Sonic X : Planet Zero

Shadow and Rouge

Caitlin took a walk by the forest to gather some more fruits. She had been taking a break from her usual plans. As she continued walking, she noticed a tall, hedgehog-like figure who almost resembled Sonic in his appearance. She couldn't quite make out if it was him from a distance.

The hedgehog had black fur with red stripes at the top of his quills. He was standing at the top of a nearby cliff.

A bat with white fur then swooped in close by him.

"See any intruders around here?" she asked.

"No, it looks like the coast is clear around here" he responded back.

Caitlin then walked on closer to where they were and tried waving at them.

"Hey Sonic! Is that you?"

Both the hedgehog and bat got startled by her voice. The two of them then launched to the bottom and geared up ready to attack. They quickly retreated once they found out it was only a human girl who had encountered them.

"Oh I'm so sorry. I must have mistaken you for someone else."

Shadow didn't respond. He just crossed his arms and continued to look onwards. Rouge then walked up towards them.

"Let me guess, she must have mistaken you for that blue hedgehog right?"

"Are you talking about Sonic? I'm a friend of his actually."

"Yeah, everyone mistakes them for each other all the time, right Shadow? In fact the two of them are actually good friends, right Shadow?"

Rouge said as she playfully teased the hedgehog.

Shadow couldn't help but groan at her endless mocking.

"Yeah, well, we didn't exactly start off on good terms with each other...it's a long story...but we're cool with each other...for now."

Shadow explained unamusingly.

"Right now, we're just focused on finding out what that disturbance was."

"Disturbance?" she asked confusingly.

"We have been getting some weird mixed signals from our agency recently. We suspect it could be coming from those cyborgs who have been sending threats to us" Rouge explained.

Caitlin realized that they had been talking about the same cyborgs she had heard about, but she pretended to be unaware of them.

"Okay, I see. Again, sorry for my inconvenience. My name is Caitlin. Who are you guys?"

"Name's Rouge. Rouge the Bat. Expert treasure hunter. Call me if you need help finding any diamonds."

Shadow was a bit hesitant to explain his story but he went ahead and gave her his details.

"I'm Shadow the Hedgehog. I was created to be the ultimate life form. For the longest time, I seeked vengeance against all humans but then I learned that not all of them are bad. I kept my promise to try and protect all of them for my good friend Maria."

Caitlin was both speechless and interested after hearing both of their introductions.

"Hey, since you know about Sonic, I'm sure you're also familiar with that red, knuckle-headed friend of his?" the bat had asked her.

Caitlin was confused at first but then instantly got who she was referring to.

"You mean Knuckles? The guy who guards the Master Emerald? Yeah I've met him. He seems cool."

"He's definitely not as great as a hunter as I am, that's for sure" Rouge continued to boast.

The hedgehog wasn't interested in any more questions and wanted to keep focused on his plan.

"We don't have any more time to waste. We should get going soon."

"Okay. It's been great meeting you guys!" Caitlin said with a smile.

But before the two of them would head on back, Shadow stopped for a moment to ask her something.

"What exactly brings you around here anyways?"

"Well, I'm only just here to gather some fruits for my friend. I was gonna head back."

"You wouldn't happen to be from Earth or any other planet would you?" he continued to ask.

She continued to be hesitant as he asked more questions, unsure of what his plans actually were.

"Yes...I am from Earth. But I mean no harm to anyone around here. You see, the real reason why I came to this planet in the first place is because I have been searching for my long lost father."

"You sure you don't need any help? It can be quite dangerous around this place."

"I think I'll be fine. I have a few friends helping me out already. But if you guys really want to help then that would be much appreciated."

She decided to give them his name in hopes that they could try and help.

"His name is Victor Thomas, in case you're wondering."

Shadow had never heard of him before, but he agreed that he would help her on his search.

"Alright then. By the way if you come across anyone who seems suspicious then don't accept any offers from them."

Shadow was willing to protect to Caitlin, as she reminded him a lot of his past friends, Maria and Molly. He didn't want to risk the loss of anymore lives. Ultimately, he put his trust on her, that she would be able to handle things on her own.

"Stay safe out there kid."

These were the last words the hedgehog told her before heading off into a new direction with Rouge.

Caitlin silently nodded her head in agreement as the two had headed off into another direction. She then continued walking off into the forest, ready to head back to Amy's place.

Meanwhile, Eggman and his robot lackeys are now flying around in the egg carrier searching for Caitlin.

"Are you sure we should trust her again?" Bocoe had asked unenthusiastically.

"Believe me when I say that I am just as enthusiastic as you two are with wanting to find her again."

"Ah Caitlin, just the person I was looking for."

"Oh it's you again", she said rather disappointingly, while crossing her arms.

"What do guys want this time?"

"I hope you haven't forgotten about that little plan we agreed on. You know, the one where we save the planet by defeating those evil half robot creatures."

Caitlin remained skeptical of his plans.

"If it involves hurting any of my friends then I don't want any part of it."

"Look kid, I know we started off on the wrong foot, but you've gotta believe me when I say that I finally got in contact with your father."

Her eyes then widened in shock and she stiffened for a moment.

"Y-you were able to speak with my dad? Is he okay?"

"Yeah, I received a message from him yesterday. However...let me just say he's not exactly the same kind of person you probably remember him like, but don't worry, we have everything under control."

"Wait, what do you mean he's not the same person I used to know?" the young girl had asked worriedly.

"No more questions miss! Just hop on and I'll take you to go see him."

Caitlin had to think hard for a moment whether she should go and trust him again. Ultimately, she agreed to go with him in hopes that she could see her father again.