Age of Darkness
Chapter I
Dr. Robotnik
Still in this stupid thing! Warmth gradually returned to me as the frozen device that trapped me slowly rose. Through the frost of the window I could not see the dark ceiling of the room I was left in. A shaft of pipes and cables surrounded me, and the cryogenic chamber raised me up to the top of the shaft. The door opened and more heat entered my body. I placed my hands against the edge of my prison and heaved myself up. Below me a chubby man with a rounded head waited. His head was bald and shiny, and out of his nose sprouted a thick moustache. His appearance reminded me of Gerald, but I was certain Gerald was killed.
This man wore a red coat with swallowtails and goggles on his head, and he was seated in a robotic machine that stood on two legs. He looked at me with disbelief as I crossed my arms and watched him from the corner of my eye. "Is that you, Sonic, still here to foil my plans again?" I was startled. Sonic? Who is Sonic? Does this Sonic look like me? I leaped from my trap and landed meters from him. I held my hand out to the fuddled man and spoke smoothly. "I am the Ultimate Life Form, designed by Gerald Robotnik. Thank you, master, for releasing me and providing the first Chaos Crystal." I could feel its presence as it sat in his arms. An alarm went off and red lights shone in the darkness. A second robotic machine walked out of the darkness. The machine fully enclosed its pilot, and two large metal crates were mounted on the weapon's shoulders. "This is Bulldog-01 reporting to Command. Project: Shadow has been released." "We copy. Keep the Project from escaping. Use any means necessary to prevent its escape," a second voice said on the radio with static.
I was irked by the statement. Why do the fools have to call me 'Project: Shadow?' And 'it?' I hate that! I sighed in anger, turned to the man next to me. "Give me that Crystal, and I will show you my true power!" The man fumbled and handed me the glowing object. I gripped it in my fist as the energy flowed into my body. Good. The Chaos Diamond is full. Time to make this bulldog stop his barking! I dashed forward and the machine faced me.
The machine jumped and boosters fired, and it careened over to me with a machine gun on its nose blazing. I kept myself in constant motion to avoid the stream of bullets as they punctured the metal floor and sent yellow sparks flying about. My new shoes caused me to glide. That is nice. I can conserve more energy. Then again, these shoes might make me lazy! Soon the machine landed and the crates on its back opened to reveal rockets. Several rockets fired off and flew at me. I just dashed as they came down on me and they blindly hit the floor where I was. Stupid missile guidance, I thought with a smirk. I leaped into the air and curled up, throwing myself into the pilots face.
The machine took off again and the pilot sounded shaken. "Bulldog-01 to Command; Shadow has found the weak point! Awaiting orders." "Copy, Bulldog-01. Continue launching missiles." The machine shot at me again with its gun, and I once again evaded its barrage unharmed. I felt lucky, so I jumped into the air as high as I could and rammed the cockpit, causing glass to crumble and the machine to thud. "Bulldog to Command; requesting permission to utilize cannon in battle." "Proceed," The voice replied. My body was illuminated with a red light that followed me and the nose of the battle suit glowed red. A ball of white grew on the cannon and launched towards me at high speed. I dashed out of the way and the ball of light burned the floor with fire that faded away in moments. I have had enough. Playtime is over!
I raised my hand and concentrated, my brow furrowed as I eyed the opponent. I yelled out. "Chaos Spear!" I launched a yellow bolt of lightning at the machine and the spear hit the crate on its back, causing the remaining rockets to explode. An orange explosion burned my eyes with its brightness and the machine was tossed backwards like a toy, landing gracelessly on its back. The cockpit opened on the machine and the pilot scrambled away from the defeated robot as it burst into flames and smoke billowed into the air. "That was amazing!" The man in the robot walker boasted. I turned to him with one command. "Return to the space colony ARK. There I will grant you a favor." "ARK!" the man repeated. I Chaos-controlled and left him there...