[Undisclosed location]

In a dark cave, a figure was dragging an elk down a narrow passage. The creature was bipedal, with a mostly gray body that had red markings on its arms, legs, and head. A long tail snaked out behind him, which twitched in irritation. A pair of snake-like golden eyes stood out in the darkness from his pale face.

"My Dark Arms," he announced when he had come out into a small cavern, "I have returned. With proper food this time."

Several alien-like croons came from the darkness and several creatures came forward. They resembled Wisps, but were dark gray with glowing alien eyes. They formed various shapes, from cubes to spike-balls. As they tore into their meal, the first figure tore off a leg of the elk for himself.

The alien's name was Eclipse the Darkling. He was the last of the Black Arms creatures to come to Mobius before the Convergence. He had managed to get a flyer explaining it, and he and the Dark Arms had managed to find a new cave when it happened. Thankfully, there were several new kinds of meat thanks to it, so they didn't have to live on the fruits that Eclipse grew anymore.

As Eclipe ate his leg, he allowed the simmering hatred that had grown in his heart to come out a bit more. Shadow the Hedgehog. Oh how he hated that name. Ever since Shadow and his team had destroyed the Black Comet that had brought him, the modified Black Arm had been on the run, trying to find a way to kill him. But now, killing him would be even harder now that he was a secret agent with GUN. And that he had more friends to help protect him.

I want to kill you, Shadow, Eclipse thought darkly. I just wish I knew how to. You have your help. And the Black Arms will refuse to come to Earth now that Shadow has destroyed two colonies. I will never get any help now.

"PERHAPS YOU ARE NOT LOOKING IN THE RIGHT PLACE, ECLIPSE THE DARKLING."

Eclipse jerked up. He looked at the shadows in the cavern, which were made even darker when the fire in the cave suddenly was extinguished. The Dark Ars gathered around Eclipse as he stood. A pair of menacing red eyes with emerald green slitted irises pierced out of the darkness.

"Who are you?" snarled Eclipse. "How did you find us?"

"YOU AND YOUR DARK ARMS HIDE IN THE SHADOWS. THE SHADOWS ARE MY DOMAIN. MY REALM."

"You did not answer my question," said Eclipse. One of the Dark Arms moved into his body. Instantly, his body grew out long jagged spikes.

"MY NAME IS SOMETHING THAT IS FEARED TO MENTION IN BOTH THE DAY AND THE NIGHT, AND IT MUST NOT BE SPOKEN UNLESS MY ENEMIES WISH TO FIND ME. FOR NOW, YOU MAY CALL ME... THE DARKNESS."

"Well," scoffed Eclipse, "That's a name that screams cringe."

"IT IS THE NAME THAT YOU WILL ADRESS ME AS."

"Fair enough." Eclipse lowered his arms. The Dark Arm emerged out of his body and slid back to its companions. Eclipse sat on the ground as he asked, "Why would you be willing to help me?"

"THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY IS MY FRIEND," spake the Darkness. "YOU HAVE HEARD THAT PHRASE, HAVE YOU NOT?"

"I have," said Eclipse. "But Shadow is mine to kill. What do you have against him?"

"NOT AGAINST HIM, BUT AGAINST THE ONE THAT HE LOVES," responded the Darkness. "HE IS IN LOVE WITH MY SWORN ENEMY, THE ONE THAT IS DESTINED TO FIGHT ME AT THE SO-CALLED FINAL BATTLE. SHE IS THE GODDESS' CHOSEN FLAME, AND I MUST KILL HER. FAILING THAT, BREAK HER SPIRIT."

"And the way you can do that is to kill Shadow," said Eclipse, grinning darkly. "So, you will help me kill my 'brother'?"

"YESSSSSSS," said the Darkness. A vial, full of clear liquid, appeared in front of the Black Arm in an injector.

"What is this?" asked Eclipse, staring at the injector with curiosity in his eyes.

"THE LIQUID IN THE VIAL WILL COPY YOUR DNA," said the Darkness as Eclipse took it. "THE SACRIFICE THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO WILL BE WORTH IT, I ASSURE YOU."

"What does it do?" asked Eclipse, spitting in the vial. To his astonishment, as soon as his spit touched the liquid, it turned a black color.

"LIKE I SAID, THE SACRIFICE WOULD BE NECESSARY, BUT VERY WORTH IT."

"And why?"

The Darkness told him. At first, Eclipse was angry. But then, a twisted smile grew on his face. The Dark Arms also appeared to be accepting of the sacrifice when they understood what it would do.

"SO, DO YOU UNDERSTAND, MY FRIEND?" asked the Darkness when he was finished.

"I understand," said Eclipse, the smile turning into a wicked grin. "And I will be okay with this sacrifice.

"So long as I get to destroy my brother in the process."