While Shadow, Amy, and Silver rushed to get ready, Sally finished talking with her father.

"... and that's how it went with Feline Empire. Shadow had flown the entire way back, and that's why we arrived days earlier."

Nigel sat behind the heavy table, deep in his thoughts. Who would have thought it would go this smoothly? Especially since the Feline Empire was known for not accepting any outer influence. Even traveling merchants had trouble going through their territory or selling their products.

"I'm happy it went so well."

"But Father, why did you send Shadow away on another mission?" Sally shifted the weight onto her right leg. "I know he is extraordinary, but he still needs to rest."

Nigel took a deep breath before sighing. "We may have found Finitevus' laboratory. I'm sending Team Silver to take care of it, and Shadow will join them as an extra powerhouse."

Sally shivered, holding her breath for a couple of seconds. She knew too well about this madman. Her father shared with her everything, as she worked as his right hand. She trained to succeed in his position one day, but perhaps not too soon as he loved to move around instead of being chained behind a table.

"How about Sonic or Captain Knuckles? Can't one of them join them?"

He shook his head, moving to the window behind him.

"Knuckles is with Chaotix at the south now. I've sent Sonic to visit Miles Prower, who has a promising mechanic under his tails named Rotor. He got recommended by Amy and subsequently by her father for his skills and brilliant mind." He stretched his back, hearing a crunch in the lower part. "They have finished new equipment for Sonic to use with his fast legs."

"Something that can make him go even faster?" Sally lifted her eyebrow, finding that nearly impossible. She had seen him zipping around, and all she could glance at was a blur and a gust of wind messing her paperwork he put back in the next second. She joined her father by the window.

"I'm not sure, Miles isn't one for a small chat, but he called it Skyline."

"That has a pleasant sound. Let's hope whatever it is, that Sonic can master it soon."

"With his amount of energy, I know he can." Nigel chuckled.

"I'll go over the list of agents we can send into Feline Empire."

"Good idea, I shall speak with The Twelve. This is a raising crisis. We can't let our guard down."

"I understand, but Father, please take a rest too." She patted his shoulder, and he answered her with a smile.

"My back will let me know."

"That's more like the last warning."

She waved him goodbye, and he nodded, cracking his back once more as the door closed behind her.

"I miss my younger days." He pondered a bit. "Actually, didn't my daughter mention it was Shadow who convinced the Queen to cooperate?" He listened only on one ear, sending Shadow once he spotted him.

"How curious. An Empire where women rules listened to a man. I must ask what trick he used." He paused, finding the sentence sounded odd. "Not a trick. He isn't one to deceive others, and I don't think praising her hair or dress helped."

He stretched his shoulders one by one, heading to continue his job. "One strange newcomer after another. I wonder if that is a sign of a big change."

Before the report, before Amy returned from the shopping, Eclipse had a dream. Inside it, chains held him, and a purplish mist levitated around him as if waiting for the right moment to sink its fang into his neck.

Eclipse's little heart beat loudly, and no matter what he tried, he couldn't break free.

>Useless. Stop wasting your time and energy,< the mist had spoken, its voice sending shivers down the demon's spine.

It was none other but Ashyss, The Eternal Eater, who was waking up and seeping through the seal Sirius had made.

"What do you want?" Eclipse tried to mask his fear, but his shivering voice gave him away.

>Demanding, aren't we?< The mist concentrated into a cloud, gaining a fuzzy face with sharp fangs. >You aren't in a position to ask for anything but beg for mercy.<

Shivering, Eclipse still frowned.

>Look at this. You still have the energy to oppose me.< Ashyss twisted in the air, curling around Eclipse, rubbing his theoretical cheek against the demon's face. >Interesting. Perhaps cute. Or foolish.< The mist sprung forward like a snake.

"Get out of my mind!" The chains clattered as Eclipse pushed forward.

>Go ahead and try. You can't stop me.< The clouds turned thicker as if representing the weakening seal. Two hands formed out of it, cradling Eclipse's chin.

The demon now stared into purple eyes with energy swirling inside. Ashyss had the same eyes as him when he saw the energy trails!

Ashyss chuckled. >Is it just me, or did a thought born in your little brain?< He tapped Eclipse's head. >No worries, we will have enough time for a chit-chat... if you behave.<

With a flick of his hand, he sent Eclipse falling down into endless darkness. Eclipse's body jerked, falling hard onto the floor. Fighting with the blanket, he ripped it apart.

His ragged breath needed a full minute to calm down as he couldn't recognize his room. Hopelessness hugged him as he wrapped his arms around his chest. Ashyss had him in his claws.

'I gotta...' he stopped thinking, afraid Ashyss could hear his thoughts.

But The Eternal Eater didn't respond, either sleeping or not caring. In any case, Eclipse had a moment for himself. He left the room, putting the ripped blanket into a ball and sending it down for the repair team. It wasn't his first blanket and neither the last one he turned into shreds.

Returning inside, he headed to take a shower, taking a glance at a note Amy left for him in case he would wake up.

'So, she is outside.' He smiled, glad she went to have a bit of fun. He couldn't understand why mortals had so many clothes, but as long as she smiled and had fun, he didn't care.

The boiling water slid down his slight frame. He undid his masking seal, letting his wings out for a bit. It was a long time since he could fully spread them, and he missed the carefree flights he took through nights.

Letting the wind carry him with many smells accompanying him. A few times, he skipped on a tasty meal to not cut his flight short.

He missed that time.

However, he wouldn't exchange it for losing Amy.

He turned the water off, moving to the actual cleaning. The bubbles covered him, and he made sure not to get any into his eyes or mouth. He had this bright idea of eating some, and the horrible taste refused to leave him even after a dozen cookies.

He never thought something so sweetly smelling could taste so terrible. Amy laughed at him, but he wasn't angry. It was his mistake, and at the time, he was clueless about how mortals live.

Finishing with the shower, he saw himself in the mirror. The horns, wings, and black sclera seemed so weird to him now. As if he was out of place. He had gotten used to his other persona, that he had forgotten he was a demon.

He hid his demonic features and went to take his uniform. Amy respected his wish to be naked when he was alone, as the clothes still caused him a mild discomfort.

He just buttoned his shirt when Amy rushed into the shared flat.

"Eclipse!" she called, glancing at him from the hall. "You are awake!"

"Yes, I'm fine now." His eyebrows knitted as Amy had a sour smell around her, and it wasn't for the sweat.

"Mr. Nigel had given us a new mission, and we are to leave as soon as possible." She dashed into her room, dropping the shopping bag she had. "We may meet him again."

Her familiar growled, and his tail slashed the air. There was no need for names.

Finitevus had a bitter battle with Silver over the first place on his "I don't want to ever meet them again" list. He let out a sigh and turned to get ready. He had no weapon or equipment, but it never hurt to have a bag with him.

He put inside medicine and first aid, a pack of cookies, and a small notebook, and a pen powered by inner energy. It proved useful for many agents as they concealed their messages and notes.

In less than twenty minutes, they were ready, meeting with the rest by the entrance.