Author's note I'm back once more.
I'm at a loss for words. This fic's been around for a little over four months now, and it has over 10,000 views. I'm speechless, I don't know what to say except a huge thank you to everyone who has faved, followed or viewed this story and I genuinely appreciate your support.
As always a big thank you to The GameNguyener, Alexandria Prime, SpiderDom321, Turquoise Triangle, Yami Chaos 27, Guest, Keyblade Writer of the Dawn, bajy, and SharpDragonKlaw.
Now the reason that I decided to include Tikal is that she is a crucial part of Chaos' backstory. I planned to include her right from the moment I wrote up the outline of this story. It felt right in include her in the last chapter since things are dire for the Resistance at the moment. Eggman's partnership with Infinite has been strained ever since the early days of their alliance. Their relationship is going to become even worse in the next few chapters.
Disclaimer I do not own the characters, in Sonic the Hedgehog. They belong to Sega.
Italics Eggman's journal entries.
Without any further ado, the next chapter awaits.
Countdown to Eggman's plan 16 hours remain.
The hum of the ship's engines caused Sonic, Knuckles, and Rouge to stir from their uneasy slumber on the hard benches. The three of them spent most of the night trekking back from the Hidden Palace to the ship as all three of them had a brief rest of several hours. Most of the Resistance members were up and about running several maintenance checks with two members of the Resistance piloting the vessel. The fleet took off into the sky. Knuckles avoided looking at the Resistance members busying himself with setting up the last of the equipment.
"So then we have less than a day left to stop Eggman's plan," Tails said looking down at the monitor on his laptop having brought it from his workshop. "Hopefully there's something else about the Phantom Ruby I missed since we didn't have much time to study it."
"Heh I doubt that there's anything else we can find on that gemstone," Sonic said."We know the Phantom Ruby is a virtual reality weapon."
"I know, but I've found what appears to be several entries from Eggman's journal and it's likely that Eggman encrypted most of them when I hacked the Chemical Plant Database," Tails replied. "It's clear that Eggman wrote these before this war started."
Tails clicked on the small icon on the computer screen as the words appearing on the screen. Everyone watched the computer screen in silence for the hope Eggman's journal entries would have more clues on the Phantom Ruby.
April 7th, 2017
Today was a successful day. In the middle of studying the strange gem, I came under attack from a group of mercenaries. Come to think about, if I hadn't raised the Phantom Ruby to deflect the leader's sword, well I wouldn't be sitting here writing this entry. I witnessed a destroyed wasteland, and I immediately guessed what this jackal desired the most, and I offer him and his squad to ally themselves with me.
Even though the rest of the squad protested, their leader caused them to be silent and gave me his name. Zerinn. I suspect that he could be a danger later on, but for now, he could be useful. I enjoyed dangling the Phantom Ruby out of reach of his fingers. The look on his face was hilarious.
I have a feeling that this will be the beginning of a beautiful partnership.
April 21st, 2017
Damn that Shadow! That accursed black and red hedgehog is the pinnacle of my grandfather's research, but he took out the rest of the Jackal Squad and their weak leader came crawling back practically begging to have the power of the Phantom Ruby. However, I have to admit they impressed me with their combat prowess and I sent out my robots to retrieve the survivors.
I initially thought about infusing the Phantom Ruby into my chest, but I couldn't shake the feeling it would be a bad idea since I discovered that the longer the Phantom Ruby remained fused with an organic being, they would fall ill from the effects of the Phantom Ruby.
It turned out that a member from the Jackal Squad survived his battle with Shadow. He told me his name was Fenrir. I assumed he would be the perfect test subject as an experiment to have a prototype of the Phantom Ruby fused to his chest. However, due to his weakened condition, he didn't last long and swiftly perished. I left his body to rot alongside the other bodies of his comrades.
So there is a side effect to implementing the Phantom Ruby within an organic being. Maybe infusing Zerinn with the finalized prototype isn't such a good idea, but he wants that power I'll perform the procedure, but if he falls ill then it'll be his fault.
I can't seem to shake the feeling that Zerinn is dangerous. He has a lust for power, if he intends to stand in the way of the Eggman Empire then so be it.
May 6th, 2017
I'm almost ready for my conquest of Mobius. Infusing the finalized Phantom Ruby prototype with Infinite was a success. Infinite effortlessly defeated Shadow. I argued briefly with him about imprisoning Shadow within the Death Egg. He only relented when I threatened to remove the Phantom Ruby prototype and infuse it with Metal Sonic instead. The other four members of the Jackal squad survived their injuries, and I implemented a fragment into a jackal known as Kaito.
After some loyalty issues with Kaito, I sent him to the Green Hill Zone prison facility. Hopefully, some discipline will teach him to respect me. The other three are still recovering from their injuries, and they won't stop asking about Zerinn. They are in a secret location and maybe if I break off a small fragment of a Phantom Ruby prototype and attach to it a cord around their necks, then perhaps they won't suffer any ill effects from the Phantom Ruby.
For now, this will be the last time I write in my diary. I'll be departing tomorrow with Infinite and my fleet to begin my conquest of the world.
Sonic, Amy, Kaito, Sahara, Knuckles, Vector, Rouge and Gadget stared in shock at the words flashing on the screen. Kaito recalled with sinking dread in his stomach when he'd been Infinite's prisoner, he remembered the ribs showing through his fur, how his older half-brother consumed only half of the toast and his coat looked paler than usual.
"It looks like the Phantom Ruby makes the user sick," Sonic mumbled. "Infinite's fur looked paler when we fought him in Null Space."
Shadow ran a critical eye over the information on the screen. Kaito looked up apprehension on his face as though he was struggling to find the answer to a question lingering on his mind. Kaito's bandages had been removed revealing the two pairs of stitches crossing through the middle of the jackal's abdomen as the young jackal raised his fingers to scratch at the spot where his fragment of the Phantom Ruby had once been.
"So, I take it that Infinite believes that I'm dead?"
Gadget hesitated for a few brief minutes letting out a low tired sigh. The memory of Infinite on his hands and knees frantically searching for his younger half-brother through the debris of the apartment complex calling out Kaito's name repeatedly holding onto a faint hope Kaito was still alive. Gadget remembered the brief glimpse of pain in Infinite's eye before he screamed in pure grief. The sound would forever haunt Gadget until the day the wolf died to make eye contact with Kaito.
"Yeah he did," Gadget replied barely above a whisper. "I didn't even expect that kind of reaction from Infinite. I've never even seen him that angry before. He wanted Mikhail to experience the pain of losing a sibling."
"So, it appears that the Phantom Ruby is making him ill," Kaito breathed out. "I knew right from the start something was off about the Phantom Ruby because he became obsessed with it, not too long after we met Eggman."
"It appears to be the case," Shadow spoke clenching his fists. "I have a feeling that he was sick even before he got his hands on the Phantom Ruby."
Kaito shot Shadow a full glare his fur bristling his ears pinned back against his head. Shadow didn't anticipate Kaito slamming into Shadow knocking him off his feet causing the hedgehog's head to slam hard against the ground. Shadow made eye contact with Kaito. The sharp, angry tears pricking at the corner of his eyes his flamberge raised, lips pulled back in an angry snarl.
"He wasn't sick before the Phantom Ruby!" Kaito snarled angry tears streaming down his face. "Take that damn comment back right now!"
Kaito stared down in anger seeing Shadow lower his eyelids the small frown crossed the hedgehog's face. "He used an illusion of my best friend against me. That's what I meant by that comment. The sooner Infinite is dead then Mobius will truly be safe."
"Did Infinite use an illusion of Maria against you?" Sonic asked Shadow softly. "If so, that was low of him."
Shadow nodded in response silently folding his arms across his chest in silence. The hedgehog let out a low sigh turning red eyes towards Sonic confirming his suspicions. Kaito didn't say anything in response to Sonic's question. Kaito opened his fingers allowing the flamberge to clatter against the ground.
"Did Infinite use an illusion of Maria?" Sonic asked Shadow softly. "If so, that was low of him."
Shadow nodded in response silently folding his arms across his chest in silence. The hedgehog let out a low sigh turning red eyes towards Sonic confirming his suspicions.
Shadow lightly pushed against Kaito's chest. Kaito backed away panting in anger, tears still streaming down his face before he let out a scream of rage running to the rear of the ship. The sound of Kaito's footsteps caused both Mikhail and Chaser to stir from their slumber looking up blearily as Gadget made a move to go after Kaito as Tails noticed the wolf shaking his head no from side to side.
"Leave him be Gadget," Tails mumbled. "He may need time to calm down."
The wolf lowered his ears as he heard the sounds of footsteps as Sahara ran to the window pressing her face to the window a concerned expression on her face.
"Hey, guys I think Angel Island just sank a little."
Sahara's words caused a brief glimpse of alarm to go off as Knuckles raced towards the window spying the distant shape of Angel Island beginning to descend below the cloud line a knot of anxiety formed in Knuckles' stomach.
Tikal if you can hear me, please do your best to keep Chaos contained.
Meanwhile, in the depths of Hidden Palace, the cracks ran along the surface of the Master Emerald causing the emerald to shift from side to side even more violently. From within the Emerald Chaos unleashed all of his power onto the Master Emerald the dimly aware of the gentle hands on Chaos to no avail.
"Chaos please don't do this!" Tikal cried out in a panic the ghostly Chao whimpering in fear clinging to her ankles. "I know that you're angry, but this won't solve anything!"
Chaos ignored her. The God of Destruction's fully intended to break free of the Master Emerald. With one last surge of strength, the Master Emerald fell off its pedestal crashing against the ground exploding into green emerald shards scattering all over the tiled floor of the Hidden Palace. Chaos felt the tremors all over the island due to the Master Emerald shattering. The God of Destruction wrenched the doors open not caring that the island continued its descent towards the ocean. The fall came to a stop as Angel Island plunged into the surf sending up a massive gush of water.
Chaos jumped off the edge of Angel Island jumping into the water aware of the small pink orb following Chaos in his pursuit of the blue and white ship.
"Angel Island just fell into the ocean!"
Charmy's cry caught Knuckles' attention. The echidna paused feeling a pit of dread opening up in his stomach. Everyone raced over to the window seeing Angel Island landing in the ocean and Knuckles looked down spying a flash of light blue amongst the deep blue surface. The blue blob appeared to be heading towards a particular place in Mobius everyone knew to have a real Angry God of Destruction on the loose potentially spelled trouble for the rest of Mobius.
"Oh, that's just perfect!" Vector cried out in frustration. "We have less than a day left and now we've got to deal with the real Chaos!"
Knuckles immediately took command of the situation. Right now the guardian didn't care if most everyone on the ship hated him. He would still do his best to protect them all. The echidna closed his eyes mentally seeing the image of the Master Emerald shards lying scattered all over the floor of the Hidden Palace.
"Change of plans," Knuckles said calmly and evenly. "We must make a quick detour to Station Square. Chaos is on the loose there, and we can't afford to lose any more innocent lives if we don't take too much time."
"But sir, why should we listen to you after that botched plan of yours?"
"Anyone can make a mistake, and I will agree that Knuckles made a huge mistake with Operation Big wave," Amy spoke up loudly. "Please, everyone just give Knuckles another chance to prove himself."
A tense silence fell over the docking bay before the pilots looked at each other for a few minutes conversing in low tones. An irritated sigh came from one pilot who turned hard on the wheel. The ship shifted to the left heading toward Station Square. Knuckles breathed out a sigh of relief as several Resistance members looked at each other nervously.
"Thanks, Amy, I can take it from here," Knuckles said seeing the hostile glares aimed at him. "Look I know that you're all mad at me for Operation Big Wave and I honestly don't blame you. I've doubted myself as well. From now on I can only promise you that I won't recklessly put you in more danger."
The Resistance members muttered turning their backs towards Knuckles in low, angry voices. Knuckles didn't have long to dwell on the Resistance's mistrust for him. After a few hours, the fleet soon arrived in Station Square hearing the door opened as Knuckles led his group out into the near-empty city with several residents observing them from their windows.
"Keep an eye out for Chaos," Knuckles said alerting everyone. "He's enraged, and he's not going to go down without a fight. I need Omega, Rouge, Kaito, Sahara, Silver, Mikhail, and Chaser to evacuate the citizens and take them to safety in case Chaos floods Station Square. I don't want to see anyone else lose their lives today."
The mentioned individuals nodded heading into Station Square hoping to search out and locate citizens to bring them back to the safety of the ship. The pilots remained behind ready to give the command for the fleet to ascend in case Chaos couldn't be subdued.
Countdown to Eggman's plan 14 hours remain.
Station Square had once been the most popular tourist hotspot in all of Mobius that is until Perfect Chaos' attack several years had destroyed most of the city. The attack led to over ninety-five percent of its residents died in the attack leaving Station Square a near ghost town. In the last five years since Perfect Chaos' attack the rebuilding efforts nearing completion. Things looked hopeful for Station Square to reclaim its glory days until Eggman's conquest of Mobius; the citizens were more worried about being captured to work in Eggman's factories. A fearful atmosphere hung over the city leaving everyone terrified for their lives.
It was here in the near vacant city Infinite arrived landing on the ground wincing rubbing at the burned patches of fur on his wrists and ankle. The jackal raised his head his ears straining to pick up any form of sounds or life. Zerinn looked up at one of the near vacant buildings a pair of eyes staring back at him horrified. The child's eyes drifted to the burned patches of fur on Infinite's wrists and ankles.
The mother ran to the window shooting a horrified glance in Infinite's direction. She quickly pulled her child back away from the window with fear drawing the blinds closed. Infinite titled his mask upwards allowing the small smirk on his face. The jackal raised his hands allowing his fingers to brush along the surface of the Phantom Ruby ignoring the trembling all over his body drawing on the power of the gemstone, levitating into the air.
The rush of red wave rushed over the dark gray clouds drew in low over the area the faint rumbles of thunder echoed off in the distance, Several gushes of high-pressure water erupted from the streets sending the citizens running for cover as the few cars skidded to a stop.
Terror struck the citizens as they ran for higher ground. A few of them recalled with horror looking at the plumes of water erupting out of the sewers what happened right before Perfect Chaos attacked. The massive column of water shot out of a sewer cover sweeping up a pair of citizens who'd gotten to close to it, sending them screaming into the air before gravity pulled them back to the ground. They lay dead in the streets killed by the force of the fall.
Infinite closed his eye allowing his fingers to run over the Phantom Ruby hearing the familiar sound of it activating. Infinite opened his eye coming face to face with the three illusions in front of him. It wasn't just the primary form of Chaos. A giant blob of water landed next to Infinite revealing a large blue shark-like creature with a fin sticking out in the middle of his back and the last copy of Chaos bore metallic implants in his arms. Infinite watched the Chaos illusions running amok on the city, hearing the dull buzz coming from his communicator.
"Infinite have you activated the Phantom Ruby yet?"
"Yes, I have, Doctor," Infinite replied weakly coughing slightly. "I should stick around to ensure that I wipe out an-"
"That won't be necessary Infinite, and I need you to return to Mt Yuji at once," Eggman barked through the other end of the communicator. "Unless if you want a reminder of what'll happen if you refuse. I need the Phantom Ruby at full power for my plan to work."
"I understand," Infinite said pausing to cough again. "I will head back to Mt. Yuji Doctor. Do you have an idea why I'm coughing?"
"It must be something in the air," Eggman's curt response over the communicator.
Infinite shot off across the sky in a red trail of light leaving behind several copies of the God of Destruction to attack the citizens. The jackal paused briefly observing the havoc down below his feet. The screams of the citizens reaching his ears. The jackal allowed a small, grim smile to cross his face letting out a low chuckle noticing the small fleet belonging to the Resistance had arrived.
"Ah, perhaps if those ants perish, then conquering Mobius will be easier," Infinite chuckled. "It still won't stop me from claiming what's rightfully mine though."
The jackal turned around heading back towards Mt. Yuji feeling nothing, but a grim satisfaction of the Resistance facing the three illusions, hopefully dying in the process.
Countdown to Eggman's plan 12 hours remaining
In the next few minutes, the red wave washed over the Resistance as water poured in from everywhere nearly knocking everyone off their feet. Amy, Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, and the Chaotix were at the forefront along with Gadget and Shadow taking in the flooded streets of Station Square along with the chaos that followed it. Three illusions of Chaos came charging towards the Resistance their process unhampered by the rising waters. They had every intention of killing the Resistance. Some citizens hadn't escaped in time, having drowned in the streets their lifeless bodies rising to the top of the surface.
"I guess that Infinite was here, but I guess he's gone now," Sonic said frowning looking at the
"This is bad," Amy breathed out in concern. "We now have to deal with Phantom Ruby fakes of Chaos' forms except for Perfect Chaos and Chaos 6."
"Perfect Chaos is the last thing that needs to show up," Sonic retorted grimacing his sneakers became waterlogged sloshing through the water. "Man, I hope that I never have to wade through the water again."
"We'll deal with the Chaos zero illusion," Vector stared hearing the thud of the God of Destructions' heavy wet footsteps. "Come on, boys we'll earn our pay yet!"
The Chaotix broke into a run heading towards the false Chaos engaging one of them in battle. The illusion reacted with lightning fast reflexes lunging out with its arms. Espio ducked and weaved throwing out the shurikens aimed at the brain the God of Destruction. Chaos raised his arm as the shurikens harmlessly passed through it.
"Stay close," Espio warned Charmy. "Don't underestimate him this time."
"You worry too much Espio," Charmy said flying into the air dodging Chaos' swipes. "Besides, I'd like to see him even try to hit me!"
The illusion silently lunging out at the bee as Vector lunged for Chaos' limb only to get smacked in the face with the watery appendage. Meanwhile, the floodwaters continued to rise forcing the Resistance's fleet to ascend into the air to avoid being submerged by the rising waters.
Mikhail stared out in horror at the rising floodwaters. The rest of the Resistance members had been able to get some citizens to the roof of the buildings observing the scene in terror unable to do anything to help.
Sonic, Tails, and Gadget ran across the heavily flooded streets leaping onto the large green lily pads that somehow sprouted in the middle of the road giving them a footing in the rough waters. Chaos 4 dived beneath the waves the force of the impact almost knocked Tails off the edge of the lily pad as Gadget pulled him back in time.
"Where did he go?"
The wolf gazed around in terror looking for any signs that Chaos was below them. The water stirred as the lily pad shifted as Gadget plunged into the water. He hastily grabbed his glasses spying the massive form of Chaos 4 racing towards him the force of the impact slammed into Gadget forcing the wolf to the surface sending him flying into the air before gravity took hold sending the wolf crashing back down to the surface.
"Hang in there Gadget!"
Tails quickly ascended into the air spying Chaos 4 come racing towards him as the young fox reacted quickly lashing out with his tails cutting harmlessly through the liquid like limb spying the red cubes rising into the sky. Chaos 4 let out a low moan of pain stumbling back as Sonic homing attacked Chaos 4's exposed brain causing the God of Destruction to break apart four lights shining above him forming into balls chasing the hedgehog running across the surface of the water.
Tails saw Gadget's head exploded from out of the water coughing and gagging for air swimming over to one of the lily pads heaving himself up out of the water.
"Gadget?" Tails hovered near the wolf concern on his face. "Are you okay?"
"Considering that got a bath I didn't want I'm okay," Gadget replied pointing the Burst Wispon the stream of flame erupted from the muzzle of the Wispon only to fizzle against the watery appendage the illusion raised to defend itself beginning to glitch out the small red cubes leaking from the small gaps across the liquid surface.
Amy joined the Chaotix in the battle awkwardly wading her way through the wet roads racing towards Chaos 0 slamming her Piko- Piko hammer into the ground leaping high into the air landing a blow on Chaos' brain causing him to stumble.
Shadow lunged out of the way of the arm embedded with metal the blank gaze of Chaos 2 glaring at him observing them, carefully. The few Resistance soldiers trembled aiming blows attacks at the illusion only to miss.
Shadow felt the lick of flame curled against his spines. The hedgehog winced spinning away to glare at the nervous recruit who chuckled nervously holding on a Burst Wispon a sheepish smile on his face.
"Attacking the body of water won't do a thing," Shadow spoke quietly. "You need to go for the brain."
Shadow ran towards the illusion before leaping into the air preparing to land a kick on Chaos 2. The illusion spun around lunging out an arm slamming into Shadow's face sending the Ultimate Lifeform crashing to the ground.
Chaos 2 turned his attention towards a pair of terrified Resistance members. Knuckles reacted first running at full tilt towards them lunging out with his fists catching Chaos forcing the illusion slamming his fists into his brain. Taking advantage of the momentary distraction the guardian got between the two Resistance members and their enemy.
"Thank you, Commander!"
The bird exhaled a sigh of relief the hedgehog nodded gratefully.
Their relief didn't last long. Without warning, the illusionary Chaos 2 lunged out with an arm his wet fingers grabbing the echidna around the throat flinging him into the air. The illusion leaped into the air landing a punch to the echidna's abdomen knocking the wind out of Knuckles. Chaos quickly landed blow after blow on Knuckles allowing at one point the echidna rising to his feet lashing out at the illusion.
"No, I can't let it end like this," Knuckles hissed painfully. "I will protect everyone!"
Knuckles ran at Chaos again landing a sharp punch to the brain. In retaliation, Chaos swept Knuckles' feet out from underneath him crashing him to the ground seeing the illusion rear its fist back to finish off the Guardian. Suddenly a blob of water reared up out of the water as it took the form of the real Chaos. The God of Destruction raced over to the illusion of Chaos 2 lashing out with his arms. Knuckles groaned in pain forcing himself to his feet shaking his head ignoring the stabbing pain coming from his ribs looking up to see the actual Chaos slamming his fists against the fake Chaos.
"Wait, the real Chaos he's not after us," Knuckles said in amazement smiling. "He's after those illusions!"
Chaos attacked once more this time driving both of his arms into Chaos 2's brain the force of the impact caused the illusion broke apart into a shower of red cubes.
"Yes, the real Chaos is on our side!"
The other two illusions broke away from the Chaotix and Sonic making a beeline for Chaos 4 and 0. Chaos lashed out avoiding his fake's attacks ducking down landing rapid attacks on the fake illusions of him. Chaos 4 made a desperate lunge for its attacker only to have Chaos plunge his hand through the brain of the fake causing it to glitch out breaking apart into a shower of red cubes.
Loud cheers came from the citizens still on the rooftops of the city. Sonic turned to face the God of Destruction glancing at the group. The light floated above the palm of Knuckles' hand hearing the light pulse as Tikal's voice came from speaking in a regretful tone.
"Knuckles, I'm sorry that I couldn't hold Chaos back," Tikal spoke in a sorrowful tone. "Chaos wishes to lend his strength to your cause. Only then will Chaos return to the Master Emerald peacefully."
The news that the God of Destruction wanted to fight alongside the Resistance ignited a spark of hope within the Resistance. Knuckles allowed a tired smile to grace his face the small chuckle escaping his lips. The mood felt less tense than it did several hours ago as Chaos moved along the small crowd his unblinking green eyes swiveling around the area taking in all the Mobians. Most of them bowed in respect when Chaos walked past them.
"I think we'll need all the help we can get right now." Knuckles said bowing respectfully towards Chaos. "Chaos if you want to help us then we'll need all the help that we can get."
The pink orb hovered closer to the God of Destruction. Chaos slowly opened a wet palm allowing the light to settle in the palm of his hand, The rest of the Resistance showed hesitation at the God of Destruction's decision to join their fight against the Eggman Empire. Sonic looked around at the worried expressions on the Resistance's faces.
"It won't be forever guys until this war ends," Sonic said hopefully reassuring the Resistance. "Tails how much time do we have left?"
"It's a seven-hour flight to Mt. Yuji, and then we'll only have eight hours left to stop Eggman's plan."
At Tails' words, it was more enough to cause a wave of unease to ripple throughout the members of the Resistance. Sonic couldn't help, but notice that everyone looked skeptical and afraid. Everyone on the rooftops looked uneasy at the mention of
"Eight hours is still plenty of time," Silver called out his voice reverberating around the area. "We can't give up now. Everyone on Mobius is counting on us to win this war. We can do it!"
Silver's speech ignited a few small cheers. Knuckles glanced over at Silver an idea plaguing his mind seeing how the Resistance were willing to follow Silver and a tap on the echidna's shoulder caught his attention. The Guardian turned to see the hedgehog he'd rescued earlier looking up at him admiration in her eyes.
"Thank you for saving me Commander," the hedgehog spoke shyly backing away from Knuckles. "If you hadn't stepped in when you did, I would've been killed. Most of us will need time to forgive you for what happened at Metropolis, but I'm willing to follow your lead."
Knuckles risked a glance over at the members of the Resistance. Several Mobians looked back at him with hostility on their faces, grumbling amongst themselves that the echidna who'd spent most of his life upon an island in the clouds. However, a few Mobians were less hostile, looking back at Knuckles respect shining in their eyes at their Commander. Knuckles inwardly breathed out a sigh of relief. It was a small start, but it seemed like some members of the Resistance had begun to forgive the guardian for his disastrous planning when it'd come to Operation Big Wave. Knuckles was hopeful when Eggman was defeated he would, at last, be able to return to Angel Island.
"You're welcome, and now let's go and take back our planet from Eggman!"
There were loud cheers at Knuckles' statement the Resistance returned to the small fleet along with Chaos added to their ranks. Their chances of taking back their home looked a little brighter and as the fleet rose into the sky heading on its path towards Mt. Yuji with the residents of Station Square cheering them on. The small flowers began to poke up through the soil starting to unfurl their golden petals. Although it was small hope was starting to return to Mobius.
Author's note Well this chapter turned out to be longer then I thought it would be. The real Chaos has joined the battle, and his help couldn't have come at a better time since the final battle is approaching. Another of my goals for this story was to give Chaos the much-needed spotlight he deserved, instead of having him appear for under two minutes in the game.
To clear up any confusion about the timeline of the war, it began on the seventh of May, and it's now November. The diary entries form Eggman something I planned to put in from the start, and I felt it was right to put them here.
Now the idea of Infinite becoming sick from the effects of the Phantom Ruby was an idea that slammed into my brain. I didn't want to go with the Infinite was possessed by the Phantom Ruby, and in a way, it's almost karmic. Infinite sought out the power of the Phantom Ruby, and he abandoned everything to get that power only for it to turn on him.
As if you're wondering why Kaito, Quartz, Saber, and Nephthys haven't fallen ill to the effects of the Phantom Ruby it's because Kaito rarely used his fragment because he was afraid of losing his mind like Zerinn. For Quartz, Saber, and Nephthys they've only used their Phantom Ruby fragments a couple of times so far in the story.
As per usual constructive criticism, thoughts and reviews are welcomed and appreciated, and the next chapter will be on the way soon.