Chapter 11.

The starry night sky that was as clear as anything earlier that evening was quickly covering thick grey clouds. Nobody, not even the weather specialists could explain the sudden change in the forecast. As heavy drops of rain started to fall a small group of people hurried across the paved courtyard outside Station Square Mall to the large building near it.

The group of homeless, not yet captured by the dreaded Knights of the reformed Eggman Empire, scurried like mice to the one place that would give their kind sanctuary- the church. An elderly man at the front desperately knocked on the solid oak doors, they opened with a creak revealing a priest with a very lined face who ushered them inside. Once in the welcoming warmth the priest showed them to empty benches and the group were not surprised to see more huddled in tight bands sipping warm soup and tea.

At the front a bunch of children had found hymnbooks and were now singing softly, a contrast to the wild storm outside. The old man, who was called Caleb, made sure his friends were all right before taking a look around. He made his way along the line of stain glass windows and stopped. The priest came up behind him and laid a comforting hand on his arm.

"Everything will be okay in the end, my son."

Caleb turned unconvinced, " How do you know, Father?"

The old priest smiled slightly looking at the window. " I have my faith and the stories."

"What stories?"

" Years ago, when my great-grandfather was stationed here, a giant rose from the ground ready to destroy everything in its path. They say a young man in a bow tie with knowledge beyond anything known on Earth and girl with hair as red as fire arrived to quell the demon. They fought the demon and won banishing it in a storm of bright light. And then… they simply vanished."

"Vanished?"

"Indeed." He gestured to the window and the others. "Please… enjoy the pictures , you might find something to restore your faith." With a nod he left.

Caleb turned back to the painting and sipped his tea thoughtfully. His eyes travelled around it, looking for comfort. They reached the bottom right and widened. He looked over to the priest who smiled and smiled shakily in return. The knot of dread lessened slightly in his stomach as he rejoined his friends.

The picture was a representation of some kind of religious tale with shepherds and animals in a field running from what could only be described as a monster. But in the bottom right corner nestled neatly amongst the brilliant greenery of the bushes was the unmistakable block of deepest blue complete was a golden halo surrounding it.

--

On the other side of the city Amy Rose looked out of the window at the gathering storm clouds and sniffed deeply. She shuddered and glanced behind her at the only bed in the room. On it was the still form of Sola, her ruined leg amputated by Uncle Chuck to be mended and still bearing the numerous cuts and bruises from the fight with the Dark Were-hog. She was a coma again hooked up to a single machine that bleeped out a steady rhythm as she slept.

The pink hedgehog sat in the plastic hospital chair she eyes never leaving the beeping screen. The door opened making her jump, Shadow walked in with a steaming cup and a solemn expression on his face. Placing the cup on Sola's bedside table, he crouched by her side and cupped her cheek.

" I've got to go now, I'm needed in Chun-Nan. The Commander's ordered all G.U.N officers to the City Centres. Looks like the Knights are making their move."

"What about me?"

Shadow glanced over at Sola, his expression softened a little. No surprise really, the two did have personal history. He sighed, " Somebody needs to be here if she wakes up to explain. I think that someone should be you." Amy nodded. " Good girl." He stood, kissed the top of her head, whispered he'd be back shortly and headed for the door.

"Wait. Where are you going?"

He turned one hand on the doorknob, his solemn expression back. " Somebody's got to stop the Doctor."

"Which one?" She squeaked at him. He didn't answer just left, closing the door softly behind him. Amy stared at it for a good long while sipping her cooled tea. Once emptied she returned the cup to the bedside table and looked at the head of the bed. She should've been a little startled at meeting two hazel orbs staring at her but she wasn't. " You heard that?"

" I did. And frankly you can't blame him for wanting to keep you and me safe. Though it's complicated, he loves us both as we do him." The cat tried to get up into a sitting position, found she couldn't, made a face of great discomfort and said, "Hey, Amy… why do I feel like I'm lopsided?"

Amy took to a seat on the edge of the bed. She took a deep breath before speaking. "W-Well, a-after the battle with the Were-hog you were in pretty b-bad shape and, well…Um…"

"Amy…" She growled impatiently. " What happened to me?"

Amy burst into tears, " I'm sorry, Sonic! We had to cut it off 'cause it was in such a bad state. But don't worry. Chuck sent you a replacement," she nodded to the opposite wall where a bulky, misshapen package was leaning against Amy's hammer. It looked oddly familiar." Tails stripped it before he left, so there's no risk of contamination. It's from Metal Son—Sola, don't!" She pushed the cat back down onto the pillows." You must rest. Doctor's orders."

Of course, she meant the doctors at the Hospital but Sola thought she meant the Doctor. Face screwing up in anger, she screamed at the top of her lungs in a fit of rage, " Son of a-"

--

Space Colony ARK…

" Big itch…Oh, big, big itch. Can't get it." The Doctor reached down behind him making a feeble attempt to reach his tickling calf. " Can you get it for me?"

Glory, who was behind him, replied to his request with a stony expression. For hours now they'd been on their fronts edging along air vents that were just big enough to swing a cat. With an annoyed grunt, she reached out, grabbed his leg and rubbed it hard. The Doctor let out a contented sigh, shuddered and nodded. " Better?"

" Mm, thank you. Now, where are we?"

Glory hit her head on a low hanging pipe. " Y-you mean you don't know? B-but I told you! I said go through service duct 48-B to reach the Obedience Ray. I thought you knew, that's why I followed you."

He turned awkwardly in the cramped space to face her. An abashed look on his face, "You followed me? But I followed you!"

She sighed, dropping her head into her hands, " Perfect. So we're lost and it's nearly midnight. We'll never stop Ivo now."

"Never say never Glory. We'll find a way, there's always a…" He stopped in midsentence and frowned in puzzlement. "…Way." Laying back on his front he crawled down the section of shaft until he came to a three way split. He sniffed and then shuddered. "Ooh… That's nasty." He gestured her to join him, once she had he sniffed again, " I think my nose has just found the way out."

" Oh really?" She asked with the right amount of sarcasm and a raised a brow. " And how does your nose know?"

"Sniff." He said pointing down the left path. She did and choked as a sickening aroma flooded her nostrils. He grinned, " See? My nose knows."

"OK. So we know where he's hiding and that means the weapon can't be too far away. Any plans or suggestions?"

"I have one." He took out his sonic screwdriver and started loosening the grill in front of them." And it involves us getting away from this stink, I can't breathe!"

" Be careful," warned Glory as the grate wobbled dangerously, " There could be…" The grill fell from its position with a clatter right onto the head of a passing EK unit. The Knight whistled in shock, quickly reclaimed its balance and raised its arm blasting the section they were in. It crashed to the floor, the Doctor rolled out first looking dazed and confused. A second later Glory followed landing sprawled across his stomach. She looked up and sighed, "… Guards." She finished lamely. " Nice going, Doctor."

The EK aimed its weapon. " You are under arrest and now prisoners of the Eggman Empire."

The Doctor pushed Glory off, stood and grinned. " Really? In that case… Take me your leader!" They were led away; Glory panicked and started to mutter under her breath over and over. He reached over, gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and smiled. " Don't worry," He whispered, " It's all part of the plan."

" So, you got one?" She hissed back hopefully. He shook his head with a grin, she groaned and shook her head. " I knew it. I'm going to die, I'm going to die…" And to her annoyance the Doctor just chuckled.

The EK led them down long and twisted passageways, up and down numerous stairwells until they came to a stop in front of large double doors. The Doctor glanced at the robot; it remained inert on guard at the entrance. Clearly they were to go in alone so he adjusted his tie, smoothed out a wrinkle on his suit jacket, took a deep breath and, with a tight hold on Glory's hand, stepped forward.

The double doors hissed opened. Beside him he saw Glory quickly cover her mouth, he raised his brows at her in question. She lowered her hand, sniffed and let out a nervous giggle." Sorry. Reflex." She looked around the circular room puzzled that she couldn't smell the familiar odour of rotten eggs associated with the mad Eggman. No revolting smell meant that the EK must have led them away from the Obedience Ray deliberately. So the question was: Where were they now?

" Ah, Doctor." A loud stomping sound came from the far side of the chamber. A pair of clawed feet steeped into the light followed by a bulky round bowl. To the Time Lord it looked like a giant, walking eggcup, which it was basically. Eggman peered at the trespassers through his dark glasses and blinked. " Glory? You choose him over me? Over your own blood kin? You backstabbing, traitorous little tart!"

"Err… you two are related then?" The Doctor looked from Eggman to Glory and back again. Glory didn't meet his gaze, " Ooh-Kay. Got the hint, backing off." He quickly mimed zipping up his mouth and gave Eggman a cheeky thumbs up.

" Something like that. Along the lines of second cousins." Glory looked ashamedly at her shoes. " Same granddad, Professor Gerald Robotnik. He created Shadow and worked here surprisingly enough." The Doctor pursed his lips and nodded again taking it all in. " But that's where the similarities ends!" She insisted balling up her hands. " I use my technology for good and help people. He's the bad egg of the family."

"Blah, blah, BLAH…" Droned Eggman. " Same old story, really boring. Now, to the business at hand." He leaned forward slightly, " My Knights are in position and ready to show this world the true power of my Empire so, finally, the Earth will make me ruler and owner of all it precious resources." He laughed vivaciously. " All I have to do is press a little button."

"You only want one of its resources," The Doctor broke his silence, "and it happens to be the most precious of all. It's not diamonds, gold or knowledge. It's the people and I don't think they'll join you willingly."

"Pah! They'll see it my way soon enough."

"A bit far for them to go, hm? The Egg dome is miles away from the main cities. Do you expect them to sprout wings and fly or grow fins and swim?"

"No." Eggman's answer was plain. " The Egg dome is merely a simple amplifier for the signal. The up grading itself will take place closer to home. They will come to us."

The Doctor went, " Ah…" and sang, " The animals went in two by two… Simple plan. I like it."

"Thank you. I find simple plan are the best ones. I mean look at it, Doctor." He clicked his fingers and metal shutters opened on the other side of the room to reveal the most breath taking view- Earth Prime hanging in the diamond-studded vastness of space. " Who wouldn't want it?" He asked softly keeping a close eye on the shadows behind Glory as the Doctor walked over to the floor to ceiling windows, placing his hands on the glass the surface misting as he exhaled taking in the sight. " Isn't it beautiful?"

"Yeah… beautiful." He murmured, transfixed by the marbled planet.

"Doctor!"

The Doctor twirled around. His eyes blazing with fury at being tricked so easily. Glory was wide eyed clawing at the long nailed hand around her throat. A pair of golden eyes sparkled in the shadows, the shadow moved forward unveiling a ghostly woman with enormous bat like wings protruding out the back off her black floor length gown. Silvery hair flowed over her bare shoulders. While one hand was squeezing Glory's windpipe the other was holding a knobbly stick, on its top sat a red misty orb, no bigger than a golf ball. The Doctor quickly sized up the situation and realised with a feeling of dread he was out numbered.

Eggman laughed. " Do you think I'm that foolish? You see, Doctor, my plan is so simple and was in big trouble of going wrong thanks to that thing in you pocket." The Doctor's hand instantly patted his breast pocket; the bulky shape of the modified EK chip he'd stolen was still there. " Hand it over and I'll release your companion. I swear."

Taking out the food bag containing the chip, the Doctor slowly walked to the middle of a painted circle on the floor. He tossed the bag over to Eggman who calmly lifted a robotic foot and stamped on it, shattering the chip into a thousand bitty pieces. " Now what?"

Eggman's glasses glinted dangerously in the light. " HA!" He stabbed a green button on his Egg Walkers' dashboard and a glass tube fell from the ceiling trapping the Time Lord. He giggled insanely, " I can't believe the same trap worked twice! Don't bother trying to get out, old man," he added as the Doctor was in the process of scanning the surface with his sonic screwdriver. " The glass has been impregnated with Diamondius. It's been an honour, Doctor. Bye- bye!"

The floor opened underneath the Doctor, he took one last look at Glory's tear stained face and winked. There was a horrible sucking sound and then he was no more. Glory broke free from Celosia's hold and ran to the windows.

"Doctor!" She screamed ,pounding helplessly on the glass. Out of the corner of her eye she saw it and knew there was nothing she could about it. No, no, no!

Behind her Eggman and the Goddess exchanged looks of triumph. The mad man smirked and pressed another button, the ARK rumbled under their feet. From it's under belly a thin beam of blue light shot out and headed for Earth Prime just missing the trapped Doctor.

--

Down below, across the vast seas on the other side of the planet, Shadow looked at his buzzing phone and pressed the accept button. " Yes, I saw it too."

"Well, obviously!" Came Rouge's voice, " You know what this means? It means that the Doctor has failed and –Oh no! Men at arms! Code red…shoot to kill! Shadow…too many…help! Need… Shad--" The line died in a haze of static.

"Rouge? Rouge!"

"Sir, possible targets in bound. All of you… positions!" The officer standing next to him lifted his gun, the others followed suit. Shadow peered ahead, squinting pass the giant stone dragons that marked the village entrance in Chun-Nan, into the growing pink mist and blinked. " Sir, is there a problem?"

"That light…is that sunlight?"

"Yes, sir." Replied the officer, slightly bemused at the question. " Sun rise is in exactly three minutes. Why are you smiling?"

" There's still a tiny chance. Hold your positions. Remember, if it's shiny and moves, shoot to kill. I'll be right back." The black hedgehog stuffed the radio into the guard's hands and ran forward. The first wave of EK's that were lumbering forward spotted him and raised their arms ready to fire. " I don't have time for this!" He shouted, one of his hands bursting into pinks flames. He unleashed a series of Chaos Spears, jumping over the fallen robots as they fell to the ground in sparkling heaps. Knowing he had seconds to act, Shadow used Chaos Control and arrived at the Master Emerald Shrine.

As he expected, the gemstone was waiting for him pulsating in inner power. He ran full pelt at it; the whole area suddenly exploded with pure green energy and then with an almighty sonic- boom a golden comet shot out of its top, screaming up towards the emptiness of space.

--

Glory pressed herself against the window her heart sinking. Out side the unthinkable happened. The comet she'd seen headed for the Doctor, the impact of the two fast approaching objects lit up the darkness in a fireball of red and gold light.

"Doctor!!"

I finished at last!! Well… this chapter anyway. Tee-hee!

Didn't mean for it to be so long.

Next chapter…we'll see.