Shadow's Boss Gate: The Biolizard
Shadow landed graciously, his air shoes emitting a soft hum before a muted thud signalled his arrival on solid ground. A faint ripple of energy pulsed beneath his feet before dispersing into the floor like an aftershock from the void he had traversed. Shadow straightened, scanning his surroundings with narrowed, crimson eyes.
This wasn't the ARK.
The chamber stretched around him like the hollowed-out belly of a long-forgotten machine. Metallic catwalks snaked above murky pools of water, their surfaces reflecting the flickering glow of overhead lamps. Waterfalls tumbled from cracked, stone-like vents embedded high in the walls, their rushing currents feeding into narrow channels that weaved through the structure like veins. The rhythmic hum of unseen machinery drummed faintly in the background, almost like a heartbeat for the cavernous expanse.
Shadow's gaze shifted warily as he took a step forward. The air was thick with dampness and the faint scent of oil—a place where time had worn the walls with rust but hadn't yet devoured its purpose entirely.
"Wait... this isn't the ARK. Where am I?" Shadow muttered in confusion.
His mind raced, pulling memories like threads in an unravelling tapestry. The ARK's stark white corridors, the stars visible from the observation decks, the whirring of panels... None of that was here. But something else tugged at the back of his mind—a feeling, cold and familiar.
"The Biolizard's roar... I heard it. Cloud and Tifa heard it too. But this place..."
Shadow's hand instinctively clenched as though expecting an attack. He pivoted, scouring the shadows for any signs of life—or danger. The echoes of the chamber mocked his silence, warping his thoughts with every trickling stream of water and creaking platform.
Then came the sound—soft at first, like someone clapping lazily.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Shadow's ears twitched. He spun around as a figure emerged from a descending set of stairs.
A man with a lean frame and a rakish grin, dressed in a dark coat with silver buttons and a crimson scarf draped over his shoulders, stood casually with one hand resting at his side. His other hand lazily waved mid-air, as though congratulating Shadow for an unintended entrance.
"Well, well, well..." the man drawled, his grin widening with amusement. "Didn't expect to see you crash the party. Guess I was expecting someone... different."
Shadow stared at the man, his brows furrowing. The man's presence felt off—like a shadow cast at an unnatural angle.
"What is this place?" Shadow demanded, voice low but sharp. "And where's the Biolizard?"
The man's grin didn't falter. In fact, it deepened, his eyes gleaming with something unsettling.
"Biolizard, huh? Big, ugly, nightmare fuel? I might know something..." The man tapped his chin as if in mock contemplation.
Shadow clenched his fists, his patience fraying.
"Stop playing games, or you're going to regret it."
"Games? Nah... I'm more of a 'watch and see' kinda guy," the man admitted smugly. "But... I'll bite." He pointed upward toward the cavern ceiling as though presenting an unseen exhibit. "See, this place isn't just some underground lair for lost little rodents," he continued, his tone as smooth as silk but dripping with malice. "It's... well, let's call it the 'heart of this world'. And like any heart worth protecting, it's got a defense system. Something to keep out... unwanted guests. Y'know, intruders like you."
Shadow's eyes narrowed further.
"Defense system?" His mind churned as he pieced the clues together. "You're saying... the Biolizard isn't just here by accident."
"Ding ding ding. You catch on quick." The man replied smugly. The amusement in his eyes dimming, replaced by something colder. "See, the Master of this world—brilliant guy, but a bit... paranoid. He had this whole idea about protecting the world's heart from darkness. Said he wanted to keep it safe... forever." The man chuckled dryly. "Of course, nobody builds something like that from scratch. He got the idea from an old friend of his. A real visionary... a 'professor,' I think he called him."
Shadow's breath caught, the name reverberating in his thoughts like a distant echo.
"Gerald Robotnik..." Shadow muttered, connecting the dots.
The realisation hit like a tidal wave, but before the hedgehog could speak again, the man's grin returned, razor-sharp.
"You're a smart one, huh? Figured it out already." He took a step back, spreading his arms as if to usher in some grand finale. "But that's the thing about stories like this. Just when you think you've reached the climax..." His grin widened. "It ends."
The ground trembled violently, a pulse of radiant, otherworldly light erupting the chamber. The metal catwalks groaned as the walls themselves seemed to warp and twist. A deep, resonant hum filled the air, growing louder until it became a deafening roar.
Shadow looked towards the light, eyes narrowing against the blinding glow. A massive figure began to take shape—serpentine, grotesque, and pulsating with raw energy. The creature's orange scales shimmered and its maw opened wide as it let out a bone-rattling screech that shook the chamber to its core.
The Biolizard, this version of it anyway, had arrived.
The man's voice echoed over the chaos, smug and triumphant.
"Hope you're ready to dance, rodent... because this is where your story ends."
Shadow grit his teeth, his fists glowing with chaos energy as the Biolizard's massive form reared back, preparing to strike.
"Wrong." Shadow crouched, his body tensing like a coiled spring. His voice was calm, but resolute. "This is where it begins."
With a burst of speed, Shadow launched forward, chaos energy blazing in a crimson arc as he charged the Biolizard. The clash between darkness and chaos erupted like a storm, the chamber bathed in light and shadow as the battle began.
The Biolizard
Battle Music: Supporting Me Remix - Sonic x Shadow Generations
The cavern chamber rumbled as the Biolizard's massive form shifted, its grotesque limbs splaying out to balance its massive, uneven frame. Its head jerked to one side, the mechanical cables along its back twitching and sparking. Shadow watched it warily as the creature's beady eyes locked onto him, burning with primal rage.
The massive lizard let out an ear-splitting roar, its mechanical life support system pulsing ominously on its back—a disk-shaped machine with a glowing red core. Thick cables attached to its jaw and head twitched with each ragged breath.
Shadow narrowed his eyes, taking in every detail of the beast.
"You poor creature," Shadow said, his voice was low but cold. "I'll put you out of your misery."
The Biolizard let out a guttural growl and lunged forward, its stubby forelegs slamming into the ground with enough force to send a shockwave through the chamber. Shadow leapt to the side as the beast's jaws snapped shut where he had been standing a second earlier.
Above, a mocking voice echoed from the shadows.
"Well, would you look at that!" The man's tone was smug, almost delighted. "I gotta admit, watching you dodge like a rat in a maze is pretty entertaining. But it won't last."
Shadow skidded to a stop, his air shoes sending up sparks as he glared toward the source of the voice.
"Hiding I see?" Shadow spat.
The man's laughter was light but laced with malice.
"Hiding? Nah. I'm a front-row kind of guy," he mocked. "Oh, my name's Braig, by the way. Not that it matters—you won't live long enough to remember it. See, this protector? It's built to crush guys like you. And me? I'm just here to enjoy the show."
Shadow rolled his eyes, even as the Biolizard began to rotate its massive body toward him, the mechanical hiss of its life support cables filling the air.
"You talk too much," Shadow muttered. "The creature's doing all the hard work while you play commentator."
Braig chuckled again, completely unfazed.
"Somebody's gotta keep things lively," he remarked with a taunting tone.
The man leaned against a distant railing, arms crossed, as the Biolizard's thick tail swung through the air, forcing Shadow to leap back again.
The creature roared, then lunged again, its thick forelimbs clawing at the ground as its massive jaws snapped toward Shadow. Shadow darted left, his air shoes burning with energy as he dodged with pinpoint precision.
The Biolizard shifted tactics, its flipper-like hind limbs scraping across the metal floor as it began to spin its hulking, orange body in an attempt to crush Shadow. The sheer force of its rotation created a gust of wind that howled through the chamber, sending debris flying.
"You're slow, but persistent," Shadow muttered mockingly.
The hedgehog dashed forward, avoiding the spinning mass of the Biolizard's body, then skidded to a stop just as the beast changed direction. Its thick, tail swung low, forcing Shadow to leap high into the air. The creature's spin slowed, and its breath grew ragged. Shadow could see the glow of the red core on its back flicker faintly.
The Biolizard came to a halt, lowering its massive head to the ground as if exhausted. Its jaw twitched, and steam hissed from its mechanical implants.
Shadow's eyes locked on the machinery at its back—the life support system. The green and black cables joined at the red orb pulsing weakly at the centre.
"There it is," Shadow murmured.
Braig's voice echoed from above, dripping with smug amusement.
"Yeah, I wouldn't get too confident if I were you. That thing's a lot tougher than it looks. You're barely an appetizer."
Shadow didn't bother responding. With a burst of chaos energy, he launched himself toward the Biolizard's head, his Homing Attack locking onto the thick pipes snaking from its skull to its back. In a blur of crimson and black, Shadow spiralled through the air, grinding along the cable with precision, propelling himself toward the creature's life support system.
Reaching the top, Shadow leapt off with force and clenched his fists, slamming them down with devastating power onto the glowing red orb. A sharp crack split through the air as sparks erupted, and jagged fissures spread across the orb's surface like a shattered mirror.
The Biolizard let out a monstrous screech, its body thrashing violently as if in agony. Its mechanical implants whirred frantically, gears screaming as the cables flared and twisted like serpents caught in an electric storm.
From his vantage point, Braig chuckled, his voice laced with twisted admiration.
"Well, look at you! Messing up my Master's prized little creation. I gotta say, not bad, rodent. Not bad at all." He paused, his grin practically audible. "Too bad it won't save you."
Shadow sprang clear as the Biolizard reared back, its massive form convulsing with fury. He landed smoothly, sliding into position as dust and sparks settled around him. The creature's eyes glowed an even deeper, its roar reverberating through the chamber—a sound of pure, primal rage.
Shadow's expression was calm, unshaken. He crouched, readying himself for the next attack.
The Biolizard let out another deafening roar, its mechanical implants pulsing with an ominous red glow. The cables on its sides twitched violently, then extended outward with a grotesque, almost organic motion. The wires writhed in the air before stabilising, forming makeshift "arms" as several large, dark purple eggs materialised along their lengths, glowing faintly with energy.
"Really?" Shadow muttered under his breath, his voice dripping with disdain. "This is your 'protector' of this world? What a complete waste of time."
From above, Braig's voice echoed, laced with irritation.
"Hey, that 'waste of time' just levelled up, pal. Maybe show a little respect? Not like you're walking out of here in one piece anyway."
"Respect? For this knock-off monstrosity?" Shadow replied mockingly. "Your 'Master' must be as delusional as you are. This thing's a failure, just like the original."
"Big talk for a guy about to be squashed like a bug. But hey, keep yappin'. Makes this all the more entertaining," Braig replied, annoyance deep in his tone.
The Biolizard slammed one of its massive wired arms into the ground with an earth-shaking thud. A bright energy ring rippled outward from the impact, forcing Shadow to leap high into the air to avoid it. As he landed, the second arm came crashing down, sending another ring of energy hurtling toward him.
Shadow jumped again, his movements precise, almost effortless. His air shoes hissed with energy as he landed just as the Biolizard's arm got stuck in the ground, its wires sparking and twisting.
"Perfect," Shadow muttered, dashing forward in a blur of crimson and black. He closed the distance in seconds and unleashed a series of rapid Homing Attacks on the eggs lining the arm. With each hit, the eggs detached from the wires and floated upward, creating a makeshift path to the creature's back.
"Time to end this," Shadow growled, launching himself toward the eggs. Each Homing Attack propelled him higher, until he reached the Biolizard's life support system. The glowing red orb on its back pulsed wildly as Shadow slammed into it with full force, cracks spreading across its surface.
The Biolizard let out a guttural roar of pain, its massive body thrashing violently as Shadow flipped backwards, landing gracefully on the ground. The creature recoiled, its wires sparking and its implants hissing with steam.
From above, Braig's voice broke the tension.
"Not bad, rodent. Not bad at all. But you're just getting lucky, and your luck's about to run out."
Shadow rolled his eyes, his tone sharp and cutting.
"You sound nervous, Braig. Is this the best your so-called 'Master' could come up with? A glorified science project doomed to fail?"
Braig gritted his teeth, his usual confidence cracking just slightly.
"Hey, watch it," he spat. "You don't know anything about the Master's plans."
Shadow smirked, his voice turning dark.
"I know enough to see this thing for what it is: a pale imitation. A failed protector for a world that's already lost. The only Ultimate Lifeform here is me."
The Biolizard roared again, its body convulsing as it reared up, then slammed its entire mass into the ground along with both of its arms. The impact created a massive shockwave of energy rings that rippled outward in all directions. Shadow leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding the barrage, but the creature's arm didn't stay stuck this time, retracting back as it prepared for another assault.
The Biolizard jumped high into the air, its grotesque form looming over the chamber before crashing down with its entire body and arms simultaneously. The impact sent a chaotic wave of energy outward, the rings moving faster than before. Shadow barely had time to react, activating Chaos Control to slow time just enough to clear the onslaught.
"Is that all you've got?" Shadow taunted, landing on his feet as the creature's arm slammed down again. This time, Shadow moved with precision, taking advantage of Chaos Control to attack the life support system once more. His strikes cracked the glowing orb further, and the Biolizard shrieked in pain when time resumed, its mechanical implants sparking wildly.
Braig's voice rang out again, though it lacked its usual smugness.
"You think you're so tough, huh? You don't get it, do you? The Master doesn't fail. This thing was made to wipe out pests like you!"
"The only failure here is you, Braig. And your so-called 'Master'... just another fool chasing dreams he'll never achieve," Shadow countered back scornfully.
Braig fell silent for a moment, his confidence visibly shaken. Deep down, he knew Shadow wasn't wrong, but his pride wouldn't let him admit it.
"Yeah, well... we'll see about that," he replied bluntly.
The Biolizard roared again, its movements growing more erratic as its health dwindled. Shadow readied himself for the next phase, his crimson eyes locked onto the faltering creature.
"You're done," Shadow muttered, crouching low as chaos energy crackled around him. "Let's finish this."
The Biolizard let out another guttural roar as its massive form twisted unnaturally, launching itself upward and embedding its body into the chamber wall. Shadow's gaze followed it as several thick, metallic tubes extended from the surrounding walls, snaking toward the creature and latching onto its life support system with a sickening clank. The orb on its back pulsed brighter, shifting from a dim red to a violent crimson glow. Sparks showered down as the Biolizard's mechanical implants whirred to life, feeding it more power.
"So, that's your play? You're just delaying the inevitable," Shadow remarked crouching low, the air around him crackling as dark energy coiled around his gloved hands. "Fine by me."
From above, Braig's voice echoed, laced with a mixture of amusement and apprehension.
"You gotta admit, it's a good trick! Powered up and pinned to the wall—makes it pretty hard for you to get in close, huh?" He laughed, though there was a nervous edge to it. "C'mon, Ultimate Lifeform, show me what you've got!"
Shadow smirked, his crimson eyes gleaming.
"You're about to find out."
The Biolizard's body heaved, and its massive jaw opened wide. Dozens of glowing energy balls formed and shot toward Shadow like comets, leaving trails of searing light in their wake.
Shadow sprang into action, his movements a blur as he twisted through the air, conjuring jagged spears of dark, crimson energy in both hands.
"Take this!" he roared, flinging the chaotic projectiles forward.
Each Doom Spear collided with an oncoming energy ball, detonating in bursts of violet and crimson light. The chamber shook with the force of the impacts as Shadow skidded to the ground, unscathed.
Braig's voice rang out again, though some of his bravado was slipping.
"Huh... Not bad. But you're not out of the woods yet!"
The Biolizard raised its grotesque arms, both mechanical and organic, as a massive orb of energy began to form between its hands. The swirling mass crackled with destructive force, growing larger with each passing second. Shadow's gaze didn't waver as the creature hurled the colossal energy sphere toward him.
The chamber seemed to darken as the orb hurtled forward, its size engulfing Shadow's entire vision. But Shadow didn't flinch.
"Chaos Control!" Shadow shouted, thrusting his hand forward.
Time slowed to a crawl as the energy sphere hovered inches from him, its surface crackling with volatile power. Shadow's form flickered as he reappeared on top of the orb, planting both feet firmly. His eyes blazed with determination as he unleashed a rapid series of kicks, driving his full force into the sphere.
The massive orb trembled, its surface fracturing as cracks of violet light spread across it. With a final kick, Shadow launched the sphere back toward the Biolizard. The orb shattered mid-flight, splitting into a dozen smaller energy "eggs" that floated in the air.
Shadow's smirk returned.
"Too slow," he taunted.
The hedgehog launched himself upward, each Homing Attack connecting him to the next egg like stepping stones in the sky. The Biolizard's life support system pulsed frantically as Shadow closed in, his body a blur of crimson and black energy.
With a final leap, Shadow's fist blazed with chaotic energy as he struck the glowing red orb dead centre. The impact sent cracks splintering outward in every direction before the orb shattered completely, releasing a blinding surge of energy.
The Biolizard let out a final, deafening screech. Its massive body writhed as the power feeding it from the tubes sputtered out. The creature slumped forward, its limbs going limp as it collapsed into the chamber with a resounding crash. The ground trembled as the beast's massive form stilled, its grotesque breathing fading into silence.
Braig was left speechless. His grin was gone, replaced with a look of stunned disbelief.
"W-What... what have you done?!" Braig shouted, his voice cracking slightly. "Do you have any idea what that thing was protecting?! What you've ruined?!"
Shadow landed gracefully on the ground. He dusted himself off before turning, his expression calm and resolute.
"I know exactly what I've done," Shadow said coolly, looking up to Braig. "I've proven once again that no experiment, no 'protector,' no imitation can stand against me."
Braig clenched his gloved fists, his confidence shattered. His smug grin was gone, replaced by a snarl of frustration.
"You arrogant little—"
But before he could finish his sentence, Shadow cut him off.
"Face it, Braig," Shadow said coldly, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "The Biolizard was just another failure in a long line of misguided plans." He took a step forward, chaos energy flickering at his fingertips. "The only 'Ultimate Lifeform' in this world... this universe..." Shadow pointed at himself, the energy surging as if to punctuate his words. "...is me."
Braig's sneer faltered as he took an instinctive step back, the weight of Shadow's presence pressing down on him. He hesitated, his usual bravado crumbling. But pride forced him to speak, even as he retreated.
"I'll remember this, rodent," Braig spat venomously, though his voice trembled. "And next time... next time, you won't be so lucky."
With that, he vanished into the shadows of the chamber, his bitter parting words lingering like smoke after a fire.
Shadow exhaled slowly and turned his gaze back toward the fallen Biolizard. The creature's grotesque body was already dissolving, fragments of light and darkness swirling upward like dying embers. The cables and implants flickered weakly before fading into nothingness. The chamber felt heavier, as though mourning the loss of a creature that was more victim than monster.
Shadow closed his eyes, his expression softening for just a moment.
"Rest in peace," he murmured, his voice low but resolute. "You deserved better."
RANK: S
As the last fragments of the Biolizard crumbled into shimmering particles, the air grew still. The faint glow of scattered light was swallowed by the shadows of the chamber. Shadow exhaled slowly, his crimson eyes fixed on the drifting remains.
Then, a low, familiar voice echoed through the chamber, deep and resonant.
"Very good... Shadow."
Shadow's eyes snapped upward, narrowing as the voice reverberated around him. His breath caught for half a second—it was a voice he knew all too well.
Emerging from the shadows was Doom's Eye. Its gaze locked onto Shadow as it drifted closer. A beam of energy projected from the centre, forming the spectral shape of a figure cloaked in dread—Black Doom.
The alien warlord's voice was rich with malice and something close to admiration.
"Shadow... you have exceeded my expectations. My greatest creation... as relentless as ever."
Shadow scoffed, his fists clenching at his sides.
"Black Doom..." His voice was sharp as a blade. "So, you escaped the Realm of Darkness."
"Indeed, my offspring," Black Doom said, his voice low and venomous. "I endured that abyss after you and that meddling Lumarian struck me down. Yet even in defeat, I lived. And through a connection tearing through space and time, my strength has returned... and my plans for the conquest of the worlds have accelerated."
"A connection...?" Shadow muttered, deep in thought.
Flashes of memory surged through his mind—the brilliant white light he saw on The ARK, the swirling chaos of broken time... and him. The indigo figure shrouded in distortion. The one who dragged everything into chaos. The one who tore through time and space.
Shadow's fists clenched as the images sharpened—the sight of Rouge, Knuckles, Tails, the Restoration Committee and others being swallowed into glowing portals at Sonic's birthday party.
"That other hedgehog," Shadow said, his voice was laced with bitter realization. "He's behind this, isn't he?"
Black Doom chuckled darkly, his gaze piercing.
"You're as perceptive as ever, Shadow. Yes... Terios wields the power to fracture time and bend White Space to his will. His actions have unravelled events in ways you cannot yet comprehend, thanks to his powers and the link to the Organization's strong hold, Castle Oblivion."
"White Space..." Shadow's mind flashed to another name. "Castle Oblivion. That's what this is connected to, isn't it?" His voice sharpened as a deeper worry overtook him. "Aqua... Where is she? She was with Omega—what did you do to her?"
Black Doom's expression didn't change, but his voice carried a cruel amusement.
"The girl... is safe, for now. But her fate is tangled with forces that exist outside your grasp. She's prey for an erased entity seeking to claw its way back into existence."
"Mephiles... " Shadow muttered, connecting the dots.
Black Doom's red eyes glinted at the recognition.
"Yes... but do not mistake me, Shadow. Mephiles and I share no alliance. He is a shadow of destruction born of chaos, with his own vendettas. He exploits White Space to settle his score... particularly with her."
Shadow's gloved fists trembled with rage, chaos energy crackling faintly at his fingertips. Without hesitation, he launched forward in a blur of motion, aiming a strike at Black Doom's projection—but he phased straight through the image, skidding to a halt on the other side.
Doom's Eye hovered in front of him, mocking in its silence.
Without missing a beat, Shadow whipped his hand forward. The red and black projectile of Doom Spear shot forth like a lightning bolt, striking Doom's Eye directly in its core. The floating eye convulsed before collapsing into a dark mist that dissolved into nothingness.
But from the shadows, another Doom's Eye drifted into view, unharmed and unwavering. Black Doom's projection reappeared, the warlord's gaze cold and calculating.
"You can destroy as many of my eyes as you wish... it changes nothing."
Shadow snarled, his fury boiling over.
"Show yourself! Let's end this—here and now!"
Black Doom's expression softened into something almost fatherly, though the venom beneath was unmistakable.
"No... You are not ready. And we are not ready. But soon, Shadow. You will be perfected. And when you are... our reckoning will come."
The projection flickered and vanished. The new Doom's Eye gave a final pulse of crimson light before retreating into the shadows, its glow fading as it disappeared from sight.
Shadow stood there, his breathing steady but his mind churning. Every answer only led to more questions. Terios... Mephiles... Castle Oblivion... Aqua was trapped in the void, fighting for her very existence as well.
He took a slow, steady breath, forcing the chaos within him to quiet.
"Enough," he muttered. "Thinking won't change anything." His voice hardened. "I'll stop them. All of them."
With a burst of speed, Shadow skated forward, his air shoes flaring as he left the shattered chamber behind. The void still called to him, and Aqua's fate depended on him reaching her before it was too late. As the shadows of the chamber fell away, only one thought drove him forward.
Back in the Void
The void churned and rippled like a living thing. From the temple perched atop the castle, Cloud and Tifa stood at the edge, gazing out across the expanse of White Space. The strange void had expanded, forming new fragments of land—a surreal patchwork of shattered architecture and forgotten structures suspended in the endless white abyss. Some ruins floated, while others had merged into jagged landscapes, defying logic.
Tifa's eyes widened in awe.
"Look at this place... It's like the void is building something entirely new," she remarked.
Cloud, ever reserved, folded his arms as he observed the expanding horizon.
"New paths, new places..." His voice was calm but thoughtful. "Maybe... more answers."
Before Tifa could respond, the air behind them shimmered as the swirling Boss Gate pulsated. A sharp hum filled the space as Shadow stepping through. His expression was as stern and unreadable as ever, though his crimson eyes burned with focus.
Tifa turned, startled but relieved.
"Shadow! You're back!" She walked toward him. "How did it go?"
Cloud's eyes narrowed as he studied the black-and-red hedgehog.
"You were in there for a while... What happened?" he questioned.
"It was the Biolizard... but not the one I remember. It was from... another time, another place," Shadow answered.
Cloud and Tifa exchanged surprised glances.
"The Biolizard from another time?" Tifa asked, puzzled. "How is that even possible?"
"Seems there is more to this void than just pulling in moments from my past," Shadow admitted. "I defeated that version of the Biolizard. But that wasn't the end of it... Black Doom appeared."
The tension in the air thickened at the mention of that name. Cloud's expression hardened.
"Black Doom... So, is he behind all this?" he asked.
Shadow nodded, gesturing outward to the void.
"He called this place White Space." His gaze darkened as he continued. "But there's more to it than that."
"Of course there is," Cloud sighed. "There always is."
"What else did he say?" Tifa asked curiously.
Shadow's gaze swept across the expanse as he answered, his voice low and unwavering.
"Black Doom told me that this place—the void we're standing in—is connected to a hedgehog named Terios. He has the power to manipulate time and space itself... and somehow, all of this..." He gestured to the void and the floating ruins. "It's connected to a place called Castle Oblivion."
Tifa blinked, trying to process the revelation.
"Terios...? Castle Oblivion?" she probed.
"It's never easy is it," Cloud muttered, folding his arms. "It's not just one thing, it's several."
Shadow took a slow step forward, reaching the edge of the temple. He gazed out at the fractured lands of White Space as they pulsed with faint distortions. He could feel Black Doom's influence, spreading like a disease. His red eyes lifted to the void above—the Black Moon. It loomed ominously, swirling with a faint pulse of dark energy, as though awakening from some long slumber.
"It's getting worse," Shadow muttered. "Doom's influence is spreading... and that Black Moon—it's powering up."
"Well, this just got a whole lot more complicated," Tifa said, glancing nervously at Cloud.
Cloud gave a half-smile, though it was more tired than amused.
"Seems like that's normal for us," Cloud admitted stoically.
Shadow's gaze drifted downward, scanning the terrain below. Something caught his eye—a distant figure standing alone near the Rail Canyon hub. His eyes widened as he focused. Blue hair, flowing like water under the faint glow of the void.
"Aqua?" Shadow remarked in surprise.
Tifa's head whipped toward him.
"Aqua? Who's that?" she asked curiously.
Cloud frowned, tilting his head and unfolding his arms.
"A friend of yours?" he questioned.
Shadow didn't respond. His gaze stayed locked on the distant figure below. Without a word, he sprang forward, leaping over the edge of the temple into the open void.
Tifa sprinted to the edge, her breath catching as she watched Shadow freefall through the air, chaos energy flickering like embers in his wake.
"Is he crazy?!" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of shock and frustration.
Cloud stepped up beside her, peering down as Shadow plummeted with unwavering purpose. He let out a slow sigh, shaking his head.
"I have a feeling he does that often," Cloud muttered. Then, after a pause, he turned on his heel. "Come on. We need to get down there. There's still a lot he's not telling us."
Tifa hesitated only for a second before nodding, her expression tightening with determination.
"You're right," she answered. "Let's go."
With that, the two took off, their boots pounding against the ancient stone as they raced towards the stairs.
The air was thick with tension as they descended. Cloud's gaze stayed fixed ahead, but his thoughts churned like a storm. A void linked to this 'Castle Oblivion', a hedgehog who could manipulate time and space, and Black Doom—each revelation felt like another piece to a puzzle he couldn't quite solve.
However, was this the Aqua Shadow knew—or just a reflection shaped by White Space's chaos? Answers awaited below, but so did uncertainty. Would truth, or illusion, greet them?
Another Boss Gate Complete!
Shadow's first major challenge has come to an end, and with it, we're diving deeper into the heart of Shadow and Aqua's intertwined journeys. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did writing it—there's plenty more to come!
Here are a few key references and insights from this chapter to help you connect the dots:
The Biolizard and Braig: If you've read the first story, Kingdom Hearts Final Mix - Blue Blur Edition, you might remember our heroes—Sonic, Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Silver—facing the Monster of the Keyhole, which was none other than the Biolizard. The version of the Biolizard Shadow just faced is from the past—a creature created to protect the heart of Radiant Garden. This ties directly into Birth By Sleep's timeline, explaining why Braig was lurking in the chamber's depths—the same place where he once fought Terra.
The Master: If you guessed that "The Master" is Ansem the Wise, you're right! In Shadow of the Past, it was revealed that Ansem took 'inspiration' from Professor Gerald Robotnik's research to create his own "Ultimate Lifeform" to protect Radiant Garden. This chapter adds a new layer to that backstory, showing the consequences of that ambition.
White Space and Castle Oblivion: In the original Chain of Generations, White Space was established as a mysterious void linked to Castle Oblivion. Sonic's White Space was at the very peak of the castle, representing his fragmented memories and time distortions. Now, Shadow and Aqua's stories are unfolding in their own unique section of White Space, reinforcing their deeper connection to the Organization's stronghold.
Aqua's Fate: Is this the Aqua Shadow knows? Or has White Space twisted her destiny into something else entirely? I have something special planned for the next chapter that will challenge both characters in unexpected ways. Stay tuned—things are about to get intense!
Shout Out Corner: A huge shout out to Terrance Johnny Standford for his incredible collaboration! His story Lancelot Generations is an amazing "What If" tale that reimagines Sir Lancelot as the lead character navigating the mysteries of White Space. If you'd like to see Shadow, Omega, and Aqua make a cameo appearance, check out Chapter 4: The Eyes Are Watching. It's well worth the read!
Thanks again for all your support! I hope you continue to enjoy this story as it unfolds, and I can't wait to share what happens next. Your feedback and enthusiasm keep this story alive.
Onward to the next chapter!