//------------------------------// // Chapter 21 // Story: The Darkness Shard // by OliverSparkle //------------------------------// A few hours earlier… At a town, known at Green Hill, lived a sheriff named Thomas and his wife Maddie. There was also a hedgehog named Sonic, a fox named Tails and a Echidna named Knuckles. Sonic once lived in another world where he was protected by a guardian owl named Longclaw. But had to leave her and move to Green Hill after a group of Echidnas came for him. Shortly after creating a blackout, Sonic was haunted down by an evil doctor named Robotink, who acts like he was a robot for some reason. Sonic met Thomas after being shot by him and losing his rings in San Francisco and the two slowly starting a bond together while travelling to San Francisco to get his rings. Robotink was defeated and was sent to the Mushroom Planet where he met Knuckles while Sonic was enjoying his new home with his new family. However, while Thomas and Maddie was away, Robotink returned with Knuckles and used him to help him find the Master Emerald with Sonic as the key to find it. Sonic went in search for the Emerald with the help of his new friend Tails. Knuckles suddenly see that Robotink lied to him and joined Sonic and Tails to defeat Robotink in his big Death Egg Robot he made after absorbing the Emerald’s power and gaining control. The robot was taken down by Sonic in his super form from the emeralds, with Robotink gone missing, and the three were now together as a team and lived in Green Hill with Thomas and Maddie. Speaking of which, Sonic and his family were relaxing on the green next to the baseball court where they would normally play baseball together. But today was the perfect day to relax after stopping Robotink three days ago. Sonic sighed happily before saying, “This is the life. Just relaxing, and not an Eggman in sight.” “You’ve said it, buddy,” agreed Thomas, “I could not agree more.” Knuckles sat up and looked at Sonic while saying, “This is what relaxing is? Just laying down and doing nothing?” “Yep,” answered Sonic, “Relaxing, and not worrying about a thing.” “Mmhmm,” said Tails. “But what about protecting the Master Emerald? Robotink could still be out there and might try to steal it again. We can’t let it fall into the wrong hands again.” “Chill out, Knuckles,” said Sonic while getting up on his feet, “Eggman’s nowhere to be seen after our last encounter. He probably just went into hiding till he comes up with a new plan to destroy us. But wherever he is now, we shouldn’t have to worry about him.” Sonic was unaware of a strange man in a black suit was spying on them behind the trees as he ran off. “Are you sure? You’re not worried about anything else that might happen, like a new villain bringing destruction to our home?” Knuckles asked. “I’m one hundred percent sure, Knuckles. Nothing bad is gonna happen. Not this time.” “Sonic’s right, Knuckles,” said Thomas as he sat up, “You lot defeated Robotink a few days ago, it’s unlikely he would come back after falling from his big robot. He’s probably in a hospital somewhere recovering since that was nasty fall.” “I agree,” said Maddie, “Hopefully it didn’t kill him. I know he’s evil, but wanting bad people to die can be very wrong, even killing is wrong.” “True, but at least I don’t wish to kill Eggman or want him to die,” said Sonic before laying back down the grass, “I just want him to leave Green Hill alone and stop trying to gain ultimate power to conquer the world.” “Attaboy, Sonic,” said Thomas while smiling at his friend. “Well…okay then,” said Knuckles before sitting back down on the grass, “If you say I need to chill out and not to worry so much, then that’s what I’ll do. Chill out, and not worry about a thing.” Suddenly, a loud explosion from the distance where the town of Green Hill was. Tails and Maddie quickly sat up as all five of them saw smoke from the distance and knowing it was coming from the town. “And I just had to open my mouth,” said Knuckles in a not amused tone. “Hurry! To the truck!” Thomas said as he ran to the truck with Maddie following him. Sonic zoomed into the back of the truck with Tails flying in and Knuckles jumping in without breaking it. Thomas started the engine and the five quickly drove off to the town of Green Hill to see what was happening and what they can do. At the town of Green Hill, everyone was screaming and running in fear as fire can be seen on some buildings and a few buildings and cars destroyed with the road having destroyed holes in. Thomas’ truck arrived just in time. Thomas stopped his truck on the road and the five got out before looking around to see what has been destroyed and what was on fire. “Holy chilli dogs!” Sonic said in surprised, “What’s happened here?!” “It must be Robotink! I knew he would come back!” Said Knuckles crossly. Just then, a loud crash was seen from near the five as smoke rose and blew towards them. The smoke slowly cleared to where they can see a strange new figure walking out from the smoke. Sonic looked closely and saw who it was in the smoke as he was now in shock. “What the?” He said shockingly. The figure stopped walking and stood there with his left fist on his side. The smoke began to fade away to reveal that the figure was a black hedgehog was grinning at the five. Thomas, Maddie and Tails were surprised to see who it was, even Knuckles was surprised too as he thought it was Robotink that was destroying Green Hill. “Then again, it’s not Robotink this time,” said Knuckles. “So, it is true then,” said Shadow, “There really is a clone of me. Looks like Darkness was right after all.” “Clone?” Sonic asked confusedly, “What are you even talking about? More importantly, who are you?” Shadow suddenly disappeared and reappeared next to Sonic as he slapped him on the back of the head with his fist making Sonic fly forward and slid on the road. “Sonic!” The four cried worriedly. Sonic groan in pain while slowly getting up. Shadow started to walk up to Sonic while saying, “Name’s Shadow. I have been frozen for many years now until a man in a black coat unfroze me and told me what has happened during that time. He told me that a clone has taken over my world and given me a bad name, so I went to Earth only to find out he was right. You are making me look like a villain, even after taking Maria away from me, with the help of a pony.” Sonic was shocked and confused by this. Someone in a black coat just told Shadow that he was a clone of him and given him a bad name and taking a girl named Maria away from him with the help a pony. Was this person trying to frame him, even before he gets to know this mysterious person that freed Shadow? “What?! What are you even talking about? I’m not a clone, nor did I do anything to make you look like a bad guy! And who’s Maria and this pony you’re on about? I know nothing about them.” “Darkness told me you would lie to me,” Shadow said, “Just so I can believe you and leave you alone so you can continue with your plan.” “Who is this “Darkness” person you’re on about? And do you seriously believe every word he said to you?” “That’s none of your concern.” Shadow took out a green Chaos Emerald from behind his back and held it in his hand which made Sonic and his family go into shock after seeing what he has in his hand. “He’s got a Chaos Emerald!” Tails said in shock. “Where did you get that?!” Sonic asked angrily as he stood back up again, “Hand it over!” “Like I would do that,” said Shadow, “And like I said, it’s none of your concern. I shall leave you be for now. But don’t think you’ve seen the last of me, faker.” Shadow punches Sonic in the face causing him to fall on the ground. He then hold the emerald in the air and said, “Chaos control!” Shadow disappeared in the flesh leaving Green Hill in ruins. Sonic tried to get up, but he was in so much pain after getting hit by Shadow twice that he just gave up. He started to black out as he heard his friends and parents echoing his name. Sonic’s eyes slowly opened as he kept on hearing Knuckles’ voice saying his name. “Sonic! Sonic! Sonic! Sonic! Sonic! Sonic! Sonic!” “Knuckles, he’s awake now,” said Tail in annoyed tone. Knuckles looks at Sonic and sees that Tails was right. Sonic was starting to wake up after being knocked out by Shadow. “Oh yeah! He is awake!” Knuckles said happily with Tails rolling his eyes unamused. “You okay, kiddo?” Thomas asked. Sonic groaned while slowly sitting up and rubbing his sore head only for Maddie to gently moving his hand away from his head knowing it was still sore a bit. “Try not to touch your head a bit, Sonic,” said Maddie, “It’s still sore a bit after that last punch.” “Okay. Thanks, Maddie,” said Sonic politely, “And what just happened? Also, where did Shadow go?” “He disappeared after knocking you out,” answered Tails, “We were planning on stopping him, but we were more worried about you.” “Did he escape with the Chaos Emerald he had?” “Unfortunately yes,” said Tails. “Did he have the other emeralds?” Sonic asked, just to make sure it was just the one emerald Shadow has. “We didn’t see him have any other Chaos Emeralds, so I think we’re good for now,” answered Thomas. “Well that’s one less thing to worry about then,” said Sonic all calm now. Knuckles, however, wasn’t happy to hear him say that. Especially since Shadow has one of the Chaos Emerald. “What do you mean by that?!” He asked furiously, “Shadow has one of the Chaos Emerald, and you’re acting all calm about it?!” “Take it easy, Knuckles,” said Sonic while slowly climbing out his bed, “If Shadow just has the one emerald, he can’t do much damage or use a super form since that needs all seven of them.” “He makes a fair point,” said Maddie. “But he still has one of them!” Knuckles said crossly, “There’s no telling what he might do next with it!” “And what can he do with one Chaos Emerald?” Asked Sonic, “Summon a tank from another world? If he wants to turn into a super form, he’s going to need all seven of the emeralds.” “Don’t say that out loud!” Knuckles said, “He might hear you! There’s no telling what else he can do!” “How? Hedgehogs can’t hear things from a long distance,” said Sonic. “But he may have a computer thing to spy on us though,” said Knuckles. “Oh yeah. Fair point,” said Sonic now realising that Knuckles might be right Shadow hearing every word they’ve said. “So what do we do now?” Tails asked, “Shadow could be anywhere since he has one of the Chaos Emeralds. And he’s similar to Sonic. He could be framing him in all different worlds by now.” “The only thing we can do, Tails, is follow him,” said Sonic in a serious tone, “We follow him in every step he makes, see what he’s up to, and stop him no matter how hard it’ll get.” “How about we just stop him right away when we find him?” Asked Knuckles in a tone that shows he wants to stop Shadow right away and not wait. “Because we don’t really know how to beat him just yet,” answered the blue hedgehog, “Plus we don’t choose that moment. That moment has to choose us when the time is right.” Thomas smiled proudly at Sonic as he gently punches him before saying, “Proud of ya, buddy. And I’m coming too.” “I’m joining too,” said Maddie. Sonic was surprised by this. His friends, also known as guardians, are coming to help Sonic defeat Shadow without knowing the dangers they will encounter along the way. “You…you are?” “Of course,” said Maddie, “We’re family, and we stick together.” “He made a mistake by thinking you’re the enemy, but he’s made another mistake. He messed with the wrong family,” added Thomas. “But, what about Green Hill?” Asked Sonic worriedly, “Who’s gonna take of everyone in town and make sure no one’s causing trouble?” “Oh I’m sure everyone will be okay while I’m gone,” said Thomas, “After all, it’s not the first time I’ve left Green Hill to do something else. And everything was still the same when we got back anyway.” “Except for the house,” added Maddie. “But what about Ozzie?” Sonic asked remembering about their pet dog, “Who’s gonna look after him?” “I’ll just ask one of my pals to pick him up from the vets and look after him till we come home,” Thomas answered. “Oh well that case then, welcome aboard!” Sonic said earning a chuckle from both Tom and Maddie. “Aboard? Aboard on what?” Asked Knuckles confusedly. “It’s just a way of saying they’re on the team,” said Sonic knowing that Knuckles doesn’t really know much on how things work on Earth. “Yeah, but what are we aboard on? We’re in your bedroom.” “No, what I mean by that was…Ah, forget it,” Sonic said. “So what are we going to find Shadow?” Asked Tails, “He did disappear in the flesh with the power of that Emerald he stole.” “Don’t you still have your tracking device that you used to find me?” Sonic asked. “Oh yeah! I forgot,” said Tails before pulling out a tiny device from his backpack and started to switch it on. “Okay, it says that he’s somewhere, in a forest.” “To the forest it is then!” Said Knuckles. “Hold on,” said Tails, “The forest is apparently somewhere…outside of this world?!” “What?!” The four asked in surprised. They’ve never been to or heard of a forest that’s outside of their world before, nor have they been outside of their world before. “Outside of our world?!” Sonic asked, “Like, out out of the world we live on?!” “That’s what it says,” replied Tails while shrugging his shoulders. “So where outside of our world?” Tom asked. “Uhh…” Tails looked back at his device before answering, “Like, really far out of this world.” “You mean like, somewhere that’s not connected to our world and any other worlds that the rings take us to?” Sonic asked in shock. Tails nodded his head in response instead of speaking. “Huh. Well, that’s new,” said Sonic with Thomas nodding in agreement. “So how exactly do we get there?” Knuckles asked, “Sonic lost all of his rings when we were on the hunt for the Master Emerald. Uh, no offence, Sonic.” “None taken.” “Well, luckily, I still have my bag of rings,” said Tails as he takes out a mini brown bag that was filled with golden rings, “Almost forgot I had these with me.” “How long have you had those?” Asked Sonic confusedly. “For awhile before coming here,” answered Tails, “I even brought them with me so I can return home after helping you escape and warn you about Knuckles. No offence.” “None taken,” said Knuckles, “Oh hey, I’m getting good at not taking offence.” “Well, if it’s okay with you, mind if I take one of the rings so we can find and stop Shadow?” Sonic asked while holding his hand out for one ring from Tails. “Sure,” said Tails politely as he took one ring from the bag and gave it to Sonic, “I was planning on giving you before you could even ask.” Sonic smiled at Tails while giving him a thumbs up. He turned to Tom and Maddie who smiled at Sonic and give him a thumbs up as well. Knuckles smiled and gave the blue hedgehog a thumbs up too. “All right,” said Sonic, “Let’s do this. Next time, the forest out of this world!” Sonic throws the ring away which grew big and opened up a portal way that will lead to the forest where they’ll find Shadow. Present day… “And we walked through the portal, and you know the rest,” said Sonic explaining the entire story to everyone in the tent. “Wow,” said Applejack in surprised, “You lot really have had a rough day, especially when you were enjoying the relaxation.” “It was,” said Sonic, “But hey, what can you do? It can happen to anyone.” “Totally,” agreed Rainbow before taking a sip of his apple cider. “Also, sorry for interrupting your own mission to save your own world,” said Sonic, “But if you don’t mind us staying here for tonight, we can leave tomorrow morning and continue our mission to stop Shadow.” “Sure,” answered Twilight politely, “We don’t mind you lot staying for the night.” Her friends and son nodded in agreement, “But…” “But what?” Knuckles asked in confusion. “Well,” Twilight began, “You did say that Shadow mentioned someone named Darkness, right?” “Wait, you know who this “Darkness” person is?” Tails asked. “If it’s the same Darkness we encountered, then yes. We know him, so far,” said Sora. “He’s the one that’s been causing my baby boy to have horrible nightmares about The Storm King and the events that happened, even before I took him in,” explained Fluttershy. “Who is this Storm King you’re on about?” Sonic asked in confusion. “We’ll explain later,” said Oliver with Sonic nodding in understood. “What are you trying to suggest?” Asked Tom in a nice tone. “Well, if Darkness is planning to include Shadow in his plans and lied about Sonic and Lightning to him,” said Twilight, “I suggest that we all join forces and stop them together while also trying to get Shadow to understand we’re not the real enemies.” Sonic and his friends looked at Twilight while putting that suggestion in mind before they all looked at each other. They were gonna need all the help they can get to stop Shadow and show him that he has been lied to. So they decided to accept the offer and help their new friends out. “Well, we need the help we can get and to clear Sonic’s name,” said Tom with Maddie nodding in agreement. “And we can also help our new friends get to the Tree of Life to save Lightning and put an end to Darkness’ attack,” added Tails. “So you’ll help us?” Asked Spike happily. “Count us in!” Answered Sonic while putting his thumbs up and smiling. “Awesome!” Cheered Rainbow, “More helpers for the team! And another super fast creature too. Haha!” Applejack rolled her eyes. “And less room for the tent,” said Discord in annoyed tone with his arms crossed, “What a surprise.” “Discord!” Celestia said crossly, “Enough with the rudeness already!” “What? I’m just saying. This tent has barely enough room for all of us stay in.” “This tent has enough room for all of us, even more,” said Strange, “I’ve checked with Dumbledore.” “Still believe we can’t have more members in the team, even for this tent.” “All right, that’s it, Discord!” Shouted Celestia crossly making Discord flinch, “If you’re gonna be rude to our new friends, then you can leave this room and go to another one! Right now!” Discord scoffed, “Fine.” Discord snapped his fingers and disappeared to another room like Celestia told him to since he was continuing to be rude. “Ignore him,” said Celestia kindly, “He gets all rude when things don’t go his way and when we do things he’s not happy about.” Sonic and his friends nodded their heads in understood. Lightning let out a yawn before resting his head on Smolder’s chest. “Well, I suppose we better all head off to bed now. It’s getting late now,” said Twilight while gently rubbing her nephew’s mane. “You’re quite right, Twilight, agreed Celestia, “We should all get some shut eye before we continue the journey tomorrow. Goodnight, everyone and my little ponies and creatures.” “Goodnight, Princess Celestia,” everyone said before they all went to bedroom part of the tent to get some rest. In the vortex portal, Shadow was flying while screaming. He was unable to use the emerald since the portal won’t allow him to exit the place. He felt like he was ready to give up until a dark corridor opened up as Shadow flew into it and disappeared. The dark corridor opened in a hall of Darkness’ castle as Shadow flew out of it and landed on his front while the corridor disappeared. Shadow slowly got up while groaning in pain and brushing the dust off his arms. He then saw Grindelwald, Cold Wind, The Warlocks, the hooded pony and three patch of darknesses standing near him. “Didn’t get the pony he told you to collect?” Mr Warlock asked. “No, I didn’t,” replied Shadow in annoyance, “I was stopped by that fake hedgehog, a Sorcerer and two ponies before I could get the chance.” “You were stopped by a bunch of ponies and didn’t even try to get him!” Cold Wind shouted crossly. “None of that was my fault!” Shadow shouted, “I said I was also stopped by a Sorcerer! He opened a portal that sucked me in and I ended up flying in an endless vortex!” “A Sorcerer?” Asked Mrs Warlock in confusion. “Yeah, that’s what I just said. It seems the pony has got a lot of help on his hooves to keep us away from taking him.” “He better not have a lot of help,” said a male voice from one of the three patches of darkness, “Or else, Darkness won’t be happy about it. He’s pulling a lot of strings to make sure he gets the young colt at all cost.” “I do hope he’s enjoying his new adventure,” said Mr Warlock, “Perhaps we should locate their next location so we can be ready to try again.” “Hey, as long as it works in our freedom,” said a female voice from another patch of darkness, “We can let them do what they want for now, then we’ll jump in when the time comes.” “Those are strong words coming from you,” said another female voice from the third patch of darkness, “Are you saying you’ll volunteer to go after them alone? Hm?” “What? N-No, you’ve got the wrong bad guy. I’m not comfortable of doing it just yet.” “Well, I suppose our fun will have to wait then,” said Mr Warlock, “I hope Darkness is keeping his promise. We did get locked away and our lives were ruined, thanks to them. They deserve to suffer what they made us go through over these past few moons.” “My dear followers.” Everyone turned and saw Darkness walking towards them. He stood by Shadow and looked at his followers before saying, “The young pony and the hero of the light will soon be continuing their new adventure. Make sure it is one they will remember. Now go, and be ready for them.” The followers, except for Shadow, walked out of the hall while the three patches of darkness flew away to their locations so they were ready for the heroes to enter. Darkness looked at Shadow and said, “You may have failed, Shadow. But you will get another chance. Now go and rest. You need it.” Shadow gave Darkness a nod before leaving the hall and to his room to rest. Darkness crossed his arms behind his back while looking up. “So, the blue hedgehog has jumped the team. This might be a little hard to get the child than I thought.” He placed a hand near his head to think. “Now, what to do?”