Crimson spread across the skies as the golden sun gradually sunk into the verdant hills on the horizon. All of the mobians retreated to the comfort of their homes in preparation for the frigid night. As the warm air cooled, the numerous rainbows of flowers across the countryside drifted into slumber. Finally, the atmosphere fell silent.
However, one creature still stirred. Fiery orange eyes stared curiously into the depths of a cave on the outskirts of Mobius. Behind the pair of sinisister eyes hovered four other eyes, two pairs of navy eyes, three scarlet eyes and one pink eye.
The owner of the orange eyes stepped into the light, revealing themselves to be Eclipse the Darkling. His grey skin with maroon stripes darkened in the dim light, Eclipse bared his yellow teeth before turning to the owners of the eyes behind him. After signalling for them to come forward, four grey-skinned Dark Arms came into view. Blurk was square-shaped with razor-sharp talons and two blue eyes. Cyzer looked similar to an eel having teeth like Blurk as well as his eyes. Cregal had an onion-shaped head with no teeth and three red eyes. Rhygenta was was circular with a tiny mouth and a single pink eye.
"Come along, brothers of mine, we are nearing completing our mission." Eclipse led the Dark Arms into the cave, using his powers to create an indigo ball of light that flew beside them, lighting the way.
Blurk sped infront of him and asked him a question in Dark Arms language. Grinning wickedly, Eclipse answered, "Within this cave is a capsule the humans built to contain the consciousness of the legendary sun god, Solaris…named Mephiles the Dark!"
Squealing in terror, the Dark Arms stopped following Eclipse and huddled together in fear. Turning to face them, Eclipse smirked slyly.
"Yes, my children, our people often spoke of Mephiles and his astounding power! Legend has it he once had the destruction of the universe at his fingertips, however he became weakened and vulnerable after facing defeat the hands of Shadow and his comrades!"
Hissing as they heard the name of their enemy, the Dark Arms separated and circled Eclipse as if they were shielding him from an attack. Eclipse watched them in amusement.
"Yes, he too has suffered Shadow's cruelty and idiocy. This is the reason as to why I intend to release him from his capsule, so that we may form an allegiance and plan to exterminate Shadow!"
Cheering, the Dark Arms suddenly rocketed further into the cave, but the indigo ball of light remained with Eclipse.
"Dark Arms, don't desert me! There could be hidden traps in here!" yelled Eclipse, but the Dark Arms had travelled too far into the cave to hear him.
Sighing heavily, Eclipse rushed after them, the ball of light never leaving his side. He prayed they had not encountered any traps or flown into a wall.
After turning several corners, Eclipse discovered them in a well-lit part of the cave. They were staring in confusion at a wall before them that was covered in black symbols.
"There you are! Don't run off again, I don't want you to get hurt!"
Eclipse then joined them in viewing the wall, he desperately tried to make out what the symbols were saying, but his efforts proved fruitless.
"Darn, I can't work out what language this is!" he cursed. Several minutes passed and all four of them remained clueless as to what the symbols on the wall said.
Suddenly, Rhygenta chanted something and to Eclipse and the other Dark Arms' surprise, the wall slid aside to reveal another well-lit part of the cave. Blurk, Cyzer and Cregal applauded a beaming Rhygenta.
"Excellent, Rhygenta!" congratulated Eclipse, entering the area with the Dark Arms in tow.
The room was empty, but there were stone steps leading down to another illuminated room. Eclipse's excitement increased, for he suspected that Mephiles would be in the room at the bottom the stairs.
Without a second of hesitation, Eclipse made his way down the stairs with the Dark Arms in pursuit. Once they had reached the bottom, Eclipse's eyes widened and his jaw dropped open in glee, as before them stood a green capsule with an unconscious Mephiles the Dark standing upright inside of it.
Cowering in apprehension, the Dark Arms swiftly moved behind Eclipse, questioning in a hushed tone to each other why he was showing no fear. Mephiles appeared to be one not to be in conflict with, with his skeletal hands, spiky crystals for feet and coal and plum fur, the patch of ivory fur on his chest being his only not intimidating feature.
Turning to Cyzer, frowning as he noticed how unnerved he was, Eclipse held out his hand to him."Now, the key please, Cyzer."
Nodding uncertainly, Cyzer started coughing, the other Dark Arms sticking their tongues out in revolt. As Eclipse was about to slap him in the back, a small silver key whizzed out of his mouth, dripping in his saliva.
After brushing the key against his leg till it was stone-dry, Eclipse smirked nefariously at the capsule.
"Shadow, just you wait. I am about to unleash your greatest foe and together, we will strike you down!" he hissed, before forcing the key into the keyhole beside the capsule and turning it one hundred and eighty degrees clockwise.
Stepping back and embracing the quivering Dark Arms in comfort, Eclipse watched in ectasy as the front of the capsule slid down, enabling the gas within the capsule to pour out. Choking the gas out of their throats, Eclipse and the Dark Arms gasped as the smoke started to fade, revealing Mephiles walking towards them.
Reptillian green irises with chaotic red sclera studied the awestruck individuals in front of them in suspicion, but with Mephiles having no mouth, it was difficult to be certain of what he was currently feeling.
Eclipse could feel the Dark Arms shaking like leaves in the wind in his arms, their sweat was sticking to his skin, although he was too distracted by Mephiles to notice.
Tilting his head to one side in inquiringness, Mephiles spoke in his deep, rough voice, "Who are you?"
Jumping out of his skin and then blushing in embaressment, Eclipse replied, "U-U-Um…Ec-Ec-Eclipse…the…D-D-D…D-Dark-Darkling, s-s-sir."
Looking amused at the fright in Eclipse's voice, Mephiles remarked, "Eclipse the Darkling, that is a name I am fond of. And I see you fear me, Eclipse…so may I ask why you released me from my state of suspended animation?"
Loosening his hold on the Dark Arms, allowing them to escape, Eclipse moved his hands behind his back in anxiety. He had been so willing to awaken Mephiles, but the latter seemed to be one who would surely be unimpressed if he proposed an alliance. Still, he had not travelled so many miles for nothing.
"Do you recall encountering a certain being named Shadow the Hedgehog?" asked Eclipse.
Hardening his features and tensing his body as he heard the name of his arch-nemesis, Mephiles answered in a growl, "I do. Why do you ask?"
"I too have suffered much loss at his hand…he and his allies. So, I was wondering if you would approve of us joining forces, so that we may work alongside each other to finally bring Shadow to his knees!" explained Eclipse, his excitement growing again.
Mephiles scoffed. "Why would I even consider becoming allies with an individual whom I have only just met. All I know is your name, I am unaware of the species you and your odd…pets originate from, who you work for. For all I know, you could be plotting against me. Trust is something I value above all else. Once you have earned it, then perhaps I will accept your offer."
Eclipse could not believe he had to complete a task before the two formed their alliegeance."What do you want me and my CHILDREN to do, sir?"
"That is simple, bring me Shadow the Hedgehog ALIVE." Mephiles rubbed his hands together in anticipation. Glancing at the Dark Arms, awaiting their response, Eclipse cracked his knuckles to show he was prepared.
The Dark Arms nodded in sync, and with that, the five of them sped back through the cave, hearing Mephiles' ear-splitting cackling fading behind them.