It's becoming more clear with each passing victory that Eggman's gratitude is quickly starting to turn to entitlement. A reality evident when he snatches the silver emerald from Rouge's hand, a sharp grimace glued to his face as he looks at Rouge before turning back to his newest addition to his emerald collection. He sits cross-legged, his back eased into the comforting red fabric of his floating metal chair, admiring the glow of something so few could ever wish to get their hands on.
"What took you so long?" he asks, eyeing Rouge with a slightly curious glance. "We're in the middle of nowhere. This should have been a simple in-and-out operation."
"It WOULD have been," Rouge begins, not appreciating Eggman's tone. "But Sonic and his friends got-"
"SONIC?!" Eggman screams in a mix of concern and anger, sitting straight up in his chair. "You mean to tell me that blue rodent still caught up to us?! My badniks blew that miserable little rat out of the sky! Why hasn't he been dealt with yet!"
"You of all people should know that's easier said than done, Doctor," Shadow coldly remarks, unfazed by his boss's angry glare.
"IF I WAS HIS SOLE CHALLENGER, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO MATCH, YOUR EXCELLENCE," E-123 Omega confidently claims.
"No matter," Eggman sighs, easing back into his chair. "So far, I'm ahead of that miserable punk by four. It won't be long now. His efforts will result in nothing. Speaking of nothing, where is Zero?"
Upon asking the question, everyone in the large Control Room takes notice of a missing grumpy Jackal standing beside Eggman's chair, cross-armed. Each of them look around, expecting the Jackal himself to answer Eggman's question, but that answer doesn't come. He's nowhere to be seen.
"Is it possible that worthless sack of nothing decided to not show himself after failing me yet again?" Eggman ponders. "If so, that's the one competent thing I've ever seen him do. Only one person has the answer. METAL!!"
As if he was waiting for his cue, Metal Sonic flies into the Control Room, his thunderous thrusters coming to a slow, quiet whirl before dying down completely. The Metal hedgehog stands in front of the three members of Team Dark, kneeling on one knee.
"Yes, my maliciousness?" Metal Sonic asks, knowing full well the upcoming question.
"What happened to your partner?" Eggman inquires, stroking his chin. "Zero set off with you, did he not? Why hasn't he returned?"
"I meant to inform you earlier, my liege," Metal Sonic states, looking up at his creator. "My partner... defected. After such blasphemous claims that you should recognize his value, he attempted to shut me offline and come back here to finish you off. So I reacted appropriately. I took his head off and left his body to be buried under Ice Cap's neverending snow."
At first, Eggman doesn't know how to react to such surprising news. Sure, Zero had an ego, but to try and overthrow HIM of all people. As the reality of Zero's betrayal gradually sets in, a proud grin spreads along Eggman's bushy mustache. He holds a prideful hand over his remarkable creation.
"I can always count on you, Sonic!" he laughs with glee. "Let Zero be one of many examples of what happens when you try and cross the great Dr. Eggman! Your services are recognized."
"This honor is too great of a reward for me, master," Metal Sonic says. "Allow me to prove myself further by eradicating all that stands in your way. GUN, Mobius, my doppelganger, all will fall in your wake."
As the two continue talking, Shadow and Rouge exchange glances they both pick up on immediately. Neither of them knows how it's obvious, and yet, they know with full certainty that Zero wasn't the aggressor. He was the victim.
...