Shadow and Rouge ran back into the main lab. When they reached the lighted area, they were shocked by the sight in front of them.

"Metal!" Rouge shouted.

The other black hedgehog, which the other Shadow had called Eclipse, was holding the torn and smashed remains of the Metal Sonic. His head whirred and clicked, but there was no sign that he was able to struggle anymore.

Eclipse tossed the Metal Sonic aside. He once again focused his gaze on Shadow.

I see. So you combined with him. I really didn't have to do anything at all. Eclipse's voice popped into Shadow's head.

Shadow was confused. "How did you know that? How can I hear you now?"

Because we combined, he is connected to us now. The other Shadow's voice now spoke in Shadow's head.

"Huh?" Shadow was supremely confused now.

I'll explain later. Now fight!

Eclipse charged at Shadow. Shadow jumped into the air. He was surprised at his own strength, since his leap was at least over fifteen feet now. He flipped over twice in the air, landing ready for the next attack. Eclipse slid to a stop, and then straightened up, back turned to Shadow.

"I see your skills have improved." he spoke. "It's exactly what I was hoping for. Now," his eyes suddenly blazed, "let's see what you're truly capable of."

He turned and fired a huge bolt of energy, aimed directly at Shadow. Shadow somehow blinked out of existence, completely avoiding the bolt.

Shadow reappeared above Eclipse, and smashed his fist into the mighty hedgehog's mask. A large white scratch bisected the mask. Eclipse's head jerked back in pain. Shadow threw more punches, but Eclipse diligently avoided each blow. Reaching the wall, Shadow put all of his power behind one punch, but Eclipse blinked behind Shadow and Shadow ended up smashing the wall. The blow blew a massive hole in the wall and created a shockwave that blew all the way out of the base to daylight.

Eclipse backhanded Shadow, sending him flying across the lab. Shadow rolled across the floor, managing to catch himself on the first bounce and slide to a stop.

Shadow! Focus your chaos energy in your fist!

Shadow didn't quite understand what the voice meant, but he did remember how to chaos control. He took what he knew and focused that energy into his closed fist. It seemed to glow white with power.

Eclipse flew straight at Shadow and threw a massive punch. Shadow met the punch head on with his own punch. The air crackled with electricity, and both combatants glowed white. A shockwave shot out, and Shadow was blown backwards into the wall. He hit it hard, breaking the wall in two.

Shadow struggled to get up. Eclipse rubbed his mask.

"Amazing. In such a short time you've already been able to tap into the chaos orb. I didn't think it would be possible for two clones to gain so much power by combining."

Shadow grunted. "I…AM…NOT…A CLONE!" He fired a bolt at Eclipse. Eclipse blocked it easily with a shield, but when the smoke cleared from the shot, Shadow was gone.

Eclipse looked around the lab. He realized that Shadow had taken Rouge and Metal and gone out the hole that Shadow's punch had created.

Eclipse looked out the hole at the daylight.

"Amazing. Truly amazing. It's like they were destined to combine."

Everything is falling into place. A voice entered Eclipse's head. Unlike the Shadows, this voice was cold and sinister. I can sense the others moving to intercept Shadow. Now that they are free, it's only a matter of time before they discover the truth and return to us. All that remains to be done is to free me.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm on it."

Don't forget why we're doing this. Without me, you will remain a slave forever.

"Don't remind me. I hate you for forcing me into this." He blinked out of the lab.

End Chapter

A/N Short chapter, but like I said, sporadic updates on this fic. A few quick details: this fic is Shadow/Rouge, it's segasonic universe, and, yes, Sonic will show up later on.