Rouge trusted Shadow, as Omega advised, to work out his pressing issues by himself. However, he pretty much vanished for a time after they returned to Soleanna. She knew he didn't run off by himself as she would hear him come in or out of the lab in the dead of night.

She didn't talk to him until two days later when he strolled into the living space of the lab from outside like nothing happened. "G.U.N. scanners picked up another possible location for an emerald somewhere in Avalon."

"Ah, so you finally decided to come out of hiding then?" Rouge teased as she stood in the kitchen, tossing a greasy paper plate in the trash and finishing the last drops of her drink.

She saw him take a step back before staring at her agape for a moment. "Hiding? What are you talking about?"

"Let me correct that," Rouge continued, coming out from the kitchen and not backing down under his stare. "You're withdrawing from your team so it would be easier for you to leave later. Is that more familiar?"

His stance and stern expression didn't change. "Don't be ridiculous. If that was the case, I wouldn't be here now."

She planted her hands on her hips to show how serious she was. "Really? You think after all this time, Omega and I wouldn't know you enough to see past that?"

The hedgehog turned his nose at her. "Just gather Omega and get ready to leave. I'll be waiting."

He would have walked out the door then, but she reached out and caught his wrist. "Oh, no you don't, mister!"

All stubbornness replaced itself with confusion as she dragged him towards the kitchen. He stumbled back, but she kept her grip firm and unwavering. He demanded her attention, but she stayed silent. Finally, she stopped when they came before the dining table, where she pulled a chair back with her free hand and pushed him toward it. He knew better than to test her at that moment.

Once seated, he watched as she set down a plate with a pizza slice before him. Next came a glass that she filled with water from a pitcher. Once the swirling water stopped and the glass was full, she sat opposite him. "A few minutes won't endanger the emerald. Try to relax and eat something before you pass out."

The food before him made Shadow uneasy. It's not that he wasn't hungry, but he's been on his feet long enough with little food keeping him running that he didn't have the appetite for it. He took a moment to sigh and placed a hand on the surface of the table. "Do you not see the reasons I have to do this? It's my fight. I can't endanger you and Omega any further."

Still firm but not aggressive, Rouge answered as she set her elbow on the table to hold her head up. "It's not your fight. This is just another attempt among many to destroy the world. The fact that he's somewhat related to you only gives him an upper hand is all. How exactly do you plan to defeat him if you went on your own?" She knew she had him when he looked away. "We've been a team this long and nothing has been able to cut between us before, and I'm not giving Eclipse the power to do so now. The three of us? We're a family. We look out for one another no matter the danger. I stand up for you and Omega because I know you two would do the same for me. Wouldn't you?"

She didn't need to hear the answer. She only wanted his reaction. Shadow took another moment of silence as his head spun with doubtful questions. "That's not it. He's looking to mess with me, and that makes you two a target. If something was to happen to either of you, I wouldn't be able to live with it. Especially if he used me to-"

"You won't."

Red eyes landed on her. Rouge continued. "You won't do anything to really hurt us. I know. You're too powerful. If you broke free of possession on your own on the black comet, there's nothing Eclipse can do to make you hurt us."

Shadow opened his hands to better express his next point. "But I didn't break free on my own! You and Omega stopped me."

Still sitting with her hand holding up her head, she smiled. "That's why we're a team."

There it was. He had nothing to hit her back with. He lost. His shoulders fell and he sat still for a moment before settling again on the meal in front of him. Rouge tried to hide her increasing joy at having won the fight and keeping Shadow with them. He studied the pizza slice for a good long while before finally taking a bite of it. "And if Eclipse tries that trick again, how do you propose we deal with it?" His voice was low as he knew he lost the previous argument.

Rouge couldn't help but feel as if there was a hint of fear in his voice as well. "Well, you seemed to hear me all right."

That wasn't good enough for him. Alone or not, he couldn't stand having the alien mess with his senses. Nothing seemed to terrify him more. He would rather deal with the entire race of Black Arms again. "And if I can't next time?"

"Try not to worry about it, hon. You'll be alright." She answered before she stood up. His sudden frown showed off the disapproval he had for it. "Eat up. We'll go when you're done." She gave him a pat on the shoulder and walked past the kitchen and toward the room where Omega stayed.

Once again, Shadow was alone with his thoughts. He looked down at the half-eaten pizza. He only wanted it all to stop. The Black Arms should have been destroyed with the first comet. Why must he still suffer their torment on him? Destroying Eclipse would finally bury the last being capable of raiding his mind and taking him over. Finally, the race would be extinct. He wouldn't have to think about any of it again. Of course, he still would. After all, it was the closest tie to his background that he had. Alien or not, they were a part of him. In the midst of disgust, he also held sorrow. He didn't want to destroy them. He didn't want to destroy Eclipse. Their blood on his hands made him into some sort of monster in his own eyes, but this is what he must do to keep Maria's world and his own sanity safe.

...

Avalon. A wide forest the size of a kingdom covered the southwestern bank of Eurish. In it, a gang of lively mobians made their home and wished for no other. Bow the Sparrow, leader of the Woodland Kingsmen Freedom Fighters, sauntered with a yawn past his beak on his way back to his bed. Behind him, the music around the campfire continued. He couldn't help but smile at Alan's singing voice rising above the trees. Bow's already joined them longer than he needed to and had he stayed, he would have fallen asleep anyway.

The forest pathway grew darker as he moved further and further from the fire. It then occurred to him that he wasn't sure what time it was. Suppose he stayed later than he thought he did? It wouldn't have mattered to him so much if it wasn't already so dark. He wished he brought a light of some sort. At least he could rely on his keen eyesight.

Once he couldn't hear the music anymore, the forest became quiet. Too quiet. No animals stirred and no breeze blew. His boots clomping on the dirt was the only sound keeping him company. The dark sky glimmered an intense dark blue as no city light obstructed it. Bow looked up to see the shadows of trees pass under the stars. As if the soft light beamed him a ray of joy, he began to whistle. Home was just ahead.

Then, as the road turned slightly, Bow took notice of a curious bush. Just a little out from the road, it leaned to the side, and nearly toppled under the weight of something crushing the top of it. The sparrow took a few steps closer to investigate and caught the glimmer of a Chaos Emerald. An emerald? In these parts? It must have been related to the event where the world was restored.

He placed his hand over it, but slowly at first as if it would burn him. Nothing happened and he held it close and peered at the sky through it. The deep indigo above him changed into a dark purple instead. Bow lowered it and glanced around him a final time before pocketing the gem. The emerald's power might be handy at some point for the Freedom Fighters. He picked up his march with a whistle again, only to stop a few paces later when the surrounding ferns began to ruffle.

...

"Another forest. And here I was hoping for something different," Rouge thought out loud as she and her team followed the forest trail.

"I never known you to complain about forests," Shadow answered.

"I don't mind them. I just don't understand why someone wants to live in one. Too many trees."

Omega chimed in next as his footfalls pounded behind his two teammates. "I second your reasoning, but they would be fun to knock over. Like dominoes."

Shadow shook his head. "We're almost there. Once we reach the village, we will ask the Woodland Kingsmen if they know anything about a chaos emerald."

After walking a little further, the trees parted to reveal the home of the Avalon natives. Not only did they choose to live in a forest, but they made their homes in the trees. It was like an entire kingdom off the ground with bridges of different levels connecting various platforms and tree houses. There were only a few folks on the ground, but they didn't spot anyone who would have passed for any of the Freedom Fighters.

"Looks like we might have to walk up this wooden city just to talk to them," Rouge pondered as she looked up at the highest platform she could spot.

Omega clanked as his head locked onto his team. "I do not trust any of those platforms can hold my weight. I will wait down here."

Rouge nodded and took off into the sky, being careful not to hit any of the homes. Shadow had to start at the very bottom of the stairs.

"Excuse me," Rouge greeted as she landed before an older dog on the first platform. "I need to find the Woodland Kingsmen. Do you know where I could find them?"

He pointed a thumb above them. "They're at the platform above us, but I'm not sure how much they can help you."

Rouge turned her head. "Why not?"

"The leader, Bow the Sparrow, went missing after last night."

So that's why everyone on the ground looked uncomfortable. The leader of the Freedom Fighters went missing. Surely, they protected this village. Losing a member that important must make them feel exposed, especially towards their enemy; the Eurish Egg Army.

"I'll take my chances. Thank you." Rouge opened her wings again and rose up as the man wove her goodbye.

Despite the Freedom Fighters of Avalon not looking like much, she knew the four animals were them. Even from here, she could hear them bickering with rising voices growing in alarm. "We're not gunna find 'em while standin' around!" Said one, an angry rat. "We hafta look back for clues!"

"What are we going to do if we can't find him?" A female rabbit pressed her hands on either side of her head. "We have no one to lead us."

"He would have faith in us until he comes back." A buck answered, holding his palms together. "I'm sure that's what he-"

"Hello," Rouge interrupted. "I cannot help but overhear your leader, Bow the Sparrow is missing. Do you know what happened?"

Several pairs of sad eyes turned away. The buck was the one to answer. "We do not. We were outside the village, singing songs and enjoying each other's company around a fire. Bow got tired and said he was going to turn in for the night. He was the first to leave."

"None of us knew he was missin' until no one saw him this mornin'," The rat continued. "His house is empty and it's not like him to be gone without tellin' anyone."

The quail, sitting on a makeshift bench, wiped a tear from his eye and began to strum on the cittern he had in his lap. "So sad. A band of Freedom Fighters without their leader. Forced to defend ourselves from our enemies, we are!"

Rouge met the sorrowed expressions and ignored the quail's dramatic words. A shiver ran through her body when Eclipse came to her mind. If the alien got to him for whatever reason, there's little reason he would keep him around... "Did any of you happen to find a Chaos Emerald?"

The Woodland Kingsmen glanced at each other and shook heads. The shot of discomfort grew worse... Rouge held her hands together, trying to somehow proceed. "The reason I ask is there is an alien on the loose hunting Chaos Emeralds. If Bow found one..."

Expectant and quiet faces looked up at her.

The next voice was behind her. "That means we have to find him quickly." Shadow stood with his arms crossed and didn't react when Rouge turned around.

"How long have you been standing there?!"

But again, he ignored her. "And if he had an emerald with him, that will make him easier to track. I'll check up with G.U.N. and see if the emerald moved."

The rabbit perked up. "We can come with you, right?"

Shadow already walked several paces away, but Rouge answered. "Of course you can. Let me introduce myself. I'm Rouge the bat, and that's Shadow."

The buck stood up and gave her a short bow. "Pleasure to meet you, Miss Rouge. I'm Friar Buck, and our other members are Munch the rat, Alan the quail, and Thorn the lop. I'm sure with all of us combined, we can get Bow back to us."

They didn't have long before Shadow joined them again. "It's on the move and leaving the forest. It's moving fast. We have to leave. I'll bring Omega up to speed on the way." And just like that, he charged away.

Rouge turned to follow him and wove her arm for the others to join her. Behind her, lively war music played on a cittern as well as enthusiastic singing.

...

And move fast it did. They followed it many miles outside of Avalon Forest. The longer they went without a clue of Bow's wellbeing, the more anxious they became. If Eclipse was holding onto him for this long, then why? Was the leader of the Woodland Kingsmen still alive and well? What if the alien didn't have the sparrow at all and this was unrelated? Maybe it would be better if Bow wasn't attached to the emerald.

Then, it all made sense. The combined team split away from the path as a few airships flew by. "Those are Lord Hood's," Thorn remarked with a quiet gasp. Shadow peered from their cover at the Eggman base containing the Eurish Egg Army.

Munch punched his fists together. "So that's his plan, eh? Well, I can't wait to tear that snake to pieces!"

Friar Buck placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Breathe, dear friend." Then, he moved ahead beside Rouge and Shadow. "The Eurish Egg Army has been our greatest enemy since they established these lands. They've been trying to expand into Avalon. My team and I are fighting back. If Bow is in there, they clearly took him to weaken us."

Shadow sighed and turned away from the sight of the base. Rouge looked back at him. "So it's no alien, but that's a good thing. There's still an emerald here and Bow's chances of getting back with his team are better." More disappointed was their robot teammate who lamented and promised to cause extra damage in exchange, but Rouge wasn't as eager. "Let's not blow anything up unless we're discovered."

"Since we're a big group, I'd say we split up," Munch proposed.

"Good idea," Friar Buck agreed. "I'll go with you. Thorn, you head in the opposite direction with Alan." He turned to Rouge. "You and your team can decide what's best. Thank you for leading us here."

Without waiting any longer, the Woodland Kingsmen departed, leaving only Team Dark. Shadow addressed the team. "Bow is not going to have the emerald. I imagine it would go to Egg Boss Hood. We need to find him first since they have Bow covered."

Rouge nodded. "Omega, stay outside and cover us!"

"Fine, but as soon as they find you, I'm rushing in, guns blazing."

Rouge and Shadow were gone before he could even finish, though Rouge wondered if he would keep that promise or not. They ducked under any chance of shelter they could find, saving them a few times from being spotted by the odd passing airship. Luckily, the sun was already falling, giving them some extra darkness to work with.

They scoured the wall of the base until they found an open window big enough to fit them both. Rouge climbed ahead. The thick and powdery stone bricks didn't give her much to work with, but it was doable. "I appreciate you staying with the team, hon. You made it all the way here with us." A short "Hmph," was the only reply she got, but it was all she needed.

Once in the opening, she scanned down below her for any eyes that might catch her when she drops. Clear. She pulled her feet in and dropped them on the other side, climbing down a few feet before landing on the floor. Shadow landed beside her. Rouge kept her voice down. "Mordred Hood would be further inside. Probably closer to the center of the base."

Carefully, Rouge looked about the empty segment of the base as they crept for a door. Empty as it may be, there were a few stacks of crates piled near the wall. The lid of the first one closest to them was askew, showing they contained a stockpile of ammunition. "Ooh, there's no reason they should have all of this here," Rouge whispered. An overhead aircraft rumbled over her words for a moment. "If we find the emerald without a fuss, I would like to blow this up for them before leaving."

Shadow moved on behind her and pulled the door open a little way. He kept it mostly closed until a set of footsteps disappeared. They then moved out into the hallway. Chandeliers dangled from a high ceiling, too high to light up the floor as it should. They picked a direction at random and kept close to the walls.

The hallway curved as they followed it until they came to another door on the long side of the wall. Shadow continued for it, but Rouge's keen ears picked up voices and stopped him. She pointed at a grate between two tall pillars. Light spilled onto the too-dark floor. The two agents huddled close and peered into the main chamber.

This one was better lit with extra torches than the hallway. It was a wide and open chamber where Lord Mordred Hood could sit in the center of the base and command his forces. It was none other than the snake's voice she heard. Rouge could see him standing in the center of the room with his back turned to them. He was talking with one of his minions. Presumably someone higher in rank than the others. "Well, it wasn't a bad suggestion to take the Woodland Kingsmen's leader, but surely that will draw them right to us? Their attacks were always a problem before."

"We should be grateful G.U.N. hasn't been attacking us like they have been." Came the response.

Mordred Hood paused for a moment. "We need to strike Avalon quickly before they can do anything about this."

The other nodded and exited the room. Hood adjusted his stance and carefully straightened a pouch at his side. The two observers could make out a purple glow coming from the opening. The bag was heavy.

Rouge turned to her companion. "Leave this part to me." Without waiting for a response, she left the grate and vanished. Shadow turned again to the chamber, not surprised when he saw Rouge sticking to the shadows moments later.

Mordred Hood, after talking to one of his units, began pacing up and down the running carpet. Every now and then, he would stop to ponder something before returning to his unease. If she wanted to reach the emerald unseen, Rouge would have to wait for a time when he paused while also facing away from where she hid. Luckily, the bat had all the patience in the world, even in the middle of a timely and tedious mission. Her calm under pressure was one of the many reasons why she was a good thief.

A set of marching footsteps alerted Shadow and he moved away from the grate and pressed his back against one of the pillars. Once they walked past him, he returned. Rouge was in position. She crouched right behind Lord Hood, her hand slowly reaching for the pouch.

Then, a door slammed, startling her and making her retreat behind shelter. "Sir!" A soldier cried. "The Woodland Kingsmen are already here! They're breaking their leader out of the dungeon!" As they ran out of the room in a panic, Shadow saw Rouge meeting his eyes with worry on her face. As soon as they were clear to do so, they pursued it, meeting up again in the process.

They followed quickly but at a safe distance as Lord Hood rushed to the dungeon. Several other forces joined him from the other branches of the base. The sandy brick changed to a dark and suffocating grey once in the reinforced chamber. The door, heavy and usually locked, was left wide open. Sounds of battle poured out.

Rouge swung into the chamber and kicked the nearest soldier in the face. Shadow followed in behind her. All four members of the Woodland Freedom Fighters were here. Thorn dashed right and left around one of Hood's men, Alan swung his cittern like a weapon, and Munch faced off against two opponents, but judging how he smashed their heads into each other, he was fine on his own. As for the last member, Friar Buck was against the wall, trying to free the Sparrow chained to it.

Lord Hood froze and surveyed the damage for a short moment. It was long enough for Shadow to charge into him. The attack spun him around in a circle. The soldiers closest came to defend him, but Shadow warped to and fro around the room, chopping and slamming the nearest enemy each time he reappeared. They tried to catch him, but couldn't predict where he would show up. Shadow took advantage and dropped each one quickly.

That just left Lord Hood. Not willing to take any chances with the disappearing hedgehog, he tried to catch him with a wave from the vertigo inducers. Again, the agent was gone, casting vertigo on his own men fighting Thorn and Munch. Shadow reappeared behind him and kicked him in the back. Once he was down, the hedgehog grabbed for the emerald. Hood raised his caped head. "Someone get Robotnik for reinforcements now!"

Several of his army rushed out of the dungeon, but it would be too late by the time reinforcements arrived anyway. Bow was free and the group began fighting their way out. A few brave souls tried to stop them, but their group was too big and formidable for them to do any damage. "Somebody bolt the door! Trap them in!"

That would have worked if they didn't have anyone outside already. As the front gate came into view it tore to splinters and Omega plodded through, true to his words, guns blazing. The blasts shook the base and nearby eardrums. Units instinctively lined up to defend, but couldn't hold against the force of the bullet storm. As Rouge, Shadow, and the others ran on through, Omega trailed behind them, defending their flight from pursuers.

The group ran into the horizon until they could hear nothing but the alarms in the distance. They then slowed to a stop, all breathless except the robot. Rouge bowed down as she tried to recover. The air still smelled of gunpowder. Even over here. "Well done," She congratulated between gasps. She patted Omega's forearm. "It's all thanks to you we made it out of there."

"I predicted they would catch you with so many going in," Omega's booming voice replied.

Bow stood straight. "My courageous team! I'm proud of you all." He looked over the smiling faces of his Freedom Fighters. He raised his bow in the air. "With a fighting spirit like this, Lord Hood doesn't stand a chance!"

The Woodland Kingsmen cheered. Rouge gasped. "What about the emerald?"

"Right here," Shadow answered and held the purple Chaos Emerald before them.

She sighed. "Thank goodness. That makes three. It gives us a good stance against Eclipse."

"And I can't forget you, Team Dark" Bow interrupted. He gave them a royal solute. "I'm in your debt. Thank you for rallying my troops."

Rouge turned around to face him. "We're glad you're back with your team." Her comrades behind her didn't add to her nicety. "We were after the Chaos Emerald anyway, so it was no problem."

"Of course!" Bow chimed. "Feel free to take that with you. We will have no need of it. Not with my valiant gang!"

"It's time for us to be on our way," Shadow stated. "We'll return to the village first, then my team and I need to return to Soleanna. Until another emerald is found."

Bow nodded. "Let's. 'tis a long walk ahead of us."

None of them knew, not even Shadow, that they were being watched. Eclipse and his Dark Arms peered at them from a safe distance. Because of the fallen sun, they were able to blend in better in the dark. The alien sneered. "There are a lot of them, but don't worry. I have a plan. Shadow is not taking that emerald!"