Drink Before The War by Sinead O'Connor.
Battle Scars by Paradise Fears.
~~~

"Let me get this straight, Shadow's working with Eggman and Snively to try and set me up?"

Knothole was rather beautiful when the sun set. Torches lit up the pathways and golden lights seeped out of the homes. The Great Oak was always illuminated by fairy lights and lanterns too, and it all would've made him relax if he hadn't just been rescued from Prison Island. But, there he leaned against the Tornado X (according to Tails) with a perplexed expression settling on his face.

"That's what it sounds like, Sonic." Rotor, on the grass besides Charles, replied.

"Why?"

"They broke him out of the prison. He probably feels in dept to them." Tails shrugged, perched on the top wing with Amy and Knuckles.

"Ah don't see why the ol' Commander would buy all this." Bunnie, hand in hand with Antoine on the lower wing, pouted.

Sonic rubbed his nose. "I don't think he does. But, well, I'm not exactly makin' this easier. Besides G.U.N is under a lot of fire with pretty much all of Mobius already. He probably doesn't want to make them look more incompetent."

"So arrest you and call it a day? That's hardly fair." Charles argued.

"Don't worry! Sally's with Nicole, The Chaotix and Rouge now too try and clear things up." Amy chirped.

Sonic double took. "Ro-?"

A mechanical rumbling pulled ever closer. There were voices arguing, more familiar, and soon a bright green car crossed by the trees and abruptly stopped beside the Hideaway Stump. Simultaneously, a mother rabbit and her child exited the little homes with a plate of chilli dogs- advancing towards the group.

"You guys are back!" Sally's voice cut in and she clumsily tumbled out the car, not hesitating in rushing over to the plane.

"Where is he?! Is- oh! Oh you- Sonic T Hedgehog I swear!"

"Uh oh." The Blue Blur yelped when the princess crushed into his chest, arms squeezing him close.

"Thank you for helping fight his case." Vanilla nodded towards The Chaotix, gaining a noticeable blush from Vector.

"W-we really didn't do much, Ma'am. Miss Sally there did most of the talkin'."

"Still, your assistance is appreciated." The mother offered chilli dogs to the three, who happily accepted.

"Mr Tails!" Cream, with her large ears, flew up to the fox' side- giving him and Amy a relieved hug.

"Miss Amy! It's good to see you! Are you both alright?"

"Y-yeah, Cream." The inventor shyly scratched his cheek.

"Leaving a prison is oddly easier than one of Eggman's factories." Amy giggled.

Knuckles stepped away from the three to jump when a pointed finger lightly tapped his shoulder. He frowned and slowly turned around.

"Bat."

"What, don't I get a 'good to see you' too?" She feigned a pout.

"I was expecting you to stay there, actually. You are one of their agents."

"One of them." Rouge winked. "They can last without me for a little."

"And we couldn't?" Still, Knuckles obtained a small smile.

"One of these days, you'll give me my final heart attack." Sally scolded, holding Sonic's hands.

"You worry too much. I'm perfectly fine!"

The Princess lightly whacked the back of his ear. "Stop running off and I wouldn't stress so much."

"Technically this time I was...well...."

She smirked. "Caught?"

Sonic fidgeted. "I wouldn't-."

There was a peck on his cheek (and he definitely didn't lean towards her when she left him).

"If you must run off, maybe don't leave me next time?"

Guilt swam in rather pale appearing green eyes. "'Course. Sorry, Sal'. How'd you-?"

"Comlinks." The FF' leader warmly smiled. "I got the Chaotix to get me. Nicole seemed pretty eager too." She snickered.

"How'd it go?"

"Ah, well, I'm not exactly arrested right now. By the time I was back in his office, Breezie was gone too- so I could actually have a more level conversation."

"And?"

"It-."

"It started off well." A coquettish voice disrupted.

The pair turned to their right where a smirking bat delicately waved, hand on hip. "I don't believe we've properly met. I'm Rouge."

The speedster bowed to peck her hand. "Enchanted. Sonic, 'though I'm sure you're aware."

"I may have heard your name once or twice."

And then he noticed the little badge on the top right of her heart-shaped top. He straightened, arms loosely crossed.

"Gun?"

"One of their best."

Sonic looked to Sally. "W-?"

"Relax, she's helping us."

Amy hopped down the Tornado X to reach the three. "Rouge came with Knuckles. She's the reason we know about Shadow or pretty much anything that's going on lately."

"Huh, well, pardon me."

Rouge waved a hand dismissively. "Nothing personal. I understand trusting anyone from G.U.N would be difficult right now."

"So...why help us?" Sally wondered.

"Intel." Knuckles disrupted, joining the group.

"What kind? You seem to know more than us." Rotor countered.

"I can't give that away for free, hun."

Knuckles' eyes rolled. "You ain't getting the Master Emerald."

"You want the Master Emerald?" Sally blinked.

Rouge feigned an offended gasp, hand to her heart. "I don't appreciate these accusations."

"Towers wants it." The red echidna clarified.

"Why?" Bunnie questioned.

"Is that why they've been observing the island? To see when you leave?" Charles eyed the bat suspiciously.

"They believe it'll be better protected by them." Rouge countered, arms crossing.

Knuckles growled and stepped towards the agent. "I have been training for this my entire life, Bat. No one is more ready for this than I."

"Wait, why do zey zink it needs ze better protection?" Antoine asked.

"Because someone's after it." Tails airily realised, making Rouge frown.

Sonic pinched his nose. "Don't tell me-."

"Eggman, yeah. It makes sense. We chased him years ago to Angel Island. When has Eggman ever tried something once, failed and given up? Knuckles, you said the Master Emerald contains ultimate power- right?"

"Right."

"If I were Eggman, that'd sound pretty enticing to me."

"He's gotta be planning something pretty big then." Vector gulped.

"And he doesn't want me involved." Sonic started pacing, hands behind his back (which was a little unnerving).

"Think about it. I got out of Gun's base and was pretty much immediately stopped by Shadow. Thanks to him I was arrested." He frowned. "They're setting me up so Gun takes me out of the equation."

"That's scary." Cream muttered, snuggling into Vanilla's leg when the latter brought her close.

'It's pointless.'

A chill, but Sonic ignored it. He swiped his nose and gave a confident smile. "Only if they can actually catch me. I'm ready this time."

"We better be too." Sally nodded. "Something bigs coming."

'And it's going to hurt them all. You can't let it.'

Sonic's hand curled into a fist.

"Our conversation with Towers, as mentioned, started off okay. But I think Tails is right. He sounds pretty settled on letting Sonic get the blame, not Shadow. We need to find out why he's so against looking at other options. I'm going to inform Towers of this. Get him prepared in case we need their help."

'Foolish.'

"Is that the best choice?" Sonic asked before he could think.

"Sorry?"

"I just...how can we trust them?"

"They have the same goal as us." Rotor shrugged. "If we can convince Towers that Eggman's up to something even more dangerous than we thought, he should be more open to another explanation that isn't you being a criminal."

'Naive. Their trust will not be returned.'

"We should get your friends-." Sally looked to Knuckles. "Some help, in case Eggman does show up." Then she faced the Chaotix. "Do you think you three can do that?"

Vector saluted. "You can count on us, Princess!"

Espio nodded and Charmy buzzed, "We'll do our best!"

'They're splitting up. How can you protect them all?'

He's fast enough.

'You can't be in more places than one.'

He trusts them.

'Then tell them.'

He-

"Sonic?"

He jumped and looked to Sally's hand resting on his shoulder. Dizzy, but his friends' eyes burned into his mind. He massaged his temple, taking a step back.

"Sorry, no, um, I'm listening. Promise."

Sally eyed him longer than he wanted, but with a strained smile from him she slowly looked away.

"Anyway, no one's actually seen Eggman or Snively since the Prison Break. Meaning we need to track them down. We need to be a step ahead from now on."

"On it." Rotor and Charles saluted.

The Princess smiled. "Remember, we've faced them before. We can do it again. Let's do it to it, Freedom Fighters!"

"Let's do it to it!"

———

Something was wrong. Inherently, intrinsically wrong- with him. He could only consume a few chilli dogs before feeling shockingly ill, excusing himself to rest. Plans and backup plans and hope and stories and-

He rubbed his eyes, laying on soft grass atop Freedom HQ. Stars. An owl. Wind whistling through the trees. But he was unsettled. Always in Knothole came the worst of it. He had been for a while, but he hoped it was adrenaline. Perhaps exhaustion. Both were true, yet the stinging in his eyes and the aching in his claws and teeth suggested something else. He was sick of it.

And that voice? That constant...presence. Even then he felt he was being watched. At the least, he wasn't entirely by himself. Was it him talking to himself? He usually did that aloud, besides it was far...lower. Colder. But it wasn't...scary. A little annoying and a bit unsettling. Scary? No. Not until Prison Island. He hadn't experienced pain like that ever- the closest comparison being when Metal Sonic was created. Still, there was a certain isolating terror with the former that he found himself even dreading thinking about.

"Ah, there you are."

"Huh?" He slipped up onto his lower arms, head craned to see Sally sitting at his side.

"Amy, Tails and Knuckles told me you'd be here. 'Said I'd come see you."

"Oh." He shifted to sit properly.

"We do this a lot." The Princess giggled.

"Yeah."

Sally examined his sallowed face. Dark bags under his eyes, like hers. Dry lips. Little cuts on his muzzle. Stiff quills and strained ears. But his eyes appeared...faded, almost. The green was more pastel than vibrant emerald and his pupils were greying. She squeezed her hand atop the grass.

"Somethings wrong."

"Really? I thought the plan-."

"With you." She cut in, softly. "You look almost ill, Sonic."

Whispers. His ears twitched at the many hushed complaints.

"I'm fine, just tired. I know you get that."

Sally bit back a frown. "Yes, but right now we're-."

"Actually, I've been meaning to check in with ya. Gotta admit I haven't been too good at that lately."

"I- I'm fine, Sonic. I'd be better if you'd listen-."

"Loud and clear, Sal'. You seem stressed-."

Her eye twitched. "We're all a bit stressed. But unlike some we share it."

Sonic shrugged and rubbed his nose. "Don't really have anything to share. Sorry."

"Funny. Vector told me when he, Espio and Charmy found you, you said you had died."

Her frown loosened when he shrunk, just a touch.

"I was being dramatic."

"So you running off from us all the time is you just being dramatic too? You insisting on listening to us but to never be heard is just dramatic? You going quiet- dramatic? Snapping-."

"You do that too." Sonic bit back.

Briefly, blue eyes widened. "At least when I'm called out for it I'm honest."

"Really? So when I tell you to share some of the burden you carry with me- you can truthfully say that's the case?"

"I'm not dropping everything on you."

"Then we're on the same boat."

Sally stood, letting him mimic her. "Always, but it feels like you're the only one rowing whilst I just watch the waves come closer. We've been doing this together for years. I, personally, like that."

Sonic's ears folded narrowly. "I-...well yeah. Me too."

"You said you'd slow down for me once. I'm just asking that you stop leaving me behind. It...not knowing what's going on in your head...." Her head lowered. "And then you rushing into trouble all the time...it's scary."

Oh.

Quickly, he slipped his hand over her cheek and raised her face. He pecked between her ears and gave an apologetic smile.

"You're right. I'm sorry, Sal'. Guess I've been so focused on...Eggman and stuff. You know?"

"I figured. Me too, Sonic." She held his hands. "But if you'd let us help, you wouldn't have to run off and destroy a factory on your own. For example."

The speedster chuckled. "Right. 'Just wanna-."

Over her shoulder, between the trees. Beaming, glowing white eyes. Coal hued form. Whispers. Cold. Dizzy and dark. His legs wobbled and the whispers started yelling. Eyes widened. Did it move closer? Is he-

"Your eyes." Sally rubbed his cheek.

"W-what?"

"They were so...faint then. Are-?"

"They were?" Sonic looked over her shoulder, but nothing was there.

The Princess followed. "What is it?"

The Blue Blur merely sat down, legs arched with arms sprawled over them. "Sal'?"

She squeezed his shoulder. "Sonic."

"Do you think...monsters exist?"

"I...think there's some truly cruel, selfish people out there. But no one's a monster."

"Even Eggman? Snively?"

She stiffened. "Everyone has a...reason for doing what they do. Good or bad. Everyone's motivated by something. Maybe one day we could reach Eggman and...I don't know, reason with him."

"Huh." Sonic rubbed his nose. "You think that's possible?"

"If you stopped winding him up so much." The Princess nudged him teasingly.

"Heh, fair. So, like peace?"

"Yeah."

"You'd like that, huh?"

"I'd like nothing more than a peaceful future with you."

He turned to her blushing face. The night sky's shallow light swept over her shoulders and bouncy hair. Her smile was as warm as forever and the twinkling stars above highlighted her eyes.

"I-I agree. Sounds nice." He rubbed his nose. "We should probably tell the gang about Robotropolis though. How Eggman's most likely there and all that."

"Right. Absolutely."

—————

Of course. It made sense. The sudden bangs and flashes and that one, small gasp. He knew he had lost someone. Upon awakening it was clear as the absolute...emptiness consumed him. He also realised, when a moustached man had helped him stand, that he had been asleep (or something alike it) for fifty years. And he knew he had made a promise to...someone. But only when Snively showed him the missing pieces did it all become clear.

Gerald Robotnik, his creator, wanted revenge on those who took Maria Robotnik from them (the young girl reiterating this plan in her final moments). A consequence of that was to help the Doctor in his 'Empirical Plan'. Hmm. Perhaps that didn't add up as much as he thought it would. Ivo Robotnik was undeniably powerful and obtained weapons beyond comprehension- not to mention his formidable army. Useful, but not quite what he wanted.

He was here to enact his creators revenge. The humans he learned were, at their route, selfish. Their actions of murder and greed proved that. Prideful too- for they imprisoned their mistakes and basked in the following glory. Ivo may want to control them, but he wants to tear them apart and take everything of theirs just like they did to him.

"Project. We are arriving."

With a scowl, he turned to the robot standing closely behind. "It's Shadow, robot."

"We both seem forgetful today. My name is Omega. Let's hope your poor memory won't affect the mission."

"I'm the Ultimate Lifeform. I never forget." He gave a pointed look.

"Scary."

"I will burn you down to a clump of steel. You won't be missed."

"Do your best."

Shadow raised a hand, golden ring glowing, but froze when a voice cut in on the speakers above. "Please can you two stop arguing? We need you to focus. Robotnik is away with...business, so we must succeed."

"Of course, little man." Omega replied.

"It's Snively! Ugh, just...be ready."

Shadow turned and stared at the doors before him. The aircraft they stood within was empty, merely occupying many glass cylinders on it's sides. It was dim and lacked any windows, but when the doors started to groan in opening none of it mattered.

Mobius had no idea what was coming.

———

Cream and Vanilla left their home in the early hours of the morning. They had been awoken from a distant rumbling. At first, they thought thunder, but as it became louder it was too consistent. They noticed Bunnie peaking out her window from the Tree Residences and waved her over. The half robo-rabbit obliged, looking perplexed upon arrival.

"Ya'll would think we'd get better at piecin' together these sounds."

"It's an aircraft." Vanilla stated, stepping further away from their house. "I recognise it."

"Mother?" Cream hugged a Chao plushie close.

"It's alright honey."

"Gun?" Bunnie whispered.

"Rouge hasn't told them we're here, yet."

"Then-."

"What iz zat insufferable noise?" Antoine whined, rubbing his eye as he left his home and approached the group.

"Bunnie, get Sally and Sonic." Vanilla instructed.

"On it."

"What's wrong?" Cream asked.

"Nothing-."

The clouds were too wispy to explain the dark silhouette creeping through. It was extremely loud too- enough that everyone below groggily wondered out of their houses. It was black and red and blue- almost shaped like a swordfish.

"What's going on?" Amy questioned, slingshot in hand.

"Look...." Tails pointed to the aircraft.

At his side, N-I-C-O-L-E appeared with hands widely displayed before her. "I'll protect us!"

"We're here!" Sonic proclaimed, skidding to stand in front of his gathered friends.

Sally joined his side. "Seems Eggman brought us a starter."

"I was hoping this would be the last meal." Rotor replied as he passed, tossing the princess two blue rings.

"I'm always up for seconds." Charles grinned.

"What are those? They kinda look like what Shadow had." Sonic mused.

"Really?" Sally snapped them over her wrists. "Well, seeing as someone took my sword- thought I'd get an upgrade."

She shook her wrists and two translucent swords slipped out from the rings. Sonic's eyes were wide and she gave a wink.

"Bit...smaller than expected huh?" Bunnie tilted her head.

Two doors on the Sword-ships side slipped open and a pair jumped out. But soon, many more tumbled afterward.

"Spoke too soon."

"Stay close!" N-I-C-O-L-E demanded and with strain began to form a green shield over them.

Badniks began to land and immediately charged. Some tripped over each other but-

"Oh Sweet Gaia." Knuckles paled.

The machines parted and smaller, slimmer intruders stampeded past. All bore red optics, but were varied in form. Some resembled lions, others mouses, dogs, elephants and pretty much any other animal-type thinkable.

"Robians." Charles whispered.

"Th-they're getting closer!" Amy readied her slingshot, eyes glassy as the Robotisized mobians crept nearer.

"Whatever you do, don't destroy them! Only the Badniks!" Vanilla ordered.

The Freedom Fighters readied themselves, but a green shield crushed into the ground- causing many robots to smack against it. N-I-C-O-L-E dropped to a knee and found Sally quickly at her side.

"Nic'?"

"I'm alright. D-don't get caught up in memories. They need a leader."

"Right." Hesitantly, the Princess left and took Sonic's hand.

"You ready?"

"I've been-."

They froze. All could feel the air leave their lungs. They felt light and acutely aware. There came a flash and once they all felt securely rooted to the ground, the green shield cracked. The holo-lynx gasped, fizzled and stood as the groups protection burst into miniature fireworks.

"What-?" Sonic started but found the world spinning.

Black and red. Blue and then green. A crunch and a wave of pain flooded through his head. There were gasps and a yell, thus he swiftly propped himself up to meet a pair of Air-Shoes.

"Hey!"

Sonic rolled onto his back to see Knuckles leaping over him. "Don't-!"

A boom and the group covered their eyes from a tremendous wave of dust bursting from a red echidna and black hedgehog. The former tried twisting his fists from the latters grip, but both were evenly trapped.

"Who-?" Knuckles started until Rouge grabbed his arm and flew above- bullets following narrowly after.

"Woah!" Rotor ducked and the group looked to the attacker.

A large robot in black, red, yellow, green and silver. One of it's hands slipped out of it's appendage's hole (supposedly where the bullets came from) and it immediately stormed towards them. Bunnie advanced and met it with her fist, taking quick action in kicking under it's feet. As it wobbled Rouge spun Knuckles- allowing him to throw a ferocious punch. Although denting the robot, it quickly reacted in blasting bullets towards the pair.

"Sonic-!" Sally reached but her partner was already in the grasp of a black hedgehog. Shadow.

The 'Ultimate Lifeform' threw the speedster down by his quills, but was taken aback from the other conducting a backspin. Smoothly, Sonic snapped his legs around Shadow's neck and pulled him down- twisting to stand above the other.

"Was wondering when we'd meet again, Faker."

Shadow spat and rolled, swiftly bouncing up. He straightened a glove. "Faker? You're the fake hedgehog here. You're comparing yourself to me? Pah! You're not even good enough to be my fake."

Sonic readied himself and swiped under his nose. "I'll make you eat those words!"

Sally watched them collide- making the ground around them rumble and shake. She stumbled but drove one of her swords into the grass, thus pushing herself towards the upcoming wave of Badniks.

Amy and N-I-C-O-L-E were quickly at her side. "What's the plan?" The former slung a spherical shape of Nanites at two reaching Badniks- grinning from it exploding and making the pair crumble.

"Amy, go find Tails and get him into the sky. He needs to stop that aircraft!" Sally gave a fighting cry as she swiped the head of a Bee-Bot cleanly off.

"On it!" The pink hedgehog diverted with the holo-lynx.

The Princess swerved and soon held onto Antoine's shoulder. The coyote swung his sharp weapon with Charles, Vanilla and Cream at his side. Vanilla scooped up her child as Charles swung a punch at a reaching Egg-Pawn. Sally was quick to cut it's arms smoothly off.

"You guys okay with keeping Knothole safe?"

"Yez!" Antoine squeaked but managed to duck and stick his sword straight through the chest of a Badnik.

"Great!" The Princess hurried off once again, skidding beneath a passing Rouge. The former double took upon noticing the bat was aiming straight for two spiky-balled hedgehogs.

Then she found the Chaotix worriedly fend off Robians. They were trapped within so she gave a yell as she jumped- landing in the circle with a stumble. Her swords quickly crossed- creating a small shield to keep reaching claws at a distance.

"I need you guys to find Rotor and get him to his workshop!"

"How come?!" Vector ducked.

"If Shadow and this robot are here, then we need to find Eggman! I'm guessing Snively's the pilot of that aircraft!"

"Right! Will you be alright?"

Pointedly, Sally pulled her arms wide- slicing an impressively large gathering of Badniks in half. "I'm okay. Go!"

The three didn't hesitate. They slipped by a closing gap and swerved and skidded between battles. They shoved back Robians and fended off Badniks, but soon found a purple walrus climbing into a tree stump. They were quick to pursue.

Sally yelped as a claw grabbed her hair and yanked- thus she struggled against another squeezing her leg. She swiped and twisted, but a Motobug caught her from under and drove her straight towards awaiting Egg-Pawns.

"You let her go!" A flash of blinding green and Sally found herself being scooped up.

She gasped. "Nic'! Thanks!"

The holo-lynx smiled and carefully set her down when safe. "Of course, Princess."

"I thought you were going with Amy?"

"I don't need to." N-I-C-O-L-E pointed to a little blue and white plane pulling towards the much larger Sword-Ship.

"Besides, you need my assistance."

"O-oh." Sally blinked at the sincerity. "Well, thanks. Let's do this!"

The pair gasped and yelped when a blue hedgehog flailed past them, wheezing when he collided against one of the Tree Residences. The Princess stepped to help, but Sonic was up, wiping his mouth and zooming off again.

"What gives anyway?" He demanded, meeting a flying fist with his hand.

Shadow's fingers stretched and he pulled the other's arm, then roughly tugged him down. "It's nothing personal."

"You're attackin' my home, my friends. Feels pretty personal." Sonic hissed and conducted a Windmill-esque spin to trip the darker hedgehog up.

Shadow fell, but brought his opponent with him, swiftly rolling over to keep him pinned. "If that's how you're taking it-."

"Then why're you helping Eggman?"

"Eggman?"

Sonic twisted so he was on top. "Doctor Robotnik."

Shadow hit his head against the others, flipped and dusted his shoulder. "I'd hardly say I'm working with him."

The Blue Blur rubbed his temple. "Me ending up in prison 'cause of you would say otherwise."

In a flash Shadow was gone. In another Sonic's quills were pulled and he was sent crashing into the Hideaway Stump. His vision swam and he groaned as the darker hedgehog neared.

"Collateral damage."

"What was that?!" Vector, far below, exclaimed.

"Badnik or something, c'mon- we gotta hurry." Rotor led the way up the stairs.

"Will they be okay?" Charmy worried.

"Ha! This is nothing for them- they'll be fine."

"How will we find the Doctor?" Espio asked as they entered the lab.

"With Nicole's nanites and Charles' connection to Eggman's tech- it should be pretty simple. I'll just need some time." Rotor plopped down at the front computer and began typing away.

"Anything we can do?" Vector questioned.

"Keep an eye on the door."

Above, Antoine slowly tried to guide Charles, Vanilla and Cream towards the Hideaway Stump. The Badniks and Robians proved difficult however, for the more they fought the more it felt like they kept coming. None of it mattered though when a shouting Bunnie flew over their heads- robotic arm sparking. The coyote gasped and immediately hurried after her, wincing when she crashed against a tree.

"Madame Bunnie!" He skidded and took the dizzy rabbit into his arms.

"Ah'm okay Suga-Twan."

"Pleaze be careful!"

"Uh oh." Charles gulped and the pair looked to see they were surrounded by slowly creeping Robians.

Besides the Bonfire Area, Knuckles narrowly avoided a terrible scratch from the colossal robot. He tried giving a punch, but was simply knocked back with more force than he wanted to admit.

"A decent foe. What is my opponent's name?"

"Omega. You're that dreaded guardian the Doctor mentioned."

"He talks about me huh?" The echidna jumped back, sidestepped and spun the machine by it's arm.

"He rambles about many things." Omega dug a claw into the ground to stop himself, then began raining bullets around the guardian.

"Glad I-ack- glad I made the list!"

"Do you all insufferably jest this way?"

"When you hang out with Sonic this much- kind of. Yeah."

"Destroying you all will be all the more fulfilling then."

Knuckles popped his namesakes. "Bring it on, tough guy."

With a yelp, Sonic pulled himself away from the tree stump- just avoiding a terribly crucial punch. Then he gasped upon seeing a blue and white plane zooming around scattered lasers and little flashes. There was a sudden shift in the wind and he sidestepped to avoid the roundhouse kick from behind, bringing his Comlink close.

"Tails! You there?" He ducked, dodging an uppercut.

"Bit busy, but yeah!"

"Get down from there!"

"What?"

'You can't be everywhere at once.'

Dread consumed his heart.

"Get away from that thing! We think Snively's in it!"

"I know he is! I'm keeping him off you guys, besides I have Amy with me!"

'You'll lose them.'

Laughter. Whispers and jeers.

Sonic huffed and hooked his arm around Shadow's, pulling the startled hedgehog roughly against the ground.

"I don't care! All the more reason to get away!"

He could feel the fox's frown. "I can do this."

'No he can't. They'll both fail. You will fail.'

"I can't-."

A blinding, sickening pain swirled in his head. He felt extremely light as the sky swiftly turned into grass and he collided face first. Shadow's voice mumbled something about "Do it now" before squeezing blue quills, shoving him deeper into the ground.

"I'm on a tight schedule. I apolo-."

A sudden bonk and he tumbled back, hissing from a red trainer smacking his cheek. A hand gripped his chest fur and quickly flipped him over the blue hedgehog, crushing him on the grass at the speedster's other side.

"Tails! I need you to-." Sonic's Comlink sparked- screen black.

"No...no no no. Damn it!"

"That's unfortunate." Shadow spat and popped his shoulders.

"That's my brother." Sonic snarled, front tip of his trainer tapping the grass.

"Well, you're the 'Fastest Thing Alive', no? Get to him. Let's see why you have that name."

A grin. Shadow found it unnervingly similar to the Doctor's.

"Alright Mr 'Ultimate Lifeform'."

They blasted off, sending out two almost deafening booms. The ground shook and a flash showed Shadow's slim disappearance, revealing him to be above. He sent a roundhouse kick but Sonic scarcely folded back. Simultaneously, the blue speedster flipped his leg up and smacked it into the dark hedgehog's back. Shadow yelped and rolled, but reached and took his opponent with him.

The two sent hits and kicks as they travelled across the ground- tugging on quills and accessories. Above came a booming siren, thunderous and all consuming. The Robians paused and watched, but the Badniks began circling the village. Rouge found her way to Knuckles and the pair stood back to back as they observed. Antoine carried Bunnie bridal style and guarded their friends. Sally and N-I-C-O-L-E paused rounding up the Robians to worriedly gaze at the blaring aircraft. Sonic scrambled up, surprised that Shadow let him, and glanced at his damaged Comlink. He whirled to the dark hedgehog.

"What in Chaos is that?!"

Shadow gestured to the Badniks closing in. "Your friends, all split apart, seem to have run out of good luck."

'You're failing.'

"You did well, Faker."

'You fool.'

'What-?"

"This, Sonic, is the Freedom Fighters' Graveyard."

A scream. Sonic whirled to see Badniks lunging for Vanilla, Charles and Cream. He stepped, but Antoine was there with his sword and dragged onto the ground. Bunnie stumbled to reach him, but the coyote cried and blood danced off a swiping claw. Shadow yanked Sonic by his quills- making him watch N-I-C-O-L-E pull Sally close as Badniks crowded them prior to throwing him against the ground. Knuckles flew over him, followed by a chasing Rouge (and bullets).

'Up. Get up.'

A sudden burning on his chest and he could feel an Air-Shoe pressing into his peach fur.

"This, is the Empirical Age."

His ankles were squeezed and he was dragged a short distance before crashing against the Hideaway Stump again.

'Get up!'

A scream. Distant. Above.

The Freedom HQ's door swung open and a purple walrus with The Chaotix tumbled out- looking panicked.

Another scream. Desperate.

'Lousy moron- move damn it! Move!'

One of the aircraft's side doors slid open and a flash of blue zoomed out. It twisted around the flying vehicle before aiming straight for a little plane.

Above, Amy stood on the top wing. Her eyes narrowed. "Is that-?"

Tails paled. "Hold on!"

A claw reached for his face, but he pulled on the yoke stick and sent the Tornado X spinning. Amy screamed as she tightly held the plane's wing, only opening her eyes when the terrible winds slowed.

"Tails! What-?" Another shriek and the fox looked back as a blue, lightning fast, machine charged straight for her.

Immediately he weaved the Tornado between lasers and bullets, sweating as the robot quickly caught up with them. It's claws screeched against blue metal and tugged off a large piece.

"I wish I had a better weapon than this thing right now!" Amy whined.

"Is that really who I think it is?!"

Another piece of the plane flew past Tails' head.

"Metal Sonic! Yeah!"

"Wait!" The pink hedgehog watched Metal observe Knothole below- he was scanning for something.

He froze upon landing optics on a running blue hedgehog. The latter was fending off a darker version of himself.

"Oh no!" Amy reached as the blue copy blasted to the village below.

"Tails! He's after Sonic!"

The fox frowned and abruptly diverted the Tornado in pursuit. "Not if we can help it!"

Sonic swore his heart briefly stopped when a burning bolt of golden light flickered past him. "What the-?!"

He looked back at Shadow only to feel the air leave his lungs. His throat became tight and his feet were off the ground. Turning to name the culprit, his eyes shrunk.

"Metal?!"

'Enough of this. Let me finish this!'

Bullets poured from above and Metal was distracted enough for Sonic to curl up and Spindash in circles powerful enough he made a blue tornado. Then he smelled smoke. Sonic's focus was gone and he unravelled. Rouge, wings wide, was blocking Shadow's path and Metal shockingly was running away from him.

"Move, Bat." The dark hedgehog sidestepped, growling when his arm was squeezed.

"You don't want to do this, hun. Please. Don't listen to Eggman."

"I'm not."

"No?"

Shadow shrugged his arm free. "My goals stretch beyond that fool's imagination. But I need him to get me partly there."

"But these are good people-."

"All people are selfish. It'll be good for you to learn that."

In a flash he was gone.

Sonic's nose twitched as he rotated in search of the smell. There- at the Bonfire. At the South Lookout and the inside of the War Alcove was beginning to light up. No. No no no. Not again. Chaos, not this again!

Whispers. Calls. Screams? Sweet Gaia, he could hear screaming.

A much more old fashioned Knothole painted his surroundings. Scent of chilli dogs. Simple but pretty. Then fire and cyan beams and-

He gasped and spun as his tattered puffer-vest was yanked off. He pulled on it in retaliation, falling onto his behind and felt his heart stop when a pile of brown material crumpled between himself and Air-Shoes. Black thread and white cotton poured from the broken clothing. He shivered, staring with a gaping mouth and pale, shrunken eyes. It was undeniably, truthfully torn apart. Ruined.

'You know what you must do.'

His eyes burned and his claws and teeth ached.

"You...you broke it." He glared up at shocked red eyes.

"I didn't-."

"Heh, you completely ruined it." Voice low and alien, he slowly stood.

Smoke burned his nostrils and the heat of growing flames began to lick his fur. He didn't care.

Shadow pointed to what he believed was black smoke circling red trainers. "What-?"

"You're destroying my home. Heh heh." A green eye twitched- barely visible.

'You've got this fire inside of you. Let's see what it decides to burn.'

Sonic cracked his knuckles and rolled his neck. "You know, it's kinda stupid of you to trust the first person you meet. I'm guessin' that's right, yeah?"

Shadow swallowed, golden bracelets glowing. "Yes."

Sonic ignored his metal copy zooming past, carrying a pair of Badniks blowing flames across the ground.

"Knuckles trusted Eggman. He was betrayed, of course. Lucky for him I'm a pretty forgiving, easy going guy."

In a trail of black mist, he was gone and violently crushed Shadow against the ground. He squeezed the other's throat, hissing from excruciating pain swimming in his claws before lifting the other up.

"But me?" He grinned. Unnatural and wide and revealing growing pointy teeth.

"Not so much."

He raised a fist but gasped when two hands held his wrist. His head snapped around to find blue eyes shrinking in terror. Golden orange fur was dusted in ash, scratches and mud.

"Y-your pupils-."

Sonic shook his head, eyes vibrantly green as ever. "Tails?"

"I- would you- would you put him down please?"

He quickly obliged and Shadow massaged his throat.

"We gotta go." Tails pointed to the burning, crumbling Knothole.

"What-?"

The young inventor tugged on his wrist and guided him towards the gathering Freedom Fighters. Charles sat in the Tornado X's pilot seat and Vector in his car. Sonic glanced over his shoulder at a bewildered appearing Shadow. The latter slowly turned, taking in the orange, scorching surroundings.

Did he not know about this?

Then he noticed the little pile of brown material. He desperately reached.

"Wait! I gotta-!"

"We gotta move!" Sally ordered, helping Cream into the Tornado X.

"Sonic! You're alright!" Amy squeezed his hand.

"I gotta go-!"

"Hurry!" Bunnie pointed towards the rushing swarm of Badniks and Robians.

"Is he going to be alright?" Vanilla asked, gesturing to Antoine who had a stained glove over his eye.

"If we hurry!" Rotor rushed.

Sonic waved his hands. "Hold on! We can still-!"

"Not with Shadow, hun." Rouge countered.

"Guys!" Amy squeaked, gesturing to the nearing machines. "Seriously!"

"I'm not turning away from this! I can't-!"

"Sonny." Charles solemnly shook his head.

Sonic's heart sank.

'Do it yourself.'

"Again?" He croaked- the tone snagging Tails', Knuckles' and Amy's full attention.

"We'll get it back. We did so once."

"Wh-?" The fox started, but was lifted onto the Tornado's wing by his brother.

"Is...that everyone?" Sally swallowed, silently counting the group.

"Yeah, so we should really go!" Vector suggested.

"You'll follow us to Seaside City?" Rotor asked.

"Yes." Espio nodded.

"Guys, come on! Let's go!" Sally scrambled to the plane's top wing and those there jumped when Robians began clawing at it's sides.

The flames licked closer and the smoke gulped up the trees, but the two vehicles made a quick exit nevertheless. Badniks leaped and Robians extended their claws. A large robot scooped up two hedgehogs and looked to the Sword-Ship above. Just as a cyan beam blasted to the ground- the Tornado X vanished behind the clouds and the Chaotix's car disappeared in the trees.

"Where to now?" Knuckles slowly asked.

Sally gave an exhausted sigh. "We gotta stop this. Knothole's just the beginning. We gotta attack his main base of operations."

"Robotropolis?" Bunnie asked.

"Exactly."

"Actually, I didn't find Eggman's last location there." Rotor argued.

Tails observed his brother pull his legs close and hide his face behind them. He circled his fluffy appendages around the other.

"Then where?"

"I went off the hope he was using his network for something- which I could use the Nanites and Charles' connection to reach it. Thankfully, for us, it worked. However, it's not exactly good news."

Sally sighed. "I don't think we're expecting that after today, Rotor."

The purple walrus gulped and nervously looked to Knuckles. "I'm sorry. Eggman he...he's at Angel Island."