Black Behemoths

All around the core they huddled. No light entered this deep cavern, for the entrance was so very far away. Darkness laid inside here, from the walls, to the ceiling, to the floor. No one could see anything... no one... except these creatures. These black and red creatures, who were not human. They wore armor, spoke a varied language, and looked vaguely familiar. But what was this? What was this... thing they huddled around? What was this... monster that slowly gave out creatures? They were infants, but they were beasts... it just kept going. Giving birth, over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over. What were these things?

To be one with the Black Arms...

...

Shadow's eyes graced over the encyclopedia. Even though he could understand the Zihaians, he couldn't read their language. It wasn't in English, or Japanese, or Spanish, or anything. This language was just a sea of random symbols, ones he could only understand if he lived with these people. How long had he been here? How long had he been staying in this temple, reading these incomprehensible books? It felt like hours, when in reality, it had been days. He had spent a long week in this area, this library, just reading. Or, trying to read.

Analize hadn't spoken to him ever since they arrived, and the High Priest hadn't even stepped foot in this area. But Shadow didn't care. He needed to learn about this place, about the Zihaians. Yet more importantly, he needed to learn about the Black Arms. Ever since she said those words, the hedgehog had been praying to leave. He never wanted to face the Black Arms, not again, at least. If it were anyone else, he'd fight them. But not these people, not these aliens. Why was life laughing at him as it did now? Why was it sending him off to face against the race that nearly drove him insane? He needed to learn... he needed to.

"Shadow..." Topaz voice whispered, as her slender hand slid on his shoulder, "Shadow... are you okay?"

He didn't look at her. Instead, he looked off to the deeper books in the library.

"What are you doing here Topaz?" he questioned, his eyes squinting.

Suddenly, a platter of food slid on the desk beside him. Shadow tried ignoring it at first, before the smell of food entered his nose.

"I know you want it." Topaz taunted from behind.

He tried ignoring her words, but the moment his stomach groaned, he turned over to face the meal. The food of planet Ziha was... oddly delicious looking. Maybe it was because Shadow hadn't eaten in a while, but it looked downright appetizing, as if it beckoned to him.

"Go ahead, black boy," Topaz teased, "dig in!"

Without a second thought, he dove his hands into the hot meal, and scarfed them down with great bites. Topaz giggled as she watched his hungry display, in her hands, food of her own. She herself ate the meal, as the hedgehog ate his own. The air was calm and normal, as if the two agents were eating in the mess hall in G.U.N. Headquarters. But all of this went away when Shadow spoke forward.

"Why are you here?" he asked, slowing his eating.

"I can't believe you'd ask that, Shadow." Topaz scolded, crossing her arms as she did so.

"No, I mean, why did you come? I haven't seen you for a week."

"Are you getting protective?" she asked, her eye sight slanting.

"Of course not." he answered, looking away, "It's just that... I thought you'd be mad at me."

Topaz's eyes shifted up as she thought about his words.

"Mad at you?" she questioned, "Why would I be mad at you?"

"Because of what I said earlier," his eyes closed, "I was... mean toward Analize."

"Shadow, you're mean to everyone." Topaz said, taking a bite out of food.

"Yes but... she's a child. She believed in some story of the Sky People, and I... berated her for it."

"Shadow," she angled his face toward hers, "I understand why you hurt. You feel... pained by the Black Arms, no?" he nodded, causing her face to brighten up, "See. It's alright... I wouldn't know what to do in your position either. Aren't... aren't the Black Arms your people? Your... family?"

"In a way," Shadow remarked, "but from what I understand about family, they have to accept one another." he sighed, "I'd never accept the Black Arms." the silence returned, and Shadow's ruby eyes returned to the pages of the book, "I don't like it here," he remarked, "I want to go home."

"I want to go home, too, Shadow." she said, sitting beside him, "But we have to make the best of things here."

As the hedgehog's eyes glanced over to him, he noticed something. She was no longer wearing the tribal clothing she had on when the awoke. Instead, her clothing now looked like a stylized version of her G.U.N. uniform. Also... Topaz looked... stronger. What had she been doing?

"Impressed?" she teased, noticing his eyesight.

"What happened to you?"

"You may be out of action with that," she tapped his cane, "cane of yours, but not me. I've been training."

"With who?"

"The Zihaians. They know their things. Apparently, since guns are rare among their people, being primarily used by their oppressors, they tend to fight with things they can make. And since high leveled tech is unknown to them, they make do with the usual bows and arrows and staffs and what not."

"I see..." Shadow remarked, "You look..." he suddenly trailed off.

"I look, what?" he questioned, a smile growing.

"Don't you have anywhere to be?" Shadow said, looking off.

"Oh no! You aren't changing the subject on this!"

He quickly returned his face to his book, but a distinct noise gained both agents attention.

From outside, they heard a series of heavy vehicles rumble across the floor. It sounded like... treads. Shadow stood up from his chair as he propped himself up with his cane. That noise...

"Something isn't right." he commented, his eyes squinting.

"I can tell." Topaz answered.

Both of their eyes floated toward the exit. Time to go.

...

"Boy!" Tails said, a smile on his lips, "Haven't been in here in a while!... To bad it took me a week to find it..."

Within the Blue Typhoon's command center, the trio of Mobians were. A smile grew on Sonic's muzzle soon after, as he scanned the confides of the base closely. Strange, many adventures could happen in one year, and yet, the hedgehog hadn't been in this area for so long. It must have only been earlier this year they used the Blue Typhoon. Dust lined the floors, handles, and seats, which seemed to confirm Sonic's thoughts.

"Well now!" the fox said, dropping down to a random panel, "It shouldn't take me long to turn it back on." removing the panel he revealed some cords, "Let's see here..."

A few sparks flew from the cords, but Sonic was sure his little brother had it covered. So instead, he dragged his eyes elsewhere.

"Hey Rouge!" he called out, "Where are you?"

Gazing skyward, he saw the bat flying around the ceiling. Her eyes were locked on the hanger outside, the hangar that the Blue Typhoon laid in.

"Big Blue," she said, "from what I remember, this thing could only fly with the use of the Master Emerald."

"Yeah, and?"

"Well..." she looked to him, "How are we going to fly this time?"

The blue hedgehog opened his mouth to say something witty, but he recanted on her words. Thinking a bit, he wondered if the fiery red echidna would allow them to use his Master Emerald again. But of course, he was sure he wouldn't. Not without a little persuasion, at least.

"They've been up there for a week now..." Rouge said, a tremble in her voice.

She quickly sprung Sonic from his thoughts, even as she flew to the ground. Once she landed, the blue hedgehog laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Cheer up, Rouge!" he said with a grin, "If I know my mirror, they're doing great! Hell, better than great! They're doing perfectly!"

A smile broke out on the bat's face, and she said lowly,

"Well..."

"We're operational!" Tails suddenly cried from his area.

It took some time, but the lights in the Blue Typhoon beamed on greatly. The hallways were now brightly lit passageways inside the great spacecraft, and the command center was the brightest of them all. The twin tailed fox hopped up and down giddily, before he came down with a sudden case of the blues.

"Well," he said, despite his demeanor, "let's see if she flies."

"Don't we need the Master Emerald?"

"Not anymore," the fox said, "I've been working on her for some bit, and she should be good for flight without it."

"After seeing a plane crash through your wall, I think I'll take my chances with old knucklehead."

"Are you sure, Sonic? He was really cranky the last time we asked for it."

"Oh please!" Sonic said, "I don't think he'll mind."

Though he didn't believe his own words, and no one else did, the hedgehog dashed out of the Blue Typhoon swiftly. His destination, Angel Island.

"Hey Rouge?" Tails called as he flew up, "Are you alright?"

She nodded solemnly, and then said,

"Just... in thought, kid."

"Well, I'm going to go check up on the Master Emerald Chamber, you wanna come?"

"No, Tails, but thanks." she began rubbing his head, "You're a good kid, ya'know that?"

"Thanks... are you sure you're alright?" she merely nodded, "Well, if you don't mind being alone, I'm a be on my way... just don't touch anything!"

Without a second thought, his twin tails spun around, as per usual, and he took off for the deeper areas. Rouge's wings folded in weakly, and she took the time to think. Gazing skyward, she said,

"Just... hang in there, a bit longer..."

...

Slowly, the two agents stepped out from the temple's insides. The rumbling through the ground only increased the closer they got. The many Zihaians on the street suddenly ran for the buildings as the rumbling grew greater, and greater. The rumbling grew so great, the rocks on the ground started bouncing up and down. The agents were dying to know what was causing this. And then it appeared.

Over the hill, riding down the streets, a great behemoth of a vehicle. To be honest, Shadow wasn't sure if he was seeing it correctly or not. The machine with tank treads barreled down the street at high speeds, before coming to a steady stop near the city's temple. Shadow scanned the vehicle up and down, before a certain symbol caught his eyesight.

"Shadow, is that..." Topaz's voice trailed off.

The spiraling red mark, the black vehicle, he knew it all to well.

"Black Arms..." he murmured.

Between the two agents, the High Priest appeared. He walked before them, gazed out toward the mammoth vehicle, and let out a great sight showing pain.

"I recommend you hide some place," he warned, "this is about to get... ugly."

The old Zihaian trekked down the long stairwell, and came face to face with the black machine. It made a great noise, and slowly ceased its rampart shaking. What was this thing, a tank? It looked like one, save for the fact it lacked a cannon. It didn't look like anything a Black Arm soldier would use. When they attacked, all the vehicles the aliens traveled in were living in style. But not this? Answers were necessary.

After much anticipation, the doors on the great vehicle swung open. A being leaped out, adorned in armor, that covered every inch of its body. It's shoes, if you could call them that, were separated in three sections, for some odd reason, giving this... person greater mobility. Each and every footstep it took with these shoes echoed off the ground.

The being's armor was a dark grey, with red highlights on the shoulders, that went in style with its skin. Also, in its hands, a gun, rifle in origin. But by far the most damning thing about this alien, was its face. Though it was constricted by a helmet, it took it off seconds later, to show everyone how it looked.

It appeared vaguely crocodilian in nature, with teeth in its visible mouth that was sharper than knives. And its eyes... its eyes... its eyes... they were a violent red and flaming orange, eyes that were at home with Black Doom himself... what was this thing?

"Well, well, well, Coutoh, its been what... two weeks?"

Its voice... it was so unsettling. He was a man, if his voice didn't tell you that, and he spoke with a certain... eloquence. It made one feel invited, while also pushed away, at the same time. It was so calm, while cruel, and so close, while distant. Just by listening to his voice... one could tell... he was... evil.

"What is it that you want, General Evan." the High Priest, or Coutoh, said.

"Me? Do I ever have to say?" the alien, or General Evan, got closer, "You see Coutoh, I've heard reports telling me that something fell out of the sky."

"I have heard no such thing..." Coutoh replied.

"Oh really?"

Suddenly, and without warning, Evan delivered a punch to Coutoh's chest, causing the old Zihaian to fall to the ground.

"I don't like being lied to, Coutoh." Evan said, coming to face level with the crushed alien, "Now tell me, what fell?"

"I don't know," he coughed, "what you speak of!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Evan said, standing up, "and I liked you, too, Coutoh." quickly, he raised his gun, and aimed it at him, "But, hey! If I have to make a message out of you, I will."

The general pulled back a lever on his gun, while a sadistic grin grew on his lips. So ruthless, and without negotiations... he was one with the Black Arms.

A bullet fired, and flew through the air... but not from Evan's gun. He was struck in the arm by an attack he hadn't noticed. Fortunately, or unfortunately in this case, his armor was tough, and the bullet did nothing. Didn't stop Evan from growing enticed, however.

"Who did that?" he said, not taking his eyes off of Coutoh.

The silence in the air was his only answer. His smile turned into a frown, and he dragged his flaming eyes around the area. He only saw the fearful eyes of the Zihaians, before he saw... her.

Topaz stood, gun in hand, and she glared down upon the Black Alien. A bullet casing fell from her gun, and she said with disappointment,

"Last clip I brought..."

General Evan straightened up, and he pointed his gun away from Coutoh. Just looking at this woman irked him. How dare she shoot, him? But then he realized something. What the hell was she? And yet, he said nothing. Her appearance, only confirmed his suspicions. Something did fall here, and they were not alone.

"So..." he remarked, his voice still so cool, "You are the thing that fell from the sky..."

Topaz said nothing, and merely put away her pistol. Reaching away, she dropped her hand near her side, and withdrew a small pole. But this was no normal pole. With a tap of a button, it quickly stretched open into a full on pole, revealing that it was collapsible.

"I am Topaz, from the Sky," the agent cried, "and I believe you have stepped somewhere you are not welcome."

Evan's eyes widened, as he thought about her valiant words. And then he started smiling. His grin grew wider and wider, until he looked like some monster.

"You're from the Sky!?" he remarked, "As in! The Sky People!?"

With those words, he began laughing. He laughed so loud, one could hear him from far away.

"The Sky People don't exist!" he yelled, "It's just some stupid little story mothers tell their children at night!"

Topaz got closer.

"Care to test that theory?"

Evan's laughing stopped. His evil eyes fell to her, and he so quickly became serious. He never said another word. Instead, he aimed his gun at her and fired. But she blocked it. Using the staff, she deflected the attack while keeping herself composed. This was surprising. She blocked a bullet.

"Care to try again?" she taunted.

Evan was glad to oblige. He fired over and over again, but each strike was either deflected or blocked by Topaz. How the hell did she learn to do that?... Maybe her training was more intense than originally believed. If only they could hear her screaming in her mind.

"Topaz," Shadow's cold voice echoed, "stop playing with the fool."

The hedgehog's footsteps and cane echoed in the air as he walked down the many steps. His face never changed, and he retained his usual indifferent nature.

It only took one look.

Just one look, to incite terror.

Evan's yellow eyes gazed at him.

His ruby eyes gazed back.

Fear.

Fear.

Fear...

"NO! NO!" Evan cried, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?"

Shadow said nothing. Laying both hands on his cane, he came to a stop near Topaz.

"Now aren't you a funny looking thing?" Topaz teased, "You look really... unsure of yourself."

Evan didn't say anything back. He merely stood, frozen in place.

"Boo..." Shadow whispered.

The General heard it. Like black lighting, he ran back into his vehicle and cranked it up. It shook, and sputtered, before coming to life. Seconds later, the entire vehicle was gone, disappeared over the horizon. Shadow shook his head in disappointment, while Topaz laid her arm around his shoulders.

"Now wasn't that fun!?" she asked, with a smile.

"So you have been training." Shadow remarked coyly.

"Of course I have," she said, "I wouldn't lie!"

The two agents turned around, and came face to face with the weakened Coutoh.

"So," Topaz said, lending a hand, "your name is Coutoh... And I just thought it was High Priest."

But the alien wasn't having her foolishness. He slapped her hand out-of-the-way, stood up tall, and then said, cryptically enough,

"You have doomed us all."