Shadow's heart skipped a beat, and he came to a sudden stop. That voice pulling him into his mind had to be the real thing this time. He braced himself for an ambush but finally saw the dark form fall next to the emerald. Eclipse gripped the clear gem and held it before him. He clenched his yellow teeth and narrowed his dark eyes. "I don't know if you're brave or stupid for coming here on your own. The Master Emerald is not here to save you. What will you do now?"
But the hedgehog was ready to spring as the alien still spoke. Eclipse didn't need an answer. He tossed the emerald where Shadow finally noticed the Dark Arms. It bounced on the block one's head and the slim one he called "Cyzer" swooped in and took it up in his mouth.
Now with the emerald out of the way, Eclipse lunged forward, claws leading. Shadow turned and jabbed his shoulder into Eclipse's arm. The alien came back up to swing again, but Shadow kicked him in the chest. Eclipse stumbled back. "Blurk!" He called and held out his arm to the dark block wisp/alien hybrid. With no hesitation, it raced through the air and disappeared in his hand. The Dark Arm may be gone, but a solid blue sheen now coated Eclipse's body. He turned and swung. Shadow barely ducked under in time. No time for a counterattack. Eclipse punched with his other arm and caught his ear. He nearly fell to the ground, but instead used the momentum to roll behind Eclipse. He came up and slammed his arm into the alien's waist, but he didn't budge under the armor Blurk gave him. Eclipse turned and grabbed the hedgehog, lifting him in the air by the fur of his collar. The armored fist sent him flying until he landed on his back some way away.
Blurk floated away above the battlefield and Shadow lifted his head to see the alien standing with his arms open. "You can't defeat me, so why do you try? Without your chaos abilities, you're as good as dead."
He was right, and how far away were reinforcements? It could still take them too long to assist. He had to reprioritize reaching the emerald, though with the Dark Arms holding it, it wouldn't be easy. If he could distract them long enough, maybe the rest of Team Dark can reach him in time. He only had to stay alive and keep the emerald in view.
Eclipse called for Cyzer next. It tossed the emerald from its glowing green mouth to the winged Dark Arm and answered the call. Shadow jumped up on his feet again before Eclipse aimed his arm for him. The eye in his palm showed a small piece of Cyzer as he lent his power to his master. A bright beam of energy shot behind Shadow's heels, but Shadow wasn't coming back in for the fight. His new target was the emerald clenched in Cregal's teeth. Cregal raised his brows but took the coming attack in confidence. He began to fly out of reach. Eclipse continued to aim for the speeding hedgehog, but Shadow zigzagged out of harm's way.
Cregal may think he can fly out of reach, but he underestimated Shadow's ability. Rhygenta and Blurk flew close behind Cregal. They soared around to the other side of the spring, but Shadow hopped up on a few thick mushrooms and jumped up right in Cregal's path. With quick thinking, the Dark Arm tossed the gem to Rhygenta and dove out of reach. "Leave Cregal alone!" He heard Eclipse yell from the far side of the spring. "Come back to me, little ones!"
As they raced for their master, he traded Cyzer for Cregal and flew over the spring with the new wings replacing his arms. The three Dark Arms followed him, but out of reach. Shadow hopped up on the small cliff overlooking the spring and raced for the emerald, now clutched in Rhygenta's feet. By the time he saw Eclipse leaping into view, it was too late to react. A red wing sliced forward and slashed across his chest, sending him rolling across the grass. Eclipse came down on him but only got a face full of flame from a rocket shoe. Shadow rolled around him, and Eclipse bowed down and pressed a wing to his face. "Ugh! That's it!" He declared and rose to his feet to see the hedgehog once again racing for the scattering Dark Arms. He wanted to save as much energy as possible in case help arrived, but to protect the Dark Arms, he may have to do more. He let Cregal go and morphed into his Monster Form.
Instead of flying away, Rhygenta flew straight up. Shadow's gloved hand barely swiped an inch from the emerald in her clutch. He couldn't fly like her. It was a smart move, but he had one more idea up his sleeve. Shadow raced to the edge of the cliff and jumped off for the think vines entangling a strong tree and began racing up the spiral.
Eclipse ran for the edge after him but didn't follow him up the vine. He jumped down to the base. Shadow knew from the shaking near the top that something unnatural occurred below. Before it shook free and crackled from the ground, Shadow was in the air. There was nothing Rhygenta could do. She let out a short squeak as he hugged his arm around her and fell to the ground. The tree he ran on moments ago leaned in Eclipse's grasp and he threw it free and began his trek to the top of the cliff again. Shadow and Rhygenta bounced once, then twice to the safe ground. She squirmed and held on tight, but it was useless against his firm grasp. The tree fell with a mighty crash, briefly covering her little cries. Shadow had her trapped in one arm and the clear emerald in his other.
But not for long. In came the rest of the Dark Arms looking to free their team comrade. Blurk reached him first and clenched a sharp jaw into Shadow's arm. Shadow yelled and released Rhygenta, but she wasn't the only thing he dropped. The emerald rolled and fell to the forest floor.
Shadow pushed and punched Blurk until the creature finally released his stubborn grasp. Eclipse charged for the distracted hedgehog, letting out a roar to announce his presence. Shadow turned his head enough to see him before the frogs released their cry over the fallen tree. A heavy rain fell at once and the landscape changed. It didn't stop Eclipse's charge as he tackled Shadow, tumbling both of them off the edge and rolling down the steep hill.
Meanwhile, the four Dark Arms raced for the dropped emerald. It also rolled until it came to a stop on flat ground, but before they had time to reach it, a large mushroom popped out of the ground under the gem and sent it flying over their heads. They turned, bumping into each other, as they raced for it once again. That's when they saw the movement of figures in the distance. Help has arrived. Cregal pointed in the direction where the emerald disappeared and ordered Cyzer and Rhygenta to continue after it while he and Blurk warn Eclipse of the coming danger.
Eclipse kept Shadow under him and pounded his spines into the wet earth. He scored several good hits before Shadow moved out of the way enough for him to miss and he plunged his fist in the mud. Shadow took his chance to escape and managed to get up on his feet before Eclipse grabbed his ankle and pulled him back. Shadow's jaw slammed into the ground. The best he could do at this point was half-turn and kick his free leg into Eclipse's face, but the alien barely flinched in his Monster Form. Eclipse, his hand still grasping Shadow's ankle, threw him up in the air where he stood and caught the hedgehog by the neck. Shadow struggled for air but could do nothing else as long as Eclipse blocked access to his Chaos energy.
Then came a chattering Cregal and Blurk. They bounced up and down and pointed in the other direction. Eclipse paused to look at them. "I can't understand when you're talking over each other. What is it?!" He gave them a second to start over and listened as Cregal stepped up to explain. "They're here? Come then. We can still get out with the emerald."
He launched Shadow one last time and didn't look back even to make sure the Ultimate Lifeform couldn't follow. It would take him time to recover. It would be enough. Eclipse dropped his monster form and ran after Cregal and Blurk. "Cregal, I know you're tired, but do you have the strength to fly me out of here?"
Cregal nodded his pointed face and disappeared within his master. Eclipse flew faster than he could run and now he could see the other two Dark Arms crying and pointing into the spring. Reinforcements were in view now. Eclipse ordered his three remaining companions to begin their retreat right before the first few shots sang in the air.
They obeyed, but they couldn't go far without looking back at their master. Eclipse dove into the spring in a heartbeat, missing a wave of bullets. He then crashed out of the water with the emerald wrapped in his tail. "I told you to flee! Now go! I'm right behind you." He yelled at the three. They turned and began again. G.U.N. agents surrounded the spring now, but the aliens were already out of range.
Away from the spring, Rouge and Omega ran to check on Shadow who rolled over from the base of a tree. "Shadow, are you all right?!" Rouge asked and extended a hand to help him up.
He tried to answer but groaned instead. He seemed unstable, so Rouge tried to help, but he quickly motioned for her to step back. He pressed a hand over his pounding head and gathered his surroundings. "Where's Eclipse? The emerald?"
Omega, stiff and stoic as always, responded. "Reinforcements arrived in time to see Eclipse dive into the spring and fly away with the emerald in his possession." He held a metal claw before him and tightened it into a fist with a hearty clang. "We didn't arrive in time to stop him, but I won't give up. I will destroy that alien."
Shadow looked away, not responding. Rouge wasn't sure if he was dizzy or regretful. She gripped his shoulder and tried to look him in the eyes. "You're lucky you're still alive. If we're going to keep it that way, we need to move as a team."
He made no effort to connect with her. "I had to..."
Agent Lodge of G.U.N's Spider Troupe interrupted. "We observed the alien flying northwest. Since Team Dark is leading this mission, you're the one deciding if we should pursue them or not." The rain pattered on her armor.
Omega turned his head to reply with a sounding "yes," but Rouge quickly spoke over him. "No. Even if it wasn't muddy, we wouldn't be able to keep up with them. Best we report back to headquarters."
Agent Lodge could never say she saw a robot slump in disappointment before, but Omega certainly did. "Yes ma'am," she saluted and marched, eager to get out of the rain soaking around her armor.
Rouge also wanted to get out of the rain. If she had any more time to rest, she would have to take the time to dry off first. Still, she took her time to make sure her team reached the transport vehicle they had to leave behind due to the rough terrain. Omega turned and clomped ahead. She walked with her arm supporting Shadow if he needed it, wondering if there was any chance for the robot's heavy feet to sink and get stuck in the mud or not. They only walked several steps before Shadow brushed her off and walked on his own.
...
Eclipse hoped their hideout was well enough away to be free from the frogs' summoning of rain, but no such luck. It managed to slow down, but still fell fast enough for the Dark Arms to start shivering. Luckily, their little temporary home didn't get washed away while they were gone. Eclipse wished they had something better than the quick shelter he threw together. It was nothing but a collection of things he could find nearby strapped to a steep hill. True, the hill protected them from some intruders and gave them less to look after, but there was no floor. So, while it still stood against the rain, the ground inside was a little damp despite the large fan leaves scattered to keep it as dry as possible. They stayed in two shuttles before and were always lucky enough to find a few caves or an old, abandoned building or two. Out of all the places they stayed, this had to be the worst one.
Cregal separated from his master as soon as they hit the ground. They all rushed inside the crude curtain of leaves acting as their door. The sound of the rain continued just as strongly inside, and the "roof" leaked in several places. Without hesitation, the four Dark Arms slumped on whatever ground they landed on first. Eclipse grasped the Chaos Emerald from his tail and meandered toward their collection of red fruit he brought in earlier for that day. He had to plant the tree far away from their resting site in case someone found it and wanted to investigate. Unfortunately, that took precious chunks of energy and time every day that he didn't want to spend, but he had no other option.
Ever since he lost the last remaining shuttle from the Black Comet on Angel Island, they struggled to start over with enough food. Being chased and forced to keep on the move didn't help either. Eclipse couldn't help but sigh when he saw how little was left. Was there enough for all of them? He hoped more would be ready to harvest by the time he checked on the tree again. He picked up the mat of layered leaves he used to carry the fruit and took it to where the Dark Arms rested. The four perked their eyes up when they saw him coming. One by one, he dropped fruit before each of them. "You guys did fantastic today. We escaped without harm, and we have this-" he held up the sparkling gem. "This emerald is not nearly as strong as the Master Emerald, but with more of them, I'm sure it will give us what we need. If we can find all seven, surely, we will be strong enough to finally wipe this pathetic world of all life."
The smile on his face grew weak and he sat down and crossed his legs. "Gathering the emeralds would be more difficult than our attempt at the Master Emerald. Shadow knows we're after them now. No doubt he will be on our tail to reach them first." Having the first time to rest since the fight over the emerald brought about the pain from Shadow's attacks to the surface. Eclipse placed the gem to the side and reached for his portion of fruit. There was only a single one left after he gave each of his Dark Arms two each. He turned it over in his hand before biting it in half. The green ooze inside reformed in the curve left of the fruit. This would have to hold him through the morning until he collected more. For all of their sakes, he had to stay strong enough to work and keep them safe, but that was a challenge with their limited supply. Ribs showed under his dark skin, and he couldn't remember the last time he wasn't hungry. He knew his poor little ones felt the same way.
He couldn't have made it this far without them. It was because of them they managed to escape Angel Island in the first place. Without them, well, he wouldn't be here. Their abilities and determination were remarkable. They were still so young and had proved undeniable loyalty and strength. In order to accomplish their new goal of hunting the Chaos Emeralds, he also needed them to stay healthy. He wanted them to stay healthy.
A light chirp distracted Eclipse from his tired mind, and he looked beside him to see a smiling Rhygenta. She gave her second untouched red fruit a slight push so that it bumped into his leg. His smile returned and he patted her on the head. "Thank you, little one, but you should enjoy it. Don't worry about me."
Her decision didn't change. She beamed and jumped up and down. He couldn't convince her otherwise. A lump rose in his throat as he picked it up. Then, three more fruits appeared. Despite the stress and the pain, he couldn't hold down a laugh as the Dark Arms surrounded him. Eclipse wiped his dampening eyes with an arm. "I couldn't have asked for better creations if I tried!"
The four broke out into a cheer and crowded on his lap. He wrapped his arms around them as best as he could. Eclipse has known nothing but regret and suffering since the Black Comet arrived on this planet. The memory of home and his dear master weighed heavy on his heart. Shadow may have been the one to raid his homeland, destroy his creator, Black Death, and helped to plant a bomb on the comet, but Eclipse knew Shadow and his team weren't the only ones at fault. He wanted to blame him. Oh, he wished he had the confidence to hate him fully for what he did, but he couldn't deny a lot of the fault was his own.
Black Death created him for a single purpose; to get revenge on Shadow and this planet for what they did to Black Doom and the first Black Comet. He wanted Eclipse to kill Shadow, but that's never what Eclipse wanted. He wanted to convince Shadow to join their side instead. They shared the same blood after all. That made Shadow family, and Eclipse didn't want to destroy his family. Shadow didn't share the same sentiment. By giving him a chance to come home peacefully, he assisted Shadow in destroying it. His master warned him this might happen, but Eclipse didn't listen.
There were a lot of the master's orders he disobeyed. His experiment to create the Dark Arms was another one. He constantly rebelled against his master's wishes, and Black Death allowed him to do it. Eclipse wanted nothing but to show his loyalty to his family. He hated Shadow for destroying everything he had, but he also hated himself for the same reason.
But there was one thing he will never regret. The creation of the Dark Arms. Most of the eggs shattered when their shuttle crashed on Angel Island, but the four survivors were his new home now. From this point on, if he succeeded or perished in this mission, he will protect them with his last breath and cherish the time they spent together as a family. Not even Shadow can take that away from him.
His body still ached, and they were all still hungry after they shared the remaining food, but Eclipse slept peacefully through the morning with his family cuddled up next to him.
...
Rouge blotted around her ears with a warm towel. Drying off from the rain was nice, but washing up was even better. Her fur was soft again and she no longer shivered from the cold. She tossed the towel in the laundry hamper but paused to look at the time before heading out of the empty shower room. The sun would already be up. The morning has officially started. She pouted and exited the room. Morning or not, she was going right back to her room for a nap. From the look of the lounge room, some agents gave up on the lost sleep and started their day. Some of them ate breakfast while others read the newspaper or talked about their latest run to intercept Eclipse and his minions. She wondered how many others decided to catch up on their sleep while they could.
The sweet smell of freshly brewed coffee almost made her decide to forgo her planned nap. There would be plenty more coffee for another day. She might even decide to start a pot whenever she wakes up. A woman at the counter saw the bat and called to her while she spread some butter on fresh toast. "Morning, Rouge. Have you already filled out your report on the occurrence last night?"
Rouge shrugged. "I don't know why anyone would need a report from me. We all saw what happened. My story won't be any different."
Olivia gave a short laugh and pointed the tip of the buttered knife in her direction. "You're putting it off again? They're only going to let you get away with it for so long."
Rouge turned a pointed chin and walked in the other direction. "I'm here for results, honey, not for sitting in a quiet room writing boring papers. Maybe I'll get around to it after I wake up in a few hours or so, but I doubt it."
"Well, it's your decision." The human returned and took a bite of the toast.
Rouge kept going after waving farewell with her back still turned. Sunlight spilled in the hallways as she continued. Soft voices of words she didn't pick up carried on around her, and while there were only a few people up and about in this part of the building, she passed by a few occupied with folders, phones, or on their way to unknown destinations. For the morning right after another failed attempt at catching Eclipse, the day seemed to be like any other.
She was nearly at her door when she stopped at the sight of her hedgehog teammate passing her by. He wore an unpleasant expression, like normal. "And where do you think you're going?"
He didn't slow down. "To talk to the commander."
She turned around with him and walked back the way she came. Due to his recent habits, she was half-surprised to see him clean and well-groomed. "Starting with business matters right away, I see. But I'm sure we're already looking for the signals of the Chaos Emeralds after what happened last night, so why the rush?"
"We need to reestablish our goals. If we make the emeralds our first priority, Eclipse can't get any stronger. With Team Dark as the leader, I must discuss our next steps in securing them and which teams would be stronger hunting for the emeralds, and who should remain to track down Eclipse."
She stammered in annoyance. "You are letting him go too far in your head! In the last several months, you haven't stopped working on this case. You are going to work yourself to ruin!"
He sneered at her. "You say that like any of us have a choice. Maybe you don't understand the risks that are at stake here, but we cannot let Eclipse gain that kind of power."
Fed up, she quickened her pace to get in front of him and poke a finger in his chest, forcing him to a stop. "I get it. We all get it, but you cannot allow him to control you like this. You're not the only one trying to stop him, so quit acting like it! We're a team, remember?" She paused to allow the words to sink in. He didn't reply but bore into her with a menacing frown. Despite that, his hands remained at his side. He was listening. She folded her arms and continued. "Do you remember what I said after we reunited on the Black Comet? I told you I trusted you. I let my guard down around you. I know this is hard. This is a Black Arm who knows how to manipulate you, but we're looking out for you too. This is as important to me as well as Omega, and not only because of the damage he can bring about on the world but what he can do to you." She returned his intimidating stare and thought she saw it change for a moment, but only for a moment. He started to reply, but she already knew what it was and cut him off. "I know you're the Ultimate Lifeform. You say that as if it gives you permission to endanger yourself again and again. As your friend, I am asking you to please slow down a moment and let us take over for a while so you can recover."
Somehow, his anger melted and he looked to the side. That seemed to give him the courage to return eye contact again. "Slowing down wouldn't help anything. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to rest until he's done for good. I can't rest knowing he's out there. I can't rest knowing what he's capable of doing. I can't stop and rest because when I do, he's there." His answer didn't bring Rouge any solace. Her eyes drooped down and she searched for the right words to say but came up empty. Shadow took a single step around her before looking at her again. His hot breath brushed against her face when he spoke. "I have to bring him down as soon as possible. The Black Arms need to be buried in the past where they belong."
With that, he left. Rouge lifted her head. She didn't even realize she was in the lounge again. Several of the humans watched him march away. She guessed some of them heard the conversation taking place. When some of the curious gazes fell on her, her ears fell and she began again for her room.
Shadow never looked back, but her words stuck like glue. There was nothing more he could do. There was nothing more than any of them could do. Rouge only meant well and he appreciated her loyalty, but what he told her was solid truth. Besides, the catastrophe Eclipse wanted to unleash was far greater than anything Shadow could struggle with now.
As if nothing happened, he marched boldly on his way to see the commander. The computer labs and GPS stations were mostly empty. A lot of personnel were usually staffed here day and night and very rarely would Shadow catch it this quiet. The few individuals present at the desks worked on their usual routines quietly. The gigantic monitor in the GPS station was off, leaving only the slow tip-tap of keyboards and mouse in place of the blipping of the monitor.
Commander Tower's office was near here just up the stairs. It didn't even take a second after knocking did he hear the permission to enter. Abraham Tower was facing a TV screen that just closed an image as Shadow came in. The commander then turned his head to greet his visitor. "Ah, Shadow. I figured you would come by at some point. I didn't think it would be this early, but it is hardly a surprise."
The office, being the commander's, was the largest of the ones in the building. It was also the cleanest. Tower's habits of keeping organized and tidy made the room feel as though someone has yet to occupy it. The carpets and heavy desk were many years old but didn't have any obvious stains or imperfections. Many visitors may feel intimidated and worried they may blemish the perfect office just by entering.
The man came back to the desk facing the door. "I just got off with King Acorn. Now that his kingdom isn't distracted with attacks by Dr. Robotnik or Dark Gaia energy or the sorts, Mobotropolis should be able to keep any Chaos Emeralds they find safely within their walls." He sat down in the office chair. Had his visitor been anyone but Shadow, he would have gestured to the empty chairs facing him, but he knew the hedgehog would refuse. "He knows about the Black Arm already, but he agreed he will let the Freedom Fighters know of the alien's quest at finding the emeralds and will keep them safely within the city walls should they find any. I have no doubt the Freedom Fighters would spread the message to the other Freedom Fighter groups around the nation."
Shadow nodded and came closer to the desk. "I have no doubt Eclipse wouldn't be able to reach all of the emeralds. Not with so many others looking for them. He may be growing desperate, but it would be unlike him to start something he doesn't believe he can finish." Shadow paused as Commander Tower interlaced his fingers and squinted as he followed along the hedgehog's thoughts. "My concern is how we secure them. He will fight and he will kill to prevent us from locking them up."
The commander took a moment more to decide on a response. He lowered his palms onto the polished wood. "Once they are locked in our vaults, he's lost. Securing the emeralds once we have them would be our number one priority, and I would rather have them all locked here than in Mobotropolis. Their vaults were broken into before." He was about to continue, but he paused a moment and pressed a finger into his temple as if a thought interrupted him. His colorful eyes darted to the computer screen sitting on his desk. Shadow couldn't see what was displayed, though he knew by the light catching the man's wrinkled face that it was on. Tower finally settled on the decision that plagued his mind. "I imagine it wouldn't be hard to convince King Niguel Acorn to pass them over to us. Even keeping them locked up makes Mobotropolis a target, and several officials already see Eclipse as our problem to begin with." His gaze finally returned to the hedgehog and his hand fell again on the desk, but this time with more force. "And if that draws the alien to us, all the better! He will fall directly in our hands with no way out and we will finally be done with all this Black Arm nonsense."
Shadow stood, solid and unchanged as Tower leaned back. The chair creaked under the movement. The commander gave his final order. "As for our strategy. I still want Team Dark's eyes set on the alien and his actions as before. I will send teams out as we know more about the emeralds' whereabouts. Between G.U.N. and the Freedom Fighters, we should have plenty of units on the field. I will let you know if those directives change."
Shadow gave him a last nod of approval and turned to leave. Had he been the one making the decisions, he would have had it no other way. Eclipse was more than G.U.N's problem. He was Shadow's problem, and Shadow wanted to be the one to put an end to it.