GammaTron: *playing Telltale's Back to the Future* ...Man, time travel is a risky thing…
Seanzilla115: Agreed. If there's one thing I've learned from Den-O, MLP: FiM(the season 5 finale), Chrono trigger, and most importantly Dark Cloud 2(or Dark Chronicle in japan)...never...mess...with time.
GT: Indeed. Speaking of 'time,' when we last left the story, there wasn't much time left before the Eclipse Cannon was recharged.
SZ: Eeyup. And...well, to those who played the game this arc is based on, you know what's coming next. So without anything further ado, let us begin. No disclaimer since you all know who we own and don't own.
GT: That's right! Onwards!
[INSIDE SPACE COLONY ARK - ECLIPSE CANNON COUNTDOWN: 25 Minutes, 15 seconds]
"Okay. Make sure to keep this on tight," Roll advised as she tightened the bandage on Rouge's waist, "At least until we can take you to a doctor or you can get yourself to one. Not too tight, is it?"
"No. it's just about right," Rouge assured her, "And thanks for getting that bomb off my neck. I liked the color and design, but the exploding part? No thanks, hon."
"Well, all it needed was a little 1.21 Gigawatts of voltage to short circuit the clamp on your neck, which Julie-Su-san provided indirectly with leaving behind her shock gloves once we removed the limiters," Roll replied as she motioned to a smoldering pile nearby that vaguely resembled the shock gloves, earning a raised brow from the bat, "...My Otou-san is a scientist who likes to dabble in almost every kind of science there is. I often fell asleep when I was little when he was rambling on when he was learning something new and it stuck in my head."
"Oh. I see…" Rouge nodded slowly, "Still...We don't have much time until the Cannon can fire again." she looked over at Knuckles, "Maybe we can use your Master Emerald."
"What?" Knuckles asked.
"Oh! That's brilliant!" Tikal beamed, "If we can get to where the energy is being gathered, we can use the Master Emerald to have the energy redirect itself into attack the cannon and destroy it!"
"It'll take too long to get to the emeralds themselves," Sonic frowned, "But we might have enough time to get to the cannon part itself!"
"Hold on tight, Knuckles-san," Roll advised as she grabbed onto Knuckles's arm.
"Huh? Wait. What's g-AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Knuckles screamed before the two speedsters ran off, Echidna in hand.
"Ah! Wait up!" Tikal yelped, turning into her spirit ball form and flying after them, leaving behind Rouge.
"...Well….that was...something..."
[OUTSIDE SPACE COLONY ARK - ECLIPSE CANNON COUNTDOWN: 24 Minutes, 47 seconds]
"Damn it! This place is a goddamn maze!" Ragna cursed as he ran through the area, "I swear I passed those goddamn Chaos monsters for the tenth time now!" he skidded to a halt when he felt something, a frown on his face as he reached for his sword, "...Whoever's hiding out there...come out."
"Seems you're better at sensing than I was lead to believe," Shadow noted as he emerged from, well, the shadows.
"..." Ragna said nothing as he stood his ground, giving the black hedgehog a firm stare.
"Perhaps it's why you're here and not the blue hedgehog," Shadow noted, glancing out at the window nearby, a view of Mobius within, "He was just a regular hedgehog, after all."
"...heh. You're talking as if he's dead…" Ragna gave a small smirk in response, "Did you not see the flash before the pod exploded?"
"Flash?" Shadow raised a brow, "...Ahh...so the Faker figured out Chaos Control…But how? I saw the feed of the ejection. The fake Chaos Emerald wasn't with them."
"What can I say? Guy looks like he's stubborn," Ragna replied, "Just like me. Now then, time to knock some sense into ya, Ben."
"Ben? Hmph. You still believe he's me?" Shadow questioned, "He's nothing. All he was was just a small, insignificant human."
"...That's where you're wrong…" Ragna stated, "Ben's a lot stronger than that...he literally went through hell because of the Forever Knights...he faced against strong enemies and always came out on top," he narrowed his eyes before drawing his blade, "And let me tell ya; I sure as hell am going to get Ben back."
"Hmph. Then let's see what exactly you're capable of, Ragna the BloodEdge," Shadow replied.
RAGNA=THE=BLOODEDGE VS SHADOW=THE=HEDGEHOG
Space Colony ARK - Deep within the pinnacle of science, lies the sins of the past
Theme: Throw It All Away
"Hmph. Let's see if you can keep up," Shadow scoffed as he prepared himself.
"You're gettin' on my nerves!" Ragna growled, shifting into a fighting position.
THE WHEEL OF FATE IS TURNING - REBEL 13 - ACTION!
"Dead Spike!"
"Chaos Spears!" Shadow declared as he summoned dozens of energy arrows, sending them forward as they clashed with the demonic wolf head Ragna summoned, creating a large explosion.
"Hell's Fang!" Ragna erupted from the smokescreen made from the explosions, his arm engulfed in the flames.
"Chaos Regulus!" Shadow roared, shooting at Ragna with his leg engulfed in Chaos Energy.
The fist and foot collided, creating a powerful shockwave in the area. The two jumped back before pulling out their blades and slashed the other, their blades sparking on contact.
"Grr….Gauntlet…"
"Chaos Spiral!" Shadow declared as swirling energy formed in his free hand, forming into a drill as he shot it towards Ragna.
"Gh?!" Ragna tensed as he quickly jumped back, the attack barely grazing him as it scratched his stomach area a bit, "Gauntlet Hades!"
Shadow quickly leaned back as Ragna's flame engulfed leg passed by him. He blocked a follow-up slash by the white-haired man before sending another Chaos Spear, striking Ragna in the chest and sending him backwards. Shadow took this moment to charge at Ragna, preparing another Chaos Spiral attack.
"...I don't think so...Inferno Divider!" Ragna declared once he managed to correct himself and land on his feet.
He swung his blade around into a reverse grip. Ducking under the Chaos Spiral, he spun around while swinging upward. Shadow grunted as the black and red flames slamming into him along with the sword, sending him and Ragna into the air. Ragna unfolded his blade into its scythe mode.
"Blood Scythe!" Ragna roared as he swung down on Shadow, sending him slamming into the ground.
"Gah!" Shadow shouted, coughing up a bit of blood as he quickly rolled up, dodging Ragna's downward slash as he backed away, "...Heh. Not bad for a human…Just be glad I'm not going all out."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"See these?" Shadow said as he pointed to the rings on his wrist, "These are special limiters. And for the show you've been giving me…" he grasped one of the rings, "Release Restraint Alpha."
The fabric emerging from the ring glowed faintly before erupting into red and black flames. Ranga's eyes widened as the ring seemed to phase through Shadow's arm, letting the flames flare up into a deep, menacing aura. Ragna blinked before crying out as he was sent flying through a wall before a massive barrage of Chaos Spears slammed into him.
=DISTORTION FINISH!=
"Hmph," Shadow snorted as he put the ring back on, letting the flames reform into their leather state, "Weak."
=SHADOW WINS=
"Guh...d...damn it…" Ragna groaned within the wall, trying to get up before he fell back down, trying his best to stay conscious.
"Stay where you are…" Shadow ordered as he began to walk off, "You'll just end up wasting whatever energy you have left…"
'D….damn it...I didn't even see him attack…' Ragna thought as he tried to stand, 'And...that was with one limiter removed…'
"Ragna-san!" the two looked to see Sonic and Roll skidding to a halt, Knuckles nearly falling flat on his face from the sudden stop.
"Oh dang...what ha-" Sonic began before he noticed Shadow, "..."
"You never cease to surprise me, blue hedgehog," Shadow noted, "I thought that capsule you were in exploded in space with you inside of it."
"You know, what can I say?" Sonic smirked as the two began to walk down the long hallway that Ragna had ended up being thrown into, "I die hard!" he held up his medallion, letting the artificial lights shine off of the gem in it, "You actually saved me, you know."
"So it is true that the Three Medallions of the Royal Hedgehog Family were made with shrunken copies of the Chaos Emeralds," Shadow noted, "But, there's no way you could have activated Chaos Control using an Emerald that's fake." the two pulled into a jog as Roll started to move after them, Tikal floating beside her as Knuckles began to tend to Ragna, "So, there's more to you than just looking like me. What are you anyway?"
"Heh. Can't you tell? I'm the fastest thing alive. My journeys never end as long as I keep running. Know why?" Sonic asked with a smirk, "I'm Sonic the Hedgehog!"
"I see. But you know, I can't let you live," Shadow stated as they began to run, Shadow's skates activating, "Your adventuring days are coming to an end."
SONIC=THE=HEDGEHOG VS SHADOW=THE=HEDGEHOG
Space Colony Ark (Final Rush) - Nothing is easier than to denounce the evildoer; nothing is more difficult than to understand him.
Theme: For True Story...Sonic VS Shadow
"Alright Shadow! Time for me to finish this!" Sonic declared as the two ran out and along a path with space visible all around them.
"Before this is over... I'll show you the true power of CHAOS CONTROL!" Shadow declared.
THE WHEEL OF FATE IS TURNING - REBEL 14 - ACTION!
"Chaos Spears!" Shadow declared as he fired his energy arrows at Sonic.
'...Not sure if this'll work but…' Sonic thought as he held his medallion, "Sonic Wind!"
Yellow spears of Chaos collided with blades of blue winds, creating a smokescreen the two erupted from and resumed their running.
"Holy cow. That actually worked…" Sonic whispered to himself before ducking under Shadow's blade, the blue hedgehog summoning his own sword as they began to clash blades, sparks flying off with each strike.
"They're really going all out," Tikal noted as she managed to keep up with Roll as they kept a bit behind them.
"Hai," Roll nodded, "Demo... How did Sonikku summon that wind from before?"
"Perhaps the exposure to the Chaos Emeralds has awaked his Chaos Energy," Tikal guessed.
"Maybe," Roll replied, "...Ano...I thought you passed on, Tikal-san."
"Bound to the Master Emerald."
"Ah," Roll nodded before moving out of the way of a stray Chaos Spear, "Meep!"
Neither heard her yelp. The only thing they heard was their blades clashing as they ran, becoming blurs as they dodged each other's projectile attacks. Sonic prepared for another attack when a series of laser fire made him dodge and move away from Shadow. The black hedgehog looked to see Starscream flying away from the path with a troop of EggPawns with wing attachments firing at the blue hedgehog.
"Oi! That's not fair!" Roll frowned before Yacker flew out of her hair and towards Sonic, "Yacker-chan?"
"LASER!" Yacker shouted as he changed into a Cyan Wisp and quickly evaded the shots before colliding with Sonic's back, phasing into him.
"What the…?" Sonic's eyes widened as cubes of cyan energy started coming off his body before his body turned into a cyan laser, the front shaped like his head, "WHOA!"
"What?!" Starscream exclaimed as the Cyan Laser shot about.
Cyan Laser struck an EggPawn, bouncing off it towards another. Within a matter of seconds, the Cyan Laser has struck all the EggPawns and headed straight for Shadow. The black hedgehog swung his blade, the flat side bouncing the transformed hedgehog away from him as the EggPawns exploded all around them.
"...Um….I...think I left something on in the hanger…" Starscream whispered as he quickly flew out of there.
Cyan Laser flickered before splitting into Sonic and Yacker. Sonic screamed as he started falling before Whisper changed into his orange Wisp form and went into him. Sonic glowed before transforming into an orange rocket resembling his head. Turning into an orange blur, Orange Rocket zipped about before slamming into Shadow's back, sending him into the air and slammed both of them into the part of the ARK above them.
"DRILL!"
Orange Rocket flickered before turning into a yellow Sonic head with a yellow drill emerging from his forehead. The drill started immediately as a trail of flames came from the back, dragging Shadow along the 'roof' of their path and smashing through four extended structures in the vessel before shattering before it flickered and split into Sonic and Yacker once more. The blue hedgehog managed to grab one of Shadow's legs and threw him down before Yacker changed into his Blue Wisp state and went into Sonic. Shadow spun around,attempting a Chaos Spiral, before it was disrupted by a Sonic-sized blue cube with his eyes made of solid yellow on a side slamming into him, sending him crashing into the path they started the fight on.
"...ugh...damn. Might have t-" Shadow began.
"BURST!"
Shadow cried out as an explosion of flames sent him bouncing back from a red Sonic head with the quills resembling flames. It shout out at him, a trail of flames being left behind.
"SPIKE!"
"Grr…!" Shadow growled as he quickly jumped out of the way before he brought his sword up, blocking a pink blur as multiple spikes sparked against his blade before going along the flat of the blade and onto the other side, revealing it to be a pink Sonic head littered in spikes, "Damn!" he released the sword to move back quickly before Pink Spikes could impale him, "Rrr!"
"What's wrong?" Sonic asked, splitting from Yacker once more to grasp the black and gold sword while summoning his own, 'However you're doing this, Yacker...Keep it up!'
"You impudent…" Shadow snarled before grabbing his wrist once more, "Release Restraint Alpha!"
"Huh?" Sonic blinked as one of Shadow's wrist rings popped up, causing a surge of power to be released from the black hedgehog, "?!"
"Chaos Hurricane!"
"That doesn't sound g-WOAH!" Sonic yelped as he was nearly blown away by a fierce wind of Chaos Energy, Yacker holding onto him for dear life.
"Q...QUAKE!"
"I don't think so…" Shadow frowned as he clenched his hand, Chaos Energy flowing around it as he reeled it back, "Chaos...Shotgun!" he shouted as he punched forward, sending a flurry of mini Chaos Energy spheres at Sonic and Yacker.
"Whoa!" Sonic yelped just as Yacker phased into his body. Sonic tensed as he became a grey hexagon like rock of sorts as it hit the walkway, resulting in a quake that shook up the place as it quickly blocked the spheres sent at him, nudging back each time. He split from Yacker again as Shadow sent out another volley.
"Do not back down!" Sonic's eyes widened as the voice once more echoed in his head, "Use the flat sides to block and the edges to slice! She has soaked in more than enough of his power to use against him!"
Sonic spun the black and gold blade around into a reverse grip in his left hand as he wielded his sword in his right. Sonic let out a roar as he began to use the blades to cut through and block the sphers of Chaos Energy. At the end of the attacks, Sonic roared as he swung the black and gold sword once more, sending out a red and black-tinted slash of Chaos Energy at Shadow.
"Chaos Shield!" Shadow declared as he summoned a barrier of Chaos Energy, blocking the cutting wave.
'...Okay this is starting to get annoying! Who are you?!' Sonic mentally demanded, despite the fact he followed the voice's orders, 'Hello?!...crud. It went silent on me again.'
"Now you use my blade? I'm through with these games!" Shadow growled as he grabbed his other wrist, "Release Restrain...Omega."
The second ring clattered to the ground. Sonic and Roll tensed as a massive eruption of black and red aura bellowed from Shadow's body. Shadow snarled as his teeth sharpened into wild fangs as the trench coat on his body began to flutter as if it were in a rising hurricane while all the red on his body began to glow ominously.
"I am Shadow the Hedgehog, the Ultimate Lifeform...my power is near infinite, so I shall not lose to some weak, mortal hedgehog!" Shadow roared as he crossed his arms, "Chaos…!"
"UNLIMITED COLORS!" Yacker shouted before he split into seven beams of light, "LASER! DRILL! SPIKES! ROCKET! CUBE! HOVER! FRENZY!" the seven colors swirled before Sonic, acting as a target aimed directly at Shadow.
"BLAST!" Shadow roared as he fired a massive beam of black and red Chaos Energy at Sonic and Roll.
"Final Color Blaster," Yacker intoned as Sonic and Roll jumped into the hole in the center of the colors, a brief flash of his emblem and Roll's overlapping.
The beam of raw Chaos Energy collided with the swirl before it dispersed. Shadow's eyes widened as he felt something impact with him. A bright light began to shine as Shadow screamed. On the surface, the light could be seen even from there before it faded away.
=DISTORTION FINISH!=
Sonic panted as he was supported by Roll. The two looked towards the ARK, a small, hedgehog-shaped hole with scorch marks framing it on the surface. Yacker groaned before collapsing into Roll's hair, his eye a swirl once more.
=SONIC WIN!=
"W-Wow…" Sonic panted, "Re...remind me of this the...the next time I...I get a plan that gets on Yacker's...bad side…"
"N...noted," Roll nodded as she helped him up, "...I hope he's okay."
"...You mean Shadow….or Ben?" Sonic asked.
"Hai."
"As much as I'd like to understand what just happened now, but we do have a 'cannon' that is about to destroy lives down on Mobius, remember?" Tikal asked as she floated before the two.
"...Ah! I forgot about that!" Sonic's eyes widened before Roll hefted him onto her back.
"Hold on. You're still tired, Sonikku," Roll advised before she ran off towards the cannon, Tikal flying after them.
[INSIDE SPACE COLONY ARK - ECLIPSE CANNON COUNTDOWN: 9 Minutes, 44 Seconds]
"Gah!" Eggman yelped as his mech was forced back from a punch from Bentley's Mech, "Why you...I'll make sure turtle soup is on the menu tonight!"
"And I'll be making some scrambled eggs!" Bentley declared.
"Oh egg puns huh?! How slow did it take you to think that up?!" Eggman countered as his mech threw a punch.
"About as much time as it did for you to come up with turtle jokes," Bentley replied as he blocked the punch with his shield, "Then again, you're already scrambled," he aimed his blaster at Eggman's mech's legs, "So why don't I try making an omelet instead?"
"No thanks…" Eggman said as a large cannon popped out the front of his mech, "I'm up for a new kind of food...fried turtle!"
"Yeesh...talk about a battle of puns instead of punches," Max deadpanned a bit, his ear twitching in the other room as he and Sam were firing their guns behind a terminal.
"Oh, now what's wrong with a few puns during a fight?" Sam asked before they heard a scream.
"Wilhelm!" a robot screamed as one collapsed in two from Manic's knife before his life met the same fate.
"Nothing, unless they're really bad puns."
"I do believe this has gone long enough," Maw frowned as his mouth began to glow.
"...Uh oh. That doesn't look good," Sam gulped, picking up Max as he ran out of the way, "Everyone, move!"
*BZZZRT!*
Maw twitched as the energy faded from his mouth. He collapsed and everyone turned to the doors to see Sly whistling while twirling the bomb strap on his cane's hook. Beside him, Fiona smirked as she held a Shock Pistol in her hands.
"Nice shot, 'Fiona', "Sly smirked a bit.
"Oh please, Cooper," Fiona snorted, the Latin accent a bit strong from disuse, before removing her face...letting Carmelita's determined face be shown fully, "Just 'nice?'"
"Carmelita!" Sonia gasped as Lien-Da slipped out unnoticed.
"Great Sanzaru! An Interpol Inspector teaming up with a Master Thief! Who'd have thought of that?" Sam asked.
"Dunno, but me likey what I see," Max smirked, "Growl~"
"...Do that again, and I'll make hasenfeffer out of you," Carmelita frowned at Max.
"Noted," Max squeaked, "I'm allergic to being stewed and served to a teenage scientist that would make a flying car for the expo that would then go on to make a bitchin' flying time travelling train!"
"Can we please focus?!" Sonia exclaimed, catching everyone's attention, "...Sorry. Just...had a really rough day." she then looked at Carmelita, "What're you doing here?"
"After I returned to Headquarters after the Perfect Chaos Incident, I found out that I had been transferred to GUN," Carmelita explained, "I was assigned to be Rouge the Bat's partner and given an Identification Mask that altered my appearance and was given the pseudonym 'Fiona.' My job was to spy on Eggman's activities by joining him. At least, until Project Shadow was released and I was put onto the task of keeping an eye on him and performing deeper research into the systems here and also assigned to delete all traces of GUN involvement in this space colony."
"What?!" Manic exclaimed as his armors and knife changed back into a medallion.
"But I didn't. You see, the moment Chief Barkley learned of this, he contacted Queen Aleena immediately and she gave him a new assignment for me that would be active even in my new work," Carmelita explained with a smirk, "Instead of deleting their precious secrets, they're all now with Queen Aleena. The best scientists she has are going through everything as we speak and compiling everything that GUN was involved with on here to present to the UN."
"Yup. Though...there is one thing that's still left unanswered…" Sly spoke up as he looked at her, "Who was 'Rosie' the entire time?"
"Dammit!" Lien-Da growled as she pulled out a radio, "Shockwave, tell me you were able to reroute everything!"
=I'm unable to. It seems that Project Shadow has taken precautions and tasked the strongest of the Artificial Chaos creatures to protect the systems= Shockwave replied.
"Dammit!" Lien-Da growled, "Fucking…..damn it! Can this fucking get any worse?!"
"Hello….sister."
"...And it just got worse," Lien-Da muttered, not turning to even look at Julie-Su, her blaster out, "I was so hoping you were stuck there."
"Funny...I was thinkin the same thing," Julie-Su frowned, "Only taking all those Echidna's Thrash sealed in there out and leaving you and your troops to rot."
"That is if they're still around…"
"...What're you talking about? All we need is to…"
"I don't think you understand, Julie-Su...we can never go back there...ever."
"...Explain. Now…" Julie-Su demanded.
"Fine...you know our Eggman? The one that was so obsessed with trying to defeat Sonic the Hedgehog?"
"Yeah. Still surprises me how competent this one is," Julie-Su replied, "What about him?"
"You see, he made something called a Super Genesis Wave Reactor, which allowed him to bend space and time to his will with the power of all seven Chaos Emeralds," Lien-Da explained, "Turns out he used it twice, once before...and when he teamed up with another mad doctor from this other Zone. Wily I think his name was...don't remember much before that psychopath Thrash threw us out o-"
"Just get to the point!" Julie-Su snapped, putting a finger on the trigger.
"...Fine. Basically after the second incident with the SGWR, our Zone was changed completely, and a few other Zones were destroyed in the process, including Zone Jail," Lien-Da stated.
"What?" Julie-Su's eyes widened.
"Yeah...and when I meant our Zone was changed completely, I mean like 'as if we were never there to begin with.' No Echidna race with Knuckles being the only one left. No pet mutt Muttski, but a Mobia...Mobini named Muttski. The dark Legion now called the Eggarmy-thank god the Eggman of this Zone doesn't have an egg obsession as well-...and if you're thinking of running back to your Knuckles, well too bad. He won't even remember you since you now don't exist in that Zone."
"What…? B...But the...the Soultouch…"
"Doesn't exist in that Zone anymore. It never happened nor was it created. I know you felt it, didn't you? The moment the Soultouch was…"
"Shut up!" Julie-Su snapped as she fired at Lien-Da, who backflipped out of the way.
"Stop trying to deny the facts, sister! As of right now, you, me, and the Knuckles of this Zone, we truly are the last of the Echidnas!" Lien-Da snapped, dodging a few more shots.
"Liar!" Julie-Su snapped as she kept firing at her, "It's still there! I know it is!"
Lien-Da blocked another shot with a crack of her whip, chuckling, "Oh...Oh you gotta be kidding me! Y...Y...Because his end broke with the rewrite, it went to the next best thing? Oh! That's rich! Then again, this one looks a bit more humble and not as stupid. Maybe I should take him for myself. You know? Help re-populate our entire..." she sidestepped a blast aimed at her head, "..."
"Don't. You. Dare," Julie-Su growled.
"Why? Scared he'll choose me over you? Scared you'll never have that family you and the other Knuckles we knew had planned? And...what was the name I heard you mention once for your planned daughter?...Oh yes. Lara-Su...funny. She co-"
"I SAID SHUT UP!" Julie-Su snapped, discarding her gun as she tackled Lien-Da and began to punch her, tears of sadness and rage escaping the pink echidna's eyes, "I don't want to hear another god damn word out of you, you cunt!"
"Why? I already left my 'family' behind in that prison of ours, so you should do the same!" Lien-Da snapped as she pushed Julie-Su off her, making her slam into the metal wall, "...Know what? I tire of seeing you...I think this sibling rivalry…" she picked up her whip as she walked over to her sister, "Should just end already, 'sister'..."
"...Knuckles…"
"...Heh. Still saying his name at the last moment, eh? Well….not that it matters. Time for you t-" Lien-Da began before she felt it….a massive killing intent aimed straight at her, "...What….the….f-"
"How heartless…" a voice spoke up from behind her, making the female echidna tensed as a certain Beastkin loomed over her, "Treating your own family like this? Not caring about your actual one?"
"..." (SZ A/N: It was at this moment Lien-Da knew…..she fucked up)
"Easy now, I got you," Tsubaki spoke as she helped Julie-Su up while Noel and Mai aimed their weapons at Lien-Da.
"You know…I've met a lot of nasty people…but those who care less, or worse treat their own family like trash?" Makoto cracked her knuckles, "Well...Let's just say that I really needed an outlet for what I learned a few days ago. So, congrats. You're my outlet."
"..." Lien-Da gulped nervously as she slowly turned around, seeing a look on Makoto's face that promised one thing, and one thing only….death, "..." she was about to try and say something before she tensed and jumped out of the way of Makoto's fist, which slammed hard into the metal floor, the force alone shaking half of the entire Space colony, "Shit!"
"Where are you going…" Makoto began as she pulled her fist out of the now large hole in the floor, "Punching bag?"
'...She…..she punched so hard, the entire half of the ARK shook...and she didn't even feel it?!' Lien-Da thought with wide eyes before she pulled out her communicator, "Shockwave, get me out of here now! Like, RIGHT! NOW!"
=Contacting Soundwave now= Shockwave replied.
"Soundwave?" Lien-Da repeated before a spacebridge opened up behind her, "...If I had to guess, new robot…"
"I said 'Where are you going…?'" Makoto growled as her emblem appeared behind her.
"...Question it later! Running now!" Lien-Da yelped as she ran into the spacebridge, quickly closing once she was in it, "Phew…" she looked around, "Dammit. This is the main base on Mobius!"
=I thought it would be logical to have you there= Shockwave replied.
"No, no, no, no, no!" Lien-Da grabbed the sides of her head, "Dammit! Shockwave, did you get by them?!"
=Negative. All attempts have failed=
"Oh fuck….oh fuck. Oh fuck! This is bad...this is real bad!"
=...explain=
"Listen...that last Chaos Emerald can NOT go into the Eclipse Cannon. Otherwise...the entire space colony will come crashing into the planet!"
=...I apologize but...can you please repeat that?=
"SPACE COLONY ARK IS GOING TO CRASH INTO THE PLANET AND DESTROY IT!" Lien-Da shouted as loud as she could...before noticing a mic nearby, the light on, "...Shockwave, where does the mic in the Spacebridge Room connect to?"
=The speakers to every single base we have on the planet= Shockwave replied.
"..." Lien-Da's eye began to twitch violently, "...Who...is the fucking dumbass that left it on?"
=Sleet. Now why am I receiving notices from the robots at all the bases that the Mobians and Beastkin are freaking out and panicking?=
"...I'm gonna kill him. I'm gonna fucking kill that scrawny bastard the next time I see him!"
[INSIDE SPACE COLONY ARK - ECLIPSE CANNON COUNTDOWN: 1 Minute, 30 Seconds]
"Ugh…" Bentley groaned.
"Easy now, Bentley," Sly spoke, Penelope waving a smelling salt under the turtle's face.
"Whoa. What happened in here?" Manic asked, seeing two piles of scrapped machines.
"E...Eggman…" Bentley groaned before gasping as he pushed himself up as best he could with his lower half useless, "He has the last Chaos Emerald! That sneaky scientist tricked me and then knocked me out!"
"It's like I always say; never trust fat guys in a fight. They always play dirty!" Max stated, "Like Eggman and General Skunkape."
"Wait. You beat Eggman?" Manic asked as Sam helped Bentley into his wheelchair.
"Well, technically, I lost, but yes I did destroy his walker," Bentley replied.
=Nice job, Bentley!=
"?!" Manic and Sonia's eyes widened at the voice on the Binocucoms, "Bro/Sonic?"
=Minna, you may want to take a look outside=
"That's Roll!" Sam gasped as everyone got out to the viewing platform and looked out.
Outside, the Eclipse Cannon was splitting its 'nose' once more, exposing the cannon within. The energy began to build up more and more, the green light heralding destruction giving way to...the cannon starting to self-destruct.
=Mission accomplished, guys. Now we just need to find the girls and get outta here!=
"But...But the Fake Emerald…" Bentley began.
=Oh! Knuckles-san is on the ARK, too! It's thanks to the Master Emerald and Tikal-chan's prayer that the energy reversed itself and blew the machine up!= Roll explained.
"But….my….plan…" Bentley slumped.
"...I just realized something. Where the HIFL are Gwen, Kevin, and Rook? They've been silent for WAY too long," Max spoke up.
"Right here," everyone looked to see Gwen enter, Rook and Kevin helping Ragna get in with Knuckles taking the rear, a pair of blue-tinted sunglasses on his bent fedora.
"...First off; where were you, young lady?! Second off; what're those sunglasses and where can I get me a sweet pair like that?"
"They were in one of the experiment labs," Knuckles explained, having been caught up during the walk here, "Turns out, she sensed me and found us when I was trying to find the medical wing for Ragna."
"Oh….I do have one last question, though….are there such things as spacequakes? Because there was a lotta shaking going on a bit earlier," Max added before the area rumbled, "There it goes again!"
"Gah! If there's spacequakes, then that must mean there's spacewhales!" Sticks freaked a bit, "Quick, someone get a harpoon to stop it before we're spacewhale food!"
"Sticks, calm down."
"No! Spacewales are the biggest predators in the sky, right next to Skorcas!"
"Argh! What the... What's going on?! Why doesn't the Cannon fire?!" Eggman growled as he banged on the console, ignoring the warning sirens wailing and the red lights flashing.
"Um...my lord?"
"What, Sleet?! I'm busy!"
"Um….you have a call from Lien-Da….ulp. And she's very angry at me…" Sleet gulped, keeping the communicator as far away from him as he could.
"How mad are we talking about?"
"She's shouting at me in a language I do not understand, but I feel that she's insulted my mother and insinuated some very rude things," Sleet replied.
"...Give me that," Eggman frowned as he took the communicator, "This better be important!"
=Please tell me you didn't put the last Chaos Emerald into the Eclipse Cannon's systems=
"I did. And it won't fire!" Eggman growled, slamming a fist on the console before a holographic screen appeared before the machine, "What?! What's happening here?!"
=You idiot...you goddamn fucking idiot! It's already starting to happen!=
"What?! What's happening?!"
=The ARK is gonna fall on Mobius, killing everyone and everything!=
"What?!" Eggman and Sleet exclaimed before the holographic screen displayed Gerald Robotnik.
"It...It's my Grandfather...Gerald Robotnik!" Eggman gasped.
"Not another quake!" Manic grunted as Penelope managed to stop Bentley's wheelchair from falling over.
"What's going on?!" Max exclaimed.
"Is...Is the space colony starting to break apart?" Gwen pondered in worry before the door slid open, revealing Rouge.
"You again," Knuckles frowned.
"It's...It's all over for us," Rouge shook her head.
"What? What is it?"
"I just received a message from my boss... The Space Colony ARK, is currently approaching Mobius at an incredible velocity. It probably... will impact Mobius..." Rouge explained.
"Ah! There's a rectangle floating!" Sticks freaked, pointing her boomerang at the nearby terminal where the image of Gerald Robotnik was being displayed.
"Who's that?" Max asked.
"I am not sure," Rook replied, seeing that the man was chained to a chair in what looked to be a cell covered in calculations and that the clothes on his body seemed to be ill-fitting, "He...He looks so tired."
"Tired nothing. It looks to me like he's been starved and beaten," Carmelita scowled.
=This is a death sentence for every living being on Mobius. If my calculations are correct, the Space Colony ARK will impact Mobius in twenty-seven minutes, twenty-three seconds. All of you will be destroyed, along with your beloved planet Mobius= the man explained, his voice sore and tired, yet the gleeful madness within was evident, as outside, the six 'whiskers' on ARK snapped off as it approached the planet, becoming encased in a corona of flames =I plan to give you a taste of my revenge, once all the seven Chaos Emeralds are collected. Once I initiate this program, it cannot be disabled. All of you ungrateful humans, who took everything away from me... will feel my loss, and despair!=
=Is there anything else you want to say?= another voice asked.
=No=
=Ready!= the voice ordered.
Clove covered Cassia's eyes as she looked away, the gunshots on the screen tearing into the man fading to static before it restarted. Wolf whimpered under Cassia's bed as Ursa Major slumped.
=This is a death sentence for…=
=S...Sis? Wh...What's going on?= Cassia asked.
"My….my god…." Clove whispered, a look of horror in her eyes.
"How….how horrible…" Tsubaki whispered with wide eyes.
"We...We're falling to the planet?" Noel gulped.
"Not again…" Julie-Su sighed.
"Wait. Again?" Makoto and Mai looked at the pink Echidna.
"This happened before where I'm from…"
"...Are you…?"
"From a different Zone where this happened before, yes," Julie-Su replied.
"I was gonna say 'someone who was cryogenically frozen after the first time it happened,' but….that works too kinda."
"...Makoto, Mai, you two head to where Sonic and the others are," Tsubaki ordered, "Noel, we're going back for Cassia and her sister."
"Right!" the three nodded.
"This...this is not good…" Sonia whispered with wide eyes.
"Ahh crap! Game over, man! Game over!" Max and Sticks freaked as they ran around, screaming their heads off.
"Whoa! The vibrations are getting worse!" Bentley yelped.
"What's going on here?! Who was that?!" Knuckles demanded.
"Professor Gerald Robotnik!" everyone turned to the door to see Eggman enter with Starscream, Sleet, and Shockwave, "One of the greatest scientific minds in the world, and my grandfather!"
"...You...this…!"
"Yes, yes, it's my fault! I realized that when Lien-Da told me I wasn't supposed to put the last Emerald into the Eclipse Cannon," Eggman quickly waved off, "Look! We don't have time to argue!"
"As much as I'd like to say otherwise, he's right," Eggman jumped up and landed in Shockwave's arms as Makoto, Mai, and Julie-Su entered.
"That's kinda freaky," Sonic noted as he, Tikal, and Roll entered from another doorway.
"Hmph! You're pretty persistent for a hedgehog, aren't you?" Eggman questioned as he got out of Shockwave's arms.
"Heh. After the Chaos Emerald Crisis a few years ago, you'd think that it'd be obivious by now," Sonic smirked.
'He really is a blue hedgehog,' Mai blinked twice as Eggman handed Bentley a USB.
"What's this?" Bentley asked.
"This is a copy of my Grandfather's audio diary,".Eggman explained, "The last of the entries just finished decoding."
"...Why're you doing this?"
"As much as I don't want to admit this, and I REALLY don't want too…" Eggman paused as he took a deep breath, "We need to call a tr…...a tru….a tru…."
"Truce?" Mai supplied.
"That yes. Thank you," Eggman nodded.
Bentley rolled over to the terminal and inserted the USB into it.
=I don't quite know what happened, or what went wrong. Was it a mistake to create the Ultimate Life Form? I thought it would be something that would benefit mankind... But then the military guards landed on the Colony that day. They were sent to destroy the research project that I had been working on. My colleagues at the research facility, my granddaughter Maria, I hope you are all safe= Gerald's voice came as the screen changed to a display, the words appearing as he talked.
"He sounds worried," Gwen noted.
=The colony was completely shut down, probably to prevent the prototype from falling into the wrong hands. The ARK was shut down under the premise that there had been an 'accident'. I found Maria's name among those who died when the ARK was shut down= the entires went on, his voice sounding scared, almost heartbroken =She meant everything to me! And I couldn't bear the thought that she died because of my research. I lost everything! I had nothing more to live for! I went insane!= the screen turned red and the writing to black, his voice turning into a vicious, hateful growl =All I could think about, was to avenge her! Somehow, someway, I got scared as I no longer was able to control my thoughts. All I could think about, was that I wanted it all to end=
"He's...Oh god…" Mai whispered, a hand going over her mouth.
"He completely broke," Penelope gulped as the background changed to a solid white, the text now red.
=Based on my original projections, I was able to complete my project; Shadow= Gerald went on, his voice eerily calm, sounding almost cheerful even =I designed its mind to be perfect, pure... I will leave everything, to him. If you wish, release and awaken it if you wish to fill the world with destruction!=
"So that's why you wanted to release Shadow!" Rouge realized.
"The core of the Eclipse Cannon is now highly reactive and explosive. This is because of the energy of the Chaos Emeralds is overpowering it," Shockwave explained, "Based upon the vibrations, the initial orbit of the colony, and the rate of fall to the surface, it will be just as he said."
"..." Eggman looked at the screen, displaying the entries, "If the colony collides with Mobius, the entire planet will shatter into pieces." he shook his head, a sad look on his face, "Grandfather, you mad scientist…"
"Pot calling the kettle black," Max deadpanned.
"We have to stop this colony from dropping!" Carmelita exclaimed.
"You're right," Eggman nodded as Shockwave brought up a map of the Colony, "The Space Colony ARK's position may have shifted due to the amount of energy given off by the Emeralds. We have to stop the energy!"
"But how are we going to do that?" Kevin asked.
"The Master Emerald!" Julie-Su replied as she looked over to Knuckles and Tikal, "The Master Emerald has the power to stop the Chaos Emeralds!"
"That's right!" Knuckles nodded as Roll gave it back to him, "If Tikal and I can get to the Chaos Emeralds, we can stop them with the Master Emerald."
"The reaction of the Chaos Emeralds is moving toward the Cannon's Core! It may be too late!" Starscream gulped as Shockwave added an icon of the Chaos Emeralds on the map of the ARK.
"...Not if we split up," Eggman stated as he and Bentley moved up to the map, "There's a few switches that unlock doors leading to the center of the ARK. Each of us will remain in position until each door on our side is opened, letting us get to another of the switches."
"Wait, what?! S...sire!" Starscream exclaimed as he knelt down to him, "You're not really going to work alongside these...these...enemies to your glorious empire, are you?!"
"It's only until we stop the ARK from colliding with Mobius."
"But…but…!"
"Starscream," Eggman put a hand on his shoulder as he looked Starscream straight in the optics, "I know it is tough and I am swallowing my pride so much that it feels like I ate a bowl of nails without any milk. But right now, we need to work together in order to stop this."
"...I…" Starscream inhaled, "Very well, sire. I will do my best. We are at truce and I will not strike any of them while we have one."
"That's my Air Commander," Eggman nodded, "Now then….turt-Bentley. Help me set up who goes where for the mission."
"My specialty," Bentley smirked.
"Clove, Cassia, be on standby for your assignments. We are in a truce as of this moment with the Freedom Fighters," Eggman ordered on his communicator, only to get silence in response, "...Blast. Their communicators must be down."
"The Artificial Chaos Wolf ate them," Makoto quickly informed.
"...Another thing we might need to watch out for are rogue Artificial Chaos."
"And the prototype of Shadow," Rook added.
"And th-wait what?" Eggman looked at him.
"We believe his prototype is out and, with its recorded history of violent tendencies, can and will kill or destroy anyone that comes in its way," Bentley informed, "Apparently, it was sealed away inside of a cauldron of all thing. Don't understand why they keep capitalizing the 'C,' though."
"?!" Ragna pulled out the case and got one of the blueprints out, "I found this in one of the labs." he unrolled it, showing the inside, "Take a look."
"That looks like the shrine!" Tikal realized.
"But what's that thing above it?" Knuckles asked.
"Oh god! It...Is that…?" Makoto looked at Ragna, who nodded.
"A Cauldron," Ragna narrowed his eyes, "The Cannon's Core is a fucking Cauldron!"
"Okay, I'm confused! What is this Cauldron?!"
"It's a gateway leading to the Boundary," Ragna explained, "And trust me...you don't want to go in unless you want to be mutated thanks to the Seithr in there."
"Wow...now I'm curious on what's inside if you have to deal with deadly mutation," Max grinned, "What's in it!?"
"...The Master Control Unit; Amaterasu," Ragna replied, "I won't go into much detail but….basically, it controls both time and space itself. Any problems it senses to time or space, it pretty much resets everything before that event happened."
"What?!" Eggman gawked, "SHOCKWAVE!"
"Putting all time-related plans into the 'Never touch no matter what happens' folder," Shockwave replied.
"Good. Now then...If nobody else has any metaphorical bombs to say…" Eggman looked at everyone in the room, "Then let's get to work!"
"Okay...it took some hard thinking, and a bit of arguing on the name for the operation with Eggman we're ready to start Operation Cradle Won't Fall!" Bentley stated as he pulled up the holographic screen, showing the layout of the ARK while displaying chibi heads of the others, "Also before anyone ask on the chibi versions of our heads, it was something Penelope suggested to make things a bit easier...and it is."
"Kawaii!" Roll beamed.
"Ahem!" Bentley cleared his throat, "Now then, as you all know, there are possibly hundreds, maybe thousands of Artificial Chaos monsters roaming around the ARK, so be extra cautious during your missions. Now…" he moved two of the heads to two different areas, "There are a pair of doors on each side here. Eggman, if you'll please?"
"Basically myself, along with Bentley, Sly, and Maw will take care of one end while another team consisting of Makoto, Carmelita, Shockwave, and Starscream will deal with the other. When the door here is opened by both of our teams doing this," Eggman explained as an icon of Rouge, Mai, Tsubaki, Clove, and Cassia appeared, "Rouge's team will find the switch that will flood this part to open up the path to the last switch. Once they do that, it will be all up to Knuckles and his breathing device to activate the final switch, opening up the last part of the straightway to the Cannon's Core." the chibi icon of Knuckles moved up from the switch to chibi icons of Roll, Sonic, and Ragna, "He'll then regroup with Sonic, Roll, and Ragna and they will make their way to the Core. Bentley, continue please."
"Once you're there, place the Master Emerald on the shrine, which definitely should deactivate the Chaos Emeralds, thus stopping the ARK from falling onto Mobius," Bentley continued.
"Ano...What about me?" Noel asked.
"Noel, you'll be in charge of keeping an eye on things from here," Bentley informed, "Giving everyone updates on what's going on with the others."
"O-Oh…"
"Hey, turtle boy! What about us?!" Max asked as he motioned to him, Sam, Sticks, Sonia, Manic Gwen, Kevin, and Rook.
"You Eight will stay and guard Noel in case any rogue Artificial Chaos come in here," Bentley responded, "And please don't call me turtle boy."
"...Sir," Maw whispered to Eggman, "What of Conquering Storm? She might still be somewhere within the ARK."
"...One minute," both replied before huddling before nodding.
"Knuckles, you are to meet Conquering Storm when they fill the room and she will be the one who unlocks your way to the Cannon's Core," Bentley informed, "Gwen, Kevin, you two are staying here to act as Noel's guards while Sonia and Manic will be going with Sonic, Roll, Ragna, Knuckles, and Tikal. Max, Sam, Sticks? You three are going with..." the two scientists shook a fist at one another with Eggman making a flat hand and Bentley a peace sign with four fingers, "...Makoto, Carmelita, Starscream, and Shockwave while Rook goes with Eggman, myself, Sly, and Maw."
"Ladies~" Max smirked as he stood between Makoto and Carmelita.
Sticks sniffed them, "None of you stink. I'm good with that."
"Um….thanks?" Makoto blinked.
"What about...you know what? Nevermind. I'll just stay behind and look after Noel," Julie-Su offered as she held her blaster up.
"Good...okay everyone, let's hurry!"
"Right/okay/hai/gotcha/when's lunch?"
"..."
"...what? A Lagomorph's gotta eat."
[INSIDE SPACE COLONY ARK - IMPACT COUNTDOWN: 24 Minutes, 22 Seconds]
=Can you hear me?= Noel asked =I-If you can, then you're good to go to start finding those switches!=
"Thank you," Eggman nodded, "Team Eggman, move out!"
"Please do not name our group after yourself," Rook sighed a bit, having his Proto-tool out as the group move forward.
"Why? It helps motivate the team," Eggman countered.
"Are we seriously talking about this?" Sly asked, "Let's just get going already!"
"Indeed," Maw nodded.
"...Fine. I'll just sh-" Eggman began before an Artificial Chaos resembling a boar appeared, its head sparking a bit, "..."
"Hey. Who's the pig?" Sly asked.
"Are you talkin' to me?"
"...Did it just...?" Maw blinked.
"Are you talkin' to me?"
"It talks?!" Bentley gawked.
"Are YOU talkin' to ME?!" the boar snapped.
"Why do I feel that we are in for something bad?" Rook asked.
"They call me MR. Pig! AHHHHHHHHHH!"
"What's going on?" Gwen asked.
"Um...Well...It seems that Sly-san's group is having t-troubles with the only Artificial Chaos in that room," Noel replied, Wolf and Ursa Major at her sides as she looked at the terminal, showing a live feed of Eggman running from a mad boar AC with a...colorful tongue, "..." she switched to another camera, showing the second team, "E-Everyone, you're good to go."
=You heard the lady! Go Team Sticks!= Sticks ordered as she charged with a scream, followed by Sam and Max.
=Ugh...I'm already getting a headache in my hardrive just from being around those three…= Starscream muttered.
=Preach it to the choir= Makoto muttered.
"...I just realized something," Kevin spoke up, "Where's Shadow?"
"Eh? S-Shadow-san?" Noel blinked as Wolf sniffed the floor before barking at Ursa Major, who picked up Noel and walked off, "Eh? EH?!"
"...Kevin…"
"Right, right, right. I'll stay here and keep them updated. You go keep an eye on her," Kevin nodded.
Gwen nodded as she followed after Noel as Kevin picked up the headphones Noel was using to communicate with the other.
"Change of plan guys. Noel and Gwen are going to go find Shadow, which leaves just me and the echidna here."
"Julie-Su," Julie-Su corrected him, keeping her blaster out as she kept an eye out.
"Yeah. Ju...Wait. Julie-Su?" Kevin looked at her.
"What's wrong with my name?"
"Nothing," Kevin replied quickly as he looked at the monitor, "Team-ugh-Sticks, you're almost to the switch."
=Noted= Shockwave responded.
=Problem= Max noted =These blocks coming in and out of this electrified goop are going too fast for us to reach the switch=
"Right," Kevin nodded as Julie-Su pulled out the diagrams Ragna had brought with him.
"Do you see a white switch with two rings floating around it? The top looks like a pitch black clock with white clock hands?" Julie-Su asked.
=I see them. What do they do?= Sam asked.
=Probably stop time for a few seconds probably= Max guessed =Called it=
"What?" Kevin blinked twice, "How'd you get to the switch?"
"It says that the switch they hit was developed to stop time for anyone in contact with the switch," Julie-Su explained, "Apparently, it's Chaos Control at the touch of a button. Makes sense considering what they've been studying up here."
=Oh...anyways, we're done on our end= Max confirmed =Now if you'll excuse me, I-=
=You even think about what I think you're planning, I'll make a hat out of you= Carmelita warned.
=Nuts. I keep swinging and missing with the ladies today...or tonight. Kinda hard to tell when you're out in space=
=One of life's greatest mysteries, little buddy= Sam stated.
"Okay. Bentley, progress?"
=Almost at the switch= Bentley replied.
"Got it. Everyone standby for when the door opens to progress," Kevin advised.
[ARK: VIEWING PLATFORM B - COLONY IMPACT: 19 Minutes, 50 Seconds]
A door slid up, letting Ursa Major walk in with Noel on its back, Wolf and Gwen following. Gwen froze as the room was filled with other red and black Artificial Chaos in different animal-like shapes, looking out at the closing planet. Standing before the reinforced glass was Shadow, just staring at the planet, his trenchcoat in tatters and the gaming device in his hand. Ursa Major let Noel off before the two joined their fellow AC in just staring out the window.
"...What're you doing in here?" Shadow asked, not once looking at the two girls as he stared out the window.
"...W...we….we came to find you…"
"...Don't bother," Shadow scoffed, "In a few minutes, the sins of Mobius will be wiped off the map completely."
"P-Please, Shadow. We...We need your help," Noel pleaded, "You and Ben-san."
"It's all going according to plan. There's no reason for me to help them," Shadow replied.
"But...but you're letting innocent lives die down…" Gwen began.
"There's no one innocent on Mobius...every single one of them is evil...rotten to the core," Shadow shook his head, lightly petting the head of a small dog Artificial Chaos, "Just as all planets where those that are like Overlanders or Mobians live."
"...I...I know that there are those who are selfish and...and fight over the most trivial things, like Professor Gerald said," Noel spoke as she walked over to him, "Demo...they're basically good, if...if they try their best and never give up on their wishes." the AC in the room looked at her, "They always have a reason to be happy; that's why you should help them out! Saving them is a good thing!" she took Shadow's free hand, causing him to look at her pleading eyes, "Shadow, I beg you, please do it for them! Give them a chance!"
*ba-bump*
"!?" Noel and Shadow's eyes widened.
'A-Again…' Noel thought as her head started hurting once more.
"Shadow... I beg of you... please, do it for me... for a better future…" Maria pleaded, her blue dressed stained with a growing red on her side as she rested against a terminal.
"Maria!" Shadow banged on the glass of the capsule he was in.
"...for all the people who live on that planet... give them a chance to be happy. Let them live for their dreams. Shadow, I know you can do it. That's the reason that you were brought into this world," Maria went on, coughing up a bit of blood as her eyes were starting to lose their light, "Sayonara, Shadow, the Hedgehog."
Shadow looked at his hands, 'That's what I've promised her... I must keep that promise…' a tear escaped from his eye, 'That's what Maria wished for…'
"Shadow…" Gwen began before seeing the Omnitrix symbol emerge from his white fur.
Shadow grabbed the symbol and grunted as he started to pull on it. He let out a crying roar as he tore it off...pulling Ben out with it. Ben groaned as he fell to the floor, unconscious. The Artificial Chaos in the room changed from black and red coloring to their original water blue color as they all let out animalistic cries while running out, two dog-like Artificial Chaos staying behind.
"Ben!" Gwen gasped as she ran over to him.
"Shadow-san?" Noel blinked twice.
"I've got to go now!" Shadow informed as he turned to the door, "I have to keep my promise to Maria…" he looked at Noel, "And to you. Canis Major, Canis Minor, stay with her." the two barked before Shadow ran off, his skates going at full force.
"...Guess that bat and her team finished their part," Knuckles whispered as he looked at the now flooded room below them before Conquering Storm jumped down from a vent, a panel sliding open between the group and her.
"While I would gladly kill you where we stand, Sakurai, I have my orders and know what will happen should I ignore them and just attack," Conquering Storm informed, glaring at Roll before looking at the echidna, who handed her his necklace.
"Just put that piece to your mouth and it'll convert the water around it into oxygen with the hydrogen being used to fuel it," Knuckles explained.
"...Very well," Conquering Storm nodded as she took the necklace and put it on and dove into the water.
"...Well….she seemed...pleasant." Mai noted as she and the rest of Rouge's group grouped back in the viewing platform.
"Conquering Storm has a lot of pride to herself and her clan," Clove explained.
=Which...kinda makes sense since she's the leader of the Raiju…=Cassia added.
=EEK!=
"What happened?" Rouge asked.
=Some Artificial Chaos just jumped into the water!=
Conquering Storm narrowed her optics at the large swarm of fish-like AC between her and the switch, their heads twitching like mad with red eyes. They were about to charge when the multi-headed snake-like AC shot past her and rammed into the school, followed by a Chaos 4-like AC and a hammerhead shark AC. One of the heads of the multi-headed AC looked at Conquering Storm with its green eyes and motioned to the switch before snapping out and crushing the head of one of the rogue AC.
'...It's letting me pass? Why? ...No matter. I must focus on the mission,' Conquering Storm thought as she swam towards the switch. She was about to activate it before an octopus AC blocked her path, making her tense as she moved back a bit as its tentacles shot at her, '?!'
It swung its tentacles at her, the ends coming up into spikes. The kunoichi lynx was about to dodge before Knuckles blasted through with an AC Chaos covering his head like an air bubble, grabbing each of the tentacles as he tossed the octopus AC towards the other ones. The echidna mad a nod towards Conquering Storm, the lynx nodding a bit in response as she swam to the switch and pressed down on it.
"And Sonic's team is good to go," Kevin noted.
"Good timing, too. I was about to make a reference to the tentacle meme a-" Max began before half the girls in the room shot him a glare, "...Shutting up."
'I wanted to know,' Makoto pouted mentally before the door opened, letting Noel run in with the two dog AC, "Noellie! Where did…" her eyes widened when she saw Gwen come in, carrying Ben on her back.
"Shadow split himself off from Ben and the Artificial Chaos that were with him just ran off," Gwen explained.
"That explains these," Julie-Su noted as she brought up live feed of the green-eyed Artificial Chaos fighting off the red-eyed ones, often before the red-eyed ones could try to attack Sonic's team, "It's like they're trying to help stop the colony from impacting with the planet."
"Well that's good, right? Now Sonic and his team can shoot right to the core a-" Starscream began.
"Uh...guys? I'm picking up a REALLY high energy level where the core is…" Kevin spoke.
"The energy must have finally reached it all the way there," Eggman noted.
"They're in!" Bentley exclaimed.
[ARK: CANNON'S CORE - COLONY IMPACT: 15 Minutes 27 Seconds]
"Ugh! Why does there have to be so much water?!" Sonia grumbled as she shook her quills of water.
"Would you rather deal with those Artificial Chaos?" Manic countered as the group walked into the area.
"...Fair enough I suppose…"
"...There it is…" Ragna whispered as he spotted something ahead.
Everyone looked ahead. They were currently in a massive room with a long pathway, a large ring in the middle of the pathway. On the other side of the pathway was a metal version of the Master Emerald Shrine, the glowing Chaos Emeralds on their pillars. Above that was a pitch black object with seven metal angel wings sticking out of it.
"...Is...is that…"
"Yeah...the Cauldron," Ragna replied before glancing over his shoulder to see Knuckles landing from the water way they had come in from, "Got the Master Emerald?"
"Got it," Knuckles nodded.
"Great. Let's go put the kibosh on this!" Manic grinned, about to run ahead before…
"Hold on, Manic…" Ragna spoke, his eyes narrowed as he reached for his sword, "...We're not alone in here…"
"Eh?"
"Don't you feel that? The massive killing intent?"
=All of you ungrateful humans, who took everything away from me, will feel my loss and despair!= Gerald's message echoed in the room =All of you ungrateful humans, who took everything away from me, will feel my loss and despair!=
As the recording kept repeating the final sentence of his message, the Cauldron twitched. The bottom slid open, revealing a swirling orange/white vortex of flames within. One by one, the wings moved, going into the Cauldron. With a final repeat of the last sentence of Gerald's message, a horrendous screech erupted from the cauldron before something erupted from the Cauldron and slammed into the center of the ring in the pathway, making a large splash of the water in the room on impact. They slowly lowered their arms from the splash and gasped. Before them was a massive creature, pulsing veins throbbing all over its twisted, mangled form that constantly broke and repaired itself in an endless cycle. Shifting spikes ran along the back of its tail and up its two long necks to its serpent/wolf-like heads, glowing slits looking all over within them. A pair of blue tubes came from the outer sides of its mouths, going down the sides of its necks and connecting to a pulsating device that was seemingly being consumed by its body. It tilted its heads back and let out agonized, frenzied, seemingly distorted screeches, causing the area to rumble.
"..." Sleet let out a whimpering moan as he fainted.
"...Agreed," Starscream gulped as he joined Sleet.
"It...it's even worse than what the photos showed!" Bentley gasped as Clove covered Cassia's eyes while keeping her own closed.
"It must have been sealed inside that thing this whole time, only meant to be released if the Master Emerald was detected near the shrine," Sly noted.
"...Th…..that….that's the prototype of Shadow…?" Eggman whispered, fear evident in his voice, "My god...Grandfather...wh...what is this?" he slowly took off his glasses, revealing his eyes to be surprisingly normal with black irises, while he stared at the screen, "What have you done?"
"What is that?" Knuckles asked.
"Dude...This...Bentley and Rook told me this," Manic noted, "This...This has gotta be what Gerald Robotnik made before Shadow; the Biolizard."
"And it's been sealed inside of the Cauldron for probably over fifty years," Ragna scowled, "Ugh. What were those damn scientists thinking?! You don't mess with shit like this for a goddamn reason!"
"Um….minna…." Roll gulped as the Biolizard raised its heads, "It...it's doing something…."
"?! MOVE!" Ragna snapped before he blinked and realized that everyone was on the other side of the Biolizard's body, "What?"
"Leave this one to me," Ragna looked to his side to see Shadow.
"You…" Ragna began.
"Ben Tennyson is fine," Shadow informed, grabbing his sword from Sonic's back as he approached the Biolizard.
"Shadow, what're you doing?!" Sonic demanded.
"I'll take care of this, while you run to get the Chaos Emeralds!" Shadow ordered.
"Not without me you aren't," Ragna scowled as he walked up to beside Shadow.
"...Think you can handle yourself against this thing?" Shadow asked.
"Oh...I can," Ragna said as he gripped his wrist, "Re..."
"Move!" Shadow tackled Ragna out of the way as one of the two heads snapped at them.
"Guess it'll have to be a partial activation then," Ragna scowled, grabbing his wrist as he and Shadow got up, "Blood Kain!" a red aura erupted off his body as Shadow released his Restrain Alpha, "Ready?"
"Indeed," Shadow nodded as he drew his blade, "Arondight, time to slay."
RAGNA=THE=BLOODEDGE & SHADOW=THE=HEDGEHOG VS BIOLIZARD
Space Colony Ark (Cannon's Core) - He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Theme: Supporting me… Biolizard
"Time to go," Ragna flicked his jacket's collar.
"Here I come, you creep!" Shadow declared.
THE WHEEL OF FATE IS TURNING - REBEL 15 - ACTION!
The Biolizard roared as it fired a pair of large spheres of black/purple energy at the two. Ragna dodged to the right while Shadow jumped over, letting one of the sphere hit the water and one to hit a pillar nearby. A sickening grinding noise made Ragna look to see the metal structure collapse in on itself before imploding.
"It fires condensed gravity," Shadow explained, "Don't let it hit you! Chaos Spear!"
"Dead Spike!" Ragna declared as he summoned a smaller version of the demonic wolf head, which shot ahead as it and Shadow's attacks collided with the Biolizard, making it move back with a snarl, the wounds quickly healing up, "It regenerates…Wait..." he looked at the device fused with its back, "...Of course...Hey! We need to aim for that device on its back! It's supposed to be some sort of life support for it!"
"...Give me a boost up," Shadow said as he ran up to Ragna.
Ragna nodded as he grabbed Shadow and tossed him high into the air, the hedgehog's sword covered in Chaos Energy.
"Chaos Fang!" Shadow declared as he slashed down, sending a large cutting wave of Chaos Energy at the device on the Biolizard's back.
The Biolizard's tail shot out, blocking the slash. The tail then swung, releasing a barrage of its spikes at the airborne black hedgehog.
"Chaos Control!" Shadow declared as he vanished, causing the spikes to miss as the hedgehog reappeared on the Biolizard's back, specifically on the device on its back as he slashed down on it, causing the creature to screech out in pain as it thrashed about.
The Biolizard swung one of its head to try to bite at Shadow, but the black hedgehog jumped off, barely avoiding the bite. Nearby, Ragna threw his sword, impaling the core once more, making the Biolizard screech again.
"You really threw your sword?!" Shadow demanded.
"What? It's stuck in the life support," Ragna noted before ducking under a sphere sent by one of the heads.
"Yeah, and now it's grown more violent," Shadow frowned as they dodged a wave of its spikes sent at them before it began to pant heavily.
"Ugh...What's it doing now?" Ragna questioned before orbs of slime emerged from its body and began to shoot at them like cannonballs, "SHIT! What next?! It can control grav-are we floating?"
"...You had to jinx it…" Shadow narrowed his eyes at Ragna as they floated off the floor and were slammed by a few of the slime balls, "GAH!"
"Son of a bitch!" Ragna cursed before they came crashing to the ground, the two slamming down on it, "GAH!"
The two heads formed their spheres of condensed gravity in their jaws once more. They brought them together, turning the sphere to an ominous crimson. The sphere flickered before it turned into a beam heading right for them. The beam collided, creating a large explosion.
"Hell's Fang/Chaos Regulus!" pain raced through the Biolizard as Ragna and Shadow slammed into its life support pack, letting Ragna rip his sword out.
TIME!
"Get going, you two," Sonic advised as Knuckles pulled out the Master Emerald and put it into its place on the shrine.
"The Servers are...the seven Chaos," Tikal began.
"Chaos is Power…"
"Power is enriched by the Heart."
"The Controller is the one that unifies the Chaos!" Knuckles spoke as the Master Emerald began to spin and shine, "You're the only one that can do this!"
"Please, you must help us!" Tikal pleaded.
"Stop the Chaos Emeralds!" both declared.
A pulse of energy shot out of the Master Emerald, knocking the Chaos Emeralds off their pillars, their colors dimming as the energy of the cannon faded. The Biolizard let out a screech before it vanished in a flash of light.
"It...It just used Chaos Control!" Shadow's eyes widened before the area rumbled.
"Oh come on! I thought these would stop since we just turned off the power!" Manic complained.
=Uh….guys? I got bad news, and worse news= Kevin spoke up over the intercom =The bad news, that...thing just appeared and fused with the Eclipse cannon outside the ARK=
"...What's the worse news?" Sonia frowned.
=We're starting to fall faster to the planet=
"Can you repeat that again? I don't think I heard you right," Ragna's eye twitched.
=The Prototype is still alive! He's controlling the Space Colony as it is falling to Mobius! He has become one with the Space Colony, and is determined to keep it on it collision course!= Eggman replied.
=At our new rate of travel...There's only five minutes left= Shockwave added.
"Dammit!" Ragna cursed, slamming his fist on one of the pillars.
"..." Sonic looked over at Shadow, "...We still have one shot."
"Bro, you mean…?" Manic began.
"Yeah," Sonic nodded.
"..." Manic took off his Medallion and gave it to Sonic, "You can do it, Bro."
"Good luck," Sonia encouraged, putting her Medallion on Sonic's neck.
"We're rooting for you both," Tikal informed as Shadow walked over to Sonic.
"Ganbatte!" Roll cheered as Yacker waved a flag with Sonic and Shadow's heads on it.
Sonic and Shadow held their right hands into the air while closing their eyes. The Chaos Emeralds began to glow and flew into the air and towards the two. They flashed and began to slowly spin around the two hedgehogs. They lowered their hands into clenched fists while their eyes closed in concentration. The emeralds spun fast and fast around them before their eyes snapped open. In a flash of light, Super Sonic and a platinum gold Shadow floated before them, Ragna grunting as his eye snapped shut while his Azure Grimoire arm went slack.
'Again?!' Ragna thought before both hedgehogs vanished in a flash of light.
SUPER=SONIC & SUPER=SHADOW VS THE=FINAL=HAZARD
Space Colony Ark (Colony Drop) - In that day the Lord with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea.
Theme: Live & Learn (2007 Version)
The Final Hazard was monstrous. Its body was nothing more than a pulsating mass of black and red veins, muscles, and sinew, constantly shifting about with seven heads emerging from it, each one giving a demonic, distorted shriek with red swelling points on its form.
"I must destroy all the evil that the doctor has created!" Super Shadow scowled.
"Let's get him!" Super Sonic declared.
THE WHEEL OF FATE IS TURNING - REBEL 16 - ACTION!
=Sonic, Shadow! Can you hear me? He's very weak without his life support system. Aim for the red swelling areas to damage him! You're our last hope!= Eggman informed over the speakers of the ARK.
Super Sonic and Super Shadow nodded at one another before they shot towards the Final Hazard, dodging the dark venom purple lasers the monster fired from its multiple mouths. Inside the ARK, Bentley typed down something on the terminal and grinned as the repeating message changed to show a live feed of the battle outside, showing Super Sonic managing to slice through one of the red swelling spots with a spin dash, causing the head it was coming from to screech as it started breaking down.
"One down, six to go! Shadow, you're up!" Super Sonic gave a thumbs up.
"Here I come freak!" Super Shadow declared as he shot forward, "Chaos Fang Storm!" he roared as he swung his blade multiple times, sending a flurry of cutting waves that collided with the Final Hazard, striking a few of the red swelling spots as the monster roared out in pain, "Hmph. Gh…" for a brief moment, his form flickered between its Super state and its normal one.
"Shadow, you need a rest. Let me give it a try," Super Sonic ordered.
"No!" Super Shadow argued, "Release Restraint Alpha!" his gold aura grew stronger as Super Sonic caught the ring before he charged at the Final Hazard, 'Maria...watch me! I will fulfill your wish!'
Super Shadow continued to dodge laser blasts and struck one more red swollen area on one of its head. The head let out an agonized wail as it completely broke down.
=Can you hear me?= Bentley called =It seems that the only thing keeping it stable are those swollen parts on its body! If you get rid of them all on one of its heads, it'll start to deteriorate!=
"Alright, Shadow!" Super Sonic grinned before seeing Super Shadow's form flicker again, "Shadow, are you okay?"
"I can keep going," Super Shadow argued.
"No. I'll handle it. You try to recharge," Super Sonic replied as he shot out at the Final Hazard as it began to fire more of its slime cannonballs, each one exploding violently as they were close to him, "Gh! Where does he get all that power? Is this the power it absorbed while in that Cauldron thing?" He clenched Sonia's Medallion tightly before it transformed into its keyboard blaster state, "Take this!"
He pulled the trigger and a beam of gold energy shot out of the instrument/weapon, splitting into a barrage of smaller lasers that collided with the slime cannonballs, causing them to explode. Super Sonic shot out, Manic's knife in hand, and sliced through the remaining swollen sports on another head, causing it to deteriorate and break apart, leaving five heads left.
=Way to go, bro! Just five more to g-hey!= Manic shouted
=HURRY! THERE'S ONLY THREE AND A HALF MINUTES LEFT!= Sleet shouted before he let out another whimpering moan.
Super Sonic shook his head before a glow made him see the remaining heads surrounding him, lasers at the ready. His eyes widened before Super Shadow appeared beside him just before the lasers fired. The smoke of the explosion from their impact dissipated to reveal the two in a barrier. Super Shadow panted as the barrier dispersed at his mental command.
"Shadow, I understand. You're unstoppable. Let's destroy this creature now! Everyone is waiting for us back on Mobius!" Super Sonic encouraged.
Super Shadow nodded. The two shot out, Super Sonic summoning his sword, and managed to take down another head. Super Shadow prepared another Chaos Fang Storm before his eyes widened as he felt the energy starting to fade again.
'I can't use that for a second time,' Super Shadow thought as he saw Super Sonic use his Sonic Wind to tear apart two of the remaining heads, 'He doesn't even seem winded at all…' he began to laugh, "Hahaha, Sonic! I think I've discovered what the Ultimate Life Form is... it might be you!"
"Heh...thanks," Super Sonic smirked as he appeared next to him, "Does that mean you'll stop calling me a fake?"
"Don't push it."
"...Eh. Fair enough," Super Sonic shrugged as the last remaining head on the Final Hazard roared out, summoning multiple of its slime balls as they began to fire multiple lasers in place of the heads it lost, "He's still very powerful. What kind of monster is this?"
"A pale imitation of what it once was," Super Shadow scowled, "...I think we should put it out of its misery."
"Easier said than done," Super Sonic said before he and Super Shadow dodged one of the lasers.
=Can you both hear me? The ARK is close to the planet. Please hurry up!= Noel pleaded.
"Once again...easier said than done," Super Sonic frowned.
"Sonic, summon your guitar and shoot at its mouth just as it's charging up another blast," Super Shadow instructed, "Maybe we can stun it long enough to strike the last swollen spot."
"...Heh. Sounds like a plan," Super Sonic grinned as he summoned his Guitar, seeing the Final Hazard preparing to fire another laser attack, "Hope he likes a good ol' helping of rock!"
"...Really? 'Hope he likes a good ol' helping of rock?'" Super Shadow deadpanned.
"Hey! It works!" Super Sonic argued as he played.
A golden beam shot out of his guitar and slammed into the Final Hazard's mouth, creating a large explosion. The Final Hazard cried out as smoke came from its regenerating mouth. Super Shadow took the initiative and shot right at the Final Hazard. Pulling his blade out, he let out a roar while getting closer. Arondight glowed before changing shape, the guard taking the shape of Shadow's head with the blade becoming a large, red, jagged blade made of crystal.
"Ddraig Goche!" Super Shadow roared as he swung his blade in its reverse grip, slicing through the final spot and breaking the part that connected it to the ARK.
The Final Hazard gave out a final screech as its body broke apart, burning up in atmospheric reentry. Super Shadow panted as his blade transformed back into its original state.
"The ARK...is still...falling…." Super Shadow panted, his form flickering in and out quicker now, "...we only have...one shot at this….we need to use Chaos Control."
"But, Shadow, you won't be…" Super Sonic began.
"Release Restraint Omega," Super Shadow grunted as his gold aura flared up even more while white wings of fire emerged from his spine quills, the last Limiter Ring being caught by Super Sonic, "I'll be fine! I won't break my promise to her!"
"I'm not sure who you're talking about...but okay! No way is that thing getting by us!" Super Sonic declared as both charged at the ARK.
"Shadow...I beg of you…"
'Maria,' Super Shadow thought.
"Give them a chance...to be happy…"
"Now, Shadow!" Super Sonic shouted.
The two turned to each other and held their hands out, creating a golden sphere of light, "CHAOS CONTROL!"
The sphere swelled up before engulfing the entire Space Colony. The sphere sparked before vanishing in a flicker of light. Super Shadow coughed as the last of his power faded, letting him feel the heat of reentry. Yet...he didn't care.
"Maria... this is what you wanted, right? This is my promise I made to you…" he spoke out before the flames of his reentry completely engulfed his form, becoming nothing more than a twinkle on the surface.
On every screen of the planet, the only thing that was on them was outer space. A glint was seen before a flash of light erupted, revealing Space Colony ARK in its original orbit. All over, celebrations began to be held as their world was saved from certain destruction. However...one group didn't seem to be celebrating…
"..." the commander of GUN frowned a bit as he looked at the screen, "So...even now, the ARK is producing problems… Men, prepare the ships! We're going back up there to arrest the criminals behind this attack."
"There is no need for that," a voice spoke before the doors were blasted open and troops ran in, quickly disarming the soldiers in there while letting Aleena enter, "GUN has been officially disbanded by the United Nations and all members are now under arrest for illegal imprisonment, abuse of power, torture of those imprisoned illegally, illegal framing of innocents to cover up your illegal activities, unlawful imprisonment of a member of the Royal Hedgehog Family, the ARK Massacre fifty years ago, and quite a few other things."
"WHAT?!" the Commander snapped, "You...you cannot do this! What we did all those years ago...what we do is for justice!"
"There is no justice in what you have done," Aleena scowled, "Everything you've done has been presented to the UN and GUN is disbanded effective immediately. All those with ranks in GUN have had them stripped and their names stricken from the record. Each and every base, both known and hidden from the UN until recently are now being assaulted to arrest all those involved." two soldiers forced the commander into handcuffs as others began to force the GUN soldiers out, "What you've tried to hide away is being brought to light. That is all, former commander. Take him away."
"Yes, your highness," one of the soldiers nodded as they began to force the ex-commander out.
"...Finally…" Aleena sighed in relief, "Finally this nightmare created by GUN is over…"
Back on the ARK, Ben groaned as he slowly began to regain consciousness, his head feeling like he went fifty rounds with Rath with no breaks whatsoever. His eyes cracked open as he heard voices. For a few moments, everything was a blur to his sight until it began to clear up, letting him see Makoto's face.
"M...Makoto…?" Ben groaned.
"Hey…" Makoto greeted him, a small soft smile on her face.
"My...ugh, my head feels…" Ben groaned before his eyes widened as he sat up, "The Techadon Master…!" he blinked twice, "A...Are we in space?" he looked around, seeing new faces and old, "Wait...Eggman? What?"
"You've been under the control of one of your forms for the last few days," Makoto explained.
"...Please tell me it wasn't Ghostfreak."
"No," Makoto replied before the door slid open, causing everyone to see Sonic walk in.
"Sonikku!" Roll gasped as she ran over, giving him a tight hug.
"Sonic...Where's Shadow?" Noel asked as she and Rouge walked over, Roll ending her hug.
"..." Sonic handed the two one of Shadow's Limiter Rings, shaking his head.
Roll gasped, "Oh no…"
"Oh...Shadow-san…" Noel whispered as the two dog AC whined sadly.
"...The one that took over was your Mobian DNA sample," Makoto explained, "And he just bit the dust helping stop the place we're on from destroying the planet."
"Oh…"
"Yeah...at first, he was an enemy, but in the end….he died a hero."
"Do you really think... that the professor created Shadow to carry out the revenge on all those who live there, on Mobius?" Rouge pondered.
"He was what he was. A brave and heroic hedgehog, who gave his life to save his planet. Shadow the Hedgehog…" Sonic replied.
"I guess you're right," Rouge nodded slowly.
"Oh...Shadow-san…" Noel sniffled.
"Come on, Noel," Mai lightly patted her friend's shoulder, "Don't cry now. Because if you cry, Tsubaki's gonna start crying, then it'll get Makoto crying, and then I'll be crying, too."
"H….hai," Noel nodded sadly, Canis Major rubbing its head into her leg with Canis Minor.
"...Ever since I was little, I've always looked up to my grandfather…" Eggman admitted, standing away from the others, Bentley, Kevin, and Manic standing near him, "I looked up to my grandfather because of all the great things he accomplished in his life. He was my hero, and I wanted to be a great scientist like him. But after what happened up here...I am unsure if he'd be proud of what I've done…"
"...I'll be the one to tell ya straight; I don't like you. You killed Pops, made Mom separate me, Bro, and Sis, turned innocents into machines and done a ton of polluting," Manic frowned, "But...If you never became that dictator...I'd never have been raised by Ferrel. Never learned all I know...Hell, I'd probably be a stuffy dude like-ugh-Bartleby."
"It's something I've been meaning to ask about; why did you do all of what you did?"
"...In truth, I don't fully remember," Eggman sighed, gazing out at the planet, "My parents were constantly paranoid, my mother especially since she was my grandfather's daughter. She had to put up a tough front, eventually just becoming a bitter, cruel woman, causing my father to leave at a young age and leave me to her. Years later, and successfully getting her admitted to a maximum security retirement home, I ended up meeting Charles."
"Uncle Chuck?" Manic asked.
"Yes. He was trying to make a machine to help those who were missing limbs or organs," Eggman explained, "I thought it would be something marvelous. Something that my Grandfather would have loved to be a part of. Our first test resulted in complete Roboticization of the test subject; a normal rat with a missing tail. I remember working on the math, wondering what went wrong and…" he blinked twice, "I...A woman in purple that hid everything...She was there and...and I could only remember the hatred and…" his eyes widened as he put his glasses back on, "That woman...she did something to me…"
"...What?"
"That woman...I...I don't remember much but...all I can remember was a name she whispered…Nine," Eggman grabbed his head and shook it, "Wh...Why am I remembering all this now? It...Ever since the Chaos Emerald Crisis years back...It feels like my head's been getting clearer."
"Wait. Didn't we just go through that now?" Kevin asked.
"Different one," Manic and Eggman replied.
"There have been three different crisis caused by the Chaos Emeralds, this one included," Bentley explained.
"You're more than welcome to stay on Angel Island with us, Julie-Su," Tikal spoke on the other side of the viewing platform, standing with Knuckles and Julie-Su, "It will be nice to have another Echidna around."
"...Are you sure?" Julie-Su asked as she looked away, "Even...if…"
"It's fine," Knuckles spoke up, causing the pink Echidna to look at him, "It'll be nice to talk to someone that isn't a God of Water, acts like a dog, or is a spirit from centuries ago." he glanced at Tikal, "No offense."
"None is taken," Tikal replied.
"...That does sound nice, but…"
"I know you're not from this Zone…" Knuckles spoke up, surprising the female echidna a bit, "Your….sister mentioned you when we first met and...well, I put two and two together…Look. We-including your sister- might be the last of our kind and...well..." a small blush appeared on his face as he looked away muttering, "I'd...like to get to know you better…"
"Really?" Julie-Su blinked.
"Sounds like you're hit with an arrow," Knuckles looked over to see Rouge walk up.
"So what's next for you, Rouge? Off again to find more of those jewels you love so much?" Julie-Su asked.
"Nah, I think I'm gonna give up this line of work. Too much work, for too little pay," Rouge shrugged, "And considering that GUN is most likely done for, I''m pretty much a freelancer."
"I see…" Julie-Su noted, 'Well...at least she's not trying t-'
"Who knows? I might drop in to pay handsome here a visit or two."
'And just like that she reminds me of the Rouge from my Zone…' Julie-Su thought with an eye twitch.
"Any idea who this 'Handsome' is?" Knuckles whispered to Tikal, who shrugged, unsure about it.
"So...So that's what really happened…" Ben noted as he stood with Gwen and Makoto.
"Yes. What happened that night...The only thing you did was use the Omnitrix. Everything else was...well...was Shadow venting," Gwen replied.
"But...But it was still my fault...I...If I hadn't…"
"Ben, it wasn't your fault. No one knew that Shadow would be able to take over," Makoto replied, "The only guilty thing you have for you is just doing what you thought is right."
"Yeah...and look what happened…" Ben whispered.
"Uh-uh. Don't you dare start thinking that," Makoto pinched his cheeks and tugged.
"Gh! Hey! Stop pulling my cheeks!" Ben groaned.
"That was one time," Makoto informed, "Do you think what happened...do you think that she'd want you to be like this? From what Gwen's been telling me about her, I sure as hell don't think she'd want you to be all blaming yourself." Ben looked at Makoto, "Do you think she'd want you to be like this? Or would she want you to live on and be yourself?"
"...I….you're right, Makoto…" Ben said as he looked out the window, "She wouldn't want to see me act like this...blaming myself for what happened in the past...I think it's finally time for to move forward again...the pain is still there, but...I shouldn't let it hold me back anymore."
"Speaking of moving forward," Gwen motioned to where Rook was standing away from everyone, talking to a device in his hand, "I think Rook could use that from you, Makoto."
"...Yeah. I...I guess you're right," Makoto admitted, rubbing her arm, "I….should go apologize for what happened before…"
"It'll be fine," Gwen assured.
Makoto nodded before she turned to walk over to Rook.
"Yes. Everything is okay now, sir," Rook informed, "The planet has been saved and the aliens we have helped liberate have been confirmed to arrive at Mobotropolis's outer limits at the safe house Azmuth has set up. ...Very well. Over and out."
"Hey," Rook jumped and turned to see Makoto.
"Ms. Nanaya, I am truly sorry. I should have informed you sooner and…" Rook began.
"Uh-uh," Makoto shook her head, "You wanted to try to break it gently. I'm the one who should be sorry. I shouldn't have attacked you like that. Honestly, I went to a military academy and one of the lessons was to not hurt the bearer of bad news, yet I completely threw it out the window with what I did."
"...I could understand the pain you were feeling, thinking that you had lost your family...and I truly apologize for making you feel that way."
"It's fine, Rook," Makoto assured, patting his shoulder, "Let's just agree that we're both at fault and leave it that, okay?"
"...Very well. If you insist, Ms. Nanaya," Rook nodded.
"Ugh. To think we nearly ended up scrapped completely," Starscream shuddered nearby.
"It is fortunate we were able to come to a logical conclusion in preventing it," Shockwave noted.
"Yes. Very much. I'm good with not dying," Sleet nodded.
"You are aware that Lien-Da will deal an intense punishment for you because you left the radio on, correct?" Shockwave questioned.
"...Where's the nearest escape pod?" Sleet gulped.
"So what are your plans now, Sticks?" Sam asked, "You know you're more than welcome to join Max and me in our never ending escapades of slapstick, mysteries, and the paranormal."
"Nah. It's been fun and all, but...What I'd really like is to be in a jungle again," Sticks replied, "This is really all too much for me and I think that thing following me is getting stronger the longer we're here." she glared at her shadow, "Stop following me!"
"Ah ha! See?! I told ya, Sam! Our shadows are after us!" Max shouted before glaring at his shadow, "Ya hear me?! You won't drag me to the Shadow realm!"
"We're gonna miss ya, Sticks," Sam sniffled, taking his hat off.
"Aw...I'm gonna miss ya, too," Sticks hugged them.
Max sniffled, "I'm not gonna be a slobbering wreck of tears and snot...I'm not gonna...WAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"...Um…" Tsubaki began, sweatdropping a bit at the sight as she slowly turned to Mai, "What about you, Mai?"
"...To be honest, I don't know. I could stick around with you and the others for the time being. Who knows? We might run into Cajun soon...also…" Mai paused as her stomach grumbled, "Is Noel cooking tonight? I've missed her food...a LOT."
"I'll make sure to let her know you're hungry for her cooking," Tsubaki sweatdropped.
"Sonikku, daijobu?" Roll asked as she, Sonia, and Manic stood with him.
"Just...thinking is all," Sonic replied, "With everything that's been going on and all…" he shook his head before handing the Medallions back to Sonia and Manic, "I think Mobius is in need of a concert, don't you guys think?"
"...Heh...took the words right out of my mouth, bro," Manic grinned.
"Yeah...it does…" Sonia nodded before looking over at Cassia and Clove, "..."
=I know he was bad and all...but I really think he was a good guy, ya know, sis?= Cassia spoke.
"True," Clove admitted, "He was the one who took us to the Medical Wing, after all." she frowned, "I still can't believe they didn't have anything much about…"
=I'm sure it'll work out, Sis. I just gotta take a few more treatments, is all= Cassia beamed.
"...Yes...I suppose you're right, Cassia," Clove nodded as she gave a small smile, 'At least….I hope so…'
=Oh! Y...you're smiling, sis!= Cassia grinned =I haven't seen you smile in a long while!=
"Well maybe I felt like smiling, Cass," Clove countered a bit.
=And a quip, too?! Wow, sis...you're really coming out of that shell of yours= Cassia smiled before blinking =...I just realized something….where are Storm and Maw?=
"...Good question…" Clove admitted as she looked around, not seeing the thylacine and lynx in sight, "Did Eggman send them back to their bases?"
=Maybe. I mean, doesn't she run a ninja clan and all that?=
"...Yes. She does," Clove nodded.
=And then there's Maw...he's so weird. I mean, he works on his stuff while listening to that strange music of his=
"...True. There is still not much we know about Maw, but he does make sure his soldiers trust in one another to improve the success of his jobs," Clove noted.
=Yeah…=
"...Shadow-san…" Noel whispered as she looked out at space, holding Shadow's Limiter Ring in her hands.
"Hey, Noel," the blond looked at Penelope, "What are you going to do with these Artificial Chaos?"
"Eh?" Noel blinked.
"Well…" Penelope pointed to the doorway, showing that all the green-eyed AC were peeking in or trying to, "Seems that now that Shadow's not here, they're all attracted to you to listen to."
"E-Eh? B-But, I...I don't know the first thing to do," Noel replied, "...demo….I don't want to leave them up here all alone…"
"Well…" Penelope looked over at the Echidnas, "Maybe you could ask if they can stay on Angel Island."
"Excuse you?" Knuckles raised a brow, overhearing that as he looked over.
"Um, well...D-Do you think you could let them stay on the island?" Noel asked, motioning to the AC outside the Observation Deck, "They must be so lonely up here…"
"...It does sound like a good idea," Tikal noted, "Oh! They could give Chaos company, too!"
Chaos looked up from the log he was sitting before, getting a funny feeling. Chomp took this time to quickly eat some of Chaos's chess pieces.
"...well…"
"Plus you could have a few more guard 'dogs' to look after the place," Julie-Su added.
"...Okay. I'm convinced," Knuckles nodded.
''At least living on Angel Island is going to be interesting in this Zone…' Julie-Su thought before she noticed Sonic and his siblings talking amongst themselves, Sonic's guitar out, "...Sonic's in a band?"
"Yeah," Knuckles replied, "And let me tell you this; do not become the target of one of their songs. It will not get out of your head for months." he then muttered, "And I still can't figure out how they kept appearing out of nowhere..."
"...Huh. Now I'm wondering if there's a version of Mina here," Julie-Su admitted.
"Who?"
"Former Freedom fighter turned pop idol. Nice girl too," Julie-Su responded before frowning a bit, "Just wish she had better taste in manager/boyfriends."
Knuckles just raised a brow.
"So what are you planning to do now?" Carmelita asked as she and Sly stepped out of the room into the adjacent one.
"Well...After all the stuff that I've been through lately, I'm thinking of spending a few months in Ryugu, see the place that one of my ancestors helped to make a thriving community," Sly replied, "Yourself?"
"I'm...not sure," Carmelita replied, "Chief Barkley told me that once I was done with exposing GUN, I was to take a few months off even if he had to order me to do it."
"...Come with me then."
"Que?"
"I'm completely serious. No thieving on my end, no policing on yours. Just a few months to ourselves, enjoying the sights of a highly secretive village in the north," Sly offered, "So what do you say?"
"...No thieving?"
"Not even an apple," Sly held his hand up with the other over his heart.
"..." Carmelita shook her head, "Can't believe I'm doing this, but...Yes, I think I'll take you up on it."
"Great," Sly grinned before Carmelita's radio came on.
"This is Inspector Fox," Carmelita answered.
=Finally! Carmelita, what the hell is going on?! Why was that thing falling?! How did a man that's been dead for forty years now hijack every single television and put on a repeating message?!=
"It's a long story, Chief," Carmelita replied, "One I will gladly tell you in person...once we get off this Space Colony. And how much time do I have for time off again?"
=About several months worth. You're actually going to take it off willingly?=
"Yes, sir."
=Heh. Glad to hear. Once you get back here and make your report, you're clear. Barkley out=
"The ships are ready," Rook informed, "There were a few left in the Loading Bay."
"Soundwave has the Spacebridge ready to return us to the main base," Shockwave informed.
"Excellent, Shockwave," Eggman nodded, "Until we meet again, Freedom Fighters!"
"Cassia, I know it's rude, but...do you remember what happened when you started feeling unwell?" Tsubaki asked as Eggman and his soldiers began to leave in their Spacebridge.
=Um, well...It started a few months ago. I was outside since my sis wanted me to get some fresh air= Cassia explained =I found this thing in a bush and picked it up. I ended up dropping it when Sis called me, so I don't really remember what it looked like. A little bit later and I ended up collapsing with my sight starting to be a tiny bit blurry= she handed Tsubaki a slip of paper =I remember we travelled a lot and this was where we were last. It might still be in that bush=
"Thank you," Tsubaki nodded.
"Cassia!" Clove called.
=Coming!= Cassia called as she ran over to her sister before they went through the portal last before it closed.
"Well, when we get back down, I need to go get the DeSoto out of the lot," Sam noted as he and Max walked out to head for the Loading Bay.
"And I need to go call Snowball to make sure everything in Sin Alley's running smooth without me there," Max nodded.
"I can pilot the ship if you can give me the directions," Julie-Su offered.
"It's fine," Knuckles shrugged.
"Oh, Chaos is going to be so excited at having some new friends there," Tikal giggled, following the two out.
"Hey, wait up!" Sticks called, "I wanna go live on that island, too!"
"I'll get to looking for a new base for Paris," Penelope noted as the Cooper Gang and Carmelita went next out of the observation deck, "Frankly, we did need a new one since the old one was getting a little cramped...especially when everyone comes back."
"Murray is going to be so jealous of what we did up here," Bentley shook his head.
"Heh...I can already imagine his reaction," Sly chuckled before trying to sound like their hippo friend, "'You guys went into space without The Murray?! Aw, come on!'"
Carmelita pretended she wasn't hearing anything about it.
"So you want to stay on this planet? Earth is kind of boring without you there, ya know," Kevin noted.
"Yeah. Don't get me wrong, I do miss it. But…" Ben looked out at Mobius, "...I feel...I don't know, just something with this place. Kinda like it just clicks with me."
"I see," Kevin noted before he noticed Ben looking a bit at Makoto, the squirrel girl talking to her friends and Gwen, "...You sure that isn't only reason?"
"Hmm?"
"Ah nothing," Kevin shook his head, "Still, at least we'll get to be seeing you more than we have for the last five years."
"Huh?"
"Remember? We're liaisons between Mobius and the Plumbers," Kevin reminded, "So we're gonna be staying in Mobotropolis."
"That's great," Ben smiled.
"Yup, so we got a lot to catch up on," Kevin nodded while muttering, "And a lot of teasing too…"
"What was that?"
"Oh nothing much. Just pondering what kind of rides they've got here," Kevin shrugged.
"Well you could probably talk with Ragna about that. He's been fixing them up at Mobotropolis," Ben shrugged.
"Really now?" Kevin asked, "Probably will."
"Probably will what?" Ragna asked as he walked over.
"Just wondering about some rides you've been fixing in Mobotropolis," Kevin replied.
"Ah. Yeah. There are quite a few interesting ones here," Ragna nodded before patting Ben's head, messing with his hair, "Glad to have you back, Ben."
"Ah! Ragna, no!" Ben yelped as he moved back, trying to fix his hair.
"Did that when you were eleven, too," Ragna chuckled as he and Kevin walked out, "So what were you thinking of doing? New mods to that car you brought with you?"
Ben sighed in relief once he got his hair back to its normal state, "..." he smiled a little, 'I'm glad they're alive…'
"Hey, Ben!" something soft pressed against his head, "Ready to get going back to Mobius? I'm really in the mood for one of Mr. Smoothy's chestnut parfait smoothies."
"Yeah. I feel like I've gone a few days without one of his smoothies," Ben agreed, "By the way, who's the new girl?"
"That's Mai, one of my best friends in the academy along with Noel and Tsubaki!" Makoto beamed, "Though, she's got an issue with her sense of taste. It's really powerful, like 'I can see your memories when I eat or lick ya' powerful."
"Seriously?"
"Eeyup. Now come on!" Makoto smiled as she began dragging him off, his arm resting between her covered, yet ample, bosom as her tail swayed a bit, "I wanna get that smoothie, dang it!"
"R-Right," Ben nodded, blushing a little, as the two left, the girls joining with them.
"So you're Ben, huh?" Mai pondered, "Mai Natsume, nice to meet ya."
"Ben Tennyson. Same," Ben nodded.
"You comin', Bro?" Manic asked.
"Yeah," Sonic nodded as he gave one last look out at the planet, "Sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog."
He turned and walked over to Roll, holding his hand out. Roll smiled as she took his hand in her own and the two followed after Sonia and Manic, leaving the empty observation deck.
"Roll's Character Interviews!" A Chibi Omake
A set of curtains rise up, revealing a white room with a large window in the background depicting the night sky. Before the window was a large couch, a few potted plants, a wooden desk, and a comfy chair behind the desk. Sitting at the desk was Roll, dressed up in a black and pink formal women's business suit. On the table was a coffee mug filled with hot cocoa with the word 'I' followed by a heart and then a picture of Sonic's symbol.
"Konnichiwa, minna!" Roll greeted, "And welcome to the another episode of 'Character Interviews'! I'm your host, Roll Sakurai." She looked towards the couch, "In this segment, we interview characters in the story thus far and may even revisit some characters later on!" she looked back at the 'audience,' "So, minna, let's give a big round of applause for our next guest; Mai Natsume!"
"Ahh!" Mai yelped as she was pushed onto the stage, "M-Makoto! What gives?!"
"Welcome to the show, Mai-san!" Roll greeted.
"Hmm?" Mai blinked as she turned to look at Roll, "Oh! Ano...hello, Sakurai-san."
"Oh, you can call me 'Roll' is you want," Roll assured as Mai sat at the couch.
"Okay…" Mai nodded, "Ano, what would you like to know?"
"Well, I heard that you went to the same academy Makoto-chan, Tsubaki-chan, and Noel-chan went to. Is that true?" Roll asked.
"Yes. That is true," Mai nodded, "We, along with Cajun-another friend of ours- formed a little club too. Team Remix Heart."
"Remix Heart? Sounds interesting," Roll noted, her tail wagging.
"Hai. We got into quite a few interesting adventures during our time at the academy," Mai nodded before blushing a bit, "Though one I'd like to forget was when we went to the beach and that Golden Angel stuff Makoto had ended up melting off us when fresh water hit them."
"Oh! Makoto-chan told me that story!" Roll giggled, "She still wears that stuff when we go to the beach."
"Seriously?! After the last time she wore it at the academy's beach and it rained?!" Mai gawked.
"She's a determination from what I've seen of her," Roll shrugged before Mai's stomach growled, "Oh. Do you need something to eat, Mai-san?"
"...Do you have anything Noel made by any chance?" Mai asked as she held her stomach, "I've really haven't had any of her cooking in a long time."
"Ano...Y-You're sure?" Roll asked, her body losing a bit of color as she recalled the last time she tried Noel's cooking.
"I have really sensitive taste buds, and the only thing I can eat without recoiling is Noel's cooking," Mai explained.
"Really?" Roll blinked twice.
"Hai. Even a normal piece of candy is too sweet for me," Mai added, 'That, and I end up reading the memories of everything I taste.'
"Even strawberries?" Roll asked.
"Even strawberries."
"..."
"...D….did I say something wrong?" Mai asked.
*thud*
"Ah!" Mai yelped, Roll's twitching leg the only thing visible behind the desk, "S-She fainted!" she looked around, "Um...W-Well...I-I-I guess that's it for today?" the curtain fell, "Yeah. That's it for today."
GT: And with that, the Shadow Arc is at an end.
SZ: Eeyup. Gotta say this was one wild ride. A lot of stuff happened, but the day was saved, and GUN has been decommissioned for what they've done in the past.
GT: And Ben is back once more.
SZ: Eeyup, and everyone is glad he's back, especially Makoto.
GT: Indeed. So another round of rest chapters is up next!
SZ: Eeyup, so stay tuned to what our heroes will be up to next time!
GT: See ya! Don't forget the Read and Review!