Shadow and (Y/n) entered the control room, peering out the window. "I'm going to circle around," the panther said. "We'll split up and attack from different sides. They can't predict us all. Meet in the middle and we'll head in then if we haven't already been shot, okay mates?" They nodded. "Alright then."
Detonator angled the plane away from the direct destination, a soft pattering sounding. "Idiots," the panther growled. "What damage will they do to an armored plane from this distance? They're desperate blokes, aren't they?"
"Be careful," Shadow murmured to (Y/n).
"I should be saying that to you, Ultimate Daredevil." Shadow rolled his eyes at the nickname. "You just admitted to me that you're not the Ultimate Lifeform. Don't go back on your word."
"I won't." They braced themselves against the walls as Detonator turned the plane and headed in for a steep landing, only angling out at the last minute to glide to a stop. It was actually a rather smooth landing.
"You mates ready to bring the hurt?" Detonator growled, grabbing his weapons and locking them in their respective places. He brushed past them, opening the door outside.
"I thought you said no body count."
"If you see a species of one of your future friends, leave 'em alone. If not, take 'em out." Detonator glanced back at the pair. "No one messes with Claire and gets away with it."
"Who's Claire?" Shadow asked, glancing at (Y/n). Detonator's eyes widened and he let out a nervous chuckle.
"I meant Teleporter," he said. He coughed. "Let's go, ya blokes." He stepped out of the plane and the two shared another glance before following.
"Don't die," (Y/n) said, brushing her hand across Shadow's before turning and running to his right. He opened his mouth, then his ears flattened and he looked forward.
"Good luck, mate," Detonator murmured. "And please, don't pull any stunts. I don't want to be hauling your body away from the battle field." Shadow simply said nothing. The panther gave his shoulder a pat then ran to his left.
"I...I'm no longer enough," Shadow breathed to himself, starting forward and pulling out his gun. He cocked it and pointed it at the ground. "I will not fail her. I will not lie to her." He briefly closed his eyes, then opened them with a new determination. "I. Will. Not. Fail." And with that, he picked up his pace and ran towards the facility.
He stopped, smirking as he saw the soldiers standing there clamp their hands over their ears, dropping their weapons. The earbuds thankfully hadn't shorted out and Shadow took this opportunity to run in, grabbing one of the larger guns while holding his smaller one in his other hand.
(Y/n) and Detonator came in from the other sides, the (a/t)'s mouth open in a scream before she closed it, walking over to Shadow.
"How's it hanging?" she asked with a smirk as the trio marched towards the doors. A pair of armed guards stood there, pointing their guns at them. Shadow lifted both guns in his hands, not slowing his pace. His two companions did the same and the guards instantly stood down.
"Where is the cheetah and hedgehog recently transported here?" Detonator hissed, shoving his gun to the guard's chest.
"I-I don't know! That's top secret information!" the guard said, dropping his gun and lifting his hands.
"Then I guess we'll have to search the facility," Shadow growled, tucking his gun in its holster and taking the commandeered one in both hands.
"We should split up again. We can cover more ground faster. It's likely, though, that they're keeping them in a secure place that won't be easy to get into."
"Of course," Detonator growled. "Come on. Let's split up like (Y/n) said." Shadow nodded and they split ways again. The dark hedgehog ran forward once more, taking out any resistance he encountered along the way. Despite not having his powers, he still thought he could effectively carry out a mission.
Don't get cocky yet. For a long time, he'd relied on the ability to teleport out of a tough situation, or to be able to take off the inhibitor rings if things got rough.
But now he couldn't. It just seemed like dumb luck now that he had gotten this far.
And, of course, he jinxed it.
"Project Shadow," a snide voice said. Shadow whirled around, instantly taking a shot. The Mobian hissed, barely getting out of the way enough for the bullet only to graze him.
"You're a fool," Shadow snarled. "First, you bring two Chaos Emeralds here, then the prisoners. We'll get them both, and if you stand in our way, you will fall."
"I expect nothing less from you," the Mobian said. Shadow darted up onto the railing, whacking the Mobian across the head with the gun. They stumbled back, pulling out their own gun and taking several shots. Shadow blocked two with the inhibitor rings and ducked several more.
Rolling to the side, he sprang up and rapid fired, the Mobian snarling as he launched himself over the railing. Shadow threw himself over as well, bracing himself against it and firing at the Mobian.
"Where are the Chaos Spears?" the Mobian taunted. "Why aren't you teleporting? Couldn't you blast this place to kingdom come?"
"I'll blast you to kingdom come," Shadow spat. "I don't need Chaos powers to make you suffer!" He leaped off the railing, tearing after the Mobian. He shoved him into the wall, pressing his gun to their chest.
"Where are they?" he hissed. "Tell me, and you can go."
"The Emeralds, or your friends?" the Mobian said, grinning. Shadow jostled the gun against his chest.
"No time for games," he said, taking one hand off the gun and fingering the inhibitor rings. He was bluffing, of course, but he hoped it would intimidate his opponent.
"No need for that," the Mobian said, raising his hands. Shadow locked his hand around one of them, glaring. "Look. Maybe we can negotiate. The two Emeralds you have for your friends. Then you can have another go at them."
"No."
"No? Stubborn, aren't you? Well, maybe we can offer you the Emeralds for a small amount of time and then you can return them all, yeah?"
"Something of such power doesn't belong in the hands of someone like you," Shadow said. "Give up the two Emeralds you have here and return our friends safely. That, or...." Shadow glanced at the inhibitor rings.
"I can't do that," the Mobian said, sounding genuinely nervous now. "I have business and if you don't kill me, my employer will!"
"Like I care. You took prisoners. And you didn't treat them kindly."
"I-I thought that they would be interesting to study! I thought that-"
"I don't care what you thought! Let them go!" The Mobian flinched. Shadow threw the gun to the ground and threw the inhibitor rings off.
"No! I'll take you to them!" his opponent cried, covering his head. Shadow retrieved the rings and snapped them back into place, grabbing the gun.
"Quickly now," he said in a low voice. The Mobian nodded and led him down the hallway, Shadow's gun pointed at his back.
They didn't make it far, however, before Shadow twisted his ears back, hearing soft footsteps on the rails above. He turned his head, grunting as his prisoner elbowed him in the gut and grabbed the gun. Shadow looked back just in time as the Mobian pressed the gun to his chest and fired.
Shadow's eyes widened and he opened his mouth, hands flying up to his chest. "What's wrong?" the Mobian sneered. "I thought you were immortal!"
Shadow grabbed the gun and shoved it down, stumbling back and pressing his hand to the wound. His vision started blurring and he dropped to one knee.
"So...this...is what it feels like...to be mortal," he breathed, looking up at them. The Mobian tilted his head, the gun hanging loosely at his side.
"Interesting feeling, isn't it?" he growled. "The Emeralds belong to us. Your friends simply interfered with what they shouldn't have."
"You have no idea...what you're doing," Shadow said, bracing himself on the ground and letting out a wet cough. His vision continued to blur and he collapsed fully on the ground, curling in on himself.
Then there was the familiar ear splitting scream, only a faint screech to Shadow. He tried to open his eyes but couldn't bring himself to.
"SHADOW!" His ears perked. It was a female screaming his name. But who? He tried to look, but all he saw was a blurry outline before his head dropped to the ground and everything went dark.
~
A/n: So...I had a thought about something like a blooper for this scene...lights...cameras...action....
They didn't make it far, however, before Shadow twisted his ears back, hearing soft footsteps on the rails above. He turned his head, grunting as his prisoner elbowed him in the gut and grabbed the gun. Shadow looked back just in time as the Mobian pressed the gun to his chest and fired.
Shadow's eyes widened and he opened his mouth, hands flying up to his chest. "What's wrong?" the Mobian sneered. "I thought you were immortal!"
Shadow looked up at him, his hands falling to his side. He looked down at the wound again, then at the Mobian. "I feel...old," he said, then fell straight back on the ground, head lolling.
Loud snorting sounded from the sidelines. "What are you laughing at?" Detonator shouted.
"Nothing!" (Y/n) said. "R-roll, I guess!"
A/n cont.: Pirates of the Caribbean anyone? Couldn't help myself.