because you will be staying here for an awfully long time or at least until your true form reveals itself."

Čelik(Che-leek): Roughly translates to Steel in Croatian.