Jayde the Hedgehog • By Your Side [3]

11: Here We Go✔️

Music: Singularity - Au5

(Not really the world map by the way- only my perspective of it and where everything is! I'd still love to live there though! 😂)

09:43am: East Metropolis

"So, how was your date?"

Shadow and Rouge walked side by side on the way to the Dark Creature's secret hideout. The question caught the ebony male off guard somehow, but it didn't surprise him too much coming from Rouge, "It was okay." He muttered, not very thrilled to be discussing the previous night at a serious time like this.

"Just okay?" Rouge grinned, "From what I heard from Amy, you really have a soft spot for Jayde." She chuckled, "And I guess Sonic didn't like his bath?"

Shadow's lips twitched slightly at that but didn't say anything. He looked ahead, watching the grey female converse with Omega in front of him. The hedgehog sighed and glanced awkwardly to the ivory bat next to him, "Rouge, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, hon."

"Have you ever wanted something, but you know you can't have it because you know something dangerous will come of it?" he mumbled, Rouge only just able to pick up on what he said.

She frowned, "How do you mean?"

Shadow grunted and rolled his eyes, "Well, say you wanted the Master Emerald. You can't have it because Angel Island would come crashing down."

"Are you talking about Jayde?" Rouge asked, watching the male's muzzle tint slightly, "Because Jayde isn't an item. She's a powerful Mobian, who can take care of herself. You sometimes have a bad habit of underestimating her power, Shadow."

Shadow sighed again, "I know."

Rouge walked closer to him, resting a hand on his shoulder. Usually the Ultimate Lifeform would tense at physical contact, but Rouge was someone he trusted not to make fun of him in a situation like this, "You love her, don't you?"

The hedgehog nodded, "But I'm universally hated. If people knew I had Jayde, she'd become a target. I don't want her hurt because of me."

Rouge turned him to face her, "Jayde will not be hurt because of you. Shadow, you're the Ultimate Lifeform for crying out loud! If anyone would protect that Protector, it's you. I know you wouldn't let anything happen to her but you also need to remember that she can look after herself. All she needs is for you to be there for her no matter what." Shadow looked in front of him again, watching his two comrades continue to talk. Rouge was right. Jayde was powerful and she could take care of herself – so why did Shadow feel like they were stepping on dangerous territory?

Jayde looked towards the robot and sighed, "Omega, could I ask you a question?" Omega looked down at her, letting her know he was listening, "If one of your old Eggman allies came out right now, would you struggle to fight them?"

Omega responded in his monotone voice, "No. I was created to kill the enemy. Since I no longer work with Doctor Eggman, he has become the enemy."

"Even if you worked with them before and you were close to them?"

"Robots don't get close to their allies. We focus on the assignment given because we know that there is a inevitable chance not all of us will come back." Jayde stayed silent – focus on the assignment.

Focus.

It didn't matter what happened in the past because he was now the enemy and it was her mission to stop him. With or without her, either was he was going to be stopped. Omega looked down at the young female, noticing her silence, "What was the purpose of your question?"

Jayde tensed slightly be shook her head, "No reason, just wondering." The grey hedgehog tensed up even more when the base came into view and the four of them hid behind the trees.

"Okay Omega, ready to get smashing?" Shadow asked the robot.

If Omega had a mouth, he'd be grinning, "More than anything." And he walked off to his assigned destination.

Rouge looked at her wrist watch before speaking, "Okay, that should give us at least five minutes before he launches his distraction. Do we need to go over the plan or do we know what we are doing?" Shadow nodded but Jayde stayed silent, looking at the base from behind the trees, "Jayde?" she flinched as her name was heard. She looked towards the two agents.

If he works like he used to, his control room will be on the left of the base under his office, "I can get to the control room and shut down the power." Jayde spoke, standing taller and clenching her fists.

"Jayde, we don't know where that is – it's too risky." Rouge warned, watching as she prepared to jump on her board and fly over.

"I know where it is." Jayde spoke, not showing an ounce of emotion in her speech. She noticed Rouge about to question her but she beat her to it, "Just trust me, I know where it is, okay?"

Rouge sighed and nodded. The Protector leapt on the board after hearing a loud explosion from Omega's direction and flew off without another sound. The ivory bat looked at Shadow, "Follow her."

"Rouge, you know that's not the plan."

"We need to compromise. Jayde knows something about this guy that she's not telling us." She spoke, "I trust Jayde is doing the right thing but I still think she needs backup." Shadow nodded before skating off below her.

From inside the base, the Dark Creature stared at the female riding towards his secret base, a dark grin forming on his muzzle, "Well, well, well, I guess traitors do return." He looked behind him at his captured enemy, watching blue eyes widen in shock as the grey Protector raced towards the building, "Looks like the heroes have arrived."