Sonadow: Night Falls

Chapter Five

The people of a small African village were faced by destructive robots.

"Who are you?" One of the villagers asked, an accusing tone to his voice. Eggman cackled and ignored the young man's question.

"Fear not, my good villagers!" Eggman addressed the people. "If you all behave, I won't have to do anything nasty. All you need to do is tell me where the Temple of Gaia is."

"We're not telling you anything!" A young boy answered.

A rock was hurled and hit Eggman square in the face. Eggman was dizzy for a minute, but snapped out of it as his robot helper, Orbot, laughed at him. Eggman grabbed Orbot's head and pushed him back down into his place on the Eggmobile.

"So you dare to defy me, do you?" Eggman retorted, his focus back on the people of the village. A blue blaze flew right across his field of vision, inches from his face, and destroyed all the robots. Eggman instantly recognized who it was.

"Sonic!"

Sonic landed in front of the villagers, smiling confidently. "Yo, Eggman. Thanks for that little skydiving adventure the other day!"

"I should have known you'd still be alive, you stubborn little hedgehog!"

Now, Eggman knew nothing about Sonic's condition or the pups, so he wouldn't care about using violence against the hedgehog. Shadow stepped forward to protect Sonic as the blue hedgehog responded.

"What are you doing out here?"

"I see no reason to tell you! In any case, I'm busy. Farewell!"

Sonic folded his arms with a look of irritation on his face and watched Eggman retreat.

"Wha-?" Chip called after Eggman. "Hey! Wait! That's playing dirty! Come back!"

"Just ignore him." Shadow could hear a hint of exhaustion in Sonic's voice as he turned to the villagers. "Is everyone here all right?" The villagers affirmed that they were.

"Good." Sonic turned to Shadow. "So, where do we go now?" Shadow shrugged.

"I guess in the direction Eggman headed."

Sonic nodded. "Okay."

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The three crossed a wooden bridge miles from the village they had rescued. They were chasing down Eggman and one of his machines. Sonic caught up and slowed down a bit.

"Eggman!"

Eggman turned at the sound of his name and saw Sonic running an inch behind his Eggmobile.

"How did you get here so quickly? No matter. Your road ends here!" Eggman flew high above the bridge and turned to face Sonic. His new robot followed the doctors turn. Sonic, who was still running, hit the brakes hard. Shadow had to grab Sonic's arms to keep the hedgehog from toppling forward and injuring himself. Sonic gazed at the robot before him.

"Behold!" Eggman bellowed. "My new power! 'Egg Beetle,'  GO!" Eggman lowered himself into the control seat of the robot to fight. Sonic took on the new challenge with ease. When the battle was finished, Chip looked over the side of the bridge and pointed out something. Sonic came to see.

"Is that the Temple of Gaia?"

"Let's check it out!" Shadow suggested, taking Sonic's hand.

"Hold on tight, Shads."

"Wait, why?" Shadow questioned. Then, he saw the mischievous smirk on Sonic's muzzle. "NO!" Sonic and Chip jumped from the bridge and into the tree that held the temple.