The Origin of the Time Eater

What's it like to feel?

-So, Eggman disappeared?

The bat girl asked the question addressing the brothers, who returned from their trip worried about the situation.

Sonic and Tails gathered Knuckles and Team Dark to inform them of their trip. They met on Angel Island, a place where Knuckles could keep an eye on the master emerald. Tails' response was disconcerting for those present:

-Disappeared would be one way to describe him, we haven't found any trace of him for too long.

-And that's always a bad sign –said the blue hedgehog with concern, he knew his enemy too well not to distrust for a moment any undesirable surprise.

-The doctor usually does this and then comes up with a new plan that only creates headaches for G.U.N. –Said Shadow empathizing with cobalt.

-And us, -Rouge added.

But we didn't come back empty handed. Tails said, trying to liven up the atmosphere. –On our journey we found three more emeralds, along with yours, Shadow, and we already have five protected from ours. Unfortunately we couldn't find the other two.

"I'm just glad someone didn't lose sight of his duty," Rouge looked at Knuckles, making fun of the thousands of times he lost the emerald, one time or another, because of her.

-I don't think this is the time to remember the times I had to beat you up. Knuckles said with a certain tone of pride.

-Beating? You mean when you were at my feet begging for it back?

-That never happened!

-Although it's fun to see how they humiliate Knuckles, -Sonic decided to interrupt before the echidna jumped into an unnecessary fight. –You don't think it's better to talk about what we have so far. Anything new with Mephiles, Shadow? Have you two already made friendship bracelets?

-Sonic, do you want to avoid a fight to get into another? –The young fox was not surprised by his brother's behavior, he just wanted her to focus on what was important.

-And about Shadow and Mephiles –Rouge intervened, Shadow looked at her with some concern, something she immediately understood and smiled to reassure her partner. "Right now we don't have much, although they're certainly getting along better. Amy and I took them shopping and it was nice, they didn't seem like the destructive monster they used to be, in fact they looked pretty innocent.

-Wait, Amy was with Mephiles? –Sonic said, thinking about the possibility that something bad had happened.

-Yes, calm down, your girlfriend is not only convincing, she is also quite strong, she wouldn't agree for her to come along if she was in any real danger.

-But there was a real danger, Rouge, Amy should not be near Mephiles until we know if they are safe or not.

-They are–Shadow interrupted, then he realized his answer and completed it –If Rouge was there, it is, besides we've been with them for days, they are not aware of the situation or their own abilities.

Shadow was filled with a nervousness that only his partner was able to notice, the rest decided to continue the meeting. In the end they all returned to their homes except Rouge and Omega accompanied Shadow for a walk before returning, it was getting dark and they took advantage of the place where they were to lie down and watch the stars. The group always had this activity as an enjoyment and relaxation method, although Omega would simply identify all the constellations described throughout the story while Rouge and Shadow talked. Rouge started the conversation:

-So, you really liked them

The hedgehog did not respond, he sighed and his gaze remained lost in that familiar starry sky.