Healing Hearts

Chapter 38

"Alright, here where we are," Tails said, as the X-1 touched down.

Neo unbuckled his seat belt and stood up, stretching. It had been a long flight, between dropping everyone off at their designated stops and then having to reach their own location. In fact, it was already sunset by the time they had finally arrived.

"Will we have enough time to search before it gets dark," Neo asked, joining Tails at the exit ramp.

"Well, if need be, I do have some night vision goggles," Tails replied.

"That won't be necessary for me," Neo said. "I'm quite adept at seeing in the dark. Comes with being a Shadow."

They disembarked from the X-1, Tails locking it via remote. The area before them were hills and bushes, but nothing else. If the Chaos Emerald was here, then hopefully it wouldn't be too difficult to track down. Still, it was a vast area to explore.

"We may have to camp out here," Tails said. "But we'll search for as long as we can."

"Then we'd best get started," Neo said.

They set out, cresting the hills, and checking the bushes scattered around the area. All the while, both Neo and Tails kept an eye out for any sign of Robotnik's forces or Team Shadow. With any luck neither side had arrived before them and already claimed the emerald.

"So, how do you think the others are doing," Tails asked, as they continued their search.

"Hopefully they're doing well," Neo replied. "Are you worried about Amy?"

"A little," Tails admitted. "But she's tough, so I'm sure she'll be okay. And she has Serena with her, though I'm not sure just how strong she is."

"She may not look like it," Neo said. "But Serena is tougher than you'd think. While she is kind and friendly, she is also a formidable fighter and her light powers are a force to be reckoned with. Trust me, Amy couldn't ask for a better companion to watch her back."

"So, what about you, Neo," Tails asked. "I've been wondering just how strong you are."

"No doubt you'll see for yourself real soon," Neo said. "We have company."

Tails glanced up. Rocketing down from the sky was a hulking robot. It landed several feet away from them and stood tall, looking around.

"It seems Robotnik's forces have arrived," Neo said.

"Actually, that's Omega," Tails said. "He's with Team Shadow. Not that that means he's on our side."

"No matter who he works for, we can't let him get the emerald," Neo said.

At that moment, Omega noticed Tails and Neo. Immediately he brought his weapons up and pointed them at the duo.

"I assume you have come for the emerald," Omega said. He looked at Neo for a moment. "Did I not encounter you at the cave?"

"I think you're confusing me for Myotis," Neo replied.

"Hm. You're appearances are similar," Omega said.

"We get that a lot actually," Neo said.

"Regardless, I will have the emerald," Omega said.

"We don't have the emerald," Tails replied. "And even if we did, we wouldn't give it to you."

Omega lowered his weapons. "Well, if you don't have the emerald, then I will start my search for it."

"You're not going to fight us," Tails asked.

"Not unless you really want to fight," Omega replied.

"It would be a waste of time for all of us," Neo said. "Instead, I recommend we search for the emerald. The first to find it, gets to keep it."

"Very well, I accept your challenge," Omega said.

"I trust you will abide by the terms of this deal," Neo asked. "You won't take the emerald from us should we find it first?"

"Provided you do not interfere with me should I obtain it first," Omega replied.

"Deal," Neo said.

"Neo," Tails exclaimed.

Neo held his hand up, silencing Tails. Omega then lumbered off to begin his search for the emerald. After he was gone, Tails looked at Neo, wringing his hands in frustration.

"What were you thinking," he asked. "We can't let Omega have the emerald!"

"And we won't," Neo replied. "But if we tried to stand in Omega's way, we would have to fight him, and that would waste valuable time and allow Robotnik to find it. This way, we can stay out of his way while we search. Sometimes you have to compromise with opposing parties to achieve a goal."

"But do you really think he'll abide by these conditions," Tails asked. "He was ordered to bring the emerald back to his Superiors. And he follows his orders quite well."

"True," Neo said. "However, Omega seems different from most other robots. I imagine he knows how to honor a deal if need be. I know it seems like a risk, but it's one we'll have to take. And on the off chance he tries to renege on the deal, I'm prepared to do what's necessary."

Tails nodded. He still wasn't entirely sure about this, but Neo seemed to know what he was doing. With that settled, they resumed their own search for the emerald.

Omega traversed the area, starting his search for the Chaos Emerald. Off in the opposite direction from which he had come from, he detected the life signs of Tails and Neo. They were moving away from his current location. While he had no intention of standing in their way at the moment, he was also intent on obtaining the emerald first. And should they get it before him, he would take it. He had his orders and he would follow them. So far, his team had two emeralds in their possession, and Omega was determined to make it three. He would not fail, unlike at the Shadow Caverns.

Fortunately, he had the means to pinpoint the emerald's location. Nestled in his chest cavity, was one of the emeralds they had procured. With it wired into his circuitry, he could now detect the emerald's energy signature. Activating his sensors, he began sweeping the area for energy readings. As he scanned, he detected a faint signature several yards from his location. If he could, he would have smiled. He had struck pay dirt already. He made his way over towards the signature's location.

After a while, he soon arrived. Glancing down, he saw the emerald half-buried in the dirt. He stooped down and pulled it from the ground. The emerald shined with a silver-white light and Omega could feel it's energy pulsing. He had succeeded in his mission! Time to return to H.Q.

His sensors suddenly alerted him to several lifeforms behind him. Whirling around, Omega readied his weapons...only to be zapped by several lasers. His circuits overloaded and his systems shut down. He collapsed to the ground, the emerald dropping from his hand. The ambushers surrounded the fallen robot, keeping their weapons trained on him. One of the figures stepped forward and picked up the emerald. He turned back to his team.

"Looks like it's our lucky day," he said. "Contact the Commander and inform her of our find."

"What about this robot, sir," one figure spoke up.

"Leave it," the first figure replied. "We have no use for it." He held up the emerald. "The real prize is right here. Alright, fall in! We're returning to base!"

At that moment, his comm beeped. He switched it on and listened.

"I see," he said. "Maintain your position and keep an eye on them. We're on our way." He turned his attention to his group. "Change of plans, men. We have two intruders near our camp. We're heading over there now to apprehend them. Move out!"

They marched off into the darkness, leaving behind Omega.

Tails and Neo had been searching even after the sun had set. Tails had his night-vision goggles on, checking for any signs of the emerald.

"I really don't think you'll need those," Neo said. "The moon is full tonight and it should offer enough light to see by."

Tails flipped the goggles up. Sure enough, it was light enough for him to see the surrounding area. Shrugging, he removed the goggles and stashed them in his pack. Then, as he glanced around, he saw light coming from over a hill.

"Hey, look," he said. "I see a light. It might be the emerald."

They made their way over towards the hill. Upon arriving, they peered over and saw the source of the light. The area below was occupied by a makeshift camp. Tanks and silver pod-like crafts were parked around the area and dozens of black robed figures patrolled around, marching under glaring spotlights.

"Get down," Tails said, pulling Neo to the ground.

They ducked out of sight just as a spotlight swept over the hilltop. After it passed by them, Tails breathed a sigh of relief.

"That was too close," he said.

"What's going on, Tails," Neo asked. "Who were those guys?"

"They're called the Dark Legion," Tails explained. "They're a renegade faction of echidnas. And they're trouble. It's a long story, but the short version is, when Echidna society decided to ban all technology, some of the citizenry objected to the quote "oppression of freedom", and they formed the Legion as a means of fighting the powers that be. They've been around for a long time never giving up on their ideals. But what I can't understand is why they're here, of all places. Usually they're on Angel Island. Although we haven't seen much of the Legion for a while now."

"I wonder," Neo mused. "Do you think they know of the emerald and they're here looking for it?"

"I don't know," Tails said. "It wouldn't surprise me. But if the emerald is around their campsite, that could complicate things. There's too many of them and they're heavily armed."

"All is not lost," Neo said. "I have an idea. We..."

He fell silent as he heard the ominous sound of guns being cocked. Turning, he and Tails found themselves surrounded by a large group of Legionnaires, all aiming lasers at them.

"Hands up, slowly," one of them commanded.

Neo and Tails complied, raising their hands in the air.

"Well, so much for my plan," Neo said.

A few moments later, they were marched into the Legion camp. The cloaked echidnas on patrol watched as the prisoners were taken to a large tent. They halted in front of it and the one in charge entered, leaving Neo and Tails outside, surrounded by Legionnaires.

"I don't suppose you have another plan," Tails whispered to Neo.

"Lets just wait and see what happens," Neo replied.

A moment later, the tent flap opened and the Legionnaire from earlier stepped out, beckoning the prisoners inside.

"Our Commander will see you now," he said.

Neo and Tails entered, followed by a few Legionnaires. Inside, seated at a table, was a female echidna with red fur and hair. She was dressed in a tight black outfit and gazed at the two prisoners with icy blue eyes.

"Well, well," she said, looking at Tails. "Aren't you with the Freedom Fighters? Tails, I believe. And who's your friend here? Since when do the Freedom Fighters have humans on their payroll?"

"My name is Neo," the Shadow Prince answered. "I'm not on anyone's payroll. I'm merely lending the Freedom Fighters my assistance against Robotnik. Might I inquire who you are?"

"You can call me Kommisar," she replied. "I'm in charge of the Dark Legion."

"Kommisar," Neo repeated, chuckling slightly.

"What's so funny," Kommisar demanded.

"Sorry, it's just that where I come from there's a song with that name," Neo said.

"Do you think this is some kind of joke," Kommisar asked. "I don't think you realize the situation you're in."

"I'm well aware of the situation," Neo said. "But I don't think you realize who you're dealing with."

"Is that a threat," Kommisar asked, her tone dangerously low.

"I'll leave that for you to decide," Neo replied.

"Just why is the Legion here," Tails spoke up. "I thought you guys never left Angel Island?"

"Never mind why we're here, little fox," Kommisar said. "What are you doing all the way out here? Are the rest of the Freedom Fighters here as well?"

"It's just us," Tails replied. "As for why we're here, that's none of your business."

Kommisar stood up and walked over to Tails. Her hand lashed out, slapping the young fox across the face. Tails staggered back, but continued to stare at Kommisar defiantly.

"I've been hit worse than that," he said.

"Ohhh, tough kid, aren't you," Kommisar said, smiling. "That's good. I prefer my prisoners to be tough. It makes breaking them all that more satisfying."

She turned and went back to the table. She looked back at her prisoners and a knowing smile crossed her face.

"Although, I think I have a pretty good idea why you're out here in No-Man's land," she said. She opened a metal box on the table and pulled out a Chaos Emerald. "I don't suppose this is why you came here, is it?"

Tails' eyes widened slightly. Kommisar laughed and placed the emerald back in the box.

"That's what I thought," she said. "My men found it a while ago. They took it off some robot."

Neo knew that the robot had to be Omega. It seemed he had been ambushed.

"Was that robot with you, by any chance," Kommisar asked.

"Not exactly," Neo replied. "Out of curiosity, what did you do with him?"

"My men left him where they found him," Kommisar said. "Whether he's still functional or not is irrelevant. Now, the big question is, what shall I do with you two? Should I just kill you here and now, or, maybe have some fun with you first and then kill you? Ohhh, I just can't decide. Hm. Okay. I'll have some fun with you first and then kill you." She turned to her guards. "Lock them up for the night. I'll deal with them in the morning. I need to take some time to figure out what I'm going to do to them." She smiled sadistically at Neo and Tails. "Get some sleep, boys. It's going to be a long day tomorrow."

The guards took them away. As they exited, Neo turned back and addressed Kommisar.

"You just made a big mistake, Kommisar," he said. "You'll regret not letting us go."

The guards shoved him out of the tent. Kommisar smirked and leaned back in her chair. It had been a good night. They had a Chaos Emerald and in the morning she was going to have fun breaking her two prisoners.

Neo and Tails were shoved roughly into a holding cell. The guard slammed the door shut behind them and then left, leaving them in the dim prison.

"Well, this is just great," Tails said. "I never imagined we'd encounter the Dark Legion here. And they have the Chaos Emerald to boot."

"I know things look bleak, Tails," Neo said. "But all is not lost. I have no intention of staying here and being tortured by that sadist. By the way, are you alright? She hit you pretty hard back there."

"I'm fine," Tails assured him. "I wasn't exaggerating. I've been hurt worse than that."

Neo smiled. "You're stronger than you look, Tails. I know we'll be alright. As it is, I can get us out of here."

"You can," Tails asked. "How?"

"You'll see," Neo replied. "Once it gets late and everyone settles in for the night, we'll make our move. And you're going to see first hand why they call me a Shadow."

Elsewhere, the inert form of Omega lay sprawled out on the ground. Suddenly, his metallic fingers twitched and then his eyes flashed as his systems came back online. The hulking robot staggered to his feet, running a diagnostic scan on his systems to ensure he had suffered no permanent damage. After several moments, everything came back positive and his systems were functioning at 100% efficiency. It was then that he noticed the Chaos Emerald he had found was gone, no doubt taken by the ones who had ambushed him. Omega's metallic fists clenched. Well, now that he was functional again, he would track them down and terminate them. Activating his sensors, he scanned around for the Chaos Emerald's energy signature. Soon, he had it's location. He fired up his rocket thrusters and took off, flying in the direction of the emerald, looking forward to the retribution he would dish out on the one's who had stolen it from him.

End of Chapter 38...