"As determined as I am to find Shadow, I'm starting to have doubts as to whether or not our search is actually gonna be successful." Rouge and Omega had spent the last two hours wandering the countryside, there had been no change of scenery nor any signs of the hedgehog's whereabouts. Fatigued, the ivory bat walked up to a nearby tree stump and parked herself on it, dropping her head into her hands and fighting back the tears. She could still only be pessimistic about her closest ally's wellbeing due to being fully conscious of Mephiles and Eclipse's malice. Omega paused and stood frozen to the spot, staring ahead into the distance. Being a robot and inexperienced with human emotions, he did not possess the knowledge on how to console someone when in a depressed or downtrodden state, so he was of little use in the situation.
"The greater amount of time we dedicate to searching for Shadow, the greater the danger he is being put in."
"That's my biggest worry, Omega. Goodness knows what's happened to him, if he's managed to escape or he's been beaten to a pulp…he might even be dead."
As she spoke those words, any restraint she had from crying hysterically disappeared and the tears came flooding out of her eyes. Omega turned his head and watched her, pondering on what he could do to improve his ally's mood. However, before he could say anything, there was a flash of light in front of them and Eclipse appeared alongside his Dark Arms. A calculating smirk formed on his face when he saw the bat and the robot.
"Well, good afternoon to you, Miss Bat and the robot!"
Abhorrence sparked in Rouge's eyes at the sight of the loathsome creature, she leapt to her feet and pointed accusingly at Eclipse, who continued to smirk at her. "You! Where's Shadow, you freak?"
The alien grinned nefariously, displaying his pointed teeth. "He's with Mephiles. The demon and I are no longer in allegiance, so I have no idea what Mephiles' intent is, but I can't say it's anything pleasant."
"So, why are you here? Come to taunt us, have you?" queried Rouge, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes in detestation.
"As much as I'd love to, no. I have something more…enjoyable in mind."
As Rouge opened her mouth to question him on what that was, he raised his arms with his hands open and palms facing them. His palms and eyes brightened, both being focused on the two individuals before him, the Dark Arms watching in glee. Rouge became frozen to the spot, her eyes also brightening as the power Eclipse was unleashing began to consume her. Unfortunately for Eclipse, his powers had no effect on Omega due to him being a machine, so Omega was able to attack him. Turning his arms into hefty machine guns, the robot fired at the alien, who squealed in surprise and swiftly ducked as the bullets rocketed over his head. Screaming in terror, the Dark Arms separated from each other and flew around in a frenzy, trepidatious as to what the robot's next move would be. Eclipse whistled and signalled for the Dark Arms to move over to him with a finger, which they did instantly. However, before Omega could fire anything more, Eclipse and the Dark Arms vanished into thin air in a flash of blinding light.
Withdrawing the guns in his arms, Omega turned to see Rouge lying unconscious on the floor. He sent out a distress signal to notify those back at GUN, so they could venture out and escort them back to their headquarters. Towering over the senseless bat, Omega used his beady scarlet eyes as scanners by emitting a single beam of light matching the colour of his eyes out of each one, which steadily travelled up and down Rouge's lifeless body. However, Omega was unable to detect anything that could arouse intuition. All he could do now was wait for the arrival of the soldiers, guarding her, although they were in the middle of nowhere and the probability of them encountering any danger was very low. Despite his disliking of the human race, Omega had faith in GUN and believed them to be trustworthy, dependable allies, especially since they had always valued his immense power and been appreciative of his calamitous nature. Moreover, GUN and him shared similar goals, principally achieving the defeat of Doctor Eggman, Omega's malevolent creator who had never shown him any care.
Omega always had a reason for detesting someone and developing an intent to destroy them, his reason for his hatred towards Mephiles and Eclipse was purely because of their eagerness to cause Shadow horrific amounts of pain. Omega had become protective of the ebony hedgehog over the years, so much that at times, he had forgotten about his mission to bring about his creator's downfall and been more focused on aiding Shadow with his various missions; it was for this reason that he and Shadow had become such devoted allies. Shadow's sanctuary had become his responsibility and a duty besides his foremost aim to defeat his creator and prove himself to be the most formidable of his robots. In spite of the fact that he had always been unafraid of facing Mephiles and Eclipse, he believed them to be powerful beings and that defeating them would be extremely taxing. Plus, Omega knew Shadow was in great jeopardy and his life would be on the line, but there was nothing more he could do than wait for Rouge to awaken from her unconscious state and for a better plan to be formulated.
Meanwhile, back at the cave where Mephiles was currently residing, the demon entered the area he was keeping Shadow prisoner to find the hedgehog sat with his back against the uneven wall and his eyes closed. He walked up to Shadow and knelt in front of him, placing two skeletal fingers on his neck to feel for the midnight hedgehog's pulse. Fortunately for him, there was a pulse, meaning his fun had not yet ended. Placing his bony hand flat on Shadow's forehead, Mephiles' eyes turned emerald and lit up.
"Wake up, Shadow. There is something I would like to discuss with you."
Shadow's currant-red eyes cracked open and the second he noticed the crystalline demon before him, he attempted to lunge forward only to be restrained by the chains connected to the cave wall. Cursing, he fell backwards onto his bottom, scowling at Mephiles. Chuckling, Mephiles tilted his head to one side and brushed his fingers through Shadow's red-streaked quills.
"You desire your liberty, I understand, but I'm afraid I am unable to grant you your wish."
Shadow shook his head, so Mephiles' hands were removed. "Because you take great satisfaction from antagonising me."
"That and something else, I want you to listen to what I have to say."
Huffing, Shadow turned his head away to give the indication that he would be completely uninvolved with what Mephiles had to say. However, Mephiles was having none of it and grabbed Shadow's chin, turning his head back round. There was eye contact secured between the two and silence fell upon them. The evil-doer acknowledged that Shadow's response to what he was about to say would be consisting of negativity, but his resoluteness dominated him, whilst Shadow was curious as to what Mephiles was going to say to him.
"Shadow, you know the approbation I hold for any distinctive being who possesses substantial power. I am the consciousness of Solaris, a legendary sun god who has existed for millions of years. In my time, I have seen many individuals who are immortal and blessed with such exemplary powers and abilities, such as yourself. I have watched them fall, being attacked by mortals who fear their power and having those they love turn on them and hate them for who they are. They were capable of accomplishing so much, they could have easily conquered entire nations across this small planet with their invincibility. But instead, some made the decision to use their powers to serve humanity, believing it would earn them reverence. The human race never believe they are indebted to beings such as these who decide to protect them from the alien, they are grateful temporarily, but it is only a matter of time before they realise just how powerful these creatures are and the devastation they could create should they ever decide to discontinue their service to humanity. This is when the fear begins to consume them."
"I have heard this before, I will not turn on humanity! I made a promise to protect the inhabitants of this world, it has become my duty!" roared Shadow, furiously pulling at the chains clinging onto the cave wall.
Mephiles stood over the piqued hedgehog, glancing down at him with a demoralised expression on his face. "I do not wish to see history repeat itself with you! You question why I have made multiple attempts to convince you to join forces with me, it's because I see you for the extraordinary individual you are and I admire your power. You are the Ultimate Lifeform with the body of a hedgehog, but the blood of an extra-terrestrial lifeform. No blade or bullet can kill you and no hulking object can crush a single bone in your body. You are capable of achieving so much greatness, I can assist you with that and enable you to become cognizant of your true potential. Why waste more time protecting lifeforms you know will turn on you in the near future when you can join me, perfect your abilities and prove how unique and powerful you are to those who choose to be unappreciative of you? Why refuse to ensure justice prevails?"
"Justice? You do not know the meaning of the word! You don't fight for justice, you fight to achieve your own aims, which involve ruination! I have always told you that I know who I am and where I stand with people, anyone who comes between me and my goals will be dealt with without a moment's hesitation! I would rather be engulfed in fire than to even consider forming an alliance with you!" spat Shadow, his eyes glowing with rage.
"That's the life you choose to live, is it? That's your decision, however I still do not wish for you to have to face your loved ones and the entirety of humanity betraying you, so I will put you out of your misery. Farewell, Shadow the Hedgehog!" replied Mephiles.
"No, he's mine!" shrieked an all too familiar voice from behind him. The demon spun round and his reptilian irises met with Eclipse's. Said alien was stood on the opposite side of the cave, enraged with the Dark Arms beside him showing similar emotions. Shadow rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, "Kill me quickly, Mephiles."
