Sonic The Hedgehog: Dusted

Frontiers (3/5) Burning Questions

The entire island he arrived at next looked like the inside of a coal lit fire. Ashes flew through the air, the ground lacked any sort of plant life and the landscape was filled with old ruins for machines of War.

It was among these ruins Tails finally found Shadow in his chamber. Running in place with an angered look, it seemed he was trying to escape by running through an endless void.

Knowing what he had to do, Tails clenched his fists as the energy from the chamber was absorbed into himself. Over half his body was covered in black energy, flickering between glowing colours of blue and red.

As this happened, the barrier shattered as Shadow punched the ground in his landing. Standing up, he looked around before spotting Tails.

Shadow: Miles!

Shadow ran to grab him but his hand phased eight through, growling in anger. Tails whined in pain as he grit his teeth, looking at Shadow with teary eyes as one of them was glossed over by black glitchy energy.

Tails: Shadow...please...it hurts...

Tails had been trying to keep his emotional walls up, but shadow was the one person right now he could break down too.

Shadow: It's gonna be okay Miles, just breathe normally, look at me...

From the side, Sage observed from afar with confusion.

Sage: The pain of his corruption brings him to his knees...but he seeks to continue forward. Why cause himself such agony to continue onward?

Tails followed Shadows advice, taking multiple deep breaths before he had the strength to return to his feet.

Tails: Okay...Shadow, are you alright?

Shadow: I feel fine, but clearly you aren't.

Tails: I can take it Shadow, I need this power to save you.

Shadow: Fine...but I'm not agreeing with this. Update me on what's going on?

Tails: R-right! There's these things called Titans that are the size of skyscrapers, Amy and Omega were both captured but i managed to save them, there's this strange looking girl who's sending the titans after me and I need the emeralds to beat them!

Shadow: Alright, I'll help however I can. The Only problem is I can't do much in...this state. I attempted to escape using chaos control but nothing has worked.

Tails: Probably Cyberspace interfering with your powers...Tell you what, How about you help me look for the emeralds?

Shadow: Sounds like a plan. I'll go south, you head north.

Tails nodded as Shadow took off in one direction as he moved to go the opposite way. Before that though, the corruption forced him to his knees again as he cried out in pain, while Sage simply looked on.

Sage: It is sad to see one with such determination fall...it's not fair!

...

Tails managed to get to the faraway island easily because of his flight, finding the blue chaos emerald as it flew to the palm of his hand.

With his first emerald collected, he was about to fly away when something appeared above him.

Another Titan with 4 legs, a giant blade and a buzzsaw shield on its arm. Harnessing it's power, it threw the spinning buzzsaw at Tails as Sage appeared, curious.

Sage: Well...what will you do?

Tails looked back and forth before he came up with an idea.

Tails: Do what I always do. Improvise!