"Kry-kry-kry!" I yelp, hissing involuntarily. "That hurts..." The fresh cut begins to heal, but several drops of acidic blood run off of my arm for the enth time today.

"Only two more," Ayers promises, and I groan, watching my skin knit together again. "We're almost done with this, and then you've only got the energy trial."

"Ergh," I complain, resisting the urge to rub my arm. "I am so looking forward to not being in pain for the first time today."

"Well, I would apologize, but this was your choice," Agatha chimes in, and I grin sheepishly, flexing my sore, bruised muscles.

"That is an unfortunately valid point," I reply, wincing as a particularly stiff ligament stretches. "At least I'm almost done torturing myself, though."

"Mmh, yes, doing the thing we all told you not to do," Agatha chuckles, shaking her head. "What I am supposed to do with you, Eclipse?"

"Watch in dismay," I joke, wincing again as the second-to-last material is dragged through my skin. "Tch, a little warning next time," I whine exaggeratedly, giving Ayers a pleading look. She sighs, nevertheless smiling affectionately at my antics.

An affectionate human, I think, still a bit amazed by the concept. What a world...

One last stinging line across my upper arm, and I am finally done. But, rather than relax like I did during my last break, I wait impatiently for the next test. According to Ayers, Shadow had managed five rounds when he did the blunt force test, which is almost twice as impressive as my three--I admit the fact irks me. But, my healing is faster, so, pleasingly, I trumped him on the nick test. Now, I am rearing to beat him in something and break the tie.

"I'm going to warn you, this one was really painful for Shadow," Agatha says worriedly from behind me, and I turn to look at her, surprised.

"As in, how much?" I ask, trying not to sound too nervous myself.

"Well, I didn't actually witness it, but..." She trails off. "I heard he suffered some sort of minor breakdown. It was excruciating, apparently, and only a very small area on his arm was even targeted. I don't know if it'll hurt as much or more for you, but you should be prepared, just in case."

"Oh. Well, that's...terrifying," I respond truthfully, anticipation rapidly transforming into dread.

"He got a scar from it, too. Energy weapons are one of the only things that can scar him, apparently. So, you'll want to pick an area that's not aesthetically significant, in case you scar, too." I nod solemnly, absorbing the information. It takes a least several minutes more of waiting before Ayers is ready to do the final test, and I consciously try to calm my hearts, which are pounding against my chest.

"Alright, we're good to go," The Professor declares, walking over in an ominously protective suit and face mask. "Where do you want the zap?" She asks, and I swallow, eyes widening slightly at the glowing blue prod.

"Um, arm is fine. I don't mind having a scar there," I reply, forcing a weak smile.

"Okay. Now, I'm going to count down for you, got it? Try to brace yourself--this may hurt quite a bit." Somewhere in my mind, I answer with an I've heard, but my mouth seems unable to form the words. "Ready?" I resist the urge to shake my head no. "Three,"--Oh no--"two,"--I'm an idiot--"one--"--Why did I sign up for this?!

An involuntary squeak escapes me as the energy makes contact, body flinching away from...another small cut?

What...?

"What?" I question dumbly, confused. I am looking down at a simple slice just like the one formed by the earlier, non-energy materials. "Why doesn't it hurt?"

"I...I don't know," Ayers says, completely baffled. "It did cut you, but, when Shadow was touched by it, there was a practical explosion. It doesn't make any sense..." She fiddles with the device, and I brace myself again.

Oh, great, I think, taking a deep breath. Okay. Second try. I do my best to empty my mind this time, embarrassed by my reaction last time. I am entirely convinced the small device will hurl me across the room with the power of a small sun, but, when it touches me again, the same result occurs.

Please tell me this is not a malfunction. I really, really do not want to have to experience what Agatha described, I shudder internally.

"I don't understand it. Everything checks out," Ayers frowns. "Nothing seems to be going wrong. The only explanation I can think of is that you're somehow resistant to energy-based damage, Eclipse."

"Are you going to try again?" I inquire despite my misgivings.

"Not with this device, no. I could look into getting something else, but the result would likely be the same. After all, all of G.U.N.'s energy weapons use the same type of magnetically controlled power."

"So, that type of weapon does not affect me?" I ask, still a bit confused.

"It seems your own power is nullifying the excess energy that scarred and pained Shadow so badly. We'll need to look into it, of course, but it may be a fundamental difference in your physical structure or abilities."

"That's interesting," I say, legitimately impressed that I might have an ability I did not know about.

I guess this heal test really is useful for figuring out my limit, I think. I wonder if this ability has any other implications... It might even be effective against Shadow's energy attacks. I mean, I can block them, but if I couldn't, then this would be--

"Aghh!" I cry out, grasping my head as a unique pain ricochets through my mind. It feels distant, yet like it is emanating from my own form, and I reel as I realize what the sensation means.

"Eclipse, what's wrong?" Ayers asks, alarmed. "Are you--?"

"Shadow! He's been hurt! Badly! I can feel it!" I gasp and shudder, limbs quivering with phantom agony as I try to shut the newly arrived pain from my mind.

"Where is he? What happened?" Agatha's clear questions cut through my distress, activating my instinctual response to a superior.

"I don't know exactly where. I would say 20, 21 miles, in that direction." I point vaguely East, returning my hand to my skull with a grimace. "He's being attacked by the same humans who captured me! They're trying to catch him with Chaos-blocking bindings!" The information I'm getting from Shadow is jumbled and incoherent, but I interpret it as best I can. Agatha turns on her heel, rushing across the room and tossing a communicator back. Thankfully, I manage to catch it, if barely.

"I'll get a rescue team together," she shouts. "Tell me if he gets any more information!" I stare after her, worried and still reeling, and Ayers surprises me by speaking with more emotion than I've heard from her before.

"They won't arrive in time, will they?" She asks, sounding like she's on the verge of tears. I glance at her, not having known she cares so much for Shadow.

She is right, I think, eyes widening. They won't make it. And Shadow... won't get away. The thought opens the pit in my stomach wider than ever, and I bow my head. Even though I don't like him, I wouldn't wish this on him. Agatha was right. Or, at least, I was wrong. I do care. But, it does not matter. I am powerless to do anything.

"No," I reply quietly.

"Could you?" I stare at her, not understanding. "Could you make it in time?" She asks again, clarifying, emotional upset replaced by the cool logic of desperation, and I gape at her as I catch her meaning.

"Probably, but--" I cut off, cursing myself for arguing. If I can help, then I must. I am not sure how I will do it, but I know in my core that I have to.

"Then, go. I'll take responsibility. Save Shadow, whatever happens. He cannot fall into the hands of these people." She undoes my recently-replaced Chaos inhibiting bracelet, and I nod, shivering with renewed energy as my Chaos processing switches into emergency overtime.

"You've got to save him. I know you don't like him, but this is bigger than personal feelings. If he's captured, it could put the entire world in danger," she warns, sounding extremely serious, and I look her in the eyes, seeing the determination behind them.

"I know. I will," I promise, and, casting my mind out, I take a deep breath and teleport outside G.U.N. I know the landscape only through Shadow's memories, but it is sufficient.

I cast my eyes to the horizon, teleporting as far as I can towards my half-brother. Out of practice and exhausted as I am, the already difficult series of jumps this requires becomes almost impossible.

By the 4th warp, I am horribly drained, and my body forces me to pause and recuperate. I wait only a few seconds, near collapse, sucking as much Chaos in as I can. Then, I keep going, straining to get there in time.

Several more leaps, and I am one jump away. I force myself to rest a moment more, knowing that, if I go in like this, I will just be captured, too. By now, Shadow's powers have been cut off by energy restraints, and I plead to the heavens as my chest heaves.

Please, I think, panting exhaustedly. Just a few more seconds, then I am there. Just hold on for a few more--

My eyes fly wide as agony bursts like fireworks into my vision. I feel Shadow's body give way beneath a hail of bullets, his legs collapsing and his torso crashing to the ground.

"No!!" I warp to his side in an instant, blocking his prone form from any more projectiles with my crests. "Shadow!" I yell, eyes tearing to him, but I have to refocus myself as restraints fly towards me. Gritting my teeth, I leap and rip the weapons away from the humans nearest me. Swearing fills the air, but I fall back into my inherent combat skills and dodge the bullets that would otherwise incapacitate me. The humans obviously were not expecting a new Chaos Creature; their weapons start running out of clips, and I use the openings to my advantage, hurling useless guns like stones. With my intrinsic aim, I shatter at least one bone on each of my targets, striving particularly for knees.

Even so, it is all I can do to shield Shadow. I push myself, using every bit of my regained strength to protect myself and his stationary body. The humans really do know what they are doing, and I snarl as they pick up their injured and run at once, all escaping into their helicopter. I want to pursue them, to see them suffer for the pain they have caused, but I have to prioritize Shadow's safety.

I quickly check him, relieved beyond measure when I see he's still breathing.

"Shadow..." I gingerly pick him up, cradling him as I look nervously over his wounds. Most of them are in his legs, and he is losing an alarming amount of blood. The sight of the seeping holes completely paralyzes me, horrifying beyond any measure I expected. I nearly choke, seeing my half-brother in so much pain. Suddenly, everything seems so impossible. Saving Shadow? I do not know if it is even possible, and numbness creeps over me, a helplessness unlike any other I have felt before. Not rage nor anger fills me, just a horrible paralysis that crushes my heart with the strongest grip of fear I have ever known.

I have to get him back. The thought clears my foggy mind, and I reach for whatever strength I have left. I am not nearly as fast as my brother, but there are no excuses right now. I need to get Shadow to G.U.N. before he is attacked again, or at least before he...

Don't think about that! I snap at myself, forcing my lungs to take a deep breath. Setting my despairing gaze on the horizon, I sprint off towards the only people who can help Shadow now. I cannot remove the energy restraints preventing him from healing, but I know the humans can. So, I push myself, hurrying to get there before it is too late for him.

Author's Note: Well, here's the turning point. Was it what you expected? I don't think I had anyone guess that Eclipse would actually get deployed to save Shadow. I hope it was a pleasant surprise. xD So, next chapter, we see what happens when Eclipse gets his half-brother back to G.U.N. Will Shadow stabilize? How will the Darkling react to his last living, though ostracized, relative being in mortal danger? Is this the chance for forgiveness Eclipse has been waiting to find? You'll find out next Wednesday! Please leave some comments with what you thought--I'd really like to know!