Chapter VI:

A Carnival of a Nightmare

Eggman was calmly hovering out of sight of the arena below. As anyone will tell you, it was the waiting, the suspense, that's the killer. Fortunately, with so many eager participants such horrendous torture was always cut short.

Who was it this time? Certainly there was no end to the surprises as to who could show up. Four teams, three people per team, twelve in all, twelve targets.

Hmm. A quick scan of the stage and the forms of Shadow, Rouge, and Omega could be discerned, the so-called "Team Dark." If that darkness was supposed to reflect misery, then the doctor was determined to make sure that the title wasn't to be made light of. Quickly the Egg Mobile swooped over the trio below. As soon as Eggman was over them, they were quick to react.

"Doctor!" shouted Rouge, in unnecessary surprise. Hadn't she, by now, learned who the enemy was?

With as much confidence as he felt necessary for the occasion, Shadow stepped forward. "Tell me doctor…" he began, with a tinge of, uncharacteristic, uncertainty dancing at the back of his throat, "Why was I asleep on that base? And what about my memory?"

Eggman couldn't believe such ridiculous questions. What gall that little fool had to even bother with them! Apparently being a puppet, a mere pawn, was all he was, indeed, all he was good for! The doctor leaned back in his craft, sizing the pest up.

Nothing. A mere… "Shadow," nothing more to him. Prof. Gerald's was a fine moniker for this "shape" before him now.

Eggman sneered. With as much antipathy as he could muster for this identity conscious twit he growled out an answer, "Ha! Your memory? What memory?" The shadowy adventurer before him was joke, a mere wisp of smoke and wind, with no substance. Eggman waved his hand, as if to sweep the remains away and declared, "You have no past to remember!"

"What?"

Shadow couldn't believe the doctor had so much… lack of empathy. Didn't he even care, in the least, that he was disregarding the very point of a fellow living being's existence? Couldn't… Wouldn't… Shouldn't he understand that someone needed answers regarding their very being? Was he as cold as one of his own creations?

Not leaving the sob-story spouting simpleton any mental breathing space, Eggman finished up with a truly soulless answer. It was one oft repeated to people with enormous problems, but for the doctor, it was just another teary face to disregard, "Well, I believe our time is up! I'll see you again real soon."

Metal eased back in the pilot's seat.

Here they are. The self-titled 'Team Dark,' isn't it?

Metal's "inner critics" stopped but a moment, as if in some perverse recollection. The momentary lapse was just that however.

Excuse us. But, if Sonic, and his little friends, are the true reason for all of this chicanery and deception, then why have you diverted a large, almost disproportionate, amount of the egg pawn reserves to deal with this chap, and his dismal companions?

Uncharacteristically, Metal was short of a quick response. His attention was solely absorbed on the trio below, particularly the darkest one.

A mere few moments ago, this peculiar rendition of Sonic, was pleading with full sincerity in an effort to divulge any and all secrets that "Eggman" would have been willing to share. What a pathetic organism!

However…

At the present time of Metal's, mechanically, intense focus Shadow was ricocheting from one side of the arena to the other, literally hurling himself into the squads of egg pawns that got in his way, leaving oil and scrap metal in his wake. The other two were just as successful, if not as ruthless.

Rouge was using her incredibly strong legs to rip heads off and split torsos in precise roundhouse kicks. Omega, to pardon the pun, on the other hand, was unsheathing mini-guns, flamethrowers, and missile launchers and discharging them all with devastating effect. Not only that, but, now and again they would coordinate attacks, sometimes with vocal orders, sometimes with simple "follow the leader" actions. The most involved tactics, similar to the other teams that Metal had been observing during the past few skirmishes with other teams, were the ones involving Rouge or Omega in "point" position.

Rouge would scoop her teammates up in a "flying totem pole" and they would launch themselves in attacks on the aerial egg pawns. What egg pawns that weren't destroyed in the air were grounded and quickly met their ends. For other instances, when Omega was in point, Shadow and Rouge would allow their pattern to scoop them up, and using enhanced robotic strength, propel them into and through the more heavily armored robots. Even when Shadow took over, there was a special coordination where he would spin in circles and flip over the special Turtle Robots. Like an organic turtle, they were soon immobilized on their backs: easy pickings for these…

Berserkers.

That's why. They're more… 'Goal oriented'.

… … That's… a peculiar justification.

It's a fact. They carry far more firepower and are decidedly more ruthless in their actions than Sonic's little band.

Metal took a calculated pause of some indeterminable time.

'Team Sonic,' however, is far stronger psychologically, and thus the true threat. This is, of course, in light of the fact Sonic's demise is top priority. If anything, 'Team Sonic's' motivations and psychology are justifications for my very programming.

…Elaborate.

Take note of their motives then. Where was the most powerful two thirds of this team?

G.O.G. remained silent. There was no need to answer. That was what they were supposed to lead Metal into doing: critical-analysis.

They were asleep. Asleep! Shadow was a mere infant in a crib, whilst Omega was, thanks in the largest part to me, on stand-by like a mere laptop! I can tell you this. If it hadn't been for that one, Rouge, and her boundless greed, they'd have slept in that concealed chamber till entropy enveloped the universe! And, who, may I ask, was responsible for that nosy organic even coming to the other two?

You know very well that it couldn't have been us.

Nor was it the Master, or anyone else. It was I. I lured that materialistic little marionette into the drama!

A pause entered onto the motherboard, the field of discussion. Below, the combat raged with feral fury. The three of them were incredible! It was then that Metal overheard them.

"Useless pieces of junk!" Shadow declared to his comrades. He seemed a little too smug in his statement, even though he did destroy an egg-pawn lancer.

Rouge retorted, "They are annoying little pests. Aren't they?"

How utterly priggish! Can you believe it! That's what I'm talking about!

Ah… We see a little more clearly now. You don't think they'd really bother to stop the spread of the Eggman Empire… do you?

Exactly! Shadow doesn't have the "moral" strength. He's utterly gothic! He'd allow thousands to die, be captured, whatever! Just so long as nothing immediately hurt him. He has no ties to anyone, no sense of loyalty whatsoever. Nor would Rouge, as long as she could accumulate material wealth, she'd not raise a manicured finger against anyone, save to rob them. And Omega, he's just like Shadow. If, and I don't dare entertain the thought of "when," they manage to defeat me and reach the Master… what would he do after? He only has primary programming functions, not any ideas for future accomplishment.

Another pause, this time unintentional. An afterthought was formulated. Metal seemed aloof of the fact that similar judgments against Omega could be made against him as well.

Unlike myself, Omega has cast off the Master's guidance. I'm merely helping the Master's course of action. He's completely AWOL, with no means of support or additional purpose.

Very true all around! Now, what of Sonic, Tails, or Knuckles?

Them? Why they are the greatest threat to the Eggman Empire that could be conceived! Sonic, and thus by idolizing extension Tails, has too strong of a sense of 'self-determination.' I should know. He and his sidekick wouldn't rest a minute as long as he knew the Master was on the offensive. Likewise, with Knuckles, he already has an ingrained sense of loyalty and guardianship. Even if the Master controlled the entire planet, there'd be a potential refuge for rebels safely situated on Angel Island. There'd be no peace if any of the 'Team Sonic' members were allowed to escape, let alone live 'free.' How ironic: the people who have heart are the most dangerous people in the world.

Very interesting. So, what of the foes before us?

They are emotionally stunted pawns. Fuel for my own might. Once I've copied the required data they will be so much refuse, to be brushed aside.

The rigors of battle had pre-occupied Team Dark. They were completely oblivious to the surly assessment placed upon their heads. Indeed, the ballerinas continued their dance, within the inferno, whilst Metal silently berated them. Regardless, they were performing exceptionally, almost mechanically. They were, essentially, done fighting. Or so they thought.

Seemingly from nowhere, two-dozen gold grade, lancer class, egg pawns landed in a large circle around them, making for eight to one odds.

Are you sure you want to dispose of them so soon?

I don't know about that. But, if it's a by-product, I won't be disappointed in the "loss."

Shadow warily looked from his right to his left, backing toward the center of the arena. Rouge cautiously backed toward the center as well. Even Omega assessed the situation as being quite dangerous. The three of them were made a bit more confident feeling an ally's back to his or her own.

Herding out of cowardice… I suppose we won't be seeing them any more after all.

Suddenly, Rouge lept into the air and spread her wings. Shadow then opened a secret compartment in Omega's abdomen. The fast moving trio huddled into a queer sort of formation, where Rouge clasped onto Omega's shoulders and Shadow latched onto Omega's frame. That's when Metal saw it. The green Chaos Emerald, stolen from its hideaway near the coast.

Nothing tops experience. Even for a machine. Though he had already downloaded the footage of Shadow's unique ability, Metal was still amazed by what was to come.

"Chaos Control!"

To exit the mortal plain, the restriction of "time and space" is beyond description. What word would come to mind to describe it?

Rouge was certainly beyond "impressed" when she could stand before a laser bolt, in complete confidence of invulnerability. All around them the dangerous barbs of steel were suspended in mid-lunge, utterly powerless.

Shadow cast an omniscient smirk up to Rouge and Omega.

For her part, Rouge returned the gesture with her own. His attempts to create an awe-inspiring hear-throb in the "sub-creature" he had for an ally would be in vain. She was determined to be the more composed and collected of the group, even more so than the golem in tow. If that proved ineffectual, then she could emasculate the one, and rebuke the other.

Oh, the envy of the inanimate and of living males…

Still, thanks to the hedgehog, they had been granted a precious, and strategic, reprieve.

Three bolts of lightning…

Yellow, purple, and red, that's all.

In the wake of the thunderclap, the remainder of the battalion had been obliterated.

Most impressive.

Perhaps. But, that presents a problem for the future.

It would, if you weren't planning to copy and make use of those powers for yourself. By the time they figure it out…

I see. Well then, we should be on our way.

They didn't believe in high fives or handshakes, but the knowing glances cast between the three was proof enough. They may not have admired each other, but respect was certainly due to them all, from them all.

"Don't get too excited boys!"

The trio looked up to Eggman, hovering in the air, haranguing his enemies.

Notice should have been given to Rouge, the minority. She was unfazed by the "doctor's" generalization. Her mathematics didn't figure an addition with her "sisters." Rather, hers was the amount of profit divisible by one. Boy, girl, cat, rat, bat, it was all the same. Only her own opinions mattered to Rouge.

Eggman leaned forward, raising an imposing fist, "Those were the easy ones!"

As their opponent flew away, not a one of the three had any other doubts about it…

He was full of it.

Continued…