This is a shorter series I'm going to be uploading along with my main story. By shorter, I mean fewer words per chapter. I have no intention of making this story as a whole 'shorter'. This is just my way of catching a break from larger projects. This fic is one out of my two 'inspired' stories.

Disclaimer: The characters and game references all belong to Sega. I do not own anything besides the plot.

Now let's begin.

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A Final Battle in the Stars

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High above the planet loomed the nightmare child of the mad Dr. Eggman; a station housing a mighty weapon that would soon be aimed at the earth, sealing the planet's doom. Even without his ultimate toy, the insane doctor was more than capable of single-handedly bringing the world to its knees. Everyone that fought him was either killed or imprisoned. No one could stop him now, for none had the ability to oppose him.

Save for a small group of heroes.

Time and time again, Eggman's plans had failed thanks to the efforts of this brave band of fighters. All of them hailed from the far off islands that were collectively known as the Mobius Isles.

Among them was the guardian of a sacred gem passed down from his ancestors. His formidable hand-to-hand fighting skill was fitting of one bearing the name Knuckles.

The second was the youngest of the three. Though he was only twelve years of age, the young Miles 'Tails' Prower was a master mechanic, also acting as the group's hacker and tactician when necessary.

The third was the greatest and oldest threat to Eggman. He had already faced the power-hungry scientist countless times on his own. This made him a revered figure, and a renowned hero. Quick tempered, but noble-hearted, this incredibly fast hedgehog gained the respect and love from all that met him. Acting as the group leader, Sonic the Hedgehog always led his friends to victory.

As he raced down the cold metal corridor, the hero could only think of one thing: that this battle would end today. He had managed to beat the tight security of the deadly Egg Station. Now it was just a matter of finding the doctor himself.

"Hurry Sonic!" a young voice came from his headset "Eggman's main cannon will fire in less than seven minutes!"

"I'm working on it bud." he replied in understanding. Seven minutes didn't seem like a short time to him, but whenever the fate of the world was on the line, Sonic always acted with urgency. He pushed himself harder and harder until he broke the sound barrier. He wouldn't let the world down. He would stop the megalomaniac in time. Finally as he came to the bridge, Sonic saw his nemesis staring out a large window that overlooked the earth.

"Eggman!" Sonic shouted at a figure whose back was turned.

The doctor faced him with a sadistic smile "Well if it isn't everyone's favorite hero. Tell me Sonic, did you come all this way just to celebrate my victory? Or perhaps you wish to get a good look at the end of the world?"

Sonic glared at the obese doctor "The only thing that's ending today is you portly!"

Eggman just let out a confidant laugh, as he opened a large hatch. Sonic had to step back as a colossal machine rose to challenge the hero to a final dual. Dr. Eggman himself climbed into the machine's cockpit. Recognizing the archaic design, it was Sonic's turn to let out a laugh.

"You think an oldie like this is going be enough to beat me? You've always had an unoriginal streak to you Eggman!" Sonic commented on the giant mech before him.

"Only five minutes remain Sonic." the doctor informed with sick smile "Even if I can't destroy you, you'll still run out of time before you make a dent in my armor!"

"Let's see what you've got!" Sonic let out a battle cry as he spun towards the mech at blinding speed. The good doctor seemed to be ready for this as he punched with its spiked fist before Sonic could reach him. The hero barely stopped quick enough to avoid the slow march of the war machine. Looking up, he knew he would have to judge its movements just right; if he wanted to have any hope of hitting it. Noticing that the mech's fists couldn't fully extend just before it takes its next step, Sonic waited for the perfect moment. Just as its right foot fell, Sonic leapt into the air. Eggman saw this, but wasn't able to extend the claw fast enough. With a sickening crunch, the cobalt hedgehog embedded himself in the mech's chest. Ricocheting like a bullet, he landed on solid ground to see the fruits of his labor. To his utter horror, the damage was hardly noticeable from where he stood. As the machine stepped again he took another powerful shot at the great heap of metal. But no matter how hard he tried, Sonic couldn't break the armor down fast enough.

"Oh ho ho ho! A shame that you won't be able to keep your promise to your friends this time Sonic! I wonder how you will feel, knowing that you caused their deaths because you were too weak to stop me! I hope you can live with yourself." Eggman scorned the already stressed hero.

"No I can't fail! I won't let you hurt anyone else Eggman!" closing his eyes he gathered the seven legendary Chaos Emeralds before him.

"Sonic stop!" the same voice that spoke earlier was now frantic "If you unleash the emeralds now, it'll cause a destructive chain reaction! I won't be able to get you out in time!"

"W-what are you doing fool?" Eggman had lost his calm composure "You're going to get us both killed!"

"I know…" Super Sonic answered both of them "I know what I'm doing. I also know that if I don't stop this thing now, the earth will be destroyed. And you know I can't allow that."

"B-but Sonic what would we do without you?" the young voice on the other line seemed to be panicking.

Meanwhile, Eggman had begun to back-pedal. He knew there was no escape now as Sonic's face shone with a frightening look. Not fearsome, but it was a focused, unflinching gaze coupled with courageous smile. It was the look of hero ready to offer the ultimate sacrifice.

Sonic switched his communicator over to all frequencies "Everyone, I need you all to head home. I'll…take care of the rest."

"What are you saying blue?" came a harsh yet concerned voice "What's going on?"

"Sonikku, what's happening?" a different, female voice asked.

"Sonic…don't do it." the young voice begged.

"In less than five minutes Eggman is going to fire at the planet." Sonic told them "Even if I stopped him now, I would still be too late to destroy this place."

The three didn't respond. Each one was too shocked to admit that Sonic was telling them his last words.

"Knuckles, you've been a great friend and sparring partner. Take my advice and settle down with Rouge already man. I can tell you two are good for each other." Sonic addressed the gruff voice. Knuckles gave no reply, but seemed to be listening closely.

"Amy, you're a great girl that any guy would be lucky to have. I hope you live a long happy life. Sorry that I can't be there for you anymore." he could hear sobbing on the recieving end as he spoke.

"Tails, my bro. You've grown a lot since I met you. I have no doubt that you'll become a great hero someday. I only have one last request."

The kit answered in a slightly broken tone "Anything Sonic."

"After this it'll be your job to look after everyone now. You're still young, but I know I can count on you. I believe in you, bro." Sonic finished with a smile. Tails couldn't stop himself from letting out a heart-wrenching scream.

"Sonic! SOOOONNNNIIIC!"

The hero broke contact. His mind was perfectly clear, as was his conscience. He had no regrets as he made one last assault against his long-time enemy. Sonic wasn't afraid to die, he could always face down any threat knowing that others would carry on in his place. As he charged the now helpless maniac, he could see the fear and uncertainty on his face. Strangely, Sonic felt a new emotion towards the doctor: pity. Eggman had no one to pass anything on to, and no friends that would mourn his passing. His wicked mind had left him all alone. His evil cost him the true value of living. He would never know what life had to offer.

And for that, Sonic pitied him.

Eggman's attempts to stop the Chaos-entity were useless. The harsh metal claws now melted away as they made contact with Sonic's body. In one dive, the shining hedgehog passed straight through the mech's chest. With another dive, he pierced its central core. The mech crashed to the ground, with its body half liquefied. Sonic could feel his energy start to cause the facility to overreact. The source of the Egg Station's power was re-routed to Sonic, which sent a painful surge throughout his body. Eggman had to shield his eyes from the bright flashes that emitted from Sonic's pained form. The doctor made one last attempt on the hero's life, raising his half-melted claw to strike. But as the attack came down, the energy that had gathered at Sonic's body was finally released. The powerful explosion ruptured and disintegrated the framework of everything it touched. Eggman struggled to hold on as his mech was being sucked into the vacuum of space.

"Noooooo!" the doctor screamed as he lost his grip.

The doctor was deposited just as the station began to turn in on itself. The focus of raw energy twisted into a swirling field of light.

"See you guys on the other side." Sonic felt the warm light encase him as he lost consciousness.

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End of Chapter One

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The prologue was very shot on purpose. Next chapter might be a little bit longer.

Note: I did not actually kill off anyone yet. Check it out before backing out.

Until next time.