Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ Black and Blues ❯ In Darkness It Thrives ( Chapter 4 )

In darkness it thrives

 

“It's amazing, this lovely city and how it sparkles from its many lights. This grand city is the jewel of our country. Yes, a heavy gem that easily hides its filth beneath a mammoth weight. The gangs and their fighting, the pimps and their whores, all the things that would break a city's good name aren't seen. And why do you ask is this possible? Because someone is pulling the strings on the media, but it's not the government, they promised years ago to never dwell in that pit again for fear of conspiracy and dirt that falls on the table, and the police are far too stupid to hold on to the reigns of something that big. I wonder what could have more political power than the government and possibly the intimidation of an army? It's fascinating yet troubling. There's something lurking in the shadows, possibly watching us right now waiting for that moment to take us out or worse expose us.” The once speaking man turned away from the city lights to a few men standing in darkness behind him. “Gentlemen,” he said addressing them all, “I didn't call you here to just sell drugs, off mobsters and gain some more respect to go under that belt. We're not here to take over this city like so many before. No, this is a city of peace, order and secrets kept from the general public. Gentlemen, we are here to ensue chaos. Utter chaos from gang fights in the busiest streets to system failures to every computer in this blessed metropolis.”

 

“And what about this invisible hand?” a young voice asked, the sounds of yo-yo strings by his sides. “It could become a problem.”

 

A menacing smile touched the man's lips and he ran his hand threw unruly bangs. “We use them as our tool, as long as they're around to quiet things down no one will ever be the wiser of us.”

 

“And if we're found out?” came a slightly gruff voice.

 

“It'll be too late by then. All of hell's dominos will be in place. Getting rid of us might just make things worse. So do as you please! Deal and market. Rob and pillage like the grand pirates you are but don't rape.” He turned his back to them and rested a foot on the ledge of the building. “I had a mother and sister once, creatures like that are sacred.”

 

 

It was late like most of the nights where he layed staring blankly at the ceiling of his bedroom, silent and alone. Each time it would be to think but of only a handful of things, one at a time. When it came to his past he had always waken in a cold sweat and panic, layed back down and felt so empty staring at that white ceiling. Some nights he worried about where his line of work would take him in later years, with being so high up on the food chain your legs are likely to be chopped off. But this night brought something new. Isis. Shadow's mind had never once wandered to her in this past month, and what made things more puzzling was the form of the dream. It was almost…disturbing. He saw not her full body draped in some silk thing or bed sheet but a child of about seven years old smiling happily with a smaller him as the older Shadow looked on from a distance. Things blurred together as if he were running as fast as he did, then her form became a distant silhouette then divided in two. Things flowed too fast to comprehend until it all ended here. Him gazing at the ceiling, half lidded eyes and a blank stare. He felt cold and starved of answers. Why had she come to him this way? A girl from his past that he could not remember was a huge possibility, but why was he not familiar to her? His markings are quite unusual and his talent would surely stick in anyone's memory.

 

Shadow rubbed his temples to bade off a headache. Rolling onto his right side ended this night of torment. In the morning he would carry on like always and save his problems for when the city didn't need him around.

 

 

“Another day, another dead beat needing a serving of lead,” Shadow growled cocking his gun before slipping into the familiar atmosphere of a dark alley. “Why can't these assholes ever get into shit during the day and like in a park or maybe by a lake.” He sniffed his long jacket and scrunched his nose. “I'm so getting this damn thing washed then burned.” He shrugged his shoulders and took a few more steps forward before coming to a complete stop.

 

“What was that?” a scraggly looking human asked twisting around.

 

“What was what?” a squirrel asked quite annoyed.

 

“I heard a noise.” The lanky man slowly turned to look to his right, past a dumpster and a few garbage bags. He lifted a handgun and moved in that direction the other man ignored his paranoid partner and stood under the dull yellow light of an ally lamp. He saw nothing at first but continued to listen for what little clue would give him then like the rising sun two glowing red eyes began to stare back at him. “TONI!” he cried then shot right between them but they seemed to blink and grow nearer with each closing of those lids. Before Toni could aid his companion he fell in a heap.

 

“Nick!” he yelled but slowly approached his body, cautious to stay in the light. The eyes flashed to him and he froze like a deer in headlights then fell, a tranquilizer dart just to the side of his jugular.

 

Shadow checked each body for a pulse; he had a tendency to…miss when using a tranq-gun. Unsatisfied that they were both still very much alive he left them where they lay and moved on to the next couple of lackeys before he reached the door already in an aggravated mood. With mister sandman in his left hand and his problem solver in his right he went to work. This one needed to be taken in alive. “Joy,” he mumbled then became a blur as he took down one thug after the other. He reached another door and stepped inside to what looked to be a sitting room. The lighting was dim something that Shadow favored so he removed his sunglasses which he probably should have never put on when he entered the building.

 

His slightly pointed ears twitched to a minor rustling noise and he grinned that devilish grin. A quick shrug of his shoulders and his coat was by his feet, he wearing a plain black T and black wide leg pants. He closed the door behind him and rolled up his sleeves looking into a dark area out of the corner of his eyes. An auburn cat dressed in blue jeans and a red haori stepped out with piercing green eyes and smirked holding a sword in his left hand. “You know they say curiosity killed the cat,” Shadow sniggered, “but who's pointing fingers.” He cracked his knuckles and took a fighting stance.

 

“Well in that case,” the cat huffed, “prepare to die curiosity.” He took a great bound forward, Katana ready to be buried in the hedgehog's throat but only struck the door behind him. His eyes bulged and he looked to his right where Shadow stood grinning from ear to ear. “What the?”

 

“What? You didn't know?” Shadow shook his head and sighed. “I'm almost hurt that I'm not as infamous as everyone says.” He dodged a set of claws then a swipe from the sword once more before the cat jumped back on what looked like a coffee table. “Hey didn't your mother ever tell you it's dangerous to play with knives?!”

 

“My mother taught me how to use this sword,” he hissed.

 

“Yeah, whatever mama's boy!” With lightening speed he removed his tranq-gun and shot two rounds at his right shoulder. Both were deflected and cleaved in half by the sword. “What the?”

 

“Oh you didn't know?” he said in a mocking tone raising his sword to just beside his right cheek. “You may be incredibly agile but your weapons are still Mobian made making then slow. Shooting me wont help you one bit.”

 

“Heh, you're still no challenge.” In a flash he was behind the cat with the wind knocked out of him. He groaned holding his middle with one hand and took a step back glaring at the handle of the sword. “How?”

 

“I was trained to be a ninja. My first attempt was to test your abilities and deceive you. Now that you've been exposed it's only fair to tell you that I specialize in stealth. There isn't a damn thing going on in this room and the next twenty yards that I don't know about.” He turned to face his adversary and grinned. “Scared yet?”

 

“Actually I'm impressed,” Shadow coughed then regained his usual composure. “You're the first to actually hit me in years and besides didn't think a narcotics dealer would be so skillful.” He brushed back his bangs and smiled. “Let's make a deal. No weapons and we get to beat each other to a bloody pulp.”

 

“Fair enough.” He tossed his katana on the table along with a few daggers and throwing stars. Shadow set down nearly half a dozen guns and a few knives as well.

 

“Now just imagine all the dirty tricks we could have pulled on each other,” he chuckled eyeing the array of weapons.

 

“I didn't not expect this from a cop.” The cat bowed.

 

“Oh I'm not a cop Maru.” Shadow smirked and bowed as well then leapt at the man only to be grabbed by his arm, spun around and flung at a wall. Shadow bounced off and landed on the back of a couch. “Oh you can't say that wasn't cool.”

 

“You're such a child!” Maru growled, jumped forward to kick off the door then launch towards Shadow who fell on the cushions of the sofa just when he sank his claws into the back and slashed as the young hedge's left cheek. There were three blood trails down his cheek. The black hedgehog snarled, snatched Maru's arm and slammed him into the floor.

 

He groaned a bit before jumping to his feet and bounding back a few feet. “What's the matter kid?” he hissed. “Ruined you're pretty face?”

 

“No that just really hurt,” he laughed whipping his face with his hand and licking the blood from it. “I kinda have a date later and if I'd known you'd be cutting my face up I'd have never said what we agreed to but what's done is done.” Shadow rushed forward and attempted a roundhouse kick at Maru's ribcage but his foot was caught and he was shoved back again. The hedgehog manipulated the momentum to ricochet off the floor and knee his opponent in the stomach whose eyes nearly popped out of his head from the blow.

 

Maru fell to one knee and gasped for air before he tripped Shadow and grabbed one leg slamming him repeatedly into the floor but never letting go when he finished. The black hedgehog shook his head and pushed up with his hands to his free leg. Maru arched a brow. Shadow kicked off and used Maru's grip on his leg to swing himself around to kick the ninja cat in the face causing both men to fly in opposite directions when he was released. He rolled to one knee and faced the fallen cat as he rose to his full stature and growled.

 

“I'm going to be late,” Shadow mumbled and in a dishonorable act of blitz speed he snatched up his tranq-gun and pinned Maru to a wall.

 

“INSOLENT CHILD!” Maru hollered.

 

“Yeah, yeah. Go to sleep.” He shot twice in his arm then, when he became limp released him. He snatched up his weapons and coat, sent a text message on his phone that the job was done and raced out the door and towards the Rose Café. Shadow slid to a halt by the café's entrance shook out his hair and flipped up his collar to hide the scratch marks on his face. He took a deep breath and stepped inside and nearly walked back out. The place was packed with beatniks and pseudo-bohemians, each and every one of them transfixed by who ever was on the stage. Shadow let out a slight growl and stepped to take a view of the performer to his disappointment wasn't Isis. Had he missed her performance? He let out another growl and moved to the counter where Ami sat listening to a pair of bongo drums and a washed up hippie.

 

The brown blissful bunny looked up at the sound of something rather clangy. Her soft brown eyes trailed up to a very grumpified hedgehog with the tip of a magnum poking out of the pocket of his coat. Ami's eyes darted around to the rest of the audience that were eyeing him but obviously not taking the notice to the gun. She dashed forward arms wide opened and sang, “SHADOW!” This unfortunately bringing more attention.

 

Shadow shot deserving glares at the onlookers and walked Ami back to the counter. “Ami, I feel like shit and I don't need these jackasses knowing that,” he said in a slight growl.

 

“Well then you might want to hide that gun in your pocket,” she whispered and reached out to make it invisible. The young hedgehog groaned and rested his head on her shoulder making their position less compromising for Ami. “Um Shadow?”

 

“I need a drink,” he sighed sending a chill down Ami's spine.

 

“Why? So you can be hammered before Isis gets up there?”

 

“What?” Shadow's head snapped up and he looked into those brown eyes for a trace of a lie.

 

“It's Open Mic Night. She doesn't go on until last. Look!” She pointed to the quite frantic blue hedgehog as the danced around tables with a tray in her hand. “All these people are here to see her not some of these,” she looked around the whispered, “hacks.”

 

“So she's not mad!” He grinned and hugged Ami.

 

“Yeah but if you keep holding me so close to you she might get heart broken,” she gasped and patted him on the shoulder. She was released from the joyful vice and inhaled deeply. Shadow turned to take his unoccupied table when Ami practically slammed him into the counter drawing a few eyes that received death glares. “Not to rain on your parade or anything, but your coat sounds like gun metal,” she hissed and kept tugging on it.

 

“Shit!” he growled. “I was in a hurry to get over here I forgot to drop off my…things.” He looked around and removed his coat pushing it into the bunny's hands. “Put this somewhere safe for me.” He gave her a slight hug and continued on his way feeling all the eyes on him. Ami glanced up to see the three marks across his left cheek and nearly called out to him but decided against it.

 

Isis continued to weave in and out of tables chatting with the poets and artists of the crowds. One lemur commented on her aura, saying it was quite angelic and she giggled and darted away. She hid in the shadows and whipped her brow. “I'm going to kill myself doing this,” she exhaled.

 

“That's a shame, I really like you alive,” came that baritone voice belonging to Shadow. He was back to his usual mellow self as he smiled up at the shocked waitress.

 

“I, I didn't think you would come,” she stammered as she was pinned down by ruby hues.

 

“I said I would be here.” He smiled wolfishly and motioned to the seat before him. “I'm a man of my word.” A blush struck her cheeks like lightening and she cautiously sat down.

 

“I'm really glad you're here,” she smiled rubbing her right arm.

 

“Really?” he leaned forward, his whole left face shrouded in darkness, the effect sending chills down Isis' spine.

 

“Yeah!” She looked down and bit her lip. “I've never been in front of a crowd this big before. I'm a little nervous.”

 

Shadow hooked a finger under her chin and lifted her gaze back to his. “You have no reason to be,” he said in a smooth tone and she was almost putty in his hands. “You have such a beautiful voice and far more talent than most of these…people” She giggled and he took his hand away. He smiled then looked at the tables that cornered them. “Um it appears we're being watched.”

 

“Huh?” Isis glanced behind her then shot back around and her blush took over most of her face. “Oh my god!” Half the café was scrutinizing them, some of which were enraged bohemian women. “Why does it feel like I've just stabbed everyone behind me?”

 

“You're not alone.” The two smiled and when Isis looked to the stage Shadow flashed the crowd a bone chilling stare. The casual clapping of appeased listeners began for about three minuets then died out as the next performer took the stand with yet another bongo player.

 

“Um, I have to do my rounds again before Ami gets up set,” Isis said sheepishly and picked up her platter to leave. She turned back biting her lip. “Promise you'll still be here for my performance?”

 

“Don't worry,” Shadow laughed leaning back in his chair. “I'm not going anywhere.” She smiled and backed away trying to hide a pink face behind her platter, nearly tripped and walked off.

 

“She's nervous,” came Ami's soft voice from behind Shadow.

 

“A blind man could see that,” he huffed closing his eyes. Ami placed his usual on the table and pulled the empty chair to his left and sat down. He sighed and looked to her. “So you noticed.” The bunny rummaged through a small box and pulled out a small bottle and cotton ball.

 

“I was going to say something but you managed not to freak her out.” She soaked the cotton ball in the liquid from the bottle and touched it to the black hedge's wounds. He hissed and closed his eyes. “Get over it.” She continued to clean his injuries. “I'd ask where you got these but I'm afraid of that dumb line `I'd have to kill you'.” Shadow snorted then winced.

 

“Geez what is that, acid?” he growled shooting his nurse a look that she shook off. “When does she go on?”

 

“After these rejects from hell.” Ami put away everything and rose to her feet. “I told the girl to take the night off but she says running around like the devil's at her heals will help calm her down.” The rabbit shook her head and made her way to the counter leaving Shadow to his thoughts.

 

For Shadow the next five minuets as he ate his muffin and drank his coffee seemed like forever but for the skittish blue hedgehog it was too short. How she hopped and prayed that she just suddenly dropped dead before even reaching the few steps to the stage. Her poor heart raced like she was being attacked as she sat on a stool before a microphone, staring like a deer in headlights. She glanced back to a male red panda on drums and her right, a male black bat. They both nodded to her and she gave a weak smile and they began to play a smooth blues rhythm. She gulped, took a desperate sip from a cup of water held in her hands and as she sat it down on the floor she was hooked by two glowing red eyes. She tilted her head and they blinked slow causing her heart to sore. Isis sat straight, pulled the mic to her and sang in a sultry tone:

 

I'm always runnin' from the dark in this world.

Living life as I walk the streets of this place that I call hell.

Feelin' like I've been forsaken just for being me.

I don't have a home but all I know is that I'm alone.

No one to hold me when I'm cold!

 

Shadow shifted in his seat and stared down this girl as she sang out her heart. She wouldn't look to him but then again she didn't look to anyone else as she stared blankly, the music growing more intense.

 

Find me! Find me!

I am broken on the streets of life!

Save me! Save me!

Cause nothings goin' right!

Find me! Find me!

Cause I can't fight alone!

 

The black hedgehog was nothing short of entranced by her song. Her voice weaving into his mind pushing out his anxieties and leaving him nearly brain dead.

 

I'm hiding in the shadows of this world.

Still afraid, frightened of those stairs

As my road seems to end.

Are they gone or are they there

Here to laugh at my tragic ending!

 

The guitar cried out its chords and notes as it gave more life into the sorrowful atmosphere. The drums being the almost frantic pulse that Isis held as her voice grew stronger.

 

Find me! Find me!

I am broken on the streets of life!

Save me! Save me!

Cause nothings goin' right!

Find me! Find me!

Cause I can't fight alone!

 

I am bleeding, I am hopeless

I'm abandoned, lost in life

I am worthless, I am broken

Watch the tears run from my eyes

I am empty and forsaken

And still very much alone!

 

Ami sat beside Shadow and gazed at the mesmerized faces of the patrons. The last minute band her waitress formed really pulled through. The rabbit smiled knowing nothing would hold her back now. The fem-hedge's voice grew soft as she closed her eyes.

 

Please find me!

I need someone to love me!

Please save me!

I need someone to hold me!

Please find me!

I'm cold and I am shaking!

Please save me!

Please find me!

My heart is aching and I don't wanna be alone!

…anymore…

 

The guitarist played out a few more notes that were high but gentle to the ears as the drummer slowed to a finish on the cymbals. Applauds rang through the café as nearly everyone stood to congratulate them. Isis seemed exhausted as a pink blush took to her cheeks and she bowed then waved to people. She slid off the stool and stood beside her fellow band mates bowing and waving. The bat leaned over and whispered in her ear and she smiled as he whipped his brow and rested his forehead on her shoulder. Her grey eyes wandered to red and were held captivated by their newly found depth. She franticly tapped the shoulders of the bat and red panda and whispered to them. Both young men looked about before she pointed to Shadow.

 

The two smirked and the red panda stated, “He doesn't look like a cop.”

 

“I know!” Isis squealed and made to run off the stage but her foot hooked on a cord and she fell forward. Before she could do a face plant into the floor Shadow caught her. Held in unfamiliar arms she looked up and her eyes nearly popped out of her head. “How did you?” The people who noticed seemed as shocked as her.

 

“It's something I was born with,” he said with a smirk on his face. She blushed again as he helped her to her feet. Shadow glanced up at the drummer and guitarist. “Who are they?”

 

“Oh sorry!” she squeaked then pointed to the bat. “This is Maika and my brother Zeek.” They both waved.

 

“Brother?” he said arching a brow as he looked the at creature who looked more like a fox with a raccoons tail than a panda (take a look at a red panda pic and you'll see why).

 

“Yeah,” he said in a lazy voice that gave the hint that he just might be stoned. “Gotta problem with that?”

 

“No!” Shadow grinned rubbing the back on his neck. “I'm adopted too.” He didn't bother to press further questions on just which of the two siblings were adopted as well. He'd ask Isis later when they had a chance to be alone.

 

“We heard a lot about you Shadow,” Maika said with a grin. His ears lay idle on his head as he plucked at a few strings. “The infamous class skipper of Fargo U.”

 

The black hedgehog blinked. “What's so infamous about skipping class? Everyone does it.”

 

“That was you?!” Isis gasped then giggled. “Rumor has it you took like ten classes and majored in three, minoring in two.”

 

“Actually it was more like twelve,” he said looking down as a slight blush touched his cheeks. “But it's not that big a deal!”

 

“Like hell it isn't!” Maika laughed. “You're a fucking genius.”

 

“Dude, could you help me with my homework?” the red panda asked jokingly. A confused look touched his face as he noticed the cuts on his cheek, a bit of blood seeping through that thin layer of fur.

 

“SHADOW!” came Ami's cheery voice. She smiled from ear to ear as she jumped in Zeek's view tugging a bit on Shadow's arm. “There is something really heavy in the back that I need help moving. Would you be a dear and give me a hand? High places give me nose bleeds!” To the three young furs she seemed pretty insistent but Isis didn't want to let go of Shadow's other arm.

 

The black hedgehog however got the picture and let go of Isis smiling. “I'll be back. You should mingle with your worshipers till then,” he said then gave her a light peck on her lips and made to the back with Ami. The second he was out of sight the mass of people overwhelmed the helpless trio.

 

“I don't know how it started to bleed again,” Shadow sighed as he sat on a chair, the brown bunny once again resting by his left side dabbing at the wounds.

 

“Maybe it's from all the smiling you've been doing,” she laughed and finished cleaning his cuts. He shrugged and looked up at her with a slight smile of gratitude.

 

“I'm not going to tell you what happened.”

 

“I wasn't going to ask!” Ami was greatly discouraged but slapped Shadow on the back. The sudden assault caused him to groan. “Oh god! I'm sorry!”

 

“It's,” he gasped for air then shook his head, “it's okay. I just need sometime to rest is all.” He looked to that concerned rabbit and smiled that cocky smile then rose to his feet. “I think I'll call it a night Ams.” He gave her a slight hug grabbed his weapon-laden coat and made towards Isis and her band. Shadow's steps were lighter and the sounds of clinging gunmetal could not be heard this time. The crowd around the stage seemed to split for him as he neared. He slipped his hand around that blue fem-hedge's waist and gave her a peck on her cheek keeping his from her view.

 

Isis gasped at being grabbed then kissed and looked back at ruby eyes. “Hi!” she sighed and hugged him. The mass of people moved further back. “Done helping Ami?”

 

“Yeah.” He looked up to Zeek, who was trying to shake off a female raccoon dressed in all black, and smirked. “Seems you guys have your hands full.”

 

“It's horrible!” she whispered. “Maika got dragged off a while ago by some philosophers and hasn't come back yet.” She sniggered.

 

“What's funny about being kidnapped by beatniks? Have you heard their views on everything?” Shadow arched a brow at the devilish grin on her face.

 

“If anything they're the ones getting an ear full right now.” Isis began to laugh and pulled the still confused black hedgehog down on the stage to her left. “Maika loves fucking with someone's point of view on life. I think he does it for kicks.”

 

“Then we should go save them,” he said smiling. The blue hedgehog giggled. “I'm glad I got to see you perform.”

 

“Aw, you're leaving already?” Her ears flattened on her head and she stuck out her bottom lip. Shadow laughed slightly, he was finding her more relaxed state quite amusing. “Who will save me from the bohemians?”

 

“Just scream for Ami and she'll probably come swinging.” He kissed her, catching the girl completely off guard. The smile she held was infectious. “See you later Isis.” He slid away from her and left through the door into the alleyway. Isis held her cheeks feeling that blush rush back to them. Everything about him, even the way he said her name excited her. She would be stuck in this euphoric state long after the café was empty and she was taken back to the apartment her brother, fellow band member and she shared.