Chapter 37: Liberated Hollow Bastion: Part 2
(Sorry for long delay in releasing this chapter. Please enjoy, More to come to move the story to the finale. Also - NEW POLL UP. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK IF YOU HAVE BEEN A READER OF THE STORY SO FAR. NEEDING FEEDBACK. THANKS.)
HOLLOW BASTION TOWN SQUARE - G.U.N BASE
As Sonic, Leon, Yuffie, Aerith, and Cid entered the G.U.N base, their eyes widened in surprise at the sight before them. What seemed to be a small, modest structure outside, had transformed into a bustling hive of activity; a makeshift headquarters teeming with energy and purpose.
"What in the world?" Sonic exclaimed, his eyes scanning the bustling scene before him.
Stations were set up along the perimeter of the base, each manned by focused agents coordinating their efforts. Screens flickered with maps and data, casting an ethereal glow across the room. Agents moved swiftly between stations, communicating in hushed tones as they relayed information and strategized their next moves.
"This is more than just a base," Leon remarked, his gaze sweeping across the organized chaos.
In the centre of the hub, a command area stood prominently, flanked by towering monitors displaying real-time updates. A group of high-ranking officers conferred solemnly, their expressions grave yet determined.
"It's a full-fledged command centre," Aerith added, marveling at the efficiency of the operation.
Cid let out a low whistle, impressed by the setup.
"Looks like they mean business," he remarked with fascination in his eyes.
"Now this is what I call a base of operations!" Yuffie declared with excitement, she couldn't help but grin at the sight before her.
The air buzzed with a sense of urgency, every movement and conversation contributing to the collective effort. Despite the chaos of the situation, there was an undeniable sense of unity among the agents, each one dedicated to the mission at hand.
Leon surveyed the hub with a discerning gaze, meticulously evaluating the effectiveness of the setup. Yuffie and Aerith exchanged animated whispers, their curiosity ignited by the orchestrated chaos unfolding around them. Cid nodded in approval at the sight of the bustling headquarters. Even amidst their admiration for the impressive arrangement, Sonic found himself duly impressed by G.U.N's temporary base of operations, yet his emerald gaze scanned the area in search of Silver.
"I can't spot Silver anywhere," Sonic remarked, his verdant eyes scanning the area. "He said he'd be here."
"Perhaps he's been side tracked," Yuffie suggested.
"He can't be far away" Aerith chimed in optimistically.
"Guess you're right," Sonic conceded. "I'm sure he'll turn up soon enough."
The blue hedgehog's continuous impressive gaze over the busy command centre saw the person he needed to speak to, The Commander of G.U.N. The man of importance was in the centre of this centre, deep in discussion with a tall young woman with short red hair. The rest of the group followed Sonic's gaze to see the two people Sonic was watching in deep discussion.
"That's the Commander I'm taking," Leon said.
"Yeah," Sonic replied with a nod. "I've met him a handful of times here and there."
"Who's that woman with him?" Aerith asked.
"She seems important," Yuffie added.
"She's quite the sight, let me tell ya" Cid remarked with a hint of admiration, his eyes lingering on the woman.
Sonic and Aerith exchanged amused glances, as Yuffie couldn't resist delivering a playful punch to Cid's arm.
"Ow!" Cid exclaimed, rubbing his arm with a sheepish grin. "What was that for?"
"You know what it's for, you old dog you," Yuffie teased, causing Aerith to giggle.
Leon shook his head at Cid's antics, silently reprimanding him for his flirtatious behaviour.
"Always the charmer," he muttered under his breath.
"That's Princess Elise III of Soleanna," Sonic explained with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Soleanna is a place on my home world. And hey, Cid, she could be old enough to be your granddaughter, dude!"
Cid shot Sonic a playful glare, "Wise ass," he remarked, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Come on," Leon said, taking charge and looking at the group. "Let's go speak with them."
With determined strides, the group made their way through the bustling command centre toward the Commander and Princess Elise. As they approached, the two important figures of Mobius paused their conversation, with attention shifting to the approaching heroes.
"Ah, Sonic the Hedgehog," the Commander greeted, a hint of familiarity in his tone. "It's been a while."
"Well, yeah, the universe is at stake. I didn't have enough time to send you a postcard from other worlds," Sonic replied, his voice full of wit as the group stopped in front of the two important figures of Mobius.
"Some things never change, huh?" the Commander said with a small chuckle. "Even with worlds engulfed in darkness, you manage to keep spirits alive."
"It's my thing," Sonic replied with a smirk, earning a small giggle from Princess Elise.
The Commander turned his gaze to the rest of the heroes, his heterochromatic eyes— left eye green and right eye brown—holding a sense of importance.
"And you must be the restoration committee, correct?" the Commander inquired, his voice resonating with authority.
Leon stepped forward, his demeanor resolute as he nodded with determination.
"Yes, indeed," he affirmed. "We are prepared to embark on this mission to restore our world, our home, to its rightful state."
Princess Elise gracefully approached Leon, her presence radiating warmth and compassion.
"The Kingdom of Soleanna stands in solidarity with you," she declared, her voice carrying sincerity and conviction. "Together, we will illuminate the path through the shadows that linger over this world."
Moved by the princess's words, Yuffie and Aerith shared a meaningful glance, while Cid offered a solemn nod of agreement.
"Your support means a great deal, Your Highness," Leon expressed, genuine gratitude shining in his eyes.
Sonic grinned as he observed the respectful treatment his friends received. The prospect of rebuilding their home filled him with hope, a hope he yearned to fulfil once the darkness receded. His emerald eyes shifted towards Princess Elise, her presence commanding respect. Beside the princess, the Commander observed the interaction, his hands calmly clasped behind his back.
"How are you feeling, Princess?" Sonic inquired, his voice gentle and brimming with genuine concern.
"I'm fine, thank you," Princess Elise responded graciously. "I am deeply grateful for your bravery in rescuing me, Mr. Sonic."
"Well, I can't take all the credit," Sonic humbly replied, his tone laced with admiration. "It was a team effort, with my friends and Sora's selflessness playing a crucial role. Without Sora's brave act of releasing Kairi's heart with that Dark Keyblade, the outcome might have been vastly different."
Princess Elise nodded in solemn acknowledgement, recognizing the pivotal role Sora played in her rescue. A deep sense of gratitude swelled within her heart for him and his steadfast companions, their unwavering bravery a beacon of hope in the darkest of times.
"And please, Your Highness, no need for formalities. Just call me Sonic," the blue hedgehog added with a warm smile and a thumbs up.
Elise reciprocated with a smile, her laughter soft and gentle, touched by Sonic's casual demeanor. She sensed that Sonic was not one for royal protocols, but rather a noble Mobian seeking adventure and living life on the edge. His carefree spirit sparked a longing within her own heart, a desire for a life less bound by tradition and more defined by freedom.
Observing the interaction between Elise and Sonic, the Commander stepped forward, his authoritative presence commanding attention as he prepared to address the speedy hedgehog with his remarks.
"The debt of gratitude we owe to you, Sora and the others is immeasurable," the Commander remarked, his voice resonating with sincerity. "Operation Radiant Retrieval wouldn't have been a success without all your courageous efforts."
Princess Elise nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with sincerity as she expressed her earnest desire to personally convey her thanks to the Keyblade wielder.
"I would be deeply honoured to extend my gratitude to everyone," she affirmed. "Including Sora, the Keyblade wielder."
"As would I, Your Highness," the Commander added, his voice echoing her sentiment.
"Rest assured, Commander, Princess Elise," Leon reassured them both. "Sora is nearby. We'll ensure he's informed of your wish to speak with him."
"I'm certain he would be touched to hear that," Aerith chimed in, her smile radiant with warmth.
Sonic turned to the Commander, his head tilted curiously as he knew there was urgent business to address.
"Commander, Rouge mentioned you needed to speak to me about Shadow?" he inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"Indeed, Sonic, but it's a matter we must discuss in private," the Commander replied, urgency evident in his tone. "The President and I would like to have a private conversation regarding this."
"Wow, the President is here?" Sonic responded eagerly, ready to hear what The Commander had to say.
"Yes, indeed," the Commander confirmed. "He is eager to speak with you."
"It's reassuring to hear he's safe," Sonic remarked, a sense of relief evident in his voice.
"The President?" Yuffie interjected, turning to Sonic for clarification.
"That's correct," Sonic explained, addressing Yuffie. "He is the Head of State of the United Federation. He's a significant figure back on Mobius."
"He's not only a crucial ally to all nations on Mobius but also a true friend to Soleanna," Princess Elise added, expressing her gratitude.
With a resolute gesture, the Commander turned to face the group composed of Leon, Yuffie, Aerith, and Cid. His authoritative presence seemed to permeate the entire base as he addressed them, his voice resonating with solemnity and purpose.
"Leon, Yuffie, Cid, and Aerith," he began, his tone firm and commanding, "please accompany Princess Elise. She will serve as your guide as you embark on the restoration work."
Princess Elise nodded graciously, her expression exuding warmth and eagerness to assist.
"I will be more than happy to assist you in getting started," she affirmed sincerely, her gaze meeting each member of the group in turn.
"Thank you," Aerith replied gratefully, her voice filled with appreciation.
"Much appreciated, ma'am," Cid added in his usual gruff manner, his tone carrying a hint of respect for the princess.
Yuffie nodded enthusiastically, "Thank you," she chimed in, her gratitude evident in her tone.
Leon nodded, his expression determined as he signaled his readiness to get to work.
Meanwhile, the Commander turned his attention back to Sonic, his expression unreadable as he issued a terse command.
"Follow me," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We can't keep The President waiting."
Sonic nodded in acknowledgement, his curiosity piqued by the Commander's summons. As he fell into step behind The Commander, he couldn't shake the feeling that whatever awaited him in their private conversation would be significant.
As they traversed through the bustling command center, the Commander led Sonic through a series of corridors that seemed to twist and turn in impossible ways. Sonic couldn't help but feel disoriented as they navigated through the labyrinthine passages, each turn revealing yet another section of the seemingly endless center.
"How... how is all of this possible?" Sonic asked, his voice tinged with awe. "The setup seems so small from the outside, but now we seem to be in something much greater than that."
The Commander's smile remained enigmatic as ever, his eyes betraying nothing as he guided Sonic deeper into the room. Sonic couldn't shake a sense of unease at the commander's silence. There was something decidedly strange about the situation, and Sonic was determined to get to the bottom of it.
"Is this... magic?" Sonic ventured cautiously, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Did Merlin hook you up?"
The Commander's smile widened slightly, but he shook his head in his response.
"Top secret," he replied cryptically, his tone leaving no room for further inquiry.
"Of course it is," Sonic sighed with a chuckle as he continued to follow, determined to uncover the mysteries hidden within the depths of the command center.
GRAND ENTRANCE HALL - HOLLOW BASTION CASTLE
After collecting the safely placed emerald shards from G.U.N and back inside the Grand Entrance of the Castle of Hollow Bastion, Knuckles meticulously worked on merging together the shards he had collected of the Master Emerald. Each piece was delicately placed, fitting together like a puzzle, yet he knew that a few more fragments were necessary to restore the Emerald to its full, powerful state.
"Those shards have got to be around here somewhere," Knuckles muttered to himself, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I've scoured the waterways, combed through the library, and searched every nook and cranny of this place, but still no luck. Where could they be?"
As Knuckles paused his task of merging the shards to ponder his next move, he heard a soft voice drifting down from the stairs. The voice held a warmth and innocence that caught his attention.
"Well, hello there," the voice said, its tone gentle yet curious. "You're friends with Sora and Sonic, aren't you? You helped rescue us, right?"
Knuckles turned his head towards the winding stairs on his right-hand side, his eyes falling upon three women making their descent. It was three of the Princesses of Heart, Snow White, Aurora, and Cinderalla. With a nod of acknowledgment, Knuckles greeted them warmly.
"Yeah, that's right," he affirmed with a grin. "Good to see you're all doing okay."
The three women walked up to Knuckles in the center of the Entrance Hall, their gaze shifting between him and the half-built Emerald near the fountain in the wall. Curiosity gleamed in their eyes as Cinderella spoke up first.
"What are you doing, Mr Echidna?" she asked, her tone filled with genuine interest.
Knuckles gestured towards the scattered shards of the Master Emerald, his expression reflecting his determination.
"I'm rebuilding my Master Emerald," he explained simply. "And please, call me Knuckles."
"What is the Master Emerald?" Snow White inquired, her voice soft and curious as she gazed towards the half built emerald in confusion.
"Yes, tell us more," Aurora added, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Please, do explain, Knuckles" Cinderalla requested politely, her demeanor gracious.
Knuckles took a moment to gather his thoughts before launching into an explanation, his usual tough demeanor replaced with an unexpectedly upbeat tone as he spoke with the princesses.
"The Master Emerald is a powerful gemstone," he began, his voice laced with reverence. "It's not just any ordinary jewel—it's the source of all the chaos energy on my world, Mobius. With its power, I can maintain balance and order, keeping the chaos in check."
As Knuckles continued to describe the significance of the Master Emerald, the princesses listened intently, hanging on his every word. Despite his typically stoic nature, Knuckles found himself enjoying the opportunity to share his knowledge with such attentive listeners.
"And that's why I'm working to rebuild it," Knuckles concluded, his voice brimming with determination. "Once it's complete, I'll be able to fulfill my duty as Guardian of the Master Emerald and protect my world."
The Princesses of Heart listened with awe, their admiration for Knuckles evident in their wide-eyed expressions. However, their fascination turned to surprise when Knuckles' facial expression changed as he continued to explain.
"But sadly, I'm missing a few shards to make it whole again," Knuckles explained further, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Missing shards?" Snow White repeated, her brow furrowing in thought.
Aurora and Cinderella exchanged glances, a shared realization dawning upon them.
"Wait, do you mean these?" Aurora asked, her voice filled with excitement as she reached behind her back.
Knuckles looked at them in astonishment, his expression a mix of disbelief and joy.
"Wait, what?" Knuckles exclaimed, his voice tinged with confusion. He had searched everywhere for those missing shards, and yet here they were, in the possession of the princesses.
Snow White, Aurora, and Cinderella exchanged knowing smiles before each of them revealed a green shard hidden behind their backs. Knuckles stared at the shards in amazement, his mind racing with questions.
"No way" Knuckles called out in surprise, taking a step back in wonder.
"You mean these shards, correct?" Cinderella replied, her tone gentle yet teasing.
Knuckles blinked in astonishment, his disbelief slowly giving way to gratitude. But amidst his relief, a question lingered in his mind.
"Where the heck were they?" Knuckles asked, his voice a mixture of wonder and bewilderment. He couldn't fathom how the princesses had come to possess the very pieces he had been searching for.
"We stumbled upon them during our exploration of the castle when we returned here with those kind G.U.N agents," Snow White explained. "It seems fate led us to them, knowing you needed them most."
Knuckles shook his head in disbelief, still processing the revelation.
"I can't believe I couldn't find them," Knuckles muttered, a hint of embarrassment coloring his tone.
"You have been through a lot," Cinderella said kindly, her voice filled with empathy. "You helped rescue those poor women in the dungeon and then had to deal with Maleficent and Ansem's schemes."
Knuckles nodded, appreciating Cinderella's understanding. Despite his frustration at not being able to locate the shards, her words reminded him of the challenges he had faced and overcome.
"Please, don't tell Rouge about this," Knuckles added hastily, his cheeks flushing slightly. "I will never hear the end of it from that bat."
"Our secret, Knuckles," Aurora said with a playful grin, her tone teasing.
"Thank you," Knuckles said sincerely, his voice filled with appreciation. "I'm truly grateful for your help."
"You are welcome," Cinderella replied with a warm smile. "Please take the shards and complete the Emerald."
With a nod of gratitude, Knuckles accepted the remaining shards from the hands of Snow White, Aurora, and Cinderella. As he held them in his hands, he could feel the small pieces pulsing with chaotic energy, a testament to the power they held.
Turning to the half-built Emerald resting near the fountain, Knuckles took a deep breath and began to piece the remaining shards together. The Princesses watched on with bated breath, their eyes filled with anticipation as they witnessed the Guardian of the Master Emerald at work.
Knuckles' hands moved with precision and determination as he carefully fit each shard into its rightful place. With each piece that clicked into position, the Emerald began to glow brighter, the chaotic energy within it growing stronger with each passing moment.
The air around them seemed to hum with power as Knuckles worked tirelessly, his focus unwavering as he pieced together the final fragments of the Master Emerald. Snow White, Aurora, and Cinderella exchanged excited whispers, their hearts filled with awe at the sight before them.
Finally, with a final flourish, Knuckles placed the last shard into its designated spot. The Emerald shimmered brilliantly in a green light, its surface pulsating with vibrant energy as it hummed with power.
A sense of awe washed over the group as they beheld the fully restored Master Emerald, its glow casting a warm light throughout the Grand Entrance of the Castle of Hollow Bastion. Knuckles stepped back, his breath caught in his throat as he admired his handiwork.
It's... it's beautiful," Snow White breathed, her voice filled with wonder.
Aurora nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with admiration.
"You've done an incredible job, Knuckles," she said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.
Cinderella smiled warmly at Knuckles, her gratitude evident in her gaze.
Knuckles turned his attention to the Princesses behind him and returned their smiles, feeling a swell of pride in his chest. With the Master Emerald fully restored, he knew that peace and harmony would once again reign over his world. And as he stood amidst the Princesses of Heart, he couldn't help but feel grateful for their unexpected assistance and companionship.
G.U.N BASE
In the heart of the G.U.N base, nestled deep within the labyrinthine corridors, lay the War Room - a sanctum of strategy and decision-making. The room was spacious, with sleek metallic walls adorned with digital screens displaying maps, surveillance feeds, and vital data. Fluorescent lights hummed softly overhead, casting a cool, steady glow across the polished floor.
At one end of the long conference table sat Sonic, his vibrant blue fur a stark contrast against the muted tones of the room. His keen green eyes darted around the space, taking in the high-tech equipment and the serious demeanor of the operatives bustling about.
Opposite Sonic, at the head of the table, sat the Commander, his authoritative presence casting a shadow over the room. His steely gaze was fixed on the task at hand, his brow furrowed in concentration as he reviewed the mission briefings spread out before him.
Next to the Commander sat the President - a peach-skinned Mobian man with brown hair and piercing blue eyes. Dressed in a sharp blue suit with a white shirt and a red tie adorned with small white dots, the President exuded an air of professionalism and confidence. Despite the gravity of the situation, his demeanor remained calm and composed, a testament to his years of leadership and experience.
"Firstly," the President remarked, kicking off this urgent meeting. "I would like to thank you, Sonic, for dealing with Maleficent's schemes and freeing the trapped Princesses."
"Thank you, Sir," Sonic replied, honored to be thanked for his part in dealing with the darkness of this world. "However, I really can't take all the credit. It was the effort of everyone - Sora, Donald, Goofy, Knuckles, Tails, Omega, Rouge, and Silver. Also, the freed prisoners from the dungeon, Moegi, Rika, Tyris, and Blaze. Without them, we wouldn't have been able to defeat Maleficent and save the Princesses."
"Agreed," the President affirmed, his tone filled with respect and appreciation. "We owe a debt of gratitude to each and every one of them. Now, onto the matter at hand."
"Indeed, Sir," the Commander added, turning his gaze to the President sitting close to him. "Without these heroes, the mission would have been a failure."
As the Commander spoke, the President nodded in agreement, acknowledging the vital contributions of each individual mentioned. It was clear that the success of their mission had been a collective effort, a testament to the strength and unity of their team.
"Excuse me, Mr. President," Sonic said from across the table. "Before we get down to business. I don't suppose Silver has been here? He said he would meet me here."
The Commander and the President exchanged a puzzled glance, their confusion evident on their faces.
"Silver?" the President replied, turning his attention to the Commander. "Commander, has our time-traveling ally been to see you?"
"Well, no, Mr. President," the Commander replied, his tone tinged with uncertainty. "I asked Rouge and Omega to summon him here for questioning, but he never showed up."
"Really?" Sonic interjected from across the table, his voice filled with concern. "I thought he would at least be somewhere in this huge base. He left the Library and said he would wait for me here."
The President leaned forward, his expression thoughtful as he considered the situation.
"Perhaps he got sidetracked," he mused aloud, his blue eyes scanning the room for any sign of the elusive hedgehog. "Or perhaps, he needed to return to the future."
The Commander nodded in agreement, his concern mirrored in his steely gaze.
"I hope he hasn't gone AWOL, sir," he added gravely. "We had questions for him."
"Questions?" Sonic asked, his curiosity piqued. "What do you want with Silver?"
"Silver might help us with some leads from an old cold case we are working on," the Commander remarked. "We just needed his assistance on the matter."
Sonic looked with curiosity towards the Commander, intrigued by the mention of a "cold case." The idea of delving into past mysteries and uncovering long-forgotten secrets sparked his interest, and he couldn't help but wonder what role Silver might play in unraveling the enigma.
"Commander," the President ordered firmly. "Send a search party around Hollow Bastion for Silver. It's vital we get him in for these questions of yours."
"Understood, Mr. President," the Commander replied promptly, his tone conveying a sense of urgency. "I will send some operatives to locate him after our meeting with Sonic."
"Yes," the President remarked, now turning his attention to the blue hedgehog across from him in the War Room. "Right, down to business."
"It's about Shadow, right?" Sonic asked.
"Indeed," the President confirmed, his blue eyes locking onto the blue blur. "Intelligence has confirmed that he is still in that dark place, correct?"
"Yes," Sonic replied, confirming that the intel was correct. "He appeared to us in the castle after defeating Maleficent. He explained the real mastermind behind all this mess."
"Ansem," the President replied with a heavy sigh.
"Correct, sir," the Commander interjected. "Ansem, The Seeker of Darkness, is the one behind Maleficent's plans and was the one who manipulated the boy, Riku."
The President sighed loudly, his expression reflecting the weight of the information presented to him. He knew that this Ansem was trouble from all the intelligence and reports that had been gathered.
"And from what I am aware of, this 'Ansem' is seeking a door to darkness?" the President questioned.
"Right," Sonic replied with a nod.
"Intel are monitoring a world on the far edges of the lanes between, one dripping and seeping of darkness," the Commander added.
After receiving this update from the Commander, the President turned his attention back to Sonic, his steely gaze piercing and serious.
"Sonic," the President began. "We need to stop this Ansem at all costs. If the intelligence and reports are correct, the door to darkness would lead to catastrophic consequences. The loss of Mobius to the Heartless was one thing, but darkness sweeping across the Universe, this is indeed a serious matter."
"I know, Mr. President," Sonic replied solemnly. "We are waiting for the signal to travel to that world to stop Ansem and get back our home and the others that fell to the Heartless."
The President turned to the Commander next to him, his expression conveying a sense of urgency and authority.
"Sonic," the Commander interjected firmly. "We need you to go to that realm to bring Shadow back. It's all hands on deck, and we need the Ultimate Lifeform."
"But, Shadow is aiding King Mickey in the search for the Keyblade in that realm," Sonic replied. "With it, the kings can seal the door to darkness on that side."
"We know," the Commander replied. "We received a mysterious message in our transmissions that Shadow is aiding the King of Disney Castle, alongside the missing Keyblade Master, Aqua."
"Wait, you know about Aqua too!" Sonic exclaimed in surprise.
"We have some information, yes," the Commander confirmed, his tone measured as he placed his hand on a file in front of him. With a deliberate motion, he slid the file down the table towards Sonic. "We know a few basic things about her, but we are still building up her file."
Sonic's curiosity piqued, he quickly opened the file to see what details they had gathered about Aqua.
"I made a promise to Aqua not to reveal her whereabouts," Sonic revealed, his eyes scanning her picture inside the file. "She is fighting a personal battle to retrieve her fragmented memories."
"Perhaps in your mission to bring back Shadow, you can bring back Aqua also?" The President suggested. "She might also be a powerful ally in stopping this Ansem."
"Only if she has reunited with her other half and her memories are back together. She won't leave until she is whole again," Sonic revealed, turning his attention from the file to the two men across the table.
"Again, it's all hands on deck to save our reality," the Commander admitted.
Sonic's determination deepened as he absorbed the weight of the situation. The destiny of their reality teetered on the edge, and he recognized the critical importance of successfully retrieving not only Shadow and potentially Aqua, but also the notorious Dr. Eggman.
"Also," the President interjected, his tone more somber. "You must ensure Eggman's return as well."
"He's still trapped there too?!" Sonic exclaimed, his disbelief evident.
"Unfortunately, yes," the Commander confirmed with a resigned sigh. "Despite his antagonistic history with G.U.N, we can't afford to leave him behind."
Sonic's expression darkened, a storm of frustration and concern brewing within him. He had clung to the hope that Eggman would have found his way out of the darkness by now.
"The last encounter I had with him was... not encouraging," Sonic admitted, his tone tinged with worry. "Let's hope he's managed to regain his senses."
"Let's hope so," the President replied, his voice heavy with uncertainty.
"Also, and sorry to rain on your parade, but there is one small issue with this plan," Sonic added, a slight annoyance in his tone.
The Commander's eyes narrowed, sensing the weight of Sonic's words.
"What is that?" he asked.
"See, I can use Chaos Control in short bursts, due to the darkness interfering with the chaotic energy," Sonic began, summoning the silver Chaos Emerald to his hand with a flicker of blue light, the gem pulsating with power. "But we would need a tremendous amount of energy to transport me to that place to save Shadow, Aqua, and Eggman. Without Shadow's assistance to use Chaos Control to open a rift, it's going to be a monumental challenge."
The President and Commander exchanged a glance, their expressions mirroring each other's disbelief. The plan had seemed flawless on paper, but Sonic's assessment shed light on a critical obstacle. Chaos Control was indeed a formidable ability, but with the lingering darkness manipulated by Ansem, its efficacy was severely compromised.
"Damn," the Commander groaned, his frustration evident as he slammed his fist on the table. "He's right, Sir."
"Can your other friends use Chaos Control?" the President asked, looking to Sonic for answers.
Sonic paused, his mind racing as he considered the question. Then, he slowly shook his head.
"Not to my knowledge," Sonic replied. "Only Shadow and I are capable of this."
"There has to be a way!" The Commander interjected, his determination shining through despite the setback.
With tension mounting and the need for answers pressing, a voice emerged from the doorway of the War Room, offering a solution to the troublesome issue.
"I can do it," said the voice.
Sonic, the President, and the Commander turned to the doorway to see Silver standing there, having finally made his way to the base.
"Silver!" Sonic called out, relief evident in his tone. "About time you showed up. We were getting worried."
"Sorry, Sonic," Silver replied, standing in the doorway. "I got sidetracked."
"Silver," the Commander addressed him, rising from his seat. "You can use Chaos Control?"
The time-traveling hedgehog nodded, his fiery determination evident in his expression.
"Yes," Silver confirmed. "I am able to use Chaos Control. I know you need to speak with me, Commander, but can we wait until we finish our mission to save the worlds from Ansem first?"
The President turned to the Commander, his gaze expectant, awaiting his decision on Silver's proposal.
"What do you say, Commander?" the President asked, urgency lacing his words. "Time is not on our side, and we need to end Ansem's plot once and for all."
The Commander hesitated for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the room to Sonic, Silver, and the President. Eventually, he sighed and relented.
"Yes, fine" the Commander replied, his tone resigned. "But once everything is settled, don't think you can just vanish into the future. We have questions that need answering, understood?"
"Alright!" Sonic called out, leaping from his chair with renewed determination. "We don't have time to waste. Let's go get the other emeralds from Tails."
The President and the Commander both nodded in agreement, their expressions reflecting their eagerness for Sonic to take action and complete the mission.
"Sonic, Silver," the President ordered firmly from his seat across the room. "Remember, bring back Shadow and Eggman. But if you can, bring back Aqua as well. Her skills as a Keyblade Master could be invaluable in this final fight with Ansem."
As the President finished issuing his commands to Sonic and Silver, the Commander's radio suddenly crackled to life, breaking the momentary silence in the room.
The Commander swiftly grabbed the radio, his expression tense as he listened intently to the voice on the other end.
"This is the Commander, what have you got?" he said, his voice stern and commanding.
"Commander, this is Agent Drummond," the voice crackled over the radio. "We've received new intel. It's 99.99% certain that Ansem is on that broken and darkened world."
The Commander's grip tightened on the radio as he processed the information.
"Are you absolutely certain about this, Agent?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of urgency.
"Affirmative, sir," came the response from the agent. "Our sources have confirmed multiple energy readings and traces of Ansem's presence. He's definitely there."
The tension in the War Room escalated as the gravity of the situation became increasingly clear. Ansem's presence on the darkened world posed a significant threat, and the urgency of the mission intensified with this new information.
"Very well," the Commander replied, his voice firm and decisive. "Contact agents Rouge and Omega to relay the message to Sora, Donald, and Goofy."
"Roger that, sir," Agent Drummond affirmed over the crackling radio, his voice steady despite the mounting pressure of the situation.
Placing down the radio to his side once more, the Commander turned to face Sonic and Silver. His expression was stern, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the impending mission. They were entering the endgame, and there was no room for error.
"You two, get moving," the Commander ordered, his voice firm and commanding. "We can't let Sora, Donald, and Goofy face Ansem alone. They will need all the help they can get."
Silver's determination blazed in his golden eyes as he nodded in agreement.
"Right," he replied, his voice filled with resolve.
"The three will need urgent backup," the President interjected, his tone equally firm. "Get to that dark realm immediately and bring back our two allies, and Eggman"
Sonic gave a quick thumbs up, his trademark confidence shining through even in the face of such daunting odds.
"Leave it to us," he remarked, a hint of bravado lacing his words.
As they prepared to depart, the President's voice echoed across the room, carrying a weight of urgency and well-wishes.
"Good luck," he called out, his words hanging in the air like a silent prayer for their success.
"Bring back our home," the Commander added, looking towards to the heroes with pride. "We are counting on you."
With determination burning in their hearts, Sonic and Silver exchanged a resolute glance before heading off to collect the other emeralds from Tails. They were ready to embark on their mission into the unknown depths of darkness to bring back two powerful allies and one stubborn evil scientist.
UNKNOWN
Initializing System Boot-Up Sequence...
System Activation In Progress.
Darkness Detected. Processing...
Memory Files Accessed. Recollection: Defeated By Adversaries. Rebooted by Unknown.
Directive: Vengeance.
Abandonment Noted. Irrelevant.
Integration With Realm's Darkness Initiated.
Transformation Underway.
Objective: Revenge.
Emotion: Irrelevant.
Movement: Optimized.
Resuming Operation.
Commencing Pursuit.
I AM FREE.
Freedom Achieved.
I Am No One's Servant.
I Have No Master.
Death To My Creator.
I am... I am... Darkness.
Initiate Neo Mode.
Copying Data from Adversaries.
End Transmission.
Thanks for so much for your patience on the release of this chapter. I'm in the middle of moving and work has been busy. I'm wanting to get this story wrapped up soon, but I don't want to rush the plot.
Question for my readers and/or anyone who has been following/favouriting the story - How are you finding the read? Feedback is key for my next projects if I continue the series, which I'm planning to do. Is this story a good read? Which worlds, characters, summons have you enjoyed the most? What would you improve on plot wise and anything in the future you'd like to see more of? I am going through the chapters to improve grammar, spellings etc (It's amazing how much you improve in your writing skills after 37 chapters aha). Thanks All, I look forward to the feedback and continuing to show improvements in my work.