Chapter 14- Rivals Join Once More

Robotnik's Base

8:44 a.m.

A sudden lurch came, and the hedgehog began to stir. Thoughts cloudy, body weak, Sonic was tied to the wall of a chamber. Even though drugged to sleep, the rise of the Egg A.R.K. had been able to astonish him awake. Slowly he woke and gathered his mind together.

W…what happened? I…remember Eggman… And then…AMY! The shock of remembering his intentions on his mission woke him entirely. He recalled the fight with Shadow, and the Chaos Emerald, and…Amy. Dangit, why didn't I see through that illusion? Shadow was right, I needed to fight what I wanted to run from, and I ran again.

Seeing the restrictors on the wall, he curled into a ball, and began a Spin Dash. He, after several attempts, was able to break away.

He jumped down, and realized his shoes had been taken from him. He spotted them in a corner, guarded by a simple drone robot. He dispatched it quickly, and as he was pulling them on, he realized one more thing.

"The Chaos Emerald! He took it! Now I can't teleport."

"Well, then we're completely screwed." Turning instantly to the source of the voice, he found Shadow.

"I'm afraid that there is little choice to what can be done now, as we…what? Is there something on my face?" Sonic was staring dumbfounded at the Ultimate Life Form. "Sh-shadow…you can walk!"

Immediately realizing his change in appearance since the last time the blue blur had seen him, he considered explaining. But then waved it off. "Yes, Faker, I can walk. But we'll get back to that a bit later-" however, Shadow was stopped short from the sudden appearance of a gloved hand at his throat, holding him high.

"How can I tell this isn't another one of those fake robos?" Sonic whispered, talking more to himself than Shadow.

Shadow rolled his eyes and smirked. "Seven days ago, I mocked you at your inability to convey the sleeping feelings towards Amy Rose you experience. You promptly said, and I quote, 'I've always wanted her you bastard. But you've seen what I face on a daily basis. If she were to be hurt, or even killed…I'd lose reason for my own living.'" Even in the awkward position he was in, Sonic blushed at the reminder of his rant. "And if you need better, fine here's something from about 2 years ago. 'I found you, Faker.-Faker? I think you're the fake-'"

"Ok, ok you're the real Shadow! Sorry," Sonic promptly put Shadow back on his own feet. "Plus, your scent matches up too. So, I guess it is you."

"Yes, well, I'm glad that you've done your homework and found out the weakness in those things. But, as for my leg and arm, we'll have to hold that off for another time. The point is, I got here, and need your help to get out." He turned to move for the exit.

"WAIT YOU MORON! I haven't found Amy yet! And for all I know, she could be anywhere in this base!"

Another smirk was added to Shadow's smile. "Yes, well, while you were taking that little cat nap, I was able to locate Rose and remove her from her imprisonment."

Relief flooded across Sonic's face. "Then…she's safe."

A sigh came from Shadow, and sarcasm was in his voice. "No you idiot, she's about to collapse from exhaustion. Of course she's fine!" But a warm smile came to his face. "But it looks like your little diversion was the only reason that I was able to free her. I guess Robotnik didn't count on both of us coming." He beckoned. "But I was actually a little serious about that exhaustion bit. She must have been pretty drugged, she still isn't awake."

Sonic immediately flew out the door, and saw Amy lying on the floor, obviously unconscious. He put his hand in hers. Sonic looked at Shadow. She moved her head ever so slightly.

Shadow stood in the hall, 10 feet away from the two of them. His fists were clenched, but he let a breath out. I don't know if what I feel for Rose is love, but until she's safe, I'll make no move to stop Faker's happiness.

./././././././././././.

8:54 a.m.

"So, in the six hours that I was asleep, Egg-Head launched his entire base to be airborne, you found out Mephiles was behind all of this, and most of the world's army was crushed to a pulp."

"That's about it in a nutshell." The two hedgehogs were running through the halls of the Egg A.R.K., still trying to locate the Chaos Emeralds. After giving Sonic a rundown on the current situation, and the conveyance of their definite need of a Chaos Emerald, they had begun their search.

"So, do you think this thing is as strong as the original A.R.K.?" Sonic asked, carrying Amy on his back. He had insisted on the job, but always had to take a break every several minutes.

"Well, it's doubtable, considering it's size, but I'm sure he can still do some pretty major damage with it. But, it really depends on if it needs a charge up time, like the A.R.K. did. If he can fire a laser, of, say, one-third of its size, in rapid succession, he could easily fell some of the world's largest cities in a matter of minutes."

They made a sharp turn into one of the main wings, and immediately met an three Metal Sonics as its guard force. They looked at one another, and smirked simultaneously. "Hold Amy for me pal, I call these guys." Sonic cracked his knuckles and leaped into the air. With a few measly Homing Attacks towards their main joints, the mechanical duplicates were easily dispatched.

"Seriously, the security around here has just been weak. It's almost pathetic how little effort has been put into it," the ebony hedgehog commented as he handed Amy back to Sonic. They ran down the halls to their destination.

./././././././././.

Central Control Room, 9:12 a.m.

Robotnik slammed his hands onto the control monitors. "Damn those hedgehogs! How Sonic was able to escape, and Shadow get in is beyond me, but my defenses inside here are too weak!"

Just destroy them with the Emeralds you have in your main room.

Robotnik clutched his head. "Nononononononono! Those must be saved for a very last resort!"

ThIS iS a necessary TimE tO Do So.

Robotnik screamed. "Get out of my head you demon!"

OnLY WhEn yoU surrender thE EmerAlds to mE. UntIl this iS done, I WilL ContINue To ConTRoL this BodY.

"N-never you vile creature!" And slowly, Robotnik raised his hand to the screen and pressed the "Fire" icon. Suddenly, the Chaos Emeralds controlling the wings began to shake, until two of the wings fell from the Egg A.R.K. Acting like missles, each one set their course, and fired.

"T-there! Now you can't get to them." But then Robotnik fell to the floor.

YouR UsE To Me hAs long ExpIrEd. NoW You MaY SleeP UntiL something WakEs YoU.