Shadow the Hedgehog

Shadow nodded to Hope who reached out and took Melody's hand. "Thanks. And I'm sorry about this unfortunate business. But don't worry, I won't let your mother know you're real," he whispered to Melody so Mina wouldn't hear.

"I don't plan on waiting to find out," said Shadow as he grabbed Hope, Rouge and Maria and tried to chaos control to safety. The emerald he held above his head emitted nothing more than a small flash of light. Clearly things weren't going to be that easy. "I should've guessed. Time to run then, I suggest you follow me," he said as he sped off back along the way he came.

"It doesn't seem like we have more of a choice..." Shadow paused as he heard a slow, constant thud, as if something were moving closer. He then looked at a puddle and saw the water ripple with each thud. "That doesn't sound good. Clearly the mention of escape has triggered some sort of defensive mechanism. Exactly what that is I don't know. I'm sick of large things, they're all I've been fighting as of late."

"We could stand around here arguing all night but somehow I don't think that'll accomplish anything. So now what?"

"Just once I'd like to have a day without some terrorist or psycho rearing their ugly head," said Shadow to himself. "Great. What else is gonna go wrong?"

"Someone planted a bomb at HQ to try and kill Hope. One of the scientists went nuts and planted it along with a mind control device in Hope herself. Sure your runt of a boyfriend wouldn't pull this off? His magic could've easily controlled the saboteur's mind, she was totally unresponsive to reason. And Melody clearly isn't a figment of your imagination, she's in this dreamscape... sorry MY dreamscape as well. Which reminds me thanks to your efforts my leisurely dream has been ruined."

"I see. Then that bomb earlier had nothing to do with you?"

Shadow wasn't particularly surprised. "Thanks for the info Mina. Come here to finish off your dirty work then?"

"Yes, this is a dream. Why else would Maria... be with me?" he said, being sure not to talk too loudly to upset Maria, who was stood with Rouge just out of earshot. "Why are you reacting to this Mina? As part of this dreamscape surely you would assure me I'm going insane. Unless you're really here too. Or perhaps not. I don't know how these things work." "I guess that explains all of the strange goings on," sobbed Hope

"This is a dream. Yet somehow I don't think Hope and Melody are mere reflections of themselves in my mind." Shadow gave a heavy sigh. "Great, the sanctity of my mind has been invaded."

"I suggest you go Red. You belong with them."

"I know Melody!" yelled back Hope, her voice hoarse.

"Very well then. And Melody, I'm sorry, for what it's worth. Which isn't much at this point I'm sure," said Shadow. Hope managed to choke out a reply whilst crying. "Thank you Mina."

"The plan was to knock you out then leave. That's how spooks get things done. Unfortunately it didn't go that way. So what are you going to now, huh?"

"You took that which did not belong to you, ergo, you stole them. I couldn't trust you with powers such as mine." Maria clung to Rouge and looked at Shadow with horror. She had no idea of this side of him.

"You stole my powers and nearly killed a Zone Cop, and then threatened to come to my world and murder my friends. I had little choice but to try and remedy my mistake. So don't lecture me on ethics."

I too am getting the 3DS version, I pre-ordered it a few weeks back. Speaking of which, do we know if there are any pre-order bonuses for the 3DS or is it just on the Wii U?

Shadow saw Melody and Hope and laughed to himself. "Hi there. I thought things were going to take a wrong turn, but you aren't exactly harbingers of doom." Hope ran towards Shadow and hugged him. Shadow then saw and heard Mina. "I guess my fears weren't totally unfounded after all. So much for a nice relaxing dream."

"I sure hope you are," said an anxious Hope Not too far away, Shadow noticed a large flock of birds flying towards him overhead, with more startled ones quickly following suit. He knew something was coming, and came to a stop, awaiting the arrival of this unseen presence.

"Melody it looks like they're following us. Think you can outrun them?"

"No objections here," whispered Hope.

"Thank's Melody. It's nice to have a friend like you."

(OOC He said he was sickeningly wholesome, so Jack clearly was good).

Hope tightly hugged Melody back. "It's not your fault Melody. You didn't knowingly drag me into this. I came on my own free will. I just wonder who or what is gonna show up next."

"Does any of this seem normal to you?" asked a distraught Hope.