There was an interesting story behind this particular forest. For in the middle of it lies a place known as the Death Ruins. No one really knows the true story of this place, but rumors have spread about it far and wide. Some believe it was a town that was terrorized by a plague of monsters who wiped out its entire population. Others believe that it was the home of a group of gorilla fighters, using traps and other devices in order to stop an invading army. While others believe that it was the site of a chemical experiment gone wrong as the inhabitants of the place went mad as they gave in to their dark hearts as they murdered each other. Yet, the only thing they knew for certain, was that it all happened 50 years ago.
Of course, Sonic didn't know any of this as he made his way through the place, dashing past trees and ruined structures as he ran. He really didn't care about anything to do with the entire planet for that matter, as his only goal was to recollect the 7 Chaos Emeralds so he could use them to get back home. Sonic had no idea how he was going to do it but he knew that if Black Doom was confident in it, that he could eventually figure it out on his own. The issue was that he had no idea where to look for the gems, as he was not only unfamiliar with this planet, but he wasn't told where GUN took the Chaos Emeralds anyways. So, all Sonic could do was run.
So that's what Sonic continued to do as he ran past many interesting sights. A lot of what looked like old traps and things were here and there, most of them stained red or green from the moss growing here and there. Sonic didn't care yet suddenly a sound reached his ears as he stopped in his tracks. Sonic tuned his ears and listened, trying to make out what it could be. It sounded like flapping wings, but too large to be anything from here. Then a thought hit him. Maybe it was her. So Sonic took off towards the sound, getting closer and closer to it. Finally, he arrived at a larger structure that seemed to be still mostly intact. Of course, the front door was caved in but the upstairs' window was wide open. Right in front of that, was a Mobian Bat, hovering by flapping her wings.
So it was her, Sonic thought to himself as he walked closer before calling out to him.
"Hey, Rogue," Sonic said getting the Mobians attention. She turned around and gave a small smile.
"Oh, hello there Sonic," Rouge said as she flew over before landing on the ground in front of the blue hedgehog himself, "Fancy meeting you here. Did you perhaps come to have a little chat? We didn't really get a chance to catch up after the Ark incident."
"No, I'm not here to talk Rouge," Sonic said with a slight annoyance in her voice, "I want to know if you know the Chaos Emeralds Locations."
Of course, Sonic knew that Rouge had been working with GUN, or at least for what the human's called The President. Thus it was possible she knew of where the Chaos Emeralds were taken.
"My my doesn't this take me back," Rouge said remembering the time when she and Sonic first met, "You asking for me to help find the Chaos Emeralds. I still remember it like it was yesterday."
Sonic's anger only rose a bit as his fist tightened.
"I don't care about reminiscing," Sonic said, "And, I couldn't care less about what you've been up to."
"Why so hostile," Rouge asked, "Aren't we friends?"
"Friends?" Sonic said his anger increasing, "Friends?! All you did was vanish on me. It took me 5 years to relocate all the emeralds again. Then I happened to luck out on the last two times. So why would I EVER consider you a friend?!"
Rouge gave him a small shrug.
"Sorry, there sugar," Rouge said, "But I actually found my way to this world, due to one of Robotnik's portals. Didn't really have a way back."
Didn't seem Sonic really cared about that as he just shakes his head.
"Whatever, Rouge," He said, "Just, stop all this stalling and tell me if you know where GUN took the Chaos Emeralds."
Rouge thought about it, before eventually smiling.
"Oh, I may know where to find them," Rouge said, "But only if you do me a little favor."
"Favor?" Sonic said, he wouldn't expect anything less, from really anyone. They were all greedy and selfish. Sonic had half a mind to just force her to tell her.
"Simple," Rouge said before pointing to the structure, "Somewhere in there is said to be a vault. I've been on the hunt for something and well, I believe it could very well be in there."
Sonic looks up there, he almost wondered what Rouge could be searching for but, he really didn't care.
"And you can't get to it yourself?" Sonic asked.
"I could use your spinny trick thing to help me get through the vault door," Rouge said, "Shouldn't be too difficult for you, am I right?"
Sonic thought about it. It was the fastest option for him to get what he was after. So he finally nods.
"Fine," Sonic said, "But you'd better know."
Rouge nods with a smile.
"Splendid," Rouge said, "Now, shall I give you a lift?"
Sonic didn't exactly reply and Rouge took it as a yes as she lifted off that ground before grabbing Sonic's arm's and flying him over to the window seal. There, Sonic could see inside the structure which was mostly filled with rubble and destroyed furniture. Sonic didn't bother taking it all in as he hopped in and began to make his way through the house. Rouge flew ahead of him as she seemed more to be leading him. The two walked in silence as they went. Rouge was super fascinated by the place.
"Did you know," Rouge began, "That this place used to be a thriving little metropolis? That is until whatever happened here 50 years ago."
"No, I didn't," Sonic replied, "Nor do I care. Let's get this over with so you can tell me what I want to know."
"Well, you're no fun," Rouge said mock pouting.
They continued on before finally reaching the stairs to get to the first floor. Rouge again lead the way before finally arriving at a room with a large tapestry on the wall. Funny enough it seemed to be that of a celebration, of what could have been a black comet that was passing by. Rouge looked at this which piqued her interest.
"Seems they had their own Black Comet Festival," Rouge mused more to herself. She glanced at Sonic who was only looking back at her impatiently. So she went over and pulled back the tapestry revealing a vault door on the other side.
"I could probably crack it myself," Rouge said, "But with you here, it'll be much faster."
Sonic knelt down before he began to curl into a ball and roll in place. He did this to help increase his momentum before finally charging forward. Once he had enough, he released that build up energy right towards the door, before smashing it to bits. Rouge smiled as she quickly dashed inside and began to look around. Yet as she did, she couldn't help but sigh disappointedly.
"Well, this isn't what I was hoping for," Rouge said as she looked around at what looked to be a secret office. Filled with a few documents and books. Even some writing on the wall.
"So?" Sonic said having got up from the floor, "Deals a deal Rouge. I get you in, you tell me where the other Chaos Emeralds are."
But Rouge wasn't fully listening as she was looking at what was there. It was rather interesting.
"Hmm..." She mused to herself.
"Rouge!" Sonic snapped getting Rouge's attention.
"Right right," Rouge said, "I guess you DID help me out. Anyways, I heard you got two from Westopolis, that correct?"
Sonic nods.
"I just need three more," Sonic said.
"Sounds exciting," Rouge said then thought it over, "Let's see, one is in the Cryptic Castle Amusement Park, in a secret base there."
"Already got that one," Sonic said growing impatient.
"Very well," Rouge said, "There's another in Eggman's base in the Lava Shelter Museum, which isn't too far from here. Another is aboard the Space Colony Ark. And the final one, the GUN commander himself has."
That didn't sit well with Sonic. Thinking about how that human had one of the Chaos Emeralds. Fine, if he had to go through him, then so be it.
"Where can I find him?" Sonic asked and Rouge only shrugged.
"Can't say I know that sugar," Rouge said, "He could be with the president right now, or could be in one of the GUN war rooms. Maybe even on the front lines leading the assault."
"Fine," Sonic said he'd figure out where the GUN commander was eventually. Without a word, he took off leaving Rouge there. Rouge, however, turned back around towards what she had found. Just a quick glance and she was sure that this was vital information. After all, from what she could gather, the black aliens, they've been there before. So she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, quickly selecting a contact to call. Before it finished ringing once, the other side answered.
"This is Rouge," Rouge said before getting slightly annoyed by the other end's response, "Yeah yeah, Anyways, I have some pretty useful information here, should help with our Black Alien problem."
Rouge waited a moment as apparently, The President was in a meeting and Rouge was placed on hold. Rouge decided to wait by browsing through the old documents there, being careful not to damage any of it. It was 50 years old after all. It was all a pretty fascinating read. Finally, she was removed from the hold.
"Why hello, Mr. President," Rouge said before a brief pause, "Yes, I found something good here."
There was another pause.
"I'm still going over it," Rouge said as she was rummaging through it, "But what I seem to understand is, the Black Aliens, are connected to the Black Comet."
