Back in the future Shadow resumes his pursuit on Mephiles. Despite being the ultimate life form, the black blur couldn't catch up with his target. Already the chase has led the two of them back into the city.
This little runabout finally ended when the Dark entered a building. There was only way through and Shadow was now blocking it.
With nowhere else to go, Mephiles sneers, "so, decided to void your return ticket now, did you?"
"Why are you here?" the black blur points his finger at the copycat. "Did you ruin this world?"
"The answer is yes and no." Shadow grimaces in response. "Perhaps it's better to show you."
With a snap of the Dark's fingers, the end of the building lit up. The light wasn't emitting from lamps, rather it came from an electrical prison. And its prisoner was none other than Shadow himself!
"Yes, that's you" Mephiles answered Shadow's thoughts. "After the world was devastated by Iblis' flames, what do you think happened? A search for the guilty. Who did this, you may ask? Humanity wasn't just jealous of your power. They feared it. They used this incident as an excuse to hunt you down."
The red-striped hedgehog looked away from his imprisoned self. As much as he would like to accuse Mephiles of framing him, but he had doubts the enigma was even involved. Shadow's record wasn't exactly clean and no doubt in the future it would be just as spotty.
Mephiles shook Shadow from the depths of the mind when he spoke, "come with me, Shadow. This disaster can be stopped and I know just how to do it. With my knowledge and your power, we can save this world, rescue civilization, and even reclaim your tarnished name!"
"That's absurd" the other hedgehog answered. "Whatever it is you want to do, it will only help nobody but yourself!"
"You accept this miserable destiny then?" Mephiles asks as he signals to the electric prison.
Shadow's only response was, "I determine my own destiny."
It was then that Mephiles had enough of talking. His form changed, becoming something less of a replica of Shadow. His skin was covered in raw crystal, he feet replaced with ghostly wisps, and his eyes now red with fury. Revealing what kind of monster he truly is, Mephiles attacks.
M.E.P.H.I.L.E.S.
Duplicate
The monster darted around from place to place, throwing balls of negative energy at every opportunity. If his opponent wasn't Shadow the Hedgehog he might actually be a threat. It only took one shot of Chaos Spear to throw Mephiles off his game.
The building was soon filled with childish giggling. And came with them were faceless miniature versions of the evil look-a-like. Shadow took the offensive and pounded one into vaporous mist. The others were not demoralized.
Shadow spread his attacks on the other critters. It proved to futile as for every one he defeat, another would soon take its place. To matters worse, Mephiles was nowhere to be seen.
But Shadow noticed Mephiles was in fact right under his nose. As an entity formed from a shade, it should have been obvious Mephiles had the ability to become Shadow's shadow. The hedgehog stomped his foot onto the demon's head, but the other thing it went through was the floor.
Bad idea. With his leg stuck, Shadow was vulnerable when the minions swarmed him. Fighting proved futile as the ghastly creatures piled up on him. In frustration, Shadow performed Chaos Blast. Not only did it free Shadow's foot and vaporize the horde, it also disconnected Mephiles from his host.
The Dark threw a cloud of dark and flung the hedgehog right into a wall. By the time Shadow regained his posture, the giggling monstrosities had already respawned. This was becoming a battle of endurance. And with the way things were going, Shadow would eventually lose.
Just then the sound of explosions caused everybody to pause. One of the building's walls was blown wide open. Something walked through the hole.
Shadow peered at the stranger and spoke, "Omega?" Indeed, it was the same robot he saw only a few hours ago. It was still covered in dust, but its presence made it seem brand new.
Omega boomed, "DESIGNATED TIME REACHED. COMMENCING SHADOW SUPPORT."
The gang of ghastlies attempt to charge this unwelcomed visitor. All they managed to do was get blown up by rockets. Omega used his turbo boosters to reach the exhausted Shadow and put him over its shoulder.
The remaining minions form a circle around their master. Now protected, nothing stopped Mephiles from attacking Omega and Shadow. The robot retaliated, making sure its passenger doesn't end up getting in the crossfire. Slowly but surely Omega chips away at the servant shield using heat-seeking missiles.
Even a limitless army of altered clones was not enough to stop Omega. As soon as enough of the creeps were out of its path, the robot boosted towards Mephiles. Omega open the compartment containing Rogue's emerald and smashed it over the demon's head. The result turned Mephiles into a surreal display of fireworks.
"ARGH!" the voice of Mephiles screams throughout the building. A second later he forms into his Shadow-like body. "How RUDE of you to interrupt our duel. I should've known better to expect a fair fight in this infested city."
At the end of the room the electrical field shut down and released its prisoner. The future hedgehog exhaled and appeared to regain consciousness. When future Shadow looked at his past self, he suddenly imploded into a wormhole.
Mephiles chuckles. "It looks like this little paradox has caused a tear in the fabric of time. I had enough of this place, it is time to be with my other comrades. Farewell!"
The Dark gives a swift wave goodbye and jumps into the wormhole. Shadow and Omega went after him… to wherever the wormhole ends.
To be continued.
