The Truth of the Matter

Chapter 8

Tail's POV

I have to move fast! Faster than ever!

I repeated that over and over to myself until I saw the red echidna...

Me: "KNUCKLES!!"

He turned around startled.

Knuckles: "Tails?"

I stopped in front of him.... out of breath.

Me: "S-sonic, Amy, Sh-shadow.... h-help."

Knuckles: "Whoa... slow down bud. I don't understand what your trying to-"

Rouge flew in: "Knuckle's Shadow's apartment is under attack! Amy and Sonic are with him too!"

Knuckles: "TAILS! Why didn't you tell me?!"

Me: "I tried- Oh never mind." 

I mentally face palmed as I explained to Rouge everything.

Rouge: "Sounds like we'll need some backup.... One moment I'll make a call. Get ready."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Third Person POV

Shadow stood there staring into the eyes of the ruler of the Black Arms. Not knowing what to respond with....

BD: "Shadow.... it's time."

Shadow: "Time for what? You to finally settle into a grave?"

He snarled at his 'father' in a disgusted tone... hoping to hide the fear.

BD: "It's time to come home."

Amy gasped as she grabbed the dark hedgehog's arm.

Amy: "He is home!"

Black Doom glances at her for a moment before focusing back on the ebony. 

BD: "This your girlfriend?"

Amy and Shadow's faces tint a little pink.

Shadow: "No. Just a friend."

BD: "Hmm. That's a shame..."

Shadow: "What do you really want?"

BD: "To bring my son home."

Amy tightened her grip hugging his arm closer. 

Amy: "This is his home..."

She trailed off hoping the dark hedgehog she clung to would say something in agreeance. Pleading with her eyes.

Shadow: "... She's right."

Relief filled her gaze as she met his ruby eyes. He seemed nervous but reassured her nonetheless.

Black Doom snapped his fingers and Amy was ripped away from her companion, causing him to react with a fight against the soldiers.

Shadow: "Keep you filthy hands off of her!!"

He froze when he felt an iron grip on his shoulders.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sonic's POV

Me: "AMES!"

I ran over to where she was now sitting after Shads ripped the soldiers off of her.

Amy: "What is he telling Shadow?"

Dammit Amy... think about how your doing... forget about him he's fine.

Me: "I don't know..."

Ames stared at the two dark figures.

BD: "We have a deal?"

Shadow was stiff and quite... something was off.

BD: "I expect an answer tomorrow...son."

With that Black Doom, Eclipse, and the rest of the soldiers cleared out, heading back to their ship. Probably waiting somewhere.

I walked up to Shadow, concerned about whatever he had heard.

Me: "You alright edge lord?"

Shadow: "Yeah... just.... need to... think."

Amy: "What did he say?"

Shadow place a hand on her shoulder, resting his head on hers. 

Shadow: "Nothing the need to concern you Rose."

He kissed her forehead. 

Amy started to cry as she wrapped her arms around him.

That would be when Knuckles broke through the wall.

Knuckles: "THE CALVARY HAS ARRIVED!!!"

He stopped and looked at the three of us, all battered and exhausted, Amy and Shadow's embrace, and finally pointing out something none of us noticed.

Knuckles: "Is it just me or is Shadow bleeding?"

Amy pulled away shocked as she turned Shads around, revealing a massive slack on his back in the shape of a.... red spin dash???

Rouge gasped as she brought a pack of bandages over. 

Rouge: "Shadow-"

She laid her hand on his back gently... 

Shadow: "I'm fine."

Amy: "No your not!" 

Shadow gripped her hands and pulled her close again.

Damn... even when he's injured he refuses help....

Me: "Shads.... can you at least let us treat the wound?"

I pried Ames from his grip and guided her towards Tails so he could clean her wounds.

He just... sat there. I have never seen him so.... defeated.

I held out my hand and he took it. In some sort of silence we made our way to the back room to talk.

Me: "Shadow-"

Shadow: "You want to know what he asked of me?"

I nodded.

Shadow: "He gave me two options.... go with him or...."

He trailed off moving his hands in a frustrated manner.

Me: "...Orrrr?"

He sighed.

Shadow: "Or he's going to destroy Mobius."