Sonic Evil 2

Chapter 14 – Blast Furnace Showdown

With the Labs power fully restored, gaining accesses would be a relatively simple task or so they thought, the twisting hallways, room after room of laboratories, medical wings, lounges and so on, not to mention the different levels, made finding the lab that contained the vaccine difficult. Not only was locating the lad hard but lurking within the rooms and hallways were more of the creatures that they'd encountered earlier on the streets of Raccoon City and within the R.P.D. The scientists that once inhabited the lab and worked to create many different chemicals, viruses, vaccines and experimentations were no nothing more than mere shadows than their former selves, wandering around as mindless zombies, the shredded remains of their clothes hung limply on them. They encountered several Likers however due to being exposed to the chemicals they were slightly larger and green in colour but still as dangerous as the ones from the R.P.D.

As Blaze and Shadow traversed the lab they countered two new enemy B.O.W's that lurked within the lab, the first was a plant like creature known as Plant 43, a

by-product of Plant 42 but with the ability to walk, standing on two all legs its upper half comprised mainly of a flower-like head that would split open as it spat a projectile of venomous acid and with two long arms which resembled more like tentacles that would lash out at its prey, dragging them towards it where it would shower them in its acid. Though this enemy was dangerous its one weakness was fire as the creature was a living plant and luckily enough Shadow had found a flamethrower which dispatched the creatures in no time.

Their second enemy wasn't so much a victim of the T-virus but rather s largely mutated insect known as the Giant Moth, the insect was massive in comparison to Blaze and Shadow. With two powerful wings it lumbered about as it tried to fly only succeeding in hovering of the ground as its body was out of proportion however this didn't stop it from attacking. Compensating for its lack of flight the moth had the ability to also spit toxic poison at its prey before using its legs to latch on and drag its prey away just as Plant 43 would do. Dodging the volley of poison Blaze took on the creature and used the grenade launcher she'd obtained earlier to finally kill the creature, the grenade round exploded the creature, leaving it to lie in its own acidic poison.

Continuing with their task they walked on however the loud sound of collapsing metal sheets and pipes was heard in the distance which caused them to raise their guns, slowing their pace they edged towards the corner of a hallway, at the end of the hallway was the elevator, the one they'd used to get onto the level. Finding no lab they walked back to it until they heard the same sound again however this time it came from behind them however this time the sound was accompanied by loud footsteps. Stopping dead they turned around with guns raised, shaky breath and hearts beating rapidly they knew what was coming it was only a matter of time before their suspicions were proved correct. Stepping into their line of sight was a creature they'd hopped never to encounter again; standing at the end of the hallway was Mr X, stepping back slowly they prepared to run for the elevator as there was no going back and no other way to get away. Turning sharply both Blaze and Shadow ran for their lives with Mr X giving chase, Blaze was the first to reach the elevator, slamming her hand on the button, the doors opened. Watching from inside the elevator, Blaze shouted loudly as Shadow ran full pelt towards her, firing a couple of rounds of Mr X didn't help much as the bullets seemed to just bounce of him however they did slow him down long enough for Shadow to get into the elevator. The elevator hummed loudly as it descended to the ground level, as they neared the door that led back into the central chamber of the lab the ceiling gave way behind them, rising from the debris was Mr X. leading Mr X into the central chamber both began to fire their handguns to get his attention focused on them as outside the chamber was the office where Cream was resting.

"Well that' got his attention!" said Blaze

"Yeah now he's following us! I think it's time we finish him off for good" said Shadow

"Easier said than done" mentioned Blaze

"I have an idea, come on…" suggested Shadow

"What did you have in mind?" asked Blaze

"Earlier I noticed a sign that suggested there was a Blast furnace on this level, maybe we can use it to kill this thing for good by pushing him into it" answered Shadow

"Then let's go while we got the chance, we don't have much time, Cream's in more danger the longer we take" responded Blaze

Turning, both Blaze and Shadow ran out of the chamber with Mr X at their heels, they intended to finish him off once and for all, as his constant pursuit of them was somewhat getting old and annoying, not to mention wasting the time they could use to find the vaccine for Cream. Unbeknown to them a figure was watching from a distance in the shadows, not wanting to draw too much attention to themselves, stepping forward into the light the figure was revealed to be Rouge. She made the quick decision to follow them, intent on remaining hidden to observe what they were planning on doing, but she would help if she saw fit to do so. It didn't take long to find the furnace, a set of heavy metal doors concealed the large room within, a high walkway led across a vast molten vat to a centre console that controlled the room. Steam rose from all parts of the room but was heavier around the active molten that bubbled away, it made the room intensely warm but bearable to a degree. Crossing the walkway, Blaze and Shadow had lured Mr X right where they wanted him, this was where they would have their showdown with the monster that had perusing them. Even though they knew that handgun bullets didn't have an overall effect on him, they did manage to slow him down, giving them time to use the grenade launcher to deal some real damage. Dodging left and right to avoid his powerful swing, Blaze and Shadow fought on bravely and soon enough the creature fell onto its front. Suddenly without warning part of the floor that Blaze stood on gave way and she plummeted to the floor below, believing that she'd fallen into the molten vat; Shadow ran over to where Blaze had fallen and was relieved to find that she was safely on the lower level.

"Blaze!" called Shadow

"Don't worry I'm alright "answered Blaze

Relaxing for just a second, Shadow never noticed the large figure that stood behind him until he felt a hand painfully grab his shoulder and throw him across the room, he landed awkwardly as his back slammed against the hard metal floor. He lay there with his eyes closed, struggling to breathe as the wind was knocked out of him, pain ran up his back but he knew he had to get up or he would risk the chance of being killed by Mr X. Trying his best to get up he was suddenly lifted up off the floor by his head and part of his quills, groaning in pain he felt Mr X begin to crush his skull but at that moment he felt the pain reside as the floor came up to meet him as he fell face down. A mini rocket had attached itself to the back of Mr X's coat before it exploded; he fell to his knee's as Rouge slowly approached him with her handgun raised and pointed it directly at his head.

"Just another one of Umbrella's failed experiments" said Rouge

Even though Mr X was just an experimental creature he understood what Rouge had said, latching onto her handgun she fired it in response, the bullet flew through his left eye as blood began to pour from the wound. Roaring in pain he swung his right hand back and sent Rouge flying backwards, her back collided with the centre console, destroying it upon impact. The creature stumbled around in pain and not noticing where it was stepping, he plummeted off the side and fell into the molten vat, sinking as he went down. At the same time Blaze began climbing a small ladder that led back up to the main floor, when she got there she noticed that Shadow was knelt on the floor and holding someone in his arms.

"Rouge!" called Shadow

"This place is set to blow… there isn't much time left, Shadow you have to… get out of here" gasped Rouge

"No, not without you… I promised you that we'd escape together" replied Shadow

"You know it's… strange… I barely even know you but… I knew you'd say that" breathed Rouge

Holding Rouge in his arms, Shadow prayed that she'd be ok, that she'd live but form the impact of hitting the centre console he saw that he wounds were sever and there was little hope. His arms trembled at the thought of losing her, he remembered the promise they made back in R.P.D, of how he would protect her and escape the city together but that all seemed lost now. Rouge had saved his life just as he had saved hers but now he was going to lose her instead, closing his eyes he felt a small tear in his eyes, Rouge lifted a trembling hand towards his face. Placing it there she turned his head to face her before she slowly pulled them together where she kissed him for the very first and most certainly very last time.

"Favour Returned…" breathed Rouge

"WARNING THE DESTRUCT SEQUENCE HAS BEEN ACTIVATED... THIS SEQUENCE CAN NOT BE ABORTED… ALL PERSONAL MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE EMRGENCY CAR AT THE BOTTOM PLATFORM"