Note: Hello! Part 9 here! I'm making the beginning of this a different story, but it might just be on AO3. That said, I had planned to write more in this chapter, but my laptop's having issues regarding Microsoft Word, and sometimes, the program wouldn't open at all. Then again, this thing is cheap, so it probably is just an issue with that (as well as constantly alerting me of space needing to be cleared out, even if I have barely anything on here). That said, just in case of any problems, I wanted to get out what I could before a really serious issue happened. That said, here's part 9, and I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 9: Catalyst of Convergence Part 9

Sonic and co. © of Sega/Sonic Team

When it had first occurred, Vector frankly didn't know what to think.

One moment, the Black Arms that had broken into the Power Plant were dead set on either ripping apart the four pillars that kept the ship powered up, or the lone crocodile that had set forth to stop them. The next, they all seemed to just stop. Something had just…come over them, their eyes growing wide and almost frightened, though Vector was more surprised by the fact any sort of emotion outside of bloodlust could come from such things.

The three pillars that had still remained intact had begun to glow, said glow growing more and more intense with each passing second, as if something aboard was consuming a vast amount of power in order to be used. Yet as soon as this strange event occurred…it then stopped.

Only to be replaced by another.

The creature flung their heads back and looked upward towards the ceiling, towards the very heavens it seemed, and released sounds and screeches that were near successful in permanently damaging Vector's hearing had they gone on just a while longer. Whatever had happened to garner such a reaction from them must've been huge, yet given his current confinement in this small chamber (well, small compared to several other places on the Ark), the detective suspected that he'd probably not get an answer until much later.

Or maybe not at all.

Whatever had indeed happened outside of the Power Plant's walls, the realization of it had begun to seemingly sink in for the black creatures, their wailing and almost mournful cries dying down as their eyes once again retained a dull blankness, driven by one, singular purpose in mind.

A purpose Vector didn't need to take long figuring out.

A hard blow on his left nearly brought him down whilst the few that were left had immediately gone back to attempting to knock down the remaining pillars, slashing and working at the thick material protecting the abundance of fragile cords and cables. The creature that had struck him had attempted to leap atop of the reptile, yet a swift, quick roll of his body dislodged the black alien from getting a firm enough hold on him, allowing Vector to get up to his feet and running towards the pillar that was currently under siege.

"Hands off, sucker!" the crocodile roared, leaning against the other side of the large structure, two other creatures on the other side, trying to topple it. "I've got a good chunk of my paycheck taken out already, and personally, I'd like to keep it from going down any further!"

The combined force of the two Arms spawn proved to be more of a challenge than what Vector initially anticipated, not to mention that, despite his reluctance to admit it, he was starting to feel a bit worn down. As he continued to exert his own strength against the aliens opposite of him, the detective's eyes took notice of how the bottom portion of the pillar was already beginning to crack, it steadily growing to feel more loose and less solid than before.

If was allowed to do such a thing, Vector would've up and torn this stupid thing out of its place and hurl it right at these guys! 'Heh.' He thought. Funny that such a humorous thing could come to him at a time like this. 'Bet Knuckles would like to see that. Wouldn't be able to say I've been slacking off on by fitness plan then!'

Let alone thoughts of the red echidna.

Another push brought him back to reality, the croc doubling his efforts in keeping the now partially dislodged tower from falling atop of him. 'I could use you right now, Knux.'

Yet another push came, Vector's knees beginning to buckle. 'I could REALLY use you right now!'

Ultimately though, any wishful thinking or pining wasn't going to get him anywhere presently. And besides, outnumbered or not, nobody had called anything off yet!

"I don't know what you guys are getting out of this," Vector told his two current aggressors, not exactly caring whether or not they could even understand him. "But if you think I'm just going to sit down and let you tear up the place, you've got another thing coming!" to the collective surprise of the creatures, they felt the pillar beginning to shift, steadily being forced in a more upward position as it had been before. "Because the Chaotix lives by the policy to the letter! Never turn down work that pays!"

With one more push, it seemed that, at last, he finally gained the upper hand, this little game of see-saw between himself and the Black Arms going in his favor as the pillar now leaned more in their direction instead of his own, Vector still continually applying pressure to the other side of the collection of surging circuits and electricity.

Though this wasn't exactly a 'win' for him entirely. After all, the lower portion that had once been connected to the floor had all but cracked away now.

'If I had known, I would've packed some super glue.' Vector thought bitterly, continuing exerting his force, but now with a bit more delicacy, lest he go and topple the entire thing. That'd REALLY get a good chunk of his already downgraded paycheck taken out. Yet despite all that, the green skinned reptile found his mind wandering, the strain of his muscles chipping away more and more at his stamina, and as such, he tried to distract himself in any way possible. Even if just something small and completely insignificant, he needed something to keep his mind off the increasing aches in his body.

'Charmy had better be keeping himself out of trouble.' The structure had gone too far to the left for his liking, he restraining his strength just a tad. 'And Espio had better be making sure that little striped butt keeps himself out of trouble! Don't need him going and pushing anything he thinks looks 'shiny'.' A light chuckle escaped him at the thought of it. Little thing was always doing something. It was only when he felt the pillar begin to shift more in his direction that he began to exert himself to the level he had before. 'And…Espio had better make sure the little pest is safe. And to keep himself out of trouble too.' It straightened back up, Vector sighing in relief, yet he was growing more than a little tired of this routine. 'Here's hoping you're safe too, Knux. Boss…'

Yet it was then that Vector noticed that, unlike just a few moments ago, the two aliens had seemingly lessened their efforts in pushing back against him, he then peering a bit around the pillar to see the two eyeing him with those same, blank, yet eerily focused eyes. Of course, when a sudden, yet all too familiar chill of instinctual alarm trailed its way up his spine, the crocodile realized then that they weren't directing their attention to him.

And soon, his gut feeling had proved itself to be correct, his brown eyes catching the brief moment of three sharpened claws being raised high before swinging down on their stationary and previously unsuspecting target.

Outside of the Ark

Sonic and Shadow gazed upon what was before them, despite the newly granted power bestowed upon them by the seven Emeralds, the golden aura that radiated off both of them didn't change the simple fact that they were in even more danger than either had been up until now. And whilst Black Doom had always managed to tower over both hedgehogs , now, this new shape he had forced his body to acquire dwarfed them entirely.

If they hadn't been given preview of it before, as well as come to know the otherworldly being by his horns and skin coloring, not to mention the ever present, singularly expressive eye, neither of them would've even recognized who, or what, was before them.

In fact, that eye, once one of three, now appeared to be the only means in which the behemoth could use to survey the two, smaller figures that dared to challenge him, its iris brimming with scorn and fury at the very sight of them.

Black Doom had taken to planting himself atop of the Ark, long, ropey tendrils winding and wrapping around the outside of the ship, essentially making the two inseparable for the time being, and given what had happened previously to make him assume this current form, it was doubtful he'd be letting it go anytime soon. He had decided on his perch and looked on ahead, his appearance and current demeanor almost akin to the image of ancient, stone gargoyles set atop of structures nearly as old as they.

Of course, there was no warding off any evil spirits here. If anything, the misshapen creature had set in mind to keep back anything that would prove to be beneficial to the ship he held in his grasp.

As both hedgehogs had seen before, his head had undergone a good number of changes, the horizontal horns he bore before having grown far longer and more pronounced, though what had once been a closed off, assumedly nonexistent orifice now openly presented itself, a duel set of jaws lined with sharpened rows of jagged teeth that lead to a black, gaping maw that seemed to lead on and on until it was as dark as the vast abyss surrounding them all. His arms had lengthened, as well as his six digits now adding up to eight, a single new finger appearing on each hand. His shoulders were also given the attribute of being double jointed, able to work and operate from either side of his body, though the reason for such a thing being needed was left unknown to his two observers for the time being. And of course, what had really gained the attention of both Chaos powered hedgehogs, a pair of massive, thick skinned wings that slowly flapped, creating no sound, yet still making the motions all the same.

"I guess 'Big Boss' really fits you now, doesn't it?" Sonic spoke up, having had enough of the drawn out, uncomfortable silence perpetuating the area.

Black Doom didn't respond at first, though he had made his displeasure known, his single eye narrowing to where it was little more than a golden slit between two large flaps of darkened skin. Though, as both Sonic and Shadow observed, he didn't seem too perturbed by the blue (or more saturated gold) one's comment.

Something of which neither took as a good sign.

"There's something else." Shadow suddenly said, leaning over to the left, attempting to see behind what was now Black Doom. "Behind him. There's something…sticking out."

"Sticking out?" Sonic questioned, yet upon peering around to the right, he began to see what Shadow was talking about.

It was mostly hidden from view, yet indeed, from behind, or perhaps on the other side of Doom, neither of them knew, some sort of new 'growth' of sorts had been produced that they didn't notice at first. And while what it was exactly had yet to be deduced, yet there was clearly something else.

'Wouldn't surprise me if he's up and grown another head back there.'

"Well?" Shadow asked Doom, said leader of the Black Arms having said nothing since his or their coming out here. "I believe you said you were ready to end my life a few moments ago. Or have your…adjustments made it impossible for you to talk?"

"…hardly…"

Shadow's ears twitched at the small bit of exchange, realizing that Doom was wishing to communicate with both he and Sonic from the other's reaction.

"And while you and the rat may be inclined to do so…given it IS a trait you two unfortunately share…" the massive being transmitted to them, both taking notice that his speech was somewhat slower and less methodical than before, as if he were under a good amount of strain. "…yet it seems that the inability to truly see the gravity of your situation is also a grave flaw plaguing both of you."

Sonic huffed, a curt smirk coming to his lips. "Stalling isn't going to get you anywhere this time."

Yet surprisingly enough, Doom simply huffed back. "I'll use you as an example, rat." He growled. "You didn't come here on your lonesome, yes?" he questioned, Sonic's confidence beginning to seep from his features, befuddlement taking its place. "Aside from that traitorous failure there, was there not another that brought the two of you here?" and with that, befuddlement gave way to realization. Terrified realization. "I wonder…where is the little fox now?"

Control Panel

"What was that?!"

Espio bit down on his lower lip, letting his eyelids fall as slow, collected breaths came in and out.

"I don't know! You're Sonic's smart guy! You tell me!"

The children's concerns were essentially what was currently running through his own mind. The only difference was that he saw fit to keep his frenzied pondering internalized. He had to get himself under control, for his own sake if not theirs.

"I'm not Sonic's 'smart guy', whatever that means!" Tails objected, obviously more than little shaken up at what he and the two Chaotix members had just stumbled upon. "I've never seen anything like that before, so I don't know what to tell you!"

"How about 'it's got a freakishly big eye', or 'there's all these weird, wiggly things its put all over the window'!?" Charmy stated, just as startled, though his speech was far more colorful than the fox's. "And those things have all these weird, green things underneath the skin, pumping some sort of slime or whatever that looks super gross and creepy- "

"QUIET! BOTH OF YOU!"

The two children immediately ceased their frenzied exchange, focusing instead on the chameleon that had barked the order to them.

"Listen," Espio began, voice far lower now. "I don't need to tell you that what we had all just witnessed was more than a little…off-putting to put it mildly," he bit down on his lower lip, gnawing the skin as his mind tried to piece together something that'd at least partially calm the two children. "Yet we're in an area where it can't currently see us, and- "

"Like that matters!" Charmy interrupted. "It saw us! It knows that we're here!" another possibility suddenly hit the little bee. "Oh geez, what if it gets through the window? What if it saw us going here? What if I let it see all that- mph!" a hand clasped over his mouth, forcing him to stop talking.

Espio, upon seeing that the fluttering insect had gotten the message, removed his hand, though this did little to lift Charmy's spirits. Had Vector been here, it probably would've dissolved into little more than a shouting match of 'calm down!' and 'you're being ridiculous, Charmy!' with Espio having to resort to making a rather unorthodox use of his weapons, as well as potentially causing damage to the valuable equipment all around them.

Still, at least it'd be assuring that the big lug was alright.

"Hey," a small voice piped up, both Charmy and Espio turning to see that Tails had decided to break the uncomfortable silence. "Um, I'll admit, I don't really know what we saw out there," the little fox admitted, running his fingers through his golden fur. "Though I'd imagine that it's related to the aliens. Somehow." The chameleon crossed his arms, wondering and hoping that Tails would get to the point, as Charmy was beginning to get frazzled again. "But if that's the case, then that's better for us!"

"What?" the bee questioned. "Have you lost your mind? How's a….a…thing, like that, being here, better for us?!"

"Because Sonic's here!" the fox answered, his tone growing more confident and assured. "That's why we came to the Ark!" though the same couldn't be said for himself, Espio was somewhat surprised by the awe that came to the younger insect's honey colored eyes. "And the Chaos Emeralds are here! That thing outside, whatever it is, doesn't stand a chance once he gets them all!"

'Assuming he does.' The ninja thought, though he dare not speak such a thing now.

"Wait," Charmy then interjected. "Shadow's here too."

Tails nodded. "Yeah, he is. Sonic said he wanted to see what he was up to after the attack on Westopolis, but he sort of invited himself along on the trip."

"Can he use the Chaos Emeralds too?"

Again, Tails nodded.

"So then…" Charmy beamed, a wide smile coming to him. "That freak's going to be a punching bag!"

"Y-Yeah! Yeah, totally!" Tails agreed, going along with the bee's familiarly held (and much more welcome) enthusiasm.

"Oh, it's going to be in SO much trouble!" the insect snickered, the two children then dissolving into a conversation about how exactly the creature would be beaten, Charmy clearly getting more into it than Tails, yet whenever the subject of who'd get more hits on it came up, it turned into something of an argument between whether Sonic or Shadow would be the 'better one' in said fight.

Espio half considered telling them to pipe down, yet they weren't causing too much of a ruckus yet, so he reserved it for a later time. If anything, Tails had practically saved him a whole lot of effort.

Yet should Vector fail (as much as he wished to not have to acknowledge it), then what? What would be their means of defense then?

Yet as the two children went on and on about who'd 'win' in this supposed fight, Espio kept silent, eyeing the door that served as their most current means of protection. 'If Tails is indeed correct in his assumptions,' he thought. 'Then I'd hope you'd make good on your self-proclaimed title as 'the fastest thing alive'.' Yet if Tails was right, then the blue hedgehog wouldn't be the only one fighting for them all. 'And I also hope that he wishes to not make himself out to be a hindrance. If not something worse…'

Outside of the Ark

He was baiting him. No different than all he had done with Shadow before, no doubt, yet still the mentioning of the little fox, his 'keed'…frankly, it was more than enough to nearly get him charging right at the behemoth.

"Honestly, from one that claims to be a defender of that ball of dirt, I would've perceived that such a title meant that the last thing one did was throw caution to the wind." Black Doom sneered, if one could call the rising and spreading of his jaws that. "But it's no matter. His fate will be no different than yours. Along with everyone else aboard the Ark. And you have that waste of flesh and blood to thank for it."

Sonic dared not take his eyes off of Black Doom, yet he motioned to Shadow before gesturing to whatever was beyond, or rather, behind the alien's new monstrous form. But it dawned on the both of them what he was talking about.

"Surely you understand. Neither of you take too kindly to losing ones held dear. Well…" the double horned head leaned forward slightly, that singular, burning eye glimmering with some sort of sick anticipation. "Neither do I, or any of my other children."

"If anyone's making this worse for themselves, it's you- "

"No, no more talking!" Shadow interrupted, red eyes boring into Doom's only one. "I've had it up to here with useless prattle!" he clenched his fist, green energy pouring out from in between his fingers. Without a moment's hesitation, the lighter hued, striped hedgehog bolted forward, a Chaos Lance forming in his hand and aiming directly at the large, vulnerable optic. "This is what happens when you try and deceive the Ultimate Lifeform!"

With that, he threw the green collection of energy towards the eye, Sonic also rushing up with Shadow to get in at Black Doom as well, yet to the dismay of both hedgehogs, the thick lids of the behemoth's eye simply closed, the Lance dispersing and coming apart the moment it made contact with the skin. It must've done some sort of damage, Shadow told himself. It must've, yet even so, his target seemed to not even register it.

Suddenly, while it was faint, a low, creaking moan came to be heard by both Sonic and Shadow, said moan apparently coming not from Black Doom himself, but rather, below him.

As if something was being compressed…or crushed under a good deal of weight.

One of the large hands came down, elongated fingers clawing for one of the two hedgehogs, Sonic unfortunately being the one in the closest proximity. Though instead of being struck, the golden hedgehog utilized the Chaos energy flowing through him, warping out of the way and reappearing from behind the enlarged alien overlord, his differently colored eyes coming to see that there was indeed something on the other side.

'Well, what do you know?' if he didn't realize what this potentially meant for himself and Shadow, the blue blur would've considered such a discovery amusing. 'I was right.'

Black Doom HAD up and grown another head.

It bore a good amount of the same features as the one in front, the main difference being that instead of a set, this particular head bore only one large horn, the part protruding out from what Sonic could only assume to be it's forehead.

And he was more than ready to compare the creature to a unicorn (albeit a very ugly, bad tempered unicorn), yet the sudden opening of the area below the horn had rendered him momentarily speechless, the eye that he had once seen in the front now looking upon him in the back!

"Don't even try it!"

From either side of him, Sonic and Shadow witnessed Doom's multitude of tentacles compress and tighten themselves around the outer structure of the space colony he held, the low moan that was heard before now having what was registered as cracking glass and bending metal accompany it.

"You two may have the aid of the Chaos Emeralds," the single horned head's eye closed, the yellow scalera and red iris coming to gaze upon Shadow once again. "But your use and reliance on them pales in comparison to the thousands of years that I've had to perfect and hone the true capabilities of my race!" the appendages ceased putting pressure on the ship, though they had yet to relinquish their hold. "And my lifespan is but a fraction to that of my kind." The eye closed yet again, the single horned head coming to show the optic to the other hedgehog opposing him. "Had we still been in the belly of the Eclipse Cannon's chamber, you two would be little more than light snacks." Then the eye switched places again, glowering particularly at the lighter colored, striped hedgehog. "But as of now, such a fate is far too kind. Especially for you."

Both Super speedsters looked down at the overwhelming amount of wriggling, winding appendages, as well as the small bits of evidence of the damage they had managed to cause peeking through the thickened, pulsing limbs.

"You want to tangle with us, that's fine with me." Sonic spoke, focus alternating between Black Doom and the Ark. "But keep them out of it. They're in no position to do anything to you."

Doom was silent for a few moments, yet his mandibles spread apart, the eye then coming to be seen from Sonic's end, the mouth pieces attached that particular head mimicking the same motions as the one in front.

"Indeed." The extra extension croaked, almost pleased at his choice of words. "And neither were the thousands of my children that you so 'mercifully' slaughtered just now. They were still on their natural home, bothering no one and waiting for my deliverance to them for nourishment. Were they in any better position than those aboard this husk of metal?"

"Don't give me any of that." Shadow barked back. "You would've just as easily sent a hundred of them to rip our throats out if you wanted. Nothing about any of them is as 'innocent' as you claim."

The eye once again changed its location, staring down the hedgehog that had just called him out, yet despite the insult, Black Doom didn't appear to be particularly angry. In fact, to Shadow's surprise, he had his own retort to it as well, privately shared with the Ultimate Lifeform, echoing throughout his mind.

'Oh, that's rich, coming from you.'

Doom didn't elaborate further on his retort, however, quickly going back to the current subject. "That said, the Black Comet may be gone, yet such a thing has far from deterred the hunger of my brood. In fact, that, coupled with the tragic loss of their own kind, it tends to make them all a little…" he gave the closest thing he could to a smirk. "…unhinged."

Sonic glowered, eyes burning almost as red as Shadow's. "You let one of those things lay a hand on Tails, and- "

"And what, rat?" Black Doom replied. "And what? What can either of you do?" his tentacles began to tighten around the ensnared structure once again. "I have the Ark practically in the palm of my hand! And if not this murderer here," he directed his attention back to Shadow. "I wouldn't have to resort to these measures! In fact, had it not been for his efforts before the comet's destruction, I wouldn't have even needed to come to the Ark!" then he turned to Sonic, his eye switching heads to-and-fro to communicate with both of them. "So, if anything, you have my disobedient, ungrateful spawn to thank for the lives of your friend and all others aboard being in jeopardy!" The single eye narrowed, closing to both of them, neither hedgehog able to see the golden and red optic. "Of course, should you be so brazen and foolish to attack me even now, I may 'accidentally' damage the very foundation of the ship. Perhaps crack or break a few windows." He chuckled darkly. "So, from I can see, your hands are tied! And this is far from the first time I have assumed this form! And unlike you, I can maintain it for as long as I see fit to! For unless you've forgotten, the power of the Emeralds do not last forever."

Shadow found a deathly cold chill overtake him upon hearing that, unable to shake it off entirely, let alone the hunch that Doom had meant that part especially for him.

'Burning. Everything burning. Falling…and burning.'

"So, what is your course of action now? Oh 'Fastest Thing Alive'" it's eye closed once again, going to gaze upon Shadow once again. "…and 'Ultimate Lifeform'?"

The being shut its eyes, both Supers robbed of wars, focus continuously shifting back and forth between the ensnared Ark and the one holding it in his grasp. The ever present, familiar silence that consumed the vastness of the starlit abyss around them would've conveyed a sense of calm in any other situation, yet all three knew better. If anything, silence was simply an indicator that time was running out and a decision needed to be made.

And frankly, from how he sensed his spawn gaining a bizarre interest in the plethora of appendages below him, Black Doom knew that he and the rat would be neck and neck with each other.

Just take care of them. That was all. Take care of them, and then…then they would start anew.

Anew…and bigger.

Control Panel

'No…'

It had begun with light flickers at first. The wave of tremors that had come to rock the ship once again had caused the machines to phase in and out between functioning and not, yet all went back to normal once everything had gone still once again.

'No, no…'

Of course, whether or not it happened due to the shakes itself or some other occurrence down in the Power Plant, the results were ultimately the same. The lights above had dimmed, then went back to their former brightness before dimming yet again. The display presented on the monitor of the room's main computer began to suffer a heavy amount of distortion, words and basic images becoming near unintelligible.

So ultimately, while Espio had always known that such a thing would occur eventually,

'No, no, no!'

That didn't exactly translate to him looking forward to it.

In an instant that none of them could've hoped to have prevented, the entire room was overtaken by darkness, the eyes of the three occupants finding their vision heavily compromised as black was all they were able to see in front of them.

"Espio?!" Charmy's frightened voice called out. "Espio, Tails?! Where are you?!"

The chameleon sighed, focusing his mind and energy on what he was certain stood but a few feet in front of him.

"Charmy! Don't fly around!" Tails called out, having no idea where he was going, yet the sound of the bee's hurried buzzing above his head did little to make this any better.

"Guys?! I can't see you!"

"You're going to hit your head on something if you keep going around like that! Come down!"

'Right out of my mouth.' The ninja thought, Tails practically reading his mind. Still he decided that now was the time to step in, if not just to keep the flighty little insect from causing serious damage to himself.

Despite the lack of light, Espio still allowed for his eyes to shut, ears listening and tracking the ongoing sound of the bee's wings moving at a rapid, panicked pace. Soon, it grew more distinguishable as to where in the room said bee was flying, the child seemingly going around in literal circles around the small perimeter. His gloved fingers twitched, his timing for this needed to be spot on, lest he go and accidentally cause the young detective to be sent flying into the wall or even worse. Just a little bit more. He had just gone above his head. A few more feet, and then he'd be-

"Gotcha!"

Charmy yelped upon feeling a hand seize his ankle, the arm attached to said hand wasting no time in pulling him down to their level. It was only when he had forcibly silenced via a hand to his mouth, as well as pondering the sound of the voice he had just heard, did his panic begin to subside. At least until another pair of hands was felt grabbing at both Chaotix members.

"There you are!" though that wasn't worth any panic either, Tails having finally trekked through the dark to find them. "Sorry I scared you."

"Mmph?" Charmy asked, taking Espio's hand off of his mouth. "Me? Scared? No way! I was just worried about you guys!"

"Of course you were." Tails remarked. "I guess your flying around like crazy was just to scare the monsters away."

No one could see it, yet Charmy shifted his eyes. "Yeah, well…well…well you were scared too! I heard you yelp when the lights went out!"

"What?! I did not!"

"Liar! I heard you! Didn't you hear him Espio?!" Charmy received an answer all right, the older chameleon's hand clasping over his mouth once again.

"Personally, I'd rather that I not hear from EITHER of you!" he growled, his tone authoritative, yet hushed, both children beginning to understand what he was getting at. "Because if I can't, then maybe THEY can't either!"

With that, both of them immediately ceased their squabbling, ears tuned in to any sort of noise that came from outside of the room. A period of silent tension overtook the small space, all three of them instinctively huddling up close to each other, Espio taking to situating himself in front of Tails and Charmy, his weapons at the ready should such a thing be needed. Though he prayed such a thing wouldn't come.

Outside the Ark

The moment the flurry of orange sparks left his fingertips with the swing of his arm, Shadow witnessed them make contact and dig into the blackened flesh of the writing appendages. Green fluid immediately began to leak out from the places the Chaos Spears had struck, yet to Shadow's surprise and dismay, they had seemingly left just as soon as they had appeared, the damaged skin and tissue healing itself at a rapid, almost impossibly fast rate.

'How…how is that- '

"Shadow! Heads up!" the silvery gold hedgehog heard Sonic shout from the other side of the collective mass, he just barely making it out of the way of an incoming tentacle, its flexibility not doing Shadow much good in avoiding its advances. Sonic's own attack against the tentacles couldn't be seen from the other hedgehog's current position, yet given the grunts and sounds of multiple impacts happening all at once, Shadow' didn't need to be told that he too was engaging with Doom's lower half.

Soon, more had begun to join it, each of them set in grabbing at the Ultimate Lifeform, it soon appearing that whichever direction he turned held, there was yet another one of the reprehensible things. His attempt to fly off out of the way of the barrage of writhing flesh was interrupted by a sharp, strong tug on his ankle. Not needing to look back and see what it was, Shadow immediately went to work in trying to free himself, yet found that more and more tentacles joined their fellow appendage, working up to consume his entire leg. With one, combined effort from all of them, Shadow was dragged and flung back, the lack of gravity, as well as the sensation of having no solid surface underneath being more than a little disorienting for him.

Nonetheless, he eventually gained enough focus back to allow him to channel the energy necessary to perform Chaos Control, his golden form beginning to phase out-

"What?!"

Before becoming solid once again, the sensation of a far larger body snagging and constricting around his far smaller waist forcibly breaking his concentration. Before he knew it, an entire forest of the winding, elongated masses of muscle and skin came to descend upon him, creating a tightly knit, disorganized enclosure around him. Aside from the few open spaces presenting the stars and Earth below, the entirety of Shadow's current field of existence consisted of the small space inside the web of tentacles. A web that was quickly growing more and more dense and compact, there barely any room for him as the moments ticked back.

Shadow strained, trying to summon the energy to use Chaos Control amidst the ever present, insistent sensation of his torso being squeezed, air being forced from his lungs, as well as is concentration.

'Come on…' he told himself, gritting and grinding his teeth, a blue hue coming to his small form, struggling to keep itself present. 'Come on! Just a little more!'

He took in as large a breath as he could muster-

"GAHHH!"

Though his vocal command was drowned out in the wailing, agonized cry that emitted from Black Doom.

Chaos Control was executed as it had intended to be, the invoker of said energy coming to once again be at the head of the transformed Black Arms leader. Granted, while he was more than glad in finally escaping from the tentacles below, the sight of the massive alien clutching and grabbing at what seemed to be the other head opposite of the duel-horned one befuddled Shadow to a degree.

At least until a certain other hedgehog came in beside him, once green eyes glimmering with confidence and a sense of victory.

"I take it those wriggly things gave you a hard time, huh?" Sonic questioned, knowing full well what his answer would be. "I know, I tried too. They just shake off, or better yet, patch up, whatever's done to them."

"Then how did you manage to…" Shadow began, stopping himself upon studying Doom for a moment. His arms were bent backward to seemingly cover and grasp at the head on the other side, yet where they were grabbing…he tried to visualize the same motions, but in front. The hands seemed to be covering something, covering the…"Eye."

The eye…yes. Yes, yes, of course! How could he not have seen it before?! In almost every form or extension of Doom he had seen thus far, that one, telltale feature was present on all of them!

"Big Boss actually got to wrapping me up pretty good." Sonic confessed. "And seeing how you were already nice and snug, wherever you were, he decided to get a little too close and personal." He then dusted himself off. "I don't suppose I need to tell you of all people about space, right?"

Unfortunately, no other exchange between the two could be heard, Black Doom having recovered from this brief, small attack on his most vital, and apparently, one major aspect of himself, the eye of the two-horned head opening up wide to glower down at the two hovering below.

"Clever." He simply stated, not giving Sonic any notice or recognition, lest he really unleash everything on the speedster right away. "But don't believe this means you have a clear advantage!" the large, gaping maw that rested below the piercing, golden eye had begun to spread itself wide, the mandibles arching as the orifice stretched and stretched until it was at its maximum, a burning, hot light being seen in the deepest recess of the alien's throat. Though it didn't stay there long, both hedgehogs witnessing the light growing stronger and stronger with each passing second, their newest strategy quickly going to how to avoid whatever would soon be pouring out from the enraged behemoth's throat.

"Behold! Heat and flame that rivals that of the very star that sustains life on that floating rock!"

Control Panel

"Do you…" the chameleon heard Charmy begin to speak, voice quiet and barely above a whisper. "Do you think Vector's okay?" he received no answer at first, Espio not exactly sure what to tell him. "Well? Do you?"

"…I don't know." He didn't feel comfortable in outright lying to the little bee, yet entertaining some of the more…gruesome possibilities would do neither of them any good.

"Well…if Sonic and Shadow are out there…if they are…then will they help Vector?" Charmy questioned, a small part of him knowing that Espio couldn't entirely confirm such a thing, yet he needed something. Anything to at least kindle his belief that eventually, everything would be okay.

"Of course." His answer, however, didn't come from his fellow detective.

Charmy, despite the darkened environment, turned to where he believed Tails to be. "You think so?"

The fox in turn nodded. "I've yet to see something that Sonic couldn't do." His answer wasn't too detailed, yet the sheer amount of confidence in which he delivered it said more than enough. "And if Shadow's with him, well, that's even better, because- "

Thump

Small. It was so small, barely noticeable. And if it hadn't been for Espio shushing them, neither of the two children would've registered it either.

Thump

They attempted to try and huddle in a corner, yet Espio placed his hands on their shoulders, silently ordering the two to keep silent. He turned to the door and withdrew a throwing knife, steadily inching his way to the door.

Thump

Footsteps. Just one pair, yet the light 'click' that accompanied them indicated that they belonged to nothing human, let alone one such as them. The electronic locks were of no good now, they having come undone the moment the power had left. Yet thankfully, someone constructing this ship had the foresight to install manual locks for the doors. Good thing too, because now, they seemed to be the only source of protection they could rely on.

THUMP

Yet Espio had to get close enough to turn it. And even more, do it at the right time, otherwise…

THUMP

It was now or never. Reaching forward, he took ahold of a small dial-like device stationed in the wall, he ever so slightly began to turn it.

THUMP

Just a little more. He could feel the lock turning.

THUMP

It was close. Closer than he would've liked. And with what was to come, it was inevitable that it'd come.

THUMP

But…perhaps not. True, the possibilities of whether or not the creature could sense them via smell or some other sense were accounted by Espio, yet that didn't exactly mean it was traveling down the hall outside specifically for them. Right? Maybe if they just remained silent, it'd pass right by them. After all, what sort of interest would it have in any of them at the moment?

THUMP

Then again, if that were indeed the case, as Espio observed, why did it sound like it had decided to just stop right outside the door?

Outside the Ark

Burning.

Burning.

The devil's massive head lurched forward, jaws spread apart and once darkened mouth overtaken with the light of a near unfathomable amount of high temperature, fiery energy that was just moments away from being released.

Despite themselves and the shimmering, golden hue that surrounded them both, neither hedgehog doubted that there was no feasible defense they could muster against it. Save for what was perhaps the more mundane and natural of their abilities, even if there was no solid ground beneath.

The contents of Black Doom's throat began pouring outward, the massive being barely able to be seen over the incoming and quickly approaching wall of flaming heat.

'Run!'

Sonic and Shadow immediately split away from each other, their floating forms flying further and further away from the raging flares emitting from the massive alien, making their way over to the other side, only to find that the opposite side of Black Doom had become active once again, the head following in the same fashion as the other and expelling the same wall of flames right in their direction.

The two hedgehogs wasted no time in utilizing Chaos Control, warping out of the vicinity of the two sets of flaming heat entirely, though their momentary escape was far from the most pressing issue on their minds.

The fact that Doom could utilize both heads subsequently had already been discovered, yet for such a thing as the flames expelling from one to be transferred to the other with such ease…

"Whoa," unfortunately, "Whoa, whoa, whoa," that didn't seem to be all. "You see that?"

Shadow looked down from his current perch, he also coming to see what Sonic was gesturing to, both of them soon realizing, to their horror, what this exactly meant.

The Emeralds, as well as their awe-inspiring power, were in their hands, yet in their haste to get away from the fiery barrage emitting from both of the overlord's heads, neither had taken to noticing the red hue developing around the winged devil. It couldn't have been him charging up for a Chaos Blast. No, this seemed to be something far more accessible…and more than a little familiar.

'Oh no.' they had been fools! How could they not have seen it?! 'No, no, no!'

Sonic and Shadow recognized what Black Doom was preparing for, making a mad dive downward, a blue hue developing and consuming each of them in contrast to the far larger collection of red energy below.

Still, even as their own power had reached its peak,

"CHAOS CONTROL!"

To their horror, even as the movements of the transformed monster down below had grown slow, the reddish aura ultimately had reached its peak as well.

And despite the power of the stones that both parties had sought for all this time, ultimately, the alien's naturally built in ability had been activated and prepared far before either of the two hedgehogs realized it.

Thus, to their shared shock and dismay, the two had found that, even as they dove down with the enhancement to their speed, in the end, it mattered not.

Control Panel

"Sir! What's going on-AHHH!"

The ivory haired aged man had begun to turn towards one of the men under his command, finding that the very floor beneath him grew unsteady, losing his footing and falling to the ground below. And from the sounds of startled cries and bodies contacting the floor, it became certain that he was far from the only one to experience such a sensation.

The area that he and the portion of men he had been with had been fortunate enough to find an area where any sort of vulnerable window or viewing glass wasn't present, yet Commander Tower soon found that this was both a blessing and a curse. True, they were safe from any open passages to the void outside, yet now they were unable to even seen what was going on outside! First tremors and now the entire ship was being rocked?! Just what was going on?!

Still, regardless of being robbed of details regarding their situation, he had men here that needed his guidance in this crucial time. And if who he suspected was responsible had indeed been causing this, they'd' need him now more than ever. "GRAB AHOLD OF WHATEVER YOU CAN! DON'T LET GO FOR ANYTHING!" he ordered, the uniformed soldiers wasting not time in trying to grip onto anything that was stationed to the floor.

'It's him.' It was useless, it did noting to benefit himself or his men. Yet all the same, once he started, he couldn't stop himself. 'It's him, I know it! He's doing this! He…that monster's responsible for this!'

The entire room was rocked back and forth, objects and people alike being flung this way and that, slamming into walls, or in some cases, the very ceiling. The Commander himself found his own grip on a panel about to slip, his gloved fingers gripping and holding on with whatever amount of strength he could muster.

"WATCH OUT!" his ears heard, the sight of a young man sliding across the floor grabbing his attention, the older man immediately reaching out and seizing the soldier by the ankle. Of course, he had realized he just added on more weight, yet the lad had somehow up and lost his helmet, and had he not caught him, would've probably been sent right into the western wall, head first.

Still, perhaps he had only delayed the inevitable, for ultimately, it'd only be a few more moments before his own strength would give out.

Yet as the Commander's predication came true, the very moment his fingers finally slipped, the older man found that neither he nor the young soldier went flying back. In fact, to his and his men's collective shock…everything had stayed still. As soon as it had begun, it had stopped.

Everything had stopped.

Yet despite this, even with nothing available in plain sight to confirm this, Commander Tower found himself plagued with the sense that despite them all still being in the same room, something had changed.

As if they all had been…moved.

Outside the Ark

Their eyes found nothing in any direction they searched, and they did indeed search. All around, the Super Powered hedgehogs scanned the vast, endless void of stars, nothing able to be found save for a lone, blue planet and its singular, halved moon.

"Where's the Ark?!"

"I don't see it!"

The two Supers exchanged back and forth, knowing that in the end, simply questioning the location of the once present space colony was useless, as well as the monster that had decided to take roost atop of it.

Yet still…how far could he go? Chaos Control was near infinite in its ability, but Doom's more 'natural' method of teleportation, while certainly not as powerful (at least Shadow had hoped so), it was still nothing to simply dismiss. After all, Shadow didn't get all the way to that canyon and up in the skies by himself. And though it was in itself little more than an assumption, the alien's twisted new form and increased size seemed to give him some new abilities. And perhaps, with that, it also enhanced those already possessed.

And out here, in the infinite realm of darkness only brightened by the presence of selectively placed astral bodies, it was perhaps safe to assume that, to both hedgehogs' dismay, he could be, let alone go anywhere.

'…?!'

Or…maybe not.

"Shadow?" Sonic looked at his current fighting partner and had no idea what he was doing. One moment, he was searching around for the Ark with just as much intensity and desperation as he, yet the next, he had apparently gone and decided to do some sort of a 'Zen meditation' or something or other. The lighter colored Ultimate Lifeform had gone and, for whatever reason, closed his eyes and floated completely still, but the ever present look of intense focus and concentration never left his features.

Sonic didn't understand, at least not at first. It was only when Shadow's red eyes shot wide open and his gloved hand gestured forward did his actions become clear.

"There!" he suddenly stated, pointing past the Earth. "Use Chaos Control, it'll get you there quicker!" Sonic had no protest to that. Besides, truth be told, perhaps it was just because the other hedgehog was here with him…but flying over the Earth…frankly, the further away he could separate himself from that, the better.

The Supers warped themselves on the other side of the planet, at a reasonably equal distance where the Ark had last been. Suddenly, just mere feet in front of them, a bright flash of red overtook their field of vision, momentarily blinding them until the flash had died down, revealing what and who they had been searching for, his single, burning eye piercing through the two of them.

"Well, well," Black Doom began, his tone indicating a mix of shock and intrigue. "Utilizing our small little bond to locate me…I'm surprised at you, Shadow." Though this didn't last long, voice lowering to that of an angered snarl. "If this had occurred before all this unnecessary chaos, it would've pleased me greatly."

The Ultimate Lifeform responded with a disgusted grimace. In truth, he had surprised himself too. It was just a hunch, yet from all Doom had been able to do, surely there was something he could utilize through their shared 'link', even if it was mainly done due to there being no other options.

And unfortunately for him, he had to admit that from the way things were looking…there would indeed be no other way to go around this. He'd have to do it.

"Do you realize now whom you're dealing with, rodents?" the oversized extraterrestrial bellowed, the Ark being lightly squeezed in his multiple appendages. "Even without the Chaos Emeralds, I still outrank you entirely! There is nothing that either of you can do to stop what you've already laid for yourselves!"

"Bold words coming from a guy who had more than half of his entire army blown up!" Sonic shot back, eyeing the entrapped ship with uncharacteristically nervous eyes. He could only hope and pray that his little keed was somewhere secure. "And assuming you DO somehow manage to beat us, which you won't, what then? You have nowhere to go to, seeing how everyone on Earth wants you and your 'kids' gone! So, unless you somehow got some outside help, all you guys have is that dingy little ship or just half of a moon!"

Doom's reaction to Sonic's rebuttal was…well, frankly, nothing short of unexpected.

He did nothing but simply float there at first, wings casually moving up and down, his features remaining neutral for a good few moments before his maw began rising upward, the folds of blackened skin around the mandibles folding and creasing, making deep wrinkles that both Sonic and Shadow found themselves likening to that of some sort of twisted, gleeful smile.

An angry Black Doom was far preferable to an amused one.

"Hm, hm, hm, hm, hm…"

Neither of them liked where this was going.

"What?" Sonic questioned. "What's so funny?"

The horned being ceased his guttural chuckles, the single eye staring down at the two smaller, Emerald charged supers, yet his answer was reserved only for one.

'He will never be able to understand, let alone see.' Shadow heard echoing in his mind. 'But perhaps, before I deliver you to the next life…I shall present you what you have…and will miss out on.'

In that instant, the second his mental message to his 'child' finished, he and his formerly blue companion witnessed yet another hot light developing from within the throat of the winged, malformed, devil. Thankfully for them (at least they believed so at first), the light appeared to not belong to another wall of raging flares, yet a barrage of smaller, white, laser like beams of energy being expelled from his mouth.

Of course, with these smaller projectiles being shot in their direction, that meant that instead of a single, solitary wall, there were multiple of these obstacles to be avoided. And as the two hedgehogs found, they were far from being confined to simply heading in one direction. In fact, if they didn't know any better, they would've…no, there was no assuming at this point. They WERE homing in on them.

Shadow and Sonic found that either they were flying this way or that, or having to go through lengthy spans of frequently utilizing Chaos Control just to keep themselves out of the line of fire. They couldn't even get in a few feet closer to Black Doom! And that was just with one head! In an attempt to find some cover, they teleported to the other side of the behemoth, only to find the single horned head had gone and begun expelling lasers as well! Now they had two heads going at it, delivering beams of energy from their mouths, all of them rapidly approaching whichever of the two they found themselves closest to!

Finally though, after what seemed to be either minutes of this constant evading and dodging, both of Black Doom's heads ceased firing, albeit momentarily. It seemed even he couldn't go on forever.

"This..." Sonic huffed, both he and Shadow finding themselves a little winded. "This isn't exactly going how I'd picture it would."

"And…how exactly…would you have pictured it?" Shadow questioned, said question entirely rhetorical though. "With him simply bowing to your might and letting you hurl him into the sun?"

"I said it wasn't how I pictured it, that doesn't mean I pictured it as being boring." Sonic in turn retorted. "But…heh, I'll keep the sun part in mind. That sounds pretty cool."

As tempting as it was to roll his eyes at the younger's jest, Shadow had far more concerning matters on his mind. This wasn't getting them anywhere, and so far, only one portion of this form of Black Doom had been seen to be vulnerable. Not to mention, even if it was just one of the number of truths he didn't wish to acknowledge, the otherworldly being was right. If such a form was a natural thing for him, then they, or rather, the Emeralds' powers would wear out quicker than he would.

His gloved fingers clenched themselves into a tight fist, his teeth biting down hard on his lower lip. He told himself, Shadow mentally repeated. He told himself that…he would hate it. He would HATE having to acknowledge it, acknowledge what it meant for him, as well as how he had been so blind and foolish to not recognize it earlier. Yet still, he told himself, that if there was no other way, no other feasible method for him to use…then there was no other way but this.

But perhaps…perhaps it would serve him as well.

"Sonic."

In fact…no. Not perhaps. He'd MAKE it serve him well.

"What? Don't suppose you've got any ideas?"

It'd just be this once though.

"I…" just this once. "I'm going to try something. Something that, if you did it, I'd consider you nothing short of an idiot."

Just this once.

"Oh gee, how flattering. And here I thought us being out here again like this would be good bonding time."

Just this once.

"I'm going to go up to him. And I want you to stay away."

He wouldn't like it. Neither of them would.

"Wha-huh?! Yeah, I'd consider the guy who'd go and do something like that a total idiot! As in you!"

But it was the only option they had that had a chance of working.

"I don't recall saying that your input had any impact."

And besides, it'd just be to serve himself in the end. To show Doom that their 'bond' didn't matter.

"Besides, I've already made up my mind. You're part of it too. Just only when I decide."

At least, that's what Shadow told himself. He had to believe this.

"Shadow, don't. This…I don't want you to go doing this again- "

He had to.

"Don't come until I give you the signal."

If he were to truly prove himself the Ultimate.

"Shadow, wait!"

And to show this invader that bond or no bond, blood or no blood, he was no child of his.

Right?

Control Panel

"What…was that?" was what he had tried to get out, yet a majority of it came to sound like a near intelligible slurring, the young fox still gripping tightly on his injured head.

One moment they were all fine, as fine as one could be in a situation such as this. Yet the next, Tails honestly couldn't entirely recall. It couldn't have been what happened, yet it certainly felt like the entire room had gotten flipped upside down, all three of them either slamming into objects or fragile equipment or off the very walls themselves! At least he assumed so, given that Charmy had apparently gone and flown straight into one when the sudden quaking began.

Though this felt far different that the one before.

Yet just as soon as it had begun, it stopped, leaving the two-tailed Vulpes sprawled out on the floor, a pounding ache assaulting his temples that he found he couldn't simply massage away. But if it had stopped, then perhaps that meant-

"Ah!" he gave a light squeak at the sensation of a hand clasping his wrist, yet the voice he heard immediately caused him to calm down.

"Are you alright?" Espio questioned, Tails not entirely able to see him too well (he was a fox in some senses, some not), but from the faint outlines that were before him, he could identify that the chameleon was fine, as well as the bee beside him.

"Y-Yeah." The little genius answered. "I'm okay." It was then that his eyes turned to the door, as well as the tiny bit of natural light seeping in from the small bit of space between it and the floor. He couldn't help but wonder whether or not they'd be so fortunate. Yet still, perhaps that shake, whatever it had been (it somewhat reminded him of Chaos Control, minus any sort of smoothness in the journey), had garnered their interest enough to abandon coming in here. Perhaps they were even too startled by it to go and try to look for cover somewhere. After all, what sense would there be in trying to break in here?

None.

CLICK!

None at all.

CLICK!

So…why was the lock outside being toyed with yet again?

CLICK!

The lock was still being fiddled with, the action of trying to pull it light at first, yet in short time, grew more forceful and violent, the very door beginning to lightly tremble at the amount of strength being used in trying to get it to come undone.

Soon though, the figure's attention had diverted away from trying to dismantle the lock to the structure of the door, light tapping heard against the surface, echoing within the small, darkened space the three resided in.

Outside the Ark

A light pulse.

That's all he had felt, yet such a thing, even now, was not to be ignored.

True, he had the Ark, as well as light compensation for his comet's destruction inside, yet given all he had seen both the defenders of Earth and his own spawn do in opposing him, Black Doom found himself plagued with some strange sense of...concern?

No, that wasn't quite right. Frankly, he wasn't entirely sure himself, and even then, he perhaps wasn't exactly ready to acknowledge such a thing. In fact, he had begun to consider himself foolish for even entertaining such a thing in the first place!

Still though, despite his dismissal, the thought, as well as the knot developing in his chest, refused to leave him be. Even as the bond alerted him that, surprisingly enough, one of his own was coming right towards him. Indeed, in a flash of blue, Shadow the Hedgehog appeared before the duel-horned head, his own red eyes gazing upward at the single optic looking down at him.

"Where's the blue rat?" Doom snarled, all the while trying to read through his spawn's stony features. "Did he actually let you come here on your lonesome?"

Shadow remained unmoved, though his brows furrowed. True, the sheer amounts of Chaos Energy flowing through him had assisted in keeping such an intrusion at bay, yet still, he could still sense Doom trying to pry his way into his thoughts, that blasted eye practically drilling its way through his very mind.

"What he's doing is nothing of concern to you." The Ultimate Lifeform answered back, the ever present sense of intrusion keeping him on his toes. "If anything, you should be more concerned about who's in front of you at this very moment."

Black Doom scoffed at this, all the while trying to pry further into the hedgehog's thoughts. "Oh really?" 'The energy of those stones is strong, I shan't deny that. But nevertheless, blood prevails in some areas.' His head leaned in closer. 'I KNOW you can hear me.'

"Yes, really." Shadow answered back, in more ways than one. 'I'm more than aware of that.' He confessed mentally. 'As well as how you know where I'm going.'

'Hmm, you're catching on. Finally.'

'Yet with that said,' Doom's eye widened, puzzled at his spawn's actions, yet also of what he was clearly planning. 'You're forgetting about one thing.' Thing…no, it was not a thing. He was referring to something else. Someone else. 'Though, for once, I can't say I entirely blame you.' Shadow communicated. 'I honestly didn't think he'd come back from that when you sent both of us through that window.'

Both?

He then realized his spawn's trickery. Yet by the time it was discovered, it had already been too late.

"SONIC! NOW!"

Note: Again, I'm sorry about stopping so soon, but given the technical problems, I wanted to get out what I could should anything go wrong. Anyhow, here's hoping you enjoy it so far! The beginning is soon reaching its end, and then the real story can begin!

Thank you all for your support! Alert me of any errors you see!