Disclaimer: I do not own any of Sega's characters
Author's Note: This chapter may be a bit shorter than the others. To everyone who loves E-123 Omega, this one's for you. The time being used is 24 hour time or military time. As always, please R&R.
All the Stars
Chapter 7: No rest for the weary
Shadow's mind raced as the clock on his wall neared 04:00. He stood and armed himself, sliding his handgun from under his pillow into his quills, doing the same with his Chaos Emerald. Turning towards the door, he opened it and stepped out into the crisp morning air, walking towards the motorcycle he had gotten the keys for. Shadow straddled the bike, sliding the key into the ignition and starting the handsome vehicle. He drove to where he had asked the others to meet up if they wanted to come with him. The ebony hedgehog allowed himself a razor-thin smile as he saw who was standing at the rendezvous point. Everyone he had spoken to was there save Rouge, who flew in moments after Shadow turned his bike off.
"So, Shads. What's the plan? Sneak around for a while, then try to take out Egghead?"
"Please, Sonic. That's hardly my kind of plan. You know I have a... flair for the dramatic."
As Shadow mapped out the plan for the other mobians, the sun rose and painted the sky with vaulted arches of colour and depth, save the clouds hidden by the smog from Station Square. The group of fighters nodded as Shadow finished his plan, and they set the wheels in motion. Shadow revved his bike and peeled out, Sonic and Amy running behind him and Rouge carrying Knuckles. Omega used his boosters to keep up. After multiple stops for water and rest, the group of mobians had arrived at the edge of Station Square. Night had fallen and mostly everyone, save Shadow and Omega, slept.
"Shadow." Shadow turned his head to look at the lumbering red robot.
"Yes?"
"As you were going over your plan, my sensors detected an increase in your pulse."
"What of it?"
"You neglected information regarding the plan. Sensors indicate a heightened pulse." Shadow cast the robot a sideways glare, but Omega took no notice of it.
"You think I'm not telling you something?"
"Affirmative." Shadow fell silent after the robot's answer. "What information are you disregarding, Shadow?"
"Not everyone is going to make it out." It was now Omega's turn to fall silent after Shadow's grim acknowledgement.
"I see. And you did not want to have the others thinking about that during the mission."
"Correct. I'd prefer it if you kept this between us, Omega."
"Affirmative. The other, softer lifeforms do not need to worry."
"Good. Get some rest, tomorrow is going to be a hard day." At Shadow's words Omega turned and walked towards a patch on the ground where he powered off. Sitting alone in the darkness, Shadow's ears pricked as the sounds of wildlife filled the air. Various howls in the distance, cicadas buzzing, and the occasional owl. None of which did anything to help Shadow's mood. As Shadow adjusted to the sounds, he found himself growing tired and nodded off into a light sleep.
"Lifeform: Shadow. It is time to wake up." Shadow's eyes snapped open as Omega woke him. "It is 04:30 in the morning."
"Thanks Omega." Shadow stood up and walked over to the rest of the mobians who were still asleep. He woke up Sonic and Knuckles by kicking them in the ribs and with various threats, which also woke up Amy and Rouge.
"Ever heard of a wake up call, Shadow?"
"Shut up, Sonic. I barely even kicked you."
The group of mobians readied themselves, Shadow, Knuckles and Sonic talking about the Chaos Emeralds in their possession.
"Okay Shadow we know you have one, I have one. Knuckles, you got one?"
"Yes. I have one," Knuckles confirmed.
"I do too," Heads snapped to Rouge as she injected herself into the conversation. She reached into a pouch at her side and brought out the purple Chaos Emerald. "I grabbed it while everyone was getting out of Station Square."
"So you stole it."
"Yes, I stole it. I'm a jewel thief, what do you expect?"
"Sonic, Rouge, if you two are finished, we have things to talk about." Knuckles set down the red Chaos Emerald, Shadow the green, Sonic the white and Rouge tossed the purple Emerald in.
"Four Chaos Emeralds. That should be enough to take on Mephiles. Assuming he doesn't morph into Solaris," Shadow speculated. "Everyone ready?"
Sounds of confirmation were echoed around the group.
"Good. Let's move." Shadow said, moving towards Station Square, Omega flanking him. Shadow had ditched his bike in favour of stealth, so he was on foot with everyone else. As they entered the city, all ears pricked and listened for any patrols or scouts. After evading multiple groups of robots and taking down a few lone bots silently, the group of mobians neared a large body of robots, about a hundred in all.
"Okay. If we're gonna get up to Eggman's ship, we have to do it now," Sonic whispered, slinking down behind a dumpster that was less putrid than expected.
"Agreed. Everyone, grab either Sonic or I," Shadow said. Rouge and Omega placed their hands on Shadow's shoulders, Amy and Knuckles mimicking them by placing hands on Sonic's shoulders.
"Chaos... Control," Both hedgehogs spoke simultaneously, and the group disappeared in a flash of light.