A Horrifying, Yet Miraculous, Absolution

Ch. 31

[×]

The bags he packed were heavy. Various sets of clothing – a different suit for every event; fancy ones meant to display his position as a man on the forefront of science – were neatly organized. Matching shoes awaited their kin in matching socks. One of the pairs was embellished with a rocket ship that gave the illusion of ascending from the ankle straight up into the clouds. No one would be able to see the true image unless his pant rode up the entire way. Ironic. Funny. Scandalous. Maria was the one whom offered him to take it because it would be the best choice for the actual evening soiree.

There was one item he was going to have to hand carry aboard in secret.

His medication.

It was down to his last bottle.

The boy was watching. Had drawn the line. Gerald had enough to make it back upon the ARK, but that was it. No more allowed. Then… Then he would just have to persevere for his children, he supposed.

Nothing inside the bag was useful for archeological extravaganzas. No climbing ropes. No crampons. To be fair, he wasn't in shape to use those items anymore – gone were those days, based on his weakened muscles and aged form. Yet, even if he was physically capable, there was no way bringing a bag of such items would be smart – one never knew whom might take a peak when he was busy.

Alizarin Crimson watched him some more.

That glass-filled gaze. That concerned expression. His lost, stolen child… "Ah, I see you've already packed up, my boy," he spoke instead with care and guidance. "Such a little bag?"

"It's bigger than it looks as it's actually empty. I plan to use my weight limit on the return trip to fill it with knick-knacks from Earth for Maria." As always, the deep tone was soft and thoughtful.

[The scientist was now wondering how much of that silence was from being numb; from having a shattered soul; from not actually being there before him, but elsewhere. There was also that other realization: the Eye would follow down to the surface, too, wouldn't it? Shadow couldn't move or think or talk if it – he? – swapped states – places? – again, Gerald feared. He had spent time searching for it, now that he knew, but… the Eye was to not be found.] "Hmm…, I seem to remember you enjoyed little trinkets from Earth as well."

"I don't need them as much. I've been on the surface before and have used or touched many things. Maria hasn't."

Sigh.

This was… painful; like watching his precious granddaughter on her gurney with the alarms silenced by terrible reception. At least a positive of going down to the planet with the boy would be stimulating that mind and the desires of want. His son needed it; a short term, tangible goal for his thorough and plan oriented child. "But of course you deserve to bring something back up for yourself, nevertheless!"

"If you insist, Fath-" There was a sharp intake.

He reached out and gave Shadow a pat. "No need to scowl."

The expression deepened. "… Some of the researchers don't like how close we are, and my slippage of tongue has been noticed."

"Why would I care about those not related to Project: SHADOW?" Gerald grumbled in reply. "Only those civilian types think stupid things about ethics – hah! As if it's a crime to care about you and Maria!"

That got a small smile.

"Besides, they're not aware you're the Ultimate Lifeform. They more then likely just think 'a human shouldn't be so close to a Mobian.' Idiots."

There was a hum as Shadow did another one of his nonverbal agreements. "Whatever the case, the shuttle leaves in two days. 1717Z. It's twenty-two hours for the one-way from our current location and-"

The technical words continued from the boy's mouth as Gerald watched onwards while continuing to pack away. He wondered how many times, from a future that no longer exists, his child flew and controlled such craft. "I can rest easy knowing that if our pilot gets incapacitated and the craft goes out of control, you'll be able to take over."

Red eyes blinked. "I could just… warp us to safety."

"And the others aboard?"

Shadow shifted. [Gerald prayed it was not because of discomfort – of forgetting about the others…] "I could possibly move the entire ship."

"That'll be a lot of Chaos."

"I can do it." Assurance. A guarantee.

The scientist merely issued a nod of agreement. "Of course you can. You're… incredible. If Maria is my joy, you are my pride."

It was easy to make the boy flustered.

[x]

The room was dim as the soft sounds of breathing reached his ears. Maria was asleep; Shadow in a circle right besides her. Ah, his two children. Still alive. Still here. Safe. Sound… Carefully, he slightly shook his granddaughter awake – their planned meeting was that nigh. Blue eyes fluttered and recognized he was there; she slowly slid away from the edge of the bed with expertise at not awakening the slumbering being besides her. There was a silent yawn as she followed him down towards a side area of her room – far away enough from the boy, but close enough.

"Are you ready?"

She nodded as she fought exhaustion with adrenaline. "At least one Artificial Chaos is going to stay around me at all times, and Shadow's response delay has shortened to a second before he starts coming to search for me." Her face made it known she was equally pleased and disgusted at that knowledge. She had called upon him in that 'hive' manner only for fun tidings, but the preemptive advantage of being able to summon the Ultimate Lifeform via connections was not lost on either of them. "I'm positive he'll warp in if he has to – in case of emergency."

The boy had mentioned Maria's… slow progress with lead-based weaponry. The scientist didn't want to bring it up, but… he could offer her reassurance. He held onto her hands and gave a gentle grasp, channeling all the comfort he could offer. "Don't push yourself unless you must. You know how to get in touch with me via normal channels, right?"

Blonde hair flew. "Not your first time to visit Earth while I'm on the ARK, Grandpa."

"Of course not. But I worry about you all the same." Because this was the first time that he would leave while she was alive – while there were still enemies aboard.

Maria watched the sleeping form of Shadow. "You'll be super duper safe getting this Master Emerald with him. Just make certain not to walk too hard or get into any traps or…" Her voice trailed off as her innocence waned. "Make certain neither of you get in trouble playing in the big world of politics."

He quizzed her. "If General Kirkendall tries to assert herself in my missing power vacuum and attempts to take the biological samples of Shadow, what will you do?"

"Laugh, because you already hid them away deep within the ARK. Cry, because you want her to believe I don't know that. Worry, because she is smart enough to know both those facts."

The General was the worst of the worst kinda of human enemies to run afoul of. "And if she tries to force you to tell her where they are by threats to members of Project: SHADOW?"

Thumbs twiddled as she processed through the words she had to say next. "Then… I call out her bluff." She grabbed the hem of her light-colored dress and flinched. "What if… it isn't a bluff?"

That Gerald was worried about the most. Psychopaths did all they could to get what they wanted, and this certain one wanted her name in the history books. To go after Maria was one thing – the resulting counter attack would be immense, and not just from the scientist. No. The Commander of the ARK would leave his granddaughter physically alone. It was the other three he worried about. "I warned them to avoid her at all costs – they are aware of the danger and required preparation. They've been doing it for a while, now. We'll have to place trust in them… and your P-1 army."

His precious granddaughter blinked and then looked around her room at her various things. "I… never thought about it that way…"

Of course not. Not his sweet Maria. She only thought in ways of spying. Of clues. Of not of underhanded manners to fight back, like assassinations without much evidence – not unless it was against their leader, whom she detested and didn't have belief it was something to be saved. Black Doom was an avatar of vileness through and through.

But the General had the shape of a human.

Was a person.

"Not all armies mindlessly slaughter, dear," he reassured her. "They are meant to protect and guide and help those weaker than them – and I know the Robotnik name is not weak. Rather, you are there to guide not just them, but myself. And Shadow."

There was an offer of a smile. "Thanks, Grandpa."

"Will you be there to see us off?"

"Even if I have to skip school!" cried out a promise.

[x]

There were large pipes filled with liquid hydrogen, oxygen, and all the other deadly cocktails required for rocket fuel. It was one of the few locations where Chaos Energy did not dominate the region – the material consumption of the planet had yet to catch up with what was considered 'standard' upon the ARK. It had once been a dream to build ARK-like Reactors within the cities of the planet to give humanity all the energy usage that they could ever need – clean, green, and while not 'renewable' on its own, required easy replenishing.

But then he built the Eclipse Cannon, went mad, and realized that other people of his race should not have access to such power within their grasps. [He shouldn't, either, to be brutally honest. However, when one factors what else Gerald had access to… the Cannon was second on the list.] [That was a thought: one cannot love an object remotely in comparison to something as superior as love to a son.]

Imagine a world filled with Reactors. Shadow could just tap into those and not even require his own innate Chaos, would he? He could threaten a city fueled by one just by being there. A boom, or a curse, for the boy?

However, that was a worry for a future date that might not even have said Reactors. A MUCH later date. Such silly tidings upon the planet required Maria alive and well and healthy.

So, the eyes under the spectacles moved on.

Shadow was also watching the scene with something unfamiliar – a sense of wonder. The scientist rose an eyebrow at that. Did the boy… enjoy rockets and spacecraft? To clarify, he asked.

Red eyes roamed around some more. "Perhaps…"

"How come?"

The boy's gaze reached one of the smaller crafts. Roughly the size of a bus and powered by Chaos Drives, it was quite tiny in comparison to the larger shuttle nearby. The torn off wing was the reason why something powered by Chaos was even in the area in the first place – the engineers had a new project to work on. Autonomous, this particular ship was powered by basic script because no human could withstand the g-forces-

He rubbed his moustache and issued a hum. "You must enjoy speed."

His lost child remained quiet. Did not deny nor affirm.

"Would you like me to give you that?" Here was something good – something that was solely associated with Shadow's wants and desires and not… Not the mindset that was trying to consume the boy from within. "It might take some time to engineer a control yoke and transform it from pure automation, but…"

"You don't have to, Fath-"

He cut the denial off. "Nonsense! If you want it, I will give it. No matter what it is, just as we would for Maria."

An ear twitched. "Would you… stop from blowing up the planet for her, then?"

The question was out of left field – Shadow was still visually admiring the ship that might have had his name on it, but his child's mental attention was clearly on one certain scientist. Gerald felt his voice break as they both continued to walk down the large chamber of the space station; bags in hand. Such steps only went until they reached the final edge where the floor gave way towards sectioned off airlocks – airlocks that had windows off towards the side where he could see the Earth taunting him below.

He still had all that rage. All that fire. All that want to kill those whom had murdered in cold blood his precious-

"Grandpa! Shadow!" her voice carried.

He turned, as did the boy. Off, behind the picket line, dressed in her normal attire, but with a large, straw brimmed hat over her hair, was Maria. She cupped her hands together as she rose to her tippy toes – all in an effort to make her voice as loud as it could go. "MAKE SURE TO STAY SAFE! HAVE A GREAT TRIP! GET ME SOME FLOWERS! GET YOURSELF SOME FUN! BON VOYAGE~!" The hands went into waving; a handkerchief as a flag.

Alizarin Crimson flickered towards his creator.

Gerald did not respond to Shadow's question.

[x]

White gloves reached out and checked the straps on the elder Robotnik. "There's… a lot of people on this shuttle."

Hmm… That's not a footnote one would throw out at random for no reason. "You flew these alone."

The boy nodded. "I'm not… what someone one calls a 'good travel partner.'"

Click; click.

The harness was completed. These shuttles were not comfort-based items – all utilitarian and square – but the one going to suffer the most was to be the boy. Those invisible appendages were going to have to be crammed off towards the side, shoved into some miniscule crack; would have to bend into shapes most unfriendly. "Will you be alright?"

"Yes."

"You certain?"

"Positive, Fath-"

Their conversation was cut off when other humans entered the area – curious eyes watched the body of the 'Prototype.' The two newcomers were nameless G.U.N. pilots [who will one day perish as well], and their everyday monotony had been shattered by the new VIP delivery they were to send back towards the surface world. They must have been annoyed at the fact Gerald pulled the strings to sit up front – up where the space for Shadow was the largest.

If they thought him as narcissistic to get here in the first place, so be it.

"Dr. Robotnik," one of them started. "We were told to give you and your Project a message before we left."

An uneasy, sick feeling boiled. He knew who it was from. "Is it time critical?"

"Not certain, sir, but my boss told me to issue it before we reach planet-side."

Shadow rose his head to watch. He was not expected to get addressed directly – after all, flies on the wall weren't meant to be glanced at. The Inhibitor Rings caught the limited light from the plethora of machines and navigational equipment before him as the green hue casted the boy in deepened tones.

The elder waved his hands. "Go ahead, then. What does the Commander want?"

Unimportant men delivered an important message: "It is nice to see a parent and child spend quality time on the planet you have sworn to protect. Don't worry about those left behind – they are in capable hands. This I promise. Remember these words when you make it back."

Cryptic but threatening.

Just… perfect.

Maybe Gerald should just kill her after all and damn the consequences. No; no. Maria first, even though those other thoughts would be short-term enlightening.

But after Maria is healed…

Gerald would break that woman.

Shadow had faith in his precious granddaughter, but those fingers were digging in his own harness as they carefully clicked everything into proper place within the boy's seat as well. Even his child understood the knife that was slipped in between sheets with those words.

Question was, what was her goal?

The Ultimate Lifeform was possibly stuck in the same dilemma he was: stay or go.

They both knew the answer.

"Message received," Gerald answered with something that made the two pilots exchange glances.

Soon enough, the countdown begun, ended, and the ARK disappeared from peripheral vision. Unlike the fires that would shake the world when leaving a gravitational pull of a planet's immensity, the station-asteroid was far gentler.

It did not ease his nerves.

[x]

So great must be the President's desire to see Gerald that he was willing to put up a shuttle during the ARK's trajectory around the moon – an expensive endeavor, just like the last time. As expected, the military pilots in command had no idea as to the specifics – not that the scientist expected. Grunts didn't understand the schematics of their own organization. If they did, they wouldn't be here, running passengers and grocery duty. Still, they were experienced pilots, and he had to wonder if these men were individuals that controlled some of the ships that once boarded the ARK.

Probably.

He stayed resolved and quiet, however.

Shadow was unbuckled, now that they were in the time lapse between departure and arrival. His body was standing in the background, near the 'navigator' seat, watching all of the instruments with a mix of understanding and… entertainment. It seemed indeed that his child enjoyed mechanized things that went fast, even if the boy's body was capable of such feats alone.

"Maybe I should buy you a sports car instead," he joked to pass the time. There was not much to do aside small talk, and he would take that opportunity. Serious work was a short landing away, anyhow.

The Ultimate Lifeform crossed arms together in thought. "There's actually a Mobian country that celebrates racing on vehicles or some sort of… gear." His hand reached towards his head, but unlike what Gerald had feared – a headache from slipping away – there was a… flicking motion? "Sunglasses were needed to not get bugs in one's eyes."

… His son was a velocity addict, wasn't he?

"Maybe I should gift you a motorcycle first before a car or a spacecraft," Gerald added, aware the pilots were giving each other looks again. A Mobian and his genius creator from a secret-not secret government facility, and they talk about the most random things, huh? "Custom built. What do you think? If you'd like, there will even be a socket to attach a little carrier for others to join you." Like Maria.

That got a chuckle. "A Professor Robotnik bike?" Eyebrow rose – the scientist could see it against the reflection of the engine's backup readout monitors. "… Could I… design it, aesthetically?"

"Of course, my boy!"

In the background, he heard one of the humans grumbled to another in a volume that had been assumed was well hidden. "So, this guy is actually crazy like the others have said, treating that thing as his own flesh and blood."

"The hell, dude? They're right there. Don't piss off the man with direct ties to the President, goddamn."

[x]

The encrypted communicator to maintain ties with Maria was tested when he 'went to the restroom.' He gave her a good night, a sleep tight, and a verbatim repeat of the message he had received from the General. The girl gave her well wishes in return, but faltered on the end.

"She sought me out right after you guys departed and left an eerily similar comment. The words used were that you were under the care of… the Devil. And to enjoy your time in the capitol. I don't like it, Grandpa. Stay on your toes as well."

[x]

Being from the future did not make Shadow's knowledge of Central City worth much. His red eyes watched the human-filled city as a plant does to the sun. Unlike a flora, however, there was something mixed on those expressional features. It came to an accumulation when the private limousine they were on reached the expansive orange bridge that gapped the bay of the capitol. Bright colored, almost garish, the highway-

Oh…

The events at White Space…

Gerald gave his child a squeeze. "Want me to roll up the shades?"

There was a nod.

The scientist took the opportunity to discuss various topics that he knew the boy would enjoy. Nevertheless, nothing could get rid of the fact they were heading deeper into the city of unsettled memories. After some moments, he checked his watch: MAR 18 ticked by the calendar. That gave just short of six days to do what they needed to accomplish before it was time for another fancy play at a fancy dinner.

By the time they reached their destination, Shadow, by and large, had signs of discomfort. He kept scratching his back. "It was cramped in the limo," he dryly added when they [clarification: Robotnik] were unpacking in the five-star penthouse kindly reserved by the President's staff.

Both of them assumed the room was probably bugged to no end. No free speech until a thorough sweep by Gerald and his gizmo he brought over to detect electromagnetic radiation – and that took some time. Shadow attempted to sense for a Drive, just in case, at the same occurrence. Colored the scientist surprised at the lack of anything – the most offending object was the phone line. Because it was a phone.

Was he just overly paranoid?

Not enough. Not nearly enough. Look where complacency left him.

White gloves closed the curtains. A room descended into darkness; a black and red form stretched all four limbs and arced the small back. Out came a sigh – those wings flexed and flapped invisibly [but not soundlessly] as the superior holographic models held. "Haa… I needed that."

No, you need nothing from that Oneness, my child. "I suppose you won't sleep tonight." It wasn't a guess.

A head tilted. "Someone has to watch you when Maria isn't here."

Was that a joke?

Gerald double checked.

The boy had already turned around to pull out a book from his creator's bag. Serious. Thoughtful. A minor tug at the edge of the muzzle that was neither a grin nor a scowl.

Robotnik mused at that before turning in to bed.

It… was a joke.

Tomorrow morning was going to be the start of a terrible post-shuttle sickness that poor, weak, and old Professor Gerald Robotnik needed to stay indoors for. Good thing Shadow was there to help his recovery. Nothing too serious – he had a history of getting them. [Never had he been happier for his recorded antics of laziness.]

They would be back every evening to sell the lie, with room service every morning for meal time.

[x]

A map of the entire planet was unrolled between the two individuals. A finger waved and circled at various locations where rumors of a mysterious fog, elongated shadows, or a floating piece of land was said to have been spotted. There were about seven locations in total, and would be a painful, time crunching, slog to visit and verify each one, but Gerald had the greatest advantage…

His son tapped two specific spots in the tropics, about a quarter of the world away: a ping over the ocean and over a jungle. "The target is one of these. I observed a cooling sensation over Chaos Energy in this general direction while we were overhead in orbit." Red glanced up. "You ready to go?"

Gerald checked himself and then wrapped the map into something small and shoved it in his pocket. He was not in his normal lab clothing. Honestly, his appearance was silly: he had Venetian Red denim long shorts that reached almost to his knees; a long cotton white tee that was tucked into the shorts; sunglasses that hung around his neck; a baseball cap from the hotel's souvenir store with a silhouette of the city's skyline; green socks that reached up towards his knees; work boots used from his Biolizard days with extra grip; a bag filled with his communication tool and copious amounts of electrolyte mixed liquid; Shadow's snicker that he hid underneath a white glove by his mouth- "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" the greatest mind on Earth grunted.

There was a hum.

He knew a trip together was a good call. If his child was like this, imagine just how excited a cured Maria would be when she reaches the surface-! -Hah.

Don't take things for granted.

Medicine was safely in his pocket.

Gerald answered the original question. "Yes. I-"

-and before he could finish his sentence, he felt that uneasy vertigo rip through his body once again. The hotel room vanished into a singular point as green shattered and-

-he'll never get used to that method of movement, will he?

Shadow's fingers were still wrapped in his, and that reached his notification before the oppressive heat and humidity suddenly attacked him. It was as if someone doused his body with a whole tub – every hair follicle suddenly became sticky against his epidermis. Even breathing felt like he was swallowed dihydrogen monoxide. Oh, goodness. He had clearly spent too much time in the temperature-controlled, dew point reined, environment of the ARK, hadn't he?

Gold, fading into pyrrole, shifted up to Gerald. "Sorry. I didn't think the dist-"

The scientist rose his spare hand. "No. It's not you. It's…"

Damn, he was already starting to perspire.

[x]

Gigantic leaves, some of them bigger than Gerald was tall, casted shade over everything. The canopy of life exploded all around as the only two sentient life forms walked underneath thickened trunks. Colorful birds flapped between location to location; beaks pierced into berries and fruits until they seemed to realize something was nearby and flew away. In fact, the deeper into the wilds and more steps they traveled, the scientist took note that the wildlife fled in terror.

… He did not like the fact it was possibly due to his child.

However, it kept the riff raff out – jaguars, aggressive apes; ants with gigantic pincers. All fled out of the immediate vicinity; all maintained a distance to keep watch on the two transitioning through their homes. After all, the jungle was not where humans belonged. However, a Mobian encounter might not be surprising.

Although the usage of Chaos Energy to reach here had to be large and notable, Shadow held back from touching that again. When asked, the boy added that, "Echidnas are sensitive."

There was caution in those words. "Are we going to run any?"

"We will."

That was not something he had experienced the last time he visited Angel Island, but there was always the high possibility the guide he had had been aware of where and where not to go. Speaking of such, Gerald moved his head to arc up where Shadow had been watching – those red eyes always looked far away so it was difficult to judge if the boy was contemplating or using his ability to sense Chaos. "Any luck?"

There was a chide. "I was hoping the Island… wouldn't be over the ocean."

"So, the signal here…?"

An ear flicked towards Gerald while the boy maintained his gaze up and towards whatever lied ahead. "It's a Chaos Emerald." There was an inhale as his son harshly turned to look away – that sense of desire tucked underneath iron will and forced control. "We should… avoid that for now, but mark it down."

"Hard agree." His journal had a new addition, now.

You never knew when a Cannon was required, and one could pull off damage with less than the full gambit on those that deserved it…

Shadow offered his hand. "At least an oceanic trip will be easier on you."

And with that comment, the scene changed again-

-Gerald stumbled a tad as the exchange from hard dirt to shifting sands messed with his balance – he tried to ignore the way the boy gave a glance towards the pocket that held his medication. "This is… certainly much nicer weather." Although the tropics were the tropics: humidity was still quite high, but the sea breeze helped immensely.

No mystical floating Island in sight, alas.

Not that he expected things to be easy. Even rumors pointed at something far offshore, glimpsed from bored copilots onboard long flights across nations. The United Federations had such few routes towards the south – especially with the war. That never stopped logistics carriers from shipping around manufactured goods. In fact, conflict made their pocketbooks soar.

Just like how the ARK's income stabilized for a year when Fortis wanted to shut everything down when hinted at tactical miracles… He should find that filth and kill him, too.

An elderly man shook his head.

Shadow was at the edge of the shoreline, looking out past the waters. The water lapped up at the very edges of those unique Air Shoes; a face in debate as hands were placed in a thinking position. Rubies roamed around, as if calculated projections were accomplished. [They probably were.] Eventually, something settled – the most opportune solution.

"Fath- -Professor," the boy begun. "You're not scared of… sting rays, are you?"

No, he wasn't. The confusion filtered through his face before he realized exactly what Shadow was alluding to. He rubbed the bridge of his nose as the hairs on his exposed arms and legs rose up in the Chaos Energy that swirled around in the general area. Unlike the last time Gerald had seen this phenomenon, the black mist collected, condensed, and settled into an aquatic looking animal beneath the boy's feet.

It was better than forty-eight eyes.

"It's pretty solid," his son reassured.

The scientist refused to show hesitation. This was a power that Shadow did not have willingly – he shouldn't be ostracized. And WOULDN'T be. Not from any Robotnik worth their salt.

… The surface of the black creature – was it a being at all, or just something in the shape of one? Hard to tell since it looked almost entirely made of… veins – was soft. His boots sunk in only a little, about a quarter of an inch, but his footwear did an excellent job at maintaining grip. The large surface area, especially when compared to them both, was sleek; each curve specifically something that would skim over the surface of any degree of water tension or roughness with ease. And, just like those hidden wings, the tips on the 'rear' of this 'manta ray' had bright red, dangerously sharp ends.

Rounded now, as they flicked the water's edge.

As if… welcoming.

"Maria would enjoy this trip," Gerald remarked as he ensured not to lock his knees. Who knew how long this… excursion was going to take standing up.

Shadow reached an arm out. "Hold on tight, Professor."

"Why?"

[x]

His son… quite liked velocity, indeed.

[x]

The black and white blur screamed across the ocean off the west coast of some Mobian kingdom or another – they were so far away that the land was no longer observed to even the mightiest of sight. Instead, there was nothing but bright cumulonimbus clouds flickering lightning in the distance as Shadow avoided getting too close for the scientist's sake. If there was an obstacle in his way, the boy had jumped over it at first – in a unique method of innate movement; a mind that understood trajectory and landing sites at split-second decisions that would put computers to shame. Of course, Gerald's not-so-hidden 'GYRA!' of surprise couldn't be clamped down, so such vertical heights were, fortunately, avoided afterwards.

[The suspension for a future motorcycle would have to be ungodly capable, wouldn't it?]

The sun kept movement and indicated noon when it slipped behind a curtain of fog. The temperature dropped low enough that Gerald was glad the socks he held were wool instead of cotton, but the same couldn't be said for his shirt. He had made a minor mistake, but the outside temperature was still warm enough to fight hypothermia.

Shadow's sight was now almost at a 45° above them. "We're here."

The darkness completely cut off, as if something large stabbed off the light. They were underneath the tip, weren't they?

"Knuckles is never going to forgive me for this," out came a puff of air as the boy used his innate Chaos-

-and Gerald found himself back in the warm sunlight, standing about two thousand feet over the water near the edge of a cliff; a strange feeling of peace washing over him.

It was cut short when he felt Shadow's quills rise sharply against his side.

By the time he turned around, the boy was already in a lowered stance. Guarded. Cautious. Situated right before the human's biggest weak points with a mouth set into a firm, set line.

About ten Mobians – all a different shape than Gerald had seen before – stood in far more aggressive positions before them. Spears, lances; a bow and arrow set all aimed in the direction of the duo from the ARK.

The boy's deep voice maintained control. "If I had wanted, I could easily bypass you, Warriors. We should talk first."

A clear warning.

From a place of superiority.

The one with the largest muscles – this must be an echidna – flexed that lance closer towards Shadow. "You've been burning through disgusting, tainted Chaos Energy like no tomorrow, Abomination, and have lost much strength! Don't think us fools. No one comes here with such lack of wonder and amazement, a beeline straight here, without knowing what lies guarded!"

This… might get ugly.

But they weren't wrong.

Gerald coughed and tried his best attempt at a traditional Mobian greeting – hopeful that his memories of his youth were still correct after all this time. The best place for negotiations was from a position of respect and honesty. "Let me introduce myself first, then. I am Gerald Robotnik and this is my son, Shadow. We have come quite a long way to search for something to heal my terminally ill granddaughter. It is… our last hope." He tucked his hands behind his back. "I believe it is in both parties best interest to prefer… verbal negotiations."

Because he WILL claim the Master Emerald whether you like it or not.

Anything for Maria.

Anything for Shadow.

ANYTHING.