Chapter 21
A bittersweet victory.
(Midnight)
Exiting the vents, Shadow and Rouge searched inside the base looking for some idea where the Doctor could be, while also trying to find information on his new project. However, searching here was near unthinkable. Most halls and corridors looked exactly the same with a cool metallic blue. Occasionally they would come across different rooms, but there seemed to be nothing of use. Just a few tools here and there, and broken computers. Interesting enough, they had managed to find a large kitchen room. The robots had been preparing meals, but appeared to be paying no attention to Shadow or Rouge at all. Cameras were visible, however Shadow moved quickly to keep out of sight. Rouge merely flew at the right times to avoid being seen. Soon enough the atmosphere began changing again. This time taking a somewhat green lighting, however it seemed more open this time around. The halls were easier to navigate, and occasionally a few rooms were filled with comfortable luxuries, such as a gigantic bedroom, a swimming pool sized bath tub, and even a tv room.
(11 hours later)
Soon Shadow and Rouge discovered an interesting room. This room was darker than the rest of the rooms, but it was surrounded by wires and cables. Towards the end however was a gigantic computer screen. Shadow quickly ran up to it.
"Do you know how to get into this thing? Rouge asked.
"Yes. Just give me some time. Something here seems like its missing something." Shadow replied.
Shadow managed to turn on the screen a couple of times, but it would immediately turn off afterwards.
"I think I know what the problem is. There isn't enough power to keep this going." said Shadow.
"Is there an electrical socket unplugged, or does it need something else?" Rouge asked.
"What else do you think it needs? A chaos emerald. It's an obvious trap. There's even a socket big enough for the size of one." Shadow pointed out.
"Well what else can we do though?" Rouge asked again.
"We can't really do anything else."
"I know. So be prepared for anything now." Shadow warned.
He pulled out a Chaos Emerald and quickly looked around. After being sure nothing else was in the room, he stuck the emerald in the machine. Soon the sound of electricity flowing began to become louder and louder as the screen once again lit up. After cracking into the computer, thousands upon thousands of plans, old and new began to appear on screen, each taking up tens of thousands of words of precise planning, though many were also stamped with a cancel next to it. However Shadow didn't want anytime wasted. He began searching for the date that GUN had found the leak of one of Eggman's plans since this seemed potentially more dangerous, and likely to cause havoc throughout the world.
Spending twenty minutes of determined searching, he came across the plan he had been looking for. It also didn't have a canceled label either. This plan was named "Metal combo?"
Clicking on the file, many schematics and blueprints appeared. However while reading this Shadow began to feel a tug on him, as well as Rouge. Also the Chaos Emerald that Shadow had used as the energy source for the computer was beginning to shake. Suddenly the Emerald flew up into the air, along with the Emeralds Shadow and Rouge had. They both tried to dash for the emeralds, but something seemed to be blocking their paths. A yellow shield began to appear around them, as a light emerged in front of the two of them. A familiar laugh could be heard through transmission.
(40 minutes before said events)
Sonic quietly began to wake up, remembering that he was back at his house with Amy. He looked at the right of him and saw Amy resting comfortably next to him. He silently stroked her quills, as she let a smile form on her face. Sonic smiled himself, as she quietly whispered his name. He then carefully slipped out of bed, and stretched his limbs. He walked out of his room, and silently sat on his couch. He looked at his wrist. He still had the bracelet that Amy had made him those few nights ago. It seemed as if that day happened so long ago, yet it was less than 2 weeks ago. He had quickly been able to develop strong feelings for Amy. He knew that she did truly care for him. She had already proven it... Now it was time for him to do the same. Sonic took one last glance at Amy before he dashed out into the world. He knew just what he wanted to get her. And he wanted it to be the first thing she saw.
(30 minutes later)
Saffron slept in the fores that night in pain. He was injured and needed to get help from the others whenever they arrived. He now had two desires. The first, was to finish his job. The second, to make Sonic pay. And what better way than to take away what his heart desires. The time was quickly coming. Any moment now, help would arrive, and within the next thirty, he would be home. Finally. He had been able to track where Sonic had slept last night and marked the location on his device, before falling asleep himself.
Suddenly a bright flash began to flash, towards the outside of the forest. Saffron, despite his pain, stood up and began to limp to the light as fast as he could towards the light. Seconds later, black armored soldiers began stepping what looked like a portal, which had a pinkish glow to it. The soldiers were a variety of animals, but the armor they wore made it impossible to tell what species they could have been. Some were unarmed, as they prided themselves on being able to fight without weapons, though some carried green rifles which seemed to be only for backup. Saffron waved his arms like a mad man, until one of the soldiers noticed him. They quickly ran to him, and picked him up, placing him in a vehicle. The vehicles they rode were similar to that of a motorcycle. They slightly hovered above the ground, though they were incapable of flight, and were capable of traveling 550 miles per hour. Saffron was put into a carrier which would let someone take him wherever while still being able to drive. Saffron transferred the information to the other soldiers. Saffron however warned them of Sonic's incredible speed. That no full frontal attack would work. They quickly began to think of a plan. There was no way that they would fail now.
Sonic had been looking around at libraries and everywhere. He wanted to look up the meaning of the perfect rose. He wanted to be able to show Amy that he did care for her, and that nothing would ever change that. No he didn't want to rush into marriage, but he did want to enjoy the time he spent with her. Every second of it. Looking through books he saw the many meanings of what the rose could mean depending on color.
After some research, he finally decided on what would be the perfect rose for him to give. Afterwards he sped to find a perfect rose as quick as he could. He was going to be getting the white rose. He knew that he didn't ever want to hurt Amy, and he knew that he didn't want to be with anyone else. He knew that he would never mess around with her, and that he would always have a place for her in his heart, as discreet as he may have been before about it. He then ran to the outskirts of the city. He began traveling around the mountains searching for a patch of flowers. He didn't want to use Amy's flower garden because he felt it wasn't right to pick any of her flowers. After about five minutes he finally found a perfect Rose near a creek near the bottom of the mountains. It's smell was untainted, it's beauty unmatched, and it's meaning so pure. Carefully picking it, Sonic held it carefully while running back, trying his best not to damage the flower.
Sonic spent about 35 minutes outside and had just arrived at his house, silently he opened the door to his house and slipped back in. He walked over to his room, and silently opened the door. Inside, Amy was still sleeping. However she slowly seemed to be waking up. Sonic slowly began to walk towards her, however, a black blur suddenly hit him straight in the back of the head. Sonic immediately fell face first to the ground, dropping the rose in his hand. Amy jumped at the loud noises, and was getting ready to attack, but a large group of soldiers began to rush into the room. They held Amy down, preventing her from fighting back, and made her breathe in a certain gas. After about 30 seconds of struggle, Amy once again, began to slip into unconsciousness.
Saffron had been satisfied. He witnessed how hard Sonic was hit, and enjoyed the sight of it. Eventually the soldiers began to carry Amy onto the carrier, as they began to board the vehicles.
Sonic began to slowly regain his thoughts at what had just happened and started looking around. He saw the flower dropped on the ground. He then somewhat panicked and looked at his bed. Amy was gone. He then heard a strange sound outside. He quickly looked outside. Strange vehicles were floating and immediately took off. Among those vehicles, he saw a pink fluff lying face down. He ran out the house, and immediately took off after them.
Rouge and Shadow looked past the shield and saw a hologram of Eggman before them.
"Why hello there you two!" Eggman said with a hospitable tone. "How are you doing this lovely morning?"
"What are you planning Doctor?" Shadow demanded.
"My! Is that any way to thank the one who released you Shadow?" Eggman said with a grin.
"Very well." He continued. "I might as well explain what's going on now should I?" Well I've been very busy as you can tell. So many plans gone to waste. But today, things will be much MUCH different! For I, the glorious Doctor Robotnik, have come up with an absolutely brilliant plan! You see. Though you might have found out some of my plans Shadow, that was merely a decoy! You see, by putting the emerald in as the power slot, my computer began to scan it's energy! I also had magnets nearby that would quickly pick up the Emeralds once they would recognize the Emeralds only! Hmm.. there only appear to be six. Where is the last?"
"Like we'd tell you!" Rouge shouted to Eggman.
"Oh well." Eggman sighed. "It doesn't matter. For you see, I would like you to see one my greatest plans to ever succeed! Oh you will see. Do you recall that one time some time ago, when I had first used the Chaos Emeralds to split the world apart?"
"A brilliant plan Doctor." Shadow mocked.
"SILENCE." Eggman shouted before continuing. "See while I shot the laser, Sonic was caught in the middle of the blast. In doing so, I had been able to transform him into what he called a 'were-hog'. However, it was during this blast that I had been able to gather Sonic's dna. Using a variety of complex theories that only I could understand, I had been able to come up with a way to be able to track Sonic's every location! With his dna, all I had to do was replicate it and broadcast a satellite that would give me a signal of where I can find it's exact location!"
"So now you can keep up with Sonic? Big whoop Doctor." Rouge said unimpressed.
"Oh but you haven't heard the rest of my plan my dear! You see, I now know wherever the hedgehog is! Now, I must make that signal vanish off the face of the earth! I once had a certain weapon called the hedgehog missile that would track the hedgehog's and chase him down. This time however, it is determined to hit only Sonic. However, instead of making this explosion a mere one, I've decided to make some fireworks today! You see, this time, I intend to take out Sonic, and everything around him! Should it fail to hit him anything close to the missile will be a goner. For this missile, is powered by chaos energy, thanks to the additional emeralds that you kindly donated! And this energy when also combined with the power of a nuclear device... let's just say Sonic won't be around for much longer! GAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"ARE YOU MAD?!" Shadow responded with anger. "IF YOU DO THIS, YOU WILL BE KILLING MANY INNOCENT LIVES!"
"Better safe than sorry Shadow. But if you really want to save those lives, why not stop the missile yourself! In fact, go ahead and try it Shadow!" Eggman finished before his hologram vanished.
The shield that once covered them had, faded away. A huge rumbling however could be felt. The missile Doctor Eggman had talked about was beginning to launch at this very second. Shadow would have gone after the chaos emeralds, however, he felt as if they had never existed. All traces of their energy were gun. Shadow began to dash towards the outside as fast as he could. He had to warn Sonic.