STROLLIN’ ON A STARLINE

Hallucinations Made Real RP blog for one formerly dead Jackal (All Images taken from official Sonic The Hedgehog games and comics)

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

My, what paltry minds these are.

So easily fooled by the voices in their heads.

[blue-speedster]

Awwh...no fun. :(

"I doubt you'd be useful to him anyway. With that Ruby's power, he doesn't really need anyone else."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

You’ve got that right, I’ll give you that.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

With the platypus gone, it might be time to…

Reinvent myself.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

Ah, wouldn’t you know it? I never died.

Had you all fooled, didn’t I?

The Grand Finale is upon us. Stay tuned~

(OOC: so much for the idea that he’s been trapped in the Ruby since it disappeared. Oh well, retcons for ya, and it’s not like it was technically canon that he died anyway.)

[askbunnyroses]

It started as a blip. The barest fizzle of red out of one's eye. They all saw it. Amy. Cream. Blaze. In the middle of whatever each were doing by their lonesome, it drew their gaze. Yet they could never quite pinpoint it, as it was gone by the time they turned their attention to it. To the rabbit and the cat, it was a non-factor, a minute curiosity. But the pink hedgehog remembered its cubic gleam well. Six months of open warfare against an enemy that could bend reality to its whims left scars miles long and just as deep. In whatever gardener's pot sat nearby, through crimson miasma, a wilted rose, its petals gnarled and grey, burst into existence through impossible cracks in the fabric of reality. An invitation? No. A question. One to which the sender expected the answer... Will the bitter rose take its place among the garden of fools?

[@infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

Her eyes widened as her eyes narrowed. “Starline...” She remarked under her breath, turning to look at Blaze and Cream. Quickly ushering Cream over to Blaze. “Blaze watch over Cream. I have a bad feeling...” She summoned her Piko Piko hammer and looked around. “Starline?” she called out, readying her hammer. “I know you’re there! Where is Sonic? And don’t try any funny business!”

//mod: my apologies, it’s short.//

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The deep-throated chuckle that echoed through her mind in reply was anything but the shrill braying of the maniacal monotreme. With a warbled, gargling growl, the hedgehog's surroundings, as well as her view of her friends, appeared to bleed away into a resplendent array of unending rose bushes. Amidst the crimson petals peeked blackened thorns. An unseen pair of boots tread lightly through the rows, compressing leaves just enough to give an impression of the apparition's direction as it circled around the outskirts of the prickly thicket.

"Sonic, Sonic, Sonic. Is he all you can think about?"

[askbunnyroses]

She shuddered as the chuckle echoed through her mind, but she stood her ground. Eyes narrowing into a glare, moving in front of Blaze and Cream. Her hammer was up in a ready position to strike. Before her eyes widened, as suddenly her friends and surroundings began to bleed away into an array of rose bushes. Her grip on her hammer tightened, as she watched the leaves being stepped on by an unseen being. Her heart was racing with adrenaline.... At his words she huffed. “I know you did something. And what do you want? Why are you here?!”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"Why am I here? Oh, how's about we call it 'checking in on the competition?'" The footprints stop, the last couple impression in the greenery appearing to point in her direction. Petals dance and float away in the soft breeze, offering the barest glimpse of a pointed silhouette.

[askbunnyroses]

Her eyes glared as she kept her stance strong, her boots digging into the ground below her. Scoffing at his words, though let a small smirk show on her face. “Glad you know I’m a force to be reckoned with.” She remarked, looking down at the footprints. She watched the petals fly and drift away, she took a breath.. She had to think. He was obviously messing with her mind, this had to be some sort of trap.. “I’m not interested in playing your little games. I have people to protect, so either you say something that matters or LEAVE!”

//mod: psstt is this chaoticcanon???? Or seperate?

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The footprints fade away.

Where one shadow lay at her feet, another had sprouted. Petals continued to drift lazily out of view, revealing silver buds beneath the naked blossoms. The voice returns shortly, a whisper of a breath on the tip of her ear. "You think yourself quite clever, don't you? That you have it all figured out?"

If a disembodied voice could smirk, it would be razor sharp.

"Yet you fail to realize just who it is you're talking to."

It held a confident, eager edge to its words.

"Unfortunate. I had hoped that the Resistance's only mildly competent commander might've seen through the pageantry. Seems I continue to be disappointed."

[askbunnyroses]

Her eyes narrowed as she glared at the petals, she hated how he was messing with her head. She couldn’t see anything- she doubted none of this was real- she didn’t even know if Blaze and Cream were safe. But she knew Blaze could hold her own. She turned quickly and swung harshly toward it at the feeling of breath on her ear. “What is your goal? Trying to distract me? Take my friends while I’m stuck in your little illusion? Why me? There has to be more to it!”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"All in due time, my dear. There are a number of pieces moving on the board. You'll get your turn. Just thought I'd give you a little taste of what's to come." A pressure, like a fingertip pressing down upon her forehead, brought with it flashes of memories not her own. Rows upon rows of tall metal capsules topped by glass domes, within which unclear figures jostled about under a blanket of glowing green fluid . The vision shifted, offering an up close look at the occupant: bright pink quills, eyes shut, and a pained expression—herself? Her view rotated. More familiar faces—Sonic? Tails? Shadow? Then again in the other direction. Cream, Blaze, Silver. The pressure lifted, and she was brought back to (un)reality.

"Sonic's fine, by the way. Surprisingly, he appears to be biding his time. I suppose half a year in prison ought to teach even the most impatient of rodents how to stay put."

Before her, the final petals withered away, revealing a massive patch of dying gray foliage, in the middle of which sat two opposing streaks of color. One, blackened and charred, its roses scorched to cinders. The other, flowering bushes of burning crimson surrounding a pop of piercing orange. When next she blinked, the garden was gone, her friends back where they were supposed to be, staring at her with shaking eyes.

[askbunnyroses]

It started as a blip. The barest fizzle of red out of one's eye. They all saw it. Amy. Cream. Blaze. In the middle of whatever each were doing by their lonesome, it drew their gaze. Yet they could never quite pinpoint it, as it was gone by the time they turned their attention to it. To the rabbit and the cat, it was a non-factor, a minute curiosity. But the pink hedgehog remembered its cubic gleam well. Six months of open warfare against an enemy that could bend reality to its whims left scars miles long and just as deep. In whatever gardener's pot sat nearby, through crimson miasma, a wilted rose, its petals gnarled and grey, burst into existence through impossible cracks in the fabric of reality. An invitation? No. A question. One to which the sender expected the answer... Will the bitter rose take its place among the garden of fools?

[@infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

Her eyes widened as her eyes narrowed. “Starline...” She remarked under her breath, turning to look at Blaze and Cream. Quickly ushering Cream over to Blaze. “Blaze watch over Cream. I have a bad feeling...” She summoned her Piko Piko hammer and looked around. “Starline?” she called out, readying her hammer. “I know you’re there! Where is Sonic? And don’t try any funny business!”

//mod: my apologies, it’s short.//

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The deep-throated chuckle that echoed through her mind in reply was anything but the shrill braying of the maniacal monotreme. With a warbled, gargling growl, the hedgehog's surroundings, as well as her view of her friends, appeared to bleed away into a resplendent array of unending rose bushes. Amidst the crimson petals peeked blackened thorns. An unseen pair of boots tread lightly through the rows, compressing leaves just enough to give an impression of the apparition's direction as it circled around the outskirts of the prickly thicket.

"Sonic, Sonic, Sonic. Is he all you can think about?"

[askbunnyroses]

She shuddered as the chuckle echoed through her mind, but she stood her ground. Eyes narrowing into a glare, moving in front of Blaze and Cream. Her hammer was up in a ready position to strike. Before her eyes widened, as suddenly her friends and surroundings began to bleed away into an array of rose bushes. Her grip on her hammer tightened, as she watched the leaves being stepped on by an unseen being. Her heart was racing with adrenaline.... At his words she huffed. “I know you did something. And what do you want? Why are you here?!”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"Why am I here? Oh, how's about we call it 'checking in on the competition?'" The footprints stop, the last couple impression in the greenery appearing to point in her direction. Petals dance and float away in the soft breeze, offering the barest glimpse of a pointed silhouette.

[askbunnyroses]

Her eyes glared as she kept her stance strong, her boots digging into the ground below her. Scoffing at his words, though let a small smirk show on her face. “Glad you know I’m a force to be reckoned with.” She remarked, looking down at the footprints. She watched the petals fly and drift away, she took a breath.. She had to think. He was obviously messing with her mind, this had to be some sort of trap.. “I’m not interested in playing your little games. I have people to protect, so either you say something that matters or LEAVE!”

//mod: psstt is this chaoticcanon???? Or seperate?

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The footprints fade away.

Where one shadow lay at her feet, another had sprouted. Petals continued to drift lazily out of view, revealing silver buds beneath the naked blossoms. The voice returns shortly, a whisper of a breath on the tip of her ear. "You think yourself quite clever, don't you? That you have it all figured out?"

If a disembodied voice could smirk, it would be razor sharp.

"Yet you fail to realize just who it is you're talking to."

It held a confident, eager edge to its words.

"Unfortunate. I had hoped that the Resistance's only mildly competent commander might've seen through the pageantry. Seems I continue to be disappointed."

[askbunnyroses]

It started as a blip. The barest fizzle of red out of one's eye. They all saw it. Amy. Cream. Blaze. In the middle of whatever each were doing by their lonesome, it drew their gaze. Yet they could never quite pinpoint it, as it was gone by the time they turned their attention to it. To the rabbit and the cat, it was a non-factor, a minute curiosity. But the pink hedgehog remembered its cubic gleam well. Six months of open warfare against an enemy that could bend reality to its whims left scars miles long and just as deep. In whatever gardener's pot sat nearby, through crimson miasma, a wilted rose, its petals gnarled and grey, burst into existence through impossible cracks in the fabric of reality. An invitation? No. A question. One to which the sender expected the answer... Will the bitter rose take its place among the garden of fools?

[@infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

Her eyes widened as her eyes narrowed. “Starline...” She remarked under her breath, turning to look at Blaze and Cream. Quickly ushering Cream over to Blaze. “Blaze watch over Cream. I have a bad feeling...” She summoned her Piko Piko hammer and looked around. “Starline?” she called out, readying her hammer. “I know you’re there! Where is Sonic? And don’t try any funny business!”

//mod: my apologies, it’s short.//

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The deep-throated chuckle that echoed through her mind in reply was anything but the shrill braying of the maniacal monotreme. With a warbled, gargling growl, the hedgehog's surroundings, as well as her view of her friends, appeared to bleed away into a resplendent array of unending rose bushes. Amidst the crimson petals peeked blackened thorns. An unseen pair of boots tread lightly through the rows, compressing leaves just enough to give an impression of the apparition's direction as it circled around the outskirts of the prickly thicket.

"Sonic, Sonic, Sonic. Is he all you can think about?"

[askbunnyroses]

She shuddered as the chuckle echoed through her mind, but she stood her ground. Eyes narrowing into a glare, moving in front of Blaze and Cream. Her hammer was up in a ready position to strike. Before her eyes widened, as suddenly her friends and surroundings began to bleed away into an array of rose bushes. Her grip on her hammer tightened, as she watched the leaves being stepped on by an unseen being. Her heart was racing with adrenaline.... At his words she huffed. “I know you did something. And what do you want? Why are you here?!”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"Why am I here? Oh, how's about we call it 'checking in on the competition?'" The footprints stop, the last couple impression in the greenery appearing to point in her direction. Petals dance and float away in the soft breeze, offering the barest glimpse of a pointed silhouette.

[askbunnyroses]

It started as a blip. The barest fizzle of red out of one's eye. They all saw it. Amy. Cream. Blaze. In the middle of whatever each were doing by their lonesome, it drew their gaze. Yet they could never quite pinpoint it, as it was gone by the time they turned their attention to it. To the rabbit and the cat, it was a non-factor, a minute curiosity. But the pink hedgehog remembered its cubic gleam well. Six months of open warfare against an enemy that could bend reality to its whims left scars miles long and just as deep. In whatever gardener's pot sat nearby, through crimson miasma, a wilted rose, its petals gnarled and grey, burst into existence through impossible cracks in the fabric of reality. An invitation? No. A question. One to which the sender expected the answer... Will the bitter rose take its place among the garden of fools?

[@infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

Her eyes widened as her eyes narrowed. “Starline...” She remarked under her breath, turning to look at Blaze and Cream. Quickly ushering Cream over to Blaze. “Blaze watch over Cream. I have a bad feeling...” She summoned her Piko Piko hammer and looked around. “Starline?” she called out, readying her hammer. “I know you’re there! Where is Sonic? And don’t try any funny business!”

//mod: my apologies, it’s short.//

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The deep-throated chuckle that echoed through her mind in reply was anything but the shrill braying of the maniacal monotreme. With a warbled, gargling growl, the hedgehog's surroundings, as well as her view of her friends, appeared to bleed away into a resplendent array of unending rose bushes. Amidst the crimson petals peeked blackened thorns. An unseen pair of boots tread lightly through the rows, compressing leaves just enough to give an impression of the apparition's direction as it circled around the outskirts of the prickly thicket.

"Sonic, Sonic, Sonic. Is he all you can think about?"

[theultimatemobboss]

"You know I'm getting real sick of you causing me problems, Clutch, you're lucky I don't put an end to it right here and now!"

Starline snapped the moment they appeared in his base, the glowing green tubes littering the room, his laptop thrown haphazardly onto one of the desks with the feed still showing from Clutch's office. That camera behind the booze was NOT the only one, a few other angles catching the scene.

He shoved the others out of his grip, immediately wiping his hands off on his jacket and huffing.

"And you two? You should have learned long ago not to meddle in business that isn't yours, I should have your body parts put on spikes and littered all throughout the planet to send a message to what happens if you cross me."

He made some... gruesome illusions to illustrate his point, the entire room cast in a dizzying warping effect as Starline struggled to control his temper.

"With all I've done for you, Clutch, and this is the thanks I get?"

“All you’ve done? For me? Ohhhhhhhh Thank you thank you thank you!!”

The opossum sneers, he could t believe what the hell the platypus was saying right then and there. Who the fuck did he think he was?

“My apologies your highness!! You’re so right!! I’m so thankful for you getting me nearly KILLED!”

The skunks however were more focused on the illusions surrounding them. Meanwhile clutch is to focused on Starline to notice what was going on

“Bro…”

Before tumble could say anything else, his brother was clinging onto him, soon tumble to would cling to his brother.

“Should’ve left me drown. That would’ve been a better fate, one less inconvenience in your life? Yea? Because I just CAUSEEE SOOOOOOOO MANYYYYYYY ISSUESSSS!? Yeah!!?”

He couldn’t help but laugh at the platypus, he brings his bottle to his mouth and takes a swig, again moving it back with his tail again so it’s out of everyone but his own range. He was not having another wasted bottle.

“You may have gotten me out of that control eggman had on me but who helped you find a place to hide? Who helped you way back when? Who just now almost died to save your ass. Don’t you dare act like I haven’t done some helping of my own. I did nearly if not just as much as you did.”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"More of an incidental extra than a key player in this little game of ours."

The voice came from everywhere, and nowhere. Within the heads of the four gathered criminals, yet somehow from all corners of the room. Manifesting from the mind's eye and into reality dripped liquid shadow, the ever present hum of the ruby only amplifying the sense of dread as deep crimson saturated every visible surface for the split second it took the pool to manifest. From the darkness rose the sharp, flowing form of the Jackal, its iron mask asserting its dominance over the stage by floating its single eye across the skunks, before coming to rest upon the former crime lord.

"Your lackeys put more work into finding our trump card by complete accident than you did sulking about with a bug in your brain."

[doctor-starline]

"Infinite, I can handle this on my own."

The platypus growled under his breath, but made no move to stop the other's entrance. How was he supposed to have a private conversation with this bastard if someone was always there to interrupt. He wanted to apologize for their argument the other day, find some way to fix the damages, then yell at him again for keeping these buffoons around that almost had gotten him killed! But there was no bloody way he was doing that with Infinite nearby.

"You know what I should have done, Clutch?"

He stepped closer, grabbing the other by the collar of his stupid coat. The steady hum of machinery only adding to the tension in the room.

"I should have let you drown. Like they said, one less problem to worry about. Or maybe- I should have let you drink yourself into oblivion the other night. I'm sure you continued when I left, but that break at least let it pass through your system. I should have never stopped Mr.Tinker from signing that contract, let Robotnik burn down your doorstep to see that it was destroyed. I shouldn't have helped you rip up your contract signing your life away to those two idiots, just let them OWN you. I should have never let you leave- after all you owe me so much that I own you. Or maybe, I shouldn't have taken that damn bug out. Should have used it to my advantage, programmed you to my liking. I shouldn't have sent that message back with Mr.Tinker. let you two live out your merry little days together. Or maybe I shouldn't have made Mr.Tinker happen at all- let him do whatever he had planned to happen next. Or if you want to take it even further back, maybe I shouldn't have signed with your business to get my supplies for Surge and Kitsunami. There were plenty others our there! Yours only took the top spot because I was the biggest investor in the market. I could have gone to someone else, or better yet, gotten it myself! You saved me time and effort. That's it. You were never vital. You were easy. You were the little cherries added to a sunday. I never needed you, I never needed ANYONE. Shit always goes wrong when I involve others. You aren't an exception."

He threw the other back into the skunks, shaking his head.

"Rough, Tumble. Show your boss to his new room, unless he or Infinite has anything else to say. He's staying here until I clear the pests out of his place, then he's going back. You two are staying. Permanently."

[theultimatemobboss]

“You.”

The opossums gaze lingered on infinite, his blood boiled at the Jackals words. He dare say a word? Talk about intruding on matters that don’t matter to him, someone who wasn’t there in the beginning.

His gaze goes back to the platypus and he scoffs

“What Starline? What should you have done?”

As the platypus just continued and continued the opossum just stood there, his ear twitching, he wanted to protest but he just kept going and when he thought he could finally speak?? THUD

The opossum stumbled, his bottle shattering into the ground, glass flung up and cut his cheek, it stung slightly, the opossum was momentarily stunned. The brothers looked at each other then at Starline then to their boss. They nod, they help their boss up from the ground, they wait for their boss or infinite to say something. It was odd, the tension in the room… uncomfortable.

“Whatever you say Starline.”

His voice low, monotone, he waves to his boys signaling they can start going in a moment

“Boss? Your not going to-“

“CAN IT.”

He looks at his smashed bottle that was on the ground. He kicks a piece of the glass, it slides to the other side of the room.

“Where is the room?”

“…”

Clutch grew silent. Words echoing through his mind. His anger only got worse. But he keeps himself composed. You learn that skill in the world of business. He gives Starline a look of disgust before turning his attention to the skunks again.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The Jackal shakes its head, as bemused as it was disappointed. These bumbling buffoons reminded him of his old squad. Nothing but a pack of witless warriors, eagerly awaiting their next orders. It brought the Jackal no sorrow to see them all fall in battle with that accursed black hedgehog.

With a wave of its hand, a line of small beaded lights illuminated a path for the doddering fools to follow.

[doctor-starline]

"Thank you, Infinite."

The other took his glasses off, cleaning them on the edge of his shirt as he calmed himself.

"Rough, Tumble, you shall see yourselves back in here after the opossum is situated. Understood?"

He pulled up a stool to the desk, watching the laptop with part interest and part finding something else to look at rather then everything else before him. He'd give Surge more than 5 minutes, just to see how this little spar with Whisper went.

[theultimatemobboss]

All three of them walk away.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The Jackal stared them down as the trio disappeared around the corner.

"What a pathetic display."

It adjusted its mask.

"I recall Clutch being more cutthroat than this... sorry excuse of the crime lord."

It remembered, at one point in its past life, doing hits for the old opossum. Never left a job unfinished, until a complication prevented Jackal Squad from securing the kill. The price of failure had cost Sept his life.

[doctor-starline]

"I fear his glory days are far behind him."

The platypus rubbed his temples. He had been getting horrible migranes from dealing with this mess. Imbeciles.

"Who all have you worked for, back before all that is the Phantom Ruby, if you don't mind me asking. One as well renowned as you surely would have met some famous faces."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"Oh, nobody of note. Nobody who didn't eventually bend the knee, either to the likes of him... or Eggman. Just one of many such personalities who exert their will through others rather than taking charge for themselves."

The Jackal sidestepped reality to seat itself against the edge of the desk.

"And look how the mighty have fallen. He is a pale imitation of the opossum I worked for."

[doctor-starline]

"Tell me, Infinite, dearie. Do you see those same traits in me? How do I avoid the same outcome? Surely, there's one patter that has been easy to track throughout time."

Perhaps the platypus was a little too loopy to go and as him something like that. Gosh, he was starting to see Clutch's interest in booze.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The Jackal turned its mask so that Starline could see its one visible eye.

"If there is even one commonality between you and all those other overly ambitious blowhards, it's that arrogance was your undoing. Once that arrogance is undone, all that's left is a husk that knows not what it wants. I believe you experienced that exact feeling after Eggman bested you?"

It turned its body towards the playpus, exposing the ugly scar across its chest where the ruby prototype once sat.

"You once bent the knee to Eggman. As did I. We paid the price. Yet here we are, more powerful than ever, in spite of our failures. We took charge of our fates. Learned from our mistakes. But we also must keep on guard so that our progress be not undone. The only pattern? One blue rodent and his bothersome allies."

[doctor-starline]

His eyes trailed the environment around him as he thought, until he finally landing on the other.

"I don't believe that you've ever been that husk. It doesn't suit you. You've known far too much about what you've wanted since the start, haven't you? I may not be the most aware on what that is, but it's still there."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, fixing it in the reflection of the screen.

"My useless husk phase is over. I know what I want very well. I want everyone who's gotten in my way to suffer, including that insufferable doctor. I want to tear this world asunder and reconstruct it with order. That little gem of ours supports this destruction, I can feel it. Those rodents? They won't get in the way. Not this time. They're divided, getting plucked off one by one as they send themselves at us like flies to a vehicle's window. A useless endeavor."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

“Ah, but as you’ve just seen, they are still attempting to gather their forces. Your favored pet may be helping to disrupt those efforts now, but I have a feeling she has her own plans. Then there’s the Doctor and the fox. Out of the way for now, but how long will that last?”

The Jackal plants its paw against the countertop.

“I underestimated that hedgehog’s ability to spring back from his setbacks. Discounted the fortitude of him and his friends. Our next move must be proactive at removing pieces from the board. We can’t afford to continue waiting for them to come to us.”

[theultimatemobboss]

"You know I'm getting real sick of you causing me problems, Clutch, you're lucky I don't put an end to it right here and now!"

Starline snapped the moment they appeared in his base, the glowing green tubes littering the room, his laptop thrown haphazardly onto one of the desks with the feed still showing from Clutch's office. That camera behind the booze was NOT the only one, a few other angles catching the scene.

He shoved the others out of his grip, immediately wiping his hands off on his jacket and huffing.

"And you two? You should have learned long ago not to meddle in business that isn't yours, I should have your body parts put on spikes and littered all throughout the planet to send a message to what happens if you cross me."

He made some... gruesome illusions to illustrate his point, the entire room cast in a dizzying warping effect as Starline struggled to control his temper.

"With all I've done for you, Clutch, and this is the thanks I get?"

“All you’ve done? For me? Ohhhhhhhh Thank you thank you thank you!!”

The opossum sneers, he could t believe what the hell the platypus was saying right then and there. Who the fuck did he think he was?

“My apologies your highness!! You’re so right!! I’m so thankful for you getting me nearly KILLED!”

The skunks however were more focused on the illusions surrounding them. Meanwhile clutch is to focused on Starline to notice what was going on

“Bro…”

Before tumble could say anything else, his brother was clinging onto him, soon tumble to would cling to his brother.

“Should’ve left me drown. That would’ve been a better fate, one less inconvenience in your life? Yea? Because I just CAUSEEE SOOOOOOOO MANYYYYYYY ISSUESSSS!? Yeah!!?”

He couldn’t help but laugh at the platypus, he brings his bottle to his mouth and takes a swig, again moving it back with his tail again so it’s out of everyone but his own range. He was not having another wasted bottle.

“You may have gotten me out of that control eggman had on me but who helped you find a place to hide? Who helped you way back when? Who just now almost died to save your ass. Don’t you dare act like I haven’t done some helping of my own. I did nearly if not just as much as you did.”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"More of an incidental extra than a key player in this little game of ours."

The voice came from everywhere, and nowhere. Within the heads of the four gathered criminals, yet somehow from all corners of the room. Manifesting from the mind's eye and into reality dripped liquid shadow, the ever present hum of the ruby only amplifying the sense of dread as deep crimson saturated every visible surface for the split second it took the pool to manifest. From the darkness rose the sharp, flowing form of the Jackal, its iron mask asserting its dominance over the stage by floating its single eye across the skunks, before coming to rest upon the former crime lord.

"Your lackeys put more work into finding our trump card by complete accident than you did sulking about with a bug in your brain."

[doctor-starline]

"Infinite, I can handle this on my own."

The platypus growled under his breath, but made no move to stop the other's entrance. How was he supposed to have a private conversation with this bastard if someone was always there to interrupt. He wanted to apologize for their argument the other day, find some way to fix the damages, then yell at him again for keeping these buffoons around that almost had gotten him killed! But there was no bloody way he was doing that with Infinite nearby.

"You know what I should have done, Clutch?"

He stepped closer, grabbing the other by the collar of his stupid coat. The steady hum of machinery only adding to the tension in the room.

"I should have let you drown. Like they said, one less problem to worry about. Or maybe- I should have let you drink yourself into oblivion the other night. I'm sure you continued when I left, but that break at least let it pass through your system. I should have never stopped Mr.Tinker from signing that contract, let Robotnik burn down your doorstep to see that it was destroyed. I shouldn't have helped you rip up your contract signing your life away to those two idiots, just let them OWN you. I should have never let you leave- after all you owe me so much that I own you. Or maybe, I shouldn't have taken that damn bug out. Should have used it to my advantage, programmed you to my liking. I shouldn't have sent that message back with Mr.Tinker. let you two live out your merry little days together. Or maybe I shouldn't have made Mr.Tinker happen at all- let him do whatever he had planned to happen next. Or if you want to take it even further back, maybe I shouldn't have signed with your business to get my supplies for Surge and Kitsunami. There were plenty others our there! Yours only took the top spot because I was the biggest investor in the market. I could have gone to someone else, or better yet, gotten it myself! You saved me time and effort. That's it. You were never vital. You were easy. You were the little cherries added to a sunday. I never needed you, I never needed ANYONE. Shit always goes wrong when I involve others. You aren't an exception."

He threw the other back into the skunks, shaking his head.

"Rough, Tumble. Show your boss to his new room, unless he or Infinite has anything else to say. He's staying here until I clear the pests out of his place, then he's going back. You two are staying. Permanently."

[theultimatemobboss]

“You.”

The opossums gaze lingered on infinite, his blood boiled at the Jackals words. He dare say a word? Talk about intruding on matters that don’t matter to him, someone who wasn’t there in the beginning.

His gaze goes back to the platypus and he scoffs

“What Starline? What should you have done?”

As the platypus just continued and continued the opossum just stood there, his ear twitching, he wanted to protest but he just kept going and when he thought he could finally speak?? THUD

The opossum stumbled, his bottle shattering into the ground, glass flung up and cut his cheek, it stung slightly, the opossum was momentarily stunned. The brothers looked at each other then at Starline then to their boss. They nod, they help their boss up from the ground, they wait for their boss or infinite to say something. It was odd, the tension in the room… uncomfortable.

“Whatever you say Starline.”

His voice low, monotone, he waves to his boys signaling they can start going in a moment

“Boss? Your not going to-“

“CAN IT.”

He looks at his smashed bottle that was on the ground. He kicks a piece of the glass, it slides to the other side of the room.

“Where is the room?”

“…”

Clutch grew silent. Words echoing through his mind. His anger only got worse. But he keeps himself composed. You learn that skill in the world of business. He gives Starline a look of disgust before turning his attention to the skunks again.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The Jackal shakes its head, as bemused as it was disappointed. These bumbling buffoons reminded him of his old squad. Nothing but a pack of witless warriors, eagerly awaiting their next orders. It brought the Jackal no sorrow to see them all fall in battle with that accursed black hedgehog.

With a wave of its hand, a line of small beaded lights illuminated a path for the doddering fools to follow.

[doctor-starline]

"Thank you, Infinite."

The other took his glasses off, cleaning them on the edge of his shirt as he calmed himself.

"Rough, Tumble, you shall see yourselves back in here after the opossum is situated. Understood?"

He pulled up a stool to the desk, watching the laptop with part interest and part finding something else to look at rather then everything else before him. He'd give Surge more than 5 minutes, just to see how this little spar with Whisper went.

[theultimatemobboss]

All three of them walk away.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The Jackal stared them down as the trio disappeared around the corner.

"What a pathetic display."

It adjusted its mask.

"I recall Clutch being more cutthroat than this... sorry excuse of the crime lord."

It remembered, at one point in its past life, doing hits for the old opossum. Never left a job unfinished, until a complication prevented Jackal Squad from securing the kill. The price of failure had cost Sept his life.

[doctor-starline]

"I fear his glory days are far behind him."

The platypus rubbed his temples. He had been getting horrible migranes from dealing with this mess. Imbeciles.

"Who all have you worked for, back before all that is the Phantom Ruby, if you don't mind me asking. One as well renowned as you surely would have met some famous faces."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"Oh, nobody of note. Nobody who didn't eventually bend the knee, either to the likes of him... or Eggman. Just one of many such personalities who exert their will through others rather than taking charge for themselves."

The Jackal sidestepped reality to seat itself against the edge of the desk.

"And look how the mighty have fallen. He is a pale imitation of the opossum I worked for."

[doctor-starline]

"Tell me, Infinite, dearie. Do you see those same traits in me? How do I avoid the same outcome? Surely, there's one patter that has been easy to track throughout time."

Perhaps the platypus was a little too loopy to go and as him something like that. Gosh, he was starting to see Clutch's interest in booze.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The Jackal turned its mask so that Starline could see its one visible eye.

"If there is even one commonality between you and all those other overly ambitious blowhards, it's that arrogance was your undoing. Once that arrogance is undone, all that's left is a husk that knows not what it wants. I believe you experienced that exact feeling after Eggman bested you?"

It turned its body towards the playpus, exposing the ugly scar across its chest where the ruby prototype once sat.

"You once bent the knee to Eggman. As did I. We paid the price. Yet here we are, more powerful than ever, in spite of our failures. We took charge of our fates. Learned from our mistakes. But we also must keep on guard so that our progress be not undone. The only pattern? One blue rodent and his bothersome allies."

[theultimatemobboss]

"You know I'm getting real sick of you causing me problems, Clutch, you're lucky I don't put an end to it right here and now!"

Starline snapped the moment they appeared in his base, the glowing green tubes littering the room, his laptop thrown haphazardly onto one of the desks with the feed still showing from Clutch's office. That camera behind the booze was NOT the only one, a few other angles catching the scene.

He shoved the others out of his grip, immediately wiping his hands off on his jacket and huffing.

"And you two? You should have learned long ago not to meddle in business that isn't yours, I should have your body parts put on spikes and littered all throughout the planet to send a message to what happens if you cross me."

He made some... gruesome illusions to illustrate his point, the entire room cast in a dizzying warping effect as Starline struggled to control his temper.

"With all I've done for you, Clutch, and this is the thanks I get?"

“All you’ve done? For me? Ohhhhhhhh Thank you thank you thank you!!”

The opossum sneers, he could t believe what the hell the platypus was saying right then and there. Who the fuck did he think he was?

“My apologies your highness!! You’re so right!! I’m so thankful for you getting me nearly KILLED!”

The skunks however were more focused on the illusions surrounding them. Meanwhile clutch is to focused on Starline to notice what was going on

“Bro…”

Before tumble could say anything else, his brother was clinging onto him, soon tumble to would cling to his brother.

“Should’ve left me drown. That would’ve been a better fate, one less inconvenience in your life? Yea? Because I just CAUSEEE SOOOOOOOO MANYYYYYYY ISSUESSSS!? Yeah!!?”

He couldn’t help but laugh at the platypus, he brings his bottle to his mouth and takes a swig, again moving it back with his tail again so it’s out of everyone but his own range. He was not having another wasted bottle.

“You may have gotten me out of that control eggman had on me but who helped you find a place to hide? Who helped you way back when? Who just now almost died to save your ass. Don’t you dare act like I haven’t done some helping of my own. I did nearly if not just as much as you did.”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"More of an incidental extra than a key player in this little game of ours."

The voice came from everywhere, and nowhere. Within the heads of the four gathered criminals, yet somehow from all corners of the room. Manifesting from the mind's eye and into reality dripped liquid shadow, the ever present hum of the ruby only amplifying the sense of dread as deep crimson saturated every visible surface for the split second it took the pool to manifest. From the darkness rose the sharp, flowing form of the Jackal, its iron mask asserting its dominance over the stage by floating its single eye across the skunks, before coming to rest upon the former crime lord.

"Your lackeys put more work into finding our trump card by complete accident than you did sulking about with a bug in your brain."

[doctor-starline]

"Infinite, I can handle this on my own."

The platypus growled under his breath, but made no move to stop the other's entrance. How was he supposed to have a private conversation with this bastard if someone was always there to interrupt. He wanted to apologize for their argument the other day, find some way to fix the damages, then yell at him again for keeping these buffoons around that almost had gotten him killed! But there was no bloody way he was doing that with Infinite nearby.

"You know what I should have done, Clutch?"

He stepped closer, grabbing the other by the collar of his stupid coat. The steady hum of machinery only adding to the tension in the room.

"I should have let you drown. Like they said, one less problem to worry about. Or maybe- I should have let you drink yourself into oblivion the other night. I'm sure you continued when I left, but that break at least let it pass through your system. I should have never stopped Mr.Tinker from signing that contract, let Robotnik burn down your doorstep to see that it was destroyed. I shouldn't have helped you rip up your contract signing your life away to those two idiots, just let them OWN you. I should have never let you leave- after all you owe me so much that I own you. Or maybe, I shouldn't have taken that damn bug out. Should have used it to my advantage, programmed you to my liking. I shouldn't have sent that message back with Mr.Tinker. let you two live out your merry little days together. Or maybe I shouldn't have made Mr.Tinker happen at all- let him do whatever he had planned to happen next. Or if you want to take it even further back, maybe I shouldn't have signed with your business to get my supplies for Surge and Kitsunami. There were plenty others our there! Yours only took the top spot because I was the biggest investor in the market. I could have gone to someone else, or better yet, gotten it myself! You saved me time and effort. That's it. You were never vital. You were easy. You were the little cherries added to a sunday. I never needed you, I never needed ANYONE. Shit always goes wrong when I involve others. You aren't an exception."

He threw the other back into the skunks, shaking his head.

"Rough, Tumble. Show your boss to his new room, unless he or Infinite has anything else to say. He's staying here until I clear the pests out of his place, then he's going back. You two are staying. Permanently."

[theultimatemobboss]

“You.”

The opossums gaze lingered on infinite, his blood boiled at the Jackals words. He dare say a word? Talk about intruding on matters that don’t matter to him, someone who wasn’t there in the beginning.

His gaze goes back to the platypus and he scoffs

“What Starline? What should you have done?”

As the platypus just continued and continued the opossum just stood there, his ear twitching, he wanted to protest but he just kept going and when he thought he could finally speak?? THUD

The opossum stumbled, his bottle shattering into the ground, glass flung up and cut his cheek, it stung slightly, the opossum was momentarily stunned. The brothers looked at each other then at Starline then to their boss. They nod, they help their boss up from the ground, they wait for their boss or infinite to say something. It was odd, the tension in the room… uncomfortable.

“Whatever you say Starline.”

His voice low, monotone, he waves to his boys signaling they can start going in a moment

“Boss? Your not going to-“

“CAN IT.”

He looks at his smashed bottle that was on the ground. He kicks a piece of the glass, it slides to the other side of the room.

“Where is the room?”

“…”

Clutch grew silent. Words echoing through his mind. His anger only got worse. But he keeps himself composed. You learn that skill in the world of business. He gives Starline a look of disgust before turning his attention to the skunks again.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The Jackal shakes its head, as bemused as it was disappointed. These bumbling buffoons reminded him of his old squad. Nothing but a pack of witless warriors, eagerly awaiting their next orders. It brought the Jackal no sorrow to see them all fall in battle with that accursed black hedgehog.

With a wave of its hand, a line of small beaded lights illuminated a path for the doddering fools to follow.

[doctor-starline]

"Thank you, Infinite."

The other took his glasses off, cleaning them on the edge of his shirt as he calmed himself.

"Rough, Tumble, you shall see yourselves back in here after the opossum is situated. Understood?"

He pulled up a stool to the desk, watching the laptop with part interest and part finding something else to look at rather then everything else before him. He'd give Surge more than 5 minutes, just to see how this little spar with Whisper went.

[theultimatemobboss]

All three of them walk away.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The Jackal stared them down as the trio disappeared around the corner.

"What a pathetic display."

It adjusted its mask.

"I recall Clutch being more cutthroat than this... sorry excuse of the crime lord."

It remembered, at one point in its past life, doing hits for the old opossum. Never left a job unfinished, until a complication prevented Jackal Squad from securing the kill. The price of failure had cost Sept his life.

[doctor-starline]

"I fear his glory days are far behind him."

The platypus rubbed his temples. He had been getting horrible migranes from dealing with this mess. Imbeciles.

"Who all have you worked for, back before all that is the Phantom Ruby, if you don't mind me asking. One as well renowned as you surely would have met some famous faces."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"Oh, nobody of note. Nobody who didn't eventually bend the knee, either to the likes of him... or Eggman. Just one of many such personalities who exert their will through others rather than taking charge for themselves."

The Jackal sidestepped reality to seat itself against the edge of the desk.

"And look how the mighty have fallen. He is a pale imitation of the opossum I worked for."

[doctor-starline]

The ultimate lifeform bursts through the entrance, he skates around looking for something, anything. He stops in front of the door that had been sealed by Robotniks years ago, he sighs with a hint of relief seeing it shut still. He skates further, he begins to sneak around even tho he destroys every camera he sees along the way.

“tch.. this better not be a dud like the other bases near by… I’m losing my patience”

"You know, I don't take very kindly to intruders. Especially ones that go about breaking my things."

The platypus appeared in front of the hedgehog, just enough distance that he was out of direct range, hands behind his back as he stood.

"Forgive me not meeting you at the door, I was helping an old friend settle in."

[theedglermaster]

His doom wings spreader outward, most likely to be more threatening.

“Tch.. so you really are back. I can do whatever I please, besides from what I understand you intruded first.”

His eyes never never the other, he was like a cat ready to pounce on its prey. His eyes narrowing as he stood perfectly still.

“Heard some of the things you caused, what the hell are you doing back here.”

[doctor-starline]

"I wouldn't be doing so many "things" if you all stopped bothering me. There's no problem with a man wishing to live."

He sighed, pacing slowly, never taking eyes off the hedgehog. He didn't even seem to care about the doom wings, odd for someone who is supposedly powerless.

"Oh, but then Whisper came, so I had to change the place I was staying. Then I learned that the doctor was hurting a dear friend of mine, and I just had to make sure he wouldn't go insane. Then the doctor paid me a visit, that clearly didn't go well for him. And Surge and Whisper? I didn't lay a hand on them. They did that to themselves. I just reclaimed what was mine in the aftermath."

He paused, putting his ungloved hand on his chin.

"Now that I think about it, yes- I've done absolutely nothing unprovoked. My question is, are you going to be added to the list of casualties, or is this going to be a quick visit?"

He chuckled, eyes glimmering as he smiled.

[theedglermaster]

“Who are you to threaten me in this situation?”

The hedgehog in a swift movement tackles the other to a wall and pins him

“From my understanding you started all of this. And even brought that joke Tinker back. And whomever your friend is, the doctor harasses everyone. Who the hell do you think you are.”

[doctor-starline]

"Started it? All I wanted to do was survive. I hid in an old Eggman base because I knew it wouldn't end well going anywhere else. You all came after me. Tinker's return was a result of the doctor thinking he could finish me off. Well, he thought wrong."

Starline just let the hedgehog pin him for a moment before snapping to behind him again, not even lifting a finger. He had one arm crossed, the other resting his head on his chin, and the smile never left his face.

"Let's just say I owed my friend a favor after he managed to find me a new toy."

[theedglermaster]

Shadow froze and stared down the other, scanning for an explanation, looking him up and down multiple times

“Stop with this ominous shit and start talking about things I actually care about.”

Shadow pulls out his Glock and points it at the other and loading the canister

“can’t save you from this. How did you just do that. And get that disgraceful smile off your face.”

[doctor-starline]

"I'm surprised you don't recognize my new little gem. From what I remember, it caused quite an issue for all you insects."

He was behind the hedgehog again, leaning on his shoulder and tilting Shadow's weapon so he could read the side.

"Not a bad choice. I would have gone with something larger. And you shouldn't aim so high. Right... here would do the trick."

He poked the hedgehog in the chest. If he cared enough to remember, the same spot Maria had been shot way back when.

[theedglermaster]

“The phantom- great that means that pathetic slimeball is around-“

He snaps his head at the other, his eyes widening, things flashing through his mind, he snarled and bites the other as he tries to once again pin him down, he does try to take the gem away

“You BASTARD!”

[doctor-starline]

The hedgehog slammed to the ground once the Platypus dissapeares again, sitting on a crate a few feet away.

"You know, for the smartest of the hedgehogs, you still are quite slow. Pinning me down isn't going to work."

He shook his hand off, disgust creeping across his expression.

"I also didn't take you to be the biter. Eugh. Disgusting. Is this a common occurrence? I see why everyone wears gloves on both hands."

He wiped it on his vest, staring at the other for a moment.

"What I want to know is how you got in here with no combat... those idiotic androids can't recognize a living creature from themselves even after the update I see. On another note, the pathetic slimeball you speak of would certainly be excited to deal with you at his mercy, wouldn't he? Maybe I'll make you his problem."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

A voice calls out from the aether, deep and demanding.

“It wouldn’t even be much of a challenge. He struggled to even keep up the last time we fought. Tsk.”

Everything—and everyone—appears to turn red for a fraction of a second. Stepping out of Starline’s shadow is the form of a jet-black jackal, bleached white stripes tearing out of the inky depths of its being.

“What’s pathetic is the fact that the so-called ultimate life form even still bothers to wield firearms in the first place. And what is with that getup? Did you pay a visit to dear old daddy for those gaudy appendages? Was it worth the price of your dignity?”

[theedglermaster]

“I kicked your ass and you know it.”

He looks down at his gun and rolls his eyes

“a good old bite is tactical. I got the reaction I wanted.”

Looking back at the jackal he can help but laugh pitifully

“does commenting on my get up make you feel better about constantly being used and not actually cared about? Or make you feel stronger than what you actually are? Give you a good ol’ ego boost?”

He chuckled not taking the jackal seriously, he looks at starline

“I almost feel bad for you that he comes with that gem. I think the gem alone is better.”

[doctor-starline]

"Detriment or bonus, he's both entertaining and useful. We can benefit from one another."

He crossed one leg over the other, getting comfortable.

"If you think a bite is tactical, I ought to shove a muzzle on you before we go any further."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The jackal adjusted its mask.

"He can prattle all he wants about who is or isn't WeAk, but it won't change anything."

It lolled its head off in the direction of the hedgehog.

"Not like he could cause me any harm in this state. I'm practically untouchable."

Underneath all the rattling, creaking, and moaning from the various air ducts, loading cranes, and walkways, the phantom hum of the ruby encompassed all corners of the room. If one dared to look closely, they might be able to make out the faint traces of crimson static peaking through into reality.

[theedglermaster]

“Round two? Because I’m ready to kick your ass all over again.”

He spread his doom wings, his attention was now only on the Jackal

“You’ll forever be a pathetic weakling. No matter what power is at your disposal.”

[doctor-starline]

"I see I'm no longer important- this should be entertaining."

He rolled his eyes, a cup of tea appearing in his hands as he watched the two argue.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

“I invite you to make the first move, Shadow the Hedgehog.”

The jackal spread its arms wides, daring him to attack the formless shade.

[theedglermaster]

“Tch”

The ultimate lifeforms wings spread wide and enclosed as he released a strong chaos blast which ripples within the room. He stands and waits for the other to make a move to analyze the best approach.

“You gonna keep pretending you’re actually stronger than me? I can kick your ass any day of the week.”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The wave of energy passed harmlessly across the jackal's form, its surface rippling momentarily in the wake of the hedgehog's attack. The fragment clicked its imagined tongue in disappointment.

"You'll have to do better than that, ultimate life form."

The crimson static above flared with excitement.

[theedglermaster]

Shadow glances at starline and grins

“Well if you’re gonna hide in that formless husk… I guess your holder will work just fine. I’m sure he can feel”

He grins and stares at Starline as if he was a predator hunting its prey

[doctor-starline]

"Woah, woah, I thought I was being left out of this-"

The platypus was still trying to brush spilled tea off of his shirt, pausing only after he was threatened, and just snapping it away.

"I mean- really hedgehog. I may have a physical form, but that doesn't mean I'm any less dangerous than my comrade."

He appeared next to infinite, muttering to the jackal.

"Seriously though, if I'm being dragged into it, can we wrap the fighting portion up? I'm still nursing a broken rib."

Hey, the ruby may make it so he doesn't feel it, but that doesn't mean it isn't THERE.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The jackal rolled it head in a mockery of rolling one's eyes.

"If you insist."

With a snap of its fingers, the structures above rent themselves from their moorings, bending and warping and tearing in order to crash down with the ferocity of a striking cobra. All around the black hedgehog, the apparition's weapons skewered themselves into floor plating. At least, as far as Shadow could tell.

[theedglermaster]

The hedgehog looks unfazed and raises a brow, he teleports right by starline

“You know… all I have to do is stay near you new precious holder and well.. you can’t really do much.”

He leans on starline, more to tease the Jackal. As of right now he had no real intention to harm the other.

[doctor-starline]

"You... you do realize I can teleport as well, right?"

The platypus brushed the other off, wiping his jacket off, disgust laced in his gaze. Who knew what kind of grime the hedgehog had on him.

"The only difference is he's much more versed in the interior workings of the gem- I'm not a puppeteer."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"How... presumptuous of you, Shadow."

What game was this hedgehog playing at all of a sudden? The broken scaffolding jittered and spasmed, shifting color as though uncertain of its existence. A claw flew down from above to "scoop up" the platypus by the petticoat, up and out of reach of either of them.

"Platypus. Your androids."

Out of the corner of the hedgehog's eye, a box kaleidoscopes into itself.

[theedglermaster]

Shadow spreads his wings and follows Starline to the best of his ability. He was practically a magnet. He was determined to stay close.

“You’re still pathetic. Fight me without the formless shit. Prove that you’re stronger.”

[doctor-starline]

"Enough- I'm not going to be treated like a target block. Infinite, if this problem isn't dealt with by the time I'm back? I will finish it myself and lock the gem in a box before throwing it into the sea. You have acess to everything in the base."

He was becoming less and less entertained, the hedgehog targeting him as if he mattered anything to the jackal, and the two of them treating him like he couldn't fight for himself. Instead of being thrown around, he had a certain doctor to check on. With a momentary glitch of reality, he was gone.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"Oh, you would like that, wouldn't you?"

With the Platypus's disappearance, so too did the damage it had wrought in an attempt to psych out the black hedgehog. The twisted metal catwalks returned to their original state in an instant. The crane, just as it was about to crash down onto its target, followed suit.

The Jackal, meanwhile, fell to a knee, panting, its form cracking and shredding as the source of its power had put itself just out of reach.

"A shame I can't oblige you in your provocations, but as you can see, I'm not quite FeeLing like myself."

Thankfully, that lack of power did not precipitate the advancement of multiple Shadow Androids filing in from the various dark corridors of the base. As they marched, more small objects around the room appeared to split and duplicate, turning in upon themselves as though reality was starting to warp via different means.

[theedglermaster]

The hedgehog lets out another wave of chaos energy to try and fend off the androids.

“Tch. You’re still just a pawn I see Infinite. Still have yourself a leader hmmmm?”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"If only you knew."

INDEED

More and more do objects throughout the room break away, spiraling into unrecognizable masses of matter. Soon enough, so to go the walls, floor, and ceiling, revealing— Radical Highway?

The remaining androids vanish from view as the Jackal stands once more, stepping back towards the ledge with arms wide.

A giant, black-and-red claw reaches forth, grabbing the shade and yanking it out of view.

[theedglermaster]

“What the hell??!!”

He stood still confused by what just happened

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"What's the matter Shadow,

SEEING THINGS?

The claw returned from the depths, dragging with it a mass of alien flesh reeling back to slam another dozen limbs into the hedgehog, sending him into the side of a building that had seemingly sprouted from nowhere.

He would find himself lying in the resulting hole, feeling as though gravity had readjusted to match his trajectory, turning the skyscraper's wall into the floor.

The mass uncoiled, the dozens of limbs reasserting themselves into their proper form. A hunched torso sprouted forth from an orb of meat. From its broad, overlarge shoulders spread wide, membranous wings. Its colossal arms branched out into dozens more. From the small of its back stretched a mile long neck tipped by a vestigial head. And in the middle of that madness? A multi-mandibled maw roared, its singular eye burning with rage.

WELCOME BACK

SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG

[theedglermaster]

The ultimate lifeform bounces back up onto his feet, his wings spread outward

“This isn’t real.. I took care of you.. I finished you off!.. this isn’t-“

The hedgehog looks around for options. This all still has to be an illusion.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

OH

BUT IT IS

SHADOW

At least, as far as his mind was concerned.

The creature's many limbs gripped the edges of the structure, its fingers carving massive chunks out of the facade. From the holes leapt Black Arms soldiers, armed with nothing but blades and claws.

As one, they charged the hedgehog, arms outstretched to grasp at Shadow's exposed appendages.

[theedglermaster]

The hedgehog grunted as he boosted out of reach, he fires some doom spears as he continues to run around. He tries and tries, continuous throwing, his energy dwindles.

“No. No. You can’t be here. You aren’t real.”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The monster's miserable wailing sounded almost like laughter in the hedgehog's ears.

A small metal object dislodged itself from the creature's primary head, carrying itself up and into the empty socket of the second. It whipped around, threatening to slam the hedgehog back into the hole he'd made.

I'M AS REAL AS MEMORY

POTENT AS THE WOUND

THROUGH HER HEART

[theultimatemobboss]

"You know I'm getting real sick of you causing me problems, Clutch, you're lucky I don't put an end to it right here and now!"

Starline snapped the moment they appeared in his base, the glowing green tubes littering the room, his laptop thrown haphazardly onto one of the desks with the feed still showing from Clutch's office. That camera behind the booze was NOT the only one, a few other angles catching the scene.

He shoved the others out of his grip, immediately wiping his hands off on his jacket and huffing.

"And you two? You should have learned long ago not to meddle in business that isn't yours, I should have your body parts put on spikes and littered all throughout the planet to send a message to what happens if you cross me."

He made some... gruesome illusions to illustrate his point, the entire room cast in a dizzying warping effect as Starline struggled to control his temper.

"With all I've done for you, Clutch, and this is the thanks I get?"

“All you’ve done? For me? Ohhhhhhhh Thank you thank you thank you!!”

The opossum sneers, he could t believe what the hell the platypus was saying right then and there. Who the fuck did he think he was?

“My apologies your highness!! You’re so right!! I’m so thankful for you getting me nearly KILLED!”

The skunks however were more focused on the illusions surrounding them. Meanwhile clutch is to focused on Starline to notice what was going on

“Bro…”

Before tumble could say anything else, his brother was clinging onto him, soon tumble to would cling to his brother.

“Should’ve left me drown. That would’ve been a better fate, one less inconvenience in your life? Yea? Because I just CAUSEEE SOOOOOOOO MANYYYYYYY ISSUESSSS!? Yeah!!?”

He couldn’t help but laugh at the platypus, he brings his bottle to his mouth and takes a swig, again moving it back with his tail again so it’s out of everyone but his own range. He was not having another wasted bottle.

“You may have gotten me out of that control eggman had on me but who helped you find a place to hide? Who helped you way back when? Who just now almost died to save your ass. Don’t you dare act like I haven’t done some helping of my own. I did nearly if not just as much as you did.”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"More of an incidental extra than a key player in this little game of ours."

The voice came from everywhere, and nowhere. Within the heads of the four gathered criminals, yet somehow from all corners of the room. Manifesting from the mind's eye and into reality dripped liquid shadow, the ever present hum of the ruby only amplifying the sense of dread as deep crimson saturated every visible surface for the split second it took the pool to manifest. From the darkness rose the sharp, flowing form of the Jackal, its iron mask asserting its dominance over the stage by floating its single eye across the skunks, before coming to rest upon the former crime lord.

"Your lackeys put more work into finding our trump card by complete accident than you did sulking about with a bug in your brain."

[doctor-starline]

"Infinite, I can handle this on my own."

The platypus growled under his breath, but made no move to stop the other's entrance. How was he supposed to have a private conversation with this bastard if someone was always there to interrupt. He wanted to apologize for their argument the other day, find some way to fix the damages, then yell at him again for keeping these buffoons around that almost had gotten him killed! But there was no bloody way he was doing that with Infinite nearby.

"You know what I should have done, Clutch?"

He stepped closer, grabbing the other by the collar of his stupid coat. The steady hum of machinery only adding to the tension in the room.

"I should have let you drown. Like they said, one less problem to worry about. Or maybe- I should have let you drink yourself into oblivion the other night. I'm sure you continued when I left, but that break at least let it pass through your system. I should have never stopped Mr.Tinker from signing that contract, let Robotnik burn down your doorstep to see that it was destroyed. I shouldn't have helped you rip up your contract signing your life away to those two idiots, just let them OWN you. I should have never let you leave- after all you owe me so much that I own you. Or maybe, I shouldn't have taken that damn bug out. Should have used it to my advantage, programmed you to my liking. I shouldn't have sent that message back with Mr.Tinker. let you two live out your merry little days together. Or maybe I shouldn't have made Mr.Tinker happen at all- let him do whatever he had planned to happen next. Or if you want to take it even further back, maybe I shouldn't have signed with your business to get my supplies for Surge and Kitsunami. There were plenty others our there! Yours only took the top spot because I was the biggest investor in the market. I could have gone to someone else, or better yet, gotten it myself! You saved me time and effort. That's it. You were never vital. You were easy. You were the little cherries added to a sunday. I never needed you, I never needed ANYONE. Shit always goes wrong when I involve others. You aren't an exception."

He threw the other back into the skunks, shaking his head.

"Rough, Tumble. Show your boss to his new room, unless he or Infinite has anything else to say. He's staying here until I clear the pests out of his place, then he's going back. You two are staying. Permanently."

[theultimatemobboss]

“You.”

The opossums gaze lingered on infinite, his blood boiled at the Jackals words. He dare say a word? Talk about intruding on matters that don’t matter to him, someone who wasn’t there in the beginning.

His gaze goes back to the platypus and he scoffs

“What Starline? What should you have done?”

As the platypus just continued and continued the opossum just stood there, his ear twitching, he wanted to protest but he just kept going and when he thought he could finally speak?? THUD

The opossum stumbled, his bottle shattering into the ground, glass flung up and cut his cheek, it stung slightly, the opossum was momentarily stunned. The brothers looked at each other then at Starline then to their boss. They nod, they help their boss up from the ground, they wait for their boss or infinite to say something. It was odd, the tension in the room… uncomfortable.

“Whatever you say Starline.”

His voice low, monotone, he waves to his boys signaling they can start going in a moment

“Boss? Your not going to-“

“CAN IT.”

He looks at his smashed bottle that was on the ground. He kicks a piece of the glass, it slides to the other side of the room.

“Where is the room?”

“…”

Clutch grew silent. Words echoing through his mind. His anger only got worse. But he keeps himself composed. You learn that skill in the world of business. He gives Starline a look of disgust before turning his attention to the skunks again.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The Jackal shakes its head, as bemused as it was disappointed. These bumbling buffoons reminded him of his old squad. Nothing but a pack of witless warriors, eagerly awaiting their next orders. It brought the Jackal no sorrow to see them all fall in battle with that accursed black hedgehog.

With a wave of its hand, a line of small beaded lights illuminated a path for the doddering fools to follow.

[doctor-starline]

"Thank you, Infinite."

The other took his glasses off, cleaning them on the edge of his shirt as he calmed himself.

"Rough, Tumble, you shall see yourselves back in here after the opossum is situated. Understood?"

He pulled up a stool to the desk, watching the laptop with part interest and part finding something else to look at rather then everything else before him. He'd give Surge more than 5 minutes, just to see how this little spar with Whisper went.

[theultimatemobboss]

All three of them walk away.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The Jackal stared them down as the trio disappeared around the corner.

"What a pathetic display."

It adjusted its mask.

"I recall Clutch being more cutthroat than this... sorry excuse of the crime lord."

It remembered, at one point in its past life, doing hits for the old opossum. Never left a job unfinished, until a complication prevented Jackal Squad from securing the kill. The price of failure had cost Sept his life.

[doctor-starline]

The ultimate lifeform bursts through the entrance, he skates around looking for something, anything. He stops in front of the door that had been sealed by Robotniks years ago, he sighs with a hint of relief seeing it shut still. He skates further, he begins to sneak around even tho he destroys every camera he sees along the way.

“tch.. this better not be a dud like the other bases near by… I’m losing my patience”

"You know, I don't take very kindly to intruders. Especially ones that go about breaking my things."

The platypus appeared in front of the hedgehog, just enough distance that he was out of direct range, hands behind his back as he stood.

"Forgive me not meeting you at the door, I was helping an old friend settle in."

[theedglermaster]

His doom wings spreader outward, most likely to be more threatening.

“Tch.. so you really are back. I can do whatever I please, besides from what I understand you intruded first.”

His eyes never never the other, he was like a cat ready to pounce on its prey. His eyes narrowing as he stood perfectly still.

“Heard some of the things you caused, what the hell are you doing back here.”

[doctor-starline]

"I wouldn't be doing so many "things" if you all stopped bothering me. There's no problem with a man wishing to live."

He sighed, pacing slowly, never taking eyes off the hedgehog. He didn't even seem to care about the doom wings, odd for someone who is supposedly powerless.

"Oh, but then Whisper came, so I had to change the place I was staying. Then I learned that the doctor was hurting a dear friend of mine, and I just had to make sure he wouldn't go insane. Then the doctor paid me a visit, that clearly didn't go well for him. And Surge and Whisper? I didn't lay a hand on them. They did that to themselves. I just reclaimed what was mine in the aftermath."

He paused, putting his ungloved hand on his chin.

"Now that I think about it, yes- I've done absolutely nothing unprovoked. My question is, are you going to be added to the list of casualties, or is this going to be a quick visit?"

He chuckled, eyes glimmering as he smiled.

[theedglermaster]

“Who are you to threaten me in this situation?”

The hedgehog in a swift movement tackles the other to a wall and pins him

“From my understanding you started all of this. And even brought that joke Tinker back. And whomever your friend is, the doctor harasses everyone. Who the hell do you think you are.”

[doctor-starline]

"Started it? All I wanted to do was survive. I hid in an old Eggman base because I knew it wouldn't end well going anywhere else. You all came after me. Tinker's return was a result of the doctor thinking he could finish me off. Well, he thought wrong."

Starline just let the hedgehog pin him for a moment before snapping to behind him again, not even lifting a finger. He had one arm crossed, the other resting his head on his chin, and the smile never left his face.

"Let's just say I owed my friend a favor after he managed to find me a new toy."

[theedglermaster]

Shadow froze and stared down the other, scanning for an explanation, looking him up and down multiple times

“Stop with this ominous shit and start talking about things I actually care about.”

Shadow pulls out his Glock and points it at the other and loading the canister

“can’t save you from this. How did you just do that. And get that disgraceful smile off your face.”

[doctor-starline]

"I'm surprised you don't recognize my new little gem. From what I remember, it caused quite an issue for all you insects."

He was behind the hedgehog again, leaning on his shoulder and tilting Shadow's weapon so he could read the side.

"Not a bad choice. I would have gone with something larger. And you shouldn't aim so high. Right... here would do the trick."

He poked the hedgehog in the chest. If he cared enough to remember, the same spot Maria had been shot way back when.

[theedglermaster]

“The phantom- great that means that pathetic slimeball is around-“

He snaps his head at the other, his eyes widening, things flashing through his mind, he snarled and bites the other as he tries to once again pin him down, he does try to take the gem away

“You BASTARD!”

[doctor-starline]

The hedgehog slammed to the ground once the Platypus dissapeares again, sitting on a crate a few feet away.

"You know, for the smartest of the hedgehogs, you still are quite slow. Pinning me down isn't going to work."

He shook his hand off, disgust creeping across his expression.

"I also didn't take you to be the biter. Eugh. Disgusting. Is this a common occurrence? I see why everyone wears gloves on both hands."

He wiped it on his vest, staring at the other for a moment.

"What I want to know is how you got in here with no combat... those idiotic androids can't recognize a living creature from themselves even after the update I see. On another note, the pathetic slimeball you speak of would certainly be excited to deal with you at his mercy, wouldn't he? Maybe I'll make you his problem."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

A voice calls out from the aether, deep and demanding.

“It wouldn’t even be much of a challenge. He struggled to even keep up the last time we fought. Tsk.”

Everything—and everyone—appears to turn red for a fraction of a second. Stepping out of Starline’s shadow is the form of a jet-black jackal, bleached white stripes tearing out of the inky depths of its being.

“What’s pathetic is the fact that the so-called ultimate life form even still bothers to wield firearms in the first place. And what is with that getup? Did you pay a visit to dear old daddy for those gaudy appendages? Was it worth the price of your dignity?”

[theedglermaster]

“I kicked your ass and you know it.”

He looks down at his gun and rolls his eyes

“a good old bite is tactical. I got the reaction I wanted.”

Looking back at the jackal he can help but laugh pitifully

“does commenting on my get up make you feel better about constantly being used and not actually cared about? Or make you feel stronger than what you actually are? Give you a good ol’ ego boost?”

He chuckled not taking the jackal seriously, he looks at starline

“I almost feel bad for you that he comes with that gem. I think the gem alone is better.”

[doctor-starline]

"Detriment or bonus, he's both entertaining and useful. We can benefit from one another."

He crossed one leg over the other, getting comfortable.

"If you think a bite is tactical, I ought to shove a muzzle on you before we go any further."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The jackal adjusted its mask.

"He can prattle all he wants about who is or isn't WeAk, but it won't change anything."

It lolled its head off in the direction of the hedgehog.

"Not like he could cause me any harm in this state. I'm practically untouchable."

Underneath all the rattling, creaking, and moaning from the various air ducts, loading cranes, and walkways, the phantom hum of the ruby encompassed all corners of the room. If one dared to look closely, they might be able to make out the faint traces of crimson static peaking through into reality.

[theedglermaster]

“Round two? Because I’m ready to kick your ass all over again.”

He spread his doom wings, his attention was now only on the Jackal

“You’ll forever be a pathetic weakling. No matter what power is at your disposal.”

[doctor-starline]

"I see I'm no longer important- this should be entertaining."

He rolled his eyes, a cup of tea appearing in his hands as he watched the two argue.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

“I invite you to make the first move, Shadow the Hedgehog.”

The jackal spread its arms wides, daring him to attack the formless shade.

[theedglermaster]

“Tch”

The ultimate lifeforms wings spread wide and enclosed as he released a strong chaos blast which ripples within the room. He stands and waits for the other to make a move to analyze the best approach.

“You gonna keep pretending you’re actually stronger than me? I can kick your ass any day of the week.”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The wave of energy passed harmlessly across the jackal's form, its surface rippling momentarily in the wake of the hedgehog's attack. The fragment clicked its imagined tongue in disappointment.

"You'll have to do better than that, ultimate life form."

The crimson static above flared with excitement.

[theedglermaster]

Shadow glances at starline and grins

“Well if you’re gonna hide in that formless husk… I guess your holder will work just fine. I’m sure he can feel”

He grins and stares at Starline as if he was a predator hunting its prey

[doctor-starline]

"Woah, woah, I thought I was being left out of this-"

The platypus was still trying to brush spilled tea off of his shirt, pausing only after he was threatened, and just snapping it away.

"I mean- really hedgehog. I may have a physical form, but that doesn't mean I'm any less dangerous than my comrade."

He appeared next to infinite, muttering to the jackal.

"Seriously though, if I'm being dragged into it, can we wrap the fighting portion up? I'm still nursing a broken rib."

Hey, the ruby may make it so he doesn't feel it, but that doesn't mean it isn't THERE.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The jackal rolled it head in a mockery of rolling one's eyes.

"If you insist."

With a snap of its fingers, the structures above rent themselves from their moorings, bending and warping and tearing in order to crash down with the ferocity of a striking cobra. All around the black hedgehog, the apparition's weapons skewered themselves into floor plating. At least, as far as Shadow could tell.

[theedglermaster]

The hedgehog looks unfazed and raises a brow, he teleports right by starline

“You know… all I have to do is stay near you new precious holder and well.. you can’t really do much.”

He leans on starline, more to tease the Jackal. As of right now he had no real intention to harm the other.

[doctor-starline]

"You... you do realize I can teleport as well, right?"

The platypus brushed the other off, wiping his jacket off, disgust laced in his gaze. Who knew what kind of grime the hedgehog had on him.

"The only difference is he's much more versed in the interior workings of the gem- I'm not a puppeteer."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"How... presumptuous of you, Shadow."

What game was this hedgehog playing at all of a sudden? The broken scaffolding jittered and spasmed, shifting color as though uncertain of its existence. A claw flew down from above to "scoop up" the platypus by the petticoat, up and out of reach of either of them.

"Platypus. Your androids."

Out of the corner of the hedgehog's eye, a box kaleidoscopes into itself.

[theedglermaster]

Shadow spreads his wings and follows Starline to the best of his ability. He was practically a magnet. He was determined to stay close.

“You’re still pathetic. Fight me without the formless shit. Prove that you’re stronger.”

[doctor-starline]

"Enough- I'm not going to be treated like a target block. Infinite, if this problem isn't dealt with by the time I'm back? I will finish it myself and lock the gem in a box before throwing it into the sea. You have acess to everything in the base."

He was becoming less and less entertained, the hedgehog targeting him as if he mattered anything to the jackal, and the two of them treating him like he couldn't fight for himself. Instead of being thrown around, he had a certain doctor to check on. With a momentary glitch of reality, he was gone.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"Oh, you would like that, wouldn't you?"

With the Platypus's disappearance, so too did the damage it had wrought in an attempt to psych out the black hedgehog. The twisted metal catwalks returned to their original state in an instant. The crane, just as it was about to crash down onto its target, followed suit.

The Jackal, meanwhile, fell to a knee, panting, its form cracking and shredding as the source of its power had put itself just out of reach.

"A shame I can't oblige you in your provocations, but as you can see, I'm not quite FeeLing like myself."

Thankfully, that lack of power did not precipitate the advancement of multiple Shadow Androids filing in from the various dark corridors of the base. As they marched, more small objects around the room appeared to split and duplicate, turning in upon themselves as though reality was starting to warp via different means.

[theedglermaster]

The hedgehog lets out another wave of chaos energy to try and fend off the androids.

“Tch. You’re still just a pawn I see Infinite. Still have yourself a leader hmmmm?”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"If only you knew."

INDEED

More and more do objects throughout the room break away, spiraling into unrecognizable masses of matter. Soon enough, so to go the walls, floor, and ceiling, revealing— Radical Highway?

The remaining androids vanish from view as the Jackal stands once more, stepping back towards the ledge with arms wide.

A giant, black-and-red claw reaches forth, grabbing the shade and yanking it out of view.

[theedglermaster]

“What the hell??!!”

He stood still confused by what just happened

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"What's the matter Shadow,

SEEING THINGS?

The claw returned from the depths, dragging with it a mass of alien flesh reeling back to slam another dozen limbs into the hedgehog, sending him into the side of a building that had seemingly sprouted from nowhere.

He would find himself lying in the resulting hole, feeling as though gravity had readjusted to match his trajectory, turning the skyscraper's wall into the floor.

The mass uncoiled, the dozens of limbs reasserting themselves into their proper form. A hunched torso sprouted forth from an orb of meat. From its broad, overlarge shoulders spread wide, membranous wings. Its colossal arms branched out into dozens more. From the small of its back stretched a mile long neck tipped by a vestigial head. And in the middle of that madness? A multi-mandibled maw roared, its singular eye burning with rage.

WELCOME BACK

SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG

[theedglermaster]

The ultimate lifeform bounces back up onto his feet, his wings spread outward

“This isn’t real.. I took care of you.. I finished you off!.. this isn’t-“

The hedgehog looks around for options. This all still has to be an illusion.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

OH

BUT IT IS

SHADOW

At least, as far as his mind was concerned.

The creature's many limbs gripped the edges of the structure, its fingers carving massive chunks out of the facade. From the holes leapt Black Arms soldiers, armed with nothing but blades and claws.

As one, they charged the hedgehog, arms outstretched to grasp at Shadow's exposed appendages.

[theultimatemobboss]

"You know I'm getting real sick of you causing me problems, Clutch, you're lucky I don't put an end to it right here and now!"

Starline snapped the moment they appeared in his base, the glowing green tubes littering the room, his laptop thrown haphazardly onto one of the desks with the feed still showing from Clutch's office. That camera behind the booze was NOT the only one, a few other angles catching the scene.

He shoved the others out of his grip, immediately wiping his hands off on his jacket and huffing.

"And you two? You should have learned long ago not to meddle in business that isn't yours, I should have your body parts put on spikes and littered all throughout the planet to send a message to what happens if you cross me."

He made some... gruesome illusions to illustrate his point, the entire room cast in a dizzying warping effect as Starline struggled to control his temper.

"With all I've done for you, Clutch, and this is the thanks I get?"

“All you’ve done? For me? Ohhhhhhhh Thank you thank you thank you!!”

The opossum sneers, he could t believe what the hell the platypus was saying right then and there. Who the fuck did he think he was?

“My apologies your highness!! You’re so right!! I’m so thankful for you getting me nearly KILLED!”

The skunks however were more focused on the illusions surrounding them. Meanwhile clutch is to focused on Starline to notice what was going on

“Bro…”

Before tumble could say anything else, his brother was clinging onto him, soon tumble to would cling to his brother.

“Should’ve left me drown. That would’ve been a better fate, one less inconvenience in your life? Yea? Because I just CAUSEEE SOOOOOOOO MANYYYYYYY ISSUESSSS!? Yeah!!?”

He couldn’t help but laugh at the platypus, he brings his bottle to his mouth and takes a swig, again moving it back with his tail again so it’s out of everyone but his own range. He was not having another wasted bottle.

“You may have gotten me out of that control eggman had on me but who helped you find a place to hide? Who helped you way back when? Who just now almost died to save your ass. Don’t you dare act like I haven’t done some helping of my own. I did nearly if not just as much as you did.”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"More of an incidental extra than a key player in this little game of ours."

The voice came from everywhere, and nowhere. Within the heads of the four gathered criminals, yet somehow from all corners of the room. Manifesting from the mind's eye and into reality dripped liquid shadow, the ever present hum of the ruby only amplifying the sense of dread as deep crimson saturated every visible surface for the split second it took the pool to manifest. From the darkness rose the sharp, flowing form of the Jackal, its iron mask asserting its dominance over the stage by floating its single eye across the skunks, before coming to rest upon the former crime lord.

"Your lackeys put more work into finding our trump card by complete accident than you did sulking about with a bug in your brain."

[doctor-starline]

"Infinite, I can handle this on my own."

The platypus growled under his breath, but made no move to stop the other's entrance. How was he supposed to have a private conversation with this bastard if someone was always there to interrupt. He wanted to apologize for their argument the other day, find some way to fix the damages, then yell at him again for keeping these buffoons around that almost had gotten him killed! But there was no bloody way he was doing that with Infinite nearby.

"You know what I should have done, Clutch?"

He stepped closer, grabbing the other by the collar of his stupid coat. The steady hum of machinery only adding to the tension in the room.

"I should have let you drown. Like they said, one less problem to worry about. Or maybe- I should have let you drink yourself into oblivion the other night. I'm sure you continued when I left, but that break at least let it pass through your system. I should have never stopped Mr.Tinker from signing that contract, let Robotnik burn down your doorstep to see that it was destroyed. I shouldn't have helped you rip up your contract signing your life away to those two idiots, just let them OWN you. I should have never let you leave- after all you owe me so much that I own you. Or maybe, I shouldn't have taken that damn bug out. Should have used it to my advantage, programmed you to my liking. I shouldn't have sent that message back with Mr.Tinker. let you two live out your merry little days together. Or maybe I shouldn't have made Mr.Tinker happen at all- let him do whatever he had planned to happen next. Or if you want to take it even further back, maybe I shouldn't have signed with your business to get my supplies for Surge and Kitsunami. There were plenty others our there! Yours only took the top spot because I was the biggest investor in the market. I could have gone to someone else, or better yet, gotten it myself! You saved me time and effort. That's it. You were never vital. You were easy. You were the little cherries added to a sunday. I never needed you, I never needed ANYONE. Shit always goes wrong when I involve others. You aren't an exception."

He threw the other back into the skunks, shaking his head.

"Rough, Tumble. Show your boss to his new room, unless he or Infinite has anything else to say. He's staying here until I clear the pests out of his place, then he's going back. You two are staying. Permanently."

[theultimatemobboss]

“You.”

The opossums gaze lingered on infinite, his blood boiled at the Jackals words. He dare say a word? Talk about intruding on matters that don’t matter to him, someone who wasn’t there in the beginning.

His gaze goes back to the platypus and he scoffs

“What Starline? What should you have done?”

As the platypus just continued and continued the opossum just stood there, his ear twitching, he wanted to protest but he just kept going and when he thought he could finally speak?? THUD

The opossum stumbled, his bottle shattering into the ground, glass flung up and cut his cheek, it stung slightly, the opossum was momentarily stunned. The brothers looked at each other then at Starline then to their boss. They nod, they help their boss up from the ground, they wait for their boss or infinite to say something. It was odd, the tension in the room… uncomfortable.

“Whatever you say Starline.”

His voice low, monotone, he waves to his boys signaling they can start going in a moment

“Boss? Your not going to-“

“CAN IT.”

He looks at his smashed bottle that was on the ground. He kicks a piece of the glass, it slides to the other side of the room.

“Where is the room?”

“…”

Clutch grew silent. Words echoing through his mind. His anger only got worse. But he keeps himself composed. You learn that skill in the world of business. He gives Starline a look of disgust before turning his attention to the skunks again.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The Jackal shakes its head, as bemused as it was disappointed. These bumbling buffoons reminded him of his old squad. Nothing but a pack of witless warriors, eagerly awaiting their next orders. It brought the Jackal no sorrow to see them all fall in battle with that accursed black hedgehog.

With a wave of its hand, a line of small beaded lights illuminated a path for the doddering fools to follow.

[doctor-starline]

The ultimate lifeform bursts through the entrance, he skates around looking for something, anything. He stops in front of the door that had been sealed by Robotniks years ago, he sighs with a hint of relief seeing it shut still. He skates further, he begins to sneak around even tho he destroys every camera he sees along the way.

“tch.. this better not be a dud like the other bases near by… I’m losing my patience”

"You know, I don't take very kindly to intruders. Especially ones that go about breaking my things."

The platypus appeared in front of the hedgehog, just enough distance that he was out of direct range, hands behind his back as he stood.

"Forgive me not meeting you at the door, I was helping an old friend settle in."

[theedglermaster]

His doom wings spreader outward, most likely to be more threatening.

“Tch.. so you really are back. I can do whatever I please, besides from what I understand you intruded first.”

His eyes never never the other, he was like a cat ready to pounce on its prey. His eyes narrowing as he stood perfectly still.

“Heard some of the things you caused, what the hell are you doing back here.”

[doctor-starline]

"I wouldn't be doing so many "things" if you all stopped bothering me. There's no problem with a man wishing to live."

He sighed, pacing slowly, never taking eyes off the hedgehog. He didn't even seem to care about the doom wings, odd for someone who is supposedly powerless.

"Oh, but then Whisper came, so I had to change the place I was staying. Then I learned that the doctor was hurting a dear friend of mine, and I just had to make sure he wouldn't go insane. Then the doctor paid me a visit, that clearly didn't go well for him. And Surge and Whisper? I didn't lay a hand on them. They did that to themselves. I just reclaimed what was mine in the aftermath."

He paused, putting his ungloved hand on his chin.

"Now that I think about it, yes- I've done absolutely nothing unprovoked. My question is, are you going to be added to the list of casualties, or is this going to be a quick visit?"

He chuckled, eyes glimmering as he smiled.

[theedglermaster]

“Who are you to threaten me in this situation?”

The hedgehog in a swift movement tackles the other to a wall and pins him

“From my understanding you started all of this. And even brought that joke Tinker back. And whomever your friend is, the doctor harasses everyone. Who the hell do you think you are.”

[doctor-starline]

"Started it? All I wanted to do was survive. I hid in an old Eggman base because I knew it wouldn't end well going anywhere else. You all came after me. Tinker's return was a result of the doctor thinking he could finish me off. Well, he thought wrong."

Starline just let the hedgehog pin him for a moment before snapping to behind him again, not even lifting a finger. He had one arm crossed, the other resting his head on his chin, and the smile never left his face.

"Let's just say I owed my friend a favor after he managed to find me a new toy."

[theedglermaster]

Shadow froze and stared down the other, scanning for an explanation, looking him up and down multiple times

“Stop with this ominous shit and start talking about things I actually care about.”

Shadow pulls out his Glock and points it at the other and loading the canister

“can’t save you from this. How did you just do that. And get that disgraceful smile off your face.”

[doctor-starline]

"I'm surprised you don't recognize my new little gem. From what I remember, it caused quite an issue for all you insects."

He was behind the hedgehog again, leaning on his shoulder and tilting Shadow's weapon so he could read the side.

"Not a bad choice. I would have gone with something larger. And you shouldn't aim so high. Right... here would do the trick."

He poked the hedgehog in the chest. If he cared enough to remember, the same spot Maria had been shot way back when.

[theedglermaster]

“The phantom- great that means that pathetic slimeball is around-“

He snaps his head at the other, his eyes widening, things flashing through his mind, he snarled and bites the other as he tries to once again pin him down, he does try to take the gem away

“You BASTARD!”

[doctor-starline]

The hedgehog slammed to the ground once the Platypus dissapeares again, sitting on a crate a few feet away.

"You know, for the smartest of the hedgehogs, you still are quite slow. Pinning me down isn't going to work."

He shook his hand off, disgust creeping across his expression.

"I also didn't take you to be the biter. Eugh. Disgusting. Is this a common occurrence? I see why everyone wears gloves on both hands."

He wiped it on his vest, staring at the other for a moment.

"What I want to know is how you got in here with no combat... those idiotic androids can't recognize a living creature from themselves even after the update I see. On another note, the pathetic slimeball you speak of would certainly be excited to deal with you at his mercy, wouldn't he? Maybe I'll make you his problem."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

A voice calls out from the aether, deep and demanding.

“It wouldn’t even be much of a challenge. He struggled to even keep up the last time we fought. Tsk.”

Everything—and everyone—appears to turn red for a fraction of a second. Stepping out of Starline’s shadow is the form of a jet-black jackal, bleached white stripes tearing out of the inky depths of its being.

“What’s pathetic is the fact that the so-called ultimate life form even still bothers to wield firearms in the first place. And what is with that getup? Did you pay a visit to dear old daddy for those gaudy appendages? Was it worth the price of your dignity?”

[theedglermaster]

“I kicked your ass and you know it.”

He looks down at his gun and rolls his eyes

“a good old bite is tactical. I got the reaction I wanted.”

Looking back at the jackal he can help but laugh pitifully

“does commenting on my get up make you feel better about constantly being used and not actually cared about? Or make you feel stronger than what you actually are? Give you a good ol’ ego boost?”

He chuckled not taking the jackal seriously, he looks at starline

“I almost feel bad for you that he comes with that gem. I think the gem alone is better.”

[doctor-starline]

"Detriment or bonus, he's both entertaining and useful. We can benefit from one another."

He crossed one leg over the other, getting comfortable.

"If you think a bite is tactical, I ought to shove a muzzle on you before we go any further."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The jackal adjusted its mask.

"He can prattle all he wants about who is or isn't WeAk, but it won't change anything."

It lolled its head off in the direction of the hedgehog.

"Not like he could cause me any harm in this state. I'm practically untouchable."

Underneath all the rattling, creaking, and moaning from the various air ducts, loading cranes, and walkways, the phantom hum of the ruby encompassed all corners of the room. If one dared to look closely, they might be able to make out the faint traces of crimson static peaking through into reality.

[theedglermaster]

“Round two? Because I’m ready to kick your ass all over again.”

He spread his doom wings, his attention was now only on the Jackal

“You’ll forever be a pathetic weakling. No matter what power is at your disposal.”

[doctor-starline]

"I see I'm no longer important- this should be entertaining."

He rolled his eyes, a cup of tea appearing in his hands as he watched the two argue.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

“I invite you to make the first move, Shadow the Hedgehog.”

The jackal spread its arms wides, daring him to attack the formless shade.

[theedglermaster]

“Tch”

The ultimate lifeforms wings spread wide and enclosed as he released a strong chaos blast which ripples within the room. He stands and waits for the other to make a move to analyze the best approach.

“You gonna keep pretending you’re actually stronger than me? I can kick your ass any day of the week.”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The wave of energy passed harmlessly across the jackal's form, its surface rippling momentarily in the wake of the hedgehog's attack. The fragment clicked its imagined tongue in disappointment.

"You'll have to do better than that, ultimate life form."

The crimson static above flared with excitement.

[theedglermaster]

Shadow glances at starline and grins

“Well if you’re gonna hide in that formless husk… I guess your holder will work just fine. I’m sure he can feel”

He grins and stares at Starline as if he was a predator hunting its prey

[doctor-starline]

"Woah, woah, I thought I was being left out of this-"

The platypus was still trying to brush spilled tea off of his shirt, pausing only after he was threatened, and just snapping it away.

"I mean- really hedgehog. I may have a physical form, but that doesn't mean I'm any less dangerous than my comrade."

He appeared next to infinite, muttering to the jackal.

"Seriously though, if I'm being dragged into it, can we wrap the fighting portion up? I'm still nursing a broken rib."

Hey, the ruby may make it so he doesn't feel it, but that doesn't mean it isn't THERE.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The jackal rolled it head in a mockery of rolling one's eyes.

"If you insist."

With a snap of its fingers, the structures above rent themselves from their moorings, bending and warping and tearing in order to crash down with the ferocity of a striking cobra. All around the black hedgehog, the apparition's weapons skewered themselves into floor plating. At least, as far as Shadow could tell.

[theedglermaster]

The hedgehog looks unfazed and raises a brow, he teleports right by starline

“You know… all I have to do is stay near you new precious holder and well.. you can’t really do much.”

He leans on starline, more to tease the Jackal. As of right now he had no real intention to harm the other.

[doctor-starline]

"You... you do realize I can teleport as well, right?"

The platypus brushed the other off, wiping his jacket off, disgust laced in his gaze. Who knew what kind of grime the hedgehog had on him.

"The only difference is he's much more versed in the interior workings of the gem- I'm not a puppeteer."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"How... presumptuous of you, Shadow."

What game was this hedgehog playing at all of a sudden? The broken scaffolding jittered and spasmed, shifting color as though uncertain of its existence. A claw flew down from above to "scoop up" the platypus by the petticoat, up and out of reach of either of them.

"Platypus. Your androids."

Out of the corner of the hedgehog's eye, a box kaleidoscopes into itself.

[theedglermaster]

Shadow spreads his wings and follows Starline to the best of his ability. He was practically a magnet. He was determined to stay close.

“You’re still pathetic. Fight me without the formless shit. Prove that you’re stronger.”

[doctor-starline]

"Enough- I'm not going to be treated like a target block. Infinite, if this problem isn't dealt with by the time I'm back? I will finish it myself and lock the gem in a box before throwing it into the sea. You have acess to everything in the base."

He was becoming less and less entertained, the hedgehog targeting him as if he mattered anything to the jackal, and the two of them treating him like he couldn't fight for himself. Instead of being thrown around, he had a certain doctor to check on. With a momentary glitch of reality, he was gone.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"Oh, you would like that, wouldn't you?"

With the Platypus's disappearance, so too did the damage it had wrought in an attempt to psych out the black hedgehog. The twisted metal catwalks returned to their original state in an instant. The crane, just as it was about to crash down onto its target, followed suit.

The Jackal, meanwhile, fell to a knee, panting, its form cracking and shredding as the source of its power had put itself just out of reach.

"A shame I can't oblige you in your provocations, but as you can see, I'm not quite FeeLing like myself."

Thankfully, that lack of power did not precipitate the advancement of multiple Shadow Androids filing in from the various dark corridors of the base. As they marched, more small objects around the room appeared to split and duplicate, turning in upon themselves as though reality was starting to warp via different means.

[theedglermaster]

The hedgehog lets out another wave of chaos energy to try and fend off the androids.

“Tch. You’re still just a pawn I see Infinite. Still have yourself a leader hmmmm?”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"If only you knew."

INDEED

More and more do objects throughout the room break away, spiraling into unrecognizable masses of matter. Soon enough, so to go the walls, floor, and ceiling, revealing— Radical Highway?

The remaining androids vanish from view as the Jackal stands once more, stepping back towards the ledge with arms wide.

A giant, black-and-red claw reaches forth, grabbing the shade and yanking it out of view.

[theedglermaster]

“What the hell??!!”

He stood still confused by what just happened

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"What's the matter Shadow,

SEEING THINGS?

The claw returned from the depths, dragging with it a mass of alien flesh reeling back to slam another dozen limbs into the hedgehog, sending him into the side of a building that had seemingly sprouted from nowhere.

He would find himself lying in the resulting hole, feeling as though gravity had readjusted to match his trajectory, turning the skyscraper's wall into the floor.

The mass uncoiled, the dozens of limbs reasserting themselves into their proper form. A hunched torso sprouted forth from an orb of meat. From its broad, overlarge shoulders spread wide, membranous wings. Its colossal arms branched out into dozens more. From the small of its back stretched a mile long neck tipped by a vestigial head. And in the middle of that madness? A multi-mandibled maw roared, its singular eye burning with rage.

WELCOME BACK

SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG

[doctor-starline]

The ultimate lifeform bursts through the entrance, he skates around looking for something, anything. He stops in front of the door that had been sealed by Robotniks years ago, he sighs with a hint of relief seeing it shut still. He skates further, he begins to sneak around even tho he destroys every camera he sees along the way.

“tch.. this better not be a dud like the other bases near by… I’m losing my patience”

"You know, I don't take very kindly to intruders. Especially ones that go about breaking my things."

The platypus appeared in front of the hedgehog, just enough distance that he was out of direct range, hands behind his back as he stood.

"Forgive me not meeting you at the door, I was helping an old friend settle in."

[theedglermaster]

His doom wings spreader outward, most likely to be more threatening.

“Tch.. so you really are back. I can do whatever I please, besides from what I understand you intruded first.”

His eyes never never the other, he was like a cat ready to pounce on its prey. His eyes narrowing as he stood perfectly still.

“Heard some of the things you caused, what the hell are you doing back here.”

[doctor-starline]

"I wouldn't be doing so many "things" if you all stopped bothering me. There's no problem with a man wishing to live."

He sighed, pacing slowly, never taking eyes off the hedgehog. He didn't even seem to care about the doom wings, odd for someone who is supposedly powerless.

"Oh, but then Whisper came, so I had to change the place I was staying. Then I learned that the doctor was hurting a dear friend of mine, and I just had to make sure he wouldn't go insane. Then the doctor paid me a visit, that clearly didn't go well for him. And Surge and Whisper? I didn't lay a hand on them. They did that to themselves. I just reclaimed what was mine in the aftermath."

He paused, putting his ungloved hand on his chin.

"Now that I think about it, yes- I've done absolutely nothing unprovoked. My question is, are you going to be added to the list of casualties, or is this going to be a quick visit?"

He chuckled, eyes glimmering as he smiled.

[theedglermaster]

“Who are you to threaten me in this situation?”

The hedgehog in a swift movement tackles the other to a wall and pins him

“From my understanding you started all of this. And even brought that joke Tinker back. And whomever your friend is, the doctor harasses everyone. Who the hell do you think you are.”

[doctor-starline]

"Started it? All I wanted to do was survive. I hid in an old Eggman base because I knew it wouldn't end well going anywhere else. You all came after me. Tinker's return was a result of the doctor thinking he could finish me off. Well, he thought wrong."

Starline just let the hedgehog pin him for a moment before snapping to behind him again, not even lifting a finger. He had one arm crossed, the other resting his head on his chin, and the smile never left his face.

"Let's just say I owed my friend a favor after he managed to find me a new toy."

[theedglermaster]

Shadow froze and stared down the other, scanning for an explanation, looking him up and down multiple times

“Stop with this ominous shit and start talking about things I actually care about.”

Shadow pulls out his Glock and points it at the other and loading the canister

“can’t save you from this. How did you just do that. And get that disgraceful smile off your face.”

[doctor-starline]

"I'm surprised you don't recognize my new little gem. From what I remember, it caused quite an issue for all you insects."

He was behind the hedgehog again, leaning on his shoulder and tilting Shadow's weapon so he could read the side.

"Not a bad choice. I would have gone with something larger. And you shouldn't aim so high. Right... here would do the trick."

He poked the hedgehog in the chest. If he cared enough to remember, the same spot Maria had been shot way back when.

[theedglermaster]

“The phantom- great that means that pathetic slimeball is around-“

He snaps his head at the other, his eyes widening, things flashing through his mind, he snarled and bites the other as he tries to once again pin him down, he does try to take the gem away

“You BASTARD!”

[doctor-starline]

The hedgehog slammed to the ground once the Platypus dissapeares again, sitting on a crate a few feet away.

"You know, for the smartest of the hedgehogs, you still are quite slow. Pinning me down isn't going to work."

He shook his hand off, disgust creeping across his expression.

"I also didn't take you to be the biter. Eugh. Disgusting. Is this a common occurrence? I see why everyone wears gloves on both hands."

He wiped it on his vest, staring at the other for a moment.

"What I want to know is how you got in here with no combat... those idiotic androids can't recognize a living creature from themselves even after the update I see. On another note, the pathetic slimeball you speak of would certainly be excited to deal with you at his mercy, wouldn't he? Maybe I'll make you his problem."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

A voice calls out from the aether, deep and demanding.

“It wouldn’t even be much of a challenge. He struggled to even keep up the last time we fought. Tsk.”

Everything—and everyone—appears to turn red for a fraction of a second. Stepping out of Starline’s shadow is the form of a jet-black jackal, bleached white stripes tearing out of the inky depths of its being.

“What’s pathetic is the fact that the so-called ultimate life form even still bothers to wield firearms in the first place. And what is with that getup? Did you pay a visit to dear old daddy for those gaudy appendages? Was it worth the price of your dignity?”

[theedglermaster]

“I kicked your ass and you know it.”

He looks down at his gun and rolls his eyes

“a good old bite is tactical. I got the reaction I wanted.”

Looking back at the jackal he can help but laugh pitifully

“does commenting on my get up make you feel better about constantly being used and not actually cared about? Or make you feel stronger than what you actually are? Give you a good ol’ ego boost?”

He chuckled not taking the jackal seriously, he looks at starline

“I almost feel bad for you that he comes with that gem. I think the gem alone is better.”

[doctor-starline]

"Detriment or bonus, he's both entertaining and useful. We can benefit from one another."

He crossed one leg over the other, getting comfortable.

"If you think a bite is tactical, I ought to shove a muzzle on you before we go any further."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The jackal adjusted its mask.

"He can prattle all he wants about who is or isn't WeAk, but it won't change anything."

It lolled its head off in the direction of the hedgehog.

"Not like he could cause me any harm in this state. I'm practically untouchable."

Underneath all the rattling, creaking, and moaning from the various air ducts, loading cranes, and walkways, the phantom hum of the ruby encompassed all corners of the room. If one dared to look closely, they might be able to make out the faint traces of crimson static peaking through into reality.

[theedglermaster]

“Round two? Because I’m ready to kick your ass all over again.”

He spread his doom wings, his attention was now only on the Jackal

“You’ll forever be a pathetic weakling. No matter what power is at your disposal.”

[doctor-starline]

"I see I'm no longer important- this should be entertaining."

He rolled his eyes, a cup of tea appearing in his hands as he watched the two argue.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

“I invite you to make the first move, Shadow the Hedgehog.”

The jackal spread its arms wides, daring him to attack the formless shade.

[theedglermaster]

“Tch”

The ultimate lifeforms wings spread wide and enclosed as he released a strong chaos blast which ripples within the room. He stands and waits for the other to make a move to analyze the best approach.

“You gonna keep pretending you’re actually stronger than me? I can kick your ass any day of the week.”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The wave of energy passed harmlessly across the jackal's form, its surface rippling momentarily in the wake of the hedgehog's attack. The fragment clicked its imagined tongue in disappointment.

"You'll have to do better than that, ultimate life form."

The crimson static above flared with excitement.

[theedglermaster]

Shadow glances at starline and grins

“Well if you’re gonna hide in that formless husk… I guess your holder will work just fine. I’m sure he can feel”

He grins and stares at Starline as if he was a predator hunting its prey

[doctor-starline]

"Woah, woah, I thought I was being left out of this-"

The platypus was still trying to brush spilled tea off of his shirt, pausing only after he was threatened, and just snapping it away.

"I mean- really hedgehog. I may have a physical form, but that doesn't mean I'm any less dangerous than my comrade."

He appeared next to infinite, muttering to the jackal.

"Seriously though, if I'm being dragged into it, can we wrap the fighting portion up? I'm still nursing a broken rib."

Hey, the ruby may make it so he doesn't feel it, but that doesn't mean it isn't THERE.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

The jackal rolled it head in a mockery of rolling one's eyes.

"If you insist."

With a snap of its fingers, the structures above rent themselves from their moorings, bending and warping and tearing in order to crash down with the ferocity of a striking cobra. All around the black hedgehog, the apparition's weapons skewered themselves into floor plating. At least, as far as Shadow could tell.

[theedglermaster]

The hedgehog looks unfazed and raises a brow, he teleports right by starline

“You know… all I have to do is stay near you new precious holder and well.. you can’t really do much.”

He leans on starline, more to tease the Jackal. As of right now he had no real intention to harm the other.

[doctor-starline]

"You... you do realize I can teleport as well, right?"

The platypus brushed the other off, wiping his jacket off, disgust laced in his gaze. Who knew what kind of grime the hedgehog had on him.

"The only difference is he's much more versed in the interior workings of the gem- I'm not a puppeteer."

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"How... presumptuous of you, Shadow."

What game was this hedgehog playing at all of a sudden? The broken scaffolding jittered and spasmed, shifting color as though uncertain of its existence. A claw flew down from above to "scoop up" the platypus by the petticoat, up and out of reach of either of them.

"Platypus. Your androids."

Out of the corner of the hedgehog's eye, a box kaleidoscopes into itself.

[theedglermaster]

Shadow spreads his wings and follows Starline to the best of his ability. He was practically a magnet. He was determined to stay close.

“You’re still pathetic. Fight me without the formless shit. Prove that you’re stronger.”

[doctor-starline]

"Enough- I'm not going to be treated like a target block. Infinite, if this problem isn't dealt with by the time I'm back? I will finish it myself and lock the gem in a box before throwing it into the sea. You have acess to everything in the base."

He was becoming less and less entertained, the hedgehog targeting him as if he mattered anything to the jackal, and the two of them treating him like he couldn't fight for himself. Instead of being thrown around, he had a certain doctor to check on. With a momentary glitch of reality, he was gone.

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"Oh, you would like that, wouldn't you?"

With the Platypus's disappearance, so too did the damage it had wrought in an attempt to psych out the black hedgehog. The twisted metal catwalks returned to their original state in an instant. The crane, just as it was about to crash down onto its target, followed suit.

The Jackal, meanwhile, fell to a knee, panting, its form cracking and shredding as the source of its power had put itself just out of reach.

"A shame I can't oblige you in your provocations, but as you can see, I'm not quite FeeLing like myself."

Thankfully, that lack of power did not precipitate the advancement of multiple Shadow Androids filing in from the various dark corridors of the base. As they marched, more small objects around the room appeared to split and duplicate, turning in upon themselves as though reality was starting to warp via different means.

[theedglermaster]

The hedgehog lets out another wave of chaos energy to try and fend off the androids.

“Tch. You’re still just a pawn I see Infinite. Still have yourself a leader hmmmm?”

[infinitevoidbetweenstarlines]

"If only you knew."

INDEED

More and more do objects throughout the room break away, spiraling into unrecognizable masses of matter. Soon enough, so to go the walls, floor, and ceiling, revealing— Radical Highway?

The remaining androids vanish from view as the Jackal stands once more, stepping back towards the ledge with arms wide.

A giant, black-and-red claw reaches forth, grabbing the shade and yanking it out of view.