Sonic the Hedgehog

Sweet Victory

"WHOO-HOO-HOO-HOOOO!" Eggman laughs as he holds the dazzling purple emerald in his gloved hand. "Team Dark, you did it! We slipped right under those GUN jarheads and uncovered this timeless artifact with little to no hic-ups!"

Now in the main control room positioned at the front of the Egg Carrier, Team Dark stands before their overjoyed boss. The large room is noticeably much more stunning than any other part of the ship. The floors are a bright blue velvet that nearly glistens like diamonds in the sunlight that pours through the rectangular glass windows that wrap around the dome-shaped room. Eggman sits on the giant piloting chair in the back of the room that is hovering eight feet above the ground.

To its side is Zero, who to everyone save for E-123 Omega, looks visually ticked off. Their less-than-subtle hints are his intense frown, folded arms, and silent attitude. Ever since he used his remote to travel back to the Egg Carrier's teleporter, the Jackal hasn't said a word.

"I wouldn't touch that if I were you, Doctor," Shadow advises, though, his words go in one ear and out the other as Eggman continues lushing over the emerald he has clenched in his hand.

Rouge can't blame him. That gem is, without question, the most beautiful thing her eyes have had the pleasure of viewing. With that said, one thing can't leave her mind.

What does Eggman want with such beauties? I don't take him for a jewel collector... so why would he resurface just to obtain them? Is he just making a show out of this to prove to Mobius that he can do whatever he pleases?

Even with that serious question stuck in the spy's head, there's still the matter of her reward. After all, she has gone her entire lifetime without getting too attached to a job. Can't start now.

"Hey, Eggy, there's still the matter of my reward," Rouge says.

Eggman waves his hand in a dismissive manner while keeping his eyes glued to the emerald.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," he grumbles.

On cue, one of the doors to the left side of the room slides open, and a metallic figure steps into view. Rouge is a little taken back. She expected a human but quickly reminds herself who she's working for.

A humanoid robot steps into the room with a heavy bag in its hand. Like a human, it has arms and legs, an abdomen, and a chest. But its dome-shaped head fitted with a glowing red visor resembles its true nature best. The machine has a height of roughly six feet and towers over the three Mobians in the room.

"Who's our friend here?" Rouge asks.

"A SWATbot," Eggman answers, looking away from his emerald for once to temporarily marvel at his creations. "My most trusted allies! These mean machines are equipped with built-in weaponry and will flawlessly assert my rule once the time comes!"

"NO OFFENSE, DOCTOR, BUT YOUR FAITH IN THESE 'MACHINES' IS HEAVILY MISPLACED."

Eggman ignores Omega and continues eyeing his new emerald.

Once the SWATbot gets close enough, it holds the heavy bag forward. Rouge takes it and is quick to look inside. She smiles with wild excitement at the piles of priceless jewels awaiting her admiration inside. She brings the bag close to her and hugs it. The only thing that snaps her out of her good mood is a small but audible "hmph."

Rouge turns to its source and sees Shadow the Hedgehog walking off. She grins.

"What, jealous you aren't getting a prize, Shadow?" Rouge teases.

"I'm not doing this for riches," Shadow says in a low voice before he disappears behind a door.

His response catches Rouge off guard.

That hedgehog sure is a mystery. She thinks to herself.

...