In the Dark

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T.A.R.N.S.: Man, they really DO need a filter for Mephiles in this section. I didn't notice that until Rae Logan pointed it out, and I have to agree. Anyway, let's get this show on the road. #reaches for upload button#

Disclaimer: Me no own.

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"What are you?"

Lightning flashed, flashed, flashed. Thunder rumbled. Shadow the Hedgehog rolled over on his bed and looked at his digital clock.

The illuminated numbers shed a bit of light into the room. It read 11:55 p.m. Lightning flashed again, followed by an earsplitting crack of thunder. It was going to be a long night.

"What if I was you, Shadow?" What if I was part of your anger, your hate? What if I am what you will become?" Shadow was now almost convinced he could hear Mephiles' voice.

Lightning flashed, followed by more thunder.

"I will not become you." Shadow hissed. "I promised Maria I would save the world."

Lightning flashed.

"How sweet, keeping your promise to a dead girl. But what will you do when the world turns against you?"

Thunder rumbled, shaking the windows. "I will fight like I always have." Shadow replied. He looked back at the clock. Midnight. The darkest part of the night.

"What will you do when they all turn against you? Even Knuckles, Rouge, Amy, Sonic, and Tails?"

Shadow growled low in the back of his throat. "I will fight."

Lightning flashed again, illuminating the silhouette of a hedgehog standing in the room. Shadow jumped out of bed as an orb of blue energy landed where he had been. Lightning and Chaos Spears flashed as one illuminated the night and the other attacked a monster. Mephiles was knocked back but not defeated. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled as the two fought. Finally Mephiles fell back, and sank away. As he did, he said, "What if I was what you are destined to become?" He laughed at horrified look on Shadow's face, and then melted away.

The number on the digital clock changed. The screen now read 1:03 a.m. The fight had taken almost an hour. Shadow slumped against the wall, and then sank to the floor. The room was dark for a long time, and then it was illuminated by a flash of lightning. The thunder was softer, and sounded farther away. The storm was passing. Shadow slowly stood and walked to the window. He could see the stars beginning to peek through the clouds, but all he really wanted to see was the first pink hints creeping across the sky.

He was the Ultimate Lifeform. He wasn't supposed to feel fear.

Lightning flashed once more, and then the storm dissipated and was gone, and Shadow finally admitted it to himself.

He was afraid.

Fin

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T.A.R.N.S.: There you have it. Please R&R

L8R