SONIC ADVENTURE 2: ALTERATIONS

DISCLAIMER: Sonic and the Sonic Adventure series belongs Sega and Sonic Team,
if anyone affiliated with the above groups that has a problem or complaint about this fiction it will be dealt with quickly,
and if they so choose, the story will be deleted.
(The same goes for the guys who I got this title from)

"…we see ourselves."

Abandoned Power Plant:

Rouge read the article on her counterpart again while lounging on an old couch Eggman had brought in from somewhere,So this is what I'd be like if I'd been a cop then, pretty boring if you ask me, she smirked as she finished her thought.

Eggman had turned a small office into a personal lab and would leave every once in a while to get parts or something, every time he did Rouge went up to the office to see if she could get in and see what the old egg head was doing only to find the door locked and strange noises coming from inside.

After trying to peek through the window she went for her lock picks but decided against to picking the lock as she heard Eggman heading back, whatever was in there he didn't seem to want to leave it unsupervised.

It was about five minutes later that Eggman came back down to the main floor where they had been meeting with something under an old curtain he must of found somewhere, "Aaah, Rouge, Shadow, how would you like to see my latest project?"

Rouge put down the paper and walked over to the curtain, "It's about time you finished with it, whatever it is."

Shadow just turned his head towards it silently and continued to lean back against the wall.

Eggman smiled and swiftly pulled the curtain off of his project, "Behold, my latest invention!"

Standing there was something that looked like one of Eggman's E-1000 series (Mass produced, smaller versions of the E-100 series) except where it should have had guns it had two hands, both seemingly made up of a bunch of oddly shaped boxes, Rouge just looked at Eggman like he was losing the last of his few marbles, "Your going to take over the world with that!"

Even Shadow seemed mildly surprised, I though it was a bomb.

Eggman just cleared his throat, "Not directly, this is my new construction bot, watch." Eggman opened quickly opened and closed a panel on the back of the bot and it came to life.

The bot looked around the room until it spotted some old spare parts and materials, then quickly walked over to the pile, some of the boxes in it's hands opened up to reveal tools or empty compartments as the bot began to construct something.

Rouge watched the bot work, "So, what's that supposed to be doing?"

Eggman smiled again, "Building the beginnings of my new army, first it will build another construction bot, then one of a selected group of my favourite robots before moving on to my true project!"

Rouge nodded her head, "Which you probably aren't going to tell us right now."

Eggman stood there gloating, "Actually I have something more important for us to do, while you two were sitting around I found us an opportunity too good to pass up."

Shadow got up off the wall, "Is that so, well then, you'll just have to tell us about this opportunity."

Space Colony Ark:

Shadow rushed down the halls of the abandoned colony towards the G.U.N. infantry, he could easily hear them from where he was, when he reached them he saw something strange.

The soldiers were being beaten, by water, inside the water Shadow could see strange devices floating near the tops, as he looked at the water creatures he saw one generate a tentacle, grab a soldier and throw him over Shadow's head.

Shadow turned back towards the lead of the creatures, "I've got to stop this."

Shadow charged the creature and jumped, the commander of the infantry turned to the others, "Give him cover fire!"

Shadow spun as he approached the creature's head, the thing noticed Shadow and retreated into itself, Shadow impacted the creature, and bounced right off, What the?

The creature turned to face Shadow, its head returned to its original place, its green sensor eyes glowed, then fired.

Shadow dodged the fire, and then jumped again, this time the creature had no time to retreat, the circuits of the devices in its head cracked and sizzled as Shadow sawed through them and their casings, the creature's head blew and the creature splashed to the floor, nothing but a puddle.

Shadow turned to the soldiers, "Aim for their heads!"

With that the soldiers fired and Shadow battled, all the while preparing to retreat to the sub.

Ambrosia's Camp:

The shadowed figure groaned slightly, then coughed a bit before speaking, "Leave me alone."

Ambrosia gave a laugh and began pacing around the hut, "If I had my way I'd leave you so alone you would never have to worry about anyone stumbling across you ever again, but, as you remember, mother and father made me promise to take care of you, too bad for you they never said how well or that I could never use you."

The figure looked down slightly, "It's not my fault they died."

Ambrosia leapt over to the figure, grabbed it by the shoulders and began to shake him, "NOT YOUR FAULT! Do you really believe those words, they took you in out of pity, even though you are exactly what they were fighting against! A Freak! Nothing natural moves as fast as you, and yet you could do nothing to save them. The others told them that keeping you would bring trouble."

She pants then pauses as a thought calms her, "Though I guess I also have to thank you, without them dying I would of never been accepted into their pathetic passive resistance against those destroyers, them and their 'advanced technology' and 'progress' have done more damage to this world then we ever would of naturally, and you are probably a product of that."

The figure looked down, "What do you want?"

Ambrosia began to walk towards the door, "I want you to get ready, today is the day that they arrive in Station Square, and we will need you to be ready, you got that SONIC? Just remember what happened the last time you failed."

As Ambrosia left Sonic got up and moved into the light, his blue quills faded and broken, his face slightly sunken, and his eyes seemed to be focused far away, "I won't fail… … just as I won't forget."

Old Airfield:

Tails turned to Sonic again, "Hey, Sonic, how would you like to go into Station Square later?"

Sonic looked at Tails, "I don't know, why did you ask anyways?"

Tails continued to set the table, "I made another friend when I was getting rid of that stuff we collected, he works in the museum in Station Square, used the stuff to set up an exhibit."

Sonic scratched his chin, "Museum huh, come to think about it, I don't think I ever been there."

Amy called out from the stove, "That's because you've always been to busy running around to ever go there!"

Sonic scratched his head, "Oh yeah, heh heh."

Cream turned to Sonic, "Please Mr. Sonic, I've never been to a Museum before."

Sonic thought about it, "Sure…" his stomach grumbles "… but would it be alright to eat first?"

Everybody has a laugh then Sonic notices something, "Hey, where'd Knux go?"

G.N.A. Vessel (Ocean Surface (Above Space Colony Ark)):

Shadow helped one of the soldiers out of the sub as he and the others exited back onto the ship, "It's alright, just a few more steps."

The soldier turned to Shadow, "Thanks man, none of us could have made it without you."

Shadow shook his head, "Doesn't matter, besides, I was just doing my job, I'd never just leave somebody in a position like that."

An officer came quickly down the corridor as Ivo and Maria exited the sub, "Professor Robotnik, President Robotnik, there's a chopper waiting on deck for you and Shadow."

Ivo blinked, "Why is there chopper on deck for us?"

Then Maria brought her hand to her face, "The Ambassadors."

Ivo groaned, "The Echidna Ambassadors, with all this I'd completely forgotten about them!"

Maria nodded, "Thank whoever it was who remembered about the Ambassadors' arrival today and arranged for some faster transport."

Shadow came over to Maria and Ivo, after leaving the soldier with some medics, "So what are we meeting the Ambassadors about again?"

Maria began to walk down the corridor to the deck, "The Ambassadors are prepared to lend one of their sacred crystals to us again for study, the fact that they even contemplate this shows that they have confidence, in us, in G.U.N. and its divisions."

Shadow smirked, "This should be an interesting meeting then."

The three quickly reached the chopper and began their short flight to Station Square.

Station Square (Outside Museum):

The first thing out of Sonic's mouth when they got there was, "Whoa, what's going on here?"

In front of them was a huge crowd of people, press, and police officers, that's when Tails saw Arthur, he waved as he called "Arthur, hey Arthur, over here"

Arthur turned and looked around a bit before he found Tails in the growing crowd, he pushed his way over to the group, "Ah, Tails, for a moment I didn't think you'd be here, isn't it exciting?"

Amy came forward, "What's so exciting?"

Arthur looked at Amy like she had come from another planet, "You mean you don't know? The Echidna's are lending one of their sacred jewels, it's incredible, and especially considering that the last time they did the crystal was almost stolen."

Cream spoke up, "My mother told me about that, she said a man tried to take it for some reason."

Arthur looked down a Cream, "Very true, Ms…"

Cream looked up at Arthur, "Cream sir."

Arthur laughed, "Now, now, there isn't any need to be that formal, now quickly, come with me, these crowds would make it impossible for us to even get into the museum, but I still have access to one of the side doors since I work at the museum, we can look around at some of the exhibits until the Ambassadors come out with the jewel."

Meanwhile Within the Museum:

The Chief looked Rouge in the face, "Rouge this is important, more important than last time, your going to be in charge of the safety of the Ambassadors while they are in the museum, their bodyguards will be their as well, if something should occur you take your cues from them, you understand Rouge!"

Rouge nodded, "Yes Sir!"

The Chief looked thoughtfully, "Rouge, you understand that you're the best we've got, if I didn't think you were up for this you wouldn't be here."

Rouge smirked, "I understand, Sir, thanks for the complement, I just hope that I not going to be needed Chief."

The Chief smiled, "So do I Rouge, the Ambassadors will be here in five minutes Rouge, be ready."

With that the Chief left Rouge to wait for the Ambassadors.

Outside the Museum Front:

Ambrosia looked at the Museum carefully through the darkness from a nearby roof, "Few guards out front, but of course their going to use them to protect that jewel and the Ambassadors."

A grunt came up to Ambrosia, "Everybody's ready, should I order the attack?"

Ambrosia shook her head, "No, not yet, wait until the crowd dissipates or we have conformation that the jewels are in the open, if they even get the idea that we'll attack they bottle themselves up somewhere in that museum with the jewel and it would take too long to track it down."

The look at the crowd then started back for the group, "Got it."

Ambrosia smirked, "Everything's going according to plan."

Outside the Museum Back:

Eggman smiled as the reached the location, "Alright, here we are."

Rouge looked at the unimpressive back wall of the museum, "and here would be?"

Eggman began to pull a printout from his pocket, "This is the Station Square Museum, and we've come here to get this!"

As soon as Eggman opened the print out Shadow recognized the object on it, "A Chaos Emerald!"

Rouge smirked, "So that's your big surprise, well then, when do we acquire this Emerald?"

Eggman got into his Egg Walker, "Soon, the Emerald will be unveiled in a few minutes, and if we should need reinforcements, they are already on their way."

Shadow looked at Eggman, "What?"

Eggman smiled, "Come, come now Shadow, Rouge, you didn't think that construction bot was the only one I had built."

Rouge tilted her head, "So that's what was making that noise in that office."

Eggman though was too busy thinking to notice Rouge's comment Of course, I don't really know what that reinforcement is going to be, I never did specify a specific robot for them to build….

With the Museum (Another room):

Ivo sighed as he took another drink of water to calm his nerves, "I can't believe we forgot about the Ambassadors, just imagine what would of happened if we hadn't shown up!"

Shadow smirked from the chair he was lounging on, turning the page of the sports magazine he was reading, "Ivo, you've had us imagine that for the past half-hour. You need to calm down, relax. The last time you were this uptight you ran to the bathroom and threw up as soon as the audience couldn't see you."

Ivo nodded, and sweated, "Your right, but you know how I get when I have to talk to so many people! What if I make a mistake, or trip as I'm walking to the microphone, or…"

Maria put a comforting hand on Ivo's shoulder, "It'll be alright Ivo, you've done this before and nothing has ever happened, this time shouldn't be any different, why don't you practice your speech, you all ways seem to calm down when you do that."

Ivo straightened, "That's it, that's what I'll do, you always know what's needed Maria, I don't know what I'd do without you."

Ivo quickly left the room, Shadow got up from the chair, "You know Maria, he still recites his last speech in his sleep."

Maria smiled, "I guess that's what we get having him practice them constantly, but that's the only thing that calms him enough to go out there, he's always been good at public speaking Shadow but he's also always suffered an extreme case of stage fright before he does."

Shadow smiled, "Don't forget after."

Maria just shook her head at Shadow, smiling, "You really shouldn't make fun of him Shadow."

Shadow shrugs, "I know, but it's the best way to get him to stop thinking about his projects and have some fun, besides, he knows I never really mean any of it."

Maria began to walk towards the door with Shadow, "Are you sure?"

Shadow nodded, "Of course I'm sure, he asked me just last year."

Maria laughed as they left the room.

Museum's Main Hall:

Arthur quickened his pace as they neared the large crowd in the main hall, a large room with a stage set up at one end and that had a second floor balcony overlooking it. "Come on now, the ceremony's started, the President is about to make her speech!"

Sonic and Tails were confused by this but followed, I thought the president was a guy!

Cream turned to Amy, "Don't you think this is exciting Ms. Amy"

Amy nodded, "It sure is Cream, but why did you bring your Chao here?"

Cream looked at Cheese then back at Amy, "I never go anywhere without Cheese, he's my best friend."

Tails then came up to them, "Shh, she's starting."

Up front at the podium was the president, Maria, behind her were the Ambassadors in their ceremonial robes guarded by Rouge and their escorts, Ivo, who was just off stage, and Shadow who was hidden by the crowd, "Thank you, now, what all of you here today are about to see is the result of years of diplomacy and fidelity between the Global United Nations and the Echidna peoples. Once again, despite the previous attempted theft of their sacred crystal the Echidna's are donating to us one of their crystals for research into its power. Our scientists believe that if we are able to duplicate that power, we will finally have no more need for heavily polluting or nuclear power plants, and that this clean energy can be provided to all people across the world!"

Cheers rose from the most of the crowd, even Sonic was making an attempt to stand still and listen, but a few people in the crowd didn't, one of which being Ambrosia hidden under a cloak, That's right Madame president, keep talking as my men move into position.

Maria soon finished her speech and the Echidna Ambassador began his, as he spoke Ambrosia began to move through the crowd towards the podium, what Ambrosia didn't notice was that she was heading straight for Amy.

Once the Ambassador had given his speech and had been given a loud applause Maria stepped up to the podium again, "Now the Head of the Advanced Rescue Command will receive the sacred crystal, bringing us one step closer to true friendship between us!"

With that Ivo stepped out from the side of the stage and approached the Ambassador, the moment Sonic saw him and the 'sacred crystal' he started towards them, What the? A Chaos Emerald! and what's Eggman doing here? Well whatever it is I'm not letting him get that Chaos Emerald. Even with his speed Sonic had to move pretty slowly to get through the packed crowd.

That's when chaos ensued.

Ambrosia gave the order to attack then walked right into Amy, her men removed their cloaks and began to fire above the crowd causing everyone to duck, which was the only thing to save the Ambassador's and Rouge's lives as the wall behind them was blown in by Eggman's Egg Walker.

Ambrosia brought out her hammer, while Amy ducked down to with everyone else, Tails quickly grabbed Cream and Arthur and took off and flew them to the floor above, and Sonic stopped in his tracks as ducking crowd revealed Shadow and Rouge, and a second Eggman, Shadow, and Rouge emerged from the smoking hole in the wall, and from his place near the stage, Ambrosia's brother was able to see Sonic quite clearly.?

END CHAPTER 7 OF ALTERATIONS