UlTrRa SiK pRoDuCtIoNs pReSeNtZ:
LoVe'S bUrN
By: UlTrAa ShAdDow
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Sega's characters….but I'd be a very happy guy if I did!
-Hey Readers and Reviewers alike, a new C2 had been started by yours truly. It's called, 'The Legends of Fanfiction' and if you want to join as a staff member, or have a fic in mind that you think deserves legendary status…Let me know.
"You can close your eyes to things you don't want to see, but you can't close your heart to things you don't want to feel."
Third POV….
There was no doubt about it; Rouge was now in league with the notorious Eggman. She curled a stray arm onto her hip as she huffed a sigh. Only when she was sure that Shadow was focused on her, Rouge smiled a chilling, cat-like grin at the shocked ebony and crimson hedgehog before her.
Beside Shadow, the other, scar-riddled black hedgehog stared dead at Eggman, his creator. Scythe began to tremble as fury began to slowly seep in and contort his facial features. Just the sight of his creator made his irises turn black.
Eggman smiled darkly, "My, I'm extremely glad that all of you decided to pay me a visit. If not, then who would be around to witness the beginning of my reign?"
Sonic scowled, "Get over yourself! We're going to shut you down, just like always."
"Like always, huh?" Eggman replied softly, "…Well this time, there shall be no fall to my plan, with the energy of the Master Emerald at disposal--"
"Oh bull," Knuckles hissed, taking a step forward, "You can't use the power of the Master Emerald and you know it! Tikal sealed off the power of the Emerald when you attacked her at Angel Island!"
Eggman turned to look at Knuckles and smiled, "…Well, hello there Knuckles, seeing you beside Sonic makes me think our partnership is terminated."
"Damn right it is!" Knuckles spat, eyes glowing darkly, "You double-cross me, assault Tikal, then steal the Master Emerald, you better hope you get out of here before I get to you."
"Well, you may think our business is done, but I'll need one more favor out of you yet, and that's to awaken the power in the Emerald. But as of right now," Eggman smiled, "It's almost time to awaken my greatest creation."
Scythe snarled, as that was a visible blow to his pride. The jerk didn't even seem to notice that his creation was standing right in front of him! Eggman turned to face the ivory bat beside him, "…Would you mind sending the troops out after our friends?" he purred.
"Certainly," Rouge's icy smile didn't waver.
With a flick of her dark gloved fingers, the legion of robotic drones before her mobilized. Rouge pointed a sure finger at the crowd of heroes, gray eyes glinted venomously, "Kill them, but spare the black hedgehog. If he tries anything, pulverize him, but no killing."
A horde of robotic drones sprang to life and began to enclose the open distance between them and their foes. Eggman and Rouge smiled at each other as they watched the unfolding scene.
Eggman then bent over and whispered something in Rouge's ear, something that made her smile immorally. She nodded her head in response and they separated and entered different doors. Both automatic doors sealed quickly behind them.
Daisy closed her eyes and huddled closer to Scythe as the drones approached. Tails turned to face the others behind him, "…So, a plan of action would help now."
"They've separated," Sonic said, "We better go after them."
"Okay then," Knuckles replied, "Then how about our frocking metal friends here?"
He pointed to the charging drones lazily, " I bet it'd really hurt their feelings if all of us suddenly left."
Shadow scowled, "…It's a poor idea to separate…but it appears that we shall have to."
"I'm goin' after Eggman," Sonic hiked a thumb at himself.
"…Then I'm going with you," Scythe stepped beside Sonic, "I have to pay that bastard back."
"And I wanna go with my Sonic," Amy smiled at a frowning Sonic.
"I'll track down Rouge," Shadow said, "…I don't want anyone else to tag along."
"Fine, the rest of us will take care of those drones," Knuckles motioned to the approaching fleet, "You guys get going."
Shadow scowled as he faced the incoming swarm; time was precious and the seconds were flying by. His shoes flared to life as he skated off, heading straight into the heart of the robotic crowd. Seconds before he seemed doomed to run head-first into the mechanical foes, Shadow's jet-shoes exploded with fire as he launched himself into the air several feet above the metal army's heads.
The red-eyed hedgehog made a hard right and entered the automatic door Rouge had entered only seconds ago. Sonic turned to look at Knuckles, "Damn, I want a pair of those!"
Scythe snarled and made his way beside Sonic. He glared and bent over slightly, so he was in Sonic's face, "Are we going to go after Eggman today Blue?"
"Geez," Sonic blinked, "Who kicked you in the butt? Let's jet."
"Wait!"
Daisy took Scythe's hand and curled her fingers with his. Deep cocoa browns met icy silvers, "…I want to come with you."
Scythe blinked; there was an odd, fluttery feeling in his chest when he looked into the little yellow hedgehog's eyes, the girl who had eyes that were both soft and innocent. Quickly the silver and black hedgehog recovered by putting on his mean face. Scythe snatched his arm away from her, "…Whatever; just stop being weird."
"Well, whatever you guys plan on doing, you better do it now!" Tails cried, "They're coming!"
"Right well, take care of business lil' bud," Sonic high-fived Tails, "And you too Knux."
Knuckles nodded his head, "We'll catch up, you just beat Eggman until I get there."
Sonic looked to the pink hedgehog with eyes that almost mirrored his own, he flexed his arm and took her hand in his, "C'mon, let's go."
Sonic and Amy took off, heading toward the hostile androids. The sight of the two hedgehog charging against the advancing fleet seemed to imprint the picture of 'just the two of us against the world.' Knuckles smiled at the sight and shook his head, "He is in such denial."
The moment Knuckles smile had come, it was gone just as quickly; red echidna wiped his face of its previous emotion and stretched a knuckled-fist at the charging antagonists, "Thunder Arrow!"
A low, thick moan rose from the base as it trembled. Bolts of lighting rained upon the metal crowd in bright, yellow torrents and Knuckles stood in the electric storm guiding the powerful currents as a conductor would lead an orchestra. And the sight was truly a symphony, as bursts of fire rose in cherry clouds from androids that exploded timely.
Sonic and Amy used the attack to their advantage and nimbly darted and swerved through the newly carved path of falling androids. Scythe turned to Daisy, ready to follow Sonic's trail. Instead of taking his hand, Daisy extended both of her arms, waiting to be picked up like a two-year older.
Scythe rolled his eyes, "Aw hell…"
He hoisted her awkwardly into the air, deciding what to do with the yellow hedgehog momentarily. He held her at eye level, a couple of feet away from him; the way an unsure father would hold a toddler who just wet himself. Just when Daisy flashed him a grin, the moment was ruined when Knuckles broke off his concentration and ended the attack. Scythe and Daisy exchanged glances, "…I think we better go now."
"…And just who do you think you're tellin'?"
Scythe swung Daisy over to his back and began running. Each step took him closer to the stunned foes. Daisy wrapped her arms around his neck, fitting herself into the piggy-back position. The piggy-back ride would have been fun, if the circumstance would have been lighter.
Scythe trailed the path Sonic had taken seconds ago, forcefully removing any metallic drones in the process. He hopped aboard an elevated floor and accessed the door Eggman had entered.
"Here I come… 'father'," Scythe whispered to himself bitterly.
He marched through the door grimly, irises being engulfed completely by darkness.
Three androids stood in the Sahara Base's most extravagant quarter. The area was dubbed the 'red room', because it was entirely lit with a crimson glow. The surrounding area was under full survey twenty-four hours day, and even to up the all-day security one better, each hour, a drone was to report to the red room and monitor the proceedings.
Even though the red room was named for its color, it held a far more important destiny. Within the confines of the red room were stacks and lines of bubbling capsules. The entire room was kept at a chilling temperature of thirty-six degrees Celsius, in order to keep the contents within the capsules preserved.
Each capsule fed its red, churning squishy juices into the room's largest capsule that held a dormant creature.The three androids themselves were busy tending to the deep-sleeper. One android was stationed at a large computer that read the occupant's vitals; the second monitored the thermostat, and the last watched the slumbering individual.
So far everything was going as easy as pie; no off-the scale readings, no unexpected fluctuates, or any meltdowns. An air-tight door sighed when it broke to an entered code. Eggman appeared beside one of his drones, the one standing at the head of the capsule, "Prepare the capsule, we must awake him."
"Understood," the drone replied automatically, "Corresponding with Mech 221 and Mech 473…"
A robotic voice spoke over a speaker seconds later, " Mech 221 complying…statistics for Project 0012946 Achilles: vitality ratings: Adequate. Physical composition: Complete. Cognitive composition:…Incomplete… Master, Project 0012946 Achilles is not complete. The Cognitive composition is not yet complete."
"How much longer will it take?" Eggman asked.
"Five hours, fifty-two minutes, thri--"
Eggman growled, "Enough! That is far too long. I need my solider here and now. I did not install him with the knowledge of snapping a hyoid five different ways for him to sleep in a damn tube. Terminate the sleeping process."
"Master, 0012946's cognitive abilities are only seventy-five percent complete; there is a rather large margin for cogent instabilities--"
"Do not question me again," Eggman hissed, "When I say jump, you say 'how high?'!"
"Understood."
"Mech 473, raise the temperature gradually to sixty-five degrees. We don't want our newest member to freeze."
"Understood."
Eggman glanced at the machine beside him, " Mech 621, drain the life-support substance from the capsules."
"Understood."
Eggman watched rather impatiently as he saw the thick, crimson gooey liquid begin to fade away, draining through the vents in the floor. The doctor also swore that he began to feel the temperature in the room begin to slow increase. After waiting a few minutes more, all three drones stood beside their creator. The last drone; Mech 473, began to unscrew the surface of the fiberglass window.
After a chain of loud clicks, the door moaned as it gave away and blew the stench of the gooey, red substance into the faces of the four bystanders. Eggman cringed slightly at the smell; a mixture of hot play-doe and mildew.But Eggman was able to overlook the smelly set-back when he saw his creation slowly open his deep, cobalt blue eyes.
Shadow skid to a halt as he studied his surroundings. After traveling through a dark tunnel of vacant hallways, he finally landed himself in a room of notable interest. It appeared to be a training room.
The ceiling was strung with sharp, bright fluorescent lights; the walls were made of dark, padded rubbery material. The floor beneath Shadow's feet was soft as well, as if to support the soles of one's feet.
And on top of this, both the height and the length of the room were great enough to rival that of a stadium, "Ah, I see you've found the training room. Amazing, isn't it?"
Shadow looked up, spotting Rouge. She was leaning on an ebony balcony, smiling at him roguishly. She dropped to the lower level, a couple of feet from Shadow.
"…" Shadow looked at her wordlessly.
"Stunned?" Rouge arched an eyebrow.
"Why would you side with Eggman?" Shadow asked; it was best to start with the least complicated questions first.
Rouge ignored him, "Why don't you join me Shadow?"
"You'd never join him of freewill…what did he do to you?" Shadow asked.
"…Why do you hate him so much?" Rouge purred, "With the Doctor, it'll be like old times…Remember? Back when we were on Ark?"
Shadow blinked; a film of images from the past were unlocked involuntarily. Each correlating with his second life on Ark, half a century after Maria's death. The idea seemed to bring back an old nostalgia.
Rouge smiled, seeing the void expression on Shadow's face, "… Just like the old days, and if you join us Shadow, we can have anything we want. When you fight, you'll be on the winning side, no more losing loved ones…or feeling unnecessary pain…"
The past images seemed to appear quicker before Shadow's mind's eye. First the images had materialized so Shadow could study each of them closely; then, they all began emerging and vanishing within seconds, leaving Shadow feeling disorientated.
Rouge's dark smile widened, she began to approach him, "…We can be together again…all you have to do is side with Eggman…"
She strolled toward Shadow, with an impressive walk too, until she came to stand before him. And the distance between them was in no way loose, Rouge was pressed up against him, like a doctor listening for a patient's heartbeat. Both the spinning images and the overly friendly bat weren't helping his judgment to well.
He felt as if the world was spinning around him. The white bat gazed up at him with void, somehow lovely gray eyes; oh how the hedgehog was a goner! He looked like Cupid had hit him with all the arrows he had been carrying!
A love-stuck zombie…Rouge smiled darkly at the thought.
She lowered her head to hear his racing heart pound against his ribs. Rouge smiled, then rose to her full height; to stand a little under his chin.
"…That's right, it can be like old times…" Rouge ran her small fingers in the black hedgehog's white tuft of fur, "And if you join us…"
Rouge grabbed Shadow's jaw none too lightly; her eyes flared dangerously, "…You'll be all mine…"
The gray-eyed bat eyed him possessively before she closed in for the kill, "Whenever I want…"
Rouge closed her eyes and stood on the tip of her toes. Moments away from a kiss, a gloved hand stopped her and she elevated her gaze to meet Shadow's, "…I give a hell no to joining Eggman. And you would too…if you were yourself…"
She hissed and backed away from him, to give herself just enough space to wrong him with a solid right to the face, "You lousy hedgehog! You'll regret your decision!"
The blow to Shadow's face barely managed to turn his head, "…Care to try that again?"
Rouge glared at him hatefully, she returned her answer by throwing another punch at Shadow's face. Shadow caught it effortlessly, as his eyes had never left Rouge. The treasure huntress hissed as she wriggled in his grasp, she stared murderously at him, "Unhand me, you lout!"
Shadow smiled, a full-blown grin, "As you wish."
He released Rouge and she toppled over and fell backwards, landing on her rear. She snarled at Shadow as he actually had the nerve to laugh at her expense! Rouge scrambled to her feet and distanced herself, "…Fine then! Since you wish to refuse my offer, then I'll have to beat it out of you, until you beg for forgiveness."
Rouge glared at the smiling hedgehog as she fumbled with the back of her zipper. Smoothly, she unzipped the leather trench coat and allowed the dark material to drop to her feet. She stepped out wearing a strapless, form fitting black dress with pump-heeled shoes.
Her shapely legs were adorned in fishnet tights. She eyed her black gloves then turned her gaze back to him. She gave him a shark-like grin, "…There's one thing I forgot to mention…when I offered you to join us, you never had a choice in the matter. This way is only going to hurt much more though…and I think I like the idea better…Beating the defiance out of you…"
Before Shadow could reply, Rouge appeared before him in a flash, proving Shadow's thought correct: Eggman had enhanced her. Just as he did Knuckles, and himself. The huntress's attacks were much faster and fluent, but Shadow was able to dodge every blow easily.
Shadow began to wonder why Rouge had decided to fight him, even with her improved attributes she still was not much of a match for him. True, she was exceedingly better, but still lacking. However, after Shadow avoiding another of Rouge's quick jabs, he went to make a counterattack and found that he couldn't move his feet. Like his feet had been glued to the floor.
Shadow gaped at the ground wordlessly as Rouge appeared and decked him with a blow to gut. He doubled-over and fell to the ground. Surprisingly, Rouge's blow had managed to take the velocity of what felt like a freight train. While laughing merrily, Rouge kicked him in the side and sent him rolling a few feet.
Shadow grimaced as he rose to his knees; this was his first time fighting a foe who wore heels, and yes…he did not enjoy the experience. Especially since the batgirl knew the proper way to jar him with the painful slopes of the shoes.
Rouge's shadow fell over him and as the black hedgehog turned to face her, she punched him yet again in the stomach. Shadow hit the floor instantly, the last kick he took was tolerable, but her punches were brutish, like being bucked by a wild mustang. Just what in the world had Eggman done to her?
The huntress laughed at him, baring sharp canines, "What's wrong Shadow? O Mister ultimate life-form? Surprised that you're getting beat up by a girl? You know, Eggman isn't stupid…"
She grabbed Shadow's chin and forced his gaze to meet hers, "…I mean, how is lil' ole me supposed to even stand a fighting chance against the ultimate life form? Eggman gave me these gloves, and with these babies, I can hit as hard as that stupid red echidna."
Rouge looked up and her eyes momentarily lost their seductive sheen, in place was the musing of ponder, "…Never loved the fool anyways," she shrugged apathetically, "Oh well…"
She threw an aimed punch at the black hedgehog beneath her. Shadow rolled out of her path and she watched him with narrowed eyes. He somersaulted to his feet as Rouge followed after him relentlessly, throwing swing for swing, "Stop resisting!"
Shadow frowned, avoiding blow after blow. He gazed up at the ceiling and got an idea. He pointed to the ceiling, aiming at one of the fluorescent lights, "Chaos Spear!"
The cable to the light snapped and after a gasp, Rouge hopped out of the way. She glared at him angrily, "…This will make it all the sweeter when I-- "
Rouge dropped to the floor, gasping in pain. Shadow immediately went to her side. Rouge grimaced, holding her sides. She held her eyes tightly shut as she winced in pain. It didn't take long for the ultimate life-form to be beside her. He took a knee and held her, "…What's wrong?"
Rouge kicked at him as she tried to back away, scooting on the floor. The treasure huntress glared balefully at him with feral, gray eyes, "Get away from me! This is all your fault! Your fault!"
Shadow stared at her silently, prompting her to continue, and Rouge was more than glad to, "If you weren't such a lustful bastard! I wouldn't have this pain…Because of this damn abomination growing in me! Draining the life from me!"
Rouge gasped as cold sweat rolled down her face. Now Shadow was alert, looking at her with eyes that were both very clear and opaque at the same time, "…You're…?"
"How much more obvious do I have to make it?" Rouge spat, "You know already, I'm--"
A tweak of static flared, Shadow assumed it came from Rouge as she glanced at her wrist, "Rouge…This is Eggman, return to the interior basement…Now!"
The call faded and Rouge looked at Shadow, eyes cloudy, "…Well, this'll have to wait."
The wheezing bat plucked what looked to be a few buttons on the underside of her arm. The bright fluorescent lights began to fade as they one-by one shut out. With his fading vision, he saw Rouge turn-heel and stumble towards an automatic sealing door.
The automatic door was slowly sealing closed. Shadow boosted and went through the door before it closed. He looked around until he saw Rouge's hunched-over silhouette scamper around a bend. And without a second thought, Shadow followed.
"Man," Sonic breathed, "We gotta stop Eggman from releasing another freak…No offense Scythe."
"Oh yeah, none taken at all," Scythe hissed sarcastically, "Bite me."
"Scythe," Daisy said from over his back, "…Won't you be sad that we're trying to hurt your new brother or sister."
Somehow, it didn't surprise Scythe that she'd think of the new creation as a sibling. And she's probably see Eggman as the father; a loving, caring, proud father.
But the truth of the matter was; whatever that thing was Eggman stewed in a jar would in no way be good sibling material. It'd be more on the lines of a blood-thirsty freak of nature…just like its big brother.
"Not as sad as I'll be if we don't hurt him or her," Scythe shot back.
"Look!" Amy pointed to a door at the end of the hallway, "Is that it?"
"That has to be it," Sonic replied.
"…That's it," Scythe said, "…It's the red room."
Eggman's creation slowly sat up as he took in his surroundings. Eggman himself was bursting with 'paternal' pride. Project 0012946 Achilles appeared to be perfect, and his reactions were rational.
Eggman dimmed the crimson lights momentarily, and turned to look at him. The project was a golden hedgehog with incredibly deep, cobalt blue eyes that bordered indigo. At the sound of Eggman's voice, the gold hedgehog turned to look at him, "Mech 473, give Project 0012946 his gear."
"Understood," The Mech left the room briefly.
Eggman dropped before him creation and took a knee, "Welcome Project 0012946. …Do you know who I am?"
It was more of a test than a concern. The gold hedgehog blinked, "…My creator."
"And do you know your name?"
The gold hedgehog paused again, "Project 0012946--"
"Your name is Achilles, my son," Eggman replied with a smile.
"…Ach…illes…" the gold hedgehog smiled, "That's my name."
An automatic door opened and a hunched over Rouge appeared, "Doctor, you called?"
Her gray eyes stopped on the hedgehog next to him and Eggman smiled, "…This is my greatest creation, Achilles."
"Hi," Rouge said shortly, she turned to look at Eggman, "Sir, everyone's on their way here! What do we do?"
Mech 473 returned with a pair of white gloves and blue, black and white shoes, "Project 0012946 Achilles, your equipment."
Achilles took the shoes, "…My name's Achilles."
The gold hedgehog studied Eggman's hands and feet before he began to pull on the white gloves. Eggman turned to Rouge, "So you say their on their way here?"
Rouge nodded her head, "Affirmative. They'll be here any minute now."
"And as for Shadow?"
Rouge grimaced, "…He's refused all offers of joining us."
A loud bang resounded through the red room. Rouge and Eggman exchanged knowing glances. Another loud bang rang out. Rouge glared at the door, "What do we do?"
Eggman looked at the gold hedgehog; Achilles' attention had been piqued at the sound of the banging, "…Someone's here."
"Achilles!" the hedgehog turned to look at him, "Destroy Mech 473."
Achilles blinked at his master as both Rouge and the Doctor gauged him vigilantly. For the first time, the gold hedgehog rose to his feet and took his first steps. He walked as smoothly as any adult. He stopped before the android and crushed its head with dead, robotic-like accuracy and poise.
The smooth, fluid movement of his strike had even stunned himself. Achilles' widened his eyes at the sight of the shorting machine. And just as the android was about to collapse, Achilles smashed its torso in with twenty kicks before it even touched the floor. Rouge gasped as Eggman smiled happily, "Achilles, next finish those other two androids."
Achilles zipped beside the Mech 621 and smashed in its kneecaps before the android could execute any escape actions. The android fell to the floor and after the gold hedgehog stuck a fist through its chest cavity. Mech 221 had began to flee, despite Eggman's command. The robot was halted however when Achilles threw the remaining fragments of Mech 621. Both androids exploded, with crimson, fiery clouds.
At first, Achilles seemed startled that robots had burst into flames, but then he slowly broke into a large, white grin. Something about the flames enchanted him. Possibly due to the way dark clouds of smoke rose or the way the metal faces melted under the red licking fire.
Fighting and destroying such was fun! And it came so naturally to him. The thought of destroying made his heart pound and his adrenaline rush. And at the back of his mind, a thought popped up…he wondered if his creator too, would burst into flames.
The automatic door broke open, from a heavy punch from Scythe. Sonic, flanked by Amy, entered the room. Scythe entered seconds later, dropping Daisy from his back. At first glance, all eyes fell on the wafting smoke, but then they found Eggman.
"Here I am Eggman," Sonic declared, "Just as I promised. I'm here to shut you down!"
Eggman smiled at Sonic, "I honestly don't think so…not with--"
"Forgetting someone?"
Eggman's smile disappeared as he set his sight upon his former creation, "…It couldn't be…"
"Well it is," Scythe smiled shark-like; eyes as black as night, "And I've come to kill you, as painfully as possible, father."
"'Father?'"
A gold hedgehog fell into view as he stepped beside Eggman. Scythe's smile died fleetingly as he took in the new hedgehog. The hedgehog was a deep gold, the color of ripe hay. And he had a couple of inches over Rouge, but the attribute that stuck out the most were his profound, cobalt eyes.
"Ah, Scythe, it's so good to have you here then," Eggman smiled, "Meet your 'brother' Achilles. He is my greatest creation."
Achilles looked at Scythe blankly, "Project 0012945?"
"He's the imperfect project, your prototype," Eggman replied, "I want you Achilles; to destroy every creature in this room save for Rouge. She's on our side. Give them a true taste of power, and destroy them all painfully."
Achilles nodded his head, "Understood father."
A crooked, large toothy smile flashed on his face. Eggman smiled happily, finally he'd see his project destroy all these pests who bothered him for years. And he'd especially have Achilles make Sonic's death terribly painful.
But Eggman frowned when he looked at the group of heroes before him; why hadn't Achilles charged them? He looked to his project to see that he was staring directly at him with that unnerving smile, and those cobalt eyes.
...Insane cobalt eyes...
As soon as Eggman's face dropped, Achilles struck, leaving the every occupant in the room silent. Seconds later, the Doctor's head fell to the floor, the façade of shock still present on his face.
To be continued!
Chapter Twenty five Theme: "One step closer"- Linkin Park