Piercing Through the Dark
by 1Speak-th3-Truth
Chapter 2
House Call
"K24-Z..." Dr. Eggman muttered to himself. "My greatest invention ever. An android that looks like Sonic. Brilliant, no?However, this will be nothing like Metal Sonic. That is one failure I plan on never repeating again. K24-Z is the ultimate fighter. The more you fight it, the more it learns from you, and will eventually master your abilities beyond even your own extent."
Dr. Eggman was apparently writing in a journal. The doctor continued to write, "For years, that blue pest has always ruined my plans. I've looked over and over at my past mistakes, and finally, I have my answer. Through all those years I've seen Sonic, not as a threat, but as a rival. I have not taken my unfortunate exchanges with him seriously. But now, I will. He is nothing I should rival with. He does not have or even share one percentage of my intelligence. Now I just have to put this intelligence to work, and I will finally fullfill my dreams!"
Eggman laughed fiendishly just at the thought of it. He picked up his pen again, ready to write. "The device I have constructed is known as Matter Shot. It is a device that allows me to torture a singe target with a mass they can never bare. In other words, the world's fastest hedgehog won't be so fast at all after I'm through with him. But this is where I make a mistake. How to hit such a fast target? That is where my new strategy comes along. I called it Matter Shot for a reason. I made a few modifications to it. It is set to a heatseeker mode, and it can even shoot up to thirty eight beams of light at a time. It's ingenius, I tell you! Sonic won't stop me this time, none of them will!"
Unfortunately, the doctor shouldn't of spoke his thoughts out loud. For he had a sneaky little bat listening in on his open thought session.
So, he's finally decided to give Sonic a run for his money. Rouge thought, looking around from the upper supports of the ceiling. But wait! Rouge thought quickly. Shadow could also have a hard time with this! I've got to warn them right away! But before she took off, she spotted a sparkling gold coin left on the support beam. She got out of her flight-ready stance, and turned to walk over to the coin. "Hello, how'd you get here? Well, can't leave you here, can I?"
But before she could grab it, a net fell from the ceiling, trapping her on the beam. Dr. Eggman looked up from his desk. "Tsk, tsk, such a naughty bat. Don't you know it's wrong to take things that aren't yours?"
Rouge gritted her teeth angrily. "Let me out of here, doctor!" Rouge ordered as the net began to lower her down to the floor next to Eggman. "Why? So you can go warning Sonic and be a hero and all? I don't think so!" Eggman hissed at her, placing his pen back into his desk along with the journal.
"Warn Sonic about what?" Rouge faked. Hopefully she could get out of this. "Don't play stupid with me, bat! I know you were listening, believe me, I do!"
Rouge continued to struggle to reach a knife stored away in her back pocket.
"Oh, and don't think about using that knife." Dr. Eggman said with a laugh. "And why not, Eggman?" Rouge asked, certain he was bluffing.
Finally, she grabbed hold of it and began to work at the rope. But the rope didn't even undergo a scratch of the slightest look of breaking. "What? Is this some kind of joke?" Rouge asked, disgusted at her position.
"Well, if you think it's funny, then I guess it is a joke." Eggman taunted, still packing up his things to leave the room. It was late, and even a villain needs sleep. Suddenly the doctor looked at her through his dark, round glasses. "Oh wait. What's a joke? Your situation, or just you? Because to me, their both a pitiful joke!" His words cut through her like daggers. Her expression turned fierce. "Just wait 'till I get out of here, doctor. You'll be the joke, then!"
"Ah, but my dear, Rouge, you aren't going to get out of here," the doctor began, finishing up his cleaning, "ever."
The doctor stood up and made his way towards the hall. "So what, you're going to leave me here?" Rouge asked in disbelief. The doctor stopped before leaving and turned around to look at her, still trapped in the net. "No, you can sleep in the guest room."
"Really?" Rouge asked, looking confused.
"Yes, of course...NO NOT REALLY!" the doctor exclaimed turning back around. The room's light went out as the door slammed shut. Rouge was officially a prisoner.
The bat tried and tried, but no comfort could come out of this. Rouge, you're so stupid! Should've left the stupid coin alone and none of this would've happened! I could've been at Sonic's by now, helping him out with this...whatever it is...I don't care anymore...oh!! She continued to think of herself with disgust. It was dark, and she couldn't see a thing. Even for a bat, this was cruel.
But her pain grew even worse when she thought of Shadow. What would happen to him if Dr. Eggman got his way at last? Shadow would face the same fate that Sonic would. All of them. Even Cream! Poor little rabbit, Rouge thought, with a tear from her eye. C'mon, Shadow...Sonic, both of you had better pull through this! Rouge thought. 'Cause if you don't, I don't know what any of us will do.
Meanwhile, the doctor, full of confidence, walked magestically through the halls of his fortress, on his way to a good night's sleep. "Finally, things seem to be going my way. But before I hit the hay, I should see how K24-Z is handling his responsibility." Eggman noted to himself.
Instead of going straight down the hallway, which would eventually lead on to his room, the doctor made a right to the computer room. It was where he could check in on his inventions.
The door to the room slid open as Eggman entered it. He took a seat on the black leather chair, and typed in a few things, brining up an image of K24-Z, on his daily walk outside the fortress.
"Come in, K24-Z," the doctor began. "Yes, master?" K24-Z replied. "I think it's about time the doctor's made a house call, wouldn't you agree?"
"Of course," the android replied. His voice differed from his inspiration. Unlike Sonic, it had no emotion. Its voice was cold as winter in Alaska.
Suddenly, it hit Eggman. A great invention needs a better name than K24-Z. A great invention requires a name they'll all remember. "K24-Z?" the doctor called out. "Yes, master?"
"I'm changing your name. From now on, you will be known as Sonic2!" Eggman declared.
The android nodded. "If you wish, than I will happily adapt. My name is Sonic2..."
"Very good. Now, attend to that house call, eh? Sonic must be...dying for one!" Eggman said within his laughter. "I will get right on it, sir." Sonic2 said with a manical feel.
"Good," Eggman said before turning off the massively large computer. Then the doctor left, the dark room's door shut firmly behind him.
...
The moonlight shined brightly. Sonic had finally got a house of his own just a year ago. It was surrounded by beautiful flowers that appeared even more dazzling in the moonlight.
The blue hedgehog was in the bathroom brushing his teeth.
His bedroom was amazing. The dresser was next to the opening to the bathroom, on the right side of his bed. In front of it, was an entertainment stand with an HDTV. To the left, was another dresser, this one had a mirror, and he had a king sized bed. It was the good life for sure. Or, at least, for now.
Sonic threw away the paper cup he used in the trash can, and stepped into the shower. For Sonic, there was nothing like a good shower to wash away your stress and fears. Too bad that house call couldn't be canceled!
The hedgehog drew the curtains shut and stood in the falling water. It felt relaxing and for a moment, it seemed all his worries had been washed away. Sonic can't swim, of course, but a shower never hurt nobody.
Sonic reached for the soap. Reaching for it, the soap shook and fell to the bottom of the tub, and slid out onto the bathroom floor. "Just great." Sonic complained. Reaching through the curtains, everything shook again, and the soap fell away slowly and slowly still. "Damn thing! Come back here!" Sonic yelled, his patience growing dangerously thin. With each shake, the aftermath grew worse and worse yet.
"Wh-What's g-going on...here?" Sonic asked, worried of what this could be. Climbing out of the shower, Sonic knelt down, about to go at it again, when it also happened again, but much worse. Sonic flew to the one side of the wall. After getting back up off the floor, the hedgehog headed towards the open door. "You forgot to scrub behind you ears." a voice called out.
Sonic's eyes grew wide as he went to look behind him. But he didn't even have a chance to see before he was struck behind the ears with incredible force. Like a karate chop of some kind. "So I'll scrub them for you!" the heartless voice mocked. While on the ground, Sonic rolled onto his back to see...himself!
"Okay, who in God's name are you?" Sonic said, thinking of this as a cruel joke. "Urrrgggghhh!!" the hedgehog grunted as the mere image of himself placed his foot over his chest. Then the false Sonic pressed harder down. "Ahhh!!" Sonic gasped for air, having no breathing time. The pain seemed endless. As if it would never end. "What makes you think I will actually confide that towards you?" the androdic voice asked, seeing no point.
"Well, you would want someone you beat to know your name, wouldn't ya?" Sonic explained, getting little, but some air. "Hm," the androdic voice continued on, "well then, if this means so much to you, then fine. My name used to be K24-Z. But my master later changed my name...tonight to be exact. I am your replacement...I am Sonic2!"
"Sonic2!" Sonic exclaimed in pure shock. Sonic wasn't sure whether it was his horrifying pain, or his anger, maybe even both, but he had a temptation to go onward. "No one makes a cheap ripoff of Sonic the Hedgehog!" the blue hedgehog snapped, throwing a punch he managed to get out of the moment. It was a direct hit to the androids 'skull'. But it seemed not even the slightest of pain came out of it.
"You call that a punch, do you? A punch brings harm, does it not?" The android asked. Sonic was hesitant on listening. "Well," Sonic2 asked, wondering if he had Sonic's attention. "Yeah, so?"
"So, why am I not harmed? This is a punch, you fool!" Sonic2 dashed behind Sonic, blowing a punch to the back of his head, causing Sonic to lose conciousness.
...
"Well, well, well..." Dr. Eggman posed fiendishly before a new captive. "How did you get here, kitty cat?" It was a black cat, with yellow eyes and a ponytail. It wore ragged clothing, just barely fitting to its size.
"Don't I know you from somewhere?" Dr. Eggman asked, looking closely into the cat's eyes. "No, you don't." the cat answered in a soft voice, showing it was a girl. "Oh but I do, don't I?" the doctor intimidated. "Eggman Nega, Super Sonic, and... It all makes perfect sense now, I do know you! What is your name, cat?"
"I don't have a name!"
"You do, I know you do!"
"You don't know me!"
"Don't I?" Eggman asked, bending down to the encaged cat.
"No..." the cat answered coldly to his face.
"Well, melt the iron on these bars, escape from me."
"I can't. What are you talking about?"
"You can't because you're afraid."
"I am not afraid!"
"Then you're a quitter!"
"I'm no quitter!"
"You just can't do it! You're helpless!!"
"I'M NOT HELPLESS!!" the cat screamed, releasing a heat wave of fire, melting off what was black paint, ironically not melting the iron bars, but revealing the cat's true identity.
"I know you weren't helpless. But now you are, BLAZE THE CAT!" Eggman laughed onwards.
"Huh?" Blaze questioned looking down at her own fur. Her fur was purple again. "You ungreatful bastard!" Blaze spat. "Oh, my dear, that brings more pain to my heart than you know." the doctor assured.
"What heart?!" she continued to hiss. "Alright, enough of your taunting, or it's head-off for you!" Eggman barked, pointing to a a mechanically controlled steel blade. "Let me show you," the doctor insisted. Blaze, being a captive audience, had no choice but to watch.
Dr. Eggman placed a iron led-block in range of the blade. With the press of a botton, the blade swung down, and in one swipe swing, the block was in half. The cat gulped in response, rubbing her neck. To make it worse, the blade came down in reverse, cutting it again, and again, and yet again. Blaze, obviously wanting to keep her head on her shoulder, or any parts of her body attatched, shut her mouth, for now.
"Glad to hear you've reconsidered, Blaze. But I must ask you," the doctor began. Blaze glarred at him, but did listen. "What were you doing sneaking around outside, my dear?"
"I was just...wait..." Blaze realized suddenly. My dear, that attitude, cold feel, this isn't Eggman! Blaze thought, the pieces coming together. "Why would you want to know, Dr. Eggman Nega?"
Eggman looked shocked. "What? I'm not Eggman Nega...you're only half right, you filthy excuse for a rug..."
"Wha-What?" Blaze asked, beginning to be freaked out.
"You see, Blaze, I was tired of losing every one of my ingenius plans to that freak, Sonic. And Eggman Nega was tired of losing to you. So we made a deal I gave him a half of myself, he gave a half of himself to me."
"That's right," Blaze began to realize, "Nega always had cold and calculating technique. But when it came to force and power, that other evil half, he stunk bad. You, you had that, but lacked the cold, calculating technique!"
"Yes, yes, glad for you to insult me. Don't worry, kitty cat, I've made sure you won't be alone. Allow me to introduce you to your guest...or inmate, I should say." Blaze looked around confused, only to see a net drop from the ceiling. Rouge the Bat lie raggedly inside. "You monster!" Blaze snapped angrily.
"Why thank you, Blaze. I do try my best!"
After moments of glarring, her will finally gave, and she fell to her knees.
"Now, may I ask how you got to this world, Blaze?" Eggman asked in a much more calm manner. "I'm not exactly sure." Blaze answered with a sigh.
"And what's with the clothes?" Eggman continued to question. "I don't remember any princess wearing a rag like that!"
"I'm not a princess anymore. Eggman Nega has the run of the place. That's why I look like this. That's why I painted myself black. To get away."
Blaze's stature was failing her. She looked like she would cry at any given time.
...
"Ahhhhh!!" Sonic screamed, as he was launched through his own bedroom window. Sonic2 quickly jumped from the window, landing directly in front of the blue hedgehog. Sonic didn't even dare to imagine what else this bazzar freak had up his sleves. That's when the android pulled out a weapon that looked so familiar, it was frightening.
"It increases the force of a given object. You don't get fat...but your mass becomes too much to bare." Those were, maybe not exactly, but its how he remembered the haunting words Tails had said to him.
The weapon the android held out looked exactly like the weapon blueprint Tails had shown to all of them. This was definately not good.
Just like in the blueprint, the weapon was in the form of a ray gun. It had switches on the back of it, and knobs and dials on the handle. But something was different. From the looks of it, it could launch more than just one attack at a time. What the? Well that's just great! Just my luck! Sonic thought, annoyed at not just the situation, but just the fact that someone would make a copy of him.
"So..." Sonic trailed off weakly. "...I...I suppose your another...one of Eggman's specials...huh?"
"Silence! I am better than you, more capable of things."
"Oh...yeah?" Sonic asked.
"Yes! I am faster. I am stronger. And I am definately smarter than you!" the android continued to insult. To Sonic2's suprise, Sonic wasn't moved, didn't even flinch at this. Instead, the blue hedgehog stood up on his feet again, facing the mechanical menace.
"What? You are still capable of carrying on?" the android asked, somewhat awestruck. "With that much power, you should have slowly been crushed...but you are not..."
Sonic's breathing was still hoarse. His heart raced. This was definately not good. "I guess I will have to use this after all..." Sonic2 mumbled. He aimed the Matter Shot pistol directly at Sonic.
From Sonic's point of view, this could finally be the end. For once, the moon didn't shine so brightly, and the flowers weren't so beautiful after all. That's when a voice called from the distance...
"SONIC!"
It caught both the attention of Sonic and Sonic2. Both looked out towards the road to see a black gust of wind dash through curve after curve. A mysterious figure jumped high into the air, landing next to Sonic's side. It was Shadow!
"Shadow? W-What...are you doing...here?" Sonic asked weakly. At this point, his lungs felt weaker than ever. It was beginning to feel worse than drowning in water.
"Saving your ass, that's what!" Shadow exclaimed. Though his tone was harsh, Sonic still smiled as he looked greatfully at his arch-rival.
"And who are you, hedgehog?" asked Sonic2. Still no emotion could be heard out of any words the android said.
"My name is Shadow. I am the Ultimate Lfe-form, created by Dr. Gerald Robotnik. And as of now...your worst nightmare!" Shadow pointed a daring finger at the android.
Sonic collapsed from his lack of remaining energy. He looked up from behind the black hedgehog, then to Sonic2. "W-Why...are you...helping me...Shadow?" he managed to ask.
"'Cause, if anyone's going to mess with you, it outta be me. Not some cheap bucket of bolts!" the black hedgehog explained.
That was the last thing Sonic heard before there was nothing. Slowly the faint image of Shadow and Sonic2 faded into nothingness. Itwas black, nothing at all. Just the thought of what would happen next. Sonic the Hedgehog was out cold. Looks like it was Shadow's time to shine.
...
"So, you were teleported here by some strange force?" Dr. Eggman asked, starting to sound more polite. The purple cat nodded. Though she tried containing herself, the corners of her eyes began to water. "Hm," Eggman looked over to a computer screen on the wall, big enough to be the wall.
An image of Dr. Eggman Nega appeared on-screen. He was in Blaze's palace, running everything.
"Yes, can I help you, doctor?" Nega asked with his cold voice.
"Yes, you can." Eggman said, not being so polite.
"What?"
"How did Blaze the Cat end up in my world! Sneaking around MY COURTYARD!!" he snapped a finger out at Nega.
Eggman Nega looked fiendishly at Blaze who was still locked in her cage behind the doctor. Then he looked back at Eggman.
"That is a good question. I am as baffled as you are by this." said Nega. He rubbed his chin in deep thought before continuing. "Perhaps the Gene-Splitter I invented for our counterpart switch caused a rip in space...and Blaze must have gotten caught up in it."
Eggman nodded. "This is nothing serious though, I'm guessing." he assumed. Nega shook his head. "No, this is serious, doctor. Blaze may not stand a chance against me, but I am not so certain about you. Do not underestimate her. She is more of a threat than you realize."
"I understand." said Eggman.
Then the screen went blank.
The evildoer turned to look at Rouge in her net and Blaze in her cage. "Well," he began, "now that you two have met, enjoy your life-long end of suffering!" With that, he walked out of the room, finally ready to go to sleep. Things were looking brighter for him at the moment. Not so much can be said for Sonic, though...
...
"Ultimate Life-form? Are you some kind of joke? I am the Ultimate!" Sonic2 pointed out. Shadow just folded his arms looking up to the moon. "If that is the case," Shadow began, turning his gaze towards the mechanical menace, "why don't you prove you're the Ultimate?"
Sonic2 seemed to finally be annoyed by his enemy's words. "Fine then, I shall. It was nice knowing you, Shadow." the droid said as he threw a massive punch.
Shadow was too quick, however, and the android had completely missed his target. Shadow was nowhere to be found. "What?" Sonic2 asked amongst himself, confused.
Suddenly, a kick came from behind, smashing the android's mechanical skull. Static swurved around both of them. But to Shadow's suprise, the droid continued to function normally. The damage was instantly repaired befoe his very eyes. "Shit! How do I beat a robot that can heal itself?" Shadow gritted his teeth angrily.
"Are you okay? For a moment, I thought you were a threat. But I was wrong, however. You are nothing!" the android continued to insult the black hedgehog. Unfortunately, it only caused Shadow to grow more and more hateful of him. "Me? Worthless? I'll show you worthless you damn machine!" Shadow yelled, now glowing an ominous red color.
"What are you doing?" Sonic2 asked, a little shocked at the state of his opponent.
"CHAOS BLAST!" Shadow cried out as a wave of massive red energy engulfed everything. Sonic2 could not find a way out of the swirling red vortex. Finally, it hit him full force. Some of the house was even damaged. Not much, though. The android slowly blew away into the night sky. The faint whisper of static could be heard. But Shadow knew it wasn't over. That thing would be back, with no damage at all. It was time to make a run for it. There would be plenty of time to fight it off later. But right now, there was something awful going on. Shadow knew he had to find out what it was.
Shadow the Hedgehog was about to dash off when he realized Sonic was still out cold. The black hedgehog hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do.
He sighed, looking down at his arch-rival. "You're going to owe me one for this..." Shadow muttered beneathe his breath. Still hesitant, the black hedgehog picked up the ragged Sonic up from the ground. He was covered with dirt, bruises, and bled from several different scratches.
Shadow sighed in note of it all. I can't believe I'm doing this... he thought. But what else am I going to do?
Unfortunately for them all, this was just the beginning!