The New Hive

His tail swayed back and forth slowly while he listened. Sonic was the one to take them out? Now that’s a thought.

“hmm. I see. I’m a little surprised but not much. Sonic can be quite strong when he wants to focus”

Itzal wasn’t...particularly enjoying this topic of conversation, but it was to be expected given what he had just told the other.

For a brief instant…A smirk flashed on the hedgehog’s muzzle. No fear from the threats, no signs of intimidation…But a mild amusement?… “Is that so? How interesting.” The hedgehog hid that previously mentioned smirk, concealing it behind the tuft of fur on his chest. “I won’t meddle in the affairs of some greater multiverse, so long as you and your pawns stay in your world, I’ll stay in mine…However…” Shadow’s eyes closed, Chaos energy crackled at his fingertips as Shadow raised an arm up, tightening his gloves, and adjusting the gold ring adorned on his wrist, a small twist…Not enough to shed them, but enough to release just a taste of the immense energy being contained by them. “If you or anyone else so much as even thinks about harming even a single life here…And do pay attention, this would be the important part.”

Eyelids slowly revealed themselves, his head raising slightly as the hedgehog’s undeterred confidence on full display now. “I’ll personally see to it that you reclaim your place at your father’s side…No matter what it takes to do so.”

Itzal watched the other as they spoke, just as unbothered by their display. He could almost respect their commitment to protect their world, as it was somewhat reminiscent of his own. However, at the display of chaos energy and the obvious connection to the rings on his gloves, Itzal couldn’t help but burst into laughter, clearly finding such a crutch hilarious.

“How adorable. You feel showing how little control you have of your own power makes me intimidated by you. I’m not one to use mine without cause so I’ll simply point this out: I’m not the one that needs inhibitor rings to bring out my best.” He’d remark, circling around his hedgehog doppelganger.

The hedgehog was silent, keeping his glare locked directly into Itzal’s eyes, not even so much as breaking contact to blink as he listened. So…They were one in the same…He had figured as much, but it just didn’t make logical sense…But another universe? As absurd as it sounded…It was the missing puzzle piece that explained it all…This was what he could have been, had a few minor instances in history played out differently…A loyal enforcer to the Black Arms. If his barrage of mockery was anything to go by, it appeared they shared a mutual distaste for one another. One, a traitor to the Black Arms, and the other, a traitor to humanity. “That’s just about everything I need to hear…Aside from one final question.” Shadow’s stance shifted, resting an arm on his hip as he continued to stare down the alien.

“Your hive. Not Black Doom’s?” This caught his attention. Was Black Doom not in charge of this hive? Even without Shadow’s defiance, had he still been destroyed? To be truthful, the hedgehog couldn’t care less about what the fate of Black Doom could’ve possibly been in Itzal’s world, he could reason that it was likely Sonic, or maybe even some other “Ultimate Lifeform” created by the Professor or G.U.N. who defended the world, but that wasn’t his biggest concern as of now…He was more curious in regards to… “Would I be correct in assuming that your hive isn’t all that different from Black Doom’s? That you would wish to enslave and feed off of life, as he did before you?”

Itzal own glare matched Shadow’s own, the alien feeling a fight was about to break out between the two of them soon. It was to be expected, given their allegiances. But still, best to make it clear he was the stronger of the two, and that if a fight broke out it’d be on Shadow’s head.

“If my hive ever manages to surpass father’s? Yes. But without a black comet that is unlikely to occur any time soon, even with Sapphire’s aide. For now we simply farm livestock and meatfruit and bide our time.”

“If you wish to fight me to avoid that far off war, I’ll have you know I have little intention of taking my hive outside of my universe. If that still doesn’t deter you, then might I add the fact while you were stuck in stasis for 50 years, I was faithfully by our father’s side for those 5 decades, training and fighting at his side. Additionally, and this is the important part so pay attention...” He remarked, his eyes shifting to a familiar color.

This guy was really getting on his nerves…Similar, yet different…A member of the Black Arms, but far more advanced than anything he had encountered..And what was this “mobian” term he kept throwing around? Not to mention all arrogance…Although as much as he loathed to admit it, that attitude wasn’t all too different from how he was, back then…But none of it made sense…This wasn’t just any normal Black Arms, that much was clear at a glance…Could he be some sort of clone? A backup plan in case Black Doom failed?…Perhaps he could keep stringing this along, get as much information as possible before taking action…He would feed the alien’s ego for a bit, play dumb, keep him talking, if possible…Then…Whatever happens, happens.

“I’m very much aware of what you are…It’s who you are that I don’t understand…And more importantly…” Shadow crossed his arms, clenched fists betraying his outwardly calm demeanor. “Just what the hell do you think you’re doing on my planet?…Just where do you even come from?”

“In father’s name, you are a dense one. Alright, let’s break this down one by one.” Itzal remarked, bringing up one claw.

“To start things off: I’m you, and no, I’m not a clone. I’m you from another universe where the deal with Gerald was different: Give father an heir and he was given the rest of the genetic material to do with as he wished. I presume you bipedal animals aren’t called mobians here, judging from your confusion.”

Just what was this figure even talking about?…Traitorous alternates?…Mobians?…None of it made any sense, yet…His instincts felt as though they were on high alert. The hedgehog could feel that this guy was…different…Yet his presence felt so familiar…Was it his resemblance to the Black Arms? Perhaps…But there was something deeper than that… “I don’t know who you are, or what you’re even talking about…” Shadow focused his gaze onto the mysterious figure, his stance was calm, neutral…But ready for a fight, should it come to such extremes. “…But I’d rather be called a traitor, than be just another pawn to a destroyer of worlds.”

Itzal was so, so very much tempted to battle with the hedgehog in front of him. To teach them that their mobian genes were nothing but garbage holding them back. But if Shadow was as much of a hero as Sonic was, Itzal would more then likely be calling down the wrath of a whole zone down onto himself.

Though Itzal couldn’t help but scoff as the other made it clear they had no clue who they were.

This just got ten times more strange. But he shouldn’t be surprised, really. Weirder things have happened, after all.

“I see. Understandable.” Was his talk back. “What brings you here? Are you looking for something?”

Honestly Itzal had found it pretty strange himself when he found out about the multi-verse, but he had gotten used to it fast.

Seeing the other, Eclipse blinked rapidly and tilted his head. Another Black Arms? Here? If he didn’t know any better, he’d say this was Shadow playing a costume trick on him. Or something.

But hearing him inside his head proved otherwise. Shadow HATED speaking through the mind, it reminded him of bad memories. And admittedly, it’s been a while since Eclipse communicated this way.

None the less, he responded.

“You look like my brother. And yet, I can tell you aren’t.” He telepathically responded back, narrowing his eyes slightly.

Hearing the other speak, it was clear the other wasn’t aware of the multi-verse, though he was surprised to hear the other refer to his alternate as their brother.

It was such a nice day, the sun was peeking out but not too brightly enough for Eclipse to need to wear sunglasses. Comfortable warm.

He walked along the trail, humming to himself. It had been a stressful week but it was worth it to be honest. Every victory after a struggle was.

However, something felt…off. Like something was tapping into his mind. He frowned and headed to where he was sensing it from.

“….Hello?”

Itzal quirked a brow as he sensed Eclipse. Only one Black Arm, but this one felt strong, powerful...almost as powerful as him.

He waited until Eclipse caught wind of his attempt to communicate before climbing down from the tree, eager to meet the other darkling.

...Though he was less then amused by the other using verbal language to communicate.