Here's chapter 4! The gang finally finds Eggman and learn the truth about who is behind the Dark Gaia infections. Please read, review, and enjoy.

The gang had been following Omega for the past few hours now. His scanners were still locked onto Eggman's DNA. Eventually, the group had eventually reached what apparently was an abandoned warehouse. This was it. They would finally be able to stop all this madness. "Sensors indicate that Eggman is somewhere within this facility." Omega said. "Hold up." Shadow said. "This is too easy."

"What do you mean?" Pit asked. "We've found the bad guy's base, let's kick some butt!"

"Shadow's right." Espio said. "Why would Eggman hold his base of operations here? It doesn't make sense."

"Hey guys! I found something!" Charmy shouted. The gang went to where Charmy was and found the bee holding a strange device. "I wonder what it does?" Charmy asked in a singsong voice. "Wait! Don't press it!" Espio shouted. But by then, Charmy had pressed the button on the device. Everyone ducked for cover, expecting some tremendous explosion. But it never came. Instead they all turned to see the warehouse warble and disort, as if being pulled apart by invisible hands. It then suddenly disappeared. Revealing a large white tower. At the top of it was a massive orb of dark energy that seemed to be growing by the second.

"Hiding in plain sight. How clever." Espio said.

"Now that's freaky." Sonic said as he pulled out his Miles Electric. "Yo, Tails. Hate to bother you, but you might wanna get a load of this!"

"I see it." Tails replied.

"Well you mind telling us what the heck is it?" Sonic asked.

"That orb seems to be absorbing the negative energy from those infected by Dark Gaia's energy." Tails replied. "Not just from the city, but from everywhere."

"But why?" Rogue asked.

"Maybe it's to power his base." Knuickles said.

"No. If that's all he wanted, he wouldn't go through such an elaborate scheme." Shadow said. "He's after something else."

"Well you guys better find out what that is and fast!" Tails warned. "The Dark Gaia infections are growing by the minute! I'm working on an antidote, but it's taking quite some time."

"Okay, keep us posted." Sonic said as he put away his Miles Electric. "Okay guys. We don't have time for a stealth mission. Let's go in and scramble some Eggman." The others gave cheers of agreement and together they stormed the base, charging through an army of robots and Egg Fighters. Eventually they reached a large room to find... none other than Eggman, suspended in midair by bands of energy at his wrists and ankles. He looked as if he had been through hell and back. There were bruises all over his body. "Eggman?!" Sonic exclaimed. "Jeez! You look like you've seen better days!"

"Sonic. Everyone. Get out of here!" Eggman said. "It's a trap!" But by the time he said that, a barrier appeared around the gang, trapping them all. "Ah, Sonic and co. You're right on time." The gang turned and looked to their shock to find... another Dr. Eggman who casually strolled into the room. "Wait, there are two Eggmen?!" Rouge asked. "Oh God! They're multiplying!" Sonic said. "So, which one's the real Eggman?" Shadow asked. "I know who it is." Vector replied.

"Oh really?" The second Eggman asked. "Well, by all means. Enlighten us with your powers of deduction."

"Back at the curio shop, Omega mentioned something about identical strands of Eggman's DNA." Vector began. "Now that got me thinking. Eggman doesn't have any relatives in this time, but he does have a descendant in the future. Right, Eggman Nega?!" Everyone gave shocked gasps at the accusation. Eggman remained silent for a few moments, then reared his head back and laughed maniacally. "Impressive, Vector." Eggman said in a somewhat higher pitched voice. "It seems your detective skills are not exaggerations after all. I guess there is no point in wearing this disguise anymore."

He then pressed a button on his jacket and his disguise changed. Eggman's mustache had turned white and he was wearing different clothing. He was now clad in a red body suit with yellow and black-striped boots and a black coat with yellow wrist hemline and stripes on shoulders and arms. His pince-nez glasses were replaced with dark blue sunglasses and he now wore grey goggles with a single green lens. "It's true! Dr. Eggman Nega is back!" he shouted.

"But how?!" Sonic asked. "Last time we saw you, you were-"

"In the Ifrit's dimension, correct?" Nega interrupted. "Did you really think you pathetic little insects could keep me trapped in that twisted flyspeck of a dimension? Using my incredible genius and what little supplies I could muster, I hobbled together a device that allowed me to escape. The only thought I had was revenge against you and my blockheaded ancestor. And what better way to do that than destroying his world and everything in it?"

"What are you planning?!" Peach demanded.

"I'm so glad you asked!" Nega shouted. He pressed a button on the computer and from the floor arose a large containment tube. In it was a large beast. It was a dragon like monster, somewhat similar to the Dark Gaia monsters except its body was black and the markings on it were a scarlet red. "Over the years, Eggman tried unsuccessfully to control ancient monsters. But I on the other hand, plan to create one instead. And I found the perfect way. Using a concentrated version of Dark Gaia's energy. I infected countless people and harvested their energy to build my little creature. A monster made from pure negativity! With this creation at my side, this world will be putty in my hands!"

"Nega! This is madness!" Eggman shouted. "Creating a monster like that is-Ahhh!" Eggman's reply was silenced when Nega pressed a button on the computer, causing the binds on his wrists to electrocute thim. "That's enough out of you." Nega said. Just then, the computer beeped. "Ah, my creation is almost done! Time to activate it." Just as Nega pressed the button, however, Espio appeared and delivered a kick that knocked the doctor on his back, having turned invisible and escaped before the barrier trapped the gang He then stabbed his knife into the computer, freeing Eggman and releasing the barrier surrounding the gang.

"Irritating pest!" Nega shouted as he pulled out a blaster and fired at Espio, knocking him to the ground. He was about to fire another shot only for Shadow to toss a Chaos Spear, knocking the gun out of Nega's hand. He then found himself surrounded by the gang, most of them ready to attack. "This looks like checkmate, Nega!" Sonic said. "Give it up! It's over!"

"I'm not beaten yet!" Nega retorted. He then pressed the button on the computer and the alarm began to blare. The containment unit with the dragon began to shake as the beast stirred to life. "Yes, my beast!" Nega maniacally cackled. "Live! Hear my voice and obey!" With a mighty roar, the containment unit burst open as the dragon spread it's six terrible wings. It's red eyes gleamed with malice it glared at the gang. "Sensors locked on target!" Omega said. "Moving to attack!" Before anyone could stop him, Omega charged at the dragon, opening fire on it with his machine guns and missile launchers. But none of these had any effect on the monster's thick, scaly skin and it swatted Omega away like a gadfly. "Omega!" Shadow shouted.

The dragon reared back to breathe a torrent of fire on Omega, but Shadow used Chaos Control to warp him and Omega out of the beast's line of fire. The dragon turned to face the gang as large circles appeared near its wings. Before anyone could react, the monster fired several blue lasers at them, knocking them a good distance away and doing horrendous damage to the room. "Beautiful! Absoultely beautiful!" Nega cheered. "Such devastating power! Such destructive potential! With my ultimate weapon at my side, the world shall be my plaything! I will usher in an age of fear and chaos! And it shall be glorious!"

"Not while we're still here!" Sonic said as he and the others weakly got up, ready to make one last stand against the monster. "The only thing that's gonna get ushered in is the butt-kicking you're gonna get!"

"Oh, spare me the bravado!" Nega groaned. "You're all nothing but insects to be swatted away. And my Nega Dragon will do just that! Nega Dragon! Kill them all!" Everyone braced themselves for another attack from the dragon, but strangely nothing happpened. The beast simply stood there like a statue. "I said, kill them!" Nega repeated. The dragon still remained at its spot. "Did you not hear me you ignorant beast?!" Nega yelled as he pulled out a taser and began electrocuting it. "Obey me! Destroy them!" The dragon finally turned to look at Nega. "Finally! Now for the last time, destroy these insolent wastes of space! Anhiliate them all! Make them rue the day they ever crossed blades with the unparalleled genius of Dr. Eggman Ne-"

Before Nega could say any more, the dragon suddenly opened its jaws and swallowed him whole, elliciting shocked gasps from everyone. The dragon then began to glow with a dark aura, letting out a mighty roar as it took to the skies. "Holy hell!" Shadow exclaimed. "What just happened?!"

"It's just as I feared." Eggman said. "That dragon is composed of and feeds on negative emotions. Nega's plan worked too well. All the negative emotions its been feeding on have made it too strong, far beyond Nega's control. If we don't stop it now, it will destroy everything in its path!"

"How do we stop it?" Pit said. "We can barely scratch that thing!"

"Maybe not by ourselves, but with a little Chaos Emerald firepower!" Sonic said. He then turned on his Miles Electric. "Tails! You heard all that?"

"Loud and clear!" Tails said. "I'm on my way with the Chaos Emeralds now. And I've got an idea on how to stop that dragon and cure everyone at the same time!"

"How?" Sonic asked.

"The dragon is composed of negative energy, right?" Tails asked. "Remember your fight with Perfect Chaos? If you could neturalize the negative energy, it should destroy that dragon and cure everybody as well. But for now, just keep that thing distracted until I get there."

"Can do, buddy!" Sonic replied. "Okay guys! You heard the man! It's time for a little dragon slaying!" And with that, the gang made off in an attempt to stop the monster and put an end to the madness once and for all.

The mystery is finally solved! Now the gang has to stop that dragon. The final battle will be up probably tommorrow. Stay tuned.