I know, this is up late. Story of my life, at this point. I was gone all weekend, and I'd completely forgotten this needed to get posted.

So here's Downfall chapter 2, and chapters 3 and 4 will get up this weekend, hopefully. Ok?

One last note: I'm trying out a different style of writing a fight in this chapter, I want feedback to let me know if I should continue this style!

...

It took a while for Sonic to convince Shadow to go back to the cave with him.

"There's gonna be a fight." The black hedgehog warned as he followed Sonic through the forest at a distance. "Vampires and Werewolves don't get along."

"They'll get over it." Sonic assured his friend. "Besides; they have to listen to me, I'm the Alpha."

Shadow snorted, "Alpha? You?"

"It's not like I asked for the position!"

"Of course not, you hate responsibility. Your pack must be insane to let you lead."

Sonic didn't know whether to argue or agree with his rival, so he kept silent.

Amy ran out to meet them when they neared the cavern. "Sonic, you're back! I was starting to get-is that Shadow!?"

Shadow gave a vague nod as greeting.

The pink werewolf's gaze lingered on the hedgehog's cape. Only one creature wore that kind of cape. "Are you?"

"Yes."

Amy didn't press any further. "Hurry on in; it looks like it's about to start raining."

"It is." Shadow stated.

Inside; the rest of the pack were huddled around a game similar to marbles that they'd created. It looked like Rex was winning.

Loki suddenly jumped and hit his head on the roof of the cave. "Vampire!"

The other eleven werewolves gasped and scrambled to their feet.

"Shadow!" Tails shouted; loping over. "What are you doing here?"

"Saw a yellow, two-tailed, werewolf as I was flying over the area." The black and red vampire answered. "Wasn't hard to guess who he was."

A growl suddenly sounded, drowning out Tails' response. Ash abruptly launched himself at Shadow; teeth bared and claws outstretched.

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Sonic shouted; stepping to block the attack. "Stand down, Ash!"

The werewolf's growl deepened. "Are you kidding me? You're actually defending that undead monster!?"

"He's my friend. And he's not planning on hurting anyone, right Shadz?"

The blue werewolf turned to get confirmation from his friend, and frowned. The hedgehog had fallen back into a defensive position; eyes on Ash and fangs extended. "Um, Shadow?"

"I won't be the first to attack." Shadow promised; though he didn't relax his stance.

"And we're supposed to just trust your word on that?" Ash challenged. "Are any of you actually buying this?"

"Of course not, vampires are nothing but trouble." Moody agreed; slinking up beside Ash. "Sonic, this hedgehog may have once been your friend; but he certainly isn't now. Vampires are dark, unstable, and dead in more ways than one. Do not trust him."

"Werewolves are just as dark and unstable." Tails reasoned. "And if we can forgo our instincts, why can't a vampire?"

"Then why does he still have his fangs out?" Rory asked uncertainly.

Everyone turned to look at Shadow, who shook his head. "I'm not putting my best weapon away in a room of hostile werewolves."

"See?" Winter said coldly. "And if you still trust him, you should leave and take the trouble with you."

Sonic couldn't believe what he was hearing; was everyone suddenly against him?! After everything they'd been through together?"

"If Sonic leaves, I'm leaving to." Loki suddenly declared, surprising everyone in the room. "I trust him; so if he trusts Shadow, I trust Shadow."

The young werewolf glanced reluctantly at the vampire. "Even if we started off on the wrong foot."

"Wait-that bat earlier was you?" Rex asked.

"Maybe." Shadow admitted.

"He's been spying on us!" Ivy accused.

"Look Sonic," Ash said before anyone could defend Shadow. "I respect you, I wouldn't have stuck around this long if I didn't; but this is taking things way too far. So here are the options: Tell your friend to go, leave with your friend, or ignore the first two options and see what a real werewolf does when threatened."

"I don't want to fight about this." Sonic protested.

"And if anyone should be leaving, it's you." Amy added. "Sonic's the Alpha!"

"An Alpha isn't chosen by a popularity contest; it's a position won through strength and cunning in battle." Ash rebuked. "So in a sense, we don't actually have an alpha."

"I've faced and defeated things you can only dream of, shouldn't that count as 'strength and cunning in battle?'" Sonic asked.

"Alright, then how about this? I officially challenge you, Sonic, for position of Alpha!"

Sonic jaw dropped as the other werewolves in the cave started murmuring to each other. Ash smirked in amusement at his expression, "Come on, Sonic. if you win, I fall back in line and that soulless fiend can stay."

"What will you do if you win?" Sonic asked, worried about his answer.

"If I win; we're going vampire hunting. But whether you join or not, is up to you."

Ash grinned eagerly at Shadow, but his smile quickly vanished at the hedgehog's expression. Sonic had heard of the phrase: "If looks could kill." but apparently vampires took the statement to a whole new level. He wondered if they used a similar stare to control their victims.

Ash was probably wondering the same thing; cause he avoided eye contact with the hedgehog; looking at Sonic instead. "You ready, Blue?"

After a moment of hesitation, the werehog nodded. "I warn you, though, I don't go down easily. And even if you somehow best me, you're going to face an even bigger challenge trying to catch Shadow."

"Oh, I believe it." Rory muttered.

"Yeah! Some action!" Piper cheered. "I know of an area near the water hole that would be perfect for a fight! Follow me!"

The brown werewolf ran out the cave, followed by most of the rest of the pack.

Shadow stood up straighter and turned to Sonic. "I told you there would be a fight if I came!"

...

Turns out Piper's "perfect" spot was the clearing where Sonic had met with Shadow earlier. Granted, it was a large space without any trees or anything; a good spot for a brawl.

Everyone who agreed with Ash gathered on the right side of the 'arena' and those who supported Sonic were positioned to the left.

Along with Shadow, Amy, and Tails; Loki, Hope, and Leon were also on Sonic's side. And judging from the way Crescent quickly wished him good luck; she was to.

Crescent had been appointed to referee the battle; as she was the only one here (excluding Sonic) who'd been a werewolf before the calamity a year ago.

"Alright!" The silver werewolf shouted; stepping into the middle of the clearing. "The first rule of an Alpha match, is that there really aren't any rules. Anything at your disposal is yours to use; just don't leave the clearing, don't drag anyone else into the fight, and always give your opponent the chance to forfeit before you kill him."

"Wait-What!?" Sonic shouted. "Hold on, no one said anything about this being a fight to the death!"

"Then you better forfeit, sonic!" Ash called to the blue wolf. "Cause I don't surrender!"

With that; the grey werewolf abruptly threw his fist at his opponent; who barely had time to duck and roll.

The Alpha match had officially begun.

Sonic stretched his own arm out to try and trip Ash; but the werewolf quickly jumped over the furry limb.

"Come on, Sonic." Ash mocked. "If you're really the world's 'Greatest Hero' then prove it! Fight like you mean it!"

If this had been an ordinary brawl, Sonic would have been more than happy to oblige. But a battle to the death!? He didn't want to kill anyone! Even a blockhead like Ash.

He'd stayed still for too long.

Ash crashed into Sonic and the two rolled around the clearing; biting and clawing at each other.

Amy gasped and took an involuntary step forward. Tails' steps were more voluntary; as he started to run to try and help his older brother. Shadow quickly moved to stand in his way, "If you interfere, Ash automatically wins and we'll all be in trouble."

"Wouldn't you be the only one in trouble?" Tails asked; moving from side to side to see if he could get past Shadow.

"Not if Ash is actually in league with Wolfric."

The yellow wolf froze. "How do know that for sure?"

"The scar on his shoulder. The one that doesn't fade because that's where they were first bitten?"

"What about it?"

"Wolfric's bite mark." Shadow explained in a whisper. "I've been hunted by enough of his wolves to recognize it."

Back in the arena; Sonic had just managed to clamp his jaw down on the other wolves' neck first, and hold on until Ash stopped trying to fight and started trying to escape the hold.

The blue werewolf let go and the grey one stumbled back, the wound on his neck dripped a mixture of red blood and purple Gaia energy.

So that's what the strange taste in is mouth was. Sonic resisted the urge to gag; Ash would just mock him again.

The grey wolf reached a paw to his neck, then pulled it back and stared at his own blood. "Nice. Maybe you do have some fight in you, after all."

"Uh...thanks?" Sonic asked.

The sides of Ash's mouth twitched, "But if this keeps up, we'll have a different fight on our hands."

Confused; Sonic followed Ash's gaze to the side of the clearing. Shadow's wide eyes were locked, waveringly, on the bite mark on Ash's neck. His right arm was grasping his left hard enough to make marks in his skin, his legs were shaking like he was forcing himself not to take a step forward, and it looked like his fangs were out again.

'Oh no.' Sonic realized. 'Vampires, blood; when was the last time Shadow...'

Ash tackled him again; pinning the blue wolf down. His sharp claws dug into Sonic's wrists hard enough to draw blood. Sonic gritted his teeth to avoid screaming.

He could hear Amy shout something in the distance; but he couldn't hear anything over Ash whispering in his ear, "I wonder how much more it'll take before your friend snaps and proves just how much a vampire can be trusted."

"He won't." Sonic growled; throwing his opponent off him. "Shadow's stronger than that."

"Stronger?" Ash asked; throwing a barrage of fists at the other wolf. As Sonic ducked around the punches, he couldn't help but feel impressed at how fast Ash was stretching his arms. "Doesn't matter how strong a vampire's will is, the urge to satisfy their thirst gets to them all eventually."

A grey fist connected with Sonic's face, sending him sprawling. Ash stepped toward him, "It's a good thing we're getting a new Alpha; if you're willing to jeopardize the lives of the pack because you can't let go of an old friendship."

Sonic growled again; enough was enough.

It was Ash's turn to get a fist to a face. The wolf stumbled back; not recovering in time to avoid the next hit that got him in the stomach.

Sonic stomped closer as his opponent gasped in surprise, "You can mock me and call me a bad leader all you want, Ash; but don't you dare make this about my friends!"

Ash lunged at the blue wolf; but Sonic slashed at his face with his sharp claws.

A werewolves' pack mentality is wild, fierce, and needs to be kept under control in even the smallest situations. Like a dark form but much so much easier to aggravate into action. And right now, Sonic had officially lost it. All he could think about was making sure Ash knew to leave his friends alone!

Instinct completely taking over; Sonic jumped on Ash and started punching and clawing at him.

"Sonic!" Amy shouted in horror. "What are you doing!?"

Tails realized what was happening in an instant. "Sonic! Listen to me! Calm down!"

Sonic's mind was too clouded to hear what any of them were saying. He pressed his hands around Ash's neck; strangling him.

His friends ran at him; yelling for him to stop, but Crescent and Leon quickly held them back.

"You don't interfere in an Alpha Match." Leon reminded them; though it sounded like he wanted to break that rule himself.

Amy wasn't having it; she broke free of Crescent's grip and sprinted closer to the two wolves. "Sonic! NO!"

Sonic's head snapped up at the sound of her voice. The sight of her familiar and frightened expression clicked something back in place. "A-Amy?"

His attention turned to the unconscious werewolf under him.

"No." Sonic breathed; scrambling off Ash and shaking his shoulder. "No no no NO! Ash! Wake up, please wake up!"

To the side, Shadow shook his head; finally getting his own urges under control. That's when he saw it. "Sonic! Silver!"

Sonic looked up at his friend; half expecting to see his old friend nearby. This gave Ash the opportunity he needed to push Sonic to the ground; one hand on his chest and the other at his neck.

Sonic's eyes widened with fear when he saw what was in that hand: A gleaming, silver dagger.

Ash panted in triumph, "Hah! I have you now! So what do you say? Forfeit or funeral?"

Sonic's heavy breathing and pounding heart were almost loud enough to drown out everyone's shouts. They wanted him to forfeit; give up the match to save his own life.

This was one of those "Live to fight another day" moments, and the werehog was always in favor of that, but...

Sonic turned his head and made eye contact with Shadow. The vampire studied his rivals' gaze for a moment, before nodding.

The message was clear. Live to fight another day, I can handle whatever Ash is planning.

Sighing; Sonic turned back to the wolf on top of him. "I forfeit."

Ash's grin was almost evil as he got off Sonic and howled to celebrate his victory. The other werewolves on his side joined the call.

"Sonic!" Amy cried; throwing her arms around him. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm alright." Sonic assured her as Tails joined the hug. "Nothing that won't heal overnight."

The blue wolf looked up at Shadow, who was standing to the side; eyeing the bloody wounds on Sonic's wrists. "Are you alright?"

The black hedgehog raised an eyebrow at him. "Do you honestly think I can't control myself?"

Sonic shook his head, "Know what, forget I asked."

The sound of claws scraping against wood reached the blue werewolves' ears. He turned to see Ash carefully cutting a small log to make a point at the end.

"You have a 60 second head start." He told Shadow. "But you know what you have to do to make that time longer."

Sonic turned to ask Shadow what Ash meant by that; but the vampire was already gone.

Ash smiled eagerly at the spot where Shadow had stood. "60 seconds it is."

Sonic and his group moved to stand in the grey werewolf's path. "You'll have to go through us first."

"Do I?" Ash asked sarcastically. He grew serious as he barked the command, "Down!"

Sonic automatically flattened himself against the ground. "What..!"

"Didn't know an Alpha could do that, did you?"

"Let us up!" Loki shouted.

"Nah, I can't have you getting in my way. Don't worry, though, the effect wears off...eventually."

The grey wolf looked up at the night sky. "Alright, that's long enough."

He howled at the moon; quickly joined by the rest of his pack.

The hunt had begun.