After an hour or so of walking through thick mud, tall grass and dense vegetation, Eclipse was completely exhausted. This "Big" creature had offered him the comfort of being carried, however, Eclipse still carried suspicion that he was too kind. Maybe he was waiting for him to tire and use his chance to… attack? Eat him? Turn him in to the humans and Shadow? He was debating his inner intentions. What he finds irritating about these creatures is that he can't read them; not their thoughts, nor their emotions, and most certainly not their intentions.
It's something he missed about Shadow. At least he always knew what he was thinking. Sure, it was never anything Eclipse hoped for, but there was comfort knowing someone wants you dead rather than guessing if he does.
His eyes wandered towards the tiny green creature that followed them. Big had said its name was "Froggy", and it seemed harmless enough. The way its horizontal slit eyes stared back at him did freak him out a bit though, more so than Big himself. He wondered if the creature could speak. And if it did, why did it not inform him of his suspicions rather than make him uncomfortable?
The jungle was getting darker as they searched. Eclipse looked up at the sky and saw a vast sea of stars twinkling above. It was a beautiful sight that normally would put his mind at ease, but instead it gave him heartache. He could imagine his little Dark Arms looking up in awe and jumping in excitement. They were always super happy back at Angel Island when the sky fell to darkness because of the sight.
Eclipse started feeling faint. He still had a lingering headache from all the stress and crying, and his body was starting to feel all the pain from the crash that he had previously been too preoccupied with the missing Dark Arms to notice.
"Thank you for your compassionate assistance, 'Big'' and," he frowned at the frog once he caught his strong glare again, "...Froggy."
"You're welcome, friend," he nodded. Eclipse froze a bit at that word, but it went unnoticed by Big. "I'm sorry we couldn't find them…"
"It's alright… my search will continue once I am not so exhausted…" His legs were ready to give out. He hated his body having limits, but a lack of sleep and nutrition would do that to any alien.
"Maybe I could get more help?" Big suggested. "I have friends who are very kind and willing to help reunite a family."
"It's not ideal… I think I can resume my mission myself," it was not really a good idea to get more attention, he thought. Whoever these allies of Big are, there is almost no chance at least one wouldn't notice or question his strange appearance is not Mobian-like in the slightest.
"Well, if you are tired, you can come stay with me and Froggy," he offered. "We live close by here. Our house is super cozy, here your only companions are the stars and mosquitos. And maybe a lost explorer or archaeologist now and then."
"Moss-quee-toes…?" He repeated confusedly.
"Oh, you've never heard of them?" Big inquired curiously, not really questioning how that was possible, "They're tiny little creatures that land on your body and suck your blood. They can be dangerous. They carry all sorts of diseases…There' a lot of them when it rains…"
"Ummm," Eclipse uttered worryingly. That description sounded horrifying. He hadn't even considered the possibility of Mobius diseases. "P-perhaps it's better I take your recommendation…"
Big's face lit up. "Of course!" then turned to his amphibian friend and smiled excitedly.
Big's cabin was in the middle of a clearing at the heart of the ruins. Upon reaching his home, Big noticed something a bit unusual. The door was open ajar, and he could spot faint light coming from the inside.
"Oh no! Are we being robbed?" He gasped, but his expression quickly relaxed once he turned to his tiny partner whose head tilted slightly before letting out a loud croak."Oh you are right. It's okay. We don't own anything other than bait, fish and a couch."
"Is it still safe to enter?" Eclipse inquired, not wanting to take chances with whatever version of scoundrels Mobious had. Space ones were difficult enough to deal with.
"Let me see." Big entered nonchalantly and within a few steps gasped; "Froggy! There's someone here!"
Eclipse instinctively hid behind Big before he heard the giant cat start giggling. "Froggy, who are these little guys? They're cute! Did you invite them?"
He peeked from behind Big and let out a loud gasp before crying; "Little ones! You're alive!"
Blurk and Cyzer were eating Big's only fish while Rhygenta and Cregal were bouncing on the coach, the only visible furniture. The little dark creatures squealed in excitement and relief as they tackled their guardian, who started to cry as he embraced them. Big looked to Froggy who gave a few excited hops.
"Oh these are your babies?" Big smiled. "They're very cute."
"And mischievous!" he turned to them with crossed arms, "how exactly did you all end up here? Did you have a clue how worried I was?"
The little creatures made their best attempt at a sad, remorseful face. Eclipse saw right through their attempt, but couldn't stay mad at them after how utterly relieved he was.
"Oh, I'm just so grateful they're okay!" The Dark Arms made little squeals in their wisp language as if retelling their adventur
"You should probably call your friends at GUN." Big suggested. Froggy ribbit in agreement.
The alien's smile faded. "W-wha-?"
"You came in a GUN carrier," Big said simply, "we have to let them know you are here so they know you aren't lost. Lots of people get lost around must be worried sick!"
"Wait… you… know GUN..?" he asked nervously. At the mention of that name, the wisp-like creatures started hissing in Big's direction. Staying here wouldn't be such a good idea, after all.
"Sure. My friends the Freedom Fighters sometimes collaborate with them." Big tilted his head a bit as he noticed the unease in his new friend's face. "What's wrong? Don't you want to tell Mr. Towers you're okay..?"
"N-no I'm just-"
"It's okay, I can contact them for you if you're shy!" Blurk and Cyzer glared at the mobian, gave each other small nods and quietly slipped away from Eclipse's embrace.
The alien shook his head frantically. "Not necessary! You see-" before he could think of an excuse to get away, Cyzer swiftly slithered towards Big, wrapped itself around his arm and bit him hard enough to make him yelp. "Cyzer!"
Cregal flew close to the ceiling, startling Froggy. Eclipse pulled Cyzer away from Big and before the cat could react, he ran off with the other three darklings following closely.
"Wait! Did I do something wrong?" Big called after them.
"What was that!?" The alien demanded as they got as far away from the mobian as they could while still staying in the thick of the jungle. "Absolutely astonishing! That creature helped me find you all and that was your first instinct?"
The little aliens made sad whining noises as they looked down in shame. Eclipse's expression softened.
"No… you are right," he sighed, "...we're on our own. That Big creature knows about GUN…it was only a matter of time before we made a new enemy…
"And admittedly… I'm not ready to face Shadow again," he sighed. The little aliens huddled around him in their attempt at comfort. "I'm tired of putting you all at risk… but I'm at a loss of what else to even do! I'm sorry little ones… I need to be more cautious… Now we can expect the humans to find us soon…"
The dark arms shivered a bit as a small drizzle began. It would be a long night.
Next chapter Shadow and Team Dark will finally appear!