Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Out of the battle ❯ A new ally ( Chapter 3 )

“It says the guy’s at the corner table, under the painting of Lantanas.” Sonic said, looking at his watch. “What is a Lantana?”

 “A flower.” Sonia replied. She motioned to a corner booth. “The cute hedgehog in the corner is our guy?”

 Sonic looked over and saw a black and red hedgehog, wearing a black trench coat and combat boots, sitting in the corner booth. “Ugh. Him?”

 “Come on.” Sonia said, dragging Sonic over to the table.

 The hedgehog looked up and slid his coffee cup aside. “Are you the ones Cyrus said to meet with?”

 Sonia and Sonic sat down. 

 “We are.” Sonia replied. She introduced herself and Sonic.

 The hedgehog nodded. “Shadow.”

 “So… you worked with Robotnik, Shadow?” Sonic asked.

 “Sort of.” Shadow replied. “I was a mercenary, sent after the queen.”

 Sonic grit his teeth. “Our mom?” He questioned. “You tried to capture our mom?”

 “Only because Robotnik was holding my wife for ransom.” Shadow replied. “I went through the motions of the mission while trying to hack into his files. Found out that Rouge had died the day before I took the mission to save her. Something went wrong in the robotization process.”

 “I’m so sorry.” Sonia said, frowning.

 “So I defected.” Shadow replied. “Queen Aleena said you two could help.”

 Sonic raised an eyebrow. “She did?”

 Shadow slid a holographic cube to Sonic and pressed a button.

 The hologram of Queen Aleena flickered on.

 “My dear children.” Aleena said. “I hope you are well, Sonic, Sonia. I’ve heard Manic has been ill and I hope he’ll feel better soon.”

 Sonic and Sonia exchanged glances.

 “I’m sending Shadow to assist you on your mission.” Aleena said. “I hope to see you again before the month is over. I love you.”

 The hologram flickered off. 

  “Mother didn’t seem to have filmed that under duress.” Sonia said.

 Sonic gave Sonia a look. “Do you have to use fancy words?”

 “I’m saying she wasn’t pressured to film that.” Sonia replied.

 “Like he couldn’t make his own hologram?” Sonic asked.

 Sonia motioned to the design on the cube. “It has Mother's emblem on it.” 

 “He could forge it.” Sonic said.

 “If I wasn’t serious about aiding the resistance, I wouldn’t be discussing anything with you.” Shadow said.

 “Sonic.” Sonia scolded.

 “What’s your decision?” Shadow asked.

 Sonic raised his spines. “You can take your deal and shove it-”

 Sonia smacked Sonic’s arm. “Ignore him, Shadow.” She said, “We have a deal.”

 Shadow looked at Sonic. “I’m not sure I want to work with your brother.”

 Sonia sighed. “Sonic, with Manic out of commission, we need his help.”

 “Oh, and I’m sure Neo over here will be a great help.” Sonic said, jerking his thumb at Shadow’s trench coat.

 Shadow opened his coat, revealing a few guns in his coat liner and in a couple of holsters strapped over his shoulders. “Keep running that mouth of yours and you won’t have to worry about the roboticizer again.”

 Sonic gulped.

 “I can do this without you if I have to, but an army can be useful.” Shadow said. “I hear you three are the top fighters, though I only see two of you. Your brother is still sick?” 

 “He probably has chronic respiratory irritation or something.” Sonic replied. “We can’t risk bringing him back to Mobotropolis.”

 “What was his skill set?” Shadow asked.

 “Picking locks, hacking.” Sonic replied. “He was learning MMA, but he goes into coughing fits and has a hard time breathing in general lately.” 

 “He might be able to use my gas mask.” Shadow said. “Where is he?”