Chapter Four: Station Square

Shadow walked down one of ARK's many pathways, hoping he'd find the answers to his many questions.
"Hello, Shadow. It is good to see you once again," the voice of Esimed echoed through the hallway. Shadow looked around, not finding anyone in sight.
"So, Esimed. Want to have another talk, I'm sure?" Shadow questioned.
"I would like that greatly, Shadow. I'm afraid things haven't worked out. Doctor Ivo Robotnik has failed to follow through with my master's hard-worked-on plans. I can only hope his mistakes don't ruin everything. If so, it is okay. We can still make everything work out," Esimed went on.
"So you are working with Robotnik? Why?" Shadow asked.
"Only because you are Shadow, I will answer your questions. Yes, my master is aiding the doctor. Or using him, I should say," Esimed explained.
"Just who is your master?" Shadow questioned.
"You know my master... Shadow... It's never too late to join us. My master wants badly for you to return to us. And so do I," Esimed said.
"What is it you and your master exactly want? They wish to destroy the world?" Shadow asked.
Esimed answered, "Oh yes, Shadow. The inhabitants of that planet deserve to be eliminated from existence. It was the wish of the late Gerald Robotnik to continue Project: Shadow, and to repay the debt. Vengeance will be ours, Shadow."

"All right, I'm dropping you two off at Station Square. I have my own agenda to fulfill," Rouge explained as the escape pod landed in the city. Tails landed his plane next to the escape pod and Sonic and Amy got out.
"See ya later, and thanks!" Amy said before the doorway closed and the escape pod flew off.
"So Eggman's going to mount an attack on Station Square?" Tails asked.
"Yeah, but this time we'll be ready for him," Sonic said.
"Does the city know they're going to be attacked?" Amy asked.
"Don't know. You get in the plane with Tails. I'll go check for anything in the city really quick," Sonic said before running off. He made it to the center of the city a minute later and looked around. The roads were blocked off and tens of GUN vehicles were stationed at each corner. Sonic looked up to see a series of GUN helicopters and jets flying around.
"Eggman must be coming," Sonic thought before running up a building to look from the top. Sonic looked around and found one of Eggman's flying fortresses approaching the city from the distance.
"He'll be here in a few minutes. Wonder how many of those big robots he will use," Sonic continued to think, referring to Eggman's Destruction-series machines. Sonic watched as a group of GUN jets flew to Eggman's fortress, and after a few seconds they were all shot down.
"All right Eggman... today you're going to regret everything you've ever done..." Sonic told himself as he ran back down the building to tell Tails the situation.

"Why didn't you tell me? You have the Guardian Echo," Tikal told Knuckles.
"I don't even know what that is," Knuckles replied.
"Proof you are a guardian. It is also the only reason you can speak with me," Tikal said. Chaos was still as a puddle at the base of the shrine.
"Guardian of Angel Island you mean?" Knuckles questioned.
"The effect of your ancestors' tampering, yes," Tikal answered.
"You mean the island floating into the air?" Knuckles asked.
"I believe time is short. You have the way to leave. This event was foretold, and my parting with Chaos is to come with the saving of the world," Tikal said.
"How can I leave? This Guardian Echo thing?" Knuckles asked.
"The Guardian Echo is an energy that shall enable you to exit the Abode of Chaos. I know of this through past guardians," Tikal stated. When Knuckles realized that he could indeed leave the Master Emerald, a circle of green light surrounded him, Tikal, and Chaos. They appeared outside of the Emerald atop of the present-day shrine, where one of Eggman's flying fortresses was still docked nearby. Chaos formed into his normal shape and let out an angry roar.
"Chaos has held an anger for the Robotnik line since he was released by one," Tikal explained, now in the form of a ball of light. Chaos stretched out his arms and they smoothed out across large portions of the side of the docked fortress. And with one push shoved the entire fortress off the cliff and down to the forests below to its destruction. Chaos oozed back to Knuckles and Tikal and morphed back to his normal form.
"Wow... good one," Knuckles said. It was just then that the escape pod with Rouge arrived.
After landing, Rouge walked out and asked, "Where'd Robotnik's fortress here go? Did you see it leave?"
"It's gone all right. Chaos here just destroyed it," Knuckles said, pointing towards Chaos.
"Eh..." Rouge said, surprised and not too happy at the same time to see Chaos there. She had read what happened to Station Square.
"Don't worry, he only means harm to Eggman," Knuckles explained. "So what are you doing here anyways?" he asked.
"I was going to try to stop that fortress from aiding in the attack on Station Square," Rouge said.
"Well, that's one fortress you don't have to worry about. Attack on Station Square you say? How many more of those things does Eggman have?" Knuckles asked.
"Well there's only one left. Just that one fortress though may be enough to destroy the city, along with all his new robots. So I've got to get going - the city may need my help," Rouge said before heading back to the escape pod.
"Wait up, I can help as well," Knuckles said. Chaos and Tikal followed him into the pod before it took off for Station Square.

"Look!" Amy pointed towards Eggman's approaching flying fortress. Sonic and Tails turned to see Eggman's Destruction-series robots pouring out and beginning to destroy all nearby buildings.
"Are there people in those buildings?" Sonic asked.
"The whole city's been evacuated, according to the radio. There's only been GUN troops here for the past few hours," Tails explained.
"Good, let's get busy," Sonic said before speeding off in the blink of an eye. Tails started up his plane and that too was off.
"Okay Eggman, this is it," Sonic thought as he ran down the main roadway towards the massive robots. "I will not let you get away with these killings. I will not let this city fall. I will not let you destroy anymore! Failure is not an option for me this time. When your last fortress is gone, and all your new robots destroyed, you won't be getting away. You're in for it this time!" Sonic arrived at a robot that plowed straight through a building, and turned its blinding yellow eyes at Sonic. It was a monster of a robot. A robotic ball covered with hundreds of little yellow eyes, and from that ball extended tens of 20-foot metal legs, with bases of 10 square feet each that smashed rubble to dust. Sonic spin dashed through a few of its legs as the machine fired bursts of energy from each of its eyes. Sonic deflected off another leg that tried smashing him, and spin dashed straight through several more of the legs. Hundreds of bursts of energy were fired upon him. With his lightning-fast speed Sonic dodged them all and spin dashed through several more of its legs. The machine began losing its balance as Sonic took down another couple legs that Sonic could only barely avoid along with the tens of energy blasts fired at him. As the machine fell to the ground Sonic ran up a building, and from the top spin dashed straight for the center of the machine. His positioning was perfect. Avoiding the gale of energy blasts by millimeters, Sonic spin dashed directly through the machine's center, destroying it in a powerful explosion. The area they had fought in was scorched with hundreds of energy blasts, and several building already destroyed. Sonic turned to see many more Destruction-series robots destroying many more buildings. At the same time Eggman within his flying fortress was firing down upon several buildings himself. There was no time to rest or celebrate, so Sonic took off to face another robot.
Meanwhile, GUN fighter jets were busy taking down a 60-foot plane-like machine that was blowing up tops of buildings with a massive electrical cannon. The shiny black robot also had tens of eel-looking devices on its sides that fired electric waves upon the GUN jets. At the cost of several jets, the eel-like devices were destroyed. A GUN jet that launched a series of missiles for its center and another jet that dropped a bomb directly into the cannon finished off the machine.
At the same time Tails maneuvered his plane towards a 20-foot long Destruction-series robot that also flew in the air. It was a thin, triangular yellow machine that glided through the air and cut straight through buildings. Tails fired his machine guns towards the robot, which positioned itself to deflect the bullets off its side. The robot headed directly for Tails. In the few moments he had, Tails dived the plane straight down to barely avoid getting sliced in half. And in that instant Amy pounded her hammer atop the machine, spinning it end over end uncontrollably. Tails quickly turned his plane back and fired a missile at the right moment, destroying the robot as it was unable to defend itself. Tails flew around, seeing the many massive robots destroying buildings with ease.
"This doesn't look good... The city's not going to make it. Eggman's just too strong!" Tails said.
"No he's not!" Amy yelled back. "Don't give up, Tails. Just get to another robot and don't lose hope! Even if the city is destroyed, you can at least know you tried your best!" she exclaimed.
"Right. You're right!" Tails nodded, taking his plane to another robot.
Sonic began taking on a devastating red machine that was essentially a 20-foot hand with two mechanical legs to walk around with. Running around with its legs, the massive hand went from building to building punching them down and making them crash to the ground. Sonic attempted spin dashing for its legs, but the hand smashed the ground directly in front of Sonic, throwing tons of rubble in Sonic's pathway and flinging him into another direction. The seven thin, long fingers quickly became rocket launchers and shot seven rockets directly towards Sonic's expected destination, blowing up the entire area. Sonic escaped the havoc with only some bad cuts and began running another direction. This machine was quick though, and began running for Sonic at a surprising speed. The massive hand swiped for Sonic, but Sonic slipped through its fingers and spin dashed backwards, breaking down a couple fingers. The remaining fingers became rocket launchers again and fired upon Sonic. Sonic stopped and timed his next move. The five rockets came from different angles. Sonic jumped as four collided into each other at the same time, the fifth swerving above the explosion towards the airborne Sonic. Sonic grabbed the upcoming rocket while flipping in the air, and in one swift movement sent the rocket straight for the robot, blowing it up into hundreds of pieces.
It was at about this time that Rouge landed the escape pod into Station Square. The doorway opened and Chaos rushed out to destroy as much of Robotnik's machines as possible.
"His anger has reached a terrible point," Tikal told Knuckles and Rouge as they walked out the escape pod. "Chaos does not want Robotnik or his machines to threaten the Master Emerald ever again."
"Well hopefully he can help stop this attack before the city's destroyed," Knuckles said before gliding off to aid Station Square. Knuckles followed the rushing Chaos to see what his next move was. One of Eggman's Destruction-series robots headed for Chaos, but the machine was destroyed before it could make any kind of attack on the water-creature. Seeing this, Knuckles decided to head for some of the other massive robots.
Sonic was facing another Destruction-series robot. It was a huge humanoid machine covered with sharp blades. There was no way for Sonic to attack it without beating himself up. Tails, having just taken out another deadly machine, flew his plane in to see Sonic's dilemma.
"I got your back, Sonic!" Tails yelled before firing off the robot's many spikes. Sonic took the opportunity to spin dash into the machine, but while in mid-air the robot grabbed Sonic with its mighty hands. At this moment a group of GUN fighter jets came by and blasted off the robot's arm. Sonic jumped from the loosed hand onto Tails' passing plane. The GUN jets finished off the robot as Tails flew Sonic and Amy away from the explosion.
"Nice catch, Tails," Sonic said. "Hey, take me to that robot over there," Sonic added, pointing to an unopposed machine destroying a building. Tails flew Sonic to the large, dragon-like machine. Sonic jumped from the plane and swiftly spin dashed straight down the robot's head and through its body, destroying it.
"This is only getting easier," Sonic thought, quickly looking around. GUN jets continued to destroy airborne Destruction-series robots, and a series of tanks were now taking on the gigantic machines on the ground. Sonic looked around a bit more, to see none other than Chaos beating through several Destruction-series robots with ease. Though a big surprise to see him back, it was a relief to see he was fighting Robotnik's machines, and doing extremely well too. The robots' weapons had little effect on Chaos, giving him little resistance from his deadly attacks. Sonic also saw that Knuckles and Rouge were now taking down some of the robots as well, aiding in the defense of Station Square.
The main problem still remained however. Eggman's flying fortress was destroying building after building on its own, with no opposition. Everyone was busy with the many Destruction-series robots at the moment.
"Gotta put a stop to Eggman once and for all," Sonic decided. But before he could find a way to reach the fortress, he was facing yet another massive machine.
Eggman looked upon his many screens to see the attack was not going as well as he hoped. The main problem of the moment was Chaos, who was showing no sign of stopping his slaughtering of Eggman's massive machines.
"I had anticipated meeting you again, though I certainly didn't think it would be now, or under these circumstances," Eggman muttered before pressing a series of buttons. Chaos instantly vanished from the battlefield. He had been teleported into a machine Eggman created to mimic the Master Emerald's capabilities to keep Chaos imprisoned.
"I'll be using you later," Eggman grinned before turning back to his many screens, showing the situation of his attack. "Soon I will have Station Square in rubble, and all the world shall fear me!"

Things took a turn for the worse. A couple Destruction-series machines took on the Typhoon and got Tails to crash-land into the rubble below. The GUN fighters and tanks were slowly eliminated. Eggman's flying fortress hadn't received a scratch yet, and there were still several Destruction-series machines left. Perhaps worst of all, Chaos was nowhere to be found. Station Square was slowly being annihilated, ironically, because Chaos wasn't there. Knuckles glided over to Sonic, avoiding the gunfire of a Destruction-series robot.
"Sonic! There's no way the city will make it without Chaos! I'm betting Eggman took him in that fortress of his!" Knuckles yelled.
"If someone can get me to the fortress, I can do the rest!" Sonic replied. Suddenly a huge snake-like robot flew from the ground beneath Sonic and Knuckles, knocking them into the air tens of feet.
"Where's Tails at?" Knuckles asked after getting back up and throwing a punch into the machine's side.
"Can't find him, or Amy," Sonic replied, getting back up.
"Maybe Rouge can fly you there," Knuckles said as the robotic snake's giant head striked, Knuckles jumping away just in time.
"No time to find her. Gotta get to Eggman NOW!" Sonic yelled before spin dashing directly into the machine's mouth, going directly through its thin head. The machine was still active however, and continued to lunge for Sonic and Knuckles. Above in his fortress, Eggman saw that the two were defeating his robot, and decided to take action. Pressing some buttons, Eggman set the massive machine to explode, letting off a giant explosion. Knuckles was flung back from the detonation. Sonic was as well, being shot straight into the air hundreds of feet, and landing atop Eggman's flying fortress.
"Well, that was quick enough I guess," Sonic groaned before finding his way inside the fortress. The metallic stairways were completely deserted, and there were only minimal guard robots in the hallways. Sonic plowed through these in a breeze, making his way directly for the bridge of the ship, where he'd find Eggman.
"Hey, Sonic!" cried a voice from a connecting hallway. It was Tails, and with him was Amy.
"What's the scoop?" Sonic asked.
"We think Eggman's got Chaos locked up somehow. I think I know where he's at," Tails explained.
"There's a TON of robots there," Amy said.
"I'm betting Eggman put most his guard robots to make sure Chaos isn't freed," Tails said. "I took out Eggman's security systems, so he doesn't know where we are. However, I'm going to have to get to the bridge to stop the fortress from attacking the city," he added.
"Cool, we can handle it," Sonic said, and the three quickly made their way through the hallways. Sneaking around a corner, Sonic poked his head to see the guard robots protecting a hallway that lead to a specific door. Though they certainly weren't powerful, there were hundreds of them: small, hovering, light gray, round machines equipped with laser weaponry. Amy pulled out her hammer.
"All right, we ambush them," Tails stated. Following a couple moments of silence, Tails yelled, "Now!" And with that, the three charged in. Sonic spin dashed through tens of robots instantly, blowing metallic pieces behind him. Robots fired again and again at Sonic, but they weren't fast enough to get him before being destroyed. Amy deflected laser blasts with her hammer, often destroying a different guard robot with each shot. And at the same time, Tails was knocking away robots with his various tail attacks. The hallway they fought in was covered with disassembled metallic pieces very quickly, and they were soon rid of all the guard robots.
"That's really getting old," Sonic muttered as Tails got the doorway opened. Inside was an emerald-shaped metallic device in the center of the room, where Chaos was currently held.
"Theoretically you should be able to just destroy the device to free Chaos," Tails said, and with that Sonic spin dashed directly through the machine, shattering it to pieces. What resided in the device's place was Chaos, now in his normal form once again. Chaos let out a roar before sliding out a ventilation shaft as a large drop of liquid, quickly leaving the fortress.
"He should be able to handle the rest of those big robots out there," Sonic said.
"Think Station Square will be okay?" Amy questioned.
"With the threat of those robots gone, we just need to get rid of this flying fortress," Tails replied.
"Then let's hurry to the bridge. I'd hate to have Eggman escape again," Sonic added before running off. Tails and Amy followed quickly behind and they made it to the bridge as fast as they could. Inside was Eggman in his chair, fuming. The doorway opened and in came Sonic, Tails, and Amy.
"I was hoping you'd come here, Sonic. Just as I thought you would," Eggman growled.
"Aah, poor Eggman failed to take over Station Square again? You're not mad, are you?" Sonic mocked.
"This device," Eggman said, grabbing a small square device and showing it clearly, continued, "will destroy all non-human life in this room instantly."
"Then we'll have to confiscate it," a voice behind Eggman said. A gunshot went off, and the device Eggman held blew from his hand, destroyed. Two men in GUN uniforms walked into the room from behind Eggman and they grabbed Eggman's arms.
"You'll be lucky to get life imprisonment, buster," one said before taking out a communications device. Eggman squirmed to escape the two, but the other officer swiftly handcuffed the scientist.
"Mr. Prower?" the one that handcuffed Eggman said, while the other called in for a chopper.
"Need me to take control of the ship?" Tails asked.
"If you please," the officer replied. Tails hopped over to the main console and furiously began pressing buttons. The fortress was headed straight for the center of a series of 100-story buildings. Everyone in the bridge held their breaths as the main viewing screen showed them approaching the buildings at a frightening speed.
"Come on Tails, you can do it in time!" Amy encouraged to break the silence. Just afterwards, tens of electronic beeps sounded off as the fortress continued to near the tall buildings.
"Come on!!" Tails yelled as he pressed another series of buttons. Instantly the massive fortress began pulling up. Everyone hung on as the giant ship began shaking violently, still appearing to head into the buildings. Sonic gritted his teeth and Amy gasped. They scraped across the top of the front building and only barely escaped a dead-on collision. Once above the buildings, Tails and everyone in the bridge gave a sigh of relief.
"Good work Mr. Prower. We'll take care of Robotnik from here," one of the GUN officers said as they left the bridge and took Eggman down the hallway to an exit where a helicopter was now waiting for them.
"Well, that's that for old Eggman. Awesome job, Tails. Knew I could count on ya," Sonic gave Tails a thumbs-up.
"Heh, thanks Sonic. Now, I can send this fortress to crash-land into the ocean and explode outside the city," Tails said.
"This is great everything worked out after all," Amy grinned.
"Yeah, according to this screen, it looks like Chaos has taken out the rest of those huge robots," Tails pointed out.
"Cool, Station Square's pretty much okay then. Most the city's still standing, at least," Sonic said. "With Eggman behind bars, maybe I could get a real break now. In fact, looks like everything's over for now."

The three left the fortress before it was destroyed in its crash landing into the ocean, and were safe resting in front of the city's train station. Sonic shut his eyes so he could relax a moment and think.
"I wonder just what Shadow's doing now..." Sonic thought. He realized he had a lot to tell to Tails and Amy about meeting Shadow again. They didn't even know he was alive... again.
"Sonic, are you awake?" someone asked. Sonic opened his eyes. It was Tikal standing in front of him.
"Wha? Hey, you're out of the Master Emerald too?" Sonic asked.
"Chaos has been returned to the Master Emerald, but I am needed outside of it for the moment. Here," Tikal said, handing Sonic a blue Chaos Emerald.
"Whoa, what's this for?" Sonic asked as Tails and Amy watched, intrigued.
"You are needed upon the new moon, where the strings have been pulled," Tikal explained before vanishing. Sonic sat there for a minute, thinking, and looking at the Chaos Emerald.
Sonic then said aloud, "Strings being pulled... New moon? Well that can only be..."