Sonic: C O U N T E R P A R T

Chapter 18

"So, you're saying that Sonic and his friends stole one of your ships from the pyramids, Doctor?" Rouge sashayed over to the large computer. "No worries, I'll keep an eye on them and slow them down. They won't be flying here that easy! However, I do need to know your password so I can activate the Ark's defense systems."

"Maria... M A R I A. That's the password." Eggman on the other end spelled out for her.

"Got it." Rouge cut the call and smirked. "That was so easy! Tricking that bloated scientist was a piece of cake!" She snickered and typed the password onto the computer. "But that name... it sounds so familiar."

Once into the computer, a file that read "Project Shadow" appeared. Rouge skimmed through it.

"What are you doing, bat?" Amy hissed as she approached slowly. She was still drained from before. "Didn't the Doctor send you back to the planet to collect the chaos emerald?"

"The name is Rouge, pinky." Rouge rolled her eyes. "I just got back. The doctor is allowing me to put our shields and defense weaponry on standby."

"That doesn't sound like him. Usually, he'd let me do that."

"Not this time I guess." Rouge pressed another button and the countdown for the cannon popped up. "Don't feel too bad though. Perhaps the Doctor noticed how hesitant you are."

"Hesitant?" Amy scoffed. "I'm not hesitant!"

"Please, Shadow and I both noticed. It would only be a matter of time before a genius like Doctor Eggman would see it too. That's why he left me with the password, and not you." She teased.

Amy didn't respond. She kept her eyes to her feet.

"What's the matter? Got something on your mind?" Rouge raised a brow at her and crossed her arms. "Are you jealous about me gaining access to Eggman's computer? I'll just give you the password if that's the case."

"It's not that. I just... I'm not sure if this is the right thing to do. Dr. Eggman is a genius, and I've always admired him for what he does. But, I feel so conflicted. I can't be the only one who thinks destroying a planet is crazy, right?"

"I have no answer to that." Rouge frowned. She glanced behind her and remembered that the file about Shadow was still on the screen. "But maybe you can find yourself some answers. The password is MARIA. M A R I A." Rouge smiled smugly. She sauntered past Amy and glanced behind her shoulder. "I'm sure you'll be able to make the right decision after you read the file."

The alarm began honking and the lights began flickering rapidly. Rouge looked to her left and saw shards of the master emerald floating into space. Her eyes twinkled and she went for the exit.

~

"Knuckles get your hands off!" Sonic shouted and nudged him away.

"What are you talking about?! Didn't you see? The master emerald pieces went out into space after the hatch opened! We've gotta go after them before they float away!"

"You're crazy! We can go after them after we land safely!"

"If I allow you to control the ship we'll never get those pieces back!" Knuckles growled and shoved Sonic back.

"You guys! We're going to crash!" Tails screeched. The spaceship they were on began to spin out of control as it headed for the space station. Sonic and Knuckles were sent flying back into their seats as the ship sped up.

"Next time! Don't let him sit in the passenger seat!" Sonic hollered to Tails.

"And don't let Sonic press buttons!" Knuckles shot back.