Beowulf was chuckling to himself as he floated in the rift. He was engulfed in what appeared to be energy of different colors. As it glowed around his body, Beowulf marveled at the sight of them.

"Yes, yes!" Beowulf exclaimed menacingly. "At last, the emeralds' powers are mine! After waiting for a long time, I can finally return to my FORMER GLORY!" As Beowulf finished speaking, the energy enveloping his body burst out. A massive horde of Einsts then appeared around Beowulf.

"The time has come!" Beowulf then shouted. "I shall obliterate all that stands in front of me!"

(scene change)

Sally, Nicole and Geoffrey had arrived at the royal palace's courtyard and were standing a short distance away from it's entrance. Unbeknownst to them, they were followed by Sonic, Tails, Elias, Antoine and Bunnie. The five Mobians were hiding by the side of the courtyard's entrance, watching over the trio. Elias paid great attention towards Geoffrey, making sure that the latter did not do anything funny to his sister.

"Hey, Elias, I know you care for your sister but, you don't have to stare at Geoffrey like that you know," Sonic spoke loud enough for his company to hear.

"I have to do this, Sonic," replied Elias. "Chances are Geoffrey will try to hit on my sister,"

"Elias, the way you're behaving right now makes you look more like Sally's babysitter rather than her brother," Tails said.

"Well, thank you for the compliment," Elias gave Tails an unamused look.

"Shh!" Bunnie silenced everyone. "Those three are talking. Let's listen to whatever they're saying," Sonic and his company then eavesdropped on Sally, Nicole and Geoffrey's conversation.

"So, Geoffrey, what did you want to talk about?" Sally asked.

"Well, to begin with," Geoffrey looked at Nicole. "Nicole, you said I was once married to a Mobian named Hershey, correct?"

"Yes, I did, Geoffrey," said Nicole.

"What kind of person was she?"

"She's quite level headed," Sally answered Geoffrey. "And she's nice too especially towards you. Why are you asking about her?" Geoffrey paused for a moment.

"I see," Geoffrey closed his eyes and bowed his head down slightly. "She's just like her,"

"'Her'?" Sally said as she and Nicole began to look curious. Even Sonic and his company except Elias became curious upon hearing Geoffrey's words. Opening his eyes, Geoffrey then spoke.

"Would you two ladies care to hear a story?"

"A story?" asked Sally. Geoffrey turned serious as he was about to reply.

"I was once a member of a group of bounty hunters. They were known to employ whatever methods necessary to dispatch their targets no matter how cruel those methods were. Throughout my life, I along with them had killed people just to earn ourselves money," Sally and Nicole became slightly surprised. Even Sonic, Tails, Antoine and Bunnie were surprised. Elias however, was not too surprised.

"During my days with them, I believed that what I did was right. I thought that so long as I could gain money, it would all be fine. But, all that changed when I met a certain lady…"

"This lady you're talking about," Nicole said as a realization struck her. "Is she by any chance…?"

"Yes, luv," Geoffrey spoke as if he read Nicole's mind. "That lady's name is Hershey,"

"You met her?" Sally was surprised.

"Correct. And such a fine lady she was. She was like you said, level headed and nice. My meeting with her changed my life. Hershey was the one who made me realize the error of my ways. When that happened, not only did I vow to leave the bounty hunters but, we became intimate towards each other," As Geoffrey spoke, Sonic's group listened intently to his words.

"I decided to run away from my former friends together with Hershey and live with her. However, the hunters were aware of my plan. They disagreed to what I did. In a bid to convince me to stay with them, they kidnapped my lover and threatened to kill her,"

"But, I did not intend to give in to their threats. I confronted the hunters who held Hershey hostage. I managed to free Hershey from her captors and fought with them. In the middle of the fight, Hershey took a bullet that was meant for me. Enraged, I killed all of the hunters," Geoffrey's face turned sad.

"After the fight, I tended to Hershey's wounds only to find that she could not be saved. The hospital was too far away from where we were. As Hershey was about to breath her last, she told me to find my purpose in life and to never return to the path I had previously took no matter what happens. And just like that, she died in my arms,"

"After her death, I decided to travel around Mobius. That was when I met Elias. We ended up becoming partners and journeyed around Mobius. In one of our travels, we were sent to this world and ended up in Riksent. As for what happened after that, I assume you know the rest,"

Geoffrey then looked at Nicole. "You said you doubted me. Well, you have every right to do so. And so do your friends. I had done things which can never be forgiven. It's only natural for a person with a shady past like mine to not be trusted. And that concludes my story," There was a moment of silence. Sally and Nicole felt sympathetic over Geoffrey's story.

"Elias?" Antoine said. "Is what Geoffrey's saying true?"

"Yes," Elias nodded. "I didn't tell any one of you about this because I thought it was of no importance. The truth is, Geoffrey did tell me about his past. Deep down his heart, he has been shouldering it alone," Everyone in Sonic's group began to look sympathetic.

"Well, ah'm speechless," stated Bunnie. "Ah know Geoffrey's not the same person whom we thought to be but, ah never expected him to have such a past,"

"I didn't think Geoffrey would talk about his past to anyone aside from me," Elias said as he and his company looked at Sally, Nicole and Geoffrey. "Looks like I was mistaken about him hitting on my sister," Back at Sally's side, she began to speak to Geoffrey.

"You know, Geoffrey," said Sally. "I must admit that when I and my friends saw you during the fight at the city square, I was wary of you. Even when we were talking at the Sky Patrol, in my mind, I wasn't sure about trusting you,"

"But after hearing your story," Sally added. "I understand now. Like my brother said, you're not the Geoffrey whom we all know. Therefore, I should apologize on behalf of the Freedom Fighters for doubting you,"

"Are you saying you would trust me?" Geoffrey said to Sally and Nicole. "Even after knowing about my past?"

"Everyone has a past," Nicole stated. "It doesn't matter how bad your past was. So long as you move on, that is enough,"

"Even still, I could end up going back to the wrong path, no?" Geoffrey began to look worried.

"Don't worry about that," Sally said to Geoffrey. "If that were to happen, we'll stop you," Geoffrey was slightly surprised at Sally's words. "And also," Sally added. "we're very sorry for your loss,"

"My condolences as well, Geoffrey," Nicole stated. "And I should apologize once more for doubting you back at the Sky Patrol,"

Geoffrey began to be quiet for a short while. "In that case, I shall assist all of you in returning to Mobius to the best of my efforts," Geoffrey then spoke. "And… thank you,"

"You're welcome," Sally smiled. Sonic's group and Nicole smiled as well after listening to Sally and Geoffrey.

"Now aside from talking about the past," Geoffrey smiled while approaching Nicole. "The night is still young. What say…" Much to Sally, Nicole and Sonic's group's surprise, Geoffrey put his arm around Nicole's waist. As he gazed into Nicole's eyes he added, "…we go out on a date?"

"He's at it again!" Antoine stated. "Ze 'Hitman' has gotten another target!"

"But, why Nicole!?" Tails asked.

"Um… Geoffrey…" Nicole started to blush. "I don't think…"

"There's no need to be shy," Geoffrey spoke as he brought his face closer to Nicole's. "For an artificial intelligence, you're quite a sight-" Geoffrey was interrupted by the sound of Elias clearing his throat. Soon, Sally and her company saw Sonic's group standing at the courtyard's entrance.

"I hate to interrupt, Geoffrey," Elias looked at Geoffrey seriously. "But, haven't you hit on enough ladies for today?"

"Well, if it isn't our friends," Geoffrey moved away from Nicole.

"What are you doing here?" Sally asked Sonic's group.

"Let's just say we came here for a little stroll," Sonic said.

"More importantly, Geoffrey, you weren't fabricating that story earlier just to get close to Nicole, were you?" Tails looked at Geoffrey suspiciously.

"Oh, please!" Geoffrey replied with dissatisfaction. "I wouldn't lie just to get close to a lady,"

"Wait a minute. You listened to our conversation earlier?" Sally asked Sonic's group.

"Well, Elias here wanted to make sure Geoffrey did not hit on you," Sonic said to Sally. "We tagged along and yeah, we listened in to the whole conversation,"

"Fortunately, he didn't," Elias said. "I can't believe he aimed for Nicole though,"

"Well, she is a sight for sore eyes," Geoffrey gave Nicole a charming smile. Sally rolled her eyes upon seeing Geoffrey's action.

"Cut it out, Geoffrey," Elias spoke seriously.

"I was only commenting on her looks," Geoffrey raised his eyebrows.

"Anyway!" Sonic stated. "Aside from Geoffrey's womanizing exploits, I'd say we join our friends back at the dining hall and enjoy the rest of the night,"

"Oui, I agree," said Antoine.

"I'd say we do that," said Nicole.

"Let's go then," Sally said. Turning to Elias she added, "Oh, and brother, you didn't have to watch over me. I can take care of Geoffrey on my own if he does hit on me. But, still, thank you,"

"You should have seen the way Elias watched over you, Sally," Tails chuckled softly. "He looked more like a babysitter than a brother,"

"You didn't have to bring that up…" Elias sweatdropped.

"Well, let's get back to the dining hall and-"

"Guys!" Sonic was interrupted by Ryusei who ran into the courtyard and stopped in front of the Mobians.

"Oh, hey, Ryusei. What's the rush?" Sonic said.

"It's the city!" replied a worried looking Ryusei. "The city is under attack!"

"What?!" Elias exclaimed as he and the other Mobians became surprised.

"Could it be the Einst again?" asked Tails.

"It has to be them!" Ryusei said. "Come on, we got to go help the civilians!"

"Alright, Ryusei," Sally said. "Everyone, let's go!" Everyone nodded at Sally's words.

(scene change)

Beowulf was thrilled at what he was currently doing. He and an army of Einsts had just teleported into a square in Riksent's city. The moment they arrived, they laid waste on everything in their path. Some of the Einsts fired lasers towards structures. Some lashed out at innocent people who were unlucky enough to be in their way.

As the chaos unfolded, soldiers came in to take away the injured and fight the Einsts. Most of the soldiers were injured. Some were even sent flying by the Einsts. A few soldiers ran towards Beowulf, firing their guns at him. However, their attacks did not work on him.

"Foolish mortals," Beowulf walked towards the soldiers. Lifting one hand up, Beowulf launched a barrage of flames out of it towards the soldiers. "Die!" he shouted. The soldiers took the full brunt of the flames and were sent crashing into a shop's window. After that, Beowulf began to chuckle.

"Magnificent," he said. "Magnificent! To be able to trample over the weak humans! This is truly MAGNIFICENT!" Beowulf fired a bolt of thunder towards a group of civilians who were running away. The bolt exploded, sending the civilians flying.

"Run! Run!" Beowulf shouted as he unleashed fire and thunder onto his surroundings. "Cower before me, weak humans!" As Beowulf and his army continued to destroy things, the Mobians along with their human friends arrived at the scene.

"This is horrible!" Ryusei said as everyone witnessed the chaos. "We got to help the people!"

"Blaze, look!" Amy pointed towards Beowulf. As everyone looked at Beowulf, Blaze became surprised. Her face then turned angry and she said, "That's him! That's the being who stole the Sol Emeralds!"

"Are you sure?" Viletta asked.

"I'm positive!" Blaze replied. "We must face that monster now!"

"In that case, the Mobians will go and face that being," Sally suggested. "The rest of us should focus on helping the people,"

"I'll go with the Mobians too," Axel volunteered.

"I will follow as well," Sanger stated.

"If Axel wants to face that Einst, I'll follow too," said Alfimi.

"Well, let's get a move on!" Katina said. "People are getting hurt here!"

"Right! Let's go!" At Ryusei's words, the Mobians, Axel, Sanger and Alfimi headed towards Beowulf. The rest went to take the injured to safety and help the civilians escape. As the Mobians and their company reached Beowulf, Beowulf stopped his onslaught.

"Stop right there!" Axel shouted at Beowulf. Beowulf looked at the Mobians' group as the latter prepared to fight.

"Well, if it isn't Axel Almer," Beowulf said. Looking at Blaze, he added, "And the Mobian from whom I stole the emeralds from," Axel was slightly surprised at Beowulf's words.

"You monster!" Blaze said to Beowulf. "Give back the Sol Emeralds!"

"Patience," Beowulf replied. "First, let us talk," Beowulf lifted one hand up. Then, to everyone's surprise, the Einsts which were attacking the city left and teleported away.

"What's going on?" Sonic asked.

"I just had my minions leave this place," Beowulf said.

"I don't know what you're up to, Einst," Axel said. "But, I've got a question for you. How do you know my name?"

After a short pause, Beowulf replied, "You don't recognize me. Well, it is of no surprise since I am assuming this form,"

"What's he talking about?" Tails asked as he and the rest of the Mobians were puzzled.

"Perhaps, I should show you," Purplish flames began to envelop Beowulf. As the flames slowly left his body, the Mobians and their company slowly became shocked. Standing right in front of them was a person who looked just like Kyosuke Nanbu!

"Impossible!" Axel exclaimed. "You're…!"

"That's right," Beowulf who is now in his human form, gave a wicked grin. "I am BEOWULF,"