20
The first thing Shadow did after waking up was ask Maddie for permission to take the dog out, he would be able to stretch his legs and the dog will get his fresh air.
"Um, yeah you can take Ozzy on a walk if you want, just be careful." Maddie smiled as she handed him the leash.
He took it and put it on the dog's collar as gentle as he could. He also grabbed a couple of the small cookies in the drawer that tasted kinda bland and put them in his pocket, the dog would probably like them. He made sure his earrings were in before leaving the house, Ozzy excitedly wagging his tail.
The walk was going alright, he found a couple cool rocks along the road and Ozzy found himself a stick. About thirty minutes into it, before he was gonna head back, he got the feeling he was being watched. He jumped out of the way right as a heeled foot grazed past his face, he let go of Ozzy's leash, trusting him to go back to his home and luckily the dog did just that, running back in the direction they came after barking at the bat mobian once.
She barely gave the dog a glance as she faced Shadow, "Hey handsome, nice earrings you got there. I was actually wondering if I could borrow them, you know, for a friend." She used her wings to hover a bit off the ground but not attacking.
"Over my dead body," Shadow clenched his fists at his sides, getting into a fighting stance.
"I guess we'll just have to do this the hardway, pretty boy." She sighed like it was a huge convenience to her.
She quickly aimed another kick at him which he dodged and threw a punch at her midsection. She flew out of the way barely before it could hit her, just grazing her clothes, leaving a hole. Just as she was about to attack him again he teleported behind her and kicked the back of her knee so she fell forward. She was quick to get back up, smiling at him like they weren't currently fighting.
"Nice move, but you'll have to do better than that," she taunted, brushing dust off her outfit as she regained her footing.
Shadow narrowed his eyes, "What do you want with my earrings?" he asked, trying to buy some time as he assessed her movements.
She chuckled, a light, melodic sound that contrasted sharply with the tension of their confrontation. "I think you know, and if you hand em' over I won't hurt you... much." She grinned
Shadow grit his teeth. He had a personal policy about not giving in to threats, especially when it came to items that held sentimental value. "Not happening."
With a swift motion, she launched herself at him, a blur of wings and intent. Shadow sidestepped, barely avoiding her grasp as she sailed past him. He could feel the rush of air from her movement, and it only fueled his determination to stand his ground.
"You're pretty agile," she remarked, flipping in mid-air and landing gracefully a few feet away. "But you’re going to tire out soon enough. I can keep this up all day."
"Then bring it on," Shadow retorted, focusing his energy. He decided to play it smart and anticipate her next move. As she lunged again, he feigned left, only to pivot right and deliver a solid punch to her side. She staggered back, caught off guard.
"This is getting interesting," she said, her expression shifting from playful to serious. "Maybe you’re more than just a pretty face."
Shadow smirked, "I’m glad you noticed. But if you think you can take me down that easily, you're sorely mistaken."
The air crackled with tension as they circled each other, each waiting for the other to make a move. Then, as if synchronized, they charged at each other, the clash of their wills echoing through the quiet area. The fight became a dance, a balance of strength and strategy, each trying to outmaneuver the other.
He's not sure how he managed to do it, but starting to aim a kick at her he tripped over his own feet, falling face first into the ground. He was quick to get up but when he looked up the bat was laughing, at him.
He glared at her and got back into a fighting position, barring his teeth at her. She wiped a tear from her eye as she calmed down, "I like you, it's too bad we have to be against each other right now. You seem like such great company." She stood in the same spot, but her eyes drifted behind him and she rolled her eyes. He didn't turn around, that would be dumb, but his ear flicked in the direction he heard a dog barking, the sound getting closer, followed by multiple pairs of footsteps.
"Looks like it's my time to go sweetheart, I'm not a big fan of these guys." She gave him a small finger wave before flying off, once he was sure she was gone he turned to see who the people approaching were but was instantly tackled by a dog. He didn't know this dog but he recognized the vest the dog wore.
G.U.N.
He swore to himself and teleported out from under the dog, but before he could do anything else a collar was snapped on his neck from behind, the last thing he remembers is searing electrical pain and sees someone standing above him, grinning before it all went black.
_
Maddie was instantly worried when Ozzy showed up in the front yard, barking at the house, Shadow nowhere in sight. She and the boys all rush outside, her checking Ozzy over for any injuries. After Ozzy sniffed everyone he bit the handle end of his leash and dropped it in front of Maddie. She picked it up and as soon as she did Ozzy took off running, she was pulled a bit before she ran to keep pace with the dog, the boys not far behind her. After a bit of running, Ozzy stopped them at a cleared off bit of just grass. He sniffed around a bit before pawing at one specific spot in the grass, whining. Upon approaching the spot the grass was charred a bit, like it had been electrocuted. There were more spots in the grass messed up, it looked like someone fought here.
Suddenly a bat flew and landed in front of the group, she had a sly smile on her face as she looked at them. "I'll tell you what, if I tell you where they took pretty boy, then you give me something in return." She offered.
" You know what happened?" Tails asked at the same time Knuckles and Sonic exclaimed, "what did you do to the hedgehog, bat!" And "pretty boy?!"
She just nodded at Tails, the same smile on her face. "I saw who took him and I know how to get him back but I'm gonna need something in return." Ahe pretended to think about it while rubbing her chin, " like your emeralds!" She snapped her fingers, like she just got the idea.
"No way!" knuckles growled.
"Well then no mister grump!" She snickered.