Light In The Darkness


 * This story is created by me, Mitena the WereHedgeWolf, and I am also known as sonicis1hotwerehog on deviantART.com. I will only be posting book one on here. Warning: This story will contain some violence/swear words as it is told by mostly Shadow the Hedgehogs POV. I am warning you now ahead of time, so if you don't like it don't read it. Only I am allowed to edit this story, if I find out someone else edits it, it will be deleted promptly. No stealing my story/characters!! Please do not leave hate comments about who is used in this story and who I killed off prior to this story*

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Part 1 Prologue: The Meeting

Shadow the Hedgehog ran through a forest late one summer afternoon. He had just recently defeated Dr. Eggman’s latest batch of craziness. He was running for fun, which he enjoyed just about as much as running into the midst of danger. He would never let anyone know that though. He stopped suddenly when he heard a scream coming from somewhere ahead of him towards the left. He smiled to himself and began to run in the direction of the screaming.

He came to the point of the scream and stopped in his tracks. His eyes opened wide at the sight of the monstrosity before him. It was a giant black widow spider. In front of it was a girl from what he could tell, but the spider was blocking her from his view. It seemed intent on killing her.

“HELP!” The girl screamed. Shadow decided that this girl needed help, which was exactly what he was going to do.

Shadow pulled out a Chaos Emerald, which he had recently acquired. “Chaos Control!” He shouted, as he Chaos Controlled in front of the monster. He stood in front of the girl. The spider seemed surprised to see Shadow appear out of nowhere and Shadow used the creature’s shock to his advantage. “Chaos Spear!” He shouted and he launched these at the spider’s brain and heart. It made an unearthly deafening noise. “Chaos Control!” This time he hovered over its back and did the one thing to get rid of the monster. “Chaos Blast!” The explosion killed the beast. “Chaos Control!” Shadow was back on the ground where the girl was.

She shivered in fear and looked as if she was about to say something but instead she fell to the forest floor, unconscious. Shadow stared at her briefly then he lifted her up in his arms and carried her back to his home. He placed her on his bed and sat down on the couch to watch her. He had never seen her before. She was definitely new to the area. It was hard to describe her looks.

She was a very pale pink in color with a lavender eye shadow. She wore a simple gray and pink business dress. In addition, her hair was up in a bun. She looked very formal and maybe even very serious but even then, she was very beautiful. She had long perfect eyelashes and she almost seemed to be smiling. However, Shadow did not really seem to notice all of this. The thing that had held him captivated the most were her hands. They were small and delicate; they were perfect in form shape and color. Then he realized that she did seem to be very delicate, period.

Nevertheless, he hardly noticed this because she reminded him most about his deceased wife. He held back the lump in his throat. He had to look away from her because he could feel the sting of the years coming back in his eyes. He looked out the window over the peaceful city of Moebius. He saw Sonic running, and Tails following him. He saw Silver looking inside the window of a candy store. He ignored the funny sight. His mind was off in the distance, looking at the mountains where the airplane crash had taken place and where his love of his life had died.

“Unnngh … where am I?” He heard the girl say. Her voice was sweeter than honey to his ears. He came up to his bed where she lay. She looked at him in surprise then she smiled. She said, “You saved my life.” She paused and waited for him to say something. However, he did not respond to her comment. He seemed to have not heard what she had said.

Instead, he asked. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better.” She said. Then she sat up. “Where am I?” She asked.

He looked away and replied. “This is my home.”

She stood up off of the bed and came up to him. “I want to thank you for killing the spider.” She paused then added. “I am just not too fond of those types of things.”

Shadow nodded but did not say anything.

She looked at him curiously. “Why aren’t you responding to me?” She asked. “Did I say something wrong?”

Shadow shook his head, “No.”

<p style="text-align:justify">She looked at him and asked. “Can I please take the liberty to ask your name?” She paused wondering what his response would be.

<p style="text-align:justify">Shadow looked at her and said, “Shadow the Hedgehog. And you?”

<p style="text-align:justify">She smiled a small smile. “My name is Silende the Hedgehog.”

<p style="text-align:justify">Shadow did not say anything after that. Silende looked around. She saw that he had a desk with a laptop and soft looking recliner chair. He had a yellow rug on the floor adding some color to the plain white room. There were several windows which were open and the curtains, which were pale yellow were pulled back to allow the breeze to come in. His bed appeared to have never of been used. The quilt on it was yellow with an orange border. There was a bulletin board with his self-reminders and a hodge podge of to-do lists. His closet was open and there were a few articles of clothing but mostly it was filled with boxes that were dusty and looked like they had not been opened in a long time.

<p style="text-align:justify">Silende looked at Shadow. He did not seem to notice her staring at him. She thought to herself. ‘What could he be thinking of?’ Shadow seemed distant and it was impossible to tell his emotions. ‘Does he ever smile?’ She also thought.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I guess you might as well go home, since you seem to be all-right.” Shadow stated. “Do you need me to walk you there?” He asked. She nodded and they headed out the door.

<p style="text-align:justify">He walked with her for quite a distance when she stopped and turned to face him. “Thank you for helping me, I can find where I am staying from here.”

<p style="text-align:justify">Gruffly he nodded and walked away.

<p style="text-align:justify">The girl looked at him, ‘I wonder …’ She thought to herself as she walked away.

<p style="text-align: justify;">---

Chapter 1: Claire

<p style="text-align:justify">“I still can’t get her out of my mind.” I told Sonic. It had been one week since I had last seen Silende. It was a nice Tuesday afternoon in April. “It was like I knew her from somewhere a long time ago!” Sonic was sitting on my couch in the living room. While I was in the kitchen looking for a knife. Sonic opened a diet Pepsi.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Seems like you really want to see her again don’t you?” He asked. He took a giant gulp of the carbonated beverage.

<p style="text-align:justify">“No, there is something about her that really bugs me.” I replied. I pulled a pickled out of the jar with the knife and I began to eat it, my face puckered at the taste of the sour pickle. Sonic must have looked at me strangely because suddenly he stated.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Hey, Shadow, dude! What is wrong with your face?” His eyes opened wide.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Pickles.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonic relaxed. He went back to drinking his Pepsi. Suddenly someone was knocking at the door. Sonic stood up. “I’ll get it.” He said. “Maybe it is the pizza delivery man.” He paused. “You did order two medium pepperonis, right?”

<p style="text-align:justify">I nodded. Sonic grabbed a ten from my wallet and a ten from his. He went to the door. “Oh, hi, Silver. I thought you weren’t coming!” Sonic said. Then he invited Silver in.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Hey, Shadow?” Silver asked. “Do you mind if my new friend joins us?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I don’t care.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Sweet!” He said. “Hey Claire, come in!”

<p style="text-align:justify">I looked at him. “You invited a girl!” I shouted.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Yeah well, we uh … have been hanging out for some time now, and I thought you might like to meet her, you know …” He stammered.

<p style="text-align:justify">Suddenly I heard a soft singsong voice come from the front door. “Where are you Silver?”

<p style="text-align:justify">In walked a female hedgehog that was lavender in color. Her eyes were a sea green that sparkled. She had on a black tank top with a purple jean jacket. Her gloves were white that cut off at her fingers. She also wore purple shoes that had a white strip running up the middle. Her belly button was showing. She had a white belt and light blue jeans. Her hair was down to her shoulders and she had four bangs that almost covered her left eye. The only accessories she wore besides her belt were purple bangles and a black headband. She wore a very cute smile. She looked like she was good with electronics. As for her age, I guess she looked like she was about fifteen, maybe sixteen at the most.

<p style="text-align:justify">She walked gracefully to where Silver was. Then she grabbed his arm gently. I saw her whisper something in his ear. He nodded. Then she let go and walked up to me.

<p style="text-align:justify">She curtsied. “Hello, you must be Shadow, my name is Claire. It is very nice to meet you.” She introduced herself to Sonic almost in the same way she introduced herself to me.

<p style="text-align:justify">Suddenly someone knocked on the door. “I’ll get it.” She said. She walked up to the door. “The pizza guy is here.” She said. Then she looked around. “Silver, do you know where my purse is at?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">Silver shook his head. “Last I knew you left it in your bedroom at your house.”

<p style="text-align:justify">She smiled. “Now I remember.” She added. “I’ll be right back in a jiffy.” With that, she zoomed out of the door. She left behind a cloud of dust. Within the blink of an eye, I could see a purple flash running back up my street. I heard her yelling, “No feet! STOP!” She shouted at the top of her lungs.

<p style="text-align:justify">She came crashing through my doorway and toppled head over heels knocking Silver down in the process. They tumbled for a little bit on my living room floor before they came to a complete stop. Claire sat up and shook her hair, which was in all directions.

<p style="text-align:justify">I could not help but smile at the predicament. Claire stood up, brushed herself off, held her hand out to Silver, and helped him up. She gave a weak smile.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Don’t worry, no harm done.” I said. “Besides, I already prepaid for the pizza.”

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonic glared at me. “Why didn’t you say that in the first place?”

<p style="text-align:justify">I shrugged. I just was not in the mood to reply to him.

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonic looked at Claire, “What did you trip over?” He asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">Her face turned bright pink. She mumbled. “Nothing.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“That wasn’t exactly what I asked.” Sonic said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I gave you the answer. I tripped over nothing.” She said her face turned an even brighter shade of pink.

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonic looked at her and tilted his head. “What, do you have a balance disorder or something?”

<p style="text-align:justify">Now her face was bright red. She opened her mouth and was about to say something, I decided to distract Sonic.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Hey guys, lets eat before the pizza gets cold.” I said, instantly changing the subject. Claire looked at me and smiled. I could sense her relief.

<p style="text-align:justify">‘Thank you Shadow, what you did saved me from a frightful embarrassment.’ I heard her voice echo.

<p style="text-align:justify">I looked at Sonic, he must have not have noticed because he was busy chowing down on pizza, so was Silver.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Did you guys hear something?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonic looked at me strangely and shook his head. Silver was to busy eating to notice anything else.

<p style="text-align:justify">‘I am a tele-techno path.’ I heard her voice echo.

<p style="text-align:justify">‘What in the world does that mean?’ I thought to myself.

<p style="text-align:justify">''‘It means I can hear and understand and communicate with the peoples thoughts that are nearest to me. I can also control technology with my mind. Making it bend under my will and such. I do have super speed to some extent but I can not control it whatsoever.’'' She explained to me.

<p style="text-align:justify">''‘Wait, so everything I am thinking of you can hear? All of my thoughts?’'' I shuddered.

<p style="text-align:justify">''‘Don’t worry. I can only read someone’s thoughts if they allow me to or if they have no idea I am reading their thoughts.’'' She smiled at me. I had to admit she had a nice smile.

<p style="text-align:justify">‘So is there anyway I can make it so you can’t read my thoughts?’ I asked in my mind.

<p style="text-align:justify">‘Sure, just imagine there is a brick wall surrounding your mind and it will shut down my ability to read your mind.’ She explained.

<p style="text-align:justify">I tried to imagine what she told me but it was really hard, I was about to give up when Claire asked aloud, “So, Shadow what is on your mind right now?” She winked at me.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Nothing really.” I said. (This was not a lie…)

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonic then said, “Are you two going to just stand there, or do we have to finish the pizzas by ourselves?” I grabbed a small slice and handed one to Claire.

<p style="text-align:justify">She shook her head. “I am actually trying to avoid fatty foods …” She said.

<p style="text-align:justify">Silver smiled at her. “What she is trying to say is that she is on a diet.” Claire blushed at this but smiled, all the same.

<p style="text-align:justify">Claire was neat, even though I hardly knew her, she seemed to be an ok girl, and I could see why Silver liked her.

<p style="text-align: justify;">---

<p style="text-align:justify">Chapter 2: The Dream

<p style="text-align:justify">Later on that night, I sat on my bed, staring at a picture of Rouge, E-123 and me. Back when we were Team Dark, and when we worked for G.U.N. (Or the Guardian Units of the Nation) A single tear slid down my cheek. However, I brushed it away with the back of my gloves. I set the picture down on my nightstand and I sighed. I turned out the light and lay down on my bed staring at the ceiling. I had been thinking of all the things that had happened during the day. However, no matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried, my thoughts always shifted back to Silende. I shut my eyes after some time and I waited for the blackness to consume me…

<p style="text-align:justify">I was in a forest, it must have been twilight because everything was misty and a range of colors from blue-black to blue-purple. I saw Silende walking in a circle around me. Nevertheless, she never actually approached me. I saw her wearing a long flowing dress that was white, ice blue, gray and gold. The evening wind caused her dress to move freely. I heard her voice echo … “Shadow.” She said. I looked at her.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What is it?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I need you to do me a favor.” She said; she was still circling me.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What?” I asked. Suddenly she faded into the night before she could reply.

<p style="text-align:justify">“SILENDE!” I called, but there was no response. I was all alone. I walked around trying to find my way back to Moebius. No matter what I did, I always ended up back in the same spot I started. I was going in circles, and, there was nothing I could do. “Help!” I shouted, but no one heard me. My voice echoed into the deepest depths of the forest. After a while, I bent down and plucked a piece of grass. What could I do? No matter how hard I tried, it was as if I was trapped in a box, being watched by some unknown force. I felt like a rat trapped in a maze with no start and no end.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Is anyone out there?” I called. There was no reply. Nothing I could do. I tried to chaos control, but I ended up falling back to the same place where I had started. I was almost frightened. If this was a dream, I needed to wake up, and fast!

<p style="text-align:justify">Suddenly I felt something staring at me in a hostile manner. I whirled around but I saw no one! I heard a low growling. I held a Chaos Spear in my hand I was ready to attack at any moment. Out of nowhere, a large creature jumped out of the bushes. The impact knocked the Chaos Spear out of my hand. It pinned me down to the ground. There was nowhere I could go. I looked at it and realized that I was staring into the face of death itself! My heart skipped a beat. Then I heard another voice over its growling. “Let it go Death, you can have it soon enough. But first let me mess with it first.” Death let me up. I glared at it, but then Death hit me on the back of my head, causing me to fall to the ground. I looked up and stared at the creature that stopped Death. It was a … a …

<p style="text-align:justify">“Help!” I screamed. I tried to sit up in my bed. My face was covered with sweat. I was panting, and Sonic had been keeping my pinned down to my bed. “What is going on? What are you doing here?” I asked. I frowned then I added, “You can get off of me.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I was coming to remind you that Silver and I were coming over to discuss ideas for the band you wanted to make.” He paused. “I saw your motorbike was still in front, so I knew you hadn’t left. I came in, and heard you talking upstairs. You were like talking to someone in your sleep. Then you were screaming for help. And you almost looked like you were going to hurt yourself, so I pinned you down, so you wouldn’t.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“What was I saying?” I asked, because for some reason, the dream I had just had, was wiped from my memory. I could not remember anything about it!

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonic shrugged. “Something about Silende and death and if anyone was there and well, you said stuff that almost sounded like a mixture of ancient Moebian and a completely different language, that well, I had no idea what it meant. From what I understood in the ancient Moebian language, it was about finding a light in the darkness, something like that. It was hard to tell. You were talking excessively fast. Then you woke up. Musta’ been a really weird dream.” He concluded.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Must have been, because I don’t remember even what it was about or if I even had a dream.” I said slowly. Well actually, there was one thing I could remember, but I did not mention this to Sonic. What I could remember was Silende looking at me and saying.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow … I need you to do me a favor.”

<p style="text-align: justify;">---

<p style="text-align:justify">Chapter 3: The Shadows

<p style="text-align:justify">I sat on my living room couch that afternoon; Sonic, Silver and Claire were there. I was spacing out. I kept on hearing Silende say “Shadow … I need you to do me a favor.”

<p style="text-align:justify">After a while I was so fed up I shouted. “How am I supposed to do you a favor when I have no idea what you want!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Ummm… why are you talking to yourself?” Silver asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I uhh … oh never mind. It doesn’t matter.” I said. “What were we talking about?” I asked. I waited for a reply.

<p style="text-align:justify">Claire was the one to fill me in. “We were just discussing what instruments each of us could play, and we also were thinking of a band name, do you have any suggestions?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I can’t think of any.” I said. “Well, actually, what about The Heroes?”

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonic, Silver, Claire and I looked at each other and shook our heads. At the same time, we said “Nah.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Well anyways, it was a good try Shadow.” Claire smiled at my efforts.

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonic stated. “Well, everyone knows I can play the guitar.”

<p style="text-align:justify">Silver flushed and said, “I have always been pretty good on the drums.”

<p style="text-align:justify">Everyone looked at me. They were waiting expectantly on my decision. “I can play the guitar I guess. I don’t know, it’s been a while since I last played one.” I said. Suddenly Silver asked He looked at me. “Do you think Claire should be a part of our band?”

<p style="text-align:justify">Everyone’s eyes were on me as they waited for my decision.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I think she can, if she wants to.” I said

<p style="text-align:justify">Claire smiled. “Thank you!” She said.

<p style="text-align:justify">I shrugged. “Your welcome.” I said quietly.

<p style="text-align:justify">Claire said, “I can sing, I also play the keyboard, and I am learning how to play the guitar and the flute.” Claire stood up, “I put my guitar in my car, and I can go get it.” She said. She went outside, and came back in within a moment’s notice.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Here,” she said, “You can try to play a song on it.” I took it from her and I looked at it, shrugging. then I tried to think of a song that I knew. I started to play a tune that popped into my head.

<p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:0in; line-height:normal">I began to mumble a few lyrics to the tune I was playing. I can up with these words, “I see no, hear no evil! Black writing on the wall, Unleash one million faces, And one by one, they fall! Black hearted evil, Brave hearted hero, I am all, I am all I am!”

<p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:0in; line-height:normal">These lyrics were stuck in my head; at first, I tried playing it like a country tune, but it sounded wrong. Then I tried it as a heavy metal style, it came close to what I was looking for, but it was a little off.

<p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:0in; line-height:normal">Finally, almost desperate I tried the tune in rock form. It sounded perfect! Everyone stared at me. “What?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You! That tune was so cool sounding!” Claire exclaimed. “You’re really good!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I am?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonic and Silver both nodded. “Yeah, you’re even better than me.” Sonic said. “You came up with that tune and lyrics on a dime!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I don’t know,” I said, “I don’t think I am that good, maybe I need more practice…” I started to say.

<p style="text-align:justify">“No way!” Sonic exclaimed. “You totally rock the guitar, you should totally do lead on it!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Are you sure?” I asked. Everyone looked at me and nodded. I shrugged. “Ok if that is what you think.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“We still need a name…” Silver said, “Any ideas.”

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonic shrugged. “I’m stumped.”

<p style="text-align:justify">Silver and I nodded in agreement. What was the perfect band name? All of the good names just didn’t sound right for our band. ‘We are all just a bunch of misfit heroes.’ I thought to myself.

<p style="text-align:justify">Suddenly Claire jumped up. “I have an idea!” She exclaimed excitedly. “We can call ourselves The Shadows!” She added emphasis to the word Shadows. Sonic and Silver murmured their agreement.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Wait a minute!” I shouted. “Why do you want the band to be named after me?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Well,” Claire began, “You came up with the idea for the band, we should give you credit for that, and we want to be a rock band! It just sounds like an awesome name, and another thing it is so mysterious sounding! I am positive that we will attract attention, once our band becomes popular enough!”

<p style="text-align:justify">I sighed. “It seems like you guys really want our band name to be The Shadows.”

<p style="text-align:justify">Silver nodded. “Come on Shadow! That should really be our band name.” He almost was pleading.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Oh fine!” I said gruffly. However, secretly I was almost flattered that they wanted the band to be named after me.

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonic grinned. “Well, I guess we can start band practice next week!”

<p style="text-align: justify;">---

<p style="text-align:justify">Chapter 4: The Bus

<p style="text-align:justify">Later on that day, I needed to go to the grocery store for more food. I was almost out of everything. I grabbed a notebook to write a list of things I needed. I decided to take my motorbike instead of Chaos Controlling there as usual. I got on it and put the key in it to start it, but it would not start! “STUPID STUPID STUPID!” I shouted, biting my tongue so that the flow of profanity that I wanted to say would not come out. “Great! Just great!” I said. “I am going to have to take a bus!” I kicked the motorbike and I walked down to the nearest bus stop, which was two blocks away. Finally, minutes later a bus came by that picked me up.

<p style="text-align:justify">I looked around the bus and saw an open seat towards the back; quickly I sat down in it. The bus took off as I was on the way to the store. We stopped and picked up another person at the next stop. I was finishing a list of extra things I might have needed. I tapped my pencil on my notebook.

<p style="text-align:justify">I looked up at the person who entered the bus. I caught my breath, because the person who had entered was the same person who had been haunting me for the last few weeks.

<p style="text-align:justify">It was Silende.

<p style="text-align:justify">I looked at her as she passed me. She took three steps past me then she stopped and turned around. “Shadow?” She whispered. I nodded.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Wow, it is kind of strange running into you here of all places.” She said. She was holding a large briefcase. I stood up and gently took the suitcase from her and put it in the storage area, above the seats.

<p style="text-align:justify">Her bag was the only one up there. She smiled a small smile.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You can have my seat if you want.” I said. “I can stand.” She sat down in the seat I had been sitting in.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Thank you.” She said. The bus started again, I grabbed a pole and held on. Five minutes later, I was almost at my stop; Silende was still on the bus. Suddenly it made a sharp turn, and I accidentally let go and fell onto the ground.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow!” Silende exclaimed. I slowly and shakily stood up.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I’m alright.” I said, but then I noticed that my nose was bleeding! Silende’s eyes widened. Then she shook her head and handed me a tissue. I pressed it against my nose, hoping that the bleeding would stop before my stop.

<p style="text-align:justify">I was in luck, because it was only a tiny bit of blood, and it had soon stopped.

<p style="text-align:justify">Moments later I was at my stop, Silende stood up and tried to reach her briefcase, but she was too short. I reached up and grabbed it and then I gave it to her, she reached out and took it from me, and for a brief moment our hands touched. She looked me in the eyes and blushed, as we both headed towards the exit.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Where are you headed?” I asked casually. She pointed to the store. “I needed to go shopping for some groceries. And you?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“That’s funny,” I replied. “I am going to the same place to do the same thing!” I looked at her face to see her reaction.

<p style="text-align:justify">She gave me a small smile. “Isn’t it though?” She said. I did not say anything as we headed towards the store. Once we got in there, I grabbed a shopping basket and headed in the opposite direction that she was going. I went to the electronics department and looked around. The first thing on my list (Even though it was not food) was a new iPod. After a brief moment of searching, I found just the one.

<p style="text-align:justify">Next place I needed to go to was the meat department. I picked up some hamburger and tuna fish. After that, I went to get milk and some yogurt. I picked up some Doritos and a pack of gum and Tic-Tac’s. Then I needed to get some corn. I suddenly received a text from Tails, asking if I knew where Sonic was, I texted back. “I haven’t seen him all day.”

<p style="text-align:justify">Moments later Claire texted me asking what time the band practice would be at next week and where at. “I think it was supposed to be Mon. 2:00 PM, my house.” I texted, then I added. “Not sure tho. : / ”

<p style="text-align:justify">Suddenly Silende appeared out of nowhere, and I accidentally bumped into her. Her items went flying! “Chaos Control!” I shouted, and I was able to grab everything just before they were about to hit the floor. I held everything in my hands and then I gave them to Silende. Her eyes were open wide.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What did you just do?” She asked. She grabbed her things that I held.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I Chaos Controlled.” I explained simply.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Yes, but what is Chaos Control?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What is Chaos Control?” I repeated. ‘Ok how do you explain what Chaos Control is?’ I thought to myself. “It means I can briefly control time and space.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">Silende’s face scrunched up as she tried to understand what I had said. “Oh never mind. It is N.W.T.E. trying to explain it.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“N.W.T.E? What does that mean?” She asked.

<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US; mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">“It means not worth the effort.” I answered. Then I added, “I got to go, bye.” I headed to the check out stand. ‘Boy that was weird.’ I thought to myself. ‘Why do I seriously get the feeling that I know her from somewhere?’

---

<p style="text-align:justify"> Chapter 5: The Haunting’s

<p style="text-align:justify"> It was pretty late in the afternoon when I got back to my house. I had stopped at Moebius’ town park. I had been sitting on my favorite bench and I had been emailing Silver about nothing important, but it seemed like every time I looked up someone was watching me.

<p style="text-align:justify"> At times, it seemed like the person who was watching me was evil, and then it became good, then evil again and so on. It was a weird feeling. Once or twice, I looked up and I thought I had seen Silende. However, I could not be sure.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I felt like she was stalking me, even though I knew it was just my imagination playing tricks on me. What was it about her that made me attracted to her? It might have been her looks, it might have been her personality, even though I barely knew her, maybe it was the fact that she was so mysterious. Either way, I really needed to get her off my mind. When I got back home, I locked the door and sat down at the kitchen table.

<p style="text-align:justify"> Suddenly my cell phone began to ring. It was Commander Tower. “Hello, Shadow,” He said. “I need to meet at my office early tomorrow morning. It is urgent. I have a mission for you, and you will get paid twice your current salary if you can deliver some needed information.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> “So what? Is this a spying type of deal?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “I guess you could say that.” Commander Tower said.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “Alright. What time do you want me to meet you at HQ?”

<p style="text-align:justify"> “Say, umm, 9:30 A.M.” He said.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “Alright, I will be there.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I looked up again, and I realized how late it had become. I started to get a headache as I went upstairs to my room and I climbed into my bed and painfully fell asleep.

<p style="text-align:justify"> My dream consisted of fleeting images, of Claire, Sonic, and Silver. I saw a castle and a princess who seemed to hold out her arms to me but I could not see her face. There was some type of ninja that had a sword and was attacking someone. I kept on seeing a female hedgehog that had purple fur and long white hair. She was not old looking; in fact she was quite young looking, as if she was about 14. She was attacking Sonic and someone else, but I could not see whom it was.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I kept on seeing Silende, her smile, her crying and her screaming. I could see fear on her face and I wanted to help her, but at the same time, I could not.

<p style="text-align:justify"> The images kept on replaying themselves in my head, and each time I saw an image of Silende crying or in pain, my stomach twisted. It felt like I was in a deep pain. After a while, everything faded to black.

<p style="text-align:justify"> Then the blackness turned into a scene where there was a man in a cloak pointing at me, he wore all black and there was an evil presence about him. He said, “Kill Shadow the Hedgehog, He will ruin everything if he is left alive!” Silende appeared out of nowhere and screamed.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “No! I won’t let you kill him; he is the Hero that will bring you to your knees!” The evil man glared at her.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “Shut up you insolent little hedgehog girl!” He pulled out a bow and arrow and tried to kill her, but I ran over to where she was.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I stood between her and him. He glared at me. “Get out of the way you fool!” He shouted.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “I would rather die first!” I screamed at the top of my lungs and began to attack him, but then he disappeared along with Silende as the dream ended. I woke up in my bed, sweating.

<p style="text-align:justify"> Then I noticed I was starting to get really hot, I ignored it at first because I just thought it was the heater kicking on, but soon, the heat became unbearable. I looked around and saw …

<p style="text-align:justify"> “Fire!” I yelled. I looked around and speedily began to grab a few personal items.

<p style="text-align:justify"> Luckily, I had put my laptop, my cell phone, my iPod and some of my money in a bag. I grabbed that, and then I looked around. My bedroom was almost engulfed in the flames. I grabbed some things that I knew I needed.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I grabbed a few pictures of Rouge, some reminders of how she and I used to be. I also grabbed the two chaos emeralds that I had, and stashed them in the bag I had.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “Chaos Control!” as I Chaos Controlled to my front lawn. I gasped as I saw that it was not just my bedroom that was on fire, it was my entire house! Firefighters appeared out of nowhere.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I felt my eyes burning. I whispered “No.” Then everything went black.

<p style="text-align: justify;">---

<p style="text-align:justify">Chapter 6: A New Home

<p style="text-align:justify">I awoke in a hospital, a nurse sat next to me; she was looking at some charts. “What is going on?” I said. She turned around surprised.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Oh, Mr. Shadow, I am so glad that you woke up, I was afraid that you were down for the count. You see after your house burned down, you passed out on the front lawn, and you were as stiff as death itself. The doctor said that you might have not have come out of it, unless drastic measures were taken, but it seems like you’re alright.” She explained this to me.

<p style="text-align:justify">“So how did my house burn down?” I asked. I felt sore all over.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Well,” She began. “We found a piece of black cloth were the fire probably started. We think it might have come from a cape, but no one can say, at the very least we think it belongs to the person who set your house on fire.”

<p style="text-align:justify">I nodded, and then I looked outside and realized that it was still dark outside. “What time is it?” I asked. Had I slept a full day and night?

<p style="text-align:justify">“It’s still April 14th. And it is 3:15 A.M.” She said. I sighed in relief. At the least, I did not miss my meeting.

<p style="text-align:justify">“So what time did I get here?” I asked. She came over and put a thermometer in my mouth.

<p style="text-align:justify">“It was about midnight. Therefore, you have been out cold for three hours. Most people are out for only minutes. That is why the doctor thought something might have been wrong with you.” Then she took the thermometer out of my mouth. “Your temperature seems to be normal.” I think once the doctor comes in and sees you he will let you go.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Go where?” I asked. “There is no where I can go. My house is gone.” She sighed and nodded.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Anyways, here is your bag.” She said, as she handed it to me. I grabbed it and held onto it. “Oh the doctor is here now.”

<p style="text-align:justify">The doctor walked up to me and began to bombard me with questions about how I was feeling, and if I had any previous medical injuries and such. I answered all of his questions as quickly as I could. After a while, the doctor sighed. “I think Shadow here is good to go. If he was in any pain whatsoever he probably wouldn’t let us know.”

<p style="text-align:justify">I shrugged off what he said. I felt fine. It seemed like no one believed me, but who really cares anyway?

<p style="text-align:justify">I walked out of the hospital at 3:26 A.M. where could I spend the night? I hailed a taxi.

<p style="text-align:justify">As I climbed in a young man asked “Where to Hedgehog boy?”

<p style="text-align:justify">I growled at him and said “The nearest hotel or motel. Which ever, it doesn’t matter.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“The nearest place like that is a spa resort.” He said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Whatever.” I said, I just needed to calm down and this human person was not helping at all.

<p style="text-align:justify">Ten minutes later, I was standing outside ‘Moebius Grand Spa Resort and Relaxation Center’. I walked inside the lobby and waited for someone to get me a room. After ten minutes had passed, I had a room that apparently I was to share with someone else. I really did not care.

<p style="text-align:justify">I walked into the room, it was quiet and I saw there were two bedrooms, the one on the left had someone sleeping in the bed, and so I went into the bedroom on the right. I gently shut the door, and collapsed on the bed. I shut my eyes, and before I knew it I had fallen asleep.

<p style="text-align:justify">That morning at 5:00 A.M., I woke up. I went into the kitchen and got myself a glass of water. I turned around and saw … “Silende!” I exclaimed. I dropped the glass and it shattered on the kitchen floor. “Omigod!” I exclaimed as I stared at her. “You’re the roommate they gave me?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“What are you talking about?” She asked. She was as equally confused to see me as I was to see her.

<p style="text-align:justify">I took a deep breath and began to explain the events of last night. “Last night at around midnight someone snuck into my house and set it on fire. I went to the hospital and got out at like 3:00 or something, then I came here and got a room. They told me that there was one empty room, but I would have to share it with someone, and that was this room. I can in and saw you, but I didn’t know it was you, and then I went into the other bedroom, fell asleep and I woke up. Then came out here and well, you know the rest.” I had said this all in one breathe.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Wow …” She began. “I am sorry about you house.”

<p style="text-align:justify">I took a step backward then I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my left foot. “HOLY CRAP!”I screamed. She looked at me and then realized that I had stepped on a shard of glass.

<p style="text-align:justify">I hopped around clutching my foot. “OWW OWW OWW!” I yelled, still hopping.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Just sit still!” Silende exclaimed. I stopped and balanced on my one good foot. She gently stepped around the glass and looked at my foot. “It’s only one piece.” She said. She quickly grabbed some napkins. “This might hurt a little.” She said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Just get it off of me!” I said. She gently yanked the shard of glass out of my foot, surprisingly enough it only felt like a little pinch. Then she put the napkins on my foot.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I will go get some bandages.” She said. I nodded. Moments later, she had my foot bandaged. “Why did you drop the glass when you saw me?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">I shook my head. “I don’t know.” I said. Then I went to the room I had been staying in and I put my shoes on. I walked back into the room. Silende had started to clean up the glass. I found a broom and I helped her clean it up. She smiled at me. I just looked away. There was something about her smile. I could not place what it was though.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Thank you.” She said. I nodded, to let her know I had acknowledged her thanks.

<p style="text-align:justify">I looked outside at the sunrise. Silende approached me. “Isn’t it beautiful?” She asked. “I get up every morning just to watch it.” I shrugged

<p style="text-align:justify">“It’s kinda pretty.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You’re not much for expressing your feelings, are you?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I guess you could say that.” I said, truthfully, I thought the sunrise was beautiful.

<p style="text-align:justify">Suddenly Silende asked, “Are you hungry? I have some eggs in the fridge if you want some.” I thought about it for a minute.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Well, umm … you see every time I try to cook an egg, I always overcook it.” I said this quietly.

<p style="text-align:justify">Silende giggled. “Are you trying to ask me to make you an egg?” I looked away from her so she could not see my face, which felt like it was on fire.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Yeah.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">Silende giggled some more. Then she asked. “How do you like your eggs?”

<p style="text-align: justify;">---

<p style="text-align:justify">Chapter 7: Mytheria

<p style="text-align:justify"> I walked into G.U.N.’s HQ that morning right on time. Commander Tower shook my hand then he motioned for me to sit down, he sat down at his desk then he said. “Shadow have you heard of a new store that opened up called Mytheria?”

<p style="text-align:justify"> I had heard of it, but instead I said. “I’m not going to wear girl’s clothes.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> The commander glared at me and said. “I know that. I want to show you these videos.” He turned on the television and I saw a place that looked strangely familiar, it had a kingdom that was actually quite beautiful, and it was almost impossible to describe it.

<p style="text-align:justify"> He showed me the videos, and then I said. “Looks like a nice vacation spot.” Then I asked. “But what does it have to do with a clothes store?”

<p style="text-align:justify"> He responded with this. “The people of that certain kingdom call themselves “Mytherians”.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> I nodded. “I see... But, I’m still not going to go into the store.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> Commander Tower grinned and said, “I knew you wouldn’t. I just want you to keep an eye on it, and the manager. I suspect that the manager might be a spy from Mytheria, and he, or she might be planning to invade Moebius and take it over as their own.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> I paused and thought about what he said. “Wait, the Mytherians taking over Moebius itself, or the store taking over Moebius? Because personally I think that a new wide-spread clothing franchise for the girls would be interesting!”

<p style="text-align:justify"> I could see that he was getting clearly frustrated with my attitude. I wonder if he knew I was kidding, and that I knew what he had meant.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “You do realize that if you weren’t my hardest worker, I would have kicked you out a long time ago.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> He said this but then he realized that I had a small smile on my face. “Oh so you knew what I meant huh, just felt like teasing me huh? Well, that is pretty rare, even for you to do.” I shrugged.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “I guess everyone has to have a small sense of humor, some even less than others. Any way, back to Mytheria. The store. I guess I can keep an eye on it, but …”

<p style="text-align:justify"> He cut in, “You’re not going in it, I know!”

<p style="text-align:justify"> I nodded and said, “Just making the point clear.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> Commander Tower stood up and said. “Be sure to report frequently.” He reached out and shook my hand again.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I nodded. “I got it.” I stood up and turned to leave. I paused then I looked at him and asked. “Do you mind if I burn a copy of these videos to my computer for reviewing later?” He nodded. Then he handed them to me as I left the room.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I went to where the store was and I spied on it from behind a dumpster across the street. I looked and saw Silende, and a girl that was a fox. I was surprised to see Silende there, maybe she was one of their employee’s. Well that would make sense I guess. The girl approached Silende, and she began to talk to her; luckily, I had a special set of earphones that allowed me to hear things from up to three blocks away. I tuned into their conversation.

<p style="text-align:justify"> The girl said, “Excuse me? Could you help me find something to match this skirt?” The skirt was pale pink with a golden sash. It actually looked somewhat pretty.

<p style="text-align:justify"> Silende looked around for a moment and she held up a golden shirt that had long flowing sleeves. She said. “Yes. This piece should do nicely.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> The girl smiled and said excitedly. “Oh! That is so pretty! Thank you!” She hugged the shirt.

<p style="text-align:justify"> ‘Wow.’  I thought to myself. ‘So much excitement over one little shirt!’

<p style="text-align:justify"> Silende grinned, “You’re welcome. Would you like me to ring you up?”

<p style="text-align:justify"> The girl said, “Yes please!” She bought the shirt and left the store, very happy.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I stayed there until noon, watching the store. Not much happened. Silende had brought a lunch so she did not leave the store. Lunch. I had not eaten anything at all since 5:00, and now my stomach was growling. “Oh shut up!” I told it. I needed to keep an eye one the store; I did not have time for lunch. I had my priorities set. I stayed there as the hours passed by slowly, my stomach rumbling grew louder. I tried to ignore it, but once 4:00 rolled around, I could not stand it any more. I walked to a nearby deli and bought a small egg salad sandwich. I devoured this quickly as I walked back to my previous hiding spot. Finally, at 6:00 the store closed. Only Silende and another girl who also worked there were in the store. The girl that Silende was with was a raccoon.

<p style="text-align:justify">The girl said, “I don’t see how you do it Silende. You manage this store and then you help out every day, you are here from an hour before we open, and who knows how long after we close. How do you do it?”

<p style="text-align:justify">Silende replied. “Well Renee, I don’t have anything else in my life right now, so that gives me more time for my job.”

<p style="text-align:justify">The girl, Renee said, “You’re a workaholic Silende.”

<p style="text-align:justify">Silende gave a small smile and said. “I am not a workaholic!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Whatev. I still think you are. Besides, what I meant was that you just over-work yourself. ” Renee said, shrugging.

<p style="text-align:justify">Silende said. “No I don’t overwork myself, I just know my limits, and I don’t go over them.”

<p style="text-align:justify">Renee looked at her watch. “Anyways, I’ve got to get home; I need to cook my casserole.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> Silende smiled and said. “Ok, I will see you tomorrow then!”

<p style="text-align:justify"> Renee grabbed her things and waved. “Bye!”

<p style="text-align:justify"> ‘Well,’  I thought to myself, ''‘Today wasn’t very successful, the most I learned was that they are trying to come up with new ideas for fashions around here, nothing really to report back, but oh well. At least he will be happy knowing that I was doing something today.’''

<p style="text-align: justify;"> ---

<p style="text-align:justify"> Chapter 8: The Dreams Get Darker

<p style="text-align:justify"> I went back the apartment room that night, at around 7:30, I had picked up some different advertisements for different houses that were for sale. I opened the door, Silende was already there, and it looked like she was making her dinner. She looked up at me and said, “Wow, you’re here pretty late.” I shrugged.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “Where I work at, I am never off, all day and all night. I must even work in my sleep.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> Silende giggled. “That bad, huh?”

<p style="text-align:justify"> “No, it isn’t bad; working for the government has its perks.” I said shrugging, I went into the room I was staying in and I set the paper’s down on the bed.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “You work for the government!” Silende exclaimed in surprise. She walked over to the door. “Are you putting me on?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I turned and looked her in the eyes. “I am being serious.” I pointed to the papers on the bed, “That’s why I have to find a new house soon. And I am sorry for what happened earlier. If I can find a new house by tomorrow, I will be out of here at least by the next day.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> “No!” Silende exclaimed.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I turned abruptly and stared at her. “No?”

<p style="text-align:justify"> “I mean, it gets so lonely around here, just by myself. You are welcome to stay here as long as you like.” She said. I realized that she was offering her home up to me.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “But this is your home, I only feel like an intruder.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “Well, you’re not an intruder to me; in fact I would actually like it if you stayed, at least for a little while.” She looked at me in the eyes. It almost seemed like her eyes were pleading for me to stay.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I said slowly, “I guess I might stay for a little, I mean, if you really want me to.” I looked at Silende to see her reaction. She smiled. I shrugged, and then I climbed onto the bed. “Now, if you’ll excuse me I have work that needs to be done.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> She nodded, but before she left the room, she asked. “I am making myself some dinner, is there anything you would like? I can make nachos, sandwiches, anything.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> I tapped a pencil on the papers I had before me. “I guess I could go for some nachos.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> “Is there anything specific you would like on it?” She waited for my answer.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “Nothing that I can think of, Just surprise me.” I said turning back to paperwork and house options. I kept on working until I noticed that Silende had already brought in the nachos a long time ago. I began to eat then, even though they were cold. I only ate a few bites though.

<p style="text-align:justify"> After a while, I opened my laptop and logged on. I had three unopened emails. They were all from BlueBoy190. AKA Sonic. I opened the most recent one he sent.

<p style="text-align:justify"> It read. “Sorry about your house, Shadow. We can hold band practice over at my place until further notice.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> I clicked on reply and typed, “Yeah sucks to be me. At the very least I have a place to stay.” I clicked send then I put in the videos that the Commander gave me.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I watched then over and over, each time a haunting feeling came over me, as if I knew the place from somewhere. “Curiouser and curiouser.” I said. However, after about the 15th review I was beginning to get tired.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I fell asleep curled up on the bed.

<p style="text-align:justify"> I was back in the forest that I had dreamt about on the night that my house set on fire. Only this time Silende was with me, clutching my arm. She hid behind me and buried her head in my shoulder. I looked up to see what was making her she so frightened. It was the man wearing the long black cloak, and now it looked even darker than the night sky. I could not see his face but I could feel malice and hate and everything evil emanating from his body. His eyes glowed red and they were like daggers piercing into the very depths of my soul.

<p style="text-align:justify">I shuddered at the thought of all he could be capable of doing. Silende whispered in fright. “Protect me Shadow!” I looked the evil man in the eyes and glared. My hands and armed moved by themselves and I wrapped her closer to me in a protective manner. She sobbed into my arm. I clenched my teeth at the man.

<p style="text-align:justify">He pointed at me and said. “You, Shadow, give me the girl, and I will let you go free!” He pointed at her. I made no physical movement. “Give her to me, you fool!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Never!” I said. He took a step towards me and pulled out a dagger.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Give her to me or else I will kill you.” His voice was pure evil. I let go over her and stood completely in front of her blocking her from his view. He glared at me and said. “I will kill you if you don’t give her to me.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I am not afraid of you! I am not afraid of death; nothing you say or do can cause me to fear you! Go ahead and kill me, because it is physically impossible to kill me because I will always come back from the dead.” I then yelled, “For I am the ULTIMATE LIFEFORM!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“The Ultimate Lifeform, eh?” He flashed an evil grin. “Well, then, maybe I won’t kill you just yet.” Within one movement, he was directly in front of me. He grabbed my face and made me stare him in the eyes. I glared at him. Soon the eyes had gotten so evil that I had to look away. He laughed.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I can see that you take personal failure hard, and you hate it when people stare at you, and you don’t like to talk unless you have to, and that you don’t have much of a sense of humor. You cannot stand childish behavior and you have your limits, even though you always push past them. You are extremely powerful, and you are not necessarily the hero, you could be one of the best villains ever if you wanted to be, very destructive and evil. You just fight for whatever you think is right even if others think it is wrong.”

<p style="text-align:justify">He paused and let this entire speech sink in. He had just said everything about me in so little words that made me hate him even more so. Then he added, “But what I find even more so amusing about you that no one else knows is that you care a lot about your physical appearance.” He paused and added, “What if I was destroy your physical image now, and change it into, let’s say … a monster?”

<p style="text-align:justify">I glared at him. “Go ahead and try.” He raised his hand and a glowing orb appeared, he aimed it at me and tried to shoot me with it, but I Chaos Controlled behind him. I laughed. “Missed me!”

<p style="text-align:justify">He whirled around. “Why you little …” He aimed again and attempted a second shot. Luckily, I was too quick for him! I disappeared and reappeared on a tree branch towards his left.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Now, it’s my turn!” I said. “Chaos Spear!” I launched these at him but instead of piercing his skin, they fell directly at his feet. “Humph.” I sneered and then I took off my inhibitor rings, unleashing my full power. “Chaos Blast!” I said as I unleashed a large burst of energy, like an explosion. The impact did nothing to him. He laughed his evil laugh. “Chaos Control!” I hovered above his head and then I kicked his skull. Suddenly he grabbed my legs and threw me to the ground! My head was spinning and he pointed at me and laughed.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Is that the best you can do Lifeform?” The glowing orb reappeared. I yelled “Chaos Control!”

<p style="text-align:justify">Nothing happened. “What’s going on?” I said. “I can feel my power intact but I can’t access it!” Something like this has happened before to me once, but it was in the special zone. I highly doubted this was a special zone. More like an evil zone.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow!” Silende yelled. In all the action, I had not given her a thought. I stood up and began to run to her side, but the man tripped me and I fell flat on my face. I used my elbows to prop me up. I looked up at Silende and saw a huge creature carry her away.

<p style="text-align:justify">“NOO!” I yelled.

<p style="text-align:justify">The man laughed and said. “Oh don’t worry Shadow! We won’t kill her … yet!”

<p style="text-align: justify;">---

<p style="text-align:justify">Chapter 9: Fear Of The Dark

<p style="text-align:justify">Just then, I woke up. I sat up in my bed. I was panting for breath. I looked around. Everything seemed to be normal. I looked at the clock; it was only 10:15. I wiped some sweat from my forehead and fell back on my bed. My dreams were starting to get pretty creepy. Reluctantly I shut my eyes again. I hoped that I would not have another nightmare, but something inside me told me that the nightmare I had just had was not quite over.

<p style="text-align:justify">I fell asleep again. The man in the cloak was there, but Silende was not. I glared up at him and said. “What did you do to her?” He smiled an evil smile.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You should be worrying about what I am going to do to you!” I began to run in the direction that I was sure the creature had carried Silende off to.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Not so fast Shadow!” He said. He held me suspended in mid air. I could not move my body at all. I bit my cheek. I was trapped in some crystal formation.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Let me out!” I growled.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Do you know how much you sound like a dog when you growl?” He laughed hysterically.

<p style="text-align:justify">“And you sound like a complete and total weirdo with that laugh of yours!” I smirked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Oh really? Is that the best you can do?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Oh I can do better if I wanted to!” I laughed. “But I don’t feel like saying what I was going to!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Well, you won’t be laughing for long! Why don’t you try this curse on for size Hedgehog!”

<p style="text-align:justify">The moment he said this, I felt an unbearable pain shoot up throughout my entire body. It was as if all of the darkness, evil thoughts and evil actions I had done a long time ago were being brought out of my body, along with all of my painful memories thoughts and actions. The airplane crash. My wife, dead. Violence. War. Hatred. Anger. Agony. Death. Sickness. Pain. Everything was being pulled out of the dark. I could not run away from the past. Soon it felt as if my darkness had been unleashed and was trying to consume my entire body, my soul, my spirit, my everything. I heard my voice cry out in pain.

<p style="text-align:justify">Just when I thought that I could not bear it one second longer, it felt like my soul leapt out of my body and someone else stepped in the meantime. I slowly became a part of the nothingness around me. It was as if I was nothing, with no thoughts, memories or feelings.

<p style="text-align:justify">Somehow, I could see that something was happening to me. I was rolling in the grass in convulsions, I was screaming for help. Blood dripped from my mouth and hands. I was almost choking on the blood in my mouth. Then suddenly I was returned to my own body.

<p style="text-align:justify">I was lying face down in the dirt. I felt light-headed, dizzy and weak. I squeezed my already shut eyes even tighter and covered my ears as the villain began to laugh that evil and crazed laugh of his. It echoed in my ears and made my soul shiver in even more hatred than what I felt before.

<p style="text-align:justify">I stood up and growled. I tried as hard as I could to spit as much of the blood out of my mouth as possible.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What did you do to me?” My voice sounded so awful. It had deepened, and it sounded like something I had never heard before. There were so many words I could use to describe it, but I limited it down to the things I noticed the most. My voice had become dark and mysterious, deadly yet alluring, with twinges of guilt, remorse, discomfort and sadness. I clenched my fists and stared at him.

<p style="text-align:justify">“My grandma, what big fangs you have!” He said laughing.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What do you mean?” I said, almost shouting.

<p style="text-align:justify">He approached me, and then he pointed to a lake a few feet away. “Why don’t you find out for yourself?” He asked in a deeply amused voice. “Then I will leave you to feel sorry for yourself. And don’t worry; this is all just a nightmare, from which you will never wake up from!” He laughed again and then in a poof of smoke, vanished.

<p style="text-align:justify">“And then of course the evil villain just has to leave to let the cursed man figure out what happened to him. Typical.” I felt sick inside. I just had to find out what he did to me.

<p style="text-align:justify">I crawled on my hands and knee’s to the lake. I was almost afraid to look in. There could be a multitude of different evil things he could have done to me. I looked over the edge and saw a monster staring back at me. My stomach twisted on the inside and my heart stopped beating for a moment.

<p style="text-align:justify">My eyes opened wide, and I scrambled away from the water. I stood up and looked down at my body. I had grown taller and my shoes were covered in evil looking spikes. My entire body was covered in thick, course, unruly fur. My arms were covered in muscles that just by looking at them seemed to be very hard. Where my wrists were there was a large amount of thick silvery-white fur. My hands had turned gray in color. My gloves had ripped off and lay shredded on the ground. My fingernails changed to, I guessed they were about one and a half inches long, and with one look I could tell they were extremely sharp. And finally from what I could see my white chest fur had become larger and wilder.

<p style="text-align:justify">Every bone in my body tensed, as I went back to the pool to look at my face. I knew I had to look, but for the first time in my life I was actually really scared about what I looked like. I clenched my fists as I stared back at my own face. My already tan muzzle was covered in fur, and it seemed to be a little darker than usual. Or maybe it was just the water ... My nose was more pointed and in my opinion, HUGE! My eyes were wider and I could see greater distances than I had ever been able to see. My vision was I also so sharp I was seeing things that I had never noticed before.

<p style="text-align:justify">My ears were long and pointed, and they stood erect just like an oversized version of wolf ears. My quills were long and sharper, and the very tips of my quills were covered in white fur like how my wrists were.

<p style="text-align:justify">The one thing that frightened me the most were my teeth. What would have been my top two canine teeth had been changed drastically. They were hanging over my lips and had changed into two sharp fangs that went down to a little below my bottom lip. The rest of my teeth appeared normal.

<p style="text-align:justify">I squeezed my eyes shut tight and hoped that I would return too normal and wake up from this nightmare.

<p style="text-align:justify">I opened them but, nothing had changed. I covered my face with my massive hands. ‘What am I going to do?’ I thought to myself.

<p style="text-align:justify">I could go and try and find Silende. But what if she saw me like this? She would think I was just another one of his monsters. She wouldn’t see that I was the same on the inside. I looked up at the night sky. I couldn’t see anything because of the mist in my eyes. I shut my eyes and prayed somewhere, someone would hear my plea.

<p style="text-align:justify">I curled up down on the cold grass, I shivered and shut my eyes. Curling up I cried to myself. My tail had grown to be wolf-like, and as I lay there, it brushed up against my nose. My whole entire life was just torn from my grasp! Everything had gone up in smoke. All of my dreams would never become a reality. There was no one there to comfort me, except me, myself and I.

<p style="text-align:justify">I shut my eyes tighter, and opened them, hoping that I was just imagining things. Nothing had changed like I had hoped.

<p style="text-align:justify">I stood up, a new hatred burned in my chest. I had to let it out somehow. I ran to the nearest tree and dug my nails deep into it, tearing the bark away. I did this to some many trees. I felt so wild and so controlled by the evil within me, that it frightened me. I felt like I was a puppet, that the man had full control over. I didn’t want to be this way. I wanted things back to normal. Back to the way when everything made sense.

<p style="text-align:justify">Just then I heard something behind me. I whirled around. The thing behind me was a figure that I could barely make out. It walked up to me and placed its hand on my shoulder. I looked at it, gulping.

<p style="text-align:justify">The figure hugged me gently. In a loving way. For a brief moment, my worries temporarily vanished. The figure stood on tiptoe and whispered in my ear, “Be strong Shadow.”

<p style="text-align:justify">It let go of me and waved goodbye. It turned around to walk away. But then it seemed to change its mind and it turned back around and I heard it say, “The dawn is coming and it will wipe away all of your sorrows that come at night.” It walked to me and placed its hand on my cheek. Then it kissed me on the forehead.

<p style="text-align: justify;">---

<p style="text-align:justify">Chapter 10: You too, Sonic??

<p style="text-align:justify">I felt something bright shinning on my eyelids, forcing me to wake up. I opened my eyes again and suddenly I was back in my room. It was dawn and the sun was shinning. I sat up in my bed. I looked down at me hands. They appeared normal. At least it was all just a dream, hopefully. I sighed in relief. Just some freak nightmare. I shrugged to myself. Maybe watching videos right before I go to bed is the source of my problems.

<p style="text-align:justify">Then I went to the kitchen. Silende had left for work, but there was a note on the counter saying I could make myself some cereal, and that the muffin on the table was for me.

<p style="text-align:justify">“That was nice of Silende.” I said to myself. After I ate some breakfast, I grabbed the door keys, some money and some paperwork. I locked the doors and went back to the store Mytheria, and sat down in my usual hiding spot, trying to catch any piece of news that might be helpful. But nothing came.

<p style="text-align:justify">Finally at just 15 minutes before closing time I heard Silende whisper. “I hope no one else knows.” But that was all I could catch. I sighed and stood up. It was no use trying to get information like this. I needed to think up a new tactic.

<p style="text-align:justify">I walked back to the apartment when suddenly I got a phone call from Sonic. I opened the phone and said. “Yeah?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Hey Shadow, I need to talk to you about something weird that happened to me last night. Is there anywhere we could meet?” I looked at my watch.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Its kind of late Sonic…” I began.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Please, it’s kind of urgent.” He pleaded.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Oh alright.” I said sighing. Then I gave him the information of the hotel I was staying at. “I’ll be there soon.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">The moment I walked in the door I noticed that something was different. What was it? Then it hit me, Silende wasn’t there. “Where is she?” I asked. But there was no reply.

<p style="text-align:justify">Suddenly there was a knock on the door. I opened it and Sonic stepped in. He looked around in awe. “Whoa, dig this awesome pad!” he said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“So what did you need to talk to me about?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">He looked at me and said. “I know this sounds so strange, but last night I had a dream, and in it, there was this evil guy in a cloak, and he was talking to me, then he cursed me or something. Please don’t laugh at me.” He paused and waited for my reaction.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You’re kidding me right?” I said. “That was like what happened in my dream last night!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Are you serious?” Sonic asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Of course I am serious.” I answered.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Do you think the dream might have some sort of hidden meaning?” He asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">I thought about it for a moment. Then suddenly a chilling thought struck me. Quietly I said. “But, what if it wasn’t a … dream?”

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonics eyes widened. “So what, do you think that it actually happened?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I don’t know, I just remember him saying something along the lines of it would be a nightmare that I would never wake up from.” Then my eyes widened. “What if I am right? Then that means if we had the same dream, it was a sign. And if it was a sign, then it might be real, and if it was real …” I shivered I didn’t want to think about it anymore, but unbeknownst to me, nature had another plan …

<p style="text-align:justify">I looked up at the sky. The sun was fading fast. I took at deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Then I whispered. “I just hope I am wrong.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I hope so, too.” Sonic commented.

<p style="text-align:justify">The moon took the sun’s place. I felt a tingle go through my spine. I tried scratching my back but the tingle grew worse. The next thing I knew it felt like I was being thrown to the ground multiple times, but I did fall down to my hands and knees. My muscles tightened and I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth. I squeezed my eyes as shut as possible. I howled out in pain. It felt like someone was twisting my body in ways it wasn’t supposed to twist, then it felt like someone had grabbed hold of my tail, and was yanking to hard that it would rip off. Sticky beads of sweat covered my forehead and dripped on the floor, I felt my body temperature rise to a scalding degree that a normal person would be dead by. It felt like 110 degrees.

<p style="text-align:justify">Then after a either a really brief moment the pain subsided, or a very long time, I couldn’t tell. I took deep breaths, gasping for air to fill my lungs. The tenseness slowly wore off, but I could still feel, the effects were just starting to diminish.

<p style="text-align:justify">I looked up and saw that Sonic was squeezing the kitchen counter. In horror I watched as he changed into a blue version of the monster I had become from last night. The moment his transformation was over he looked up at me. His fangs and nails were much shorter than mine were. And he made me look much bigger in comparison.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What are we going to do?” Sonic asked. “We can’t just go parading through town like this!”

<p style="text-align:justify">I scratched my ear then the back of my neck. “I don’t know. I just don’t know.”

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonic walked over to where I was. He stared at me. “What are you staring at?” I asked. He shook his head and turned away.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What were you staring at?” I asked again.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You, your so lucky. You have bigger teeth than I do, and bigger claws.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“YOU CALL THIS LUCKY!!” I shouted. “THIS IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE! IF SILENDE SEES ME LIKE THIS SHE’LL FLIP! IF ANYONE SEES ME LIKE THIS THEY’LL CALL ME A FREAK!!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Freak.” I heard Sonic mumble under his breath.

<p style="text-align:justify">I made a noise like a snarl. “I heard that. And I am going to hurt you terribly for that!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Ok! Ok! Calm down, no reason to get mad. I was just teasing.” He said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Oh yeah? There are plenty of reasons why I should be mad! I mean, just look at me!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Well if you haven’t noticed, I don’t look so hot either!” He replied in a defensive tone.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Well I … I’m sorry. I guess I let my temper get the better of me.” I began slowly.

<p style="text-align:justify">Sonic shrugged. “I understand.” Then he added. “So what are we going to do?”

<p style="text-align:justify">I looked at him. “What is there that we CAN do? If anyone sees us, they will think we are just a couple of mindless monsters. There really is nothing we can do.” The moment I said this I heard some something climbing around on the roof of the resort. “Did you hear that?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Hear what?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Listen.”

<p style="text-align:justify">The scratching noise seemed dark and forbidding. I went to my room and climbed onto the balcony. A few feet up was a ladder that lead to the roof. I grabbed it and climbed up. Sonic followed close behind. I peered over the top, but there was nothing to be seen. I climbed up onto the roof and stood up. As I looked around there was no one. “That’s strange.” I said. Suddenly something pushed me down to my knees. I whirled around but there was no one there, and Sonic was still trying to climb up.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Who did that?” I whispered. I looked around. Then I saw a figure move in the darkness. Slowly and cautiously I approached it. I saw it look at me, then smile and evil smile.

<p style="text-align:justify">‘Oh great!’ I thought to myself. I sighed. I took a step towards it and asked. “Who are you?” The creature said nothing. I approached it. The smile diminished, “Who are you?” I asked again.

<p style="text-align:justify">Suddenly Sonic accidentally rammed into me. The moment he did, the creature jumped up in midair and landed behind me. I whirled around and saw it was a female hedgehog. She had long white hair and her fur color was an odd, almost sickly shade of purple. Just the sight of it made me feel like I was going to throw up. I couldn’t see all of what she was wearing though. Sonic looked at her with his mouth wide open. She suddenly opened her hands and her nails grew about 10 inches, at the very least. My eyes widened and I felt my jaw drop, She kept on getting closer to Sonic.

<p style="text-align:justify">I ran as fast as I could which felt so weird, my body had been changed to a point of where I was slower and klutzier. I did succeed in and knocking her to her feet. She got up in a slow cat-like fashion.

<p style="text-align:justify">Her eyes were dark black and you could barely see her pupil, if she even had one! She had on a black mini shirt that was skin tight and ripped at the sleeves. Her shorts were only a few inches long and she had on a huge purple belt. Her high-heeled boots were huge and they went up almost all of the way to her shorts. They were laced up and had a purple streak running up the middle of them. Her gloves were made up of fishnet, and the cut off at the fingers. She wore two purple bangles on each hand. Before I knew it she was standing back up. Then with out any warning she attacked me with her nails. One of them pierced my left shoulder. It went all of the way through, and as it did, I could feel some of my blood trickle down. I reached back and pulled her nail out. Then before I knew it she wrapped herself around my body and squeezed tightly. With her index finger she drew a line across my throat. I could feel the edge of her nail against my neck. I gulped and waited for her to stab me, but she didn’t.

<p style="text-align:justify">Instead she leaned in and in a voice that sounded like poison dripping through my veins, she said. “So you must be Shadow the Hedgehog. Finally an opponent worthy of fighting me.” I shut my eyes and tried to drown out her voice.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What’s the matter Shadow?” She said. “Are you to afraid to fight back? Are you afraid that if Silende saw you she would think you are to violent?”

<p style="text-align:justify">That did it! In a furry of rage I shook myself loose of her grasp. I stared hard at her, and I felt a growl begin at the basis of my throat and work its way up. My muscles tightened as I waited her next move.

<p style="text-align:justify">“It is a shame that I have to kill you. You could make such an ally for my master.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Never!” I shouted. I ran to her and tried to attack her. She ducked, and as she did I leapt over her and she scratched my stomach with her nails. I looked down and realized that she had inflicted another wound on my body. The blood poured down. I stared at it then suddenly to my surprise, my body healed itself. The cut stopped bleeding, but there was still blood on me.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“ARRGGGHHH!!” I growled as I jumped on her and used my short nails to scratch her. I guess shorter can be better, because you can get more accuracy. Sonic stood next to me and together we fought her. The minutes slipped into hours and we kept on fighting. The bad thing was, for all three of us, no matter what type of wound we received, our bodies healed themselves.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Just as the dawn was beginning to rise in the sky, the girl looked at us and said. “I will return.” Then she vanished. Sonic and I looked at each other at the same time.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I shrugged. “At least she left.” Then the warm sunlight shone down on Sonic and I. My head tingled and instead of feeling pain, I felt better. In a weird way I also felt like I was shrinking I opened my eyes, and realized that my body had returned to it’s former self. I looked at Sonic and saw that the same thing had happened to him. “This day just keeps on getting weirder.” I said, with a huge yawn. I climbed back down the ladder with Sonic behind me.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">We were both in my room, when Sonic whispered. “Do you really think she will come back?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I don’t know, but hopefully not.” I replied. I opened my door and just barely missed whacking Silende in the head.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Oh sorry!” I exclaimed.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Silende looked at me in surprise, and then she gave me a small smile. “It’s nice to see your up.” She was wearing the same business dress that she wore when I first met her.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Yeah.” I mumbled. Sonic came up to my side and pointed at Silende.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Who’s she?” He asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“My name is Silende, and you are?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“My name is Sonic.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I lied to Silende. “I invited Sonic over last night so we could work on my computer, because it was acting up, and well, it was late when we finally finished, so he stayed the night.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Uh yeah.” Sonic said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Silende smiled. “Any friend of Shadow is a friend of mine.” She looked out the window. Then she looked back at us, “Are you guy’s hungry?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Sonic nodded. “Yeah!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I guess so.” I said sighing.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“What is the matter Shadow?” Silende asked gently.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Huh? Oh, nothing. I was just thinking.” I said nervously.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">She went into the kitchen. “Any requests?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Umm … hmmm … Well, I was kind of craving eggs.” Sonic replied.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">‘''I wish Rouge were here. She would know what to do. She always came up with good ideas. And she was always there for me, but now the only real person here for me is me, myself and I. If only I could explain what happened last night to somebody else, maybe I would feel better, but I can’t because no one would believe me. I wouldn’t have believed it either, if it hadn’t happened to me.''’

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Shadow? Shadow! What is it you want to eat?” Sonic asked loudly in my ear, startling me from my thoughts.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Huh? What? Oh umm … I guess eggs are ok.” I said quickly.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Where do you go when you fuzz out like that?” Sonic asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I shook my head. “Nowhere.” I told him.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Sonic shrugged and looked around the apartment. “Nice place.” He said. He explored the place and I leaned on the counter by the kitchen watching Silende. I held my head up with my hands.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“What?” Silende asked when she noticed I was watching her.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Oh umm …” I looked away. I was about to tell her that She looked somewhat pretty. But I turned away and said. “Never mind.” She sighed and continued making eggs.

<p style="text-align: justify;">---

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Chapter 11: Daytime

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">After breakfast Sonic left. Silende sat on a stool in the dinning room. She watched me eat the last of my eggs, which I had eaten very slowly. “So are you doing anything today?” I asked casually.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I don’t know, why?” She began.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Well, I was wondering if you were doing nothing today, if you would like a small tour of Moebius, since I am free today. But you don’t have to say yes.” I added quickly.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“That might be fun.” Silende said. “I can go grab my purse, and then I will be ready to go.” She left the room. The she returned a few moments later.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">The first place I took her to was the local library. Turns out she never even knew we had a library and was surprised at first. She said that she would love to come back to the library soon. I showed her the city hall, and even the animal shelter. Finally I led her to the park that I loved to visit whenever I needed down time. We were the only ones there so it was quiet. I showed her all of my favorite spots. Then I led her to the center of the park where there was a giant rose bush.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Whenever I feel like there are to many people around me I go in here. All of the leaves block out the sounds and so far, only two people know of it.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Who are they?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“As of right now, only you and I know.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“So, is this park your favorite place in the whole wide world?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I guess you could say that. It is a lot better than some of the other places I have been.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Really? What is a not so good type of place you have been?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Well, for one, I guess the governments HQ on a bad day, would count as a not so good place.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“That was actually kind of funny.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I wasn’t trying to be funny. I was actually quite serious.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Sorry.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Don’t worry about it.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">We went back home that afternoon. A stranger was sitting on the couch. I grabbed his arms and yelled. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Hey let go of me!” He yelled.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Let go of him, he’s a friend of mine.” Silende said as she came up behind me.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Yeah what Silende said!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I let go of him and mumbled and apology.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">The person whom Silende said was a friend was a human boy with short blonde hair and green eyes. He introduced himself to me. “My name is Jacob, and who are you?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“My name is Shadow the Hedgehog.” I said, I wasn’t particularly friendly with him, but at the least I wasn’t rude. “If you two will excuse me, I need to check my emails.” I said as I left the room.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I heard Jacob whisper to Silende. “Are you sure that’s him? I mean he doesn’t even look like you-know-who.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I am positive. He sounds exactly like him, and his personality is almost and exact replica. He just has to be him.” Then in a much lower she added. “I met one of his friends today as well. I can almost swear that he is Rife.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">‘Who’s Rife?’ I thought to myself. ‘And what are they talking about?’

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Yes he could be Rife, but I just don’t think that the other is Sarin. There is something about that Hedgehog, he seems to … uhh I don’t know!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I am positive that he is Sarin. So far he has fulfilled and three of the prophecies.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“So? Maybe it was all just an accident!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I don’t think so.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">‘Sarin sounds like a girl’s name!’ I almost laughed when I heard the name. But I couldn’t let them know I was eavesdropping. ‘''Wait! What if this is some information about Mytheria? I had better write this down!''’ I grabbed a piece of paper and began to write down their conversation.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“So when are you planning on telling them about Myth …”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Shhhh!” Silende shushed him. “Don’t say the place out loud.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Ok, so when will you tell them about you-know-where?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Definitely not now. They aren’t ready! They would just think we are crazy, especially Sarin.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Alright, but we need them. They play a large part of you-know-where’s future!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I know, but first we have to take the baby steps with them.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Ok. I just hope you know what you are doing Silende.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Trust me. I know.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">They stopped talking for a while. Then Joshua said, “Silende, tonight I am going into the woods to explore. I need to check some things out and then in a couple of weeks you can come with me, alright?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Alright.” She said quietly.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Oh wow, it is getting really late. Goodbye Silende.” He said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I snuck onto my bed and acted as if nothing happened. I picked up a book and read. Silende walked into the room and sat down on the bed. “Shadow. I am going to go take a walk. Will you be alright?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Of course. If I need anything I can always call Sonic.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Ok I was just wondering.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I shrugged. “Go have fun or whatever.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">She left the room quietly. I looked out the window. The sun had set. I sighed and waited for the transformation. I shut my eyes tight and grabbed the pillow. I used it to muffle my screams. I looked down at my hands afterwards. I sighed and fell backwards on the bed and covered my face with the pillow. After a while I got the strange feeling that I was being watched.

<p style="text-align: justify;">---

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Chapter 12: Nighttime

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I sat up on my bed. I felt a cold blast seep through my skin. Instantly I knew who was watching me. It was the girl. I got up off of the bed slowly and looked around, trying to spot her. Then without warning she was on my back again. She held on tight.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Not this again.” I growled. She didn’t say anything. I reached behind me and grabbed her and slammed her into the ground. As I did this she dug her nails into my wrists. I yelped in pain. Surprisingly no blood had been drawn.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">She stood up and said in that poisonous voice of hers, “Oh yes. And every night until you die.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Or until I kill you!” I shouted leaping onto her. With one swift movement she kicked me with the heel of her boot. The blow landed on my stomach and knocked all of the wind out of me. “Oomph!” I grunted.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I stood up slowly and stared at her. She ran towards me nails outstretched. I ducked and she went soaring over me and crashed into the wall leaving a deep imprint. She jumped back and faced me. I smirked. I ran toward her and punched her. As I did I felt a surge of energy run through my arm. She went directly through the wall. My eyes opened wide as I stared at my hand. “How’d I do that?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Suddenly I saw her head appear as she climbed back through the hole. She glared at me and ran towards me. She caused her nails to grow extremely large and she began to attack me. We fought back and forth, offensive and defensive fighting. One moment I would get the best of her and the vice-versa. We fought the night away. But then at 4:17 AM, she stood up and said. “I have better things to do.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Oh yeah, so all of the blood on you isn’t a sign that I can fight?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Yes, but compared to me you are only a baby.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“What did you just call me?” My eyes narrowed and I jumped on her and began to punch her as hard as I can. Over and over. My anger over her and the cloaked man and everything else in the world came out. Minutes later I stopped and was panting. She stood up, her nose was bleeding and she was bruised all over. She clenched her fists and grabbed hold of my right arm. She twisted slowly at first, then she grabbed on tighter and twisted harder.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Stop!” I yelled through clenched teeth.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“You really are weak!” She said laughing. Her voice sounded so demonic.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Then suddenly she heard the satisfying breakage of my arm. My whole entire arm burned like it had been set on fire. I howled out in pain. I couldn’t move my arm. It hung limply at my side. I shook in pain and fury. I began to attack her with my one good arm. She grabbed it as well and gave me an evil smile. I could see that she had two short fangs. She began to twist my other arm and I knew what she was going to try to do. “Let go of me!” I yelled as I jerked my arm free.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Amateur.” She said. Then without a further warning she jumped out of the window!

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Ok, that was strange!” I said. With my free arm I clutched my broken one. I flopped onto the bed and sighed. ‘Why me?’

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">It was only 4:25. The sun wouldn’t come up for another two or three hours. I sighed. I had one useless arm and there was no one I could talk to. I sat up and went to the bathroom. I looked in the mirror and stared at my face looking back at me. For once I could see my emotions played out clearly one my face. I could see a mixture of anger, hurt, frustration and sadness on my face. My blood red eyes shone in the darkness. I looked away and left the bathroom. I went to the living room and opened the sliding glass door. I looked behind me and leapt down. When I reached the bottom I realized that my right arm seemed to feel a little different. I was able to lift it a few inches.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“So every wound, no matter how big or how small can be healed?” I said out loud. I began to run towards the mountains but then I realized yet again that my super speed had been taken away from me. I sighed as I walked towards the mountains. No one was on the streets that night. That was good for me. I didn’t need to attract any unwanted attention. I reached downtown without anyone spotting me. I looked behind me to make sure no one was following me just in case.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Then suddenly I bumped into someone. I fell on top of her. I opened my eyes wide in fear and stood up. I tried to run away but I fell over a giant crack in the sidewalk. I scrambled back to my feet and suddenly an instinct told me to run on all fours. As I did I felt a burst of speed as I zoomed down the street. I heard a whoosh as someone or something followed me.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Shadow! Wait up!” I heard a voice call. It was familiar. To familiar in fact to be good. I stopped running and stood up as I saw who was following me.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Claire?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Shadow, what happened you?” She asked as she approached me.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I looked away from her and said nothing. She touched my arm and looked up at me with her innocent eyes. She gasped as she saw my face. But then her eyes softened and she hugged me. I looked down at her. She let go of me and grabbed my hands.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Your … your not scared of me?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">She looked up at me and shook her head. “No.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I felt my lips turn up in a smile as I sighed in relief.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“What is the matter?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I guess I am happy that you aren’t scared of me.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">She nodded. “I don’t get scared easily.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“That’s good news, I guess.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“How did this happen to you?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I don’t want to talk about it.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to …”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Don’t worry about it.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Shadow, where are you going? Especially so late at night.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I was just about to ask you the same thing.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I woke up and I couldn’t fall back asleep so I decided to take a walk until I felt tired. I also got the sense a friend of mine was feeling lonely. Seems as if I found my lonely friend. And you?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I just finished fighting with some freaky girl villain or whatever. I left the place where I was staying. And now I am here.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I see. I am really sorry about what happened to you.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“It’s not you fault. I don’t think, unless you were the man in the black cloak.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“A man in the black cloak!” She exclaimed. “Just a couple of nights ago I had a dream and he threatened to reveal my true identity if I ever became friends with a girl named Silende!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Silende? Are you kidding me?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“No! That is what happened in my dream, but then someone attacked him and he vanished. But the strange thing was he tried to zap me, and as he did it hit my neck. And I woke up with this choker and this set of earrings on. And the funny thing is my ears were never pierced before!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“May I look at your necklace?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">She took her necklace off and handed it to me. Carefully I grabbed it and looked at it. It had a long black ribbon with a purple star in the center the star was some form of a crystal. I looked up at her earrings and saw one had a purple star while the other had a purple moon. I handed the necklace back to her and she put it back on again.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“What do you think the necklace does?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I don’t know.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I hope for your sake it won’t do anything terrible.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Me too.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I guess I had better go Claire. I need to get back before the sun rises.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Your not a vampire are you?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“No I am not, but whatever I am, I need to find out soon.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Goodbye Shadow.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I nodded and watched her walk away before I headed back to the apartment room. I trudged along slowly because I hadn’t slept in several days. It was Saturday morning already. I walked into the room exhausted and I fell asleep lying on the couch with one shoe off and the other on. I slept for what seemed like hours.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I felt someone shaking me. I yawned at sat up. “What?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Yeow!” I exclaimed in surprise when I saw two fangs right in front of my face; I leaned back and saw Sonic in his monster form shaking me. “Don’t scare me like that!” I said unhappily.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Yes! You’re finally up!” He said. “Wow, you really are a heavy sleeper!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Why did you wake me up?” I asked. I rubbed the sleep away from my eyes.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Ummm … well, that … girl started chasing me, so I ran over here to get your help, you know to fight her.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Great … I fought her last night for a while, she left, Claire found out about me, but she wasn’t scared and then I get here and sleep the entire day only to find that the girl is after you. Not the best wake up call if you ask me.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“What about a death call?” Her chilling voice came from nowhere. I looked around trying to find out where she was hiding.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Where are you hiding at?” I said under my breath as I listened for any sign that would give away where she was at. Suddenly some instinct told me she was about to approach from behind. I waited for one second, then as I heard her leap through the air, I dropped down and rolled to a few feet away and stood up all within barely a second.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“You avoided what would have been an attack. Very good. But not good enough, child!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Don’t call me that!” I said under my breath.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I can call you that if I want to, compared to me you are just a boy.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I glared at her. Then without any warning I punched her in the stomach. She fell backwards. Sonic was right behind her and he caught her in his arms on accident. Then he got a stupid smile. He punched her back towards me and said. “Coming right back at you.” I moved to the side, and she fell to the ground.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">She got up slowly. She looked at both of us. She took a step towards me, and then she seemed to change her mind. She turned around and faced Sonic. He took a step backwards, as he did, she sprung with her nails outstretched and slashed what would have been his left eye, but he ducked, and she missed her target by a hairsbreadth and scratched his cheek, tearing his flesh, and causing it to bleed.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Hey! Leave him alone!” I yelled as I attacked her from behind. Something inside me made me feel like I was supposed to protect him, almost like a brother. As I did I landed a punch on her ribs. I could hear a few of her bones shatter. Sonic held his hand against his cheek, pressing down, trying to stop the bleeding.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">The girl fell to the ground and didn’t get up. I looked at her for a second, but then I realized I had just found her weak spot. The corner of my mouth lifted up, causing my left fang to look even larger. I walked up to her and stood and her side. I kicked her in the ribs. “Get up.” But she made only the slightest movement of her face to give me an evil stare.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Using my dominant hand I lifted her up by her shirt and threw her back to the ground. I stood over her glowering. “Looks like I won this battle!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Yes, but you have not won the war.” She said in a blood curdling voice. The next thing I knew all of my breath had been knocked out of me as I fell to the ground. Within a blink of my eyes she was on sitting on top of me, one hand and one leg was pinning down both of my arms, while using her other hand she pointed one finger at my neck, her nail was extended. I gulped. But I didn’t show any fear on my face. I waited for her to attack me. But she didn’t move. Instead she brought her nail back. She leaned in and whispered in my ear. “Are you ready to die?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Go ahead, kill me.” I said. “What is my life worth to me?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Her eyes opened wide in a temporary surprise, which then changed to an evil half amused smile. She didn’t say anything but instead she leaned in closer. A piece of her hair brushed up against my nose. I struggled and got my right arm free, I scratched my nose. Suddenly, Sonic rammed into her and she fell to the ground. I got up just in time to see her slap Sonic across his face and slash her nails across his stomach. I pushed her over and I attacked her. She and I fought back and forth. Sonic suddenly reached up behind her and yanked her hair. She whirled around and began to attack him. It was a whirl of furry and the next thing I knew Sonic fell down on his face unconscious.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I became mad and then I advanced upon her. She grabbed both of my arms with one hand and took the other and reached up behind my neck. “What are you attempting to do?” I asked. She applied pressure to the back of my neck, gently at first then without any warning, everything faded to black.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">---

<p style="text-align: justify;">Chapter 13: Sunday to Sunday, and Monday to Monday

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I opened my eyes as the sunlight hit them. “Ugnhh! I feel like I was just hit by a truck.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Shadow! You’re all right! I was so worried!” Silende said. I began to notice my surroundings. She was holding a rag against my forehead, I was lying down on the couch, and my head was in her lap.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I sat up slowly. “Where is Sonic?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“What do you mean? He wasn’t here when I woke up this morning.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“He wasn’t?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I’m positive of it.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“But then, last night … oh never mind.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">She put her hand on my shoulder and said. “What’s the matter?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Nothing.” I groaned. My head really hurt. “If my head doesn’t stop hurting I might have to go to a hospital.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I can call 911 if you need me to. I cleaned up the wounds that you had. You must have some sort of ability to heal yourself because the scratches you had weren’t that bad.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Wait … When you woke up? How long ago was that? What time is it now”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“About 10 minutes ago, and it’s around 7:18. When I came out here I saw that you were lying face down on the floor. You must have had scratches all over your back that were pretty deep. Someone must have snuck in and attacked you from behind.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Yah … I guess so.” I stood up. “I think I will be fine.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Are you sure?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I nodded. I walked over to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. I was perfectly normal looking. I yawned then I saw something that surprised me. I shut the bathroom door and looked closer. “Omigosh!” I whispered. My two canine teeth were still abnormally large; I hoped Silende hadn’t seen them.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I shook my head and sighed, ‘I might as well take a shower.’ I thought to myself. I called out to Silende, “Don’t run any hot water, I am gonna take a shower.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Alright!” She called.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Fifteen minutes later I had dried off and was sitting on my bed checking my email. I got a notice that BlueBoy190, FutureHero440 and LilacAngel411 were online. Also known as (In order) Sonic, Silver and Claire.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">BlueBoy190 IMed me saying “Whaz up?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Nothin.” I replied back.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">FutureHero440 asked LilacAngel411 “Are u excited 4 Mon.?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">She replied back, “Yeah … wow, I have the song Barbie Girl Stuck in my head!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I typed in. “That’s nice. Not really.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">She typed back. “Yeah I know wut you mean. I found it today, and now it won’t get out of my head!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I heard that song once. Didn’t get it >.< Why would anyone want to be a Barbie doll?” FutureHero440 asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Don’t ask me. People r just crazy.” I typed. Suddenly I got the feeling that some one was watching me. I looked up and saw that Silende was watching me IM.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“What are you doing?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I’m IMing some of my friends. Do you want to watch?” She nodded and I moved over a bit so she could watch better. She moved over and sat close to me, as she watched.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I typed in. “Hey guys, just 2 let u know, Silenday …”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“That’s not how it’s spelled.” Silende said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Huh?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“My name is spelled S-I-L-E-N-D-E, not the way you wrote it.” She informed me.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Ok then.” I said, shrugging. I went back and retyped in “Hey guys, just 2 let u know Silende is O.M.S. so yeah, try explain things thoroughly, cuz’ I don’t think she knows mutch texting lingo.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">What does O.M.S. mean?” Silende asked with curiosity.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“O.M.S. means that you are over my shoulder, like just a better way of saying that you are watching me.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Oh ok.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">LilacAngel411 typed in. “Hey Silende! : D R U friends w/ Shadow?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Silende looked up at me and asked, “What do the two dots mean with the ‘D’ next to it and the ‘W’ with the little dash mark mean?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I explained. “The little dots and the ‘D’ means she is smiling. It’s just kind of a way to show your emotions. Like if you were to type in a capital ‘O’ a period, and a lowercase ‘O’…” I typed this in to show her how it looked. (O.o) “It means you are basically like ‘Ok that was really weird!’ or ‘What in the world!’ or something like that. And the other means the word ‘With.’. Does that make sense?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I guess so. Do you mind if I reply to what she said?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Go ahead, just let her know that you are using my account.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Silende typed in. “(This is Silende) I guess we are more of acquaintances more than best friends. We hang out somewhat, but usually I am busy running my store.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Now what do I do?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“You can either hit enter and it will send it to her or you can hit the button in the corner that says ‘Send.’ either way she would still get your message.” I told her. She hit enter.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Just a few seconds later LilacAngel411 responded by saying, “Ok J.W. (Just wondering) Do you have your own IM account?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Silende looked at me. “Go ahead. I can just text from my phone.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Is a text the same thing as a IM?” Silende asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Pretty much, the only difference is that on my cell phone I can only type one person at a time.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Silende pointed to my username. “What is that for?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Oh, that is a username, it’s kind of like a second name so that way no-one else except for your closest friends will know who you are. Like you see mine is ‘TheUltimateLifeForm1’. If you want later sometime I can get you an IM account, all you need to get one is a email account.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I don’t know, maybe. So who are all of the people that you are talking to?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Well, for starters, LilacAngel411 is Claire, FutureHero440 is Silver and you have already met BlueBoy190.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I have?” She asked looking at me strangely.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Yeah, Sonic is BlueBoy190.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Oh.” She said with a small smile. Then she replied to Claire’s message. “I don’t have a IM account yet, but sometime Shadow might help set me up with a account.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Then she looked up at me, “What does the 190 mean in Sonics username?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Not sure.” I shrugged, then I shook my head. “I really don’t care to find out what it means either.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I shrugged and left the room to let the two girl’s chat. I walked into the living room and sighed. What was the feeling that I felt now? It didn’t feel good, but at the same time I knew it wasn’t a bad feeling. I decided to go onto Youtube on my cell phone, I needed something to do. I looked up ‘Random Stick Figure Animations.’ After a couple of videos I was bored, again. I went back into the room. Silende was still talking to Claire. “I think I am going to go take a walk, OK?” She nodded.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I went to the mountains and hiked to the site of the airplane crash. The airplane was covered with rust. There were yellow poppies on the ground. I picked some of these and hiked up the mountain some more. I came to the my dead wife’s gravesite. I placed the flowers on it, then I sat down and sighed. I could remember the day clearly and perfectly.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">She had wanted to go on a airplane ride before our son was going to be born. I guess I let her talk me into it, I fell asleep in the back and when I woke up the plane was on auto-pilot and she was in labor. I tried to land the craft, but one of the wings had caught fire and the second engine wasn’t working. I remembered falling to the earth Everything became black. I woke up and crawled out of the airplane in the middle of the night. She was dying. I held her in my arms and cried. She died and I buried her a little while away from the airplane. I would come back here several times to replace the flowers on her grave. But each and every time I came here the painful memories would arise.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I sighed again and stood up. ‘I guess I had better head back.’ I thought as I headed back down the mountain. As I came down I tripped over a rock and fell down. I tried to get up but my foot was crushed. I tried to stand up, but I fell back down again. I got up to my hands and knee’s and crawled to the base of the mountain. Once I reached the bottom I stood up slowly. I could stand, but the pain was pretty bad. But then I got thinking, whenever I become that monster my entire body hurts much worse than the pain I was feeling now. If I can last through that, I could last through a painful foot. I limped back to the apartment. As I walked into the room Silende was sitting on the couch reading a book.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Hi.” I said slowly.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">She stood up and smiled but the moment she saw my face she gasped.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">Was it nighttime already? Had I turned into a monster in front of her? Had I not even noticed if I had become the monster? I looked at my hands, they appeared normal. I looked back up at her. But she was next to me all of the sudden.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“What part of your body got broken?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">I looked at her. “Nothings broken. I just crushed my foot that is all.” I said. ‘''Did I actually break my foot? It could be possible.''’

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“Let me see your foot.” She said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I will be fine. The pain will go away in a half an hour or so.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“It is never good to leave a wound ignored for to long. It could get infected or worse.” She explained.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“I don't care, I have been wounded before pretty badly and those wounds have always healed.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt">“But Shadow …” She began.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt"> “Just leave me alone OK?? I don't need anyone telling me to take care of myself!!” I yelled at her. I hated it whenever anyone tried to tell me what to do and it seemed like this was exactly what she was trying to do. I walked into my room and slammed the door.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt"> “Ok, bye.” She said. Then I heard her leave the room.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt"> ‘Good riddance.’ I thought. Besides it was almost night time and I couldn’t let her see me. The door shut. I sat down on my bed and stared at the wall in front of me. About an hour later the door opened again. I had calmed down and I had decided to apologize to her. I opened my door, but instead of Silende being there, it was Sonic, I should have expected as much.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt"> “You dude! What’s up?” He asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt"> “Hating myself for being so ... so ... oh never mind.” I said. It was no use trying to explain to him what just happened.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt"> I walked out of the room and I did I felt pain shoot up through my leg. I winced. ‘Maybe I should have listened to her.’ I thought.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt"> “I think it’s almost time …” Sonic began. I rolled my eyes.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt"> “Brilliant observation.” I said sarcastically.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> He stuck his tongue out at me. “ It's not my fault!” He said loudly. Then he paused and asked. “Remember the weird dreams we had a few nights ago? What was your dream like? I mean I know the same guy did this to us but why?”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“How should I know?” I said shrugging. “Anyways, do you really want to know what my dream was about?”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">He nodded, I sighed and gave him as simple of an explanation of my dream that I had as I could.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “In my dream I remember that I was protecting Silende from him. He tried to kill me. I started attacking him, then I got distracted, one of his minions got her and then I tried to get her but he froze part of my body so I could not move. Then he cursed me and left. I saw what I looked like in a pool, and then I woke up as myself. And then you know the rest.” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Do you think this could be Silende's fault?” He asked. “I mean everything was normal before you met her.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> “You call wanting to commit suicide normal?” I asked. Then I stopped myself realizing I had just made myself very vulnerable by showing some of my true feelings.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You wanted to commit suicide before you met Silende? Or is it about Rouge that you wanted to commit suicide?” He asked.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “I don’t know ok!! Just shut up!” I yelled at him.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Okay! Sheesh! You don’t have to get so angry all of the time.” He said defensively.

<p style="text-align:justify">I glared at him and snarled. As I did I realized I was showing a monster fang. My eyes opened wide and I covered my mouth with my hand.

<p style="text-align:justify">“It’s time.” Sonic said. I sighed and knew what was coming.

<p style="text-align:justify">After the transformation had taken place I looked around and said. “Enter ... one creepy evil girl who always tries to kill us for no apparent reason.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“The reason is because it's my job.” I heard her chilling voice come from behind me.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Ok two things. Number one, why do you always like to show up behind me? And number two, how do you even get in here?” I asked. She said nothing.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“So what is your reason for trying to kill us?” I asked.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">The girl said, “I do what my master asks me too.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">Sonic asked with a smirk. “So if he asked you to kill yourself, would you do it?”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“I obey my master.” Was her simple response.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">I rolled my eyes. “So what? Can you not think for yourself? Do you absolutely have to have someone tell you what to do? ‘Cause that is pretty stupid if you ask me.” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">Sonic commented. “No one asked your opinion.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Will you just shut up?” I yelled.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Make me.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Alright, your asking for it!” I leapt on him and began to punch him. He fought back. But I was much stronger than him. After a few minutes I stood over him and smirked. “You really can’t fight me whatsoever.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">The girl then spoke up. “I can think for myself. I work for my master because he created me. Also you don't want to go against a powerful evil sorcerer that is millions of years old do you?”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">I shrugged. “Sounds like fun.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Of course you are just a child so you don't know any better.” She said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“ Hey I am at least 69 if you count the years I was hung in suspended animation!!!” I said defensively.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“So what? You are older physically. I am older mentally and when it comes to fighting I am better. I could have easily killed you every night I came.” She said with that chilling voice of hers.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “So, if your mission is to kill me why haven't you yet? Why are you just toying with us?” I asked.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“It's not a mission, it's a job.” She said quickly.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“ You still haven't answered my question. You’re just avoiding it.” I noticed.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Well if you're so smart like you say you are, why haven't you figured it out yet?” She paused, and then she added. “Ultimate Lifeform.” She said slowly. I hated her even more so for making me seem stupid, which I am not.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">But I retorted back with, “ I never said I was the smartest person around did I?”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“No but you boast about your "superior" skills. Why don't you use them if you have them?” She asked. I glared at her.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “Because I can’t even Chaos Control right now, for some strange reason at nighttime I lose most of my powers, that’s why!”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “ That makes you not the Ultimate Lifeform.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> “I just can't Chaos Control or Chaos Blast that is all. It doesn't mean I am not the Ultimate Lifeform! Heck I could still be the Ultimate Lifeform even if I had no powers whatsoever! Being the Ultimate Lifeform means I am immune to disease and death!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I would like to see you survive on Mytheria. That would be very interesting. You wouldn’t even make it a half an hour.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“How do you know of Mytheria?” I asked; she immediately changed the subject.

<p style="text-align:justify">“And how would a mere mortal know of Mytheria? That is because he is going to betray his friendship to a helpless girl, and turn her over to the government because his job comes first.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“ What are you talking about? How do you know that I work for the government!! I would never betray her!” I said all of this quite quickly.

<p style="text-align:justify">“But that is you're intention. I know because Valifore sees everything that you are doing, he also has seen everything you've done and will do. For example you're wife is dead. She was killed in an airplane crash.” She said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“ Well, you can just tell your master that I can be quite unpredictable. Such as the fact that comment you just made would have made me attack you without a second thought. But I won't. And who cares about my wife? Certainly not you! And don't you ever mention Rouge again!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I don't take orders from you. It doesn't matter to me anyway. I can be unpredictable too like I could attack you or not.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“ Whatever I don't give crap about whatever you do. I just hate you and that is all there is to it.” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> She gave an evil smile. “ I'm not found of you either!” With saying that she attacked me.

<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">I instantly blocked her attack. She dug her nails through my arm. “Is that all you have got? How pathetic.” My response was simple. I punched her face.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Surprisingly we spent the whole night talking but I will be back.” She said. With that she jumped out of the window and vanished into the early morning light. I sighed.

<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">“Who was she talking about? And how did she know about the crash?” Sonic asked.“ I don't know. But she is driving me crazy!” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “ Well what are you going to do about it?” Sonic asked.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Don’t you mean ‘we’?” I asked

<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">“More like you. She seems to only really notice you; it is as if you’re her main target.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Well, back to your question, my answer would be we can tr y to kill her, but she is practically invulnerable to our attacks!” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “ What else could we do?” He asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“ We could try to kill her master and if I am right I have a hunch as to who he is.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> “ The man in the black cloak? Didn't she say his name was ... I forgot it now!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Valifore, if I am right. But she did not mention her name.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“So you think she would tell us her name if we asked?”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“I doubt it.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Maybe we could find out whose anti she is!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“ We can try! That would be helpful! ”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Okay so we would have to see who she resembles in body and who she is opposite of in attitude!”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“ That is just it! She looks like no one I know of!!”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “ Well Scourge is green and I'm blue, maybe it figures we should be looking at...”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“At what?” I asked.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“What? You just confused me!”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“ You just said, quoting you ... 'Well Scourge is green and I'm blue, maybe it figures we should be looking at…' and then you stopped.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “ It figures we what should look for. Look for someone that looks small and harmless, until she gets her nails out that is ... long hair and is very modest and innocent.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“ OK Ummm ... wait are you saying Silende is her anti?”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “ I don't know her that well. Do you think she could be? Is she here?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“ I don't know where she is at.” I said. Well she could be at her work, actually.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “My foot still hurts. But not as bad as it did.” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “ What are you talking about?”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“I hurt my foot earlier.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“When did you do that?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“ I was at Rouges gravesite. I put new flowers on it. Then coming down I hurt myself.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> “So why did Silende leave though? If you just hurt your foot?”

<p style="text-align:justify"> “I got mad at her and yelled at her and she left.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> “So when will she get back?”

<p style="text-align:justify"> “How should I know?” I asked. “Look I have a bad headache. I don’t feel like talking anymore.”

<p style="text-align:justify"> “ Okay. Maybe you should get some sleep for the first time in how long?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“ I don't know, and I don't feel like sleeping.” I looked over at the clock, it read 7:00 AM, and Sonic and I were back in our normal Hedgehog forms.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “ Okay. Well I have to get going. Later!”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Bye.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">Once he left I decided to go and try to find Silende and apologize. I looked outside. It seemed like it would be a really rainy day.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">I came to the store where she worked at. I looked up and saw her standing looking outside a window on the second floor. She looked down and saw me, and then she pulled the shade in front of the windows. I sighed and turned around, ‘She must still be sore at me.’ I thought.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">Suddenly the door to the store opened. “Is something wrong Shadow?” Silende asked, in a semi cold voice.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“I uhh … I wanted to … I mean that is …” I stammered.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Yes?” She asked. Her voice was less bitter.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“ I was just going to ... to ... ... I'm sorry!” I blurted out as quickly as I could, and with that I dashed down the street. Three blocks away I stopped. I saw Silende go back inside slowly.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “Why did I freeze up like that?” I asked myself. “I am so stupid.” Everyone on the street stopped what they were doing and turned to look at me.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “What are you staring at?” I asked. They all went back to what they had been doing.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> Suddenly I heard someone call, “Shadow!” I looked up, it was Claire and Silver was with her.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “Oh, hi Claire!” I said. “Hi Silver.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “Hi.” Silver smiled.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “What are you guys up to?” I asked.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “We are going to go see a movie, before the first band practice. You want to come?”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “No thanks.” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “Why not?” Claire asked.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “I don’t feel up to it.” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> Silver pleaded. “Aww, come on!”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “It is an action movie!” Claire begged.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “Oh alright, fine.” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> Claire jumped up and down, and clapped her hands. “Yay!” She exclaimed.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> We went in and watched the movie, it was ok, but my mind was elsewhere for most of the movie. Afterwards we came outside. The sun was shinning. “I guess the movie was ok.” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “Thanks for seeing it with us!” Silver said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “Hey guy’s look, I have to go get a new guitar. I will se you all later.” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> “Ok bye!” Silver said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify"> He left. Claire stood there and then she whispered “I hope tonight is not as rough on you as it has been.” She turned and walked away. I was thankful for the small comfort that she gave me. I turned and went to go to the music store.

<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">---

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">Chapter 14: The First Band Practice

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">I walked into Sonics house that afternoon with a new guitar. Claire was struggling to set up her keyboard. She was surrounded in a mess of wires. “Uh, someone, a little help would be nice right now!” She said. I sighed and began to untangle her. “Thanks Shadow.” She said smiling. “I hate wires.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“No problem.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">Silver looked frantic. “My drumsticks are missing!” He said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Silver! You put them on your chair, remember?” Sonic said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Oh great! I can’t find my guitar pick!” Sonic exclaimed.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">I handed him an extra one that I had, “Here, I had three with me, so you can borrow one.” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Thanks!”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">Soon all of the excitement disappeared and everyone seemed ready for the first band meeting. I sat on Sonics couch and I adjusted the new guitar. “So,” I began, “Do we have any song ideas or anything like that?”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Oh great!” Sonic exclaimed. “Who is going to write our songs?”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">Claire blushed and said, “Maybe I can come up with some ideas for some songs, but they won’t be that great.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">Silver patted her shoulder. “I am sure you would make a pretty good song writer.” He comforted her.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“I think that is a great idea for now.” I said, giving her my support.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“But you know, I think we should start with something basic, like just tunes and stuff, maybe get a small show or whatever to see what people think.” Sonic said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Well, the Fourth of July will be here soon; maybe we can work out something.” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“I think that is a great idea Shadow.” Claire said smiling.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">The next hour was devoted to discussing ideas and hopes for the band. We decided that Sonic would probably be the best lead singer, with Claire definitely being the female lead, and background vocal. I hoped that our band really would be as good as we all wanted it to be.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">After the hour was up, Silver and Claire left. Sonic looked at me and sighed. “Another night of sheer torture, huh?” I nodded

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Yup. And there is nothing we can do about it!” I said. Sonic nodded. “I guess I had better get back to the apartment.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;">---

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">Chapter 15: A New Friend

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">At the apartment I noticed that yet again Silende was not there, but there was a note on the counter saying that she would be back home late, and that there had been some trouble at her store that she needed to deal with. I looked at the clock on the counter. It was 4:21. The sun would not set for a long while. I closed all of the window shades in the house including those in Silende’s room, mostly because I felt like it.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">I sat on the couch and sighed. I went into my room and grabbed my computer and the video of Mytheria. I watched it again, taking notes on anything I could that would be helpful. I zoomed in a couple of times on some still shots of the townspeople, but the images that came up were somewhat blurry. But in one certain scene I saw something that prodded my memories.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">It looked like a guy with long black hair in a ponytail kissing a girl with long white hair that reached her knees near the castle wall. For some strange reason the couple looked like one I had seen many long years ago. I kept on staring at it, zooming in and out. Then I got an idea. Throughout the video I searched for this couple. I found several blurred pictures of them.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">I went into my bedroom about an hour later and fell asleep in the darkness. Luckily for me I had no strange dreams like the last week’s dreams were. Hours later I sat up in my bed. The girl was peering over the bed at me. I stood up quickly. I said “So what, did your master not give you the order to kill me in my sleep?”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“I could have killed you, but I decided to give you a fair fighting chance, which is rare for me. Don’t expect it to happen again.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Well thank you.” I said. “But at the very least, let’s take this fight somewhere else instead of in my bedroom.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">She said nothing. Cautiously I walked past her and made my way into the living room. I turned on the light and stood prepared to attack. For some strange reason the girl seemed taller. I looked at her strangely and shook my head. I must have been imagining things. “So,” She began, “Is that what you usually look like?” She asked.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“What?” I asked. I looked at myself. I was still a Hedgehog and not a monster. “Oh yeah.” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">I held a Chaos Spear in my hand. I launched it at her, she avoided this barely and it grazed her right shoulder. She came at me with her nails outstretched. I ducked and avoided these. As I did she flew over me and I punched her in the ribs. Shakily she stood up. “Do you give up?” I asked.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">She flashed a creepy glare. “Never!” She came back at me and I ducked again. This time I roundhouse kicked her in the guts.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Shadow!” Sonics voice came from behind me. I whipped around. Just barely avoiding another attack from her.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Shadow, how come you aren’t a monster?” Sonic asked.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“I dunno!” I said punching her face. “I am just going to give up on guessing what is going on with me. This is all like out of a horror novel.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">Suddenly my stomach flesh was torn apart. I collapsed slowly, clutching my stomach. I was bleeding profoundly and it would not stop. My body was not healing itself, or even then, if it was it was doing so very slowly. I was on the brink of total darkness, I could barley make out Sonic fighting against her. I tried to stand up but the loss of blood was just too much. I fell back down again.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">I felt a hand on my shoulder. The touch was gentle and light. I looked up. I saw a figurine of a small girl looking down at me. She looked strange, not evil strange, just strange as in strangely familiar. “Heal.” She said. Instantly I felt better. I looked down at myself and realized that my wounds were gone. I looked back up at her. She wore a garment made of long flowing silk that was dark purple in color that was laced up on the sleeves. She had on an oddly shaped pointed hat. It was then I recognized what she was. She was a Wizard! She smiled and her greem grey eyes twinkled. Her fur was unmistakably light grey.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Who are you?” I whispered.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">She said nothing. Then the Wizard turned towards the evil girl who was still there. The evil girl glared at her, the Wizard pulled out a long wooden broomstick. Instantly in her hands it transformed into a sword.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">She advanced on the girl, using excellent swordsmanship. Her sword clashed against the others nails! They fought. Then without warning she tossed me her sword! “Here!” She called I caught it. It felt strange in my hands. I lifted it and ran towards the girl. Then the Wizard reached into a bag that appeared from no where and pulled out a dagger. She attacked the girl, Sonic also helped. Then suddenly I noticed the dawn was coming. The evil girl left, leaving me with the Wizard and Sonic.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“What is your name?” I asked her.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“You can call me Stephanie.” She said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Wow, a real Wizard!” Sonic said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Uh! Excuse me! I am NOT a Wizard thank you very much! Guy’s are Wizards, girls, on the other hand, are not.”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Then what are you?” I asked.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">Her sword that I was holding transformed back into a broom stick. “Take a wild guess.” She said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Are you a Magician?” Sonic asked. She smiled sweetly, but shook her head, no.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“I know what you are,” I said slowly. “You are a Witch, aren’t you?”

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">She nodded. “Now if you will excuse me I must be leaving, but I will be back to help.” She climbed onto her broomstick.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Can you really fly on that?” Sonic asked.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Watch me!” She flew around the living room.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Neato!” Sonic smiled.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“Oh by the way,” Stephanie said, “You might want to remember the name, Nastasia.” Then she vanished in a poof of smoke.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">“And I thought all Witches were evil.” I said.

<p style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:justify">---

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt"> Part 2 Prologue: Months Later

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt"> Several months have now passed by, and it is now the first of July. Shadow still fights almost every night against the evil girl, whom is now known as Nastasia. Stephanie, the Witch helps him fight Nastasia, along with Sonic. During the daytime Shadow still spies on Silende. He sometimes hangs out with her around the house. He doesn’t ask her about Mytheria, because it would be bad if she knew he was spying on her.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt"> Shadow longed to tell someone what was going on in his life. But whom could he trust? Who would be willing to even try to understand the unthinkable? Who would even listen to his story without thinking he was crazy? Was there someone in the world who was like him in some way or another? But even more so, who would want to be friends with a monster? Especially a monster like him!

<p style="text-align: justify;"> ---

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:423.0pt"> Chapter 1: A Surprising Discovery

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> I sat in my room with my guitar. I had been practicing for the last few weeks, non-stop for out first semi concert. It would just be a couple of songs that Sonic would sing. I played my solo that I would do in the first song we were going to do. Claire was with me, because she was bored and Silver was out of town. So we were practicing together. Claire smiled at me and said. “So how have you been lately?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Nothing new to report.” I said. “I just now have developed a real loathing for about night time.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I wish I could help, but mind reading and computer controlling isn’t exactly magic.” She said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Yeah, but thanks anyways.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “So you were telling me earlier that there was another girl that shows up at night time that helps you?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Yeah, she is a Witch, actually. She is really sweet, and she is pretty young, and a great swordswoman.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I thought Witches were supposed to be mean and all that, really old too!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Not her.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I think I am going to get some water. I will be right back.” She said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> I nodded. I began to play a song on the guitar I had written a long time ago. I had called it ‘I Am All Of Me’ I had actually taken the lyrics that I had sung from when we first came up with our band name. After I had finished singing I noticed that Claire was clapping.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Omigosh! You really are a great singer!” She exclaimed. “You are even better than Sonic is!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “No I am not.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Yes you are!” She smiled. “Trust me; you are better than any other male singer I have ever heard!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I still don’t think …” I began.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Do you have the notes for that song?” Claire asked. “We could practice it together; you and I, and then tomorrow we could show Sonic and Silver! And maybe you could sing it for the Fourth of July concert thingy we are doing!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Claire, I don’t think that would be the wisest thing we could do.” I said as I handed the notes to the song.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Come on Shadow. We wanted to be a rock band, right? Sonic is only good at country music. You can sing rock songs like no one else. I mean, once people hear you sing, we would become like so famous!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Do you seriously mean that?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> She nodded. “Absolutely.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> I started playing the song and Claire came in on it towards the chorus. She had a knack for memorizing notes to a song just by looking at them once. I thought to myself. ‘''You can tell when Claire lying, because she will always look down at her shoes. but she did not, so she must be telling the truth!''’

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> That night Nastasia came as usual, but by now I had found out that if you did not attack her first she would not attack at all. I tried my best to find out more about her master, Valifore and her, but she would rarely tell me anything about anything. On most nights Sonic would show up, other nights he would not. And on rare nights Selania would show up.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “You do realize that if you were to join my master and me, you would have control over the entire world?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “But do you do realize that it was your master who turned me into this monster?” I said. “I would never work for him ever.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Yes, but my master can turn you back within the blink of an eye. All you have to do is kill Silende, and then you will become all powerful.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Why would I kill her? What is it with you people that can make you hate an innocent girl so much?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “She is much more powerful than you think.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Still. I would never kill her. I only kill those whom I hate.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Yes, but eventually you will come to hate her, what then? Would you kill her?” I said nothing. I bit my lip to hold back what I was about to say. “What were you going to say? Obviously you were going to say something because now you are biting your lip.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Well here is the thing. You are trying to kill me, (But I really don’t see that happening.) You say I should kill Silende. But if you are so powerful, why won’t you just kill her yourself? It would make so much more sense for you to kill her as well.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “That is not my mission.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “And another thing. If I am dead, how can I kill Silende?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> She said nothing as she thought about the contradiction in what was to happen. I smirked. “I still don’t see how you have your own free will if you obey your master. Free will means you can choose to disobey. But yet you do now. I think you are more like a robot than a person. In fact as of right now I think you really are a robot.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Oh and so you are not a robot?” Nastasia said. “You were created by Gerald Robotnik.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> I said nothing. I wish this Nastasia girl would just vanish. She drives me up a wall. I punched her. “But even then I am not like a robot, because I have emotions. You on the other hand, do not.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I can feel anger and hatred.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “What about pain?” I asked as I scratched her arm flesh.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Not as much as you do.” She said bringing out her nails. We kept on fighting all the rest of that night. Then just like every other night, as dawn came, she ran off. It was 7:12 in the morning and I was exhausted. I set an alarm for 10:25. I rested on the couch. Suddenly a thought struck me. Where did Silende go at night time? She would always be there for a couple of hours in the afternoon, but then she would leave. I needed to solve this mystery, and fast.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> I tried to put the pieces of the puzzle together, but nothing made sense. I growled in frustration. I had one idea in my head, but that idea was so preposterous and out of the way that I ignored it.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> Later that afternoon in Sonic house I wondered how Claire and I were to bring the idea of me singing a song at the concert to everyone.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Hi Shadow.” Sonic said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Hi.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> Claire and Silver came in; we took a few minutes to set up. Claire handed Silver the drum notes for the song ‘I Am All Of Me’.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “What is this?” Silver asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “You will see.” Claire said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> She gave Sonic the guitar notes. “Take about ten minutes to study these ok?” Claire said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> After ten minutes had passed, Sonic asked. “Who would sing this song? It sounds way too difficult, just lyrics wise, the music parts of it is simple enough.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I guess you will have to wait and see.” Claire said. “Let’s start.” She said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> I began to play the opening, but when it came time for me to sing I paused and shook my head. No freezing up now. Got to keep on going.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Let me restart.” I said. The all nodded and I took it from the top. This time when it came time for me to sing I sang out in a clear voice all of the lyrics to the song. During the whole song Claire was smiling, letting me know I was doing great. After the song was over, Claire gave me a high five.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I don’t believe it.” Sonic said. “You just don’t seem like the type of guy who could sing.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I don’t believe it either.” Silver said, “But you can sing, and that was like the best.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “All thanks to Claire.” I said. “She convinced me to sing in front of you two.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> She blushed, but said nothing.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Well I know what the last song we are doing on the Fourth of July will be.” Sonic said winking. “Who knows, maybe you will make our band famous!”

<p style="text-align: justify;">---

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> Chapter 2: Silende’s Deep Secret

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> Sonic, Silver, Claire and I were backstage on the Moebius Dance Hall. It was about ten minutes until our first showing. Sonic and Silver were definitely nervous. Claire seemed as calm as anyone could ever be. I wondered what she was doing to keep herself so calm. I knew that I was somewhat nervous, but I guess it was too late to back out now. I sighed as I tuned my guitar. The first song we would play would be the Moebius National Anthem. Then we would play a couple of songs that Claire had wrote that were just music, finally we would play ‘I Am All Of Me.’

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> I had invited Silende to come, but I highly doubt she would. Claire came up to me, “Are you ready?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “As ready as I will ever be.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I just hope people will like your song.” Claire said. “It is the best song ever!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I highly doubt that, I am pretty sure that there are a whole lot more songs that are even better than mine.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Don’t put yourself down so close to the show, it will only make you nervous, and you will end up messing up if you think you can’t, if you tell yourself you can do something, it will ensure total success.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Thanks for the encouragement.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Are you guys ready?” Sonic asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> Claire and I nodded. It was almost time to start, only two more minutes to go. We could hear the mayor talking about how our band was really new and we needed support. I sighed as he rambled on and on about how we were hoping to become world wide famous and how when we did become famous how special this Fourth of July would be and what not. Finally the mayor said, “Give it up for The Shadows.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> The curtains rose as we took our places. We started playing the songs, after each song the crowd gave moderate applause. ‘Are we really that bad?’ I thought.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> ‘No put downs Shadow!’ Claire thought back.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> ‘Right,’ I thought. ‘But we aren’t doing so well.’

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> ‘Just wait.’ She thought and then she winked. She was doing her best to keep my spirits up.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> Finally it was time to play ‘I Am All Of Me.’ I scanned the crowd. Finally I saw who I was looking for. It was Silende. She was standing near the front. She saw that I was looking at her and she waved. I waved back.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Ok everyone, this is our last song!” Sonic said. “But this is a special song, wrote by the person who is going to actually sing it.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> I started playing the song. Everyone held their breath in the crowd as they waited to see who would sing. I took a deep breath, it was time. I started singing. The crowd was silent.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> The song finished. And no one in the crowd moved. All was silent. Then suddenly one person cheered loudly. Then everyone else joined in and shouted hollered and whistled. “Encore!” They shouted.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> Claire gave me a smile that said. “Told ya so!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> I came over to her and gave her a high five as the curtain closed.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> We went backstage, and Silende was there. “You all did wonderful.” She said. “Especially you, Shadow!”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> I shrugged.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “You must be Silende!” Claire exclaimed. “I am Claire.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Nice to meet you!” Silende said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “This is Silver.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Hello Silver.” Silende said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Hi.” Silver said, smiling.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Hey guys I need to go get some printer paper. Bye.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Bye!” Claire said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> I walked to the store that afternoon. After I had bought the paper I went to the park where I sat down on a bench and looked around, it was calm and quiet. I looked out across the park, there were a few birds flying around, and over at the far end where the playground was there were only a few kids. I sighed. Eventually the moon would come up. And I would have to go through the same exact transformation. I guess I had gotten used to it. I mean, if it was to happen like every night, I might as well try to accept it, until I can force Valifore to turn me back into myself.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> I stood up and walked back to the apartment. It was about three more hours until sundown. Since it was the Fourth of July, Silende had the day off. “Hello Shadow.” She said the moment I walked into the door.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Hi.” I said back.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Shadow, your band is on TV!” Silende said. “Come and see.” I looked at the television screen. They were playing a recording of ‘I Am All Of Me.’

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Well, that is one way to make our band popular.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Why didn’t you tell me you were in a band until last weekend?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Well, our band is still kind of new, and you have your store and all that. I had actually figured you wouldn’t want to come, so I put it off till almost the last moment to ask you. But I am glad that you came.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I am glad I came to, but I did not know you could sing. I had thought you just weren’t the type of person to sing songs.” She said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “That is what I thought as well.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> I was bored so I decided to ask her. “What is it like to own your own clothing line?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Why do you ask?”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “That isn’t the best thing to ask. I am not trying to pry in on your personal life, but no matter how I try to put it, I will just make myself look pretty stupid. Well I guess you could say I am just wondering, not like it is important or anything.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “You are starting to ramble.” Silende said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I am just wondering what its like to have your own clothing line.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Well, I love it, I love my job, and all of my customers are so nice, and so are my employees. Especially Renee.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I am sure they are.” I said. I turned and went into my room. I gently shut the door behind me and opened the windows to let in the fresh summer breeze. I turned and looked at the clock. Why is it I am so antsy now? Why can’t I be more calm?

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> Silende knocked gently on the door. “Is something wrong?” She asked. She came up to me and grabbed my arm. “Something seems to be disturbing you.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Well, I …” I began. What could I say? I did not want her to know what I was really thinking, so I lied to her. “I am just worried about our band.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Why are you worried?” She asked. “You did great today.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I just don’t think we have what it takes to be a great band or anything.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Shadow, you worry way to much.” She said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Maybe that is true.” I replied. I sat down on my bed. “But I guess there is a lot to worry about.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Worrying about what has happened or what will happen is never good.” Silende said. “It can effect what will happen. And all of the time it ends up being for the worst.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> I shrugged, what she said did make sense. I did worry way to much and I needed to quit it.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “I will try to stop worrying so much.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> We spent a long while talking about everything under the sun. Suddenly I noticed that Silende seemed to be shaking. “What is wrong?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Shadow I need to leave you.” She whispered.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “What are you talking about?” I asked,

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “It is for your own good.” She replied. “I have to leave you so you don’t end up getting killed.”

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Everyone tries to kill me now days.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “But Shadow! I have to go. Take me somewhere far away from here.” Suddenly she slowly fell to the floor. I jumped off of my bed and caught her. She was trembling violently.

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “Where could I even take you?” I asked, but she said nothing. I held her close to me. “What is wrong?” I asked. But Silende said nothing. Her fur slowly changed colors, from pale pink to … and her hair was changing to … I backed away from her. My heart beats increased and I was sweating. Silende was …

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> “NASTASIA!”

<p style="text-align: justify;"> ---

<p style="text-align:justify">Chapter 3: An Odd Pair

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in">Then sun was gone and I transformed into a beast, but tonight, the pain had increased form the first time I had ever become a monster because of the secret I had just found out. All this time I was unknowingly hurting a girl that I had come to like!

<p style="text-align:justify">I looked away from the Silende I had used to know. I could hear her stand up. I bit my lip. I couldn’t fight her now. Even if I wanted to it was like hurting Silende, even though she was not. “Shadow.” Nastasia said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What?” I exclaimed.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I need you to help me.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“You lie.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow, you need to help me fight Valifore. He is coming tonight. He is the one who did this to me.”

<p style="text-align:justify">I turned to look at her. “You’re just trying to trick me Nastasia. And I won’t fall for it!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I am not trying to trick you.” She came up to me and grabbed my arm. “It is me Silende, trapped in Nastasia’s body. I have gained my own free will.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“How can I believe you?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You will just have to trust me.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“How can I trust anyone that looks like …” I was about to say a monster. But then I stopped. I was a monster as well. I shook my head. I was torn apart inside. Silende was really Nastasia, I couldn’t believe it.

<p style="text-align:justify">“It is not what is on the outside that counts.” Silende/Nastasia said.

<p style="text-align:justify">I slowly turned and looked her in the eyes. Was this really the Silende that I knew? Was it actually possible, or was she just trying to trick me? I didn’t know what to think. What could I think?

<p style="text-align:justify">“How can I trust you?” I asked. “I can’t trust anyone so you have to prove it to me that you are worthy of even the slightest hint of my trust.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow, please, it really is me. I want to help you, but you have to believe me!”

<p style="text-align:justify">I looked away. “All this time, if you are really who you say you are …” I began, but my voice faded away as the room suddenly went black.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Valafore!” I whispered. I tightened my fists. It was finally time for me to take revenge for what he did to me, by killing him.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You are pathetic, Shadow.” Valafore said from nowhere. “You really think you can just kill me. I am much more powerful than that weakling.”

<p style="text-align:justify">The room was icy cold. I knew that because Silende/Nastasia was shivering. But I was warm. All of the stupid fur that covered me finally came into some use by protecting me from the cold elements.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You show yourself.” I called. Valafore appeared above me. He was much taller than I last remembered. I fell back in surprise. He laughed an insane half crazed laugh. “How pathetic! You are scared of me! I thought you were braver than that.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I am scared of nothing!” I said standing up. I glared at him. “You don’t scare me!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Lies.” He said. “You are lying even as of right now.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Maybe I am, maybe I am not.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Insolent Hedgehog! You shouldn’t even be here now. My spell should have turned you evil; you should be working for me.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Evil plus evil only turns out to good.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What?” He asked rudely.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I was evil before. You tried to turn me evil. When you add evil and evil together, you get good. When you add good and evil together, you get evil. It’s just the way things work around here.” I explained. “Your spell had no effect on me!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Maybe so, spiritually, but look again!” He said, as he held a mirror in front on my face. I looked away from it. I couldn’t bear to even see my own face.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Look into the mirror and tell me what you see!” He said. I felt my face being forced to look at the mirror. I opened my eyes.

<p style="text-align:justify">“A monster. A damm monster.” I said. I looked away again.

<p style="text-align:justify">Valafore stood next to me. He grabbed my cheek and shook it. “Look at those giant teeth. Any girl in their right mind would scream and run away!” He grabbed my left hand. “And look at those vicious claws!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“If Silende really knew how you looked she would hate you and fear you! You will never win your heart this way. But there is an exception. Maybe I can arrange that you could be restored to your former state forever, and never be like this again.” He said slowly.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow! Don’t listen to him!” Silende/Nastasia said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“All I am asking is that you join me. Think about it. All the power in the world, why you would be king! Second only to me!” He grinned and said, and even just to prove it …”

<p style="text-align:justify">My head began to buzz, I shut my eyes and looked down, and I was my former self. My eyes opened wide in surprise and I looked back up at Valafore. “All you have to do is work for me!”

<p style="text-align:justify">I acted like I was thinking about it. “Hmmm … let me think … uhh … ummm … NO!!!” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Have it your way then!” He said loudly. I looked down at my hands as they mutated back to what they had previously been before he turned me back. “You just missed the opportunity of a lifetime.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“No thank you!” I said. “I will never work for you! I would rather look like this DAY and NIGHT than work for you!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Oh really?” He asked. “That can be arranged!” He had the same glowing orb that he used to turn me into a monster! I snarled.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You wouldn’t dare!” I yelled angrily.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Watch me!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow, run!” Silende/Nastasia exclaimed. Then out of nowhere she ran into me and pushed me down. My head stung as it hit the floor suddenly. And then as I hut the floor, Silende/Nastasia fell on top of me.

<p style="text-align:justify">All of my breath was knocked out of me. I tensed in the brief moment when our eyes meet. I gently pushed her off and stood up. But I helped her up. Our hands touched for a second it felt so strange to touch the very same girl that used to hurt me at night in a gentle manner.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Oh, how cute!” Valafore said. “Silende and Shadow, together forever.”

<p style="text-align:justify">I looked at Valafore. “Oh you just shut up!” I exclaimed. Silende/Nastasia clutched my arm.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Please don’t let him get me Shadow!” She exclaimed. The exact moment she said all of my thoughts turned to those when I had my dream, where Silende was kidnapped and where I was turned into this monster.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I will never let the same thing happen twice!” I exclaimed. Without even thinking I grabbed Silende and held onto her tightly. “I won’t let you have her!” I yelled. I couldn’t relive this scene again. Even if the first time I lived it, it was just a dream!

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow!” Sonic yelled from the front door. “Hang on I’m coming!” He rammed into me causing me to let go of Silende. “I will take care of her, you deal with Valafore!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Sonic it isn’t what it looks like!” I exclaimed.

<p style="text-align:justify">“To much talk, we have to two villains on our hands!” He held onto Silende and to my horror he started to beat her up!

<p style="text-align:justify">“No Sonic!” I yelled. I jumped on him and pushed him to the ground. Silende started to collapse, but I dashed towards her and fell down, catching him just a hairsbreadth from her falling onto the floor. She was shaking as she clutched me.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow you’ve gone out of your mind! Why did you do that?” Sonic exclaimed.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I will explain later!” I said, but first we have to deal with Valafore! I leapt towards him and grabbed him. The impact caused him to fall back into my desk, crushing it. I started punching him as hard as I could, I started scratching and tearing with all of my might.

<p style="text-align:justify">“This is for what you did to Sonic!” I yelled, as I landed a heavy blow on him jaw. “This is for what you did to Silende!” I said I punched him even harder. “And this is for what you did to me!” With the last sentence I had said, I punched him even harder with every word, when I finally said the last word, I punched him as hard as I could, even harder than I had ever punched Nastasia.

<p style="text-align:justify">I stood up, my hands were sore, but they had accomplished exactly what I had set out to do. Get my revenge. I knew that I couldn’t kill him no matter how much I wanted to. I stood up and looked at Sonic and Silende. They stared back at me with some shock in their eyes.

<p style="text-align:justify">I shut my eyes and sighed. I bit my lip. All of the emotions I had felt over the last few months seemed like they were trying to show themselves. I bit my lip tighter and I clenched my fists. “Uhh, Shadow …” Sonic began pointing behind me.

<p style="text-align:justify">I whirled around just as I felt a series of extremely hard punches, the punches caused me to fly through the air and hit the hard wall behind me. I looked up and saw Valafore approach me, but then everything faded away.

<p style="text-align:justify">Minutes or hours passed away slowly. I could vaguely hear people moving around me. I tried to open my eyes several times but all I saw was a mass of blurred moving colors. I felt someone touch me and hold my head gently. I felt like I had said “Silende.”

<p style="text-align:justify">But I wasn’t sure. I waited until I was sure that I could see again. I opened my eyes slowly. I saw Silende staring back at me. She looked worried. She was still in her Nastasia form. I looked down at my hands. Then I put my emotions aside. I can’t let anyone see my true feelings.

<p style="text-align:justify">She wrapped her small arms around me. “Oh Shadow, I was soo worried!” She said quietly. “I thought you had …” She stopped in the middle of her sentence and squeezed me tighter.

<p style="text-align:justify">My heart leapt in my chest. I could feel my cheeks turning pink in embarrassment. I looked away from her. She looked up at me and saw me blushing, she gave a small smile.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Nice ears, Shadow!” Sonic said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What?” I exclaimed. I looked in mirror on my closet doors. My ears were laid back flat against my head. I shook my head. “Uhh? Silende, ummm can you uhh …” I stammered.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Ohh!” She exclaimed. She let go of me, the moment she let go of me, my ears sprung up, erect.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Uhh, that is a little weird.” I said. Apparently my ears were moving and revealing my emotions for me. I bit my lip. I now had another reason to add to the list of why I hated myself. Number 43: My ears move to my emotions.

<p style="text-align:justify">“That makes 43.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“43 What?” Sonic asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Nothing.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">I stood up and sighed. “What happened?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“We got ride of Valafore. That is what happened.” Sonic said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Never mind.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What did I say wrong?” Sonic asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“No, you said nothing.” I replied.

<p style="text-align:justify">I shook my head and looked at the clock. It was only three AM. I asked. “Hey Sonic, Silende, could you guys please leave? I think I want to be alone for some time.” I said. Sonic and Silende looked at each other, but without saying anything they left the room. I sighed and sat on the bed as I stared at the blank wall in front of me.

<p style="text-align:justify">I just kept on staring at it. Finally I looked at the clock on the wall two complete hours had gone by without my noticing. I looked down at my side and realized that Silende was sitting next to me.

<p style="text-align:justify"> “What are you doing here?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I had noticed that you looked lonely so I came in to try and cheer you up.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Nothing can cheer me up.” I said. “Not at least until the sun comes up.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow, I hate to ask you this, but I have noticed that you always seem well, distressed and distant to most people. Why?”

<p style="text-align:justify">I looked away from her. “I don’t know.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">She hugged me gently and moved closer to me. Just by a natural instinct I moved further away from her. “Please, I’m just not in the mood.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What’s wrong?” She asked. I couldn’t bring myself to look her in the eyes.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Do you notice anything different about me?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What do you mean?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Never mind.” I said, apparently she didn’t notice. That was good for me.

<p style="text-align:justify">I stood up and sighed. “I am going.” I said. And with that I left the room and went down the stairs, to the outside world where I ran for dear life away from everything that was troubling me.

<p style="text-align: justify;">---

<p style="text-align:justify;tab-stops:.5in"> Chapter 4: The Truth Hurts Sometimes

<p style="text-align:justify"> It was late the next afternoon, I was talking to Silende. “Silende, how much of yesterday night did you remember?” I asked. I needed to figure out what she remembered.

<p style="text-align:justify">“All of it. Why?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Do you remember what I looked like?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You looked like yourself.” She said. “Why in the world would you ask a silly question like that?”

<p style="text-align:justify">I sighed. She obviously didn’t remember what I looked like, because I look nothing like myself at night. I shrugged. “No reason.” I said. I wanted to tell her what happened to me, but just by looking at her I could tell she just wouldn’t understand.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I need to go to the office for a little.” I said. “I might be gone all day. So don’t wait up for me.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Ok well, I guess I will say goodbye.”

<p style="text-align:justify">I Chaos Controlled to the governments HQ, I knocked on the door. Commander Tower opened it. “Why, hello Shadow! I wasn’t expecting you until Tuesday! Why are you here so early in the morning anyways?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I came to tell you that I found out who is the owner of Mytheria. But I won’t give her name just yet. So we will just call her Stephanie. Well, anyways I heard her talking to a boy, whom we will just call Justin. But anyways, I heard her mention the names Sarin and Rife quite frequently. I have no idea who they are but I will let you know as soon as possible. But other than that, I did find some interesting pictures in the videos. Here I printed them off.” I handed him the pictures of the black haired Mytherian, and the white haired girl, who I assumed was his girlfriend.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Interesting.” The Commander said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What is even more interesting is in almost every snapshot, I found this couple. But occasionally I found a picture of the black haired male with a male that had white hair. You can see them fighting in this picture. And here they are talking. And another thing interesting that I found was, on several of the views inside the forest, you would see the brown haired girl walking and a wolf following her.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“A wolf?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Yes.” I said. “You can barely see it, but here,” I grabbed a marker, and circled the wolf which was semi blurred. “That is where the wolf is at.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Why would any girl in their right mind have a wolf follow her?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“That is what I was wondering.” I said. “But apparently to her, that wolf was friendly company.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Hmmm.” The Commander thought. “We will have to send another expedition to Mytheria to see if we can find more of these three Mytherians and the wolf.”

<p style="text-align:justify">I nodded. “But that is all I have so far information wise. I let you know ASAP if I find out anything else.” I said as I left his office.

<p style="text-align:justify">I decided to go back to the mountains to the airplane crash. On my way up, I thought I saw Jacob several times, but I couldn’t be sure. I finally reached the crash. I sat against the plane and picked a dandelion. I stared at it in its whiteness. I blew on it. Apparently if you make a wish and blow on the dandelion, and catch one of its seeds it will come true.

<p style="text-align:justify">I sat there. Just staring and thinking. The time crept by. I saw faded images of Rouge float past on my memories. Like when we first meet, and such. But even then, the memories were only like ghosts to me, there, but unable to touch or hear.

<p style="text-align:justify">Suddenly I realized that the sun was going down. I looked up and saw how cloudy it was. The clouds covered where the moon would rise. I stared at the sky, then slowly the sun faded from view and a muted yellow light filled the sky, the clouds began to part and the moon rose, and took its place in the sky.

<p style="text-align:justify">I dug my hands into the dirt, just as the tingling started. I hunched my back and out of my mouth came a long howl. Not from pain, but from sadness. Just then Jacob appeared from the bushes. He stared at me because my body was still transforming. I bit my lip and tried not to yell at him. I didn’t want him to be anywhere near me.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow! What is going on? What is happening to you? Shadow your teeth and your hands are …”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I KNOW!!” I yelled.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You can still talk?” He asked. “I don’t believe it! Most Werewolves lose their voice at night.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“What are you talking about?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You have got to be kidding me!” He said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I rarely kid. What are you talking about?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“You, you’re a Werewolf. Well actually, I think it would be a Werehog since, you aren’t a Wolf, because you are a Hedgehog.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I am a Werewolf?” I asked. Of course! Now everything was starting to make sense! The strange howling that I had done earlier, why I constantly felt pain whenever I transformed! That was why my mood had changed so much! “Wait aren’t Werewolves taller than normal people and don’t they eat…” I gulped as I said the last phrase. “Human flesh?”

<p style="text-align:justify">He nodded. “But if you haven’t noticed, you are much taller then when you were a hedgehog. If you really were to look you would notice that you are at least twice Silende’s size. And we used to be around the same height, but you are about a head and a half taller than me! As for human flesh, well I am not so sure how that role plays out. I guess so. Maybe. But then again I am not you. So I would have no idea.”

<p style="text-align:justify">I sighed. I just couldn’t believe it. I had always hated stories about Werewolves. But here I was, and I was a Werewolf! I stood up and began pacing. Sonic was a Werewolf as well. Silende didn’t know that we were Werewolves last night, and she certainly wouldn’t know tonight. Silende’s and Nastasia’s bodies separated. So now there was Silende and her Anti, Nastasia.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow!” Jacob said suddenly. “Seriously! What is going on in your mind when you fuzz out like that? I just asked you a question, and you were acting like I wasn’t even here.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I never heard you ask me anything.” I said shrugging.

<p style="text-align:justify">“So where do you actually go when you fuzz out like that?”

<p style="text-align:justify">I thought about it for a moment. “Usually I am just thinking about what just happened over the last couple of days or so.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Wow. Then you must think a lot. Is there anyone on anything specific you think about?” He asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">Without thinking I said, “Usually I am thinking about Silende.” The moment I said this was when I knew I had made a huge mistake.

<p style="text-align:justify">“So what? Do you really like her or something?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I don’t like her. Well I mean she is ok I guess. For a girl I mean. Not that I am trying to be rude or anything. It’s not like I want to just go up and start dating her or anything like that.” I stammered.

<p style="text-align:justify">“So how much do you like her? I can already tell that you are embarrassed about the subject of Silende, which means that you like her.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I would like her more if I wasn’t a Werewolf.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“So your being a Werewolf is the only thing keeping you from liking her?” He asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Well, yeah. I mean look at me. I am not exactly woman material! I am not even woman material during the daytime either!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I can second to that.” He said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Hey!” I yelled. “Don’t make fun of me!”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I wasn’t poking fun. I was just agreeing.”

<p style="text-align:justify">I sighed. I hated everything about tonight. And Jacob wasn’t making it any better. “Hey can you just leave me alone?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I guess so; you just don’t look like you are in the mood for some friendly advice, so I will just go now.” He turned to leave.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Wait! What were you going to tell me?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">He turned and said. “I was going to tell you, that if you remain true to yourself, I am sure Silende will like you, no matter what you look like!” Then with that he vanished.

<p style="text-align:justify">I bit my lip. True to myself? How could I ever be true to myself like this? I turned and walked towards the base of the mountain. Suddenly I became very thirsty. I found a pool of water. I went to it and as I bent down to drink something made me lap it up like a dog would, but the strange thing was the whole entire time I was doing it, I didn’t feel embarrassed until afterwards when my face started burning with embarrassment.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Why did I just do that?” I asked myself. But before I had a chance to do anything the pool began to glow with an iridescent light. I was shocked at the waters sudden change of appearance.

<p style="text-align:justify">I looked down into the pool of water. I could see Silende talking to herself. She seemed very lonely and sad. I wanted to comfort her, but if she saw me, she would scream. I sighed and lied down by the pool of water and looked in. I could not hear what she was saying but whatever she said, it made her feel worse. Silende was almost crying. It felt as if I could reach out and touch her, comfort her. Even though I knew she really was not there. But still something made me reach out, and as I did I lost my balance and fell into the water! I could feel the water rush up into my nostrils. I couldn’t breath, and something was pulling me down. I tried to swim up to the top. For one brief moment I caught some air. “Help!” I screamed. Then I was being dragged under again. I vainly struggled to keep my head above the water. I was being sucked under. So this was it. I was drowning. It was the end. I shut my eyes knowing I couldn’t last much longer …

<p style="text-align:justify">Smack! I was lying on my back in the middle of Silende’s room. My head was swimming as I laid there. I was lying down right at Silende’s feet. I scrambled up to a standing position. That was when I realized that her bedroom rights were out, and she was messing around with a flash light. I shook my head. I looked at Silende, she was wearing a fuchsia bathrobe and her waist length hair was down, instead of the usual bun she kept it in.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow? How did you get here?” Silende asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“You wouldn’t believe me, even if I told you.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow! What happened to your voice?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“I uhh … umm … have a sore throat.” I lied.

<p style="text-align:justify">She walked over to me and reached out to touch my arm, I moved away from her. “What is wrong?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Nothing!” I lied again.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Why are you running away from me?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Well, I …” I began. I couldn’t think up what to say. What could I say?

<p style="text-align:justify">“Silende, would you ever be friends with a Werewolf?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Werewolves don’t exist.” She giggled.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Could have fooled me!” I said looking down at my hands. My eyes started to burn. “But still, if they do exist, would you ever be friends with one?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Maybe. But Werewolves are evil creatures of darkness that can be pretty scary.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Oh.” I said. My voice sounded sad.

<p style="text-align:justify">“But not all of them are evil. There have been rumors of Werewolves that help people.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Not all Werewolves are evil?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“No. Some of them are supposed to be good.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“What if I was to tell you I knew a Werewolf?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“But they don’t exist. So how can you know one?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“Uhh, Silende, I need to show you something, but you have to promise you won’t scream.” I said.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I promise.” She answered.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Can you turn on the light?” I asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">There was a brief silence, but then the light turned on. I squeezed my eyes shut from the flash of the bright light. Using one arm I covered my eyes, the other hand I used to cover my mouth. The light was driving me crazy. But I opened my eyes. Silende stared at me. She seemed frozen in place. “Shadow? Is that you?” She whispered.

<p style="text-align:justify">I still was covering my mouth, but I bit my lip and nodded. Then I looked away from her.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow what are you hiding?” She asked. She came over and put her hand on my shoulder. Without thinking I covered my two fangs with my lips, the moment I did, I cut the inside of my cheek with them. It hurt badly, so I winced. Silende gently pulled my arm down and her eyes widened. “Your lip is bleeding!” She exclaimed.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I know.” I mumbled.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow, what are you hiding from me?”

<p style="text-align:justify">“My teeth.” I said without thinking.

<p style="text-align:justify">“What?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I have two stupid fangs that I don’t want you to see.” I said, still mumbling.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Why wouldn’t you want me too see your fangs?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Because well, I … I …” I began. She placed her fingers gently on my lips and tried to pry my mouth open. But I shut it tightly. She kept on trying but then her finger slipped and her fingers pressed against the left corner of my mouth. The moment she did, my fangs that I had been trying to hide sprung out of my mouth! She stood back in surprise, but then she began to giggle. I felt my face turn red. I looked away from her.

<p style="text-align:justify">“Shadow?” Silende began. “Why were you afraid to just be upfront and tell me you were a Werehog?” She asked.

<p style="text-align:justify">“I wasn’t always a Werehog.” I said quietly. “And I couldn’t tell you because I was afraid you would be scared of me.”

<p style="text-align:justify">“We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.” Silende said.

<p style="text-align:justify">I sighed heavily and went to her bed where I laid down on my stomach and watched her. She came over to me and sat on the edge of the bed. The suddenly she hugged me as tight as she could. I could feel my heart jump in my chest, and my face then turned beet red. Something about her made me get nervous any and every time she was around.

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