the descent

Chapter 5

Calming down from the shock of the gruesome pictures

(which they all were doing their best to convince themselves were fake)

Espio decided it was time to finally get some answers

after all, Eggman hadn't said how long of the day they would have

"What did your pre-rec" the chameleon was about to ask, wanting to know what the others had been experiencing before meeting in their own hellish homes

only for a shock to sear throughout his body once more

"esp?" Knuckles asked with confusion and concern

"I, I'm fine, clearly we cannot discuss our personal experiences" the ninja coughed as his plans were once more disrupted

everyone looked away in dismay at the memory

everyone looked exhausted as to be expected

and the sound of rumbles of stomachs echoing throughout the room showed that just like he, none had eaten

but how long that would last he wouldn't know

"think he'd at least give us some blankets right " Sonic tried to joke

"think we've got more pressing worries right now sonic" Knuckles growled in annoyance

"yeah well, just saying" Sonic sighed sadly, clearly trying to take his mind off, well everything

"We appreciate your attempt to higher morale," espio said as he tried to comfort his friend

"That's a really good idea-" Tails began to ponder only to get shocked as a result

making all jump, especially Sonic, in confusion as to what had caused it

leading to the fox to shut his lips in an attempt to avoid further electricity

"keeping high morale would be important to keep sanity is what you are leading too" Shadow questioned as he guessed what the fox was leading too

the kit merely nodded, breathing to calm himself once again

making both Sonic and Knuckles glance at one another in brotherly guilt

analyzing further the chameleon could not help but question the pattern the question of what set of electricity

clearly disobeying the doctor's wishes, such as trying to fit the walls

but shocking tails when he thought, sonic when he was going dark or when he tried to investigate

it was when it hit him

"these shocks are programmed personally" Espio declared as he pieced one puzzle together

all turning to the ninja in the hopes of him explaining further

"only when we display strengths in which Eggman sees as valuable for only his us-" Espio tried to explain

only for a rush of high electricity to once more course through his veins

only this time the chameleon swore the pain was increasing

"ok you and Tails need to stop, you're gonna crisp up if you keep it up" Sonic warned with concern

"We understand what you've figured out espio, just stop for a bit ok?" Knuckles tried to ease

the chameleon nodded shakily, becoming as mute as the fox

but the fact this was what the doctor wanted from this made him nauseous, another wanted reaction he had so easily given

"how about we go back to the moral thing, think Eggman would be kind enough to give us some board games?" Sonic asked as he tried to bring things to a more positive tone once more

"heh, he'd only have a board about himself" Kuckles scoffed

"Eggman monopoly, no thank you" Tails joked

earning at least a smile from everyone in the room

"well I think that's quite rude" the voice of robotnic interrupted

destroying the first feeling of joy they had since coming here

"facts are facts egghead, everything with your ugly mug is worthless" Sonic snarked

"Perhaps I should show you what happens when you do not know your place" Eggman grinned with twisted amusement as he produced a remote from his pocket

pressing one of the 5 buttons, causing the wall behind the shadow to open

(shadow?) Espio questioned in confusion as he helplessly watched the cobalt hedgehog get dragged out of his cell by the sheer magnetic force of his collar

"And now please direct your attention to the screen" Eggman commanded like a teacher teaching a class as he pointed to another TV coming from the ceiling

(how many secret TVs and entrances are there?!") Espio thought in ridicule

not that he had much time to ponder as the TV turned on

"This is what happens when one of you pests decides to become irksome" Eggman explained as he pointed to the horrible sight

Shadow inside of glass shuttle with a young girl bleeding out as she leaned against a table of buttons and leavers

shadow's eyes desperate and vulnerable as he banged on the glass, pleading with her to stop what she was doing

her gently informing her wishes for a better world he could provide as she pulled the switch

"you disgusting filth" espio spat angrily as he turned his head from the nightmare

"excuse me" Eggman questioned, cracking his neck to turn menacingly

"exposing a person's weakness as a performance, it's revolting" Espio stated, staring at him with pure spite

"yeah, I was the one insulting you, why'd you take it out on him?!" Sonic questioned with pure guilt and disgust

"because it keeps you on your toes, it could be you, it could be someone else that takes your punishment, more reason as to why not to act up" Eggman chuckled

"on that note, I believe you've had enough interaction for this week, say your goodbyes" Eggman sighed as his happy attitude didn't seem to dim, if only growing as he watched their heads getting retracted back to the headrests as the beds began to descend once more

"Sonic?" Tails asked in pure instinct

"it's ok little buddy, Just, just hold on" Sonic tried to reassure, failing to hide his own panic

"wait, what about shadow?" Knuckles asked angrily as he raised a fist, only to bring it down as a shock flowed into his body

yet only laughter was given as an answer as the 4 remaining descended back into their cells

the ceiling closing

leaving all in sudden silence