Not a single part of Rouge enjoyed leaving Shadow on his own. If not for the quick intervention of Omega, she would currently be lending him a hand and not flying alongside her metallic partner across the ruined city below.

"SHADOW'S RANGED ATTACKS CAN ELIMINATE RISK OF PHYSICAL CONTACT. A LUXURY YOU DO NOT POSSESS."

Those words Omega gave her when Shadow first made his abrupt decision to fight against the ZomBots snapped things into perspective. He's right. All it takes is one touch and transformation is inevitable. Even considering the thought of joining Shadow in his unwinnable fight troubles her.

What has gotten into me? She wonders, frowning. I can't believe I almost pulled a stunt like that. I need to focus.

Still, a part of her feels guilty leaving her teammate behind. It's anyone's guess what caused him to do something so rash. But if she had to make one, it was something neither she nor Omega can see. Something dark.

Requesting E-123 Omega to go help his outnumbered ally came to mind at first. But the spy would honestly have better luck asking a tree. The robot seems fully intent to accomplish its mission, with nothing else taking away from that priority.

Rouge would find it odd he cared enough to stop her from getting infected, but it makes sense. She's still a treasure hunter after all. Shadow's brawn is disposable. Her talent for acquiring gems- not so much.

Just a few more meters ahead is where the ancient gemstone should be located according to the radar in her hands. From the look of it, it seems to be on the edge of the city, isolated from the tall, formerly run businesses and crowded streets. Along the rim of the concrete wall surrounding Scrapbrain is a large stretch of wilderness. The only area that looks to have stayed the same after all these years.

Both Rouge and E-123 Omega swoop over the barrier of dense trees, coming up closer on their target.

"We're here," Rouge says, lowering the radar to look down at the wooden structure below.

If all the other buildings looked bad- this one certainly took the cake as the worst. Sitting alone in a small pocket of the woods is a small shack about the size of a large tent. No more than one could've been its resident. Nearly all color on the wood has dried with age into a dull white. Pieces of the roof have long since either decayed or been struck with nasty weather. It becomes clear that this shack has been abandoned long before Eggman's weapon of mass destruction came along.

"I've hidden out in worse," Rouge reminisces as she softly descends on the ground in front of the small building. Omega joins her. She sighs and turns to him. "Hey, do you really think Shadow will be alright on his own? There were HUNDREDS of those... ZomBots."

"THE HEDGEHOG'S CHANCES AGAINST THE INFECTED ARE UNCERTAIN." E-123 Omega answers, not turning to face Rouge. "FOR NOW, WE SHOULD FOCUS ON OUR PRIMARY OBJECTIVE."

Rouge rolls her eyes, frustrated.

Of course. She internally vents. I expected nothing less from one of Eggman's-

"THAT WAY, IF WE HURRY, WE CAN GO BACK AND ASSIST HIM."

The bat's eyes slightly widen with surprise. Nothing is to be gained for Eggman if they take a risk like this. And sticking around longer will only give the war hero and his friends time to catch up. Where was the logic in the machine's decision? Maybe... there is none.

Rouge's lips curl into a small smile and she follows the hulking machine as he enters through the missing doorway. Inside, things are not much better. It's barely enough space for either the jewel thief or the walking weapon to occupy. Against the left-side wall is a makeshift bed with a mattress almost beyond recognition. The bundle of cloth and cotton is completely bent out of shape, stained with what had to be years of usage.

In the center of the floor is a collection of books messily scrawled around. Must have been the old resident's only source of entertainment. To the right is a black chest- the only thing that has even the slightest bit of intrigue.

"If I had to guess, what we're looking for must be in there," Rouge informs Omega, pointing to the rectangular box.

The robot acknowledges it.

"YOUR ASSUMPTION SEEMS THE MOST LOGICAL," he states, taking a step toward the chest.

"I wonder what kind of person would live in this dump," Rouge comments, looking around at the eroded walls laced with dust and cobwebs.

"MUST BE WHAT YOU MOBIANS WOULD REFER TO AS A 'BUM'."

E-123 Omega's cold, titanium fist rains down on the chest like a strike of thunder, cracking open the already fragile wood. Through the forceful hole is a peek at the box's contents, which is more than enough confirmation for the emerald hunters' suspicions. A yellow light shines from the crack and floods the old small space. The unmistakable glow of a chaos emerald.

"Who would ever want to keep that precious thing locked up?" Rouge asks aloud as Omega retrieves the bright gem. "I'm all for collections, but you gotta give them some air to breathe every now and again. After all, why go through the trouble if only to hide their beauty?"

"I DON'T KNOW, NOR DO I REALLY CARE," E-123 Omega exits the shack, with Rouge close behind. He turns around, looking down at the bat. "IT IS TIME WE GO."

"Right," Rouge smiles, spreading her wings. "No one left behind."

E-123 Omega pauses.

"THAT IS CORRECT."

Together, they both ascend into the air, having found their prize.

...