Shadow firmly instructed for the helicopters to return directly to Station Square with the agents. When questioned, he explained himself and Rouge needed to mend their cameras, and Omega insisted on coming along. Somehow, thankfully, they all sluggishly agreed and allowed them to leave (shock did wondrous things it seemed).

"And you're sure it's a good idea to leave them alone with Tails' home?" Rouge questioned, following him deeper into the woods.

"They'll leave. Besides, Faker and the fox aren't there so it isn't like there's too much at stake. If there is, honestly that's Sonic's problem." Still, Shadow nervously squeezed his fists.

"So why aren't we really going back straight away?"

"Something suspicious is going on and I think it's time we ask for help."

Rouge grinned. "Oh really? You asking for help?"

"You're hilarious."

"Why else would you keep me around?"

"You're useful."

She frowned. "You really know how to talk to a lady."

A hint of a smirk echoed on Shadow's muzzle and he took one of the bat's hands, doing the same with Omega's claw. The two quickly became unimpressed.

"Chaos Control?" The large robot would frown if he could. "It hinders you."

"Not for long."

"It gets worse each time, hun."

"With everything going on right now I really don't think this needs to be given any attention."

"If you refuse to worry about yourself, that falls on us."

"And slows us down from causing more violence."

Shadow's eyes rolled. "Ever so caring, Omega."

"You do not listen either way. Please do not-."

"I'll rest when we arrive."

Rouge huffed. "You say that-."

"Chaos Control!"

———

He had a system. It may not look like it, but he definitely did. The scrunched up pieces of paper just...added to it. The empty tea cup and snack packets gave a busy ambiance. It was all very purposeful.

So when a brilliant golden flash kicked up all his crime scene photos and papers, he collapsed with a tired cry- not that surprised to see Team Dark abruptly in his agency. Stomps thudded down the stairs to show a sleepy Charmy Bee in light red pyjamas and Espio appearing at his side.

"Apologies." Omega spun rather awkwardly to try and grab as many falling papers as he could.

"Woah!" Charmy's tiredness quickly slipped away. "What'd we do to get a Team Dark visit?"

"You wanted our assistance with missing persons cases." Shadow replied.

"But we need your help too, boys." Rouge admitted.

"What's this about?" Vector asked, scrambling up from the floor.

The flamboyant bat waved a damaged Body-cam. "Seems Sonic and Tails have run into pretty big trouble."

—————

When she was beckoned by the Commander to visit his office, her palms grew clammy and her heart pounded. Was she in trouble for helping Team Dark? Was she not working hard enough? Was she already fired? On the top floor of Station Square's G.U.N building, apart from higher ranked offices and bathrooms the space was mainly dedicated to Abraham himself.

Well, not counting the many awards and paintings of himself hung on the walls of lower levels.

She'd eye roll, but was too paranoid that would only make her meeting with him much worse. Still, when the elevator doors dinged open, she took a deep breath and made her way to (in her opinion) unnecessarily large dark oak doors. With a gentle knock she entered and combed frizzy red hair away from her eyes.

He had a rug of the G.U.N symbol in the middle, a smaller one that mirrored it's grander brother in the reception. Landscape paintings and awards decorated dark red and wooden walls and bookshelves lined each side beside the door. Apart from the desk and towering window, there wasn't that much to note.

Except for the man swivelling in his chair to face her.

"Ah, Doctor Harris. I apologise for my appearance. Sleep has come rarely to me these past few days."

"I didn't notice, Sir."

Abraham Towers awkwardly cleared his throat, sat upright and gestured for her to sit before him. "I have troubling news to share with you."

Oh no. So soon? How could she fail-?

"Just a couple hours ago, two of my helicopters returned with shocked, injured agents. Team Dark weren't with them and still haven't come back. Most troubling, Sonic The Hedgehog and Miles Prower have seemingly vanished."

Doctor Harris took a deep breath to calm herself from not being fired, then became perplexed. "Why are you telling me this, sir?"

"All agents gave reports of Miss Amy Rose being present too." He ducked and came back up with a box.

"As instructed, they waited for Team Dark to leave before going back inside and searching the home."

"Why wait?"

"Team Dark are my highest ranking group of agents. But...they're also trusted friends of Sonic- who right now- is deemed an enemy. It's...best we don't get them involved and make their job harder."

"With that logic, why send them at all? Er, sir."

Towers turned in his chair, looking out at the night sky of Station Square. "I wanted them to see who they've really put their faith in."

"How would you know?"

"I've known him for years."

"I'm sorry sir, but it doesn't really sound like you truly believe this. What you're doing...are you truly in it?"

Towers gave a resigned sigh and faced the red haired scientist. She grinned before he could respond.

"Personally, I think you're doing a wonderful job. All this pressure and scrutiny. It isn't easy going after what's popular, especially when the subject is the worlds fastest hero. You need to shut that doubt out and trust that you, Commander of GUN, are doing what's necessary to keep Mobius safe."

"Hmm. Perhaps you're right."

"Just saying what you should know."

Abraham chuckled and straightened, pulling a tan folder from his desk drawer. "Your file stood out from the other choices."

Harris stiffened. "H-how so?"

"Your knowledge on Robotnik technology. It's outstanding how you seem to have such a keen eye for it. I've met very few who seem to share a similar range of knowledge about the Doctor."

He glanced at green eyes and laughed. "Don't look so spooked, Doctor. I'm saying I'm impressed."

"O-oh! Well...thank you, sir."

"It's actually why I've brought you here."

"Oh?"

"I came across something rather...curious." He pushed the box towards her and when he nodded, she stood to dig around.

Fairytale books about knights and genie lamps, camera and photos, golden rings (payment wise and earrings), scrapped inventions, sowing kit and most intriguingly- blueprints.

She sat down and rolled out a couple before her. "What are these?"

"Found them in Miles' workshop. Some are old Badnik plans, or little inventions of the fox's but what I'm interested by are the ones with the Master Emerald, Golden Ring and-."

"Robotisizer." Doctor Harris paled. "How did the fox- erm, Tails, get this?"

The Commander shrugged. "Beats me. I'd like you to analyse it if you have the time, note down all the janks and details of it. Don't build one, please- I'd rather not have to deal with those again. But I want to see what makes them tick."

"R-right." Harris stood. "I'll-."

"Not so fast, Doctor. Read the blueprint's signature. Read the signature on the one with the ring."

Confused, she sat back down to do so. "This doesn't say Doctor Robotnik?"

Towers grinned. "That it doesn't. I can't tell what the true creator wanted to achieve with the ring, but I want you to get a team together and build it."

"I...are you sure?"

"It could be revolutionary in saving the world."

"Or destroying it. This name, clearly, wanted to try and save Mobius with the Robotisizer. Eggman obviously had other plans."

"That's the joy of it, Harris." Abraham stood, hands behind his back. "I'm not that creator. I am not Charles Hedgehog."