"Last night it was officially confirmed that Sonic T. Hedgehog, Miles Prower and Amy Rose ran from the fox's home when visited by Gun staff. Although the details are murky, it seems to be enough for Commander Abraham Towers to warrant an arrest for the, previously, blue hero- and any of his friends willing to defy justice. What's more, Badnik sightings seemed to have seized and Eggman himself hasn't made an appearance since the attack in Spagonia. However, it's too early to confirm anything so G.U.N still requests for caution. Stay alert for any names mentioned today. This is your host, Breezie-."

"She's really eating this up, ain't she?" Rouge grumbled, scanning over papers in hand and stifling a yawn.

"It's the most I've seen her at the front of a story." Vector agreed, chugging down some coffee.

"Focus." Shadow, pacing behind the bat, snapped his fingers. "Isn't it very convenient that when those three vanish, Eggman and his metal fools do too?"

"He's probably celebratin'."

"What're you saying, hun?"

Ruby eyes locked onto the face of Christopher Dyke. "I think this is all much more connected than we realise."

Rouge scrambled up. "Maybe it's because we haven't slept yet, but you're not saying Sonic was set up- are you?"

"Isn't it obvious? He made a mistake, but even Towers knows Sonic does far more good than harm. Usually."

Vector rubbed his eyes. "So what's different now?"

Shadow returned to silently pacing. He could feel their eyes on him. Was he being paranoid? Did Towers simply just have enough of Sonic's antics? What was different? Team Dark was shut out a lot more, that was deathly apparent now. Any other changes, surely one of them pointed towards his answer.

"Doctor Harris." He breathed.

—————

It couldn't be. It simply couldn't be. How was it possible? When she talked to her team they laughed, and she couldn't even blame them. But she gave her arguments and stood her ground, showcasing her (according to the Commander) expert knowledge on Robotnik technology.

That seemed to be enough to make them deadly silent now.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." She combed weirdly pristine, pointed nails through frizzy red hair and out of green eyes.

"The Commander is on his way, and you want to tell him-."

If only they had more time. Alas, Towers walked into the lab with prided posture. Scientists and Professors alike stilled, watching him and sharing no more than a glance.

"I'm early, but I hope you have something?"

He was frustrated. After the little escapade Sonic and his rag-tag team pulled, he needed good news. Mobius needed to see he was on the right side of history. They needed to see he could be trusted, and Eggman and Sonic should be left in the past.

Doctor Harris swallowed, standing from a stool with a clipboard in hand. "Yes, but you won't like it."

"I've gotten a lot of bad news recently, give it to me."

"Well, first of all- something about Eggman's Robotisizer." She had a profound headache and tried to hide it by sitting back down.

Harris also had the deafening sensation to quiet down. Not to say a word. Why did everything look so...blue and chopped?

"We know Eggman kept a record of everyone he Robotisized. But that wasn't all, any prisoner he had would add to those lists. The Robotisizer would keep track of that."

"Which means?"

Sweet Gaia, she felt heavy.

"Sir, I worry those that were once saved are being hunted down again. Those missing-."

When Harris collapsed, Towers hurried to her aid. The other staff closed in and murmured, concern evident in their eyes.

"Don't trust him." She whispered.

Abraham paled. How would she-?

"Egg-Eggman's at it again, Sir. He just ca-can't quit." Her voice broke in a way he couldn't place.

But when he lifted her head, everything else vanished.

Her eyes were a shiny red.

—————

Rouge didn't know what to say or do. Laughing wasn't appropriate, and she trusted Shadow. But that paranoia of his....

"Who?" Vector asked.

Shadow watched a previously sleeping Charmy tiredly sit up from the sofa with a stretch. "Doctor Harris. Abraham informed me he was having some interviews, now I know one of them was for a new position. There was something about her that didn't seem...real."

Rouge's eyes rolled. "Hun, you shouldn't judge so quickly-."

"I'm not."

"You're doing the definition of it now."

"Trust me-."

"What gave you that idea?" Vector cut in.

"Her...." Shadow frowned. How could he say it now?!

Charmy snickered. "I think Rouge's right."

"Listen. It's not just her, ahem, appearance- it's certain things she says and knows."

"Go on?" Rouge urged.

Shadow watched his hands. "Perhaps I am being paranoid. Or maybe I have some twisted sixth sense for things that aren't...human."

The bat frowned and stepped closer to squeeze his digits. "Don't start with me about that again, hun. Sorry, but personally I don't care how you came here- I just care that you're here now. And you're just like us, flaws and all." She winked.

Shadow chuckled and nodded, quickly composing himself with a thin line for lips. "Her knowledge on past events surrounding the Doctor, it's unnerving. Even we or Abraham don't seem to know the same amount."

"You said Sonic was the same- maybe she just has a deep...passion for learning about the two?"

"Perhaps. But my instinct says not to trust her."

"So let's say we can't- what's the connection?" Vector scratched his head.

Shadow faltered. "In truth, I'm not exactly sure. And I may be onto nothing, or just cruel-."

"We should tell Tails." Charmy interrupted, gaining confused glances.

"Well, when there's something not human or whatever going on- he and Sonic are usually the ones to know about it. I know they're most likely at Angel Island right now, but we all need to be on the same page. They probably have key info' for us too." He shrugged.

"'Sides, Tails has that brain on him- like Eggman. Who better to ask but him?"

"Good thinkin', Charmy!" Vector grinned.

"Unfortunately, that will have to wait." Shadow hummed. "Towers will already be suspicious on why we haven't returned. It's best we don't prolong it."

"We should be careful." Rouge reminded. "Gun's already going to be watching us just for being friends with Blue."

"Well, when you guys come back- we might have the culprit to these missin' cases." Vector replied. "S'why Amy wanted to visit Knuckles- he can translate what Cheese says."

The Ultimate Lifeform whirled. "Cheese was rescued?"

"Oh, er, yeah. Amy found 'im."

"Visiting them may be more important than we thought."

"You better get going then." Rouge winked.

"What?"

"Me and Omega will head back. We'll cover you. At least buy you some time. You Chaos Control your way over to them and find out what's really going on."

"But-."

The stairs creaked and Espio greeted them all with a slight bow. "Me and Omega have managed to repair the Body-Cam, as much as possible at least. It's ready for review."

"Let's start gettin' some answers!"

"Hold on." Shadow rested a hand against the crocodile's chest.

"From what we saw, I know something unfortunate must have occurred." He looked aside.

"From experience I know it's troubling to have your lowest moments blasted across the world- never mind the exposure of it to those you care about. Knowing what Faker is like, I think- until he explains himself- it's best we keep to a minimal amount of eyes."

Vector nodded. "Seeing as you'll be visitin' 'em, guess it's down to you."

———

The upstairs of the agency occupied a small bathroom, bunk beds and single bed with a couple dressers. There was a small television with bean bags and old fashioned video game console, but Shadow was distracted by Omega waving. The Body-Cam rested on the coffee table with a wire leading to the paused screen.

"Would you like company?" The robot asked, standing beside his friend.

"Rouge won't be pleased." Shadow chuckled but nodded.

Yet, when the frazzled footage began playing it was like there was no one else in the room. His image of Sonic was one of frustration, but unwavering respect. It was more than startling to see him curled on his side, whimpering in pain. Amy Rose was at his side, like always, to help. But the camera briefly died and came back to reveal a gun resting at the agents side and Tails stilly laying on the floor.

Sweet Gaia.

There came a roar, so loud Shadow knew the others heard it from below. It was otherworldly. Pained, raging and disastrous. But in a flash beastly claws gripped around the agents throat and the camera focused on black fur and glowing white eyes. No green and peach fuzz was a dying grey. He spoke, but his voice wasn't his own and Shadow's ears started ringing.

The agent was tossed, dragged and clawed at. It was so...violent. Direct and hostile. The camera fell and stopped recording, forever burning the image of Amy holding a crazed Sonic in it's memory.

Rouge was right about one thing. If this footage got released, all trust in mobians would melt and a war would break out.

"Chaos Control!"

And Shadow refused to let his rival endanger the world he promised to protect.