Nightfall struck fear throughout Station Square. Citizens were still being evacuated by the police force due to widespread congestion on the roads. Panic was in the air as hordes or fleeing citizens scrambled out of their cars and rushed for dear life towards a subway entrance. The president and his cabinet were overseeing the operation in the underground bunker; a secret location situated directly 2 miles beneath the President's place. In addition to this, Eggman has just launched his Egg fleet towards the inner city, the Chaotix are searching for Tails and the others, Rouge and Espio are near Eggman, yet Dark Sonic is still nowhere to be seen…

"If the deal is done, why are we still waiting here?" remarked an impatient Knuckles, as he paced towards the hospital door, aching to venture into the urban night and track down Dark Sonic.

"We should go," Cream added, "I don't feel safe round here."

Amy nodded in agreement with Cream; she had forgiven the young rabbit after the heated argument earlier. Tails took a step back and analysed the situation in his intelligent mind. The hospital was almost directly in the centre of the city - would this be unsafe though? Tails thought long and hard about the nature of Dark Sonic's actions; does he operate by instinct now?

"We have got to get out of here," Tails immediately blurted out. This made Knuckles smile and dust his gloves.

"Alright pal," Knuckles replied, "now it's time to see if that menace can bleed when I smash his head into the ground!"

Shadow approached Knuckles and put his hand on his shoulder. "Let's find out…together."

Knuckles and Shadow were about to walk out of the front door, until Tails hastily called their names. "We need to split up," the fox ordered, "Knuckles and Shadow, you two make sure the citizens evacuate underground, and keep on the lookout for Dark Sonic. Me and the others have something important to tell the President. Oh, and you can use our mechs if you wish!"

Knuckles scoffed. "I don't need a titan,"he boldly claimed, "I'm Knuckles!"

Shadow frowned at him. "You are still injured," the ultimate life-form pointed out, "you need to use the titan. It will help us due to all the gadgets Tails has added, and while I don't want to be stuck in one of those things I'll use the other one. Let's go Knuckles!"

Subsequently, Knuckles and Shadow rushed out of the hospital doors and climbed into the two titans in the parking lot.

Amy despairingly reached an arm out to where Shadow once stood; the excruciating feeling of isolation and self-loathing suddenly overwhelmed the pink hedgehog. She felt as though her and Shadow connected – they were meant to be. Yet, she couldn't help but have a horrible feeling that he would never see her again; she didn't know why, maybe it's because the same instance occurred with Sonic before? She shuddered at the thought of never seeing Shadow again, and tears began pouring out of her bright green eyes. Cheese noticed this and pointed it out to Cream, whilst Tails was trying to communicate with Espio.

Cream approached a weeping Amy Rose and gave her a huge hug, which immediately made Amy feel a lot better. "Why does Shadow have to go without me," she asked rhetorically, "it's just like Sonic all over again."

She then gently pushed herself away from Cream and turned her back to her, with her head in her hands. Cream looked at her best friend becoming emotionally engulfed by the repercussions of her amnesia. "It's not like that," Cream reassured, "Sonic isn't himself right now – you know this. Mister Sonic will become good again, and he'll remember who you are, and-"
"I don't care about Sonic," Amy corrected bluntly, "I care about Shadow. But what if something similar happens to Shadow or if I get amnesia again?"

Cream once again gave Amy a hug, and promised that everything will be alright.

Meanwhile, Tails was attempting in vain to establish a communication with Espio, who was on board the Egg Carrier with Rouge hiding somewhere else. What Tails didn't know, is how the deal finished, that Vector and Charmy are flying the tornado looking for him right now, and that Espio turned off his comm. link!

"It's no use," Tails conceded as he thought it was the right time for him and the girls to seek the President.

Suddenly, as they were about to leave the hospital, the lights immediately went out. Cream jumped back out of sheer surprise, whilst Cheese began to shriek aloud. "What was that?" Tails asked as he nervously looked around the lobby.

"I have no idea," Amy replied, "but whatever caused this can't be a good thing."

The four characters then clustered together as the double doors leading to the rest of the hospital were immediately flung open, to reveal a stampede of petrified patients and staff alike.

"Hey you," one person called out to Tails, "can you help us? Do you know who done this?"

Tails signaled with his hand for everyone to calm down. When the atmosphere was slightly more relaxed, he replied to the man: "I don't know why this power cut has happened, but we should all remain calm. I think it's because the military needs more power than usual, which is why the power grid overloaded."

This did not go down well with the citizens.

"So we're under attack right now?" one of them asked anxiously.

"Probably not," Tails replied, "but more units are deployed right now which might be why the power was so stretched, and short-circuited. Anyway, we need to make sure you're all safe, so can everyone calmly follow me, Amy, Cream & Cheese while we escort you to a checkpoint in the nearby subway tunnel?"

Tails turned his back on everyone and walked towards the glass automatic doors, until a different person, a female voice, called out: "and who are you, young man?"

Tails smiled a little. He turned back round, took a deep breath, and proudly proclaimed: "I am Miles 'Tails' Prower!"

This was met by a slight round of applause as the party eventually protruded outside the city hospital towards the vantage point two streets away.

It was easier said than done…


"It appears that everyone is safe." Knuckles said to Shadow via the mechs' communication devices.

"I don't think so," Shadow disagreed, "just because most people have evacuated doesn't meet Dark Sonic is not around here somewhere."

Knuckles paused. Dark Sonic's lack of presence was definitely peculiar. Surely a phenomenon with such power and rage would be attacking from everywhere by now? This conundrum befuddled Knuckles as both heroes were traveling in Tails' mechs around the city. They were looking for either any stragglers yet to be evacuated, or to encounter Dark Super Sonic himself. After a few minutes of exploration, they encountered a SWAT team on the ground. Shadow immediately burst out of his mech and zoomed towards them. Knuckles, on the other hand, was also about to climb out, but ultimately refrained from doing so, due to the multiple injuries he had inflicted. He trudged over in his mech while Shadow was talking to the SWAT team.

"Why are you here?" Shadow asked impatiently. The SWAT team all jumped in shock as they didn't expect to hear a voice behind them. They each turned around, to set their eyes upon the black hedgehog.

"Hey, it's you!" one man cried.

"You're that guy who battled Dark Sonic earlier, aren't you?" another inquired.

Shadow nodded blissfully. "Yes," he replied, "I am the one who kept Sonic at bay, along with my friend Knuckles…"

Shadow then pointed behind him, revealing Knuckles the Echidna to the SWAT team.

"We could use your help," the commanding SWAT trooper said "we have received intel that some young children and their parents have taken refuge in a nearby school. They are there because they panicked when Dark Sonic first attacked in the afternoon. We need to get them out of there fast, are you in?"

Shadow smiled slightly. "I'm one step ahead of you."

As quick as a flash, the ultimate life form zoomed past the SWATS with a tremendous whoosh of wind, making his way towards the nearby school.

"What a show-off…" Knuckles remarked as his vehicle hindered his speed.

The SWAT team all moved out as well, completely neglecting Knuckles in his sluggish mech. The echidna didn't want to spend an eternity chasing after them, so he took a deep breath and looked around the area he was in. There were no lights at all emanating from any of the buildings on the desolate high street. Knuckles presumed it was because everyone around here evacuated before nightfall, though the emptiness engulfing this once-thriving location seemed rather peculiar...

Meanwhile, Shadow had arrived at the elementary school. The doors were boarded up with various desks and chairs, albeit they would not suffice in obstructing Shadow's entry.

"This is Shadow the Hedgehog," he announced, "I want you all to stand back."

Shadow subsequently rolled into a ball and fiercely spindashed directly into the double doors! A loud bang was quickly followed by a maelstrom of flying furniture shrouded by a dense cloud of dust.

As Shadow pushed himself up off the checkered floor, he witnessed numerous screams, shrieks, and shouts from the women and children gazing in horror at the intruding hedgehog.

"It's Dark Sonic!" one child shrieked in sheer terror.

"We're all gonna die!" another child admitted.

The parents grabbed their children close to them, and backed up down the long, dark, corridor. Shadow folded his arms. This wasn't the first time he was confused with someone else.

"Don't worry, I'm not Dark Sonic." Shadow pleaded.

The parents' backtracking came to an abrupt halt. Surely Dark Sonic would've mercilessly slaughtered them by now, yet they were all still alive with all limbs intact?

One young girl pushed herself away from her mother's grasp, and bravely marched towards Shadow! Her mother worriedly called her back, but the child merely smiled as she gazed deeply into Shadow's eyes. Shadow smiled back: why wasn't this girl afraid of him?

"I know who you are," she claimed triumphantly "you're the good hedgehog, aren't you? I saw you on the news earlier when you battled Dark Sonic with the red guy. You're so brave!"

The girl then ran towards Shadow, all her fear and worries eradicated, as she flung her arms at him and gave the unsuspecting hero a comforting hug. This startled all the parents and children behind her, and even Shadow himself, but she didn't care – she had finally found her hero, her savior, from the sinister wrath of Dark Sonic.

"Who are you?" Shadow asked curiously.

"I am Anna," she replied "and you're my hero!"

Shadow looked bemused. He asked her where they met before, but it turned out they actually didn't meet at all!

"I admire how brave you are," she confessed "and I wished I could finally say thank you to you, and now I have."

Anna's mother then conjured the courage to walk over to Shadow. She hugged her daughter, and stroked her blonde hair. One by one, each parent and child grew less weary of Shadow, and each gave Shadow a high-five, handshake, or hug as a way of thanking him for his valiance in the face of danger.

The SWAT team then moved in. The squad guarded the doors, pointing their weapons into the abandoned streets of Station Square, while the commander talked to the citizens.

"I see you've met our friend Shadow," he began "but you are not out the water yet, I'm afraid. The president ordered a mandatory evacuation order earlier today, and it seems that you have defied orders..."

"It's not like that," one of the parents corrected "we are really scared. We were all picking up our children from school when we saw Dark Sonic kill all of those soldiers at the wall, so we boarded ourselves in and hoped for the best."

"I understand why you've done this," the captain empathized "but the president clearly told you all not to 'act hero and stay on the ground'. What's done is done though, and you must all follow me so that Shadow and my team can take you to a safer place."

Everyone slowly began to walk out of the front doors in a single file manner, apart from one person: Anna's mother…

"C'mon," Shadow ordered "if you stay here you will die."

Anna's mother began to shake and shiver, as tears began to trickle down her cheeks. She curled herself into a ball down by the wall.

"I…I'm scared," she wept "I've spent my entire life in this neighbourhood but now it's all changing so fast."

Anna approached her mother and held her hands.

"It will be okay," she assured "Shadow is here to protect us from Sonic but if we stay here we won't be safe."

Anna's mother was still not convinced: "he will find us wherever we go."

Shadow stepped in. "Listen," he said brashly "you are in a big city; Dark Sonic goes by instinct. He can sense fear in people, and he can sense it more so in such a densely-populated place like this. If you flee from here, there is less chance Sonic will find you. Leave it to me to face Sonic, your daughter needs you."

Anna's mother ceased sobbing. She looked up and saw Shadow's smile, along with his outstretched arm. She grabbed it, and Shadow pulled her up. Anna then hugged them both simultaneously.

"Let's move out, people!" the SWAT commander ordered. Everyone then moved off the school grounds, and into the street.

Knuckles regrouped with everyone in his mech. He reminded Shadow that he'd left his mech down the street, though Shadow didn't care.

"Did you notice all the lights are out?" Knuckles questioned, "Is it because everyone left before nightfall, or is it something more than that?"

Shadow was walking alongside Knuckles' mech at the back of the group. "I've noticed too," Shadow concurred, "but we've just retrieved these people from a school and they would've turned the lights on if they could be turned on. I think that Dr. Eggman is behind this."

Knuckles chuckled at this remark. "Dr. Eggman is our ally now, why would he turn off the power grid if he's our friend?"

Shadow immediately stopped walking and scowled at Knuckles. "Dr. Eggman is NOT to be trusted! He is obsessed about world domination and always has been; why do you think he got me to search for chaos emeralds in the mountains? It's clear that Dark Sonic is a diversion for his own evil plans to commence. But what could they be?"

"Whatever…" Knuckles replied. He thought Shadow was still being paranoid like he always is.

There was an opening to the sewers down the road. Knuckles, Shadow and the SWATS made their way to the opening, whilst Tails and the others were headed for a subway entrance nearby…

"Isn't that one of your creations, mister Tails?"

Cream had spotted one of Tails' mechs, isolated and abandoned, in the middle of the road. Tails flew over to it, and confirmed to the others that Shadow was in here. Amy grew concerned at this news.

"Where is Shadow?" Amy asked worriedly, "Is he okay?"

"I don't know," Tails replied honestly "the on-board camera shows us that Shadow jumped out, but we don't know why."

Cheese pointed out to Cream that the citizens were still with them.

"We've got to keep moving." Cream remarked. Tails overheard her remark to Cheese and nodded to them.

"Cream, Cheese, you two climb in to the mech and bring these citizens to the subway entrance just round that corner. Some patients can't move very fast so be aware of that. Amy, we'll go and look for Shadow. Good luck everyone!"

Cream and Cheese waved goodbye – hopefully not for the last time – to Tails and Amy as they hopped into the mech and lead the citizens towards the evacuation point.

A few minutes later, as Tails and Amy were searching the vicinity for Shadow's whereabouts, they encountered an eerie sensation. There was a gush of wind that only lasted momentarily, followed by a significant drop in temperature. The city streets began to get a little foggy, and huge grey clouds began to block some of the moon's light. Tails remembered flying the tornado only a few days ago; the warm summer's sun, his best friend Sonic, the carefree atmosphere…all of it was but a distant memory to him now…

"Are you feeling what I'm feeling?" Amy asked nervously.

"I sure am," Tails replied "but what does all this mean?"

Amy pondered for a moment. "It's got to be Dark Sonic." she concluded.

Tails gasped as everything became clear to him now. "You're right," he said "this is why Cream was scared earlier in the hospital. There's something about the night that gives Dark Sonic even more power. The cool air, the fog, the moon's light being blocked, it all makes sense! Dark Sonic didn't want to attack in the afternoon because he wasn't at full strength. It's the same reason why he didn't kill us in the meadow before; he's getting stronger and stronger!"

"We've got to find Shadow and Knuckles!" Amy cried.

Tails spun his tails so that he was hovering off the ground, and held Amy close. Together they ascended into the air, scouting the entire area for any sign of their friends. It was gradually becoming colder and colder up here, so Tails landed on a nearby rooftop.

"I knew Shadow wouldn't see me again…" Amy remarked idly. Tails frowned.

"That's nonsense," Tails answered "Shadow is strong and smart; there must be a logical reason why he climbed out of the mech."

"Like what? Like running away from me? What is it about me that makes everyone dislike me? If I could remember what happened before, maybe I'll know…"

Tails sighed. "There's nothing wrong with you," Tails comforted "Sonic was always your friend along with everyone else. We're all here for you, and I promise you I'll find a way to get your memory back!" Amy smiled a little at this.

"You're the best, Tails."

Suddenly, Tails' answer to the weird events arrived. Dotted across the night sky were tens, if not hundreds, of GUN helicopters, all making their way to one location.

"They must've found Dark Sonic!" Amy exclaimed.

"Right," Tails agreed "hold on!"

Tails and Amy followed the helicopters' search lights as their assumptions would soon be answered…


Shadow was now at the front of the group, Knuckles remained at the back, and the SWATS covered the sides – each of them cautiously aiming at every shadow they saw. They were nearly there now; the sewer entrance was in sight. It was about 50ft away, in the corner of the road.

Shadow and the others then felt what Tails and Amy felt only a moment ago; they felt a gust of wind, the chilly air, and the lack of light. However, the gush of wind had a source: Shadow and the others were shocked to see, standing in the middle of their path, Dark Super Sonic! The dark aura surrounding him was even larger than before, striking fear into the citizens. Then, Sonic once again raised his arm and pointed his index finger at Shadow, as though he was marked for death. Shadow merely rolled his eyes. He wasn't afraid of Sonic before, and he certainly wasn't now.

"Everybody wait here," Shadow ordered "I'll distract Sonic and take him away from you."

In a black and red blur, Shadow whooshed down the road to encounter Sonic, while the SWAT team and Knuckles hurriedly escorted the citizens towards the sewer. Dark Sonic had his fists ready to smash Shadow's head like a baseball, but Shadow merely jumped right over him! He was nearing the sound barrier now, and slid to a halt further down the road. He then turned around and smiled patronizingly at Sonic, and mimicked him by pointing his index finger at the evil monster. Dark Sonic was furious as he vented his rage by backhanding a parked car through an entire skyscraper, ultimately creating a vast hole going through it. Shadow saw this and gulped in terror; Sonic really was stronger!

Dark Sonic spun into a ball and hurtled himself down the street towards Shadow. Before Sonic could hit, Shadow jumped up and used his homing attack ability to kick down at Sonic as he passed beneath him. This caused a small crater in the ground, yet Sonic sprung out in an instant, the dust and debris tricking onto the floor. Then it was Sonic's turn to deal some damage, as he kicked and punched Shadow in the chest multiple times, finishing up with a body slam on the top of a white van. Shadow cried out in agony, but managed to get himself up and spin-kick Dark Sonic while his back was turned, sending the demonic beast flying into another building, smashing the glass windows and landing with a thud inside a diner. Shadow wasn't inclined to sit back and waste the opportunity; while Sonic was down, Shadow roared and sprinted into the diner himself, beginning a bloody brawl inside the shop.

The citizens were climbing down into the sewer now. The SWAT commander gave directions as to where to go, and left them on their own. Knuckles said goodbye to Anna, who put her hand on the glass separating her from Knuckles (inside the mech) and waved a tearful farewell to the brave Echidna. Knuckles smiled awkwardly; he wasn't used to being admired so much. He would miss Anna and he hoped she would make it out safely. Anna was the last to climb down, and Knuckles utilised the strength of his mech to shut the gigantic metal cylinder on the entrance. Knuckles then turned to Shadow and Sonic, who were back out on the streets.

Shadow had put up a good fight so far, but Sonic was now getting the better of him. Three consecutive body slams into cars had depleted Shadow's energy, and had even inflicted multiple cuts on the ultimate life form, yet he still wanted to fight. Knuckles caught up with them and blasted whatever firepower his mech had at Sonic. There were homing missiles, flamethrowers, chain-guns, and even an anti-tank rocket. Shadow managed to gambol out of the line of fire, but Sonic merely held up his arm, suspending everything Knuckles had fired in midair! Some of the dark aura surrounding Sonic oozed its way onto the missiles, fire, and bullets, darkening them.

"Oh, crap!" Knuckles remarked as he immediately began to eject himself from the mech. He didn't want to wait around and see what Sonic would do with all that firepower, but one things's for sure: that mech was a sitting duck! Knuckles was standing on top of the mech now, observing the obscure behavior of Dark Super Sonic. Moments later, the street lit up; an array of helicopters were now on the scene, shining their bright searchlights on Sonic and Knuckles.

"Jump!" shouted Shadow from afar, as Knuckles quickly used his dreadlocks to glide into an open window of a shopping mall to his left. Seconds later, all the weapons Knuckles once fired at Sonic were flung at the mech, causing a colossal explosion! It wasn't bright though, instead the mech just burst, emitting a puff of dark smoke as particles of titanium were thrust in all directions.

Knuckles was becoming enraged now.

"You are no match for me!" he snorted as he glided out of the window and ran towards Sonic! Shadow saw the calamity that was about to occur to the wounded echidna, and distracted Sonic by grabbing a traffic light and then swung it at the back of his neck! Sonic was down on the floor once more, but this time he was trapped, for a net was shot out of one of the helicopters. Then, all of the fifty-or-so helicopters began to fire at will towards where Dark Sonic lay, blasting a plethora of lethal experimental weapons at the rogue hedgehog. At the same time, various troopers began parachuting to the ground or rappelled down via rope. Hundreds of advanced troopers were on the scene, which was being broadcast by a news helicopter in the sky. Only a few places still had power, such as the president's bunker, so only those citizens with mobile phones could see what was occurring (like Anna).

Fire missiles, homing missiles, rockets, bullets, and more were fired at Sonic, who had broken out of the net. After minutes of constant bombardment, everyone ceased firing. They were now joined by one of Eggman's small ships. It was a transport, and landed on the ground to deploy about thirty Egg pawns. They all pointed their spears at Sonic as they marched forward, reminiscent of a Roman legion. The GUN, on the other hand, were actually celebrating. Various high-fives and 'u-rahs' were seen from all angles, which was inevitably picked up by the news crew.

"And it appears that our brave boys have defeated Dark Sonic once and for all! This battle that has miraculously occurred within the city walls has ended early on, with us being the worthy victors. Look there! It appears that Shadow and Knuckles, who fought Dark Sonic earlier on, were here as well. We are now showing footage of Dr. Eggman's soldiers moving in to confirm the kill. In case you didn't know, viewers, the President has managed to form an alliance with the dashing doctor, at the expense of the master emerald on Angel Island. But back to the situation at hand, it appears that - wait! What was that?"

The reporter was left speechless as every single one of the Egg pawns were literally turned into scrap metal, as nuts and bolts were cascading in every direction! Amid the turmoil rose the sinister figure of Dark Sonic once again, seemingly unscathed from the shelling prior to this! Shadow regrouped with Knuckles, who was itching to charge at him.

"No, Knuckles, you're not ready." Shadow informed as he was catching his breath.

"C'mon, I want a piece of that monster!"

"No, let Eggman and the humans take care of him, we've done our part for this battle." Shadow turned around, but Knuckles was not going to walk away from this. As Knuckles dusted his gloves ready for a fight, Sonic held his head up. The SWATS on the ground were all trembling with trepidation; they didn't want to die like their comrades earlier. Sonic could sense this sudden lack of confidence from the humans, and as quick as a flash he dashed towards the blockade! He punched, kicked, kneed, strangled, headbutted, and slammed soldier after soldier to a bloody pulp! Shadow couldn't take it any longer.

"Alright Knuckles," he declared "let's catch ourselves a hedgehog!"

Both Knuckles and Shadow shouted at Dark Sonic, grasping his attention. The two heroes worked efficiently as a team; Shadow used his speed to lure Sonic somewhere, then Knuckles would smash him with all his might in the face. Sonic was learning, though, and when Knuckles was about to ambush him for the fourth time, Sonic turned around before he could do so. Dark Sonic then clutched Knuckles' throat with both hands, constraining his supply of oxygen.

"Oh no you don't!" Shadow barked as he went to clothesline Sonic with all his might, but Sonic had anticipated this as well! As Shadow approached, Sonic let go of one hand from Knuckles' neck, and began to choke Shadow as well! Both heroes were in a dire situation: the SWATS were either in smithereens or had fled out of cowardice, the helicopters had retreated to the airfield a few miles away, and Sonic was truly angry right now! What could they possibly do?

"Amy!" Tails shrieked in horror as the coldness had made his fingers numb; Amy had lost her grip and was falling hundreds of feet below! What had Tails done? He suddenly regretted bringing Amy with him, she should've went with Cream underground, now he was responsible for the death of his dear friend...or was he?

Amy could barely see a thing as the immense wind in the air had almost blinded her vision. She felt a weird sensation of vertigo as her speed was increasing. She couldn't feel a thing due to numbness from the cold, though adrenaline had overwhelmed her.

"I'm not going to die!" she yelled as she grabbed her Piko Piko hammer and aimed it below her. Hopefully the hammer would break her fall nicely. As she was nearing the surface, she saw that Sonic had both her friends in a stranglehold.

"You'll pay for hurting my Shadow," she screamed as she adjusted her flight so that the Piko-Piko would land on Dark Sonic's head! Shadow looked up as he heard a whooshing sound, and saw a pink blur falling directly above them. Knuckles noticed too.

"Hey white eyes," Knuckles jeered "look above!"

Sonic glanced up into the sky and was alarmed to see a hazy pink blur hurtling at an immense speed towards him! He immediately let go of Knuckles and Shadow and pointed his fists up above his head. What was going to happen next?

Shadow had an idea. He and Knuckles managed to tickle Sonic's neck. Though Sonic couldn't feel the sensation of being tickled, he could still feel under threat. He spun round to see Knuckles and Shadow beaming broad smiles. A split second later, Sonic was 40ft into the ground, in a tomb the shape of a hammer...Amy had landed with a bang!

Tails then landed a few seconds after.

"What have I done?" Tails asked himself aloud, his head buried in his hands.

"Don't worry," Knuckles comforted "Amy managed to get her hammer out and smash Sonic to the other side of the world it seems!"

Tails didn't like his playful tone. The guilty fox spun his tails once more and searched the hole in the ground for Amy Rose. It turns out that Amy was alive! A great sense of relief swept Tails, who squeezed Amy with what was meant to be a hug.

"I'm just so happy you're alive," Tails confessed as he helped fly Amy back to the surface.

"It's okay," Amy replied "it wasn't your fault what happened in the sky."

Now that the characters were all together, they worked as a team to fill the hole up with various rubble and debris. Now Sonic was cocooned inside a makeshift tomb deep into the ground. They knew it wouldn't contain a being with such power, though they all felt a warm feeling inside as they had foiled Dark Sonic's reign of terror once again. Knuckles and Shadow were both wounded, Amy was a little light-headed from her near-death experience, and Tails was still breathing heavily after his gargantuan feelings of guilt. Despite this, they all felt as though they had accomplished something the world deemed impossible: they had beaten Dark Sonic!

It wasn't all smiles and cheers though...

"Just look at all these bodies," Shadow pointed out as they all took a moment to stare into the graveyard of various limbs of soldiers who once stood here. It was a very weird feeling for each of our heroes at this point; they had accomplished a great victory almost on their own, yet victory clearly paid a heavy price. A terrible thought suddenly crossed Tails' mind: how much worse will the devastation get once Sonic strikes again? He shuddered at this, and hoped no more blood would be spilled in the future.

"You four, get on board!"

One helicopter remained, and it deployed a rope ladder for Tails, Amy, Shadow, and Knuckles to climb up with.

Once they were all seated, they were pleased to meet the GUN commander once more!

"The president wants to see you right away." he explained to the four heroes as the helicopter made its way towards the haven of the president's bunker...