Bound by Music

True Origins

"Why the sudden rush, man?" Cy asked. Shadow looked away, unsure as to how to answer. He had always been a loner, and he usually disappeared after a battle to collect himself or rest up, as well as get away from the team's noisy chatter.

"I have other things to do than stand around playing twenty questions," he said curtly.

"Like what?" Amy hmphed, thinking she had him cornered. He rolled his eyes.

"Clean the Ark, wash my bike, and a lot of other things you don't need to know about," he replied before thinking, As well as try to figure out who my real family is.

"What's the Ark?" Sonia asked, while Manic was still thinking about how cool it would be to own a motorcycle like Shadow's. The dark hedgehog glared.

"My home. Space Colony Ark," he stated before frowning. He didn't know why he was trusting the new hedgehogs so freely, and he worried that he may end up telling his whole life story if he wasn't careful. Manic's eyes widened.

"Dude! A space station? That is like...awesome!"

"Does he always talk like a surfer?" Shadow asked the fuschia girl, and she nodded with a small laugh.

"Once on the streets, always on the streets," Manic replied, "Ya just gotta roll with it."

Shadow rose an eyebrow at this but shrugged. He could find out their stories later. He turned to leave, wanting to escape the possible interrogation.

"Wait! Shadow!" Sonia called and grabbed his arm. He immediately jerked out her grasp with a glare that could kill. She was terrified, but she continued, "You don't understand. You're the fourth voice, and the Oracle said to bring you and Sonic back to Robotropolis with us."

"No way," the two jinxed and sent each other odd looks. That was weird, Sonic thought.

"Listen, sis, I know that you want me to come back, but I can't. Robotnik is here, and I've been keeping him away from home to keep you guys safe. You have no idea how many times I thought about running back, but I can't leave my place here."

Sonia hugged him and cried softly, "But we're not safe there. Robotnik's supporters have doubled their efforts against the resistance. We lose more people everyday. And with you gone--"

He gently returned the hug, but his gaze was elsewhere. He had thought that by staying away he was helping them, but it turned out that it wasn't the case. He squeezed her close before pulling away, eyes set with a determined glare. It was time he stopped running.

"Okay, I'll go. Mom is still out there somewhere, and we have to take back our home, once and for all!" he declared while grasping his amulet as it glowed brightly. His siblings', along with Shadow's, began to do the same. In a blinding flash, they vanished.

Line break brought to you by Silver the Hedgehog!

"Where are we?" Sonic asked as he rubbed his head. The four were in a dark cave that gave off an ethereal green glow. Shadow's fingers sparked with energy, ready to launch a chaos spear at any possible attackers. Sonia and Manic held their medallions, and Sonic stood in a battle position. However, the triplets broke their ready stances as a familiar voice called out in the cavern.

"Hello, young ones."

"Oracle!" they exclaimed and ran towards the old wizard happily, while Shadow stood to the side observantly. He watched as the anteater gently received hugs from the three, as if they had known each other a long time. The wizard's gaze met his, and he stared questioningly. The Oracle smiled and detached himself from the triplets.