Chapter 28
"Amy, can you rocket me forward like you did when we were in that underground cavern?" Blaze asked as they were all running full speed trying to catch up to the Dark Arms carrying Knuckles away.
"Hop aboard!" Amy said bracing to swing at full strength as Blaze jumps onto the hammer. "Swinging in three, two, one!" And he swings rocketing Blaze forward practically out of their sight.
"Keep moving!" Tails said as Amy tries to catch up to her and Cream,
"Working on it!" He yelled,
"You two are getting good at that." Cream said,
"Desperate times I guess, need to stop having to save Knuckles though." Amy laughs,
"Add Sonic to the list of people that need to stop being saved," Tails joked,
"Do you think she's okay?" Caroline asked,
"I saw her wearing the breather so the nerve gas shouldn't slow her down. But she's up against Shadow and Abyss… there's no telling how she's holding up." Tails said,
"If anyone can snap Shadow out if it, it's Sonic" Amy said,
Blaze had blasted ahead with Amy's help combined with her fire as she rockets forward and sees the two Dark Arms carrying Knuckles. She gets in front of them and blasts them in the faces causing them to drop Knuckles and flee from the fire. She quickly checks Knuckles over as the others rush up.
"Hold on." Tails said rifling through her bag as she pulls out a breather. "Good thing I made a spare" she said placing it on Knuckles wrist.
"What would we do without you." Cream said with a smile,
"Get captured…" Tails joked,
"You're probably right." She chuckles,
"How long do you think it will take for the nerve gas to get out of his system?" Blaze asked,
"I'm not sure, it might take longer since he's injured," Tails said,
"We don't have time to wait for him to wake up." Amy said throwing Knuckles over his shoulder, "Sonic and Shadow are still in trouble." He said as they all nod to him.
"We have company!" Cream said pointing down the path further in as more Dark Arms start coming their way.
"Tails, Cream, guard Amy's front, I'll keep the rear blocked." Blaze said as she began to create a wall of fire,
"That's going to burn out your Chaos Emerald rather quickly." Amy said,
"It's only to get us a head start." She said sealing the path with a wall of fire. "Now move!" She said as they all start running back.
Sonic pushes back Shadow's kick as she attempts to knock her off balance. Shadow jumps back and stands next to Abyss, still a blank empty stare on her face. "I know you're in there somewhere, faker! I thought the Ultimate Lifeform was better than this." Sonic said catching her breath while trying to stir a response from her. But there was still no reaction, "Dangit…" She cursed under her breath.
"What are you talking about? How is she a fake?" Abyss asked as he lunges at her. She vaults over him and runs around to the other side of Shadow,
"That's between me and Shadow, you don't have a right to that information." She said sticking out her tongue at him.
"You're starting to anger me." He glares at her,
"Wow, only starting? That must be a record for me." Sonic chuckles as Shadow runs up and tries to grab her. "Sorry Shads, no touchy till you're no longer mind controlled." She circled around her. She turns as both of them warp next to her. She quickly rolls out of the way causing them to run into one another. "That was way too close…"
"Abyss, Shadow… hurry and subdue her." They all hear Black Dooms voice from the Death Eye, "She is still weakened,"
"Hey! Don't be telling lies! I feel perfectly fine." Sonic argued,
"Without the Dark Chaos shard she cannot fight off your venom as quickly." Black Doom said,
"Thank you for the insight, master." Abyss said with a smile,
"Oh crap…" She began to wonder if that was what was helping her fight it off before. But she wouldn't give Abyss the chance to try. "On second thought… maybe I should go check on my friends…" She runs towards the path the others went down as Shadow knocks her away,
"We're not letting you escape that easily." Abyss said,
"Cheap shot Shadow…" Sonic said getting back up. "What would Maria say if she saw you aligning with the aliens you were created to fight?" She said as there was still no reaction, "Not even talking about Maria will snap you out of it?" She started to lose faith if she could break her free.
"Looks like you're starting to realize that you've already lost." Abyss said attacking her as she spin dashes him into the air and kicks him back down to the ground.
"Giving up isn't part of my vocabulary!" She yelled, "But I definitely need to take you on one at a time." Sonic holds her hand out to Shadow, "Chaos Shield!" She traps Shadow within her force field. "Now you stay there while I deal with this pain in the neck, pun intended." She chuckles.
"W… what?" Shadow slowly reaches for her head looking confused, the Chaos Shield covering up the mind control like a fog. This didn't seem right,
"Shadow?" Sonic turns back to her noticing a reaction, "Of course! The Chaos Shield blocks out Chaos energy." She runs up to the wall of the force field, "I knew you were still fighting; I just need to find something to break the link for good." She begins to think as she lets out a sigh, "This isn't how I wanted to tell you but… Here goes nothing… There's a reason why I wanted to talk to you alone that night. I waited for you to get back… I didn't want to do it on base because I wanted it to be private…" She puts her hands on the force field trying to get as close to Shadow as she could, crimson eyes meeting Emerald. "Shadow… I…" But as Sonic was starting to let her guard down to open up Abyss gets back up to his feet and warps behind her taking advantage of the situation pulling her away from Shadow. "No!"
"Enough of this!" Abyss said biting down hard onto her shoulder, as she cries out in pain.
"Shadow…I wanted to… tell you…" Sonic outstretches her arm towards Shadow, tears streaming down her face, she tried to fight it but could already feel her body going numb, it was now or never. "I'm… in… love with… y…" Her eyes go dark as she's completely paralyzed and goes limp in Abyss' arms. The Chaos Shield flickers and disappears around Shadow.
"She's starting to be more work than she's worth." Abyss lets out a sigh,
"Bring her back to me, I have more questions for her." Black doom said as Abyss lifts Sonic up.
"Of course Master, Let's go Shadow." He said as he looks over at her. Her entire body began to radiate a red glow as she looks at him with pure animosity. She held her head still regaining control of her mind.
"I'll kill you." She said as Abyss looks shocked,
"H… how?" he looks up at the death's eye. "The link should be too strong for you to resist!" Shadow moves next to him faster than he could react as she punches him in the face ripping Sonic out of his arms and kicks him away.
"Sonic?" She calls out but now realizes she was completely paralyzed as Shadow checks her to make sure she was breathing alright.
"You shouldn't be able to break free…" Abyss said getting back up to his feet.
"And you said she wouldn't get hurt." She glared, "I'll make you all pay for what you did to her."
"You think you can beat me? You and I are equals." He said getting ready to fight, Shadow snaps at hearing him say they were equals.
"It's not a matter of think," Shadow said walking to the side and lying Saya down, "Have you already forgotten? I'm the Ultimate Lifeform." She grabs her power inhibitors and removes them. He feels her strength increase immediately. "You were never my equal." She said running towards him as he jumps out of the way. She throws a Chaos Spear that hits him in the arm, he's starting to feel panicked at her increase in speed, power, and bloodlust as it continues to grow.
"You're even more powerful than I imagined…" Abyss said as he takes a swing at her and she dodges with ease, "But then why do you align yourself with these weak humans?"
"Because a lifetime ago I made a promise to protect everyone on that planet. Now I do it to protect those I love." She said as she starts charging a Chaos Blast.
"You would destroy your own kind?" He asked,
"You and Black Doom were already in my head; I've wiped you all out once before and I will do it again… Chaos…"
"Hey!" Tails yelled taking Shadow off guard as she quickly turns around as she sees Deaths Eye trying to pick up Sonic. "Let her go!"
"Chaos Control!" Shadow stops time running up and stabbing the Deaths eye with a Chaos Spear as Sonic falls back to the ground and the Death eye flees. She looks back to where Abyss was, but he was gone. "Damnit!" Shadow said looking around for Abyss,
"Shadow…" Amy looked shocked and a little terrified unsure if she was on their side or not feeling the immense hatred radiating off of her. Cream runs over and grabs her Inhibitor rings off the ground.
"You're not supposed to take those off." Blaze said angrily remembering what happened last time she did. Shadow turns back around, kneels next to Sonic, and holds her in her arms.
"I know… I didn't push myself like last time." She said as Cream hands Shadow the rings and she puts them back on.
"We're glad you're back." Tails said,
"I'm sorry…" Shadow said avoiding eye contact with them frustrated that she wasn't in control,
"It wasn't your fault," Blaze said,
"Amy, lie Knuckles next to Sonic, we need to wake them up." Tails said pulling out another power ring.
"That wound looks really nasty…" Cream said looking at Sonic's shoulder.
"She got bit trying to snap me out of it…" Shadow looks down at her feeling guilty. Tails grabs Sonic and Knuckles' hands and holds them together as she releases the energy within the power ring and both of their bodies absorb it. Knuckles quickly jolts awake holding his fists out ready to fight as he flinches,
"That's definitely a broken rib…" Knuckles said grabbing his side. Sonic slightly stirs as she starts to wake up,
"Sorry…" Shadow said to Knuckles as he gives her a light nod,
"You're good, glad you're back on our side." He said giving her a thumbs up. "And it looks like we got Sonic back too." He looks at Sonic still waking up.
"Why didn't it jump start her like it did Knuckles?" Blaze asked,
"Abyss has a venom that paralyzes similar to the nerve gas, but it's five times as potent." Shadow said as Sonic looks up seeing Shadow,
"Hey there stranger…" She said with a tired smile, as she sees the others, "Oh good you got Knuckles back."
"Why do you have to be so reckless?" Tails asked letting out a sigh of relief,
"I snapped her out of it didn't I?" Sonic chuckles,
"Did you mean it?" Shadow asked looking at Sonic with tears in her eyes, "Did you really mean what you said?" Part of her thought she was just hearing things because her mind was desperately trying to find something to latch onto to break Black Doom's control.
"Course I did…" Sonic grabs Shadows hand, "Got bit for it and everything." She chuckles then winces from the pain, Shadow leans closer to her,
"I feel the same." Shadow said as Sonic looked shocked,
"Let's give them a minuet." Blaze said as her and Cream pull the others away,
"Yeah?" Sonic asked not fully believing it. Shadow leans closer but as she attempts to steal a kiss, the breathers' force fields around their faces block one another taking them both off guard for a moment, "I… I guess that will have to wait?" Sonic said, her face turning red as Shadow looked at her annoyed. She grabs her breather and removes it. "H… hey what are you?" She pulls Sonic's breather off and pulls her into a passionate kiss as she holds her tightly. Sonic instantly melting into Shadows embrace feeling something she's never felt before, she felt whole.
"I don't really feel like this is the right time for… Ow!" Knuckles started to say as Amy elbows his arm,
"Let them have this man, this is adorable!" Amy glared at him as Knuckles looks flustered and uncomfortable with this silence. Shadow lets go and quickly puts Sonics breather back on before putting on her own.
"Wha…why would you even risk that?" Sonic said catching her breath looking embarrassed,
"I wasn't going to wait." Shadow said lifting her off the ground, "Alright, did you guys prep the bomb?"
"About that…" Amy said,
"What happened?" She asked sounding annoyed,
"We got to the room you described… but then I heard Sonic screaming in pain, and we all panicked." Cream said.
"We left the bomb in the other room and ran this way to find you guys," Knuckles said, "Then ran into you."
"It's fine, we'll just go back and make sure it's activated on our way out of here." Shadow said,
"Actually…" Sonic started to say as they all look at her knowing what she's going to say,
"You can't be serious!" Tails said,
"How?" Blaze asked,
"Well… apparently… there was a Dark Chaos shard inside of me this whole time…" Sonic chuckles uncomfortably, "Black Doom kinda ripped it out. Hence the screaming in pain." She said as they all look at her shocked,
"W…what?" Amy yelled shocked, "That thing was inside of you this whole time?"
"Guess so…" Sonic said still chuckling uncomfortably,
"That explains why you were so connected to it! The Dark Chaos shards are drawn to one another." Tails said.
"My thoughts exactly." Sonic said,
"Does that mean you are no longer connected to it? Can you still sense the Dark Chaos?" Blaze asked,
"Sadly yes… I can still feel it coming from that way." Sonic said pointing down another hall.
"Damnit why does this always have to be so complicated," Shadow said sounding annoyed, "We're still going back to the ship,"
"Why? That would be a waste of time." Sonic said,
"You're still fighting off Abyss' venom and Knuckles has broken ribs." Shadow said,
"I can still fight." Knuckles argued,
"Yeah, I can probably walk already!" Sonic added,
"Oh really?" Shadow said putting her feet on the ground and letting go as Sonic instantly collapses as Shadow picks her back up before her hits the ground. "You were saying?"
"That wasn't fair…" Sonic crosses her arms and pouts,
"Do you really want me to hold you that badly?" Shadow grins at her as her face turns red,
"N…Now you're just teasing me…" Sonic said looking away,
"Honestly, I agree with Sonic, we shouldn't split up anymore. Especially after what happened." Tails said,
"Tails' right, they could try to make another grab at Sonic again if we leave her at the ship. Besides, they will heal faster if we're closer." Blaze said,
"You all make it sound like I can't take care of myself…" Sonic said,
"In this instance, you can't." Cream said,
"Ouch… harsh." Sonic said as her ears lower defeated,
"Fine, but if Abyss shows up. He's mine!" Shadow said, "And you will keep an eye on her if that happens." She looks at Knuckles, "You're also in no condition to fight."
"I can do that." Knuckles said,
"But we need to be cautious… Black doom uses Chaos Control, but it's been twisted… similar to Dark Chaos but not entirely the same." Sonic explained,
"It definitely felt… off…" Shadow said,
"Him having a shard is definitely going to be a problem." Blaze said,
"What do you suggest Sonic? How do you think we should proceed?" Amy asked,
"We need to get Abyss out of the picture, he's a problem to begin with but if we're stacked up against him and Black Doom it's going to be more difficult. Not to mention that weird star shaped one strengthens their Physic link and they may come after Shadow just to slow her down…" Sonic said,
"I got a good shot in; it should be weakened." Shadow said,
"But what if they take control of you again?" Knuckles asked,
"That won't happen." Shadow said,
"How can you be sure?" Tails asked,
"Because I have her." Shadow looks down at Sonic,
"Okay… can we tone down the mushy stuff? I… It's really hard to concentrate…" Sonic said covering her face trying to hide how red it was,
"Sorry I didn't mean to distract you. But you're what snapped the link." Shadow said looking at her only thinking of how cute she looked. "And stop covering your face. It only makes me want to tease you more."
"P… Please don't…" Sonic said through her hands,
"Alright love birds, could you focus?" Blaze said as Shadows face turns red,
"S…sorry…" Shadow looks away,
"We should get moving." Knuckles, "Sonic's pointing us in the right direction,"
"I can make sure we're not ambushed," Shadow said placing her hand on a nearby wall and concentrating on the psychic link as she sees no resistance up ahead, "We're in the clear for now, but Abyss and Black Doom can block their presence from me seeming like they can come out of nowhere." I'll check again at the end of the corridor."
"You and Knuckles stay in the middle and we'll keep a similar formations when we got here." Tails said,
"Let me know when you feel strong enough to stand. And don't jump the gun." Shadow said as Sonic gives her a nod.
"I'll play it safe, promise." Sonic said giving a thumbs up, "Alright Freedom Fighters! Let's do it to it!" She cheered, as they all head down the corridor.
"You have to tell us when they try to get in your head okay?" Cream asked Shadow,
"Technically they've been in my head since we got on the ship. But I'll let you know when Black Doom or Abyss talk in my head." She said. Amy and Tails took to the front as Blaze and Cream guarded the rear as they continued to walk forward.
"Since we're being transparent…" Sonic said, "Something happened when Black Doom pulled the Shard out of me."
"What happened?" Amy asked,
"I was back to where I was trapped… when Dark Sonic was in control…" Sonic said as her ears lower, She didn't like even thinking of that terrible place.
"Did Dark Sonic take control again?" Tails asked turning to look at her looking concerned,
"I don't think so, she was in there with me. When I asked her where we were she wouldn't tell me. But as Black Doom's Chaos Control ripped her out I snapped out of it and he was holding the shard." She explained,
"Could you have been inside the Dark Chaos?" Knuckles said as he began to ponder, "I wonder if it is similar to Tikal being within Chaos."
"I hope not cuz that place was extremely unsettling… and it felt like I was constantly drowning…" She said grabbing her chest.
"Don't try to think about it too much." Blaze said,
"Knuckles, take Sonic." Shadow said holding out Sonic and he takes her, "We have company." She said as Dark Arms start coming down the hallway.
"Shadow, spin dash!" Amy said as he takes out his hammer as Shadow grins at him and gets onto spin dash as he strikes her at the Dark arms striking her in the middle on them.
"Chaos Blast!" Shadow lets out a wave of energy that takes out of all of the Dark Arms,
"Wow…" Knuckles said looking shocked,
"Maybe leave a few for us next time?" Blaze said jokingly as Shadow walks up to Knuckles and takes Sonic from him.
"I needed to blow off some steam, you can have the next batch." Shadow joked as they continue down ready to take on any wave of Dark arms that came their way keeping an eye out incase Abyss tried to take them by surprise.
They all continue down the next corridor as Shadow walks up to the wall and touches it with her hand. She concentrates and sees no resistance from the Dark Arms ahead, but she was starting to feel the clawing at the back of her head again, "You okay Shadow?" Sonic asked noticing her struggle,
"Just some buzzing, I'm fine." She reassured her,
"Okay… um… by the way, I'm pretty sure I can walk… you can put me down now." Sonic said trying not to look embarrassed,
"You sure you can walk?" Shadow asked looking doubtful, the wound looked like it hadn't healed at all.
"Definitely walk… maybe not run quite yet." Sonic said as Shadow gently lets her down. "See?" She smiles, the ground rumbles causing her to stumble as Shadow grabs her.
"Definitely walk huh?" Amy poked fun,
"Hey! The ground shook!" Sonic argued,
"I felt it too." Tails said as the ground rumbles again,
"Something's coming." Blaze said,
"And it's definitely big…" Cream said, as down the right corridor a large Dark Arms the size of one of Eggman's large Swatbots lumber in towards them.
"Really big…" Sonic said,
"Knuckles…" Shadow said as he walks over to Sonic,
"I got her," Knuckles said placing his hands on her forearms making sure she doesn't fall over.
"Again, you're all being a little smothering…" She pouts as Knuckles leads Sonic back towards the corridor.
"Stop complaining and let us take care of you." Knuckles said as the others engage the large Dark Arms,
"What's the plan Shadow?" Tails asked,
"We blitz and overwhelm it, Blaze, be ready for the final blow." Shadow said as they scatter as it slams its fist down into the ground. Tails picks up Amy and flies him into the air then throws him. He strikes the other fist out of the way while Cream flies Blaze up as Shadow keeps the other hand off them. Blaze jumps in the Dark Arms face and blasts a massive fireball.
"I hate feeling helpless…" Sonic said crossing her arms, "That looked like a lot of fun." She pouts but she also knew she needed to regain her strength,
"Hopefully, we're back at one hundred percent before we find Black Doom. It's definitely going to take all of us to defeat him." Knuckles said as they see the large Dark Arms collapse. He also didn't like being on the sidelines because of an injury, but he knew someone needed to watch Sonic.
"Yeah, and with the Dark Chaos shard thrown into the mix has me feeling uneasy." Sonic said, as Knuckles quickly grabs her by the waist and jumps back.
"You may be able to hide your presence from the others, but I can feel the Chaos energy coming off of you." He said holding a fist ready as Abyss appears from out of the shadows.
"Crap…" Sonic said,
"This is your fault." He said glaring at Sonic,
"Oh most definitely! I'm told it's usually my fault." She taunted with a grin,
"Is now really the time to antagonize him?" Knuckles asked,
"He bit me! Three times! I'm going to take any cheap shot I can get." She said as he lunges at them, "Chaos Shield!" She attempts to surround him in a force field, but he warps away before it could complete. She creates another one around her and Knuckles right as he's about to strike them.
"Nice one." Knuckles said,
"Little help over here!" Sonic called out,
"Abyss!" Shadow yells charging at him. He turns towards her as he sneers and jumps back into the shadows. "Coward!"
"He's gone, I don't sense him anymore," Knuckles said as Sonic dissipates the shield.
"You two alright?" Cream asked,
"Yeah, looks like Abyss is holding a grudge for snapping Shads out of it." Sonic chuckles, "You can let go now Knux." He quickly let's go,
"Sorry," He said,
"Meaning he'll take any chance he can. He's probably keeping an eye on us but out of range." Tails said,
"This guy's starting to vex me." Blaze said,
"I don't know what I'm concerned about more, creepy alien obsessed with making Shadow join them? Or crazy alien leader that now has the power of Dark Chaos?" Sonic said,
"And we still have to deal with both of them." Tails said,
"We need to keep moving." Shadow said taking Sonics hand and starting to walk forward.
"How are you feeling Knuckles?" Amy asked,
"Better, ribs don't hurt as much." He said,
"Don't push yourself either." Tails said,
"I won't, I don't push my limits like two hedgehogs we know." He chuckles
"That's a lie, Mr. I'm going to overuse channeling Chaos on a weekly basis." Sonic turns around and sticks her tongue out at him. They all continue forward as Shadow places her hand on the wall again.
"Shadow," She hears Black Dooms voice grabbing at the back of her mind. "Do not resist." Shadow tightens her grip on Sonics hand,
"Shadow?" Sonic quickly pulls Shadow's hand away from the wall, "Alright, no more doing that."
"He was just trying to control me again…" Shadow said as her mind clears. Sonic puts her hand on Shadow's cheek trying to help her relax.
"Yeah you're definitely not doing that anymore." Blaze said crossing her arms, "We'll rely on Creams ears from now on." They all nod in agreement,
"Did he say anything to you?" Knuckles asked,
"Just to stop resisting." Shadow said,
"You're not allowed to do that either." Sonic said, Shadow softly smiles placing her hand on top of Sonic's hand focusing on the warmth coming from beneath her glove before letting go of her hand.
"I know… the link was starting to feel stronger… He might have been using the Dark Chaos shard." She said,
"This is not looking good…" Tails said, "How are we going to stop him?"
"I have an idea… but I'm not sure it will work." Sonic said, "We could try going super."
"Of course! All seven Chaos Emeralds have been together we should be able to do it." Knuckles said,
"But our Chaos Emeralds have changed they aren't as powerful as they were when this was Mobius. It might not be that easy." Shadow said,
"Maybe only one of us can go super." Cream said,
"It took me being super to be able to beat Black Doom in the past…" Shadow said,
"That doesn't make me feel better…" Amy said,
"But it's not like we can test it." Tails said,
"I know… it was just an idea." Sonic said,
"We should consider anything at this point." Blaze said,
"We won't be able to take him by surprise, besides, some of us don't do the quiet approach." Shadow said,
"I can try to be sneaky." Sonic shrugs.
"Amy and Knuckles aren't that good at it either…" Cream said,
"Hey!" they both protested,
"You just proved her point." Blaze said as they both look defeated,
"And if Abyss is truly watching our every move even discussing without them knowing what we're planning will be difficult…" Tails said,
"Sounds like we'll just have to wing it." Sonic said with a confident grin,
"That's a terrible idea…" Knuckles said,
"Shadow… if you wish to fight, come…" She hears Black Doom again,
"Looks like he's waiting for us." Shadow said,
"I'm starting to think the Dark Chaos shard isn't worth it…" Sonic said,
"We can't risk it falling into other wrong hands." Shadow said, "Just don't leave my side."
"I won't." Sonic said squeezing her hand.
"Well, let's go beat this guy," Amy said as they all nod and move forward. There was no more resistance as they continue forward. They all knew that they were being led deeper in and Sonic could tell Shadow was starting to struggle. She wished she could help her, but she knew the only way to do that was defeat Black Doom.
"This all feels set up…" Blaze said as Knuckles and Tails nod in agreement,
"Sonic, how close are we to the Dark Chaos shard?" Cream asked,
"We're really close…" Saya said looking ahead as she grabs at her chest, "It feels like I'm being pulled towards it."
"Sonic… are you sure you're okay with doing this?" Tails asked,
"Yep, can't let the bad guys have it. really don't want another Dr. Kintobor situation." She said giving her a thumbs up, "Everyone, be on your guard… it's in the next room…" They all start to enter the wide-open room. It was similar in architecture to the room Sonic was detained in but larger in scale.
"You humans have caused enough havoc on my ship." Black Doom said as they could all feel the immense presence he gave off.
"This ends now Black Doom. We will not let you harvest this world." Shadow said,
"You think you can stop me? You are of my blood, you will obey." He said holding out his hand as Shadow goes stiff for a second,
"You can fight it Shadow." Sonic said still holding onto her hand tightly. Shadow takes a deep breath and fights it off.
"You can't control me anymore." She said as the others smile.
"Such insolence. Very well if you won't submit then die with the rest of them." He said creating a large dark green orb of chaos energy as he throws it at them. They all get out of the way as it hits the ground and expands into a short wave of electoral energy.
"That looks like it'll hurt…" Amy said,
"Then don't let it hit you," Knuckles said,
"Don't hit it with your hammer either, it might discharge that delayed effect if you touch it." Tails said,
"Don't touch or swing at the green orb, got it." Amy said,
"We need to get closer," Blaze said,
"How can we with him throwing those at us?" Cream asked as they all dodge two more,
"There's a delay when he charges attacks, it might take us some time to get to him, but we can do it." Shadow said,
"Ready when you are Shads," Sonic gives her a thumbs up as they both get ready to run. The next set of orbs flies out as they wait for them to hit the ground and disperse,
"Now!" Shadow said as they all begin to charge forward then dodge the next wave, Sonic slows down not wanting to go too far ahead without the others. She knew they should all stay together for them to take down Black Doom,
"Knuckles, can you sense Abyss anywhere?" Tails asked,
"There's too much Chaos energy coming from Black Doom for me to tell," He said as they jump away from one another to dodge another wave. Shadow attempts to throw a Chaos Spear at one of the orbs to cause it to fade early but it gets absorbed and the orb grows larger,
"Using Chaos energy against them won't work." Sonic said as they are forced to jump back.
"Damn…" Shadow said,
"Let me try!" Blaze throws a bolt of fire and it causes the orb to discharge early.
"Fire it is!" Amy said, as Abyss jumps down from the ceiling tackling Blaze to the ground.
"Blaze!" Cream yells as she runs over to help her,
"Pathetic." Abyss said as he throws Blaze at Cream and they both fall over, He disappears again.
"Look out!" Tails tries to warn them as one of the orbs strikes into them as they cry out in pain,
"Blaze! Cream!" Sonic yells as Knuckles runs over to them,
"Are you two okay?" He asked checking on them, as Amy runs behind him.
"Can't move…" Blaze said, he could see they dark green energy statically move around their bodies,
"My body feels like pins and needles…" Cream said,
"We need to move you guys," Amy said reaching for them,
"Amy don't!" Knuckles grabs his hand, "They're charged with the energy, you'll get stunned too."
"We can't just leave them here!" Amy said as they can see another wave of orbs start coming towards them,
"I know! I'm thinking!" Knuckle said looking panicked,
"Chaos Shield!" Sonic says as Cream and Blade are surrounded by her force field. "Got 'em!"
"Thanks' Sonic…" Blaze said,
"Can you hold that and fight?" Shadow asked,
"Heh! Piece of cake." Saya gives a confident thumbs up,
"Hopefully, they won't be stunned for long." Tails said,
"Keep up your guard in case Abyss tries to get the jump on us again." Knuckle said as they continue forward. But the closer they got towards Black Doom the more Sonic's chest felt tight as if something was tugging at it. But she needed to concentrate on the Shield around Blaze and Cream.
"Your fighting is futile." Black Doom said,
"And you're underestimating us!" Sonic said as they dodge another wave.
"I think we're close enough to warp next to him." Shadow said,
"We'll warp right as he starts charging his next attack." Sonic said quietly as Shadow nods. They wait for the next wave and just as he starts charging his next attack,
"Chaos…" Shadow began, Abyss warps in front of them, and swings at her as Sonic pulls her out of the way. She turns letting go of Shadow's hand as she roundhouse kicks him in the head knocking him away from them.
"That's for biting me! Again!" She yelled as Shadow grabs her and pulls her out of the way of another wave, "Let's finish him off."
"Easier said than done with all that's going on." Shadow said,
"He can't take both of us." Sonic said,
"Shadow, you can still change your mind…" Abyss spoke in her head, "Don't you see? We are of the same blood."
"Give it up, you can't control my thoughts anymore." Shadow said within hers, as she strikes at him and he warps away,
"Okay I really don't like this guy." Sonic said looking around trying to see where Abyss went.
"We're not getting very far…" Amy said throwing his hammer causing one of the Orbs to disperse early, "Ha! Loophole!" He cheered as Abyss appears in front of him, "Crap!"
"Not this time!" Tails swings at him but he catches her arm. He spins her and throws her into an orb.
"Tails!" Sonic yells as she surrounds her in a Shield,
"S…sorry…" Tails said trying to move,
"Don't worry I got you little dude!" Sonic said,
"That's three down." Abyss laughs, Shadow throws a Chaos Spear at him as it strikes him in the shoulder.
"I'm going to end him." Shadow reaches for her limit rings as Sonic grabs her hand,
"Don't, if you use all your energy against Abyss we'll be in big trouble against Black Doom," She said as Shadow huffs,
"Fine,"
"I have a plan." Sonic said, "Two can play the warping game," She smiles, as they dodge another wave. Shadow smiles back and holds out her hand. They both warp next to Abyss as he jumps to counter but Sonic runs behind him taking him off guard, "Now Amy," She yelled as Amy swings, striking Abyss in the side as he's thrown at Knuckles.
"This is for my friends!" Knuckles strikes him into the ground unmoving.
"Alright teamwork!" Sonic cheered as another waves comes at them. But right as Knuckles was about to jump out of the way Abyss grabs his leg stopping him. An Orb strikes him as he's taken off guard.
"Knuckles!" Amy yells as Sonic puts up another Chaos Shield. She was starting to feel the strain from concentrating on three at once. Abyss gets up clutching his side as he warps next to Black Doom,
"That's four now." He taunted,
"I'm starting to not like our odds…" Amy said as the three of them regroup,
"Sonic…" She heard a deep voice she didn't recognize, sending a chill down her spine. "Come back…" She quickly looks around trying to find the source of the voice,
"Did you guys hear that?" Sonic asked,
"What are you talking about?' Shadow asked as they dodge another wave.
"Come back to us…" Sonic grabs her head as her mind fills with whispers,
"It's… Dark Chaos…" She said. Shadow grabs her and moves her out of the way of another orb.
"Try to ignore it." Shadow said,
"I'm…Trying…" She said struggling, the whispers flooding her thoughts,
"Why does the Dark Chaos call to you?" Black Doom asked as he pauses his attack noticing the Shard was resonating with her.
"The hell if I know…" Sonic said, she could feel the tugging at her chest as she doesn't realize she takes a step forward.
"Sonic," Shadow grabs the back of her collar and pulls her back, "What are you doing?"
"I don't know… "Sonic said wincing in pain, "Is this what it was like for you when they were in your head? It's like there's static… It's so loud."
"Try to fight it, we need you." Amy said,
"Y…yeah…" she nods trying to shake it off.
"I need more information." Black Doom extends his hand as Chaos energy begins to swirl around them.
"Move!" Amy swings his hammer knocking Sonic and Shadow out of the way as the Chaos Energy surrounds him restraining him in place,
"Amy!" Sonic said getting up to her feet.
"I'm okay, just can't move!" he struggles,
"What are we going to do?" Sonic asked looking at Shadow, she was starting to lose faith.
"We need to try going super." Shadow said as she holds Sonic's hand, they both nod to one another and begin to concentrate.
"The seven servers are the seven Chaos, Chaos is power, power enriched by the heart, the heart…" Sonic winces, her chest throbs as she feels tugged forward again. She can't concentrate on the force fields and try and go super while the Dark Chaos was messing with her.
"No you don't," Abyss appears in front of Shadow and kicks Sonic away then grabs Shadow by the collar of her jacket, "You lose."
"I'm not done yet!" Shadow said as she didn't realize she was already surrounded be Black Dooms Chaos Energy. "Shit…"
"Hang on Shadow…" Sonic gets back up as she holds out her hand, "Chaos Shield!" She creates two more force fields around Shadow and Amy freeing them from the Chaos energy restraining them. Black Doom watches as he notices the Dark Chaos shard was pulsating energy in sync with Sonic. The pulsating became too loud in her head as she falls to her knees screaming in pain,
"Hey!" Amy called out,
"Sonic let us out!" Shadow yelled, she couldn't warp out of the field,
"Can't… think straight…" She said grabbing her head as she looks up at Shadow and she sees Sonic's eyes were outlined with red.
"No, no, no, don't you dare!" She yelled hitting the wall of the Shield. But Sonic was having trouble hearing her through all the noise in her head as Abyss walks over to her.
"Not the best time to have a break down." Abyss chuckles,
"Bring her to me." Black Doom said as Abyss nods as he grabs her by the hand pulling her to her feet,
"Get your hands off her!" Shadow yelled,
"Drop the Shields!" Amy yelled slamming against his,
"I'm… trying." She struggles against Abyss' grip,
"Let us in…" Sonic started to stagger feeling her entire body pulsates before going cold. Abyss makes a grab for her other hand as She grabs his wrist and was now holding him back.
"W…what?" Abyss looked at her confused not knowing where this abnormal strength was coming from. Her head was lowered as she starts to chuckle. Then that chuckle turned into a chilling laugh. She slowly lifts her head making eye contact with him, her eyes glowing a deep, bright red.
"My turn."