Sonic The Hedgehog: And The Odysseys Through Time

by SomeRandomSonicFan

When the Prower family creates a time machine to save their parents from a tragic death at the hands of Dr. Eggman, they accidentally unleash war and chaos across time and space. Worse yet, their future is not the only world line at stake... and worth making sacrifices for.

29. Chapter 20: Love, Torture, & Retribution

Vanilla sat in the living room reading a book when the robot Gemerl entered the rabbit's home.

"Report from the field. My Mission was successful. The garbage has been disposed of and our perimeter is secure with no sign of threats."

"I see… thank you Gemerl, but I recall asking Cream to take out the trash instead of you." Vanilla said.

"Correction, Cream both oversaw and commanded this operation and her guidance was critical to the success of the mission."

Vanilla raised an eyebrow, not bothering to look up from the book she was reading. "Gemerl, where is Cream right now?"

"… I have been ordered by Cream to remain silent."

"Gemerl, where is Cream?"

"I am to be formally invited to a tea party should I remain silent and thus I can not comply with your directive."

Vanilla sighed, "-Gemerl, If I do not know where Cream is her safety becomes jeopardized-"

"-Cream is practicing her stealth skills behind you so she may better move undetected in combat zones or during operations to sneak a cookie."

A look of flustered panic formed on Cream's face, "Mama I'd never!"

Vanilla looked up and behind her and spoke, "Cream, return to your room." Vanilla then returned to her book.

Cream the Rabbit froze in place after being discovered sneaking about. She had been pretending to be a ninja and had been attempting to imitate Espio's ninja skills. Now standing upright, Cream walked up to her Mother who was seated and quietly reading in their living room. The young rabbit folded her arms and clasped her hands together and spoke in honeyed words, "Mother, may I please go to the research center today? It would mean the world to me."

"Cream, I asked you to take out the trash today and you pushed the job onto poor Gemerl."

Gemerl answered in defense of Cream's actions, "Cream was given paradoxical orders. She cannot both stay home grounded and also leave the home to take out the trash as this is a physical impossibility."

Vanilla turned a page then with a smile, said, "Gemerl, please go into standby mode. I would like to talk to my daughter without interruptions, though I do thank you for your hard work."

"Acknowledged. Entering standby mode." Gemerl ceased moving and stood idle, awaiting orders or an emergency that required him to act.

Vanilla the Rabbit sighed as she looked back at her daughter's begging face. She wondered why her daughter didn't just ask Eggman for the Chaos Emeralds. Vanilla began to massage her brow to soothe the headache that sleepless nights of worry had recently caused her, though she could never admit it.

"Pretty please." Cream said on baited breath. "I promise I will be extra good. You won't hear a peep from me."

Vanilla considered the request. After all, it had been several days since Cream had been to the Chao Garden. The Chao surely missed her. Cream also had not meant to cause any trouble during her race. Maybe… just maybe, she was being too hard on her daughter? With Cream's Father no longer with them, she was unsure if she was being too strict or not strict enough. Vanilla tapped a finger along the cover of her book as she pondered what to do.

Her mind made up, Vanilla opened her mouth to answer. "You may go. However, we are to go straight there then you are to come home immediately on the first available bus when done visiting. No playing with friends. No detours or sightseeing. You are still grounded after all. Is that clear?"

Cream hugged her Mother as she beamed with joy. "Yes. Mama. Thank you so very much." Cream, after grabbing her purse that held one of the seven Chaos Emeralds and her bus pass, departed with her Mother for the research center.

As the rabbits got in their car and exited their driveway, leaving their home guarded by Gemerl, none had noticed or paid any mind to a single green motorcycle that had been parked outside at a nearby neighborhood park. Nor had they paid any thought to nor noticed a single child that was seated alone on a swing set watching with all the attention of a battle hardened war veteran the comings and goings of everyone in the neighborhood.

Vanilla, Cream, and Gemerl did not see the child jump down from the swing set. They did not see the child suddenly grow several inches and change color and shape.

Most importantly, they did not see a devilish glimmer of excitement flash across the beings black sclera eyes or its sickeningly twisted smile as the creature hopped onto the green motorcycle and began to shadow its new prey.

…

Cream, ever the child, excitedly looked out the window as her mother drove her ever closer to their destination through the heavy traffic.

The car came to a stop at a red light, as the car sat idle a familiar face pulled up beside them to the annoyance of the many cars the driver had cut off.

"Mama! Mama! Look! Look outside! It's Mr. Shadow!" Cream shouted excitedly as she put her hands on the car's glass window. "He's riding a different motorcycle today. Green really doesn't suit him."

"Huh, he is indeed. It looks new. I wonder if something happened to his old one."

"I know you said I couldn't visit with friends so… I'll wont say hi to Mr. Shadow because I am a good girl and love you very much, and I just want to make you happy." Cream said with a frown, both her head and her giant ears slumped in disappointment."

Vanilla's heart melted.

"Go ahead and say hello to Mr. Shadow. It is quite the coincidence that he pulled up next to us. We might as well share a smile and visit with him, now shouldn't we? If he just happens to be going to the Chao Garden it would be rude not to converse with him too, don't you think?"

With a joyful smile Cream silently agreed with her mothers words, and pressed a button which lowered her car door's window. "Mr. Shadow. Hello. Hey!" Cream shouted as she waved frantically, hoping to get the black hedgehogs attention over the roaring of idle engines.

Shadow's ear twitched, he looked to his left and spotted Cream and the car she was in.

"Hmph. What are you up to kid?" Shadow said.

"Mr. Shadow, I'm still grounded after our race but Mother said I can go visit the Chao at the Chao Garden. I am not saying you should go and join me so I can have a friend to talk to while grounded. I would never do that! Certainly not because I am grounded and I miss seeing my friends! Wink. Wink."

"Well, I'll be certain to not follow you there." Shadow said with a devious grin.

As the light turned green, Shadow slowly drove forward ignoring the many cars that honked their horns in protest until he was able to cut off the car alongside him to get behind Vanilla's vehicle.

Cream looked behind them and laughed, "Mother, Shadow is shadowing us. Get it? Hee hee."

Vanilla facepalmed. "Maybe it's actually Mr. Sonic I need to worry about you being around too much."

…

Shadow followed behind Cream the Rabbit as she cheerfully skipped through the facility. Greeting and waving to everyone who crossed her path. Meanwhile, Shadow either scoffed at or simply ignored any small talk from others as Cream led them to the Chao Garden.

"Okay Mr. Shadow. This is my favorite thing to do after I haven't seen the Chao in a while. Are you ready for this?" Cream the Rabbit grinned with anticipation, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Be sure to walk in as quietly as possible in order for my surprise to work." Cream said in a barely contained whisper.

"Easy enough." Shadow said curtly.

"Okay… watch this."

Cream put her hand on the door's biometric scanner. It chimed and flashed green and the large reinforced steel doors slid open slowly, silently, and effortlessly, as if they did not way half a ton.

Cream and Shadow stepped inside the Chao Garden as the doors silently closed behind them and automatically locked. Sealing them off from the outside world.

Chaos were swimming, sleeping, racing, drawing, or doing any number of activities. One Chao that wore a red bowtie and named Cheese, noticed Cream and began flying toward her. One other Chao, a Dark Chao, Terios, noticed them too but stood staring at Shadow curiously. Aside from those two Chao, no others had yet noticed the new arrivals.

Cream put her fingers in her mouth and blew. A high pitched whistle emanated from her mouth and filled the air. All the Chao except Cheese and Terios stopped what they were doing and ran toward Cream, overwhelmed with joy and seeing Cream and Shadow together. Cheese had already begun flying straight towards Cream before she had whistled and was the first to receive her warm embrace while several other Chao tripped, having run too quickly in their excitement, the tumble doing little to deter them from standing up and continuing to run toward Cream who smiled, kneeled down to envelope the swarm of Chao in a giant hug as she was slowly engulfed by an adorable mob of Chao all looking for attention and affection.

Terios stood silently and continued to stare at Shadow.

"I never get over how cute they are. They're. So. Darn. Cute Mr. Shadow!" Cream shouted as she pet and hugged literally dozens of Chao.

"If you say so- OW!"

Shadow glared down to see a black and red Chao glaring back at him.

It then raised its tiny foot and kicked Shadow in the leg while babbling something incomprehensible.

"Terios! Language." Cream said.

"Yeah Terios, what has gotten into you?" Shadow said as he glared daggers at the black abomination.

Terios babbled once more then simply spit out his tongue then tried to pull on Cream's arm and lead her away from the black hedgehog.

"Terios. Stop. I don't know what kind of mean joke this is. I know Shadow has not been by to visit as often as you're used to but saying he is a terrifying bloodthirsty monster is no way to get the attention you crave. Mr. Shadow and I raised you better than that."

Terios rolled its eyes then walked up to Shadow to kick him again.

Shadow caught its leg. He fought the urge to crush it in his grasp.

"Terios! We don't kick people. We hug them. Watch. I'll demonstrate." Cream smiled, opened her arms and with a running start hug-tackled Shadow as she giggled, the latter of which was shocked and stunned by Cream's action.

After a brief hug Cream let go and took several steps back. A look of realization and horror in her eyes as she nearly stumbled but recovered her footing enough not to fall.

"Terios was right… who… who are you and where is Mr. Shadow?"

"Heh. Sharp girl. What finally gave me away?"

"Several things in hindsight. The main one is Mr. Shadow smells of lavender. You smell like iron and rust." Cream said matter of fact.

Shadow grinned, "You two must be pretty close. Maybe a little too close. Makes me wonder…"

"Mr. Shadow is a good person. I doubt I can say the same of you."

"Oh, little bunny, you have no idea who I am. I'm your worst nightmare brought to life and if you don't want me killing every living thing in this building including these pests then you are going to do exactly as I say."

"W-where is Mr. Shadow?" Cream said as she tightened her fists and in her mind, tried to make herself look both brave and intimidating. Though in truth she was terrified.

"Tsk. Tsk. Keep failing to follow my directions and I might have to punish someone. Now, you are going to follow me out of this building without protest. Try anything, anything at all, and I won't hesitate to kill you. Then, I'll be sure to pay your Mother a visit soon after."

At that moment an oblivious Chao jumped in the pool and began to drown, as it struggled to swim.

"I… I need to get the Chao out of the water or they'll get suspicious." Cream said.

"No. Allow me." Shadow said as he walked over to the pool. A path was made for him as many of the Chaos started to sense something was amiss as they latched on to Cream's jitters, saw the growing fear in her eyes, and heard the worry in her quivering voice.

As Shadow walked into the pool, his back to Cream, Cream the Rabbit whispered to Cheese to sneak into her purse. Once Cheese was snug and hidden, Cream turned to face Shadow and the drowning Chao with genuine concern and fear in her eyes.

Shadow stood above the Chao and turned around to face Cream. He drank in her terrified features.

The Chao thrashed about spitting out water, blubbering, and screaming for help as much as its tiny body and lungs allowed.

"This the one?"

"Yes."

"You sure?"

"Yes, please help him!" Cream begged.

Shadow bent down and lifted the Chao up an inch from the water. Just enough so it could get some solid gulps of air after a fit of coughing and throwing up water.

Cream let out a sigh of relief. "Thank y-"

Looking Cream dead in the eyes, Shadow shoved the Chao under the water and held it there. It struggled and reflexively screamed. Dozens of tiny bubbles floated to the surface as it thrashed about in the water, powerless to escape the hedgehog's firm hold.

"Please, I'm begging you. Don't hurt him!"

"What do I get in exchange?" Shadow asked calmly.

"I- I'll obey. I promise I'll be a good girl. I do whatever you say." Cream crossed her fingers behind her back.

"Hmph." Shadow lifted the Chao out of the water. "Stupid creatures. It's beyond my understanding how they are not extinct." Shadow tossed the Chao onto dry land.

Shadow walked over to Cream and forcibly took her hand.

"Drop the purse. You wont need it."

Cream panicked for a moment then calmly said, "If I leave it they will call or try to find me."

"Fine. Keep it for now, we'll trash it later. Remember this though, if I see you putting so much as a finger in that bag I'll be sending that finger to your Mother in the mail."

"I-I won't." After a beat. "Where are we going?" Cream asked.

"Shut the hell up. You don't need to worry about that."

As Shadow spoke, Chao crawled and ran to form a barricade between them and the exit. This prompted Shadow to subtly pull out a knife and put it to Cream's neck as they continued walking toward the exit. The Chao parted reluctantly. Several started crying.

"You. You're coming too." Shadow said as he turned to Terios. He grabbed the Dark Chao's tiny arm and dragged him out of the room despite his protests as he double checked that there were no cameras in the hallway.

With the Chao Garden doors now closed behind them Shadow let go of Terios and punted the Chao, sending him flying into the concrete wall.

"Terios!" Cream screamed as softly as she could as she covered her mouth with her free hand. Fearing for any others that would come to investigate should they hear her.

Shadow grabbed Cream by the ears roughly and without regard to her pained expression, matter of fact, he reveled in it. "Enough. We're leaving. Now." He released her Ears from his iron grasp then grabbed her hand again. Cream glanced behind her to see Terios lying down crying in pain, as a tiny puddle of his own tears and blood pool together on the ground.

"Please, he needs help." Cream quietly pleaded.

"Another word from you and you'll be lucky if I only cut off your tongue. Now stay quiet."

Shadow and Cream then proceeded to exit the facility without another word or incident.

…

The last Cream could recall, she had been spirited away and forced to enter a car the imposter had broken into and made to put on a blindfold.

"W-where are you taking me?" Cream said, her voice quivering in fear.

"To a building." Shadow said coldly.

"What do you want from me?"

Shadow grinned then laughed.

"You don't have to do this. Whatever you are or were, you can always-"

Cream found her mouth being nearly crushed in Shadow's grip as he pulled the bunny closer to his face, or rather, to whoever was poorly pretending to be Shadow.

"Stop talking." He said as he roughly shoved her back into her seat.

After driving around long enough for Cream's reference of time and space to be distorted, the car Shadow and Cream were in came to a stop. Cream heard a button press then heard the sound of metal shutters being raised as their car slowly drove forward. Cream's heart sunk into her chest as the metal shutters slammed closed behind them.

"You can take your blindfold off now." Shadow said as he exited the vehicle.

Cream did so and found herself inside what looked like a dark and neglected, industrial sized, elevator. Like one might see on an aircraft carrier.

Cream began to exit the car, her purse tucked tightly between her arm and her body.

"Leave the purse."

Cream hesitated, as she worried for the safety of Cheese and the Chaos Emerald, then decided it was for the best, and left the purse behind.

The imposter of Shadow pressed a button and they descended down a large elevator shaft before it slowly grinded to a stop.

"Follow me." Shadow said as he opened a door that stood in front of them.

The pair entered a room.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way. The easy way is for you to take a seat in that chair there. Once I tie you up you'll be waiting a while." Shadow said as he fetched some rope from a nearby cabinet.

Cream looked around the room for something she could use to defend herself with. As she gazed around the room she was reminded of Dr. Nagato's room. Television screens occupied the whole of the front of the room showing dozens of camera feeds simultaneously. One camera feed looked to be an overhead shot of one of the many areas. Cream squinted her eyes then realized she was looking at a steel labyrinth with two people tied into chairs-

"-I won't ask again. Take a seat." Shadow spoke calmly as he fiddled with the rope in his hands as he slowly turned it into a noose then back into a coil of rope.

Cream walked over to the chair, her legs shaking, when a thought occurred to her. It was nothing life changing, nor was it particularly profound. She merely realized that now that she and her captor were alone and secluded, she no longer had to cower before evil, fearful of what might befall those she cared about. She was scared and afraid, but she could stand and fight. That's what Mr. Sonic and Mr. Shadow would have done.

Cream turned to face her captor as her heart pounded in her chest, "No." She said defiantly.

"I'm sorry. What did you just say to me? I must have misheard you?" Shadow said, his words dripping with malevolence as he cupped his hand to one of his ears.

Cream took a deep breath to steady her nerves, then looked at the imposter right in the eyes as she glared daggers as best as her kind heart could allow her to and shouted, "I said, I am going to kick your ass you very very bad man."

Cream and the Shadow glared at one another, Cream's legs still violently shaking…

Shadow's quills started to sway and morph into tentacles. Shadow then reached into the black wriggling mass and pulled out a serrated blade before the mass of tentacles morphed back into quills.

"The hard way it is then."

Cream raised her fists and took a combat stance as Shadow took another step toward her.

Cream steadied her breathing and focused, she could do this, she could-

Cream had blinked and in that moment she felt a sharp pain explode outward from her right foot. She looked down and saw a dagger had pierced it all the way through the skin and bone. Cream looked up as she still registered what had happened and was confused that the Shadow in front of her was still holding his serrated blade.

"I'm sick of all you annoying kids running away." Shadow twirled the serrated knife in his hand. "Now? You're not going anywhere, little bunny."

Cream looked back down at her right foot, her mind still not registering what had happened and why she could no longer move her right foot. She tried to wiggle it… by golly, he was right. She couldn't move her right foot. The dagger was very small and looked like it had a needle-point blade that had gone through not just her foot but had impaled itself partly into the floorboard.

"This must be your first time being stabbed." Shadow grinned as he continued twirling his blade in his hand. "Let me explain what is happening. Right now your body is confused and assessing what damage has been done. It senses that there has been major damage to your foot and this causes your body to dramatically lower its blood pressure, constricting blood flow to the extremities as well as to vital organs. However, since you feel you are in a life and death situation, because you are, your body is also being flooded with adrenaline. This is why you barely feel a thing. Next, you are going to go into shock. But don't worry little bunny. Pull that knife out of your foot and hop over to your chair. I'll treat your wound expertly. Trust me when I say I am as good at dressing a wound as I am at making one.

Cream was dizzy and had trouble breathing. She thought it was so strange how such a small piece of metal could cause so much trouble for her. Cream swayed in place as she tried to keep her balance.

"M-maybe I will." Cream said in a daze.

"What am I saying?" Cream thought to herself. She had planned to stand up against evil like Mr. Shadow and Mr. Sonic. Why was she being such a baby? "It's just a small knife in your foot." She silently told herself. Everyone Cream knew had suffered far worse and gotten up again to fight to protect everyone they cared about. If they could do it. Surely she could at least try her best.

Shadow's grin disappeared. "What are you doing? You're not actually going to pull it out are you?" Shadow said.

Cream reached down, took a deep breath, and pulled out the knife in one strong pull. It slid out of her foot like a knife sliding out of butter. Fortunately for Cream, she was getting a second wind of adrenaline and barely felt a thing. There was a lot of blood but she wasn't going to worry about that. That was future Cream's problem.

Shadow's jap dropped, "You idiot, you actually did it. Whatever, take a seat now so you don't die of blood loss. Bait ain't much good if it's dead."

Cream took several deep and ragged breaths as she regained her motor functions, then glared at the imposter of her friend. "No. I said…" Cream took a few more pained breaths, "... I said, I am going to kick your ass."

Shadow stared at Cream, in awe of her resolve.

"Tsk, if you want to do things the hard way…" Shadow slammed his knife onto the table that was behind him then cracked his knuckles as he slowly walked towards Cream. "We can do things the hard way."

Shadow smiled, he enjoyed watching the color slowly fade from the girl's face. "I still have time before I need to leave, I can play with you for a few minutes more. Go ahead, I'll give you the first-"

Cream curled into a ball and spun toward Shadow, the latter dodging out of the way to avoid getting run over by the child. Before Cream hit the wall she bounced into the air then uncurled her body and using her good foot and ears she propelled herself off the wall and towards the imposter of Shadow.

As Cream shot forward towards her opponent, she performed a spinning kick aiming for Shadow's head. Instead of dodging her attack, her leg and chest was grabbed midair. Cream was then swung around Shadow and hurled into the wall.

Cream's body went limp for a moment as all her built up momentum came to a painful halt upon impacting the wall.

Cream moved to get up but Shadow picked her up by her neck then slammed her back into the wall twice more before throwing her over his head and shoulders and onto the wooden table the knife rested on, breaking the wooden table into two.

Cream hit the table, then the ground, bouncing several times before coming to a stop. Cream instantly formed the fetal position and cried out, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please don't hurt me anymore. I'm so sorry."

Shadow stepped next to Cream, "If you had listened to my orders the first time I wouldn't have had to hurt you. Now get up and get in the damn chair."

Cream silently sobbed as she covered the front of herself with her ears and tucked her arms into her chest.

"I said get up." Shadow shouted.

"O-okay…"

Cream moved like a glacier at first, then like a bolt of lightning as she unfurled her body and brought the serrated blade to bear that she had picked up from the broken table. She tried slamming the knife with all her strength into the imposter's right foot but he moved it at the last second avoiding injury.

"You little shit!"

Cream pushed herself up with her arms while she flapped her ears and took off flying into the air. She swerved as daggers and blades of every kind barely missed her.

She made her way to the garage and pushed the button to the ground level… but nothing happened. Cream panicked.

"I've got you now you little runt." Shadow slammed the door closed behind him after having sneakily locked it from the outside.

Cream ran around the car as Shadow chased her. Cream ran back to the door to try to open it but found it was locked from the other side. She was now trapped both with her back to the wall and adjacent to the door.

"How, oh how, should I punish you?" Shadow asked.

A bead of sweat rolled down Cream's face. "Cheese."

"What? I'm not giving you cheese."

"Cheese!"

"Listen kid, you better shut up if you know what's good for-"

A blue and yellow blur was all Shadow saw from the left corner of his eye before something struck him in his left rib cage nearby breaking several ribs. The punch knocked the air from his lungs, the fierce blow sent Shadow flying through the locked door and broke off all but one of the doors hinges. The imposter came rolling to a stop several yards away inside the previously inaccessible room.

"Good job Cheese!"

"Chao chao!" Cheese answered with a little salute.

Cream ran back to the lift's control panel and started messing with it, desperate to activate the lift so she might escape.

Cream's ears popped and she heard a small explosion followed immediately with ringing in her ears that would not go away. She glanced down to see cheese on the ground bleeding profusely.

Cream screamed, cried, and pleaded to Cheese, but no matter how loud she shouted or cried she only heard a ringing in her ears and felt the vibrations of her voice reverberating throughout her body.

Cheese mouthed three words to Cream that the rabbit couldn't make out.

"W-what was that Cheese, I couldn't hear you. Cheese… Cheese!"

Cheese became very still. Cream hugged Cheese then turned to look at the monster that had done this to her friend.

Cream glared at Shadow's imposter as tears streamed down her face. "How could someone grow up to be such a monster?"

Shadow walked towards Cream and raised a gun to her head.

He stared at her for a single second.

What was to the imposter the briefest of moments, for Cream, the moment seemed to span an eternity.

She answered his stare in kind, as she looked into the eyes of her kidnapper. The eyes of a murderer. The eyes of a Monster.

She saw nothing.

Not only that, but his white with black sclera eyes were devoid of everything Cream had ever known.

Love, joy, belonging, acceptance…

Nothing was there.

Cream's perception of time unfroze as time marched ever onward.

Cream continued to stare into those eyes, those empty eyes, even as Shadow brought the gun down on her head. Knocking her unconscious.

The last thoughts in Cream's mind before she lost consciousness were of her dear friend Cheese and the lifeless gaze of an unfathomably dark and empty void.

…

Cream felt as if her body was floating, while her head felt like it had been hit by a ton of bricks. Her eyes fluttered open as she slowly regained consciousness.

"Wakey wakey little rabbit. It's time we had a little talk."

Cream tried to look around the room but her vision became blurry and her eyes drooped to the ground. She opened her eyes with great effort and managed to look to her left.

Cream saw a Lemor tied to a chair and gagged. To her right she saw a heavily bruised and beaten face of a Wolf whose head was down, her fangs barred, her jaw tightly clenched as she sat silently seething from both pain and anger. Near their feet Cream saw…

"Cheese." Cream said with great effort as joyful tears began to stream down her cheeks at the sight of a Chao egg.

Her head swelled with pain but she pushed through.

"Cheese!"

A terrifying creature picked up the egg. White black sclera eyes turned to lock eyes with Cream once more.

Cream's blood turned cold.

The Monster then turned to look at the Chao egg he held in his hands, his expression one of genuine awe.

"What a magnificent creature. I wonder…" The monster looked back at Cream as he continued to speak, "How many times do you think I would have to kill it before it stayed dead for good?"

Cream tried to free Cheese from the Monster's grasp but her hands and feet were securely tied to the chair. All she could do was half threaten and half plead with the Monster.

"Don't you dare. Don't you dare hurt him. Hurt me all you want just please, don't hurt my friend." Cream's voice grew weaker as she spoke, going from a scream to near silent request.

The gagged Lemur watched the proceedings in dejected terror while the beaten and bruised Wolf stayed silent and glared daggers at the Monster.

Ignoring them, the Monster walked towards Cream giving her a good look at his natural form.

The Monster had bluish violet skin, a white chocolate muzzle, and facial markings that gave his face the look of a skull. His eyes, meanwhile, lacked any hint of empathy.

The Monster put down the egg right in front of Cream, then he brought out a large steel mallet that had been hidden from Cream's point of view and gently rested the head of the blunt instrument on the egg.

"I am going to give you only one chance to answer my questions."

"Yes. Anything. Anything you want." Cream begged.

The Lemur began to panic as it tried to speak either reason or warning to the small rabbit.

Meanwhile, the Wolf looked down at the ground and closed its eyes in sorrow, unable to watch.

The monster waited a moment then spoke.

"Tell me about the robot in your home… and most importantly… tell me about your Mother."

…

After arriving in her neighborhood by way of public transportation, Cream had walked home only to immediately beg her Mother to let her play in the park, and for her to send Gemerl when it was time for her to head inside.

Cream the Rabbit sat on a swing set and rubbed her arms as a chill came over her. She looked up to the sky and stared at the horizon. As the sun began to set, the brilliant blue sky was painted sherbert orange, bathing the cold world in a few minutes more of light before it would inevitably fade into abject darkness.

Cream sensed someone approaching her and turned her gaze from the sky to the robot who now approached her.

"If you value your freedom or your life, return Cream the Rabbit home, unharmed, at once."

Cream stared at the robot with a quizzical look on her face then turned back to the setting sun as she rubbed her body to keep the chill out of her bones and to ward off past memories.

"This is your final warning. Failure to comply will result in forced mandatory compliance."

"Cut the crap. If you don't want the real Cream ending up dead then don't even think of touching me or of contacting anyone." Cream said in a threatening and not at all sweet tone.

"You are making a critical error by threatening Cream. I have sworn to protect and serve her even if it means sacrificing myself in the process. Should the impossible happen and I fail in my purpose, know that I am self coded to avenge her."

Cream rolled her eyes.

"Kill me and Cream will be left trapped in my dungeon and forced to cannibalize the others in a delusional effort to survive, only to inevitably die of starvation in the end when you and the others fail to find her."

"An improbable outcome. Cream would have days before succumbing to terminal dehydration or weeks before dying from starvation. You are mere flesh and blood. Depending on the number of bones and nonessential organs you possess, I would have ample time and resources to compel you to disclose Cream's location."

"I'm sure Cream's Mother won't mind you torturing her only daughter. Even if you did I wouldn't say where she is. She would be dead in a matter of days, and seeing as how we're still talking and I'm not being tortured, I'd hazard a guess that you've already decided noncompliance is too risky of an option to pursue. So, any other bluffs you want to throw out there in some million to one chance I'm threatened into returning her?"

"You will regret-"

"-Say one more word and I promise you, not only will Cream die, but I will be sure that the last hours of her life will be in such pain and misery, so protracted… you as a robot cannot even fathom the suffering she would endure. She would be begging for anyone to put her out of her misery. Even if rescued she would sooner kill herself than to go on living another day. Or, you can do as I say, and Cream may yet survive with her body and sanity intact. So, what do you say Gemerl?

Gemerl was silent.

Mimic smiled, satisfied.

"So the bunny was telling the truth. Huh. You really want to protect Cream the Rabbit don't you?"

Gemerl was silent.

"No matter what I do. No matter what I say. No matter who I kill. No matter the cost to you. Your whole existence is first and foremost to protect that girl. Thus you will do anything I say to protect her. Am I wrong?"

Gemerl was silent.

Mimic laughed maniacally. "You are going to do exactly as I say. To start, you are going to stay silent, stand in the corner of the living room, and in no way are you going to let it be known that I am an imposter of Cream. Is that clear?"

Gemerl nodded.

Cream grinned. "Now then…"

…

"Cream sweetie, it is time for supper. Come down and wash your hands." Vanilla called out up the stairs to her daughter's room. Vanilla the Rabbit walked through the living room and noticed Gemerl standing in the corner. He hadn't said a word since returning from the park.

"Gemerl, would you like to join us in the kitchen?"

Gemerl stood in standby mode.

"Hmm. Okay. If you change your mind please feel free to join us any time."

Cream walked down the stairs.

"Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?" Vanilla said sternly.

Cream froze in place. A look of shock frozen on her features.

Vanilla stared, her vision fixated on her daughter as she smiled. "It's been ages since you used the stairs properly. My little girl is growing up."

"Of course Mother. I love you and just want to see you happy." Cream said as she stepped forward and hugged her Mother.

Vanilla thought it was odd how Cream was practically shoving her head into her bosom and was deeply inhaling her scent but decided to refrain from correcting her daughter. While Cream had always been rather touchy-feely, correcting her daughter's sudden and strange behavior could be interpreted as shaming her during a moment of genuine affection and would likely be unhealthy.

Vanilla hugged Cream tightly in return and thought she heard her daughter whimpering for a brief second.

"Do… do I smell good?" Vanilla asked awkwardly.

"Yes, you do mommy."

"That is good. Thank you for letting me know sweetie."

The phone rang and interrupted their hug, "Go make yourself a plate dear. I'll be there in just a moment then we can eat." Vanilla said as she patted her daughter on her back, and gently pushed her in the direction of the kitchen table.

"Okay Mama." Cream said as took a seat and began to help herself to dinner.

Vanilla walked into the kitchen and answered the phone on the counter nearby the table.

"Hello-"

"-Hey, Mrs. Vanilla, it's me, Vector. Sorry I haven't called in a while. This last week has been… rough. That's one word to describe it I guess."

"Oh, Vector, so good to hear from you. It's no problem at all. It's always a joy whenever you call little ol' me."

Vector chuckled in smitten amusement, "Mrs. Vanilla, trust me when I say you are anything but little. Wait. That came out wrong. I meant you're a person of great virtue and character. I was not referring to anything lewd or uncouth. I'd never-"

Vanilla's mouth contorted to a luscious grin. "-It's quite alright, Vector. I know despite your rugged appearance you have a heart of gold. I greatly admire that. Few Men have that these days."

Cream sat listening, waiting to eat dinner. Her face contorted in disgust and disbelief at what she was hearing. Still she decided to interject. "Mother, the dinner is getting cold."

Cream cupped the phone as she turned to Cream, "One moment sweetheart." She then turned away and uncupped the phone and continued speaking.

Cream glared at her Mother then snuck a bite of her dinner. Her eyes beamed at the delectable taste. Her salivary glands went into overdrive as her mouth was flooded with succulent juices and flavors. She hadn't had a home cooked meal… ever.

"My apologies Vector, Cream is being a little impatient to eat supper today, though she'll have to be patient and wait just a little bit longer as a proper lady would. So, how has Charmy been? He stopped by recently. Both Cream and I were very worried about him... not that you aren't doing an amazing job!" Vanilla quickly added. "I of all people know how hard it is being a single parent. I was just wondering how he has been doing, that's all."

"Yeah… That's… uh, actually why I called."

Vanilla heard static for a moment then upon listening closely heard what sounded like police radio chatter and a car air conditioner system near full blast.

"Charmy… he… ahem. He almost died. It's a long story, I still don't exactly know what the poor kid went through but he's going to be going to therapy… whenever they call me back with an opening. I just wanted to let you know how much I respect you-"

Slowly but surely, the dam to Vector's emotions began to break. He tried to keep himself composed but as he spoke, more of his paternal emotions slipped through the cracks of his tough-guy facade. Soon the mighty croc was fighting to hold back crocodile tears.

"-how much I respect you and your daughter and- and- and work! Work has been pretty heavy on my heart lately. I… I just thought I'd call and let you both know how great I think you both are and to thank you for always being like a Mother and Sister to Charmy Bee. It truly means a lot to me. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart." Vector blew his nose.

Cream was listening intently, a massive grin on her face as she drank in the anguish and despair that so clearly was weighing down the dumb beast's spirits.

"Oh Vector. It's our pleasure. Honestly, we all don't get together enough. You all will have to come over again for dinner soon, I insist. I can't imagine how tough it is raising two boys all by yourself. If there is anything I can ever do to help, please don't hesitate to ask-"

The phone beeped twice indicating another call coming through.

"I'm terribly sorry, Vector but I have another call from the daycare coming through. I'll call you back tomorrow if that works for you."

"Of course. Anytime. Talk to you then. Stay safe. Goodbye."

Vanilla pressed a button on the phone and turned to look at her daughter. She had a nagging feeling in the back of her mind, like something was off. The hairs on her body were slowly starting to stand up. Her fight or flight instincts were begging to be unleashed. Why, though? Why was her daughter's gazes causing her to feel so… terrified? So uneasy in her presence?

"Hello?" Vanilla said into the phone.

"Mrs. Vanilla I presume?"

"Yes, who is this exactly?"

The voice talked quietly, as if he was afraid someone might overhear their conversation."

"This is Dr. Nagato. I work with Shadow and your daughter at the… day care Cream frequents. You recall, yes?"

"Oh, yes Doctor I do. I don't believe we've had the pleasure to speak before. Good evening to you."

"Yes, good evening, so, sorry to call at this hour but I wanted to be sure before I troubled you. Is your daughter nearby?"

"Yes, she is."

"Get away from her."

"What?"

"She is not your daughter. She is a shapeshifter. Shadow is on his way. Get away from her. Right now."

Everything clicked into place as Vanilla finally understood the root of her unease.

"You need to leave right-"

Vanilla put the phone down on the table and spoke cheerfully, burying her fear deep inside her. "Cream dear, phone call for you. While you talk I'll see what we have in the cupboard for dessert."

Cream shoved some more food in her mouth then walked to the phone, picked it up, and was about to answer when suddenly Vanilla turned around from the cupboard. As she turned she pulled from the top shelf a double barrel shotgun and pointed it right at Cream's head.

"Where the hell is my daughter?" Vanilla's body trembled with fear, but also an unfathomable hatred that was reserved only for those horrible beings that dare to harm a parent's child.

Cream smiled. "Come on Mama, I was having so much fun. I was going to have a bath after dinner. Then you were going to tuck me into bed and read me a bedtime story. I was really looking forward to it."

"Cut the crap and give me back my daughter." Vanilla screamed as the barrel of her gun trembled, yet still aimed at the head of Cream's imposter.

"You can go ahead and blow my head off Mother, but then you'd never see your darling daughter's face ever again, and in more ways than one." Cream teased while grinning sadistically.

The front door to the house was kicked in causing Vanilla to turn to face the new threat.

Meanwhile, Cream the Rabbit turned and helped herself to another helping of dinner, sat down, and resumed stuffing her face.

"This is really good." Cream said with her mouth full as she continued to shove more food into her already stuffed maw.

Shadow walked into the kitchen. Two machine pistols were held in his hands. He raised both firearms and aimed one of each at Vanilla and Cream's heads.

"Which one of you is the faker?" Shadow calmly asked with a threatening tone.

Cream calmly took another bite followed by a sip of water to clear her pallet, then she burped loudly.

Vanilla the Rabbit wasted no time in answering, "Jet the Hawk is a horndog who thinks I have massive mommy milkers." Vanilla said matter of fact with her gun still aimed at her daughter's doppelganger.

"Well, I'm sold." Shadow said as he aimed both guns at Cream who still sat eating at the table.

"Shadow the Hedgehog. We meet again. We had so much fun last time." Cream said with her mouth still full of food.

"You're done Mimic. Tell us where Cream is and I'll turn you into G.U.N. unharmed."

Cream grinned. "Go ahead and shoot me. It's just a shame you'll miss the party I've planned. I'm sure the guests will be found in a week or two when people start complaining about the smell of decomposition. It's really up to you how this all turns out."

"I'm going to ask you one more time. Where is Cream the Rabbit?" Shadow screamed.

Mimic, still disguised as Cream, dug a finger into his massive rabbit ear. "There's no need for you to yell. Sheesh, I'm right here. Anyway, do you really want to know where she is Mr. Shadow?"

"Yes. We do." Vanilla said, answering for him. Her hands and the double barrel shotgun shook with worry and rage.

"You know, I actually have a picture on me." Mimic pulled a picture from… somewhere on her person and handed it to Shadow.

Shadow looked at the picture. No doubt about it. It was a dark and unidentifiable room with Tangle, Whisper, and Cream tied into chairs.

Mimic finished chewing then finished off his glass of water then spoke. "I want to play a game. I have a little reunion planned. Many of our best friends will be there. Whisper, Tangle, and Cream. If you follow my rules and play my little game then I will release any survivors upon the game's completion. However, if you kill me, or get anyone else involved, or if you refuse to follow my commands, then they all are as good as dead. So, what is their fate going to be Shadow? Their lives are in your hands. Live or die… make your choice."

The room was silent. Both Vanilla and Shadow lowered their weapons. The only sound was Dr. Nagoto shouting through the phone. Shadow walked over and picked it up.

"Dr. Nagato. Yes, it's really me. I am going to keep the promise I made to you. Tell Terios I'm sorry and I'll make it up to him." Shadow hung up the phone then turned to see Mimic, still disguised as Cream, sneering at him.

"Let's get this over with." Shadow said.

"Follow me Mr. Shadow. I'll show you the way."

…

"It's not too late to do the right thing that will save yourself from me. If you let us go right now, I will turn you over to G.U.N. without a scratch on you. However, If you refuse this offer, if you so much as hurt a single hair on Cream's head, you won't be leaving this building alive."

Mimic laughed, "We will see about that. Your tune will change in a few minutes after you and your gal pals start exploring my labyrinth. Maybe then if you beg and grovel on your knees I'll consider sparing the rabbits life. Or maybe… perhaps I should just sell her to one of the mobs. I hear they take real good care of kids."

Shadow ground his teeth so hard one of his fangs cut the side of his lip.

"You are going to regret this. Mark my words Mimic. This is only ending one way for you." Shadow said ominously.

Mimic pressed a button and the industrial sized elevator started descending.

Mimic couldn't help but smirk despite the fact that Shadow wore a blindfold, "Oh, and what way is that? Enlighten me."

"With my fists beating the life out of you."

Mimic laughed.

The industrial elevator grinded to a halt. Mimic opened a door and with one hand on Shadow's shoulder guided him through to the other side.

"Don't get ahead of yourself Shadow. You're in my world now. Let's see how cool and confident you really are when you're forced to make a sadistic choice."

Mimic pushed Shadow beyond the threshold, then with the press of a button on his side of the door the doorway closed between them. Several locking systems immediately engaged to prevent Mimic's guests from leaving their prison by way of the elevator.

Shadow heard the elevator activate behind him. Mimic no doubt was on his way to procure a seat to view whatever madness he had planned. After the sound of the elevator disappeared, Shadow heard what would have otherwise been a cheerful and welcome voice cry out, were it not for the voices tonation and the circumstances of Shadow and it's owners meeting.

"Mr. Shadow, I'm sorry. I wasn't strong enough. I tried. I really did but I just wasn't strong enough. It's my fault. If I was stronger I could have saved everyone. I wouldn't have worried my Mother and now because of me you've been forced here. I'm so sorry Mr. Shadow. Please forgive me."

Shadow took off his blindfold to see Cream staring at him, her lip trembling. He also noticed that Tangle, Whisper and Cream were still tied into chairs. Tangle still had a gag that prevented her from talking, but now so too did Whisper.

They also had dark bruises all over their body.

"That bastard." Shadow said silently to himself.

Shadow walked forward and looked at the rope that bound Cream and the others to their chair. The knots were expertly applied and would take time to untie. Shadow went behind Cream and began working the knot to free her arms.

"Don't worry about it. Mimic, the jerk whose butt we're going to kick for this, is far older and has much more combat experience than you. I don't for a second doubt that in a couple years you could easily wipe the floor with him. All things considered, you did good. I'm proud of you Cream."

"But I… I failed everyone, Mr. Shadow. I failed you and Mother. I failed Cheese and all the Chao. I failed whoever these other two girls are. I… I failed when it mattered most. I wasn't strong enough, and now… and now…" Cream silently murmured to herself, her heart and mind buried in despair.

"And now what Cream?" Shadow said gently as her arms were freed from their bindings. Shadow walked around to Cream's front and began working on the knots that tied her legs to the chair.

"My foot."

Shadow then noticed Cream's shoe had a hole in it and her foot had been wrapped in bandages.

"Does your foot hurt?"

"Y-yeah. The knife went all the way through. I think I can walk if I have to but if I am being honest the pain is almost unbearable."

"That's your foot telling your spinal cord and brain that you have been injured. It's a good thing though."

"R-really? Even with all the pain." Cream said.

Shadow balled his fist and gently bopped Cream on her noggin, "Of course. It means your body and your brain still work just fine. You should be able to make a full recovery."

Cream smiled as she turned her gaze from Shadow to the ground. Her lip trembled as she held back tears as Shadow undid the last of her bindings.

"Cream, It's okay to cry if you need to and it's okay to be scared, you don't have to be the hero all the time. Let the three of us handle this. Your time will come."

Cream choked back tears, "C-crying w-won't help us at all to escape. It wont s-stop the bad guys or save the d-day. It would just be selfish."

Shadow knelt down in front of Cream, "You know, I never told anyone this, but when my memory was restored I also got my memories of Maria back. I recalled many joyful memories, but also memories of the day she died. Memories of when she was killed."

Shadow looked at the ground then looked back into Cream's eyes. "I cried for days. I needed to let out my emotions so I could heal and be able to keep moving forward. No one is free from sorrow or despair in life. Not even me. Learning how to overcome hardships of not just the body but of the mind is not just an important part of being a soldier or a hero, it's an important part of living life. "

Shadow grabbed Cream's hands and held them in his own. "Cream… I want you to listen to what I am about to say. I want you to listen very closely. Okay?"

Cream nodded.

For Cream the Rabbit, the world seemed to freeze as she waited on baited breath for what Shadow had to say.

"I…" Shadow began but cut his sentence off as he hesitated. He swallowed his fear and dared to open his heart for one more person.

"..."

"I care about you Cream. I'm not going anywhere. And I swear to you, as Maria as my witness, I'm going to protect you. All four of us will leave this place alive."

Cream began balling her eyes out as she hugged Shadow tightly.

Shadow's words were soft as he did his best to comfort her. "Everything will be okay. Everything will be alright. We'll all soon wake from this nightmare and put it behind us." Shadow said as he gently patted Creams back.

"Please Mr. Shadow. I want to leave this place. I don't want to be here. This is an evil place. He played a recording of others who had been here. They died, Mr. Shadow. T-they all died horribly. I can still hear them. Their screams won't stop. They won't get out of my head!"

"I promise. Everything will be okay. I'll make it so." Shadow said.

"Ha!" Mimic shouted through an intercom system. "He can make promises all day long, little girl, but he is powerless to protect himself, let alone you. Trust me. Your nightmare has only just begun. Why, you'll be lucky if you manage to survive the night. I'd be shocked if you could survive more than three hours in my labyrinth, and I'm feeling like you'll be the first to go. Let's see here… press this button and… ah, the audio recording software is now running. Well little bunny, are you excited to have your voice added to the choir?"

Cream's face was buried in Shadow's chest as her body trembled.

"Mimic!" Shadow shouted. "Don't you dare. Cream has nothing to do with any of this. Just let her go!"

Silence filled the air as Shadow's words echoed off the concrete walls.

"Mimic, answer me dammit." Shadow screamed.

"Beg. Beg and I'll consider letting the rabbit's death be… somewhat painless."

"Mimic, I'm going to send you to hell!"

"Life is hell, you all just haven't realized it yet, but you will soon. Our game is about ready to begin so unless you want me to start blasting holes in you all, be a good boy Shadow and untie the others, then I'll explain the rules of the game. Now where did I put that popcorn…?"

"Fine." Shadow said through clenched teeth as he went to untie the others.

Shadow removed Tangle's mouth gag. "Sorry that took so long." Shadow gestured to Cream. "This is Cream the Rabbit. I'm sure you two will become good friends."

"Uh-huh." Tangle said as she brushed her wrists which had become sore from the bindings while shadow worked on unknotting her leg bindings. Tangle stared intently at her wrist, only occasionally glancing to each of the room's occupants before turning once again to look at her hands as she slowly clenched and unclenched her fist and did the same with her tail.

"You know, I'm not used to you being so quiet." Shadow said as he attempted to keep the mood as light as possible for Cream's sake.

"The time for talk is over. We need to find Mimic and put him behind bars so no one will ever be able to suffer at his hands again. He has to be stopped, if a sacrifice needs to be made… I'm ready. This ends today."

Shadow, having untied the knot, extended his hand to Tangle who still remained seated in the chair. "I could not have said it better myself. Ready to move out, Agent Tangle?"

Tangle grasped Shadows hand and together Tangle rose to her feet. "Let's do this."

As Tangle answered Shadow, Whisper started to shout, though her words were muffled due to the gag in place that prevented her from speaking.

Tangle looked to Whisper, "OhmygoshIamsosorryWhisper! I was so deep in thought and having a moment with Shadow that I completely forgot you were there. Let's get you untied girl."

After untying Whisper Shadow extended a hand to the wolf.

Whisper rejected it, as out of instinct and reflex, she smacked his hand aside.

"Is there a problem?" Shadow said with a hint of hurt pride and irritation.

"It's nothing personal…" Whisper said.

"Sure felt personal. Anything you want to talk about?"

"No…"

"Whisper!" Tangle pleaded. The tonation and context communicated to Whisper that she should open up and trust Shadow and move on from the past.

"Tangle." Whisper shouted back sternly. Her answer to Tangle indicated that her feelings were complicated and her trauma and regret would not be so easy to move on from, and that it would take time so Tangle needs to give her a break "girl".

"What the hell is going on?" Shadow deadpanned, clueless as to what the issue was or why they said each other's name.

Cream after having collected herself noticed this division between Shadow and Whisper, "We all need to work as a Team. Please everyone, get along."

Whisper looked away from Shadow and Cream while Tangle undid her binds. "Whisper is really sweet and funny once you get to know her. She just takes a bit of time to open up. Please give her a chance Cream."

"Okay, I'm back." Mimic's voice got louder and static was heard as he took a seat and moved the mike closer to his mouth. He tossed some popcorn in his maw then began to explain the rules of the game. "Rule number one, do as I say at all times. Rule number two, among the labyrinth are many challenges I've prepared for you. The second rule is only those I permit may complete a challenge. As you go through my maze of challenges and deathtraps, most will have some indicator stating who the challenge is for, alternatively, I may simply tell you or alter who a challenge is for. Any outside help that has not been granted my permission to intervene will require one of you to pay a cost in flesh, bone, or blood. My third rule is very simple. Try not to die too quickly. I have a wonderful finale planned and if all of you die before getting there I will be very disappointed. Lastly, a rule for the rabbit… make sure you speak up. The voice software needs to be able to hear your screams. This is for my collection after all. Now let the games begin!"

Before anyone could get in a word the whole room went dark as the lights shut off. Machinery groaned as sounds of metal shifting and groaning were heard. After thirty seconds a single light turned on illuminating a single doorway.

"Let's get moving. The sooner we begin the sooner we can leave this wretched place." Shadow said as he moved toward Cream and held her hand. The pair began walking to the doorway.

Whisper nodded and began walking behind Shadow but kept her distance. Meanwhile Tangle walked beside Whisper.

"Are you okay there?" Tangle said as gently elbowed her Wolf friend.

"I'm fine."

"Now I know something is up. Talk to me Whisper."

"I'm angry. I let him fool me again. The last time this happened, my teammates…"

"Hey, don't beat yourself up, I was tricked too. We all were. Except for maybe Shadow."

"I should have known better. He played me like a complete fool. Now you're stuck dealing with my mess and-"

"-Whisper, stop. Don't forget he killed my childhood friend Jewel the Beetle, and even if Jewel was alive, I'd still help you because you're a good friend to me. Your problems are my problems. So don't blame yourself. I'd be here by your side even if I had to break into this place."

Whisper looked away at the ground as her brow furrowed, "He hurt you."

"Yeah, so? I'm a tough gal. I'm used to getting bruised up."

"It… it hurts me to see you in pain. Your smile suits you better."

Tangle's face grew a smug grin upon hearing Whisper's compliment. She used her prehensile tail to pull Whisper closer, while she wrapped her arm around the Wolf, "Is it just my smile you like? Or is it something else about me?" Tangle said as she waggled her eyebrows.

Whisper's wolf tail began to uncontrollably wag.

"T-there's lots that I like about you Tangle."

"Oh, like my bubbly personality?"

Whisper blushed, "You're a really good friend, Tangle."

"Thanks, you're a really good friend too. Now remember what Shadow said? We are all getting out of here alive. When we get out of here Mimic will be finished, and we'll be free to hang out and have a girls day. So let's think positive, okay?"

"Right!" Whisper softly said as she grabbed her Tail to get it under control.

The pair arrived at the doorway behind Cream and Shadow.

Shadow opened the door and the group entered the room. What they saw made their blood turn cold.

"Everyone but the rabbit, line up along the X's on the ground at the far end of the room. Do not touch anything. Do not move from that location until I tell you to do so. Cream, step up to the table right in front of you and pick one. Anyone you like Cream, but only you can touch them. Naturally none of you are allowed to exit the room after this game if you are holding a gun. That is, unless you want to die. I'll give you two minutes to decide." Mimic said.

In front of the group were a table full of guns of every caliber and size. From rifles to flintlock muskets and everything in between.

"Well, don't just stand there. The timer is ticking. Hop to it." Mimic said as Shadow, Tangle, and Whisper moved to their assigned position.

Cream looked around as droplets of sweat began to collect on her brow and slowly rolled down her forehead and cheek. "Mr. Shadow, I don't know what to do."

"Start small. Inspect the gun and the caliber. Quickly." Shadow said from the opposite side of the room Cream was on.

Cream nervously looked at the guns on the table and saw a small gun that Shadow had let her use at a shooting range once. It was a semiautomatic pistol that held fifteen rounds of 9mm. A simple, reliable, no frills budget gun. At least it usually was, this gun looked different to Cream than how she remembered, first of all it had a thirty three round magazine. Secondly it looked to have been modified and was set to "fully auto". Cream tried to switch it to semi auto but found it had been altered to be forcibly stuck on the automatic fire setting.

"Mr. Shadow, this one is stuck on full auto."

"That's not good. Find something that fires just one bullet and has a small magazine… just in case." Shadow said calmly.

Cream put the gun back on the table and picked up another gun that had no magazine. A flintlock pistol.

"What about this one."

"No, not that one." Whisper said.

"Why not? It only has one bullet."

"Cream, flintlocks had massive bullets that in many ways were more lethal than what we have today."

"That looks to be a .75 diameter bullet. That would tear through flesh and bone. We also want something that will be more accurate."

"Okay, let's see…" Cream put the flintlock pistol down her hands shaking. Part of her knew what she would be required to do. It terrified her.

Cream grabbed a rifle, she made sure her trigger finger was on the right side of the gun and away from the trigger mechanism, then she pressed the magazine release button that was on the left side of the gun and examined the ammo it was loaded with.

"Mr. Shadow, this ammo is large rifle round but the ammo is bright silver."

"Bright Silver, it can't be…" Shadow said in disbelief.

"Tilt the magazine so we can see the ammo Cream." Whisper said.

Cream did so and the light emitted from the ceiling reflected off the silver ammunition.

"That is a depleted uranium bullet." Shadow said.

"Is that bad?"

"Depends what you compare it to, not getting shot is the ideal so I'd say so." Tangle said.

"Thank you for that insight Tangle." Shadow deadpanned.

"I do what I can." Tangle said with a shrug.

"Time is almost up. You have ten seconds. Take your pick."

"Pick a different one Cream." Shadow said.

Cream looked at the dozen guns that littered the table.

"5,4,3,2,1 and time. Pick your weapon."

"Uhhh, this one." Cream said as she picked up a large revolver. The ammo in the cylinder looked normal and it only held five rounds.

"Great pick, now you get to start our games off with a bang!"

"W-what do I do now?" Cream said as she held the revolver in her hands. It was heavy and her hands were starting to sweat underneath her gloves.

"It's very simple. For you all to advance to the next room, you simply need to shoot one of your friends. I'll give you a minute to decide who to shoot while I grab a soda. I'll be right back."

"Cream, you need to shoot me. I can take it."

"As much as I would like to agree, you're our best chance to escape Shadow. We can't risk you getting injured. I'm the one who should be shot. I've been shot before and lived. It's what we have to do to emerge victorious."

"That's a load of bull-" Shadow said but was cut off by Tangle.

"-I agree, that is a load of crap," Tangle began, "It needs to be me. I'm the least competent person here. I've never been a soldier, my skills don't go much beyond being a one trick lemur. It makes the most sense to shoot me. Besides, I can use my tail to absorb the brunt of the shot, so…"

"Absolutely not." Whisper shouted. "Cream, shoot me."

"Cream, listen to me, they're being a bunch of idiots. I'm the ultimate lifeform, if anyone can survive a bullet to the body it's me."

The three continued arguing with each other while pleading for Cream to shoot them and not either of the others.

"Everyone shut up. Just shut up and let me think!" Cream cried out.

With the exception of Cream's sobbing the room had fallen silent.

"Well, this has proven worth all the effort already." Mimic said with a satisfied chuckle. "So, make your pick Cream. You only need to fire one bullet, but it must be a direct hit to count. No grazing shots allowed unless you want to shoot your target more than once."

"Cream, no matter who you pick, be very careful where you aim. If we get shot in the leg through our femoral artery one of us could bleed out in less than a minute." Shadow said.

"There is also the brachial artery in your arm to worry about too, the bleed out is also similar." Whisper added.

"Shoot me in the tail Cream, it avoids all of that-"

"No, please don't-" Whisper began to say until Mimic interjected.

"-Silence. All of you. No more talking for you three. Now Cream. Pick a target then fire. You have thirty seconds or I'll do it for you, and I won't stop with just one gun."

Whisper, Tangle, and Shadow all looked at Cream with various expressions of hope and fear, each face pleading to pick them and spare the others.

Cream's hands were shaking as she raised the large revolver. It was bigger than she had originally thought. It had an eight inch barrel and something on the end to likely help with recoil. She began to feel like she had made a mistake. No, that wasn't right. There was never a good option. It was all for the Monster's amusement.

Cream aimed the gun at the ground in front of herself. Tangle held out her Tail and looked at the ground, her fists clenched nervously. Whisper stood tall, her chest puffed out as she slowly and deliberately breathed in and out as she tried to control her nerves. Shadow had his arms crossed and stared intently at Cream, glaring at her as he tapped his foot as he awaited her to make the smart and obvious choice.

"I'm so sorry everyone." Cream raised the gun and steadied her breathing as Shadow had taught her. She aimed the gun at Tangle's Tail, which by now was shaking in fear. Cream gently and slowly pulled on the trigger until.

An explosion filled the room as a 700 grain piece of lead flew toward Tangle, penetrating her Tail then ricocheting off the wall until it came to a stop elsewhere in the room.

For a split second Cream thought she had missed. Then Tangle fell to the ground half a second later, as the lemur screamed in sock and pain.

Cream dropped the gun on the ground and started mumbling apologies, in too much shock to cry. Cream slowly walked toward Tangle as she apologized but Whisper was faster. Right as Cream was about to be halfway to Tangle, Whisper spun around and screamed, "Get away. You get the hell away from her. Don't get any closer to her."

Cream stepped backward and collapsed to the ground, heartbroken and in shock and disbelief of the situation all the while Tangle cried out in pain.

"Tangle, tangle! Hang on. You're going to be okay. Just… just let me get something to help stop the bleeding." Whisper looked around the room in a panic, her heart was racing, she could not find anything good to use to stop the flow of blood. She took off her black cloak and used it to apply pressure, but to little effect as she mumbled to herself as tears filled the Wolf's eyes. "Not again. Chaos, not again."

"The bullet went all the way through. We need something to stuff the wound with."

"Huh," Whisper said, as she looked around deliriously for the source of the voice.

"I said, the bullet went all the way through. We need something to stuff the wound with."

"But w-where can we… Tangle… we can't let her die."

"We won't let her die." Shadow said.

Shadow had seen this before. It's the same traumatic stress he went through when Maria was shot, though, the effects are wildly varied depending on the person. It could very well be the case that Whisper's utility to the team is mentaly imparred going forward while Tangle is injured. "Dammit. Dammit, dammit, dammit." Shadow said under his breath.

"Take your jacket back." Shadow barked.

"But-"

"Just do it." Shadow said as he walked up to Whisper. Once she had done so, Shadow reached his hands out towards Whisper the Wolf.

"Please forgive me for this but there is no other option at present, as Mimic took my belt…"

"Wha…?" Whisper began to utter.

Shadow tore off Whisper's cream colored tube top, ripping the fabric in half and in one swift motion, leaving her entire chest bare and uncovered. Shadow then turned around to face Tangle as he tore one half of the cloth into slivers and began to [ack the bullet wound, then used the other half of the fabric to make a very pathetic tourniquet.

"This won't fully stop the flow of blood to the wound but it's the best we can do for now." Shadow said.

"Tangle…" Whisper said as she held her dark gray cloak close to her chest. "Tangle… please don't die. I can't live without you."

Shadow helped Whisper to her feet. "Whisper. We need you right now. Please, help Tangle to her feet. We need to keep moving."

"Right. Keep moving. To where?" Whisper said in a daze.

"To the next room." Shadow said bluntly and with growing concern.

Shadow furrowed his brows and for a moment silently pondered, "How close are these two?"

"Cream." Shadow said, turning to the rabbit who still sat on the ground.

"Y-yes Mr. Shadow?"

"I'm going to be counting on you to help us through this. I need you to take responsibility for our team. Can I count on you?"

"I… I shot someone, Mr. Shadow? She… she could die." Cream said.

"Cream… Cream, look at me."

Cream's head turned to face Shadow, her face wet with tears.

"You had no choice. This is not your fault, but right now I need you to step up and help protect and save everyone. Mimic wants us to lose our focus. Don't let him win. Can I count on your help Cream?"

"Y-yes. I'll do my best."

"Atta girl." Shadow said approvingly.

"Oh this is rich." Mimic said over the intercom as he popped more popcorn into his mouth before giving the group their next set of instructions, "The door to the next room is unlocked now. Do hurry, the room you are in is primed to explode in… thirty three seconds give or take."

"Let's move it people!" Shadow shouted. "Cream, get the door."

"I-I'm on it!" Cream said with a nod of her head.

Shadow walked over to Tangle and was about to take her from Whisper.

"I got her." Whisper whispered.

Shadow reached out his hand to take Tangles arm so he could help guide her to the door-

"-I said I got her. I'm back now. Go to the door, we'll be right behind you."

"Okay." Shadow said as he made his way to the doorway.

Whisper helped Tangle up and wrapped her arm over and around her shoulders as she ran behind Shadow through the doorway. Right as she and Tangle entered the next room, the door to the room the four of them had just left automatically slammed closed behind them.

A loud explosion nearly ruptured their eardrums.

I'm okay… I'm okay/ Whisper. I'm… I'm fine. Just really tired." Tangle said as she tried to get to her feet but soon lost her balance and fell backwards into Whisper's caring embrace.

"You're not fine. You're been shot."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Cream said as she held back her tears.

Whisper looked to Cream with compassion in her eyes, and smiled sheepishly. "No, I'm sorry for getting mad at you Cream. You made the best of a bad situation. I hope you can forgive me. I was scared and angry and I lashed out at you… that was wrong of me."

"I'm going to make things right. I promise." Cream said.

Mimic laughed maniacally upon hearing this.

"How cute." Mimic began, "Well, you'll get the option to keep your promise, but I think you'll be hard pressed to keep your word. The next challenge starts now. Step forward rabbit."

As Cream nervously stepped forward. Everyone took issue with this.

"This is cruel. She played the first challenge. You can't have her do two of your sick games in a row." Whisper shouted.

"Lifes not fair. Get used to it. Keep up the whining and I'll make it three times in a row. Assuming she lives, that is." Mimic said matter of fact.

A combat drone flew overhead and aimed its gun at the group.

"Remember, you're alive at my pleasure. If you step out of line I have more than one way to bring a quick end to each of you. So quit the damn complaining." Mimic hissed. "Now Cream, you have two paths ahead. One to the left and one to the right. In each room is a challenge to overcome. You will clearly see what the challenge is when you and only you go through the doorway. Upon completion of the challenge you will return to this room and, assuming you live, be reunited with the others. But wait! There's more! Games have prizes… sometimes. So if you go left you will win a G.U.N. IFAK, a state of the art combat lifesaver kit. You have my word it is fully stocked and in perfect condition. I imagine your Lemur friend would very much appreciate it after you so rudely shot her… and who knows, you might need it later."

Cream's eyes shone and her face beamed with joy at hearing this. She turned and smiled at Tangle and Whisper. "I can make things right. I'll get the IFAK then we can treat Tangle properly." Cream said excitedly.

"That'd be… poggers." Tangle said deliriously and with no small measure of pain, "Whisper w-why are you half naked?"

"It's just skin. Don't let it bother you." Turning to Shadow and Cream, Whisper added, "We need to be careful going forward. With Mimic there is always a catch."

Mimic grinned at hearing this. "Not at all, I wanted to reward Cream's hard work in the last game. Shooting someone in the back is no easy task. Well, for most people. Though, personally, I prefer to take a more automated, hands off approach, but you know all about that, don't you Whisper?"

Whisper went from cool and calm to snarling and growling, her razor sharp teeth and fangs on full display as she shouted explicities at Mimic.

"... You're a traitor and a coward. I'm going to make you pay for what you did. You just wait, Mimic. You just wait. You're going to pay for everything you've done. I swear upon my life you're going to pay. My friends… everyone you have ever killed will be avenged."

"I really should be thanking you Whisper…" Mimic said as he left his statement hanging in the air.

"What the hell for?" Whisper said nervously.

"Why, for having made a new friend. Ever since that day with the Diamond Cutters, you've been a lone wolf. I'm genuinely happy for you."

"You leave Tangle alone. I will tear you apart with my claws if you so much at touch her!" Whisper snarled.

"Oh Whisper, Whisper, Whisper, when will you learn… all your friends end up dead. All because you are never good enough to save them. Their blood is on your hands just as much as mine." Mimic taunted.

"Shut up. Shut up. Shut the hell up! You… you… you…" Whisper's hands trembled in fear and anger.

Tangle reached out and put a gentle and shaky hand on Whisper's shoulder. "Whisper, we're going to get through this together as friends, okay? Whatever happened is clearly MImic's fault and his alone. I will fight for you and I know you'll do the same for me. We can take whatever he throws at us. So please… don't let this sick monster get under your skin… that's my job."

"Tangle… you're right. I'm sorry." The two embraced one another in an intimate hug… as all really good friends do from time to time.

Mimic almost threw up his popcorn, "Ugh. Gross. Anyway, getting back on topic. The other choice you have, rabbit girl, is to go right. If you take the right pathway, you will be reunited with an old friend. Once you pick a door you will have five minutes to complete the challenge contained within. After the five minutes expire everything in both rooms will be incinerated. No exceptions."

"Cheese…"

"Oh Cream." Whisper said with concern and hesitation. She looked to the rabbit with a heavy expression knowing already what her choice would be… and how it would traumatize her. Whisper herself being no stranger to guilt and grief.

Cream turned to face Whisper and Tangle, tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, I said I would make things right but I… I have to help my friend. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so very sorry everyone."

"Cream, it's okay." Tangle said weakly. "Go… get your friend. We'll be fine."

Whisper looked at the ground as she held her emotions in check. She could not look Cream in the eyes but slowly nodded in understanding as she raised her head. Whisper then looked at Cream and gave her the briefest of smiles, "It's okay. Go." Whisper said.

Shadow meanwhile had his arms crossed. "Being a responsible adult means making hard choices. Often there are no good solutions or easy answers. You must follow and support what you believe to be right and live with the consequences. Cream, I trust you to do what you believe is right and to not look back or second guess yourself. I'll stand by you. No matter what."

"Shadow… everyone. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Cream turned and ran down the hallway, turned right, and threw open the steel door and rushed inside. The door automatically closed behind her.

The room she found herself in was small. Oppressively small, and with exception to the walls of the room she just came from, which were made of solid steel, the new walls around and in front of her were made of cheap recycled wood. A small table and T.V. Stood to Cream's left and flicked on upon the door closing.

"Hello Cream. I'd like to play a game." Mimic began, "You've chosen to attempt to save one friend over saving the health and well being of another. A difficult choice most would say… but choosing was the easy part. So far, your friends have each offered to pay a cost in blood for the benefit of each other, a transaction you carried out with your own hands. Now we will see if your resolve can match theirs. How much pain are you willing to endure to save another? How much blood are you willing to pay to save a friend? Let's find out. You have five minutes before the room and everything in it is incinerated. Your time begins now. Tread carefully little bunny, the clock is ticking."

As soon as Mimic finished speaking the wall in front of her collapsed forward and unveiled the "game" Mimic had devised.

Static erupted over the intercom system, assaulting Cream's ears. Then she heard the voice of her captor, "One more thing, as far as I am concerned, rabbits were never meant to fly. I'd keep that in mind if I were you."

It was only one precious second Cream wasted as she processed what she saw ahead of her. It took another precious second for Cream to assess the method of payment she was to be charged with and the extent of the cost in blood she would have to provide to save Cheese. It would be painful, excruciatingly painful, but if this was the price she had to pay to save her friend, Cream would gladly pay all this and more.

…

Cream screamed in pain, steel razors sliced her remaining clothes and bore into her soft flesh severing it from her body cut by cut. Cream was in the midst of a maze of death that Mimic's twisted mind had concocted. A maze of fiendishly placed, criss-crossing, entangled, cercitina and flat-wrap razor wire. Cream had taken off her blue cravat and wrapped her right wrist with it so she could better manipulate the razor wire. She had also removed her left vermillion-yellow slip on shoe and slipped her left hand into the shoe so she could more forcefully push aside and hold apart razor wire. Lastly, she used her still injured right foot and the shoe she still wore to push aside, push on, or part razor wire. With this strategy of utilizing both hands and her right foot in combination, Cream was making slow but steady progress through the deathly maze. Yet, the razor wire was as thick as jungle vegetation. Each breath brought a new surge of pain as unseen blades attacked her viciously as they swung back into place as she passed through the maze, so that with each step and breath she took forward through the metal jungle, she was under constant assault.

Cream took several deep breaths and readied herself to make her way through a particularly dense section of wire when a portion of the floor, far to her right rose to unveil a rectangular box that spun, with two nozzles on opposite sides. Just as Cream noticed its presence she learned what its purpose was.

Flames burst outward from the rectangular device, as it spun waves of flames rolled along the floor in every direction, with no time to react. A heartbeat later, Cream's legs were engulfed in flame for an agonizing moment.

Cream screamed in pain and shock, she fought the urge to collapse to the ground and instead threw her body into the razorwire that rested above the flames, using the razor wire as an impromptu hammock. As quick as it had started the rectangular device disappeared below the floor from where it came.

Cream wanted to spare a moment to look at her lower leg, but she realized she could no longer breathe. The extreme heat had caused her to suffer asphyxiation as the oxygen had been used by the fire. Cream wretched and gagged, as she struggled to pull herself down from her razor bladed hammock. As she grabbed the wires and hoisted herself backwards so her feet could touch the still smoldering floor, she was dizzy and confused. Her hands and gloves were pierced and torn by the unfeeling steel room seemed to spin as Cream choked down what little oxygen she could. Soon thereafter Cream vomited, not just from the pain she found herself in or the disorientation, but from the trace amounts of chemical irritants she was inhaling in the aftermath of the flamethrower attack.

"I don't have time for this. I need to save Cheese." Cream said to herself as she wiped a small trail of vomit from the side of her mouth. She looked above her head at the wide vaulted ceiling. If she could get above the cage of razor wire she found herself in she could get to Cheese in no time. Several minutes had passed and Cream was getting desperate. In this situation, that could mean making a deadly mistake… or being too slow, failing to escape in time and getting burned alive. Cream adjusted her footing, not able to spare a second that she still stood despite the shock, pain, and stress her body was under. Cream focused her mind as she scanned for the best spot to force an exit from the maze. She looked at her leg and saw that her shin, calf, and foot and received a mixture of first, second, and third degree burns. As she put her foot down she nearly cried out in pain, her adrenaline having worn off enough for feeling to return to the nerves in her leg that still functioned. As cream stared at her leg in newfound horror, she noted that some parts of her legs were red and painful, while other parts that faced the blast of flame were bright red, swollen, shiny and wet, with blisters that were beginning to form. A small number of splotches across her legs were black and white… and painless. Then she realized the white spots of her legs… was bone, or the white matter beyond it. To Cream this was the most horrifying realization.

Her clock was still ticking. It was time to save her friend and escape.

Cream found a small opening she could barely fit through. She crouched down low and began to flap her ears then using all her strength and all her heart, she made a mighty leap, and flapped into the air, her body scraping through razor wire until she was free, high above the maze of death.

Cream flapped again-

-A trio of small explosions filled the room and Cream felt her left leg go numb. Cream flapped once more, almost at the other side of the room. Another trio rang out impacting Cream's shoulder, the pain causing her vision to blur momentarily. Cream landed beside Cheese, who had yet to hatch from his reincarnated egg form. Cream gently grabbed the Chao egg, and held onto it dearly as she flew back to the door.

She ignored the sounds that filled the room with thunderous reverberations. She ignored the shots of pain that struck her body, each hit a mace that smashed her muscle and bone, though never penetrating, merely bouncing off her body. She ignored the pain. She had only one concern. One focus...

Save her friend.

Cream crashed onto the ground, her side absorbing the brunt of the impact. With the last of her strength she reached up and pulled the door open then crawled through it, then closed the door behind her.

Then Cream passed out.

…

Shadow tapped his foot nervously, an annoying tik he picked up from Sonic. He hated how he was powerless to do anything to help Cream.

What was going on in that room?

Shadow, Whisper, and Tangle were silent. They listened intently for any sound that could give them an idea as to what was happening to Cream.

The only sound the trio heard was the air conditioning turning on.

Minutes passed.

The steel door Cream had previously entered, slid open. Cream crawled out of the door holding a white, blue, and yellow Chao egg, then she collapsed upon the ground.

"Cream." Shadow screamed as he and the others ran to her side. Upon arriving everyone got a closer look at Cream as Shadow held her in his arms.

Her clothes were shredded and bloodied. Her front chest was dozens of puncture wounds in close proximity, as if she had laid her front body upon a bed of knives. Her body was peppered with massive bruises that were still swelling larger.

Cream's lower legs were severely burned, with burnt skin and blisters forming, while on other parts of her foot the muscles and bone had been incinerated leaving only black or white spots in their wake.

Shadow had readjusted the position of his hands on Cream when he felt something wet on his gloved hand. He pulled it back and found his glove covered in blood.

Shadows brows furrowed as he was filled with a great rage.

"Mimic." Shadow said quietly with restrained anger.

"…"

"Mimic!" Shadow screamed above.

"…"

"I know you can hear me, you bastard. You're going to pay for this! When I get my hands on you, that's going to be your end."

"…"

"Say something you Monster!"

"…"

In the middle of the T section, a new pathway appeared. Being this was their only path that remained to them, the group had little choice but to keep moving forward.

Shadow picked up Cream and gently held her in his arms as he carried her to the next room. Hoping they could get something that could treat Cream's injuries.

Tangle picked up the Chao egg.

"She is in critical condition. We don't have much time." Shadow said flatly.

"I've got the egg." Tangle said.

"Good. Let's go." Shadow said.

Whisper, with nothing more that could be said, followed the others silently as the group progressed to the next room.

…

The next room opened into a narrow hallway that split into four different directions.

One of the paths was locked, and required three keys to open.

"Huh, three paths, three needed keys." Tangle said.

"We should proceed as a group. Safer that way…"

"That's right, it would be." Mimic said over the intercom. "Which is why I'm banning that as an option."

"No fair!" Tangle whined.

"From left to right paths. Tangle… you are going to be in the first hallway on your left. Then Whisper. Then Shadow. Cream can wait right there. I'll keep a good eye on her."

"No. I'll take her with me." Shadow said.

Mimic's twisted grin could be heard through the speaker system as he spoke. "Oh, you'll do no such thing unless you want even more of her blood on your hands. So I suggest you put her down, and keep walking."

"Tch…" Shadow Scoffed. He then buried his anger as he gently put Cream on the ground while Tangle put the Chao egg near her. As Shadow was about to move away Cream stirred and extended her hand to Shadow.

"Sh-" Cream started to say but then began a coughing fit. Cream tried to clear her throat and lungs of the chemicals and smoke she had inhaled. Her lips were chapped and she had trouble speaking, and her throat felt like sandpaper. It was obvious to anyone who was not blind, Cream's injuries had taken a large toll on her. Shadow's heart ached seeing Cream in such dire straits.

"Just rest for now Cream, we have to move on ahead for a little while. We'll be back very soon with a beaten up Mimic."

"S-Shadow." Cream croaked.

Shadow knelt down inches away from Cream so he could better hear her frail voice.

"Yes? What is it Cream?"

Cream, though she was exhausted and in great pain, managed a small grin as she gave Shadow a shaky thumbs up. "W-we've got this!" She managed to say despite her hoarse throat.

Shadows' body tension increased. He grinded his teeth together and clenched his fists. Cream's poor body had been beaten and damaged… but Shadow vowed silently that Mimic would pay the ultimate price for everything he had done.

"Thata girl. You just rest for now." Shadow said.

Cream went back to her resting position and focused on breathing. Each breath she took was agonizing and required great labor. Her small body shook and trembled as she tried her best to rest and breathe.

"Cream, I'm going on ahead, I'll be back soon, I promise." Shadow said to Cream. "You've done more than enough for us all and for Cheese. You have more than earned a rest. We'll be fast. I promise."

Cream's eyes remained shut but she managed a weak smile that disappeared as quick as it appeared.

Tangle and Whisper had been watching Shadow and Cream's exchange. Their heart was torn to pieces at what they saw and heard.

In their heart of hearts they all knew, in silent agreement, that Cream shouldn't be here. She shouldn't have to endure this hell and they would all do whatever it took to see her to safety and to defeat Mimic.

"Shadow…" Tangle started to say…

"For Mimics sake… she better damn well be fine when we return. Now let's get this over with quickly."

…

With everyone having gone their separate ways except for Cream who had stayed behind to rest, Whisper walked down her hallway alone and wondered what Mimic was planning. She walked down a hallway that began to narrow and become more claustrophobic. Then Whisper came to a fork in her path and discovered that she was about to enter a maze of mirrors. Just before the entrance to the maze Whisper saw a table with a recording device with the words, "Play Me or else" taped to it.

Whisper the Wolf walked slowly up to the table then checked her surroundings before she finally grabbed the device and clicked the play button…

"I foresee… a happy future for us!" A cheerful, albeit long dead voice said on repeat. Over and over again. The words bore into her mind as Whisper was mentally brought back many years to a time when she was truly happy, to a time when she was happy, serving a righteous cause with old friends, before her world and those she loved and cared for came to a tragic end.

Whisper dropped the recording device and staggered backwards as she began to hyperventilate. She clutched her chest as she was overcome with guilt and terror. Falling to the ground, Whisper's mind left the confines of the underground prison she was in and traveled back… far back to a nightwear she had long suppressed.

An image of bloodied corpses flashed into her mind.

"No… no… no, no, no, no, no. I didn't know. I didn't know. I'm sorry." Though no one was with her, Whisper cried out weakly all the same. Her mind continued to replay the living hell she had witnessed with her own eyes that fateful day…

…

"We're sealed in!" Claire Voyance shouted at her team.

"Fire at will!" Smithy the Lion shouted with a mighty roar across the chamber as his minigun opened fire as half a dozen androids were gunned down.

"Mimic! Whisper! We need an evac!" Slinger the Ocelot screamed into his high tech Mask.

"There's too many of them!" Slinger the Ocelot said as he continued to fire his duel revolvers as the androids stampeded over their fallen comrades with no regard for the fallen, getting even closer to their targets.

"Mimic! Where are you!?" Claire Voyance cried out as she was overrun by what had been Eggman's latest murder machines that were simply called Shadow Androids, machines designed in the likeness of the infamous Shadow the Hedgehog.

…

Whisper's memories, memories of the last moments of her friends, the first person perspective live feed she had received from their masks came flooding back into her consciousness after years of being suppressed and locked away in the farthest reaches of her mind.

Memories of her dearest friends being torn limb from limb… their screams creating a harmony of death.

Whisper held herself and cried as she curled up into a ball.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Whisper cried.

After some time had passed Whisper, still shook from her memories, slowly crawled to the table, grabbed the recorder.

"I foresee… a happy future for-"

Whisper crushed the tape in her hands.

Her body trembled. Her hand shook as she wiped the tears from her eyes and shakilly got to her feet. She had a mission to complete, a new best friend to protect, a child to protect, and a shadow of her past to overcome.

"Never forgive… never forget."

Whisper picked a path at random and entered the maze.

…

Tangle walked down her path alone as she kept an eye out for traps. Her tail stung with pain but the bleeding had stopped and while still physically drained from having been shot in the tail, Tangle had to persevere for everyone's sake.

As Tangle rounded a corner she came across an ominous sight. An open safe large enough to fit a full grown man stood next to a pool. Equally worrisome was a miniature tower crane that stood in the center of the room. Tangle walked closer to the safe and peered Inside. Tapped to the wall was a recording device with the words, play me, written in sharpie. As Tangle searched the rest of the wide open room she noticed that the crane was automated and locked from her accessing it. In addition, and somewhat to Tangle's relief, was that there was no visible path forward. As far as Tangle could see she had reached a dead end. Tangle turned to head back the way she came but as she made her way to the exit the path she had entered from became blocked by steel bars that slid out horizontally from a slit in the wall to prevent her from leaving.

With no real choice, Tangle let out an exasperated sigh and entered the safe, then pushed the play button on the recording device.

All Tangle heard was white noise. A bead of sweet went down her check when suddenly the door to the safe slammed shut locking Tangle inside. Tangle panicked. She pushed and punched the door, screaming for help before the full terror of her situation set in.

Tangle began hyperventilating. She knew she had limited oxygen but her claustrophobia was getting the better of her. She became very tired and a little delirious. Tangle decided to sit down and conserve her energy and oxygen.

She began to doze off. Her mind drifted into the past to less sorrowful days.

…

"I don't know about this Tangle… we should go home." Jewel the Beetle said nervously as she looked around at the dusty, dilapidated, cobweb infested, abandoned Eggman Base.

"Are you kidding me? This is amazing!" Tangle said to Jewel, the Lemur's eyes shone with pure excitement. "Look over here at this large robot. It looks like it was practically sawed in half by buzzsaw, or whatever dashed through here. And look, this one was blown up, and this one here looks like it was shot with something and disabled. Whoever came through here was not playing any games with Eggman. This is so cool." Tangle squeed.

"This is absolutely terrifying." Jewel said.

"It will be okay. When has my sense of adventure ever led us wrong?"

Jewel the Beatle walked forward, her high heels and high end suit clashing with not only the environment but Tangles tracksuit. As Jewel took another step she threw her arms in the air, pawing at unseen threats as she walked through a spider web. "We'll let's see." Jewel began after clearing the cobwebs from her face and brilliant rainbow hair, "There's the time we met as kids where I saved you from having fallen down the side of a cliff-"

"-can't a girl lose her footing just once?"

"The time you got lost in a cave and I had to skip an entire day of university courses to answer your S.O.S. call-"

"Pfffffffffffft, you're so smart jewel, you don't need a doctorate degree to teach people about rocks."

Jewel smiled as she rolled her eyes. "Then there's the time you fought an eggman robot attack and were about to get smooshed like a bug-"

"Heh, good thing you're crush proof. Right? He he he…" Tangle said awkwardly.

Jewel looked at Tangle with a deadpan expression, "Tangle. I worry about you when I'm not around to watch your back. You're my dearest friend. I can't always be there for you. If something happened to you I'd-"

Jewel looked away, "-I don't know what I'd do."

"I know you worry about me, but I'm getting stronger, little by little. Someday you won't need to watch my back."

Jewel looked to the ground, "Thats… thats what Im afraid of."

Tangle walked over and hugged Jewel, "Jewel, listen girl, I'm not going anywhere and neither are you. We're a team. We'll take on the world together!"

"Maybe just stick to one or two evil robots at a time."

"We'll go and explore that decommissioned space colony G.U.N. swears never existed even though it blew up a chunk of the moon."

"That sounds extremely illegal and very expensive. We'd need a spaceship."

"Pfffft, we'd steal one."

"WE WOULD WHAT?"

Tangle patted her best friend on the top of her hardened exoskeleton. "Don't be ridiculous, we'd steal one from Eggman. I'd even let you pilot it!"

"I'm going to be a geologist. I don't know how to fly a spaceship!"

"We'd figure it out."

"Of course we would." Jewel said as she covered her face with one hand in worry.

"Now, as you can see we still have many adventures together. So, please don't worry. Together we can handle anything the world throws at us." Tangle held out her prehensile tail and had it make a fist. "Teammates and Best Friends for life?"

Jewel smiled. She realized that maybe she worried a little too much. Tangle was always right in the end. Jewel bumped Tangle's extended fist, "Teammates and BFF's for life."

"Awww yeah! Tangle and Jewel exploring an abandoned Eggman base. Watch out world!" Tangle began running ahead.

"T-tangle! Don't run. We don't know if there are any traps?"

"Huh?" Tangle stopped and turned.

"This is an Eggman base. We need to be on the lookout for traps." Jewel pleaded.

Tangle blew a raspberry. "We got this, relax girl. I'll take point. Everything is going to be just fine.

As Tangle entered the main corridor for the abandoned underground base, the duo heard a faint beeping echoing off the walls.

Jewel glanced around in a panic. "T-Tangle?"

"Well… that doesn't sound good." Tangle said matter of fact.

A series of explosions buried Tangle under countless rock and rubble.

…

"That's right. Tangle said to herself as her grasp on reality weakened. "Jewel was always there to get me out of trouble. Chaos, I miss her. I miss her so much."

Tangle drifted off into unconsciousness.

…

Whisper looked at her reflection in dozens of mirrors. She found herself in a maze of mirrors. What normally would have been a fun date with Tangle was now an act in aggravation and perseverance.

"It's all your fault." Claire Voyance said.

"Shut up, Mimic. I know that's you."

"You could have saved us. You're just selfish. You cared about your own life more than protecting the rest of us. That's why you were our sniper."

"Shut up."

"Did you ever really care about us? I guess not. You would have been there with us if you had really cared about your so-called friends." Slinger the Ocelot said.

"I said shut the hell up-"

Smithy the Lion turned the corner behind Whisper, grabbed her head and hair, and slammed her face first into one of the mirrors, shattering it, then threw her dazed body forward once more to slam her face in the mirror yet again, a kick to the spinal cord, and finished off the attack with an elbow chop to the top of Whispers head. Smithy the Lion then retreated, seemingly disappearing into the maze of mirrors.

Whisper shakily got to her feet, wiped the blood off her face and collected herself for a moment before pressing onward.

Whisper stopped for a moment as rage built in her, "For the team's former CQC specialist you sure punch like an infant!" Whisper shouted.

Whisper continued to make her way through the maze when she heard faint crying in the distance.

"Tangle? Tangle!?" Whisper ran through the maze as she desperately tried to reach the voice.

After a couple nerve wracking minutes Whisper reached her. She was chained to the wall.

"Whisper, it's a trap. You need to leave me. Please." Tangle begged.

"I'm not going anywhere Tangle, I'll get you out of here." Whisper stood in front of Tangle.

"Thank you Whisper-"

Whisper brought her foot forward in a powerful kick that dented the metal wall behind the now shattered mirror. Whisper pulled her foot back and delivered another kick to Tangle's face, slamming it into the glass.

"You dumbass. Tangle is too foolishly optimistic. She would never beg for me to leave her side!"

Tangle glared at Whisper then at once transformed back into a four tentacle mimic octopus.

"I was saving the beatdown for later but you don't have to attend the finale… none of you have too!"

Mimic pulled out a knife and slashed at Whisper, who dodged his attack then punched him in his face. Mimic staggered backwards and touched his bloody lip. "You're going to pay for that."

"Make me you traitorous scum."

"Fine then." Mimic charged Whisper, the latter carefully dodging strike after strike, blocking slashes and delivering brief punches when possible. Mimic brought his dagger down vertically on Whisper but the Wolf merly stepped forward, turning her body so her right side was facing Mimic. She raised her left hand above her head to block the descending strike. However, with gravity aiding Mimic's strength Whisper was unable to stop the blade as it dug into her shoulder, but that was all part of Whisper's plan.

Whisper then rammed Mimic with her body forcing his back into the wall of the narrow hallway then proceeded to pummel his ribs with the blunt end of her elbow. Mimic went to retract his dagger from her shoulder but Whisper screamed animalistically as she used her left hand to grab Mimics dagger hand, twisted her body to the right one hundred and eighty degrees then used her claws to carve deep into Mimics hand. This caused Mimic to drop his dagger. Whisper caught the dagger in midair then brought it forward to stab mimic in the heart as Mimics eyes became as large as dinner plates.

With a kick Whisper was sent flying backwards crashing into the mirrored wall then fell to the looked up and both the dagger and Mimic were gone. After Whisper went her own way and found the exit, all that remained in that hallway was their blood.

…

Shadow sat beside Cream, her head resting on his lap. Shadow held her hand in his own and with the other hand he kept light pressure on her radial artery. The steady drumbeat of Cream's pulse proved the rabbit was alive but this fact did little to assuage Shadow's worries.

"Hey." Whisper said softly from behind Shadow to his surprise. He had not heard her footsteps. "I just got out of a maze of mirrors. No clues. Seemed to be a timesink. You?"

"I was locked in a room with poison gas. I had to solve an upside down sudoku puzzle to escape. It only took a minute. It was a pathetic trap, though I can't say I was surprised."

"I guess Mimic will have to try a little harder next time."

"There won't be a next time."

Cream stirred and groaned in pain before settling back into a comfortable position using Shadow as an impromptu pillow.

"How is she?" Whisper asked.

"She is alive… to be frank, she shouldn't be here. It's all my fault this has happened. I wonder if getting so close to Cream was a mistake. It seems I am cursed to have those I care about suffer and die while I go ever onward in time. I'm tired… tired of good people getting hurt."

"Don't be so dramatic, life is suffering."

"I suppose you are not wrong in the grand scheme of things. Anything worth doing requires great pain and sacrifice. I know that much… but Cream? She shouldn't have to suffer."

"What of Cream? Is she suffering?"

Shadow looked behind his shoulder for a brief moment, giving Whisper a perplexed glare, forgetting that aside from her loose fitting cloak, her entire chest was bare and left nothing to the imagination. Shadow quickly turned around and focused once more upon Cream.

"Look at her Whisper. She's unconscious. Dehydrated, her body burned and covered in lacerations. If she was a human girl she surely would have perished."

"Are you going to be okay?" Whisper asked delicately.

"I'll be fine." Shadow said, his voice heavy with grief as he continued to gently hold Cream's hand.

"That's too bad." Whisper said.

Cream's eyes fluttered open in time to see Whisper the Wolf towering above her and Shadow with a jagged knife in hand and a twisted grin on her face as she brought a knife down upon Shadow's head. Cream, seeing this, used her remaining strength to lean forward and wrapped her arms around Shadow and pulled the black hedgehog forward towards her and away from the descending blade.

As Cream moved she let out a blood curdling cry shouting Shadow's name but she was too little too late as the knife plunged not into Shadow's head but into his back. Upon being stabbed Shadow let out a cry of pain and leaned further forward protecting Cream until he could get his footing and bearings sorted. As he did so Whisper the Wolf with yet another wicked grin stabbed Shadow in his back several times, the serrated blade sinking its teeth one final time before savagely being ripped out. Black blood splattered upon the ground though shadow did not feel the pain as he rose to his feet and readied himself to fight. As he turned Mimic had already made his escape into a secret passage along the wall.

With the threat gone for now Shadow turned to Cream to ensure she had not been harmed further.

"M-Mr. Shadow…"

"I'm fine."

Shadow helped Cream sit back down. Cream then stretched and curled her body, tucking her legs in as she put her head on Shadows thigh, not interested in the cold concrete floor.

"But… you… you're bleeding Mr. Shadow."

"Cream, I said I am fine. I don't want you worrying about anything but what kind of tea you want to have at our next tea party. All right?"

"O-okay."

"How are you doing?"

"Fine since you're here."

"Cream."

"Ha ha." Cream giggled weakly.

"I mean it. Are you in pain?"

"Mr. Shadow. I don't want you worrying about me, only what kind of tea you want to have at our next tea party."

Shadow furrowed his brow. "Do you think you have the strength to walk?"

"I can try. If I am honest Mr. Shadow. I'm very tired and thirsty. I'd give up a year's worth of allowance for a glass of water."

"We're almost out of this mess. Mimic has had his fun. I promise it won't be much longer."

"I know. I don't need to worry about a thing when Mother or one of my favorite hedgehogs are around."

Shadow looked down at the ground in shame.

"Cream… I'm sorry. I should never have influenced you as I did. I pressured you to take the heroes path. Now you're in danger because of me."

"Sillyhead. I made my choice long before I met you. Also Mimic is a bad guy. You can't blame yourself for what bad people do. I may be young but I believe that is no way to live life."

"Hmph, you are wise beyond your ears."

"Heh, heh, ears. You and Mr. Sonic are so funny."

"Little by little he's been rubbing off on me. It's terrifying. Don't tell him I said that though."

"I won't. Pinky promise?" Cream held out her pinky. Her hand drifted about, as if Cream scarcely had the strength to hold up her hand. As Shadow held out his own hand and extended his pinky, Cream was unable to move her pinkie purposefully to intertwine it with Shadow's.

Shadow further extended his own pinky and curled it around Cream's, sealing the pact.

"Want to know something funny Mr. Shadow?"

"What's that Cream?"

"I really hate fighting. I hate it with all my heart. Each time I raise my hands to fight I want to break down crying."

"Cream, then why do you -tsk- you don't have to-"

"-I want to. Or maybe… maybe want is not the right word. It's more like something I feel I must do."

"Cream, you are six years old. You have your whole life ahead of you. You don't have to do anything but you don't want to. You don't have anything to prove to anyone. Your Mother, Sonic and I… nothing would change if you decided to be a normal girl and live a normal life. You don't have to be a hero."

"I know it's just…" Cream exhaled, then readjusted herself, making better use of the surface area of the ultimate pillow. "You, Mr. Sonic, Amy, Tails, everyone is so brave and helps save people. I want to be the kind of person that a family thanks for having saved the day. Saved them, so that people can say goodnight to their loving family and greet the morning with a smile."

Cream's eyes grew heavy and she struggled to stay conscious.

Shadow looked at Cream awestruck. "Why? Why do you feel the need? You're walking a dark path full of pain and suffering. Why give up your life for others? Why can't you be satisfied with living a normal and happy life?" Shadow said as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. His stoic persona, on the verge of collapsing.

Cream closed her eyes. Her breathing grew slower.

"I never got to meet my Father, but I know Mama loved him dearly. If I have the strength to help keep other families safe, how could I do anything but that? I couldn't live with myself or injoy life if someone died because I couldn't or wouldn't save them."

Shadow looked upon Cream, a single tear fell down his cheek. With all his heart, and all his power, Shadow swore to himself, for himself and the world…

He would protect this child.

Cream remained motionless, her breathing almost unnoticeable. Shadow checked her pulse, relieved that she was still alive, but barely. Shadow's own fatigue and pain faded. This madness had to end.

"What happened to you?"

Shadow's head turned instantly to look at Whisper the Wolf.

"If you are Mimic I am going to tear your throat out."

A look of horror, from years past, flashed across Whisper's face for but a moment. Then her normal composure returned. She showed Shadow the cuts and bruises on her body.

"Can I trust you?" Whisper said.

"I'm oozing black blood out of the wounds in my back."

"That's not what I meant. I mean, can I trust you?"

"After all we've been through, how can you not?"

"... my team was executed by Androids made in your image. That's why I can't stand to be around you. Nothing personal."

"That sounds awful. I know what its like to lose someone dear to you. I understand I may not be able to earn your trust anytime soon, but I hope at the least we can work together in the present to protect those we care for."

"That sounds… agreeable. Don't expect me to shack on it though."

"That's fine… and sorry about your tubetop. I don't exactly wear clothes so it was either that or let Tangle possibly bleed out."

"It's fine. If I wasn't mentally out of commision I would have done it myself. Thanks. She is a really good friend."

"I've noticed."

Whisper blushed.

"Speaking of which… where is she? She should be here by now, surely."

"Oh chaos." Whisper ran down the path Tangle had taken.

"Hey, wait up!" Shadow shouted.

…

The pair discovered a safe had been dropped into the water by a miniature tower crane. The end had an incredibly strong magnet.

"No. You don't think…?" Shadow said as he peered into the murky water.

"Tangle!" Whisper dived into the water and swam several feet below to the safe. Tried as she might, she was unable to open the door. Whisper came up for air then dived below to try once more at opening the safe.

"Shit." Shadow gently put cream down then ran over to the tower crane. It was unable to be opened or operated. Shadow shouted for Whisper to help him. Shadow ran up the crane, found the locking mechanism and began to break it. This caused the steel wire to fall down to the ground along with the magnet.

"The magnet is turned off!"

"What?"

"It's an electromagnet. Shit!"

Shadow glanced around the room when he got an idea. Shadow found the spot in the steel wire then began punching it. He punched it and the concrete beneath it until his fist was red with blood and his glove practically shredded. Eventually the steel wire snapped.

"Whisper!"

"I'm on it."

Shadow grabbed one end of the rope and dived into the water while Whisper held onto the other end. After Shadow wrapped the steel wire around the safe several times and tied it, he climbed out of the water and grabbed the wire alongside Whisper.

"On three." Shadow said.

"Three." Whisper answered.

Both pulled with all their might.

Cream stirred and got to their feet and staggered over to the pair.

Shadow grunted and strained, "Cream… sit down."

"No, I want to help."

"You need to rest."

Cream used what little strength she had and together the three of them were able to pull the safe out of the water.

Shadow turned the handle and to his surprise the safe opened.

"Tangle!" Whisper ran inside and grabbed her friend who was unconscious.

Whisper proceeded to give Tangle CPR.

Tangle's eyes slowly opened. She then closed her eyes again and shortly thereafter she weakly pushed Whisper away. "I… I'm okay. I think. You can keep giving me CPR if you want… just in case. Heh."

Whisper pounced upon her friend and gave her a giant bear hug. "I was so worried about you."

"I'm okay Whisper. My claustrophobia is worse than ever but other than that I feel like I'm on cloud nine.

"Oh, she is alive. Bummer." Mimic said over the intercom. "Well, I think we are all ready to wrap this up, wouldn't you say? Take a few minutes and return the way you came. I'll be waiting for you in the lift. No funny business either. I would like all of you to participate in the finale, but if one or more of you need to be executed beforehand, then so be it."

"Are we all ready?" Shadow said to the group.

"Ready." Tangle answered as Whisper helped her get to her feet.

Tangle had one look at Whisper and her face turned bright red. "W-W-Why are your hooters hanging out Whisper?"

"Didn't we talk about this already?" Whisper said.

"I think I'd remember this!" Tangle said as she unbashfully stared at her friend's chest. Tangle felt as if steam was coming out of her ears and nose.

"I told you to not worry about it. Besides, somebody was shot so it was either my shirt or Cream's that had to be used to dress your wound."

"I don't suppose you could cover yourself up? Cream and Shadow can see them, you know…"

"They are fine."

"Huh?"

"Tangle, we have bigger problems than my bare chest to worry about. I am a warrior. I will not cross my arms and cover my chest and put myself in a tactical disadvantage should I need to act in self defense of myself or another. Shadow and Cream are fine. It's not a big deal. The only person who is bothered by this is you, Tangle. Am I embarrassed. Enormously so. But lives are at stack. We can put our discomfort aside."

Tangle's face grew even redder. "Yeah, well. Why don't you take my top? I think I can manage with just my bodysuit."

"Tangle."

"Let me just turn around and-"

"Tangle!"

"Yeah Whisper?"

"It wont fit me."

"Oh, right."

"Let's just go." Whisper's face turned red as she held out a hand to an enormously embarrassed Lemur.

"Let's go kick Mimics butt!" Tangle shouted.

"Well alright. Does that sound good, Cream?"

"Yeah!" Cream said with a cheer.

"So loud…" Whisper said quietly.

The group then made their way back to the industrial sized elevator.

…

"That's far enough." Mimic said as he pointed a gun at the group. "Here's how this is going to work. We're going to use the honor system. I'm going to fight you one at a time, but if any of you so much as sneezes in my direction, then all of you are getting your heads blown off."

Shadow looked around the room and noticed that Mimic had put four body bags in the corner of the room.

"So what now." Shadow said.

"Now, we fight one by one. Until all of you are beaten."

"After that?" Shadow asked, despite already knowing the answer.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there." Mimic said with a grin. "Tangle, your first. For this fight, no guns or knives are allowed. You can use any part of your body. Any questions."

Tangle, feeling a little stronger despite having been shot, suffocated, resuscitated, and half embarrassed to death, all in under an hour or two, stepped forward. Her tail was numb and she had little control of the prehensile appendage. "Sorry Whisper, looks like I get to have all the fun myself. I'll save you a piece of him."

"Tangle, please be careful." Whisper said.

Tangle turned around and gave Whisper a thumbs up, and to what Whisper was an adorable, cocky, smug grin.

As Whisper and Tangle locked eyes their hearts began beating just a little bit faster… as is perfectly normal for really good friends.

"Heh." With that verbal tic Mimic ran forward. Tangle did the same. They readied to meet in the center of the large garage. Tangle readied to block with her tail but was unable to move it fast enough. She decided to parry and punch with her arms as best as she could.

Shadow, Whisper, and Cream held their breath…

…

Tangle's face was slammed into the car window, shattering the glass. With the glass broken Mimic raised her limp head and slammed it onto the car's metal frame several times. The cries of Whisper sounded like music to his ears.

Mimic cherished the scene. The pained look on her face. The way she cried out Tangle's name with each punch and kick. How her wails of suffering echoed across the room with each drop of blood he spilled.

Whisper cried out Tangle's name once more than took a step forward and was about to rush Mimic when the octopus turned and put a gun to Tangle's temple. "Let's not give the room a paint job. You'll get your turn soon enough once I grow bored of her. So be a good little pup, and sit your ass down."

Whisper's fangs were beared as tears streamed down her face as she glared daggers at Mimic.

Mimic pushed the gun deeper into Tangle's skull, hard enough to leave a bruise. "I said sit your ass down, pup. I won't ask again."

Whisper sat down.

Shadow and Cream watched in pain and horror as Mimic continued to beat Tangle.

Mimic slammed Tangle's head into the car once more before picking her up above his body, then threw her onto the concrete ground.

"Not so tough without your tail, huh?" Mimic kicked her in the gut causing the Lemure to assume a fetal position, as she curled her body in defense.

Mimic kicked Tangle in her chest several more times before mixing it up with a kick to her face.

"How ya like that? Huh? Not such a genki girl are you? Where's all that enthusiasm? What happened?"

Mimic delivered a mighty kick to the lemur's face causing her to roll over several times.

Tangle didn't move.

Mimic collected himself and caught his breath. As Whisper continued crying out to Tangle, feeling every punch kick as if her own body was being broken.

"Will someone please shut her up? Better yet, allow me. It's your turn now, pup. Try to actually put up a good f-"

Whisper screamed as she charged Mimic, wanting nothing more than to sink her claws and fangs into hum, to tear him limb from limb.

Mimic pulled out a knife. "Come on. Come at me."

Whisper ran forward and surprised Mimic with a perfectly spaced running jump spin kick that Mimic dodged easily by ducking and spinning under it as he stepped forward, closing the distance and better positioning himself for a counter strike. Now on Whisper's right, Mimic switched his knife from his right hand to his left hand. He held the knife in a reverse grip and with his thumb on the cap for extra stability and control, attempted to stab the knife into Whisper's ribs.

Whisper blocked his strike with her hand, dogged a second strike, then was knocked backwards by a knee to her stomach.

"How are your wounds holding up?"

Whisper glared at Mimic, "Fine, how are yours?"

Mimic sneered.

The two traded blows, but hit by hit, Mimic grew evermore of an advantage in the fight.

After being stabbed in the ribs, Whisper grabbed Mimics knife hand, taking several blows to the face as she held Mimic's knife hand and jostled for control.

The two were matched and knowing he could not overpower her deathgrip on his hand he let go of the knife, moved his hand aside then used his knee to kick it an inch deeper.

Whisper roared in pain and staggered backwards. After a moment she recovered and pulled out the knife from her body, looking at Mimic with eyes that promised death.

Mimic smiled and taunted her to come at him.

Whisper let out a battlecry and brought down the knife upon him, only for the predictable strike to be blocked and disarmed.

Mimic, now holding his knife once more blocked several strikes from Whisper before stabbing the knife into her torso, just barely missing her aorta.

Whisper coughed up blood and choked on it for a moment before staggering backwards as she clutched the knife in her chest. Her back soon hit the wall and she fell to the ground as she struggled to breath, her mouth filled with what tasted of liquid copper. Her chest slowly rose and fell with each ragged breath she managed.

"Two down. Two to go." Mimic said as he looked at Shadow and Cream. Mimic pulled out and aimed his gun at Cream's head as he casually walked back towards them.

"Your turn little bunny."

"Like hell it is. Be a man and fight me instead." Shadow shouted.

"Don't worry, I won't shoot her unless you interfere. I'll deal with you next. Unless you'd rather I skip her turn?"

Shadow felt a small hand gently tug on him.

"It's okay Mr. Shadow. I'll be brave." Cream stared at the ground for a moment before looking up towards Shadow, fear and terror gripped her entire body and was painfully visible in Cream's innocent eyes.

Cream turned and walked towards Mimic. Her body had dozens of cuts, her legs a myriad of first, second, and third degree burns. Several of her bones felt bruised or broken from the harsh impact of plastic bullets, and to top it off she was more thirsty than she ever had been in her entire life.

Most painful of all that troubled her… she dearly missed her Mother. Her warm smile, kind voice, the warmth and love that radiated out from her. She hoped if nothing else, she could at least see her one more time…

Cream raised her hands to fight.

Mimic then proceeded to beat the living shit out of her in the course of ten seconds.

"Still alive little rabbit? You are a lot tougher than you look."

Cream mumbled something but it was unintelligible to Mimic or Shadow.

"So, mr. shadow, should I give you a turn to play or should I continue having my fun?"

"Please. Let it be my turn."

Mimic smiled. He reached up and grabbed the bruised and beaten child and held her in the air by her neck, pressing the gun into her tummy.

"Get on your knees."

Shadow immediately complied.

At this moment Mimic and Tangle began to regain their senses. Tangle crawled over to Whisper and the two held one another, cared for one another, and did what little they could to treat their wounds.

"Now beg." Mimic commanded.

Shadow prostrated himself, his face touching the concrete floor. "Please, if there is any sliver of goodness in you… I beg of you, spare the girl. Please. Beat and torture me all you want. Just spare the girl."

Mimic chuckled. He walked over and put his foot on Shadow's head, pushing down hard, forcing it into the concrete. Mimic savored the moment.

"Don't move a muscle." Mimic threatened.

Mimic walked over to the car with the broken window and altered his grip on Cream. He grabbed the girl by her hair and her thigh, holding her horizontally now he gently swung her back and forth.

"What is that old youthful expression? Ah yes… yeet!" As he finished shouting MImic hurled Cream into the car through the broken window. Cream's head slammed into the other side of the car door.

Mimic turned with a massive smile on his face as he held the gun in his right hand, raised both hands into the air, "You may rise, Shadow the Hedgehog. Rise and fight me."

Shadow got to his feet. Surprisingly he was perfectly calm, a fact Mimic found strange. He had not a hint of emotion on his face. No fear, no anger, nothing. It was as if he was standing up to go to the office.

Shadow stepped forward.

Mimic smiled, aimed his gun and shot Shadow seven times. Black blood oozed from his body, yet shadow stepped forward.

"What the hell?"

Mimic shot Shadow eight more times before his magazine was empty. Yet Shadow kept walking forward. Cloaked in an aura of death.

"What the hell are you?" Mimic said, with eyes filled with fear.

Fear… a feeling Mimic had not felt in decades, a feeling he had not felt since he was but a powerless child.

Shadow walked up to Mimic, a trail of black blood following him.

His answer was simple.

"I'm the Ultimate Lifeform."

Mimic pulled out his knife to stab Shadow, but the ultimate lifeform caught the wrist that held the descending dagger.

Shadow let out a ragged breath, "I told you…"

Mimic stared at Shadow in terror as he drew ragged breaths.

"I told you how this was going to end."

Mimic stepped backwards then went to stab Shadow again.

Shadow blocked the attack, twisting Mimics arm until he felt several muscle ligaments stretch beyond their natural limits. Shadow ignored Mimics screams of pain as he felt a bundle of muscle fibers stretch further then internally sever from Mimics arm.

In his agony Mimic dropped his knife which Shadow caught. Mimic pulled out another knife from somewhere and tried to stab Shadow as he swung the blade with one of his prehensile tentacles.

With one swift slash Shadow severed it from Mimics body.

Mimic stumbled backwards as Shadow advanced and threw out a roundhouse kick, missing purposefully. Mimic leaned back to avoid the kick while Shadow, keeping his momentum, followed through with a spinning back hook kick.

Mimic was hit and sent flying backwards, spinning through the air by the powerful blow.

Mimic rose to his feet but Shadow simply walked forward and delivered a push kick to MImic's chest sending him backwards and onto his back.

Shadow, now standing above Mimic, looked down at him, he clenched his fist and for a moment contemplated what he was about to do.

Shadow then delivered a punch to Mimics face so strong, the concrete beneath Mimics skull was cracked.

Shadow punched Mimic again. This time, strong enough to break a jaw.

Again Shadow punched Mimic with brutal power and strength, this time hammering his forehead.

Mimic was stunned by the blow and unable to process his situation except for the danger he was in. He instinctively let out a death scream, much like an animal squealing in fear at the prospect of an impending and unavoidable death.

Mimic weakly tried to cover his face with his hands but Shadow simply shoved them aside and continued to beat the life out of Mimic.

Another blow connected.

Again.

And again.

And again.

An unending cycle of powerful blows to Mimics face, head, and chest.

Shadow's gloves had turned blue with Mimic's blood as his body swelled from the blunt trauma.

Without bones to break Shadow simply continued pulverizing Mimics body.

Blow after blow… and he would continue until he was nothing but a blue paste on the ground.

Shadow continued his flurry of blows to the point his blue gloves began to chafe, rip, and tear.

Mimic wailed again. A desperate guttural plea for mercy. His petty pride overpowered by his instinctual desire to live.

Shadow pulled his hand back as he prepared to deliver another blow when Tangle grabbed his hand.

"That's enough Shadow. He's done. We won."

Shadow turned to look at Tangle. Glaring daggers. "He's too dangerous to let live, and besides, we're not finished yet."

Unable to speak, Mimic cried out weakly for mercy.

"He's done Shadow. Any more and you'll kill him." Tangle said.

Shadow, with a fire in his eyes, looked back at Mimic, "That's the point."

Shadow pulled his arm free and continued to punch Mimic, hit… after hit… after hit. Every punch brought him that much closer to death.

Every blow robbed Mimic of the hope and gift of life.

"Shadow stop!" Tangle said as she grabbed Shadow's arm as he wound up another punch.

Irritated Shadow looked behind him towards Tangle. With a puzzled expression, Shadow asked, "Isn't this what you wanted? Revenge for killing your friend?"

"I thought I did. But this is different from smashing up robots. Mimic has lost. While what he did can never be forgiven, as much as I hate him and want to see him pay for taking Jewel's life… if we give in to hate and vengeance we'll be no better than him. Please, Shadow."

Shadow, his hand still weakly grasped by Tangle, stared at the beaten, bleeding, and broken monster at his feet that had not the strength to weep or beg for its pathetic life.

Shadow ground his teeth, "Not everyone deserves to live in this world Tangle. Some people are better off dead. Sometimes, killing someone does in fact make the world a better place. We all pretend to be above it, but deep down we all know this to be true. This world is filled with utter scum. Tyrants, rapists, child molesters, slavers. Untold genocides have been committed at the direction and order of countless madmen. Some people deserve nothing but death, and often the world will be better for it if we merely have the courage to treat them as they treat the world. Without love or mercy."

Whisper walked over and stood parallel to Shadow and Mimic, she stared at the monster that she once called a friend. Who she had fought beside in battle. She stared at the monster that had betrayed her team and sold out her teammates… her dear friends… for money exchanged with the blood of those she had loved and cherished most in her life.

"What do you think Whisper? Surely you agree?" Shadow said as he looked towards the Wolf hopefully.

"I… I agree with Tangle. Torturing or killing him won't bring back the fallen. It would just be a vain attempt to fill the void in our heart with petty revenge. We should turn him in. Allow everyone else who has lost loved ones to him to have closure."

Shadow scoffed, "Do you have any idea how many people he has killed? Dozens. Probably hundreds. He can't be allowed to live. He's too dangerous. He could escape and kill again. Or worse, he could be let go on a legal technicality. We can't risk it. He has to die here and now."

"Shadow… if you kill Mimic in cold blood, you'll be no different from him. You'll be a murderer." Tangle pleaded.

Shadow looked down at Mimic. The two locked eyes. One pair filled with bloodlust, hatred, and death… the other looked like the eyes of a terrified and powerless child… beaten to a bloody pulp and cowering in fear.

"He… he can't be allowed to live. If killing him makes me a monster…" Shadow said as he clenched his left fist and pulled it towards his chest. He inhaled deeply. "Then that is my burden to bear. This is my gift to humanity… to do what others cannot to create a better world. THIS IS WHO I AM!"

Shadow used his left hand to continue his attempt at killing Mimic. Tangle pleaded with him to stop, as she grabbed both his arms, but Shadow threw her to the ground.

"Do not try to stop me." Shadow threatened.

"Tangle!" Whisper shouted as she rushed to her side to help the lemur up.

"I… I can't let you do this Shadow. This isn't what Maria would have wanted." Tangle said.

"Don't you dare evoke her name. You never met her. You know nothing of our life. Don't you dare say her name." Shadow said as he seethed with rage.

Tangle's expression softened, "I know this much… she would have wanted me to stop you… so I will." Tangle said, rising to her feet.

"As will I." Whisper added.

"Then so be it. Don't expect me to hold my punches like the last time we fought– rookie." Shadow said as he turned to face them.

Whisper and Tangle prepared to fight, assuming combat stances.

Tangle glared at Shadow in disgust, "Consider this my formal resignation from Team Dark."

"Hmph." Shadow scoffed, "Resignation accepted."

The trio stood silently… then burst into motion.

Though Shadow was outnumbered, his skill and speed greatly exceeded that of Tangle and Whisper. Time and time again they would attempt to strike Shadow only to be blocked, dodged, and countered.

Tangle wiped blood from her nose. Then motioned for Whisper to relocate.

Their fight was brutal. Savage. Undelicate. Whisper and Tangle were beaten back again and again. Whisper motioned for Tangle to go around to strike Shadow from the rear. Shadow closed his eyes and listened. He controlled his heartbeat and blocked out all unnecessary noise. If they thought they could attack his blindspot and not suffer for it, then they were fools.

Shadow heard soft footsteps. He felt someone lightly grab his wrist.

Shadow easily overpowered the foe and swung his fist across the attackers face, the backhanded blow sending the assailant flying backwards.

Shadow opened his eyes… and to his horror he saw the person he had struck was Cream the Rabbit.

"Cream!" Shadow ran over to Cream and gently lifted her up.

The child was dazed and confused. Her senses slowly returned. "M-Mr. Shadow?"

"I'm here Cream. I'm so sorry. I would never raise a finger against you or wish to hurt you. Please forgive me."

"Mr. Shadow, can you please do me a favor? Just one small thing?"

"Of course. Anything you want. Name it."

"Please don't do this." Cream begged Shadow as she began to sob. "I love you Mr. Shadow. I know Mimic is a bad guy and he hurt us all and many others really badly but you can't kill him. You just can't. Please don't become a villain. Please don't fight our friends. Or I'll have to fight you too. And I've already gotten a g-g-good hit on you once before. I can do it again. Please Mr. Shadow, let's all leave here together as friends."

"..."

Shadow was defeated. Not by guns, knives, poison, or any other means of injury or death. Rather, Shadow was humbled by a single request, a single wish, from a child, a child pure of heart.

That always had been Shadow's greatest weakness…

Its attack could penetrate hearts made of the coldest of steel and the strongest of stone. Its defense was impenetrable, its moral position unassailable.

Shadow was truly and utterly defeated.

"Okay. Let's leave." Shadow said.

"Really? You mean it? N-no more fighting?" Cream asked as her tears slowly washed the dirt and dried blood from her face.

"I mean it. No more fighting. Let's go." Shadow helped Cream to her feet and handed her the Chao Egg containing the yet-to-be-reborn Cheese the Chao. Shadow then turned to face Tangle and Whisper. "I'm sorry for fighting you… and I'm sorry if I hurt you."

Whisper and Tangle held one another as they limped toward Mimic to pick him up and carry his limp and broken body.

They said nothing.

"One more thing Mr. Shadow. Over here." Cream said with a weak wave.

"What is it Cream?" Shadow said as Cream hobbled to the car she had been abducted in.

Meanwhile, Whisper and Tangle used Mimics fingerprint to activate the lift and begin their ascent to the ground level.

Shadow helped Cream climb into the back of the car.

"He… he didn't find it Mr. Shadow." Cream said as new tears streamed down her face as she stared inside her purse.

"Didn't find what?"

"He never checked my purse. He didn't care about it. It's still there." Cream began sobbing yet again. She threw herself into Shadow's embrace as she cried her heart out. Letting out all the pain and horror she had endured. Letting out all her sorrow and fear of the future that she had yet to face. Happy that if nothing else she had three friends she could count on.

Happy that she had three people she loved, and wished nothing but the best for.

She was happy that her friends, like the Chaos Emerald she had been entrusted with, were all safe once again.

…

Upon reaching the surface no one felt like walking so everyone simply took a seat. After all, Mimic, his body broken and bleeding could only be carried so far by Tangle and Whisper. Shadow had no interest in lending a hand and Cream had not the strength left to help. So everyone sat down and waited. It only took a minute before someone called the authorities and with great effort convinced the police and paramedics of the ghastly sight they bore witness to. Soon an ambulance and cop car arrive at the scene.

"Holy… what happened to you all?" The officer said.

"Call G.U.N. to arrest this mass murderer." Shadow began, "His name is Mimic and he has killed dozens of people if not hundreds of people. He almost killed us but we managed to escape."

"This is… this is the mass murderer that's been running about?" The officer pulled out his radio. "Attention, operator, I have a 10-78. Three 10-52's and a wanted mass murdering felon who is a 10-91, 10-95, and also a 10-52. Requesting immediate backup. Also, you should contact G.U.N. Over."

"Copy that. Requested assets are en route. Over."

A paramedic walked up to the group. "Hello there little missy. My name is Ben and me and my friends are going to take great care of you and get you to a hospital right away."

"No." Cream said bluntly as she held onto Shadow's hand tightly.

"I'm sorry-"

"-No! I'm not leaving here without my Mother or Mr. Shadow. You can't make me."

"O-okay. Can I call your Mother then?"

Cream agreed to this and after giving the paramedic her Mothers phone number, he went and made the call.

While they waited, Shadow turned to Tangle and Whisper and was about to speak when paramedics came over and gave everyone trauma blankets. Shadow refused his. Whisper used hers to cover her chest.

Tangle wrapped her blanket around her and Whisper, both rested their heads on the head of the other, holding each other in a tight embrace.

Shadow looked at the pair then back at the ground. "I… I am sorry." Shadow said.

"We know." Tangle said, "Give us time to heal. We'll talk when we're ready."

"If you want to stay a member of Team Dark, we'd be honored to have you."

"..."

Tangle waved over the Paramedic as another ambulance and cop car pulled up to the scene.

Tangle asked them if they could be taken to the hospital. As a second ambulance arrived they agreed to take the duo, so long as one ambulance was reserved for the child should she change her mind.

Before they left, Tangle and Whisper gave Cream a gentle hug, both afraid of breaking the nearly broken rabbit. "You take care of yourself Cream until we meet up for lunch sometime." Whisper said quietly.

"Take care of Shadow okay? He needs someone watching out for him." Tangle whispered.

Cream smiled, then hugged them again.

Whisper and Tangle left, but not before Shadow called over one of the paramedics and told them to take them to the G.U.N. Military Hospital.

After the ambulance drove off it was just Shadow, Cream, and Mimic. Another officer approached them. "Oh chaos. Why haven't the damn paras taken the girl?"

"She refuses to leave without her Mother. She's on her way here." Shadow said.

Just then a G.U.N. tactical response unit pulled up along with another ambulance. Several heavily armed troops exited the vehicle and secured the area. The leader of the unit approached the officers and introduced his name and stated his rank as sergeant.

"This man is a fugitive and now under G.U.N. custody. We are assuming leadership and control of this crime scene." The G.U.N. sergeant said.

"Wait… this is the guy who has been butchering everyone? This is him?"

"Yeah, that's Mimic." Shadow said. "The butcher."

"He's still alive?" The other officer asked with disbelief.

"He is." Shadow answered.

One of the officers stared with rage and hatred at Mimic, as he did so, the officer undid the safety strap to his firearm holster and was about to pull his gun out when the G.U.N. sergeant stopped him by grabbing his arm.

"At ease." The G.U.N. sergeant said.

"But… this monster killed our people. He killed several of my friends."

"He's killed a lot of good people. Trust me. I'd love to kill the bastard too but we have a process. He needs to go before a judge and jury and be tried in a court of law."

The officer looked at the sergeant, then back at Mimic… deciding if he would really do it.

"At ease." The sergeant said again.

The officer secured the strap to his firearm.

A car sped toward them and slammed on the breaks. The car was put into park before it even came to a stop as a rabbit jumped out of the car and ran toward Cream.

"My baby!"

"Momma?"

"I'm here sweetheart." Vanilla the Rabbit said.

"Momma!" Cream cried out.

Cream sat up and shambled forward and hugged her Mother as both cried tears of joy.

Vanilla took one look at Cream and was horrified. "My poor baby, look at you. What happened? Nevermind that. Let's get you to the hospital immediately."

Shadow picked up Cheese, still in an unhatched egg and walked over to hand it to Cream. As soon as Cream took the egg, G.U.N. soldiers approached the three of them.

"We need to take custody of the Egg, it is Federation property."

"No… No, he is my friend." Cream pleaded.

"Please, hand over the egg. We cannot allow you to leave here with it. It must be returned to the proper research department."

Vanilla tried to comfort Cream, "You'll see him again Cream, please. Hand him over. We need to get you to the hospital."

"No!" Cream shouted.

The G.U.N. trooper looked toward the child's pleading and distressed mother, then back to the adamant child. He walked up to the child and apologized to both her and her Mother, then snatched the egg from Cream.

Cream broke down crying as her mother tried to comfort her.

This whole time Vanilla had not looked at Shadow, not even once.

"Miss Vanilla-"

"-Don't you dare talk to me. Don't you utter one word to me. I was such a fool to listen to you. I've been so stupid, letting my daughter go on these dangerous adventures that have done nothing but jeopardize her life and make her a target for psychopaths. I trusted you to protect her and you failed me. Worst of all you failed her. You are henceforth banned from seeing or speaking to my daughter ever again."

"M-mama? What are you saying?" Cream said with tears in her eyes.

Vanilla glared at Shadow, "If I see you with my daughter ever again… I will shoot you myself." Vanilla turned to Cream and grabbed her hand tightly. "It's time to go Cream."

"But Mother, Shadow is my friend."

"Not anymore. Now let's go." Vanilla began to pull on Cream's arm but Cream planted her feet and refused to be moved.

"But-"

Vanilla, as tears streamed down her face, stopped, turned, and screamed at her daughter, "I can't lose you too. You almost died Cream. Look at your poor and broken body… my poor child. No more. No more visiting Shadow. No more adventuring. No more going out with Sonic and his friends. From this day forward you will live a normal, boring, danger free life. As long as you live under my roof you will abide by my rules. End of discussion."

Cream felt her heart ache as if it was shattering into pieces. "But Mama-"

"-I said end of discussion." Vanilla's body shook in fear and rage as her words left her mouth.

Vanilla began to drag Cream to the one of the two remaining ambulances as Cream begged and pleaded with her Mother. The young rabbit looked behind her toward Shadow and reached out her hand. Though her hand was but an arm's length or two away, to Shadow it might as well have been on the other side of the universe.

Paramedics from the newly arrived ambulance carried a gurney and began to put Mimic onto it as Shadow. Unmoving and in a state of shock could do nothing else but eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Careful. Carefully. He is in critical condition."

"Do we really have to help this butcher? What if he just passed en route? Who would know? Who would even care? The headline would be celebrated on the front page of The Federation Times."

"G.U.N. wants him alive for questioning. It would be seen as foul play and vigilante justice at best. It's not worth the risk to our own lives when the courts will give their own brand of justice legally."

"Still…"

"Just do your job. From the looks of him, lady luck is not on his side. Let chance work its magic. If we are lucky the bastard will die without any one of us lifting a finger…"

As the paramedics began to transfer Mimic to the ambulance another car drove up and stopped. A crocodile got out of the car and flashed his Private Investigator badge to the G.U.N. troops and police officers without breaking his stride.

His body stiffened upon seeing Mimic and asked a nearby officer if that, "Was the guy."

The officer said it was.

Vector immediately walked up to Mimic, who was still being carried by the paramedics in the gurney.

Vector in one swift motion moved next to Mimic, raised his muscular arms above his head then brought down his fists in a powerful blow knocking Mimic onto the ground. Before anyone could react Vector was upon the octopus. The mighty crocodile held nothing back. Each blow broke muscle fibers, capillaries, and veins like a child smashing a ketchup packet. A paramedic tried to stop Vector but he was hurled aside not unlike a child who tossed a wad of paper while in a blind rage and without a second thought. The assault lasted mere seconds but for Mimic it lasted an eternity.

G.U.N. troops, officers, and paramedics grabbed Vector and pulled him back.

Vector struggled to free himself from the dozen arms that held him at bay as he collapsed onto the ground as he pleaded with all his heart. "Let me go. Let me go. He's a monster. He tried to kill my son. He tried to kill my boy. I have to keep him safe. He hurt my boy. He hurt my poor boy. Let me go. Let me go!" Vector continued to struggle in vain as more people grabbed hold of him and held him down. Vector was quickly subdued and dragged away from the crime scene.

After Mimic was loaded into the ambulance the perimeter was secured once more as the final ambulance for Shadow had yet to arrive.

Without his teammates. Without his friend. Shadow found himself all alone once more.

Shadow processed everything that had happened in the last week. Most painful of all, he thought of Cream the Rabbit, the pure of heart girl who was now forbidden from seeing or speaking to not just him but her other friends as well.

This had been one of the longest and worst weeks of his life, Shadow thought to himself. His alien heart felt heavy, as if it would burst, his body was numb, and he looked at the ground in misery.

Eventually the final ambulance arrived. A police officer noticed Shadow's emotional void and approached him.

"Hey pal, are you okay?"

Without looking at him Shadow responded.

"No. No I'm not."