Watchdogs of the ARK

Ring Around the ARK

Infinite awakes sprawled on the reflective flooring. He slowly blinks, hung over from the wild night before. Disoriented, his eyes adjust to an enchanting rainbow spinning around the ARK. Spooked, he crawls spasmodically to the thick glass window-walls. Upon squinting, he realizes the soaring colors are that of millions of wisps. He feels Chaos Control happening beside him and speaks to Shadow.

"Why are they here? What do they want?" Gasp!

He looks up to his right. That's not Shadow! It's... Silver, only completely healed, floating in midair, and gleaming at Infinite with neon-magenta irises. He speaks with a mesmerizing tone, sounding ageless yet childlike.

"Our home was destroyed by the Black Arms. We've decided to inhabit the ARK and defend your planet when he arrives."

"Whose we? You're dead!" Infinite freaks.

"I'm sorry if this form frightens you. Your ship's AI retained my genes. I've always known this was my destiny, to become the Ultimate Life Force. I'm more powerful than Shadow the Hedgehog and here to replace him as the guardian of the space colony. I'm a combination of Silver the Hedgehog's DNA, wisp vitality, and pure telepathic energy."

Infinite leaps to his feet.

"I don't care who you are, if you wanna mess with Shadow, you'll have to get past me first!"

Silver raises his palm, tranquilizing Infinite into a calming trance.

"Shh, I'm not here to harm him, or you. Be at peace."

Infinite feels his eyelids become heavy. He slumps to the floor and drifts into another slumber. His dreams are saturated with sweet moments of him, frolicking with his dead pack, fun in the sun alongside his departed jackal brethren. He accepts his sleep state as his new reality, until the euphoria is discontinued by Shadow speaking forcefully.

"Infinite, wake up right now! The ARK's been infested with wisps. Get up! Infinite? Hey..." his tone shifts to fearful. "Are you alright? Are you conscious?"

Infinite feels Shadow's hand press against the base of his tail, his lower back.

"Hey. What's wrong? What happened to you?" Shadow worries. "Did I hurt you last night? Why are you so out of it?" He shakes Infinite's shoulder. "Answer me. Come on, Jackal, you're scaring me."

"Awe hell, he thinks I'm unconscious. I GUESS I'll wake up now."

Infinite tries to move... but can't.

"Oh no, what did Silver do to me? Is this what a coma feels like? Reminds me of when Eggman experimented on me during my time with the Phantom Ruby. Can't... open... my eyes."

SHWOOP, a flash of light!

Infinite awakes, slid about ten feet away from Shadow. He sits up, alert and freaked out.

"Shadow?"

Shadow rushes to his friend, wraps his arms around his back and lifts Infinite to his feet, holding him steady by the waist.

"What happened, Infinite? Were you trying to Chaos Control? Are you alright?"

"I don't know man, I think I got roofied by a ghost!"

Shadow brushes Infinite off, holds the jackal's face, then strokes his hair.

"Alright, you're okay. Look outside,"

Infinite turns his attention to the cosmos, noticing the wisps again.

"They came in like a tidal wave this morning," Shadow tells him. "Made a ring around the ARK. I can't help but hear Maria's voice singing Ring Around the Rosie. An ominous omen, I sense something cryptic is among us."

Infinite puts his hand on Shadow's back and sighs, his voice deep and relaxed.

"I saw a phantom. He looked like Silver. He told me he's going to protect the ARK. Then he slipped me some underworld ecstasy and I dreamt about all dogs going to heaven and..."

Shadow puts his hand over the babbling jackal's mouth.

"Shh, never say that again," he commands, secretly wanting to shut Infinite up by trying to kiss him again.

"Kay," Infinite replies obediently.

"The countdown to Black Doom's arrival began yesterday. I only have five days to teach you how to seamlessly summon your armor, and how to safely Chaos Control. And now we have a storm of wisps on our hands. No more chit chat."

"Yes, Master," Infinite complies. Shadow nods, charmed by Infinite's fluffy, wagging tail.