Yo! Roxa814 here and recently I had taken a look at a fan made game called Sonic Before the Sequel. Is actually quite amazing especially the music. Anyway something is supposed to be announced at the Sonic Anniversary party and I hear Madeon is going to be making music for the next Sonic game trailer. If you don't know who Madeon is I suggest you look it up. Aaron Webber and some other people made a some kind of cryptic message involving Madeon. I've listened to his music I certainly like it. Of course I'd still want Crush40 music in the game.

Enjoy!


Chapter 9

Eclipse

Just as I had thought before, there was a source of food that the Dark Arms had been feeding off of. It didn't take us long to find one of the huge pods containing palm sized fruit that resemble overgrown berries. The hybrid was currently laying on his side facing away from me, the distance from me only constrained by the shackles that chained us together. It didn't take long for him to turn away from the alien berries that the youngest of my kind are used to eating to grow strong. However, hunger was the reason we were driven down here and I suspect that when I wasn't looking he eventually gave in to eating the fruit. At the moment he was quiet and I couldn't care less about what might be going through his mind. I was far too preoccupied with other things.

"Chew it this time Blurk."

"Cregal! Cyzer! Knock it off! There is plenty to go around!"

"You're the good one Rhygenta. You're much more well behaved than the others."

I heard a distinct snort from beside me but pretended not to notice as I fed the small creatures fruit. "How long do you intend on keeping this up?" he said suddenly, still facing away from me on his side.

"What?" I answered distractedly only giving him half my attention.

"You know what I'm talking about alien, this charade of playing daddy to the little monsters you created," he said. There was a bit of a pause before he spoke again. "You know we can't keep them," the hybrid said in a low tone of voice. I could practically feel his crimson eyes boring into my back intensely.

"I'm not going to leave them here if that's what you think," I responded evenly.

"Have you forgotten about the bounty hunter already, the main reason why we're chained together after our attempt to repair the emerald and leave this planet failed?" he said as I heard him shift behind me probably to sit up. My grip on the fruit I was holding tightened and my claws dug into its outer skin harshly causing some of the juices to leak out. "Of course I haven't forgotten about that wretched hunter," I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. "But I told you I refuse to abandon them."

"So you'll burden us with even more problems just because you choose now to have sympathy for the pets you created?! I don't think you understand our situation Eclipse. We're in no position to take care of those things. We were barely able to escape that serpent earlier when it was just the two of us we had to worry about."

"Oh? You didn't seem to want to leave Maria behind 50 years ago on the ark, when those human soldiers we're coming to end your life. That weak human was a huge liability but you seemed to be ready to risk your life just to protect hers." The air in the room felt like it dropped a few degrees and I turned to sneer devilishly at the fuming hybrid. "Oh yes Tasuyai, I know all about your experience aboard the ark ever since I tried to take control of your mind aboard the second Black Comet. Your emotions, your thoughts, your resolve when you were prepared to die. It was almost as if I witnessed the event first hand through your eyes!" my voice began to rise in pitch.

"How dare you bring Maria into this. I had already decided to leave the past behind me but you seem adamant on digging up things that are none of your business to use against me." He stood up abruptly and I sensed confrontation peeking over the horizon. The Dark Arms seemed to notice the change in atmosphere and had stopped chewing to stare fearfully at both I and the half-breed, but who they were more fearful of I'm not sure.

"I will make it my business if it means getting through your thick skull that these Dark Arms are the only family I have left! I refuse to let you unfairly rob me of what little I have and I absolutely will not allow you to unfairly leave them behind when they barely know how to survive on their own!" At this point I was on my feet too looking fearlessly into crimson eyes.

"Don't talk to me about fair you little demon when the moment I was created my life had already been decided on how it would be used without any input from myself. And further more you have no right to to talk about fairness when your race robbed millions of others of their lives without consent for your own well being," he retorted his crimson eyes dialing down to an almost yellow-orange color as he spoke. I wasn't in the mood to comment about it right now.

"Well tough! I honestly couldn't care less about your past. And as for your ridiculous argument concerning our harvest, I regret nothing fair or not." I turned away from him after sensing the level of fear rising from the Dark Arms.

"Don't turn your back on me and act like this argument is over!" he said grabbing my shoulder.

"Remove your filthy paw from me half-breed!" I growled lowly without turning around. There was silence for a moment and I could almost swear that I felt that spark of what felt like electricity going through my mind again but as quickly as it came, it left and the other had slowly removed his hand from shoulder.

Turned away from him I could easily see the faces of Rhygenta, Cyzer, Cregal and Blurk who seemed to relax a bit more. Unfortunately I could still feel that crimson and slightly amber gaze still focused intensely behind me. Deciding to ignore it, I kneeled down to continue feeding the Dark Arms and my frustration slowly seemed to melt away. At this point the hybrid seemed to lay back on his side again and the only noises that permeated the air where the four small creatures who were finishing their meal.

"You're going to be the one who's responsible for those little monsters Eclipse..." I heard a low voice behind me.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," I responded emotionlessly a bit curious why he suddenly just backed down instead of retaliating.


Back in a very familiar canyon fortress the hunter was enjoying a drink of what could probably be some kind of liquor. His brown coat had been tossed on the back of his chair and the only thing he was wearing were his pants and boots. The hat that he usually wore was hanging on a hook on the wall. Bandages had been applied to his waist and parts of his arms and every time he moved just a bit too vigorously, he would wince from the pain. He sat the metal bottle he was drinking out of down beside his console and popped his fingers as one of the ears of a sleeping Ara beside him flicked up.

The tracking device inside the energy cufflinks that he managed to tag the two Black Arms with was working well. Yesterday when he had arrived back home after nearly the entire temple crumbled atop him, he had immediately checked his monitors and eavesdropped on their conversation. When he heard they were going to search for a type of crystal he knew exactly where they would be headed: the volcanic dig site. He had already taken the time to mark the area on a large map on the wall adjacent to the one his console was on with a large beast fang.

"A' know exactly 'here yer going and why but yer not gonna get it," he said to himself. Before the civilizations that lived on this planet were enslaved and harvested, the inhabitants used to mine the hot spots in which magma had flowed relatively close to the surface. The area is strange there in that it didn't really have a volcano but rather it was more comparable to a lid placed on top of a pot of boiling water except with holes, lots and lots of holes. Minerals such as cryolite, golden rutile, quartz and sardonyx were considered valuable materials for various reasons and there was one type of crystal that was arguably as the most valuable of all.

The hunter walked away from his console with many screens and reached for a book off a shelf behind him. The cover was beige, worn, and on it was a title written in strange curvy script.

He flipped through the pages until he found what he was looking for.

"Among all the crystals, it was pure quartz that was considered

the most valuable because its strange properties to absorb light.

Early civilizations often witnessed strange phenomena when

chunks of pure quartz exposed to sunlight for long periods

of time continued to radiate light and heat long after the sun set..."

It was simple. They were planning on searching the volcanic digs for pure quartz.

"'hat reminds me." He went back over to his console where he opened a drawer and took out a black box. He reached into his jacket pocket for the key and opened it to reveal the one gem he couldn't quite figure out. He held it in the palm of his hand admiring the otherworldly green glow and the small slim crack running the length of the gem. Every now and then it seemed to spark a bit like an electronic device that short circuited but the hunter could just feel the energy emanating from it. It was was more than just some mineral, it was special.

And then he grinned remembering how the two scrawny Black Arms had wrestled each other for it. 'Might make for some pretty temptin' bait, he thought.

A few moments later he returned to the tracking device and began eavesdropping for more dialogue from his unsuspecting prey...

"...How long do you intend on keeping this up?"

"What?"

"You know what I'm talking about alien, this charade of playing daddy to the little monsters you created."

"Monsters?" he questioned sitting back in his chair.

"You know we can't keep them."

"I'm not going to leave them here if that's what you think."

"Have you forgotten about the bounty hunter already, the main reason why we're chained together after our attempt to repair the emerald and leave this planet failed?"

Now that sounded interesting. Not only did it confirm that the emerald was important but apparently they could use it to leave this planet. Just what kind of powers did the emerald hold that he didn't know about? And furthermore was the large green glowing sphere of energy he saw in the temple also just as important or at least was important. The cogs in the mind of the bounty hunter were definitely turning now. He would have to look more into this and perhaps even go as far as to examine his prey more closely himself.

"Of course I haven't forgotten about that wretched hunter. But I told you I refuse to abandon them."

"So you'll burden us with even more problems just because you choose now to have sympathy for the pets you created?! I don't think you understand our situation Eclipse. We're in no position to take care of those things. We were barely able to escape that serpent earlier when it was just the two of us we had to worry about."

The albino furred hunter also made a mental note to see exactly what these monsters the two seemed to be arguing about are. A hostage can make things so much easier. He continued to filter through the argument for more information.

" ...if it means getting through your thick skull that these Dark Arms are the only family I have left!"

"Oh so 'hats what 'here called eh?" he said pleased by this tidbit of info even if it wasn't much. It had looked to have been quite a resourceful day for the hunter who had failed to capture his quarry yesterday. He knew where they were going, he knew what they were looking for, he knows they want the emerald, and with the way he observed their personalities in action he knew those pretty little bracelets on their wrists would make catching them even easier.

"A' think it's 'bout time we wrap up this chase." Tomorrow he would be more than prepared to capture the duo.


Eclipse

I had waited until all four of the Dark Arms were finally asleep. They had all huddled together near me in a tight bunch. Blurk and Rhygenta were both side by side while Cregal had decided to wrap its long body around the other two. Cyzer was sleeping on top of Blurk and Rhygenta. The sight was enough to bring me some happiness that I thought I would never get to feel again. All I could do was smile as I saw the subtle movements of their small bodies twitching in their slumber. They meant the world to me now and I would kill anyone who threatened to harm them even...Shadow.

Just thinking about the hedgehog that had made my life so miserable these past few days was enough to bring a frown to my face. I looked over my shoulder to the object of my discontent with discerning eyes and easily recognized the slow, even breathing that meant he was in a deep sleep as well. The fire that we had lit earlier was dying out, but the embers from the still flaring wood provided more than enough light for me to make out his figure.

On a whim I slowly stood up and walked quietly over to him, minding the length of the energy chain. Like a predator, I crept around to the side he was facing to stare down at the half-breed who hadn't stirred at all.

I thought back to that moment when we were ambushed by that monstrous plant in the mud. I saved him back then because I didn't want to be alone and I grit my teeth at this acknowledgement. Even if I hadn't found the Dark Arms, this abomination is the last Black Arm I would want to be in the company of after all that he did. I felt a bit of blood run down from the edge my mouth from gritting my teeth even harder.

Why am I so angry about saving him?! I asked myself clenching my fist as well to keep from thrashing around and waking up the hybrid but I already knew the answer.

I thought back to the days when my Master and brothers were still alive and I realize that I had taken for granted something that seemed so ordinary: our bonds. I had been so used to it, being able to feel and hear the voices of my brothers no matter where I was. I had taken comfort in being aware of their presence as the many connections I had ensured that I would never feel alone. I could always dispel my fears or doubts by riding on the strength, confidence ,and vitality of others.

But now

There was silence, so much more than what I had been used to. The ambient quiet of my mind had terrified me, reaching out with my connection and grasping emptiness only increased my fear. It was in that moment when the hybrid was close to death that I snapped and acted on pure instinct alone. I needed another mind, another presence to hold on to. I needed someone to fill the silence so it wouldn't feel so...empty and now I was angry at myself for acting like a child that need to be consoled.

I

I could dispose of him now… My thoughts were beginning to take a trek down a dark path. Now that I had the Dark Arms I no longer needed the hybrid. (Not that I relied on his presence to feel strong anyway.) Now that I discovered that the Dark Arms are alive I could have a chance. I could raise them to be strong and possibly create more. I could rebuild our fallen race anew and after I kill hybrid, no one would be able to contest me. At the very least Shadow himself would never be a thorn in my side again.

I kneeled down taking in the expression on his face. Despite his unconscious state of mind, it still seemed as if the scowl he wore throughout the day was still present as he slept. It would be quick, so quick that he wouldn't have a chance to retaliate until it was too late. I let my long tail curl around over my arm before looking again at the hybrid. I focused the chaos in my body to the tip of my tail, willing the scales there to be sharper and harder.

This is it.

I pointed the sharpened end of my tail towards a spot on the hybrids chest. I could imagine it now, piercing him through his body and right through his heart. It would only take mere moments for him to die. The sharpened appendage was poised to strike but no matter how long I stayed in that position...I couldn't do it.

Whats wrong with me? He killed my entire race, he slaughtered my master, he tried to kill me and he even threatened the Dark Arms. Why can't I kill him?

I stayed there scowling over him until I realized it was pointless. I sighed and took my tail away from him. I was about to get up and finally sleep myself until what sounded like a pained groan came from the half-breed. I looked at his face to see that his expression seemed to be scrunched up in pain. I couldn't care less about what haunts my master's murder's dreams. In fact I would hope that whatever he dreams about makes him writhe as payback for his actions. However, there was something else that was nagging me at the moment.

Earlier when the rodent was arguing with me his eyes had begun to change colors and back at the river when fighting the serpent his eyes had changed completely to yellow, just like mine. If the argument had continued, would I have seen that same savage behaviour as last time? Well I could try to find out right now couldn't I? It's time I picked your brain for an answer.

I sat back and crossed my legs before carefully placing a taloned hand on his forehead beginning to concentrate. His mind opened easily to me like book since he was not conscious to fight against the intrusion. Images of recent memories came through first: our encounter with the bounty hunter, our arrival on this planet, and then memories of what I could only guess were of his interactions on his planet. Then I saw the battle against Black Doom through his eyes and the killing of so many other Black Arms. I shivered whenever he brutally managed to end the life of one of our own and anger flared within me again. It was pushed aside with surprise when I caught a glimpse of the half-breed flying beside another golden rodent. There was another with the same power?

I could only ponder on this piece of information for a moment before I felt myself drifting into the deeper parts of Shadow's mind. At this point I felt my own my mind materializing inside his own. I opened my amber eyes and looked around and recognizing the place of Shadow's childhood and creation: the Ark.

Although I am able to feel the emotion or presence of other Black Arms this was the first time I had experience being inside a type of mindscape. There was just never any need for it because the minds of most of my brothers were just too simple for it. I looked to my left to see a huge window and outside was Mobius or Earth as the humans seem to call it. I stared at the planet with a blank expression on my face. Some of Shadows emotions were writhing under the surface of this memory. It was strange. Although my image is nothing but a representation of my mind inside a representation of a memory, the emotions the other feels seem to seep into me as if I were apart of the memory. I didn't know how to feel at the moment so I simply started moving forward.

It was quiet for a memory. I was sure that the last time I entered the half-breeds mind I saw that blonde human, Shadow's creator, and at least other memories of humans in white clothing but instead it was eerily quiet. I walked down corridors giving glances at empty rooms expecting some kind of movement or something but there was nothing. And that's when I stumbled upon it.

Something black was writhing around the corner of the corridor in front of me. Something black that smelled of blood was splattered against the floor and corner. Somehow I knew that it knew I was here and it retreated as if baiting me to come near and inspect it closer. So I did.

Nothing could have prepared me for what was waiting around the corner. The floor suddenly sloped into a pool of thick black liquid similar to the one in the swamp but a with whole lot more of a sinister edge to it. If the black liquid wasn't splattered against the walls then it was oozing in trails and dripping down from the ceiling. And in the center of it all was the half-breed standing waist deep in the black pool. His head was tilted down so I couldn't make out his face but he was gloveless, wrists restrained by scarlet red chains that hoisted his arms above beside his head. He was limp in their hold and it seems he didn't notice my approach at all.

What is this? I asked myself torn between just leaving his mind now and calling out to him to see what would happen next. I took one step forward and his head shot up. I froze on the spot not sure what would happen next but I decided to hold that crimson gaze. It was so different from the one I was used to seeing during the day. Instead of a condescending scowl igniting the flames in those scarlet eyes, they were dull like they had been doused with water. His face was full of pleading, fear, and...helplessness and the chains on his wrists only seemed to complement this pitiful state. He opened his mouth to say something but the chains that hung above his head had slid down under the black pool in a bazar motion. The hybrid looked frantically beside him as the chains seemed to tug his arms down with him. In his panic he reached out a hand towards me with that same pleading emotion on his face. He reached with all he had and fell to the ground, chains still trying to drag him away. I stepped backward not wanting to be touched by that oozing blackness and slipped falling on my tail. Shadow was right in front of me still trying to reach for me but I was just too horrified by the circumstances. His hand was covered in the oozing liquid dripping within just centimeters of my foot. His mouth moved but there was no sound.

DON'T LEAVE ME!

I could no longer stand to be in this place any longer so I ran. I ran like a coward and left this horrible image of the abomination behind. And even after all the hatred I harbored towards my master's murderer, I couldn't find the strength to look back at that pleading, fearful face because deep down apart of me felt like I was leaving a brother behind to die.

I removed my hand from the hybrids forehead breathing just a bit more heavily than before I started. I was unnerved. I'm not sure what it is I found inside the hybrids mind and something tells me I don't want to find out.

I took a much needed breath to calm my nerves and stood to take my place near the Dark Arms again. Something is wrong with Shadow and I have a feeling it's going to get worse. Tomorrow I will question him about it but for now I should rest. I took one last look at the hybrid before closing my own eyes. I didn't dream at all.


I realize this is the second time I've done something pretty dark in this fic. I honestly didn't think it would start becoming this dark when I first started writing it but I like how it's turning out so far. I have a twisted mind (Evil laugh!) I admit it, I love torturing Sonic and Shadow. Anyway Roxa814 out!