Amy navigated through the underground entrance, pushing through to reactivate the lock. When the air was safe to breathe, she docked the tornado by the garage. She leapt down with Sonic and Shadow. Upon closer examination, Amy discovered a scanner by the door. Just as she expected, they wouldn't gain access so easily.

"It's a DNA lock. Only registered administrators can deactivate it. We can't break through without breaching the base's integrity."

"Great," Sonic spat, "Now what?"

"Hm...Maybe...Sonic, give me one of your quills."

"Wait, wha-"

The hedgehog stopped. He thought about the request.

"Ohhh! I see!"

Sonic complied, handing Amy a stray strand. She placed it into the scanner.

"Bingo!"

"How'd you-" Shadow began.

"Sonic and Ivo have been duking it out for years. It makes sense he'd set up a trap to lure him in, though I doubt it matters now."


The garage was dimly lit, harnessing the same teal shade as the outside. Next to the computer, Rouge hung suspended to the air, bound to the ceiling by reinforced rope.

"Why are you guys here!?" she questioned in surprise.

"How long have you been down here?" Amy inquired in response.

"Couple days, give or take."

"You mean...You don't know what's going on...!?"

"What are you talking about?"

"There's zombies all over the place. Our infection's spreading at an unprecedented rate."

"Infection!? You're joking right!? What do you mean 'our'!? I didn't cause this!"

"It's a long story. We'll get you down."

Before Amy could reach for her sword, footsteps approached from the right. Ivo had been alerted to their presence as a result of deactivating the lock.

"So it's true. The worst has come to pass, just as my grandfather feared..."

Amy honed in on the doctor, paying careful attention to each of his features. Like Gerald, his mustache had turned gray. Signs of age were more present than ever, though he did not appear sickly or ill. He was still in good health despite years of constant defeat.

"Ivo..."

"Please, tell me what happened."


Amy jumped skyward, cutting Rouge loose. She told them everything - about the malfunction in Tails' lab, the spread, and how their home had been completely wiped out.

"You fled when you found out what was going on didn't you?"

"I did," Ivo confirmed, "I had hoped I would never live to see such a thing. At the very least, I assumed I would be the one responsible. Strange, isn't it?"

"That's life."

"As for you, Ms. Rose, what brought about such a change in your demeanor? Last time we fought, you were little more than a child. You're not the same person anymore, are you?"

"Childhood ends, sooner or later...It always has to..."

"I'm sorry..."

"Me, too..."

"Well...I suppose we have more pressing matters to attend to. You came to me seeking a cure, correct? While possible, it could take years to develop, By then, the entire population would be wiped out. The only alternative would be to bring survivors here and keep them quarantined until we can find it. To save them, you'll have to exterminate those monsters. Are you up to the task?"

"That's what I was afraid of."

"I know it's a difficult thing to ask, especially considering the circumstances, but it's the only way. You know I wouldn't ask otherwise."

"Yeah...I know..."

"Why should we trust you," Sonic snapped, "How many people have you killed!? You act like it's so easy! What would you know about friendship or love!? You're a madman who destroys life for his own selfish gain!"

"Do you truly believe me to be so heartless?"

"Why wouldn't I!?"

"I wanted to rule the world, Sonic. not destroy it. Why would I harm my own pupils?"

"Pupils...!? What do you mean!?"

"Did you once, in all our years of adversity, consider my true goal?"

"What...!?"

"My motive, Sonic. What was driving me to build my empire? What did I want?"

"Don't play games with me, egghead!"

"This is no game. My vision was to create a utopia founded on science and reason, but it seems now that dream's been dashed. The military believed my research too dangerous for public disclosure. I had to fight - to tear down their antiquated infrastructure and replace it with a worthwhile future. Tails and I were the only ones who could, but even if I'd explained it to you, you would've never understood. All you know is black and white: right and wrong. You don't know how complex humans are..."

Sonic growled. As much as he didn't want to admit it, Ivo was right. Sonic's life was simple - carefree and spirited. The doctor could only rely on wit to match the hedgehog's might. In the end, it came down to the age-old question of brain versus brawn.

"Whatever. Not like it matters now. Just help us out so we can get this over with, old man."

"Very well. Now that we're all on the same page, follow me."


Ivo led the group to the armory on the far side of the base, filled to the brim with firearms and melee weapons. It appeared he'd been stocking up for quite some time.

"This is weapons storage. I was saving these for my last confrontation with Sonic. I knew they'd be useless against him. I was counting on one last blowout before retirement. Guess you're the ones who'll have to pick up the slack."

Amy opened the door. Shadow followed close behind. The modern weapons were too bulky and awkward for living organisms to handle in a fight. More traditional firearms rested on a rack farther in. Amy reached for two in particular - a bolt-action rifle and an automatic machine pistol. She attached a pouch to her belt, filling it with ammo for reloads.

"Here," Shadow called out, tossing a knife into the young woman's hand, "Something lighter when you can't use your sword."

"Just like Leon..."

"Hm?"

"Never mind. We should stock up on medical supplies. Depending on the severity and duration of the bite, it should be possible to treat with antiseptic and antibiotics."

"Seems you know more than I gave you credit for."

"For all your talk of being the ultimate lifeform, you sure have a habit of underestimating people. Your ego's gonna get you killed one of these days."

"Not likely."

"If you say so."

Ivo continued on to the medical deck, filling several first-aid kits with bandages, sutures, and medication.

"I have work to do here. Focus on survivors closest to the outbreak first. Now that Shadow knows where we are, he can use chaos control to transport them back. You'll still have to travel to the designated areas, though. I'll leave the fighting to you for now. Try not to get yourselves killed."

"Thank you," Amy said, giving Eggman a peck on the cheek, "I knew you weren't a bad guy."

"I'm staying here," Sonic cut in, "It's safer with Eggman than out there. Least he won't eat my brain."

"Same here," Rouge concurred, "You guys can handle the dirty work. Fighting zombies isn't on my bucket list. I'm a thief, not a fighter."

"I understand," Amy spoke, her tone betraying compassion, "We'll be back soon."

"Take care." Eggman stated. In his heart, he prayed for Amy and Shadow's return. Their lives as enemies were over. The alliance that would bring peace to mankind had finally been born.


Sonic stood by Ivo, racked with indecision over where to go from here.

"Now that I think about it, we haven't seen sage the whole time we've been here. What gives?"

"That's part of what I'm working on. This battle will be longer and more grueling than you could possibly imagine. Not only will we need living quarters arranged for survivors, but if we're to have any hope of survival, Shadow and Amy must become stronger, and I know just how to make that happen."

"Finally something useful in that hairless brain of yours. Lay it on me, egghead."

"Please, stop calling me that."