Author Note: Wow an update shocking! I did some updates on the other two chapters that I personally want to polish again. I tried to do my best with this chapter, I also made a lot of plot changes.
Turns out a lot of the story will involve Shadow as well. (guess it makes sense) But I was wondering if I needed to change name or summary. Feel free to share your thoughts! I removed a few of the f-bomb (if u can even call it that, it wasn't that bad) But I agree that different words could be used than a curse. I don't write much anymore since I have lots of work and busy life in genera to focus on! So I really apologize to those that is waiting for updates D:
I hope this chapter makes up to the wait! Please review C:
Shadow POV
Throughout the teleport, I wrapped my arms around the egg. I didn't wish to drop it as soon as I reappear. So I made sure to keep it close as I arrive destination. Right on que found myself in my home or more specific, my bedroom.
My sudden reckless and uncharacteristic decision can result an utter disaster. Taken it upon myself to resolve the fate of the egg and all. Then I felt something amiss, a pulse of energy radiating from the embraced ovum.
My ruby eyes observed the egg that was now pulsing out an enormous amount of chaos energy. That was odd, it soon clicked, the chaos control...it somehow snatched a bit of energy without my notice.
This in fact concerned me, it was flourishing into a far more dangerous alien than anticipated. It was a threat yet, with steeled resolve, almost effortless dismissed my morals. Perhaps wasn't the correct course of action from someone else perspective, but I couldn't care less about others.
There was no turning back, already made up my mind. With that thought settled I gently placed it on my bed for the time being. The pale egg rested on the cushion seemingly content, according to its calm energy wave that is. I wasn't sure how much I could grasp purely on its energy. In its current stage, couldn't expect more than energy swings. Although it notable responded to the change of environment. So perhaps it could communicate to a higher level even in its unhatched form. Noted, wasn't going to hatch anytime soon, instead forced to patiently wait for it to mature. On the bright side, give me the needed time to figure out what to do with it. Because presently, had no idea.
Before I could think more a sudden voice yell into my ears, literally.
"Shadow Shadow come in over." Convinced my eardrums would be done for if I wasn't the ultimate life form. I heave a deep sigh before I press the button on my hidden headset located in my right ear.
"Yes Rouge, what is it?" I muttered discarding the soldier commands. I couldn't blame the restless calls for me though, Rouge noticed my disappearance, and while yelling in anger I could tell she was more worried. But currently I was in no mood to speak with anyone, let alone G.U.N. So, Rouge was already stretching it.
"Well hello grumpy." She snorted clearly annoyed with my behavior. Relief hidden within but soon covered in pure irritation.
"You disappeared, without a word, this concerned commander and is now asking for your coordinates." She knows me far too well, if she outright asked me for my whereabouts I would either ignore her or downright refuse the demand unless I didn't mind answering. The commander card worked in the past and I would at this point refused to answer if she wasn't such a good liar. For all I know she could be honest for once. So instead of making a fuss about it I answered.
"Mission complete no reason to stay around, and for coordinates...I am home." I muttered a bit ashamed of my actions. Normally I wouldn't leave so early but I didn't expect anyone to detect my absence so soon.
"I don't think commander will like that answer."
"That's none of my concern."
"Look...we are all worried that something might have happened to you. Like-" I knew where this was going and out of bad mood interrupted her.
"Like I turned side, no I have NOT. " I snapped a bit harsher than I intended. There was a long silence until I hear her sigh.
"Fine, take a rest Shadow, you need it. I will cover for u in the meantime." she cut the connection that in turn made me feel guilty. She is a good friend, I didn't have the right to treat her that way and I am sure she won't let me hear the end of it. I removed the headset and put it on the nightstand. After all what happened in the comet I just wanted to be left alone. My ruby eyes turned to the egg, almost alone…
I knew my actions wasn't normal. The egg irked me to stay by its side. Never had I felt such sensation before, a pull I couldn't place.
Out of curiosity, sat down beside it, the egg slid down to my side with a nudge. I let my hand rest on its smooth surface feeling life grow inside.
The energy felt more like my own now...odd. I could have sworn it was identical to Black Death. I quickly shake my head, I was over thinking this.
I was about to pull away as heat travel up my hand. Comforting reassuring pleasing warmth. I stared at it bewildered but didn't reject the energy that reached out for my own. I could feel it gently tug my flow of energy that soon advanced. I couldn't remove my hand...I didn't want to. Emotional conflict crossed my mind as the heat spread like wildfire. I gritted my teeth trying to reject this new intruding turmoil. It all clicked, something alien was going on with my body! Fear made me desperate! Without thinking straight, I opened my mouth to say the only words that could possible aid me.
"Chaos control!" Instead of warping, the egg consumed the disbanded energy for itself.
"What the-" I gasp as it suddenly released me from its invisible hold. I didn't know just how desperate I tried to escape until I fell off the bed with a thud. I growled as I sat up to glare at the egg. It stole my energy again!
The chaos energy now more clear and if I didn't know better identical to mine. Not only that but it had turned black with teal patterns all over it. Was this a new matured stage?
"Shadow come in Shadow! It's urgent!" It snapped my attention back to the headset. Can't G.U.N deal with anything without me? I snatched it with haste and attached it to my ear before responding.
"What is it now...?"
" Dr Eggman is in station square mall! But all G.U.N soldiers including me and Omega is at emerald hill! You are the only one other than Sonic that is fast enough to act!"
True to her word I am fast enough but after sharing so much energy with the abomination I wasn't sure how well I would fare in battle.
"Where is faker?" I asked impatient, it wasn't my duty to keep the tabs on the doctor. Nor did I get the credit or the ultimate gain of doing so. Maria might have asked me to keep earth safe, but finding Eclipse was far more important. Although I didn't wish to face him now in this weakened state.
"Soleanna…" That was on the other side of the planet. Eggman will manage to do quite the damage before faker face the man.
"Fine." I gave the egg a last look before I warped out.
Eclipse POV
"Eclipse we have to run!" The runt behind me whimpered, the little rabbit was getting on my nerves. I couldn't focus on the blasted robot with the mobian on the sidelines.
"I don't see what is stopping you." I snarled at her direction and almost failed to dodge the missile aimed at me. It swish past us and instead collide with a structure that explode on impact. Chunks sent flying as the architecture comes crashing down. I jump zig zag to avoid the portion and send a glance to the mobian. She couldn't keep up, Cream panicked with tearful eyes and tried to reach out to me. Her whole body soon overshadowed by something above.
I looked up to see several of thick broken steel frames crashing down. I growled frustrated and quickly flexed my muscles and transformed. The shoes shred apart due to the increased hoof size but that didn't concern me. With a powerful thrust I leaped over to the mobian and catch her in my arms. She sobbed on my chest while repeating "thank you" as the construction hit the ground behind us.
I frowned at my actions as I retreat, the mall now covered in smoke with yet, still raining pieces from the building. At safe distance, I observed the destruction before I dropped the rabbit without warning.
"Ouch!" Cream land on her back still in tears and shock of what occurred.
"You are in the way, leave!"
"B-b-but I can't leave you… I want to help." I don't know what annoyed me more, the fact that the pest believed capable of helping, or the lack of common sense. My tail swinging side to side in frustration. I was not going to spend time lecture her about incompetence.
"You're useless! Run-away already! I won't save you next time!" The mortal gulped and hung her head in shame. That certainly got the point across, naïve fool! Mobian spawn based on an animal prey was doomed to die.
With that said, I took off, happy to have a perfect target to relieve my stress. The mall now turned into warzone was covered in smog that gave me an advantage. The man hardly prepared cursed in the cockpit as he searched for me.
Turns out the camera sensors were far too slow to detect me until it was to late. I launch myself up to the chest plate and deliver a punch right through it. I quickly dig my coven hoofs into the machine for support before I rip it open. Now exposed, tear out everything within reach. The damage instantly take effect making me smirk upon setting off the alarm. Destroying just the right parts left the arms inoperative and uncappable to stop me.
"What the!?" The man try to shake me off as the robot not totally failed just yet. It did little to nothing if anything, helped me pull out the objects.
The machine start to crumble and soon shut down as I tear out a part that appears to be the power source, with loud a hum it went offline.
I never enjoyed fighting anything artificial. No challenge no flesh, so no meal. The battle turned out just as I thought, short.
"What!?" The man still sheltered inside was shocked as the machine stopped responding. I pulled away from the motion-still robot and landed on the ground still holding the power source in my hand.
I revert my form smirking wide, intentionally taunting the man before I throw the item onto the globe. It bounces causing no damage yet surprise the human.
"Gah!" He shrieks but soon recover with a grim look on his face.
"As I said, you have no idea whom you were dealing with." I chuckle amused.
"Blast it!" The human slams the control panel in frustration before he clicks several buttons out of my line of sight. The globe detaches and soon hover in the sky.
"Considering yourself lucky! Next time I won't let you go!" He took off before I could make a mocking remark. A stillness descended upon the area, and I couldn't be more grateful. I look around expecting the insufferable rabbit to show up, but nothing. Seems like she decided to listen for once, good. Although…admittedly needed that tour guide.
A spike of chaos energy suddenly emerges to my confusion, caused by none other than my traitorous brother himself. Shadow surprised just as much as me, make an appearance out of the teleport and instantly freeze. I immediately neutralize his energy and to my bewilderment needed less effort doing so.
"Didn't expect to see me brother?" I could tell my presence was unnerving him, which could only mean one thing.
"Oh, you are alone, aren't you?" I smirk as he flinches, hit the spot.
"Don't get cocky, same goes for you." He defended that I only rolled my eyes to. I was created to counter him, he was at my mercy in far too many ways.
"I was made to kill you Shadow, and you've given me every reason to want you dead. But you are also the last thing I can call family. So, I'm giving you this one last chance…." I extend my hand with a troubled expression.
"Join me, brother. Let's harvest the life on this world, restart our kind, and leave this broken planet to rot." I didn't expect him to accept, not even consider it. Right after offer said I could feel conflict inside him. I was aware that our bound increased after the mind intrusion, but to this extend! What surprised me more was that he was weighing his options.
No I wasn't manipulating him…. something else was going on, but what?
Shadow POV
The silence dragged on, I wasn't even aware how long I focused my eyes on him until he withdraws his hand. I expected him to be disappointment irritated or angry, not curious with a sense of hope. I didn't give him a proper response and surely silence wasn't one. I tried to, but I couldn't form words. My thoughts running through every sensible reply I could put together. I knew what I was meant to say, what I promised to do. My heart tells me one thing while my soul tells me another. I could only follow the reasonable path, what I always pursued.
"I swore to the professor I would protect this world. I swore to Maria I would give the people a chance to be happy. And that means ending you…." It didn't come out with the ambition I wished. Instead it sounded unnatural and hesitated. Eclipse wasn't convinced I could tell, his expression never falter.
"Brother…." I tensed up as his voice expressed sympathy. I was nervous to hear his disapproval…. wait…what?! Since when did I care about his feelings?
"These mortals you speak of have chained you into an endless cycle. You will devote your eternal life for them and none to yourself. Strive to make everyone safe and happy while you on the other hand get none of it. If these mortals truly loved you, then why did they care more about others than you?"
I could feel something stab my inside, I knew this but denied it, avoided it, in attempt to forget it. Constantly convincing myself that this was the right choice, my duty.
"So let me ask you a question." Eclipse put his hands on his hips while the tail swing left to right. I was speechless but regardless managed to nod.
"Do you wish to kill me?"
"…."
A smile spread on his lips before he slowly approached. He was satisfied a bit too much for my comfort.
"Don't assume things, I will still kill you." I growled lowly while trying to ignore the alien heading my way. Backing off was a sign of weakness, attacking wasn't appropriate call, not that I could. My energy was low and unresponsive thanks to Eclipse. I wouldn't stand a chance, all I could do was stall time. But for what for? I tensed up as he intrudes my personal space, but I still refused to budge. There showed no hostile behavior but I balled my fists regardless.
His stance was familiar that in turn made me nervous, I couldn't pin point why. I flinched as he suddenly placed his hands on my shoulders.
"What are you doing!?" I asked confused of the closeness, but I was incapable to pull away. Something kept me there whenever it was by choice or not I couldn't tell.
"Calm down." He soothed my nerves, another time would have opposite effect coming from him. That fact concluded I was under some sort of spell. His right hand soon left my shoulder and instead turned to pat my head gently.
"W-w-wha-"I stammered incapable to form any words. I trembled as the hand continued while his eyes focused on mine. I didn't understand what he was trying to achieve! I couldn't even move or talk, I was as good as dead! Those pupils stared into mine as if searching for something. I couldn't break the eye contact nor seemed to have control of my emotions either.
I just suddenly felt safe in his presence, and it became worse as Eclipse continue his uncharacteristic affection. A side I have never seen before nor asked for either! That's then I noticed our mind-string began to grow. Suddenly an energy wave hit me like a shockwave, it instantly overwhelmed me. It was coming from Eclipse no doubt, my own energy was pathetic in comparison.
"Guess you are confused?" Eclipse asked as if he read my mind, which was technically possible.
"Yes" I flinched in surprise as I heard my voice yet didn't speak, the alien smirk amused.
"Don't be so surprised, you are a part of my race after all. We can speak to one another through telepathy, quite handy, isn't it? You aren't that familiar to mind waves only resistance, so you aren't that advanced, probably something to do with being hybrid." I was aware of it existence but never bothered to care as it was a useless trait, I decided to keep that to myself though. Eclipse was quite sensitive when it came to his precious race.
"Truly fascinating, now release me, I am sick of your mind games."
"Very well, but first I am going to reward you." Dread crossed my mind, breaking the calmness Eclipse have forced down on me.
"I know your secret…I know about the egg. You saved it, and for that I am grateful." I was speechless, how did he know!? Then again, our bound connected us so he must have searched through my memories while I was distracted!
"Don't be scared its no-"
"I am not scared!"
"As I said, I will give you a reward. But it will hurt unless-"
"Not interested." I said bluntly not caring if he got offended. Arms suddenly wrapped around me and he pulled me close with a sadistic smirk.
"I was going to knock you out, so you wouldn't feel it. But now, I changed my mind." After that said I felt an invading force tear my inside. I let out a blood-curdling scream in pain as I feel something tug and pull, a splitting headache is an understatement! I tried with all my might to put a barrier between us. Nothing, absolute nothing worked!
"Don't bother, its futile." I didn't listen, I thrashed in his arms using all my remaining strength. Eclipse having difficulties holding me soon transformed. His new form limited my movement and clouded my mind. It only made the painful process even worse! I couldn't even share a thought to tell him to stop, only scream. My whole body started to heat up, the blood was boiling inside! Yet nothing beat the blows on my mind. I could tell It was breaking something apart. Quickly losing the fight, to mentally tired to continue. I soon went limp and no longer capable to scream my lungs out. My vision flicker soon losing perception around me.
"Don't worry brother, I got you…."
That was the last thing I heard before everything turned black.