A Shadow's Companion

Chapter 1 - Encounter

Shadow couldn't explain why, but for some reason this forest was putting him on edge. His ruby colored eyes drifted across the leafy trees in mistrust, but no matter where he looked the black hedgehog could not find a single thing out of place. It did little to ease his wariness, however. Deciding to pick up the pace, and put this forest as far behind him as possible, Shadow then began to run at an easy jog. Although easy probably wasn't the best word to describe it, considering that he could out run anybody at this pace. The privileges of being the Ultimate Life Form.

A beeping noise suddenly brought Shadow to a skidding halt. Shrugging of his worn out backpack the hedgehog then started looking for his transceiver within its cluttered contents. Flipping it open, after he finally managed to dig it out, Shadow frowned when he saw his caller.

"Tails?"

"Hey Shadow," the young fox greeted, "I take it your mission was successful?"

"Yes, you were right, Eggman was planning something." Shadow confirmed, "he was going to use the Chaos Emeralds to wipe out an entire town, claimed that it was sitting on some kind of ancient power source."

Tails hummed thoughtfully, "I see. It's a good thing you stopped him then."

"I managed to grab a few relics while I was there," The hedgehog continued, "If Eggman is correct then we may need to know more about it in future, as a precaution."

"Great. When you get back you can drop them off by my lab. Hopefully I'll be able to gather some information off them."

Shadow nodded, and was about to respond when his ear suddenly twitched, faintly catching a sound in the distance. His ruby eyes narrowed slightly, ignoring Tails as he continued to talk, oblivious to his older friend's wariness, and gazed suspiciously at his surroundings.

"-and the guys can't wait for you to get back. Knuckles keeps going on, and on about you guys needing a rematch, and. . . .Shadow? Is everything alright?"

Shadow returned his attention back to the transceiver, where Tails was staring at him with a confused expression.

The hedgehog's ear twitched again as the sound became louder. Mulling over his options Shadow sighed in annoyance when he came to decision.

"Sorry Tails," He responded, "looks like I'm going to be late. Tell the others back at base that I won't be arriving till tomorrow." Snapping the device shut he then ended the transmission, not even waiting for Tails' reply.

Placing on his backpack, after returning his transceiver, Shadow then headed towards where the noises were coming from. His sneakers glided across the dirt and grass, leaving dust clouds in his wake, and didn't stop until he was on top of a hill, where a shocking scene lay before him.

Villagers, from what it looked like, were surrounding a small, blue form, and from the angry looks on their faces, things were about to get rough very fast.

"Listen here brat!" An orange cat yelled angrily, and from what Shadow could gather, it was a male. "You've stolen from us for the last time! Cain, hold him still!"

A large bear, which had been standing off to the side, then grabbed the unknown, blue Mobian's wrists in a tight grip, and forced them behind the creature's back. This caused the rest of the attendants to yell in approval, and Shadow instinctively got in a running position. Thief or no thief, there would be no beatings on his watch.

"Let me go you big meanies!" A child's voice rang out, and to the black hedgehog's surprise, it was coming from the blue creature. His red eyes became cold, as memories of a little, blonde-haired girl came to his mind. No child would be hurt, not tonight, not if he had anything to say about it.

Shadow then leapt down from the hill, startling the villagers, as he landed in front of them, and gave them his hardest glare.

"What is going on here?" Shadow growled out.

The orange cat was the first to recover, and he pointed at their captive, which Shadow now realized was a young, blue, hedgehog. "That little monster has been stealing from us for years, and today we've finally had enough of it!" Cries of agreement erupted from the mob of villagers.

"And that gives you the right to beat a child!"

"Who asked you?" A badger exclaimed, he then turned to the orange cat, "Sawyer, let's get rid of this guy!"

So that's his name, Shadow thought, he must be their leader.

"I'll only ask you once stranger," Sawyer began, placing a calming hand on the badger's shoulder, "this is none of your concern, so please, step aside."

Shadow scowled, and crossed his arms defiantly.

Sawyer smirked, "very well." Then the orange feline lunged at the black hedgehog, but Shadow was not concerned. He'd fought more dangerous opponents countless of times.

The fight, if it could even be called that, lasted no more than a few seconds. With Shadow's speed, he had been able to land a kick to the gut, and a karate chop to the back of the neck before the cat had even realized it. This promptly left Sawyer sprawled on the ground, dazed. The villagers backed up fearfully, starting to realize their mistake, but Shadow paid no mind. He was more focused on the kid, who was still being held by the gigantic bear.

"Let. Him. Go." Shadow ordered the bear, who did not hesitate in releasing the child. The small boy then moved as far away as possible from the large Mobian, putting him right beside the older hedgehog.

Shadow then returned his attention back to the remaining villagers, "Leave. Now." He then watched in satisfaction as they, after grabbing their dazed comrade, fled back to the village, which could be seen in the far distance.

"Thank you, mister."

Hearing this, the black hedgehog turned to face the boy, who looked to be about six, or seven, and gave him a curt nod.

"Next time maybe you should think before you decide to steal, kid."

The boy's emerald green eyes fell downcast, obviously ashamed.

Shadow determined that it was time for a change of subject. "So, where are your parents?"

The kid flinched slightly, ". . . .Gone."

"Gone?" Shadow questioned. Not quite understanding.

"Yeah," The kid said uneasily, not meeting the older's hedgehog's gaze, "you know. . . .Dead."

Shadow mentally kicked himself at his stupidity. Great. Now the kid was upset. "Sorry."

"S'alright."

"Where do you live then?"

The kid suddenly had an unpleasant look on his face. "At the orphanage."

And that was strike three, the black hedgehog thought dully. Then he shook himself. He was spending way too much time around Knuckles. "Come on then, I'll walk you back to the village." It was the least he could do for the kid, and as long as he didn't steal again people like that Sawyer guy shouldn't bother him anymore. Shadow was quickly pulled out of his musings though when a small form suddenly latched on to his leg.

"Please don't make me go back, mister! I hate it there!" The boy pleaded, his emerald eyes staring into Shadow's ruby ones.

The black hedgehog sighed tiredly, silently asking 'why me', and ran a hand through his quills. All the while trying not to meet the big, pleading eyes that were staring up at him.

"What's wrong with the orphanage?" Shadow dared to ask.

"There's a mean old lady there, who says that I 'cause her too much trouble' and that she 'hates my guts', and none of the other kids like me, and we don't get blankets on cold nights, and-"

"-Okay I get it!" Shadow exclaimed, silencing the kid by placing a gloved hand to the boy's mouth. Truthfully though, inside, he really felt for the kid, but what was he supposed to do with the young hedgehog. He lived a dangerous life, and it certainly wasn't one for a child, but maybe, once he was back at base, Tails could find him a suitable home. And Vanilla wouldn't mind looking after him in the meantime, but Shadow still had some doubts. Though there really was nothing else that he could do, unless he decided to leave the kid at the first town, or city that they arrived at, but that wouldn't be right.

"Alright kid, here's the deal." Shadow began as he removed his hand from the boy's mouth. "I have a friend that might be able to find you a better home, so you can come with me, but," he held up a finger as the boy began to celebrate, causing the kid to focus back on what Shadow was saying, "you have to listen to whatever I say, when I say it, for your own safety. Understand, kid?"

The blue hedgehog nodded enthusiastically, "yes mister!"

"My name's Shadow. You don't have to call me mister." The older hedgehog corrected.

The kid grinned. "Okay mist-I mean Shadow!"

"What about you kid? Got a name?"

"Yep! It's Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog!"