It was time. We had finished all that was needed, and time was running short. Standing at the top of G.U.N. Headquarters, we watched as the spacecraft passed overhead. Unsure as to what would happen next, Sonic and I took a bit of time to say goodbyes.

"You going to be okay?" Rouge as me as we waited.

I took in a breath. "If things go to plan, we'll be okay."

"But you're ready for if they don't, right?"

I was silent for a moment. "Let's just hope that Sonic's typical wittiness comes in handy if that happens."

I looked over at the blue hedgehog and caught him talking with Amy alone and away from everyone else. His hand scratched the back of his head as she looked like she was giggling. Before he joined me, he grabbed her hand and seemed to give her some reassurance of some sort. He ran over to me and we stood at the center of the roof, waiting for the Black Arms to come get us.

Moments later, a different ring portal opened up, but this one looked corrupted with something. Several alien creatures jumped out and surrounded us. And last to step out was Eggman, himself, with a eerie grin plastered under his mustache.

"Hello, weasels," he said slyly. "Ready for your trip?"

We both raised our hands and slowly began to walk into the porta, with Black Arms forces following us and making sure that we complied. After entering the portal, we both took a glance back to the friends we left behind. They all looked worried about us. But now we had a chance to stop whatever Black Doom had planned.

The portal closed, and Robotnik slid in front of us. "Follow me. Black Doom has been waiting eagerly to meet you two."

He took the lead and Sonic and I followed while still surrounded by the Black Arms. I was fairly sure we could take them, but we needed to buy time for the team to get on the ship first. And we needed to find out why we were wanted. As we walked the long corridors, we took in the sights of the ship. It looked similar to many other types of ships, but something was off. As if some sort of dark energy seeped into it and was corrupting and changing it somehow.

I took a glance at Sonic, and he looked uncomfortable. My thoughts went back to Amy and what she said. Could we really be friends? I just wasn't sure what the first step was. Maybe distracting him a bit from the tense situation.

"So," I said in a quiet voice. "Something going on between you and Amy?"

Sonic's head whipped over to look at me. His cheeks noticeably pinked, "No! What makes you think that?"

I looked over at him unimpressed. "I saw you talking with her before we left. Anyone with eyes could tell there was something going on."

He let out a sigh. "That obvious huh?"

"Subtlety is not your strong suit."

He scratched his head again. "It's just my first time with this sort of thing."

"Bet she's nervous too." I added.

"Why would she be nervous?"

I gave him a 'really' look. "You are so blind."

"Ugh!" Robotnik groaned. "You two are seriously talking about this right now? Right before your eminent demise? Teenagers!"

I gripped a fist.

"Well, egghead," Sonic said with a cocky attitude. "Between the three of us, Shadow and I have the better deal. You ended up demoting yourself to lacky. You're Black Doom's 'Agent Stone.'"

Eggman let out a breathy laugh. "You don't understand how much importance I play in his plan. If it weren't for my genius, he wouldn't have the army of Metal Sonics that he can use on your miserable little planet for World Domination."

I crossed my arms. "He already has an army."

Ivo flustered for a moment. "Well, I made it better."

"Did you though?" Sonic asked.

"Silence you electric mole." He shouted. "And you will remain silent in front of his eminence."

We stopped in front of a large door. It opened revealing a large area that acted as a command deck. And standing with his back too us was who we assumed was Black Doom. A large being who was floating and seemed to have no legs. His body was covered in a robe with gold accented cuffs and collar, and gems and symbols dangling on changes that I believed showed his rank and power. He had to long horn like spikes that went out each side of his head, tipped with red, and several smaller ones on top of his head.

With a turn, he looked at us with three bright red eyes. And with his turn, we saw he was observing the Master Emerald. And surrounding it was the 7 Chaos Emeralds. Sonic and I let out a gasp. He had them? How?

"Something this powerful," his deep voice stated as he waved to the Emeralds. "Should be under better protection than where my scouts found it. A shame that the human who guarded it decided his life was not worth saving.

"Wade." I heard Sonic whisper.

Black Doom hovered over to us and began to circle. "The blue one is the one you told me about Ivo?"

"Yes Sir," he stated proudly. "I'm sure he will be a great asset to your plans."

He let out a hum. "Take him to be tested. I want to see his capabilities."

Two large Black Arms grunts went over and pushed Sonic a separate direction. Sonic looked at me worried. I just gave him a small nod. As if to say that we would find a way out of this. Black Doom got between us and looked down at me.

"Glad to have my greatest asset back in my possession." He stated.

I glared at him.

"Come with me Khàos," he motioned for me to follow. "You have much to learn."

"My name is Shadow."

He looked down at me with disapproval. "On Earth that may be your name, but you are my Khàos, my greatest creation, my harbinger of destruction. And soon, you will see that you are meant to be here and your destiny is to bring me ultimate power over the universe."

I took a fighting stance. "What makes you think that I will do anything you command?"

His three fingered hand raised up and with one swift motion, black energy started to appear. A stinking pain entered my head and I fell to the ground. My hand went to my head as I tried to fight off the pain and the images that began to invade my view. And in an instance, it disappeared.

Black Doom loomed in front of me. "I think you'll find you have no choice, Shadow."