Nearby the Flicky Forest...

Walking away from the Flicky Forest was Shadow the Hedgehog. Along with him is a chao companion that's similar to the latter himself. It's the same one whom he gave an apple to and secretly adopted it for some reason.

That one strange feeling inside of me. It tells me I should help her. That I have to get to know her, he thought as he came to a stop. He also crossed his arms continuing to be in deep thought. But I shouldn't. Though she reminds me of her, I just met her. All I know about her is that she respects me and my privacy. Not to mention her adoptive sister being obsessed with me.

The Dark Chao walked its way beside him. Seeing how Shadow was in deep thought, its head turned to him in concern.

I only saved her because I have no other choice. I just... don't want her to get hurt. Even if I want to keep her safe, if I get to know her, Aleyah will most likely be involved. She would most likely suspect something between us, even if we're just friends and nothing more.

Right in the corner of his eye, he spotted a concerned look on the chao's face. He turned to him and leaned down his body on his knees. His eyes were filled with hesitation as he began to pat the chao's head gently.

Perhaps, it's best if I do it when we're alone. Especially when Aleyah is not involved.

His thoughts were suddenly cut off by a new voice.
"Chao-chao! Chao-chao-chao-chao!"

Roughly translated, "You guys! I need your help!"

Shadow and his chao snapped their heads the direction of the sound to see Shania herself. The chao's emotional dot changed into an exclamation point because the two had shocked expressions on their faces.

"Chao -chao-chao-chao-chao!" said Shania. This simply means, "Rosy's in trouble!"

"Chao? Chao-chao?" asked the Dark Chao in confusion. This simply means, "Rosy? In trouble?"

"Chao! Chao-chao-chao-chao-chao-chao! Chao-chao-chao-chao-chao!" said Shania. Roughly translated, "Yes! We gotta go there immediately! She could be in danger!"

"Chao-chao-chao?" the Dark Chao asked what kind of danger exactly.

At this moment, Shania began to plead him and Shadow with sparkles jn her eyes, thus having puppy eyes. "Chao-chao-chao, chao-chao-chao-chao-chao, chao-chao— chao-chao?"

Roughly translated, "I don't know, but we gotta help her, Shadow and— what's your name?"

"Chao-chao," he simply said. This was translated as "Darkly."

(A/N: I randomly came up with that name.)

"Chao-chao. Chao-chao-chao." She started pleading more. "Chao!!! Chao-chao! Chao-chao! Chao-chao-chao-chao, chao!!! Chao-chao-chao-chao! Chao-chao-chao-chao-chao, chao-chao, chao-chao -chao-chao!"

This is translated to "Okay. Darkly and Shadow. Please!!! Help Rosy! Help Runa! You have to help all of us, please!!! The situation is dire! If we don't act fast, something bad will happen to her!"

Shadow and the chao known as Darkly looked at Shania in shock. Especially her pleading words. But Darkly's expression was more shocked. He hesitated for a moment, but he knew there's no other choice. And so, he turned to Shadow for confirmation.
Shadow patted Darkly's head once more.

"Yes, Darkly. The situation is dire. They need our help," he said determinedly.

With that being said, he glided with his hover shoes towards where the scream came from. With no hesitation. Followed by Shania and Darkly.

With Runa...

"Chao-chao-chao-chao!" Mystico told the black cat. Roughly translated, "Runa will never be yours, Reuben!"

"I don't what you're saying, but Runa, just say you'll be mine and your friend will be set free. And if you don't... well, let's see what happens if she suffers the worst fate," said Reuben as he gripped Rosy tightly causing her to scream louder in pain.

"CHAO-CHAO-CHAO!!!!!"

Fear was still overcoming Runa as she took a few tiny steps back in hesitation.

Back with Shadow and the two chao, they heard a louder chao's scream nearby them. That gave them an advantage to rush to the situation to deal with it.
Shania quickened her flying pace to catch up with Shadow, but she only managed to keep up with Darkly. Her head then turned to the Dark Chao, "Chao-chao-chao-chao!"

Roughly translated, "The sound's getting louder!"

After a while of catching up with Shadow, Darkly managed to tell him the same thing.

"Then, let's hurry! No chao nor anyone will end up in the death path!" said Shadow.

"Chao-chao," both Shania and Darkly nodded determinedly in unison. This simply means, "Me neither."

With that, they all quickened up their paces even more to the serious situation they're about to deal with.

Back with Runa...

"You'll be mine and MINE ONLY, Runa!" Reuben threatened her.

Just then, Bearace and Juniper became involved in the situation.

"Chao-chao-chao!" said Bearace.
"H-He's right! I'm... n-never yours!" Runa yelled out with fear and trembling in her voice.

"Well, looks who's talking. A certain someone being so creeped out you want to run away from me," said Reuben gripping Rosy tighter causing her to scream even louder than the first.

"CHAO!!!!! CHAO-CHAO-CHAO!!!!! CHAO-CHAO-CHAO-CHAO-CHAO!!!!!"

Back with Shadow and the others, they had heard one of Rosy's loudest screams as they're almost to the scene of a situation.

"Chao-chao!" Shania said pointing in the northwest direction.

Immediately, they headed towards the whole situation. They all hid in the trees to prevent themselves from being involved. Everyone gasped horrifyingly to see Reuben gripping Rosy harshly. Then, Shania's horrifying expression turned into an enraged one.

Without even thinking, she flew into action and swooped in front of Reuben. "Chao-chao-chao, chao!!!" This simply means, "Let her go, Reuben!!!"

"Let her go? Or what? You always threaten me with consequences that are not good enough apart from Aleyah. Now, if you dare to take a step forward, I will harm this sweet little chao of your friend's."

"Chao-chao-chao, chao-chao, chao-chao-chao-chao -chao-chao!!!" said Juniper. Roughly translated, "Runa will never be yours whether you like it or not!!!"

"Chao! Chao-chao-chao-chao, chao-chao-chao-chao-chao!!!" said Mystico. Roughly translated, "Yeah! And whatever plan you have, you're never capable of convincing her!!!"

"I don't know what you're saying, but whatever I expect, I always get," said Reuben. "So step aside or I'll—Nnnggh!"

Reuben was cut off by a certain black blur spindashing his way to his stomach sending him flying backwards. From Runa's perspective, he could be seen flying on the left. You can also see Reuben's hands slipping away from what he's holding. The knife and Rosy. Runa didn't hesitate to run to Rosy, threw the knife away from their personal spaces and wrapped her arms around her.
Reuben was knocked out on the ground not far from the others. He grunted as he looked up to see none other than...

Shadow the Hedgehog.

He had a serious and angry expression on his face as he shot glaring deadly daggers at him. Directly in his eyes.

"So, the Ultimate Lifeform decides to rescue the damsel in distress. How cute and adorable!" said Reuben.

"I had no other choice," he said, then he darkened his tone. This level of tone can scare anyone and everyone. "I know what you're planning, Reuben. You've been planning to go straightforward and pursue Runa obsessively. Now, listen closely. If you dare lay a hand, finger and any other part of your body on Runa, I won't hesitate to give you the consequences you have to face whether you like it—" His eyes narrowed to threaten Reuben darkly. "—or not."

Reuben's eyes were full of fear. A flem ran across his throat causing him to swallow hard. He noticed Shadow was still glaring at him as he rose back up to his feet and ran away in fear.

Shadow's gaze softened as he turned around to see the others.

The other four chao turned and see Runa wrapping her arms around Rosy. They didn't hesitate to land on their feet and walked to their direction, but gave them some personal space.

Sniffs escaped Runa's mouth as she kept hugging Rosy for support and comfort. Then, tears started rolling down her cheeks as she pulled Rosy closer, but not too tight for her to not breathe.

The others were so concerned about the whole scene they didn't even notice Shadow standing there with a concerned expression as well.

Little did anyone know, a shadowy figure retrieved the knife and ran off with it to someplace where no one could retrieve it.

Shadow was still watching the whole scene between Runa and the five chao. Most especially with her and Rosy. Then, hearing her bursting into tears had sent an arrow of concern through him as the same strange feeling was still growing inside of him. His mind told him to let them be, but his gut told him to talk to her. But in the end, he decided to keep watching.

"Chao-chao?" Rosy asked in a raspy voice due to her body being gripped tightly by Reuben.

As Runa heard her raspy voice asking her if she was going to be upset to her for going into trouble, her lips managed to stretch out a warm smile, but her tears were still in her eyes. "No. I'm not upset, Rosy."

"Chao, chao-chao-chao-chao-chao?" asked Bearace. Roughly translated, "Then, why are you hugging Rosy after all this?"

Her eyes were on Bearace, but her head didn't turn to him. Then, her eyes started closing causing more tears to stream down her cheeks.

"Chao-chao?" Mystico asked Runa what's wrong.

It took Runa a few moments before she finally spoke up. "I'm not really upset at you for going into trouble, Rosy. After all this... I'm more like..."

With that, she continued to sob while still hugging Rosy.

"Chao-chao?"

Once Runa heard Rosy's response, the next thing she was going to say was the one way she was going to respond.

"More like.......... scared," she admitted muttering her last word under her breath.

"Chao?" asked Shania in confusion.

"I'm scared," she admitted finally in her audible voice.

Sympathy struck through the four chao with Rosy being surprised to hear this.

"Chao... chao-chao?" asked Juniper. Roughly translated, "You... you are?"

"Yes," she confirmed, then she told Rosy in a low voice only the five chao could hear. "I'm afraid I might lose you, Rosy. I just can't stand letting my history repeat itself."

To Rosy's reaction, she wrapped her arms around Runa for comfort. And so do the other chao. But little did they know, a certain someone also heard the whole thing Runa said about losing her friends. But in his perspective, it's rather faint, but he barely managed to catch a word.

As Shadow watched and heard the whole scene between Runa and the five chao, he was quite shocked. It reminded him of a tragic memory when his certain special friend died right in front of his eyes. Then, for the first time ever, sympathy struck through him, but it's never shown physically. Not only that, but... he thought Runa needed more comfort. But then... he hesitated. Again. His mind briefly told him to give them a moment, but it's overtaken by his gut. A gut, which told him to give her comfort right now.

Just as he was about to step forward, he heard Mystico asking her, "Chao-chao... chao-chao-chao?" Roughly translated, "What happened... before you almost lost Rosy?"

Once Runa heard Mystico's question, she let out a light sigh as she continued to hug Rosy for support and comfort. "It all started out over thirty years ago. I worked as a police officer with my partner and best friend, Clara Michaels. We solved cases, hung out together, told each other secrets... and best of all... we fought crime in every mission given by the chief."

Runa let out a light chuckle after this.

"Life is amazing. Until one fateful night..."

Then, her expression changed into a midst of sadness as she continued the story.

"We were fighting a bunch of gangsters robbing the bank... when the leader shot Clara. I told the other officers to deal with the gangsters while I go talk to Clara. I kneeled down and begged her to stay with me. Then, in her final moments before she died, she had asked me to promise her... that I would take her place to protect the world."

"Chao?" Bearace asked her, for he wanted to know the details of Clara's final moments.

"I'm sorry, Bearace. That's all she could say..." She then closed her eyes sending a few more tears rolling down her cheeks. "...except that I'll always be her best friend... whether we're together or not and... she said, 'goodbye.'"

"Chao-chao-chao?" Juniper asked Runa if there's anything else she could remember.

"No. Not yet. Just Clara and her death."

Shania then, flew over and patted her back for comfort. "Choo-choo-choo," she said apologetically.

"Choo-choo," the other chao chimed in agreement.
"It's fine. I just can't get it out of my head," said Runa.

As Shadow heard the story of her best friend's death, that same tragic memory ran through his head again. His hand moved to his head to make him forget about all this. Turns out, he managed to, but he was focusing more on Runa, who was still giving Rosy comfort.

It took him a while before he finally spoke up. In a barely audible voice only Runa and the five chao could hear.

"Maria."

The name caught Runa and the chao's attention, but unfortunately, they barely caught a word. So their attention turned to Shadow with a usual blank expression on his face, but his eyes were full of mixed emotions. At the sight of him, they — especially Runa — were quite surprised to see him. What Runa saw deep into his eyes were fear, sadness, struggle, concern and the feeling he needed to comfort her.

After a brief reaction, all she could respond in a barely audible voice was "What?"

"Maria. Maria Robotnik. That's the name of my best friend."

"Chao-chao-chao?" asked Bearace in concern.
"Bearace is asking, 'what happened to her?'"

"Over fifty years ago, Professor Gerald Robotnik created me in Space Colony ARK. Since the day I met Maria, we became best friends. Then, there was a disaster at the ARK. Maria and I tried to escape, but..."

He wished he could say his words further, but none of them escaped his mouth. Right now, he's stuck in concentrating with holding his tears in as that same tragic memory ran through his head.

Runa's eyes were filled with sympathy. The fact that she heard his words sent a few more familiar memories in her head, but were difficult to explain. Then, learning that they experienced the same thing, she was about to speak up when Shadow continued much to her surprise.

"She was shot. Then, in her final moments before she died, she had asked me to promise her... that I would give people a chance to live happily in their lives."

Everyone else's eyes were full of sympathy to hear this. Then, Juniper was the first to speak up. Full of apology and sympathy. "Choo, choo-choo."

"Juniper said it's so horrid," Runa translated.

"Choo-choo-choo-choo-choo," Shania said apologetically.

"And Shania said, 'we're sorry about what had happened.'" As Runa said this, she mumbled under her breath. "Just like I am right now."

Then, she could tell that by his words and comforting presence, she's been comforted by the fact that they experienced the same thing with a slight difference. She spoke up in a normal determined voice. She had no idea where those words came from, but she knew it's just what Shadow needs for comfort.

"No matter what happens, wherever you are, we'll be there for you. Always."

Now, that brought Shadow into a shock. Apart from Maria, there had never been someone being that caring, warm and polite before. Especially a certain someone who's capable of communicating with creatures big and small. And apart from Rouge and Omega, there had never been someone who's that much understanding and respectful before.

Runa could feel Rosy tugging the tip of her dress. Her head shifted from Shadow's direction to Rosy's. Runa then, open up her arms finally letting her go. Rosy took a few steps away from her, but she's still beside her.

Then, much to Runa and the chao's surprise, they heard Shadow mumbling a 'thank you' under his breath. It was supposed to be a low voice only Runa could hear, but it's not only her who could hear it.
The tiniest half smile could be seen on his face as Runa's lips stretched out a slight warm and genuine smile. A low and raspy voice escaped her mouth. "No problem."

"Chao-chao?" a new voice joined in.

Everyone turned around to see none other than Darkly. This was surprising to Runa and the other chao — except Shania — because they didn't know that Shadow had practically adopted the chao.
Runa turned her head back to Shadow. "I didn't know you adopted the chao."

"Chao-chao," Mystico chimed in agreement.

Then, for the first time around Runa, Shadow let out a light chuckle. Darkly walked his way towards him. Now's the time for Shadow to introduce them to his chao.

"This is Darkly. We've been respecting each other since I fed him an apple. Don't tell anyone I adopted him."

Now, it's Runa's turn to let out a light chuckle. "Don't worry, Shadow. Your secret's safe with me. It's nice to meet you, Darkly," she said in a respectful voice. Then, she introduced the Dark Chao himself to her five chao friends. "These are my friends; Rosy, Mystico, Bearace, Juniper and Shania."

Chao-chao-chao-chao. Chao, Darkly thought. It's translated as "So that's her name. Shania."

Then, for the first time apart from Shadow, Darkly felt respectful towards someone. Someone like Shania.

Nothing else occurred upon the two hedgehogs and the six chao until...

"Chao-chao?" they heard Bearace asking Rosy if she's okay.

"Chao," Rosy said in a slow speed with the same raspy tone in her voice.

Panic struck through him as he turned his head to the others. "Chao-chao-chao-chao!"

Runa let out a soft gasp knowing what he means. "You're right. We have to get her to the vet."

Shadow nodded in definite agreement and walked over to her. Then, to Runa's surprise, he lent her a hand.

Runa took his hand and he pulled her back onto her feet. Then, the next thing did to her... was to wrap his right arm around her waist.

"Hold on to me and Runa," he told the six chao.

They nodded in response as they flew over to do as they're told. Shania, Rosy and Bearace were holding onto Runa's body while Mystico, Darkly and Juniper held onto Shadow.

Then, the next thing that happened was no surprise to Runa as she had heard something like that from Aleyah. Plus, she had already told that to the five chao.

"Chaos Control!"

They were now teleported in front of the vet clinic in the middle of Central City. Then, all five chao let go of Runa's and Shadow's bodies. Before anyone could respond, Shadow quickly let go of Runa's waist, held Darkly close to him and chaos-controlled their way out of here.

They were teleported somewhere on the platform in Forest Hill. Shadow's arms were crossed again and he just stood there with a blank expression going into deep thought along with Darkly. Somehow, a new feeling struck through him, but he managed to brush it off. Same goes with the Dark Chao himself, but his interest was different from Shadow's.

With Runa, a new feeling also struck through her, but she managed to brush it off as she and the five chao entered the vet clinic.

Next Chapter: A secret is about to be revealed.