Sonic the Hedgehog

Deployment

That was fast. Rouge thinks as she walks alongside her fellow Team Dark comrades to the hangar of the Egg Carrier.

"It's no surprise," Shadow responded when she voiced this to him during their short walk. "This aircraft is the fastest vehicle I've ever seen and it's not even close. From here on out, we should be retrieving these emeralds much quicker and without trouble. At this point, the Doctor has already won."

That last sentence struck an unfamiliar cord within the jaded Bat. It, in a sense, echoed something the black hedgehog had confronted her about back in the hallway outside of the Egg Carrier's Control Room. You know, you won't be exempt from blame once Eggman gets what he wants. Those were the words Shadow had told her, and while they were immediately dismissed in Rouge's mind, they haven't fully left. With only four, simple heists to go, the reality of Eggman's victory is only drawing nearer. It still remains unclear what he intends to do with the emeralds, but knowing his ingenuity and ambition, it can't be anything good.

There's no turning back now. Rouge's thought to simply steal Eggman's remaining jewels and bail disappeared once she stumbled upon the safe that was brought to the Control Room. The Doctor has the discreetness of an elephant. It was immediately obvious what the purpose of that safe was. To test her loyalty. She's being watched. A move at this point would be too risky. Whether she likes it or not, she has to see this through to the end. Or rather... Mobius's end.

Shadow has been noticeably quiet ever since he and Rouge's last conversation. She wonders if that pink hedgehog is still in his thoughts. In a way, the spy feels greatly sympathetic toward her ally. Once this is all over, someone of his nature will undoubtedly live to regret what he has done. What he said earlier about being a killer seemed as if it was projection. Rouge knows who and what she is. Her entire life, she has not cared for anyone or anything. It has always been about her score and nothing more. Someone like that can live with empowering an unemphatic, cruel tyrant. However, a person who's experienced love- who knows how to love, simply cannot.

E-123 Omega on the other hand seems completely at peace with what's happening, which isn't a surprise to either of his two allies. After all, he's simply a machine. A program built for one specific purpose. Despite his ego and set of... interesting values, surely he can't be sentient. But with how much personality and emotions Sonic's metal counterpart has exhibited, it is enough to make the Bat question if she's right for assuming so.

"So where are we this time?" Rouge asks, hoping to get these heavy thoughts out of her head and regain focus.

"Ice Cap," Shadow answers.

"Huh, should have packed a sweater," Rouge jokes. "You sure your wires won't freeze up in that weather, Omega?"

"DO NOT INSULT ME WITH SUCH OBVIOUS QUESTIONS," he responds. "IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN FROZEN WATER CRYSTALS TO TAKE ME OFFLINE. YOU'RE THE ONES THAT SHOULD BE CONCERNED. YOUR WEAK MOBIAN BODIES ARE EASILY SUSCEPTIBLE TO INTENSE TEMPERATURES. CONSIDER SITTING THIS ONE OUT."

"Aw, are you worried about us?" Rouge teases.

To Rouge's immense surprise, she gets a simple:

"YES."

"Hmph, your concern is misplaced, machine," Shadow says with a smirk. "The ultimate lifeform does not need it."

"BEING THE ULTIMATE LIFEFORM IS HARDLY A TITLE," E-123 Omega responds. "TRY BEING THE ULTIMATE MACHINE."

"What, like that metal hedgehog?"

"I WILL END YOU."

"Ah, you boys," Rouge sighs, attempting to hide her smile.

Finally, the team comes up on the metal, automated door leading to the hangar. Catching Rouge's attention are footsteps that echo behind her team in the silent hallway. She turns around and sees Zero walking behind them with his usual frown that only intensifies when the spy makes eye contact.

"What are you looking at, jewel thief?" he grunts. "Turn back around."

Rouge only gives him a cheeky smile and turns to the metal, circular door that slides open. Nothing needs to be said, the Jackal is already having it rough, much to her amusement. Waiting in the hangar bay is Eggman and Metal Sonic who stand at his side.

"About time you've arrived," Eggman says. "We have detected the fourth chaos emerald is somewhere around this miserable, frozen tundra. I think Ice Cap is the perfect place to build my prisons once my will becomes law. Anyways, prepare to deploy."

Before anyone in Team Dark can reply, Zero cuts in front of them and quickly kneels.

"I am eternally grateful for this second chance, Doctor," Zero says.

"Second?" Eggman questions. "Isn't this your fourth? Oh, who can keep count at this point? You better be grateful because this will be your last. You'll ride with Metal Sonic and scout around the area. Even with victory assured, I REFUSE to take any chances. If you exhibit even the tiniest bit of foolishness or incompetence, don't even bother coming back."

The hangar leading outside slowly opens up, inviting a furious gust of cold wind to fly through the bay, enveloping everyone in ridiculously cold temperatures.

"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!" Eggman barks. "GET OUT OF HERE SO I CAN CLOSE THIS THING!"

Quickly, Team Dark runs towards the hangar, and they each jump from the invisible, floating mass of metal and quickly descend to the ground. Meanwhile, Metal Sonic roughly grabs Zero's arms, and he jets out of the Egg Carrier with the Jackal secured in its metal grasp. The hangar door finally closes. As Team Dark fall through the clouds and prepare to make a safe landing, unbenounced to them, a curious, blue hedgehog passing by stops in his tracks and watches them from a distance.

...