BREAKING NEWS

Citizens flee in terror through the streets of Spagonia. A crimson laser blast from the sky impacts the side of a building, sending the entire wall crumbling down into the street, nearly crushing several bystanders, and drawing out even more screams of terror. Though chaos can still be heard throughout the city, the street has nearly cleared completely as a pair of pointed black shoes descend into view, followed by the rest of the figure clearly recognizable as Infinite. "That's right, insects. Run! Run from your new masters! See how far it will get you." Something is different about him. The mask has a long, solid line running down its right side, as if hastily welded together. Coming out from behind his mask is not the fur of a jackal, but the spikes of a hedgehog. He has no bushy tail. Even the patterns on his body, on close inspection, seem to be the result of a tight bodysuit, not of actual fur.

He holds his hand out to the side, and out of a glitchy red aura, an object begins to form in his grip. It appears to be a tall flag, bearing the familiar insignia of the Eggman Empire. He lifts it up slightly, then drives it down hard into the ground. "This territory is hereby claimed in the name of the Empire. Those who resist…well, I'll decide what to do with you later." He lets out a high-pitched laugh. The imperial flag billows in the draft created by the numerous fires all around.

The image freezes, zooming back into the corner of the television screen. A newscaster sits on the set, surrounded by various news and channel logos. "As you can see from this footage, recorded just hours ago, yet another major city has fallen to the Eggman Empire, headed once again by a face that none of us could ever forget. In light of this crisis, there is just one question on everyone's mind. 'Where is Sonic the Hedgehog?'"

Not waiting to hear the rest of the report, Tails shuts off the screen with a sigh.

Sonic the Hedgehog: The Chaos Project

Season 0, Episode 27

Forces of Chaos, Part 1: No One Left to Save the World

Written by ChaosProjectAuthor

June 24th, 0 B.E. - Five months ago

Lux Volcano

Eggman shouts loudly, "What are you waiting for!? Finish them, slave!"

On the precipice above the magma, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy all struggle to hold down the monstrous, shadowy form of Chaos the Hedgehog, while Sonic stands with his hand wrapped around the corrupted Moonstone in Chaos' chest, both of their eyes closed.

"Do it! Do it now! I command you!"

At once, Sonic and Chaos both open their eyes, as the aura around Chaos quickly fades. The miniscule Eggman device planted on the Moonstone shatters into dust.

Eggman begins to frantically press a button on the small remote in his hand. "Why isn't this thing working!?"

With his still monstrously-sized hand, Chaos crushes the fake black Emerald held in it, and tendrils of shadowy energy fly out from it as it crumbles away. The dark power source gone, his body begins to revert to its normal form. Above them, the false eclipse fades away, replaced by a normal noontime sun.

Sonic points to Eggman with a scowl on his face. "I'll tell you why, Eggman. Because your dirty tricks can never beat out all of us working together. Because there is Light in the bonds we share together, powerful Light that your Darkness can never overcome!"

Still futilely jamming at buttons, Eggman begins to chuckle nervously. "Heh heh…" Knuckles pounds a fist into an open hand. Amy props up her hammer over her shoulder. They all start to walk slowly towards him. "Grr… You win this time, hedgehog!"

As Eggman retreats in his damaged Egg Mobile out through the top of the volcano, he shouts, "Next time, you won't be so lucky!"

—–—

Eggmanland

"Every single time!" Eggman pounds his fists onto a dusty old computer console. "Every time I forge an alliance, it always ends in failure!"

Orbot comments aside to Cubot, "I thought that all of his plans end in failure."

Cubot attempts to comfort, "Don't worry, boss. I'm sure that the right person for you is out there somewhere. One day, you'll meet a special someone, and she–"

Orbot smacks him to stop him from continuing the misconceived comment any further. "Although, Cubot does have a point, sir. Perhaps the problem is that you simply haven't allied with the right person yet."

Eggman, somewhat distracted, looks past them, to a point in the air where a strange but familiar dark vortex is beginning to form. "Or perhaps…I already have." The vortex expands into a full portal, and the violet glow of the Phantom Ruby precedes its bearer. "Infinite, the one ally who never betrayed me! Allow me to welcome…you?"

What emerges from the portal is not a jackal, but a hedgehog, with white and green fur, though with an appearance much like Shadow. He holds the large, original Phantom Ruby in one hand. He inhales sharply, as if breathing in fresh air for the first time. But then he starts to cough and choke. "Ugh, this air is foul! And here I was looking forward to the first proper breaths of my new life!" He suddenly seems to notice Eggman for the first time. "Wait, who're you?"

Eggman is left speechless for several moments. "Wait…I recognize you…. You're Uncle Alfred's creation, aren't you? You're Sunlight! But…how did you obtain the Phantom Ruby?"

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid you have me confused with someone who had that name in an old life. I am Blacklight, Destroyer of Worlds!"

Eggman clears his throat uncomfortably. "And…erm…what worlds, exactly, have you destroyed?"

"Oh…well, none yet. But I'm sure I'll get there eventually."

"Right…but where is Infinite?"

"Innewho? Oh, you must be talking about that fellow the ugly face. Well, he's the one I stole this…" He looks at Ruby in his hand. "…whatever it is, from. We were in this…strange sort of place. I believe, perhaps, it was some sort of netherworld. I was dead, after all. But this thing…the moment I felt its presence, I knew it was my ticket to escape. And now, here I am, risen again. And who do I see first, but…Mustache Junior! I recognize you as well! Uh, what was your name again?" He puts his hand up. "Hold on, don't tell me. It was…uh…" He snaps his fingers by is head as he thinks "…ah…Egghead, right? Doctor Egghead?"

"That's Eggman."

"Of course. My mistake. Quite fitting, either way."

"Why…are you here?"

"Hm." Blacklight puts a hand to his chin. "Good question. It took me quite a while to figure out how to use this thing to break out. Or, was it not very long? Time was very strange in that place. At least, I think it was. Anyways, I didn't really much care where I ended up, I just wanted free. So here I ended up. So I suppose the better question is…what now?

Eggman gives a devilish smirk as he's struck by an idea. "Well, Blacklight, you just so happened to have wandered into this world's leading expert on that Phantom Ruby you have there. I believe that I could teach you how to use it to its fullest potential. And in exchange, you could help me with my…research."

"Hmm…an enticing offer, Doctor. I'll tell you what. Help me take over the world, and you have yourself a deal."

"Well…I was going to ask you the same thing."

"Excellent! When do we start?"

Eggman indicates a direction with his hands. "Right this way." The two stroll off together.

Left alone, Orbot turns to Cubot. "How does he remember the Doctor's message? I thought that experiment was a failure."

Cubot shrugs. "I don't know, but I think that guy might have a few screws loose, if you know what I mean."

"You would know, wouldn't you?"

"Wait, I have loose screws!? Where!?" He starts to look around himself frantically. Orbot sighs, burying his face in a hand.

—–—

November 6th, 0 B.E. - Present Day

Mystic Ruins - Tails' Laboratory

Sonic the Hedgehog, unconscious, lies out with several pieces of monitoring equipment hooked up to him, including a heart monitor, which beeps slowly but steadily. Chaos the Hedgehog sits by his bedside, meditating. A pair of footsteps approach. He opens an eye to see. "Miles. I sense that you're troubled."

Tails looks straight to Sonic, nodding slowly. "Infinite just took another city for Eggman. He's taking control of the world again, piece by piece."

Chaos closes his eyes again. "And yet, here you are, watching it happen on television."

"Don't say that! I need to be here for Sonic!"

"Believe me, Miles. I understand your concern. On his order, you let him go into battle without you. And he nearly perished. Had I not been there to rescue him, he likely would have. You don't want to leave him without your support ever again."

Tails looks down sorrowfully. "Sonic's been in this coma for weeks now. I need to be here for him."

"But you are troubled. Because you also need to be out there for the world."

"What if something goes wrong, what if Sonic gets worse?"

"The world outside is getting worse. And I sense that what you say…is not your greatest concern. I sense a much greater fear in you."

Tails clenches a fist. "You're right. I'm scared. Because…because…I'm not strong enough to fight a war without Sonic! At least if I stay here, I know that I can help him! But out there, there's nothing I can do, not against power like that! Not again…."

Chaos stands up, and places a hand on Tails' shoulder. "It's okay to be afraid. You shouldn't keep your emotions suppressed. You must listen to what they tell you. And today, your fear tells you that you alone is not enough. So don't go alone. I've seen firsthand, that this world is full of heroes. Surely there is someone, someone you can trust, who can fill the Controller's role in this fight."

"Maybe…maybe there is. But…"

"I understand. As his friend, you feel the obligation to remain by his side above all else. But as his protector, it is not just my obligation. It is my sworn duty. I can promise you, he is safe in my hands."

"I…I guess you're right. I should probably get looking then."

Chaos nods. "I wish you luck. And may the Balance favor you in this fight." They both look back down at the unconscious form of Sonic.

—–—

Seaside Hill - The Whale Island

Calm waves crash over the checkered cliffside. Seagulls caw in the distance. A soft ocean breeze blows. On the nose of the long, whale-shaped island, Shadow the Hedgehog sits before the open air, meditating. A large wave crashes against the cliff below him, spraying him with a light mist. He doesn't seem to notice. Familiar words echo in his mind. "Shadow, what do you think it's like on Earth?"

In his mind, he responds, "Maria, I just don't know anything anymore…" He shakes his real head. "I always hoped that I'd find answers down here. I found nothing but but hardship. Suffering. No matter what I do, I can't ever seem to find who I really am. I don't even know what–"

"Shadow! Hey, Shadow!" Shadow winces at the sound of Tails' shrill calls. With a sigh, he stands back up, but still looks out over the ocean. Tails finally approaches close, panting a bit. "Shadow, you wouldn't believe what I had to go through to find you! What're you doing all the way out here?"

Shadow glances back just enough to meet his eyes. "Make it quick. What do you want?"

"Shadow…haven't you seen the news?"

"No."

"Well…Infinite is back. He and Eggman are taking over the world again."

For a moment, Shadow raises an eyebrow. But then he changes his mind. "Sounds like Sonic's problem."

"That's the thing…Sonic's been in a coma for weeks now. Infinite nearly killed him."

"Your point?"

"Shadow…we need your help. The world needs your help. Last time, the world was almost destroyed going without Sonic for so long. But if you step up, if you take his place, you can save the world!"

"I don't do other people's jobs. Not anymore."

"Shadow…"

"If that's all you had to say, then get out of here."

"There…there's something else. Infinite…I don't think it's the same person he used to be. It's someone else in the same mask. And Sonic said…before he was taken down…that under the mask…he looked like you."

Shadow instantly turns at him with rage. "What!?"

"But, I've see on TV, his fur is white and–"

Shadow grabs him by the scruff of fur on his chest. "His name, what's his name!?"

Absolutely terrified, Tails stammers out, "I-I, I don't know, he-he still calls himself Infinite!"

Shadow takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, and lets go gently, muttering, "Sorry."

Another voice cries out, "Shadow! You're actually here! Ha ha! This is fantastic!" Infinite slowly drifts down, settling down onto the center of the island.

Shadow clenches his trembling fists tight, recognizing the voice, but unwilling to turn to its source.

"And here I find you harassing children! I'm very disappointed in you, Shadow. Want some help with this bully, child?" Tails takes a step behind Shadow.

Shadow turns slowly, trying to contain his intense fury. "Blacklight."

"Welp, guess the secret's out." He grabs his mask and pulls it off, revealing the face of Blacklight underneath. "Can't get anything past you. Though I guess I wasn't trying very hard."

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh, well that's an easy one. I was out getting ready to conquer Grand Metropolis, but then I felt this really familiar angst. And who could it've been but Shadow the Hedgehog, angstiest of them all? How's it going, what've you been up to?"

"No. What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I get it. You want to hear the story of how I cheated death. You may try, but you can't kill me, Shadow the Hedgehog. Using the power of this Phantom Ruby here, I was able to return to the land of the living."

"I didn't kill you. I made sure you survived. I never wanted you dead!"

Blacklight raises an eyebrow in surprise. "Is that what you tell yourself? Well, your story doesn't really hold up, I'm afraid. Face it Shadow. You killed me. But I have risen again. And with the power this miracle has granted me, I can take over this world, as I was always destined to do!"

"Why the mask?"

"Oh, this thing?" He twirls around the mask in his hand. He shrugs, and puts it back on. "Well, you know a thing or two about masks, don't you, Shadow?" Shadow gasps. "Oh yes, I've been doing my homework. Your little romp around Westopolis made for quite the interesting story. Shadow the Hedgehog as a vigilante! Who would've guessed!? So, I think you know all about this mask here. It makes me look…you know, spooky. Don't you think it's a good look for me? It makes people afraid. Although…" He starts to tug at the neck of his fake jackal fur bodysuit. "…I could do without this sweaty thing."

Tails finally manages to speak out, "I don't understand. Who are you?"

"Shut up, kid. Or I'll break your spine again." Tails retreats back behind Shadow again. Blacklight looks back to Shadow. "Well, enough chit chat. I think it's time we get down to business. You see, you owe me."

"I don't owe you anything."

"Incorrect! You signed a verbal contract, remember? You owe me…an apple. With interest. Compounded over the past forty years or so, that comes out to about…three thousand! Give or take. So pay up." He makes a beckoning motion with one hand. Shadow doesn't even bother responding. "Come now, don't be like that. You don't want to gain a reputation as a deal-breaker, do you?" Shadow rolls his eyes. "Fine, fine, I see that you don't even have any apples on you. Very irresponsible of you. So how about I offer you a way out of the contract? All you have to do…is beat me in a fight." He opens his arms wide. "So, shall we dance?"

Finally having his language spoken, Shadow immediately charges at the masked Blacklight. He zips out of the way, adding an elegant twirl at the end. "Come on, even Speedy could do better than that!" Shadow charges back in for another attack.

Tails yells out to him, "Watch out, Shadow! Infinite is even faster than–"

"I know!" Shadow charges one more time, but this time Blacklight zips upwards, then immediately hurls down a bolt of energy, which Shadow barely dives back in time to avoid. "Chaos Spear!" As he lands, Shadow hurls out an attack of his own.

Blacklight swats the spear away with a hand. Then he zips right up to Shadow's face, speaking into his ear. "Here's a tip. Fight better." Shadow caught by surprise, he strikes him directly, sending him tumbling back towards Tails.

"Chaos Spear!" Getting up quickly, Shadow throws several more attacks.

Blacklight easily deflects each one. "I said, 'better'." He begins to charge a crimson light in one hand. "You're already starting to bore me Shadow. Here I thought you would still offer me a challenge." He unleashes the laser out of his hand, Shadow skating just ahead of it. "Perhaps my memory is starting to fail me after forty years."

Shadow leaps off of the ground, charging at Blacklight in the air. "Chaos Control!" He suddenly disappears, reappearing behind Blacklight to deliver a kick.

Blacklight catches Shadow's foot it one hand. "Did I mention? Speedy tried that too." He throws him straight down into the ground with incredible force.

Shadow struggles back to his feet. He glances back at Tails, who looks to him with fear and concern. He glances up at Blacklight, who, laughing, charges another laser attack. He thinks, "I…I can't beat him. He's too powerful with that Ruby." He glances back at Tails again. "He won't hesitate to move on when he's done with me." Growling, he dives not at Blacklight, but at Tails. "Chaos Control!" The moment they touch, they both disappear, as the laser slices through the spot where they had just been standing.

Blacklight cancels the attack, shaking his head with disappointment. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Never thought of you as the type to run away, Shadow. And I didn't even have to break out the illusions. I suppose you still owe me those apples after all."

—–—

Not far away, Shadow and Tails reappear before the red and white gates of an Ocean Palace. Tails looks up to Shadow in confusion. "I thought…I thought you said you beat this guy before. Right?"

Shadow closes his eyes. "I did. It's different this time. The power of that Ruby, combined with his own…it's like nothing I've ever felt before." He shakes his head. "He's already won. If I can't beat him, and Sonic can't beat him, then there's nothing we can do."

"That can't be true! There has to be way!"

"Unless you know someone else who can stand a chance against that kind power, there isn't."

"Wait…maybe you're right, maybe there is a way."

"And what would that be?"

"Well…Sonic was able to beat Infinite two years ago, but he couldn't beat this Blacklight guy now. And you could beat Blacklight, but you can't beat him as Infinite."

"So you think we could do it together. Well you told me that Sonic isn't in any condition to fight. So we still have nothing."

"Not necessarily. Because I know someone else who beat Infinite in a fight."

—–—

Sunset Heights

"Are you sure this is the place?" Shadow stands in front of a door by the sloped street of the once-ruined city. But the rebuilding seems to have been completed a long time ago. A nearby street sign reads 'Park Ave.'

Tails nods. "This is it."

Shadow knocks several times on the door. There is no answer. "There's no one here. This was a waste of time."

"If there's no one here, then we have to keep looking. It's the only way we can beat Infinite."

They both suddenly turn to face the source of a familiar, pulsating sound. A few streets away, the new Infinite descends down between the buildings.

"He must've followed us!"

"No, look!" Tails points up excitedly at the skyline, where a figure appears above the buildings. It's a red-furred Wolf garbed in dark green, with black glasses and a familiar Red Burst Wispon, which he points beneath him, letting loose an explosion that sends him even higher. Once he's high enough, he redirects his weapon, letting loose a jet of flames at the new Infinite. "That's him! We have to go help him!" The two run off in the Wolf's direction.

The masked Blacklight holds up a hand, deflecting the flames around him. A moment later, the Wolf lands on the ground in front of him. "Well, who is this? A defiant? I've already had my fill of fighting today, but I suppose another couldn't hurt."

The Wolf growls angrily.

"My, that's quite the death-stare you have there. Have I done something to make you angry? I mean, besides invading your city, of course."

The Wolf points his weapon, giving another growl.

"Oh, you're one of those silent types, aren't you?" He rolls his eyes. "I hate those. I mean, is it really so hard for you just to carry a conversation? Come on. If you actually told me what had you so riled up, we might be able to get somewhere. Instead, we have to play charades. It's so exhausting trying to figure out what you people are saying all time!"

Made even more angry, the Wolf growls again, firing the weapon. Just as before, Blacklight blocks the flames with his hand. "Do you expect me to be afraid of that silly little device of yours? I think you have this backwards." Suddenly, a grappling hook wire flies out from the flames, wrapping around his hand. "Wha!?" A moment later, the Wolf himself flies through the dissipating flames, pulled along the wire, finally landing a solid hit on Blacklight.

Blacklight reels back a step. "Tch. Lucky shot." He points his hand outwards. "It will be your last." He releases a continuous stream of crimson cubes pointed at the Wolf. Knowing what it means to be hit, the Wolf acts quickly, firing another grappling wire upwards to pull himself off of the ground. "Hmph." Blacklight raises a wall of cubes in the Wolf's path. The Wolf quickly detaches wire to avoid flying straight into the wall. But without any means of control left, he begins to flail as he falls towards the ground. Blacklight laughs as, with a wave of his arm, he creates a wave of cubes along the floor. The Wolf flais even harder.

"I've got you!" Tails grabs on to the Wolf's hand, keeping him above ground and flying him over to safety. The Wolf looks up to him with a smile. "Good to see you too, but we can catch up later." Tails sets him down next to Shadow, who glares off at Blacklight.

Blacklight, through his mask, glares right back. "Shadow. Back again so soon? I hope it's because you brought my payment." He waits impatiently. "…No? Bad on you Shadow, very, very bad on you."

"I'm here to stop you. You won't be taking any more cities." The Wolf looks over to his new ally in the fight with a nod and a smile. To his slight confusion, Shadow doesn't nod back.

Blacklight laughs, as he generates another Eggman Empire flag in his hand. "Oh, won't I?" He plunges the base of the flag into the ground, propping it up firmly. "Oops. Too late. City's mine, you can go home."

Shadow growls as he dashes in for an attack. After taking a moment to realize that the fight's resumed, the Wolf runs in after him.

Blacklight throws out an energy bolt, which Shadow sidesteps, leaving the Wolf behind him barely a moment to slide underneath. He quickly shakes it off.

Shadow leaps into a somersault and a kick, aimed at Blacklight's head. Blacklight zips out of the way in an instant. "Oops, you missed me!" Shadow dives in for a punch, only to meet the same result. "Nope." Shadow starts to attack furiously. "Ooh, try again." Blacklight zips back. "Wait, maybe that was bad advice." To the side again. "How about–" He pops his head down, then back up just as quickly. "…Try harder?"

Shadow tries to sweep Blacklight's legs, but Blacklight flashes into the air. "Come on, Shadow, whatever happened to your–" He's cut off as a new wire wraps around him, followed a moment later by a solid strike from the Wolf. While he's still distracted, Shadow goes in for a spin attack, knocking him still further back. Blacklight no longer able to block, the Wolf fires another jet of flames from his Wispon, this time hitting its mark. Shadow seemed prepared for another attack, but now has to duck and shield his face to avoid getting burned.

Tails shouts from the sidelines, "Come on, you two have to work together!"

For the first time, the two look at each other, giving a mutual nod. Then both go in for a finishing attack at once, and end up colliding into each other instead.

Blacklight, already recovered from the last attack, laughs hysterically at their folly. "You two would make a great comedy duo, you know that? 'Presenting, Mr. not-so-tall, dark, and brooding, and his mute sidekick, this guy!' It–" Suddenly, his Phantom Ruby starts to vibrate and pulsate, as if sending him a message. "Seriously!? Right now!?" He shakes his head with a sigh. "Well guys, it's been fun, but Mustache Junior doesn't like to be kept waiting." He suddenly perks his head up. "Ooh, I know! I'll leave you some toys to play with while I'm gone. I've heard these guys are in-season right now." He waves his hand above his head with a snap, and three figures begin to appear on the ground beneath him out of crimson cubes. They quickly solidify into Replicas of Zavok, Chaos 0, and Metal Sonic. "Oh, and you, guy, with the face." He points at the Wolf. "We should play charades again sometime. You're pretty good, you know that? Well, toodle-oo!" He flies off at his top speed.

The three heroes stare down the three Replicas. Zavok, at point of the Replicas, hisses loudly, and it becomes immediately apparent that something isn't right. He has a live snake instead of a tongue. Tails scratches his head. "Well that's new."

Shadow nods. "Blacklight doesn't know what he's making, he's just copying what he's seen."

"Well, they still look pretty tough."

"Tough? These Replicas go down easily. Blacklight is just distracting us so we don't go after him."

"We can't let them terrorize the city."

Shadow nods, then runs in at the Zavok Replica. The Wolf goes for Metal Sonic, and even Tails, without fear, charges at Chaos 0.

—–—

Eggmanland

Blacklight descends gently onto the freshly-cleaned and polished floor of the hidden base. Orbot and Cubot are still at work polishing the walls. "Care to explain why you pulled me out in the middle of a fight?"

Eggman, occupied with an odd glass chamber filled with familiar-looking cubes and tendrils, turns around to face Blacklight. "That's because I have something to share with you, that I think you'll find quite exciting." He presses a few buttons on the console, and the material in the chamber begins to condense, into the pyramidal shape of a Phantom Ruby prototype. Another press of a key causes the glass around the Ruby to draw away, leaving it floating in open space. "Behold, the latest in an entire new line of Phantom Ruby prototypes!"

Blacklight, removing his mask, raises an eyebrow. "Prototypes?"

"This one was made especially for you. Care to try it out?"

Blacklight stares oddly at the gem for quite some time. "…Answer something for me, would you, Doctor?"

"Well…of course."

"Why do I wear this sweaty old suit?"

"To inspire fear in the hearts of your enemies, of course."

"You mean, your enemies?"

"Well…I…"

"Why do I conquer cities in the name of the Eggman Empire?"

"You…said yourself, you wanted to–"

"And now, you expect me to give up my ultimate source of power to you, so that I can use one of your cheap knockoffs, instead? Doctor, what kind of fool do you take me for?"

"I've done nothing of the sort! I offer you my expertise on that Ruby of yours, I offer you my entire robot army to command, and all you can do is complain? You should learn your place, hedgehog."

Blacklight is taken aback. "Excuse me!? My place? Learn your own place, Mustache. You're a weak fool, just like everyone else on this pathetic planet! Consider our partnership over. I've grown tired of you."

"Over!? How do you expect to conquer the world without my army?"

This gives Blacklight pause. "An army, you say? I suppose I will need that, won't I? But I believe…" He waves a hand and snaps a finger, and a cluster of figures are generated between him and Eggman. They all share their basic shape with him and Shadow, though they appear to massless, composed entirely of a purplish, shadowy energy, save for their blank, slightly luminescent white eyes. "…I have that part covered."

"Fine then. Leave, if you think you can accomplish anything at all without me. You'll find me a formidable foe."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Were you expecting me to leave? No no." He waggles a finger. "I like this place. I'm keeping it. You're leaving."

"What!? You dare think to take Eggmanland away from–"

"Shut up!" With Blacklight's shout, a massive negative energy wave is released from the Phantom Ruby, knocking Eggman off of his feet.

Cubot drops his rag, shouting, "Don't worry, boss, we'll protect you!"

Orbot holds him back. "I wouldn't, if I were you."

Blacklight takes a few steps towards Eggman as he climbs to his feet. "Now, Doctor, I suggest you leave my territory while I'm still in a good mood. My friends here will be escorting you out." He indicates the shadowy creatures he's created. "Oh, and…thanks for cleaning the place up for me."

Eggman dusts himself off. "Orbot, Cubot, gather my equipment. We're leaving." He leans in close to Blacklight. "You've made a big mistake today, Blacklight. There are secrets to that Ruby that you can never hope to understand."

—–—

Metal Sonic and Zavok are both launched onto Chaos 0 in a heap, as all three dissolve away in a mess of glitched particles. Shadow steps through the last of the illusory haze, to the imperial flag that still protrudes from the ground. He rips it free from the pavement, and snaps it over his knee, as the two broken pieces dissolve just as the Replicas did. "This city belongs to the United Federation and its people. I will not let Blacklight take that away."

Tails cheers, "Yeah!" The Wolf happily raises a fist along with him. As he does, something pops out of his Wispon. It's a small red creature, a Burst Wisp, bouncing around and squeaking happily in shared celebration. It freezes in place as it notices Tails for the first time. The it soars over to him, squeaking and jabbering even more excitedly. Tails laughs at the little alien. "Nice to see you too, Bruno."

Shadow raises an eyebrow. "Bruno?"

"Yeah, don't you remember? This little guy wanted to stick around after the last war."

The Wolf approaches Shadow, crossing his arms with an angry stare. Bruno the Wisp soars up beside him, replicating his pose and expression.

"You have a problem?"

Though the Wolf doesn't move, Bruno begins to squeak angrily, waggling a tentacle as if to scold Shadow.

Not needing to be asked, Tails pulls out his Handheld with a slight sigh. "Hold on, I'll translate." He looks through the readings as Bruno continues to squeak. Tails looks up from the device, to the Wisp, to the Wolf, and back to the Wisp. "I think…he's speaking for him. He says, 'What was that supposed to be back there? I thought we were supposed to be working together.'"

Shadow scoffs. "Not my fault you kept getting in my way." The Wolf and the Wisp continue to glare at him. "Look, you and I may not be the well-oiled machine you were with Sonic, but we're the only ones who can take down Blacklight." The Wolf gives him a look of mild surprise. "Blacklight is my problem. I'll do whatever it takes to fix it. Even…" He finishes with a hint of disdain, "…teamwork."

The Wolf takes a few steps back, sighing, but nodding. Bruno, apparently scared of something, lets out a terrified squeak, and retreats back into its Wispon. No one seems to notice. Until the glittering red scimitar appears around the Wolf's throat.

Tails gasps, as Shadow looks on with surprise. "Showing that face in front of me again, Infinite? That's pretty bold."

The maskless Jackal with blue and yellow eyes presses his blade closer to the Wolf's throat. "I'm not here for you, hedgehog. Make any move, and he dies."

"If you aren't here for me, then you must be for him. Do you really expect me to believe that you'll let him die?"

"Do you really want to take that risk?"

Tails puts out his hands nervously. "Please, don't hurt him, we can work this out. What is it that you want?"

The Jackal looks to Shadow with contained fury. "Your twin stole the Phantom Ruby from me, and imprisoned me in my own Null Space." He finishes through clenched teeth, "I want, my Ruby, back."

Tails, still filled with fear, becomes struck with a hint of confusion. "If you were trapped in Null Space…how did you get out?"

—–—

Null Space

All around, that which was once an endless void of black and purple has become littered with small tears of blinding white light. Out of one particularly large tear, a robotic hand reaches, wielding a familiar-looking golden scepter. On the body that the arm is attached to, an insignia of a regal crown can be faintly made out.

To be continued…