"Have you ever been to Grand Metropolis?" Shadow asks Rouge as they both walk down the linear, grey hall of the Egg Carrier with E-123 Omega tagging along on the way to the cargo bay.
"Only once," Rouge shrugs. "All the noise and traffic make it an easy place to pick-pocket and pull off a few scores, but honestly, it's too easy. Being a thief is no fun if there's no challenge."
"Have you considered Station Square?" Shadow asks, slightly intrigued. "From what I hear, their security is still as high as it was during times of war."
"I said I want a CHALLENGE, Shadow, not a death sentence."
Shadow grins at the remark.
"WHAT A PATHETIC ATTITUDE," E-123 Omega comments. "IF YOU ARE UNWILLING TO OBTAIN VICTORY OVER THE TOUGHEST OBSTACLE THEN THAT MAKES YOU OBSOLETE BY DEFINITION."
"That sure is a lot of talk for someone with no mouth," Rouge retorts. "If it's that easy, why don't you challenge GUN on their home turf?"
"IF I HAD THE INTEREST, I WOULD DO SO WITH NO ISSUE," E-123 Omega responds. "NOTHING ASIDE FROM THE GREAT DR. EGGMAN IS OF ANY THREAT NOR CONCERN TO ME."
"Well, congrats on the self-positivity, I guess," Rouge says as the team makes it to the circular door leading into the Cargo Bay.
Upon detecting approaching movement, the door slides open for them, revealing a giant, dark room where only a small white light gives it any sort of illumination. Scattered throughout the bay are bolts, tools, busted or unused robot parts, and marked crates containing more metal. It's a wonder anyone at all can navigate this place. A few feet in front of the three is Dr. Eggman, sitting on a crate of canned food. To his right is Zero who looks even more urked than the last time the group saw him.
"Ah, Team Dark!" Dr. Eggman says as he stands up. "About time you've arrived. As you surely have noticed by now, we are hovering over Grand Metropolis. One of the few parts of Mobius that I can tolerate. Aside from a paint job and a few honorary statues, it won't need much restructuring once I've conquered the world. The third chaos emerald is somewhere in this city and the three of you are going to go fetch it for me like usual. However, this time, we will have some notable assistance."
Shadow raises an eyebrow. Rouge does too before she remembers what this is all about. A supposed 'new ally'. With all the chaos, she hasn't had time to think of that interesting development, but now she recalls Eggman mentioning it as early as their first mission. Not a surprise, considering the Doctor's seemingly infinite resources, but what possible asset could they need?
"Team Dark, meet your new ally on the field!" Eggman says with enthusiasm.
At first, nothing happens. Then Rouge steps back and Shadow tenses up at something they both witness for only the briefest moment. A dash of blue light that sends a strong breeze through their fur. The same bullet-fast breeze speeds by behind them. Then, as if he appeared out of thin air, stands a hedgehog at Eggman's side.
It doesn't take long for either Team Dark member to quickly realize the true nature of this stranger. With a height of 3'3, the blue hedgehog stares at each member of Team Dark with its glowing, digital red pupils surrounded in a small pool of darkness. Its blue metal covers the majority of its body with the exception of its grey, sharp fingers, red feet meant to resemble red sneakers, and a round, yellow central hole in its center that's likely meant to help it with ventilation.
Most of Eggman's robots don't have a ventilation opening as big as that one. Shadow thinks to himself. Neither do any GUN Units. Just how much power does this thing exhaust?
The robot's immaculate similarity to War Hero: Sonic the Hedgehog is not lost on anyone in the room. In fact, there can be no other explanation other than Sonic being used as a direct inspiration for this machine.
"I know what everyone in the room is thinking," Eggman begins. "And to answer your question, yes, I've decided to fight fire with fire! Everyone... meet Metal Sonic! My ultimate creation, as well as my ultimate solution to finally exterminating that blue rodent once and for all!!"
"BUT DOCTOR, THAT DOES NOT COMPUTE. I AM YOUR GREATEST CREATION."
Before Eggman can respond, the metal hedgehog practically materializes in front of E-123 Omega and stares him down. Its red eyes look as if they're scanning every part of Omega.
"Hmmmm... you don't look like much," Metal Sonic says.
Its voice has an unmistakably deep pitch, but unlike that of its older counterpart, a part of it is strangely soothing and calm. As if the robot contains some sort of unnatural elegance.
"Your flight capabilities are notably limited, your arsenal, while plentiful, pales to that of mine, and your speed is... to put it lightly... obsolete. Definitely a great effort on the Doctor's part, unsurprising since his intelligence knows no bounds, but don't think for a second that the two of us are comparable."
"IF YOU WISH TO BE CERTAIN, A SIMPLE DUEL SHOULD DETERMINE WHO'S TRULY OBSOLETE."
"You two, stop fighting or I'm turning this Egg Carrier around!" Eggman barks.
Metal Sonic turns from Omega and to Shadow and Rouge.
"Ah, I must be in the presence of Team Dark," it concludes. "The glorious doctor has informed me of your team's purpose, as well as your individual strengths. As far as Mobians go, you two defientely seem like acceptable allies. This partnership of ours- aligned with the Doctor's genius, has already solidified our victory."
"You seem pretty confident," Rouge says. "Do you really think you can take down Sonic?"
"I beg your pardon?" Metal Sonic says before it has a realization. "Oh, you must be referring to my pitiful look-a-like. Rest assured, that faker will be dealt with shortly. I would appreciate it if you were to never again doubt my victory against that creature, as it is a greater insult than you must realize."
Eggman's smile grows so wide, it breaks records.
"Everyone knows the drill!" Eggman says. "Team Dark- get to finding that emerald! Sonic and Zero, you two stay close and be on the lookout for enemies! My SWATbots will be located immediately in a city as busy as this so it's just you two. Stay alert!"
The invisible door leading outside the cargo bay lowers, allowing the teams to jump out. As Team Dark near it, Rouge overhears something Metal Sonic says close to Zero.
"Remember, Jackal, if you get in my way, I will CRUSH you."
Rouge smiles a little.
No wonder he looks so angry. She realizes, amused, before she and her team jump out of the massive aircraft.
...