Gerald's Last Creation

[Control]

(One of my other fanfiction projects. Unlike the others it does not tie into the 'Dark Emerald' plotline at all (I consider it having happened sometime after the end of 'The Dark Emerald' and before 'Chaos Unleashed'.
This involves a character of mine. 'Xhol-Terra'. A creation of Dr Gerald's that was created alongside Shadow but was not activated until many years later when Shadow and Tail unleashed it by accident.
Then as it started to absorb the DNA of powerful beings on the planet it became something powerful.
I eventually plan to incorporate Xhol-Terra into the site.)


Sonic the Hedgehog
~Geralds Last Creation~

Prolog: The Doctor's Data

Gerald Robotnic's Lost Log

Day 1
We have started multiple projects on the Research Station, Space Colony Ark. Many show promise in being finished successfully as studies only possible within the boundries of space have given us new information of existence to chew through. The projects in highest importance would be Project Shadow and Project Talon. Both projects are related in the creation of Artificial life, both to be considered powerful weapons if finished on plan.
Project Shadow will be the more powerful of the two it is assumed, though our overall plans are sketchy, it wll be decreed that Shadow will be an Android, more powerful than enything else on earth. We have refered to Project Shadow as the Ultimate Lifeform, to be a powerful weapon that could save this world from war and strife and finally bring peace. We have the military's support in the project and they promise to fund the research and the creation.
Project Talon, while assumed to be the less promising of the two projects will still be something well beyond anything created to this date. Project Talon will also be an Android, assumed to be of different design. Though yet again the military has agreed to fund the project in what will be assumed to be the Second most powerful lifeform under project Shadow. The only thing certain about project Talon will be that it will be the first and closest thing to mind control, though many other scientists have dubded this goal impossible, they cannot deny that I have acomplished much previously said to be impossible.

Day 21
The research went on for the past twenty days on both projects without many important discoveries. While project Shadow has grown in the first assumed size, project talon remains very much the same. It was only recently that we decided on a way to make project Shadow virtually invincible, that is it must have a constant supply of energy moving in and out of it's body, though such a flow of energy would lower the beings lifespan considerably, in short it would be invincible but wouldn't be likely to live longer than 30 minutes after activation.
Project Talon has come to no such luck, we have discovered nothing to aid us in the origional plans. But research will continjue.

Day 28
For Project Shadow we decided on that we would need to increase the size of the being considerably, it is now assumed to be larger than a tank in order to house that constant supply of energy. Unfortuneatly we have come to another issue in design as the massive amounts of energy would generate much heat, therefor to make Project Shadow a living creation it would need to be cold blooded. We assume it will be reptile for a fish would hardly be convinient for movement, and the military is not interested in an ultimate life-form that can only travel by water.
Project Talon again has no new discoveries, it remains in only the Theory stage.

Day 41
Project Shadow has increased in size again, it is now bigger than a small house. It seems a Reptile would be the best form of life to base it off, but even then the being would be assumed to only be able to survive off it's own power for maybe a day. Perhaps some sort of Life Support System would be appropriate? That way we could moniter it's status and develope a way to keep it going.
Project Talon has made progress, if only small progress. Using Study on the human brain we know it is not possible to affect the nerves very much using sound or electric impulses through the air. But with some sort of direct connection between the Project and the subject some manipulation of nerves is possible, we will continue to study off of this.

Day 49
The Life Support system seems sound, not only will this channel the energy evenly throughout the creature making it "Invincible", but it will also be able to change the energy into which the creature needs to survive. Project Shadow will not have to Eat, Sleep or Breathe, and it is assumed will never age.
We have discovered that control of the mind is too tricky and the Project would need a constant attatchment to it's subject which is not very efficient. And even then we can only obtain control of spasmic twitches in the body, not nearly enough to control thought or speech. Instead we have moved on to a new idea that seems more promiseing which is the obtaining of information from a subjects mind. Assuming the project is an android it will have a computer brain able to process it's subject memories. Although it is still yet only on the Theory Stage, it seems far more obtainable.

Day 67
We have started the prototype of Project Shadow, it will be dubbed the Bio Lizard. It is larger than a house as assumed, but will have a powerful bionic inner skeleton in order to carry it's impresive mass. Though the military presses us for information we cannot let them in on what we have discovered, they will have to wait for a finished project.
Project Talon shows more promise and we have found a way to transfer the memories of a person onto a computer, unfortuneatly the subject was not able to survive the experiment, fortuneatly the subject was not human and so research has been allowed to continue. Again it is unfortuneate that the "memories" have come only as patterns of nerves, most of it estatic on the account of the subjects frenzy before death. On the side we have worked on the design of the lifeform Project Talon. It is judged to be smaller than an adult human, we will be giving it it's own life support system but as it is not using so much energy as Project Shadow this is only so it is capable of out surviving the average human.

Day 78
The prototype of Project Shadow has gone along smoothly. Though the creation of the Bio Lizard Android is almost complete, the life support system may require much more work. We have tested the flow of energy through it's body and the results were around what we expected. Without the life support system large growths appear upon it's outer body, buildups of energy not flowing properly. We have also been deciding how such a Being would be armed. Besides it's impresive size and assumed invulnerability it will also have feeding tubes going into it's mouth, turning it's mouth into a giant energy cannon.
Project Talon it has been decided will be renamed Project Tera on account of the man second in charge of research, after his dead daughter. We consider this the least we can do to help his pain, and in appretiation on his determination to continue the project.

Day 112
The Project Shadow Prototype has been finished, the bio lizard is currently being charged with the necisary energy to activate it, the rest it will be able to supply on it's own accord. It's whole body will be covered in a shield of energy that will make it immune to all gun shots, and thanks to the life support system attatched onto it's back there has been no negative effects in the flow of energy discovered thus far. Unfortuneatly the life support system on it's back is proportuneate in size to the creature, only because of the beings mechanical skeleton is it able to lift such a massive gathering of metal. The Biolizard has only one weakness which is the life support system. Next we will work on making the Ultimate Lifeform Smaller as well as it's life support system. Later this week we will be activating it.
Project Tera continues to show promise. We have been able to more effectively take memory without the death of the subject, now all we have to do is perfect the decodeing of the nerves.

Day 115
The Prototype was a failure. Our fault was we had not spent enough time making sure we'd be able to control the being, it was too much of an animal and not enough of a robot. The military decided to shut down the funding for both Project Shadow and Project Tera, but they have not necisarily disallowed us to continue. It was a prototype and you can only assume it would not work correctly, this will not stop us from out research and we are quite capable of funding this ourselves.
On another note I have been researching data gathered from old ruins researched back on earth. Some people once gave notice of a power god like being known as Chaos, the protector of the objects known as the Chaos Emeralds. I have taken study of the Chaos Emeralds and believe that it may help me with the completion of project Shadow. I am also intruiged on what is known of Chaos, a being made of water is an interesting concept. I plan to begin a new Project known as Artificial Chaos, to create another lifeform that has the properties of liquid.

Day 121
Project Shadow has shrunk in assumed size, it is decided that the flow of energy is not a capable feat short of creating a raging monster like the one we have shut down and sealed near the Ark's main energy supply. It is decided that this being will keep the qualities of not needing air, food or water, but will not be invincible. We are going off the concept that if you are not hit than you are not hurt, and so we will be creating the Fastest Being in existance.
For project Tera it has been decided that the easiest way to have it able to understand the memories it takes from others is that it's mind will not be as much of a computer, but more like a natural brain, that way it will be able to understand what comes to it. The taking of memory is assumed to be an extra appendige, but we just have to find out how it will be able to make contact with the brain short of killing it's subjects.

Day 156
Project Shadow has shrunk down to about the size of Project Tera, the life support system is judged to be no larger than a human heart and in the project will take the place of one. This time we believe we can make the finished project and not just a prototype, we have decided a mammal. Not a mindless mammal but a sentient one. We are going by what is known as a Mobian, a hedgehog specifically. Unfortuneatly we are having trouble with enhancing it's speed and other abilities, there is simply nothing on earth that can defy gravity in the way we plan...
Project Tera has again changed it's name, it is now project Xhol-Terra. Xhol was a word found in old ruins around the area we learned of Chaos, it means Blood Stealer, which seems approprtiate to our latest change to the Project. Project Xhol-Terra will take the DNA of the subject, absorbing it into it's own and through this taking of DNA it will gain considerable data, not just the subject's memories.
The Artificial Chaos Project is in work. We plan to have many nanobots working together in order to change and control a liquid mass. These bots will then be further controled by a central computer.

Day 183
There are no new updates in either Project Shadow or Project Xhol-Terra, but it is worth noting that tomorow the Black Commet will come into Orbit of Earth and is calculated to fly right past the Ark. This is a rare sight as the Black Commet only comes within Earth's orbit once every 50 years. This will give us the chance to research the Commet.

Day 184
A most unexpected thing has occured today. A race of Carbon Based lifeforms was found on the surface of the Black Comet, they actually came to speak with us. There are many different species of them that all seem to work to the same goal, though only one of them speaks. Their leader is the speaking one called by Black Doom, he claims their race are known as the Black Arms and they live on the surface of the Black Commet. Their Technology is highly advanced, much of it beyond what has been obtained on earth. In a more important note they seem to be masters of Biological DNA manipulation and speaking with Black Doom unearthed many small secrets. He seems not so much interested in the Artificial Chaos Project, but highly interested in Project Shadow and Project Xhol-Terra. He has offered his help, but for a small deal. In exchange for offering his help and own blood to finish both Projects. In return for his aid, 50 years from now when the Black Commet comes into orbit again he in return has asked for the Earth's Seven Chaos Emeralds. When I asked how I was to obtain these Emeralds he said that Project Shadow would gather them for him. On the assumption that project Shadow is still around after 50 years I agreed to his deal. I can only assume he wants the Chaos Emeralds as a sort of Energy supply for a machine of some sort maybe. We begin tomorow on Both Projects

Day 185
.Black Doom is not only the leader of the army, he is a scientific genius. He has revealed to me many mysteries on the manipulation of DNA and the bonding of it with Robotics. He showed me what was wrong with the Bio Lizard, though when I offered that we simply repair that project he seemed more interested in the completetion of the new project. Project Shadow's robotic body parts have been completed of my own knowledge, now Black Doom will help me finish the Biological parts.
Project Xhol-Terra, though Black Doom shows not as much interest in it, has agreed to aid me in it's finishing. With his aid we have completed the manipulation of DNA and the changing of it through one life form to another.

Day 189
Project SHadow has been completed and is now activated. Black Doom claims, and my records agree with it, that the Black Commet will be leaving our atmosphere the day after tomorow and will not be able to finish Project Xhol-Terra with me. So he has spent the last while recording exactly how we are to finish it on our own. Although what he has given us seems strange and I cannot for all my years of knowledge understand half of it, I do not doubt that it will work for nothing he has shown me has failed yet.

Day 191
Black Doom's leave had to be rushed for we had just discovered what he planned to do with the Chaos Emeralds. His plan was to use the ability known as Chaos Control, effectively a way to stop time using a Chaos Emerald, although the user is still going, although we know not how it works yet, there is no doubt that it works. Black Doom plans to use all 7 to warp his Commet onto Earth's surface, using that as an supply on energy for his ship. Mankind would be enslaved for fuel. Using the defences of the Ark we have managed to force his army back onto the Commet. I never realized how foolish I had been, that I had created a means for him to do this. In 50 years the world will be threatened by these Black Arms again, but they will not succeed for my son Shadow will be the one to stop them. I will create a weapon capable of destroying even the Black Commet, such a weapon would require a massive amount of power, the 7 Chaos Emeralds will do.

Day 201
Project Shadow seems to have no side effects of the Black Arms DNA. He spends most of his time within the company of my GrandDaughter Maria and both seem quite fond of each other. I know Shadow was created to be a weapon, but I believe he has a higher purpose and save man kind, perhaps my grandDaughter would be a good influence on her.
Project Xhol-Terra is near completion. We followed Black Doom's Design as well as possible, taking designs from Project Shadow when there was something we didn't understand. We are following the plans as closely as we can, but I cannot help but believe it will end up something much darker than we planned. Whatever it's appearance I hope to make it good, my plans are that in 50 years when the Black Arms Return to Earth that both Projects can work together to stop them.
Project Artificial Chaos is almost complete. We have finished three different models and now are making multiple copies, they will join the Ark's current defences and a mobile and gravitational adaptable soldier.

Day 215
Half the Artificial Chaos have gone Beserk, the rest show no such anomalys but we have them in Statis just in case. Many scientists were harmed, though GUN came in time to help us against the Beserk Robots. The casualties has given me cause to believe I need to make the station safer. I plan to develope a way to aid those who are injured.
The Strangest occurence today was when Project Shadow picked up the dropped weapon of a GUN Soldier and used it to aid finishing off the rest of the Artificial Chaos. I am not allowed to forget he was made to be a weapon, hopefully he can be a weapon for good.

Day 230
We have completed Project Xhol-Terra. It is a monster to look at, more Alien then Hedgehog, it is more one of them than us. Though Project Shadow turned out to have no alliegence to or even memory of the Black Arms, I cannot say the same for Project Xhol-Terra and am worried that if activated it will act against us. I am too affraid to activate it and so it will remain in stasis until I can be sure it is fixed.
We have fixed the bugs that caused the Artificial Chaos to go beserk and I have started several new models of the being. There is currently only one of each of these models and I plan to make duplicates in the future. Like Shadow they are sentient beings, and unlike the previous models. I am pleased at the behavior and personalities of each and like Shadow I consider them my own children. It still saddens me that my son Xhol-Terra may never wake.

Day 256
GUN has some way found out about my contact with the Black Aliens and are coming to the station, no doubt for my arrest. I will explain to them that it was my fault though I have developed a way to stop them when they return. Surely they will be lenient and we can work to a better goal, they will be convinced when I show them my completed project of the Eclipse Cannon.

Day 257
When Gun arrived they were not lenient, they plan to remove all my data on everything I have done, including Project Shadow. Though I have sealed off the upper levels of the Ark and I myself have locked myself away in the lower levels it is only an amount of time before they break through. I have given all Scientist that have worked under me commands to flee, and have given the same to my Artificial Chaos projects and have gotten Project Shadow to take Maria to the escape pods. I would trust no other with her life. Now I will wait in the inner levels of the Ark and slowly hide away all my data from those who would destroy it.

Unknown Date
I have watched these computer screens, watched them ravage the Ark. I saw them kill scientist, scientist who didn't even try and fight them, who gave in willingly expecting arrest at worse. I saw them shoot my grand daughter. They killed Maria and now I have nothing. I will make them pay for what they did to me, for they had no right. Project Shadow will be sealed away but when he wakes I have a plan for him. I have set it all up in the center of the Ark. The BioLizard has been stationed that he should awake should anyone try to stop my plans, he will destroy them. Using the power of the Seven Chaos Emeralds my son Shadow will activate the Eclipse Cannon and destroy this wretched world with it. Should this fail or for any reason the cannon by sabotaged then the Ark will go in a direct course with Earth. I have calculated all data and all data says everyone on earth will be killed. Killed like Maria. I almost forgot my son Xhol-Terra, I have set the timer on his stasis chamber, he will awaken one day and take revenge for me. And now I seal all this data away, they will get me but they will not have my knowledge.



Chapter 1: Dark Brothers

Only two living people walked the halls of Ark this day, 50 years the Ark had been shut down, 50 years all it's machinery and wonder was out of use. There had been 2 points where the Ark's services had been put to use, once when Eggman tried to use it to take over the world, a second time in the war against the Black Arms. Both times it was only so the weapon known as the eclipse cannon could be used, a weapon of destruction so powerful it could destroy the planet. But there was so much more on the Ark, so much research hidden away that could only aid mankind further.
The two of them were not humans, but they were people of the earth after all, well at least one of them was, to this other one this was his birthplace. The younger of the two was a yellow fox, his most note worthy characteristic was his two tails. The other was a black and red hedgehog, his note worthy feature was not a body characteristic, but the look in his eyes as he walked these halls, and the seriousness of his voice.
"Thanks again Shadow." Tails said looking over at the Black hedgehog, Shadow walked just looking ahead and his gaze did not turn away from that direction simply because he had been here much more times then the two tailed fox, this was his home after all. "There is so much technology, so much science and knowledge hidden away here. I'm sure with it I can learn so much myself and use to help the world."
The Black Hedgehog nodded. "The Doctor's goal in life was to help humans with his research, to make the world a better place through science. There's never been a smarter man out there, but at least the professor's knowledge can live on."
Tails nodded in agreement, "So where are we going to head first? I'd like to find a working computer so I can hack into the main network and find out what's hidden there. GUN couldn't have possibly erased all the data."
"No, not even the best of scientist's could have removed the professor's files. There is much research hidden away there. But first we have business in this wing of the labs. In this area there are many still fully functional computers and devices. Whether or not you can get into the Ark's mainframe is not I can't say, but I'm sure there is much unknown logic hidden."
"So what kind of- Ahhhhhhh!" Tails yelled and pointed ahead, just as a glowing blue liquid seemed to seep out from a grate in the wall, it piled on the floor and a split second later the grate shattered as the being's robotic head was pulled into view.
The creature rose up tall and the glowing green lights of it's eyes focused on the two. Tail's could see Shadow's whole body grow still as if holding in his breath, then when the two tendrils of water came snapping out of the Artificial Chaos he sped into action.
Going right at the watery apporation he moved with a speed Tails had only seen as Sonic being the other one able to go like that. The tendrils snapped at him, both of them moving to strike the black hedgehog. Shadow jumped and flipped in the air, twisting so that the two tendrils just barely missed the tip of his fur. Spinning once more in mid air he landed on his feet and went at it without losing a single bit of speed.
The eyes of the robot flashed and the tendrils started to snap back, but they were not as fast as the dark hedgehog. He jumped into the air again, planting a solid foot at the solid head of his foe, it smashed right through the head, bits of metal and wires flying everywhere. The body of the Artificial Chaos melted away into a harmless blue puddle, the black hedgehog standing quite calmly, arms crossed, just beyond it. He looked back at Tails and motioned the direction they had been originally going with his head. "Let's keep moving."

They stopped in an open computer room, one of the walls being mostly taken up by a huge screen, a keyboard was mounted before it, the opposite wall held the door the two entered by, the other two were just covered by what was the Computer's main body.
"Wow." Tails exclaimed and headed for the keyboard immediately. "This computer is huge, I don't think I've seen a computer this big except maybe ones Eggman has."
Shadow nodded, following him more slowly. "This is the third largest computer in the facility that I know of, and I imagine it is hooked up to the Ark's network. Strange though, the other two computers are for the Ark's defense systems and the Eclipse Cannon, I don't know what this one is."
Tails began typing away madly, it loaded up pretty fast considering it hadn't seen use for 50 years. He began to try and access the data. "What's even more strange is that this computer isn't hooked up to the network at all..."
Shadow watched the screen as data passed by quickly, the computer running up all programs that would check for damage and make sure the system was running smoothly, it had been over 50 years since it was activated after all. "So it serves a single purpose, a purpose the doctor didn't want any one to be able to access from anywhere else. Do you think you can find out what it is used for?"
Tails nodded, typing away more. "I'm trying to find out right now... Looks like all the files are hidden and locked... I'll need a master password to open it."
"Try Maria." Shadow told him, he recalled that being the password Eggman used to first activate him. It wouldn't surprise him if other of the doctor's projects used the same word.
"No good." Tails said when the computer rejected it. "I can hack in but that might take awhile..."
Tail's voice trailed off to Shadow as everything went silent, he couldn't even hear the hum of the machines. He grunted and lifted a hand to his forehead as he doubled over, a sharp pain coming and hitting him. He heard something then, like a whisper, it said "Talon."
"Shadow, are you okay?" He heard Tails ask him just as he was coming back to his senses.
"Yeah, I felt strange for a second, but it's over now." He assured Tails as he stood back up again, the pain and the feeling was wearing off. "Try Talon."
Tails blinked, "Why Talon?"
"Just call it a feeling." Shadow said walking over to stand behind the Two tailed fox.
Tails typed away 'Talon' as a password, there was a moment's pause and then notification saying the password was correct. "Wow Shadow, lucky guess." Tails said with a blink of surprise as a loading sequence came onto screen.
"Yeah... A guess..." Shadow murmured, unsure about it himself. "What's that it's loading." He asked Tails as he pointed to the almost full bar on screen.
"I don't know, it didn't say." Tails answered him with wonder in his voice as well. There was a 'ding' when the bar reached full, then a click and a hiss coming from the computer body on the wall to their left.
Shadow spun to face the wall, a large section of it seemed to be coming out towards them. It came forward and then slid to the side with another hiss before it stopped and the computer completely shut off.
Tail's watched the dark opening into another room with slightly frightened eyes. "Sh... Shadow? What happened, what did it do?" He asked, trying to get reassurance.
"I don't know." Shadow said, he relaxed a little bit and smirked. "But there's only one way to find out."
Tails had no choice but to follow the black hedgehog into the new room.

It was dark at first, too dark, too dark to see 5 feet beyond the entrance to the new room. But as Shadow stepped into the unlit portion of the room there was a click and the room shot up as the lights mounted on the ceiling lit up.
The room was big, bigger than seemed necessary, it was really empty. The room was perfectly round and sort of sloped down in the middle, where dead center was an odd piece of machinery. There was a set of steps leading down to what seemed to be a control box that was attached to the thing in the center through wires. Other than the control box and the object there was nothing else in the room, the walls were bare and other than the lights there was nothing else on the ceiling.
Shadow wasted no time in walking down the steps, Tails hastily followed him. "Keep alert." Shadow warned the fox boy. "We don't know what this room is for."
He stopped in front of the box and looked it over. It was a glass screen with no buttons at all, it was turned on and something was flashing across the orange screen in dark blue. The screen said "Capsule Opening."
Shadow looked the machinery over, it was a capsule, at least it was shaped like you'd imagine one to be. It was almost perfectly smooth except for ridges going along the edge, Shadow imagined that would be how it opened.
Tails looked over the screen in wonder, "The capsule is opening? Did we do this when we activated the computer before?"
Shadow nodded and walked around the control box to stand beside the capsule, he looked carefully at the top and saw it was glass for looking in, though it was too misty on the inside so he couldn't see through. One fist clenched and his eyes narrowed, what inside the capsule.
There was a deep hiss, similar from before and Shadow spun around in alarm as he saw the door to the room shut close. It had closed so quietly before that hiss, he hadn't even heard it. Tails ran to the spot where the opening used to be, from this side it was almost indistinguishable from the wall. "We're looked in!" Tails shouted, looking desperately for a way to open it up again. "What are we going to do? We're looked in with no way to get out, Shadow could you break this wall down? Or if not could you use Chaos Control to warp us out of here?"
"Shh..." Shadow hissed for a second and Tails stopped flat. "I hear a low humming, just wait."
Then the Lights shut out.
The room was completely dark, not even the slightest bit of light, even the control box seemed to have turned off. The humming grew louder until it seemed to fill the room, there was a loud shattering sound, Shadow spun to the direction of the sound, though he couldn't see he knew it came from the capsule, then it was silent except for the sounds of Tail's breathing.
The lights began to flicker on again, but they gave almost no light. Only a few of them were still functioning but most of them weren't turning on, they flickered with electricity. Shadow blinked, adjusting to the dim light and watched the capsule, the lid had broken in two, having been torn open from the inside. Shadow lifted a hand up towards tails, signaling him for silence.
He didn't step up the the capsule, he wasn't afraid, only smart. The lid have been rended open from the inside, the door was still closed meaning whatever caused the capsule to break open was still inside it.
Then there was movement.
One clawed hand reached out of the capsule, it had three talons with one positioned like a thumb, they were large and sharp. The claw closed around the edge of the capsule, then strained as if pulling itself out. A second claw followed it and then the creature's head appeared, and it climbed out.
The thing wasn't too big, maybe only a slight bit taller than Shadow himself. It was similar in shape in that it had two arms and two legs, it looked like a hedgehog but... Well it didn't look like just any hedgehog, it looked like shadow.
It resembled shadow in the general sense, it's red markings were in the same places, different only in that they seemed to twist and curve near the start. His hands were clawed, both of them with two finger talons and one thumb talon, they clicked slightly in the silent room as the creature flexed it's fingers. It's feet were claws, though like it's claws they were almost like another layer of flesh, dark green, almost like shoes, it's feet claws had only two large talons and a third on it's heel. On it's shoulders were hard dark spines sticking out, instead of fur on it's chest it hard a dark green plates of carapace. Trailing behind it was a long tail, black with a red streak going down it, the tail was tipped by a long needle-like blade. The creature's face made it seem all the more different from Shadow, it's eyes were glowing green, the pupils themselves red and strangely shaped. The creature watched them both back for a moment, and then a third eye opened on it's forehead.
"Shadow..." Tails whispered quietly, "It looks just like you."
Shadow nodded, it was similar, if twisted, in appearance to him. "It was obviously created by Doctor Gerald... But for what purpose..." His eyes hardened and he stared the creature down coldly, it only blinked, obviously unaffected by Shadow's cold glare. "You there, what are you supposed to be? I am not here to fight you, I am Project Shadow, the Ultimate Life-form, created by Doctor Gerald Robotnic. The same man who I presume made you."
The thing tilted it's head for a moment, focusing on Shadow, but it didn't say anything. "Do you know of Gerald Robotnic?" He asked, again no answer but the creature's tail twitched when he spoke the name this time. "Doctor Gerald was a talented man, he spent his life into putting research towards helping those on earth. I was created to help earth, and those on it, do you know why you were created, or even your name."
The being was silent, even still it didn't open it's mouth, just watched Shadow with three open eyes. Shadow decided to press further. "Do you know why the password that opened this room was 'Talon'?"
This time the creature reacted, it's tail twitched violently and it went strait at Shadow. The black hedgehog was ready to defend himself, but he realized that it wasn't headed at him, it was headed for beyond him, he jumped out of the way, as did Tails. The creature rushed at the wall that had once been an entry way and smashed through it.
Shadow blinked, watching the open entrance for a split second before he quickly left the room. The creature was standing in front of the computer it's eyes focused on the data that was not traversing wildly across the turned on computer. Shadow stood beside it, the creature didn't even look at him. He looked up at the screen, he could see words but could hardly pick out the odd one, it was going too fast for his eyes to react in time.
Tails stopped a few feet away from them, watching the screen. "Shadow, it's accessed the hidden files of the computer and I think it's reading through them."
The black hedgehog looked over at the being beside him. "Do you think he's actually reading all this?"
Then the computer screen shattered and Shadow jumped back, the creature didn't even move as shards of glass fell at him, bouncing off his flesh which Shadow now knew must be pretty hard.
The creature ran by them in a blur, it was fairly fast Shadow regarded, though he wasn't sure if it was as fast as him. The creature disappeared out the doorway, it's tail lashed and hit the edge of the door frame, taking a chunk out.
"Do you think we should follow it?" Tails asked as he looked over at Shadow for advise.
Shadow nodded, "Yes, It's leading us to something." He said and ran off, into the hallway and after the creature, though he was forced to slow down so that the fox boy could follow.

They did not speak, only ran, words would be carried away by the wind. Though nowhere near to his level, Shadow was impressed with the speed the Fox could handle, it was impressive for a mortal soul. Shadow did not consider himself mortal, a life form, he believed he had a soul even if he had no proof, but he had been created by Dr Gerald as an Android. He had no need for sleep, for air or food even if he choose to partake in such activities if only to see what it was like for mortal souls. Shadow would never age, would never grow sick and if he had anything to say about it would never die, he was immortal... He was the Ultimate Life-form!
The Fox boy was mortal, he would die of old age if not of the danger he put himself in by aiding the Blue Hedgehog face the Doctor. The Blue Hedgehog himself was an anomaly to Shadow, a question that he didn't yet have an answer for... Maybe not an question, but a problem. The Blue Hedgehog had abilities so close to Shadow's own, though not as intuned to Chaos Energy the Blue Hedgehog had been able to use the Chaos Control, with a fake Chaos Emerald at that! If it was not enough that the blue hedgehog proved to be an even match, he looked so much like Shadow... Yes their fur color was different, and they very often carried different looks on their face, but beyond that Shadow could almost see his reflection... If Shadow had not been created so long before the blue hedgehog could have possibly been born then Shadow could have very well been designed off of him... Or was it in some strange way the other way around? They did have one big difference though, the Sonic was mortal, he would die by age if not by more pleasent means. Maybe even at Shadow's own hands.
This other thing though, Project Talon. No it was not called Project Talon, it was called Project Xhol-Terra. That had been the last thing Shadow saw on the computer screen before it shut off, his name was Xhol-Terra. This was another being created by Dr Gerald, another android and another immortal It was a funny thought, in some way that made them Brothers, they both had the same father in a way. For the longest time Maria had been the only one Shadow had ever considered... Family... This other creature was like him in a way, even if the thing resembled a Demon in Hedgehog form it was a kindred spirit, it was Shadows only living family. Did the creature understand the situation as Shadow did?
"Code Fifty Three, massive gatherings of Chaos Energy within the halls. All personel avoid hallway Eight until the all clear code is given."
The voice of the automatic computers booming out of speakers located on the walls drew Shadow out of his thoughts, and now clear mind he could sense it as well. His eyes widened as he stopped, the Fox Boy with him. "I can sense it... He just activated Chaos Control, a massive one... But how could he do that unless..." He looked down at the Green Chaos Emerald in his hand then looked at Tails.
The Fox searched frantically before explaining what Shadow all ready knew. "That thing stole my Chaos Emerald!" He shouted out loud.
Shadow walked up to a doorway, it slid open at his approach. The dark hedgehog walked up to the large glass window of the observatory and looked down at the Blue and Green planet. "That thing, Xhol-Terra, it used Chaos Control, I could feel it." He pointed to the planet. "It went to earth, we're going to follow it."

[Control]

Chapter 2: Fight or Flight

Restlessly it ran through the forest, clawed feet digging up the ground beneath it. It ran faster than a normal human could obtain, faster than many cars could go, though by no means the fastest creature on this planet, it would be hard to follow.
It moved smoothly, in a more or less strait line. It deeked around trees, when a low branch was in it's way it simply smashed through it, feeling no pain and not even slowing down, such was the power inside this creature.
In one of the creature's claws was the blue gem he had taken from the one with the two tails, the one that had accompanied that other one... That other one that he somehow recognized, he didn't know why, but there was just something about that dark colored being...
He didn't understand why either, his mind worked on a much different level, an open mind that worked by simple impulses rather than rational thought. The gem in his hand brought to him the impulse of comfort, for some reason it calmed him, its energies made him feel good... It was something that his mind recognized and accepted, and it was drawing him on, onwards to some further goal. He felt comfortable having a goal.

The clearing in central square was mostly empty, only a few people walked the sidewalks and not too many cars were driving around, those that were went at a comfortable pace. There was a flash of light and suddenly in an empty spot of the street two beings stood there that had not been there before, a yellow two tailed fox and a Black and Red hedgehog. People stopped to stare at the two, those recognizing the Black Hedgehog to be the infamous 'Shadow the Hedgehog' quickly remembered they had things to do and hurried on.
"This is where I'm dropping you off." Shadow said to Tails as he turned to walk off. "I have to chase after that thing and you'd only slow me down.
"Wait Shadow, wouldn't it be better if we made a plan first?" Tails attempted to stop him.
Shadow hesitated a moment. "That seems logical, what do you have in mind?"
"Well that thing could be almost anywhere, you're own ability to sense the Chaos Emeralds is limited, we could drop by my place and get the Emerald Radar, and then maybe we could find Sonic and-" It was no good, Shadow was gone the moment Sonic had been mentioned.
Tails sighed and shook his head. "Those two have really got to get over that rivalry of theirs..." He mumbled and walked off his own way. He would get to his place and get the Tornado running, he would find Sonic himself.

He kept moving, the goal implanted in his mind drawing him this way. He did not stop to ask himself, "Why is it taking me here?" or "Where am I?". It was only the impulse, the feelings, the instinct.

"Aww Come on Knuckles! It's not like you even need the thing. You just guard the Master Emerald, not the Chaos Emeralds!" The Blue Hedgehog exclaimed out loud.
Knuckles shook his head, he sat beside the large green gem, the Master Emerald, though in his lap a clear white Chaos Emerald resting in his lap. "No way Sonic, this place is the Emerald Shrine, I guard all the Emeralds here, and it just so happens that I have a Chaos Emerald in here. Besides, why do you even want it?"
"Because it would be safest in my hands, we all know It's only a matter of time before Eggman comes looking for them for his latest evil plan. This way there's one less Emerald that's in danger of reaching his goal." Sonic pointed out as if it was plain as day.
Knuckles growled and stood up, the Emerald dropped beside him. "And you think I'm not good enough to guard it?"
Sonic shrugged. "Let's face it Knuckles, you're the most gullible Echidna in the world, all Eggman would have to do is point in a direction and then swipe both the Master Emerald and Chaos Emerald and be gone before you even realize it."
"HEY! I am not gullible!" Knuckles shouted.
"Yeah well what about all the times you-" Sonic looked off in the distance. "I don't believe it, there he is now."
"WHAT! Where!?!" Knuckles ran off the way Sonic was looking, trying to find Eggman. "I don't see-" He paused when he felt the wind blow at his hair, on a windless day... He looked back to find Sonic standing up by the Master Emerald where he had been only a moment ago, Chaos Emerald in hand. "Hey!"
Sonic shrugged, casually examining the smooth surface of the Emerald. "Too slow Knucklehead."
"I'll show you!" Knuckles growled and took a few menacing steps towards the Blue Hedgehog.
"Hey guys!" Shouted a familiar voice. "Up here!"
Both Knuckles and Sonic looked up to see the red plane, the Tornado circleing around the area. "Hey, that's Tails." Knuckles mumbled watching the flight of the plane. Sonic glanced out of the corner of his eye at the red Echidna, wondering if Knuckles had all ready forgotten the Chaos Emerald Sonic swiped.
The plane circled around a few more times, starting to slow down and each time getting a little closer to the ground. Eventually the vehicle landed and Tails jumped out, the two others walking over to him.
Sonic came up and patted him on the back. "Hey Tails, how'd your trip to the Ark go? I wasn't expecting you back so soon."
"There was an emergency." Tails explained quickly. "Shadow had to warp us back to earth because he had to go chasing after the Monster."
"Monster?" Knuckles questioned.
"Yeah, in the Ark we found this strange room, inside was this capsule or something and a Monster smashed out of it, it stole my Chaos Emerald and then warped to earth. Shadow warped us back with his own Chaos Emerald and then went chasing after it."
"Maybe you need to calm down Tails." Sonic told him. "Tell us exactly what happened up there."


Restlessly he ran, once on his path there had been a group of tall, pale fleshed beings, they were furless and for some reason he felt the uncontrollable urge to avoid them. And so he had moved, climbing to the treetops and going over them until he was well out of sight and sound of them. Then he continued for his goal.
It was getting closer, his mind didn't put together the concept that he was headed to it, only that it was closer to him than before. He stopped when he came to a clearing, in reality it was a backyard, in his mind it was just an open space in front of him. There was a small house, he didn't see that as much interest except as a piece of terrain that you could enter, unlike an animal he didn't understand the difference between natural and man made, it was all the same to a living creature that had been made by man.
He took a few steps towards the House, sensing the Chaos Emerald inside, all three eyes watched it's surface, he was not planning anything, only searching for the obvious path inside.
"Excuse me Mr. Monster." Came a voice off to his side, coming from someone he had not noticed yet.
He looked down at the small girl, she was very small, very young. In reality she was 6 years old. Details escaping Xhol was that she was a Rabbit and she wore a dress, Xhol could only tell her height and that she was Female, that was something he just understood without knowing why.
He watched her with all three eyes and then glanced to the small blue thing floating beside her shoulder, he did not know what it was, he had never seen a Chao.
"Mr. Monster, why are you in my back yard? Are you lost?" She asked him, she seemed only curious, not at all afraid.
Xhol-Terra just watched her with unblinking eyes.
"Can you hear me Mr. Monster?" She asked tilting her head slightly, the Chao floating over her shoulder mimicked the gesture.
Xhol-Terra only blinked.
"Oh..." She murmured in understanding. "You don't know how to speak, do you?" She asked him.
Xhol-Terra again only blinked, his goal was temporarily forgotten because of this small creature trying to communicate with him.
"Do you have a name Mr. Monster?" She asked him. "My name is Cream and this is Cheese." She motioned to the blue floating thing who gave a greeting "Chao Chao."
Xhol-Terra tilted his head, understanding that they were greeting even if he didn't recognize the words. "Xhol..." He whispered quietly after a moment.
"Is that your name?" Cheese asked smiling, she waited for an answer but when he didn't give one she went on anyways. "It's nice to meet you Mr. Xhol. What were you doing in the forest?" The Rabbit asked him.
Xhol-Terra blinked, understanding the question more or less. He looked down at the object in his hand.
"Is that a Chaos Emerald?" Cream asked looking at the Blue Gem. Xhol-Terra nodded to her. "Are you looking for the Chaos Emeralds?" Was her second question, again Xhol-Terra nodded, knowing it was the right time to do so.
She smiled at him. "We have a Chaos Emerald inside, I'll bring it out to show it to you." The rabit started to run off towards the house then turned back. "You wait here Mr. Xhol, I'll go get the Emerald for you." And continued inside.
Xhol-Terra waited outside, knowing that it was what the small girl had asked of him.
A moment later she came out and showed him the red gem. "See Mr. Xhol, I have one of the Seven Chaos Emeralds too. This one me and Cheese found walking through the forest, we brought it home to be safe."
Xhol blinked, watching the gem that had drawn him here.
Cream came up to him and with a hand gently took his free hand and moved it so it was open palm up and gently placed the Emerald in his hand, when she moved her hands away the talons of his claws closed shut around it. He watched it for a moment and then looked back at Cream, his mind was starting to put that name to that face.
She smiled at him and Cheese gave a sound. "I'll trust you with that Mr. Xhol. I think you need it more than I do, and I don't think you'd do bad things with them, so you can have it."
Xhol-Terra blinked and looked down at the two Emeralds, he started to feel a pull from somewhere else, another Emerald was getting closer, this time it actually was headed for him.
"You know Mr. Xhol, you look like somebody else I know." Cream said tilting her head and watching him. "You look like Mr. Shadow, you're fur is the same and you both have that sorta sad look in your eyes."
Xhol-Terra looked down at her, he understood her... "Shadow..." He whispered.
She nodded. "Do you know Mr. Shadow? Are you two friends?"
Xhol-Terra felt the other Emerald really close now, and another he hadn't noticed before because of the first, they were separate but both headed for him.
"There you are." Came a voice that both Cream and Xhol-Terra recognized. The Black Hedgehog was just standing a little off from them, having come out of the forest.
Xhol turned, half facing the Black hedgehog, again recognizing him. His third eye blinked and his tail gave off a twitch. "Shadow..." He whispered.
"So, you can talk after all..." Shadow muttered quietly and then looked down at the red Chaos Emerald in Xhol-Terra's hand and then looked at Cream. "Cream, did he take that Chaos Emerald from you?"
She shook her head. "No, I gave it to Mr. Xhol."
Shadow looked back at Xhol and nodded. "He didn't hurt you at all did he?" He asked, Cream shook her head. "I didn't think so. Xhol-Terra, do you understand who I am? We were both created by Dr Gerald. Do you know why you were created."
Xhol-Terra stared back at Shadow long and hard. His mouth opened just slightly, to say the words that came to thought, but then he felt it again. There was the whir of an engine and all three looked up to see the plane fly over the area, dropping down from the plane was two beings. A red Echidna and Blue Hedgehog, but Xhol-terra only saw them as threats, his tail twitched.
"Geeze Shadow, you already beat us too it." Sonic exclaimed after he landed, he stood to face Xhol.
"Tails was right..." Knuckles said staring at the thing by Cream. "It does look like some Demonic Shadow."
"It's name is Xhol-Terra." Shadow snapped looking over at them. "He was created by Dr. Gerald. If you two hadn't shown up right now I would have just-"
"He has two Chaos Emeralds and Cream!" Knuckles shouted pointing their direction.
Sonic grinned and took a step. "Alright Monster, just what do you think you're doing with those Chaos Emeralds?" He then zoomed right at them.
Xhol's thoughts, his instincts, came to him within a heart beat. He saw Sonic coming at Cream, he didn't understand their words, he didn't know that Sonic had good intentions and was planning to just speed Cream out of danger, Xhol-Terra just saw a threat. A threat to him and his new friend. Xhol twisted sharply, just as Sonic was almost there Xhol's tail lashed out, it slammed into the Blue Hedgehog hard.
"Oof!" Sonic grunted as he was smacked clean away. Knuckles growled and went at Xhol-terra before Shadow could try and stop him. Xhol moved and picked up Cream in his arms and ran off with her into the forest, his instincts told him to protect her against the threats.
"Get back here you freak!" Knuckles shouted and went after him.
"Damnit Knuckles you don't understand the situation!" Shadow shouted but the red Echidna was already out of sight. Shadow sighed and grabbed hold of the Green Chaos Emerald. "Chaos Control..." he muttered and warped away.

Xhol moved with purpose, Cream was silent in his arms, watching the trees go by. She did not understand what was going on. She did not understand why her new friend was trying to protect her from her other friends. "Are we playing Tag Mr. Xhol?" She asked looking up at him, he didn't answer her.
"Xhol!" Shadow shouted as he came up to run beside the other creation of Gerald. "Sonic and Knuckles aren't enemies. Give Cream to me, I'll explain everything to them but we need to stop."
Xhol didn't hear his words, his current goal was too urgent to hear them, despite who it was. His tail lashed out, catching the Black Hedgehog off guard and knocked him away off into the bushes.
Cream laughed happily. "Looks like you're it now Mr. Shadow, you have to catch us!"
Xhol was not sure why she was laughing, it only confused him more, but he continued to run, knowing the threat was following.
"I've got you know you mutant!" Knuckles shouted, just behind him. The red Echidna grabbed onto Xhol-Terra's tail, the strength of the Echidna was enough to bring even Xhol-Terra off balance. He was confused for a moment as to why he had been brought off his feet, but instincts reacted faster than thought. He went right over the Echidna's head, landing squarely on the feet he grounded himself and snapped his tail hard. This time it was pulled out of the red Echidna's grasp, he then rushed forward and with a sideways kick he planted in the side of Knuckle's head. He kept his toes close together instead of pointing forward, if he had them out they would have cut right into the Echidna, more than likely killing him, but unexplainably he didn't want to kill the Echidna... The blow was more than enough to send the Echidna flying out of the way, and Xhol ran up ahead again.
"I know you had to tag Mr. Knuckles back, but that looked a little too hard. You sure he'd be alright?" She asked him.
Of course he didn't answer, only ran.
"Hey spikes for brains!" Shouted a voice. "You really didn't expect to outrun me did you?"
Xhol looked to his side at the Blue Hedgehog running beside him. Sonic had a big smirk on his face watching Xhol. Xhol-Terra's tail lashed out, but the Blue Hedgehog ran faster up ahead to avoid it. He turned around and started running backwards. "You can't escape with her, may as well giv up."
Xhol's eyes narrowed, the threats would not leave him alone, they came again and again and wouldn't stop... He had to use more force...
"Stay out of this Sonic!" Snapped Shadow as he rushed in, Sonic didn't move fast enough to avoid the Black hedgehog's fist. He was knocked clean into the bushes. Shadow ran next to Xhol-terra, this time Xhol didn't attack him, he recognized that Shadow had helped fight the threat. "Give me Cream Xhol. I understand you're trying to protect her, but this is for her own safety. I promise I won't let them hurt her."
Xhol nodded at him, understanding the meaning of the Dark Hedgehog's words. He stopped, as did Shadow, and he let Cream down. Then went off again.
Cream looked up at Shadow. "Mr. Shadow, where's Mr. Xhol going?"
Shadow looked down at the girl, he picked his words carefully. "Xhol's still playing the game of tag with Sonic and Knuckles, they plan on going much further away from your home, so I'm going to take you back."
He hardly blinked when he saw Sonic and Knuckles go past, as he expected they were going to persue Xhol even if Cream was now safe.

Xhol felt the landscape change, he felt it more than saw it. He knew this place was better and stopped when he entered the rocky clearing, he waited for the threats to catch up.
The Blue Hedgehog and Red Echidna stopped on the outside of the area, watching the no longer fleeing creature.
Xhol-Terra turned around to face them. He knew now he would have to stop them, he would stop them from chasing him one way or another. The one was too fast, and the other too determined for him to lose them, he would try the next option.
Sonic watched the creature watch them back, he glanced at Knuckles. "So, who wants first crack at him." He was hardly finished the sentence when Knuckles rushed the Beastly Hedgehog.
Xhol saw the strong one come at him first, the Echidna came in a strait line. Xhol let him get close, preparing himself. The fist swung at Xhol-Terra, a claw reached out to grab it. The force behind the blow was great and Xhol slid back a few feet in the dirt, plowing the dirt beneath his feet from the sheer force of it. The red Echidna blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting the creature to be able to hold up against his strength, he was open when Xhol caught him with his counter punch, a fist coming up knocked Knuckles in the chin and the Echidna flew back.
The Blue Hedgehog took Knuckles being knocked clear as an invitation, he sped at Xhol and branched off just a split second before collision to zoom off to the side. Xhol spun to keep track of him, but the blue hedgehog was going too fast that he was able to get behind him, jump into the air, and then dash, rebounding off of Xhol-Terra's back.
Xhol stepped forward to balance himself, the blue hedgehog zoomed up in front of him, landing a kick at the Demonic Hedgehog's face and went a safe distance again. Xhol fell on his back, then rolled over and pushed himself up, his eyes took sight of the Blue Hedgehog. The Hedgehog was too fast... Something whispered in his head to him. "Able to Adapt to any situation."
"Ready for more?" Sonic asked, he looked over at Knuckles who was finally getting up. "Geeze Knuckles, this is no time to take a nap." He rolled his eyes, the red Echidna only gave him a cold look.
Xhol waited and again the Blue Hedgehog went at him, this time Xhol ran against him.
Sonic moved away, unsure what the Beastly Hedgehog was trying to do, it was going right at Knuckles. "Heads up Knux!"
The Red Echidna rose his fists, they were useless in the coming assault.
Xhol-Terra's tail came up, slapping Knuckle's hands out of the way, then both of Xhol-Terra's claws rushed up, pinning Knuckle's arms while they were up and holding them out of the way, and then the tail twisted back, following that up by stabbing forward, it sunk into the red hedgehog's body.
"Knuckles!" Sonic shouted and went at them. Xhol looked back and let go of the Echidna's arms. They slumped down weakly beside him. Then Xhol turned, the arc of his tail launched the Echidna at the Blue Hedgehog, succeeding in knocking the Blue Hedgehog to the ground.
"Knuckles, you okay?" Sonic asked looked down at the Echidna beside him. There was blood coming out of an open wound.
"Yeah..." Knuckles said looking down at the blood. "It's not much, I've had worse. Actually, it's not very deep at all, it wasn't even aimed for a vital part."
"Then what did he do?" Sonic looked over at the creature and blinked as he saw the transformation.
Xhol-terra's body began to shift, it changed, his very flesh began to waver. New spines formed, the new carapace grew on his shoulders and arms, becoming more protected. His hand claws grew in size, the three talons becoming much larger and more deadly, his whole body looked the more muscular. The spikes on his head shifted, changing to pointing down and then back partially, much more like that of Knuckle's hair. He looked over at the Blue Hedgehog and Red Echidna, large claws flexing in front of him. He looked Sonic strait on and spread his arms out to his side, he roared loudly, a terrifying beast like sound.
Sonic gulped and stood up. "This just got interesting..."



Chapter 3: A Purpose

"Now let's see... No, not another drill... I've done that too many times... A big cannon is tempting... Aha! I giant spring that launches huge spiked metal balls!" The doctor began working away madly at his keyboard and the image on screen, which looked like a huge tank that now hand a oversized spring on one side with a giant robotic hand that would load big spiky metal balls onto the tank. "What a marvelous idea, don't you think so Rouge?" He turned around in his chair to look at the bat girl sitting down in another chair just a little off from him.
"A giant spring? Are you going crazy doctor?" She snapped, she put her feet up on another chair. "I think you're using too much creativity and not enough common sense."
"My dear, you simply don't understand." Eggman said as he worked more on the design of his newest vehicle. "I know well enough that this isn't my greatest creation, after my last was destroyed I'm currently working on a new idea, but in the mean time I need to make weapons to keep myself occupied. Besides, what fun is a weapon of destruction if you don't have any fun with it? Missiles and lasers get boring after while, it's all just instant ashes. It's much more amusing crushing them to death, I enjoy getting a few good laughs out of using a weapon like this."
"Your morbid sense of humor amazes me doctor." She said rolling her eyes. She put her feet back on the floor and walked up to him. "I kept my part of the deal when I stole that technology from GUN for you, you keep your part of the deal and give me my Emerald."
Eggman turned around to her again, he stood up, the doctor towering over her easily. "Ah yes, that. Well you see my dear, I haven't an Emerald to give you."
"YOU WHAT!" Rouge snapped. "Why you fat sack of... I should have known scum like you wouldn't have-"
"Manors Rouge, please be calm." He sat back down and opened up a new screen on the computer. It showed a camera view of a large skyscraper. Rouge recognized it as one of GUN's headquarters. "I haven't been able to obtain an Emerald myself, but while you were gone I took the time to find where one is. I plan to pay my end of the bargain, and here it is, the location of a Chaos Emerald just waiting for you to take." He hit a button on screen and it gave her a detailed map of the structure. "Funny how it is the exact same building you just robbed."

The creatures closed fist hit Knuckles square in the jaw, the Echidna buckled from the force of it and was thrown back away. He hit the ground hard and he felt his whole mind spinning. He had never taken a hit to the face as hard as that. He eventually sat up and looked over at the Demonic Hedgehog... Well sort of an Echidna too now, trying to attack the Blue Blur running circles around him. "Watch it Sonic, he's as strong as I am now."
Sonic only laughed as he sidestepped a blow aimed for his head. "That doesn't worry me, I've fought you before, you're not that tough."
Sonic, ran to the side of the beast when it suddenly twisted around, following his movement. It closed both huge claws together and smashed them into the ground hard. The earth before him buckled and cracked, a huge shard of jagged rock bursting out, Sonic was knocked away by the sudden attack from the earth, though he only got hit by a curved chunk of rock he was sent flying and out of breath. It could have been worse though, if he had been hit with a jagged chunk of rock it would have gone right through him.
The hedgehog hit the ground and skidded back in the dirt. He held his head as he stood up again, it was throbbing. "Well, I guess that makes him stronger and smarter than you too..."
Knuckle's growled and charged at the being, a punch aimed for it's head, the creature winded back and threw a punch, it acted as a defense and connected squarely with Knuckle's own fist. Knuckles felt the force behind his opponent's fist, it was like nothing he had ever felt before, a blow that matched his own and maybe more, his fist was throbbing with pain, something that had never happened before.
His opponent's fist came back, it turned to the side and the tail snapped around, slamming Knuckles in the side of the head. Knuckles was knocked sideways, but his opponent had no plans on just letting him fly away again. A claw snapped out, thick taloned fingers closing around Knuckles neck. The red Echidna felt his opponent lift him into the air above his head, and then swiftly the ground came up to meet him as he was smashed hard into it. Again the being lifted him up, forcing Knuckle's to look down into his eyes. His bizarre alien eyes.
"Knuckles, Hang on!" Sonic shouted and charged right ahead, there was a rush of air and suddenly someone else was in his way. Shadow was standing there blocking his way. Sonic's eyes narrowed as he remembered how the Dark Hedgehog had attacked him before. "Step out of the way Shadow, that thing's going to kill Knuckles."
"No, he's not." Shadow said, plain as day. He looked over at the demonic creature holding Knuckles in the air. "Are you Xhol-Terra?"
When he spoke those words the thing turned his sight to the Black Hedgehog.
"You're not going to kill him, not unless he makes you." Shadow said stepping towards the thing. "Put him down, they won't follow you. I'll make sure of it." He spoke these words firmly. The creature continued to stare at him with all three eyes. Then abruptly it turned to look at the Red Echidna hanging in his claws, and dropped him.
"Oof." Knuckles felt the air driven out of his lungs as he hit the ground again. He was out of breath and badly bruised. Other than that the creature had only managed to give him a headache from slamming him on the ground before.
The thing, Xhol-Terra looked state at Shadow again, then ran off.
"Shadow, what is that thing?" Sonic asked the black Hedgehog, who was watching Xhol-Terra run off.
"Project Xhol-Terra." Shadow answered him. "Created by doctor Gerald Robotnic, just as I was." Then he went off after it.
Sonic came up to Knuckles and helped him onto his feet.
"So what now?" Knuckles asked once he could support his own weight. "Do we just leave the thing to Shadow?"
Sonic shook his head. "Shadow's good at handling trouble, but I don't think even he knows what this thing could be capable of. It's headed off to the city, we need to follow it before we have real trouble on our hands."
Knuckles glanced around. "What about Tails? I thought he just said he was going to find someplace to land the Tornado?"
Sonic shook his head. "Find him if you want, right now this is important. I'm going to follow those two." And with that the blue hedgehog was already off again.

This open land felt strange to Xhol-Terra, he didn't feel right in this dry open space. He had felt more comfortable within the forest, with trees all around, he felt too easy a target out here, he could see for miles and could be seen just as easily.
When he had stabbed the Echidna something had happened, something he had not intended. When his blade came into contact with the blood of the Echidna it had felt a chill through his body, his tail actually absorbed some of it, absorbed it into his body. His body had changed, adapting to this new strain of DNA, modifying his own DNA to be more compatible with that of the Echidna.
Knuckles, that was what the Echidna called himself, many things could be found through blood, and Xhol-Terra could find out everything within the blood, including memories. He felt stronger now, much stronger. He felt like he could shatter the earth with his bare claws, that he could rend through any surface...
A new feeling, anger, was filling through him. His blood felt hot, his mind was cloudy even has things became more clear. His mind was clearing and becoming stronger, but something else was filling it. Two voices spoke at once, both of them talking to him, but their words conflicting with each other. The DNA of the Echidna had changed his mind, giving him access to his own thoughts hidden away in corners of his mind, thoughts and commands programmed into him that were previously activated. He heard the first voice, that of an old man... He could picture in his head the body and face of the man... Round bodied, he was bald. He wore a white lab coat and had a large mustache. The man said to him "Project Xhol-Terra, designed for warfare. It is to be able to take the DNA of captured enemies and take their memories, allowing us to learn important information without the hassle of interrogation. It is also to be a capable fighter, able to become even more skilled in battle by learning the technics and strategies of its enemies."
Another voice spoke, this one was stronger in his mind. A deep intimidating voice, it rumbled and was unlike any other voice. Xhol-Terra saw it then, a black and red creature, it had a head with two large horns coming out of it, three eyes stared into Xhol-Terra's very soul. "My child, you were created with my blood. You have our kinds highly mutable DNA, it will allow you to use that and make yourself much stronger, you will gain the strength of all those you defeat."
Dr Gerald was shaking his head as he worked. "...the Black Arms planned betrayed us all along. Although Shadow seems sound and I don't detect anything that would mean he has anything else but a free soul... I do not know about Xhol-Terra, I fear Black Doom has twisted his vulnerable mind to something horrible."
Black Doom stood on the Black Comet, looking upon earth. "...he is a weapon, the humans only plan on using you for their selfish means. Look how they fight against each other, how they war upon their own kind. I plan to bring peace, unity to this feeble planet. The Black Arms are nothing like them, we work for the same goals, we do not fight amongst ourselves. We will bring upon the humans our unity...
The Doctor was slumped back in a chair, looking over a computer full of data. "I don't think it is possible for me to know for certain whether Xhol-Terra is under his control or not... I'm sorry my son, I fear you will never see the light of day."
Fires burned and many of the red and black aliens gathered around Black Doom. "Judgement will come to pass. Xhol-Terra and Shadow, my chosen children. You will both gather the Chaos Emeralds for me when the time comes..."
"Seal him away, I don't want him ever activated. We will keep this chamber hidden from the rest of the..."
"The Chaos Emeralds are the ultimate power, with them we can..."
"I had planned for him to protect the earth..."
"Ultimate Power!"
Xhol-Terra stopped, the visions and voices had ended, he looked down at his claws... They were normal sized, he was back in his last form, it seemed he had not taken enough DNA from the Echidna, it had burned away. But even still his mind was clear and the memories had faded. He no longer acted as an animal, it was not just all instincts, he could think as a rational being.
The seven Chaos Emeralds gave power... Black Doom had wanted him to gather the power, enough power to end the world, to make the humans not but slaves to the Black Arms... Dr Gerald had wanted him to help the world... But to do so was to fight other humans... Both of these seemed wrong to Xhol. He wasn't sure if it was that these two creators of him went against each other, but they both seemed foolish to him, they both seemed stupid. No, he would not serve any, the doctor was right, he had a free soul and his choices were his own.
He looked at the Chaos Emerald in his claw, the stone held so much power... And with all Seven the power was even more, was so much more. But with all seven he'd in a way be following Black Doom's plans. He wouldn't gather the Emeralds, he would gain power greater than that his own way. He looked off into the distance, he could tell there was an Emerald that direction, far off in that direction an Emerald was waiting for him. He wasn't interested in the Emerald in that way, but if he had it along with his two others it would attract other people. Other people of power, of abilities. It would draw the blue hedgehog to him... He looked into the memories of the red echidna that he still had access too, he picked out two others from these thoughts, these were his targets... They would come if he had the bait...
Xhol-Terra looked behind him, very aware that he was being followed. Shadow had kept his distance from Xhol-Terra, a good distance that Xhol felt comfortable with. His eyes flashed and he ran off in the direction of this third emerald. Shadow could follow him, it didn't matter, he didn't think his brother would harm him... And Xhol-Terra wouldn't hurt Shadow, unless it was completely necessary. To Xhol's delight he could sense that the blue hedgehog was following them as well, it would make it all the easier.

Shadow felt that Xhol-Terra was on the move once more, so he started into pursuit again. He stayed far enough to be out of sight, he could track Xhol-Terra easily enough through the two Chaos Emeralds the other had collected, the energy of one was enough for Shadow to keep track of, two was like a homing beacon.
Unfortunately Shadow could tell that someone else with a Chaos Emerald was following Xhol-Terra too, judging from where it had started from the other Emerald was in Sonic's hands. The hedgehog wasn't going at a steady pace like Xhol-Terra, and Shadow himself. Sonic was in a head long dash, but it seemed that the two different signals of Chaos Energy was throwing the Blue Hedgehog off of track, an Emerald Radar could only go so far, unlike Shadow's built in sense for the energy.
He made a quick choice, knowing that he had told Xhol-Terra that he would stop anyone who tried to follow him. He somehow knew that Xhol had understood that deal of theirs, and Shadow intended to keep it. The Black Hedgehog spun on the spot, making a quick turn back towards this other signal of energy. Flames burst from the bottom of his shoes, shooting him forward down the path. He gripped his Chaos Emerald in his right hand, accessing the energy of the Ancient Gemstone, it flashed bright, bathing him in it's radiance. "CHAOS.... CONTROL!" And he disappeared in a flash of light.

Some distance away the Blue Hedgehog was running, heading after the strange creature known as Xhol-Terra. He held the emerald radar in his left hand, watching the strange patterns on screen. There had been a huge burst of energy up ahead, from the weaker of the two signals. Then it was gone, but something was still odd about the Emerald, then the signal was back and it was just ahead.
Sonic looked up from the Emerald's screen and had to force himself to stop before he ran into the Black Hedgehog for the second time today.
Shadow's arms were crossed and he was looking strait at Sonic, he did not look to be in a very happy mood.
Sonic put the radar away and clenched his fists, he had an idea of why Shadow was standing away. "Shadow, I'm following that thing whether you like it or not. It's headed to the city with two Chaos Emeralds, Tails already told me it was capable of using Chaos Control, that thing could cause all sorts of havoc in the city."
Shadow's eyes only narrowed and they stared strait into Sonics. "And I don't care. You'll only be putting yourself into danger for following him, I know because I'll be the cause of the danger. Now turn back Sonic, this is all under control."
"Yeah well I like to make sure, Shad. I'm going to make sure personally, I'm either going around you or through you." He warned the dark hedgehog.
Shadow smirked and uncrossed his arms. "At this rate Sonic, the only place you're going is state to your grave. And I'll be the one who'll send you there."
Sonic glared back at Shadow. "In that case it looks like neither of us are about to change our minds."
Shadow was still smirking. "Looks that way."
"Well then, I call first blow!" He shouted and zoomed at Shadow.
The dark hedgehog's smirk only grew, stepping out of the way with speed just like Sonic's. The blue hedgehog turned his head in time to see a fist aimed inbetween his eyes.
Sonic fell back and rolled away with the blow. He jumped back on his feet and growled lowly. Shadow had always proven an even match, this would not be an easy fight...



Chapter 4: Strive for Perfection

“Just keep going, you’re doing fine.” The doctor assured Rouge over the communication line. “I mean, it’s not as if you’re not allowed to be in the building right? You are an agent for gun.” He smirked and sat back in his chair, watching the screen of the building’s internal structure. A glowing blue dot on screen symbolized Rouge’s whereabouts.
“The last thing I need is them drawing conclusions towards me being the one who made these two robbery attempts, ONLY A DAY APART!” Snapped the bat’s voice back over at him.
Eggman couldn’t help but chuckle. “Relax, you are the world’s greatest jewel thief. So what if they added extra security? You have a knack for this sort of thing.”
“What I don’t understand is why you couldn’t tell me it was here to begin with. I only would have had to make one trip.” She sounded very annoyed.
“Well I didn’t know that until after you had pulled off the theft.” He answered innocently. “Besides, if you knew ahead of time then you might have just gone for the Emerald and just forgotten the deal entirely.”
“You don’t give me enough credit.”
“You don’t deserve that much credit.” The door to the room opened and Eggman turned to face one of his robots, carrying on a tray a glass of cool Lemonade. “Just lovely, you’ve shaved 2 seconds off of your record.” He said as he took the glass, sipping the drink through a straw.
“What’s going on over there? Pay attention to the job!” Rouge snapped.
“Relax, it was just one of my bots coming to bring me a drink. I still have my eye on the ball. This work is thirsty business.” He went back to the keyboard.
“Thirsty business? You mean just typing on a key board while I’m out here running this maze they call an office!”
“You have no idea how hard it is to keep the security systems from noticing you, all the while keeping the main computers from noticing me messing with them.” He glanced over at the bot, which was still standing there. “What are you still doing here? You should have stuff to do.”
The bot stood as tall as its roundish body could, Eggman’s basic soldiers were not very human in appearance, other than they resembled him… Sort of. “Sir, our scouts have discovered something to your interest sir.”
“Really…” Eggman murmured, scratching his chin. He took another sip from his lemonade and spun in his chair to face the robot. “Tell me what you found.”
“Doctor, what are you doing?”
“In a second Rouge, there’s an emergency.” He told her and opened up a new screen.
The robot came up to the doctor. “Open up scout 6’s internal memory, we have the seen as you can see.
The doctor scratched his chin again. “And what is this I’m looking at exactly?”
The bot began his explanation. “Well, from what we can assume it has Two Chaos Emeralds. On first sight we registered it as the Hedgehog classified as Shadow, but on closer analysis…”
“It is something else entirely…” Eggman pondered watching the recording of the strange creature running through the forest. “It looks… Alien… Like something not of our world…”
“In the nearby area to where this creature was at the moment we found several others that might be of your interest. Nearby we found the real Shadow the Hedgehog. We also found Tails the Fox and Knuckles the Echidna in a nearby flying craft classified as the Tornado. And Sonic the Hedgehog from what we believe. We can only assume because there was another Emerald energy signal moving at amazing speeds, and it was apart from where Shadow was…”
“Well then, looks like those fools have gotten themselves into something interesting.” The Doctor stood and walked away from the computer. “Get my personal Battleship ready, I don’t think I’ll need the Fleet today. Whatever is going on over there, I’m sure it’s of interest to me. Since I wasn’t invited, looks like I’m going to crash their party.”
“DOCTOR GET BACK HERE, you can’t just leave in the middle of this!” Rouge snapped over the computer at him.
“Oh I almost forgot.” The doctor went over to the computer. “I have something really important that just came up. We’ll have to do this another time.” He hit the button to turn off the computer.
“Why you…” Was all that came in before it shut off.

“Chaos Spear!” Shadow shouted, with a wave of his hand the golden blast shot out at the blue Hedgehog. Sonic jumped up out of the way, the energy of the blast hit a tree behind him. The tree snapped on the spot and broke in half.
Sonic growled and spun into a ball quickly, charging up to go and strike the Black and Red Hedgehog. Though their abilities were mostly the same, the dark hedgehog had the advantage when it came to his mastery of the Chaos Energies. Sonic had barely used the Chaos Emerald once.
Finally he shot out at the Black Hedgehog, a spiky rolling ball of pain. The Black Hedgehog jumped out of the way and Sonic went shooting past, narrowly missing him. He made a turn and went rushing back at Shadow in almost no time. Shadow braced himself and then kicked outward, knocking Sonic way off course of the edge of a cliff.
Sonic spun out of the ball in midair and landed on his feet, moving one hand down he crouched to catch his balance. Luckily the cliff had not been very high up so he wasn’t at all damaged from the fall.
He looked at the top of the cliff, Shadow hadn’t yet come over, he wondered if the Black Hedgehog was waiting for Sonic to come up? He couldn’t tell whether Shadow would pursue him over the edge or he would just wait to catch Sonic in ambush… It was hard to say, Shadow was a tricky opponent.
“Ahem.” A voice behind him tried to get his attention. Sonic recognized it within a split second and spun around, kicking out at Shadow’s face as he span. The dark hedgehog smirked and lifted a hand, catching Sonic’s foot in mid air. He pushed the foot back the other way, catching Sonic off guard and then punched upwards, getting Sonic under the chin.
The blue Hedgehog fell backwards, Shadow only stood there watching, still smirking. “I’m surprised Sonic, this is almost too easy for me. I thought you were a better opponent then that. I suppose now I can finally prove to the world that I am the Ultimate Life Form.”
“I’m not so easily brought down, Shadow old pal.” Sonic jumped onto his feet from a laying down position. He could tell from Shadow’s lack of change from the smirk that he was not impressed.
“Just give up Sonic, I’m not looking forward to killing you, not like this. Just leave Xhol-Terra alone, leave him to me. You’re meddling in things that are not any of your business.” Shadow told him, it was more of a command really.
“Now you know I can’t just do that.” Sonic said back, “He has two chaos Emeralds, and you saw how he injured Knuckles. He is dangerous.”
Shadow’s eyes narrowed and he looked away from Sonic, off into the distance. “I can see there’s no explaining logic to you.”
“Yeah, well don’t expect for that many people to listen to your logic when it makes no sense.” Sonic rolled his eyes and scratched an ear.
“Fine, I have other ways of discouraging interlopers.” Shadow growled. He darted forward and the Blue Hedgehog quickly, aiming to plant an elbow in Sonic’s gut.
Sonic saw the attack coming and moved in response, he zoomed out of range of Shadow’s attack, just off to the side of the Black Hedgehog he twisted and kicked Shadow in the side of the head.
Shadow grunted and stumbled away to avoid another attack. His eyes were burning with anger and for all Sonic knew Shadow would explode on the spot.
“You see, I haven’t lost my touch. Now this fight is far from over, considering neither of us are going to back down.” Sonic readied himself, his fists up front.
Shadow seemed to become completely calm again. He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Wrong, this fight is over now. I didn’t plan on having to finish this fight, I just needed to buy time for Xhol-Terra to get away from you.”
“You don’t mean…” Sonic paused for a moment. “I’m not letting you get away!” He jumped up and ran at Shadow.
The Black Hedgehog just smirked and lifted up his Chaos Emerald into the air. “Chaos Control!” The air around shifted. The Blue Hedgehog jumped at Shadow to try and stop him, but it was too late. Shadow was gone in a flash of light and the Blue Hedgehog only fell on his face.
Sonic stood up and sighed, Shadow had succeeded in slowing him down. He turned to the direction of the city and ran off again, he needed to catch up for lost time.

Rouge sighed as she entered the new room, that last one had really tested her abilities. The room had been full of moving lasers and she swore there was an insane amount of them turned on since the last time she went through there. Luckily she was flexible and had managed to get through, though she was sweaty all over now from the heat of being close to those things.
“Honestly, shouldn’t gun be worried that their defenses are going to kill people? Aren’t they supposed to catch intruders alive?” She growled to herself out loud and looked around the room. There were four doors, one behind her and one to each other side of this square room. Last time she had taken the left path… This time she was pretty sure she had to take the right path.
“Doctor, are you there?” She asked. Again only fuzz over the device, he had turned it off some time ago, she had been hoping he would turn it on again soon and get back to helping her. She shrugged with a sigh and went down the right path, she just had to trust her instinct it seemed. Luckily she had very good instinct.
The opened the door using the password that opened most of the doors in the facility, and paused as it slid upwards. She looked down the long hallway cautiously, she couldn’t see any defenses at the moment but that didn’t mean they weren’t hidden…
Deciding it was best not to try walking down the hallway, she jumped up and grabbed a hold of the ceiling. Pausing for a moment to keep her balance, she started to slowly crawl down the hallway from the on the ceiling, bats were good at hanging from ceilings after all.
Her process was slow, but no signs of any defense system went off so she considered it for the best. For all she knew there might not even be any defense systems down here, but it was better to be safe than sorry, right?
After a long while she had made it to the other side of the hundred foot long hall, something that would have taken half as long walking. She carefully loosened her feet so she was only hanging from her hands, and then dropped down onto her feet.
She crouched in an alert ready position and waited, waited for an alarm, or lasers… Or maybe GUN soldiers to come charging down the way she came. She waited for a whole minute, hardly moving, hardly breathing. When nothing happened she decided it was safe to continue, she entered the code into the door and waited as it slowly slid open.
The next room was much larger then the one before, it was a sixty foot by sixty foot square, with not much inside. In the center was a raised platform where the Light Blue Chaos Emerald rested. She didn’t enter the room, in fact she wasn’t even standing at the doorway, and she was off to the side, peering from around the corner.
The room seemed safe enough, there was not any cameras from what she could tell… There were not any defenses from what it seemed, the Chaos Emerald was the only thing in the room.
Rouge was not easily fooled however, she knew there was more too it than the rooms before it. She took out a pair of odd looking sunglasses and placed them over her eyes, messing around with the knobs on the side she waited a moment as they adjusted to the light. Everything looked dark and green through the glasses, but now she could see it, now she could see the lasers stationed all over the place.
She smirked and waited for a moment, making sure these lasers really were stationary, they were all low to the ground and once on the platform she’d be completely safe from them. It all looked simple enough well, and that emerald may as well be hers already.
She jumped up from her spot and her wings snapped out in the air. She glided over to the platform and touched down just beside the Emerald. Crouching down she gently lifted the Light Blue Gem up and examined it in her hands. It was such a beautiful object… It had been some time since she had one of these things in her grasp.
The alarm went off, the whole room flashed red as lights hidden behind the walls were pushed out and blinked their red glow across the room. She gasped as the lasers disappeared but the door slammed shut, locking her in the room.
She looked down at the Emerald in her palm and wondered what she did to set it off, she hadn’t touched any of the invisible lasers… Though it was hard to say where they had originally been because they had all turned off when the alarm went off.
She stepped down from the platform and wandered the room, there were no air vents, so not only was there not a way of escape, but if someone didn’t open the door eventually, which she hoped they would, she would suffocate.
“What set off that bloody alarm?” She wondered aloud and glanced through the room. What had she done that had caused it to go off, it couldn’t be someone else could it? She highly doubted there was anyone sneaky enough like her to get in like she had, to get past the first gathering of guards…
But what about strong enough? She spun to the door of the room, something had just banged against the metal hard. She took a step closer and examined it, there was a dent in the metal as if something equally as hard had just smashed into it. She lifted a hand to her mouth, looking at the metal bent inwards towards her and wondered what could have hit the door so hard…
There was the sound of metal tearing and she looked to see just a bit off from the dent three sharp claws poking through.
She gasped and backed away as the claws slowly rended through the metal. There was another slam and three more talons came through in another spot. The claws tore their way towards each other and stopped when they were close together, then seeming to be trying to get a good grip they closed together. Rouge could hear the groaning of metal being bent and manipulated, she decided to back away a whole not more.
There was a loud snap as the door came lose from its above supports, it was then pulled back by whatever had been attacking it, and thrown behind the creature. There was a large crash as it fell into the hallway behind it.
She didn’t believe her eyes when she saw this strange hedgehog like creature approaching her. All claws and spikes… With that huge spike at the end of its tail, the creature’s three green eyes were all focused on her and it took step after step towards her.
Rouge gulped and hid the Chaos Emerald behind her back, she backed up a bit but stopped when she realized that any further and she’d hit the wall behind her. “You… You better back off buddy, you don’t know who you’re messing with.”
The creature did not answer, it just kept approaching.
“Listen, I’ve taken out things larger and uglier than you pal. You couldn’t stand half a chance against some of the…” She paused as she drew the resemblance between this thing, Shadow, and the black aliens that had attacked earth.
The creature seemed unfazed by her threats and charged forward at the fruit bat. Rouge bit her teeth and jumped into the air, going right over the head of the monstrous looking hedgehog. He spun around to try and follow, but when she landed behind him she duck and spun, kicking his feet out from under him.
Rouge grin as the thing fell on his back, she turned to run but fell flat on her face as something caught her leg. The Chaos Emerald dropped out of her hand and it went rolling off across the room.
“Damnit.” She rolled onto her back, the creature’s tail was wrapped firmly around her leg and it was standing up before, her. Green eyes were focused on the emerald rolling away, Rouge knew what he was after. “You’re not getting that Emerald!” She kicked forward with her free foot, it got him in the face hard. It hardly flinched but looked down at her when she had done so. She was a little freaked out when the kick hardly seemed to do anything, she could kick hard enough to shatter metal crates… But knowing she needed to get free she kicked at it again, and again, and again.
After the fourth kick it fell back and its tail unwrapped from her leg. She scrambled to get up and ran over to the Emerald, picking it up on the run she ran for the open doorway and down to the hallway.
She turned a corner and slammed into someone.
Both she and the other fell over, the Chaos Emerald went rolling away again. She groaned and rubbed her forehead, it was beating terribly now. “Watch where you’re going you idiot!” She snapped without even thinking about it.
“Rouge?” Shadow asked standing up.
“Shadow?” Rogue asked in return, she looked up at the black and red hedgehog and accepted his hand when he offered it to help her up. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” Shadow said, and then looked over at the Chaos Emerald on the ground. “But then again I think I already know. Have you seen a…” He didn’t finish that sentence as the monstrous hedgehog came charging around the corner. “Xhol-Terra stop, it’s-“
Rouge jumped out of the way, but Shadow was not so lucky and the creature’s tail hit him upside the face, knocking him down onto his back.
The creature spun to face Rouge and she prepared herself, the thing ran right at her and she tried to counter attack, but the thing was too strong and its clawed hand wrapped around her neck.
She felt the air pushed out of her lungs as she was shoved hard again the wall of the room. Rouge could see her own reflection in the creatures green eyes, her own wide eyed and frightened self.
The things tail came forward and her eyes bulged even wider as it pierced her skin. She felt her energy leaving her, she felt herself getting weaker and weaker, while the monster seemed all the stronger.

Shadow groaned and slowly stood up, that was some blow he had taken. He looked over at the pair of them and his eyes widened. “No, Xhol-Terra!” She yelled and jumped to his feet. He ran at the two of them by the wall.
Xhol-Terra’s eyes glanced out at him and then it jumped back away from Rouge before Shadow got to them. It backed off a few more feet away before Shadow reached her.
The Dark Hedgehog crouched down and examined the bat, she was still breathing and the wound had no pierced anything vital… In fact she seemed to be gaining strength fast.
Shadow stepped back away from her, marveling for a moment how far from deadly Xhol-Terra’s attack had really been, but then he glanced over at the transforming creature.
Xhol-Terra’s body changed as it had when it had stabbed Knuckles with its tail. This time the transformation was much different. Xhol-Terra’s body changed in shape, closer to Rouge’s. Judging from the large eyelashes and body shape it had become female itself now. Its two normal eyes opened and focused on Shadow, and she gave a slight smirk and crossed her arms over her chest. Her body shape was like Rouge’s but she still seemed to be a hedgehog, if with larger ears. Her hair spikes went strait down instead of out and up. Her feet claws seemed larger and spiked, no doubt from Rouge’s own tendency for kicking. And the pair of wings from out behind Xhol-Terra’s back… They were bat wings that was too be sure, though they were certainly larger and stronger than Rouge’s.
The third eye opened on her forehead and all three were focused on shadow. She smirked slightly and lifted her chin a small bit. “So, what do you think of my new transformation?”

[Control]

Chapter 5: The Road to Conflict

"Xhol-Terra, what are you doing?" Shadow demanded. "I can understand defending yourself, but why are you attacking people and why are you after the chaos emeralds?"
Xhol-Terra chuckled to herself quietly, her eyes closed and her now much smaller clawed fingers lightly tapped on her own arms. Her fingers had grown one and number and were small enough for manipulating objects. Her three eyes opened and focused solely on Shadow. "I'm not interested in the Chaos Emeralds."
She waited for a moment, smirking, Shadow was watching her back cautiously. "Then why did you take those two and why are you after this third one?"
"Because others want the Chaos Emeralds." She answered him, speaking as though it was the most simple thing in the world. "If I gather the most Chaos Emeralds, all the sooner they will come to me."
"And why do you want them to come to you?" Shadow asked, playing along with her slow explanation.
Xhol-Terra smiled and pointed to Rouge. "To do with them as I did to her, to take their DNA and use it towards strengthening my own abilities. Rouge is one of the three I am after, thanks to her I know have wings and the capability of flight. She is clever and alert, both are abilities I can use to my advantage."
"So you want to combine the abilities of three different beings..." Shadow murmured. "But why?"
"The next would be the hedgehog Sonic, his speed and determination will only add to my abilities." Xhol-Terra smirked and walked over to the Light Blue Chaos Emerald on the ground and lifted it up. "I also need these to find the third one, the cat Blaze."
"Blaze?" Shadow asked watching her.
"But to my understanding she does not exist on our world." Xhol-Terra looked over at Shadow. "I will use four Emeralds, the combine energy will be powerful enough for me to go back in time to when she was on our world, and then I can steal her DNA as well."
"Go back and time?" Shadow's eyes narrowed and he clenched his fist. "If you do so you will rupture the time line, we will know what you did and it will cause a paradox. Trust me, time travel is a dangerous thing."
"I know Shadow, I have no wish of disrupting the time line myself." She said with a smile. "That's why I'll take the proper precautions. You can help me for one."
"Why would I help you?" Shadow asked, eyes narrowing.
"Because I am the only living family you have Shadow." She spoke softly. "Dr Gerald and Maria are both dead. Unless you could the berserk artificial Chaos infesting the ark, I am your only sibling."
"But what are your aims?" Shadow asked, temper raising in his voice at the mention of Maria. "You haven't told me why you are striving for this power."
"My reasons are my own." She answered him softly. "You are entitled to your own secrets and I will hold my own."
"I will not aid in something that could possibly endanger the earth. For all I know you are another like Black Doom, promising destruction to the planet." Shadow growled, he put his hand on his Chaos Emerald.
"You are joking right?" She laughed, she shook her head and looked away. "Listen Shadow, what use would I have destroying the world? There would be no place to live myself. What use would I have taking over the world? I am not interested in power over others, only power within myself. I want to be strong, not be a dictator."
"Aha!" Yelled a familiar voice, the Blue Hedgehog was standing at the entrance to the room. "I finally caught up with you Shadow... Wait, who is that?"
Shadow saw Xhol-Terra smirk, and knew what she was thinking almost immediately. He growled and rushed to intercept her. Jumping in the way just as she ran at Sonic, he rammed into her with his shoulder. She hissed as she was knocked back. She flipped and jumped a further distance and recovered herself.
"Big mistake Shadow." She hissed at him, all three eyes flashing. "I never wanted to hurt you, but you're going to force me if you get in my way."
"So this was you all along." Shadow pointed right at her. "No more of the nice act, all along you were a bloodthirsty monster, just listen to yourself."
"Listen to myself? Listen to yourself!" She snapped at him, her tail lashed behind her angrily. "Are you so quick to point fingers and give labels? You do not know what I am like, you do not understand my strive."
"Umm. Is that Xhol-Terra?" Sonic asked, scratching an ear.
"Just shut up Sonic!" Both of them snapped at him at once, Sonic choose to keep his mouth closed for just a little longer.
Shadow's eyes were focused on her, his fists were clenched and he was ready to draw upon the Chaos Emerald if need be. "I will not help you Xhol-Terra, what ever you're planning it goes against what I was created for."
Her eyes narrowed for a moment and then she sighed. "So be it." She mused and then lifted one of the Chaos Emeralds. Before Shadow could react she activated Chaos Control.
He blinked and looked around, trying to figure out why he hadn't been attack, if anything she wasn't even in the room anymore.
"Hey my Chaos Emerald is gone!" Sonic shouted out loud, Shadow looked back and the Blue Hedgehog seemed to be frantically searching everywhere. Shadow checked for his own and found it was still there.
"Why hadn't she taken mine..." He murmured out loud, but knew the answer before he was even finished. She needed four to travel through time.

Knuckles looked up at the side of the mountain, the red Echidna wondered why Tails was taking so long finding that Emerald... In fact he wondered why Tails had went off on his own without Knuckles, the two tailed fox had said he wanted Knuckles to stay and watch the plane but... Why hadn't Tails just sent him to find it? Knuckles was one of the best treasure hunters that lived.
"I found it!" He heard Tails shout from up the mountain. He glanced up quickly and watched the two tailed fox slowly fly down, his tails acting like the blades of a helicopter. He was waving around a purple Chaos Emerald in his hand.
"Great job Tails!" Knuckles shouted up at him. "Now we can go after the next one."
"Yeah, and then we'll have-" He was cut off as something snapped out, a robotic claw snatched the Purple Gem right out of Tail's outstretched hand and pulled it away. "Ahh!" Tails cried out in surprise.
"Bwahaha. Thanks for getting this Chaos Emerald for me." Laughed a very distinctive voice. Knuckles recognized it immediately and looked up at the Doctor sitting in his flying device.
"Eggman!" Knuckles shouted, he banged his fists together in annoyance. "Give us back that Emerald."
The doctor watched him for a moment, then turned to the extended metal claw that was offering him the Emerald. He plucked the Emerald from it and the claw went back inside his machine. "No, I don't think I'm going to do that. But by all means, you have my gratitude finding this Chaos Emerald for me. If I add this with the Emerald I found in the Ocean a short while back, this brings my collection up to two."
"What do you want with the Emeralds?" Tails asked him.
"You really think I'm dumb enough to give all my plans away?" Eggman asked looking down at the two. "I really don't think I'll be doing that. What I think is that I'm going to be leaving with these two Emeralds."
"If you think we're going to let you just leave, your dead wrong." Knuckles told him. His fists were clenched in front of him.
"Yeah, we're going to stop you!" Tails added in.
"I was hoping you'd say something like that." The doctor laughed, he lifted up in his hand what looked to be a remote with one big button on it. He pressed the button.
Nothing happened for a moment, but then he could feel it beneath his feet. "Woah!" Knuckles cried out as the ground started to shake violently, he fell over and scrambled to keep away as the ground just a little off from him began to break apart and open up.
Eggman was laughing wildly as the huge crevice opened up in the ground, slowly rising out of it came a huge robot. The machine was red, yellow and black, it pulled itself out of the ground on six thick spider-like legs. It had another pair of legs in the front, this back like huge crushing claws, they snapped at the air and the robot turned to face Tail's and Knuckles once it had freed itself from the ground. Eight red eye-like lights focused on Tails and Knuckles, and Eggman's flying machine settled to land and attach to the machine's top. The whole robot seemed to fill with new life at that moment and raised it's front claws into the air, snapping then around violently. The roar of the engine was almost like the roar of some massive beast.
"Behold Tails, Knuckles. My latest creation, the Egg Tarantula is going to crush you." The doctor grinned as the two of them backed away from his weapon. "You both get to be the first to test my new toy."
"Knuckles, what should we do?" Tails stammered as he took a few more steps from the gigantic weapon.
"We have to fight it Tails." Knuckles said, gathering his bravery and taking a step towards the machine. "And get those Chaos Emeralds from Eggman."
You think you actually stand a chance against the Egg Tarantula?" Eggman asked, a glass bubble came up to protect where his machine was resting on the giant robot spider. His voice came out from speakers attached to the robot's front. "I'll soon prove you wrong."

"Shadow, you're not telling me where she went." Sonic yelled at the black and red hedgehog. Shadow was running down the dirt path just ahead of him. Shadow was not holding back his speed at all, so Sonic was the only one who could keep up.
"She left." Shadow yelled back, not even sparing a glance back at Sonic. "Where she went is a place we can't get to without four Chaos Emeralds, meaning there is no way for us to follow her, unless you have an easier way to go back in time?"
"Back in time!" Sonic exclaimed out loud, he put on a burst of speed to catch up with Shadow. "Where did she go-... when did she go?" Sonic asked him, rephrasing the question.
"Back to the last time your friend Blaze the Cat was on our world." Shadow said back to him. "So there is no way for us to stop her. We're going to follow the signal of the other two Chaos Emeralds, that's where she's most likely to turn up, we can only hope she doesn't screw around with the past, she could very easily kill us with the power to travel time..."
"How does she know how to do this?" Sonic asked, he was running right next to the Black and Red Hedgehog. "Do you know how to travel through time?"
"Not using Chaos Emeralds as she did." Shadow said shaking his head. "We just have to hope everything works out for the best in this case."

The huge claw came crashing down at Knuckles. The red Echidna jumped out of the way, narrowly avoiding being crushed to a fine paste. He looked back at the crater in the side of the mountain wall the blow had caused, he was glad he had not been in it.
"Hold still rodents!" Eggman growled as he swung a claw, it rended through the side of the mountain, Knuckles jumped away in time to avoid being pulled along with it.
"Tails! Where are you?" He shouted out loud. He hadn't seen a sign of the two tailed fox since they had split up to better avoid the attacks of Eggman's latest weapon.
"Hahaha! Don't you see Knucklehead? Tails got scared and ran off, just leaving you and me." The doctor slammed a claw down, aiming to once again crush the Echidna, Knuckles just barely rolled out of the way. "You've always been able to throw a punch Knuckles. But how can you take them?"
Knuckle's spun around to see the Robot's other closed claw come swinging his way, he moved his hands up front to protect himself, and braced for the impact. Being slammed by the huge metal fist he was knocked flying away.
"Bwahaha! How do you like that?" Eggman asked Knuckle's after the red Echidna had been knocked right into the stone wall. "Turns out he can't take a punch. Now to find that fox boy..." Eggman looked all around. "Tails? Here Tails, where did you run off to? Hmm?" He looked at a screen on the computer that was trying to tell himself. "A breech in the armor?" Eggman turned himself around to look out the bubble behind him, and saw Tails on the back of the robot trying to pull off a chunk of armor hiding the robot's power supply.
Eggman grinned and went back to his keyboard. "You little sneak. Well I have ways of dealing with you." He pressed a large red button. "Get a load of this."
The whole body of the robot seemed to hum for a moment and then a wave of electricity spread over the surface of the Machine. It hit Tails and every fur on his body seemed to poof up. "Ahhh!" He yelled as he was shocked by the robot. He slumped down and slid off the side of the Robot's boy.
"Tails! I'll help you!" Knuckles yelled, running forward as Tails dropped off the side of Eggman's robot, planning to catch him.
Eggman saw the Echidna going for Tails. "Not so fast Knucklehead!" A large leg rose up and came crashing down over Knuckle's head, planning to step on him. Knuckles dodged it and then another leg and caught Tails before the two tailed fox. He ran to get distance from the robot.
Knuckles set Tails down once he was out of reach of the Egg Tarantula. "Tails, are you okay?"
Tails coughed and nodded weakly. "Yeah, it'll take more than a little shock to bring me down."
"So good you two seem to be doing alright." Eggman said to them. They both turned to face the approaching robot. "I was almost disappointed that the fun was going to be over so soon."
The legs of the huge machine rose into the air, ready to crush them.

"Silver!" She shouted running around. Blaze had lost track of him again, he was so eager to find the Iblis Trigger, they had gotten separated in the city. "Silver, where are you?" One of her hands was on fire, just in case an enemy decided to show its face.
She never noticed the winged being landing on the building over head.

The claws of the mech was about to come crashing down, when two blurs came flying out of nowhere, slamming into one and bouncing out of the way.
Knuckles and Tails ran out of the way as both claws came crashing down, one of them as planned but the other one only came down because it had broken off of the limb that attached it to the body of the spider.
"What!?" Eggman exclaimed looking at the clawed leg laying on the ground, sparks flashing out of the broken end. He looked over at the mountain side and growled, seeing the Black and the Blue Hedgehogs. "Damnit you two, look what you've done to my robot!"
Sonic grinned and waggled his finger at Eggman. "Sorry Egghead, but there's not going to be any more crushing of innocent people while I'm around. You're plans are-" He was cut off as Shadow pushed him out of the way to be the one closer.
"Eggman, I have no qualm with you, but I need thos Chaos Emeralds. I need them to draw Xhol-Terra back to me when she returns to our time." He said, his own Chaos Emerald in hand.
"Xhol-Terra ay?" Eggman pondered, he scratched his chin watching the pair of them. "I wonder, would that be the same strange Black and Red hedgehog I saw before?" He asked Shadow, judging from Shadow's flinch Eggman was right. "It seems we're both after the same thing, we need the Chaos Emeralds to draw him to us."
"Her." Sonic cut in.
"What?" Eggman asked glancing over at the Blue Hedgehog.
"Xhol-Terra's now a female." Sonic explained to him. "She took Rouge the Bat's DNA and so-"
"Enough of this!" Shadow roared, everyone else went silent. "You do not understand a thing Doctor, now I suggest you hand over those two Chaos Emeralds before I tear your pathetic robot apart."
"Well at least he's being violent in our favor this time..." Sonic shrugged.
"Pathetic?" The doctor looked shocked. "You may have damaged my robot, but I can assure you it is in no way beaten. Now prepare for defeat. I'll take on all of you!" The remaining claw pointed right at the cliff Shadow and Sonic were standing on. The claw opened up and revealed on the inside a gun armed with four rockets aimed right their way. "Ready... Aim... Fire!"

She carefully stepped away from the sleeping cat, quietly moving away not wanting to wake her.
She had been careful as she had promised, she had come on Blaze in complete surprise and had knocked her out without the cat even catching a glimpse of her.
Xhol-Terra smirked as she felt the new energy enter her, she was changing again, to something even stronger. Blaze would wake, not knowing what had happened, not knowing at all that she had even been attacked
Xhol-Terra accessed the energy of the Emeralds again and prepared to return to her own time.

The consecutive explosions blasted a huge chunk of that mountain away, but both the Hedgehogs were already well out of the radius.
They split up, going opposite directions in a circle around Eggman's weapon. Sonic ran across the side of the mountain, trying to find a weak point on the body of this massive death machine. "Hey Tails, Knuckles!" He shouted to the pair of them, who were also on the move. "Did you guys discover how we're going to beat this thing?"
"No." Knuckles yelled back at him. "It's pretty well armored all over."
"Take this!" Eggman shouted, on the sides of the robot armored plates seemed to open up, revealing a multitude of cannons. "Just try and dodge this!" He shouted as each individual cannon, five on each side, picked a target and opened fire.
"Yikes!" Sonic jumped before a rocket connected with his head, already he could see another one aimed right for him. He hit the ground and rolled, gaining speed to avoid it. The rocket was tracking him, though it wasn't as fast as him it was keeping pretty good track. Sonic rolled over by one of the legs of the robot and around it. The rocket clipped the side of the leg and exploded.
"Woah!" Eggman exclaimed as the whole robot shook all over. "Hey, cut that out!"
"Guys, I think I've got an idea!" Sonic shouted over at them all.
"Already ahead of you." Shadow yelled back at him, he began running around in a circle, he avoided the missiles but they gathered behind him, following him in a long line, soon enough he had five following him.
"You wouldn't dare!" Eggman shouted.
Shadow smirked and broke off from the circles, the five missiles following him. He jumped up onto the front face of the robot and stood there right infront of Eggman.
The doctor's eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't."
Just before the missiles connected with him Shadow raised his Chaos Emerald into the air. "Chaos Control!" He warped out of the way and the missiles exploded right in Eggman's face.

That was more than enough and soon the whole robot was caught in a series of chain explosions. The smoke blocked it out of sight before the machine fell into a crumpled heap of twisted metal.
Sonic stood with the other three of them, watching the wreck that was the Egg Tarantula. "Hey guys... I know it's Eggman and everything, but Is he going to survive that?"
"Oh I wouldn't worry about him just yet." Shadow said behind him. Sonic turned around and saw Shadow looking at the sky, he followed his gaze up and wasn't at all surprised.
In the sky the large Eggman robot flew on rockets bursting out of the feet. The robot had his face and followed the same color scheme, but had four long tentacle like extendable arms, ended in three digit claws. These arms waved in the air wildly and they seemed to spark with electricity.
"Don't think this is over fools. I've still got my secret weapon to take care of you." Eggman's voice boomed over the speakers. Sonic grinned and prepared himself. "Looks like we've got one more robot to deal with, let's do this quickly, hey guys?"
"No, we're not going to have to fight that." Shadow said quietly.
"Come again?" Sonic asked glancing over at him.
Shadow was looking past that robot, at the gathering amount of Chaos Energy. Soon it was enough that even the others could see the glowing light.
Xhol-Terra had returned.



Chapter 6: The Form of Perfection

“What? What are you all looking at?” The doctor asked, turning around his robot, he saw the Chaos Rift and his jaw dropped. He slouched back in his chair inside the robot in disbelief. “What… What is this outbreak of Chaos Energy?”
“It’s Xhol-Terra’s return.” Shadow said crossing his arms. “It looks like she achieved what she was after…”
The form that flew out of the opening came out slowly, the blinding light was enough that you couldn’t get a good look at her until she was all the way through. She looked similar to her last form, black with the same red streaks, though there was an undoubtable aura of power around her.
Her ears were a little more pointed now, and the exoskeleton covering parts of her body like clothes was now stretching a little more around her, sort of like Blaze’s actual clothing.
She smirked looking down at her gathered audience and slowly flew down to their level, her feet touched the ground and she was on her feet again. She glanced back as the Doctor landed his robot, the whole ground shook with its tred.
“Greetings, you must be Xhol-Terra.” The doctor said as his robot stepped up towards her, though he kept a good distance still else he would step on her. “I am doctor Ivo Robotnic, I-“
“Otherwise known as Eggman. You are one of the world’s greatest geniuses, with an IQ of 300. You’ve multiple times tried to conquer the world but have been time after time stopped by the famous Sonic the hedgehog in friends. You are childish in your ambition and creations, though it is that which leads you to such fantastic inventions and scientific process.” She said that all without even blinking once, everyone was openly baffled and even the doctor was even though hidden it was inside his robot. “You are also a living blood relative to Processor Gerald Robotnic. Yes I know who you are.”
Everyone was silent, even Eggman wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Xhol-Terra was still only watching him out of the corner of her eyes. “What do you want?” She asked impatiently.
“I err…” Eggman stammered for a moment, still in a little bit of shock. “I gathered these Chaos Emeralds knowing that you were gathering them as well.” He built up his proper evil villain wits. “With your help we could easily rule the world!”
Shadow saw Sonic and the other brace themselves. Shadow wasn’t sure what to think of this.
Xhol-Terra looked amused, and then she started laughing. She laughed long an hard, leaving just about everyone but Shadow confused. Finally she got control of herself, and wiped away a tear that dripped out of her eye. “I’m sorry… But you think I’d be interested in teaming up with you? Really doctor, what can you do that I couldn’t do myself without your help?”
“What!?” The Doctor exclaimed.
“I don’t need you for something as simple as conquering the world.” Xhol-Terra told him, not laughing anymore but an amused smirk still floated on her face. “You are nothing compared to my power. There is no benefit to me in joining with you.”
“I see…” The doctor said softly. “Well then, I suppose all there is to do now is to kill you, and take your Chaos Emeralds!” He shouted and the four electric tentacles of his robot shot out at her.
“I was hoping you’d do something stupid.” Xhol-Terra whispered and flew right into the air, straight at the chest of the robot.
She flew right in between the reach of the extending tentacles, still going at Eggman she placed one fist ahead of her and her whole body seemed to catch in flames. She came like a missile at the Robot’s chest, except she didn’t explode on impact. Oh there was explosions, but not her, there was a fiery explosion when she connected with the chest and bore right through it. Then another explosion as she came right out the other end.
She swerved in the air, coming right back the flaming shield engulfed her again, this time she went through the chest just a little bit to the right of the first spot she had hit, another series of explosions shook the ground and soon the robot was in a chain reaction of explosions.
“Darn you! Not again!” The doctor yelled. A portion of the robot’s head opened up and the Doctor’s flying vehicle came zooming out, fleeing the area.

The explosions continued and this robot fell into a burning crumpled heap. Though the explosions stopped the fire still raged on in the robot. And standing on the top of the heap of flame and twisted metal was Xhol-Terra. Her arms crossed she looked down at the rest of them in amusement.
“She beat his weapon so easily.” Knuckles said, his fists clenched. He glanced over at Sonic. “How are we going to beat her if she’s really that powerful?”
Sonic grinned and flicked his own nose lightly. “Easy Knuckles, she’s just like any other opponent we’ve ever faced. We just have to put our minds to it.”
Xhol-Terra smirked. “That’s the spirit Sonic, I’m going to enjoy fighting you.”
“Completely likewise.” Sonic answered back.
“You moron, don’t you realize what her plan is?” Shadow snapped at he blue hedgehog. “She’s after your DNA as well. She wants combine yours with that of Rouge’s and Blaze’s to make herself more powerful than anyone else. She gets what she wants and we won’t have half a hope of stopping her.”
“Stopping me?” Xhol-Terra asked watching the Black and red hedgehog. “Shadow, you still don’t even know why I’m doing all this.”
“Whatever it is it can’t be good.” Shadow said watching her. “I can stand you hurting poor losers like this bunch, but I’m not going to stand by and watch you harm the earth.”
Sonic nodded. “Yeah, and that’s why we have to stop you.”
Xhol-Terra sighed and shrugged. “I may as well be explaining Nuclear Physics to Puppies. Very well, try and stop me if you want, you’ll just end up helping me reach my goals.” Her wings snapped out and she dived off the edge of the robot’s wreck. Swooping higher just before hitting the ground and going on a strait glide right for them.
“Come on guys, there’s nothing that makes her different then any other foe we’ve faced.” Sonic said before rushing off at Xhol-Terra. Shadow quickly followed, Tails and Knuckles were only a second behind.
Xhol-Terra grinned as flames engulfed her as she headed right for the group of them. This was exactly what she had wanted.
The four of them were the first to dodge out of the the way, Xhol-Terra going right in between then without hitting a single one. She went past and then flew straight up. Curving in the air she came right back down aiming for in between the group of them.
Shadow saw what she was doing and used his Chaos Emerald to warp out of the way. The others were blown clear by the explosion.
The Dark Hedgehog walked up to the burning area that Xhol-Terra had ignighted on impact, she was standing in the center watching him. That evil smirk on her face. “Show me brother, show me why you are called the Ultimate Life Form.”
Shadow snarled and charged forward. He punched out with his arm, Xhol-Terra shifted back out of range. Shadow followed it up with a twisting kick aimed for her head, she jumped back away from that. Again he pursued and again and again he launched attack after attack. She just smirked and watched him impassively, dodging out of reach almost like they were caught in some strange dance.
He swung a fist, only realizing too late that it was too off to hit anyway. She didn’t even move, knowing that this punch wasn’t going to hit her as it was. Then she moved forward under his guard, placing her hands on his shoulders and pulled him forward to knee him right in the gut.
Shadow’s eyes bulged and he stumbled back in pain, she did not press her advantage and instead looked elsewhere to the red Echidna that was charging right for her.
“Take this!” Knuckles shouted with a punched aimed right for her, she smiled and lifted a hand, catching his fist in mid air. Knuckles seemed stunned that she had enough strength to stop his attack. She chose not to take advantage of his lack of guard, letting him jump away to launch a second one.
“I know some bit about you Knuckles.” She said as she spun out of reach of his swinging fists. “I took your DNA, your thoughts and memories. I know everything there is to know about you.”
Knuckles grit his teeth and pressed his attack, Xhol-Terra smiled and took that as encouragement. “I know how you think, I am in your mind Knuckles. Tell me… What do you think of Rouge?” The Echidna slowed in his attack for a second, Xhol-Terra knew that it had effected him. “Playing with your opponent’s mind, that’s one of Rouge’s tactics isn’t it?”
Knuckles growled and banged his fists together. “I know you’re trying to play with my head, but it’s not going to work!”
“Oh really.” She laughed jumping away as he came at her with a swing from both fists. He was knocked off balance when he didn’t hit anything. She rushed forward and slashed at his face with her claws. She barely just scratched him, leaving three very small scratches on his face, they weren’t deep enough to bleed but they were still enough to sting and Knuckles reflexively put a hand over the spot.
She laughed and flexed her fingers after jumping away. “I know what you’re thinking now Knuckles. You are asking yourself why had she pulled back her attack, you know well enough I could have attacked much more fiercely, I could have very well ripped your face off.” She crossed her arms and watched him in amused smugness. “So why didn’t she do so? Is she just trying to play with my head again, is she trying to intimidate me?”
“That’s it, I’ve had enough!” Knuckles roared and charged in for an attack again, this time with new vigor. He fists came in a flurry, though not as well aimed or launched as Shadow’s, it was nonetheless an impressive barrage of attacks and would probably deal more damaged if landed. But his attacks didn’t land
“Or maybe, just maybe…” Xhol-Terra mused, still dancing out of the reach of each attack, making it seem so easily and effortless. “She’s trying to get me angry, to have me bring my guard down.”
Knuckles paused as he realized that he been what had exactly happened, when that happened was exactly when she choose to take advantage of it. Her tail lashed out, wrapping around his neck. The red Echidna choked and brought his hands up to try and grab at her tail and pull it off of him, but it was too tightly wound around it.
She smiled and spun, twisting Knuckle’s body around with her tail, letting go and throwing him away. The Echidna hit the ground and slid, coming to a rough stop with the edge of a cliff. He didn’t move after that crash ending.
“So, where are the other two hiding?” She asked herself as she glanced around the field of battle. She couldn’t see Sonic or Tails… Or even Shadow for that matter. “Come now, you all haven’t given up have you?” The whir of an engine answered her.
Xhol-Terra did a backflip, just jumping high enough to avoid getting clipped by the wing of the rushing by plane.
She landed seeing the blue plane known as the Cyclone go whooshing by, off the back of it Sonic jumped into the air right at her. He made a flying kick at her, Xhol-Terra lifted her arm and blocked it with her elbow.
Sonic’s feet hit the ground and he jumped again, just high enough to try and spin kick her in the face. She ducked right under it, the look on her face was still the same smug amusement. Sonic’s feet hit the ground and he ducked, aiming a kick to hit her legs in hopes of trying to trip her. This time Xhol-Terra jumped in the air, spinning her tail slapped him in the face and sent him rolling away.
Xhol-Terra landed on her feet and waited, Sonic kept rolling and gained speed, making a U-turn and gaining speed.
She stepped to the side as he came whirling at her as a spiky ball, again he spun around still gaining speed and rushed her again. She stepped out of the way again, this time Sonic didn’t aim for her and just settled for gaining speed.
Around and around her he went, faster than the human eye could comprehend. All you could see was a blue blur as he traveled in circles. The wind picked up around her and she just stood there, eyes watching the speeding blur, waiting for him to launch his attack. Her third eye bulged and she saw his plan of attack. Just as he came speeding out at her at her left side she struck out with a fist. Catching Sonic with this hit she knocked him flat on his back.
She stood there for a moment, seeing him knocked down. She could easily complete herself as planned right now, but choose to delay it for a little longer. She was not finished her fun just yet.
Sonic jumped up from laying down onto his feet. He shook the dust off himself for a second and then braced himself. He was no longer grinning.
“Go ahead Sonic.” She said softly to him. “Its your move. I wouldn’t want to launch one of my own attacks just yet, it would ruin our fun.”
“No, I insist. Ladies first.” Sonic offered her.
Xhol-Terra’s eyes narrowed. “So be it.”
She rushed at him this time, though not as fast as he was, yet, she was still amazingly fast. Sonic jumped back to avoid her slashing claw. She stepped forward to pursue the attack, smacking at him with a wing. Sonic moved his arms up to protect his face as he was battered by her leathery wing. Xhol-Terra stepped up closer again and grabbed him by the wrist.
The look on Sonic’s face was hard to describe, it could only be described as he was baffled that she had came at him like that. She twisted and pulled him to the side, the jerking motion pulling him off his feet. She let go and he fell over head first, he rolled to keep from being knocked prone.
Rolling onto his feet again he spun around just in time for Xhol-Terra to kick him right in the side of the face. She kept her toes bent so that the large talons of her feet didn’t make that blow fatal.
Sonic fell over sideways, but she wasn’t done with him yet. She grabbed him by the arm and pulled him up onto his feet again before he hit the ground. Then punched him right in the stomach, again he almost fell and she caught him to pull him back onto his feet.
“Do you now see Sonic.” She said after she caught his chin with her fist. “Do you now see why I was trying to spare you my full strength?”
She felt a change in the wind and deaked out of the way, Shadow’s fist came right over her shoulder. She grabbed him by the arm before he could retract it, pulling and throwing him over her shoulder.
Shadow’s feet left the ground and he was sent flipping over. He kicked at the first mostly solid object, which was unfortunately Sonic, to keep balance and then twisted out of Xhol-Terra’s grasp. He landed on his feet, Sonic landed on his back. The Black Hedgehog pressed forward and punched, actually catching Xhol-Terra across the face.
She stepped back, seeming to be surprised that he had actually punched her as he did. She backed up and lifted a hand to just gently rub her cheek. Her smirk had finally fallen.
Shadow was breathing heavily, he looked back at Sonic who was groaning and twisting on the ground. “Oh suck it up Sonic, this fight isn’t over.”
Sonic pulled himself to his feet again, very bruised all over. “No worries Shadow… I’m still good to fight…”
Xhol-Terra shook her head, as if to dispel a dizziness, she then looked at the two Hedgehogs with determination. “Then perhaps it is time I ended this warm up.”
Shadow looked over at her with a glare.
“Think about it Shadow.” She whispered to him softly, the talons of her right claw clicked together quietly. “I’ve been holding back this entire fight, even in the form I am in currently it was more then enough to put you and your friends on the ropes. Once I reach my perfect form this will be nothing compared to what I can achieve.”
Shadow clenched a fist, he knew she was telling the truth, that if she took Sonic’s DNA she’d be near unstoppable.
Xhol-Terra smirked and stood strait, her wings folded around her. “I propose a trade.”
Shadow blinked. “A… A trade?”
“Be careful Shadow, she’s up to something.” Sonic said quietly.
“Yes, something I want in exchange for something you’d be interested in.” She was smiling again.
“What kind of trick are you planning?” Shadow demanded, fists clenched.
“No trick, I’m going to achieve my perfect form one way or another. This way we can even the score a little.” Her wings spread out and she jumped forward.
Shadow moved to intercept her, but he was knocked out of the way by her tail. She went right at Sonic and stabbed her tail forward, Sonic’s eyes bulged as it hit the mark.
Shadow gritted his teeth and jumped at her again, maybe he could pull that thing out of Sonic and stop her from taking his DNA.
Flames engulfed Xhol-Terra and Sonic in a burning shield, reflecting the Dark Hedgehog. Shadow rolled and found himself face down on the ground. He weakly lifted himself off the floor and banged his fist on the ground. “Damn…” He growled. He looked down by his fist and saw his green Chaos Emerald, then he looked a little further towards Xhol-Terra and Sonic and saw the other six Chaos Emeralds laying on the ground. He couldn’t believe his eyes, he had all Seven Chaos Emeralds in his grasp.
“As promised Shadow, there is your half of the trade.” Xhol-Terra’s voice rang out in an almost musical tone. The dark Hedgehog looked up at the flames of her shield as they lowered down from her. Sonic was laying peacefully on the ground, just the slightest wound showing on his chest. Xhol-Terra was not the same anymore.
She looked like a hedgehog again, even her hair spikes were now twisted back and upwards in the same way as his. The blade on her tail was thicker and more dangerous looking, no longer so much as a needle as it had been before. The carapace covering her body was not as much before, it was much less in fact. Just enough to act as clothes covering her chest and waist, her waist even looked more like clothing, in the form almost as a tribal loincloth. Her carapace left her arms, legs and hips uncovered and flexible. Her wings were even larger and barbed on the ends, these spikes even larger than the talons of her fingers.
Xhol-Terra closed her eyes and flames erupted in front of her, forming into a long spear shape. That shape became solid and with a smirk she closed her hand around what could only be described as looking like a halberd, a medieval weapon of a long pole with an axe like blade at one end. She smiled and gently brushed a hand over the steel blade of the weapon. “It’s amazing isn’t it? Combining my own natural intuned power over Chaos Energy with that of Sonic’s, Blaze’s, and even the little amount Rouge had. I can do what nothing else on earth can and just completely create, and destroy matter.”
She looked over at Shadow, shifting the weapon into one hand, the smirk still on her face. “So then Brother, I think it’s time we finally found out just which one of us is the true Ultimate Life Form.”

[Control]

Chapter 7: End Game

"Go ahead Shadow." She urged him, her arm was outstretched to the side and she was twirling the spear around as if it was only a baton. She did it as if she was only half aware of it even being there. "Show me the power of the Ultimate Life Form, use the Chaos Emeralds to become more powerful."
Shadow glared back at her, his fists were clenched and he would have liked to rush out at her, but he wasn't sure if that would be a wise decision. "You can't be that powerful, you can't be more powerful than someone powered by the Seven Chaos Emeralds. I can beat you as I am."
"Step carefully Shadow." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Your Ego will be your downfall."
"Hah! Just watch and learn of the power I possess." Shadow closed his eyes and searched deep in himself for the Chaos Energy he possessed. The ground around him began to shake violently, soon he was glowing with red energy. His whole body was glowing red as he took hold of his destructive darker side, his eyes lost any sign of pupils and soon he was using his most powerful energy.
Xhol-Terra stopped spinning her spear and just held it down at her side, her eyes were still dull and not impressed. "That is not enough to defeat me Shadow."
"Just watch." Shadow rushed forward at her, she didn't move and he punched right at her. His fist connected with her forehead, she fell back with the blow.
"A strong punch." She said as she fell back, she put her hands back to catch her fall. "But not strong enough." She lifted herself in a handstand, kicking Shadow in the face and forcing him to back up a little. She took the handstand into a cartwheel and was on her feet again. "I don't want to fight you like this Shadow, it's not fair to you. Use the Chaos Emeralds. Make this a worthy challenge for my abilities."
"Oh you really think so? Well just wait, because now I'm going to use my most powerful attack." He clenched his fists and the air around him burst even stronger with the glowing red energy. "Chaos..."
Xhol-Terra rolled her eyes.
"BLAST!" Shadow shouted out, the energy exploded from his spot, heading in all directions this explosive sphere of negative Chaos Energy threatened to destroy all in range. Xhol-Terre waved her free hand in the air quickly and a barrier formed around her body, seeming to be made of clear crystal, it was engulfed in the explosion and they were both lost from sight.
When the smoke settled and the energy faded away all that was left of the spot was a large crater, perfectly smooth all the way. Shadow stood dead-center in the crater, he crouched down leaning on one leg, breathing heavily, he hardly had the strength to stand. He had returned to his normal self.
Behind him Xhol-Terra's clawed feet gently clicked as they made contact with the ground. She walked up towards him slowly, taking one step after another. Shadow waited until she was right behind him and spun around trying to land a punch, she grabbed his fist before it could make contact, Shadow could feel her squeezing it and he cried in pain, falling to his knees as he desperately tried to break free.
Her eyes narrowed and she let go of his fist, kicking at him with a foot she knocked him right out of the crater and into the air to crash land onto the dirt of the ground. Shadow groaned and rolled onto his back, he felt something roll over and lightly bump against his arm, he looked over to see the blue Chaos Emerald. The other Emeralds were just a little beyond it.
"Have I finally reached through your ego to your senses?" Xhol-Terra asked, crossing her arms she flew out of the crater to a little off from where he lay. "In the state you're in you don't stand a hope of even harming me, use the Chaos Emeralds Shadow. They are your only hope of defeating me."

Sonic groaned and stood up, he gently scratched his head then looked down at his chest and saw the scar. "So she got me then..." He shook his head and looked around, wasn't long before he saw Shadow and Xhol-Terra. Shadow was standing weakly, he had been on the ground apparently and looked pretty beaten up. Xhol-Terra looked a lot different, though maybe a little more like a Hedgehog than before. Sonic saw no sign of Tails or Knuckles.
The blue hedgehog felt sore all over but knew he was far from out, he walked towards the two black hedgehogs. This hedgehog wasn't down yet.

She caught movement out of the corner of her eyes and saw Sonic headed their way, she smirked and looked over at Shadow. Seeing this as the opportunity to get what she wanted. "Don't look now Shadow, but Sonic's up and headed this way. Maybe he will be smart enough to use the Chaos Emeralds, it would prove to be a fight more worth my time." She said mockingly, a snarl from Shadow signaled she had hit her mark.
The blue hedgehog stopped just off from them, the three were almost in a perfect triangle of distance from each other. "Shadow, you don't look so good." Sonic commented looking over at the dark hedgehog.
"You look even worse." Shadow shot back venomously.
"I was under the impression that you two were on the same side..." Xhol-Terra looked from one to the other.
"We are." Sonic told her. "Shadow just doesn't realize it some times."
The dark hedgehog rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Well then Shadow, this is your chance to defeat me." Xhol-Terra told him quietly. "Are you going to take it?"
"Fine." Shadow uncrossed his arms and put them to his side, there was a flash of light and his fur became a glowing golden. Energy seemed to be rising into the air and it blew his fur upwards, the radiation could be seen coming off of him. Shadow pointed right at the blue hedgehog. "You stay out of this Sonic, I'm going to defeat her myself, and if you get in my way I'll destroy you too."
"Now hold on Shadow, it would be safer if the both of us went at her." Sonic protested, "What if you're not able to defeat her? Where does that-"
"Just stay out of it." Shadow cut in. He glared long and hard at Sonic, finally the blue hedgehog looked away.
Xhol-Terra smirked and rose into the air. "Shall we then?"

Knuckles glanced around from the corner of the rocky hill, he could see up in the air Shadow facing off against that strange mutant hedgehog. Shadow had turned super, but the Echidna wondered if that was enough to defeat his opponent...
Tails was standing by Knuckles, he had been the one who had taken Knuckles to this safe distance. "What are we going to do Knuckles?" He asked. "We have to help Shadow and Sonic some how."
"My attacks were useless against her, and she's gotten even stronger since then." Knuckles said looking back at the two tailed fox. "I don't think there's anything we can do to help them now."
Tails looked sad, like he was depressed that they couldn't do anything. Then his mood shifted suddenly, and he looked determined. "We have to try. I'm going to do something to stop them." He ran off.
"Hey wait, Tails! Where are you going?" Knuckles cried after him but couldn't follow.

"I'm going to show you why they call me the Ultimate Lifeform." Shadow prepared himself.
"Good, after fighting you I've been beginning to wonder how you could have gotten such a title." She spoke with a mocking laugh.
Shadow only smirked back. "Laugh while you can Xhol-Terra, now that I'm charged up you don't stand a chance."
"Oh, so you won't mind if I make the first move?" She asked.
Shadow blinked, and that was all it took for her to move. He blinked again in surprise as she was no longer in the same spot as before. A finger lightly tapped him on the shoulder and he spun around, throwing his elbow up to block a kick she threw at him. He flinched behind the strength of the blow, she wasn't holding back any more.
"A good block." She commented, she flew back a bit to avoid his return blow. "But you really need to pay attention to the fight. You can't lose sight of your opponent."
"I'll teach you to criticize my fighting." Shadow brought a hand back, energy seemed to glow within it, then he swung it forward and as if throwing an object a blast of Chaos Energy flew out at her.
She flipped back in the air, going above the blast she curved her flip so that her foot came just catching the blast, she sent it flying back towards the golden hedgehog. Shadow swung a hand, knocking the blast off to the side, it exploded in the air.

Tails came close and closer, he locked on all weapons to Shadow's opponent as he came towards her. It wasn't long before the cyclone came within range and he opened fire, a storm of bullets and missiles came rushing at his target.
Xhol-Terra hardly glanced his direction, before anything hit her she disappeared from the spot, the bullets and missiles passing harmlessly through open air.
Tails blinked in surprise, looking around at the open sky, there was no sign of her anywhere. "Huh, where'd she go?"
"Foolish child, you should know your toys are no match for me." He heard her hiss, he looked off to the side to see her standing perfectly balanced on the wing of the Cyclone. Her eyes were narrowed angrily and focussed on him. "I do not like being interrupted in a fight, what do you think you're trying to pull?"
"I... I..." Tails stammered, he was trying to help his friends but he couldn't force the words out under her harsh glare.
She rolled her eyes and jumped off the wing of the plane, as she did she grabbed onto it with her claws. The whole plane went into a mad spiral as the wing was torn clean off and the Cyclone lost balance.

Shadow watched the plane go flying into the mountains out of sight, the fox was a good pilot and Shadow believed he could probably land the thing, he was foolish to try and fight Xhol-Terra with the lack of power he possessed.
Xhol-Terra appeared in the air off away from Shadow again. "Now then." She started, she was slightly annoyed by the sound of it. "Shall we continue our fight?"
Shadow clenched both fists, he charged his chaos energy around him, he was going to win no matter the cost.
Her expression returned to a smirk. "Good." With that one word she disappeared from sight.
Shadow looked around, trying to find her, a moment passed and she didn't appear in sight anywhere. He glanced from the air around him to the ground, she was nowhere to be seen and remained that way as time passed. Eventually his patience ended, "Xhol-Terra! Where are you hiding, I thought you wanted a fight!"
"Here Shadow!" She shouted, he turned and looked to the tall mountain her voice came from, he squinted and saw her standing on its peek. Both claws were filled with growing orbs of fire. He saw the flames grow stronger and he snarled knowing that she had been charging her power for an attack. He had to stop her before she unleashed it.
Shadow rushed, flying right at where she was waiting. He moved with speed far greater than he normally used thanks to the chaos emeralds, but he only made it half way before she unleashed her attack.
Placing both claws towards him, the flame shot out in a flurry of bursts. Like missiles they flew through the air, all spreading out and headed for him. A flurry of them scattered out at first, followed by another and another.
They moved fast as well and it was in no time that they met up with the super powered hedgehog, he was skilled though and if Xhol-Terra thought this was more than he could handle she was sadly mistaken. He darted in between the first wave of them, they were actually following his movement and he had to be quick to avoid it. Then he darted between the blasts of the second wave, and narrowly the first. Then as he thought he had gotten past her attack he looked back and saw the truth, the blasts of fire had turned around and were headed for him again, and they were gaining on him.
Shadow looked back at Xhol-Terra, his fists glowed with Chaos energy and he pointed a hand forward. "Chaos Spear!" A blast of energy shot out at the mountain peek she stood on, Xhol-Terra being forced to jump up to avoid it, the blast exploded that part of the mountain though it was easy enough for her to fly in the air. It had put her in range of his next attack.
He punched forward with his other fist, this one meant to connect with her cheek, she shifted on the spot and it went over her shoulder. Shadow could notice something different in her eyes though, she was not only amused but was taking this seriously.
She moved off to the side as the first wave of fire blasts caught up with them. Shifting her body only slightly so they passed narrowly by, Shadow was forced to more literally dodge out of the way of the flames.
She rushed at him this time, spinning and kicking, aiming for his head. He flinched back and raised an arm to protect his head from the blow. He successfully blocked it just as the second wave of fire blasts came rushing past. He realized that Xhol-Terra had made that attack perfectly as the flame moved right around her and under her leg in between them, she had placed that attack in a way where she could not have gotten hurt. Fortunately for him the flames went relatively past, a few came close and just lightly scorched his fur.
He pushed her away from him and backing off so he could more easily avoid the third wave, then the first as it came back again. It was then he realized she had him trapped, for the waves were going less distance before they turned around, and the time in between was even less than before.
Blasts of fire came flying from every direction as Xhol-Terra forced him into her deadly dance, he fought back as best as he could, though he couldn't calligraphy his moves as she did to make the perfect avoidance of the flames. He snarled knowing she had the advantage in that she knew where each blast of fire was going to come from.
Each blow from her was vicious, it took every bit of concentration from Shadow to outmaneuver her and the flame at the same time. He knew one slip up and he would be completely vulnerable though, he only had one more option left.
"Chaos Control!" He shouted, drawing upon the energy of the Chaos Emeralds. As he did though he felt Xhol-Terra mirror the usage of Chaos Energy, he had forgotten she could use Chaos Control too.
All but them slowed down, the flame was still there and seemed to be barely moving at all, Shadow knew it was just as dangerous to touch. But knew he had evened the score a little. He took the first move, rushing at her and kicking at her mid section. She slapped the blow away and backed up a little, letting him press the attack rather than trying to push into it herself.
She jumped and twisted away as he tried to strike her again. Moving in between the deadly maze of unmoving flames, he pursued to the best of his ability.
She smirked and deeked away from his fist, moving behind a gathering of flames to avoid letting him make another one at her. Shadow snarled in anger and followed her around it, that's when she spun around and struck at him with her claws. He slid away to avoid the worst of it, but there was still a scratch going across his face now. She pressed the advantage this time, aiming with another claw. This one Shadow avoided but it forced him right into her third strike of the combo and he was smacked right in the chest by her tail.
He flew back, hitting a blast of fire. Just as he connected with it the flames exploded and he went flying away.

Xhol-Terra watched as Shadow managed to go flying out of the circle of flames without hitting a second one, he connected with the ground and as he did lost concentration of his Chaos Control. She ended hers to avoid a loss of energy.
The flames started into their mad swirl again, she forced them to stop and then aimed them all for Shadow on the ground.
Shadow stood and placed his arms in front of him to protect himself, there was an explosion as all the fire connected with him and he was blocked from sight by smoke.
Xhol-Terra smirked, she willed her spear to appear in her hand once again and then floated down to the ground to end the fight.
The smoke started to fade from the area, and she waited just outside its radius. She was not surprised to see Shadow standing, though he was certainly worse for wear.
Shadow was breathing heavily, obviously the effects of battle had reached him, while she was of course relatively fine.
"Do you yield Shadow?" She asked him, she pointed the tip of her spear his direction.
"What?" He asked her, seeming taken aback.
"Do you yield." She repeated the question.
"No, I'm not done with this fight." Shadow growled, once again energy flared around him, and she had no doubt he still had energy to spare.
She smiled then and nodded. "Good, that would be too soon. Now is round two Shadow, prepare yourself."

He went crashing through the mountain, flying into one side and being pushed right through to the other side. Something completely impossible if the Chaos Emeralds didn't give his body a much harder mass than what was normal for flesh and fur.
He came out the other side and hit the ground, bouncing once before gravity made him fall again and go into a roll before skidding to a spot. He groaned and rolled onto his belly, placing his hands before him to push himself up onto his knees.
He did not get up fast enough and Xhol-Terra was already there, she appeared from nowhere to the human eye because of her amazing speed. She Xhol-Terra kicked Shadow right in the gut and he felt himself knocked into the air from the attack.
Though gravity would not let him fly up too high, it was just enough that Xhol-Terra could have him at eye level and rushed forward to attack again. This time punching him in the side of the face, everything was dizzy to him and he felt himself begin to go into a free spin.
She jumped back and brought her spear down on him, the shaft slamming hard on his back and forcing him back to earth. She drew it back and then jumped away from the unmoving hedgehog, this time offering him the mercy of a moment's break.
Shadow forced himself to stand again, though every part of his body screamed to just be left alone and be allowed to rest for longer, he had to fight. He had no choice but to fight.
He looked up at her with determined eyes, he was still able to fight, if he wasn't he wouldn't still be in his super form. Xhol-Terra watched him with impassive eyes.
"Has my strength impressed you yet Shadow?" She asked him. He chose not to answer her. "Well then, perhaps this will, I will show you just how much skill and strength I truly have. This will make my Fire Rain attack from earlier seem like nothing.
She stepped back away from him, Shadow had no choice but to let her, he knew he couldn't move fast enough to stop her with how he was feeling at the moment anyway. He just watched as flames engulfed her entire body.
"Now Shadow, this is it!" She shouted through the flames that came off her. She rushed at him and Shadow tried to dodge but he wasn't fast enough. She caught him with a burning uppercut, knowing him high into the air with a burst of flames. Jumping from the ground she flew into the air after him, following his path and going past him.
While in the air above him, as he came up at her she seemed to gather in flames. She jumped as if doing a backflip and then spiraled down at him. The flames around her burst stronger and he couldn't avoid their explosive meeting.

The sky erupted with flames from the explosion of Xhol-Terra's attack. Shadow was merely a small dark dot that when flying back down to earth to land in a newly formed crater. Sonic, Tails and Knuckles rushed to the Black Hedgehog's aid.
Shadow laid there in the center of it, he had reverted back to his normal form and seemed unconscious, his eyes were closed and his breathing was very even. But he was alive.
Xhol-Terra landed gently on the ground outside of the crater and slowly walked down the slope and into it towards Shadow. The other gathered to make a wall in her way.
"Move." She said simply.
"No way, we're not letting you-" Sonic started but was cut off as Xhol-Terra rushed them. She pushed right through the three of them, smacking them aside with the blunt side of her spear.
"Hey you can't just-" Sonic started to protest as Xhol-Terra crouched beside Shadow, but when she placed the blade of her spear right by his neck he choose to keep quiet.
Shadow's eyes opened and they focussed on Xhol-Terra. His red eyes were glaring, though it was obvious he didn't even have the power to stand.
"Yield." Xhol-Terra ordered him.
Shadow didn't say a word.
She spun her spear from its current spot so that it was pointed at his neck, but she didn't make didn't stab and that was all that kept the other three from making a move.
"Forget your damned ego and yield Shadow. You lost and I won this match through honorable combat. Now yield." She snapped at him.
Shadow continued to glare at her. "You win." He said finally.
Xhol-Terra smirked and moved the spear away. "Close enough."
She placed a hand on his forehead and they both started to glow with golden light. The other stepped back as it grew more intensely bright, Shadow's bruises seemed all the less noticeable and he seemed to be full of new energy.
Xhol-Terra offered him a hand and Shadow took it, allowing her to lift him onto his feet.
"What did you do?" He asked her.
"I gave you a portion of my energy. You were in no shape to go anywhere otherwise." Was her answer.
"And why did you do it?" He asked then. "Why heal your enemy?"
She smirked. "Because you proved to be a challenging enemy, and our fight is over. As I told you before, my goal was to obtain power. I have no wishes to use it to kill or for other evils if not necessary. You are my brother, I knew you would be the greatest challenge to my abilities, and I wanted to prove myself."
Shadow smiled then, it looked odd on the Black Hedgehog's face. "You're my sister, so you're the only one I'm going to let beat me, or help me up to my feet. No one else."
She nodded. "I expected as much. Now..." She glanced at the mountains. "Our business is over for now, I have my own path to make."
"You're leaving? What are you going to do?" Sonic asked scratching an ear.
"I'm going to train and become even stronger." Xhol-Terra answered him, speaking to all of them though. "And if any of you get stronger than come and find me, I look forward to all challenges." She told them, and then was gone.
Shadow glanced away and left just as silently. Leaving just Sonic, Tails and Knuckles.
"Well... I suppose that was an interesting encounter." Sonic shrugged and looked out at the horizon.
"I guess you guys should be getting some rest, right?" Tails asked watching the two of them. "You both are in pretty sorry shape."
"Hey, if those guys aren't resting I'm not either." Sonic said looking back at them. "After all, we have Chaos Emeralds to gather as always... Say, we haven't seen Eggman since Xhol-Terra blew up his robot, I wonder if he's doing all right."
"You know Eggman, he's probably going to be fine." Tails smiled slightly.
"Yeah you're right, he heals really fast." Sonic agreed. "Eggman's the type to just keep coming back, he's probably already working on his next robot to... Yikes! Look out!"
They all scattered as a huge metal spiked ball came rolling at them, it was smashing through and past. They all looked at where it had come from and saw Eggman then, driving what looked to be a tank armed with a huge metal spring and giant robotic hand. The hand was already loading a second spiked ball.
"Are you ready Sonic! Are you ready to face my latest weapon!" Eggman roared as he aimed his weapons their way.
Sonic rolled his eyes. "Maybe he heals too fast."



Ending

Xhol-Terra sat crosslegged on the top of the mountain, far away from where she had been when she had last seen her brother Shadow, and her last contact with the outside world. This mountain peek was covered in snow on the top and wind and snow rushed around her as she sat there, seeming completely unaffected by the weather.
It had been some time ago since that day. All three eyes were closed as she meditated, calming herself and her energy. Slipping into perfect balance. It had been more than a month now that she had been resting on this cold mountain, just striving to gather her power. If it was possible at all, she would not only be the first one to achieve perfection, but to surpass Perfection.