"Well, looks like I missed a fun night," said Tails as the jacked up Rainbow Dash and Sonic entered the room.

"You have no idea. We've got a new problem on our hooves-er, hands," said Rainbow, keeping a part of her dress on a bleeding cut on her arm.

Sally and Amy ran over to the heroes, concern, and in Amy's case, anger, evident on their faces.

"What happened?" asked Sally.

"And why are you two all dressed up like you were going on a..." said Amy, before a look of pure fury crossed her face. Lousy... stinking... pegasus! How dare she steal MY man! she thought, looking a lot like a steamed vegetable, only pink.

Cream saw this and looked concerned for Amy. "Amy, m-maybe you should calm down," she whimpered.

Amy was about unleash her fury on Cream, when Bunnie intervened. "Amy, calm down! You fussin' over Sonic goin' on a date with a girl who ain't you isn't gonna help us hear what happened," she said.

"Thank you, Bunnie. Now, tell us what happened," said Sally.

“Well it all started when me and Sonic were-”

“Sonic and me.” Sally said. Rainbow just stared at her. “The correct way to say it? Sonic and me.”

“Ooookay…. what she said. We were on a date, which was going along great I thought, but we heard an explosion a few hours in. We went to check it out-”

“-and guess who showed up?” Sonic said as he flexed an arm.

“Gee, let me think… Dr. Eggman?” said Sally.

“Yep. Only this time, he had a new friend with him. Apparently, Rainbow knows this pegasus… what was her name again? It sounded like a rock band,” said Sonic.

“Her name was Lightning Dust. She was a former friend of mine from the Wonderbolts Academy. She got the boot after she unleashed a tornado that nearly killed my friends. It looks like a lot of things have changed since then,” explained Rainbow.

"What happened after you fought Eggman and this… Lightning Dust?” asked Sally.

“Well, we fought, and then Lightning Dust shot black lightning out of her hands and made her get away with a white gem. She claimed it was a Chaos Emerald,” said Rainbow.

“Which would be because it was,” said Sonic.

Sally’s expression suddenly turned to one of concern. “Tails, please tell me you have an idea where the other Emeralds are,” she said.

“I know of at least three places they could be.” Tails said “But G.U.N. has them on REALLY tight security and Shadow is guarding one of the locations.” He said. Everyone around him looked nervous… except for Rainbow.

“I’m pretty sure we can handle this ‘goon’ group, no problem,” said Rainbow.

Sonic shook his head, chuckling. “Rainbow, it’s pronounced ‘Gun.’ And, more importantly, is short of the Guardian Units of Nations. They’re our world’s defense force… aside from us, that is,” he explained.

“Oooh, I get it now. So, where are the Emeralds?” asked Rainbow.

“We never really knew what it was called but I mostly called it the Chemical Plant Zone. Simple and easy to remember. That’s where the first one is.” Tails said. Rainbow couldn’t help but see a mix of Twilight and Scootaloo in the little guy.

“Right, got it. Well, Sonic, I don’t know about you, but I think we need to get to this Chemical Plant Zone and get the Emerald before Lightning Dust and Eggman do,” said Rainbow Dash.

“Agreed,” said Sonic, getting up to stand with Rainbow.

“Sonic, are you sure about this? I mean, you’re still hurt,” said Amy.

“I’ll be fine, Amy. Don’t worry,” said Sonic.

“Well, Sonic, I’m assuming you know where the Chemical Plant Zone is?” asked Rainbow.

Sonic nodded. With that, the two heroes changed into their usual attires, and with Sonic taking the lead, headed out to the Chemical Plant Zone.

...

The figure made sure it was away from any ears that might be listening as it fiddled with a blue crystal that glowed a little before displaying the image of a cyan blue unicorn sprouting from the light.

“Status report?”

"I got the Emerald, Trixie," the figure said.

"Excellent. I've received word that the Black Queen has sent soldiers your way. She must be getting suspicious. Remember, no one must find out until we have all seven Chaos Emeralds. They will give us the power we need to overthrow the Black Queen," said Trixie.

"Right. Got it," said the figure. With that the figure crushed the crystal and let the dust go to the four winds. “I won’t let them down... I won’t let my sister down,” said the figure as it disappeared back to it’s room.

...

Rainbow couldn't help but feel a little uneasy as she looked at the Chemical Plant Zone. It was truly unlike anything she'd ever seen before. Where Station Square was balanced between the advanced technology and nature, this place had utterly destroyed any trace of nature that had been there. What had once been life giving streams and lakes were now a poisonous shade of pink. But what troubled Rainbow the most was the clouds. They were far from fluffy white, pewter gray, or jet black. They were a poisonous shade of yellow, thanks to the smoke from the smokestacks.

“Um… you sure we’re safe here Sonic? I mean... this place looks like it'll give us cancer or something," said Rainbow.

"I seriously doubt it. I've been through here before, and I don't have any health problems... all the same, I'd stay out of that water if I were you," said Sonic.

"Right... got it," said Rainbow.

"Okay, so here's the plan. I’ll go in through here,” Sonic pointed at a opening in a pipeline. “But you’ll go through the open sky-”

“WHOA WHOA WHOA! Why do I get the portion that has to include me likely getting blasted out of the sky?!” Rainbow exclaimed in fear.

“Because you’ll be the distraction. Any G.U.N. forces in there will turn their attention towards you while I sneak out with the Emerald. Plus they’ve been slower than me so you’ll have no problem.” Sonic said giving Rainbow a thumbs up.

“Ahem. I certainly hope you two aren’t up to something,” a gruff voice said from behind them.

Sonic and Rainbow Dash froze in their spots. Turning to look behind them, the duo found what looked like a red and black hedgehog with two holsters strapped around his waist. This same hedgehog was also pointing what Rainbow, despite not knowing jack squat about Mobian weaponry, could tell was some kind of small projectile weapon.

“Heh heh… hey, Shadow. What brings you here?” Sonic said nervously while Rainbow simply stared at the hedgehog.

Shadow glared at the two of them. “I was assigned to this location to protect the Chaos Emerald, and keep out trespassers. And who do I find, but Faker and some kind of pegasus,” he said.

“Come on I thought we both agree that I’M the original not you Shadow.”

“We did.” Shadow deadpanned as he still had his weapon aimed at Rainbow.

“Um… Sonic… what’s this guy’s damage?” Rainbow asked slowly and nervously.

“Nothing compared to the damage I’ll do to you if you don’t leave right now.” Shadow growled. Before Rainbow could say anything an explosion came from inside the Chemical Plant Zone causing them all to turn towards it.

“What the-? Where’d that explosion come from?” said Shadow. He then turned to Rainbow Dash. “Did you do that?”

“N-no… but, I think I might know who might’ve done it,” said Rainbow.

“Well, what are we waiting for, Christmas? Let’s go check it out!” said Sonic.

With that, the trio of speedsters set out for the Chemical Plant Zone.

…

“Well, that’s one way to make an entrance… not the most effective choice when YOU’RE IN A BUCKING CHEMICAL PLANT!” yelled Lightning Dust to one of her soldiers.

“S-sorry, Captain. I thought it’d help take care of those human soldiers,” the Shadowbolt said.

Lightning growled. “Next time, listen to what I have to say before you start setting off the pyrotechnics!” she said, just before a yellow bolt whizzed past her. “What the buck?!”

“Nice shot Shadow. But you were off by a few inches.” A voice said. A moment later another yellow bolt nearly hit Lightning but she dodged it at the last second.

“Who’s there?! Come out and show yourself coward!” Lightning Dust shouted just as a bright blue blur flew right at her and nailed her across the face. Lightning got up and saw with her very eyes a black blur, which was plowing down her soldiers one by one, varying between gun play and the yellow bolts of energy that had nearly nailed Lightning not even a minute before.

Lightning whirled around and saw that Rainbow Dash and Sonic were with the black blur, who had just finished off the rest of Lightning’s soldiers.

“Don’t move, or I’ll blow your brains out!” yelled Shadow, aiming his gun at Lightning Dust.

Lightning Dust glared at Shadow, before smiling. “You really wouldn’t shoot a girl, would you?” she said.

“Try me,” said Shadow, his face as rigid as rock.

“Very well.”

Before Shadow could fire his weapon, a swift bolt of black lightning struck him, sending him flying and causing him to drop his gun. Shadow got up and growled at Lightning.

“So, that’s how you want to play it, eh? In that case, I don't need to hold back with you,” said Shadow.

“Same here,” said Lightning. At this Shadow summoned a pair of yellow energy bolts and trained them at Lightning.

“Chaos… Spear!” Shadow shouted at which the bolts flew right at Lightning who flapped open her wings and flew into the air and away from the blasts. What she failed to see was the green flash above her head as Shadow hit Lightning square on her head.

“Ow! Where’d you come from?!” yelled Lightning, rubbing her head and correcting her downward spiral.

“Hmph. For someone who’s so interested in the Chaos Emeralds, it seems you have much to learn about the true power they possess,” said Shadow.

“Is that so? Well, how’s this for power!” yelled Lightning, firing one of her exploding orbs of energy, which Shadow swiftly avoided. Only to get tackled by Lightning Dust, whose attack was enhanced by the Chaos Emerald she already had. “So you were saying about me having to learn? I think I got a grasp on what they can do! Enhanced powers and stronger body! With this none will be able to stop me!” Lightning roared as she picked up Shadow and tossed him into a wall. “Least of all… you!” She shouted once more as she aimed a finger at Shadow and a orb of dark energy formed at the tip. A moment later she fired the energy at him but the force of the recoil knocked her into a wall and knocked her out.

Shadow, meanwhile, was able to avoid the blast by merely ducking. When he stood up, he noticed that the entire place was in shambles and various chemicals were spilled, mixing with various results.

Sonic and Rainbow Dash, meanwhile, were finishing off the last of Lightning's goons that had stayed behind. The rest had fled.

"So... what are you gonna do with this scumbag?" asked Sonic, gesturing down at the unconscious Lightning Dust.

“I say we finish her here and now. She destroyed a good amount of the property here.” Shadow said as he gestured to the demolished zone. Rainbow however had a different plan.

“Why not interrogate her instead? Find out where she came from, why she’s here, and who sent her?” Rainbow asked. “It’s what all the Royal Guard shows I’ve seen do.” She said as both Sonic and Shadow looked at her with surprise.

“Well… that could work. What do you think Shadow?” Sonic asked as he chuckled a little.

Shadow frowned, looking thoughtful at this notion. "The girl makes a valid point. If this pegasus is working for someone, then it would be best to find out who it is and what they're planning. We'll take her to G.U.N. Headquarters and interrogate her there," he said.

"Well, glad to see we're all agreed here. Now, Sonic, I believe you and I have unfinished business to attend to with the Chaos Emeralds," said Rainbow.

Sonic nodded and Shadow chuckled. "I should've known that's what you were after. The next closest Emerald to here is in Apotos," the crimson and black hedgehog said.

“Sweet! Thanks bud!” Sonic said as he hugged Shadow… before Shadow punched him off.