Two robed figures stood in the middle of the Great Wasteland. One stood ten feet tall and the other stood around six. Their robes were black and completely disguised them. Their hoods covered their faces. A blast wind blew around them, kicking up a dust cloud. A hedgehog walked out of the cloud. It was Sperk. The crimson hedgehog's eyes looked over the two from behind his mirrored sunglasses. He had picked up a dark power source in this area and came to see what it was, "Who are you?"

The tall figure walked forward and pushed his hood back a bit. He had a metal face that resembled a silver skull and the red orbs that served as his eyes glowed, "I am Lazar's Guardian!" His voice was deep and robotic.

"What do you want? I have more important business to get to."

"Your darker half haunts you. I have come to help give you control over it."

Sperk chuckled and turned around, "Get lost! I like my power."

"Does your wife?"

Sperk spun around and drew his silver blaster. He aimed it at The Guardian's head, "You crossed the line!"

"Does she?" The smaller figure stepped forward. His voice was distant, but familiar.

Sperk's finger tensioned up, but he didn't pull the trigger, "No! But what would you know of it?"

The smaller one pulled back his hood just enough for Sperk to get a glance at his face, "I know! I need your help, Sperk's help in order to rescue someone. Then we can help you become Speed once again."

Sperk's arm dropped, "A dark voice continues to speak in the back of my mind. My soul is constantly being pulled into the darkness. How can you help?"

The Guardian bowed, "You have one piece to the puzzle. Help us and I will show you the last one."

Sperk nodded, "Sure!"

Shadow cursed and sat up against The Master Emerald, "Why doesn't this work? I have recalibrated and reinforced every single component." He picked up his thin computer pad, "Stable up to twenty-three percent." He tossed it onto the marble floor, "There has to be something I missed."

"Lunch, maybe?" Leda walked into the crystal chamber with a tray full of food.

Shadow nodded and stood up, "I could use the break."

Leda smiled and set the tray at the top of the steps to the Master Emerald's altar, "I wasn't sure what you liked, so I brought a little of everything."

"As long as it isn't a chili dog. Sonic tried to get me to eat one and I nearly threw up."

"Don't worry!"

Shadow sat down, "Thank you!" He picked up a sandwich, "How is life above ground?"

"Everyone is rushing to prepare for Robotnik's attacks. I was hoping to find some quiet time down here." Shadow said nothing as he finished off his sandwich. Leda walked toward the exit, "Rouge is looking for you."

"What?" Leda left as Shadow stood up. The black and red hedgehog looked at The Master Emerald, then back to the exit, "Time is not on my side."

Knuckles stood at the very top of Sky Sanctuary. The floating ruins that floated above Angel Island. In the distance, he could see Robotnik's air fleet coming. It was only a matter of hours before they would arrive. The echidna sat down on the stone ledge, "Is this the end?"

"Lost in thought?" Julie-su walked up the staircase and stood behind him.

Knuckles nodded, "The fight seems hopeless. Robotnik's fleet is massive and we don't even have the weapons to fight them." Knuckles looked at the sharp points on his fists, "I am guardian of this island. It is my job to protect it and all who live in it. But even with all my strength, I can't win this fight."

Julie rubbed his shoulders, "You have doubts?"

"I can't ignore them anymore. With all that has happened and our glimpse into the future, I'm afraid."

"Is there anything I can do?"

Knuckles hugged her arm, "Just be with me! For now, just stay here. I want to be with you right now." The two echidna's found comfort in each other's arms as the sun began to set.

Robotnik watched with glee as his fleet took up an attack position, "Time?"

"One hour!" Snively stood at his console, ready to receive reports, "The fleet will began by launching their fighters, while the battleship move into position to fire their heavy particle cannons."

"Good! The mammals shouldn't be able to put up much of a fight. Our the spy probes ready?"

"Yes sir! They are ready to record everything."

Robotnik chuckled, "Soon the last remains of The Freedom Fighters will be swept away. And with them out of the way, I can worry more about Luxor." Robotnik hit his intercom, "Is everything ready?"

"Yes my lord!" A robotic voice sounded out of the small speaker, "The chapel is complete and waiting for your orders."

"Prepare the bride! I will be ready in thirty minutes." He shut off the intercom and stood up.

"Are you sure this is wise sir?"

Robotnik laughed, "This act will be the final crushing blow to The Freedom Fighters and to that blasted blue hedgehog."

"But sir, we haven't even heard from the hedgehog in a long time. He might even be dead."

Robotnik rubbed his chin, "That might be true. It would be more satisfying to see the hedgehog's reaction, but I will still enjoy this moment. As soon as my fleet begins its attack, I will make Sally my wife." He left to go prepare.

Snively sighed, "I can't help but to feel that this is a mistake"

The crystal chamber shook as Robotnik's fighters launched the first wave of missiles. Shadow fought the urge to run up topside to help. He needed to get the shield up, "Damn!" He slammed his fist onto the console, "Nothing I do works! The shield generators are working, the emitters are aligned, and all power connectors are enabled. Why isn't this working?" Above the island, the combine forces of the echidna's and the dingoes joined forces, but Robotnik's forces overwhelmed them. Shadow heard reports of ground troops landing on the island perimeter. Shadow cursed, "I wish Tikal was here." It was then that Shadow realized that Tikal would never stay hidden if Chaos was gone, "Something isn't wrong with the equipment. Something is wrong with the emerald." Shadow ran to the emerald and looked it over. He slowly placed his hand on its smooth surface, "Something is wrong!"

"How perceptive!" Luxor appeared in the chamber behind Shadow. Shadow turned to fight, but Luxor summoned black lightning to blast him away. Shadow flew off the altar and hit the stone floor hard. Luxor slowly descended the stairs, "It is so good to see you again."

"What did you do to the emerald?"

"A simple disruption spell. Without Chaos, the emerald was easy to attack." Luxor pulled out his watch, "It shouldn't take long for Robotnik to crush this place. I hate giving him this win, but this battle should weaken his forces enough for me to destroy."

Shadow pushed himself up, "This was all planned!"

"Up to a point! Sperk's and Lara's little time trip did throw a monkey wrench into the works, but all and all, my plans are coming together. Soon this planet will be mine and I will strip it of its resources."

"You think I will let you get away with this."

Luxor laughed, "Feel free to try! You will soon find that your efforts will be in vain."

'Shadow!'

'Lazar?' Shadow looked around but didn't see him.

'You are special, Shadow! Do not let Luxor poison your mind. You were created for a greater good. You know what to do.'

Shadow ran at The Master Emerald. He threw off his gloves and leapt onto the emerald. Luxor stood shocked at the actions the hedgehog was taking. Shadow placed his hands on the emerald, "I can do this!" The emerald started to glow and the glow engulfed Shadow, "I was created to use chaos energy for the greater good." The glow grew in intensity.

Luxor backed away, "Damn it all!" He vanished in a burst of black light.

Sally cried as a pair of hedgebots escorted her down the red carpet. She would have put up more of a fight, but a Swatbot with its wrist blaster pushed against Tails's head forced her to cooperate. Lazar had managed to free the young fox's mind before Robotnik attacked. She hated the black dress she had been forced into and hated Robotnik in his black tux. She stopped on the altar next to Robotnik. A white Swatbot stood ready to marry them. Before the bot could even start, the front door exploded. Sperk walked through the hole in the wall. Robotnik roared, "How dare you interrupt my wedding?"

Sperk chuckled, "I was going to wait for the right part, but my partner didn't want to wait." He stood aside and a blue hedgehog walked up. He wore a serious expression on his face.

Robotnik smiled, "Sonic!"