Race to the A.R.K Part 2: First Encounter's

(Third Person POV 30 minutes ago)

Shadow Walked down the streets of Shinjuku Tokyo feeling very out of place all he felt so familiar but so foreign after all he lived 4 years in space and as soon as he got to earth he was but in cryostasis for 50 more years not even given a chance to do anything humanity truly was disgusting. But what about those new memories? 21 years of seeing the good side of humanity but he can't remember anything from that time other than a name and the way he died all he felt was deja vu at this point All he could feel was anger and self loathing. But were those years so good how many times has someone lied to him and used him for their own benefit? How many times did he do the same?

No one is pure … Except Maria she always was the brightest in the room; she only saw the best in a person. Even on her worst days where the fear of death loomed over her she was still so bright never told a lie she was a light in a dark cave. But would she approve of what he was planning to do? Yes she wouldn't want him to be contained again to be in a constant nightmare to relive her death right? Of being forgotten until the stars die out she would want him to experience life ? The only way to stop himself from being put back in that containment tub was to get rid of Humanity; they wouldn't just let one of their rogue experiments walk around after all he was useful for their own goals. No one else was innocent on this planet.

Shadow train of thought came to an end and he narrowed his eyes and turned his head to the right, seeing someone on a rooftop.

As he continued to walk people started to move away from shadow confusion all over their faces and some started muttering.

"Who is he?"

"Is he a hero?"

"He doesn't look like one, maybe a villain?"

"Should we call the police?"

"Maybe a hero fan boy or a sidekick."

"He doesn't look friendly."

He already knew what was going on as he continued to walk more and more Snipers appeared wearing the same G.U.N uniform all keeping close eye on him and as Shadow made it to another cross way no one was around him and just stared at him they continued to just mutter and point. Shadow looked up to a nearby poster board and yes 50 years have passed since he was but to sleep the current year was 2016. Suddenly the sounds of Vehicles entered his ears. Multiple trucks and Squad cars rushed into the area surrounding Shadow with a helicopter shining light on him and a news copter broadcasting the event. G.U.N soldiers jumped out of the trucks and motorcycles they brought along .They pointed their guns directly at Shadow but these were different as they seemed to be powered by an unknown energy source. All the civilians started to run leaving the crossway without anyone but Shadow and G.U.N soldiers "Project Shadow You're surrounded!" the commanding officer barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. "You are outnumbered and outgunned. Put your hands up where we can see them!" He commanded but Shadow only felt irritation at the person who ordered him to surrender.

Shadow felt his temper rising and gritted his teeth as he stared at the soldiers around him.

"Why can't you just leave me alone!"Shadow yelled at them, causing all of the soldiers to tense up. All he could hear were them yelling at him. Telling him to surrender and having him box like he was some type of animal.

One of the snipers who got startled fired at Shadow. Shadow simply turned his head dodging the shot. There was a moment of complete silence no one moved until Shadow did turning his head towards the sniper who shot at him. The man paled as he saw Shadows eyes blazing with lightning as he glared at the man over him.

Shadow then teleported out of sight and all the soldiers started to panic as they lost sight of their Target."Where did he go?!" one of the soldiers on the helicopter shouted, scanning the area frantically. The helicopter turned to see Shadow on a roof with a knocked out Sniper in his hand he teleported again to the another roof kicking the sniper off the roof and into a dumpster and then again slamming an uppercut into another sniper knocking him out.

Shadow dealt with the rest of the Snipers with no one being able to react. He then reappeared behind the nearest guard on the ground, delivering a crushing spin kick that sent him sprawling to the pavement. The sound of his air shoes hitting the ground echoed as the remaining soldiers turned, their weapons raised, but it was too late. With a burst of speed, Shadow darted between them, disabling two more before they even realized what was happening.The rest of the soldiers fired their guns causing what looked like lasers flew in his direction, but Shadow dodged, danced, and weaved through the onslaught with grace. He only got hit in the shoulder causing it to burn but it healed in seconds. The soldiers were getting clumsy, their training failing them against an opponent who was far beyond their capabilities.

Shadow continues to beat the shit out of the Soldiers on the ground until he notices the Tanks they were bringing in preparing to fire. Shadow just stares at the Tanks and as soon as they fire Shadow rushes forward and uses Chaos Control to pause time for a few seconds and turn the missiles around. As time resumes the missile hits the tank and other vehicles causing a massive explosion. A portal appeared above the city and all the Teen titans jumped out. Kid Flash was in a free fall until he got close to a nearby building and started to rush down to the ground. Robin used his cape as a glider to fly towards the area while Raven, Starfire, and Beast boy just flew down to the ground. As all of them made it to the scene they looked around. There were a lot of people in military armor on the ground knocked out or groaning in pain.

"Our target isn't in the area so secure the area and help anyone you find, and keep your eye out for the target." Robin said and the team got to work getting all the G.U.N soldiers but after a few minutes they walked through the Destruction cautiously looking for more soldiers until a Truck was thrown at them Starfire rushed forward and catched it with ease then threw it to the side. As they all looked towards the direction the truck was thrown the sound footsteps ringed out. As the footsteps got louder until Shadow stood on top of a huge amount of rubble looking down at the team.

A moment of silence only the sound of flickering flames were heard but Shadow was the first to speak."You're a colorful bunch." Shadow said, his eyes curling in confusion looking at these weird dressed people.

"Who are you and why did you attack these soldiers?" Robin called out, his voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them.

"You mean these G.U.N Soldiers? These fools got in my way so I decided to teach them their place. So I suggest you walk away before you get hurt. " He said threateningly but still confused about their attire, why would G.U.N send these guys as back up since they are all dressed like clowns.

"Whoa Whoa Woah man can we just talk since we don't really want to hurt you."Kid Flash said, Shadow turned his attention to Kid Flash.

"You were planning on helping these G.U.N soldiers, there's nothing to talk about."Shadow said, turning away from the group.

"Time for plan B."Beast boy said and rushed forward turning into a Gorilla.

"Beast Boy no!"Robin tried to say but it was too late. Shadow looked back with a raised eyebrow then his body flickered before he was in front of Beast boy making Beast Boy's eyes widens. Shadow grabbed his fist and twisted it in an unnatural way. Beast boy screams in pain but Shadow isn't done. Shadow kicks him into the air and telepots next to him in the air and starts kicking him again and again before sending one more kick sending him down to the ground and bouncing off the concrete into a Shop.

"Beasty."Kid flash yelled as he ran to the shop and saw Beast boy groaning in pain.

"You alright man."He said, lifting him up.

"Uh mostly ouch."He said, holding his wrist in pain and they walked out the shop beast boy managing to walk on his own.

All the Titans ran toward beast boy and turned to see Shadow teleport a few feet away from them and the team got into fighting stances.

"He was much stronger than I thought he would be,"Beast Boy said.

"I told you to not underestimate him now your wrist is broken."Robin Said scolding Beast Boy while keeping his eyes on Shadow.

"Ok he took one of us on big deal, it's not like he can take all of us on."Kid Flash said but Shadow Chaos snaps next to Robin and slams a kick into his side sending him flying into Beast boy and into a load of rubble and teleport again Sending Starfire flying into Raven and they landed into a collapse building then Shadow teleports out of sight. Kid Flash turns around only to get grabbed by the neck by Shadow. He tried struggling but Shadow uses his air shoes to rocket into the air.

"Can we talk about this."Kid flash yelled but Shadow let him go and teleported right above Kid flash who turned in mid air and grabbed him by his neck again, rocketing back to the ground and slamming Kid flash into it causing a lot of dust to get kicked up.

"Ok he took us all on."Kid Flash said, standing up only to fall to the ground again. Shadow was behind him.

"Pathetic." Shadow muttered under his breath as he turned away, his voice dripping with disdain. He stole a glance back at Kid Flash, who was struggling to recover from the fall.But he didn't dwell on it. His attention was caught by the G.U.N helicopter beginning to pull away in the distance. Weaving between the buildings, he spotted one of the surviving motorcycles nearby, the gleaming machine poised and ready to roar. An idea sparked in his mind. He lunged towards it, boots hitting the pavement with purpose.

Grabbing one of the laser pistols abandoned in the scuffle, he kicked forward on the bike, revving the engine as it roared to life beneath him. In a swirl of energy, he launched himself onto the street, adrenaline surging through his veins.

Behind him, Kid Flash shook off the disorienting effects of their previous fall. He refocused, sprinting after Shadow, weaving expertly through the bustling streets of Shinjuku. He leaped to a nearby building, running nimbly along the wall, gathering momentum for a decisive jump. With a determined shout, he propelled himself into the air, poised for an aerial kick aimed at Shadow's motorcycle.

But just as quickly, Shadow vanished, the world around him blurring as he teleported just out of reach. Kid Flash's foot met empty air, and he landed with a thud, eyes widening in confusion. Before he could react, he heard the engine of Shadow's motorcycle revving behind him.

He barely managed to roll out of the way, avoiding the motorcycle that would have crushed him. "Hey, what the hell, man? You nearly squashed me!" he yelled, annoyance mixing with the rush of adrenaline as they darted through the traffic-laden streets.

"That was the point!" Shadow shot back, taking a sharp left turn that forced Kid Flash to dig deep into his agility to keep up.

"I think you should just get off the bike and we can have a calm, reasonable talk while you're behind bars!" Kid Flash suggested, his persistence unwavering.

"Calm and reasonable aren't in my repertoire," Shadow growled, his grip tightening around the motorcycle's handlebars as he executed another deft maneuver, slicing through lanes with unearthly precision. Each turn left Kid Flash scrambling to keep pace, his determination echoing in the noise of the speeding city.

"Could you just shut up?" Shadow barked, irritation crackling in his tone.

"Oh come on! I'm just trying to be friendly here!" Kid Flash laughed, confidence radiating from him. "Speaking of which, we never had a proper introduction! I'm Kid Flash! So, what's the evil name you're using and Seriously, who does their highlights like that?"

Shadow scowled, his focus unwavering. "You think this is a game? I'm not here to entertain you!"

"Oh, lighten up! Everyone loves a good villain speech! How about you say something like, 'You'll never defeat me! I am the harbinger of your doom!' Just think about it!" Kid Flash teased, dashing alongside him, refusing to back down.

"I'm not here for theatrics, kid!" Shadow hissed, the building tension transforming into a sudden burst of speed as they raced into Minato City and toward Tokyo Tower, its iconic silhouette cutting through the skyline. Kid Flash jumped onto a Truck but Shadow also teleported up there and fired his gun at Kid Flash. Kid flash immediately jumped off and had to use other cars as cover. Shadow appeared in front of Kid Flash and fired more shots.

In a split second, Kid Flash jumped out the way again and grabbed the back of Shadow's bike, anchoring himself as Shadow desperately kicked at him. As they zigzagged through the streets losing more control of the bike because of the extra wait, Kid Flash braced himself, refusing to let go. Shadow ramped the bike into the side of a bus, and Kid Flash gasped but clung tighter.

"Train! Train! Train!" Kid Flash yelled, eyes widening at the sight of an oncoming train barreling toward them. Just before they collided, Shadow teleported high into the air, landing gracefully on the side of Tokyo Tower, leaving Kid Flash tumbling through the air, dazed.

Sensing his opportunity, Shadow infused Chaos energy into the motorcycle, accelerating at a breathtaking pace. With Kid Flash regaining his footing, Shadow pulled out his gun and aimed toward him, firing at Kid Flash. Kid Flash dodged expertly, zigzagging to escape the oncoming fire. Shadow teleported once again high into the air.

He gets off the Motorcycle and uses it as a platform rocketing down to Kid Flash reddish orange lightning sparking on his body. Kid flash makes it to the top of the tower and jumps up to meet him in mid air both cocking back their fist lightning sparking off them and slamming it into eachothers faces. As they both fall to the ground Kid flash gets grabbed by Shadow and gets a nasty right hook to his face Kid flash kicks him away and starts to get him footing back running down the tower while Shadow also manages to start sliding down the building. They continued to clash as they ran down the tower matching each other in speed.

"Hey, what was the point of the Motorcycle if you can be just as fast as me without it?"Kid Flash comments as they continue to run through Minato City. Meanwhile Shadow seems to start to run faster and more lightning starts to wrap around his body. Shadow shoved his shoulder into Kid Flashes causing lightning to spark off both of them in droves before disengaging.

At this moment they were equal in speed until a blast of green energy was fired making Shadow dodge to the side and look up Seeing the recovered StarFire meaning.

Shadow had to dodge a blast of Dark magic and kicked Kid Flash into a car while he continued to run. Raven and StarFire chased him. They may not be as fast as him but they had projectiles making Shadow dodge and weave.

"Kid Flash how much Information have you gathered."Robin asked from the coms they wore.

"Uhhh well he's a speedster but he has no connection to the speed force plus i'm not able to teleport like he does.Made me feel like throwing up."Kid Flash said getting up and shaking off the dirt that got his suit.

"Can you throw out lightning like spears by any chance?"Starfire asked from the coms.

"No, why?"Kid Flash asked as he started running towards Raven and Starfire only to see them dodging reddish orange lightning spears from Shadow.

"Ohhhh, that's why," Kid Flash exclaimed as he sprinted forward, grabbing Shadow's arm. In an instant, Shadow began spinning at high speeds, creating a mini tornado effect. With a sudden stop, he flung Kid Flash off, sending him crashing into a nearby car. But Shadow wasn't finished; he lunged forward, grabbing Kid Flash by the ankles, executing two backflips, and then tossing him roughly to the ground.

Before Kid Flash could recover, Shadow teleported beside him, delivering a powerful kick to his face that sent him smashing through the glass of a nearby building. As both Raven and Starfire rushed in to bolster their teammate, Shadow prepared to teleport again. But then the sound of the G.U.N. helicopter firing multiple missiles rang in his ears.

Without hesitation, Shadow activated Chaos Control to pause time. He darted along the side of a building, sending two Chaos Spears hurtling toward Raven and Starfire's chests. Then he leaped onto their backs, using them as platforms to intercept the missiles, hurling them far into the sky before releasing a Chaos spear aimed directly at the helicopter's tail rotor.

As time resumed, Raven and Starfire collapsed to the ground, their bodies writhing in pain from the impacts of the Chaos Spears. Meanwhile, the G.U.N. helicopter began a chaotic descent. The pilot struggled to maintain altitude, alarms blaring relentlessly as the rotor spun uncontrollably, the damage was done. The aircraft veered dangerously, plummeting toward a nearby construction site.

In a final show of force, Shadow ripped open the helicopter's cockpit, and the pilot's fear was palpable. "Jump before I change my mind," was all Shadow said, his glare piercing. The pilot wasted no time; he leaped from the helicopter, deploying his parachute just in time.

Shadow landed gracefully on a nearby building, watching as the helicopter crashed into the construction site, the nearly finished structure collapsing under the impact of the wreckage. Luckily, it appeared that no one was present at the site, and all were safe.

The three heroes finally managed to recover, their eyes locking onto Shadow, who stood with his arms crossed, sparks of lightning flickering around him, ready for another round. But then, in a sudden shift, he stopped and grabbed his ear, irritation crossing his features. "Tch. We're done here."

Pulling out the glowing Chaos Emerald, Raven's eyes widened at the sight. "Chaos Control!" Shadow proclaimed, disappearing in a flash of brilliant green light, leaving the team to grapple with the chaos and fallout of their encounter.

"Okay, what the hell just happened?" Kid Flash asked, looking around in bewilderment. The chaos of the previous battle hung in the air, tension palpable among the Titans. Suddenly, the sound of revving engines filled the air; they turned to see a car adorned with the G.U.N logo pulling up.

As the vehicle came to a stop, a man emerged, clad in commander's attire that displayed the G.U.N insignia proudly on his shoulders. He strode toward the trio, his expression fierce and commanding.

"What were you thinking when you decided to engage with Project: Shadow?" he demanded, anger evident in his voice.

"Project Shadow? Sounds like something out of an edgy video game," Kid Flash quipped, unable to resist a jab even in such a serious moment.

"Well, let me rephrase that. I'm Commander Walter, the current head of the Guardian Unit of Nations, or G.U.N. Project Shadow is the individual you just fought," Walter explained, his frustration evident as the Titans blinked in confusion.

Kid Flash couldn't help it; laughter bubbled up inside him. "S-S-Shadow? Seriously? Who would ever name someone 'Shadow'? That's so stupid," he said, wiping a tear from his eye.

Walter's glare sharpened at the speedster's mockery. "I suggest you stop laughing, child. You've seen firsthand why Shadow is a threat. Now, let me be clear: just because you are heroes doesn't mean you are above the law. We will deal with Project Shadow since he was originally contained in one of our facilities." With that, Walter turned away, signaling the others who had arrived to prepare to leave.

"Hey, wait! You can't expect us to just step aside!" Kid Flash called after Walter, who paused and turned back, ready to respond.

"No, he's right," Robin interjected as he appeared on the back of Beast Boy, one of his legs bandaged from earlier. "Today showed Shadow is far more of a threat than we initially thought. It would be best for us to work with you to apprehend him."

Commander Walter looked at Robin thoughtfully before climbing into his vehicle. "I will consider it," he said, and the car began to move away, leaving the Titans alone amidst the destruction.

Raven, seeing the team regroup, quickly conjured a portal back to Titans Tower. Meanwhile, Walter was already on the phone, deep in conversation.

"Have you located the space shuttle to the A.R.K.?" he asked one of his generals.

"Yes, we have our soldiers swarming the base as we speak," a woman's voice replied crisply.

"Good. We cannot allow Shadow to reach the A.R.K. Who knows what will happen if he does?" Walter stated, his concern evident. He understood that if Shadow got to the A.R.K., the consequences would be catastrophic.

"Sir, the boy was right about one thing. Tonight showed our soldiers are incapable of dealing with Shadow. How will we contain him?" the general on the other end asked, a hint of worry in her tone.

Walter sighed and glanced at a briefcase resting beside him. "I know someone who can help," he said, before hanging up. He quickly switched to another phone number and dialed.

After a few rings, a feminine voice greeted him. "Why, hello there, Commander. What do I owe the pleasure?"

"I need your help," Walter replied, his tone serious.

"Oh, I can help… of course, for the right price," the voice purred enticingly.

Walter opened the briefcase, staring intently at the glowing purple emerald nestled within. "I will pay you handsomely… Agent Rouge," he declared, before hanging up, the weight of his decision lingering in the air.

(Teen Titans POV)

The atmosphere inside Titans Tower was thick with tension as the Titans gathered around the hologram table, their expressions a mix of concern and determination. Batman's holographic form stood in the center, serious and focused. The soft glow of the monitor created shadows that danced across his features, enhancing the gravity of the situation at hand.

"Alright, let's recap," Batman said, his voice steady and authoritative. "What we know so far is that our target, a G.U.N experiment known as 'Project Shadow,' has resurfaced and is exhibiting capabilities far beyond what we anticipated." The room fell quiet, each Titan attentive.

"We fought him just a few hours ago," Robin said, frustration lacing his words. "He was as fast as Kid Flash, strong enough to catch and break Beast Boy's wrist in gorilla form with little effort, and he could teleport in a way that none of us could react to. He took us all out—not to mention that he took both Beast Boy and me down almost effortlessly," he added, glaring at the ground in disappointment.

"And he made us look like complete amateurs," Kid Flash chimed in, casting a quick glare at Robin, who had admonished him for rushing in too quickly. "I mean, come on! One moment I'm zipping around with the guy, and the next I'm sent flying like a ragdoll. The dude's heavy-duty."

"Focus, Wally," Raven interjected, a hint of exasperation in her tone. "This isn't just about you bouncing off cars."

"I think he was playing with us," Starfire said, wincing slightly as she cradled her wrist, which had not yet healed from Shadow's earlier attack. "If he truly wanted to, I believe he could have wiped us all out in one go."

Batman nodded, considering their statements. His analytical mind sifted through the fight details. "G.U.N.'s history with experimental weapons and projects indicates that Shadow isn't just any foe; he's a dangerous combination of advanced combat skill and enhanced abilities."

"Not to mention he has a Chaos Emerald," Raven murmured, prompting raised eyebrows from the others.

"What do you mean by that, Raven?" Batman asked, his expression curious.

Raven sighed, crossing her arms in concern. "Chaos Emeralds are powerful artifacts that can grant unimaginable abilities. We saw one in Shadow's possession during our encounter, but they are also extremely rare. There are only seven Chaos Emeralds in existence," she explained.

"Chaos Emeralds have the ability to warp space-time at the user's will and can do so on a global scale, but each possesses unique properties-How do you know so much about them?" Raven continued, but she was cut off by Beast Boy's curiosity.

Raven sighed and extended her hand, summoning a dark blue emerald that shimmered in the light, making everyone's eyes widen in amazement.

"YOU HAVE ONE? HOW?" Aqualad exclaimed in shock.

"Before I was born, there were stories in Azarath about a comet that crashed into its center," Raven began, her voice steady yet soft, as though she were recalling a distant memory. "An emerald with the power to control the universe at the user's command. There was a saying: 'The servers are the seven Chaos. Chaos is power; power is enriched by the heart. The controller is the one that unifies the Chaos.' I never really believed those tales until is summoned by father into Azarath. I was nearly captured by him, but my mother used the emerald to send me to Earth along with it. I kept the emerald; it was the last thing I received from her." A heavy silence filled the room, her teammates absorbing the weight of her story.

"No pressure or anything," Kid Flash said, attempting to break the tension with humor. "So we've got one of the universe's most powerful artifacts in our midst, and we're supposed to keep it away from a rogue experiment that can also use emeralds to their full potential? No sweat!"

"Wally, this isn't a joke," Robin replied, his voice firm. "If Shadow possesses even one of the Chaos Emeralds, we're facing a serious threat. We need to strategize, not jest."

"Right," Starfire agreed, her expression tightening. "Raven, do you know how to harness the power of your emerald? If Shadow is after them, we must be prepared to use every bit of strength we have."

"I don't fully understand its capabilities," Raven admitted, visibly troubled. "The stories I grew up with spoke of its potential, but I've never attempted to use mine—not only because I lack understanding, but because I've always feared what it might do." As she spoke, the emerald disappeared again.

"I managed to find a file on a space shuttle known as the A.R.K.," Batman resumed, gripping the edge of the hologram table. "It was shut down over fifty years ago and classified as destroyed. However, the file indicates that the A.R.K. is still active, operating in a cloaked state. It also details a weapon on the A.R.K. called the Eclipse Cannon."

"That sounds ominous," Robin remarked. "What is its purpose?"

"The purpose of the Eclipse Cannon is currently unknown. However, if G.U.N. is involved, we can assume that Shadow likely has something catastrophic planned," Batman explained, his voice low and serious. "If the emeralds are needed to activate it, the cannon could potentially devastate a significant area or worse."

"Alright then, we will head out to locate the Chaos Emeralds—or go after Shadow himself," Robin decided.

"Wait, didn't he already defeat you guys? What's the point of trying to fight him again?" Aqualad asked, visibly puzzled.

"One thing you need to learn in this line of work is that we continue to fight until we overcome our enemy or die trying," Robin stated. "If we can find the emeralds before Shadow, then we can give them to Raven, who has shown the ability to conceal them." Robin said.

"If there are seven emeralds, and with Raven and Shadow each possessing one, it means there are five still unaccounted for. If I'm correct, G.U.N. likely has one, meaning we need to find four," Batman added, his eyes narrowing in thought.

"Alright, we'll stay in contact. Let us know when you find any more information father," Robin said and Batman nodded before ending the call. He knew that only a couple of people might have an idea about where powerful artifacts like the Chaos Emeralds could be hidden. The reality of the situation weighed heavily upon them, yet their resolve remained unbroken.

(San Antonio || Tower of Americans)

Shadow stood atop the Tower of the Americas, the vibrant lights of the city sprawling beneath him. He felt an unsettling pull, something in his gut warning him of an approaching presence—a Chaos Emerald, it was far but still easy to sense. Just as the sensation surged through him, he grabbed his ear, activating the communication device embedded in his mask.

"Don't worry about the emeralds right now. Once we meet, I will explain everything, Shadow," the voice crackled through the comms, authoritative yet tinged with a strange familiarity.

Shadow narrowed his eyes at nothing in particular, annoyance flickering across his face. With an agitated huff, he leaped off the roof, athletic grace guiding him as he sprinted down the tower, vaulting off the balcony and descending toward the city streets below. The neon flickers of San Antonio slowly disappeared behind him as he raced through alleyways and bypassed bustling restaurants, arriving at an abandoned café that stood as a ghost of its former glory.

With a kick, he shattered the door and stepped inside, the smell of stale coffee and dust filling his nostrils. The place was just as derelict on the inside as it appeared from the outside.

"Now, enter the elevator," the voice instructed, and without hesitation, Shadow obeyed, stepping into the old metal box. As soon as he pressed the final button, the elevator surged downward, sending him crashing against the ceiling for a moment before dropping suddenly and leveling out with a jarring thud. Shadow hit the floor face-first, groaning as he pushed himself up.

"HA! That was hilarious! Now, time for test two. Good luck!" the voice chimed mockingly.

The doors slid open to reveal a stark, metal room, its walls lined with sleek, egg-shaped drones each equipped with a glaring red camera eye. They hovered ominously, approximately two feet in length and one foot in diameter.

Shadow didn't waste a moment; he dodged their incoming fire and dove into action. Within seconds, he was cleaving through the drones with precision, using a flurry of martial arts strikes before channeling his power into Chaos Spears that exploded among the remaining machines. Each crash echoed like thunder in the confined space.

Applause filled the room, and Shadow glared at the unseen presence behind the sound. A figure materialized from the shadows—a bald man with a bushy mustache, donning a striking red and black overcoat with golden buttons. He exuded an air of arrogance and self-satisfaction.

"Excellent! I didn't expect less from my grandfather's best creation," the man declared.

"Who are you? You mentioned Gerald during our first conversation," Shadow replied, kicking one of the broken drones toward him in irritation.

[Flashback]

Shadow looked down at Raven Starfire and Kid Flash ready to continue the fight.

"I see you're finally awake, Shadow."Shadow grabbed his mask where the earpiece was located.

"Who are you?"Shadow said under his breath to make sure the three clowns didn't hear him.

"All In do time but if you're sceptical then maybe the Name Gerald Robodnik ring a bell or maybe you are still wondering who gave you the opening to escape. Well you can struggle to find the rest of the Chaos emeralds on your own or… you can meet me in San Antonio at an abandoned Cafe so we can speak face to face… or brute to genius whatever works for you."The voice said on the other side and Shadow eyes widen as he looked down at the team again then had his decision.

[End of FlashBack]

"Well, introductions are necessary. I am Ivo Robotnik, Gerald Robotnik's grandson and the most brilliant mind on the planet. Yes, you can bask in my glorious presence," he announced, arms spread wide.

Shadow remained stoic, his expression betraying nothing. "Your brilliance means little to me."

"Wow, tough crowd," Ivo continued, undeterred. "Right to business, I see! You know a lot about your origin, Shadow. Gerald was an exceptional scientist, a genius who believed in the potential of Chaos energy. His work led to your existence and G.U.N's weaponry."

Shadow felt anger and confusion roiling within. "Are you saying you've been studying his notes? That you're behind G.U.N's weapons?"

Ivo shrugged, a smirk on his face. "Indirectly, yes. While Gerald was focused on the potential of chaos energy in a genetic aspect aka you, I shifted toward harnessing Chaos energy for technological advancement. As you saw with those delightful drones you just smashed."

"That's exploitation, not progress," Shadow countered sharply.

Ivo stepped forward, irritation sparking in his eyes. "I prefer to call it innovation! The world thrives on advancement. Just as Gerald saw potential in you, I see potential in technology"

"But that's beside the point! I have something you want," Ivo interjected, strolling to a section of the wall. He pressed a panel that lit up a dark red, revealing a hidden factory bustling with activity. Within it, robots were being fabricated rapidly, and at the center on a podium, a glowing red emerald pulsed softly.

"You have a Chaos Emerald?" Shadow asked, his brow arching in surprise.

"Of course! My grandfather found two of the seven Chaos Emeralds. With his notes, I replicated the technology he used to track the gems and found the emerald you currently possess," Ivo revealed with a proud grin.

Suddenly, a feminine voice sliced through the air, causing both men to tense. "So, that's why G.U.N was so surprised Shadow had an emerald."

Shadow instinctively went on high alert, while Ivo raised an eyebrow. A woman strolled into the room, exuding confidence. She appeared around 18, standing at 5'8" with an athletic build, her white hair cascading down her back. Turquoise eyes sparkled with mischief, and she wore a black leather jacket that accentuated her form along with dark purple accents. A unique pair of bat wings on her back completed her look.

"Who are you? Start speaking before I—" Shadow began, but she interrupted him.

"Calm down, cutie! I'm not here for a fight. It's great to see you again, Doc," she teased, turning to Ivo.

"Agent Rouge, a pleasure as always. But how did you find this place, and why are you here?" Ivo asked, crossing his arms.

"Simple. When I heard about Shadow's escape, I knew I should check in. You keep tabs on all your little projects, don't you? San Francisco was your last known location and when I saw a certain orange blur of lightning I already knew Shadow was here." Rouge smirked, her confidence radiating.

"Ah, the classic 'keep your enemies close and your allies closer' strategy," Ivo quipped, a knowing look in his eye. But seriousness soon overtook his expression. "I'm curious what you plan on doing now."

"Well, of course, I'm here to help you, but I want something in return," Rouge replied, her attitude casual despite the tension.

Shadow moved in closer, narrowing his eyes. "Considering you have connections with G.U.N, how can we trust you?"

Rouge pulled out a shimmering purple emerald from her pocket, a mischievous glint in her eye. "How do you think I got this? G.U.N would never just give up something like this willingly."

"Impressive! But still, I'm skeptical. You expect me to believe you waltzed into a G.U.N facility, nabbed that emerald, and just strolled out?" Shadow retorted, crossing his arms.

Rouge shrugged, unfazed by his disbelief. "Oh please, Shadow. You know better than anyone that impenetrable walls are just an invitation. Just because you were locked away for fifty years doesn't mean everyone else is an amateur."

Ivo cleared his throat, redirecting the focus back to him. "Let's not dance around the issue, shall we? The bottom line is that we have a potential partnership here. Rouge's expertise combined with your power, alongside my technological genius, gives us everything we need to gather the remaining Chaos Emeralds and reach the A.R.K. to use the Eclipse Cannon to threaten the government leaders to seize their power ." He gestured toward the factory, where drones continued their relentless production. "Imagine what we could achieve together. Together we could rule humanity like Kings and Queen" He added looking at Rouge.

Shadow regarded him coolly. "By the time I'm done here, there won't be anything left to rule."

"Aw, come on, honey! Keep dreaming. Just drop me off at a private island with the emeralds after you finish your goals," Rouge countered, a playful smirk teasing her lips.

"Incredible—your endgame is an island getaway?" Shadow shot her a skeptical glance. "Is that really all you want? A luxurious escape while plotting your next heist?"

"It's about balance, Shadow. A little luxury keeps the spirits high while preparing another heist" she replied smoothly, reclining in a chair, her expression unwavering.

"Alright, if we're doing this, let's get this party started," Ivo declared, his tone suddenly sharp as he addressed both Shadow and Rouge.

Ivo nodded enthusiastically and tapped his device, pulling up a digital map displaying two dots marked with a cyan and a white glow. "These are the locations of two Chaos Emeralds on Earth. A few minutes ago, a third signature appeared in San Francisco but then disappeared. We also need to raid a G.U.N base to get the key to the A.R.K."

"And what about the last Emerald?" Shadow asked, shifting with growing impatience.

"What do you think has been powering the A.R.K. for the last fifty years?" Ivo smirked, confidence radiating from him.

Shadow nodded, a grim understanding solidifying his resolve. "Alright, team Robotnik, we have work to do." Shadow and Rouge looked at Ivo with a raised eyebrow.

With that, Ivo rubbed his bald head, activating a hidden door that revealed a massive truck splashed in his signature red and black colors.

"Look, I'll work on the name later, but our first stop is Antarctica! We have a certain threat to take care of before we can start the heist of a lifetime." Ivo declared, hopping into the driver's seat with excitement.

Rouge playfully punched Shadow's shoulder as she stepped into the rear compartment. "Let's go, bad boy."

Shadow couldn't help but feel a strange mix of irritability and intrigue as he slid into the back of the truck, the hum of machinery vibrating around him. High-tech screens lined the walls, displaying various schematics and data feeds. Mini-drones buzzed like fireflies, ready to assist Ivo. Shadow took a seat at one of the nearby seats, finally closing his eyes after a long day he could sleep even if his mind would be begged with nightmares.