Sorry guys, I know it has been a LONG time since I last updated, hopefully I can get this done during the summer!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters licensed by SEGA or SONIC TEAM…but that would be awesome!

Chapter 3: The Preparation

"Love? LOVE!?"

Those were the thoughts on Shadow the Hedgehog's mind as he materialized inside the Space Colony ARK's command deck. He had felt as though someone else was in his body a few moments ago, when he had said those words to Sonic before teleporting. Perhaps he had had a lapse in judgment? "I am the Ultimate Life Form," he said to himself. "A creation born to protect the Earth, as Maria would have wanted. There is no room inside me for love…" but he believed his own words less and less with every passing moment.

He began to rationalize. "I suppose it's only natural," he thought. "I have known Amy for years now, and she was the only one who ever reminded me of Maria, on that fateful day, on this very ARK. Perhaps it is because she resembles her so much in life and spirit that I am so attracted, and so confused when it coms to her. Whatever the case, I must go and rescue her, because now, protecting her is like giving me a second chance to protect Maria…"

With that thought, he turned to a nearby computer screen. He took his G.U.N. communicator off of his wrist and connected it via USB to one of the available terminals. He typed in the Commander's number, and waited.

After a few moments the Commander's face appeared on the computer screen. He appeared worn and tired, most likely from directing peacekeeping operations for post-Black Arms reconstruction. "Agent Shadow, good to see you," he said, his tone friendly. "What can I do for you?" "Commander, we have a high-priority situation on our hands here. Doctor Eggman has managed to gather Metal Sonic, Mephiles the Dark, and Scourge the Hedgehog to assist him in his plans for world domination. He has also captured Amy Rose, Blaze the Cat, and Sally Acorn, and is holding them aboard his airship." "Well Shadow," began the Commander, "Our forces are stretched pretty thin after being decimated by Black Arms assaults. I'm afraid that we really can't provide that much assistance to a counter op."

"I understand your situation, Commander," Shadow said. "I simply wanted to inform you so that you would not be caught off guard. I plan on infiltrating the airship, incapacitating the hostiles, and rescuing the hostages solo." "Wait," said the Commander. "You don't plan on involving your friends in this? I'm sure they'd like to help those girls too." "All of Tails' weapons and flight technology have been rendered useless by Eggman's tech, and the synthetic Emerald Tails made has been stolen. They have no other options to get to Eggman's flagship. But I can disable the ship, get inside of it, and carry out the mission." "Well, Shadow, if anyone can get those girls back and defeat Eggman and his allies, it's you. Good luck."

With that, the Commander ended the transmission from his end.

Shadow wasted no time in scanning the nearby sectors for any sign of Eggman's ship. He reasoned that he had taken only ten seconds to fully teleport from the barbecue to the ARK, and that he had only spent about five minutes at most talking to the Commander, so Eggman's ship should be within striking range soon.

After waiting about ten more minutes, he saw the prow of Eggman's flagship come from behind the far end of the Earth. At once, he dashed to the vault and retrieved a single Chaos Emerald from inside, then made his way to the Eclipse Cannon fire control room. He found the panel where the seven Emeralds were supposed to go, and inserted the one he brought with him, and closed the panel. Immediately a power bar began filling as the weapon drew energy from the Emerald inside. "Eclipse Cannon operating at fourteen percent capacity. Firing readiness at twenty-five percent."

Shadow used the time while the Eclipse Cannon was charging to gather some G.U.N. weapons from the armory. He selected a heavily modified SCAR-H battle rifle, using armor-piercing 7.62 x 51 mm NATO ammunition as his weapon of choice, followed by an M4 Super 90 shotgun for his backup gun, and two .45 caliber M1911 pistols firing explosive rounds to finish off the set. Despite all the firepower he was carrying, Shadow still felt uneasy. Four of the greatest enemies ever faced by the Freedom Fighters were on that ship, standing between him and the freedom of his love, Amy. Well, Blaze and Sally were prisoners too, but they did not occupy his thoughts as she did.

"Eclipse Cannon firing readiness at fifty-six percent," said the computer. "Fifty-six percent, eh? I guess I had better finish quickly then," said Shadow in a sarcastic tone. He didn't like the slow charge time with only one Emerald in the Cannon, but he was forced to as he didn't want to use two or more Emeralds' worth of power and risk blowing up the ship wholesale and killing the girls. No, he would be patient and wait until the Cannon had finished charging, and then shoot that ship back down to Earth.

Shadow looked over at The Art of Chaos lying on the desk to the Cannon's charge indicator. He really wished that he could have had more time to learn techniques, but he would just have to settle with the one he had learned. Now that he thought about it, it could be of some use in hand to hand combat, which he much preferred to using weapons. However, he would have no time to punch the hell out of every Eggman robot's central core processor, so he would have to settle for shooting every robot he saw. "And maybe one of those four as well," thought Shadow with pleasure. He placed the book inside the vault and went back to the command deck.

"Eclipse Cannon firing readiness at eighty-three percent," said the computer. "Alrighty then," said Shadow as he rechecked his ammunition for his weapons and made sure they were secured. "I hope you're ready for what's about to hit you Eggman, because once I get ahold of you I'll—"

Shadow's words were cut off by a flash of blue light coming from Eggman's ship. It seemed to slowly expand as it moved away from the ship's hull. Shadow's blood went cold when he realized what it was.

"He's opening a goddamn wormhole! Computer, prepare to fire the Eclipse Cannon now!" yelled Shadow as he accessed the targeting systems and aimed at the ship. "Sir, firing readiness is only at ninety percent," said the computer as Shadow got a lock on. "I DON'T CARE! WE CAN FIX THE DAMAGE LATER! NOW FIIIIRREEEE!" " Eclipse Cannon firing system engaged. Cannon firing in t-minus 3…2….1….fire."

A giant burst of bright green light blinded Shadow's view of everything as the Eclipse Cannon fired at Eggman's ship. The shot of concentrated energy streaked in a precise straight line toward the vessel. Shadow saw flaps on the ship open and mechanisms come out to surround it. Shadow realized that Eggman was trying to put up shields. He chuckled. "Good thinking, Doctor, but I'm afraid you acted too late."

Shadow saw shimmers of iridescence popping up around the ship as the shields were coming into effect, but the shot was closing in. It smashed directly into the developing shield, shattering it easily and dissipating the rest of the structure. It lost some of its energy due to the collision, but still proceeded to smash directly into the main engine at the back of the ship, as the vessel itself was half way into the hole. Shadow saw the circular form of the wormhole begin to destabilize, become more of an oblong shape, and then finally collapse altogether. As the wormhole collapsed, Shadow could see that the part of the ship inside the hole had taken severe damage, with large patches missing from the vessel's sturdy hull. It looked like some great behemoth had forcibly torn off the pieces. The ship looked to be on its last legs. Satisfied with what he had seen, he proceeded to make his way to the ARK's hangar. Once there, he placed himself into a sleek aircraft designed for pursuit and dogfighting.

"ARK Robotnik-class EGX-1 Lance Fighter preparing for takeoff," blared the computer over the sound of the spacecraft coming to life at his hands. "Computer, check all flight controls and weapons systems," said Shadow as he fitted the compact pilot's helmet on. "Internal cabin pressure is green. Flight stabilizers are green. Thruster capacity is at maximum. Wing integrity is at one hundred percent. Thirty-millimeter main cannon is green. Heat-seeking missiles are all green. Photon laser cannon is at optimal operating levels. All systems are green." "Alright, proceed with launch," said Shadow. "Commencing launch in t –minus 3…2...1…launch."

The light gray interior of the hangar became bright orange as the thrusters of the Lance roared and activated. Shadow deftly maneuvered the controls as the aircraft streaked out of the hangar and toward Eggman's severely damaged ship. As he came closer, he saw hundreds of little lights coming out from the bottom of the ship, and realized that they were Eggman's robot fighters, coming out to play. He smiled.

"Okay, Eggman, if that's how you want to play it, I'm game," thought Shadow as he and the mass of lights came closer. Then he thought of Amy. "Amy, just hold on for now, I'm coming." As the two parties finally met, the battle in space began.