“Are we there yet?” Tails whined sleepily.

“We’ll get there when we get there!” Knuckles snapped. Sonic snored on the wing. Myzak was playing another long crossword puzzle. “Besides, you’re the one who’s driving!”

“But we’ve been flying through fog for hours!” Tails groaned. The X-Tornado tilted slightly, causing Sonic to fall onto Myzak’s crossword. “When did the Mystic Ruins get like this? Wait. Don’t tell me! It happened after Eggman left. Right?”

“Yeah!” Knuckles snapped. “Can wewe stop complaining?”

“But, I haven’t gotten my coffee yet!” Tails snapped back. “Stop yelling at me! wewe haven’t been flying this thing for over eight hours!”

“Could ya’ll pipe it down there?” Myzak’s face was pressed against the cockpit glass. “Ya’ll don’t have a sleepin’ hedgehog on your lap!”

***

Shadow knew where to go for the information he wanted. Someplace in Station Square, where no one but thieves and villains lurked, was a small bar called, “Lucifer’s Betrayal Tavern.” Now, Lucifer’s wasn’t your average place to get drunk. Legend clearly stated that the owner had made a deal with the devil himself to have immortality on Earth. As far as anyone knew, the request was granted, for the owner still lived, even if in a coma.

“Stay close, and do exactly what I tell you.” Shadow whispered to Lilith. “Although, I don’t think I need to worry about you’ll survive in here.” He added with a slight chuckle.

Lilith pulled on her hood. The place was disgusting. Snoring bodies lay on the floor. Smoke filled the air. Bottles lined the walls. People swore, made out, and played pool all around. Lilith gulped, and then coughed the smoke. This was NOT the place she wanted to be. She suspected that Shadow took her here to try to annoy her until she gave up and left. But she wouldn’t be swayed that easily! She would onyesha him!

She followed the black hedgehog to a back table. An eye-patched panya holding the remains of a bia bottle slept peacefully there. He was lanky, wiry Bones shown through his limbs, his grey-brown fur, manyoya was matted and his teeth were stained yellow.

“Hello, Riddle.” Shadow’s voice seemed alarmingly full of authority. Lilith jumped on her toes. “I said, ‘HELLO, Riddle!!” Shadow alisema louder this time and through his teeth. Lilith gripped one of her daggers. She didn’t like this person.

Riddle slowly opened his eyes. “Hey-o Shadster!” He laughed. The scent of alcohol stained his breath. He took the empty bottle and put it to his lips. Nothing came out. “I’m all out?” alisema the disappointed rat.

“What are wewe doing in a place like this?” Shadow glared at him. “I was hoping to find that your meza, jedwali was empty. You’re a master thief! You’re not supposed to be wallowing in this filth!” Lilith certainly agreed with that statement. She nodded her head vigorously.

“Customers likee the environment au whatever wewe call it.” Riddle sat up straight now. Again, he took the empty bottle to his lips. “I’m all out?”

“I’m not a man of great patience,” Shadow continued, “so I’ll get to the point.” He sat down across from Riddle. “I’m looking for information. About the missing Chaos Emeralds.”

“Don’t know anything about that!” Riddle denied instantly. He took the empty bottle to his lips. “Don’t know anything at all!”

Shadow pulled out a wooden block. “You see this?” He said. “This is a five-inch rectangular block wewe might find in a toy set. It can’t be cut without a saw. But, watch what happens if I toss it into the air.” He did so, and immediately a silver gleam of a kisu mgawanyiko, baidisha it in half. The dagger still vibrated in the ukuta only a centimeter away from Riddle’s ear.

Riddle the panya was speechless for a second. “But…Shadster! wewe wouldn’t kill ol’ Riddle now, would you? I mean, I’ve only done so much!”

Shadow glared. “Behind me, Lilith, an Assassin Mistress, stands at the ready. If I tell her too, she could easily slit your throat. But, luckily for you, I’m not that kind of hedgehog. Maybe to scare wewe a little, but I wouldn’t do anything rash. All I want it information.”

“About the missing Chaos Emeralds, wewe said.” Riddle gulped. “Okay! I’ll tell! But if wewe squeal about this to my client!” Lilith pulled out another dagger. “Fine! I won’t do anything! wewe can put that back now!” Riddle climbed up onto his chair. “I swiped the Emeralds for a scientist of some kind. He told me to hide one in an abandoned skyscraper, maghorofa at the south side of town, and then get rid of the others. I sold the rest at pawn shops. I went back to that hideous lightning-infested island in the sky today to get the others for him. That’s all I know.”

“Why did he say to hide one and get rid of the others?” Shadow didn’t look satisfied. Lilith took started wiping the blade she held. She liked it when she could persuade people to talk without saying one thing. That was one upside of being mute. Being able to control peoples’ emotions using body language a whole lot better than those who could speak.

“Because he wanted to set a trap for a certain tomcat, he said. I don’t know the cat’s name and that’s the truth! Are wewe happy now??” Riddle almost screamed in terror.

“No.” Shadow’s glare intensified. “Who told wewe to steal the Emeralds? This information is very critical.”

“I don’t know! Just leave me alone! And your daggers don’t scare me either!” Riddle yelled. His anger shown on his face. His ears turned bright red.

They always alisema that, Lilith thought. But it only took a little to make them turn. She approached the rat, and quick as a wink, she gripped him kwa the throat. If they wouldn’t take the daggers, then they would speak with a hand around their necks.

“Okay! Okay! I get it!” Riddle wheezed. “The scientist’s name was Dr. Eggman! He alisema that if I told anybody that he’ll kill me! Don’t…Don’t destroy me! wewe owe me!”

Lilith dropped the gasping rat. He landed with a thud. He breathed in a huge gulp of air.

“You’re right.” Shadow pulled out a bag of coins. “We do owe you. Here’s for all your trouble.” He dropped the bag at the rat’s feet. “Let’s go, Lilith.” He turned around and headed for the door as Riddle greedily ripped open the huge sack.

***

“Have wewe ever been to Earth?” Maria asked. “I’m hoping to visit the planet one siku and take Shadow with me.”

Dr. Gerald smiled. He hugged his granddaughter. “Earth is a wonderful place. I’m sure you’ll upendo it. But I believe it’s your bedtime, young lady.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Goodnight, Maria.”

“Goodnight, Maria.” Myzak echoed as the moon raised high in the night. “Goodnight.”