<<Hųśh>>

-'11'-

Another bang followed, much more force behind it this time however as the basement door flew off of its hinges to reveal the now navy hedgehog. His skin was a pasty grey, his scleras now fully black and both of his once bright emerald eyes were now a dim glowing red.

Shadow subconsciously took a step back, away from the taller male. His actions earned a low chuckle from the other. Shadow couldn't recall any of the beasts talking. He noticed an up in intelligence as the days dragged on, but never heard any utter a noise outside of the awful groans and hissing. He had never feared the taller hedgehog as much as he did in that seemingly everlasting moment.

"If rope could hold me I wouldn't be the hero of Möbius." The hedgehog grinned devilishly, revealing somewhat sharper teeth. The changes over the day seemed small, and yet in that moment Shadow could see all of them.

He missed the warm glow in the hedgehog's yellow-ish skin. The voice he once despised for being 'annoying' was now something he could only wish to hear now. He also missed the poising emerald eyes that he would often find himself yearning to punch. He took advantage of what he had. He could have saved him.

Shadow stepped back once more in horror. The other took a step closer, the ever present grin seemingly looming over Shadow. "You shouldn't have turned so fast-" Shadow muttered to himself, biting his lip as nervousness and fear pooled in his stomach, churning and grinding before snaking up into the back of his throat.

"Oh I turned quite awhile ago!" He grinned, laughing almost manically as he brought a hand to his mouth. "Weird, huh." He tilted his head. "I can almost change at will!"

"So I presume you're going to kill me then?" Shadow raised a brow as be slowly and delicatley unsheathed his gun from his quills. "Something like that!" The hedgehog challenged before dashing forwards.

Shadow lifted his hands up to defend himself, the gun still in his hand. The navy hedgehog hit the other with force, sending both of them tumbling. Shadow fell onto an island counter and quickly rolled off and behind it, out of the other's view. He didn't want to harm Sonic, not if he could possibly save him.

He crouched behind the counter and loaded his gun while listening out for movement from the other. The ebony hedgehog pressed his back against the counter, now sitting, and angled his gun in view from the other side of the counter. He leaned over to look. No sign of Sonic.

An arm suddenly shot down and snatched Shadow's gun. "Not very fair! Call yourself the ultimate lifeform and rely on guns?" The now seemingly distorted voice teased. "Pathetic." Before Shadow could look on top of the counter, he was kneed in the chin and kicked in the chest. He fell backwards, slightly winded.

"Come on! Fight me!" The other demanded as he jumped off of the counter and onto Shadow, pushing his foot firmly down on Shadow's chest.

He groaned in pain, staring at the manical hedgehog above him. He did his best to push himself up however his effort was met with a punch to the face. The hedgehog was now practically crouched on top of him. "I know you can do better." He smirked. Shadow writhed and kicked, trying his hardest free himself.

Citing no other option, he raised a strained hand. "Chaos Spear." He chocked weakly. The spear materialised at his palm and barreled towards the navy hedgehog, hitting him in the collarbone. The other hissed in pain and raised his hand to the wound. Shadow utilised the opportunity and forced the other to the floor with him now above the taller hedgehog.

"Finally worthy enough of your effort?" Sonic laughed. "So tempermental." Shadow kept his knee firmly planted in the centre of the other's ribcage and reached for his gun, that had been discarded by the other as he fell, and aimed it at him. "What are you planning?" Shadow demanded. The other remained silent and smirked. He repeated the question once more, once again met with a smirk.

The taller hedgehog raised his arm, readying for an attack. Shadow automatically pressed the rigger of his gun in defense, a bullet soaring through the air briefly before forcing its way into Sonic's abdomen, leaving a large gaping hole that gushed blood.

Sonic hissed in pain and growled while kicking at Shadow, the recoil of the gun being enough to force Shadow backwards and into another counter. He hissed and rubbed his head before jumping up. The other was still on the floor. He had a chance to run and recollect himself.

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The group finally approached the gates. Rouge couldn't help but sigh in relief. She looked back at the group behind her, visibly as happy as her.

"Woah..." a voice marvelled. "Are you guys-" Rouge turned back to find an orange squirrel beaming at them in excitement. "It's so glad to see you guys are safe!" He exclaimed, looking around. "As are we." Amy spoke up. She stepped beside Rouge and shook the squirrels hand. "Shadow The Hedgehog should be joining us later." She told him, looking down as she mumbled underneath her breath.

"And Sonic?" The squirrel smiled in anticipation. The group fell silent. Rouge felt an odd pang in her chest as memories of the blue blur invaded her mind like a parasite. She could still see his misery, how out of character he seemed. He seemed almost scared. Scared of what was to come. Scared of death. Rouge could only fear his fate.

"Off saving us from this I suppose?" The squirrel laughed nervously. Amy smiled solemnly and nodded. "Something like that I suppose." She laughed for a mere moment. Rouge struggled to hold back her tears as her mascara smeared.

"Right this way, we need to make sure none of you are infected." He told the group. The group followed the squirrel into a small cabin behind the camp. It looked more like a cell rather than a testing facility. "Have any of you come into contact with an infected recently?" A purple badger, dressed in scrubs and an array of kneepads and the like, quizzed as she replaced her gloves

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1062 Words

Published: 12th May, 2024

((Edited))