Emerald Canyon - The Rebellion Base

Hero the Wolf lies out on a mat spread right over the grass-carpeted ground, stretching back and staring up at the stars. His black glasses have been removed, placed off to the side next to his Wispon. A chilling wind blows through the base of the canyon, ruffling his crimson fur. He doesn't have a tent for shelter. But he doesn't seem to mind. Especially with the little red Wisp curled up asleep at his side, who seems to exude warmth with every breath. With a smile, Hero wraps his arm around Bruno, drawing him closer to his chest. He finally closes his eyes, and relaxes.

High up above, on the lip of the canyon, three figures watch carefully. They all have black and white fur, striking yellow eyes, and large ears. The one on the right, the only female of the trio, wears a dark green vest, and has her white hair tied back in a ponytail. She voices quietly, "Are you sure about this, Seth?"

The one in the center, apparently the leader, wears a green headband beneath his mohawk-styled hair, and has a wide scar running across the bridge of his snout. He answers, "This is a rebel cell, Tana. They're bound to be stocked with weapons and supplies. In these times, we can get a lot of value out of that."

The one on the left wears a red beret, and has white sports tape wrapped all the way up both of his arms. He proposes, "Or, they're all starving and desperate, and we won't find anything of value at all."

The leader, Seth, shakes his head. "Don't be such a pessimist, Colm. Look at that guy down there. Does he look starving and desperate to you?"

"They don't have enough tents to fit him. What does that tell you?"

Tana adds, "Even if the spoils are there, we're talking about a rebel cell here. They're trained fighters. Most of them may be out, but they still match us in numbers."

Seth holds up a fist resolutely. "We're the Jackal Squad. We can handle it."

Sonic the Hedgehog: The Chaos Project

Season 1, Episode 4

Two Things are Infinite

Written by ChaosProjectAuthor

Daily log, March 22nd, 0 A.E. Shadow the Hedgehog reporting.

It's been weeks since I've done anything worthwhile. I'm getting tired of it.

—–—

Shadow sits cross-legged on a mat on the ground, sheltered in his small personal tent. Aside from that mat, there is only a single personal item—a small gold medal framed in a glass case, sitting in the corner.

A knock comes on the wooden post that holds up the front of the tent. Shadow ignores it. After a few moments, the knock comes again. The voice of Sonic calls from the other side, "Shadow, it's me. Can I come in?"

Shadow seems to consider ignoring him for a moment. But then he responds, "What do you want?"

Sonic pushes the entrance flap aside, flooding in daylight as he ducks into the tent. He stops to looks around at the lack of content inside. Apparently, it's the first time he's been in. "Shadow…I think we need to talk."

"I disagree." He doesn't elaborate any further.

"Shadow, we live two tents across from each other, but I haven't seen you in over a week. You haven't shown up to any meals. As far as I know, you haven't even left this tent."

"Your point?"

Sonic sighs. "Shadow…last year, I thought I really saw you changing. Opening up. But now it's like you're more distant than you ever were before. Those two months we spent together with Chaos…you seemed happy. Is this about him?"

Shadow doesn't answer for a moment. "I was pretending to be someone I wasn't. I gave up on it. That's all."

"You said that you wanted to change. That you wanted a chance at happiness. Was that a lie?"

"I had that chance. And it was taken away. Just like it always is."

"Shadow…"

Shadow suddenly stands, and walks past Sonic without a word.

"And where are you going?"

Shadow stops just long enough to answer, "For a walk. You wanted me to get out, didn't you?" Then he continues his way out. Sonic doesn't stop him.

Shadow marches along past the row of tents that mark the Rebellion camp, following along with the stream that runs through the center of the canyon. The camp seems to be pretty quiet, apparently mostly empty. He continues to walk in silence for quite some time. Eventually, he reaches a large, thick tree right in the canyon's center, with an Emerald-shaped carving in its bark. The memorial for Chaos the Hedgehog. He stops to stare at it for a while. His eyes shut as he clenches a fist at his side. Then he walks on past.

The area he proceeds into has quite a few more trees, almost like a small forest contained within the widening walls of the canyon. After a few moments, another pair of footsteps fall in line beside his. Shadow finally looks up and around his shoulder. Hero gives him a smile and a wave as he continues to walk alongside him.

"What do you want?"

Hero gives a shrug, and waves a hand past Shadow out to the forest.

"I don't want your company. We may have worked together before, but that doesn't make us friends."

Beside Hero, Bruno lets out an angry squeak as he shakes a balled up tentacle at Shadow. Hero gasps at whatever it is he hears in the alien language, and starts waving his hands to get him to calm down.
Shadow rolls his eyes. "Whatever. Do what you want." They continue their walk together for a while longer. Suddenly, Shadow stops in place again as one of his ears twitches. "Did you hear that?"

Hero glances around for a moment, but eventually gives another shrug.

A blur of motion passes behind Shadow. He turns sharply look at it, but he's too slow to see anything. He tenses up as he advises quietly, "Be on guard. We're being followed."

Hero pulls his Wispon close, while Bruno moves around to watch his back. But everything is silent.

Seth the Jackal stands with his back pressed against the shadowed side of a tree, trying as hard as he can to glance around it without being seen. He mouths silently in what seems to be a random direction, "Who is that guy? Why didn't we account for him?"

Tana hides behind another tree nearby, and seems to read his lips. She mouths back, "I can't get a good look at him. Is it possible we missed him before?"

"There's no way. We were surveying all day and all night. Where could he have been hiding all that time?"

From another direction, Colm mouths, "What do we do about him?"

Seth draws a weapon, a long dagger with a green hilt and a wavy blade. "Let's see if we can–"

Shadow taps Seth on the shoulder. "Looking for someone?"

Seth's eyes go wide with terror at the first sight of the hedgehog. He suddenly shouts at the top of his lungs, "Run! Run for your lives! It's Shadow! Shadow is here!"

Tana and Colm take one fearful glance at each other, before turning in opposite directions and fleeing without hesitation. They swiftly and skillfully scale either wall of the canyon, and quickly disappear from sight.

Seth turns to flee as well, but Shadow grabs him by the arm and twists it, sending him crashing to the ground, and pinning him there with his arm behind his back. Hero approaches him from the other side as he struggles to free himself. But after a moment, he gives up the struggle. A smirk appears on his face. "I barely escaped with my life last time. I guess it's time to pay back my debt to Lady Luck. Do your worst, Hedgehog."

Shadow hardly seems to listen to Seth's babbling. "Who are you?"

At first, Seth seems surprised. But then he lets out a chuckle. "Heh. Guess I shouldn't expect you to remember me. Just another face on your hit list, right? In fact, I'll bet I wasn't even there. That would've been the Captain's honor."

Shadow rolls his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"My name is Seth the Jackal. You destroyed my squad, and killed our leader. My closest friend…"

For just a moment, Shadow takes on a look of surprise, as Hero gasps aloud. "As in…the Jackal Squad?"

"Oh, so you do remember? How you tore through every one of us like it was nothing?"

Shadow has already regained his composure. "You must be confused. I never killed the leader of Squad Jackal. Infinite is still out there somewhere, doing who-knows-what."

"How dare you!? That thing in the mask is not Captain Finn!"

Shadow closes his eyes as he lets out a sigh. Then he lets go of Seth's arm, and takes a step back. "I think we need to talk." Stepping in for Shadow, Hero bends down and offers Seth a hand.

Seth looks up to the two of them with confusion. "You mean…you aren't going to finish the job?"

Shadow shakes his head. "My only job was to destroy Eggman's Facility. You were in my way. That doesn't mean I wanted to kill you, or anyone else."

Seth hesitates for a moment. But then he takes Hero's hand, and is helped back up to his feet.

—–—

The three have moved even deeper into the forested area, and no longer seem to be in a canyon at all. Seth sits on a fallen log, while Shadow leans back against the nearest tree. Hero simply stands, watching Seth closely.

Seth lets out a sigh. "It was three months before the war started, when I first laid eyes on the Ruby. It was supposed to be a simple mission. Get in, grab some tech, get out. We didn't even know that Dr. Eggman was there personally at that pyramid base, let alone what he had waiting for us. We were up against half an army. But they weren't like normal robots, they would fade away as they went down, almost like they weren't really there. I knew right away that something was off. But Captain Finn ordered us to keep fighting them off while he dealt with the Doctor.

"I didn't get a very good look at what happened next, but…one moment he was getting ready to deliver the killing blow, and the Doctor looked like he was trying to protect himself with this Ruby, and the next, they were both just staring off into space. And then he was on the ground, at the Doctor's mercy. In the confusion, Tana, Colm and I were caught as well. The Doctor could've gotten rid of all of us. Instead, he asked Finn to lead his forces. I didn't understand everything that was happening, but I saw the way he was looking at that Ruby. I begged Finn not to be tempted. But I don't think he heard a word of it. He let out this…terrifying laugh. And then he agreed.

"The Doctor looked to us, next. He said he wanted to hire us as well, as a defense squad. I knew it was a threat, he wouldn't have let me say no. We still might've been able to fight our way out, but all I cared about at that moment was figuring out what was going on, stopping Finn from doing something stupid. He wasn't even paying attention. The Doctor had given him the Ruby, and he couldn't take his eyes off of it. If the Doctor killed us, I don't think he would've cared. He'd already been changed. So I agreed. And the Jackal Squad became Defense Squad Jackal.

"We were mobile, moving from base to base all the time. After a couple of weeks, we ended up at Eggman's Facility in the Mystic Jungle. And that's when you showed up."

Shadow seems slightly irritated by the long monologue. "What's your point?"

"A person doesn't just change like that, especially not someone strong like Captain Finn. It's because…that was when the spirits first got into his head."

Shadow raises a skeptical eyebrow. "Spirits?"

"That thing he couldn't be separated from…it was called the Phantom Ruby."

"We knew that already."

"Well, you ever wonder what the 'Phantom' stands for?"

Shadow glances over at Hero. He shrugs in response. Shadow looks back to Seth. "Go on."

"The Phantom Ruby has power over the dead. And that thing you call Infinite is a demon that stole Captain Finn's body."

Shadow's eyes go wide with some mixture of disbelief and amusement. Hero stifles a laugh, while Bruno snickers much more openly.

"What's so funny?"

Shadow shakes his head. "That's what this is all based on? An incomplete observation and a meaningless name the Doctor probably pulled out of a hat?"

"But it's true! I know it is!"

"We've dealt with the Phantom Ruby more than once. Its power is to create illusions and manipulate the mind. No spirits. No demons."

"I've known Captain Finn for a long time. He taught me everything I know. There's no way that thing is still him. I heard him rant about the 'old' him that he threw away to become this thing. The old Finn that had to be killed so this thing could take over."

"The first time I encountered Infinite as we know him now, he remembered everything about that night at Eggman's Facility. He was bitter about it."

"Of course he was bitter about it, you killed him! That doesn't prove anything!"

"And you have better proof?"

Seth closes his eyes. "…I do. Lyon."

"Who's Lyon?"

"An old member of the Jackal Squad. He died years ago. I didn't know him very well, but he and Finn were pretty close."

"Well what about him?"

"I told you that I wanted to get to the bottom of what was happening to Finn. So I was spying on him while he was going through Eggman's experiments. And one night, he wasn't alone. Lyon was standing right there with him. I heard him speak. A dead man come to life. Except that he wasn't alive. He faded away like a phantom."

Shadow sighs. "Just a Replica. The Phantom Ruby can create illusions that seem like people, he was only testing out that power using someone familiar."

"But–… That–…" He buries his face in a hand, unable to come up with another objection. "…The day before you attacked, Finn entrusted me with his prized possession, the Ruby Blade. The day after, when I tried to find him, he almost killed me. How could that be the same person?"

"He took the sword back."

Seth seems surprised that Shadow knows this. But he nods after a moment. "After the first war, we all thought he was gone for good. But then one day, 'Infinite' showed up again on the news. We could all see that it wasn't him, that someone else put on the mask. But then the sword just disappeared. We thought…maybe the demon had moved on, left Finn behind. But it was clear he was avoiding us. We never managed to talk to him. And he kept going after that Ruby."

Seth looks up with surprise as Hero places a hand on his shoulder. He wears a look of sorrow and understanding.

"You…you talked to him, didn't you?"

Hero closes his eyes and nods.

"And he…he wasn't…?" He doesn't seem quite sure how to phrase the question.

Hero still nods again.

Seth covers his face with both hands. "How could it be true? How could I have believed in a lie all of this time?"

Hero suddenly looks up from Seth to Shadow, apparently struck by an idea.

Shadow glances back skeptically. "You aren't actually thinking we should…?"

Hero nods almost excitedly.

"That's insane…"

Seth finally looks up again. "What, what's insane?"

Shadow closes his eyes for a moment as he considers whether or not to say it. "There is…one way, we can find out if you're right. We find him, and ask him ourselves."

Seth's eyes light up. "Is that really possible?"

"He's been off the map ever since the end of the last war. But there is a chance."

"And if I'm wrong…if you're right, and Finn really is still in there…maybe I can get through to him. Maybe I can can get him back."

"Wishful thinking. But maybe."

"And…if I can't? If he's really gone?"

Shadow thinks on that. "He's a dangerous person. We don't know what he's up to, but it could be very bad. If you can't get through to him…then we may need your help to take him down. If you're okay with that."

"If I'm right, then I have no problem killing that thing myself."

—–—

Shadow moves right in through the entrance flap of Tails' tent.

Tails jumps up with shout. "Ahh!" He takes a moment to catch his breath when he sees that it's only Shadow. He appears to have been engrossed in his work at a workbench set up against the tent wall, which takes up most of the space in the room. It's covered with scattered tools, parts, and gizmos. "Shadow…? Don't you know how to knock?"

"I'm in a hurry. Can you find a way to track the energy of a Phantom Ruby prototype?"

Tails blinks a few times as he processes the meaning of the question. "Uhh… Shadow…there's only one Ruby protype left. You know who has it."

"Yes, that's who I'm looking for. Can you find him?"

"Well…I've never really tried. It was never really a good idea to find Infinite. He finds you, and you hope to get away."

Shadow crosses his arms. "Can you do it, or not?"

"Umm… Based on what I know about the Phantom Ruby's energy…some adjustments to the old Emerald Radar might do the trick, it wouldn't take long. But I–"

"Good. Do it." Shadow turns to leave.

"Shadow?" Shadow stops halfway out the exit. "You've…never really asked me for anything before."

"Your point?"

"I'll…try not to let you down." He gives a reassuring smile.

Shadow leaves without responding.

Hero waits for him outside, casting a questioning look.

Shadow walks past him, and he follows behind. "It went fine. That's not the part you should be worried about."

They stop in front of the next tent down, the one at the very head of the line. Shadow is about to push his way in as he did before, but he falters for a moment. He raps briefly on the center supporting post instead.

Sonic's voice immediately answers, "Come in." They both do.

Sonic looks up with surprise at seeing Shadow, apparently expecting someone else. "Oh, Shadow. Had a nice walk?" Shadow doesn't answer. "I heard Tails yell, is everything alright?"

"Fine. We're going on a mission."

Sonic raises an eyebrow. "With Tails?"

"No." Hero steps up beside him to answer the rest of the question.

"Well…I don't really have anything for you right now, everyone else is already out taking care of–"

"We already know what we're doing."

"Is that so? Care to tell me what that is?"

"Not really."

Sonic stares at Shadow for a moment. He lets out a quiet groan, muttering, "Why did I sign up for this?" He rests his head in one hand as he thinks for another few moments. "…Obviously you care at least a little bit about my opinion, otherwise you wouldn't have come here for my permission in the first place. So why don't you tell me what this is all about so I can actually give you one?"

"It doesn't matter. We're going whether you approve or not."

Sonic looks up to Hero for a moment. Hero doesn't seem sure whether to agree or not, so after a moment, he shrugs.

So Sonic looks back to Shadow. "If that's true, then why are you here?"

Shadow looks down to the ground for quite some time without answering.

"You can tell me, Shadow."

"…We're going after Infinite."

Sonic shows open shock for several moments. He finally manages to stutter out, "W…why?"

"…To help someone."

"Who?"

"I won't say."

"Because I won't approve?"

"Because it's a long story, and I'm tired of waiting."

Sonic doesn't quite seem to buy that explanation. He lets out a sigh as he thinks on it some more. "There are only the four of us here. If you two leave, then it'll just be Tails and me. Could be bad news if we're attacked."

"I'm aware of that."

"…So you're leaving to go do something stupid, leaving us undefended, to help someone who might be dangerous based on what I'm gathering? If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to get us all killed."

"But you know better."

"That's right, I do. I know you, and I know you wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't important. What I can't figure out is why. Who is this guy, and what makes helping him worth risking your life? Since when does helping anyone matter that much to you? Or…is this really about Infinite?" Shadow doesn't answer. Sonic lets out another sigh. "But clearly, someone needs help. And you're actually volunteering to do it. How could I say no to that?"

"So we can go?"

"Yeah, just…" He looks up to Hero. "…watch his back, okay?"

Hero gives a thumbs-up with a smile.

A knock comes at the center post. Sonic immediately invites, "Come on in, join the party."

Tails ducks in through the entrance, holding his Handheld with him. "Shadow, I got a signal. I have a location for you." The tent is a bit cramped with all four of them inside.

Sonic questions, "So you knew about this?"

Tails gaps, "Oh, I didn't realize you hadn't already–"

"Don't worry, it's fine. So, where are they going?"

Tails looks down to his device. "The signal came from one of Eggman's old pyramid bases."

"In Green Hill?"

"No, an older one, actually. It was Eggman's launch base when he needed to get to the ARK, just east of Central City. We were there together, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember." He looks over to Shadow. "Better watch out for ghosts in there."

Hero glances over at Shadow in surprise, mistakenly thinking that Sonic might know something. But Shadow isn't concerned.

Sonic continues, "That's pretty far away. You could be gone a while."

"Or I could take the Emerald and get there in a second."

"Oh, is that why you came to me?" He thinks for a moment. "Normally I'd say no, but…knowing what you're up against, I think you need every chance you can get." He stands, and moves to a cabinet in the back of the tent. He crouches down to open the bottom drawer, and pulls out a box-shaped metal case. He unhooks the latches on the side and opens it, revealing the glowing yellow Chaos Emerald inside, surrounded by six other empty Emerald-shaped slots. He stares at the pattern for a moment, before removing the Emerald and stowing the case away again. He walks back over to Shadow, and hands the Emerald to him across the table. He jokes, "I know what a klutz you are, so try not to lose it."

Shadow takes the Emerald wordlessly, and turns to leave. Hero follows behind him, waving goodbye awkwardly. But Shadow stops at the exit, and looks back at Tails. "…Thanks." They exit the rest of the way.

Tails looks up at Sonic. "What's going on with him?"

Sonic shakes his head as he sits back down. "I wish I knew. But…I think it's a good thing."

—–—

Seth waits for them high on the lip of the canyon, from the same vantage point he watched the night before. Looking straight down from the small protrusion over the chasm seems to be the only position from which one can get a look at the otherwise-concealed camp below. Far behind him, the more open, forested area of the canyon base can be seen. But a short distance in front of him, Shadow and Hero cross over the simple wooden bridge that connects the two sides of the canyon. Seth calls out to them, "Hey! I was beginning to think you might've changed your minds. Maybe Colm's rubbing off on me. So, you get everything squared up?"

As Shadow stops in front of him, he presents the Emerald for him to see. "Yeah."

Seth's eyes light up. "Whoa… So that's a Chaos Emerald? And you were keeping that here this whole time? Man, if we'd gone through with that heist…" He stops as he realizes that Shadow is glaring at him. "Sorry."

"I can take us to Infinite now."

"Oh, you're gonna do your teleport thing?"

"It's called Chaos Control."

"Chaos Control. Right. So do I have to hold on, or…?"

Shadow's voice takes on an edge of irritation. "Just stand close."

Seth is clearly intimidated. "Uhh…right." He steps a little closer, but not too close. But Hero isn't afraid to stand right up next to him.

Shadow stops for a moment as a thought occurs to him. "What about the rest of your squad? What happens if they come back and none of us are here?"

"No need to worry. They'll be back twenty-four hours after we scattered, and not a minute sooner. It's a policy we decided on after the last time you gave us trouble."

Shadow doesn't answer him, and stares back down at the Emerald in his hand. "Chaos…" He holds it high in the air above him. "…Control!" The Emerald emits a bright flash of pulsating light which quickly envelops all of them, warping them away.

—–—

Pyramid Cave

Shadow, Seth, and Hero walk through the long, winding, torchlit passageway deep inside the pyramid.

Seth seems a bit on edge. "So…you think that Finn is somewhere in this pyramid?"

Bruno also looks very nervous, but Hero pats him on the head gently, which seems to comfort him.

Shadow nods. "The energy signature of his Phantom Ruby prototype was detected here not long ago. He should still be here."

Seth constantly glances back over his shoulder. "Well…it sure feels like the kind of place a demon would hang out, don't you think? It's gotta be haunted! I feel like I'm being watched!"

"That's because I'm still keeping my eye on you." Seth seems about to object, but Shadow's glare seems to scare him just as much as the possibility of ghosts. Until something pops out of the ground. Bruno flees into Hero's Wispon with a terrified squeak.

The small ghost has beady orange eyes and sharp, gnashing teeth worn in a terrifyingly large grin as it lets out a high-pitched laugh, raising its thin arms as if to grab at Seth.

"AAGHHH!" In a terrified frenzy, Seth draws his dagger and starts stabbing at the ghost over and over again. The ghost recoils away from the attack, fading away into nothing. But Seth continues to swing the blade about wildly, eyes clenched shut.

"Seth, it's gone!"

Shadow's shout forces Seth to open his eyes, returning to reality. "Uhh…thanks." He re-sheathes the dagger with what little dignity he has left. "Wait a minute…" He looks from the spot the ghost appeared from, over to Shadow. "That was a ghost! A real, live, ghost!"

"It's not 'live' if it's a ghost."

"You know what I mean! You thought I was crazy for thinking that the Phantom Ruby might have power over the dead, but here we are, being attacked by actual ghosts!"

Shadow resumes their walk, forcing the others to follow him. "The ancient civilization that constructed this pyramid clearly didn't want anyone getting inside. Does it really surprise you that they would come up with a trick like this? Smoke and mirrors, designed to scare off any intruders."

"But…it was–"

"How would you know? You barely looked at it."

Seth can't object to that. So they keep walking in silence. In a short time, they make it to a tall metal door that blocks the way to the next room, emblazoned with a stylized hieroglyph of Eggman. "Well… I don't think that belongs here."

"This must be the center of the base." Shadow walks up to the large door, and puts a hand up against it. "It's already unlocked." He digs his fingers into the seam running down the middle of the double doors, and pushes them apart with a slight struggle, opening the way into the pyramid's core beyond.

The large, open room begins through the door with an elevated platform high above a pit of sand below, stretching out in two directions, and coming around into a circle that connects at a stone door on the opposite side. And standing in front of that door, back turned to them, is the unmistakable form of Infinite. Compared to his jet black fur, Seth's seems more like a soft grey.

Without turning, Infinite holds his Ruby Blade sideways up against the door in front of him, staring into the reflection that it shows of him, and those in the room behind him. He speaks, loud enough for them all to hear, "According to legend, this blade was forged in this very pyramid. It was wielded by those who would tend to the dead. Dying kings would see visions of the afterlife in its reflection. Or at least, that's how the story goes. It's ironic, I suppose, how the Doctor tore out the insides of these sacred grounds for his own purposes. Just as he did to me."

Unable to contain himself any longer, Seth calls out, "Finn!"

Infinite's hand tightens around his blade. But he still doesn't turn. "My three least favorite people in the world. Come to kill me? Now that doesn't sound like the heroic thing to do."

Hero tenses up at the insult directed at him. Bruno finally peeks out of the Wispon, trying to get a look at Infinite. But he quickly retreats back in.

Seth finally responds, "So…you do remember me?"

Infinite lets out a soft chuckle. "Of course." He finally turns his head, revealing his cracked mask to Seth for the first time. "How could I forget the biggest disappointment it's ever been my misfortune to know?"

Seth is taken aback. "I…I don't understand. You took me under your wing, trained me to be your second in command! You trusted me with your blade! What did I do wrong, Finn!?"

"Don't call me by the name of that weakling! I am Infinite!" Infinite's crimson Ruby aura blazes to life. But after a moment, he calms, and the aura dims. He even lets out another chuckle. "I always hated that name. Long before I ever encountered the Ruby. It made me feel like I was nothing. Like I could do nothing. But you're right. I did trust you, back then. And that's what made it so disappointing. The night that Shadow attacked, I thought you'd been killed. And I would have been fine with that. But to see you come crawling back the next day, knowing you'd turned tail and ran away, and holding my blade as if to emphasize my misplaced trust…it was disgusting. I would've killed you right then, if you hadn't fled once again."

Tears begin to fill Seth's eyes. "Well what did you expect me to do!? We were faced with a superior foe, even you couldn't beat him!"

Infinite shouts back, "I expected you to stand your ground and fight as I did!"

"So I have to die in battle to win your approval!?"
"If that's what it takes."

Seth drops to his hands and knees. "What can I do now, Finn? How can I make it up to you? How can I get you back?"

"It's far too late for that. The man you knew as Finn the Jackal is dead. And your pathetic groveling certainly won't help matters."

Seth represses a sob. "Take it off."

"What?"

Seth looks up sharply, his tears flowing. "I said take it off! Take off that accursed mask! If you're going to tell me that my friend is dead, at least look me in the eyes when you do it!"

By the way he pauses, Infinite seems surprised. "…Very well." Slowly, he floats forward to the very center of the circular pit. As he does, he reaches a hand up around the center of his mask, and begins to lift it off. The mask moves away. And what's revealed underneath is shocking. His entire face is wrapped in filthy white bandages, revealing small patches of mummified flesh underneath. He shows his rotting teeth with a malicious grin. Even Shadow gasps at the sight. "Is this what you were hoping to see, Seth!? Well let me tell you again! Finn is dead!" He lets out a full on laugh.

Seth is far too terrified to make any response.

Infinite looks over to Hero, who has remained silent all of this time. "Oh, but you… You were hoping to see something else, weren't you? Perhaps…" He waves his hand over his own face, casting out a glitching aura that causes it to transform. "…this?" When the aura fades, the handsome face of a younger Finn is left, with slicked back hair and perfect white teeth, and no scar to mar his soft blue eye. "It really makes no difference." He pushes his mask back up onto his face again. His covered blue eye still stares out at them through the crack in the mask. "This is the only face that matters now. The face of Infinite. Besides…you were all right about me, in a way. The process of bonding to the Ruby for the first time…sealed inside the Doctor's chamber, weakened and injured from the battle…perhaps it did kill that weak version of me. But the Ruby gave me new life. I was reborn."

Seth finally speaks again. "Finn…I never thought you were weak. You were the strongest guy I ever knew."

"Then you believed a lie. As you still do now."

"I won't accept that. I won't accept anything short of the truth. And the truth…is that I can't get my friend back. And it's because of you." Suddenly, he draws his dagger and leaps at Infinite from his side of the platform. "But I will avenge him!"

Infinite can't help but chuckle as he swats the assailant aside with his free hand and a pulse of Ruby energy, knocking him back down onto the circular platform. "Assaulting a superior opponent with no chance of victory? Maybe there's hope for you after all."

Shadow's voice answers from behind him, "His chance of victory is higher than you think." Infinite blocks Shadow's kick with the back side of his blade-wielding hand, but can't defend himself from the Chaos Spear that hits him a moment later, knocking him back.

Before he can even recover, he's hit from behind by a jet of fire that Hero launches from his Wispon as he sprints around the platform. Infinite puts out a hand to block the flames, but Seth is already leaping at him with drawn dagger once again, as Shadow moves in to attack from the opposite side. Still using one hand to keep the flames back, he slashes his blade in Shadow's direction, generating a crimson energy wave that hits Shadow directly, knocking him back. He turns and slashes again, just in time to lock his blade against Seth's. They meet eyes for just a moment. But even with only one hand, Infinite easily pushes Seth back, then launches another slash-wave at Hero. Hero has to dive and roll out of the way, ending his attack.

All three are quickly prepared to start attacking again. Until a hideous, gargling screech hits their ears. Infinite lets out a laugh at the sound. "Well, it appears our scuffle has disturbed the restless spirit of one of the ancient kings. But I'm sure even you can handle it." He continues to laugh as he floats backwards with arms outstretched, disappearing through the now-open door he'd been standing in front of when they first entered the room.

Shadow races after him. "You aren't getting away that easily!" He manages to slip underneath the door just before it shuts behind him with a loud thud.

Seth and Hero make it to the door a few moments later, but there doesn't seem to be any way to open it again. A massive figure seems to rise up out of the ground behind them, breathing heavily. They stiffen up and glance at each other, as if to ask who has the courage to turn and look at it first. But they both turn as it lets out another gargling screech. The huge pitcher-shaped ghost with swollen blue lips, razor-sharp teeth, and a rainbow-colored tongue, is immediately recognizable as King Boom Boo.

"Okay, I don't care what Shadow says. That thing is definitely a ghost."

The King of Ghosts screeches again as it readies a large blue fireball in one upraised arm.

"Run for it!" They both take off at a run to avoid being burned alive as the fireball explodes on the ground behind them.

—–—

Shadow faces Infinite in what was once Eggman's control room. Several of the whirring, pumping machines are still functioning, a simple metal fence separating them from the largest of it. Some old computer consoles lie inactive near the center of the room, partially surrounding a smooth orange teleporter pad on the floor.

Infinite breathes, "Finally… It's only me and you. I only put up with those weaklings so that I could have a moment alone with you, Shadow the Hedgehog."

Shadow stands ready to resume the fight at any moment. "What are you planning, Infinite?"

"Ah, at least you have the sense to call me by the correct name."

"I don't have time for your games." Shadow is already charging a Chaos Spear in one hand.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Shadow. You owe me, remember?"

Shadow's attack dissipates with his surprise. "What?"

"Yes. As I recall, I woke your dear friend Sonic from his Virtual Reality, out of the kindness of my heart. And I told you I would want that debt repaid."

"Why should I do anything for you?"

"Well, it certainly wouldn't be very difficult for me to put him right back where he was. He's almost completely alone at the moment, is he not? Unguarded. Such a shame it would be for your Rebellion, if your leader became trapped in his own mind. Besides…I think you want to help me."

"What are you talking about?"

"You broke your word to me, last time. And I think it weighs on you. Perhaps you even blame yourself for what happened next. You have something to prove. That you can keep a promise."

Shadow hesitates for several moments. "…What is it that you want?"

"The same thing that I've always wanted. The Phantom Ruby. The real one, not like this weak prototype I wield now."

"You know that's impossible. Hero destroyed the Ruby, we both watched him do it."

"Correction: he destroyed a Ruby. But I've been quite busy these last few months. And I have come to learn…that there are three Phantom Rubies."

—–—

Hero shoots off his own fire at the ghost king, bright enough to make it recoil backwards. It dives into the ground, and passes underneath him in the form a shadow. But Seth is ready for him on the other side, and plunges his dagger into the heart of the shadow on the ground. King Boom Boo lets out a screech of pain as it rises back out of the ground and tries to flee. Hero cuts it off and fires his Wispon again, engulfing it in the bright flames. Letting out one final screech, the ghost spins away as it dissolves into nothing.

Hero and Seth let out a simultaneous sigh in relief. "Smoke and mirrors, eh? I don't think so."

They both look up as the stone door begins to open again with a rumble. Shadow stands silently on the other side.

"Shadow!" They both run up to him. "What happened, where is he!?"

"He… He got away."

Seth looks down to the ground. "Oh… Well…do you think we can find him again?"

"Are you sure that's what you want to do?"

Seth seems ready to answer, but then he hesitates. "I…I don't know."

"Let's go back. There's nothing left for us here."

"…Yeah. Okay."

—–—

The three have moved back to the forested area beyond the canyon. The sun is beginning to set, casting a bright orange glow over them. Seth looks down to the ground. "Thank you both…for helping me. I don't know what I did to deserve it, but…" He looks up with surprise to see Hero once again placing a hand on his shoulder with a smile. "Of course. You wanted to help Finn, too."

Shadow lets out a quiet sigh. But after a moment, he answers, "No one should have to see something like that happen to someone they look up to. It isn't right."

"There's a lot that isn't right about this world. Something that Infinite is right about, I guess."

"What are you going to do about him?"

"I…still don't know. In that moment, I was so certain that I wanted to take him down. That that's what Finn would've wanted me to do. But now…"

"…No matter how much he's changed, he still was once your friend. And you feel you owe it to him to let him live his own life. Even if it's not the life you want for him. Even if it's not the life you think he would've wanted back then."

"…Yeah. I guess that's it." Suddenly, Seth glances up slightly. He closes his eyes, and lets out a sigh of disappointment with small smile. He declares, seemingly to no one in particular, "It's okay, guys. You can come out. These are my friends."

After a moment, Colm and Tana each peek out from behind a different tree. They finally move out once Seth waves for them to come closer.

Seth continues with a slight edge of irritation in his voice, "You're early. We agreed to wait twenty-four hours in situations like this."

Colm answers a bit defensively, "Well, yeah, but since Shadow got you, we both assumed…"

"You assumed I was dead, so once you made sure Shadow was gone, you decided to take charge and continue with the heist anyways, against the rules we agreed on. That's insubordination, Colm."

Trying to change the subject, Colm questions, "Wait a minute, did you say that you're friends…with Shadow the Hedgehog?"

Seeing an opportunity, Shadow answers, glaring at Colm with malice, "That's right. And people who go behind the backs of my friends tend to wish they hadn't."

Colm stumbles a few steps backwards with utter terror. But then Seth and Hero both break out into laughter, realizing that Shadow actually made a joke. Even Shadow himself cracks a smirk. Once Tana starts snickering as well, Colm is forced to let out an awkward chuckle along with them. "Heh heh… Yeah…funny…" He continues to glance nervously at Shadow, but doesn't risk saying anything more.

After a sigh, Shadow directs at Seth, "Now that you're all here…there's something I should ask you. We could always use more skilled hands like yours in the fight against Eggman. And…maybe…I'd like to make up for what I did the night met. Would you…join the Rebellion? All three of you, I mean."

Seth puts on a smirk. "You've really helped me today, Shadow. I think you've already made up for it enough. But don't think that means I owe you any favors. We're mercenaries, not rebels. So unless you have the cash to hire us long-term, the answer's no."

"Then I guess the answer's no."

"That's too bad."

Unable to wait any longer, Tana finally questions, "What happened today, Seth? Where did you go?"

"…I think it's time to go. I'll tell you on the way." He turns around, but glances back at Shadow. "Until we meet again, Shadow the Hedgehog. And you too, Hero." He waves goodbye with a casual flick of the wrist, then begins the walk away, Tana at his side.

Colm runs to catch up a moment later. "Wait a minute, we're leaving!? But we haven't gotten anything yet!"

Seth answers, "I'd say we got something pretty valuable. I learned a lot today."

"Yeah, but what did we actually get? We didn't seriously come all the way out here for nothing, did we?"

Seth ignores him. Tana questions, "So where are we going now?"

"I think it's time we raided another Eggman base. Maybe…do some good while we work."

Colm interjects, "Right, because that went so well for us last time."
"Colm, it's amazing how you manage to see the worst in every possible situation."

"Yeah, but it's still true."

Tana can't help but laugh, and the other two soon join in.

Shadow watches as they disappear into the forest with the sun at their backs. Then he turns to Hero. "I'm…sorry, for what I said to you this morning. You fought well out there today. And…I wouldn't mind fighting with you again sometime."

With a big smile, Hero holds out a closed fist to Shadow.

"Don't push it."

Hero obligingly takes his hand back, and settles for a mutual nod in respect. Then they both turn to look at the sunset, framed perfectly by the canyon walls not far in the distance. Wordlessly, they both start walking back.

—–—

Shadow sits cross-legged on a mat on the ground in his small personal tent. The Chaos Emerald is placed on the floor in front of him, struck by the moonlight that floods in through the tent's entrance, which has been tied open. Sonic can be partially seen through the opening before his knock comes at the center post.

After a moment, Shadow responds, "Come in."

Sonic ducks in through the opening, and stands there by the entrance for a short while.

"You came to take the Emerald back?"

"Actually…I was hoping I could join you."

Shadow hesitates. But then he responds, "I'd like that."

With a smile, Sonic walks over and takes a seat on the ground across from Shadow, leaving the Emerald between them. He assumes a meditative stance, and closes his eyes. "I haven't really had the time to meditate since this whole war started. There's always something more important to work on. Chaos would be furious if he knew I gave up on it."

Shadow answers, "You should continue. It can help you relax, focus. Especially with the Emerald."

"Yeah." Sonic takes a few deep breaths. "…Shadow…I don't know what happened to you today…but I'm glad it did. Hero even gave me the impression that you were happy, for a little while. I haven't seen you smile since Chaos was alive."

Shadow responds openly, "Infinite…was a reminder. Of what happens when you lose control of your life. I have to remind myself…that no matter what happens around me…only I can decide who I am because of it. And I…still want to be a better person. One who helps people, because it's the right thing to do. One who…cares about his friends. I consider you a friend, Sonic. And I think I have a better idea of what that means now."

"Well…can't say I ever expected to hear that out of you, Shadow. But…I'm happy to hear it. You're my friend, too." Sonic peeks one eye open just long enough to see Shadow's soft smile. He closes his eyes again, and together, they breathe in harmony with the soft pulsating glow of the Chaos Emerald.

But Shadow's breathing flaters for a moment as he opens his eyes. He looks across at Sonic, but quickly moves his glance back down to the ground. The Chaos Emerald almost seems to dim just slightly, as if sensing the guilt he feels over his newest secret.

—–—

Infinite stands in a deep, dark chamber of the pyramid, lit only by a single flickering torch on the wall. He stares at the wall beneath the torch, where a single glyph depicts a long, curved red blade. Below it is three more glyphs, each of a perfect, familiar geometric shape. They can only be the Phantom Rubies. The center one, directly beneath the blade, is of a similar blood-red color, while the one on the left bears a more familiar violet coloration. The one on the right is a dark, ruddy orange. Infinite raises his blade up to the wall, nearly laying it against the glyph that depicts it. But nothing happens.

A familiar growling voice speaks from behind him, "Well that was anticlimactic."

Infinite turns his head with surprise. "Who are you supposed to be?"

A figure stands just at the edge of the torchlight, concealed in the shadows as always. "Me? I'm no one important. It's my employer you should be more interested in. The Emperor himself."

"You expect me to care what the Doctor is doing? I have my own mission."

"Precisely why you should care. As ruler of the world, my employer has access to certain…resources. Resources that could help you with your Ruby problem. Resources that would be yours, if you worked for him."

"…What is it that you want?"

"I'm forming…a team. A sort of…Anti-Rebellion, if you will. And I think you would be a perfect fit." The figure offers his four-fingered hand out into the light, revealing the bluish-purple fur on his arm. "What do you say?"

"I say…if you truly can help me acquire the Ruby…then I will do as you ask. For now." The figure holds his arm out for another few moments, until it becomes clear that Infinite has no intention of shaking hands. Instead, he simply nods his head down, moving the brim of his brown hat into the light, as well as, on the side of his face, a single, large, pointed white fang.

To be continued…