FicWad

Bright and early, that morning Shadow showed up at Sonic’s house.

Sally, in her bathrobe and holding a cup of coffee, opened the door. “Shadow?” She asked. She yawned. “What’re you doing here?”

“Sonic said to come by at seven.” Shadow replied. “I’m sorry, but it’s important.”

Sally sighed. “I really wish he hadn’t asked you to meet here.” She said, stepping aside. “Don’t want you to drag the kids into whatever mess you’re in. Well, come in.”

Shadow followed Sally inside and closed the door behind him.

“I’m sorry to hear about Rouge.” Sally said as she led Shadow to the kitchen.

“Thanks.” Shadow replied.

Sonic was putting ice cubes in his coffee. He noticed Shadow and furrowed his brow. “Hey, Shadow, what brings you here?”

“Did you forget I called last night?” Shadow asked.

Sonic smacked his hand over his face. “Right. Ah, man, I’m sorry.” He said. “Uh, you like your coffee black, right? I’m sorry we don’t have any coffee beans.”

“Black coffee is fine.” Shadow replied.

Sonic got a coffee mug out of the cabinet and poured coffee into it. He handed it to Shadow. “Alright, let’s head out on the patio.”

Shadow followed Sonic out to the patio, then sat down in one of the chairs.

Sonic sat down across from Shadow. “So what’s up?”

“Two Guild members named Sleet and Dingo stole my motorcycle and killed Rouge.” Shadow said. “I’m going after them. I need another guy to keep the others off of my back.”

“That’s the one organization I can’t break up.” Sonic replied. “GUN just lets me deal with Eggman.”

“So suddenly you’re a rule follower.” Shadow said.

Sonic shook his head. “I got my family to think of.”

“Does your brother count as family?” Shadow asked.

Sonic sighed. “Hadn’t heard from him in years, but he’s still my brother.” He replied. “Why are you bringing him up?”

“He’s in the Guild.” Shadow said. “If he gets in my way, he’s dead. The Guild will kill him anyway as soon as his not so secret romance comes out.”

Sonic rubbed the back of his neck. “Are you sure he’s in it?”

“Rouge handed over the club to his girlfriend and he’s their top thief and hacker.” Shadow said. “I was at the club last night, looking for Sleet and Dingo. He’s awfully friendly with Surge if he’s not involved with her.”

Shadow unlocked his phone and showed Sonic a picture of Manic and Surge. “See what I mean?”

Sonic leaned back in his seat. “What do you need me to do?”

“After I take out Sleet and Dingo, you go after the Guild with me.” Shadow said. “Specifically Manic. He’s been assigned to kill me after I take those two idiots out.”

Sonic nodded. “Alright.” He sipped his coffee and rubbed the back of his neck.

“I had nothing against your brother until I found out he was after me.” Shadow said. “Can’t you get him a deal? Immunity for turning on the Guild?”

“Guild has some deal with GUN.” Sonic replied. “You arrest someone, they’re right back out on the street. If I arrest Manic, give him a deal, the case will be dismissed and they’ll kill him.”

Shadow sipped his coffee. “I can get Farrell to arrange a duel.” He said. “I’ll talk to Knux about it after I do a search. You try to track down your brother and see what you can do in the meantime.”

Sonic sighed.

“He won’t suffer if I have to take him out.” Shadow said.

“I don’t want my brother to die.” Sonic replied. “I’ll do my best to get him out.”

Shadow got up and walked away.

*

Hours after his talk with Sonic, Shadow walked through the corridor of the Hanging Gardens hotel (the Guild’s headquarters) searching for Knuckles.

Knuckles stepped out of his apartment. “Shadow?”

Shadow walked over. “Where’s your boss?”

Knuckles shifted uneasily. “Eh… why?”

“I’d like to arrange a duel.” Shadow said. “Between me and Manic.”

“There has to be a valid reason for it.” Knuckles replied.

“Got some important info that he’d like to see.” Shadow said.

“Let’s see.” Knuckles replied. “Follow me.”

Knuckles led Shadow to the elevator.

*

Knuckles led Shadow into the penthouse.

Farrell looked up from his desk and sighed. “Did Manic fail?”

“Hadn’t had the opportunity to deal with me since I hadn’t found Sleet and Dingo.” Shadow replied. “Now, I want to set up a duel as soon as I deal with your messes.”

Farrell stared at the desk in annoyance. “Which one told you about the price on your head?”

“Surge and Manic.” Shadow said, pulling his phone out. “That’s another thing.”

Shadow handed the phone to Farrell. “Has the rules changed since Rouge quit?”

Farrell looked at the picture and handed it to Shadow. “Alright, you got your deal if you’re willing to go against those two idiots.” He said. “I’m confident that you can do it. I’ve heard some stories about you.”

Shadow nodded. “Fair enough.”

“I’m terribly sorry about your losses.” Farrell said. “If your motorcycle is damaged, I’ll make it right.”

Shadow scoffed. “You think that could be replaced?” He asked. “It was my first motorcycle. Maria drew the designs and Rouge had them painted onto the motorcycle as a birthday gift. Their signatures are on the motorcycle.”

Farrell sighed and sadly shook his head.

“When Maria died, I didn’t know if I’d get through it.” Shadow said. “I cared for her for eight years, it was the least I could do after she found me in that alley where my so called mom left me to die and brought me to Gerald.”

Knuckles exchanged glances with Farrell and nodded.

“But Rouge gave me some hope.” Shadow said. “Then your punks stole her from me and you don’t have the decency to deal with yourselves so I can grieve in peace.”

Farrell motioned to Knuckles. “He’ll assist you, Shadow.” He said. “The least we can do for Rouge.”

Knuckles nodded.

“Come back and tell the desk when you got the job done.” Farrell said.

“Yes, sir.” Shadow replied. He motioned for Knuckles to follow him.

*

Shadow and Knuckles walked out of the hotel.

“Where’s Sleet and Dingo?” Shadow asked.

“If they’re not at the bar, check the entire docks area, and you may want to check the chop shop near Rouge’s club.” Knuckles replied.

Shadow nodded.

“You know I have to be in the duel too, right?” Knuckles questioned. “Make sure you take the lovebirds out first. I don’t want to get killed because of their idiocy.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t.” Shadow said. “I have my own plan.”

“Good.” Knuckles replied.

Shadow glanced at a shady auto repair shop across the street. “Let’s check there first.”

Shadow and Knuckles walked across the street and into the shop.

Tails crawled out from under a little plane. “Ah, Shadow.” He said. “I’ve been expecting you. I got your baby over here.”

Tails carefully avoided some oil spills as he made his way over to a closed off bay.

Shadow stepped over to Tails.

Tails opened the bay, revealing Shadow’s motorcycle. “I cleaned her up for you.” He said, grinning.

“Thanks.” Shadow replied.

“So… I told them I was working on it.” Tails said. “I was planning to call them and say I’m done with it, then let you handle it.”

“Do it now.” Shadow replied.

Tails pulled his phone out of his pocket and called Sleet.

Shadow leaned against the desk.

“Hey, Sleet.” Tails said. “The bike’s ready.”

“Please say you’re on the way.” Shadow thought.

Tails frowned. “No, Shadow’s not here.”

Shadow seethed. He had about a hundred different profane things to call those Mobians, but he couldn’t get a word out.”

“Ah, Surge, doesn’t know what she’s talking about.” Tails replied. He pulled the phone away. “Fine. I guess she does.”

Shadow shook his head.

“Alright, then.” Tails said. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Tails hung up. “Sleet knows you’re here.” He said. “Surge told him.”

“She’s hiding them to buy her and Manic time.” Shadow replied. “Keep an eye on my motorcycle, I’ll be at Surge’s.”

“Will do, Shadow.” Tails said.

*

Shadow and Knuckles walked into the club.

“Wait by the doors, I’ll walk through.” Shadow said.

Knuckles leaned against the wall. “Hurry it up, the lights in here give me migraines.”

Shadow quickly made his way through the club, finding no one, then caught up with Knuckles.

“Now what?” Knuckles asked.

“Check the office.” Shadow replied. He led Knuckles to the office, then kicked the door down.

Manic and Surge (who were on the couch together) froze, both of them looked like the color was suddenly drained out of them.

Manic started hyperventilating. “I… I can….”

“Save it.” Shadow snapped. He pulled his gun out. “You warned them to buy yourselves time. I can take both of you out first so I won’t have to worry about you.”

“Farrell’s willing to let us off the hook if you and Knux fight us two and Sleet and Dingo.” Surge replied.

Knuckles groaned. “I should’ve stayed in bed.”

Shadow pointed the gun at Manic’s head. “Why didn’t we hear anything?”

“Check your phone, Knux.” Manic shouted.

Knuckles pulled his phone out. “He’s right.”

Shadow lowered his gun. “When?”

“Tomorrow at eleven.” Knuckles replied.

Shadow walked away.

Knuckles followed Shadow out.

Shadow noticed Knuckles as soon as they hit the sidewalk. “Get some rest, I have some other business to attend to.”

“You get some rest too.” Knuckles replied. “You have to be sharp for tomorrow.”

Knuckles headed for the parking garage.

Shadow checked his watch.

It was six o’clock and dark already.

Shadow leaned against his car as he called Sonic.

“No luck with my bro.” Sonic said. “Can’t reach him.”

“Guess he’s got his hands full with his girlfriend.” Shadow replied. “Anyway, I have the duel tomorrow at eleven. The Emerald estate. You need to be there if you want your brother alive. Actually, I need to meet you tonight to talk about it. I’m downtown, looking for a place to hang out until you can meet me.”

“Alright, I’ll call my uncle to help Sal with the kids.” Sonic said. “Then I’ll be on the way. Call you when I get there.”

Shadow hung up the phone and buttoned his trench coat.