[One‑and‑a‑half years after the Brevon Incident]

In the six months since Dr Eggman's failed assault on the Avalician city‑state of Shuigang, a high‑priority research project has been conducted deep inside Mount Freedom, in the HQ of Mobius's premier defence force, the Guardian Units of the Nation. The project was approved by no less than Commander Abraham Tower himself, after he received reconnaissance intelligence from Princess Sally Acorn, leader of the Knothole Freedom Fighters, about a potential new threat from a quintet of gemstones known to the Avalicians who described them as the 'Elemental Crystals'.

The official word is that these Crystals hold no threat to Mobius, but Commander Tower is not one to take potential threats lightly. Eager to ensure the safety of his fellow people, and of Mobius itself, he immediately commissioned the research, design, and construction of an advanced Genesis Portal Generator, based on a combination of stolen Eggman technology and GUN military research. Even with input from technological geniuses Miles 'Tails' Prower and Rotor Walrus, and computational specialist Nicole the Holo‑Lynx, progress on the Portal Generator had been slower than desired, but proceeded with unstoppable momentum.

After six months, work is finally complete.


The first to arrive at the landing pad to meet Commander Tower is a white‑headed bat in a black shoulderless bodyglove with pink heart chestplate, knee‑length white boots with pink heart toe tips, and white elbow‑length gloves with rolled pink cuffs. The bat swoops down and across the platform elegantly, pulling up in front of Tower, and saluting as she lands delicately. "Agent Rouge, reporting for duty."

"Glad you could make it at such short notice," Tower salutes back. "I trust I wasn't interrupting anything?"

"Just keeping my skills sharp," Rouge smiles, allowing herself to flirt just a little.

"Government agents shouldn't be engaging in criminal activity," Tower reminds.

"Which is why I handed the gem back the next day," Rouge replies cheekily. "They've since tightened up security, by the way. Is spiky, dark, and handsome here yet?"

"Shadow isn't here," Tower answers. "It wouldn't surprise me if he's late on purpose."

"You know he's not like that," Rouge reminds. "Anyway, I thought you two kissed and made up?"

"It is true that we have a more level understanding than we used to," Tower admits. "But that doesn't mean we see eye‑to‑eye."

"Still worried about the Black Arms?" Rouge asks.

"So long as they pose even a slight threat, they cannot be ignored," Tower explains.

"You worry too much," Rouge teases. "You need to learn to relax."

"I relax by doing my job," Tower states. "Now‑"

Tower is interrupted by the sudden appearance of a black hedgehog with vivid red markings, white chest fur, white gloves with gold bracelets, and white shoes with red trim. "Shadow the Hedgehog, reporting for duty."

"About time," Tower replies. "What took you so long?"

"I'm exactly on time," Shadow replies neutrally.

"He's right, y'know," Rouge confirms, checking her watch. "To the second, in fact."

"As always," Shadow reminds.

"Very well," Tower accepts. "Follow me."


Half an hour later, deep within the labs, Commander Tower leads Shadow and Rouge into a heavily guarded compact laboratory. Once inside, he dismisses the staff to ensure he, Shadow, and Rouge have total privacy.

"So, you gonna finally tell us what this mission is?" Rouge prompts.

"Six months ago, the Knothole Freedom Fighters learned of a potential new threat to the safety of our world," Tower begins. "Since then, we have been building our own Genesis Portal Generator in this very laboratory."

"This threat is from another dimension, and you want us to deal with it," Shadow concludes.

"Correct," Tower confirms, hiding his frustration at Shadow interrupting. "The dimension in question is home to a planet called Avalice, on which reside five so‑called Elemental Crystals‑"

"Crystals?" Rouge interrupts, her eyes sparkling with desire.

"Yes, Crystals," Tower confirms, once again hiding his frustration. "They are about the size of a deck of cards, and can convey untold amounts of power to those who bear them."

"Like the Chaos Emeralds," Shadow concludes.

"Not quite," Tower corrects, quietly satisfied at his small victory over Shadow. "While the source of the Chaos Emeralds' power is a total mystery, the Elemental Crystals are technological developments of a species that also once boosted the development of Avalician civilisation. Quite what role the Crystals played is unclear, but what is clear is those who have utilised such power have accomplished feats comparable to those accomplished by both Sonic and Shadow when fuelled by the Chaos Emeralds," Tower explains.

"Could these Crystals be more powerful than the Chaos Emeralds?" Shadow asks.

"That's what you're going to find out," Tower informs. "You leave as soon as Omega gets here."

As if on cue, the lab door opens to allow a red‑and‑black bipedal robot to enter.

"Ah, there you are Omega," Tower greets. "Are you ready to depart?"

++All weapons systems are fully functional,++ Omega confirms. ++What do you want me to destroy?++

"Easy, tin man," Rouge advises. "We should work out just how much of a threat these Crystals pose before we do anything rash."

"You just want them for yourself," Shadow asserts disapprovingly.

"We're wasting time," Rouge decides, diverting the subject before it gets uncomfortable.

"Take these," Tower instructs, handing Shadow and Rouge a wristband each. "They contain transponders that will allow us to locate you on Avalice, and a radio to allow communication. Take care of them: they're your only way back."

"What about Omega?" Rouge asks.

++I have a transponder radio installed in my torso,++ Omega informs. ++Thankfully it's small enough to mean I didn't have to sacrifice any ammo capacity.++

"Do you think about anything other than violence and destruction?" Rouge replies.

++Adorable kittens and milkshakes,++ Omega answers. ++We should get started.++

"I agree," Tower asserts, moving over to the control panel. "We've selected a target location that should avoid anyone seeing you appear, yet leave you close enough to your destination to allow you to get there quickly. A word of warning: do not expect the locals to be pushovers."

"Whoever they are, they cannot match the Ultimate Lifeform," Shadow states as fact.

"Sadly, Sonic's not here," Rouge teases. "We're stuck with you."

Shadow replies with a brief unamused snort.

"Portal opening in three… two… one… now!" Tower announces.

The Genesis Portal Generator bursts into life, and moments later, a stable Genesis Portal is established in the holding ring that forms the central part of the structure.

"Good luck," Tower wishes as Team Dark enters the Portal.