Shadow and Rouge were taking a scenic route in the rural parts of the country. As much as the black hedgehog would like to go to the city to his prisoner away like any other person would do, but things weren't that simple. The fact is that G.U.N. and Soleanna dislike one another.

It all started when G.U.N. wanted Soleanna to become a member of it's united nations. The monarchy refused, stating it had no intention of being involve in someone else's politics and was content with independence. G.U.N. made itself clear it wouldn't take no for an answer. Their relationship has been shaky ever since.

So the two agents continue their journey in unfriendly territory. Shadow couldn't even fathom the reason why Rouge would risk a global scandal in a place like this. Peering over his shoulder, he noticed the bat girl fawning a mist-emitting scepter. The mystery was solved.

Rouge noticed Shadow peering at her latest catch. She says seductively, "don't you want to know what this is?"

"My assignment was to capture you, nothing more" answered Shadow in an uninterested tone.

"Fine" the bat sighs. "With you, its always business."

KINGDOM VALLEY

Mission: get to the rendezvous point

A lone rocket-powered glider flew over an expansive chasm. Hanging on the glider were Shadow and Rouge. Somehow people in ancient times managed to create massive buildings here. Since then this area has become abandoned.

"What a faraway place to set the extraction point" said Shadow.

Rouge says, "This is Kingdom Valley. Long ago, there was a royal castle here."

Suddenly, the glider was running low on fuel. They managed to locate a suitable landing zone amongst the ruins. The only means of transportation now was walking.

The area was picturesque. All the windows in every building was glass-stained full of religious icons. There were moats the size of lakes just brimming with highly reflective water. And in the sky were large eagles, perhaps the only residents of this kingdom.

This wasn't a time for sight-seeing. In fact, Shadow and Rouge were more focused on the locked door barring their way.

The bat analyzed the door. "It looks like we need to find three keys to move on. Leave it to me!"

Shadow raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so eager to get to prison?"

"Because then I don't have to worry about you preventing my escape, silly."

Before Shadow could make another remark Rouge had already flown away.

Finding all three keys wasn't so hard. Sure, a few priceless relics were destroyed in the search, but you have a break a few eggs to make an omelet! Rouge used the keys on the door, unlocking it and revealing what was behind it.

Now another obstacle is in their way. A colossal chasm separates the agents from their destination, and whatever bridges they could cross have long crumbled into disrepair. The only other thing of interest was a strange eagle statue.

Curious, Shadow pushed the large lever connected to the statue. A thick gust of wind suddenly appeared over the chasm. The hedgehog realized the purpose of the wind, so he and his associate grinded their way to the other side.

Finally, they arrived at the location G.U.N. will pick them up. It was another castle, not surprising, but this one seemed… recent.

Rouge remembers what this place is. "The former king of Soleanna used to reside in this castle. But a major accident occurred ten years ago, and no one's lived here since."

"Accident?" Shadow said in intrigue.

"I heard a prototype energy engine failed, which caused the accident. I think the name of the plan…"

"The Solaris Project" someone finished. It was Eggman in one of his flying machines. "It was an ambitious project named after their eternal sun god."

"Doctor!" said Rouge, hiding her treasure behind her back.

"It's been a while, my dear Rouge. And of course, Shadow. Now, if you'd be so kind as to hand back the Scepter of Darkness you took from me."

Knowing how stubborn the bat girl can be when it comes to shiny things, Eggman had brought a dozen of his toughest robots. They surrounded the two animals and attacked. Rouge dodged a rocket, only be hit from behind by Eggman. Rouge and the scepter went flying into the air.

She was about to collide head-first into the earth. Shadow slid and snatched her before such a thing could happen. The scepter, however, had no savior of its own.

"No…!" the doctor screamed.

It broke.

A wave of energy emitted from the point of impact. All the robots malfunctioned. Shadow, curious to know what just happened, went closer the broken scepter to inspect it. A dark cloud emerged from it.

"It's no use!" Eggman screams frantically as he retreats. "Pull back, pull back, pull back!"

The robots acknowledged their master's commands and flew off in a clumsy, malfunctioned way. However, the dark cloud gave them no chance as it plow through them one-by-one. When the last robot ceased to live, the cloud plunged itself towards Shadow. The hedgehog took a step back and watched as the cloud smash itself and dissipate right by his feet.

Suddenly, something odd happened. The hedgehog's shadow, which was located where the cloud met its end, began to move on its own. Illogical removing itself from its owner, the silhouette began to morph into a three-dimensional shape.

"What?" Rouge said with wide eyes. "His shadow…"

The end result was a duplicate Shadow. It was not an exact copy, however. Its body was deathly pale with grayish blue highlights on the quills. Its clothing was dull from age and decay. Its eyes was green and reptile-like, as if they belong to some vile demon. And despite the fact it had no mouth whatsoever, it laughed.

"Oh, how ironic fate can be!" the creature calmly spoke in a voice that was definitely not Shadow's. "I would never have believed I would be resurrected through your shade! I thank you, Shadow The Hedgehog." It politely bowed itself before the original.

The only thing that Shadow could think of responding was "who are you? And how do you know my name?"

The creature's arms fell to a limp, while its head continued to stare at the ground. "I'm Mephiles" it replied bitterly. "Mephiles The Dark."

It began to slowly walk forward in a way a zombie would. After a few steps, it spoke again, its voice agitated. "What, did you forget me?"

Mephiles was now only a breath's distance away from Shadow. Shadow barely flinched. The creature, tilting its head up, stares at the hedgehog. "I owe much to you, Shadow."

Shadow jumped back by Rouge as Mephiles rose his hand. "Oh yes." A dark ball of energy is formed within his palm. "What you gave to me, I know return to you!"

Throwing his energy ball into the air, he growls, "a one-way ticket to oblivion!"

The ball immediately expands in a rapid pace. Shadow and Rouge are quickly covered by the dark energy, helplessly struggling to escape from it.

The ball soon shrinks to nothingness. The hedgehog and bat are gone without a trace. Satisfied with the results, Mephiles walks away.

To be continued.