Sonic EXE: The Dark Horizon

Part Five: Confronting the Unknown

Waterfall - Night

SONICS POV
The three of us were sprinting toward the waterfall in urgency, attracted by the sound of clashing. It only became louder as we approached. "We need to hurry, guys! Shadow might need our help." There wasn't ever a time when I thought Shadow might need our help. But when Tails has a bleeding injury that bad, it might be more serious than we think. "I hope Shadow's okay," Amy muttered with a soft sigh. Knuckles lifted his head and said, "I hear something ahead! Sounds serious."

As we reached the waterfall's edge, we heard the sound of clashing become increasingly loud. My heart suddenly sank at the awful sight. EXE had this twisted sinister grin on his face as he firmly held Shadow against a tree. He was pressing his head forcefully against the tough trunk, refusing to let go of his grip. Shadow's eyes weakly fell onto mine, a stream of blood pouring from his head and over his face. Blood gushed from his sides and while he was conscious, he looked like he was on the brink of death. Those eyes looked lifeless. It was awfully grim...

Amy widened her eyes in concern, gasping and immediately covering her mouth in horror. Her gasp echoed through the clearing, causing EXE's attention to shift abruptly. "Ah, Sonic and his friends are here. I was hoping for a bit more entertainment. You will have to do," he said with his grin widening unnaturally. With his free hand, EXE pressed his thumb just below Shadow's bleeding nose, pulling his thumb away to lick the blood from his finger. His eyes did not leave Shadow's until he turned his head to focus on us. I just watched in horror as he licked his teeth.

He finally released his grip and pulled his arm away, ignoring Shadow as his almost lifeless body fell onto the ground with a thud. Knuckles clenched his fists and furrowed his brows, ready to charge forward, a scowl on his face. Amy's voice quivers, "We're here to stop you!" Of course, EXE wouldn't take us seriously. He wouldn't stop smirking, "You think you can stop me? Oh, that's rich..." I hated that stupid grin on his face and I couldn't wait to wipe it off of him. My eyes glanced down at Shadow's body as it lay on the terrain, glancing back up at EXE.

I lowered my head and tilted it toward Amy, bringing the volume of my voice down to a whisper, "We need to get Shadow out of here. He's hurt bad..." Amy's eyes shot up at EXE before glancing down at the unconscious body. EXE grinned, glancing down at Shadow's body. I didn't think he'd notice our signals toward him. "Do you plan to save him, or will you watch him slip away?" There was something about EXE's voice that irritated me to the core.

But I just stood there, thinking. If Amy went after the body, would he go after me or after Amy? I couldn't let her get hurt. I didn't want anything to happen to Knuckles either. But there were three of us. We would surely be able to retrieve Shadow. Would a distraction work? In a moment like this, it might or might not hurt to try. "What's the matter, Sonic? Can't handle the pressure?" I clenched my fist tighter, biting my lower lip.

"We're not letting you get away with this!" Knuckles shouts. I met Knuckles' gaze for a brief moment before giving him a nod and receiving one from him. Swiftly, I charged forward, aiming a spin attack at the entity while Knuckles swiftly prepared himself and moved in with powerful punches. However, to my surprise, EXE effortlessly dodged our attacks, his form flickering with a terrifying speed. "You think you can beat me? That's cute," he grinned.

Knuckles furrowed his brows and further tightened the clench of his fists. "We'll make you regret your arrogance!" Knuckles suddenly launches into a flurry of punches, each strike aimed at weakening EXE's defense. I had to sneak in, "Knuckles, I've got a plan. Keep him busy and cover me!" And with a nod from Knuckles, he threw more punches at the entity and created openings for me to sneak past. When I finally got close enough, I carefully approached Shadow's unconscious body.

I stayed cautious as I checked his body for any signs of awakening. He seemed to be breathing but he looked horrible. It was almost scary. He was losing a lot of blood, so I'd need to get help for him fast. I sigh as I say, "Hang in there, Shadow. I've got you." I gently lifted Shadow and noticed EXE's attention momentarily diverted by Knuckles' relentless attacks. EXE grinned, balling up a fist, "You're persistent. I'll give you that. But it won't save you!"

While Knuckles kept the entity occupied, I swiftly moved away with Shadow. Amy tightened her grip on her hammer, charging forward with a yell and joining the combat. As I ran, I glanced over to Shadow, biting my lower lip. He was right. I really should have paid attention and looked for that ring. I can't help but blame myself for everything happening. I'm the reason he's this hurt. It's my fault...

I breathed heavily and finally stopped running upon finding a secluded area where I was sure Shadow and I would be safe. The place didn't seem to be disturbed. At least not yet. I carefully set Shadow down on a patch of grass, checking his injuries. "Hang in there, Shadow..." I sigh. Shadow suddenly groaned weakly, slightly squinting his eyes open. "What... happened?" His awakening sort of caught me off guard. "You took a hard hit," I said.

I didn't really have much to say to him. Shadow was gritting through the pain. It was good to see him holding on so tightly. "I... I underestimated him." I knew who he was talking about. That monster... "We need to get you patched up. Can you move?" I noticed how Shadow's eyes weren't on me. He seemed focused on the sky. "I'll manage," he sighed heavily. I tended to his injuries as I kept my eyes focused on my surroundings.

I was starting to worry Knuckles and Amy wouldn't be able to keep EXE busy for that long. Knuckles and Amy were a strong pair, but if someone like Shadow couldn't even go against this entity, it just worries me... "The others are keeping him busy. We have a moment," I told him. Shadows gave me a soft hum. He tilted his head, resting it against the ground as his eyes finally fell onto me for once. "We can't let him win, Sonic." I just gave him a small and weak smile, nodding, "We won't. I promise."

I begin to look around, getting up from my knees. "I've got to find something to stop the bleeding..." I mumble to myself, scanning the area. My eyes fell onto some vines and large leaves, quickly gathering them and fashioning makeshift bandages. These would hopefully work just fine. I quickly returned to Shadow, getting back on my knees. "These will have to do for now," I tell him. I carefully wrapped the large leaves around his bleeding side and sighed.

Then, I used the vines to secure them tightly, ignoring Shadow's wince in pain. He'd need to tell with it. "Thanks, Sonic..." I grab a much smaller, softer leaf to press down carefully against the wound on his face. "Just hang in there, Shadow. This should help until we find proper supplies," I add. He gave me a nod and tried to sit up, groaning in pain as he did so. "I have to... get up..." I gently push him back down. There was no way I was going to let him get into more trouble.

"Take it easy, Shadow. You're in bad shape. We need to get you stabilized first." Shadow grits his teeth, "I can't just lie here... we have to stop him." I understood how desperately he wanted to put the entity to an end. I promised him we would. But now wasn't the time. He has to heal. "I know, but you're not going to be any help if you push yourself too hard. The others and I will take care of it," I assured him. Shadow reluctantly nodded. "Alright... but hurry."I knew we would be able to get through this together.

"I'll find a way to get you to safety..."