Chapter 18. I never thought this story would end up this long. I think it's probably going to be one of my longest. Wow. It's sad, though, because not as many people read this. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm complaining. I'm not meaning to, alright? I'll just shut up now, so here's your chapter.
The Cybex fortress seemed even bigger than it had the first time the twins had entered it. The dark, mechanical walls seemed to loom over them as the sound of running androids echoed in the halls behind them. The lower floors were in chaos after the sudden arrival of the crew. Screams could be heard, as well as gunfire in the distance.
"I hope this is exciting enough for you," Akumu said to Yume, holding tightly as she ran them through the corridors. "I'd rather be on a heist right now. At least those stay quiet for a while."
"Whine all you like bro, but we're on a mission," Yume explained. This whole thing was so appealing to her. Excitement, action, danger at every turn! How many people at home could boast about this? She couldn't wait to see the look on her mom's face when she found out about what they went through to save her.
"I see you two are making progress." The two siblings turned their heads to see Eggman skating alongside them (for he had skates built into his metal leg and his shoe). The echidna had his arm-cannon charged, and was blasting at any androids that came near. It didn't destroy them, but it did keep them at bay.
"So, we're inside now," Akumu noted. "What's next? Do we just storm in and attack Zynth?"
"Heavens, no!" Eggman laughed. "I have the weapon for you two right here." He pulled out a small container that looked empty, except for a light gray haze inside. The side of it read Spawn.
"This is Spawn," the cyborg explained. "It's a creation made of nanites, that will destroy any machine it comes into contact with. You need to unleash this, but only when you get to Zynth, alright?"
"Piece of cake," Yume replied, grabbing the container of Spawn. "He'll be done with in no time, then. Come on Akumu!" Akumu gripped his sister tighter as she ran faster through the fortress. Meanwhile, Eggman slowed to a halt, despite the fact there were robots behind them.
"Excellent," he muttered. "And now, I can finally finish my plan." The androids surrounded him, aiming some deadly looking weapons at him. The cyborg put his hands in the air. "I surrender," was all he said. A few minutes later, he was being escorted to see Master Zynth, which was exactly what he wanted.
"And nobody suspects a thing."
On a higher floor, gunshots rang left and right, as metal bodies hit the floor. In the middle of the crossfire was Ghost, firing off his machine gun with deadly accuracy. In his other hand was his dagger, which delivered a powerful slash at anyone who got too close. The blank hedgehog seemed untouchable, and the androids seemed to be noticing this.
"We can't hold him off much longer!" A cat screeched. "Squadrons Alpha and Gamma, fall back to warn Master Zynth. Squadrons Beta and Delta, stay here and hold him off." This cat was soon pummeled with bullets, and was permanently deactivated a few seconds afterward. Soon, all squadrons began to back away from the obviously insane gray hedgehog in the center. How else could someone be able to kill without emotion, unless they were mad?
Suddenly, all noise was gone, except for the sound of a slow clap. Zynth walked into the area, as all robots stepped aside. Ghost held his gun out, in case something happened.
"Why Ghost, there is no need to be so scared of me," Zynth said, still clapping. "I knew you were a fighter, but being able to invoke fear in my army is astounding for an organic lifeform. Of course, you don't care about that, do you?" Ghost shook his head, for he was indeed feeling nothing over it. "And you don't care about anything that happens here, do you?"
"I do not," Ghost agreed. "All I request is that my soul is brought back to it's rightful owner: myself."
"So I see you do have a tiny bit of emotion," The black android commented, "or else you wouldn't care about your soul. Tell me Ghost, have you figured out your identity yet?" Ghost shook his head. Zynth smiled. "You are the Ultimate Weapon, Ghost. You were once something more, but lack of a soul stripped you of it. But you were designed to be the Ultimate Weapon, and that is the only use you have now. Those organic beings, they fear you. They loathe you, and cringe at your power. We androids, on the other hand, embrace it. So, what do you choose?"
"What do I choose?" kept echoing in Ghost's head, for he was unsure. Then, he thought. As he thought, another voice came into his head.
"Please, for all the people of the planet, you must help them. Do it for me!" Blank red eyes snapped open.
"I assist the true beings," he said, "For that is what I pledged to do. I do not know why, but that is my duty. I am not Ghost, Zynth, and you know that." The master laughed at this, sounding psychotic.
"The true beings?" he asked mockingly. "The true beings? My my, even removing your soul can't change you, Ghost. Or, should I say…Shadow the Hedgehog."
HAHAHA!!! Yes, Ghost is really Shadow! I suppose a lot of you would never have guessed that, would you? So then, now that we have that new piece of information, how will it affect our heroes? We'll see next time, on Crimson Stripes!