Disclaimer: Sonic & Co. (c) by SEGA and Sonic Team. Sonic X Episode 67 (c) by Matato Matsumoto, Takeshi Sasamura. Song: Monster (c) by Skillet. Story (c) by me.


Broken – Prologue

Authors POV

The sea shone in vibrant colors as the sun slowly sank behind the horizon. The wind picked up slightly, playfully ruffling through the long quills of a blue hedgehog. The young hero lifted his gaze from the ground as the water gently washed over his bare feet. Even though he was hydrophobic, it helped him calm down. It always did. Whenever he needed time for himself, he came here. It was one of those hidden spots where no one would disturb him. He was all alone. The way he liked it.

A sigh escaped his lips as he sat down, the water soaking his sapphire blue fur. His emerald eyes scanned the horizon as he hugged his knees close to his chest. Now, normally, you wouldn't be able to find him in this pose. It made him feel like he was vulnerable. And he didn't want people to think that he was weak. But now that he was alone, he could do as he pleased. And somehow, it comforted him. Like somebody was hugging him. Not a bone-crushing-lung-squishing-death-hug like most of his fan girls gave him once they caught sight of his blue form, but a warm and gentle one. One that you would receive when you're sad and can't stop crying. One that made you feel better. One that showed you you weren't alone, that somebody would be there for you… always.

But the blue hedgehog had nobody but himself to be there for him. Sure, he acted like it was nothing, but that was only his façade. On the inside, he was just like everyone else. He had feelings, too. But he didn't show them. Especially when he was hurt. Whether it was physically or mentally, he didn't show his pain. Only if he was alone and nobody saw him.

He had to do this. It gave people hope, like nothing bad could happen as long as he was there. And they needed that reassurance. Even if it was all just fake, it still had the same effect. And as long as there was hope, he would fight. It was what encouraged him to go on, even if it seemed like it was impossible to overcome his enemy and safe the day. If there was still hope left, he wouldn't give up. He would continue fighting… until the end.

But now, he could let all of his feelings out that were bottled up inside of him. He needed to do this once in a while or he would go insane.

He would fall victim… to the darkness.

Darkness. He thought back to the day it first made itself known. It was the time where they were fighting against the Metarex to save the universe. They were traveling from planet to planet, restoring the lifeless rocks to what they used to be like.

-Flashback (Sonic's POV)-

We had been under attack by the Metarex for the last 12 hours.

It was getting pretty long. We'd been holding up quite well, for now, but I still wondered…

How long would we be able to keep up?

I know, on the outside, I looked like I know what I'm doing, but that was only to reassure my friends that we can do this. On the inside, I was just as worried as them. I didn't know what we were in for.

But I certainly knew that it wouldn't be good.

The secret side of me,
I never let you see

I keep it caged, but I can't control it

So stay away from me

The beast is ugly

I feel the rage and I just can't hold it

It was shortly after yet another attack of the Metarex.

We had received a message from one of the four Metarex kings: Black Narcissus.

He invited us to come to his base, and we all wondered: What for? But before we even had time to think about his possible reason, the alarm went off. Missiles were heading straight towards us.

While Knuckles cursed under his breath and Amy activated the shields, I noticed that neither Cosmo nor Chris were there. But… if they weren't on the bridge… where were they then?

My train of thoughts were interrupted by a gasp that escaped Amy's lips. I looked at her.

"What's wrong?" I asked. "Those aren't normal missiles. These ones have a mix of potassium and aluminum." she replied. I raised an eyebrow. Potassium and aluminum? What's so special with that mix? "Uh… could you explain?" I asked sheepishly. She shot me one of her 'you've gotta be kidding'-look. But before she could open her mouth, Tails stopped her. "I'll explain." he said. "Those are used in fireworks-."

BOOM!

Suddenly, the missiles exploded, giving off a bright light that almost blinded us. And while we were distracted. Cosmo and Chris were already on their way to the Metarex base, as we were discovered later on.

It's scratchin' on the walls
In the closet, in the halls
It comes awake and I can't control it
Hidin' under the bed
In my body, in my head
Why won't somebody come and save me from this?
Make it end

"I'm addressing myself to the survivor of the planet, Cosmo. If you want to know the truth, join me in 5 minutes after the missiles fired." Tails read out loud. It was the last part of the message from Black Narcissus, the one Cosmo didn't tell us about. "It's really not going well, captain. Your translation doesn't make any sense!" Amy protested. "That's what it said…" Tails mumbled. "Why are you two fighting? We should be finding Cosmo, not arguing." Cream told them. "You're right, but there's no need to worry. She's still on the Typhoon." Tails reassured her. "I wouldn't be so sure if I was you." I told Tails over the intercom. "Amy's ship is gone." I added. "Wh-What? How could she have left without us noticing?" Tails asked, clearly confused. "Well, it's easy. A hacker helped her." I explained. "But the only one who could have done it is Chris…" Tails replied, trailing off.

"That's right." I answered.

I feel it deep within
It's just beneath the skin

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I hate what I've become

The nightmare's just begun

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I... I... feel like a monster

I... I... feel like a monster

The runway of the Typhoon opened up to make way for the expanding cannon.

I was standing beneath it, looking out into space. "Amy, Cream. We have to be careful with the laser, it could hurt them." Tails' voice rang out over the intercom. "Either way, we have to save Chris, even if he did leave us!" Amy replied. "Yes, you're right. We already have Knuckles who is being stubborn." Cream added. "Chao!" Cheese agreed. "Hey! When you say bad things about others, shut the microphone!" Knuckles protested, clearly irritated. "Oops… I forgot." Amy answered innocently. "Of course!" Knuckles shouted, angrily. He took a deep breath to calm down a bit before continuing. "Tails! Are you sure we should do this?" he asked. "Yes, it's one of the four kings. We have to attack them." Tails answered.

My secret side I keep
Hid under lock and key
I keep it caged, but I can't control it
'Cause if I let him out
He'll tear me up, break me down
Why won't somebody come and save me from this?
Make it end

"Are you ready, Sonic?" Tails asked as I jumped into the cannon, doing a few flips before taking up my usual spot. "Sure." I replied as I landed. "I'm always ready to kick some Metarex butt!" I smirked. This was going to be fun! "This ought to teach Chris a lesson. And Cosmo too! I'll even take away their dessert for the night." Amy quipped. "She never should have left us, especially without telling anyone!" Cream beamed, her voice full of determination. "Chao chao. Chao chaoooooo!" Cheese cheered. "Do you know what she just said, Cream?" Tails asked, sweat dropping. "He said, he will scold her." Cream replied. "Let's go!" Knuckles hollered. "Energy connected to the main control."

A wide tube slowly connected to a steel wall. "Setting up energy ring, maximum pressurization!" Tails shouted. A grand wheel began to spin near the Master Emerald, glowing brighter and brighter as it sped up.

"Sonic, Spin Start!"

That was my cue. I leaped into the air and curled into a tight ball, spinning in mid-air just a few inches above the platform I stood on before.

"Removing Safety Lock"

The cannon locked on its target. A familiar tingling feeling made its way through my body as the Chaos Energy charged up.

"Target: Metarex Base"

The tingling became stronger as colorful lights engulfed my spinning form.

"Sonic Drive…"

I drew closer to the exit of the cannon, a blue light surrounding my body.

"FIRE!"

I was catapulted out of the cannon as a loud, booming noise pierced through the darkness, while I was hurled directly towards the Metarex base. I crashed through several steel walls before I was stopped by solid ground.

I feel it deep within
It's just beneath the skin

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I hate what I've become

The nightmare's just begun

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I feel it deep within

It's just beneath the skin

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I... I... feel like a monster

I... I... feel like a monster

As the smoke cleared, I found myself surrounded by Chaos Emeralds. Fake Chaos Emeralds, mind you. As I looked at them, a weird feeling made itself known inside of me. I felt nauseated, sick, queasy… there were so many words to describe this feeling, but yet, none of those really fit it.

"Do you plan on staying down there all day?" a voice snorted. "Huh?" I lifted my head, trying to find its source. "I'm here. Above your head." it replied. I took a step back, ran forward and jumped out of the hole to face my opponent. He chuckled quietly. "I was waiting for you. Sonic, the only one able to control the light of the Chaos." he mused. "I'm really sorry for doing so much damage to get here, but I wasn't able to find the front door. And I had something very important to do." I replied cockily. "It's not a problem. And I wanted to know if you were as good as we thought. I'm very surprised because according to our calculations you were supposed to get in this room and stop." Black Narcissus said. "I'm also sorry to leave like a theft, but I've waited. I came to get my two friends." I responded. "Oh, but don't be in such a hurry. We have so much time now. And I would like to see if your strength is is in accordance with our data." he answered. I rolled my eyes. "Your data, your data. You sure do like computers. Me? I don't care." I snorted. The Metarex king just pressed a button as a trapdoor opened up, giving way to a rising capsule. "Are you sure you want to leave?" he asked.

I gasped as I saw what the capsule contained. No… Cosmo… Chris!

"Your friends are still alive as you can see. A little tired… that's all." Black Narcissus chuckled. I ran towards them, pressing my hands against the glass. "Chris! Cosmo!" I shouted, my eyes wide with disbelieve. That bastard… he just… took them… locked them up-

My train of thoughts were interrupted by the glass container lowering back down where it came from. The floor closed above it, leaving me to cower on the ground, slowly taking in what just happened...

It's hidin' in the dark
Its teeth are razor sharp

There's no escape for me

It wants my soul, it wants my heart

No one can hear me scream

Maybe it's just a dream

Or maybe it's inside of me

Stop this monster

"Don't even try to save them. The pressure would kill them instantly. Yes… your friends would disappear forever..." he trailed off, chuckling. I didn't answer. By now, I was shaking with rage. I wanted to jump at him and choke him to death. But I couldn't move. I was frozen to the spot.

"And if you don't accept my propositions… you know the rest." Narcissus continued, but I just ignored him. "Poor Cosmo… she's so scared…" I muttered quietly. But he still heard me. "Hmm? That bothers you?" he asked teasingly. "Chris… what happened?" I snapped. I was starting to lose control over myself. The anger… the rage… they were taking over me. And I let them. That bastard would pay for what he did! "Punishment is necessary to train the disobeying animals." he simply stated. DISOBEYING ANIMALS? How dare he speak of my friends like that? They're not his slaves!

I heard a shrill sound, like metal hitting the ground, but I still didn't turn around.

"Look Sonic! I created them myself! Gold and Silver. One of them will test your speed while the other will test your strength. And if you are as good as we think then this should be no problem." he stated as I glanced at the two Metarex from the corner of my eye. Oh pluu-ease! They want to test me? Do I look like a guinea pig? (No offense.)

But really, just two robots who are barely bigger than me? I've faced robots who were ten times bigger than them and I still beat them to scraps. I could beat those two in a blink of an eye, no sweat. So why bother to build such weaklings if I trash them anyway before they even get to collect data of me?

I snickered, curling my hand into a fist slowly. "If this is what you want… then I will fight!" I smirked and dashed forward. He, they didn't even see me coming. I just sliced through them like they were made out of butter. Which, honestly, wouldn't have made any difference, except for my fur getting all sticky.

I chuckled darkly as I jumped back into a fighting stance. "Looks like you've got to go back to the drawing board." I snickered and was about to attack again as an all too familiar voice rang out to me. "Stop right now!" my arch-nemesis shouted.

I turned to glare at him. How dare he interrupt me?

"I've mever seen you like this before, Sonic." Eggman stated. "Did you see what he did?" Decoe asked, his robotic voice sounding disbelieving. "He made two heaps of metal out of them!" Bocoe shouted. "Sorry. Something went wrong with the Egg Drive and it just happened to land here." Eggman explained. "We don't have much time left." he stated as he stepped forward. "Please listen, Sonic." he began as he surveyed the surrounding mess. "You really shouldn't do this kind of thing. I don't want to see you act out in anger and rage. It's not good at all. So I will pretend I didn't see anything. Just go back to your ship." I stared at the ground as I began to realize what I just did.

I glanced at the two Metarex that Black Narcissus built to test me. Or better, what was left of them. It wasn't much, only some of the bigger parts. The rest was turned into dust. D-did… did I do this?

I stepped back, my eyes widened with disbelieve. I stared down at my hands. Sure, those were only Metarex, but what if, one day, I would attack my friends when I was like this?

No. I couldn't think like this. They were my friends. I wouldn't harm them even if the world depended on it! But then again… I lost every bit of self control I had in that one fight. I couldn't think clearly. I was just driven from my rage and anger towards Black Narcissus, ready to...

to kill…

I feel it deep within
It's just beneath the skin

I must confess that I

FEEL LIKE A MONSTER!

I hate what I've become

The nightmare's just begun

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I feel it deep within

It's just beneath the skin

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I gotta lose control

It's something radical

I must confess that I feel like a monster

Everyone was happy that Chris and Cosmo were back. Of course, Knuckles didn't show it, but he was just as reliefed as me that they were okay. But for me, I had other things to worry about. I was standing away from the rest of the group, looking out into the depths of space. To say I was scared would be an understatement. I was terrified. Of course, I wouldn't show it. The others had faith in me, and as long as I was optimistic, they wouldn't give up. So, in order to survive this, I had to keep my façade up.

But still… I couldn't help but fear for them. I was scared that, one day, I would go all dark on them and that there would be no one to stop me. I sighed. What should I do?

My thoughts were interupted by footsteps approaching me. I didn't need to turn around to see who it was because I could already tell by their scent. Cherry blossoms. Amy's scent.

"Penny for your thoughts?" she asked. "Make that a dollar." I answered as I turned to her. She laughed quietly. "So much on your mind?" she questioned as she leaned against the rail. "Yeah…" I trailed off, again staring off into space. "Wanna talk about it?" she asked. "You sure have lots of questions, Ames." I chuckled. "Just wanna make sure you're alright. You seemed so absent earlier. What happened?" she looked at me, the worry evident in her eyes. I just turned to look the other way, hoping that she would forget about it. I really didn't want to make her worry more than she had to. I heard her sigh quietly before she scurried away, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I... I... feel like a monster
I... I... feel like a monster

I... I... feel like a monster

I... I... feel like a monster

-End Flashback-