I entered the cave where Sonic and his friends made a base. Since our battle with Black Doom, the area really had grown and built to be a proper headquarters for Team Sonic. Sliding to a stop, I looked around to the Mobians there. Amy gave me a small wave before turning back to the center console that displayed the white hedgehog.

I walked over and crossed my arms. "What's his story?"

"We don't really know much about him." Tails stated as he typed on the keyboard. "I was lucky to get a scan of him when he attacked Sonic."

"Unprompted, might I add." Sonic jumped in. "I've never seen this guy before."

"Well, he has some sort of beef with you." I raised a hand. "Whether you like it or not, he's out for blood."

"But why?" Amy asked. "Sadly, I did lead him to Sonic at first, but I didn't know he was going to attack him."

"Tails," I turned to the fox. "Can you find anything in your data base for something called Iblis?"

He typed for a bit. "No, I don't have anything on my system about Iblis."

"What about Mephiles?"

He tried again. "Nothing. Whatever that white hedgehog was talking about, we don't have it anywhere on our systems. And I can access anything on Earth."

I thought for a second. "What about on Mobius?"

"I checked there too and didn't find anything. But I have a theory." The image of the white hedgehog started displaying energy levels. "Our new friend here has energy that isn't on this planet, yet."

We all looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"I think this guy is from the future. And he came back to the past to change what his future looks like. So, the reason we don't have any data on those names, or this guy, is because it hasn't been written yet. But if anyone finds something, let me know and I can check my data banks to see if we have anything connected to it." He explained.

I nodded. My communicator beeped and I looked at it. A message from Rouge. I had another mission with G.U.N. "I have to go. Keep me updated on whatever you find."

I teleported away and made my way to G.U.N. After meeting with my team, we used a ring portal to get to the next destination. It was another base. This one felt different though. We were in a very naturally cold area but upon entering the base, everything was warmer. We wandered around for a bit, trying to find what Rockwell requested.

I took a turn and suddenly a door closed and locked behind me, separating me from my team. I took a fighting stance and looked around, but nothing happened.

"Shadow!" Rouge called to me from the communicator. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." I responded. "Keep moving, we'll meet up soon."

We went our separate ways and I kept looking around the base. Nothing stood out at the time. It just looked like an abandoned base. Similar to the base I was at, but with different testing equipment.

"Seems all too familiar, doesn't it?" A deep voice asked.

I took a fighting stance. "Who's there?"

A shadowed figure passed in front of me. "A little like home? Well, then we are a lot alike. I am Mephiles the Dark."

The figure moved towards the light and stopped before me. He looked like… me. But it seemed like all the color had been removed from him other than the bright unnatural green eyes. He floated to the ground and settled before me.

"Shadow," he stated. "It's nice to see you again."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I returned.

He let out a laugh, and I realized he had no mouth. "I don't come here to fight, but to talk."

I slightly lowered my fists.

"I have seen the future, Shadow." He stated, while lifting a Chaos Emerald. "And it is not kind to you."

"Where did you get that?" I glared.

"I would like to propose an alliance." He suggested. "If you help me complete my mission, I will make sure that your future doesn't come to fruition."

I glared harder. "I don't think your mission would be in my best interests."

Mephiles's eyes squinted slightly. "I figured you would say something like that. But you will come to know that I am right. And when that time comes, it will be too late."

He disappeared before my eyes in a mist of darkness and shadow. I growled right as another call from my communicator activated.

"Shadow, Omega and I found what we were looking for." Rouge stated. "Meet us outside and we will report to Rockwell."

I pressed my lips together tightly before teleporting out. We did as Rouge said and turned in a necklace that seemed to be radiating with energy. It was immediately sent over to the scientists and they began to run tests. The necklace, in the shape of a flame with gems embezzled in it, was beautiful, but we were unsure as to what power was in it. Rockwell dismissed us an we left the room soon after.

"So, any fun plans for your free time?" Rouge asked me. She liked to ask me from time to time.

"Not really."

"You're so boring, Shadow." She flew over me. "At least get a girlfriend or something so I can talk to her about how boring you are."

The sudden mention of a girlfriend caused me to stumble. And Rouge noticed. "No! You have a girlfriend?"

"No," I immediately stopped her. "I don't."

"But you thought of someone when I said that." She retorted. "Someone has caught your attention."

"It's none of your business, Rouge."

She dropped in front of me. "After all these years, I thought you would at least consider me a friend. Come on, Shadow. You never tell me anything about your personal life unless I come visit you uninvited. I otherwise try to keep your boundaries. Can't you open up about this a bit to me? Maybe I can help."

I crossed my arms and stayed silent for a while. She just waited and stared at me with her hands on her hips.

After what felt like hours, I responded. "Her name is Chami. And she's deaf. So, I'm learning sign language to be able to talk to her."

Rouge smiled. "See, was that so painful?"

"More than you know." I returned with a small smile. "I better get home. Esme is expecting me."

Another ring toss and I was back home before sunset.