Shadow X

Reunion

Shadow stood, waiting on the roof as Maria was on the phone with her mom. She had somehow convinced him to stay the night to loose police, and he agreed to it. Now he wasn't so sure about the idea, bringing a human along. The last human he knew turned into an enemy. But here he was, waiting on a roof as Maria finished up a call and a butler brought food. He jumped down when the butler left and Maria hung up the phone.

"Is she always dramatic when saying she won't be around?" Shadow asked. Maria's face hardened before she took a breath. "She and dad are just...busy." Maria said. Shadow decided not to push the subject further.

"Anyways, where are you from Shadow?" Maria asked.

"A planet called Mobius. It's similar to this world, but humans aren't as numerous. People like me, Mobians, are the primary race. We can be all different species. Like a Fox or Rabbit for example." Shadow explained, Maria giving a confused nod.

"So, how did you end up here on earth?"  Maria asked still curious.

"I'm still trying to figure that out myself. I think it has something to do with the Chaos Emeralds. Seven powerful gems of unknown origin. An enemy of mine gathered them all, and a massive Chaos Control happened." Shadow recalled. He looked at what was in the bowl, taking a piece before eating it only to spit it back out. "What was that?"

"Cat food. I read that most hedgehogs love cat food." Maria said a little deflated.

Shadow sighed. "I thank you for trying to help. But I can eat regular food to." Shadow said. Maria nodded as the two went inside, Shadow turning on the T.V. to see the news as people were recounting the events from last night. That's when the door burst open.

"GUYS, DID YOU SEE THE NEWS!?" An old man asked barging in. "Some big black hedgehog outran the S-team last night!" The old man said, then he noticed Shadow. He pulled out a screwdriver, but Shadow jumped up.

"Don't even think abou-" But Shadow was cut off by a familiar voice.

"Please, leave us alone!" He heard, looking to the T.V and saw Cream and Cheese cowering on a billboard.

"Where was that? I need to get there now!" Shadow demanded.

"Whoa, take it easy Shadow. They've probably already been moved elsewhere." Grandpa Chuck stated.

"Where?" Shadow asked.

"Shadow, are those friends of yours?" Maria asked concerned.

"If you want to call them that." Shadow said as the three moved to the garage. Chuck picked up the phone and made a call, trying to get details. 

Shadow looked down, thinking on a memory of his. The last time someone like him was captured...He wasn't going to let that happen again.

"I thought they might do something like that." Chuck said, Shadow coming back to the present. "Thanks very much for giving me the scoop. Talk to you soon." Chuck said as he hung up. He looked at Shadow and Maria. "It looks like they've been taken to area 99."

"Area 99?" Maria asked. Shadow raised an eyebrow.

"It's a....complicated place. It's a secret base for military. They keep all of their unique projects there." Chuck explained.

"Sounds like I'll need to break in." Shadow said and Maria gave him a stern look. 

"If you show up there, they'll attack you to. What good will that do?" Maria asked as Shadow moved towards the open door.

"Hmph, Let them try. I might even have to push myself a little." Shadow said arrogantly. But when he turned, the garage door had shut. He turned to see Maria giving him a look.

"I don't appreciate this attitude of yours. I understand you want to help your friends, but there's no need to do it alone." Maria told him. Shadow gave credit where credit was due, the girl had guts. Chuck put a hand on her shoulder to calm her down.

"Shadow, how about we drive you as close as we can?" Chuck asked, Shadow reluctantly nodding. They got in the car and sped off, Maria looking like she was starting to have some fun for once. They finally came up to the base as Chuck gave Shadow an earpiece explaining what it does. Shadow nodded his thanks before jumping out and activating his shoes and blasting off.

.

"Don't worry Cream, I'm coming." Shadow thought as he came up to the base, jumping the fence. He ran around just under mach 1 to avoid any damage, but also to avoid detection. He saw an air vent, slowing himself down before jumping in. Landing on his feet, Shadow looked and saw all the lasers in the vents. "Guess they expected something like this." He thought, looking down and seeing the vent, no lasers under him. 

Shadow pulled the vent open, jumping down and pressed his back to the wall checking to make sure he was clear in the corners. He heard the camera above him sweeping from side to side. He checked down the hall and saw more. If he timed it right, he should be able to avoid them. Dashing in a zigzag motion, Shadow made it to the end of the hallway and found the laboratory, but it was guarded by cameras and a security panel. 

"Well, I was going to make myself known when I got her anyways." Shadow thought, stepping around the corner when the power suddenly went out. Taking his chance, Shadow burst through the door and smashed the glass, ducking into a corner with Cream and Cheese.

"Oh Shadow, Tha-" Cream was cut off when Shadow put his hand on her mouth, putting a finger on his lips to keep her quiet. Cheese hugged Shadow. Shadow rolled his eyes and pet Cheese.

"We need to get out of here. Hold onto me." Shadow told Cream. She grabbed hold and Shadow shot out the room as safely as he could. 

"How'd you shut off all the electricity?" Cream asked.

"I didn't. I thought this would get a lot harder." Shadow said. He was just glad they had an easy escape route. Well, up until the power came back on. All the camera's turned towards them, a red light shining. "Damn it, let's go!" Shadow cursed under his breath. Putting Cream in a safe place, he fired off several Chaos Needles, blowing the camera's and lasers up. He grabbed Cream and ran for it, ducking under several doors along the way. He made it to a group of stairs leading up to their escape. Except there were several lasers in the way. He was getting up and dodging the stairs when they were split in half, cutting off escape. He could make that jump, but didn't want to risk Cream getting hit. Then, he heard something that gave him hope. A familiar sounding engine. Shadow shot a Chaos Flare at the wall, blowing it to pieces and jumped out, landing on the wings of a familiar biplane.

"Good save Tails." Shadow said, Tails smiling and nodding. 

"Thanks Shadow. We need to find a place to stay." Tails said, Shadow explaining Maria. He didn't like the idea, but it was the only one he had. Everyone met up at Maria's house.

"Thank you for saving us Shadow." Cream said, thanking him properly this time.

"You're welcome." Shadow said quickly. He could put up with Cream if only because she was polite and just a kid. She didn't deserve to be in this mess.

Chuck and Tails were geeking out together, and Shadow smiled a little. At least Tails has his tech buddy." Shadow thought when he turned to see Maria giving him that look again.

"Shadow, you could've gotten captured or hurt. What would you have done then?" Maria asked.

"Fought my way out, no problem." Shadow responded simply.

"With Cream and Cheese?" Shadow had to admit, it would've been harder with both Cream and Cheese, but nothing that he couldn't handle. Tails stepped in to switch the subject.

"Guys, we have to face the possibility we aren't the only ones here. Eggman was inside that Chaos Control to, right?" Tails asked, Shadow nodding and understanding what that meant.

.

                                                                      An island, far off the coast.

"So, now I get to conquer this world to..." Eggman said menacingly.