Frostbitten

Chapter 12 - Captured

The shadowy horde emerged, swarming around Shadow and Sonic. Icy claws raked at them, spectral forms phase-shifting to pass through their bodies. Sonic curled into a spinning ball, battering away the creatures clinging to him.

But their focus remained fixed on Shadow. The crimson hedgehog was engulfed in writhing darkness as the entities piled on relentlessly. He fought to keep his head above them all, Chaos energy erupting in pulses.

"I don't know what you are," he ground out through gritted teeth. "But you cannot smother the light of Chaos!" His aura flared brighter, disrupting their assault.

Still the shadows pressed in, hungry and relentless. Shadow's mind raced even as he refused to stop fighting - why him? What did these beasts want?

After a sustained barrage the shadows finally retreated, oozing onward through the complex. Sonic straightened with a scowl, quills bristled. "Seriously, what's their beef with you?"

Shadow's gaze was grave. "I intend to find out." With resolute eyes they forged on, pressing through the creeping dark forces while staying alert for their missing friends.

Shadow and Sonic pressed on through the fortress, fighting past more shadow creatures. The further they went, the more entities they encountered and the fewer Eggman robots remained.

"Doesn't seem like ol' Egghead's behind this," Sonic commented as he spun dashed a group of specters. "His bots aren't controlling these freaky things."

Shadow blasted several shadows apart with Chaos Spears. "No. Something else has overtaken the fortress and is directing these beings." His brow furrowed in thought.

"Any idea what?" Sonic asked, homing attacking the reforming creatures. "Or where Blaze and Tails are in this mess?"

"I don't know yet. But I fear the answers lie in the dark heart of this place."

Sonic felt a chill at that. He'd never seen Shadow worried like this before. His eyes widened as Shadow suddenly removed the two power-enhancing rings from around his wrists, allowing his full Chaos powers to surge forth unchecked. Now Sonic realized just how dire this was.

Shadow met his gaze firmly. "Stay vigilant. We end this threat here and now."

Sonic nodded, mouth set in a determined line. No more joking around. With Shadow at full strength, they tore through the shadow hordes, racing faster toward the dark epicenter. If Shadow was unleashing his limitless power, they would need every bit of it to survive this night.

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Silver strode through the fortress corridors, darkness swirling around him. The shadow creatures parted before him as he made his way toward the central chamber. There he found Dr. Eggman Nega overseeing his lab equipment.

"Ah, Silver! You've done well unleashing my shadow army," said Nega. "Now, with your enhanced powers we will..."

He was cut off as Silver enveloped him in an inky telekinetic grip, lifting the scientist off the ground. "Fool. Did you really think you were the one in control?" Silver's voice echoed coldly.

Nega struggled in disbelief. "What?! But we had a deal! I awakened you, gave you purpose!"

Silver only laughed, the sound hollow and chilling. "Your petty schemes mean nothing now. This vessel and these shadows belong to Mephiles." His eyes flashed black and purple as he squeezed Nega tighter.

"No! I created you! You serve me!" Nega choked out desperately before Silver flung him aside.

"Naive human. Now bear witness to true power..." Silver raised his hands as darkness swallowed the chamber, foul energy crackling. The shadows swarmed to his call, ready to consume all light and life.

Nega shook his head in horror, realizing his fatal mistake too late. This evil was beyond anything he could hope to command or comprehend. "What have I done?" he whispered as Silver's void-like gaze turned to him again. There would be no mercy now.

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As Sonic and Shadow raced on, Shadow could sense the malevolent power growing ever stronger.

When they rounded a corner, a ventilation grate suddenly burst outward, with Tails flying out carrying Blaze.

"Guys, you're alright!" Sonic exclaimed.

"Barely," Blaze replied, flames wisping around her. "Something's taken control of Silver. We've got to stop him!"

Shadow's eyes narrowed knowingly. "Then we have no time to lose."

Together, the four of them entered the central chamber, only to find it crackling with shadowy energy. In the center floated Silver, wreathed in dark power.

"Silver!" Blaze called out to him. "We're here to help you fight this!"

Silver slowly turned, eyes glowing purple. "Help? I have transcended help. Once I extinguish your light, all will know sublime darkness."

He sent a wave of telekinetic force at them, but Shadow countered it with a Chaos blast. "Give up, demon!"

Sonic spin-dashed towards Silver, trying to knock him off balance while Tails and Blaze struck from other sides. For a moment, Silver seemed overwhelmed, the darkness around him flickering.

"Rrgh, your radiance dims my vision..." Silver clutched his head, then his voice morphed into a hollow echo. "But it will not save you!"

Silver launched another psychic blast, a wave that pushed all four heroes against a metal railing. Shadow heard his arm snap as he hit the corner, momentarily blinded by the new pain of the fracture. Taking advantage of this, the possessed white hedgehog grabbed a surprised Blaze by the neck, quickly making his way towards the castle.

Shadow shouted, enraged that he had been so easily distracted. He took off towards the entity, grasping his arm to stabilize. Sonic and Tails are hot on his trail. Silver's head start was vast, and there would be no way they would be able to reach him by nightfall.