Rise [INFIDGET]

Chapter Fourteen: Shadows

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POV: Gadget

Oh chaos, my ass hurts...

I woke up to some pain in my behind, but that wasn't my main concern.

I heard a soft growl above me and some drool dripped on my muzzle.

Eww. What?

I glanced up at whatever was growling and drooling to see a large, black furred wolf baring its fangs and standing face to face with me.

Hearing more growls I figured that a pack of wolves intruded the cave, possibly finding it by the deer meat left in here.

I remained still as the wolf continued to stare me down with its red eyes and sharp teeth, albeit I was absolutely terrified! This wolf could break my neck in a second.

I heard soft shuffling behind me and hoped it was Zero and not another wolf cornering me to the wall. Another growl came from behind me and the being rose up, thankfully I was able to distinguish Zero from the wolves as he stood over me protectively.

The wolf snarled at Zero and targeted him instead of me, I remained silent and still - not wanting to interfere with the standoff.

I could feel heat vibrating from Zero's chest and glanced at his ruby, it was pulsating and glowing brightly. Then, a bright red blast threw the wolves out of the cave. They ran off from the blast and scurried back into the forest.

Zero huffed and stopped his aggressive behaviour and tone and sat down, "Damn wolves." he grunted. "You okay?" he asked and pulled me close.

I nodded, "A little shaken, but I'm fine" I responded and nuzzled his cheek. Zero smiled and kissed my forehead, "That's good then, at least you're okay" he stood up. "C'mon, we both need to wash after yesterday" he winked and smirked.

I gasped but blushed harshly, "Zero!" I covered my face in embarrassment. I slowly stood up, wincing slightly as my rear definitely hurt.

Damn, he really done a number on me...

"Can you walk?" Zero walked to me and helped me. I nodded, "Yeah, the stream isn't that far away" I kissed his cheek.

Zero nodded in return and walked with me to the cool stream, everything was relatively normal until we seen a black and red striped hedgehog taking a drink from the stream.

I could see Zero's anger rising up at Shadow being here. I myself never had anything against the hedgehog other than he was very quiet at the old Resistance base and would almost always have a scowl on his face, I never understood that.

However it seems Zero has something against Shadow, I don't know of it yet but it seems to be affecting him a lot.

I was about to say something only for Shadow to speak first.

"What brings you here, jackal?" He scoffed and stood up.

Zero scowled and kept me behind him protectively, "None of your damn business, but I ask you the same question."

"Freshening up before I find the new base" Shadow folded his arms. He spotted me and raised an eye ridge, "Rookie?" he growled. "I should have know you'd turn to him."

That's when I spoke up, "I choose no sides, my choices are my own and no one else's" I snarled. "I have not turned against the Resistance, but I haven't joined Infinite either" I continued. "So keep your opinions to yourself." I spat harshly, taking Zero by surprise from my comeback.

Shadow merely chuckled, "Feisty, aren't we?" he smirked. "I'll be on my way, I'll be sure to report this to the rest of the Resistance when I find them" he was gone in a brief flash after that.

I grunted and walked to the stream, sitting in it to wash myself. I could sense Zero beside me and sighed, "Sorry...'bout that" I chuckled and rubbed the back of my head. Zero smiled, "Don't worry, I'm glad you stood up to him" he patted my back and washed himself.

"Hey, you looked quite upset when you seen him, what happened between you two that caused such friction?" I asked, but braced for aggression as it looked like a tough subject.

Zero sighed. "Well...to put it bluntly, he murdered my squad" he blurted out and looked at the stream. "Then he tried killing me too when I came across him, I survived..."

I gasped gently.

Chaos, he's been through a lot of grief...

Now I kind of understand his anger towards Shadow.

I mean, I would be angry too.

"I had so much rage inside me that the doctor offered me a chance at revenge by taking part in his experiment with the phantom ruby" he explained further. "It took a while to perfect it, and caused a lot of pain to my body, but eventually the ruby accepted me as its host and fused with my chest, then we started to work together to take over this pathetic world and I could get my chance at revenge"

I listened intently, all of this started to make some form of sense. This war, his fury, the killings - all to try and get revenge. I could see now that Shadow and Zero are definitely enemies, so I should try not to cause anymore conflict between them, even if I have to break it up myself.

"Now, I don't know where my loyalty lies" Zero huffed. "The doctor got his empire, yet I don't feel accomplished, I have gotten no where"

My ears folded low, I placed my hand on his shoulder, "You have me"

"For how long though?"