BREAKING NEWS

Shadow rips the imperial flag free from the pavement of the Sunset Heights plaza, and snaps it over his knee, as the two broken pieces dissolve into a glitchy haze. "This city belongs to the United Federation and its people. I will not let Blacklight take that away."

The image freezes, zooming back into the corner of the screen. A new male newscaster now sits on the set. "You heard right. The United Federation has a new protector. And his name is Shadow the Hedgehog. As many of you know, Shadow is known as Hero of the ARK, and the savior of humanity from the Black Alien invasion several years ago. Many of you may also remember Shadow as a face of the Eggman Army two years ago, in an event now being called the First Great Eggman War. At that time, the President himself assured us that it was only an illusion created by Eggman's General. However, many of you may still wonder if he can be trusted. Well, we put our full faith in Shadow. Even now, he and his team battle to defend our capital, Central City, from Eggman's forces. Now, over to our traffic copter, getting a live look at the battle."

The image shifts to an aerial view of the park at the heart of Central City. There seems to be an odd violet distortion that conceals most of the park from view. As the camera zooms in, two clear figures can be made out. Knuckles stands off against the Heavy King, the Phantom Ruby prototype at the head of his scepter marking the center of the distortion.

Sonic the Hedgehog: The Chaos Project

Season 0, Episode 29

Forces of Chaos, Part 3: This Reality

Written by ChaosProjectAuthor

Central City - Mission Park

"Guys…I think I'm gonna need some backup." Knuckles looks up to Heavy King with caution.

"So…the red oaf lives in this dimension as well? I remember you quite well."

"Why does everyone keep saying that!?"

"Oh, don't take offense from it. In fact, I really ought to thank you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't exist as I do now. You could say we have a history together."

"What are you talking about?"

"Weren't you there in this dimension? I was the sole survivor among an entire Egg Robo army when the Death Egg was destroyed. Destroyed, because of you. And I couldn't let that stand. So in the name of my creator, and my fallen brethren, I tried to put an end to you."

"You… But it can't be you! You were destroyed by Mecha Sonic!"

"Ah, so you do remember? I can't speak for your version of events, but in mine, I was found, decaying and broken. My creator repaired me, assigned me as leader of a new elite force for my actions. I didn't know back then what a fool he was. But it was you, Echidna, who sowed the first seed of individuality in me. The seed that the Phantom Ruby would cultivate into the form you now see before you."

"Phantom Ruby…how did you get it?"

"Oh, this?" Heavy King holds his Ruby-topped scepter out. "Only a fake, I'm afraid. But the Hard Boiled Heavies and I will change that soon enough. And in the meantime, even the prototype should provide enough power to destroy you!" Heavy King swings his scepter outwards, as the Ruby emits a violet ray of light that arcs across the floor beneath Knuckles' feet.

Knuckles dives back just in time, as the ground the light contacted erupts in flames a moment later, creating a wall around Heavy King's pedestal. Knuckles dives back at Heavy King, boosted in his glide by the draft from the flames. Heavy King pounds his scepter into the ground, and becomes surrounded by a crimson barrier of electrified energy, while his Ruby glows intensely. Knuckles is deflected off with a loud grunt. Not relenting, Heavy King holds his scepter high in the air, generating a circle of electrified energy spheres that orbit around the Ruby. One by one, the spheres fire at Knuckles. Knuckles dodges back and forth to avoid the onslaught, but one sphere finally strikes him, knocking him to the ground.

Heavy King finally moves from his place, leaping up to crash back down beside Knuckles' fallen form. "Tell me…do you still guard the Master Emerald in this dimension? It's no substitute for the Phantom Ruby, but it would still make an excellent prize."

Knuckles glares up to Heavy King with hatred, growling in anger, but clearly too weakened to move.

"I'll take that as a yes." Heavy King raises his scepter up high. "So will I have to pry it from your lifeless body? Or did you leave it undefended on the floating island? Perhaps that's where I'll conquer next." Heavy King finally swings the staff downwards. But the attack is parried halfway down by a curved ruby blade. "What's this!?"

Infinite stands above Knuckles, blade locked against Heavy King's scepter, eyes locked on the object at its tip. "A prototype… You have a prototype… Give it to me!" Infinite starts to swing his blade ferociously, attacking the Heavy King from every angle.

Heavy King manages to block every blow with the scepter, but is slowly driven back step by step by the Jackal's onslaught. "And just who are you supposed to be, to make such demands of me?"

"Don't you know, fool!? I am Infinite! Rightful wielder of the Phantom Ruby!"

The sword and the scepter once again lock together. "Oh, the rightful wielder, are you? Well, get in line, peasant!" Heavy King once again charges his electrified shield, blasting Infinite backwards.

The Wolf swings down to Knuckles' side to help him back up, as Infinite lands beside them.

"The Ruby belongs to me!" Heavy King prepares another swarm of energy spheres.

Without a word, Shadow suddenly appears behind Heavy King, striking him from behind. Taking the opportunity, Infinite leaps back in at Heavy King as he recoils from the attack, delivering a solid slash straight across his chestplate. Heavy King reels back, clutching at the open gash across the emblem on his chest. Continuing the attack, the Wolf fires from his Wispon, sending out a jet of flames. Heavy King holds out his scepter to block the attack, but Knuckles dives in, delivering a solid punch that shatters the glass orb surrounding the Ruby.

The Ruby's violet light reflects in the eyes of Infinite. "Finally…" He starts to reach out for it.

Shadow strikes Heavy King from the front, this time knocking him far back, along with the Ruby that he still holds. Heavy King uses his damaged staff to push himself back up to his knees. "Very well." He suddenly leaps high into the air, grabbing onto the same claw that brought him in. "This battle is yours. But rest assured. The Ruby will be mine." He's finally carried off in retreat.

Immediately Infinite grabs Shadow by the shoulder. "What do you think you're doing!? You let him get away with the Ruby!"

Shadow doesn't move. "Get your hand off of me."

Filled with rage, and just a hint of fear, Infinite grudgingly obeys. "I don't think you understand. The Doctor is making prototypes again. Every new prototype increases the power and force of will of the main Ruby. And your friend Blacklight is in direct contact with it."

Shadow gasps.

"That's right. If you think that Blacklight is a threat now, imagine what happens when the Ruby takes over his mind and body."

Knuckles approaches, rubbing at the bruises on his arm. "You know for a second there, it almost sounded like you cared."

"Care? You misunderstand. It's just like last time. I can't bind with the Ruby in such a volatile state. Even if I could get it away from him."

"That's what you say. But you just saved my life."

"Just how gullible are you? I'm not even trying to trick you, and you're still falling for it. I was going after the prototype."

"He would've been a lot more vulnerable if you'd waited for him to attack. But you stopped him before he could."

Infinite begins sarcastically, "Well then, I guess that makes me one of the heroes. How about I just forget this Ruby thing entirely? In fact, why don't you just make your new leader, since you trust me so much? This war will be over with a lot sooner."

"Look, I don't trust you. I'm still keeping my eye on you. But whatever it is that Tails and the Rookie think they see in you…maybe they aren't just seeing things."

"Tch."

They both suddenly look over at the sound of clapping. "Very well done, Shadow." The GUN Commander with heterochromatic red and green eyes looks across the ragtag group with satisfaction. He locks eyes with Infinite for just a moment longer than the rest. "But we should really stop meeting like this."

Shadow crosses his arms. "We wouldn't have to. But you only care to meet me when you need me as a weapon."

"Well, I guess it's a good thing I don't just need you." He again looks across the group. "I need all of you."

"Need us for what?"

"Well, only what you're already doing. Last time there was a war on this scale, the world lost a lot of faith in GUN as protectors. Because we failed. This time, things have to be different. That's why we want your new Resistance working for GUN in an official capacity."

"My Resistance?"

"You've already made a name for yourself, Shadow. It's all over the news. You're the one who's going to turn this war around. Let us help you do that."

"I've told you before. I don't want any part in what GUN is doing."

"Shadow, I know you had a lot of reasons to leave. But this is bigger than any of that. This is about restoring the faith of the people. This is about saving the world."

"Exactly what you said before. The way I see it, this is all your fault. If you'd just put Eggman away like he deserved, he couldn't have started any of this. Instead, you looked the other way while he built up an army in his 'sovereign nation'. So if you want my help, you can forget it."

"The Federation Council thought it would make it easier to keep an eye on him, to keep him in line, but that really isn't the point right now, Shadow. We need you."

Shadow silently turns to leave, waving the rest along with him.

"Hold on." Shadow stops. "Don't you at least want Agent Rouge on your team?" Shadow doesn't say anything. "She's back at base. I'd be happy to escort you there. You're all invited, of course."

"…Fine."

"Excellent. Right this way." The Commander starts to leave, followed by Shadow, Knuckles, and the Wolf.

Infinite remains perfectly still. The Wolf notices that he isn't following, and runs back to him. Infinite seems almost completely frozen in place. He mutters quietly, "It was right there. It was practically in my grasp. And I let it slip away."

The Wolf looks to him with concern.

"How? How can I go on like this? I swore…I swore to myself that I would never be this person again. But what can I do?" He suddenly drops to his knees. One of his hands is trembling violently. He grabs at his wrist to stop it. His blade clatters to the floor.

The Wolf bends down to try and comfort him.

Infinite smacks his hand away. "Get away from me!" He digs his clawed fingers into the grassy soil. "I need…I need the Ruby. I need it. But I'll never have it. I have no hope. I stand no chance. Because I…I…I am weak. I am weak. I am weak, I am weak, I AM WEAK!" He opens his clenched eyes upon the blade that lies out across the floor beneath him. It reflects a pair of piercing yellow eyes back at him. In a blink, the reflection is normal again.

The Wolf still stands above him, unsure of what to do.

Infinite takes a grip around the hilt of the blade once again. "I will extinguish this weakness." He slowly rises back to his feet. "I will do whatever it takes."

The Wolf gives him a smile.

—–—

Eggman Empire Fortress

"What!?" Eggman pounds a fist on the arm of the chair he sits in.

Heavy King stands tall before him, an open gash in his chestplate still exposing wires and circuitry underneath. "I ordered your forces into retreat. Otherwise, they would have all been destroyed. It seems you have more to worry about than just your blue rodent."

Eggman growls. "I'm very disappointed in you, King. I expected so much more out of your first demonstration."

"If I might make a suggestion, Doctor…if we were to acquire the Phantom Ruby first, it would leave conquering the rest of the world a simple matter."

"I'm afraid you're in no position to make suggestions after this failure."

Suddenly, all of the lights in the room shut off. Eggman can be heard shouting, "What!?"

A familiar female voice declares as if over a microphone, "Ladies, and gentlemen! If you want a real show-stopping demonstration…" Three colorful spotlights suddenly shine into the room, circling around wildly to the sound of a loud drumroll. "…you're lookin' for me!" The spotlights all converge on the Heavy Magician, as she holds her arms wide in showmanship, floating a short distance above the ground. The lights come back on. "Come on, boss! Let me at 'em! I'll give 'em a show they'll never forget! I got a brilliant plan and everything!"

Heavy King seems about to answer, but Eggman interrupts him. "Your enthusiasm is noted, Magician. Very well. You'll have your chance, just as soon as the next invasion force is ready." Eggman stands from his seat. "Now if you don't mind, I have more Rubies to make." He promptly strolls out of the room.

Heavy King turns to Heavy Magician. "Excellent work. The fool doesn't suspect a thing."

"Aw, it wasn't that hard, boss. Besides, I've been itchin' to try out one of those prototypes."

"Of course. Just don't become distracted from our primary objective. How go the repairs?"

"It'll be up and running in no time, boss."

"Wonderful. And…do give them a good show for me."

"It's what I do best."

—–—

GUN Facility

The chrome door smoothly slides open with a faint hissing sound as Shadow, Knuckles, Infinite, and the Wolf, led by the Commander, enter the shiny room filled with active, blinking machinery. Screens filled with constant streaming data line the walls, casting white light through the already bright room. In the center of the floor, a large circular machine casts up a large hologram of a globe, slowly but continuously circling around. The globe's landmasses are covered in red, blue, and yellow. A small part of the yellow appears to be slowly edging into the red. "Welcome to our strategic defense facility, the GUN Center for Logistics, Intelligence, and Protection."

Knuckles questions, "The GUN CLIP?" He chuckles a bit. "So where's the AMMO?"

"Actually, we have a special operations team–"

Shadow cuts him off. "Where's Rouge?"

The Commander sighs. "On her way, at the moment. In the meantime, perhaps I can show you around?"

Shadow crosses his arms without objection.

The Commander proceeds, Knuckles and the Wolf following behind him. Infinite remains by the door with Shadow. The Commander first indicates some of the computers along the wall. "Here we have the most state-of-the-art machines, running real-time analysis on troop movement, satellite feed, and the like, which is all ran through our main tactical unit, here." He turns to the hologram projector in the center of the room. "This one is much more than just a map. It can run projections and simulations, and it even serves as an efficient means of distributing orders to squadrons deployed around the world, at once."

Knuckles looks around in interest, seeming not to understand half of what the Commander is saying. He scratches at his head. "I think even Tails would be impressed by all this." He looks over to the Wolf. "Kind of puts our base to shame, doesn't it?"

The Wolf shrugs in general agreement.

The Commander continues to the back of the room, where he presses a panel on the wall that causes a large section of the wall to slide away. Revealed behind are rows upon rows of sleek black weaponry. "In this weapons vault, we have some of the most advanced firearms on the planet. The results of research into Black Arms technology." Shadow glares at him silently from the corner of the room as he takes out one of the weapon, a long rifle. "This one is a semi-automatic plasma rifle. That alien technology is very different from our own, but our scientists were still able to figure out the basic principles behind containing and firing the plasma." He holds the weapon out to the Wolf. "That weapon of yours is looking a little worn out. Would you like to try out a new one?"

The Wolf looks at his Wispon for a moment. He shrugs, and sets it aside, taking the high-tech rifle. He feels its weight for a few moments, before lifting it up to his eye, targeting a spot on the wall. But after another moment, he lowers it back down, shaking his head.

"Are you sure? You look like a natural."

The Wolf nods in affirmation, handing the rifle back. He picks his Wispon back up, and Bruno pokes his head out of it, squeaking happily.

"Suit yourself." The Commander places the weapon back in its place. "I suppose we should probably get down to business. Shadow?"

Shadow answers from the other side of the room, "You'd be wasting your time."

The Commander sighs. "It probably won't mean anything to you, Shadow, but we do have something to offer you, if you choose to stay." He takes out two glowing Chaos Emeralds, cyan and yellow.

"So now you're trying to bribe me?"

"You know it isn't like that. These are considered GUN resources, which would be your resources, if you were working with us."

"You're right. It doesn't mean anything."

Another voice interrupts, "Good to see you boys are at least speaking to each other." Rouge enters through the door, giving a casual salute as she walks. "Reporting as ordered, Commander."

The Commander nods back to her. "You know why you're here."

Rouge turns to face Shadow. "Something tells me you know why I'm here, too."

"You want to tell me all the reasons why I should rejoin GUN. Just like you always do."

"Exactly. So let's skip ahead. I'm going to tell you that the world needs you, and you're going to tell me that you're not a hero. I'm going to tell you all the reasons why you are, and you're going to give in on that point, but still refuse to have anything to do with GUN. So I'm going to tell you that I understand feeling used, feeling deceived, but that GUN can help you save the world, and that's more important." Everyone watches in surprise as she keeps going, without a single objection from Shadow. "You're going to disagree, I'm going to tell you that everyone has flaws and you of all people should know that, and you're still going to say that you just can't. Now, normally you'd have been convinced by now, but I get the feeling you're going to be especially difficult today. Sound about right so far?" Shadow doesn't say anything. She takes his silence as a yes. "So this is where I ask you. Why are you making such a big deal about this?"

Shadow glances over at the Commander, the weapons vault, and even at Infinite. "I just…can't. I can't work with him." He looks at the Commander for a moment.

"We already went through the 'I just can't' part, remember? This can't just be about hiding things from you, can it?"

"It's not just about being deceived. It's about what they hid from me."

"Sunlight? You're mad because he didn't tell you about Project Sunlight? About Blacklight?"

The Commander finally steps in. "Shadow…you're right. It was wrong of me to keep that from you. That's why, when you disappeared, I made sure that Rouge found that file. I wanted you to know, Shadow. But for what it's worth, I'm sorry I didn't show it to you sooner."

Rouge exclaims with surprise, "What!? You're trying to tell us that you orchestrated that? Why didn't you just show Shadow yourself?"

"I knew he'd take it much better coming from you. It worked, didn't it?"

"Worked? The file ended up getting leaked, we can only assume to Eggman. And by some magic coincidence, the dead subject of that file ended up on Eggman's doorstep six months later. You know, Shadow has a point. This all seems like your fault." Shadow looks down to the ground, not admitting his own fault in that part of the problem. Rouge looks over to Shadow, not noticing. "But I'm still going to keep working here, because I know how important it is."

Shadow shakes his head. "It doesn't even matter. You know I left before I ever knew about that."

"You're being petty, Shadow. There's something you're refusing to tell me, and whatever it is, I don't really care. You're taking it way too personally, and it's ruining your judgement."

Infinite suddenly interjects, "I'm getting very tired of listening to this conversation. Could you just make a decision already?"

Rouge stares at him for a few moments. Then she shakes her head. "I'm not even going to ask about him." She sighs. "Shadow…you know that whatever you decide, I'll stand by you. But right now, here is where you need to be."

The Commander adds, "A lot of people are counting on you, Shadow."

Shadow gives a long pause. "…Alright. As long as Blacklight still has the Ruby, I'll work here. But then, I'm done. For good."

The Commander gives a smile. "Excellent." He offers out his hand for a shake. "Welcome back to the team, and congratulations on your new promotion, Commander Shadow."

"Promotion?"

"Allow me to explain." He opens his arms to address everyone in the room. "Following the success of the Resistance in the First Great Eggman War, the United Federation Council agreed that this time, we'd need our own team of remarkable people like yourselves. To fight the battles we can't. Under Shadow's command, all of you are going to be in charge of waging this war as commissioned Generals."

Knuckles objects, "Hey, I used to be a Commander!"

"Do you have any actual military experience?"

"Well…not exac–"

"Shadow does. Consider yourself lucky to be a General. That's assuming, of course, that you all accept?"

Knuckles gives a nod. "You can count me in." Behind him, the Wolf gives a thumbs-up.

Infinite gives a half-hearted shrug. "Yeah, whatever. Not any different from what I'm already doing."

"Excellent. Now…" He looks across the group again. "…wasn't Tails a part of your group?"

Knuckles nods. "He's back at our old base. I'll contact him."

Shadow steps forward. "Don't waste your time, I'll get him." He takes out his red Chaos Emerald. "Chaos Control." He disappears in an instant.

—–—

Resistance Base

Tails sits on a crate as a makeshift chair, typing continuous commands into the single large computer console in the dimly-lit base, bringing up more data onto the flickering monitor. On the screen's flat globe, some yellow edges into red territory, indicating an attack by Blacklight into Eggman territory. Suddenly, the screen flickers off, removing much of the light in the room. "Aw, man!" Tails reaches around the side of the console, patting hard against the solid metal in an attempt to get it to turn back on. "Come on, work for me!" He starts to flick a few switches back and forth, but still to no avail. He sits back down onto the crate with a sigh.

A familiar female voice questions, "Having trouble with that old thing?"

Tails turns to the entrance excitedly. "Amy!"

Amy steps into the room from the entrance, looking around at the sorry state of the room. "Looks like this place has just about had it, huh?"

Tails looks back to the blank screen. "You're probably right. But…this is the only tactical advantage we have in this war right now. So I guess I'd better get back to work." He crouches down to remove a panel from the front of the console, and begins examining some of the circuitry inside.

"Tails…I came here because I saw you on the news. But…Sonic wasn't there." Tails freezes for a moment, but doesn't respond. "Tails…what happened to Sonic?"

With a sigh, Tails stop his work, and turns to face Amy. "He's alright. Chaos is watching him. But…Infinite– I mean, Blacklight– er, the one on the news…he got to him. He's been unconscious for weeks." She gasps. "And…there's something else."

"Something else? What do you mean?"

"I…I haven't told this to anyone, but…whatever's happening to Sonic…it isn't a normal coma. He's unconscious, but his brainwaves are way overactive, and every now and then his heart rate really spikes. It's like he's in some kind of nightmare or something, only people aren't supposed to dream when they're in comas. And since he can't wake up, it's gotten to some dangerous levels. And once…I thought I saw a scratch on him that wasn't there before. Maybe I was just paranoid, but…I don't know what's happening to him, Amy. That's why I was so reluctant to leave him."

Shadow's voice declares simply, "Virtual Reality."

Tails and Amy both turn at him with fright. "Ah! Don't sneak up on us like that!" After a few moments to recover, Tails questions, "Virtual Reality…you mean like the Replicas that the Phantom Ruby makes?"

"No, it's something different. Something Infinite did to me last time. It doesn't just create illusions in real space, it creates an entire false reality in your own mind. In a reality like that, anything goes. And anything that happens to you in there, happens to you out here. It's impressive that Sonic managed to survive this long."

"Well…how did you get out?"

Shadow takes out his Emerald, staring into it for a moment. "I forced my way out. And if Sonic was defeated in battle before he got sent in there, he wouldn't have the strength to do that on his own. There's nothing any of us can do but hope that Sonic finds his own way out."

Amy steps in. "We should tell everyone else, too. They deserve to know."

Tails sighs. "Well…alright. So…what's going on, Shadow? I lost contact after Knuckles called for backup, how'd the battle go?"

"Come with me, I'll explain when we get there."

"But…I should really be fixing this computer."

"You won't need it anymore."

"But…"

Amy puts a hand on Tails' shoulder. "It's alright, Tails. It's about time we say goodbye to this old base."

"…Alright. Let's go."

—–—

"Eggman is making prototypes again? Oh no, this is bad. This is really, really bad."

Amy questions to Tails, "I don't understand, what's so bad? Eggman doesn't have the resources to power them all."

Tails looks over to Infinite. "I was going through some of the data I collected on the Ruby, investigating what you said about it, that it was damaged. And you were right."

Knuckles raises an eyebrow in confusion. "So isn't that good for us?"

Tails shakes his head. "No, not at all. Eggman wasn't there last time to see how the Ruby gained power as more prototypes were made, he doesn't know that it almost destroyed the world."

The Wolf nods slowly in remembrance.

"I think the Ruby was first damaged when Sonic was fighting against Blacklight. He said something about a reaction between the Ruby and the Emeralds. Somehow, that damage ended up opening fractures in Null Space, like the one you managed to escape through, Infinite. And these fractures…they lead to every dimension. Which means, once the Ruby is done destroying this dimension, it can go on to destroy the entire multiverse. Anything and everything that exists, that ever has existed, will be gone."

Shadow nods. "Feeding on Blacklight's desire, it will eventually build up enough power to do that."

Infinite adds, "And as the Doctor makes prototypes, the Ruby will gain the strength of will to take over Blacklight's mind. Giving it the necessary tool to carry it out."

Tails nods. "And the prototypes themselves can expand its influence, making it all happen even faster."

The Commander steps forward. "Sounds like we have our work cut out for us. So before we get started, there's one last order of business." He indicates over to Infinite and the Wolf. "What do I call these two?"

Infinite declares simply, "I am Infinite."

"…Sure you are." Regardless, he takes out a data pad and enters it in. He looks over to the Wolf. "And you?"

The Wolf shrugs.

"What, why…why did you shrug? It's a simple question, what is your name? It's just for the records."

Still, the Wolf makes the same gesture.

Knuckles steps in to help. "Back in the Resistance, we used to call him 'Rookie'. But…" He looks at him directly. "…come to think of it, I don't know what your name is, either." He looks around, but Tails and Amy both shake their heads. "Well, I promised I would stop calling you that. It's about time we make it official. But what do we call you now?"

The Wolf still doesn't suggest anything.

Amy poses slowly, "Instead of Rookie…what about…Hero?"

He scratches at the back of his head in embarrassment, giving a slight chuckle.

Knuckles encourages, "Come on, don't be modest. I like it. It suits you."

Tails gives him a smile. "I'll bet Sonic would say the same thing."

Even Bruno squeaks encouragingly.

The Wolf looks over to Infinite. But he doesn't seem to paying attention. Finally, the Wolf gives the Commander an affirmative nod.

"Very well then, General Hero." He enters the name in to the pad. Hero the Wolf smiles hearing the name used for the first time. Bruno pats him on the back approvingly. The Commander turns back to the globe projection in the center of the room. "Let's get started." Everyone gathers around the globe. "Since his retreat from Central City, Eggman's been quiet, which gives us the chance we need to target the Ruby. Even better, Blacklight's forces have launched an attack into Eggman territory, spreading his defenses thin along our borders. And with that, the command is yours, Shadow."

All eyes turn to Shadow as he steps up to the globe. "Alright…" He takes a closer look at all of the small numbers and statistics on the globe. "It looks Blacklight's defenses are thinnest here and here." He points to two yellow spots on the edge of blue territory. He looks up to the Commander. "How many squadrons do we have available?"

"At present…four."

"Four? That's it?"

"There's already a war waging, Shadow. That's all we could spare you. Prove what you can do here, start turning this war around, and we might be able to get you more."

"…Alright. That's what we have to work with. What about Omega, where is he?"

Rouge answers, "On assignment in Eggman territory. You know, doing what Omega does best."

"We want him here with us. I want you to go in after him, back him up, and extract him."

Rouge nods. "You got it, Commander Shadow."

"For the rest of us, we'll have to split into three teams. Two will head to Star Light Zone, two into Apotos with a squadron for backup to deal with its stronger defenses, and two of us will have to stay behind with the rest of the troops to keep our borders secure."

Tails volunteers first, "I think I should stay behind. These computers look like they could use a few upgrades."

After giving Tails a look for a few moments, the Commander adds, "If the point is to deter invaders, you should probably stay as well, Shadow."

"Fine. Knuckles, Amy, you take Apotos. Hero, you and Infinite cover Star Light. Everyone clear?"

"Knuckles cheers, "Yeah! Let's do this, everyone!" Much of the room cheers along with him. Knuckles, Amy, Rouge, and Hero start to file out the door. But Hero stops at the door as Infinite approaches Shadow.

He speaks quietly, "About your friend's Virtual Reality problem…I wouldn't hold out hope for him waking up on his own. Just warning you."

"Fine. Then he'll wake up once we've dealt with Blacklight."

"Afraid not. Once it's been created, the Virtual Reality runs itself, fueled by the desire to escape. The harder he tries, the tighter its grasp grows on him. And unless he manages to bend the rules as you did, he'll be stuck that way. However…once I get the Ruby…I could wake him up for you."

"Oh, and you'd do that out of the kindness of your heart?"

"Well…you have a point there. Of course I'd want something in return. Perhaps we can discuss that part later. Just keep it in mind, yes?"

Shadow glares at him suspectingly. But he gives a slight nod.

Bruno starts to squeak impatiently from the doorway. Infinite turns to them with a growl. "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming."

—–—

Apotos - Windmill Isle

Knuckles and Amy stand off side-by-side against a line of the shadowy Blacklight minions. Some of them appear larger and more muscular than others, while some float off the ground, seeming to have ghostly tails instead of legs.

Knuckles turns to Amy. "Think you can handle this many?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing." Amy suddenly charges towards the line, hammer raised high.

"Hey, wait for me!" Knuckles runs in after her, punching through a few of them along the way. Just like the more powerful Replicas, they all dissolve into a glitchy haze upon being defeated.

Despite the overwhelming numbers, the powerhouses of Knuckles and Amy are more than enough to deal with them, fighting back to back. One of the brutish minions charges at Knuckles, and he blocks it with his hands, struggling against it in strength for several moments. Finally, he lifts it over his head and tosses it behind him, into the path of Amy's hammer. She sends the creature flying into a large group of smaller ones, destroying them all. The last few stragglers are quickly dealt with, leaving behind a flag in the ground bearing the yellow insignia of Infinite.

Amy looks over to Knuckles, having hardly broken a sweat. "Would you like to do the honors?"

Appearing a bit more winded, Knuckles answers, "With pleasure." He walks up to the flag, rips it from the ground, and snaps it in his hands like a twig.

Amy takes out a small metal cylinder. She presses a button on the side, and it suddenly telescopes out into a much longer flagpole. The blue flag on the top unfurls, showing the insignia of the United Federation. Amy clears her throat. "This city belongs to the United Federation and its people!" She plunges the flag into the same spot that Blacklight's was planted. Then she looks over to Knuckles. "That's how the Commander told us to say it, right?" Knuckles shrugs. Amy shakes her head and reaches up to tap her communicator. "This is Amy. Apotos has been secured."

While Amy is busy, a somewhat familiar-sounding voice shouts out, "Hey, you! Over here!" A large mustached man waves Knuckles over from behind a cart by the seaside. Knuckles approaches in curiosity. The man continues to bellow, "That was truly incredible what you just did there! This city is truly in your debt!"

Knuckles questions, "Who…are you?"

"Well, I'm an ice cream vendor!" He indicates one of his wares on the cart, a decadent-looking sundae piled high with toppings. "Best in world, many would tell you."

"You're selling ice cream…next to a war zone?"

"Of course! This isn't the first time our city has had to deal with monsters, you know. I tell you, even when the world's falling apart, people will still line up from all over to get a taste of my signature Chocolate Chipped Cream Sundae Supreme! It's a family recipe, you know. Passed down to me through generations, and now I'm the only one left to guard its much-coveted secrets."

Knuckles eyes the ice cream, smacking his lips. "It…does look pretty good." His hand moves down to his rumbling stomach.

"Please, have one, on the house!" The man takes the sundae from its pedestal and happily holds it out to Knuckles. "It's the least I could do for a hero like yourself." Knuckles reaches out for it, but the man suddenly pulls it back. "Just remember to tell all your friends! Satisfaction, guaranteed!"

"Yeah, yeah, I will." Knuckles finally takes ahold of the treat. Before he takes a bite, he looks back up to the man curiously. "You know, there's something familiar about you. I can't quite put my finger on it."

"Oh, yes, I get that all the time. I must have one of those voices, you know how it is."

Knuckles echoes back in a similar tone, "One of those voices. Right. That must be it." Knuckles finally takes a bite out of the ice cream. Immediately, his eyes light up. He softly babbles something incoherent through his full mouth. The ice cream man gives a satisfied nod, his work done. After swallowing loudly, he turns back to Amy. "Hey, Amy! You've gotta try this!" He starts running back to her.

"What's this about?"

"It's ice cream. Come on, have a bite." He holds it out to her.

"Ice cream? You bought ice cream at a time like this?"

"I didn't buy it. But seriously, you'll get it if you give it a taste."

Amy scrutinizes the towering treat in Knuckles' hand. "Do you have any idea how much sugar is in that thing? I'm getting sick just looking at it."

"Come on, just one bite won't hurt you."

"…Fine. But you know you can't take that whole thing with you, right? We need to–" Before she can finish, a small laser blast impacts the ice cream, splattering it in both of their faces.

Knuckles turns slowly to the source of the attack, wiping off his face with a stiff movement. "Alright, bub. I don't know who you think you are, but you just made me very angry. This just got personal."

Amy tightens her grip on her hammer. "Oh, it's already personal."

Metal Sonic stands opposite to them, aiming a wrist-mounted blaster. A momentary glitch near its face betrays its nature as a Replica.

"Alright. Let's make this quick. We'll…" Knuckles trails off as Metal Sonic's arms begin to transform, revealing guns, blasters, missile launchers, rows and piles of weapons of every imaginable kind, some almost as large as the body of the Replica itself. "Uhh…that's new, right?"

"Run!" Both dive out of the way as Metal Sonic opens fire, wreaking total havoc.

—–—

The GUN CLIP

Tails appears hard at work at one of the computer terminals. Behind him, Shadow stares at the holographic globe, appearing deep in thought. The Commander doesn't appear to be in the room, leaving them alone. Tails looks up from his work, turning his head to look at Shadow. After a few moments of silence, he questions slowly, "Shadow? Are you…doing alright?"

Shadow shakes himself back to reality. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm just worried that you…you… How did Rouge put it back then? That you're losing sight of what's important to you."

"What's important to me is stopping Blacklight. One way or the other."

"And what about when that's done?"

Shadow doesn't answer for a while.

"When I found you…you were meditating, right?" Shadow gives a nod. "Why?"

"…It helps me focus."

"Yeah, but…what were you doing? Were you…asking yourself questions? Questions you don't know the answer to?"

Again, Shadow doesn't answer.

"Back on the ARK…it feels like such a long time ago, now. Back then, I was so sure that you were going to be one of us, one of the heroes. And I know you don't want to be a hero like that, but…are you happy with the way you are now?"

"If you're asking me to stay with GUN, I won't."

"That's not what I meant. There are other ways to help people, Shadow. Right now, Sonic is…or at least, he was, before all this started…training with the Chaos Emeralds. Learning everything he can about them and how to use them. Because he knows that he'll be able to help more people that way."

"So, he found his teacher after all…?"

"He's spending his time finding answers, instead of asking questions. And it's making him happy. Happier than he's been…in a while. Don't you want that?"

"…That's not who I am."

"It can be. If you aren't happy with who you are, there's always a way to change it. And it starts with deciding on that change for yourself."

Suddenly, a loud alarm blares through the room. "What's going on!?"

Tails turns back to his console. "It's another attack!"

"Eggman again?"

"No, I don't think so."

"How many?"

"Umm…just one."

—–—

Two GUN soldiers stand guard on the outer streets of Central City. A lone hedgehog-shaped figure steps unsteadily through the shadows of a nearby building. One of the soldiers raises his weapon, spotting the figure. "Hold it! This is a restricted area." His partner does the same.

The figure silently continues its march. Its head appears to roll loosely between its shoulders.

"I-I said freeze! Don't move, o-or we'll shoot!"

The figure finally steps into the light. Its body itself appears to made from black rock and silvery-blue crystal. Its piercing red and yellow eyes look to each of the soldiers with pity, as it continues its staggering walk on the crystalline stubs it has instead of feet. Mephiles the Dark lets out a menacing chuckle through his mouthless muzzle. He directs each of his hands outwards, letting out two blasts of dark energy that knock the soldiers away before they get the chance to react.

To the familiar sound of a Chaos Control, Shadow and Tails drop to the ground in front of Mephiles. Tails looks over the creature with fear. "Shadow…what is that thing? It…it looks like you."

Shadow seems just as tense looking at his own shadow. "I don't know. …But I don't like it."

"What…did you forget me, Shadow?"

Shadow gasps. "Who are you? How do you know my name?"

As Mephiles tilts his head to the side, a glitchy violet haze appears by his face.

Shadow relaxes considerably. "Of course. You're just another Ruby illusion."

"Is that all you think I am? Didn't you know, Shadow? Everything has an origin. You may have forgotten. But the will of Chaos never forgets." Despite not having a mouth, Mephiles somehow gives a vicious grin.

Shadow seems to recall Blacklight once saying something similar. "What are you?"

"For now…I am no one. Just a humble messenger." He makes a false yet elegant bow. "My master, Blacklight, grows impatient. He wishes to settle your unfinished deal. He wishes to face you. Immediately. And he suggests you bring your payment."

"And if I don't?"

"He predicted you'd say such a thing. Which is why, as we speak, some of your friends are paying the price for your insolence. You can expect there to be more, the longer you wait. Perhaps, not in the same form. Perhaps, next time, your suffering will come from where you least expect it. Perhaps–"

"Chaos Spear!" Shadow's sudden attack knocks Mephiles backwards. Then he appears in a flash behind him, kicking him upwards into the air. And he appears in the air as well, sparking with a red aura. "Chaos Blast!"

The force of the explosion sends Mephiles crashing into the street below. When the dust clears, Mephiles stares blankly into the sky. "We'll be waiting for you, Shadow." He starts to laugh maniacally as his form melts into a black sludge, which continues to dissolve into the usual glitchy haze.

Shadow glares down at the spot where the Replica landed, panting from exertion. Tails steps up to his side. "You can't listen to anything he says. Blacklight's trying to get into your head. He's trying to goad you into going after him alone. And we both know that won't work."

"I know…it's just an empty threat. We'll stop him. The right way."

Tails gives him a happy nod.

—–—

Star Light Zone - Celestial City

High up on green-tinted metal scaffolding, Infinite and Hero do battle against a Chaos 0 Replica. Chaos blasts high-pressured jets of water out of its hands, one aimed at each of its opponents. Hero launches a grappling wire at some scaffolding up above, pulling himself out of the way of the attack. Once above the watery creature, he aims his flamethrower straight downwards at it. But it blasts its jets of water straight back up at him, cancelling out the flames. While it's distracted, Infinite leaps in at it, slashing straight across it with his blade. He smirks in satisfaction. But the water quickly reforms where it had been slashed apart. With another burst of water, it blasts him backwards into a wall.

Hero lands back on the ground, as his Wispon starts to vibrate. He gives it a nod, before running back at Chaos. Chaos fires another blast of water at him, but this time he slides underneath, continuing forward. As he gets up onto his knees, he plunges his weapon into the Replica's watery body.

"Burst!"

The Wispon releases a powerful explosion from inside the creature, splattering it in all directions. The scattered water quickly fades away. Bruno emerges from the Wispon, panting heavily, appearing quite tired. But not too tired for a celebratory fist bump.

"Well, well, well. Mute and Ugly both came to see us? We must really be making friends here in the future."

Hero and Infinite look up with gasps to see the masked Blacklight descending towards their platform. Infinite freezes on seeing the Phantom Ruby at his chest.

Blacklight looks down to Infinite, still on the ground by the wall. "We must say, we really weren't expecting to see you again. Though…part of us is disappointed that it took you so long.

Infinite climbs back to his feet. "That Ruby…belongs…to me."

"Yeesh, jealous much? We mean, we know it must've been a hard breakup for you, but come on. You really need to move on with your own life. There are other sources of ultimate power out there. One of them must be right for you. But you're old news. We make the better couple, and there's nothing you can do about it."

"You'll pay for what you've done to me!" Infinite leaps at Blacklight, sword drawn.

"Ha ha ha ha ha! Pathetic." Blacklight generates and orb of cubes between his hands, and fires it in a stream at the charging Infinite.

Acting fast, Hero uses his grappling wire to launch himself at Infinite, knocking him out of the way, and taking the full force of Blacklight's attack. He falls, and collapses back to the ground, unconscious.

To be continued…