Here's Part 14 of the Ebony and Lavender. This platform is almost caught up. I'll post Part 15 on here very soon. As for Part 16, I still have to finish that. I have a good start on it, but I can't finish it. Writer's block is a huge nuisance lol. Eventually, I'll finish part 16 and post it on here, Wattpadd, and DevianArt.
Anyway, thank you for reading and keeping up with my story. Tell me what you think in the reviews and as always, I hope you enjoy.
"So what will it be? Ultimate life form?" Eggman Nega had a devious expression on his face.
Shadow stood quiet as he glared at the nefarious scientist that stood between him and Blaze. Shadow looks over at Blaze and stares at her for a few seconds. Blaze was looking back at him with a worried expression; wondering what is going to happen next.
"Shadow," Shadow turns his head towards Eggman Nega. Eggman Nega continues, "I don't have all day. Now where is it!?"
Shadow looks over to Infinite and Eclipse. Both of them nod their heads at him, then Shadow turns back to the evil scientist. Shadow reached behind him and pulls the Sol Emerald out in his hands. Blaze eyes widen as she stared at Shadow with a bewildered expression.
Eggman Nega began to grin even more as he stares at the Sol Emerald in Shadow's hand, "Good, good. I knew you wouldn't let me down. Now, bring it to me."
"Release her first." Shadow said very calmly.
"Shadow! Have you lost your mind!?" Blaze cries in the background. She was angry and saddened at the same time as the events unfold in front of her.
"Shadow," Eclipse calls out to his brother. "Are you sure about this?"
"You see the way Blaze is looking at you right now. I don't think this is a good idea." Infinite added with a disagreeing look.
Shadow looks up to see a flustered Blaze standing at the edge where the force field lies. She had teeth clenched as she stared at him with fearful eyes. Shadow sighs, then began walking towards Eggman Nega.
"Shadow! Stop this madness now," Blaze cried out as she watched her partner commit a mortal sin in front of her eyes. "Shadow don't do this! Please!"
Shadow stops and looks at Blaze with an apologetic expression, "I'm sorry Blaze, but-,"
"No you will not! You can't give him that Sol Emerald!" Blaze cried as her eyes began to water.
"But-," Shadow began.
"Shadow!" Blaze voice turned raspy as she glared at the ebony hedgehog. "Don't you dare do it. Please, I'm begging you! I'd rather you keep my Emerald and let me suffer than hand it over to Eggman Nega for my sake!"
Shadow stood speechless as he studied her. He didn't like deceiving her because she was hurting inside thinking the emerald in his hand was the real deal. As much as it ate him up inside seeing her like this, he has to suck it up now for the plan to work. Shadow closed his eyes, then looked over to Eggman Nega. He was enjoying Blaze's reaction and Shadow was disgusted with the egg-shaped man and hisself. He shook his head and took another step.
Blaze gasps as she watch Shadow walked closer to them, "Shadow! Have you listen to anything I said! Under no circumstance should you give him the emerald. My life is not worth-,"
"I've made my decision Blaze!" Shadow yelled loudly. He winced a little at how loud he spoke. He knows that he'll have to apologize a lot when this is over.
Infinite and Eclipse was also taken aback at Shadow for yelling like that, even if this was an act. Both of them turn towards Eggman Nega and he looks like he was enjoying the whole scene a little too much. It seems all was going according to plan.
Blaze stopped for a second and stared at him in disbelief. She began again, "Shadow, do you know what chaos he will bring if you give him my emerald!?"
Shadow closed his eyes, then looks her in the eyes, "Blaze, I need you to do me a favor."
Blaze looks at Shadow in confusion. Thinking about what he could possibly be asking when he's committing to doing the opposite of what she wants.
As much anger that was whirling like a tornado in her mind, Blaze asks, "What is it?"
"Trust me." Shadow said wholeheartedly.
Blaze raised her eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
Shadow looks her straight in her amber eyes with his crimson ones, "Have faith in me. I know things don't seem right at this moment. But you have to trust me, ok?"
"But Shadow-," Blaze began.
"Alright that's enough," Eggman Nega flew closer to Shadow and held his hand out. "I've grown bored of this whole dramatics. Now give me the Sol Emerald."
Shadow glared at Eggman Nega, then sighs, "Fine, but you must free her."
"After the emerald is in my hand." Eggman Nega states loudly. He began waving his hand around as his patience was wearing thin.
Shadow glared ice, cold daggers at the man in front of him. He had absolutely no trust in this evil scientist. Potentially one of the most shadiest and distrustful attempting to make a bargain with the ultimate lifeform seems far fetched. Shadow, instead of giving him the emerald, gave Eggman Nega a challenging expression.
Eggman Nega was beginning to grow more impatient and glared at the hedgehog, "I promise no harm will be done to her once you hand me the emerald... unless she attacks me that is."
"Shadow, don't believe him! Please listen to me! I'm begging you!" Blaze still pleading to change the ebony hedgehog's mind.
"Quiet Blaze!" Eggman Nega roared at the royal feline.
Blaze growls as she stares Shadow who still hasn't made a single move so far now. Shadow stole a quick glance at the lilac feline. Distress showing more and more across her face and it's making him feel even more guilty.
"Shadow, spare me the time and hand it over. I promise no harm will be placed upon her, so hand it over." Eggman Nega said calmly.
His tone of voice made Shadow feel more uneasy. Shadow looks at him, still not trusting his words. Eggman Nega lowers himself to Shadow's ear, "I'm not one to break promises Shadow the Hedgehog. I may be many things, but a liar is something I'm not."
Eggman Nega raised himself up and awaited Shadow's next move. Shadow sighs in defeat, and finally gives in, then handed Eggman Nega the Sol Emerald.
"No!" Blaze became restless as began trying to push through force field. She began throwing flames at the force field, but it has done nothing. She became more flustered, but she continues to throw fire balls at the force field.
Eggman Nega floated upwards with the jewel in his hand, "Ho ho ho ho ho ho ho! With this, I can travel back to get the other emeralds, then my dreams of destruction will be realized!"
Shadow walks up to Eggman Nega with an intimidating glare, "Don't forget our deal. You get the emerald, then you free Blaze."
"Change of plans." Eggman Nega responds quickly.
"What?" Shadow growls at the scientist.
"Oh don't worry your fur about her. She will be fine," Eggman turns to the ebony hedgehog with a menacing expression. "As for you, your head will be mounted on my wall!"
Shadow stares at the scientist in confusion. Suddenly, the ground began to shake as if the volcano was going to erupt. The trio began to lose their balance as the nefarious Eggman Nega began to laugh hysterically. Rocks from above began to fall because of the shaking in the area. The trio dodges out of the way of the rocks, and the rocks caused them to be separated. Shadow looks around to see if any more were going to fall above them. Suddenly, Metal Sonic 3.0 flew towards Shadow, and tackled him off of the platform.
"Shadow!" Eclipse called out to his brother as he seen his brother being pushed downwards.
"So long boys," Eclipse snaps his head over to Eggman Nega. "But don't worry. Your friend is going to take a little detour. Bye bye!" Eggman Nega flew down to follow Shadow and Metal Sonic.
Infinite was about to jump after them, but Eclipse stepped in front of him. Infinite looks at him with aggravation, "What the hell are you doing!"
"Blaze first, then we'll go after them." Eclipse barked then jump towards the shield that held Blaze captive.
Eclipse aims his hand at the contraption above the shield then shot a chaos shot at it.
Poooof!
The shield disintegrated and the lavender Sol Princess was finally free for the first time in so long. Blaze stretched her limbs around as she walked out of the limited space. She appears to be very anxious as she walks quickly to the others.
"Long time no see Princess. How have you been?" Eclipse smiled as the lavender princess approaches him.
"I'm fine," Blaze answered back. "But my wellbeing can wait. We need to save Shadow and get my emerald back!"
"Don't worry about the emerald. It's not the real thing." Infinite said quickly.
Blaze didn't hear him, as she jumps away from them and chases after Shadow and the others. Infinite blinks his eyes as he and Eclipse watch her chase after them.
"She has not heard you at all. Nonetheless bothered caring for your words either." Eclipse chuckled to himself as he teased the snow haired jackal.
Infinite folds his arms and scoffs, "Why do I even bother?"
"Because it shows that you care?" Eclipse replied sarcastically.
Infinite snorts in response, "Tch, as if I care. I just want this over with quickly."
"If you say so," Eclipse turns his gaze towards the direction the others went, "I'm going to chase after them."
Infinite stares at Eclipse for a second, then responds, "I'll wait here for Rouge and Tails, so I can fill them in on what just happened."
"Good idea. Anyway, stay out of trouble." Eclipse smirked, then raced towards the direction his brother went.
Infinite stood there for a few seconds. He folds his arms and looked around the area.
'Strange, I'm surprised Dr. Eggman hasn't made an appearance. I suppose he was keeping his word after all.' Infinite thought as he began pacing around the area.
"Infinite, do you copy hun?"
His ear twitched in a little annoyance for breaking his thought. He pulls the wrist communicator to his mouth, "Yes I do. What's your status."
"I'm not far from your location, so I'm going to join you guys," Rouge stated. "Did you find Blaze yet?"
"We found her, but," Infinite dragged the last word.
"But?" Rouge asked impatiently.
Infinite grumbles quietly, "Yes we found Blaze, but Eggman Nega appeared and complicated things."
There was a leering silence on Rouge's end. The silence was a bit unnerving.
Infinite continues, "We successfully gave him Tails' Sol Emerald, so I'm sure he does not know that it is a fake. Soon after that, Metal Sonic 3.0 came around and tackled Shadow away from Eclipse and I. Eggman Nega trailed after them with intents to kill Shadow."
"What!?" Rouge yelled through the communicator.
Infinite shifted his body in discomfort, "After we were separated, Blaze and Eclipse trailed after them."
"And you didn't?" Rouge queried in disbelief.
"No because I decided to wait for you heroes to catch up with us," Infinite replied in a mocking tone. "Besides, Shadow has Blaze and Eclipse backing him up against Eggman Nega. No need to get your fur in a twist."
"Haha very funny," Rouge says condescendingly. Infinite could easily tell she was rolling her eyes. "Now, I'm almost there with Tails not being far off from me. Inform the others if you can."
"And you can't because?" Infinite asked quickly.
Rouge chuckles, then responds, "I still have robots in my path. Now I gotta go. Toodles!"
The transmission cuts off leaving Infinite to his own thoughts.
'Toodles, people still use that phrase,' Infinite thought in disgust.
As much as he despise the flirty bat, she has been growing on him very much. The same goes for Eclipse and Blaze as well. Sonic and his friends are too much for him to deal with at times and he just started tolerating Shadow.
Infinite scoffed at himself quietly, "Although I wanted a place to stay, making relationships with them was not ideal."
Infinite ruffled his hair in annoyance and paced around some more, "Well, I should contact Sonic and inform him, before I get hear a lot of nagging from that bat."
He configured his wrist communicator and set it to Sonic's transmission. He raises his wrist to his muzzle, "Sonic, do you copy?"
"Nice shot Omega!" the blue blur exclaimed with enthusiasm.
There was a light flickering out of the cobalt hedgehog's peripheral. He looks down to see that the light was coming from his wrist communicator.
"Sonic, do you copy?"
Sonic raises his eyebrows as he recognize the voice. He answers, "Yeah I copy Snow White. What's up?"
Infinite sighs, then continues, "We've found Blaze and broke her out of her cage."
Sonic began to beam with happiness as he heard the news. He turns toward the other, "Hey guys, they saved Blaze!"
Amy looks up at the blue blur in excitement, "I'm so glad she is ok!"
Silver nods in agreement, "That's the best news I have heard all day."
"Does that mean we can focus on punching Nega's teeth in now?" Knuckles asked impatiently.
"No, there's more that has happened," Infinite stated. "Metal Sonic 3.0 came around and tackled Shadow away from us. Eggman Nega followed after them with the intention of killing Shadow."
Everyone froze in disbelief. The air thickens as the news began to process in their minds. Knuckles began growling to himself, Silver had a troubled expression painted on his face, and Amy's face was pale.
Sonic shook his head, "We're on our way to help. We'll quicken our pace from now on."
"Alright, I'm sending you the coordinates of my location. Tails and Rouge are nearing my location. Once you all get here, I'll take point in getting to Shadow's location," Infinite explained in a calming manner, "Don't worry too much for Shadow's safety. Blaze and Eclipse are backing him up as we speak."
Sonic began to smirk, "I'm sure they'll be fine. We'll meet you there."
"Copy that."
Sonic cuts off the transmission and looks at the others with determination, "Let's get moving. The sooner we defeat Eggbreath, the sooner we can go home."
"EGGMAN'S ROBOT IS STILL FUNCTIONAL."
Everyone looks over to see a busted Silver Sonic struggling to keep its balance. Its once sleek armor was now dirty and torn up from Omega's assault. Torn circuits were visible as little electricity was sparking off of his metallic body.
Sonic takes a step towards Silver Sonic, "Sorry pal, but we can't continue to tango forever. We have friends that needs saving."
Silver Sonic raises its fist like a warrior that is fighting for its pride. The robot was still stumbling while trying to keep its footing, but still pushed on to keep facing his enemies. It was stubborn, stubborn exactly like Sonic himself.
Sonic grins at his metallic copy, "I didn't think I'd ever meet you again Silver Sonic. I don't want to destroy you, but like I said before I need to help my friends."
"ALL OF EGGMAN'S ROBOTS MUST BE ANNIHILATED. NO MERCY SHALL BE ALLOWED." Omega prepared its arm canons to finish of the metallic Sonic copy. Sonic roller his eyes at Omega's response.
Silver Sonic kept its balance and faced off with the heroes that stood before him. Omega took the initiative and shot another explosive at the robot. Silver Sonic barely dodges out of the way, to everyone else's surprise and charges at them.
Knuckles growls and steps forward, "Seems like he doesn't know when to give up!"
"We don't have time for this," Silver exclaims, then gets into a fighting stance. "We have to help the others."
"Then let's finish this quickly!" Sonic yells loudly.
Silver Sonic runs in Omega's direction. Omega pulls his hand out of his right arm and throws a punch at the metallic Sonic copy's head. Silver Sonic parry's Omega's attack and blows past it. Knuckles jumps up to chop the Sonic copy from above. Silver Sonic reacts quickly and spindashed under Knuckles.
"What the-," Knuckles lands on his feet with a dumbfounded look. "What is it doing!?"
Silver Sonic uncurls and dashes forward quickly. The robot reaches its hand out as it gets closer towards Sonic, Amy, and Silver. It seemed like its target was none other than the blue blur.
"Sonic look out!" Knuckles called out.
Silver Sonic was closing in on the cobalt hedgehog with its hands being inches away from Sonic's neck. Sonic smirks, then pulls backwards unto his hands. He raises his feet to the metallic copy's abdomen.
"Hraaaagh!" Sonic pushed the replica with his feet away from him.
Silver Sonic caught itself and landed on its feet. He attempted to move, but was unable to do so. It was covered in a turquoise aura. Silver caught him in his telekinesis.
Silver raises the robot up, then over the lava from below, "See ya!"
Silver let go of the robot and Silver Sonic began plummeting to the lava pit. Sonic ran over to the edge of the bridge and watched as one of his earliest adversaries fall to their demise. Silver Sonic locked eyes with the blue blur as it fell. Memories flood of their battle back on the Death Egg many years ago. The scratches, the atmosphere, was almost nostalgic. Before it touched the lava, Silver Sonic raises its fist at the blue blur. Sonic widened his eyes in surprise, before smiling. He pointed his fist at the robot, as if they had a slight connection for a split second. Silver Sonic splashed into the lava with his fist being the only visible part of em before it sunk under.
Sonic watch as his metallic replica melts under the intense heat of the lava, "This was a great reunion we had here tonight. Sorry it has to end this way." He stood silent for a couple second, soaking in the event that took place.
"Let's get moving. Shadow and the others need our help." Knuckles said with a sense of vigilance.
Sonic stood there for a few more seconds, then looks up, "Right, lets get moving everyone."
The others nodded, then made there way across the bridge to advance.
POW!
Shadow kicked Metal Sonic 3.0 away from him. It shook off the ebony hedgehog's attack, then grabbed Shadow around the neck. The ebony hedgehog struggles to release himself from the robot's grip, he is not having any luck. 3.0 pulled its fist back, then swing straight for Shadow's face. Before it could connect, Shadow teleports himself away from Metal Sonic 3.0. 3.0 looks around in search for the ultimate lifeform oblivious to the hedgehog coming from above. Shadow curls up into a spindash and pounds the robot to the ground. Shadow jumps away from Metal Sonic 3.0 who was flat on the ground.
"Chaos," Shadow charges up his signature attack. "Spear!"
The chaos attack flew rapidly at Metal Sonic 3.0. The robot got up and seen the energy blast. Metal Sonic 3.0 jumps up in the air in an attempt to jump over it.
"Hmph," Shadow smirked and snaps his fingers.
The Chaos Spear grew larger under Metal Sonic 3.0 and all it could do was watch as the blast enlarged under him.
BOOOOM!
Shadow exploded his attack resulting in Metal Sonic 3.0 flying away like a rag doll. Shadow relaxed a little and eyed the robot who was now laying on the ground away from him. Shadow began to move closer to finish the job, but Shadow heard something that made his ear twitch. He turns around to see a circular ball flying right towards him. Shadow attempts to step out of the way, but the ball opens up into a net and wraps the ultimate lifeform around.
"What the hell!" Shadow yelled as it tightened around his body causing him to fall to the ground. He began to squirm as he struggled to get out of the net around him.
"Hohohohoho!" An evil laugh was sounded off in the background.
Shadow looks up to see Dr. Eggman Nega doing a signature laugh Dr. Eggman also shares. Shadow glares at the egg-shaped man as he was floating above in his flying vehicle.
Eggman Nega stops laughing, then looks at the ebony hedgehog, "Oh look, a little rat stuck in my little trap! Hahahaha heugh ha heuooogh!" He began to cough and hack while trying to laugh.
"Enjoying this way too much don't you think?" Shadow asked in a mild irritable, yet calming tone.
"Not yet," Eggman Nega pulled out what seems to a contraption with a red button on top.
Shadow stares at him with caution, "What are you doing?"
"Hehehehehe, don't fret my ebony friend. This will only hurt for a little." Eggman Nega replied with a darkened expression and pressed the button on the contraption.
Shadow looks around expecting something to happen. The net around his body began to illuminate a bright yellowish color and electricity showered over the net. Shadow began to grunt in pain as the electricity took a painful toll on his body. Nonetheless, Shadow positions himself on his knees, then proceeds to stand to face the nefarious scientist. He gave Eggman Nega a look of triumph as he stood to display that he shouldn't be underestimated.
Eggman Nega looks at him, thoroughly impressed, "That's 10,000 volts traveling from the current into your body. That's humanely impossible and abnormal. You really are as intriguing as your Eggman say you are."
Shadow's knees began to shake uncontrollably as he struggles to face Eggman Nega, "If you think this is enough to defeat me, then you truly are a fool!" Shadow spat with venom seething off of his tongue.
Eggman Nega smirks in response to Shadow's jabs, "Trust me, there's more where that came from you incompetent rodent. Metal Sonic 3.0!"
The black and yellow robotic Sonic got up quickly and rushes over to its creator's side. It was awaiting its command after baiting Shadow into the small trap.
"Rough him up a bit more while I get everything else ready," Eggman Nega commanded and continued forward before looking back at his creation. "And don't kill him. We still have not gotten to the main event. Hehehehehehe!" He flew away from while doing his usual evil cackle.
Shadow clenched his teeth and tried to pull the electrifying net off of him, but he was not successful. The electricity was starting to mess with his nervous system as certain body parts were not responding in a way that it should. Metal Sonic 3.0 walks up to Shadow, pulls his foot back, then kicked Shadow hard enough to send him many feet away. Shadow groans in pain as he struggled more against the net. He tried to move, but this time he can't move at all. The electricity completely drove his nervous system crazy.
'Damn it!' Shadow yelled mentally.
3.0 ran towards Shadow's direction and kicked Shadow as if he was playing kickball.
POW!
Shadow flew in the air helplessly as he couldn't move. 3.0 took the initiative and flew behind him, then did a spinning kick toward Shadow's spine.
"Aaaack!" Shadow yelled in pain.
The ebony hedgehog began falling towards the ground. Before he could touch the ground, the robot appeared on the ground and threw a hard punch into Shadow's face. The force from the punch sent Shadow flying further down the path. Metal Sonic 3.0 curls up into a ball, and charged up a spindash attack.
ZOOOOM!
Metal Sonic 3.0 became a blur and spindashed rapidly towards Shadow while he was in the air. Shadow closed his eyes as he embraced himself for impact. Instead, he lands on his back against the ground.
"Hey," Shadow opens his eyes to see his brother holding Metal Sonic 3.0 who was spindashing against Eclipse's hands. "Seems like things aren't going well for you."
"Took you... long enough." Shadow replied meekly.
Out the corner of his eyes, he sees a lavender figure walking towards him. Shadow attempts to say her name, but couldn't. Blaze knelt down to look at Shadow. There was a weak spot right at the center of the net, so Blaze shot a small fire ball and destroyed the net. The net released its grip from the ultimate life form and he is now free.
"B-Blaze..." Shadow began.
Blaze put her fingers over his mouth to keep him quiet, "Stop, I already know what you're going to say."
"Hragh!" Eclipse threw the robot into a different direction away from them.
He looks back at his brother, "Can I get a thank you for saving your fur?"
"It's not over yet," Blaze stayed calmly. Both of them looks over to see 3.0 walking towards them.
Eclipse mentally curses, "I'll hold him off. Can you get him together in the meantime?"
Blaze nods her head, so Eclipse lunged towards the robot and initiates their clash. The lilac cat turns her head back to the ebony hedgehog who is lying still on the ground.
She raises an eyebrow, "Is there a reason why you're not standing yet?"
Shadow groans in response, "The volts from that net... has fried the nerves... in my body."
Blaze's calm demeanor turns into a worried expression.
"Don't worry, my body just won't respond to my brain normally... It won't last too long either. I just need to figure out... what makes what move." Shadow said reassuringly.
"..." Blaze stares at Shadow quietly. Many thoughts and emotions are popping in her mind.
Shadow sighs, "Can you stop staring at me? It's really unnerving for me."
Blaze chuckles softly, "I was just checking for major injuries."
Silence roams around for a few more seconds. Blaze has mixed feelings for Shadow because: he gave Eggman Nega her Sol Emerald, but she truly missed him during her time in imprisonment. Those days of isolation showed her how much Shadow meant to her, and it would make their reunion much better if it weren't for the whole 'Shadow giving up the Sol Emerald' situation.
Shadow closed his eyes to figure his body while she sat silently next to him. He attempts to moves his left arm, and the part that responded was his right leg. He does the same with his right arm, and his left leg began to move. He tries using his left leg and his right arm responds; then tried using his right leg and his left arm moves.
'Doesn't seem to difficult to adapt to. It'll just take some getting use to.' Shadow thought to himself.
After configuring his body, Shadow began to get up from where he laid. Blaze stares at him in shock, as she watched him getting up. Shadow finally stood up and began moving more parts of his body. He then looks down to see Blaze dumbfounded while staring at him.
"Most people could not figure out their nerves when it has been zapped out of control." Blaze said in astonishment.
Shadow turns his head towards her and grins, "I'm not like most people."
Blaze stares at him for a few more seconds, then laughs to herself, "You really are the ultimate lifeform."
Shadow was still moving his body body to get used to his whole debacle, then he turned towards the lavender feline with a serious expression, "Blaze, I'm sorry for what happened earlier."
Blaze's smile turned into a small frown as she stared at the ebony hedgehog. Shadow started to explain himself, but Blaze shook her head quickly which made him stay silent.
Blaze looks at him intently, "I'm not worried about that."
"But... the emerald-," Shadow began.
"I said I'm not worried about that right now. Don't you remember the promise you made to me?" Blaze asked.
Shadow furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, then a memory popped into his mind. The promise he made to her after his training in G.U.N. headquarters.
"I promise we'll get the last Sol Emerald no matter what," Shadow stated trying to reassure Blaze as best as he could. "So don't worry too much over the matter. I'll do whatever I can to assist you."
Blaze stared at Shadow, filled with admiration, then smiled. "Ok, thank you Shadow," Blaze said.
The flashback ends.
"I remember." Shadow said quietly.
Blaze smiles, "You told me before that you are not one to break a promise either, so I know you will own up to that promise you made to me. I just had to realize it while I was on my way to help you here. But that's not the main reason why I wasn't worried."
Shadow stood there with confusion painted on his face, "Then why aren't you."
Her amber eyes stares softly at Shadow's red eyes, "Because I missed you..."
Shadow stood there with his eyes wide. He started to feel something tug at him on the inside. A feeling that most people have never brought out of the ebony hedgehog aside from his time at his birthplace. Blaze walks over to him and embraced him tightly. She closed her in a relaxing state. Happy to be in the arms of the man who opened her heart. Shadow was lost for words. He didn't know what to say because this was not something he was used to. Blaze steps away with a blushing covering her muzzle as she smiled at her partner. A blush was creeping onto Shadow's muzzle. He turns his head away from Blaze in embarrassment, which made Blaze laugh even.
"Awwwwwe, look at you two flirting," Shadow and Blaze looks over to see Eclipse pinned to a wall. "Now, can you guys help me already!?"
Shadow's face became even more red as he clenched his teeth in frustration, but eventually shook it off. Blaze jumps forward, then dashes to aid Eclipse. She began throwing a barrage of fireballs at 3.0. It was enough for the robot to release his grip on Eclipse and withdrew away from the flames. Shadow teleports behind it and spindashes the robot to the ground. Shadow jumps away from the robot, but Metal Sonic 3.0 was quick to retaliate. Shadow attempts to dodge out of the way, but his body still isn't responding fast enough. Eclipse steps in front of Shadow quickly and blocks the robot's attack. The darkling pushed the robot away throws a haymaker towards 3.0's jawline, then smashed it against the floor.
"Blaze can you encase him in a ball of fire?" Shadow asked.
Blaze looks at him in confusion, "Of course I can, but why?"
"Just do it! Then follow his example." Eclipse chimed in.
Blaze complies and charge up a fire ball. Shadow and Eclipse rushed in to occupy the robot before 3.0 could react, then pushed it against the wall. 3.0 responds by shooting a large laser against the two brothers. The robot successfully pushes the two away from him with his laser attack. It began to fly upwards, then dashed towards Shadow. Shadow notices the robot flying right towards him.
'Come on body. Work with me!' Shadow yelled in his mind.
3.0 went to throw a kick towards Shadow's head. The movement was of its body was like a blur as his kick went straight for Shadow's face.
"Shadow!" Eclipse yelled as he tried to rush to block the robots attack.
Suddenly, Shadow ducks right under the kick; the foot barely grazing the fur on his quills. The robot appears to not be retaliating, as if it did not expect Shadow to dodge the attack so quickly. Eclipse stares at him in shock for a few seconds, then reminds himself who his brother truly is. Shadow smirks, then threw a precise, yet powerful punch right into the abdomen of 3.0. The robot became stagnant against Shadow's attack which left him open.
"Blaze now!" Shadow called out.
Blaze aims her hands towards them, "Haaaaaaah!"
A large fiery fireball shot it's way towards Shadow and 3.0. Shadow grabs the robot by the leg, then hurls it towards the fireball. 3.0 was becoming engulfed into the flames as it covers the area around him. Shadow and Eclipse appears right next to Blaze and stares at the flames. Shadow and Eclipse began charging up Chaos energy in their hands. As if catching on to what their plan was, Blaze began charging up a fiery attack of her own.
"Together!" Shadow voice rang. "Chaos Spear!"
"Chaos Spear!" Eclipse yelled loudly.
"Sol Blast!" Blaze yelled in unison with the others.
The tri-blast attack illuminated the whole area as it crashed in the flames. Eclipse looks towards the others, "It's gonna blow!"
Shadow instinctively stepped in front of Blaze to shield her from the beast while Eclipse braced himself for impact.
BOOOOM!
Smoke arise from the area. The two brothers and Blaze fell towards the ground because of the impact from the explosion.
Eclipse got up slowly and absorbs his surroundings, "Hey, are you guys alright?"
"We're fine." Shadow replies. He walks over to Blaze and helps her to her feet.
Eclipse looks over to the area where Metal Sonic 3.0 was. The smoke was clearing up and the area was more visible.
"Do you see it anywhere?" Shadow asked in the background.
Eclipse looks more intently at the area in case it was an illusion, "I don't see the robot."
"I doubt it can make a move now, so we should just leave things be for now." Blaze explained.
Shadow nods his head in agreement, "Blaze is right. There's no way it should survive that attack. Let's get moving and stop Nega's plans."
"Are you guys sure?" Eclipse questioned with uncertainty.
"I'm positive. Now let's go find Nega and get the emeralds back!" Blaze said, then began pushing forward towards Nega's direction.
Shadow and Eclipse began to chase after her a few feet away.
'Are you going to tell her that the Sol Emerald is a fake?' Eclipse asked in the hivemind.
Shadow scoffs quietly, 'In due time. Even if we tell her, we still have to stop Nega's plans and take the last two Chaos Emeralds back.'
'I doubt she'll be happy to find out it was a fake and you have not told her,' Eclipse replies nonchalantly. 'You seen how she was when you gave the fake emerald to Nega.'
'Let me worry about that brother,' Shadow replies quickly. 'For now, Eggman Nega is our top priority.'
'If you say so brother.' Eclipse responded.
The trio continued sprinting down the pathway towards the direction Eggman Nega went to. On the way, they've seen obscene structures of Dr. Eggman's decor inside the base. A giant statue of Eggman made out of what appears to be gold standing off in the distance.
Blaze snorts in disgust, "Must he be so bloated by his ego to build statues of himself?"
"I'm more interested in how he had the resources to make that statue, or the entire base for that matter." Eclipse said loudly.
Shadow seeming disinterested in the whole scenery pushes forward, "I could not care less. He's the least of our worries right now."
"You're right," Blaze replies quietly. "Can we pick up the pace though?"
Eclipse sighs in annoyance, "Unlike you and Shadow, I'm not a speedy being."
Blaze was going to say something, but Shadow cuts her off, "Eclipse hold on to me. That way we can get to Nega faster."
Eclipse nods his head, so Shadow slows down to Eclipse's speed. That gave his brother enough time to latch onto him. After Eclipse was situated, Shadow sped up some more.
Shadow looks over to Blaze, "Alright, let's get moving!"
Blaze nods in response, then both of them starts to become a blur and race down the pathway to get towards their objective. The trio could be seen on a monitor. Dr. Eggman was watching them through the cameras set in his base.
"Did you get it?" Eggman Nega asks in the background.
Eggman turns over to Eggman Nega and puts his hands together, "The stealth bots are on nearing our location with the package now."
"Good, everything is going according to plan!" Eggman Nega laughs loudly as he gets his final project operational.
Eggman turned back to the other monitors that has Sonic and his squad on the screen, "Pretty soon, Sonic and the others will catch up with Shadow, Blaze, and Eclipse."
"And once the package gets here; numbers will not matter anymore! They will all grovel at my feet- I mean our feet." Eggman Nega corrects himself.
Eggman just furrow his eyebrows without turning his gaze from the monitors in front of him. Infinite was still at the spot Shadow and the others left him at.
"Wasn't he one of your failed experiments?" Eggman Nega asks as if he knew what he was looking at.
"Failed isn't the right word to describe him," Eggman explains. "More like a subject used for my bidding until I had no use for him."
"Didn't he defeat Sonic?" Eggman Nega looks over towards Eggman.
"Yes, but in the end he ultimately lost, but it didn't affect the outcome of the robot I made that Sonic destroyed... annoying pest." Eggman said in aggravation.
Eggman Nega walks over to Eggman with a smirk on his face, "Well, once the package gets here and the Egg Nega Dragoon is ready; we will not have to deal with these vermin anymore!"
"Then, Eggmanland will finally be set in motion!" Eggman exclaims loudly with a malicious grin on his face.
"After that, the Sol Dimension will understand true despair and pure destruction!" Eggman Nega adds in.
"Hahahahahahahahahaha heugh ha huugh hooo!" Both Eggmen we're laughing so hard that they've nearly choked on their own spit. Nevertheless, they continued laughing as they talked more about their ultimate dreams.
Infinite was tapping his foot with impatience. It's only been five minutes since his transmission with Sonic and his crew and even 7 minutes with Rouge, yet no one has showed up.
Infinite growls to himself in aggravation, then turn towards the direction the others went, "I'm done waiting for those imbeciles to get here!"
"And who are you calling an imbecile?" A seductive, yet sassy voice chimes in the background.
Infinite turns back to see Rouge gliding towards him. She lands right next to him, then looks at him, "And what were you planning on doing?"
"You heroes are taking your sweet time getting here!" Infinite spat.
"Put a lid on it, will ya? Unlike you, we had to go through an army of Eggman's robots. You took an easy path to get here." Rouge snaps at the snow haired jackal.
"Tch, well maybe you should be quicker," Infinite rebuttals to the bat. "Those weak metal scrap shouldn't slow you guys down by this much."
Rouge walks up to Infinite's face with an intimidating expression, "Why you no good, ugly looking, dirty piece of shi-,"
Vroooooooooom!
The X-Tornado flew around above Infinite and Rouge's heads. Tails, piloting the plane, was looking around for a good area to park his X-Tornado. Once he found a perfect spot, Tails descends to the ground safely, then jumps out to meet Rouge and Infinite.
"Hey guys!" Tails yelled happily.
"Why hello my little foxy friend." Rouge says cheerfully.
Infinite remains silent, then turns his gaze back to the direction Shadow the others went.
"How far are Sonic and the others from here?" Rouge queried.
Tails looks at his wrist communicator and tracks the signals of Sonic and his team, "They are not far from us."
Infinite turns back to two tailed fox, "And when will they get here?"
Tails thought to himself for a few more seconds, then replies, "They are moving at rapid succession, so if they keep up their pace, then I'd say roughly six to eight minutes."
Infinite growls to himself which caught Tails and Rouge's attention, as he is tired of waiting for the others to get here.
Rouge looks over to Tails with a smile, "Don't mind him hun. He's just grumpy from waiting for so long."
Infinite turns his gaze towards the bat and glares daggers at her, "You really annoy me sometimes you know that."
"Well, some of us have to sincerity to wait for others or simply be polite. You on the other hand is a snot nosed jackal with no manners whatsoever." Rouge said in a mocking tone.
Infinite bares his fangs at her, "You want to perish, woman?"
"Uh... guys," Tails says sheepishly. "We're on the same team here."
Rouge folds her arms, "As if you could do anything. Without the Phantom Ruby, what can you do?"
"I was the ultimate mercenary at one point, you spoiled brat!" Venom spewed off of his tongue.
"Please, I'm anything, but spoiled. I earned everything I have. You just pitied yourself about how weak you were until the doctor gave you powers, so you could shut up." Rouge smirks as she knew he was going to explode.
"Guys please... we don't have time for this." Tails pleaded with the two.
Infinite, seeming more angry than ever gets into a fighting stance, "Let me make an example out of you! I'll show you why I was hailed as the ultimate mercenary at the time!"
"As much as I'd love to tango, you're not worth my time Snow White." Rouge's smirk widens.
"I'm gonna enjoy making you suffer!" Infinite barks in response.
"GUYS, WILL YOU PLEASE LISTEN TO ME!" Tails yelled very loudly which made both Infinite and Rouge's ears ring.
Infinite and Rouge turned their attention over to Tails, who seems very flustered at the very moment. Tails continues, "We are on the same team! So, we have to work together in order to save Blaze! Now will you two stop bickering already!?" Tails was breathing in and out intensely.
Both Infinite and Rouge stood there in shock because they have never seen Tails speak in just a manner before.
Tails took a few more deep breaths, then eyes both of them, "I don't why you two are like this to begin with. Whatever issues you two have can be solved some other time. Right now, Blaze needs our help and we need to defeat Eggman Nega before he does something crazy!"
It was silent for a few moments, as Tails glares at Rouge and Infinite expecting them to comply and cooperate with each other.
Rouge broke the silence first, "You're right Tails. I need to be more mature about this given the situation we're in. Sorry about that hun." Rouge rubs the back of her head.
Infinite adjusts the mask on his face, then turns the other direction without saying a word. Tails sighs in response and rubs his forehead.
"So, where is Blaze by the way? I thought you, Shadow, and Eclipse saved her?" Tails queried.
"We did save her." Infinite replies.
"So where is she?" Tails looks around for the lilac princess.
Rouge points toward the pathway that leads downward, "I'm assuming she and the others went this way to pursue Eggman Nega."
"You are correct," Infinite said without turning his head. "The Eggman doppelgänger decided to pull a trick of his own against us, then had his Metal Sonic 3.0 tackle Shadow down that way. Seems like Nega wants Shadow dead."
"But why? Shadow has not encountered him that much for such a motive." Tails said quietly as he tried to piece things together.
"Wouldn't he be after Sonic instead of Shadow? I mean he's the one that foiled Nega and Eggman's plans twice, right?" Rouge asks.
"I think it's because Shadow is close to Blaze." Infinite stated calmly.
Rouge turns her head to the jackal with bewilderment painted over his face, "How would he know that Shadow and Blaze are close? He barely knows anything about Shadow or the rest of us for that matter?"
"And Eggman definitely does not know about Shadow and Blaze, so he couldn't tell him." Tails chimes in.
Infinite lowers his eyelids, "If I know one thing, Eggman likes to keep watch on anything that is considered a threat or valuable to him."
"So if Nega is just like Eggman, then..." Rouge's voice trails off.
"Then Eggman Nega must have been spying on Blaze and us since he arrived here!" Tails said loudly.
"Good detective work," Infinite turns his head so that one side of his mask was visible. "Nega probably was more attentive then ever once Blaze made her way here."
"What a creep," Rouge says in disgust. "Spying on people's personal lives like that."
"So I assume that he plans to kill Shadow in order to hurt Blaze internally and emotionally?" Tails raises an eyebrow.
"Or put simply to break her spirit. Nega knows her well, so he knows what she would do if she lost someone that is close to her like Shadow is." Infinite stated.
"It would break the poor girl's heart," Rouge said in disbelief. She closes her eyes for a few seconds, then opens them with determination radiating off of her. "I'm not going to let my hard work of getting those two together go to waste."
"Right! We'll defeat Eggman Nega before that happens." Tails said with confidence.
"Then let's get down there and help them." Infinite said impatiently.
"We have to wait for Sonic and the others to arrive first." Tails replies.
Infinite snaps his head towards Tails' direction, "Why wait!? Shouldn't we help Shadow since his life is in danger?"
Rouge steps in front of the jackal, "No need to worry. This is Shadow we're talking about. You know, the ultimate lifeform. He won't go down easily while we wait here."
"Plus Blaze and Eclipse are backing him up as we speak." Tails added.
Infinite sighs in defeat, "Fine, but if five minutes pass by then I'm going down there."
"Whatever you say, Snow White." Rouge giggles to herself.
"Stop calling me that!" Infinite barks at her.
Tails facepalms himself as he watches the two bicker again, 'Sonic, please get here quickly before they rip each others' heads off.'
Vroooooosh!
A black blur and a purple blur zipped passed through the corridors. Eclipse was holding onto Shadow as Shadow continued racing down the pathway with Blaze trailing behind him.
Eclipse began sensing for Eggman Nega once again to see how close they are. He focuses on his sensory abilities, then successfully located Eggman Nega's position, "We're close!"
Shadow and Blaze nods in response and continues speeding down the hallway. At the end of the hallway was a giant dark room with a spotlight beaming at the middle of the floor. Shadow and Blaze came to complete halt. Eclipse gets off of Shadow, then the trio looks around.
"Stick close to each other. We don't know what we're getting ourselves into." Shadow states with a sense of vigilance.
Blaze and Eclipse follows closely behind Shadow as the ebony hedgehog took point. Nothing seems to be happening so far as they walked closer towards where the light is shining at. Once they've got to the light, they stood there expecting something to happen, but nothing came their way.
"I'm glad to see you could make it here, Blaze and Shadow!" What seems to be Nega talking into some sort of microphone. "I have a special surprise for you three, and Sonic and his friends when they get here!"
"How about you come out of where you're hiding instead of being a coward!" Eclipse yells in response.
"Oh hohohohoho, who said I was hiding my alien little friend." Nega spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "I've been studying you two brothers ever since I came here. You, Sonic, his friends, all of you incompetent little rodents!"
"And you think that'll make any difference!?" Shadow sounded off as he looks around for Nega.
"Why yes, actually. I'm going to crush all of you like the little vermin you are!" Nega barks maliciously.
"As if. Now come on out and surrender, then hand back my Sol Emerald!" Blaze yelled as she looks around for Nega.
"You'll have to take it from us!" Nega spoke loudly.
"Us?" Shadow murmurs.
Suddenly, the ground was shaking which causes the trio to lost their balance. Then, the lights came on. Shadow turns around to see what appears to be a giant mech with a bunch of tubes attached to its back. Both Eggman and Eggman Nega we're floating around the Egg Dragoon.
Shadow clenched his teeth as he seen Dr. Eggman standing with Eggman Nega, "I knew you couldn't be trusted!"
Eggman grins at the ebony hedgehog, "Oh please Shadow. It's nothing personal. Hahahaha!"
Eclipse steps forward with confidence, "It doesn't matter what robotic garbage you pull out of your lab. It'll never a match for us."
"Well I can't say you're not wrong there... however," Eggman Nega's grin widened even more. "Robots, bring in the package!"
Shadow looks around for what he was talking about until he spot the robot's carrying what appears to be a box. Shadow and Eclipse felt uneasy as they seen the box being delivered to them.
'Uhh Shadow?' Eclipse calls out to him.
'What is it?' Shadow replies.
Eclipse gulps as he continues staring at the box, 'I hope it's not what I think is in the mat box, because I sense a lot of Chaos energy radiating from that box.'
Shadow remained silent for a few seconds, then answered, 'I think we might not be leaving this place unscathed brother.'
"What do you have in that box Nega!?" Blaze demanded strongly and clenched her fists.
Nega turn towards the royal feline, "Why thank you for asking. See, while I've seeming refuge here, Eggman has provided me with a lot of information on this world."
Blaze raises an eyebrow, "And what does this have to do with that box?"
"Allow me to explain," Nega says and rubs his hands together. "You see in this world, just like our's, have the seven Chaos Emeralds that results in tremendous power of used simultaneously, but..." His voice trailed off.
"But!?" Blaze said impatiently.
"Here's one thing the separates this dimension from our home dimension. You see in our dimension, we only have the seven Sol Emeralds and the Jeweled Scepter that you have within your castle. Now imagine something that has the power to control the seven Sol Emeralds and result with even greater strength than before!"
Blaze looked confused, then turned her head towards the two brothers. Both of them looked astonished upon hearing this.
"Behold, the Master Emerald!" Nega cries.
The box unfolds and the gigantic, majestic green emerald stood within the sights of the trio. Shadow bared his teeth, then tried to make a move by running towards their direction. A bunch of robots came out of the surrounding area and circles around the ebony hedgehog.
Eggman wags his finger at Shadow, "Please wait a second Shadow. Can't have you ruining anything now."
Shadow glares ice, cold daggers at Eggman for his betrayal. He had a feeling Eggman would do this, but it doesn't change the anger rising within him.
The robot's implements the Master Emerald inside of the Egg Dragoon, then suddenly the Egg Dragoon began to shine brightly as Chaos energy surround it. Both Eggman and Nega hopped into the Egg Dragoon and began to operate it. The tunes behind it detached themselves, allowing the Eggmen to roam free. They flew upwards away from the resting place to show off their speed, then turned to face the trio. Shadow had his usual scowl on his face, Blaze glaring at the Egg Dragoon with no fear, and Eclipse began growling at the Eggmen.
"Now that we have the ultimate power, there is nothing that can stop us! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The Eggmen laughed simultaneously with each other.
"Now then, let's see which of you vermin shall die first!" Eggman seeming to enjoy himself a lot.
"I know... let's start with the ultimate lifeform!" Nega roared.
"Good idea!" Eggman replies in agreement.
Shadow clenched his fists as he face the Egg Dragoon.
"Shadow?" Eclipse spoke in the background. "How are we gonna go about this?"
Shadow looks back towards his brother, a certain look on his face that express courage, "We fight with all we have!"
"Shadow's right," Blaze stated. "I refuse to give up now. Don't you dare give up on me Eclipse!"
Eclipse studies the both of them for a few seconds, then stretches his body to get himself worked up, "Who said I was giving up?"
Shadow smirks at his brother, then turn towards Blaze. Blaze catches his eye contact, then nods in response. Shadow turn back to the Eggmen with a fierce demeanor.
"Let's end this!" Shadow does a battle cry and the trio began charging at the Eggmen.
