SHADOW: ULTIMATE
A/N: Chapter 6 is here, and I can now officially say that this story is about halfway through so far! There's so much more than this, and I can't wait to continue writing more! So, for now, sit back, relax and enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 6: Chilling Reunions.
"So, a good entry point huh? Well there's a few in this building!"
Shadow's ear twitched, the only indication he was listening. He stood outside the building like a statue, not moving an inch.
"Shadow..?" asked Luna, concerned.
Shadow stood still and silent for a few more seconds. Suddenly, it seemed like his trance broke, and he finally spoke.
"Which one do you recommend? Remember, I cannot afford to get caught."
Luna paused. "Well, there is the entrance through the large chimney!"
Shadow looked up. "What kind of bank has a chimney? That's unlike anything I have ever seen before".
"Well, there was no reason as to why the bank has a chimney. I guess that it's a architect reason, I have never seen like smoke or gas come out of it. I mean, it's a bank," Luna responded.
"Hmph. Well, then the architects of this city are goddamned idiots."
Luna paused. "I guess you're right!"
All of a sudden, Shadow's communicator became active again. Grumbling under his breath, Shadow re-attached the communicator and began to speak. Unbeknownst to them, henchmen sent by Mephiles to do reconnaissance and record any suspicious activity were hiding, recorder ready to work.
"Shadow the Hedgehog speaking. To whoever's on the line, you better have a damn good reason as to why," Shadow barked.
"Well, isn't that just rude Shadow!" came the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog.
"Hedgehog, you better have a good reason as to why you are deciding to contact me now of all times."
"Ugh. Fine. But tell me. You are really not going to break in that bank aren't you?"
Shadow was taken aback. "Wait, how do you know that?" he asked.
On the other side of the communications, Sonic suddenly got very nervous. "Umm…" was all he could mutter.
Shadow got frustrated. "Just tell me or so help me Chaos you will incur my wrath."
Sonic sighed. "One, you know I can defeat you. And two, I'm not sure if you remember, but in the ship that you took to get to Angel City, there was a mini tracker that was connected to your inhibitor rings, and according to the Commander, there's a camera in your comms headset that allows me to see everything there It was only activated by the Commander after that disastrous call last night! Wait, don't tell the Commander you know, this info is kinda classified -"
Shadow interrupted, furious. "Wait, you mean that you can actually see?! Why didn't you say this before?"
Finally infuriated by Shadow, Sonic finally snapped. "Well, I'm not omniscient, mister uber-macho Ultimate Life-form! I can see that bank, and something tells me that you're going to get yourself in trouble! Don't even think about doing it!"
Realizing his mistake, Shadow paused. "Look. I'm sorry about that Sonic. I was out of line there. But why exactly did you not say this before?"
Sonic rolled his eyes playfully on his end of the comms. "Well, because you never asked for it! And also, because of the fact that I was under strict orders not to tell you!"
Shadow frowned. "Why did he not tell you?"
Holding back laughter, Sonic put up an angry façade. "Have you not been listening? The info was classified!"
Shadow froze in embarrassment, clearly angry of his mess-up. "Oh.." was all he could muster. But then, a nee question popped up in the ebony hedgehog's brain. "Why ARE you telling me all of this?"
"Since the mission's compromised, I find no reason not to tell you. Anyway, I'm off, you will NOT break into that bank, you hear me?!" ordered Sonic.
"Tch. Suit yourself."
With that, the communication ended. Sonic on his end, stood up, deciding to go for a run. He's clearly going to do something… I hope he doesn't get himself in too much trouble.. thought Sonic.
Meanwhile, Shadow stood outside the bank, Luna by his side. Shadow turned to her.
"Come with me. We're leaving. Now," ordered Shadow. He spoke like a corporal giving orders to a private.
Luna sighed before complying. "Fine. But I still think this bank thing is not a good idea, I mean the reason why, you just contradicted yourself!" she argued.
"I appreciate the concern. But this is something I have to do. I need to know more as to how this city works."
No further words were said, as Luna stormed off ahead. Shadow paused, clearly taken aback by her mini-outburst, before sighing, shaking his head before taking off as well, using his air shoes to skate.
None of them noticed the henchmen. Recording every single word that was said. Satisfied with their work, the henchmen retreated, ready to send their evidence to their boss.
2 HOURS LATER – ANGEL CITY HALL.
Mephiles sat in his throne in the town hall. Despite creating the city, he wasn't satisfied. Shadow was alive. Mephiles sat, his mind swimming in rage and jealousy. Mephiles remembered his awakening – a prototype made for Project Shadow, with heavy inspiration taken from something called the Solaris Project. But he was rejected and placed into stasis. Why he was rejected? He didn't know. Nor did he want to know, he saw the finished product before stasis. He hated Shadow ever since.
"Sir!" The voice pulled Mephiles from his reverie. Sitting up in his throne, he saw the 2 henchmen he had sent on their duty.
It's you. I believe you have successfully completed the bidding I told you to do?" asked Mephiles.
"Yes sir. We have amassed evidence of Shadow the Hedgehog and his accomplice; we believe her name is Luna.
Mephiles cackled with glee. If he could not get to Shadow, then he would have to lure him in. "Ready the troops. Luna is to be brought in at all costs!", Mephiles barked.
"Yes, my lord", his henchmen replied, before quickly scurrying back to attention.
Finally. My ascendance is nearing. Him and his little girlfriend shall be dead soon enough." Mephiles thought. He stood up, his look murderous, his eyes blazing with fury, and if one looked hard enough, excitement. Dismissing his soldiers, who hastily left to their barracks for the night, he then yelled, with passion, hatred and determination laced with evil:
"YOUR DEATH SHALL BE AT MY HAND, SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG!"
5 HOURS LATER – ANGEL CITY BANK
Shadow and Luna stared. Nearly everything had now been planned, and it was time to finally commence with their mission.
"So, I need to get to the top of the building, where there's a secret entryway on the chimney, am I right?" asked Shadow.
"Well, yeah you're on the right lines there, but you also got to make sure that when you actually get into the building you evade any form of security!" Luna replied.
Shadow scoffed. "I am the Ultimate Life-form. I will find a way. Trust me."
Luna nodded. "Well, what am I gonna do then?" she asked.
"Stay here. Make sure nobody comes. If anyone does, get them out."
"W-what?! You mean to tell me I'm not gonna be helping you?!"
"Exactly."
Angry, Luna shouted. "You are such a jerk! I thought we are in this together!"
Shadow's face fell into a frown. "We are. I just need you to keep watch. Trust me."
Before Luna could even respond, Shadow took off, using his Air Shoes to fly up in the dead of the night. Landing at the top of the chimney, he began to pinpoint where the secret entrance was. Luna just stood there, a look of annoyance on her face. I guess he'll always be like this.. she thought.
"Okay. The entrance is there. If I can launch a Chaos Spear at just the right time, I can be able to shatter the blocking, which should allow me to get inside. Once inside, I need to remain quiet, and I need to be as fast as I possibly can" said Shadow, speaking to himself.
Shadow then raised his hand, channelling Chaos Energy. He charged the Chaos Energy for a good while, making sure this attack was strong, before finally yelling:
"CHAOS SPEAR!"
At that, Shadow launched the attack. The spear, sure enough, shattered the blocking, and Shadow immediately dove into the opening. He fell through the chimney-way, using his Air Shoes to slow his fall. He then used his shoes to propel himself out of the chimney-way upon reaching the main floor, landing elegantly on the marble flooring of the bank.
"Ugh, that was an experience alright. Now, let's get to finding some money, and clues on this shit-show of a place" said Shadow.
Walking carefully and slowly so that he would not make a lot of noise, Shadow walked over to the vaults, and began charging a Chaos Spear to break the PIN lock so that he could unlock it, but a voice made Shadow stop in his tracks.
"I should have known you would be here, Shadow the Hedgehog!"
The voice sent shivers down Shadow's spine. Shaking with realisation, he slowly turned around.
"What. Surprised to see me are you?"
"So, you're Mephiles. I realised the voice, not the name. You-you're-"
"Your prototype. The being that came before you, and was placed in stasis by that professor, watching you take the title that oh so should have been mine. After tonight, that will all change," said Mephiles. He spoke in a malicious, sadistic tone, reminding Shadow of what he used to be like due to Gerald's brainwashing.
"You don't know what you're talking about Mephiles. You were never the Ultimate Life-Form. Gerald told me about you, but not your name nor the reason as to why you were decommissioned. I always had my hunches as to why, and now I can see I was proven right," responded Shadow.
"You won't live much longer. After I'm done here you will be nothing more than a speck of dust on the floor," spat Mephiles.
"You forgot something. I'm immortal, and I assume you might be too. You can't kill me. But I sure as hell can try to kill you," Shadow responded. Promptly, he got into a fighting pose.
Mephiles grunted. "A fight, huh? Well, you want a fight, you got a fight. Bring it, Shadow the Hedgehog!"
Shadow instantly launched himself at Mephiles, who readied for the impending clash. Shadow threw a punch, but it was easily caught by Mephiles, who lifted Shadow and threw him to the floor, leaving him dazed. Before Shadow could even retaliate, Mephiles kicked him, and he crashed into a wall before slumping on the floor.
Damn it he's strong! And is skilled too.. how the hell am I gonna beat him? Shadow thought. Mephiles himself launched for an attack, and Shadow quickly got up from the floor and attacked as well.
Both Shadow and Mephiles were throwing blow after blow. Every one of their punches, kicks, and combos were getting dodged by each other. But Shadow was beginning to struggle with keeping up. Taking note of this, Mephiles grinned maliciously. He then quickened the pace of his attacks, finally overwhelming Shadow, who began yelling out in clear pain. Mephiles then punched Shadow in the stomach, leaving him on the floor.
I..I'm losing… I can't beat this guy… not yet anyway…
Shadow lay on the floor, conscious but in severe pain. Mephiles towered above him. "Well, look at you. I expected more from the Ultimate Life-Form." Mephiles delivered a powerful kick, sending Shadow further down the corridor of the bank and crashing down on the floor.
Grinning, Mephiles continued talking as he walked up to the downed Shadow. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time. The day I could finally prove to the world that I am the true Ultimate Life-Form. The day in which you would fall to your knees before me. The day, where you truly lost."
"You..you didn't have to-to do it like this.." winced Shadow.
"Well. I could not have. But, look at you. You were so eager to pick a fight with me Shadow. So eager to show your status as the Ultimate Life-Form,". Mephiles lifted Shadow up by the neck, locking him to the wall using Dark Chaos Energy restraints. Now you're defeated, and you will prepare for a world of pain."
Mephiles promptly stabbed Shadow in the side with his energy ray. Shadow, unable to dodge due to being restrained, yelled in agony as blood began to pour from the injury. "D-damn you…" was all he could muster.
Mephiles cackled with laughter. "You probably will heal from that wound instantaneously. I know that your immortality also results in a healing factor beyond anything else. It's true. I can't kill you. But that doesn't mean I can spend the rest of my immortal life torturing you in the worst possible way, you and that girlfriend of yours."
Shadow's face shot up. Wincing in pain, he weakly replied "Luna? What did you do to her?!"
Mephiles released the restraints, making Shadow fall to the floor, defeated. "I knew all about your little plan here from the get-go. Having henchmen recording you. So, when you left, one of my men found and knocked out your little girlfriend. She's imprisoned, like you will be. I daresay, she is currently getting tortured as we speak.." Mephiles responded evilly.
"Y-you won't get away with this.." Shadow weakly responded.
A kick to the face, and Shadow finally lost consciousness. The Ultimate Life-Form was defeated. Mephiles the Dark proved too strong. Picking up the unconscious hedgehog's legs, Mephiles dragged Shadow out of the bank.
A/N: Um, hi. This was.. a long time in the making so say the least. My hiatus was too long, and I sincerely apologise. I hope this chapter was worth the wait.
The story is now 1 year old! This is absolutely insane, and I want to thank each and every person that has read this story as without you, I would never have continued.
Defeated and imprisoned by Mephiles the Dark, Shadow the Hedgehog has seen better days. He must now pull all the stops to survive. Will he rescue Luna? Will they escape?! Find out, in the next explosive chapter of Shadow: Ultimate!