Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Phantom Heroes. Enjoy the 1200-word chapter. I don't own Sonic; Sega and a few others do.

(Jungle Temple.)

"Hmm, I haven't seen anything yet."

Zero said as he shifted through the wreckage, he was about to leave when he spotted something glowing in the wreckage.

"Hmm…. What is that?"

Zero said as he walked to a piece of rubble and picked up a glowing gem before he hissed in pain as he glowed as the glow flashed before a bright flash of light knocked Zero out.

He didn't see the flash of fire that lit up the temple.

(10 minutes later.)

"Ow, my head…. What's with all the ringing?"

Zero said, rubbing his head as he woke up, he blinked as he was floating in the air with a black outline.

"Whoa, what the-…."

Zero said as he slowly floated down and landed as he blinked and looked around as a fiery blast whistled towards him as Zero held up his arms, a black energy shield blocked the blast.

"Whoa, I didn't have the power to do that before…. Who's trying to turn me into a smore?"

Zero said as he faced a familiar looking purple Cat, he didn't personally know the girl but he could tell who she was from her adventures on his and Sonic's world.

"Blaze the cat! What are you doing here, never mind... We could use your help, Eggman-…"

Zero started to say as Blaze launched massive fireball was fired at him as Zero launched into the air.

"For all I know, you could be working for the doctor… The fact that you know my name makes you all the more suspicious."

Blaze said, kicking a wave of fire at Zero as he summoned an energy shield to block the flames before holding his hand out at Blaze as he had seen Infinite had done before.

He blinked as he fired a few black energy rays at Blaze as she dodged it.

Zero put a hand to his back as he did so and noticed that the gem was attached to his back.

"Hmm, this is the same gem that Infinite had…. Or at least one of them, I'm guessing…. Blaze, listen to me, you're making a mistake!"

Zero said as he flew out of the way of two more fireballs as Zero concentrated and summoned a wall of black spikes as he slammed into Blaze, knocking them into her and dizzying her as he landed in front of her before she kicked him away.

"Your attacking me, you know my name, and your someone I haven't met, that's reason enough to not trust you!"

Blaze said as Zero climbed to her feet as Blaze knocked her back with a fire whip as Zero spilt it in half with an energy beam.

"Because your trying to roast me, your attacking me, and I'm only defending myself, lady! Besides, you're as popular as Sonic is here, of course I know your name, everyone does!"

Zero yelled as Blaze continued to launch fire kicks at Zero as he flew out of the way as he caught a punch from Blaze.

"If you're not on his side, then what are you doing with that gem? Nega attacked my world with that gem and took the Sol Emeralds with him, why are you holding one of those gems?"

Blaze said as Zero created a pair of handcuffs and chained Blaze down, panting as he did so.

"I just found this gem, here, Dr. Eggman is trying to take over our entire planet! Besides, I'm trying to help Sonic, I don't want to fight you!"

Zero said as Blaze's gold eyes met his crimson ones as he released the chains holding her.

"Doctor Eggman is here as well? Hmm, it would seem the doctors are teaming up…. What is your name, you know mine, I feel it only right to ask for yours?"

Blaze said as Zero nodded as he spoke up, cracking his neck as he did so.

"Zero, its Zero the Jackal… I'm one of Sonic's friends and an officer of the Resistance…. Like I said, I'm trying to help Sonic and the Resistance Overthrow Dr. Eggman… he's taken over almost the entire planet!"

Zero said as Blaze nodded before tilting her head in confusion.

"Resistance? There's a resistance group now? That means Eggman has gotten even stronger then he was before…. Zero, do you know where the Resistance base is?"

Blaze asked as Zero nodded as he floated into the air.

"Sure, its…. Actually, I don't know if you'd make it on foot, it's very far away…. Oh, I know!"

Zero said as he flew down and picked Blaze up bridal style as she glared at him before he spoke up.

"I know what you're going to say, but we don't have time, Eggman is going to send reinforcements here anyway and this will be the fastest way unless you can teleport."

Zero said as Blaze sighed and simply nodded as Zero zoomed off.

"So, you have an evil Doctor like Sonic does as well? If he and who knows who else are working together, we're going to need all the help we can get…. Blaze, how bad do you think things are here?"

Zero asked as they flew towards Green Hill Zone. Blaze silently thanked Zero for flying close to the ground.

"You said most of the world…. I'm guessing most of your major cities were taken?"

Blaze asked as Zero nodded.

"Some, there's a new enemy in town, he calls himself 'Infinite' he used to be my boss… He beat Sonic a few months ago and most of the world fell apart after that…. But we broke Sonic out…. That jungle was home to one of Eggman's major bases… We had to pull our troops out due to Eggman's army being there."

Zero said as Blaze gave him a hard look as she spoke up.

"Former boss? Your telling me you used to work for Sonic's enemy?"

Blaze asked as Zero rolled his eyes.

"I cut ties with Infinite long before he hurt Sonic… I couldn't support someone who would so willingly wish to cause death and misery out of boredom…. Sonic is a hero to me…. I don't plan on letting him or the Resistance down."

Zero said as Blaze nodded, before long, they had arrived at the Green Hill Zone.

"Wow, this gem makes me fast… No wonder Infinite was faster than Sonic… Anyway, Blaze, follow me, the secret entrance to the hq is this way…. Knuckles is going to want to see you."

Zero said, letting Blaze down as the two began to walk through the Zone, he felt the power of the gem and smiled, maybe he would be able to be of use now.

Author notes

Phew, another chapter done! Yes, Zero finally has the Phantom Ruby and its power. As for Blaze, she will be important to the story as will Eggman Nega and another Eggman. I also want to point out Zero will be doing a lot more in the story with the ruby now in his power. Next chapter will be on Sunday. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!