Exit Music For A Film by Radiohead.
Sail by AWOLNATION.
~~~

They'd been caught. Ordered to approach her office, accompanied with the expected Eggpawns and once in her gracious space, removed their uniforms. Breezie Hedgehog had a curved, stretching desk in the centre of the room, over the warmest of green rugs. Behind, at the desks left side, settled a cupboard stuffed with trophies and awards and such, whereas the right occupied a miniature bar. Apart from the sofas before the desk, fit with a table and delicate decor, there wasn't much else to note (if one didn't consider the chandelier and pictures and extravagant pillars noteworthy).

Vector couldn't help but whistle. "Fancy."

"You like it?" Breezie approached her bar and refilled her glass with Chaos Cola, giving it a gentle stir.

"It's definitely colourful." Mighty remarked.

"Yes well, it is a place for attraction."

Ray nervously watched the Badniks behind, wringing his hands together. "Did you know we'd come here?"

"I had the creeping suspicion. Not one of you can let things go, after all."

Vector frowned. "Well, when you try and take one of us down- you've gotta try us all."

Breezie leaned against her desk, taking a sip. "Sweet sentiment."

"Never mind all the crimes you have committed." Espio warned.

The teal hedgehog merely grinned. "Is that right? And exactly what is the case you have against me?"

"Treason. Deceit through endangering innocent people." Charmy crossed his arms with pride.

Breezie shrugged. "I can easily remedy that-."

"Doesn't change what you've already done. Haven't you seen what it's like out there?" Vector urged. "It's chaos! Nobody knows who to trust, so they end up trusting no one. That's on you."

The businesswoman's shoulders went slack, but that was the only tiny incline that she cared. "I can change that too. It's startling how little it takes for the worlds opinion to change. 'Sonic's working with Eggman on Prison Island?' Everyone's against him. 'Oh whoops, I mistook Sonic for Shadow.' I'm forgiven and Sonic's back as their favourite hero. 'Sonic's been keeping secrets that endanger our safety?' Chaos, would you know it but Eggman was playing tricks on us again."

"So your big plan is to throw it all on Eggman?"

"Pretty much. Simple, but it's highly effective." Breezie straightened with a shrug.

"Perhaps there's something in it for you."

Vector laughed. "We didn't come here to make a deal."

"Very well. I mean, I don't have to clear Sonic's name. I don't have to undo the Chaos that swarms our cities."

The crocodile went to argue, but Espio rested a hand against his chest. "Explain."

"A few publicity stunts here and there, a change of power in G.U.N and bam! You have the world's trust again."

"For what?" Mighty's eyes narrowed.

"You let me walk- not that it would matter. I could easily squash your 'case' faster than Sonic can run."

"How do we know you'll follow through?" Ray asked. "I mean, Rouge said you have-."

Breezie's eyes rolled. "That silly camera? I destroyed it- didn't even get to look at what was on there."

Vector was evidently surprised. "You really did that? Why?"

"I-." The teal hedgehog shook her head. "Change of tactics. Not that it matters. If I'm to do this, there's a few things I need to know first."

The crocodile frowned as she neared. "I knew there'd be a catch."

Breezie held out her hand, giving a sly smile. "Relax, Big Guy. To take Eggman down, I need to know what he's been up to-."

"You don't know?" Espio's eyes widened.

"All I know is he wanted Sonic out the way. More so, he wanted Gun off his back. It's rather brilliant- pitting them against each other. Two birds with one stone and all."

"Yeah yeah very impressive." Mighty's eyes rolled.

"So, do we have a deal?" Breezie's hand lifted.

"Let you walk free, giving you a bunch of info', for Sonic's name to be cleared and for this mess to be undone?" Vector summarised.

"Pretty much."

He glanced at his group and with no protest, cautiously shook her hand- where her grip immediately tightened.

"One more thing." Breezie grinned.

"I want you to get me an interview with Sonic."

—————

"Shadow Androids?" Sonic stiffened, focus scattering between the creeping army.

"Weaker, lesser beings of the original- but a terrible force together." Eggman gloated, stroking his moustache.

"Did they...really heal you?" Shadow asked, voice gentler than expected.

"Them plus a years worth of isolation seemed to do the trick. But they had help, of course."

"Sonic." Knuckles snapped a whisper.

He went ignored and the echidna could only watch Doctor Harris drag herself towards the glass gem.

"You mean that extra power." Amy twirled her hammer.

"Obviously."

"Well, that's a shame." Sonic stretched. "Guess we'll have to take it back."

Eggman snarked a grin and stepped aside. "You can very well try."

And of course, they did. Knuckles was the first to charge with a bellow, fists shaking as he thundered towards Harris. Amy pulled Abraham Towers aside, swinging her hammer to knock back a collective of hunched Androids. Sonic and Shadow stepped back to back, delivering an array of blurred kicks and swings to the upcoming metal horde.

"What's the plan?" Shadow barked, eye weirdly smaller than usual.

Was he actually shaken by this?

"Looks like whatever's in that emerald thing is powering these guys. We just gotta reach it and- woah!"

Overhead, an Android flickered in and out of view- showing behind to send a brutal punch. It scowled when Sonic narrowly missed it and dodged a Spindash from the blue speedster. Still, Sonic was back against his rival within another blink.

"Reach it to shut them down?" Shadow guessed.

"You know it."

"And what about Eggman?" A red eye observed the Blue Blur stiffen.

"We just gotta keep him distracted long enough 'til Tails gives us the signal."

"You won't be going after him?"

'You won't be keeping them safe?'

Sonic threw on a grin, eyes searching for the round man. Sneaking around the glittering, fake, jewel Eggman and his two lackeys (Orbot and Cubot) neared the Eggmobile.

"You know me. I can't let him flee without a fight." And with a flick of his nose he was gone.

Shadow shook a fist. "That wasn't an invitation!"

Meanwhile, Harris swiftly stalled and looked over her shoulder- triangular teeth grinning at the furious echidna.

"The famous Guardian of the Master Emerald. I'm sure you're familiar with what's inside that thing."

Knuckles' shoulder rolled. "I thought they were a myth. But I'm more surprised to see Eggman actually found one."

Harris' eye twitched. "He didn't! I did. How do you think he let me join him to begin with?"

"You were really that desperate to?" The echidna swerved and slipped his leg out, successfully tripping a couple Androids.

"My talents were wasted. The Doctor saw my potential."

Knuckles frowned. "Because turning you into a Badnik really shows his support, huh?"

Harris stiffened, but she continued towards the miniature shrine all the same. "I offered."

"Then I feel sorry for you." And with a leap, he aimed a fist straight for her head.

"Eggman!" Sonic roared with more velocity than he expected, but it caught the mans attention anyway.

The round doctor froze, cringed and looked to the raised platform where the speedster towered. Beside his masterful creation, Sonic always looked so prideful. No matter where he stood- he'd always look down on those against him.

Eggman found that to be the most frustrating thing.

"I shouldn't be surprised. We seem to be doing this a lot."

"Yeah well, when you try and take over the world or kidnap folks or hurt my friends-." Sonic took a breath.

"I'm always going to be there to stop you."

"Is that so?" Eggman sneered, clambering into his Mobile with Orbot and Cubot.

"And how's that been working out for you?"

Sonic's eye twitched and perhaps it was the lack of sleep or the weird addicting sensation pouring off the glass invention beside him, but he felt unexplainably angry all the same. (Maybe Eggman's return had thrown him through a loop).

"Much better than you, I'd wager." And within the blink of an eye, he was carrying out a very familiar scene of chasing that damn Eggmobile.

It reminded him of a time when Eggman warned they'd do this dance forever. To 'look over his shoulder' and forget about 'flying the Tornado with Tails' or 'going on dates with Sa-'.

How was she, anyway?

Something in his mind snapped and he despised how it felt familiar. Would he...lose it again? Focus.

Drowning out the way the world screamed and cried and twisted and danced, he focused on why Eggman had no tremendous claws or barrelling wrecking balls crashing around him.

Unfortunately, he received his answer.

A harsh, sudden slap collided with his cheek and he stumbled. A kick to the back and he was rolling onto the floor, Eggman out of sight. Instead, Metal Sonic towered over and his organic brother could feel that pride radiating out those piercing optics.

In the same breath, Shadow lunged for those unnerving, slow copies. His scowl faded with the more he took down, never finishing the job, and soon he stood in the middle of a squirming, whining pile of Androids. He adjusted his rings and shakily exhaled. What was the matter with him?

"Shadow!" Amy's nearby voice cried.

She rushed to his side from behind, continuing to hold a tired Towers by his wrist. "Less daydreaming and more fighting, okay?"

"Right." Still, a red eye jumped between each reaching and twisting machine.

"I know they look like you, but you must keep going."

"That's not why he's being easy on them." Towers murmured.

Amy's expression warped into concern. "Then what is it?"

Shadow kicked aside an Android that got too close. "It is more than the resemblance they share with me. I'm not that self-involved. I just...what makes them different than I?"

"Well, a lot of things. 'Fact they're machines-."

Shadow looked to his closest copy descending the stairs. "We were both created. Fooled by Eggman and determined to carry out our purpose- no matter how misguided."

"Doesn't mean you're the same. Personally, I think you're way beyond where you came from, Shadow. That doesn't make you who you are." Amy winked.

Then what did?

"I see."

"Besides, it's not like Eggman even succeeded. You're that unique- so much your own person- that Androids made to be you miserably fail. Even Sonic has a copy wayyy closer than these posers."

Shadow glanced at the pink hedgehog with the smallest smile. "Hmph. That makes me feel better."

Amy snickered. "I thought so."

"Speaking of...." His smile vanished and he spun her around to where a pair of blue hedgehogs collided.

He could feel her stiffen beneath his hands. "He may need some help. He's after Eggman."

Amy's eyes rolled. "Of course he is. W-wait a sec'." She whirled to face the Ultimate Lifeform.

"You're not really suggesting I go help? You're way better and I can't-."

"Metal Sonic caught you once. You were off guard. This time, you have that hammer. Don't let fear control you."

A teasing glint flickered through his eye. "After all, isn't your love for that buffoon stronger than your fear?"

Amy flushed. "Don't you rile me up, Shadow!"

Not that he had to because Metal Sonic went for a kick, only to pull back and wrap his claw over his brethren's face. A cowardly fake out, but enough to throw Sonic to the floor, shove his head down again and fix his bent bolt for a nose.

Yeah. Okay. Enough of that.

Shadow couldn't help the small smile when Amy swung her hammer in the air and yelled as she met the blue machine. But when he turned it was gone and with an eerily calm closed his hand around the reaching fist belonging to his own look-a-like.

"Hmph. Just as I thought." He smirked. "You're even uglier up close."

Simultaneously, Doctor Harris yelped and stumbled back- hitting the stairs and meeting the towering Knuckles.

"Sorry? For me? I didn't ask for your sympathy." She spat.

"You didn't need to."

She snarled just like a beast. "I'm freer now than I've ever been. Not that I can say the same for you."

"Really." Knuckles scoffed, moving to punch but only meeting a steel step. "You're half machine. I don't think this is a fair comparison."

Harris narrowly scurried away from his side. "A guardian destined to protect the Master Emerald, right? Your entire purpose is tied to one stupid jewel. I may not be whole, but I can do whatever I want. You're stuck- no matter which angle you look at it from."

Knuckles straightened his Cattleman and although, for a moment, he was unnerved, he whirled and smacked his hand over the scientists leg- keeping her rooted.

"Maybe. At one point in my life. But a friend of mine, and so many more, showed me I don't have to spend my days on Angel Island alone."

Harris squirmed yet grinned up at him anyway. "Oh yeah? And what if your loyalties to the Master Emerald conflict with that of your friends?"

"They won't. Enough games." He raised a fist but stalled when she pointed.

Looking over his shoulder, purple eyes landed on a blinding green seep out the glass emerald.

"You know what it is, and you know just how dangerous each one can be. Especially in the wrong hands."

"Pretty dumb of you to give it to Eggman, then."

"You're meant to protect them- not me."

A vein popped on Knuckles' head and with a growl he threw her against the stairs. "Did you know Eggman kidnapped children? Not just in the war, but this time too? Families torn apart- destroyed. Lives ruined and many lost just because he wanted power."

Harris sweat-dropped and shrunk beneath the echidna's stare.

"And now you've given him something even beyond what his mind can comprehend."

She shouldn't have been surprised, this group were terribly naive and foolish, but Knuckles held out a hand anyway.

"I'm sure it must have been scary- working for a man like him. Even his own nephew couldn't stick around. I wouldn't usually give people like you another chance, but Sonic and Amy will give me one heck of a lecture if I don't."

"Second chance?"

"More like an opportunity. You made your choice- redemption clearly isn't on the table. But you gotta know Eggman will discard you when this is over. He's kinda known for the whole disloyalty thing. Trust me, I know. Tell me, if I break that glass case and take what's inside- what'll happen?"

If she made it out of this, she'd be thrown away and forgotten to the world. If she stayed- Eggman would deal with her. Well, it was definitely grim- but maybe she could defy her apparent fate. So, she cautiously stood.

"If I tell you, you better let me do it."

To Sonic, the world spun. Everything was muffled and ached and the headache was worse and man he was tired.

"You let him go right now!"

Who-?

Yellow and pink sharpened his vision and he blinked to clearly catch Metal crash against the wall. He couldn't help but smile at who stood in his place.

"Ames?"

She was quick to help him up. "You go. Bring Eggman back. I have a score to settle."

Sonic double took. "You sure?"

"You know me." She winked, and it was good enough for him.

Her yell boomed behind and Sonic scanned above where he eventually found Eggman reaching towards. He didn't seem to be in any rush, probably viewing his plan unfold below, but with that damn voice arrogantly calling behind- he was quick to pick up the pace.

"You aren't leavin' so soon, right Egghead?"

"He's right on us, Boss!" Orbot stressed.

"Of course he is."

The ceiling narrowed and rose like a dome and with a smack on a button blossomed like a flower to open. Not enough to let a concerning amount of the storm inside, but plenty for Eggman to pass through. Expectantly, he wasn't the only one and his Eggmobile zipped down the length of the building- cobalt blur following the whole way.

"Very well, Sonic." He turned in his chair, not fazed at how close the hedgehog had become. (His victories were the greatest when Sonic was closest, after all).

"Fancy a nostalgic trip? A fitting way to finish you off, hmm? One last lap around the place you were born."