A/N: So, because the Bygone Adventures episodes are supposed to be quick reads, I am splitting this plot into the next episode, which actually works out really well for what I wanted to do in Episode 3 anyway. So yes, this is the last chapter of this episode, but after this week, I will hopefully have the next episode up soon.

Just add this to your library, and I will post an update notifying you when the next episode is out. Thanks for reading!

...

Dr. Eggman's Base

"Sir, are you feeling all right? You haven't touched your lunch," Orbot asked politely.

Cubot bounced beside him, poking a plate of untouched eggs and bacon. "Yeah! Or your breakfast! Are you sick or something, Boss?"

Eggman waved at both of them dismissively, his eyes never leaving the screen. He had too much to think about to even bother eating. Something was happening on the island, something big, and he had a feeling that his most powerful ally and his most loathsome enemy were tangled up in it. He just needed to find the connection.

Both of them had been more aggressive than usual towards him. First, Shadow being possessive over that cave and then freeing one of the newly discovered monsters he had captured. Then Sonic falling into a fit of rage because Tails had taken a hit.

And that was just the tip of the iceberg. Shadow was a hybrid. That in of itself was shocking enough but a hybrid of what? The species wasn't listed in any of his extensive databases, which meant it must be an undiscovered species.

Eggman had never looked into his ally's origins; every villain was allowed his secrets. But it seemed that the darker hedgehog had a very intriguing backstory that could prove to be key for his current project.

"Computer replay Recording 0-79."

The screen blipped to life and pulled up the requested file. It was the first time Shadow had interfered with his recent plans and the first time Eggman had ever seen Shadow at ease.

"A human and his toys decided to check out our borders. I sent him home disappointed. How is the pack?"

Pack. Why did that sound familiar, Eggman wondered. He snapped his fingers. Sonic! Sonic had called Tails pack, and that was the first time he had ever heard his nemesis use such outdated Mobian terminology. Only certain wolf families still used that kind of phrasing.

"Still asleep, although a few of the hunters and pups are stirring," an unknown voice growled deeply.

Shadow chuckled, "And I'm assuming Redwing has already told you 'good morning'?"

A snarl echoed across the video, causing the audio to crackle for a few seconds, "Yes, and I wanted to rip his wings off."

Now that was unusual. If Shadow had any kind of avian descent, it should have been obvious in his genetics—wings, feathers, stuff like that. Perhaps this "Redwing" was a friend. Nah, who was he kidding? The only friend Shadow had was Eggman! And the doctor prided himself in that.

The black blur didn't seem fazed by his companion's remark, but rather chuckled in dark amusement. "Well, you can take out your early morning rage on our next hunt tomorrow night. We're going to sweep the entire perimeter. I don't want anymore humans or mobians coming close to our territory."

"Our territory?" Eggman mumbled. Packs and wings and territories—not the typical hedgehog family dynamic, so that must mean Shadow was more familiar with the other half of his heritage.

Eggman's glasses glinted with the screen's light as he began putting it all together.

"No, it couldn't be that simple."

He goes to explore an disturbed side of the island, and Shadow intervenes. Rumors of apex predators spread through the village, and Sonic's team goes to check it out.

He finds a cave near the area he originally planned to explore, and Shadow stops him from entering. Sonic is spotted leaving the cave's general area.

He captures one of these creatures, and Shadow interferes again. Shadow is discovered as a hybrid.

"Computer!" he snapped, "Pull up this room's security footage from Shadow's last two visits!"

The screen split in half, playing both scenes at once. Eggman was once again impressed with Shadow's control over the creature. He didn't even have to speak for it to obey him!

"Stay within your own territory, Doctor. Next time the wild will not be so merciful." Shadow's voice crackled through the speakers.

At the same time, the more recent video played, "I told you to stay out of my territory! I don't like it when people disobey me!"

The next part of that conversation was lost as red energy sparked to life in the hybrid's hand, making Eggman lean forward in fascination. He had never seen Shadow with such power.

"What did I ever do to you? Answer me that, at least!"

With the threat of imminent death no longer glaring over him, Eggman studied Shadow's face as he reacted to the question. For the briefest moment, he thought he saw disbelief or maybe uncertainty flicker over the hedgehog's features. And with what he suspected now, Eggman knew that Shadow's reaction warranted more than a stolen quill.

Eggman slammed his palm on the table. "You little actor!" he sputtered.

Shadow wasn't an edgy villain that shared the scientist's love of evil dominance. He was a protector. A blasted hero masquerading as one of the bad guys to hide this pack from society.

And not only that, but Sonic and his little friends knew. How many fights between the two "rivals" were even real? Were they all staged to keep up the charade? But Sonic had never referred to anyone as pack before, and Tails had taken harder hits before Shadow started messing with his plans. Shadow had even inflicted worse damage than that little buzz burn. So the rivalry was probably authentic, but that still didn't explain the whole "pack" nonsense. What was he missing?

"What'd ya mean, boss?" Cubot queried.

Eggman steepled his fingers and sighed deeply. He couldn't afford to just assume the worst. Shadow had helped him before on occasion, so maybe there were still missing pieces of the puzzle. Maybe Shadow had a greater plan that he didn't want anyone to know about yet, and Eggman himself had stumbled into it?

The idea made sense, but still, it was better to be safe than sorry.

"I need to find the truth. If Shadow has some sort of plan for those black creatures, then I need to get in on it before whatever he's planned goes down."

"And if he does not have a plan?" Orbot asked as he calculated the consequences of either scenario. He didn't think his boss would appreciate his findings.

"Then that would mean that Shadow is protecting those creatures and that he is no longer a villain. But," he added and clapped his hands together as he rose from his seat, "I wouldn't want to make any assumptions. After all, that would be quite a shift in character on Shadow's part if it were true, and if it weren't, I don't like the idea of being skewered alive."

He leaned over his keypad, typing in a new series of commands. Orbot and Cubot hovered close by, unsure about what they were supposed to do.

"I am going to try to talk to him," Eggman declared, "But just in case, I think the failsafe should start the testing stage. It's time prepare the big guns."

"Should we call in Metal Sonic, sir?" Orbot asked hesitantly. The hedgehog doppelgänger struck fear into the processor of every machine in the base, and the ball-shaped lackey had no desire to wake him up.

Eggman chuckled darkly as a Greek symbol appeared in the top corner of the screen, "No. In the unlikely event that Shadow and Sonic join forces against me, I have devised a more heavy duty alternative."

His fingers flew across the keys effortlessly, and a multitude of files littered the screen. Something was off with the two hedgehogs, and he couldn't take any chances. The project would remain in the base until called for, but he wanted it to be operational before he took another step in solving this little mystery.

"Computer, mark current file as 'Active'."

"Activating E-123 Omega."