Lost Memories Chapter 8

Lost Memories Chap 8

Soon Shadow and Knuckles reached their room. The time, they needed to get from Eggman back here, didn´t help the bad headache Shadow suffered from at all. His roommate still needed to support him from falling to his knees, while his own hand covered his forehead as attempt to ease the pain a little. Though the effort was futile. Groans of pain echoed through the hallways. And now the room. Once they got to the bed, Knuckles carefully helped Shadow onto it. The poor hedgehog looked extremely exhausted from the aching and took the chance to rest with great gratitude. He thanked his red friend for the help, earning a “You’re welcome” in return. After a small pet on the head, which was giving from Knuckles to Shadow, the red guardian sat on the edge of the bed, letting out a deep sigh. With barely half open red eyes, he was studied.

A minute of silence passed until Knuckles stood back up to leave, so that the dark furred hedgehog can rest properly. Tired eyes opened a little more when the echidna started to move away. There was a question inside of Shadows’ mind that he needed to ask, but he wasn´t sure if his head would let him. There was only one way to find out though. Shadow sat up just a little, so he could look better at his friend. He called out Knuckles’ name and the almost at the door standing red echidna halted, but didn´t turn around. There was another moment of silence.

“….are you as torn apart on the inside as I am?” Shadow asked in an unsure tone.

Knuckles didn´t answer right away. Instead he took his time to think about the dark hedgehogs’ question. Slowly he turned his body to look at his older roommate with a slight unknowing expression. A sigh left his throat.

“Honesty… I don´t know what I should believe right now or not…” he stated, earning an understanding, slow nod from the other. With that being said he turned back to the door to leave Shadow to his deserved rest.

Meanwhile in the room where the two of them last saw Eggman, the mad scientist sat in his chair and thought about the conversation he just had with them. In silence he watched the two talk to each other with the help of the camera that he had placed in their room. It wasn´t hard to tell what they talked about. The fact that Sonic could make them easily doubt, bothered the bald man quite a lot. He really needed to think about a way to make them trust him more, than Sonic could make them doubt. The question was just how he would accomplish that. Eggman was sure that Shadow and Knuckles trusted him with his story for now, but still he needed to figure something out just to be safe.

While he was deep in thoughts, his two robot companions came to bring him dinner. Both were slightly surprised, when they found their creator like this. But they were even more surprised by the fact that Dr.Eggman didn´t snarl at them for their rather loud entrance like normally. This only happened if there was something going on, Eggman was not okay with. But instead of asking what happened, their experience told them to better be silent this time. When the doctor was this deep in thoughts, he hated to be disturbed. His hatred for this was almost as big as his hatred for his blue arch enemy. A lot of robots already found their path to the scrapyard this way. They surely knew better than this and left as fast as they came. Eggman however had other plans as he did notice them.

“Orbot. Cubot.” he called out, causing his robots to freeze in place.

Slowly both of them turned around, with slight fear that the man was going to scrap them for disturbing. “Y-yeah, boss?” the robots replied at the same time.

“I need you two to do something”

With him saying this, Orbot and his yellow friend turned around, completely in surprise. Their expectation luckily didn´t turn out the way they had thought. If Orbot could sigh, he would have done so at this very moment. The little red robot then spoke for the both of them. “That would be, Doctor?”

“I need you two to watch Sonic closely. I want to know everything he does, so I can plan on sending Shadow and Knuckles next after him” he commanded, while stroking through his moustache with two fingers. His eyes didn´t leave once the monitors in his front.

“How do you expect us to do this, Boss?” Orbot questioned carefully.

“Just send the nano spy-bots after him. That should do. Keep me updated then” the mad scientist commanded and crossed his arms behind his back.

Easy to see that part of Dr.Eggman’s plan was to stalk Sonic like a prey. The two robot sidekicks did how they were told and sent dozens of spy robots out to observe the blue hedgehog and also his friends. Though the scientist had only very little interest in them. None of them was strong enough to be a true risk for him. Apart from merely a handful. But since two of them are his subordinates now, he didn´t worry too much about the others. Shadow and Knuckles sure are a very, very helpful and powerful addition.

But also Orbot and Cubot made clear to be very useful creations the following weeks, much to the doctors’ delight. They did a great job in keeping him updated to what Sonic was up to. Always informing him when his arch nemesis was alone, so he could send countless robot henchman after the blue hedgehog. Those were times where Eggman certainly did not regret building his little assistants. In situations like this, Orbot and Cubot came in pretty handy. After all machines like them have no need for sleep or food. Though, being able to feel emotions and feelings like boredom may be a problem here and there.

Every time he sent his inventions after Sonic, Eggman watched with glee how the blue boy was doing against them. At first Sonics’ enthusiasm to kick metallic butts was great and his cockiness unsurpassed, but the more time passed the more the tall human could tell, that Sonic grew annoyed. That his robots weren´t a match for the blue blur, was something the doctor was very much aware of, but everything he did was part of something much greater. Slowly it was time for the next step. And that step would start with Shadow and Knuckles going after Sonic again. Of course there came risks with this, since their trust was still cracked in after last time they met their blue opponent. Eggman could tell by their slight different acting. But how does it say? No risk, no fun. After calling the quilled ones and discussing the plan with them, both agreed to follow the scientists’ instructions. Unknown to them, their so called boss could easily see their doubt, but he shrugged it off either way. Certainly confidence didn´t allow otherwise. And Sonic wouldn´t know what hit him.

Speaking about the blue hedgehog, he was doing another run. Of course, what else would have anyone expected? However, instead of his normally carefree appearance, annoyance was written all over his face. Over the last few weeks, about every second day, Baldy McNosehair sent who knows how many robots after him. And those weren´t even a challenge. At first he didn´t care much. Doing his job, Sonic easily scraped them. Part of him always hoped every time for Eggman to have made a mistake, so he would get a hint to where he could find his base to get Shadow and Knuckles back. Sadly every time without success. Realising his enemy wouldn´t grant him this favour, he just grew annoyed and frustrated whenever he saw this rather weak machines coming his way. For him they were a waste of his time. In all honesty he didn´t even had the slightest idea why Eggman even bothered with them. Why didn´t he just send his rivals? At least they could achieve what he truly wanted. As for Sonic, it would save time and nerves to look for them.

That day was another day where Eggman would sent a pair of tin cans. The main reason for the hedgehogs’ slight annoyed appearance. Truly he absolutely didn´t feel like dealing with them anymore. With a sigh he looked around, already expecting them to show up any second. Eggman just got so predictable, or at least that was what his mind was telling him. But then there came something he definitely did not expected. Out of nowhere Chaos Spears raced towards him, leaving no time to react. Not even enough for Sonic who took the attack almost directly. A surprised and pained yelp filled the air, as he was hit back by the impact. With gritted teeth Sonic just managed to curl up into a ball after his first contact with the ground. Ending up on his knees, he stopped a few meter from where the attack managed to hit him. The track of his throwback clearly visible on the muddy terrain. With slight hesitation the blue hedgehog looked up, seeing a silhouette coming closer through the dust.

Out of the dust the dark hedgehog slowly came, his red orbs fixed on the, on the ground kneeling, blue hedgehog. If this wouldn´t have come so out of nowhere for Sonic, he would be actually glad to see Shadow again, but that Chaos Spear was far from a warning shot, unlike the one of their last encounter. Slow and steady he tried to stand up, which came out to be rather difficult. His stomach ached pretty much from that one hit alone. But it wasn´t enough to bring him down. Soon he was back on his feet, growling at his older rival warningly. That however left Shadow cold as he wasn´t giving the slightest reaction. Instead he just moved his hand back to quickly draw it forward, shooting once again his Chaos Spears at him. Sonic didn´t lose any time and dodged them before they came even in reach. After getting some distance to Shadow, the fast blue boy charged up his own running speed  to knock the older hedgehog down and hopefully unconscious from the impact. Though he should have gotten a fishy feeling when Shadow didn´t move one single inch, when Sonic ran right up to him. He welcomed this chance highly, which was a fatal mistake. Shortly before he collided with the other, Knuckles came out from behind Shadow with quite high tempo himself, ready for a rock breaking punch. In his already charged running, all Sonic could do was widening his eyes at the sudden intruder. He was too fast to retard which caused him to be helplessly exposed to the red echidna. The speed of Sonics’ running, combined with the pace Knuckles’ fist had, created a force so strong that a normal creature had only very low chances to survive. With wide green eyes, Sonic didn´t even realized what was happening when air literally got punched out of him. He couldn´t even muster enough to yell out in agony. The only thing he did know, was being suddenly stopped by a hard surface. Just then pained yells filled the air.

Once more the blue hedgehog was lying on the ground. With gritted teeth and into fists clenched hands, he tried to lift himself at least on his knees. Carefully he opened one eye just to get greeted by a red liquid that was dropping out of his mouth. After realizing that it was his blood, his gaze raised to check on where the other two were. And they went up to him. In this brief moment, Sonic understood what Eggman had planned. For the last couple weeks his enemy sent dozens of rather weak robots to fight him, making him unknowingly used to their strength. Without warning he then sent out Shadow and Knuckles which had a complete different level of power. And for that kind of power Sonic was definitely out of shape. Without realizing it, Eggman got him into a routine. This shocking cognition made the blue hedgehog pretty much jump up. Turned out to be a bad idea since his stomach and back ached like they never had before. If at least a few ribs weren´t broken, then someone up there must really like him. A pained groan left his mouth.

Though he hated to admit but the doctor sure got him good this time. In his current state that he got so easily into thanks to his rivals, he knew that he had no chance against them. This fact pissed him off. Mostly because he made the mistake to underestimate Shadow and Knuckles. Of all people. A lot of options for Sonic to pick weren´t there. Now he could either try to get the heck away from them or stay and try to talk to them again, though he would probably get his ass kicked even more. The cowardly way however, was never Sonic’s way. So obviously the second option was his thing to pick.  Knowing the blue blur, he couldn´t hold himself back from making a cocky comment.

“Aw shucks, you guys. You really never miss out on a breath taking greeting, huh?” he grinned as if nothing just happened a few moments ago.

At this obvious pun, his two rivals stopped just to shoot him confused looks. Sonic himself was rather surprised by their reactions.

“Did he just….” Shadow began but finished in thoughts.

“Hey! If you make fun of us, then I will punch more out of you than just air!” Knuckles snarled, lifting up his fists as a warning.

Though the blue hero shouldn´t be relieved right now, it was good to know that, whatever Eggman had done to them, they were still themselves. Despite being on Egsgman’s side and seemingly friends now. Last point could be seen as positive though.

Sonic panted slightly and held his rib area with his left arm. They hurt badly. A few of them were broken for sure. Sonic can´t say he was surprised. After all, he knows Knuckles’ strength better than anyone else. Another blow like that, be it Knuckles or Shadow, and the blue blur has a very big problem. Fighting wasn´t an option anymore after this fatal mistake. Despite the red echidnas’ threat, Sonic started smiling. An honest smile. Seeing that made the other two look at each other in confusion.

“… you almost said the exact thing once, Knux. Heh, and then you chased me around because I countered with another joke” Sonic joked. “Don´t you remember?”

“The heck are you talking about?” Knuckles questioned.

“I am talking about the times before all of this! Dunno what Eggster did to you but this isn´t you! You aren´t on his side and I will make you two remember again!” Sonic said in a serious matter.

While the blue hedgehog tried to talk his way through to them, Shadow was far from playing along. He poked Knuckles, who seemed to be in a mix of confusion and annoyance, in the ribs to get his attention. When he got it, he just silently shook his head as if he want to tell him to stop listening. Knuckles understood. He also knew that, even if Shadow tried to hide it, he still felt a little lost right now as well. But this had to wait. After all, they had a job to do. They didn´t need to get more out of concept than they already were. Soon Shadow focused back on Sonic. He wasn´t a threat right now, and the dark hedgehog knew that. In the blink of an eye the older hedgehog was in front of the younger one, ready to end this already. In his shock, Sonic just managed to duck in order to avoid Shadows attack. Their eyes met.

“Less talking more fighting, you imbecile” the dark hedgehog said coldly.

“I don`t want to fight you!” Sonic protested with a loud voice.

“Too bad. You don´t have another choice”

With this Shadow started to fight Sonic, but the blue blur was far from trying to fight back. Using his speed he just dodged. His rib area and back hurt too much. Of course the way he handled his dark counterpart hurt immensely as well, but taking one hit would surely hurt far more than this. While Shadow took care of Sonic, Knuckles still stood on his spot. Again he was pulled into doubt. At this moment he didn´t know what he should do. Fight with Shadow or stay back. For him it looked like Sonic really didn´t want to fight them nor being in a situation like this with them. His eyes wandered down on his hand. The hand that caused injury to the blue hedgehog. Soon a deep voice got his attention.

“Knuckles! You gonna join me or what?! Whatever you are thinking about, think it later!” Shadow commanded, not very fond of his partners’ inaction.

His doubt forgotten for now, Knuckles closed his hand into a fist. With no time to lose he joined Shadow, making it twice as hard for Sonic to dodge. Well, okay at least three times as hard because his rivals worked as a team. Despite this, Sonic did very well. Even under the pressure of them trying to knock him out and the fact that lack of concentration could cause a mistake, he still tried to talk with them. Things of their past. Things they had experienced together. Things that connected them. To Sonics’ luck their blows seem to lose their strength. He could tell they got unsure of what they were doing. The doubt Knuckles had before came back and so did the doubt Shadow tried to forget. The blue hedgehog still had to look out.

Since the beginning of the encounter passed a small period of time. Shadow and Knuckles got Sonic literally standing with his back to a wall. Good thing the blue hedgehog managed to dodge every of the punches, kicks and whatever else they had for him. This came with a price though. His upper body ached even more and exhausted him. The other two didn´t even look near any exhaustion. Sonic had nowhere left to run now. He was literally a hedgehog in a trap. Even though his rivals should feel proud now… they weren´t.

“…come on, guys… it’s not too late now. Stop fighting” Sonic slightly groaned out due to his hurting body. “Can you really not remember all the times we have fought together? As a team? As friends?”

Silence was the only thing he got as an answer to his questions. Not only that but they also hesitated to attack, even though he was an easy target. Both of them were unsure how to handle this situation. Eggman, who was of course watching everything, slowly got impatient.

“What are you two waiting for!? Attack him!” he commanded over his communicator.

“But… during the whole fight he didn´t even try to fight back…” Knuckles replied unsure. An as unsure Shadow looked first at his red friend but then on his wrist were the communicator was attached to.

“That’s because he is too weak! Now finish your job! …or… is he actually getting in your heads?” Eggman questioned sharply, getting more impatient.

“No bu-“

“Then do as I say!”

Of course the doctor would be merciless when it comes to his arch enemy. And just as likely he wouldn´t tolerate any kind of disobedience. He was the bad guy after all and he made it as clear as the day. With a sigh Shadow stopped the transmission and turned back to the trapped blue hedgehog. Knuckles crossed his arms and also looked into his direction. That sure as hell was a bad sign.

“Sorry, blue hedgehog. But our commands are as clear as they could possibly be” Shadow said, his voice back into this cold-as-ice tone.

A growl left Sonics’ throat. He was so close to getting to them, but all was for nothing. Without losing any more time, Knuckles jumped up in the air while Shadow stayed on the ground. The dark hedgehog started to move towards Sonic, soon curling into a ball, using his spin attack. Knuckles on the other hand started to drill like… well… a drill. Both of them coming towards him with incredible speed and force, leaving no way for Sonic to escape.

“Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit! If I survive this, I swear I will take Amy out on a date!!” the speedster thought under stress and adrenaline that caused his heart to beat faster than running could ever make.

Seconds before the impact, sweat was running down Sonics’ head. He wasn´t panicked nor did he fear death, but he truly did fear what might happen after this, if he survives. If Eggman would do the same to him like he did to them? If there was one thing he really didn´t want, then was it to fight his friends like the doctor forced Shadow and Knuckles to. Thoughts familiar to this raced through Sonics’ head in this few seconds, until his rivals suddenly stopped in the middle of the air and merely half a meter in front of him. Wide-eyed Sonic looked at the floating, spinning/drilling guys in front of him. When they noticed that they didn´t move anymore, they withdrew from their attack, now hanging in the air.

“What?” all three of them asked in more than just confusion.

Suddenly an invisible forced pulled Shadow and Knuckles back, sending them flying crosswise over the ground and into the next trees. Both cried out in pain. This time, they didn´t know what hit them. A still confused Sonic just blinked at what happened a few seconds ago. Until a familiar, calm grey furred hedgehog landed in front of him with crossed arms. After his head turned to face Sonic, a smile greeted him.

“Need a hand?” he asked sounding just a little mockingly, which Sonic really didn´t care about.

“Silver!” he voiced with a touch of relief. “What are you doing here?”

“Well… Tails kinda had a feeling something like this might happen. So he called me just to be sure. Guess he had the right feeling” the younger hero stated.

“Sounds like my bro” Sonic chuckled and rubbed his head.

“Seriously though…. Why didn´t you fight back?”

“Well… Knuckles assumingly broke at least 3 or 4 of my ribs and I don´t know about you but… fight with a few broken bones miiiiiight not be the best idea” the blue hedgehog told him, making his reasons more than just obvious.

“Oh….”

Right in this moment, Shadow and Knuckles came out of the bushes. Some leafs and dirt covered their quills. Dangerous growls came from both of them. Sonic and Silver turned towards them, one getting back into a defensive pose while the other looked rather interesting in why the older ones attacked their rival. Soon enough the chaos benders spotted the grey hedgehog.

“The heck are you?” Shadow growled out, followed by a question that Knuckles hissed out. “Where you the one who just did that?!”

“… care to explain?” Silver asked with a raised eyebrow while looking at Sonic.

“Uh… later, kay?”

Confused red and purple eyes just looked over. Both didn´t like the fact that they got just ignored. Instead of asking again, they went right for another attack. At the same time. Synchronized attacks also meant twice as much power. Well, not in this case. As soon as they were close enough, Silver just froze them mid-air again, leaving them just as dumfounded as before. After Silver told them that this wouldn´t work on him they found themselves getting hit back once again, right after being smashed on the hard ground.  This time they didn´t fly as far and were back on their feet a lot faster. Growls were heard once more.

“Hm…. I got you two much stronger in remembrance…” Silver said more as a statement than mockery.

Ones temper didn´t like this statement at all and voiced it loudly.

“I will rip your head of your neck, you brat!!” Knuckles yelled pissed and ready to fight the grey intruder. However, his action got cut short by a gloved hand that crossed his way to hold him back.

“Wait. Let’s get back to the base” Shadow said, which found no approval in the red echidna.

“What?!”

“We don´t know who this is nor what he can do. It’s smarter when we retract” the older one explained with a controlled voice.

“So you just want to flee and leave it like that?!” an angry red echidna voiced.

“A tactical retreat is not a flight, Knuckles!” Shadow stated much sharper than before.

Any protest would be left unheard. Knuckles could tell by the look of Shadows’ red orbs. He was very serious. “….fine…” he finally answered, though he really didn´t like it.

A hand moves into black and red quills to pull out a Chaos Emerald. The two other hedgehogs, that were eyeing them suspiciously, thought at first that they were talking about another tactic to fight Silver. That thought got wrecked when Shadow pulled out the jewel. Widening his green eyes Sonic told Silver to stop them. Turned out it was slightly too late, because right then Shadow shouted out “Chaos Control”, making them disappear in a flash of green light.

“…Ah, shoot…” Sonic cursed, causing Silver to look at him and sigh in the same moment.

“Well… that was a bust… but at least I came before they could do more damage to you… what reminds me… Are you okay?” Silver asked with honest concern, since Sonic held his ribs the entire time.

“Oh… don´t worry ‘bout me. I’m fine” Sonic started and finished after a loooong and deeeep sigh. “Now that that’s taken care of…. Looks like I gotta ask Amy out on a date…”

He looked far from excited. Guessing by the face Silver then made, everyone could tell that he had no clue on why Sonic would say this now of all things.

Back in Eggman’s base, the two slightly injured guys sat in silence in one of the sickrooms. Each in their own thoughts. Their eyes were low on the ground. Small medic-robots took care of them.

“…You know what I don´t get?” Knuckles suddenly asked, breaking the silence in the process. Of course Shadow then looked at him. “Why does Sonic try so hard to befriend us?”

Shadow knew no answer to the question, but he didn´t have to because someone else would answer for him.

“A better question would be… why wouldn´t he?” the voice of an adult human suddenly appeared, making the quilled ones look to the doorframe to see Eggman standing there with both arms behind his back.

“What do you mean..?” Shadow asked in slight confusion.

A smile came to Eggmans’ face as he entered the room. “Do you two remember when I said that you used to be friends with him?” A nod from both was his answer. “Well… there was more to that. You were not only friends but also rivals. Huge rivals. You, Shadow, can keep up with Sonics’ speed and you are also physically stronger than him. Knuckles, you may not keep up with them when it comes to speed, but…. What you lack on speed, your physical strength make up for it. You are at least twice as strong as Shadow. In a close combat fight, neither of them has a chance against you. Alone each of you is even to him, but together Sonic does not stand a chance against you. And he knows that. Of course he would try to befriend you”

Silence spread through the room again, when purple and red eyes met. Soon they moved back on the tall human.

“What about the things he mentioned? Like… Space Colony Ark? Did this events really happen?” Shadow wanted to know.

“… yes. Everything he told you happened. But this events happened years ago. They have no relevance to what he did to you before you started to work for me though. Do you really think that, if he really thought of you as true friends that he would have left you to die?”

Again, nothing but silence. Eggman could only sigh.

“…look you two. I know Sonic made you doubt everything. After all, your memories don´t seem to come back anytime soon. It’s up to you to whatever believe me or him. Just know, that when your memories come back, you will see that I was the one who was right all along”

That being said, Eggman just turned around and left the two without another word. Just like the last time, Shadow and Knuckles were left torn back and forth. How should they keep on like this with no clear answer? They were sick of trying to find the truth. Eyes were lowered on the floor again for several minutes. Shadows’ gaze was the first to lift.

“Hey, Knuckles… can I ask you a question..?” he said, turning the echidnas gaze at him.

“Sure, Shadow…” he answered.

“Before our last attack on Sonic…. You hesitated… you hesitated before as well… did you regret…?”

Knuckles’ tired eyes inspected Shadow’s face a few seconds before he answered. A low chuckle found its way out of his mouth.

“Heh… you tell me… did you?” he questioned in a serious manner.

Red eyes lowered themselves on gloved hands that soon were clenched into fists. No matter how much he wanted to deny it, he just couldn’t.

“…yes…”

To be continued…