Chapter 14:
The glow around Purity and Super Sonic continued to dim as the minutes ticked by.
"How are they doing?" Knuckles asked.
"They are progressing through the land of memories," Purity said. "They will be able to reach Sonic soon, but I don't know if it'll be soon enough."
"We just have to have faith," said Tails. "Focus your energy on keeping Sonic in a trance. All we can do is do our best and hope they get there in time."
"Hurry!" Shadow shouted as he and Amy ran to the next door. A huge horde of monsters bearing down on them.
"Are you sure this isn't a trap like the last one?"
"Yes. The energy is different. I know it's the right way!"
"Okay!"
They leaped through the door and landed roughly on the other side.
"There are getting to be way to many monsters for my taste," Amy complained as she rose to her feet.
"Just be glad we got away. I was sure that wolf was going to kill you before I got there."
"I said. I could handle myself and I did, so you can stop worrying about me. Where are we anyway? I don't recognize this memory."
They were in a thick gray fog. What little ground they could see beneath their feet was barren.
"I don't think this is a memory," Shadow said.
"Then what is it?"
"I don't know, but we have to keep going."
Carefully, they made their way through the fog. As they progressed, it seemed that the fog was getting thinner. They could see looming shapes appearing. Amy looked around and saw what looked like a figure lying on the ground.
"I think someone's here. And they looked hurt."
"Amy... DON'T!" Shadow protested, but she was already making his way to the figure. With a curse, he hurried after her.
"Hey! Are you alright?" Amy said, approaching the figure. She slowed down the closer she got, fear suddenly gripping her. Laying face down, covered in blood, was a pink figure in a familiar red dress. "I-it's... me?"
"Amy don't look," Shadow said, trying to pull her away.
"But it's me! I'm dead! What's going on!"
The fog cleared completely and they could clearly see their surroundings. They were in the ruins of Station Square. There were more people lying around, friends and strangers alike, but all dead.
"W-what is this place?" Amy whimpered. "Why would something like this exist in Sonic's mind?"
"I think this is Sonic's fears. His dark emotions and all his nightmares are gathered in this place. We must be getting close to the real Sonic."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because what better for the light than the dark. Not only will the nightmares drive intruders out but seeing all his fears before his eyes is bound to keep Sonic under control."
"Very good Shadow," a sinister voice echoed. "Just what I would expect from the so-called ultimate life form, but your nothing compared to me."
"Show yourself!" Shadow said.
"Very well."
Amy and Shadow could hear someone walking toward them and turned to see a very familiar shape.
"Sonic?" Amy asked astonished.
"Not quite," The dark blue colored hedgehog laughed. "I am known as Dark Sonic, but I prefer to be simply called Dark. I am all of Sonic's darkest emotions. These realm of nightmares is where I thrive."
"Did the emeralds give you shape?" Shadow asked.
"I formed on my own, contained by my better half, but the tables have turned now." Dark Sonic laughed. "I keep him from interfering with the emeralds plans and I get the pleasure of destroying you."
"So well have to beat you to get to Sonic."
"Like that will ever happen, for I am the absolute ruler here. Enjoy your last moments of life! CHOAS SPEAR!"
Shadow jumped out of the way, Pulling Amy with him. They ran through the ruins, Dark laughing behind them.
"Run... Run... I enjoy the chase. You'll never get away from me..."
Shadow and Amy hid behind several piles of rubble, keeping quite as Dark flew past.
"We won't be able to hide for long," Shadow said. "We need to come up with a plan."
"But what can we do? Our ability are being suppressed and he has absolute control here. We can't fight something like him. He has the power of Sonic's dark emotions and fears. I don't know what to do."
"Fear... That's it!"
"What's it?"
"This creature runs on fear. Not only Sonic's but our own. We cannot be afraid of him, that will make him lose his power."
"I hope your right, because here he comes!"
The jumped out of the way as sphere of energy blew up the rubble they had been hiding behind.
"Knock-knock. Care to try running again?"
"Remember not to be afraid," Shadow whispered Amy before turning back to Dark. "CHAOS SPEAR!"
The beam of energy was a lot smaller than normal, but Shadow still fired it anyway. Dark didn't even try dodging and just let it dissipate on his shield.
"You have some backbone after all. It's kind of a shame that you don't have full access to your abilities it make this a more interesting home, but I'll still take pleasure in destroying you."
Dark swooped down at Shadow. Shadow dodged out of the way and countered with a spin attack. It was a direct hit, but it barely phased Dark.
"Is that the best you got? I thought Maria's companion could do better."
Shadow clenched his teeth and tried to punch the smirking hedgehog, but Dark dodged them all easily. Dark trough a punch of his own and knocked Shadow back into a wall, leaving Shadow breathless. Amy came up from behind and kicked Dark. Surprised, Dark was pushed back a few feet before he recovered. Amy continued her assault; Dark tried to dodge, but a few hit still made contact. Angry he backhanded her away, making her land in the street.
"Little Amy Rose. Sonic's self proclaimed girlfriend," Dark taunted as he approached her. "You fear that Sonic will never return your feelings and that you will lose him to someone else. Now you will never know. For Sonic wanders lost and you shall die here, failing your mission."
"You're wrong," Amy said as she stood up. "I won't fail."
"And why's that?"
"Because I will always be there for Sonic. Just like he's always been their for me and everyone else. You have once been a part of him, but you are nothing compared to him."
"Why you little..."
"SHUT UP!" Amy shouted, punching Dark in the face. "NOW SHADOW! FINISH THIS!"
Amy moved away as Shadow slammed into Dark.
"Chaos..." Shadow said, gathering his energy. "BLAST!"
The two were engulfed in a bright light. When the dust cleared, Shadow stood over a severely beaten Dark.
"How can I be beaten? I am the ruler here. You are nothing."
"You are only the dark emotions of Sonic. And he has so much more light then dark in him. As Amy said, you are nothing compared to that."
"NO! I AM RULER! I AM THE STRONGER HALF!"
"You were suppressed by Sonic this whole time. Even now, you cannot leave him."
"NNOOO! THIS CANNOT BE..."
Dark disappeared into black vapor. Shadow turn around and went back to Amy.
"I'm glad that's over," Amy said as another door way appeared. "Come on. Next stop, Sonic."