As the Ocean Tornado II arrives at Machine Labyrinth, on Captain Whisker's ship, Eclipse wakes with a start. What time is it? A quick check of his cabin's clock reveals it's just after sunrise. Good, I didn't sleep too late. We better be at‑

A knock on the door interrupts his thoughts.

"Whoever that is, you better have good news!" Eclipse barks.

"We're about to arrive at Sky Babylon," Swash replies form the other side of the door. "Captain sent us to wake you up."

"How kind of him," Eclipse growls quietly. At least we're where we're meant to be.

A few minutes later, Eclipse emerges onto the top deck and looks around to see no sign of an island, only open seas all around. "Whisker!"

Captain Whisker descends from the helm to join Eclipse, but before he can speak, the Darkling turns on him. "What is the meaning of this‽" he demands. "Where's the damn island‽"

"Right here," Whisker answers. "Look up."

"Don't toy with me!" Eclipse growls. "Tell me where the island is right now!"

"I'm not toying with you," Whisker asserts. "Look up."

Eclipse's Dark Arms look up, but he does not. "Do you think me a fool? Why would‑?"

An excited chirruping from the Dark Arms interrupts Eclipse's anger. Finally, the Darkling looks up to see a faint silhouette against the blue sky.

"It's just above the cloud layer," Whisker explains. "The next Sol Emerald is on it."

Eclipse glares angrily at Whisker. "And just how are we meant to get up there, huh?"

"There's a tiny island nearby," Whisker explains. "On it are some ruins that allow passage to Sky Babylon itself."

"There better be a Sol Emerald up there," Eclipse growls. "If not, then you won't be coming back down. Do I make myself clear‽"

"Extraordinarily, sir," Whisker replies. And I'll make sure it is you who doesn't come down.

In his bunker, the scientist watches the whole exchange. I have just the machine for the job. That infernal feline and her blue pineapple friend thought they destroyed all my Ghost series war machines, but they did not: all survive, and all await my signal to reactivate. And this time, they won't be so easy to defeat.

Unexpectedly, an alert appears on another viewscreen. Curious, the scientist turns his attention to it. Interesting… I'm disappointed that Johnny failed to kill them, but it's not unexpected. In fact, I can turn this to my advantage: after all, why rely on just one group when I can manipulate two groups into bringing the Sol Emeralds to me? That just leaves the Jewelled Sceptre, and for that, I have a foolproof plan.

The scientist reclines in his chair, content to watch for now. I will achieve my ultimate victory over that infernal interfering pyrokinetic feline; it's only a matter of time.

A few minutes later, Whisker's ship docks at a tiny island that contains nothing but a small set of ruins from an ancient civilisation.

"I know you want to come with me, but I want you to remain here, where it's safer," Eclipse instructs his Dark Arms as he watches the ship dock from the prow.

The Dark Arms chirp sadly, unable to vocalise their disappointment, but Eclipse senses it regardless. "I promise, I'll be back before you know it," he vows.

As soon as the anchor is dropped, Eclipse leaps off the ship and onto the island, his Dark Arms remaining safely on board as instructed. The moment he lands, Eclipse makes straight for the ruins, Whisker joining him a couple of minutes later as he takes the more conventional boarding ramp approach to moving from ship to island.

Eclipse isn't happy about the delay. "Stop wasting time and do what you have to do to get us to that damn floating island already."

Electing not to respond, Whisker walks over to a relic that, at first glance, looks just like the rest. However, the moment he touches it, the ground begins to tremble.

This annoys Eclipse further. "Are you trying to make me angry? Because it's working!"

"On the contrary: this is how to get to Sky Babylon," Whisker assures.

"And just how‑?" is all Eclipse gets to say before he and Whisker are catapulted high into the air.

Eclipse stirs groggily as his senses begin to return. What happened? Slowly, he opens his eyes, pushes himself onto all‑fours, and looks around. Great, more ruins… We aren't where we were. Curious, Eclipse stiffly gets to his feet, approaches the edge of the nearby ledge, and looks down. "Huh… Seems I underestimated you, Whisker: you're a lot more knowledgeable than I thought."

"That almost sounded like a compliment," Whisker remarks, a little surprised.

"Credit where it's due," Eclipse replies. "Don't think for a second I'll go any easier on you."

"Understood. The Emerald is this way."

Eclipse moves away from the edge and rejoins Whisker. "You better not be leading me into a trap."

"Perish the thought," Whisker replies. It won't be me who springs it anyway.

Ten minutes later, Whisker and Eclipse arrive at the centre of the island to find nothing but more ruins.

"Explain," Eclipse demands.

"It must be hidden somewhere," Whisker replies. "You should be able to track it using the two you have already."

Eclipse thinks for a few moments. It's said the Chaos Emeralds can locate each other… Maybe the Sol Emeralds can do the same? It's certainly worth trying. Eclipse takes the red and blue Sol Emeralds in his hands, closes his eyes, and focusses his mind. At first, nothing happens, but with some effort, the Emeralds begin to glow faintly. They're doing something… It feels like… They're triangulating the position of the‑ There it is!

Eclipse opens his eyes and immediately walks with conviction in the direction the Sol Emeralds indicated.

In his bunker, the scientist watches Eclipse through Whisker's eyes, waiting for the right time. Not yet: he needs to find it first.

Eclipse stops beside a pile of mechanical debris and begins to dig through it. If it's not in here, then‑

A faint azure glow suddenly emerges from the debris.

Found it! Eclipse quickly digs the azure Sol Emerald from the debris.

In his bunker, the scientist presses a button.

Eclipse hears something moving deep within the ruins. What's that? "Whisker, do you hear that?"

Whisker doesn't reply.

Eclipse looks to where Whisker was waiting, only to find the robot captain has disappeared. I knew it. I knew he was leading me into a trap. Honestly, I don't know whether to be angry or disappointed… so I'll be both. And I'll be even more angry if he lays a single digit on my Dark Arms. Eclipse shakes his head to clear it. Stay focussed: whatever it is that's moving, it's getting closer, and it's not going to be friendly. Destroy it, then worry about Whisker.

Concentrating on the noise, Eclipse quickly works out which direction it's coming from and how fast it's approaching. I'm ready.

Suddenly, the ruins right in front of Eclipse explode, forcing the Darkling to duck for cover. When the dust settles, Eclipse gets his first look at the Ghost Condor, a large green battle robot constructed in the form of a mechanical snake (making the name highly inaccurate), with two floating platforms flanking it.

Eclipse isn't intimidated by the robot's size or design. "Is this it?" he asks rhetorically. "This is what's meant to take me out? Pathetic."

The Ghost Condor unleashes a powerful metallic roar as it charges directly at Eclipse. But the Darkling is ready for the predictable move: he dodges the charge easily, watching as the robot flies harmlessly past him. If only I had my children with me… No matter: I'll take this thing down with ease regardless. I just need to do it quickly.

As the Ghost Condor turns to attempt a second attack, Eclipse closes his eyes and concentrates. A moment later, his body begins to change: he grows taller and more muscular, sprouting four pronounced ridges on his forehead that vaguely resemble a crown on his way to doubling his overall size.

His transformation into his Monster Form complete, Eclipse opens his eyes. "I'm ready: give it everything you got!"

The Ghost Condor charges again, but this time Eclipse doesn't dodge: he catches the Condor's head, holding it stationary just inches from his face.

"Is that all? And I thought you'd be a challenge." Eclipse slams the Ghost Condor into the ground, the shockwave from the impact toppling more ruins. The robot attempts to fight back, but Eclipse is too strong in his Monster Form: he swings the robot over his head and into the ground for a second time before yanking hard and tearing the head from the body.

The decapitation proves fatal for the Ghost Condor: both head and body fall limp in an instant, all systems shutting down completely. But Eclipse doesn't leave it there: exploiting the enhanced speed and strength of his Monster form, he quickly and mercilessly reduces the Condor to scrap metal.

Satisfied with his victory, Eclipse relaxes and reverts to his regular form. The moment he's reverted to normal, the energy drain hits him hard, and he falls to his knees, panting heavily. Dammit… The energy drain is worse on this world… I've already pushed myself too far… I need to be more cautious.

Captain Whisker returns to find the Darkling in obvious difficulty. How did he beat the Ghost Condor so quickly? Doesn't matter; he's so weak, I'll be able to take him out easily myself. Drawing his new laser pistol identical to the pistol that was destroyed, he advances on Eclipse and takes aim‑

"Don't even think about it!" Eclipse barks.

"Ye be in no position to issue any orders anymore," Whisker asserts, his old voice pack reloaded. "Ye be handin' over the Sol Emeralds now."

Eclipse cannot resist a wry smile. "Your boss has been planning this all along, hasn't he?"

"He be watchin' and waitin' for the right time to strike," Whisker reveals.

"And now is that time," Eclipse guesses.

"Ye be right. Hand them over, landlubber."

Eclipse looks at Captain Whisker. "Remember what I told you when we found the Egg‑O‑War?"

Before Captain Whisker can respond, Eclipse vanishes seemingly into thin air.

In his bunker, the scientist is surprised and concerned. That's not an ability I expected to see…