Yeah... Adventure...
He wasn't sure when the lights went out, and when the darkness came, but he was so happy when it did.
Here lied Shadow the hedgehog on a metal slab table, tied up, weak, and tired. It had been hours since Maria stormed out, and so he was left alone, to think. Unfortunately, he had yet to come up with a plan of escape, and since his Chaos Powers were gone, he was effectively useless.
But still, his mind wondered. Wondered around the images of a bat, a strong robot, and a blonde haired girl he loved so much. It also floated around an image that looked mirror like to his, only the one he saw had his red streaks replaced with gold ones. Shadow had been thinking about him into the long hours of the night. Where was his clone, the insane one known as Android Shadow? Should he not be here, taunting him as he usually does? What of Metal Sonic? Where was that blue mechanical demon? It was odd that the Doctor had not sent his most powerful robots to guard him, even if he was incredibly weak. Not only that, but wouldn't the Doctor himself have come in by now? Surely, the mad scientist would have appeared by now, at least to mock him! Something felt odd here...
The door opened.
Though the hedgehog was dreaming sweet loving dreams, he immediately woke up at the sound of it. Left and right his ruby eyes moved, searching for it that awoke him. The room was still dark, but Shadow knew he was not alone. Somewhere, amongst all of this torturous equipment, lied a being he knew meant him harm. He tried to pry his arms free of his restraints, but it was fruitless. He just too weak.
"Maria!" he called out, "If that's you, I'm not in the mood!"
There were no footsteps, however, and he was really sure the blonde hedgehog would make a ruckus when she showed up. So, who was the being in the room with him? Who was about to strike?
"Mhmmm..." a low, ominous voice chuckled.
The black and red hedgehog focused on the voice, as if scanning against his memories. Unfortunately, he drew up a blank.
"Who are you?" he yelled out.
"So weak, Shadow..." that voice called again.
Dammit, it sounded so familiar and yet, Shadow couldn't put a finger on it.
"Who are you!?" he yelled out at an even greater voice.
Through the darkness, he could see a familiar figure approach him. It was tall, great, and overbearing. Shadow started to quake.
"No..." he murmured, "That's impossible!"
"Nothing, is impossible, for the Black Arms..." he replied.
"But, I killed you!"
"It's a sad day when my own son could kill me..."
"You are not my father!" Shadow roared.
"Still finding that old professor as your, father? Foolish hedgehog..."
Suddenly, his hand stretched forward and wrapped tightly around Shadow's neck. The hedgehog felt the air rush out of his body immediately, as he fought valiantly to gain his air back. But the scaly hand around his throat only clenched tighter and tighter as time went on. Shadow was finding it harder and harder to breathe, of course, and he started to black out. Right before he met the sweet release of darkness, however, the hand removed itself from his throat, allowing him to breathe once more. Any normal creäture would have cut their losses, and become docile at that moment, but Shadow was far from 'normal.'
"What's wrong, Doom!?" he yelled out, "Can't go through with it?"
That low, ominous chuckle returned at those words, as the shadowy figure removed itself from Shadow's view.
"Oh Shadow," he said, "still so arrogant... I shouldn't be surprised, however, since you are my child."
"Stop calling me that!"
"In due time, Shadow, you will learn to do what I say." those red eyes he owned gleamed through the darkness, "Even if I must break you..."
Slowly, that dark creäture that struck Shadow started to float away. Shadow started to groan, though, and turned his head around as best he could to see the alien.
"I don't get it?" he barked, "What are you doing here!? Where is the Doctor!?"
Doom's sadistic chuckle answered his words.
"There are many friends in the world, Shadow," he answered, "they come in so many shapes and sizes..."
"So what!? You and the Doctor are buddy buddy now!?"
"In a manner of speaking..."
"I thought you'd never stoop to low to work with a human!"
"You do so all the time, Shadow, so don't you dare mock me!"
Well, he had him there...
"Then what of Maria!?" he barked, "Who is Maria Rivet!?"
Black Doom's chuckling ceased that very moment. Nothing but silence floated through the air, before the mad alien spoke again.
"There are many ways to create weapons, Shadow..." his chuckling resumed, "Did you think you were the only one?"
"The... only... one, what?"
Black Doom's laughter continued.
"The only... Ultimate Life Form..."
Shadow's thoughts floated around the word.
No... he couldn't mean...
The door opened, and seconds later, it closed.
...
The Egg Saucer. A great machine designed by the mad doctor himself. A behemoth in the skies, it is capable of interstellar travel, as well as teleportation via Chaos Control. With seven battle stations on its body, it can detach these at will, to produce a floating fortress of destruction. These seven battle stations also have the ability to create a powerful force field around the Egg Saucer, making it virtually impenetrable.
That's what Hope's report on the machine said.
Hair waving in the wind, she calmly placed her PDA-like device with all the information in it, back into her pockets. How long had it been since they started their search? Two days? Three? Maybe... when one stays up as long as Hope has, a few days begin to melt together. She couldn't sleep, not when the mission was so urgent. Would Shadow have slept? When she was kidnapped a year ago, did he sleep in his search for her? Of course not, so she wouldn't either.
"Omega!" she called, gazing at the great robot driving the car, "How much longer?"
"Fifteen minutes..." he stated, easily.
"You know," Hope murmured, crossing her arms, "If I were with Shadow, we would have been there by now..."
"But Shadow isn't here now, is he, sweetie?" Rouge tiredly answered.
She sat in the passenger seat of the car, a magazine over her face. Lifting it, she gave out a much needed yawn, before turning her attention over to the roads. Currently, they were driving through Central City, in one of Rouge's modified G.U.N. Jeeps. The young mechanic had dressed back up in her usual black overalls and red shirt, while the bat had decided for something different. Instead of her usual black jump suit with the heart on her breast, she went for something reminiscent yet different. Purple from neck to toe, the bat had on a similar jump suit, it had a cleavage exposing chest, a white belt with a heart-shaped buckle, and shoes that, surprisingly, weren't high heels. Hope had seen the bat wear this only on rare occasions. From what the mechanic had heard, Rouge wore it one time when Metal Sonic became a dragon or something. Oh, the stories her friends could tell.
"Omega dear," Rouge said, gazing off into the blue skies, "How much longer?"
"Fourteen minutes!" he stated.
"Rouge look!" Hope called, "I can see Emerald Town!"
Those grassy squares of lands, the nice neighborhood, the house in the shape of a certain fox's head, yup, it was Emerald Town alright, the home of a hero. A certain, blue hero.
"Hey you guys!" speak of the devil...
In a blue flash, he zipped around the car a good three times... or maybe thirty-three times. When it comes to Sonic, its hard to tell. It didn't matter, as after a second, he appeared on the passenger's side of the car, running alongside the car at high speeds. His green eyes locked on Rouge, he gave a slight wink, before saying,
"Hey Rouge! What brings you 'round these parts!"
The bat, seemingly uninterested with his intrusion, merely waved her hand and said nonchalantly,
"Oh nothing... we just need your help is all."
Taken aback by her words, he slipped up. And yet, since he was Sonic, he reappeared by the moving vehicle, albeit with a few scratches and injuries. Now, his face was stoic and cold, as if not believing Rouge's words.
"Uh-huh, yeah..." he murmured, "Uh... Rouge, are you okay in the head?"
Teal eyes shot holes into his, which caused his demeanor to shift immediately.
"Oooookaaaaaayyy... Maybe you do need my help."
Green eyes shifting backwards, he noticed a certain blonde haired girl. His lips then curled into a smile, while he waved his hand toward her.
"Hope!" he called, "Long time no see!"
The young mechanic gave a dainty wave, while her face brightened up in embarrassment. Though she had met Sonic before, it was still overwhelming to meet such a big hero. Especially when that hero happens to know your secret love affair with a certain black and red hedgehog.
"Hey, Sonic." she answered.
"Tell me how my favorite human is doing!"
"I'm... okay..." she responded, solemnly as well.
"Hey..." he murmured slyly, "You got any dirt on Shadow? Ya'know a little-" his eyes widened, "Say... what a minutes..." quickly he zipped around to the other side of the vehicle, "Where is my depressing look-a-like?"
A few seconds of thinking revealed the answer. Putting two and two together, he pretty much knew, as if Hope's hurt face didn't already tell him.
"Oh... that's why you're here..." his eyes shot forward, "Well! Meet you at Tails' house then!"
With a quick burst of speed, he dashed away, the wind rushing in his wake. Immediately following, Omega pressed his feet on the gas, sending the jeep moving forward.
...
"Okay Gemerl!" A chipper fox said with a smile, "Everything should be A-OK now!"
On the table before him, a gold and black machine lied. Its eyes were dull for a few seconds, before beaming to life with a blue shine. The blue gem on its golden crest started to shine, as a start-up noise echoed from the machine. Standing up from the table it lied on, the machine stretched forth its grey robotic fingers.
"Thank you, Miles..." the machine answered as best it could.
The fox gave a great smile, before stretching forth his hand. Grabbing onto Gemerl's, the two shook each other's hand.
"Don't mention it, Gemerl!" he said.
"Oh Tails!" Cream announced, a smile full of teeth on her face, "I can't believe it! You actually gave Gemerl a voice!"
"CHAO CHAO!" Cheese added.
Tails nodded with pleasure, as he took the time out to marvel at his work. Stepping back, he revealed to all the cane he was propping himself up. Yes, after that little tussle on the beach the other year, the young fox had been regulated to walking around with a cane. This went on for a month or two, before he gained back his usual agility. However, the young fox still walked around with the black cane, such as right now. He tells everyone it gives him a regal appearance.
"Nothing a few weeks couldn't solve..." he said, smiling at the rabbit.
"But... why does Gemerl sound like an old man?" she questioned.
Indeed, the robot did sound like an older gentlemen. Tails gave a slightly annoyed face, before explaining.
"Yeah... His voice'll need tweaking a bit before its... not old like this..."
"What is wrong with my voice?" Gemerl questioned, "I think it sounds fine..."
"You keep thinking that, Gemerl." Tails responded.
Unsure of how to feel about his words, the robot grew silent.
"Hey! Tails! Ya home!?" a certain blue dude's voice rang.
"Sonic!" Tails, Cream, and Gemerl replied.
The blue hero was nonchalantly dusting off his shoe, when the rabbit, fox, and robot arrived. The usual hellos were exchanged, as well as the 'how was your days,' but that all ended once they heard a car park its way outside.
"Arrived at destination!" Omega's voice boomed, "Home of Miles Prower!"
"Omega?" Tails questioned, "Say, what's Team Dark doing here?"
"Well... not all of Team Dark..." Sonic corrected.
Stepping forward, Sonic opened the door and revealed Rouge. She winked at his show of courtesy, before stepping into the home. Of course, she was followed by Omega, and lastly Hope. The air had quickly become still and silent upon their arrival, as the fox and rabbit had no idea how to respond. Well... Gemerl did, however.
"Omega..." he said in that old man's voice.
"I see you have a new voice, Gemerl." Omega responded.
Strange... this was the first time the two had talked since ever. How did they know each other? The air between them was strong and heavy, as if they were ready to kill each other at a moment's notice.
"Yes well," Rouge interrupted, "its nice to know you know each other..." she shifted her gaze to Tails, "And how are you little fox boy?"
The way her body taunted him, it made his muzzle flush red.
"Uh... Ok..." he responded weakly.
"Don't mind my asking but..." Cream said, "Why are you all here? And where's Mr. Shadow?"
"I'll explain..." Hope murmured, pulling her PDA-like device from her pockets, "It... started a few days ago..."
And so she explained. About the Egg Saucer, Shadow, and a weird cloak like figure with super human strength.
...
"That's odd..." Sonic said, taking in the information.
"A... flying Saucer?" Tails stated.
"We're expecting him to attack soon." Hope murmured, putting away her device, "Not sure when, however..."
"Is he attacking us? Like that time with his... Eggmarine?" Sonic questioned.
"We don't know where Dr. Robotnik is planning to attack?" Hope answered, truthfully, "We are sure its in the midst of a Chaos Emerald, however..."
"Then we must hurry!" Gemerl stated, punching his fist into his palm, "Whatever business my creator dealing in, it can't be good!"
Hope raised her device once more, showing a gleaming light on it.
"From what this radar tells me, a Chaos Emerald is located in this vicinity."
"Yeah," Sonic answered, "Tails has one..." he gazed over to the fox, "Yo Tails..."
But the fox stammered a bit. Gazing into the blonde girls eyes, he seemingly read an invisible, yet hidden, message coming from her. Realizing he was invading her personal space, she glared off, a slight blush on her face.
"Uh, Tails," Sonic said, springing him from his thoughts, "You okay?"
"Uh... yeah, sorry Sonic..."
His hand reached away into his non visible pockets, before withdrawing the red Chaos Emerald. It let out a brilliant shine in the room. No matter how many times they all saw it, the luster was still so amazing.
"Well!" Sonic said, grin coming to his lips, "Unlike last time, old Eggbut won't find us with our pants down!" his arms crossed over one another, "Let's hurry and get a move on! That Egg Saucer isn't going to find itself!"
There was a sudden knock on the door, which gained everyone's attention. In unison, they gazed toward the doorway, before Tails said,
"Hello?"
"Tails..." a certain pink hedgehog's voice called, "Tails... somethings wrong..."
Sonic was at the door first, of course, and he opened it quickly. To his shock, there lied Amy, battered and bruised.
"Amy!" he yelled, holding her up, "What's wrong..."
Instead of answering, she merely pointed over toward the neighborhood's edge. Sonic stepped past her smoothly, then shifted his green eyes toward the town's horizon. In the distance, all he saw was fire.
Confusion and fear grew on his face immediately, as he tried to asses the information. Running out moments later, was everyone else. Their it was, Central City, in a sea of variable fire. Overhead, a slow-moving, black disk-shaped, blue line pulsating machine.
The Egg Saucer...
The noise of horns blaring echoed from the city, showing the urgency in everything.
"Oh no!" Sonic yelled, "How did this happen so quick!?"
"It came out of nowhere..." Amy stated weakly, "Like... Chaos Control..."
"AH! I gotta stop this!" Sonic yelled.
His feet started up to run off, but he was stopped suddenly by Amy's hand.
"Sonic," she said, "there's something else..."
"Not now, Amy! I have to save those people!"
"No!" she yelled, "You have to listen! There's a... creäture there... its tall, wears a cloak, and has these piercing red eyes..."
"Is he the one who hurt you like this?"
She nodded.
"It's the same thing that attacked Shadow." Hope murmured, "The cloaked figure..."
"So it's in town... but... why would Eggman attack a city!? That's not his style!"
"The Doctor has been doing some questionable things as of late," Rouge stated, "I think it's about time we went and talked to him."
So, together, the group aimed their eyes on the floating fortress.
The Egg Saucer...