E-123 Omega (Archie)

This is a fan-fic based on the first Artemis Fowl novel, but the cast has been replaced by Sonic characters. Copyright owned by SEGA, Eoin Colfer and Archie comics.

Prologue
How does one describe Shadow the Hedgehog? Various psychiatrists have tried and failed. The main problem is Shadow's own intelligence. He bamboozles every test thrown at him. He has puzzled the greatest medical minds and sent many of them gibbering to their own hospitals.

There is no doubt that Shadow is a child prodigy. But why does someone of such brilliance dedicate himself to criminal activities? This is a question that can be answered by only one person. And he delights in not talking.

Perhaps the best way to create an accurate picture of Shadow is to tell the by now famous account of his first villainous venture. I have put together this report from first-hand interviews with the victims, and as the tale unfolds you will realize that this was not easy.

The story began several years ago at the dawn of the twenty-first century. Shadow the Hedgehog had devised a plan to restore his family's fortune. A plan that could topple civilizations and plunge the planet into a cross species war.

He was twelve years old at the time...

Chapter 1:The Book
Ho Chi Minh City in the summer. Sweltering by anyone's standards. Needless to say, Shadow the Hedgehog would not have been willing to put up with such discomfort if something extremely important had not been at stake. Important to the plae.

Sun did not suit Shadow. He did not look well in it. Long hours indoors in front of the monitor had bleached the glow from his skin. He was white as a vampire and almost as testy in the light of day.

"I hope this isn't another wild-goose chase, Omega," he said, his voice soft and clipped. "Especially after Cairo."

It was a rebuke. They had travelled to Egypt on the word of Omega's informant.

"No, sir. I'm certain this time. Nguyen is a good man."

"Hmm," droned Shadow, unconvinced.

Passers-by would have been amazed to hear the large automaton refer to the metre tall boy as sir. This was, after all, the third millennium. But this no ordinary relationship, and these were no ordinary tourists.

They were sitting outside a kerbside cafe on Dong Khai Street, watching the local teenagers circle the square on mopeds.

Nguyen was late, and the pathetic patch of shade provided by the umbrella was doing little to improve Shadow's mood. But this was just his daily pessimism. Beneath the sulk was a spark of hope. Could this trip actually yield results? Would they find the Book? It was too much to hope for.

A Skunk waiter scurried to their table.

"More tea, sirs?" he asked, head bobbing furiously.

Shadow sighed. "Spare me the theatrics and sit down."

The waiter turned instinctively to Omega, who was, after all, the adult.

"But, sir, I am the waiter."

Shadow tapped the table for attention.

"You are wearing handmade loafers, a silk shirt and three gold signet rings. Your English has a tinge of Oxford and Cockney about it and your nails have the soft sheen of the recently manicured. You are not a waiter. You are our contact, Nguyen Xuan, and you have adopted this pathetic disguise to discreetly check for weaponry."

Nguyen's shoulders sagged. "It is true. Amazing."

"Hardly. A ragged apron does not a waiter make."

Nguyen sat, pouring some mint tea into a tiny china cup.