Sonic the Hedgehog

Worth

"HELLO?!" Eggman's voice bellows from the radio still lying in Rouge's left pocket. "WILL ANYONE PICK UP THIS DARN THING?!"

Tired of hearing the Doctor's constant, agitated yelling, Shadow retrieves the radio from his unconscious ally and responds.

"This is Shadow, reporting."

"Hey, Shadow, are you been having fun down there?" Eggman asks. "You must be if you're so keen on ignoring my commands!"

"We've been busy," Shadow relays, running through a now evacuated street with E-123 Omega blasting forward by his side. "Rouge is hurt and Omega's flight capabilities are damaged. We were met with heavy resistance. The war hero has escaped us yet again, this time, with the emerald."

"Well, you're lucky my magnificent robot can do your jobs for you!" Eggman grunts. "If I'd known it would take this long for that jewel thief to do what I hired her for, I would have saved the trouble. In fact, it might be wise if you dropped some dead weight..."

"Not an option."

"Do NOT forget your place, Shadow, it may very well BE an option if I deem it so. But because I'm such a nice guy, I'll look past your team's pitiful failure... just this once."

"About our transport-"

"Taking care of it. Meet me at the entrance to the city- next to the water fountain. I can afford to reveal myself, but only for a brief moment. I will NOT risk remaining exposed for very long. Once you make it here, you better make it to the hangar in time, or you're on your own. You have ONE minute!"

"Understood."

The communication channel shuts off and Shadow looks over at his mechanical friend, who to passing by civilians, is only seen as a metal blur. Not too different from the hedgehog himself, whose fading red trail lingers behind his reliable air shoes.

"You heard him, let's move."

"I CAN'T BELIEVE THE DOCTOR WOULD ABANDON ME. E-123 OMEGA REFUSES TO BE THROWN AWAY LIKE SOME BROKEN TOY."

"Are you... referring to yourself in the third person?"

"LET ME PROCESS THIS MY OWN WAY."

***

Sure, things may feel uncertain and dangerous for the many citizens of Starlight City. After all, seeing a flying robot, strangely bearing a striking resemblance to Mobius's savior, flying through their otherwise peaceful city was enough to cause panic and hysteria among the masses. Everyone tuned into the daily news, most after a stressful or tiring day at work, got front-row seats to the shaky-cam footage recorded by a curious on-looker standing in the right place at the right time. Or the contrary depending on who you may ask. The footage in question didn't show much, aside from the distant bright blue fire coming from the alleged machine's back thrusters. The flames appear high in the night sky, looking more like a supernova amidst the dozens of stars, before mysteriously disappearing altogether.

Eyewitnesses also confirmed Sonic himself was at the scene, apparently running FROM the machine. A report that aligns with previous accounts of Sonic being in the city, sporting a new, darker look. With all the endless confusion and uncertainty, many fear for what could be an attack on their gorgeous city. Something Grand Metropolis suffered just two nights ago. But since then, everything has been quiet. There have been no sightings of anything strange or unusual. They're safe.

A reality instantly shattered for those who happened to be standing in Townsquare. A particularly busy, bustling area well known for its decorative beauty and vast shopping center. Tonight, at approximately 10:21 PM, a giant, unrecognizable, inconceivably built aircraft hovers above the crowded area. There was no warning, no flight, it just materialized in thin air, warranting multiple shrieks from the groups of baffled and speechless Mobians standing underneath a massive machine. As they scatter, fleeing the scene, its pilot takes great delight in their panic.

"It feels good to be back!" Eggman says with a devious grin.

Unlike everyone else, one individual stands in the crowd, looking up at the giant machine he knows as the Egg Carrier. For once, bright fortune seems to be shining down on the shocked Jackal.

This is where the fifth emerald was located?! Zero thinks, realizing this is a rare opportunity. I have to find a way on board! I won't be left behind! Not a second time. I'm gonna find that Metal hedgehog. Then when the moment is just right... when fate is on my side... I will dismantle him. Piece by piece. Until he's nothing more than an unfinished, unsolvable puzzle of wires and bolts.

Quickly, Zero gets on the move. Something Shadow and E-123 Omega are already ahead of as they finally come into view of the massive aircraft- its hangar door wide open, awaiting their arrival. Rouge stirs around in Shadow's arms, unsure of what's happening. Shadow originally planned to tell her of Eggman's idea to leave her behind once she awakes, but in truth, he knows better. He knows she's already well aware of how disposable they are to their unempathetic employer. It's something she knew the moment she signed on. He wonders what else she's been trying to tell him. What critical warning he's been too stubborn to heed.

Now in range, Shadow vanishes from his current position and reappears in the hangar of the hovering base. Omega is not too far behind, using its reinforced legs to propel the rest of its mass upward in the air. Its metal claws slice through the hangar floor's presstime plating, giving the robot some much-needed support as he lifts himself inside. Detecting each of the passengers, the hangar doors begin closing. Something Eggman is notified of. With all business adjured, and Metal Sonic on his way with the emerald, Eggman reactivates the ship's impressive cloak, once again rendering it completely unseeable. Not as if any onlooker, or lack thereof anymore, would get much time to continue taking in its view, as it shoots forward in the night sky toward its next destination.

Though, unbeknownst to any of its passengers, the Egg Carrier has picked up one extra. Outside, clinging for dear life, is Zero, having found a way to jump on board from one of the surrounding store rooftops. His days as a mercenary may be long over, but his instincts remain sharpened. Not wanting to be outside as the ariel fortress gets any higher, the sneaky Jackal shimmies to his right, finding some sort of ventilation duct. A perfect place to hide while he determines his next move. If all goes to plan, said move will be his greatest and most satisfying triumph. Revenge against those who made the mistake of underestimating him.

...