(Man…things have really gone down the toilet, for the Sonic crew… How much longer are they gonna stand for Shadow’s tyranny? And what of Shadow? What else does this monster have up his sleeve? Find out! I don’t own Sonic, or Shadow, or ANY of SEGA’s children.)


CHAPTER 8


Shadow stood from a distance, watching the burning wreckage that once was GUN HQ, a satisfied smile on his face as he watched cinders and smoke drift up to the black, starless, night sky. He breathed deeply, through his nose. “Ah… There’s nothing like the sweet smell of death to make my night.” He said with a smirk. “Foolish Sonic…He tries and he tries…but his efforts are, and will always be in vain…the Faker.” He looked at his blood stained gloves. “Hm… They’ve been stained deeply by that echidna’s blood. Oh well… It’s a memento of my handiwork; just like that echidna’s crushed hands are a memento of his bitter defeat.” He made a crushing motion with his hands. “He wasn’t such a tough nut to crack after all, and neither were his fists. I was so tempted to torture the rest of them…but I’ve got more important things to attend to…” He looked up at the moon, with a cold smile. “I have all the chaos emeralds…I have the Master Emerald…
I’ve destroyed the Floating Island…I’ve annihilated GUN…I’ve almost annihilated every possible threat. Well…there still remains the presence of Doctor Eggman…But he’ll be easy picking. Once he’s out of the way, I can easily infect this planet with the evil of the Black Arms. Not even Sonic and the others can stand against me, unless they want to end up like that idiot guardian did.” He smiled gleefully as he remembered Knuckles’ cries of pain. “Now… I suppose it’s time I paid Gerald’s grandson a visit he’ll never forget…” Shadow vanished with chaos control, his mind filled with murder and destruction.
Eggman, meanwhile, was getting closer to the former site of GUN HQ in the Egg Carrier. His long distance cameras were distributing him less then pleasing images. The very image of the burning crater of debris and charred corpses of soldiers filled Eggman with fear. “Egads… Shadow and the Black Arms did this? No… This is not possible… How could my Grandfather be in league with these monsters, and create a despicable killer like Shadow?” He slammed the control panel with his fist. “So this was what my Grandfather worked on for so long with Project SHADOW? A cold blooded monster bent on only bloodshed?” Eggman was trembling with rage and shame as he hung his head. “After all these years… After all the admiration and respect for my Grandfather… This can’t be!”
“Such harsh words doctor… Cold blooded monster? Please… I prefer the term, ‘alien revolutionary.’”
Eggman lifted his head and turned his chair around, to see Shadow standing before him. But there was something different about Shadow. He seemed to be dressed in some dark, regal looking robes…robes that were chillingly similar to the ones worn by Black Doom. Plus his eyes were not their usual red color, but the yellow cat like irises of Doom Eye’s. “Sh-Shadow?”
“What do you think of my new appearance Doctor? I look just like my father, do I not?” Shadow said with fake humor.
Eggman’s eyes narrowed. “So now it’s all clear… You’re slowly shaping into a new image… You’re becoming the next Black Doom!”
“Hahaha…” Shadow started to laugh. “What gave it away? Was it my new eye job? Or was it my new style of clothing?”
Eggman shook his head angrily. “You think this is funny? Well you won’t be laughing soon, once Sonic gets a hold of you… After what you’ve done, I can assure you that he’s howling for your blood right about now!””
“Yes… I pretty much figured that on my own.” Shadow said with a frivolous tone. “It was especially after I blew up GUN, and how I crushed Knuckle’s bare hands with my bare hands.” He showed off his bloodstained gloves.
Eggman shuddered and tried not to think of what grisly scene had occurred to make Shadow’s formerly pure white gloves so blood stained. “How could you Shadow… If Maria knew about this, she’d be very upset.”
“Maria?” Shadow said with an uncaring tone. “Maria, who? She was just another pathetic human holding me back.” He lowered his head for a moment. “And you…” He looked up again, his eyes shining demonically. “You’re just like all the other humans…”
Eggman was starting to get scared now, as he gazed into Shadow’s eyes. He felt paralyzed with fear, as Shadow floated closer towards him, a hand outstretching, closer…closer…closer…until… Shadow vanished in a flash. Eggman’s head darted around frantically, looking for any sign of the Ultimate Life Form.
“Right behind you, Doctor…”
Eggman turned around, only to find Shadow grinning sadistically in his face. His eyes followed Shadow’s right arm, and widened with horror, as he saw the glowing purple blade of a Black Arms sword in his hand. He knew all to well what was about to happen.
Shadow purred like a lion. “Goodbye Dr. Eggman…” He swung the blade at Eggman’s neck…
Meanwhile…
Sonic tapped his foot anxiously, as he sat waiting, in the lobby of Central City Hospital, staring at nothing but pale stucco walls, or the small black clock that hung over the main entrance doors. Waiting had never been his strong suit…something that was largely known about his personality. But now…his impatience was on edge, especially of what it concerned. It had been half an hour since they had rushed into the hospital, carrying a dangerously injured, and horribly bleeding Knuckles. The doctors asked NO questions when they saw the echidna’s state and did not waste any time rushing him into the infirmary. Now all Sonic and the others could do was wait…and hope for the best.
Rouge was taking it harder than anyone else, as she couldn’t stop crying, despite Tails’ attempts to calm her down, telling her that Knuckles was going to be alright.
Sonic on the other hand was trying to suppress the indescribable rage he felt. Shadow had really done it this time… Destroying Knuckles’ home and robbing him of his purpose in life was one thing, but now…almost killing Knuckles and destroying GUN HQ, along with hundreds of innocent lives inside…that was too much. Sonic wanted so badly for Shadow to be here. He wanted to wrap his hands around the black hedgehog’s neck, and strangle him…strangle him and rob him of every last breath of air in his lungs. ‘Shadow… You murderous son of a bitch… You better pray that I don’t find your sorry ass… Because when I do…I’m going to rip your fucking head off!’ Sonic grit his teeth and narrowed his eyes in fury as he thought. The more he thought…the angrier he became. His hands clenched tightly into trembling fists, and a low growling noise came from deep within his throat. Now his whole body began to tremble with rage. ‘Shadow…You…You…’
Amy Rose, who was busy trying to comfort Cream, despite crying herself, picked her head up as she heard a growling sound coming from the side. Blinking back tears, she saw Sonic shaking all over, his fists and teeth clenched, and his eyes sporting a look of fury. “S-Sonic?” She asked softly.
Sonic pounded both fists into his chair as he flew up from his seat. “GODDAMN SON OF A BITCH!” He shrieked. People leapt into the air; doctor, nurses and attendants spilled food and medication all over the floor; passersby cast Sonic worried, concerned and even fearful looks. Tails and Rouge stared at Sonic with shock, while Amy and Cream cowered from him, looking ready to cry again. Sonic quietly sat back down in his chair. “S-Sorry… I was venting off some repressed anger…”
Amy shivered. ‘Sonic…’ She thought fearfully. ‘What’s happening to you…? Ever since this travesty with Shadow…you’ve become less and less like your self… You’ve become so…angry…and furious at everything… Sonic…why aren’t you letting us in on your feelings? Why do you have to bottle up your emotions like this?’ She started to cry again.
“Sonic the Hedgehog?”
Sonic looked up. It was Dr. Quack, the head doctor working on Knuckles’ emergency surgery. “Dr. Quack!” He stood up and rushed over, grabbing the doctor by the shoulders. “How’s Knuckles? Is he ok? Please you have to tell me!”
Dr. Quack pried Sonic off of him. “Calm down! Calm down!” He cleared his throat. “I’ve got some good news. We were able to repair most of the damage to his hands…the rest of the damage, we had to reinforce with steel wiring. We’ve managed to restore his hands back to their original shape, but Knuckles will need a few days to heal before he can use his hands again fully again.”
Sonic sighed with relief. “Well that’s good. I’ll tell the others.” He walked back to Tails and the girls, forcing a smile to his face, as Dr. Quack followed close behind him. “Guys… Knuckles is gonna be ok. The surgery was a success.”
Rouge bolted up immediately. “He’s ok? Where is he, I have to see him immediately!” Her misty, bloodshot eyes had a look of urgency in them.
“He’s in room 56.” Dr. Quack replied. “And you are?”
“Rouge the Bat… I’m his…girlfriend.” She blushed lightly.
“Ok, Miss Rouge. I’ll allow you to go in and see him. But make it quick, because he’ll be going to sleep in a few minutes, after the pills we gave him.”
When they arrived at room 56, Rouge carefully pushed the door open and stepped inside. There in a hospital bed, was Knuckles. His hands and wrists were bound up in casts, and he seemed to be half asleep, the only movement he made was light breathing. Rouge crept gracefully over to his bedside, taking a chair and sitting down beside him. “Kn-Knuckles?”
Knuckles opened his eyes slightly and turned to Rouge, a weak smile on his face. “Hi Rouge…” He said quietly and calmly. He lifted up his casts. “Look…they fixed up my hands. It’ll be a few days before I heal though…but at least I’ve still got them.”
Rouge let one sob loose before she hugged Knuckles tightly, kissing him all over his face, sobbing into his chest. “Sniff…Oh Knuckles…Sob…I was so worried about you…if anything happened to you…whimper…I don’t know what I’d do…”
Knuckles lifted his arms up and returned Rouge’s hug. “It’s ok Rouge…” He said with a quiet yet soothing voice, kissing her softly. “I’m gonna be ok.” Knuckles looked over Rouge’s shoulder to see Sonic and the others looking in. He smiled and waved at them as they came toward him.
“Hey Knuckles.” Sonic said to his friend with a smile. “How are you holding up?”
“Eh… Not too bad.” Knuckles shrugged. “Pain’s died down…thank god.” He winced in remembrance. It just hurt so badly… I couldn’t think, or focus on anything except the horrible pain.” He shuddered. “The very bones in my hand were being ground into pieces, and my flesh was being ripped and squished like putty… It was just horrible… It’s a miracle that they were able to fix my hands up.”
Sonic placed an arm on Knuckles’ shoulder. “Knux… I promise you that I’ll take care of this. It may not reverse the damage he’s done…” He clenched his fist in anger. “But, I’ll get Shadow for what he’s done to all of us!”
Knuckles smiled and raised a hand. “Give him one for me, Sonic.” He yawned softly. “Oh man…the sleeping pills they gave me are starting to kick in…” He said drowsily. “I’m gonna have to sleep now…but I’ll see you all when I wake up hopefully…” With those last words, Knuckles fell fast asleep.
Rouge sighed sadly, as she gave Knuckles a kiss on the cheek. She turned to the others, with a resolved look on her face. “Guys… I’d like to stay here with Knuckles and watch over him until he heals. It doesn’t feel right for me to just leave him…”
Sonic raised a hand to Rouge, telling her he understood. “It’s ok, we understand Rouge.” He told her with a smile.
“Please take good care of him.” Cream bowed politely to Rouge.
“Try not to over exert yourself while you look after him.” Tails added.
Amy winked at Rouge. “Give him a little TLC to help him heal.”
Rouge blushed slightly and giggled, winking back. “Oh, he’ll be sure to get some.”
Sonic, Tails, Amy, and Cream were leaving Central City Hospital, their spirits somewhat lighter than before, knowing their friend was in good hands and on the road to recovery. However, there was still an air of gloom on account of the past tragic events. Since Cream had only just joined with them; Sonic, Tails, and Amy wasted no time in explaining all that happened so far. Needless to say, Cream was shocked beyond belief.
“I don’t understand… Why would Shadow act like this? He never used to be this mean…” Cream said sadly.
“The Black Arms either messed up his mind completely, or this has been his true nature all along.” Tails informed her.
Sonic sighed angrily. “I tried… I tried reasoning with him, I tried yelling at him, and I tried fighting with him… But it looks like he’s already chosen his path…and wants to drag down the whole world with him.” He punched into his palm. “I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let him get away with this, that’s for sure.”
“Sonic?”
Sonic turned to Amy, and noticed she was looking at him with concern. “What’s wrong Amy?”
“Sonic… This whole ordeal with Shadow…all the travesties… They…They just seem to be bringing out the worst in you, lately.” She kept her eyes on him at all times. “I’ve been watching you. I’ve been watching you holding back your anger…pushing down all your negative emotions; and you just seem to keep focusing on how much you hate Shadow right now…” A tear slipped out of her eye as she stepped closer to Sonic. “I’m worried about, you Sonic. I’m worried that your anger’s going to get the best of you…that you might lose control and something bad might happen. Today, in the hospital…you’re outburst showed that you’re losing a grip on your emotions.” She sniffled. “I’m worried about you.”
Sonic had nothing to say at that moment. Amy was right. He had been under a lot of stress and pressure lately, what with all that had happened. He almost lost it in the Hospital with his outburst. How much more could he take or handle? Every time Shadow seemed to sink lower and lower with his actions, Sonic could feel his emotions burning inside of him. He could feel an intense anger and hatred, from watching Shadow commit those heinous acts. He slowly felt himself loosing control over his anger as he tried to suppress his emotions even further. He didn’t mean to make Amy, or any of his friends worry like this, but he didn’t want to burden them with his own problems. “Amy…” He placed both hand on her shoulders. “I appreciate your concern for my well being… But you don’t need to worry. I may have gone off the hook back there…but I’ve got it under control now. I’m not going to do anything drastic that might endanger anyone.” He looked at Amy with soft eyes as he spoke. “You can trust me on that.” He winked at her. “Besides, it’s not this hedgehog’s style to have uncontrollable anger issues.” He ruffled Amy’s hair gently, making her giggle.
Amy smiled and giggled at the small attention she was getting, and Sonic’s reassurance made her feel a little bit more warm and safe. But somewhere deep inside, there still seemed to be a nagging feeling of foreboding…
“OW!”
Sonic and Amy turned around to see Tails clutching his head, while a package lay at his feet.
“Ugh… This package just fell from the sky, right onto my head.” He looked around suspiciously. “It must’ve been some careless postman who threw it.”
“There’s a note attached to it.” Cream pointed out, plucking the piece of paper off. “It’s for you, Mr. Sonic.” She wandered over and handed Sonic the paper.
Sonic took the note, reading his name on the folded cover and opening it.
Hello Faker,
Sonic narrowed his eyes. “Shadow… The hell does he want?”
By now, you must be getting pretty pissed off with all the carnage and destruction I’ve been causing this planet, I’m guessing, since you and your friends are such heroic do-gooders. Personally, it’s all stepping stones for me to become this planet’s new dominating ruler with my Black Arms children. But if you want so badly to try and save your precious planet…then I have a proposition for you. Do you remember when the Black Arms first arrived on this planet? Do you remember we met again after so long? Yes, that’s right. I’m talking about downtown Westopolis. We will meet there as soon as you arrive.
“So that’s it… He wants a final showdown, with just the two of us…” He laughed bitterly, shaking his head. “It looks like he still wants to prove his worth as the Ultimate Life Form. He never changes.” Sonic continued to read on.
Inside the package I’ve sent, should be a little motivation for you to fight me… And also consider it the plucking off a thorn in your side, that I bet you wished was removed a LONG time ago. Hahahahaha…
Sincerely, this planet’s future leader, Shadow.
Sonic rose an eyebrow in confusion. “A thorn in my side? One that should’ve been removed long ago?” He scratched his head for a moment. “What could he be talking about? What thorn’s been in…?” He froze on the spot. “A thorn in…long ago…oh no… OH GOD NO!” He scooped up the package and tore the wrapping open. “For god sakes please don’t let it be what I think it is…” When Sonic tore open the last of paper…his stomach churned with repulsion and revolt, and jaw dropped in shock.
Tails merely had a look of pure horror as he back away from what Sonic held in his hands.
Cream screamed in fear, and held onto Tails, hiding her face in his tails.
Amy’s face paled and her eye widened with terror as she hid behind Sonic, not wanting to look at the heinous object.
Lying in Sonic’s hands, sporting its own gaunt look of terror and anguish, soaked in human blood, with the spinal cord still attached and coiled…was the bloody, severed head of Dr. Eggman.
TO BE CONTINUED




I DID NOT MAKE THIS STORY!! IT WAS WRITTEN BY A AUTHOR ON FANFICTION.COM CALLED “Milleniumon the Sonamy Freak”, and ALL credit goes to him/her.