"The evidence was there for you to point the finger. A momentary lapse casts me into oblivion! Am I wasting all this time just trying to find the warmth in your eyes? I've been holding back myself, but I'm closer to the edge. Dusk approaches. I'm standing in the city lights."

-Under the Flood, In Vain

Amy took hold of the wheel, putting up the air shield so her and Sonic could talk. Shadow's base was a few hours west. If he wasn't out fighting for his life somewhere, he'd be there.

"I don't know if you're sensitive to motion sickness, but there's bags if you need 'em."

"Don't worry about me. I'm cool."

"That's one less problem to contend with, anyway."

"Where do you think Shads is, anyway? It's not like he shows up very often."

"The GUN base. They're the last line of defense in these situations. They're probably evacuating civilians somewhere safe, but it might not be enough. Ivo's is the safest place to be right now."

"I'll give the old egghead that much. He always knew what to do when shit hit the fan."

"He's not so bad once you get to know him. He's a nuisance, but there's more to him than meets the eye."

"Well, if you can change so much in a few years, I guess anything's possible."

"There's some games and movies in the back if you get bored. I've got CDs up here if we want music."

"Think I'll pass out for a while. I'm still kind of drained from yesterday. Let me know when we get there."

"Got it."

Sonic dozed off, leaving Amy to her thoughts. If she was right, things were bleaker than they seemed...

Shadow returned to the lower levels of the base, exhausted and worn down. Of all the things he expexted, a zombie outbreak wasn't one of them. The horror was great - far greater than his own. Now he had reason to be thankful Maria never came to Earth. It was worse than anyone could've imagined. The blood...The bodies...Those images would never leave him...

"Why does this keep happening to me...? Am I being punished...?"

The hedgehog trudged toward his bed, flopping onto the mattress and wrapping himself in a sheet. He only wished the suffering would stop.

Amy caught up with the the prior night's clouds, descending to avoid as much turbulence as possible. Passing cities were littered with bodies, both dead and undead. She was only thankful the stench couldn't reach them from afar.

"Tails...What did we do...?"

Shadow awoke to a knock tinged by metal. He couldn't tell how much time had passed, considering the lack of windows. Even if there had been any, he was too far underground to tell. He didn't know exactly who the intruder was, but he had a few guess. Pushing himself up, he headed toward the door. He wasn't surprised to see Sonic, but Amy was a different story. The weapons threw him further into confusion. He'd never seen Amy use a firearm before. Then again, it had been a long time since they saw each other in general.

"Rose...What happened to you...!?"

"I grew up, but that doesn't matter. This whole mess is my fault, and I need your help to fix it."

"What...!?"

"Tails is dead. This all started because of an accident. Now I have to clean up our mess. It'll be easier if you lend us a hand."

Shadows face turned utterly indignant. This was her fault, yet she had the nerve to ask him for help!

"Give me one reason I shouldn't execute you right now!"

"Because if you do, more people will die. At least if you help us, there's a chance we can save them."

"How do I know this wasn't planned!? How do I know I'm not your next target!?"

"What would I have to gain?"

"You tell me! You're the one who did it!"

"You and I both know even if I wanted to, I couldn't kill you. Why would I ask you for help knowing that's the case?"

"She's telling the truth, Shadow," Sonic intervened, "I saw Tails with my own eyes. I'm the one who put him in the ground."

"So what do you propose we do, then!? The infection's spreading unlike anything mankind's ever seen! Even if we can save anyone, where are we supposed to go!? It's eventually going to spread to the quarantine units if this keeps up! What then!?"

"Ivo." Amy countered.

"And how can you be sure he's still alive!? We haven't seen him in over four years! What do we do if he isn't!?"

"He's alive."

"What...!?"

"He's taken refuge in his underwater stronghold. It was supposed to serve as a bunker in the aftermath of a nuclear attack."

"How do you know all this...!?"

"Tails discovered it during a routine maintenance flight. He detected a large quantity of chaos energy powering the structure. We were planning a pre-emptive siege in the event he attacked, but he never did. My guess is he gave up. Whatever was driving his rivalry with Sonic must've faded over time. Nowadays, I suspect he more closely resembles Gerald."

"The professor...!?"

"We've spent too much time here as it is. Now I need your decision. You gonna help us or not?"

Shadow pondered the situation's severity. He still didn't trust them, but they were on even footing. If push came to shove, he could take them both out.

"Fine, but just so we're clear, one wrong move and you're dead. Understand? When this is over, I'm taking you into custody."

"Of course."

"Lead the way."

"The base is located under the Atlantic. The tornado has a submarine setting. We'll dive in as soon as we reach the ocean."

"All right," Sonic exclaimed, "One last round with the ol' bouncy ball!"