DARKSTAR

by Matthew Winn / Bishop 1k


Sonic the hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower, Dr.Eggman, Nack the Weasel,and Shadow the Hedgehog are all copyrights of Sega incorporated.






Chapter 2

Radical City, Outskirts

"So let me get this straight you save the world, fall to Earth, almost die and you don't want any recognition?"

"That's right."

Nack stared. "So you're Shadow huh?"

"Why are we landing here?" asked Shadow peering out of the cockpit window. The bright lights of the city twinkled in the night sky.

"Because, this is where we find a buyer," said Nack punching in the switch to the hatch. "But first we gotta meet a friend of mine: guy named Doug."

"'We?'" Shadow raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah 'we.' You still owe me for saving your life back at the hangar."

Shadow sniffed. "Huh I guess there's a price for everything."

Nack gave his usual smirk. "Damn right."

Shadow looked around for a second and then shrugged.

"What's up?" asked Nack.

"I don't think I can go out there right now."

"Oh yeah I forgot this ain't exactly your first run in with the law."

Shadow nodded, "Something like that. If GUN found me they'd put me back on ice. I'm not going back."

"Well in that case I got something for ya."



The trench coat was a size too small, and the hat just looked ridiculous, but Shadow had to admit, no one would think he was the ultimate lifeform. No one would take him seriously. The bar they were in was dark, musty and overall pretty dank. To call the place 'a dive' would elevate it a couple of notches.... Nack passed through the crowd unnoticed while Shadow tried to pull the hat down over his face.

Suddenly Nack's searching gaze caught sight of someone and raised a hand.

"Hey Doug mah man!"

A small brown mole carrying a pickaxe and wearing a pair of dirty overalls turned on his barstool. His eyes were covered in a pair of round thick sunglasses.

"Well if it ain't Nack the Weasel! How you bin?"

"Fine Doug, fine. I just got my hands on the package we talked about."

The Mole jumped off his stool, revealing to Shadow that he was only half his height.

"You did!? Where is it?! Can I see it!?"

"Sure, sure. I'll take you there soon. First I'm gonna have myself a drink."

Doug peered over Nack's shoulder. "There's some guy behind you."

"Him? Don't worry about the hedgehog, he's just another sucker who owes me."

"You always could put some guy up to doing your dirty work.... Hey remember that time we got that Penguin to rob the Minefield diamond exchange?"

Nack laughed, "Yeah, sure Doug, but keep it down huh? I don't want the cops to hea-"

Nack was cut off short as a pistol muzzle pushed against his chin.

"The cops? Right now you should be worrying about me, Weasel."



The field was wet and cold as the little chao egg was rolled along the floor by its parents. They looked up at the starry sky. They saw the long wing of the plane as they fell to the floor but the egg kept on rolling...



Holding the gun stood a female wolf. Her gray fur went all the way up to the top of her head where it completely covered left eye. On her back she carried a long sniper rifle. Shadow reached over and grabbed her wrist.

"Back off, Wolf."

She shot Shadow a glance, and gave him a toothy smile. Shadow kept hold of her arm.

"Listen to me, dear. I'm here for this piece of pond scum. You want to add yourself to my list? Go right on holding."

Shadow smiled. "Sorry, I owe the guy my life."

The wolf raised an eyebrow, "Really? Nack you been making new friends?"

"Yeah Tia, best buds," Nack gulped.

Doug had managed to slink behind them and was about to rush her back leg.

"Don't even think about it mole boy... I'm leaving with the weasel."

"That's not happening." Shadow released his grip and braced himself.

Tia frowned, "I thought you owed the guy? I could just do you a favor and take the debt off your hands."

He smiled, "Tempting, but no. I always keep my promises."

The traffic of the bar slowed and stopped to watch the drama and some of the more cautious drinkers had the sense to make a hasty exit.

"Look Tia this isn't going anywhere, we both know you won't shoot me. You won't get any money from the guild."

Tia snarled. "I might decide to kill you anyway. You took my eye!"

"Look, you ran it into a tree-branch while chasing me, through a JUNGLE. It wasn't my fault if you didn't look where you were going."

"Why you little-! I'm taking you to the guild. If you want to try and stop me hedgehog go right ahead."

Shadow's eyes narrowed. "With pleasure..."

"Hey does anyone else hear that?" Asked Doug....

The wall exploded and in stepped the steel form of Omega...

"Targets located."

Tia's mouth was open wide as she gawked at the robot. "What the hell is that?"

"RUN!" cried Shadow and grabbed Nack's and Doug's arms and shot out of the bar, his skates leaving burn marks in the carpet. Out on the rainy street he could just see Tia in the corner of his eye. She was firing her small pistol at the robot's metal frame to little affect. Shadow made a turn stop and threw the dazed Nack and Doug onto the floor.

"I am an idiot!" He said before rushing back towards Tia. He unravelled his brown coat and threw it over Omega's head, before slamming into him sending the metal machine crashing to the floor.

Tia looked at Shadow shocked. "You...."

"Move it NOW!" snarled Shadow, his black and red spines bristling.

Tia shook her head and ran towards Nack and Doug.

"What is he doing!?" asked Tia as the three of them watched in horror.

Shadow waited for Omega to get back on his feet and slammed into him once more. The machine toppled backward into a lamppost and crumpled over.



In the sudden silence all they could hear was the soft patter of rain off heavy concrete. Shadow turned and glared at the trio behind him. Tia, all thoughts of Nack behind her just stared at the metal heap. It's eyes flashed.

"That things still working."

Shadow spun around in time to see Omega's fist before being thrown back into the group.

"What now?" asked Doug, straightening his Sunglasses.

"Well I say we leave the hedgehogs to sort this out between 'em," said Nack taking a couple of steps back wards, "I mean Shadow's got this under control, right pal?"

"Shut up Nack! You idiot!"

The robot stopped and then looked at Shadow as if seeing him for the first time. Its eyes flared red as it examined him.

"This is not Shadow. His superiority rating is 33. Shadow's was over 120."

Tia and Doug looked at Nack. "Hey, he's been sick what can I tell ya? Come on Doug!" Nack grabbed Doug's arm and ran in the direction of the plane.

Tia ran after them. "Hey come back here Weasel!"

Shadow turned and ran after the escaping weasel, his skates kicking in at the right time. In a second he was next to Nack and Doug sprinting as fast as they could towards the field where the Darkstar was hidden.

"Hey look, we're even now you're on your own." said Nack shooting him a glance.

"I'm taking the plane." said Shadow flatly.

"You're what?! No way buddy! That plane belongs to ME!"

Shadow increased the thrust and passed them reaching the Darkstar's, opening hatch.

Then he tripped.

Snarling in anger, Shadow got back on his feet. He looked down and saw a blue and yellow egg. He picked it up and was about to throw it away when an explosion caught his eye.

That wolf was firing at the robot. "She doesn't give up easy does she?" said Nack pulling up beside him. Doug was gasping for breath. His short stubby body wasn't meant for running.

Shadow kept on staring at the battle in progress. "Here." he said absently and passed the egg to Doug. He put in full power to his skates and dashed forwards.

Nack began punching in the plane's access code.

"What an idiot that guy is," he said, "Well I'll just be on my...."

Nack turned around. Behind him stood Shadow with an unconscious Tia in his arms.

The gangplank slid down and Shadow pushed his way aboard, Nack quickly following behind him.

"You are dead Hog-boy! You are not living, understand? As soon as we're out of here I am gonna...."

Shadow turned and caught Nack's gaze. Nack shut up.

"Get us outta here, now!"

The Darkstar's engines flared to life.



As Omega picked himself off the floor all he could see was the bright light of the Darkstar's engine disappear into the night sky.

Accessing Emotion Datafile, defeat, annoyance, pride, shame.

Initializing Command protocol: R A G E

Omega stood up. And clenched his fists.





The cockpit of the Darkstar was silent as Nack piloted the aircraft away from the city. Shadow was in the back tending to Tia, Doug was in the Engine room, no doubt critiquing the thing's engine, and next to him on the co-pilot's seat sat the egg.

Nack sighed. All he wanted to do was to steal a piece of top secret military hardware, outwit the police, find a buyer and live a life of luxury in a non-extradition country. Was that so much to ask?

The egg moved.

"I thought 'hey, if I save the guy's life maybe he'll owe me one.' I save him twice and all of a sudden, He's running the show!" Nack said aloud.

The egg cracked.

"You know I ought to just knock them all out cold and dump em off at the nearest military base." So why don't I? His mind flashed back to the scene in the bar. Shadow had tried to save him. Why? He didn't even know the guy. And it's not like he's Mr. Goody Two Shoes like that other hedgehog.

The chao popped its head up and out of the egg. It looked around and couldn't see its parents. It climbed out over the seat and crawled out of the cockpit.



Shadow stood looking out of the window. He could see the cloud layer pass by. All he'd ever wanted was to see this planet, and now the dream was becoming a reality. He wanted to rest. To have some piece of the world for himself. He'd kept his promise to Maria... or had he? The world had been saved and all he could see was misery and despair.

A yawn from behind made him turn around. Tia opened her eye and looked around. She saw Shadow looking out of the window, and reached for her side arm.

"It's not there. I've put it in the locker."

Tia sighed.

"So. Am I Nack's prisoner? Hostage? Bargaining chip? What?"

"Not if I have anything to say about it." said Shadow.

"So you're Shadow the Hedgehog. The guy who helped save the world."

Shadow stayed silent.

"I thought you were dead." Tia continued.

Shadow turned and moved towards the storage bay.

"I am."



The storage bay was dark and Shadow had to search before he could find the light switch. When he did the room flickered into life. Odd, he expected it to be empty. But there was a large cylindrical thing in the centre of the room, above the bomb-bay doors. Shadow dragged the sheet of plastic off. It was a bomb.

"Oh no...."



"AAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!"



Shadow stopped and ran back up the stairs. Tia was standing on a chair looking down.

"What? What is it?" he said.

"There!" she said pointing to a small counter. "Underneath! Something brushed past my leg and I just saw it go under there!"

Doug's head appeared out of the engine room hatch. "What's goin' on?"

"Looks like we picked up a rat."

"A rat?" said Doug polishing his sunglasses.

"Yeah under the counter over there."

Tia stood up. "It was NOT a rat. I am a bounty hunter. We don't get frightened by rats."

Doug's face went completely straight, "Yeah sure. Okay let's lift up the counter. Blacky you're on the other side."

Shadow nodded.

"One, two, THREE!"

The green little blob cowered in fear.

"Oh great," said Doug, obviously relieved, "It's just a chao."

Tia peered over and looked at it. The chao produced a small yellow flower, seemingly from nowhere. Tia's eyes lit up.

"Ahhh cutie!" She cried and pushed the mole out of the way.

Shadow smiled. "Guess we know what was in the egg now."

Doug rubbed his glasses. "Yeah Nack's the only rat on THIS plane."

"That's weasel, worms for breath."

Nack stood leaning on the doorway.

"Dont worry I put 'er in auto pilot for a while."

Tia had put the chao down and was patting his head.

"Who's a widdle cudie den? Whose da cudie?"

Nacks' face split into a wide grin. And he covered his mouth to stifle the laugh.

"Mmmph mmph...MPA HAHAHAHHAAAA!"

Tia turned and bared her long, white, teeth.

"Shut it weasel. The only reason I don't kill you right now is cos I don't want to expose this poor little thing to any graphic violence."

The little chao began to cry.

Tia hugged it even tighter, "Ah are you hungry little fella? Hey, we got anything to eat on this bird?"

"I think I saw a lunch box down in the engine room," said Doug. "One of the engineers must have left it here."

"I'll get it." said Shadow, and he disappeared down the hatch.

The three outlaws stood together. Nack was the first to speak.

"So what does everybody think of our spiny friend. A polite person might call him dour; I'd just call him downright miserable." He prepared himself for Tia's verbal onslaught. But it never came.

"He's hurting," she said, "He survived the fall back to earth. But I don't think he wanted to..."



The engineering section was brighter than the docking bay. The red lunch box was standing on a small pile of boxes. Shadow was about to pick it up when he felt it. It was like a tingling on his spines. It pulled him and he turned and saw it.

It hummed rhythmically as it turned. It was white as it spun but as Shadow followed the rotation he caught glimpses of red, yellow, blue. He had felt this power before, but much more concentrated and refined. This was unstable. He grabbed the lunchbox and went back up, "Here," he said passing it to Tia, "Hey mole, I think we've got two major problems."



"What is it?" asked Tia. She had left the chao happily munching on a sandwich, and was now stood staring at the long cylindrical shape.

"It's a bomb," explained Doug "But not any kind I've seen before."

"Nuclear?" asked Nack, his hat pushed up so he could get a better look.

"No, it's new. It seems to implement off one of those giant Infinity Rings. I thought they all disappeared, but it looks like GUN have managed to find one."

Nack whistled. "So that's why Eggman sent his goon after us: he wants the bomb."

Shadow sniffed. "Hmph I thought he was after me. I don't know whether to be happy or insulted."

Tia shook her head, "Well that robot didn't think you were really Shadow, so I guess the Doc still thinks you're dead."

Nack scratched his chin, "Hey! How do we know you are the real Shadow?"

Even you memories might not be real y'know?

"My memories are fine." There was a sudden silence.

After a few seconds Nack piped up, "I never asked about your memories."

"Look," said Tia, "Black hedgehog, orange stripes, jetskates, looks a hell of a lot like Sonic the Hedgehog. Yep he's Shadow alright."

Shadow closed his eyes. It didn't matter who he was anymore. Shadow, Sonic 'Ultimate Life;' Maybe he was all of them. Maybe he was none. It just didn't matter.

"Look what about the other problem?" asked Tia

"This whole plane is fuelled by a chaos generator," said Doug ,"Not a big problem, in itself but it uses seven different shards."

"And?" asked Nack.

"And, no-ones ever managed to do that before! The theories been there but the technology hasn't."

"Yes it has."

All eyes turned to Shadow.

"Gerald Robotnik, my creator. He used the cascade to power the eclipse cannon on board the ARK. The military must have stolen the research from the ARK's computer database. The cannon used the emeralds. So in theory all they had to do was scale down the power ratio for the shards. The combined power of all seven emeralds is amazing. All they've done is applied the theory to the shards. They all contain chaos power, no matter how small the amount."

"So when you get all seven together-" started Tia.

"They react," realization dawned.

Doug removed his sunglasses and began his ritual polishing. "This reactor probably has more power than one of the Chaos emeralds. If we don't take care of it, or we run it too hard, the containment might fail and then it'd explode and well, adios muchacho's."

Tia sighed. "So what are you gonna do about it? We can't just dump the plane - then Eggman will get the bomb."

"Besides that, I gotta get some reimbursement for all the hassle." Said Nack. Tia and Doug looked at him. "What? That was the whole point of this heist in the first place! Bombs, robots, chaos drives and you guys were NOT part of my plan...."

"The plane stays with me," Shadow opened his eyes.

"I don't think so Hedgehog! I worked hard to steal this plane, and no-ones gonna cut us out of this deal, right Doug?"

Doug looked at his feet.

"Doug?"

"I'm sorry Nack," he mumbled, "But this is serious! We can't just hand this over to some meathead crimeboss!"

"But he'll pay millions! Mill-e-ons! Are you gonna throw that all away?"

Doug carried on looking at his feet.

Nack smiled, "I'm disappointed in you Doug. Guess I am the only jerk on this plane."

"You got that right," said Tia under her breath.

Shadow wandered over to him. "Sorry Nack. But this is something I have to do. I swore to myself I would stop the professor's inventions from hurting anyone."

Shadow put his hand on Nack's shoulder, only to have it pushed off.

"You know my life was pretty good up until three days ago. Look I'm gonna pilot this thing to the nearest city but then you gotta find yourself some other sucker. The smell of righteousness is making me sick."

Doug lifted his head, "Hey Nack don't be like that..."

"Shut up Shorty, you were getting on my nerves anyway, polishing your dumb glasses all the time. I don't know why I let you even look at this thing. Maybe I just felt sorry for you...." Nack disappeared up the hatch.

"Don't worry about it," said Tia, "he's just ticked he won't get his money."

Doug lifted his head up, "You think?"

He started climbing the ladder up to the seating area. Shadow returned to looking out the window.

As Doug climbed up he could see the little chao smile and wave at him. It once again produced a flower, seemingly from nowhere, and proffered it to him.

"Thanks buddy" he said and took it from him. He sniffed it and his face contorted for a second. "Achoo!" he sniffed, "Ugh pollen...."

"What was that?" Asked Tia, helping him up.

"Hm? Oh I just said 'pollen' that's what made me sneeze."

Tia looked thoughtful for a moment. "Pollen? Hey I like it! How 'bout we call you Pollen little guy?"

The chao pulled a horn out of thin air and blew it happily.

"Well I guess that's settled," said Shadow, "Hello Pollen."

He rubbed the little chao's head.



The room was dark as Omega crept back into the lab. His defeat had been humiliating. His anger processor was riding almost at melting point if he wanted to beat that hedgehog he was going to have help. The storage tubes were dark and foreboding as he punched in the release codes.

Initialize startup program SS.EGG

The robot's programming came online, and it's yellow eyes glowed.

Initialize startup program 0.EGG

The second machines' hovering systems came online and it raised itself up above the floor.

Transferring command from Master.IER to Individual.DSO

Checking........... Verified.

"Excellent. You two will follow me."

They transmitted their confirmation protocols.

"Let's go..."