So Long Goodnight (Sonadow)

Chapter III - Act I

Flashback:

"GUN to Agent Rouge! Do you copy?" a static voice could be heard from the communicator which just slid off to the floor. Its cracked screen was already glitching up – it was surprising to see the device still functioning after being caught by the glass tank debris, "I repeat! Agent Rouge, do you copy?"

"Rouge!" the echidna panicked, groaning as he quickly got up on his feet to check the ivory bat lying down on the ground.

Just minutes ago, GUN had released an emergency report that the ARK's security systems were hacked – even with the help of the young kitsune and GUN's most advanced technology, their best efforts to gain control over the colony's operating system were futile, forcing the whole gang to personally check the breach, themselves.
By the moment the heroes arrived at the main station, a same, old, cynical cackle could be heard from the ARK's sound system, "I knew you would come! Guess you will no longer see the light of day, pesky, little brats!"

"Eggman!" the blue blur gritted his teeth, clenching his fists as he looked around frantically in search of his oldest nemesis. "Show yourself! What have you done this ti-"

"Ohohoho, wouldn't you like to know?" it was no doubt; the familiar, menacing voice belonged to no other than the Doctor Robotnik. "But hey, that's not the best way to greet an old friend, aye, Sonic? Kindly appreciate my success of getting all of you, the so-called Heroes of Möbius, in my death trap."

Sonic kept his mouth shut, not having any interest to exchange banters. He threw a serious glance at the twin-tailed fox and the pink hedgehog, nodding his head a bit as a signal for them to find the ARK's control room. The two quickly picked up and turned towards the exit of the lobby when–

"Oh, not so fast!" a loud alarm suddenly blared in the whole colony and the doors blasted shut, enclosing all of them in the main hall.

"Watch out!" Rouge dashed towards Tails who barely dodged a collapsing ceiling by the exit.

Amy Rose managed to summon her Piko-piko hammer just in time to smash the falling concrete right above the two of them, the voice of the doctor still emanating everywhere, "You think I didn't learn from all your tactics, rat? Asking your friends to backdoor the genius, Dr. Eggman because you can't take me down on your own? Aw, poor thing."

Shadow narrowed his eyes silently, crossing his arms, never liking where this was going, 'This old maniac even managed to fix and operate the ARK's dysfunctional systems. What is he thinking?'

"No more games, Egghead! What are you planning?" emerald orbs flickered with tenacity when he met the red-streaked male's gaze who returned a questioning look.

Everyone in the room could swear that the madman was wearing his signature grin just by watching them, "While all of you were busy going on with your perfect lives, I took the chance to do the honors and recreate the project of my very own grandfather, Doctor Gerald Robotnik. Oh, it was fun to see how easy it was to tweak with the security of your petty agency, Shadow and Rouge. You should've sided with me. We could've made an unstoppable team!"

They couldn't deny it, the tone of the doctor was very much different from it used to be. He was more sinister, more determined, more ominous. Even the ultimate life form found himself getting a little rattled from the imminent danger the old scientist could bring.

At that very second, the ground started to shake – a giant line could be noticed traced upon the floor before the place revealed a large opening. The main hall slowly split into two, "And since your pesky rodent hero is too excited to see my surprise for all of you..."

"Your wish is my command," the last words were rather spoken slowly, his low voice indicating the beginning of his game. A giant glass tank appeared at the center of the room, revealing a giant creature submerged in green fluid.
It was what they defeated a long time ago, they were sure about it – but something about the monster appeared to be more dangerous as the fluid drained, the giant pipes which had been keeping it nurtured detached from its back where its core was located, "I present to you... the complete and remastered prototype of the actual ultimate life form..."