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Description
"Brotherly Love"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl
Chapter 7: "Shadow's Revenge and Mission"

    Shadow was growing tired, but knew Knuckles, and more importantly, Hidama needed him, and thus pushed himself to keep going no matter how many guards stood in his way.  As he grew closer to the arena, his presence became known to Lord Feldmort.  Feldmort was disgusted at Shadow’s persistence and involvement with his plans, for he knew that perhaps only Shadow had the power to save the brothers, and the rest of the free world from eternal doom and damnation.

    “Damn that hedgehog!  Can these stupid guards and fighters of mine do nothing to stop him?  I’ve never liked him; his powers are too great, and I fear them, and what he might do to supplant me,” Feldmort hissed.  He shouted loudly and said, “I’m gonna dispose of this hedgehog once and for all!”  Grabbing one his messengers, Feldmort screamed, “Send for Captain Zelias.  Tell him to let the army march in on their own…I have a job for him to do.  We have some unfinished business to take care of.”

    The messenger nodded quickly, and using magic, turned into another mutant crow, flying out of the tower and to the approaching army, now only a few minutes march away from entering the fortress.  The crow landed and, after transforming back to his mutant hedgehog form, ran up to Zelias crying, “Captain Zelias!  Lord Feldmort has orders for ye.  He wants you to take out that there Shadow the hedgehog before he reunites with that echidna Knuckles.”

    Zelias’ eyes flashed and he grinned evilly.  He laughed and said, “Dear me, is it finally my pleasure to take out that dammed hedgehog who defeated me upon his escape four years ago?  Mwahaha…yes!  Life is good…and victory over that hedgehog…crushing him, then spitting on his dead body brings me pleasure beyond slaughtering the last survivors of those wretched, goody-goody echidnas!  I’m off!  Guards, see to it that Sonic brings the Master Emerald safely and quickly to Lord Feldmort in the arena!”

    Captain Zelias’ two guards now surrounded Sonic, leading him with the Master Emerald ever closer to the fortress.  The messenger stayed with them, while Zelias, cackling wildly then rising into the air with levitation magic, flew off towards the fortress’ throne room, the room Shadow was now approaching within the fortress.

    Shadow was growing even weaker with fatigue and pain.  His injuries from the battle with Tails had still not completely dissipated, and now all these battles were injuring him and wearing him down even more.  As he took out yet another batch of guards, his pace slowed as he climbed to the top of a ramp-like hall, leaning against the frame of the door that led into the throne room.

    This was a familiar site for Shadow, for upon his escape four years ago he had done battle with Captain Zelias in this very room.  Severely tired and in need of a quick rest, the hedgehog collapsed on the floor, just wanting a short break, knowing that the arena was now only minutes away.  He panted heavily, trying to gather all the power within him to help Knuckles and Hidama before Feldmort destroyed them both, and before Hidama wrestled control of the Master Emerald.

    He looked up, and before he could move further, a loud crashing sound was heard.  He immediately looked to the stained-glass windows that lined the walls near the ceiling, horrified at what he saw.  Zelias cackled as he floated down slowly to the floor.  “Mwahaha!  So we meet again Shadow, and how ironic, in the same place where we last met in battle.  I recall you took me down before…but now look at you, beaten and worn.  Ha!  Why do you help these wretched echidnas?  You should join us and become one with the Master Race.  Why do you waste yourself for them?”

    Shadow, tired and in pain, stood up slowly and said, “I had come to settle a score with you Zelias, and you know very well what that score is.  You captured me, and took from me my two chaos emeralds, hoping they’d be your salvation.  Yet, I learned of the treachery surrounding your involvement with the echidna clan’s slaughter, and that you had captured the long lost and true guardian, Hinsei Hidama.  I promised him I’d save him, reunite him with his brother, and bring you down for good, avenging the death of their kin, and now, I am here, doing what I promised.  It’s not just revenge for me, it’s keeping my promise to both of them, and setting right the vicious wrong, you started when you killed them, women, children, and elderly alike.  It’s over for you, Zelias, the two brothers shall rise up and avenge their fallen, and I shall destroy you at long last, so we all can move on.”

    Zelias looked frozen with astonishment, and then his expression turned to one of vicious pleasure.  He cackled wildly and said, “Ha!  Lord Feldmort is afraid of this softy?  You’re nothing without your chaos emeralds Shadow!  It is I who will bring you down!  Do battle with me!”

    Shadow nodded and said, “Let’s settle this.”  Both Zelias, and Shadow, having great power in their arsenals, rose into the air, ready to do battle.  Shadow’s hands glowed with energy, and he focused it, saying, “I may not have the chaos emeralds, but I have great power nonetheless…” As he focused it, ready to blast him, he continued, “…and you WILL respect it!”  Shadow fired the immense ball of energy, and while Zelias quickly dodged it, he could not even begin to laugh as the blast was redirected by Shadow’s control and thrown into Zelias, who was blasted in the wall.

    After the dust cleared, Zelias could be seen rubbing his head, blood now running down it, between his eyes and down his face.  He growled low, screaming, “Damn you Shadow, I’ll show you who you’re fighting with!”  Zelias focused his energy into a glowing red sword, transparent, and teaming with power, electricity zapping on its surface.

    Shadow now glowed with a white light around him, the light growing even brighter as he focused the light into his hands, fashioning it into a whip of sorts, the handle of it glowing gold.  Shadow responded with a nod, using his free hand to beckon Zelias to attack him.  “Bring it on…, captain…”

    Battle screams came from them both, and they raced to each other, Zelias raising his sword and Shadow cracking his whip as they approached.  When they met, there was a large explosion, the energy from their weapons radiating throughout room, and kicking up an immense cloud of dust.  As the dust cleared, bits of rubble continued to fall, and Shadow and Zelias, their weapons obliterated, were now face-to-face, and locked in a fistfight, bringing their battle from the air to the ground.

    Shadow took a few swings, Zelias proving his skill and dodging them, only to be caught off guard when Shadow gave him a swift kick to the chest, then using his leg to sweep under Zelias’ feet.  When he lost his balance, Shadow followed this up by kicking him skyward, focusing another blast of energy, and firing it at him before he could land.  Zelias was hit by this, but defended against the brunt of the blow, and landed on his feet, throwing a series of swift punches at Shadow, who dodged them quickly, and backed away, racing around the throne room.

    Zelias, growing tired but unwilling to show this fatigue, cackled and cried, “Why are you running Shadow?  Do you fear defeat or are you just turning it up a notch!?”  Zelias then chased after the hedgehog.  Shadow saw this and outran him, until their speed got so fast they were running along the walls of the throne room, throwing blasts of energy at each other, continuing their fight with their running speed enough to sustain them.  After a few minutes, Shadow lost sight of Zelias, slowing his pace, until Shadow was blasted by a ball of energy from Zelias, knocking him hard to the floor below.  The impact of his body to the stone floor blew a hole into the ground around him.

    Zelias could be heard cackling as he floated down from the chandelier above.  As the dust settled, Shadow coughed as he choked on the dust.  Zelias gave him no time to recover, and Shadow tried to quickly back away from the attack, but Zelias threw his punches too quickly, and many of them landed hard on Shadow, with a final swift kick sending Shadow hurdling into the large, ornate throne, literally blowing it up on impact.

    As the dust cleared, Shadow looked even more beaten and bloodied than when he began.  The tuft of white fur on his chest was now bloodstained, and more blood too ran down his arms and legs, dripping slowly to the floor.  However, Zelias too was considerably injured, making the fight slightly fair.  The hedgehog as worn as he was, stood up and laughed softly, saying, “Captain Zelias…Lord Feldmort’s number one…did you really think it would be this easy to supplant me?  No…if it’s a battle you want, it’s a battle you’ll get, but what do you say from now on…” He stood up, forming another ball of energy in his hands as he continued, “That we play fairly?  Either that or I’ll simply have to destroy you.”

    Zelias would not show his fatigue, but at this point was bent over, as blood dripped of the top of his head and onto the floor.  He cackled and said, “Play fairly?  Indeed, truly Shadow you too underestimate me.”  He stood up, panting heavily and said, “Destroy me if you can, you damn hedgehog!”

    Shadow nodded and grinning he said, “Gladly!”  He rose back into the air, and threw the blast of energy at Zelias, again using his mind to control its path, and thus it plowed head on into Zelias, sending him flying into the chandelier, which after impact, came crashing down to the floor, crushing both Shadow and Zelias underneath it.  The two were extremely hardy, for they blew up the chandelier’s remains with their energy weapons, Shadow now brandishing twin knives as long as his arms, and Zelias using two lances covered in spikes.

   The blows exchanged were extremely fast, both of them having to throw their blows with expert skill and caution, while at the same time having to parry or dodge blows thrown at them.  Zelias proved to be powerful, and at first glance maybe stronger than Shadow.  However, the hedgehog had yet to show his true power, the same power that Lord Feldmort felt and feared.  Shadow fought with his knives with speed and grace, using his left sword to parry the blows of the spiked lances, and his right to thrust attacks at Zelias.  The mutant captain too showed his skill, using his spiked lances first to block blows, and then quickly slash at the hedgehog.

    It appeared that the two were evenly matched; either that or one was just humoring the other, wearing him down until he took out his full vengeance upon him, destroying him once and for all.  Even now, Shadow was unaware that Knuckles had reached the arena, and things between him and Hidama were coming down.  Whether or not he would get there in time to prevent the inevitable remained to be seen.  For now, he continued to duel with Zelias.  Time wore on, and finally, the two clashed, their weapons crossed in front of them, and pushing against each other in an effort to break the other's guard.  Finally, the force of the pushing became too great for their gravity to sustain, and they came together, flipping into the air away from each other, and falling into the ground.

    The dust and rubble again settled, as Shadow’s knives and Zelias’ lances fell and dissolved as they hit the ground, their energy lost once more.  One of Shadow’s knives, however, fell into an outstretched hand that emerged from the dust.  As the dust cleared away, that hand was revealed as Shadow’s hand.  He had risen up, and though tired, knew that Zelias could not take much more of this battle.  The mutant captain was sprawled out on the ground, having broken a number of bones and losing his blood too rapidly, and appearing unable to fight any longer.

    The hedgehog stood over Zelias and said, “I prayed thee play fairly, and you denied my plea, and now I have fulfilled my declaration.  Destroy you I vowed, and now, Zelias, that time has come.”

    The mutant captain sneered angrily at Shadow’s words, wanting to rise and destroy him, but found his body was broken and unable to continue.  Zelias, trying to laugh said, “A good winner would let me die here in peace.  Truly Shadow, you have done me in…you kill me swiftly only out of spite and anger, that same anger which drove you and that echidna apart and thus dooms you.  Vent it on me if you must…but I pray thee, you shall be destroyed eventually…in the end, all your work is in vain.”

    Shadow, who had raised his knife, ready to kill Zelias paused, lowering it and said, “Anger…despair, indeed we all have anger and despair.  I kill you only because you willed it.  I kill you for attacking young Miles and Sonic, using them for your own sick gain.  This is beyond both of us, Zelias.  I kill you for the young mother who cried as you slew her child the night the echidnas were attacked.  I kill you for the deaths of Hidama and Knuckles’ mother and father, whom Hidama himself was doomed to witness.  I kill you for their pain, in which you inflicted because of your malice and desire for selfish gain.  I kill you to avenge them, to avenge their parents, the guardian, all the echidnas; I bring their pain that much closer to its end.  I say this to you, Captain Zelias, Hidama and Knuckles, sons of the guardian, they shall finally have their peace, and, it begins now.”

   Zelias, knowing his time was up, cackled softly, closing his eyes, and in a last attempt to bring him down, thrust his leg into Shadow’s stomach.  Shadow was ready to double over in pain, but brought only one hand to his stomach, keeping a firm grip on the knife with his right, and as he fell on top of Zelias, the knife plunged into his chest, killing him instantly, and bringing the battle to an end.

    There was a long, uneasy silence as Zelias breathed his last breath.  Shadow laid still for the longest time, finally releasing his grip on the knife, its energy used up, and it finally melting away.  Shadow finally broke the silence, coughing hard and long, trying to get his breath back.  He shut his eyes, being in immense pain, cringing as he felt blood rolling down his face, and even a few tears.  It was rare for Shadow to cry, and yet he did now, thinking that even this justice for the echidna clan was not enough to end this nightmare, and after this beating, he felt his part was over, his premonition doomed to come true…somebody would die, and now he couldn’t prevent it.

    Shadow didn’t know what it felt like to die, but perhaps it was he who would not survive, and thus Hidama and Knuckles would be spared.  As he lay there, paralyzed from pain and weeping, he whispered, “I admire them, Hidama and Knuckles.  They have strength all their ancestors would fall on their knees in admiration and praise to behold.  The last survivors, the guardians…I only wish I could see them through to the end.  Hidama, I love him, for his selflessness, amidst misery and despair, was what saved Knuckles, not just the Master Emerald.  Knuckles, I admire his strength, for it has never been easy on him, and not just his strength…I admire him and his glory.  Second son of the guardian, he has done his fallen kindred well.  Oh spirits beyond the stars, bless them…for while they will die someday, they have restored to the echidnas their former glory and power, and then some.  Bless them, sons of the guardian, brothers, the last true guardians of the Master Emerald.”

    It was now that his tears were not tears of pain, but joy, for he knew his prayers were true.  As he fell silent, he could almost feel his spirit lifting away from him…at least, that’s what he thought.  In truth, the fox children Jacob and Olivia had come to him.  Jacob lifted him up and said, “Come on Shadow!  Hidama needs your help!  Please!”

    Olivia and Jacob had brought any means of first aid they could find.  Tattered cloth, cold water, anything, and they used it to stop Shadow’s wounds from bleeding, clean up his fur from the blood it soaked up, and soothe away his other injuries.  Olivia washed the blood from the tuft of white fur on Shadow’s chest and said, “Oh Jacob, Shadow’s really hurt, but Hidama needs him.  What do we do?”

    Jacob looked close to tears.  Next to Hidama, Shadow was his hero, and looking at the corpse of Zelias, knowing it was he who did Shadow all this damage, he growled low and said, “We’ve got to help him Olivia!  Hidama and his brother need him!  We’re Hidama’s captains, and we’ve got to help them!”

    The two children stood up and balanced Shadow’s weight between them, helping him a few steps along.  Olivia asked, “Where are we gonna take him?”

    Her brother shook his head and said, “We’re gonna help Hidama.  He’ll wake up by then, I’m sure.  We’ve just got to help him along.”

    “J—Jacob…O—Olivia….thank you,” a voice said.  The two children were overjoyed to see Shadow had awoken.  Hugging him tightly, he cringed, managing a smile and said, “Not too tightly now…please.  I shall heal quickly, but I cannot waste anymore time.  You two…can you help me to the arena as you planned?  By then, Jacob as you said, I shall be restored.  We must move quickly, captains of the guardian.  Hurry!”

    Jacob and Olivia nodded, and again, balancing Shadow’s weight between them, taking one arm around their shoulders, Olivia on his left and Jacob his right, they helped him up the twisting corridors, now free of guards and resistance, heading up quickly to the arena.  In his heart, Shadow knew they had to hurry, for even now, it might be too late for the brothers, as even now they were locked in battle, Knuckles trying to save his brother, and Hidama…inside…fighting to be free.

Description
"Brotherly Love"
By: Jade Lightning, a.k.a. Inuyashas-hanyougirl
Chapter 7: "Shadow's Revenge and Mission"

    Shadow was growing tired, but knew Knuckles, and more importantly, Hidama needed him, and thus pushed himself to keep going no matter how many guards stood in his way.  As he grew closer to the arena, his presence became known to Lord Feldmort.  Feldmort was disgusted at Shadow’s persistence and involvement with his plans, for he knew that perhaps only Shadow had the power to save the brothers, and the rest of the free world from eternal doom and damnation.

    “Damn that hedgehog!  Can these stupid guards and fighters of mine do nothing to stop him?  I’ve never liked him; his powers are too great, and I fear them, and what he might do to supplant me,” Feldmort hissed.  He shouted loudly and said, “I’m gonna dispose of this hedgehog once and for all!”  Grabbing one his messengers, Feldmort screamed, “Send for Captain Zelias.  Tell him to let the army march in on their own…I have a job for him to do.  We have some unfinished business to take care of.”

    The messenger nodded quickly, and using magic, turned into another mutant crow, flying out of the tower and to the approaching army, now only a few minutes march away from entering the fortress.  The crow landed and, after transforming back to his mutant hedgehog form, ran up to Zelias crying, “Captain Zelias!  Lord Feldmort has orders for ye.  He wants you to take out that there Shadow the hedgehog before he reunites with that echidna Knuckles.”

    Zelias’ eyes flashed and he grinned evilly.  He laughed and said, “Dear me, is it finally my pleasure to take out that dammed hedgehog who defeated me upon his escape four years ago?  Mwahaha…yes!  Life is good…and victory over that hedgehog…crushing him, then spitting on his dead body brings me pleasure beyond slaughtering the last survivors of those wretched, goody-goody echidnas!  I’m off!  Guards, see to it that Sonic brings the Master Emerald safely and quickly to Lord Feldmort in the arena!”

    Captain Zelias’ two guards now surrounded Sonic, leading him with the Master Emerald ever closer to the fortress.  The messenger stayed with them, while Zelias, cackling wildly then rising into the air with levitation magic, flew off towards the fortress’ throne room, the room Shadow was now approaching within the fortress.

    Shadow was growing even weaker with fatigue and pain.  His injuries from the battle with Tails had still not completely dissipated, and now all these battles were injuring him and wearing him down even more.  As he took out yet another batch of guards, his pace slowed as he climbed to the top of a ramp-like hall, leaning against the frame of the door that led into the throne room.

    This was a familiar site for Shadow, for upon his escape four years ago he had done battle with Captain Zelias in this very room.  Severely tired and in need of a quick rest, the hedgehog collapsed on the floor, just wanting a short break, knowing that the arena was now only minutes away.  He panted heavily, trying to gather all the power within him to help Knuckles and Hidama before Feldmort destroyed them both, and before Hidama wrestled control of the Master Emerald.

    He looked up, and before he could move further, a loud crashing sound was heard.  He immediately looked to the stained-glass windows that lined the walls near the ceiling, horrified at what he saw.  Zelias cackled as he floated down slowly to the floor.  “Mwahaha!  So we meet again Shadow, and how ironic, in the same place where we last met in battle.  I recall you took me down before…but now look at you, beaten and worn.  Ha!  Why do you help these wretched echidnas?  You should join us and become one with the Master Race.  Why do you waste yourself for them?”

    Shadow, tired and in pain, stood up slowly and said, “I had come to settle a score with you Zelias, and you know very well what that score is.  You captured me, and took from me my two chaos emeralds, hoping they’d be your salvation.  Yet, I learned of the treachery surrounding your involvement with the echidna clan’s slaughter, and that you had captured the long lost and true guardian, Hinsei Hidama.  I promised him I’d save him, reunite him with his brother, and bring you down for good, avenging the death of their kin, and now, I am here, doing what I promised.  It’s not just revenge for me, it’s keeping my promise to both of them, and setting right the vicious wrong, you started when you killed them, women, children, and elderly alike.  It’s over for you, Zelias, the two brothers shall rise up and avenge their fallen, and I shall destroy you at long last, so we all can move on.”

    Zelias looked frozen with astonishment, and then his expression turned to one of vicious pleasure.  He cackled wildly and said, “Ha!  Lord Feldmort is afraid of this softy?  You’re nothing without your chaos emeralds Shadow!  It is I who will bring you down!  Do battle with me!”

    Shadow nodded and said, “Let’s settle this.”  Both Zelias, and Shadow, having great power in their arsenals, rose into the air, ready to do battle.  Shadow’s hands glowed with energy, and he focused it, saying, “I may not have the chaos emeralds, but I have great power nonetheless…” As he focused it, ready to blast him, he continued, “…and you WILL respect it!”  Shadow fired the immense ball of energy, and while Zelias quickly dodged it, he could not even begin to laugh as the blast was redirected by Shadow’s control and thrown into Zelias, who was blasted in the wall.

    After the dust cleared, Zelias could be seen rubbing his head, blood now running down it, between his eyes and down his face.  He growled low, screaming, “Damn you Shadow, I’ll show you who you’re fighting with!”  Zelias focused his energy into a glowing red sword, transparent, and teaming with power, electricity zapping on its surface.

    Shadow now glowed with a white light around him, the light growing even brighter as he focused the light into his hands, fashioning it into a whip of sorts, the handle of it glowing gold.  Shadow responded with a nod, using his free hand to beckon Zelias to attack him.  “Bring it on…, captain…”

    Battle screams came from them both, and they raced to each other, Zelias raising his sword and Shadow cracking his whip as they approached.  When they met, there was a large explosion, the energy from their weapons radiating throughout room, and kicking up an immense cloud of dust.  As the dust cleared, bits of rubble continued to fall, and Shadow and Zelias, their weapons obliterated, were now face-to-face, and locked in a fistfight, bringing their battle from the air to the ground.

    Shadow took a few swings, Zelias proving his skill and dodging them, only to be caught off guard when Shadow gave him a swift kick to the chest, then using his leg to sweep under Zelias’ feet.  When he lost his balance, Shadow followed this up by kicking him skyward, focusing another blast of energy, and firing it at him before he could land.  Zelias was hit by this, but defended against the brunt of the blow, and landed on his feet, throwing a series of swift punches at Shadow, who dodged them quickly, and backed away, racing around the throne room.

    Zelias, growing tired but unwilling to show this fatigue, cackled and cried, “Why are you running Shadow?  Do you fear defeat or are you just turning it up a notch!?”  Zelias then chased after the hedgehog.  Shadow saw this and outran him, until their speed got so fast they were running along the walls of the throne room, throwing blasts of energy at each other, continuing their fight with their running speed enough to sustain them.  After a few minutes, Shadow lost sight of Zelias, slowing his pace, until Shadow was blasted by a ball of energy from Zelias, knocking him hard to the floor below.  The impact of his body to the stone floor blew a hole into the ground around him.

    Zelias could be heard cackling as he floated down from the chandelier above.  As the dust settled, Shadow coughed as he choked on the dust.  Zelias gave him no time to recover, and Shadow tried to quickly back away from the attack, but Zelias threw his punches too quickly, and many of them landed hard on Shadow, with a final swift kick sending Shadow hurdling into the large, ornate throne, literally blowing it up on impact.

    As the dust cleared, Shadow looked even more beaten and bloodied than when he began.  The tuft of white fur on his chest was now bloodstained, and more blood too ran down his arms and legs, dripping slowly to the floor.  However, Zelias too was considerably injured, making the fight slightly fair.  The hedgehog as worn as he was, stood up and laughed softly, saying, “Captain Zelias…Lord Feldmort’s number one…did you really think it would be this easy to supplant me?  No…if it’s a battle you want, it’s a battle you’ll get, but what do you say from now on…” He stood up, forming another ball of energy in his hands as he continued, “That we play fairly?  Either that or I’ll simply have to destroy you.”

    Zelias would not show his fatigue, but at this point was bent over, as blood dripped of the top of his head and onto the floor.  He cackled and said, “Play fairly?  Indeed, truly Shadow you too underestimate me.”  He stood up, panting heavily and said, “Destroy me if you can, you damn hedgehog!”

    Shadow nodded and grinning he said, “Gladly!”  He rose back into the air, and threw the blast of energy at Zelias, again using his mind to control its path, and thus it plowed head on into Zelias, sending him flying into the chandelier, which after impact, came crashing down to the floor, crushing both Shadow and Zelias underneath it.  The two were extremely hardy, for they blew up the chandelier’s remains with their energy weapons, Shadow now brandishing twin knives as long as his arms, and Zelias using two lances covered in spikes.

   The blows exchanged were extremely fast, both of them having to throw their blows with expert skill and caution, while at the same time having to parry or dodge blows thrown at them.  Zelias proved to be powerful, and at first glance maybe stronger than Shadow.  However, the hedgehog had yet to show his true power, the same power that Lord Feldmort felt and feared.  Shadow fought with his knives with speed and grace, using his left sword to parry the blows of the spiked lances, and his right to thrust attacks at Zelias.  The mutant captain too showed his skill, using his spiked lances first to block blows, and then quickly slash at the hedgehog.

    It appeared that the two were evenly matched; either that or one was just humoring the other, wearing him down until he took out his full vengeance upon him, destroying him once and for all.  Even now, Shadow was unaware that Knuckles had reached the arena, and things between him and Hidama were coming down.  Whether or not he would get there in time to prevent the inevitable remained to be seen.  For now, he continued to duel with Zelias.  Time wore on, and finally, the two clashed, their weapons crossed in front of them, and pushing against each other in an effort to break the other's guard.  Finally, the force of the pushing became too great for their gravity to sustain, and they came together, flipping into the air away from each other, and falling into the ground.

    The dust and rubble again settled, as Shadow’s knives and Zelias’ lances fell and dissolved as they hit the ground, their energy lost once more.  One of Shadow’s knives, however, fell into an outstretched hand that emerged from the dust.  As the dust cleared away, that hand was revealed as Shadow’s hand.  He had risen up, and though tired, knew that Zelias could not take much more of this battle.  The mutant captain was sprawled out on the ground, having broken a number of bones and losing his blood too rapidly, and appearing unable to fight any longer.

    The hedgehog stood over Zelias and said, “I prayed thee play fairly, and you denied my plea, and now I have fulfilled my declaration.  Destroy you I vowed, and now, Zelias, that time has come.”

    The mutant captain sneered angrily at Shadow’s words, wanting to rise and destroy him, but found his body was broken and unable to continue.  Zelias, trying to laugh said, “A good winner would let me die here in peace.  Truly Shadow, you have done me in…you kill me swiftly only out of spite and anger, that same anger which drove you and that echidna apart and thus dooms you.  Vent it on me if you must…but I pray thee, you shall be destroyed eventually…in the end, all your work is in vain.”

    Shadow, who had raised his knife, ready to kill Zelias paused, lowering it and said, “Anger…despair, indeed we all have anger and despair.  I kill you only because you willed it.  I kill you for attacking young Miles and Sonic, using them for your own sick gain.  This is beyond both of us, Zelias.  I kill you for the young mother who cried as you slew her child the night the echidnas were attacked.  I kill you for the deaths of Hidama and Knuckles’ mother and father, whom Hidama himself was doomed to witness.  I kill you for their pain, in which you inflicted because of your malice and desire for selfish gain.  I kill you to avenge them, to avenge their parents, the guardian, all the echidnas; I bring their pain that much closer to its end.  I say this to you, Captain Zelias, Hidama and Knuckles, sons of the guardian, they shall finally have their peace, and, it begins now.”

   Zelias, knowing his time was up, cackled softly, closing his eyes, and in a last attempt to bring him down, thrust his leg into Shadow’s stomach.  Shadow was ready to double over in pain, but brought only one hand to his stomach, keeping a firm grip on the knife with his right, and as he fell on top of Zelias, the knife plunged into his chest, killing him instantly, and bringing the battle to an end.

    There was a long, uneasy silence as Zelias breathed his last breath.  Shadow laid still for the longest time, finally releasing his grip on the knife, its energy used up, and it finally melting away.  Shadow finally broke the silence, coughing hard and long, trying to get his breath back.  He shut his eyes, being in immense pain, cringing as he felt blood rolling down his face, and even a few tears.  It was rare for Shadow to cry, and yet he did now, thinking that even this justice for the echidna clan was not enough to end this nightmare, and after this beating, he felt his part was over, his premonition doomed to come true…somebody would die, and now he couldn’t prevent it.

    Shadow didn’t know what it felt like to die, but perhaps it was he who would not survive, and thus Hidama and Knuckles would be spared.  As he lay there, paralyzed from pain and weeping, he whispered, “I admire them, Hidama and Knuckles.  They have strength all their ancestors would fall on their knees in admiration and praise to behold.  The last survivors, the guardians…I only wish I could see them through to the end.  Hidama, I love him, for his selflessness, amidst misery and despair, was what saved Knuckles, not just the Master Emerald.  Knuckles, I admire his strength, for it has never been easy on him, and not just his strength…I admire him and his glory.  Second son of the guardian, he has done his fallen kindred well.  Oh spirits beyond the stars, bless them…for while they will die someday, they have restored to the echidnas their former glory and power, and then some.  Bless them, sons of the guardian, brothers, the last true guardians of the Master Emerald.”

    It was now that his tears were not tears of pain, but joy, for he knew his prayers were true.  As he fell silent, he could almost feel his spirit lifting away from him…at least, that’s what he thought.  In truth, the fox children Jacob and Olivia had come to him.  Jacob lifted him up and said, “Come on Shadow!  Hidama needs your help!  Please!”

    Olivia and Jacob had brought any means of first aid they could find.  Tattered cloth, cold water, anything, and they used it to stop Shadow’s wounds from bleeding, clean up his fur from the blood it soaked up, and soothe away his other injuries.  Olivia washed the blood from the tuft of white fur on Shadow’s chest and said, “Oh Jacob, Shadow’s really hurt, but Hidama needs him.  What do we do?”

    Jacob looked close to tears.  Next to Hidama, Shadow was his hero, and looking at the corpse of Zelias, knowing it was he who did Shadow all this damage, he growled low and said, “We’ve got to help him Olivia!  Hidama and his brother need him!  We’re Hidama’s captains, and we’ve got to help them!”

    The two children stood up and balanced Shadow’s weight between them, helping him a few steps along.  Olivia asked, “Where are we gonna take him?”

    Her brother shook his head and said, “We’re gonna help Hidama.  He’ll wake up by then, I’m sure.  We’ve just got to help him along.”

    “J—Jacob…O—Olivia….thank you,” a voice said.  The two children were overjoyed to see Shadow had awoken.  Hugging him tightly, he cringed, managing a smile and said, “Not too tightly now…please.  I shall heal quickly, but I cannot waste anymore time.  You two…can you help me to the arena as you planned?  By then, Jacob as you said, I shall be restored.  We must move quickly, captains of the guardian.  Hurry!”

    Jacob and Olivia nodded, and again, balancing Shadow’s weight between them, taking one arm around their shoulders, Olivia on his left and Jacob his right, they helped him up the twisting corridors, now free of guards and resistance, heading up quickly to the arena.  In his heart, Shadow knew they had to hurry, for even now, it might be too late for the brothers, as even now they were locked in battle, Knuckles trying to save his brother, and Hidama…inside…fighting to be free.