Part 7: …Thy Name is Ruin

As his fist begins to tremble, the Emeralds begin to circle Shadow faster and tighter. But something is different. A blazing red aura blows through him. The Emeralds themselves tremble in their orbit, breaking away only to be violently pulled back in. He crosses his arms, then opens his eyes as he unfolds them again, and seven dull grey Emeralds are blasted outwards in a shockwave. Though his fur has taken on a golden hue, the crimson aura still radiates intensely around him. The drained Emeralds clatter to the ground as Shadow's feet lift into the air.

Shadow looks up to the blackness above, preparing to soar out from the Comet.

"Oh no you don't!" Sonic's foot falls loudly to the floor.

Super Shadow turns his head sharply in surprise. "What!?"

With slow, jerking movements, Sonic struggles to lift his back leg up, and slam it back down to the floor in front of him. He pants heavily with every movement. But he does move.

Amy shouts with surprise, "He's moving! How is that possible!?"

Tails answers, "The gas might be thinning out. But…I still can't move."

The voice of Black Doom growls, "Grrr… Devour him, my offspring." At his command, the Black Leeches swarm out, around Shadow, all preparing to converge on Sonic. "Shadow…come to me!"

Shockingly, Shadow disobeys, carefully watching every one of Sonic's excruciatingly slow steps.

Sonic growls through gritted teeth, "I told you, Shadow… …I won't let you go like this. I'll… …save you from yourself… …if that's what I have to do." He winces in intense pain as the first Leech latches on to his ankle, feasting on the blood that it starts to drain out from him. But still, he keeps walking, one step at a time.

Super Shadow stares at him, his face betraying no emotion. "It doesn't matter that you can move. It doesn't matter if you have all the willpower in the world. You will die like all the others. There's nothing you can do now."

"Isn't there?" He winces again as another leech latches on. "You may try… …to ignore your past… …to forget… …the people who care about you. …What they tried to teach you. …But me? I… …learn from my past. And here… …is a little trick I picked up… …before you came around."

"What are you talking about?"

Each step seems to be a greater and greater struggle. "Thing is… …when you took the power of the Chaos Emeralds… …you did it through hatred and rage. …You drained… …all of the negative energy."

Tails suddenly shouts, "I get it! Of course!"

Amy seems to understand as well. "We believe in you, Sonic!"

Rouge, stuck lying on the ground, struggles to open her eyes. "Sonic…you're our only hope now…"

Sonic's next step smashes down onto a Leech, flattening it, and sending green goop spewing out. He stands just a few feet off from the imposing figure of Super Shadow. He holds out two open hands. "As long as I keep my heart open… …I can bring out their positive energy." From their places on the ground, each Emerald takes on a brilliant gleam. "And there is no way I can lose." Without ever lifting from their places, the Emeralds flash blindingly bright, making it completely impossible to see. A shockwave bursts out from him, blasting away the Leeches at his feet. When the light fades, Super Sonic floats face to face with Super Shadow. "You will see." The long white bandages wrapped up his arms flutter gently as if by an unseen breeze.

Shadow's scowl slowly transforms into a smirk. "You never cease to surprise me, blue hedgehog."

"What can I say? I die hard."

"You will. You can't beat us both."

"Wanna test that theory?"

"No. I want you to give this up."

"Well, then I guess we're both disappointments." With sudden burst of speed, Sonic shoots up from the ground.

With a growl, Shadow follows close behind.

Sonic's friends all cheer after him.

—–—

The GUN Commander limps over the outside surface of the Black Comet, clutching at an apparent wound in his arm. He wears some sort of translucent gas mask over his mouth and nose, seeming to protect him from the nerve gas. The highest crumbling skyscrapers of the city can still be seen, even from this height. But in front of him, perched on the comet, looms a monstrous figure. Devil Doom has grown massive demonic wings, and a pair of gargoyle-like heads situated on opposite sides between his long, muscular arms.

"I can't rely on anyone else." The Commander slowly draws his pistol as he walks. "I was saving this for Shadow…but his creator will do just as well."

"What's this?" With his closest one-eyed head, Devil Doom glares down at the measly approaching human. "A parasite of this world who wishes to challenge me?"

"You'll never have this world." Without flinching, the Commander points his gun up to the creature's one large eye. "Die, you damn alien!" He pulls down on the trigger, firing off shot after shot.

Devil Doom swings one wing around to protect his eye and laughs as the bullets seem to bounce harmlessly off.

The Commander's gun clicks as he continues to pull the trigger without any ammunition remaining.

"Ha ha ha ha ha. Such bravado, for a little human. It will almost be a shame to kill you. Almost." Not bothering with any special powers, Devil Doom swipes out with one massive hand. There's a sickening crunch as the hand strikes its target. The limp body that remains is sent flying, tumbling away through the air, out beyond the side of the Comet, to fall to the streets below. "Foolish human."

—–—

"Vector…are you in yet!?" Charmy Bee incessantly pulls at Vector's shoulder as he works at the ARK computer console.

Vector, still wearing his black leather jacket, but apparently having removed his usual headphones, puts a hand over Charmy's face and pushes him back. "Quiet, Charmy!" He continues to type with his free hand. "We need to focus! If we don't hurry, all the data we recovered will be lost. It would all be for nothing…"

The two of them are the only ones in the room. There is no Espio to be seen.

While Vector works, he mutters, "This danger-packed detective work is exhausting. Maybe I'm more cut out for TV…"

Charmy finally escapes from Vector's grasp, taking a deep breath in. "That's it, I'll do it! Get out of the way!" He flies straight at the console.

Vector shouts after him, "Get back here, you idiot!" He's much too late to stop Charmy from slamming into the computer with the full force of his shoulder, causing a loud crash.

Suddenly, the diamond-shaped screen above the console lights up with static. They look to each other in surprise, simultaneously echoing, "Hey, it's working!"

They watch on in interest as the static solidifies into an image of the white-coated Professor Gerald Robotnik. Solemnly, he begins to speak. "Shadow, my son…"

—–—

Super Sonic blasts out as a brilliant golden streak through the top of the Black Comet. But Shadow is less than a moment behind him. They collide in the air an instant later, grappling for dominance. They separate for just a moment, only for Shadow to streak back in with another attack. They swirl around each other at untraceable speed, striking at every available instant, producing a blinding flash each time they collide.

Devil Doom growls, "Shadow! What is this!?"

Shadow slams Sonic down onto the surface of the Comet, pinning him there with one hand. "I warned you about this one. He's more dangerous than you know."

Sonic smirks on the ground. "You got that right." The speed of his kick is enough to create a sonic boom as it impacts Shadow square in the chest, sending him flying back, giving Sonic the room to leap back into the air. But instead of heading for Shadow, Sonic turns and flies straight towards Devil Doom. He repeats to himself, "If I can take out the leader, I can end this."

Devil Doom's laugh booms over the city. "I was content to see you destroyed by your so-called friend, hedgehog. But if you wish to witness my true wrath…" He roars, holding his arms out wide. From the ground far below, hundreds of chunks of rubble, and even entire pieces of destroyed skyscrapers, lift up from the city, raised by some psychic power, all circling in a protective bubble around Devil Doom. "Have it your way." One by one, the massive pieces of rubble are sent flying towards Sonic. He elegantly weaves and dives his way around the projectiles, reaching ever closer to his target. He looks back for only a moment. Shadow is close on his tail. By the time he looks forward again, an entire building is hurtling towards him. Too late to dodge, he picks up his speed, and drills straight through the center, blowing the building to pieces, barely slowing him down at all. But Devil Doom is waiting on the other side, blowing out a massive stream of fire that not only stops Sonic, but knocks him back in the direction he came. Shadow is there behind him, striking him in the back, knocking him back down to the surface of the comet.

Sonic quickly gets back to his feet. But Shadow is already there, forcing him back to the ground, holding him there by the throat. With no words left to say, each looks into the other's eyes.

"Shadow, my son…"

Shadow looks up with surprise. "Professor…?"

In the air all around them, holographic screens are projected above the Comet by some unknown alien technology, duplicated over and over, all showing the same footage. "If you're listening to this, then the worst has happened. You need to know the truth…"

Unconsciously, Shadow loosens his grip. But Sonic looks no more interested in escaping than Shadow does in holding him there.

"The government plans to shut down this research facility…to cease all of our research…and imprison all who know about you. I made a terrible mistake, Shadow. It's all my fault…making contact with that comet."

Devil Doom lets out another booming laugh. "The old fool never rests, does he? What does he hope to accomplish?"

"Now listen very carefully… In 50 years, the Black Comet will return…they plan to harness its powers to destroy this planet. The only way to stop them…was to develop a way to use the very power they intended to use, against them…"

—–—

Tails, Amy, Rouge, and Eggman, all still frozen in the Comet, watch as the message continues on similar screens.

"Shadow…it's up to you. Only you can stop them. I developed the Eclipse Cannon…it's the only weapon that can destroy the Black Comet."

Eggman grumbles quietly, "I could've come up with that…"

Rouge questions slowly, "Do you think…Shadow will listen?"

Amy doesn't answer for a moment. But finally, she responds, "He has to."

Tails can't help but comment, "What if he doesn't?"

—–—

"Shadow…you are the only hope to save mankind as we know it. The future of this planet depends on…you!"

Suddenly, the young Maria Robotnik appears on the screen beside her grandfather. "Don't worry, grandfather. Shadow and I will protect this planet. Right, Shadow?"

Sonic looks up to Shadow from the ground. "You see, Shadow? This isn't what they wanted for you. This isn't who you are."

Shadow closes his eyes. A soft smile appears on his face as he lets out a brief chuckle.

Sonic smiles as well.

Shadow's chuckle builds into a laugh. But not a very friendly one. Unable to control himself any longer, Shadow begins to laugh hysterically, completely overcome by his own amusement. "Was this supposed to change something!?"

Sonic gasps.

"Was I supposed to get down on my knees and beg for forgiveness just because a couple of humans who died fifty years ago told me that I'm special? Ah ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Shadow…they're your family…"

"Not anymore! The Black Arms are the only family that I have left! And I won't let them suffer any longer! This planet is ours!"

Devil Doom laughs in agreement. "Good, Shadow. Now…finish him."

Shadow tightens his grip on Sonic's throat, and draws back his other hand in preparation to strike. He glares down at Sonic with malice.

Sonic looks back up to him calmly. The golden glow of his fur seems to fade in and out as he struggles for air. Still, with restrained breath, he invites, "Go ahead, then. Do it, if that's who you really are." Shadow hesitates for a moment longer. "You can't, can you?"

Shadow looks from his free hand to Sonic, and back up again. He closes his eyes. Then he relaxes. "You're right. I can't."

Devil Doom growls, "What treachery is this?"

Sonic manages to smile again. "You see? I–"

Shadow snaps, "Let me finish. You probably think…that I've become the greatest evil you've ever faced…don't you? Well…I'm not. I'm not the bad guy. I'm trying to save an entire race, I'm trying to save my family, don't you see that?"

"At the expense of an entire planet full of people?"

"You don't have to agree with me. You don't have to…'join' me. But if you give me a chance…I know I can show you that I'm doing the right thing."

"Shadow…"

"You told me…that friends don't give up on each other. No matter what. That there's no other way. You tried to save my life, knowing that it meant risking yours. I can't forget that." Shadow lets go, and stands up. "You didn't give up on me. So…I'm not giving up on you now." He offers down a hand.

Super Sonic looks up at the hand in total confusion. Then he closes his eyes. Slowly, his expression turns to a scowl, as he bears his teeth with a growl. "Your idea of 'friendship' brings shame on all hedgehog kind. I'm done with you." In a flash, he strikes Shadow in a ball, knocking him away before jetting off in the opposite direction. Shadow pursues just a moment later.

They both pick up speed, faster and faster, farther and farther away from the Comet. The air ripples around them. "Where do you think you're going, Sonic!?"

Sonic glances over his shoulder as he picks up more and more speed. "Geez, clingy much? Just stay back, Shadow." Something about his voice seems somehow different.

"You think that I need you!? I don't need anyone! You can take your damn friendship straight to hell!" The landscape around them becomes an indiscernible blur as they fly still faster.

"You're going to regret saying that. This'll be over soon enough. I've got the entire Earth on my side."

"No…" Shadow redoubles his effort to catch up as he seems to realize what Sonic is planning. Land gives way to ocean, giving way to land even more quickly.

Devil Doom stood no chance. Before there was ever any sign of his approach from the opposite side of the Earth, the single golden streak of Super Sonic had already blasted straight through the alien overlord, silhouetting the monstrous creature against a blinding light as he rammed into one head and out of the other.

Though Shadow can't be seen, his cry of anguish can be heard with perfect clarity. "NOOOO!"

With a mighty crash, the massive creature falls to the ground.

Sonic settles gently onto the tip of the comet, facing what little remains of Black Doom. "This is the end for you."

The blinded creature moans, "How…is this possible…?"

"Didn't you know? The light always outshines the darkness. And evil losers like you never win." Sonic turns out to overlook the city from the top of the Comet. "Only one thing left to do." He leaps from the top, and soars around to the bottom, the air rippling around him. Once there, he pushes up against it with his hands and shoulders. "Time to bring the boom. Chaos…Control!" He clenches his eyes shut, as the entire Comet is encompassed by his golden light. In a flash, it all disappears, leaving the city silent and empty.

In a similar golden flash, the Black Comet reappears high in Earth orbit, trailing its long tendrils behind it. The small point of light that is Sonic can be seen separating from it, soaring out beyond the curvature of the Earth, and out of sight. With no air resistance to slow him down this time, he quickly orbits the entire planet, and comes back for another pass, faster each time, until he appears as nothing more than than a golden ring that encircles the entire Earth. Then he diverts his course, impacting the Black Comet at nothing short of lightspeed. The great alien world explodes in an instant, sending chunks of rock flying in every direction. Sonic crosses his arms triumphantly in the center of the chaos. "Hmph. Cannon? I like my canon better."

—–—

The skies over Westopolis seem to have grown a little bit brighter.

Shadow, the power of the Emeralds long since gone, kneels down in the streets, clutching in his hands the limp form of Doom's Eye. He doesn't seem able to say or do anything.

"Shadow…"

Shadow looks up with surprise. "Father?"

The weak, faint voice continues to speak directly into his mind. "Shadow…you are…the supreme being…destined to rule the universe… You are…the immortal life form… You are…the ultimate power… The Black Arms…live on…in you…"

"Father? Father, speak to me! Father!" Shadow's head hangs down. A single tear splashes to the ground.

"This is the side you chose, Shadow. These are the consequences."

Shadow tenses up as he realizes that Sonic is standing there behind him.

Sonic, blue again, holds something in his hand, which he seems to have taken from the wreckage of the Comet. The long brown sash that was once worn by Black Doom. Though Shadow doesn't look at him, he holds it out as if for Shadow to see. "Let this be a reminder to you, Shadow." Sonic takes the sash, and begins to wrap it slowly around his own neck. "Every time you look at me…" He firmly ties off his new scarf. "…remember that you chose wrong." With the brown scarf, the blue fur and white bandages that cover the burns on his arms, and the messy, unkempt spikes on his head, his new look is quite complete.

Shadow begins to tremble, though he says nothing. He clenches a fist hard enough to draw fresh blood from the mark on the back of his hand.

"Goodbye, Shadow." Sonic turns to walk away.

"He was the only family I had left…and you took him away from me…"

Sonic stops for just a moment. But he never turns back.

"You'll pay for this, Sonic. I'm not just going to destroy you. I'm going to make you watch as I destroy everything you've ever cared about!" He finally turns on Sonic in a fury. "Then, and only then, will you understand what you've done to me! And when I'm done with you, I'm going to destroy this whole damn planet! You'll pay, Sonic the Hedgehog! Do you hear me!? YOU'LL PAY!" This outburst seems to take out everything that Shadow has left, as he drops down onto his hands.

Sonic never stops, as he walks out of sight.

His friends are waiting for him, not far away. Tails and Amy both cheer, "Sonic!" They run up to greet him.

But Sonic doesn't seem so excited. His expression, which was confident not long ago, has grown blank and empty.

Amy questions with concern, "Sonic…what's wrong?"

Tails reassures, "It's over now. The Black Comet is destroyed! We won, Sonic!"

Sonic closes his eyes. "It doesn't feel that way… I thought he was our friend…"

Rouge speaks up for the first time. "Forget him. He's not worth your trouble."

Sonic thinks on that for a moment. "You're probably right. What will you do now, Rouge?"

"Well…I guess I'm the leader of GUN, now. What's left of it, anyways. That'll keep me busy for a good long time. What about you?"

"I…I don't know. I don't know…what I can do. I don't know…who I can trust. Can I trust anyone…ever again?"

Tails objects, "Of course you can! Look, I have an idea. Let's go somewhere. We'll find some…faraway island. You, and me, and we'll bring Knuckles, help him recover. No one but you and your best friends, people you can trust no matter what else happens. You won't have to think about anyone else."

"That…that sounds nice…"

Amy puts a hand on his shoulder. "I'll come, too…a-as a friend."

Sonic smiles. "I'd like that."

Eggman peeks out from his hiding place in a nearby alleyway. "So, Team Sonic is going on a little island vacation, eh? Sounds like fun…for me, that is." He chuckles deviously as he rubs his hands together in front of his torn jacket.

—–—

Shadow still kneels down, alone in the streets. But now, he holds something in his hand. The star-shaped charm that Black Doom gave to him. He clenches his hand tightly around it. "Goodbye forever…father."

In his mind mind, his own thoughts continue, "We'll fight again, Sonic. On my terms."