A/N: I don't own anything. See chapter one for information

Alright, this chapter will mostly tell about Shadow and Kanzaki's battle against the dark forces. And the last part of this chapter will surprise you. Without further ado, let's get on with the story!

"Talking"

'Thought'

"Inner Thought"

Church

The group entered inside the church and once they get inside, they looked around with their weapon besides them. When they go deeper, the door that was opened slowly closed and locked at the same time. Shadow and his friends were now being trapped inside this holy place, though he already aware of this.

"Hmm, sneaky one," Shadow smirked when he saw the door closed and locked. He approached the door and tries to open it but it didn't work. When he loosens it, he can sense some energy coming from the object. "It looks like there's some kind of energy coming from this door. Kanzaki, do you think this is magic?"

"Yes Shadow-kun, this one made from magic," Kanzaki said as she still looking around the church. "I think the enemy knows that we're here, so he or she set this one for us."

"Priestess-sama, I haven't seen anyone around here," Itsuwa reported her duty. "But I can still sense the energy here, and according to the wavelength of it, I think it's magic for sure."

"I see, thank you for your report," Kanzaki replied calmly. "If there's no one around here, where he or she could be hiding? This figure seems knows how to hide itself."

"There's one way to find out," Shadow then stepped forward towards the main stage. The black hedgehog then closed his eyes and concentrated his energy. 'Rachel, can you help me find this energy?'

"Sure Shadow-kun, let me try it out," Rachel said as she began her search. A few minutes later, she found out where the source was and tells to Shadow."Shadow-kun, there's someone on the right side of you hiding behind those chairs, but I don't think this is the same energy we felt before."

'I see. Thanks for the help.' Shadow opened his eyes and moved towards the right side of him, and sure enough, he saw someone hiding behind the chairs. "Alright, whoever you are, come out now! We can tell that you've been here before us."

The figure slowly stood up from it stands and revealed itself towards the group. Kanzaki and Itsuwa widen their eyes as they recognized the figure whilst Shadow awestruck by her appearance, though he didn't show the expression. The figure is a nun, the same as Index does. She was beautiful; she had gorgeous ocean blue eyes, and rosy cheeks. Her hair was yellow; kind of remind him of Maria. "Orsola? What are you doing here?" Kanzaki said surprised.

"You know this woman Kanzaki?" Shadow asked as he pointed towards the nun.

"Yes, she's Orsola Aquinas, one of the nun that working for English church," Kanzaki nodded and explained the nun. She then looked towards the nun named towards Orsola. "Orsola, did something happen to you?"

"Oh, Kanzaki, Itsuwa, I see you girls here," Orsola said in sweet tone that makes Shadow's heart melt when he heard that. He then realized that Orsola approached him and offered her hand. "Hello there, young one. You must be the famous hedgehog that once saves this world 5 years ago. It's nice to meet you here."

"It looks like she also knows and admires me as well. Well, I guess I can follow with that," Shadow sighed but not showing it in front of Orsola since it would be rude for him to do so. He accepted her offer and they began to shake hands as token of friendship. "I'm Shadow, Shadow the hedgehog. Pleasant to meet you here."

Kanzaki and Itsuwa watched the couple introduce towards each other and they couldn't help but feel a slight jealous inside their heart. A few minutes later, they remembered the mission and snap back to reality. They walked towards the couple as Kanzaki asked some questions, "Orsola, can you tell us what you have been doing before seen us here?"

"I was praying for God tonight in this church a few minutes ago when I heard some knocking behind the door," Orsola explained. "Since it was dark tonight, I decided to hide myself behind these chairs for protection. Then I saw you and your friends entered the church and it makes me relieved that it wasn't a suspicious person, but," she looked towards Shadow. "I never thought Shadow-kun was also among your friends as well Kanzaki, and for me to see the hero here makes me like a lucky girl."

Both Kanzaki and Itsuwa sweat-dropped when they heard admiration from the nun, whilst Shadow simply stood there not showed his expression. Shadow then began to ask. "Orsola, have you seen anyone here besides you?"

"No, I haven't seen anyone here besides me," Orsola shook her head lightly. "It was hard for me to see since it was dark and I just focusing about –"

"HAHAHAHAHA!" a voice of evil laugh interrupted the nun's word. Shadow and the rest of the group immediately turned around and hold their respective weapon in guard position. When they did, they saw a dark flame coming out from the ground and began to create a figure made from it. "You have done well there, Shadow the hedgehog!"

Shadow then widen his eyes as the figure knows his named already from the start, "Who are you and how do you know my name?" He asked in slight anger.

"Hmpph, there's no need for telling you about that," the figure simply said while looking towards the group in sinister look. "It looks like you bring some of your friends here, and here I thought you will do this alone, I'm very disappointed at you Shadow!"

"Hmmph, your stupid words won't affect me anymore," Shadow replied as he hold his sword and charged towards the dark figure. When he reached the figure, he swings his sword and slashes it, but to no avail, his slash went through its body and the figure disappeared immediately from its position. "Damn, it got away," Shadow hissed as he put his sword on his back.

"Shadow-san, are you okay there?" Itsuwa asked worried as she and the rest went towards the black hedgehog.

"Don't worry, he just got away with it," Shadow replied while holding his sword on his right hand.

"HAHAHAHA!" another sound of evil laugh echoed throughout the church as the group can hear it. "I cannot let that sword of yours hurt me now, do I? But rest assures, I will give you a nice presents you about to enjoy."

"Where are you demon? Show yourself!" Kanzaki shouted against the sound. However, the dark figure didn't appear as she demanded to. Instead, it let out another evil laugh. The priestess holds tight her nodachi and wants to pull it, but Shadow stopped her saying it will be useless even if she does that.

"So long Shadow! Enjoy my present!" After it saying those words few minutes later, there are no sigh of it anymore. The group then began to think what the present that the figure mentions before is, and then Shadow realized about it.

"I think he's talking about the creatures," Shadow informed. "His energy was the same as the creatures we've fought recently, and add the fact that he has the bigger capacity of it makes him the one that summoned the creatures." He then looked towards the door that it's still locked by some magic power. "I think we need to get out of here fast, or innocent people will be dragged into this." The group agreed to his suggestion seeing that there is no time for them to lose.

"Umm…Shadow-kun," Orsola asked raising her hand. "How do we suppose to get out from here?"

"Oh I supposed you haven't known much about me, have you?" Shadow replied as Orsola gave him a nod. "Very well, hold on to me and don't lose your grip. We're going out from here." Kanzaki, Itsuwa, and Orsola hold on towards Shadow in respective part to make sure the black hedgehog can move. When Shadow saw everyone is holding towards him, he prepared to escape from this place as he raised his hand and chanted his mantra.

"CHAOS CONTROL!" And the group disappeared instantly.

Bridge

The group appeared on the bridge once again as they landed safely on the ground. The girls somehow looked calm and not terrified of this teleport thing cause by Shadow, even Orsola looked happy when she experienced it for the first time of her life. Shadow meanwhile focused on what's ahead and noticed that the destruction he caused yesterday was completely recovered in just one day. He couldn't help but admire for the technology here that help restore this bridge.

"Girls, are you alright there? Sorry if I didn't warn you first about this," Shadow said as he check the condition of the girls, which they replied him with a shook.

"It's okay Shadow-kun, and I must say your skill is exceptional," Kanzaki replied calmly as she just experienced Shadow's ride for the first time. "Tell me; is your skill back then you used only for teleport from place to place?"

"Actually, there's a lot more than Chaos Control can do," Shadow smirked as he turned around and noticed the creatures already coming, but this time their size were increased to medium-size and their power were also raised as well. Shadow looked around and saw that the number wasn't the same like yesterday. He assumed that since their size and power were increased, the numbers that the figure summoned were decreased as the cost of it. It might be advantage for him and the girls, but he knows nothing can be certain. "It looks like they have come. He must know that we will come to this place and set this up for us."

"So umm…Shadow-kun, what should I do here?" Orsola asked rather terrified when she saw the creatures. Shadow knows that this nun cannot fight, or so he thought was. But just in case, he told her to do something.

"Go asked Touma and Index to go this place. Tell them that I need their help," Shadow said in calm tone as he holds his weapon with Kanzaki besides him. "Itsuwa, you accompanied Orsola and make sure both of you come back here safe, okay?"

"Hai, Shadow-san. We're on our way then. Be careful priestess-sama!" Itsuwa replied as she grabbed Orsola's hand and went towards Touma's place. Hopefully they can make it in time.

"My, you sure now how to take care of other people's there, don't you?" Kanzaki said with her smirk after the two girls leave the scene as the priestess looked towards the creature. She has strong sense of justice, and she's going to prove her resolve when she's going to finish off these black thingy.

"Believe me, I learn my mistake in my past, and I'm not going to make the same mistake here," Shadow smirked as he holds his sword two-handed. "By the way, Kanzaki, I think you should use your magician name here. Things might be tough here when I sense these creatures here."

"Sorry Shadow-kun, but I don't take orders from someone," Kanzaki pull out her nodachi from the scabbard and throw it to safe place. "I'm not going to reveal my magician name against these low creatures."

"Hmm…fair enough. I understand your situation," Shadow then looked at the creatures and let out his battle aura, and so does Kanzaki. They are going to fight together for the first time and this might be their chance to show their skill to each other. "LET'S GO!" They dashed to the others side of it.

As they went on and began their battle, both Kanzaki and Shadow showcase their ability to fight against these things. On top of it, they have great swordsmanship, although in Shadow's case, he still needs to learn more from this. Shadow looked at the creatures and saw this opportunity as he slammed the sword on the ground while shouting, "Chaos Barrage!" A rain of chaos spear appeared from the ground as its flying towards the sky. The creatures within the radius of his skill get destroyed because of its power. Shadow looked up and saw some of the creatures managed to survive from his attack. His eyes widen by this fact but aware about this as this was different from the previous fight he had. "Looks like this might be tough. Rachel, any solution there?"

"Don't worry Shadow-kun, I will aid you as your wish,"Rachel spoke as she began to enchant some mantra towards Shadow. Within a second, the black hedgehog can feel his power rising up and he feels lighter than before. He smirked and saying his thank to his guidance as he looks towards the creatures.

"Death to all who oppose me!" Shadow shouted his favorite quote as he quickly disappeared from his position. The creatures had no idea where he was until they saw Shadow jumped in mid-air with his sword in glow red. The black hedgehog quickly descends from mid-air and tightens his grip on his sword. As he landed on the ground, he slammed the glowing-sword at the same time while shouting, "CHAOS WAVE!" When he did it, it creates a wave of chaos energy as the effect of him slamming his sword to the ground. The creatures within the radius vanished immediately into thin air as they let out a scream of pain. Shadow looks ahead and saw some of the creatures already vanished and he waste no time as he continue his charge towards the creatures.

On the other side, we can see the Saint Kanzaki dealing a massive blow towards the creatures using her nodachi. Her speed was a top notch, almost near Shadow's level, and her strength as a Saint makes her a formidable ally and worst nightmare for those who against her. She moved from her position one by another while slashing her sword in fashion way, makes the creatures had no chance to counter her attack or even guarding it. She stop for a while to see Shadow's condition and when she looked him up, she let out her faint smile and was glad that she witness the black hedgehog's heroic action. 'As expected from legendary hero. I'm glad to witness him,' Kanzaki thought. She looked up towards the creatures and back to her focus as she holds her nodachi in graceful way.

"Nanasen!" She chant her mantra as steel wires appeared towards the creatures in massive speed. The creatures once again try to escape from her attack but to no avail, they met their doom as their body scattered into pieces and vanishes into thin air. Kanzaki finished her moved and saw some of the creatures already decreased into a low number and she quickly launched herself towards them, wasting no time to take this chance as Shadow does.

It was already 30 minutes from the start of their battle, and both Kanzaki and Shadow now standing each other, surrounded by the remaining creatures left behind. The Saint and the black hedgehog seem having problem deal with this as it looks like there is no end of this battle. Shadow wants to know if Orsola and Itsuwa already made it to Touma's place and asking them for the aid, but right now he needs to wait a little longer than expected which makes him slightly frustrated by this fact.

"Kanzaki, are you okay there?" Shadow looked on the other side of him.

"Don't worry, I'm still capable of fight," Kanzaki replied in slight tired. Shadow noticed the difference of her tone and he aware things might be tough if they keep going like this. "Still, these creatures look very different than yesterday. Do you think the dark figure we encountered earlier make them into this?"

"Most likely. I can tell that his energy was the same with these creatures, though in different level if I calculated," Shadow stated try to remember his past event. "In any case, I think we should hold on for a bit. I'm sure Itsuwa and Orsola will come here in time while bringing Touma and Index as well." He spins his sword in fashion way as he's going to continue his battle. 'But…in this case, should I transform myself? No, I should wait for the condition, then we shall see what happen next,' Shadow thought in anticipation.

As the creatures still surrounding them, Shadow suddenly saw something unexpected happen. A chain of lightning appeared on the ground around the creatures, destroying them within a process. The black hedgehog aware who's the one behind this as he loosen his grip and put his sword on his side. "Well well, looks like it took a long time for you guys to come here, isn't that right?" Shadow paused as he and Kanzaki turned around and saw the gangs arrived just in time. Itsuwa, Orsola, Touma and Index in addition of Misaka who had her lightning surround her body, her kouhai Kuroko, and the other two girls, Saten and Uiharu. "Though I didn't expect for the addition members here. Well, better late than never."

"Hey Shadow!" Misaka shouted as she called the hedgehog's attention. "It looks like you've got a lot of explanation here and why the heck did you stayed in this idiot's place?" She pointed her finger towards Touma, who seems sulked by her insult.

"Heh, as long I can find a place to stay, it doesn't matter which one is it," Shadow simply replied as he joined the rest of the groups and looked back towards the remaining creatures. "By the way Touma, I see you come here at last. Did you settle your doubt there?"

"Heh, do you want to know that much Shadow?" Touma smirked as he looks towards Shadow who is also let out his smirk as he knows the answer already. "I am who I am and I won't change my philosophy, that's for sure!"

"Heh, you sure an interesting one," Shadow then looked towards the remaining groups, particularly Saten and Uiharu who had their eyes widen when they saw what is going on. "Saten, Uiharu, I'm sorry if this kind of makes you girls feel unsure. Don't worry, I will explain after we finish these creatures, I promise."

"Don't worry, Shadow-kun. We're fine with it," Saten showed her cheerful smile. "In fact, I will get to see some action coming out from you Shadow-kun. Isn't that awesome?" She said loudly, causing the others to have sweat-dropped on their forehead.

"Well, I appreciate your thoughts," Shadow simply said while coughing a little. He then walked towards Itsuwa and Orsola who had some chat with Kanzaki. "Itsuwa, Orsola, thank you for your help. Things might be tough if you girls didn't make into this place."

"It's okay Shadow-kun. I was glad to be able to help you after all," Itsuwa replied in sweet tone. She looks towards the creatures and hold down her spear. She then something was happening with the creatures. "Shadow-san, priestess-sama, look there!" She pointed her finger towards the creatures.

Shadow and the rest saw the remaining creatures gathered into one place as Itsuwa pointed at. As time goes by, the size of the combining creatures become large one by another and when it was finally done, the gang saw a giant black creatures in front of their eyes. Its size was compare to one of the high buildings in Academy City and Shadow knows thing will be harder than before.

"W-WHAT IS THE HECK IS THAT THING?" Misaka shouted as she just saw a giant combine creature in front of her. What surprises her is that the giant's size is nothing compare to what she fight during the level upper incident.

"It looks the creatures unite into one, creating into this massive one," Kanzaki explained as she began her fighting stance. "And it looks like this time things might be rough for us. Let me handle –"before she continued, Shadow stands firmly in front of the gang. "Shadow-kun, what are you doing?"

Shadow turned around and let out his smirk. "Kanzaki, you don't have to burden this to yourself. Remember we have friends here," he turned back towards the giant. "Besides, I think I'm going to reveal my secret to everyone here."

"So you do have more secrets there, huh Shadow?" Misaka stated rather annoyed. "And what will you show us then?"

"Heh, don't worry, Kanzaki already know my secret. She should know what I'm saying here," the group then looked towards Kanzaki who seems confused by what Shadow words mean, then it hit her head as her eyes widen when she realized it.

"Shadow-kun, don't tell me…" Kanzaki stammered as the black hedgehog began his usual pose.

"I'm going to transform. I'm going to finish this giant right here and now!"

A/N: Yeah, CLIFFHANGER! Haha, I love it so much! Yes, Shadow is going to change here to fight against the giant. What will happen next? And what would he tell to To Aru cast about this? You'll found out in the next chapter but don't expect so soon, alright?

In this chapter, I introduced Orsola here since she's my likeable character in To Aru series. Her personality kind of reminds of Maria, so I put her in this story in hopes of...you know, makes Shadow more comfortable if that's the right words? (though Kanzaki besides him more often, but than would change one way or another). I think that's all for today. See you later~!

sonic-elric

08 January 2012

21.25 PM