-Chapter 170-

Emerald Doom

GUN HQ

At Area 99, the Black Arms were depicted on various screens, as well as a map of locations around the world that have been attacked by the Black Arms. As Commander Tower and Sarah watched, another figure came running in. Sarah stood, embracing the woman as she got near.

"Amanda…" she sighed. "Thank Aurora you made it."

"When my uncle and commanding officer summons me, I'm not gonna turn away," Amanda assured before pulling away.

Tower turned to her. "Report."

"Right," Amanda cleared her throat. "The black aliens have hit six major cities around the world, and every city is reporting significant damage and casualties. Among them, Westopolis has received the heaviest casualties due to its weakened defense system. Downtown Westopolis has been almost completely destroyed."

"Have the Freedom Fighters been spotted at all?" Tower asked.

"They were preoccupied defending the Kingdom of Acorn during the initial assault," Amanda replied. "Unconfirmed sources have reported that Sonic's father, Sir Jules Hedgehog, was critically injured in the attack."

Sarah's eyes widened at that. "Oh, no…"

"Sonic must be beside himself…" Tower remarked. "Have there been any more reports? Anything from Team Dark?"

"Agent Shadow and Hope Kintobor assisted in the evacuation of civilians in Westopolis," Amanda told them. "According to reports, Hope was abducted by the aliens during the fight."

"What?!" Tower shouted.

"More sources have claimed there was another hedgehog calling himself Terios working with the aliens," Amanda clarified. "And that apparently, both this Terios and the black creatures' leader knew Shadow by name."

Tower's eyebrows furrowed.

"We need to look into this," he insisted. "Send a team to bring Shadow in for questioning. Hopefully, he can help fill in the gaps."

Westopolis

Shadow was still where Black Doom left him, on the ground in shock, when he heard footsteps approaching. He turned to see Sonic and the others running up.

"Shadow!" Sonic called. "Are you okay? What happened?"

"He took her…" Shadow let out.

"What?" Tails asked.

Shadow turned to look at them. "The aliens... they have Hope."

Everyone gasped

Sonic bent down next to him.

"Hey, it'll be okay," he soothed. "We'll get her back."

It was at that moment they heard a helicopter approach, and looked to see a GUN chopper approaching.

As it landed, Topaz and Madonna came out.

"Agent Shadow, we need you to come with us." Madonna told him. "Commander Tower wants to have a word with you."

"Wait a sec." Sonic cut in. "Are you arresting him? Why?!"

"We're just looking for answers, Sonic," Topaz said. "Haven't you heard the reports?"

Sonic shook his head. "Not really, no."

"Another hedgehog named Terios was working with the black aliens," Madonna explained. "And both he and their leader knew Shadow by name."

"I'll go with you," Shadow told her, his tone resigned. "Whatever the Commander wants to know, I'll tell him."

Madonna ushered him towards the chopper.

"Hey!" Sonic shouted. "We're coming with! Shadow's our friend and he just lost Hope! He needs friends to support him, not a John Becker (1) interrogation!"

"You're more than welcome to come," Madonna replied. "You forget, we're on Shadow's side. We just need answers."

Area 99

As Tower watched outside the interrogation room, Shadow outlined what had happened to Madonna.

"Terios was the second prototype of Project Shadow. From what we could gather, he was mentally unstable, and Professor Gerald placed him in cryo and jettisoned him once I was created on the ARK."

"And this Black Doom found and recruited him." Madonna deduced.

"That's what he told us," Shadow said. "He's completely delusional, believing Hope to be Maria."

He sighed. "Also... the rumors of the professor making contact with aliens to complete me are true. Black Doom was the alien in question... and his DNA was used to create me."

That threw everyone for a loop. Tower, however, was less than surprised.

"So... it wasn't my imagination," he remarked. "It was a memory…"

"Dad?" Sarah questioned. "What are you talking about?"

Tower sighed, taking a seat.

"The first time I ever saw Shadow was before he was even released from his tank. I had been playing with Maria, and gotten too close to Gerald's lab. Through a window, I saw the professor talking with a demonic black creature with three eyes, this Black Doom he mentioned. Shadow was in development at the time... and the professor was desperate enough to complete him that he accepted a blood donation from Black Doom."

"Why didn't you mention this before?" Sarah questioned.

"I thought it was just time warping my memories, or my childish imagination at the time," Tower explained. "Besides, when I met Shadow after his release, he was kind and friendly. Nothing like the monster I'd seen."

"So Black Doom made him, but because of you and Maria, he didn't become a monster," Sonic deduced.

"But if he was made for Black Doom, it would explain why something supposedly made to heal could fight the way he can," Knuckles remarked.

In the interrogation room, Madonna continued her questioning.

"Why did Black Doom approach you?" she asked.

"Apparently, Professor Gerald had made a deal in return for Black Doom's help. When the Black Comet returned to Mobius, I was to gather seven Chaos Emeralds and deliver them to the Black Arms."

"And are you?"

"I wasn't going to," Shadow looked down. "But now I have no choice. He has Hope, and if I don't do what he says…"

His fists clenched. "I can't lose her… She's all I have."

Satisfied, Madonna excused herself, reporting the situation to the others. Everyone was reeling from the reveal, Eggatha and Robotnik most of all.

"That can't be!" Robotnik exclaimed through his Egg Drone. "My grandfather sold out all of Mobius to Black Doom for his research?!"

"Well, didn't he also brainwash Shadow and try to destroy all of Mobius with the ARK?" Eggatha pointed out.

"She's got you there, Eggman," Tails remarked.

"That was after the government and GUN of the time had slaughtered Maria and taken everything from him!" Robotnik defended. "I never thought even before then, he was insane enough to make a deal with the devil!"

"We can debate this later," Sally cut in. "Right now, we need to think of a way, any way, to save Hope from the Black Arms without handing the Chaos Emeralds over to them."

"What about that ploy we tried with Eggman back on ARK?" Knuckles suggested. "Y'know, with the fake Emeralds."

"That could work," Tails remarked. "I'll need time to make enough, but it's better than giving him the real ones."

"It's the best option we have," Sonic decided.

Tails nodded. "I'll get to work."

"In the meantime, we should focus on trying to hold the line, and collecting the real Emeralds for ourselves," Sally insisted.

Station Square

While Team Sonic and Sally were at Area 99 overseeing Shadow's questioning and formulating a plan, the rest of the Freedom Fighters and Chaotix had spread out into multiple war zones where the Black Arms had attacked in order to minimize the damage and help evacuate civilians. At the moment, Chris, Keith, and Kat were doing so in Station Square.

"The school's the closest area!" Chris shouted. "Get everyone there!"

"Danny and Frances are already trying to help, and my dad's doing the same!" Keith told him.

"We just need to hold these freaks off long enough for everyone to get there!" Kat declared, landing a hard punch on one.

They eventually made it to the school, and were surprised to see Valerie standing atop the roof looking down at the surrounding Black Arms. Much to their shock, she jumped from the roof, grabbing and swinging from a flagpole on the descent, before running on all fours around a Black Oak, nimbly dodging around him.

"Whoa…" Keith let out. "I didn't know she could do that."

"She did say she was a fifth degree blackbelt," Chris recalled.

"That wasn't any form of martial arts," Kat insisted.

"Kat's right," Keith agreed. "What kind of martial arts involve running on all fours like an animal?"

"Does it matter?" Chris demanded. "We need to get in there and help her!"

They hurried toward the fight.

"Val! Watch your back!" Kat shouted.

She jumped forward, landing a kick on a Black Arm trying to come up behind her friend.

"Oh, there you are," Valerie greeted casually. "Kinda late to the party, don't you think?"

"Hey, we were busy with the rest of the city," Chris pointed out.

"And we're thirteen," Keith added. "Cut us some slack."

"Are you the only Freedom Fighters here?" Valerie questioned.

"The Black Arms are attacking everywhere on Mobius," Keith told her. "We're being stretched thin."

"Yeah," Chris added. "We're lucky we were able to be here at all."

"Look out!" Kat suddenly screamed.

Thunderous footsteps reached their ears, and they all turned to see a hulking giant of a Black Arm stomp forward, casually swatting away cars as he approached the school.

"That's… a big one," Chris remarked nervously.

Kat popped her neck. "Doesn't look like a lard ball like that bull thing. You guys got my back?"

"Of course." Keith assured.

"Could you use a partner?" Valerie questioned.

"You sure you can handle this?" Kat asked.

Valerie smiled. "Oh, I have a few tricks up my sleeve."

"Well, I won't turn down help," Kat cracked her knuckles. "Let's show this thing that it doesn't get to mess with our home!"

As the Black Arm stomped forward, Black Doom's voice came from its mouth.

"You have no chance to survive," he boasted. "The Black Oaks are heralded for their pure strength. They make up the backbone of our army!"

"Here's a little Mobian saying!" Chris shot back. "The bigger they are, the harder they fall!"

"I'll hit it low," Valerie said.

"I'll hit it high," Kat chimed in.

"And we'll keep the small fry at bay," Keith promised.

As Chris and Keith fended off the Black Warriors, Valerie and Kat double-teamed the Black Oak. Kat jumped into the air, landing several blows to the monster's face as Valerie made precise attacks to his legs. Despite their best efforts, it seemed all they were doing was annoying the Oak. Eventually, as Kat leapt to attack again, the Oak slapped her aside, sending her flying back. She rolled across the ground before slamming into the wall of the school with enough force to crack it.

"Kat!" Keith screamed.

She fell to the ground, holding her head. She pulled her hand back and saw blood. At the sight, something in Valerie seemed to snap. She ran between Kat and the approaching Black Oak, growling like an animal.

"I hoped it wouldn't have to come to this…" she sighed.

As they watched, much to their surprise, Valerie began to change. Light brown fur sprouted all across her body, with dark brown patches on her hands, feet, and around her eyes. Her ears sank inward before re-emerging as pointy doglike ones peeking through her hair, which had changed from blonde to blue with black tips. Last but not least, a fluffy blue tail with a black tip sprouted from her rear.

"No way…" Kat let out.

As the Black Oak prepared to smash them, Valerie pulled back, her arm enlarging in muscle mass and expanding to a massive size before she reeled back and punched it in the gut, sending the beast flying through at least two buildings.

"What the…" Chris stammered.

"What just…" Keith tacked on.

"Yóu gǔrén (2)..." Kat let out, "You're a tanuki!"

"Yep," Valerie confirmed, her arm shrinking down.

"Tanuki?" Keith asked. "I thought that breed of Mobians was just a myth!"

"So did I…" Kat got up, still holding her head. "How is this possible?"

"We're just secretive, to be honest," Valerie told them. "Long story short, what I told you about family drama my first day here was true. I came here under a fake human identity to get away from my dad. Since we're pals, I'll tell you this much: my real name is Umaru."

"Nice to meet you, Umaru," Keith replied politely.

"Would you prefer Umaru, or Val?" Chris asked.

"Personally, Val," Valerie replied. "Umaru's okay when we're alone. I do have a secret identity to maintain, y'know."

They shared a laugh. Kat nearly collapsed, dizzy. Keith caught her before she could hit the ground.

"You might wanna take five and get Kat to a doctor." Valerie advised.

"Screw that," Kat spat. "Aliens are invading. Not my first concussion. Besides, getting hit with the boulder was worse.

Valerie put her hands on her hips.

"Kat, you were punched by a super-strong alien and slammed through a wall," she said firmly. "Your head is leaking more red stuff than Sonic's chili dogs. You're getting that checked out."

"Oh come on, Val," Kat insisted stubbornly. "I don't care how many of you fuss at me. I'm fine."

Valerie approached, seemingly about to push her, only to gently nudge her with a finger. Almost immediately, Kat toppled into the dust.

"You were saying?" she asked.

"Alright, you win…" Kat gave in. "I'm not fine."

"You can fight aliens all you want after we have that head wound checked out. But for now…"

Valerie helped Kat to her feet, shifting back to human form as they headed for the nearest hospital or Red Cross station. As they were walking, Chris noticed something glimmering in the wreckage of one of the buildings the Black Oak had gone through.

"Hello…" He approached it, rifling through it and pulling out the cyan Chaos Emerald. "Jackpot."

Glyphic Canyon

Meanwhile, within a set of ancient ruins on the northern side of Soumerca, Hope sat in the corner of a room, cuffed as Black Doom and Terios waited. Terios' left eye was open to reveal it was now whited out and useless.

"Shadow won't do what you want, Black Doom," Hope swore. "Ever."

"Foolish child, he doesn't have a choice," Black Doom shot back. "He was made to serve me, and he will fulfill his ultimate purpose."

"He's a healer, a hero, not a servant of evil," Hope swore.

Black Doom chuckled darkly. "Then answer me this... why would a being meant to heal have any skills meant for combat whatsoever?"

Hope paused, unable to come up with a good answer.

"Sorry Maria, but Shadow's a weapon," Terios insisted. "He's meant to destroy and enslave."

"I have had designs on Mobius for two thousand years," Black Doom went on. "The temple you stand in now, I transported here ages ago in preparation for the invasion. Professor Gerald's Project Shadow just gave me the opportunity I needed to finalize my plans."

"No…" Hope shook her head. "No, you're lying! Shadow's not a monster! He's not like you!"

"Maybe not," Black Doom replied. "But he will be."

"He made a promise to Maria!" Hope objected. "He's meant to protect this world from the likes of you!"

"Ignorant little fool…" Black Doom scoffed. "You just don't get it, do you? Can't you understand what we're doing?"

He turned, floating over to her.

"We're here to save humans and Mobians alike from their own demise. We offer... salvation. Their greed, thirst for power and affinity for betrayal has them on a path of self-destruction. Their actions will lead to extinction of their species. We're here to save them from themselves... with our perfect order allowing them to live through their desperate lives in peace."

"You talk of peace and salvation, but I think you mean the opposite," Hope shot back. "You've attacked at least six major cities across Mobius and killed thousands of innocent people! And Cosmo told us about how you slaughtered her people!"

"Success does not come without sacrifice." Black Doom said flippantly.

"What kind of savior finds the annihilation of millions of innocents an acceptable means to an end? Last I checked, mass murder is a method used only by genocidal maniacs!"

Black Doom slapped Hope hard enough that she fell over.

"That's enough out of you, brat," he hissed. "Know that the only reason you live is because you have meaning to Shadow. If he fails to present the Chaos Emeralds to me... you will be devoured."

As if on cue, several monstrous creatures began to emerge from doors, consisting of pulsating purple blobs with horns and one eye in the middle of their bodies. Hope gasped, scrambling away before Black Doom held up a hand, stopping them in their tracks.

"You see before you the Death Leeches," he explained. "Our larvae, which mature into fine soldiers. And they're very hungry."

"So that's it…" Hope realized. "Your idea of salvation is turning us into your livestock! We're nothing but cattle to you!"

Black Doom chuckled again.

"Clever girl. Humans are a great energy source for us. They will be well kept. And once Shadow is fully under my control, he'll get the honor of feeding you to them first."

Area 99

Rouge and Omega had joined up with the group, the latter sitting with Shadow to try and comfort him.

"It's gonna be alright, Shad," she soothed. "We're gonna get her back, unharmed and alive."

At that moment, Tails entered, carrying a briefcase.

"Took some time, but I did it," He opened the case, revealing seven Emeralds inside. "But I added a little twist here. Each fake Emerald has a microbomb planted inside. The minute Black Doom opens it, he's going to go out with a big bang."

"Are you sure this will work?" Shadow questioned.

"If it doesn't kill him, it will at least wound him and give you and Hope time to get out," Tails pointed out.

"Let's not take any chances," Sally decided. "Sonic, go with Shadow. That way, if things go south, we'll have a backup plan to get Hope away."

"Like you even have to ask," Sonic said.

Shadow took the case. As he headed out, he stopped short to see Doom's Eye waiting outside.

"Good," Black Doom said. "You woke up a bit."

"My friends helped me gather the Chaos Emeralds," Shadow replied. "Now where is Hope?"

"Come to the Glyphic Canyon in northern Soumerca. The trade will be made there."

Shadow narrowed his eyes. "She better be there."

"And the Emeralds better be ready. Or all you'll get back is a corpse."

Glyphic Canyon

It didn't take long for Shadow to find the Glyphic Canyon. He headed for the temple, Sonic following at a safe distance and keeping to the shadows.

"Alright, I'm here!" he shouted. "Where's Hope?!"

Black Doom appeared, a cuffed Hope behind him.

"Well done, Shadow," he complimented.

"Give her back, Black Doom," Shadow ordered.

"Hand over the Emeralds first."

Shadow set the case on the ground, kicking it over to him.

"Take 'em," he said. "I just want her."

Black Doom stood there, not making a move to get the case.

"Hope, was it?" he waved a hand, undoing her cuffs. "You may have the honor of opening the case for me."

"That wasn't part of the deal!" Shadow objected.

"Is there a problem with her opening the case?" Black Doom questioned.

Shadow's breath caught in his throat.

"If there's no problem, I see no reason why your little pet can't do it for me."

Shadow held his tongue, expecting the worst as Hope slowly opened the case. The minute it snapped open, a blue blur dashed in. With lightning speed, Sonic grabbed the case, throwing it at Black Doom just as the micro bombs went off, and scooped up Hope.

"RUN!" he shouted.

The two Hedgehogs took off at light speeds as Black Doom howled in rage. Oozing blood from the blast, he whirled on Terios before pointing after Sonic and Shadow.

"Get that hedgehog!" he roared. "Get him! GET HIM!"

Terios immediately took off after the pair.

"Get back here, Shadow!" he shouted. "Give Maria back!"

"You want me?!" Shadow retorted. "Come get me!"

Shadow broke away and Terios quickly gave chase. They weaved through the ruins, a red blur and a navy blue one right on its heels. Eventually, it seemed Shadow was cornered. Terios advanced on him slowly.

"Those who commit mutiny against the Black Arms will see no mercy, brother," he spat. "Black Doom does not tolerate disobedience, and neither do I!"

Shadow didn't move, or say a word,

"Say something, faker!"

Shadow still did nothing.

"I said, say something!"

He went to grab Shadow, only for his hand to phase through him. The image of Shadow faded away, and Terios realized he had been had.

"An after-image…"

His breathing became erratic before he let out an enraged howl towards the heavens.

Area 99

Back at Area 99, Sonic arrived with Hope in tow, setting her down.

"You alright?" he asked.

"I am now. Where's Shad-"

A red blur suddenly tackled her and she ended up on the ground. She looked to see Shadow holding her, snout buried in her shoulder.

"Hope…" he let out. "Thank Aurora…"

He pulled away, looking her up and down. "Are you alright?"

"My face hurts, but other than that, I'm alright."

Indeed, Hope had a bruise where Black Doom slapped her.

"He hit you?" Sonic asked, fists clenching in anger.

"Black Doom didn't care too much for me calling him out on his bullshit." Hope said matter-of-factly. "I know what his big plan is. We need to get the others together."

"Uncle, disable my chip," Eggatha ordered.

"Agatha, I-"

"We need to work together, and they won't let me go if I'm being tracked."

"I was going to say I already did," Robotnik explained. "When I find their base, it will be because of ingenuity, not a cheap trick during a crisis"

"You mean if you find our base," Sonic chimed in.

Robotnik scoffed. "You underestimate my genius, Sonic. But we'll debate this later."

Knothole

At Freedom HQ, Hope explained what she had found out to the others. They were rightfully horrified.

"So that's it?" Mina asked. "We're just foodstuffs and cattle to the Black Arms?"

"Most life forms and species that aren't them are." Cosmo chimed in.

"Once he conquers everything and everyone, he's gonna feed us to his next generation," Hope went on. "And when there's nothing left, well... Cosmo's story already told us what they'll do."

Eggatha relayed that to Robotnik on her communicator. He was just as disgusted as the rest of them.

"That… that's horrific," he managed. "I'm all for being evil, but this is just overkill."

"There's something else," Shadow spoke up. "He knew about our fake Emerald plan. If Sonic hadn't been there, Hope would have been blown to smithereens."

"But how?" Tails questioned. "How could he have possibly known about it?"

"None of us certainly told him, and Shadow's got the best poker face out of all of us," Porker insisted.

"Someone's still salty about that game," Johnny remarked jokingly.

"Reading him is like trying to read a brick wall!" Porker exclaimed.

"Wait a second…" Hope spoke up. "Black Doom has been able to speak through every Black Arm and see through their eyes. He said he's connected to them as a whole."

"All of them have been feral and instinctive, but they're organized and can follow commands," Rotor added.

Keith perked, bringing the bottom of his fist into his palm.

"That's gotta be it! The Black Arms are a hive mind, like Mobini bees and ants! And Black Doom is the brain."

"Does that mean that because Shadow's made from Black Arm DNA, that he's part of the hive mind?" Kat asked.

"That's gotta be it," Amy insisted. "He sees everything Shadow sees, hears everything he hears, and… knows... everything... he knows…"

She trailed off, and they had just enough time to realize the full implications of that before screaming, monstrous growls, and laser fire sounded from outside.

"Son of a-" Sonic cursed. "He found us!"

"Damn it!" Shadow swore. "We led him right to Knothole!"

They ran out to see Black Arms wreaking havoc and chasing after refugees they had previously evacuated. Doom's Eye loomed overhead, projecting the Black Doom hologram. He pointed down at the Freedom Fighters.

"This is the price you pay for your defiance, Shadow!" he ranted. "You and your worthless little friends! There's nowhere you can go, nowhere you can hide, where we cannot find you!"

Immediately, the Freedom Fighters jumped into action, prepared to fight for their base and home...

Author's Note:

(1): Mobian equivalent of Jack Bauer from 24.

(2): Chinese for "By the Ancients."

Say it isn't so... Black Doom has succeeded where Robotnik has failed and found Knothole Village! Can the Freedom Fighters save their home?

And yes, that was the big secret. Valerie was a tanuki in disguise; tanuki were introduced to the series in Team Sonic Racing, and I decided to go with it. Her character basis and abilities, like the big muscle arm, were derived from Michiru Kagemori, the protagonist of the anime BNA: Brand New Animal

Amanda Tower is from Archie, just FYI.

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Amanda - Debi Mae West (Meryl Silverburgh from Metal Gear Solid, Tsunade from Naruto)

Please R&R. Until next time!