Chapter Text
Captain Rockwell walked down the corridor at a swift pace. Holding the case files to her chest with both hands, she nodded at the agents she passed, giving them a brief glance of acknowledgment. Once she was out of sight, she dove into the file room.
The heavy metal door slid open as she strutted inside. Closing inside, LED lights flickered softly as Rockwell approached tables that stood at her hips. A line of screens were displayed before her, replaying the moments of the previous day.
Earth had nearly been destroyed. Doctor Robotnik and his insane grandfather—alongside Project Shadow—had plotted to eliminate the planet. Wiping the Earth of any impurities that threatened their wish for a peaceful life.
They were able to persuade Team Sonic to stop Project Shadow. Sonic and GUN had never gotten along. Not only did Commander Walters originally send Robotnik after Sonic, but he had also captured Sonic and his pal Tails for security over the planet.
Despite their rough history, Team Sonic only agreed to help GUN because Project Shadow threatened not only their lives but the whole world’s. However, they couldn’t tell Sonic everything about Shadow. He had to tell the team that himself.
Shadow wasn’t too fond of GUN, either. Not only did they keep him in suspended animation for fifty years, they had taken away his whole life. Maria Robotnik was a kid who shouldn’t have been killed, but she gave her life up so Shadow could live. Rockwell admired her spirit, silently wishing she could meet the kid one day.
Now, Sonic and Shadow didn’t bond over their mutual hatred for GUN. Instead, it was their shared trauma of loss. This prospect didn’t come to pass until Shadow had the world in the palm of his hand, the Earth plundering in lava and ash. Naturally, Sonic was able to sway Shadow into the light, showing him the error of his ways and the truth of Maria’s promise.
Together, they used their supernatural powers—originating from Sonic’s world—to stop the Robotniks and rejuvenate the planet back to its original design. Rockwell liked to refer to these golden heroes as their “Super forms”.
The reunification of the Earth’s structure replayed on the screen ahead of her, flashing against her eyes. Glancing down at the files beneath her fingertips, she flipped them open.
There were four files, each one titled Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails the Fox, Knuckles the Echidna, and now Shadow the Hedgehog (aka Project Shadow).
She sprawled the files along the desk. The images of Sonic and Shadow fighting over the magical emeralds played again in front of her.
Rockwell hummed. “Team Sonic…”
She flipped a hand behind her ear, putting pressure against her skin. Her body began to shift and morph. Her hands grew, white gloves replacing her pale skin. The camo uniform she dawned washed over into a skintight purple leather suit. Her bulky black shoes contorted into heels that sat above her knees. Thin black hair distorted into white silky fur.
Rouge rolled her shoulders as she returned to her comfortable stature. She eyed Knuckles’ file, grazing her fingers against a photograph of the Master Emerald. A similar image flashed over the screen.
“Once I get my hands on that emerald, all the world’s jewels will be mine. And Rouge the Bat will be the most valued treasure hunter in the universe.”