The Forces of Hope

Younger Sonic dragged Knuckles over to a particular spot on the island. "Dig here!"

Knuckles dug down into the island. After a couple of minutes, he came up with a red gemstone. "Is this it?"

"Yeah, that's it!"

"Okay, so how do we use it?" Knuckles asked.

"I… have no idea."

Knuckles gave younger Sonic a flat look. "Real helpful."

Espio ran over. "Guys? You need to see this."

They returned to base to see the TV set to the only available channel, Egg TV.

Eggman appeared on screen. "This is the Egg TV network bringing you breaking news! I am pleased to announce that tomorrow at 3pm, Sonic the Hedgehog will be executed, live!"

Amy whirled on Silver. "You didn't say anything about this!"

"It didn't happen this way! We must have changed something."

"Well, what happened last time?" Espio asked.

"Sonic was executed on the anniversary of the founding of Eggman's Empire."

"When were you going to tell us this?" Knuckles demanded.

"I thought we would have found Sonic by then!"

"Well, unless we find out where Sonic is right now, we can't save him!" Knuckles sounded just as devastated as he did angry as he shook Silver.

Rodger burst into the hideout. "Guys! I know where Sonic is!"

He quickly explained the situation.

"The Death Egg?" Vector asked in dismay. "How are we supposed to get up there?"

"I think that's the point." Charmy said.

"We're gonna need a spaceship." Tails declared.

"We have neither the parts nor the time to build one." Espio pointed out.

"Then I guess we need to borrow one from Eggman." Rouge winked.

"I think I know someone who can help us with that." Rodger said.

The next day…

Shadow tuned his communicator the resistance's frequency. "Okay, me and Eggman have already left the spaceport. I turned off the alarms so that they can't signal him."

"Okay guys, let's do this." Knuckles led younger Sonic, Rodger, Espio, Amy, and Tails into the spaceport. "Tails, you're the pilot here. Which one should we take?"

"The small one! Smaller ship equals smaller target."

"Alright. Ready? Charge!"

The group rushed forwards.

"Intruders! Intruders! It's the resistance, sound the alarm!"

The alarm did not sound.

"Sound the alarm! Sound the-"

The robot was destroyed. Everyone crammed inside the spaceship.

"Three, two, one, lift off!" Tails launched the ship.

Eggman walked into Sonic's cell. "How's my favorite prisoner doing?"

Sonic did not answer. The muzzle prevented it.

"Today is a very special day!" Eggman smiled sadistically. "The time has come at last for you to die!"

Sonic glared weakly, but defiantly.

"Infinite, bring Sonic over to the stage."

Infinite attached a leash to the collar around Sonic's neck and dragged him over to a stage with cameras pointed at it. There was a dunk tank of the sort that might be seen at a carnival in the center of the stage. The sight of it caused Sonic to start shaking.

"And we're live in three, two, one!"

"Welcome to the special Egg TV broadcast that you are required by law to watch! Now, you might have heard few rumors that Sonic is out running free! I assure you, these rumors are false, because Sonic is right here! Say hi to the camera, Sonic!"

The camera zoomed in on a bruised and bloody hedgehog. Heavy bags under his eyes contrasted sharply against his pale muzzle. His fur was dull and matted. Shackles bound his wrists and ankles, preventing him from running. The chains rattled as he continued to stare in wide-eyed terror at the dunk tank.

"Now I've spent hours and hours, trying to find the perfect way to execute him. Should I put him in the electric chair? Should I chop off his head? But then the choice became obvious. Hey Sonic, do you feel like going for a swim?"

A whine rose from Sonic's throat.

"Infinite, will you please take Sonic to his seat?"

Sonic tried to resist the tugging of the leash, but Infinite pulled hard and caused him to fall over. The jackal did not wait for Sonic to get back up and dragged him across the floor to the dunk tank.

"I have to warn you, Sonic, I'm very good at this game. Now do you have any last words?" Eggman asked mockingly. "I guess not."

Sonic was positioned in the seat above the tank. He curled up as best he could with his restraints. Eggman strolled over to a pile tennis balls. He had just picked one up when the camera robot spoke up.

"Lord Eggman, we lost the signal."

"What? Fix it!"

By his place near the wall, Shadow tried to make eye contact with Sonic. Sonic looked at him with betrayal and fear in his eyes.

"It looks like the wires to the camera were cut."

"Cut? How is that possible?"

Then the door flew off its hinges. A snarling red echidna followed, with a band of pissed off mobians behind him. Sonic's eyes lit up.

"Infinite! Do something!" Eggman ordered.

Infinite raised his hands and conjured a wall between the stage and the door. Suddenly, Shadow slammed into Infinite from behind, and bashed the jackal's head against the new wall.

"Shadow! You…!" Eggman was stunned speechless.

Infinite turned to face Shadow. "So, you're still alive? I thought you seemed different from the others."

The wall was smashed apart by Amy's hammer. "I'm coming Sonic!"

Eggman rushed towards the tank and slammed his hand down on the button. "Too late!"

Sonic plunged into the water below.