CHAPTER 1

NEW EMOTIONS

That day at the Chaotix, everyone was doing their regular routine.

Vector was trying to pay the electric bill.

Espio was practicing up on his ninja skills.

Charmy was fixing the X-jet.

Shadow was secretly drinking beer in his office.

Tonya was typing up documents on her computer and answering the phone which hasn't rung all day.

Rouge was in the weaponry room designing a new weapon.

Then in the main lobby, the front door opened.

Tonya took her eyes away from her computer screen and had her attention on a red echidna appearing through the door. "Oh hi, Knuckles."

The echidna had a warm smile on his face, "Hey Tonya, have you seen Rouge?"

While Tonya was explaining what Rouge was doing at the moment, Shadow was leaning against the wall still drinking beer looking at them talk.

Rouge ran over to Knuckles and hugged him.

Shadow always hated Knuckles. Not only the fact that he had Rouge for his girlfriend, but for him hating on Shadow because he was once a Street Punk. 'Why did he have to show up today?' His thoughts were soon interrupted. He was startled.

"Shadow!" Vector shouted as he walked up to him. "What's the rule around here?"

Shadow sighed, "No alcohol, cigarettes, or any other related drugs."

"And what's that in your hands?"

"Beer, want some?"

"No! Get rid of the booze or I'll get rid of it for you", Vector walked over to Tonya to discuss some things.

Shadow once again sighed and began to walk out to the dumpster.

Knuckles chuckled as he walked passed him.

Shadow looked back at him with a glare, "What's so funny?"

Knuckles looked in a different direction, "Nothing."

Shadow clinched his fists, "You were laughing at something."

"So what? What are you gonna do about it?"

Shadow gritted his teeth. He wanted to hit him so bad, but Rouge stepped into their argument.

"Knuckles, that's enough. Leave Shadow alone. He didn't do anything to you. I don't know why you two don't get along."

"It's good to be safe than sorry, you'll never know when he's going to turn on you guys", Knuckles said.

The anger within Shadow was building up again. He left the building before he injured Rouge's only love. When he got to the dumpster he threw his beer bottle in it. "That fucker!" He kicked at the dumpster. He sat on the ground with his head down on his knees. He heard someone coming. He looked up at the purple cat, "What do you want?"

Tonya kneeled down at Shadow, "Don't let Knuckles' words hurt you. I think you did a great job of containing your anger back there."

"Yeah for once."

Tonya held his hand and helped him up, "Let's go."

Shadow made a slight smile and followed her.

Little did they know they were being watched by a small cybernetic fly with a spy camera hidden in the eyes.

Meanwhile in the arctic at Dark's ice base, Dark was watching Tonya walking Shadow back in the building on his monitor. He made an evil smirk, "The anger within him is imploring to break loose."

"Can't we just act now? It would be better not to waste any time", a voice said behind him.

"Soon. We have to make this enjoyable remember?"

The dark stranger sighed, "As you wish."