Worlds Apart - a Shadow the Hedgehog x Reader story

Attacked

As she climbed out from beneath the tree roots, Y/N noticed an unearthly silence had descended on the forest. She whistled quietly, hoping to reboot the songs in the birds. Nothing. Something was definitely up. Not even the insects were chirping. Crouching, she burrowed through a bush, gathering every useful part she could, all the while glancing behind her, waiting for something to jump out at her. She paused for a second, sure she had just heard a twig snap. Her quills bristled.

"Who's there? Show yourself!"

"I just did."

"Mephiles!" Y/N whirled around, knife raised. She wasn't sure whether she was facing a clone or the real Mephiles, but she lunged anyway. Her fiery blade extended into a full blown sword. Metal met fire, locked in mortal combat.

"What do you think of my work? Not bad, huh?"

"The only mistake you made was leaving me and Shadow alive."

"Oh, I doubt you'll be alive for much longer."

Silver, Sonic and Amy clones stalked out of trees, blocking every exit. Flames erupted in her quills, enveloping her like a white-hot candle.

"You forget one thing. I am the only one who you haven't cloned. I am the strongest of the females."

The flames leapt from her, spreading like wildfire through the fakes. Each one exploded the second the heat touched them. Within minutes Y/N and Mephiles were alone, facing each other once again.

"You cannot win a battle you've already lost. I have hundreds of clones behind me."

"Really? I don't see anybody. Just the trees."

"Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it isn't real."

"And just because you can see something doesn't mean it is. Like a mirage."

Enraged, Mephiles charged, "This time, you won't survive!"