“Those fools are doing just as I had predicted,” said Eggman. “Now it’s time to move into phase two of my plan.”

“And what would that be, master?” asked Metal Sonic, standing behind Eggman.

“By getting the Chaos Emeralds for my secret weapon.”

“What is your secret weapon?”

“Check it out, Metal.”

Dr. Eggman pointed to the screen that displayed the designs for the Eclipse Cannon.

“Isn’t that the Eclipse Cannon’s designs?”

“Exactly. Thanks to my grandfather’s brilliant work, I’m gonna create an Eclipse Cannon of my very own. Of course it won’t be as powerful as the original one, but it will have enough power to destroy the rest of the moon.”

“How will destroying the moon help?”

“I’m glad you asked. After going through numerous calculations, I finally came up with a certain energy I can combine with the energy of the Chaos Emeralds. As the energy impacts with the moon, the pieces of the moon will be covered with the energy. This will give the pieces of the moon a certain attraction to the planet’s atmosphere and will be drawn into it. Once they’re inside the planet’s atmosphere, the energy will cancel itself and the pieces will fall into Station Square, destroying it completely. Then I will move in and create the Empire of Eggman.”

“That’s pure genius.”

“It certainly is, but in order for that to happen, I need the Chaos Emeralds. I already have the silver one, three are at that blue rodent’s home and the other three are in G.U.N.’s new military headquarters. It would be complete suicide to just go in there. I need the blueprints of the new headquarters before I can attack.”

Then he flipped on the screen of Station Square and noticed a dark hooded figure running through the streets.

‘That couldn’t be him, could it?’ Eggman thought to himself. Then he came across the designs of Shadow and an idea came to him. “That’s it! Metal!”

“Yes, master.”

Eggman printed out the designs and handed them to Metal Sonic.

“Get the worker bots to create a Metal version of Shadow. I’m about to have another ally in our plan to attack G.U.N.”

---------------------------

During the night at Station Square, everyone was sound asleep. The only one that wasn’t was the dark hooded figure running through the streets.

‘The night air feels good tonight,’ the figure thought to himself. ‘I don’t mind going through these nightly runs, but I hate having to wear this stupid thing.’

“Well, well. If it isn’t Shadow the Hedgehog,” said a voice.

The figure stopped suddenly and looked around but didn’t see anything. Then Eggman came through the darkness in his Egg Walker.

“How did you know it was me?” asked Shadow as he pulled down his black hood.

“It was quite obvious that only you would run during the night. What’s with the getup?”

“It helps me from being noticed by those pathetic humans.”

Shadow started to run off.

“Shadow, wait!” called Eggman.

“This better be good. I don’t like to waste my time for no reason.”

“I was wondering. How would you like to get rid of G.U.N.?”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying join forces with me and we’ll destroy G.U.N. once and for all. You want to avenge Maria for what they did, don’t you?”

Shadow could feel the anger brewing inside of him after he heard that. Then he cooled himself down and smirked at Dr. Eggman.

“Alright, doctor; you’ve convinced me. Now, how do we get rid of them?”

“By using these.” Eggman tossed an object to Shadow.

“Dynamite packs?”

Eggman nodded. “I thought that since they were strong enough to destroy a few islands, they could destroy an entire military facility. Instead of a timer, I installed a detonator in them.”

“But going to G.U.N.’s military headquarters would be crazy.”

“That’s why we need the blueprints of their headquarters. Surely you know of someone that has access to that kind of thing.” Shadow nodded. “Excellent. Get the blueprints and meet me back at the base. I’ll discuss the rest of the plan after you get back.”

After Eggman left, Shadow headed for Angel Island.

-------------------------

At Angel Island, Rouge and Knuckles were still standing guard at the Master Emerald Shrine but having a tough time staying awake. It was only then that Rouge heard footsteps.

“Hey Knuckles, wake up,” Rouge said, shaking him.

“What?” he sleepily asked. “I’m not asleep. I only dozed off for a few seconds.”

“Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

“It sounded like someone was coming this way.”

“It’s probably just the wind.”

Then Rouge heard the footsteps again. “There it is again.” Rouge and Knuckles stood alert. “Show yourself!”

“Relax. It’s just me,” said Shadow as he appeared.

“Shadow? What are you doing here?” asked Knuckles.

“I came here to talk to you.”

“Sure, what do you need?”

“Not you. You,” said Shadow, pointing to Rouge.

“Me?” said Rouge, pointing to herself.

Shadow nodded. “In private.”

Rouge looked at Knuckles, who only shrugged, and followed Shadow.

“What is it, Shadow?”

“Rouge, are you still working for the government?”

“I’m about to quit if they keep sending me these weak paychecks.”

“Do you have the blueprints for G.U.N.’s new headquarters?”

“Sure, but what do you need them for?”

“It’s not for me; it’s for the doctor.”

“Well, I do owe you one for saving me back there at Prison Island, so I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thanks. Once you get them, meet me at the doctor’s base.”

When Rouge got back to the Master Emerald Shrine, Knuckles was still standing with a confused look on his face.

“What was all that about?” he asked.

“Oh, just doing a favor,” she replied. “Listen, I’ve got an errand to run.”

“No problem. I’m use to guarding the Master Emerald alone.”

Rouge kissed Knuckles before she took off into the air.

-------------------------

Rouge landed in front of the governmental building and went inside. She walked over to the security desk where a security guard was sitting on a chair, watching the monitors.

“Hello, Rob,” Rouge called out.

Rob looked up. “Hey Rouge. Kinda late, ain’t it?”

“I’m just here for a few things I forgot.”

Rouge walked down the hall until she made it to her office. She entered in and turned on the computer.

“Now, where is it?” she asked herself as she scrolled down the government’s files. “Here it is.”

She clicked on the file entitled “Blueprints of G.U.N.’s New Base”, and the blueprints were displayed. She put a computer disk inside the computer, saved the blueprints into it and turned off the computer. Before she left, Rouge took out a post-it note and a pen, wrote “I Quit!!!” on it and placed it on front of the computer screen.

-----------------------

Rouge flew over to Eggman’s base where Shadow was standing there with his arms crossed.

“Here’s what you wanted,” Rouge said, handing Shadow the computer disk.

“Thanks.”

“Can you tell me what the doctor intends on doing with that?”

“All I know is that he wants to get rid of G.U.N. as much as I do. Besides, I will be able to avenge Maria for what they did to her and the professor.”

“Well, good luck.”

Then she took off into the air and Shadow went inside Eggman’s base.

‘Soon, Maria,’ Shadow thought to himself. ‘It’s only a matter of time before I avenge you.’

To be continued…