Sonic: To Know A Hero

Chapter 4

Enemies Unleashed

"Shadow, what are you doing here?" Sonic stood across from Shadow, wondering if it was really him, or another trick of Evil Sonics. As Shadow began to laugh, it became clear that this was another trick. Sonic would have to fight Shadow.

"Now its time to PROVE that I'm the Ultimate Lifeform!" Shadow lifted into the air just a few inches and began to skate over, Sonic matching his speed, and just as they were about to collide, Shadow unleashed his ultimate strategy power. "Chaos Control!" He disappeared in an instant, and before Sonic even knew he was gone, Shadow landed a kick to the back of his head and sent Sonic tumbling away. As Sonic turned around, glaring at Shadow, ignoring the pain, he simply gave him his favorite mock to Shadow.

"Not bad, But you'll have to do better, FAKER!" Sonic began to spin in place, and Shadow began to charge chaos energy. Within a few seconds, Sonic took off and spun toward Shadow at the speed of sound, but was countered by a Chaos Lance and thrown into the air. Sonic looked down at where Shadow was to see that he was gone, and as a shadow was cast over his face, he looked up to see Shadow hovering over him, then only a flash of red as he was shot by another Chaos Lance and pounded into the ground. As Shadow chuckled softly to himself and stared down into the smoking crater, the next thing he saw was a spinning cannonball launch out of the smoke and tackle him head-on. Sonic drove Shadow into the air and ended the spin with and axe-kick into Shadows chest, sending Shadow plummeting back to solid ground. As Sonic landed, the abyss slowly transformed into the Space Colony Ark, the same place where they had their first true battle.

On the outside, Evil Sonic was also face to face with Shadow. Shadow himself had sensed the corrupted chaos and ran over at top speed. "So, you're supposed to be Sonic? Don't make me laugh. You're another faker! I know Sonics energy, and you're nothing like him." Shadow was right. Evil Sonics energy was much darker, more sinister, and more controlled. This would be a battle of two chaos experts.

"Very resourceful Shadow. I must say, you're right that my energy is different, but I'm still Sonic!" As Evil Sonic rose into the air, his new collective of three corrupted Chaos Emeralds surrounding him, a dark aura surrounded him and violently grew. Shadow smirked and took off two rings, hoping to match his power

"This is gonna be fun…" Shadows own aura turned bright gold, shining like the sun, radiating across the field, just outside the Mystic Ruins. Shadow charged at Evil Sonic only to get knocked back by a shot of dark energy, equal to his own Chaos Lance. Shadow quickly jumped back to his feet, then dashed back at him, firing Chaos Lances to counter each of Evil Sonics dark blasts. As he got closer, Evil Sonic began to fire more rapidly, then just as Shadow was in his face, Evil Sonic simply pimp-slapped him away and unleashed a miniature Chaos Blast. Shadow was left laying on the ground, his rings warped back into place, burnt by the blast and humiliated by his defeat. "You'll pay for this…. I'll shut you down myself, and get the REAL Sonic back!"

"HA! Don't make me laugh Shadow.. The Sonic YOU know is NEVER coming back!" Evil Sonic began to charge a Chaos Rift, preparing to launch him into space. "Have fun dying!" Shadow stared in horror, and in a last stitch effort, escaped with Chaos Control just before being hit. "Damn… that fool wont get away next time!" Evil Sonic raced further into the Mystic Ruins, intent on finding the last of the corrupted Chaos Emeralds.

Deep within Sonics mind, good Sonic and Shadow continued to struggle against each other, the battlefield of the Space Colony Ark falling apart around them. Sonic charged Shadow at the speed of sound and crashed head first into him, sending Shadow flipping backward, but disappearing in an instant. Sonic sidestepped Shadow as he came crashing down on top of him, then gave Shadow a quick sweep-kick, then spun around a second time to kick him in the head. As Shadow skid across the ground, then stood up and held his head, Sonic dashed up toward him and was right in his face as Shadow opened his eyes. Before Shadow could react, Sonic landed a double upperdraft kick into Shadows chest, sending Shadow flying into the skies, and as Shadow opened his eyes and looked down, Sonic was gone. A shadow was cast across his face and he looked up to see Sonic spinning down on him from above, and as he made impact, a Sonic Boom rang out into the abyss. The Space Colony Ark and Shadow both slowly faded into the darkness as the abyss returned to emptiness. Sonic found solid ground and stood still for just a moment before flinching and falling to his knees.

"Sonic, are you ok?" Chip flew over and tried to comfort Sonic, noticing that even though it was all illusions, Sonic was still badly hurt after the last two fights. Metal Sonic and Shadow were only the beginning though. Greater opponents were to come.

"I'm ok Chip… I just need a break…" but Evil Sonic didn't think he disserved a break. Evil Sonics mind was set on only one thing. To make everyone in the world, especially Sonic, pay for his imprisonment. His evil laughter filled the halls of Sonics mind as another being began to emerge from the darkness.

"Here's something a little more familiar for you to fight! I hope you haven't forgotten the Werehog!" As Sonic stared into the abyss, a copy of himself emerged from the shadows, but the eyes turned violet, glowing with Dark Gaias power.

"Oh no…" Sonic stared in horror as he watched himself transform, fur growing into shaggy hair, slowly turning darker with silver gray tips. His gloves tore off as his hands grew, fingernails becoming claws, skin turning blue-gray. His copies arms grew into masses off muscle, and his teeth quickly grew into fangs. The Werehog had been unleashed. As the beast roared and the sound of evil filled the abyss, Sonic slowly stood back up, not wiling to back down, no matter what happens. He'd rather go out fighting than let this beast take him down easy. Sonic quickly thought to himself, pondering his own weakness. ~If I don't get this over with fast, I wont be able to last much longer!~