a/n: Bang. #herewego

Revolutionary Operation, Type Zero

Kinetic Sky

16. Focal Point, Act 5

"The man of the hour arrives!"

Sonic bowed as Shadow arrived, earning a glare for his troubles.

"Let's just get this over with."

"You're the boss. Oh, Ames. You wanna tell 'em what we found?"

"We'll wait for everyone else," she said.

"Won't have to wait long. We're here," Rouge called out as she approached. She tossed the Emerald shard over Sonic's head towards Knuckles, who caught it and merged it with his own piece. He placed it in the space behind his back and adjusted his hat.

Kiriko and Omega moved from their positions quietly and joined the group.

"Okay. Rose, what did you uncover?" Shadow asked.

"I got a view of what happened in the conference room just up the hall. Turns out that an experiment went awry with Metal Sonic after they showed him a visual of Sonic at one point. He-"

"Melted from an overload of power. A malfunction," Shadow finished for her. "But you don't think that it's the case."

"No. It was his hatred for Sonic."

"I see."

"All of the people in that room were in serious denial," Sonic added. "They didn't think it was possible that some part of Metal survived."

"And look where that got them," Knuckles said. "And us."

"They couldn't have known," Amy countered. "We sure weren't thinking that he would ever come back. We trashed him beyond anything you could have imagined...but we're here. That's all there is to it, Knuckles."

"Hm."

"What did you guys find?" Amy asked Shadow.

"We've managed to map the spread of the cyberforming across the planet. It's at thirty-five percent and rising. Most populated areas are already changed. Air is a potent vector, and water retards it. The rate of change is slowed from the initial burst. Which leads to the next phase that I will discuss with you."

"What is it, hon?" Rouge asked.

"Prower and I determined that one of the silos has been shot down over the Arctic Circle, near the North Pole. It's in Alert."

"There? Ain't that a bitch."

"Quite. I will investigate the silo in the north, alone."

"Hold on, didn't three of you just give me crap for wanting to go solo?" Knuckles interrupted.

"This isn't nearly the same thing, if you've been paying attention."

Amy winced as Rouge spoke.

"Shadow is doing an investigation into that thing to see how we can stop or reverse what's happening across the planet. He's one of, if not the most qualified out of us here to do that. And don't get me started on capability, combat or otherwise. What you or I would be doing on a solo mission trying to find pieces of the Master Emerald is just about the same as groping in the dark. And with our concentrations split in so many ways at once, we're vulnerable to whatever Metal Sonic might throw at us."

Knuckles gave her an indignant look. "I'm pretty sure I can hunt for Emerald pieces and take care of myself at the same time."

"We're pretty sure you can't," Rouge responded dismissively. "There's nothing else to say about it. Shadow's made an executive decision and that's that. He knows what he's on about."

"Tch."

"Ah, Captain Rouge is right," Kiriko said, jumping in. "Major Shadow excels in solo operations, and it will be safer overall."

"And on top of that, we're not wasting manpower," Shadow added in. "Because I'll need the rest of you to move to other locations. There's an untouched pocket of land in Europe. Soleanna."

"Huh. Wonder what's going on there?" Sonic mused.

"That's what we want to find out. The echidna can hunt for his shards, with backup. I hate to waste good assets on busywork, but this is needed. Prower, I assume you can track the positions of the shards from your aircraft. Keep in touch with the Doctor and all of us from the air. If needed, I will make my way to the vessel on my own. Attempt to chart a path towards my location as soon as I give the word."

"Roger that."

"After I finish my initial mission, I will proceed to track the movements of the remaining upper brass. Again, this will be a solo operation. Lieutenant."

"Yes sir."

"I am going to trust you with a goodwill mission. Will you accept?"

"Sir, I humbly accept this mission, sir," Kiriko said firmly.

"This will be a solo operation. You will be heading to the Kingdom of Soleanna. I want you to speak to the Queen."

Kiriko was flustered for a moment before regaining her composure and saluting.

"Sir, understood, sir. I will make contact with the Queen of Soleanna."

"Very good. At ease, lieutenant."

"Sir. Thank you very much. I won't let you down."

Shadow nodded. "Rouge...I'm trusting you with something else. I need you to go to the G.U.N HQ in Westopolis."

"Right," she said without missing a beat.

"Omega will go with you as fire support."

"Affirmative."

"Contact me when you're done. I'll rendezvous with you both post haste. Both of you be careful."

"We will, Shadow."

They paused for a moment to look at each other before turning their gazes elsewhere.

"And the remaining two..."

"You want us to stall."

Shadow turned his head towards Sonic.

"And more, if you can manage it. Station Square. If you find yourself in distress-"

"We've got you all on speed dial. But me an' Ames should be fine."

"We will be." She hooked her arm underneath his.

"...you're the only ones capable at this point in time," Shadow said grudgingly. "Investigate the vector origin first. It's going to be a few days...one has already passed since the cyberforming began. I expect we won't see results for about a week," Shadow said. "In that time, hopefully all of our assignments save for the one are completed."

"What's the first stop?" Tails asked.

"Soleanna. Take Lieutenant Hoshikira with you and drop her off at a neutral location nearby. Then start your search for the Master Emerald pieces. The rest of us will proceed on foot to our locations."

"I guess this is where we go our separate ways, for now," Sonic said. "See you guys in a week."

"Later, you guys." Tails gave Sonic and Amy a hug together. "Stay safe."

"We'll try."

"I'll be off. Good luck to all of you." Shadow saw Rouge give him a glance, but said nothing before warping away.

She paused before shaking her head, taking a deep breath in. "I'll see you later, darlings. Be safe...Omega, let's go."

"Understood. May your missions be successful, comrades."

Rouge walked out through the front doors, Omega following.

"Please be well," Kiriko said to Sonic and Amy. "I'll pray continually for your protection."

"Thanks, 'Riko."

"Kiriko, thank you. I know you'll do well. Believe in yourself," Amy said as she gave the younger girl a hug.

"Yes, ma'am. I will. Mister Knuckles, Miles...we should begin our journey."

"Right. You two...don't do anything stupider than usual."

Amy rolled her eyes at him. "Goodbye, Knuckles."

"Happy huntin', Knux."

He nodded and followed Tails through the entrance.

Sonic and Amy walked outside a few minutes later, looking out at the darkened horizon.

"Feeling anything?"

"Just my stomach doing flips. I'm nervous," she said.

"Yeah. Me too."

"A whole week...in Station Square."

"Yeah."

He put an arm around Amy, holding her close. A slight trembling went through her body.

"We'll be okay. It's a tough assignment, but he believed in what we could do," he said.

"Yeah. I'm sorry, it's just...thinking about all that happened and now having to face him again for real."

"I know. I thought that nightmare was over, too." He clenched his free hand into a fist.

Lightning flashed in the distance.

"I'm scared. I accept that now."

Amy released herself from his grip and stared into his eyes. The shades of nervousness were transforming into determination. She steadied her trembling hands.

"Just remember, alright? You're not alone out here."

She nodded. "Yes...I know."

"But you want to stand on your own two feet."

"Yes. More than anything."

"You will, Amy. I know you will."

She nodded again and walked ahead. Sonic unclenched his fist and looked to the sky.

A moment later, he took off into a jog and Amy followed. They left the streets of Central City far behind soon after.

The phantom waited atop the highest building.

"They mean to oppose me so soon..."

A bolt of lightning flashed nearby, tearing apart the street below. The figure glowed as electricity rolled over it.

"It is not yet complete."

Red eyes glowed in the darkness.

"But I will make use of this. I will finish what I started so long ago."

They faded to nothingness.

"I will consume her soul and take her power for my own. It is only fair...I can no longer be the true Sonic. No..."

Another bolt of lightning flashed.

He was already gone.

"I am already a demon."