The Emerald Within

Chapter 7

        Later that day... Or actually early the next morning... Sonic woke up, noticing that he had been placed into a bed, and sighed, sitting up slowly, looking around. He was in a room, in fact, Tails' room, and was alone for the moment. He sighed, now just staring at the covers, where his feet were, finding nothing else better to look at, closing his eyes in thought. What happened? Why does it seem as though I was hurt, or something, but... He looks to the door, as Tails walks in silently. As far as I know, I'm just fine...

        "What happened?" Sonic finally asks him, as he sits beside him, seemingly cautiously, only to recieve a small sigh, as a reply.

        "It's better not to say..." Was all Tails said, leaning against his shoulder, his eyes tearing up, "But... I was worried... Worried on why you did it... And how..."

        Sonic sighed, trying to remember what he was talking about, but ended up growling in slight, sudden, frustration, and confusion, "What are you talking about?" His voice was raised more than he meant to, and he sighed again, speaking in a low voice afterwards, "I don't understand what your trying to hint at... What did I do...?"

        "After Shadow ruined my hope... You... I don't even know how to explain what you did to him... I don't believe I've seen this from something like the emerald yet..." Sonic closed his eyes, as Tails spoke, as if trying to remember what had happened, only able to 'see' it in small portions at at time, as Tails continued.

        Sonic began to feel a wet substance where Tails' head was, and sighed, knowing what it was. Not long after, he felt a little light headed, swaying slightly, getting Tails to look up at him, with slight fear in his eyes. Sonic glared over at Shadow, who was still lightly glaring over at Tails, as he had stood up, "Sonic?" Tails whimpered, with sadness apparent in his voice.

       "What's your problem, Shadow?" Sonic asked in a low voice, causing him to just look away, "Couldn't you see that he was just trying to actually be positive about it?"

        "There isn't anything to be positive about..." Shadow sighed, slightly looking down.

        "You were sad, Tails! Of course I was mad at him!" Tails shook his head, meaning that there was more to it, than just that, "What?"

        "You... I think you used the emerald, somehow..." Tails sighed, wrapping an arm around him, "But... I don't know how... Knuckles is the only one, who really can, so how did you do it..."

       Sonic walked up to him, a strange energy outlining him. Shadow, not looking at him, or expecting anything, at the moment, could see this, and looked up, only to be basically shoved, but the energy made it hurt worse, as he slammed into the wall.

        "I don't know..." Sonic replies truthfully, "But Tikal... I don't know if she was talking to me, or what, but... I think Chaos was trying to... Control me, and my thoughts, for the moment, somehow, but I'm not to certain of it, though... I still don't see how..." It was almost as if he paused, looking down at his lap, making it seem as though he was depressed about something.

        You must control your anger, Sonic! This voice belonged to Tikal, as she was communicating to him through the Master Emerald. And if I choose not to? This voice belonged to Sonic, but his tone was more harsher than normal. Sonic jumped back, dodging an attack from Shadow, who really didn't want to do it. What if I don't control it? What will happen then? What will you do about it? You can't stop me! Sonic gained a sudden look of hatred in his eyes, as he stared over at Shadow, raising one hand in front of himself, causing him to close his eyes, and whimper in pain, as it felt as though he was being squeezed by an unknown energy force, causing it to somehow burn from the inside. I can stop you... Tikal warned.

        "What if she wasn't talking to you, then..." Tails beams, jumping to his feet.

        "And if she was?" Sonic says, his tone in worry, as he looked over at Tails, jumping to his feet as well, "What if it's just that I can't control it... It is a lot stronger than the Chaos Emeralds, and is filled with more hatred, and anger."

        "Don't worry..." Tails assures, guiding Sonic back over to the bed, getting him to sit down, "This will be all over soon... Trust me..."

        When Tails completed that statement, Sonic had a weird feeling in his stomach, as if something he had said made him really nervous, but then he chuckled at it, "Trust you?" Tails' eyes widened, as the tone Sonic used, is to have been amused by the very thought of it, "Why would I do that?"

        "Sonic... Please..."

        "I think it would be best if you just let me go now, then... Wouldn't it?" Sonic had the look of anger in his eyes, but was smiling greatly, as he spoke, not really looking over at Tails, but only with his eyes. Tails shook his head slowly, making the smile completely disappear, "I said let me go!!" Tails was shoved away, with that energy, where Sonic jumped up, only taking a moment to laugh at Tails' limp, unconscious body, and dashed off