Chapter 25: Power of Chaos, Power of Nanites

Finitevus struck the ground with his fist. Red spikes erupted from the soil, each one drawing closer and closer to Nicole. The lynx swung her arm into the air, and the super-nanites came together to form a long golden rope. She swung her arm again, and the rope sliced through the anti-nanite spikes. Finitevus growled furiously as his weapons fell to pieces. Some of the anti-nanites had been dealt permanent damage, so they could no longer be used.

"It's over," Nicole said. She wasn't angry in that moment. In fact, she pitied him. "Just get out of here. Go!"

"I'm not going anywhere," Finitevus breathed. "You gave me a choice. I chose to stay and fight. That is what I'm going to do." He grinned. Unlike his other grins, this one was not smug or excited. It was wrathful, insane. "I will not stop fighting until you are DEAD!" he screamed. He flung his arms into the air, then brought them back down. Again and again he did this, and the anti-nanites shot through the air like lightning.

Nicole gasped. She put her arms up. The super-nanites formed themselves into walls, strands of the stuff wound its way through the air like serpents, protecting her. But even that wasn't enough. The anti-nanites were coming too fast. A red and yellow blur was all Nicole could see, every which way she turned. She was beginning to feel dizzy. A few of the anti-nanites grazed her leg, cutting into her skin. Nicole let out a screech of pain. She kicked her good leg in the direction the anti-nanites had come from, and another wall came up. She panted and flipped around, trying to keep an eye on the anti-nanites. A wave of exhaustion washed over her, and her leg was beginning to ache terribly. Another bunch of anti-nanites sliced her leg, then her arm, her ear. Nicole collapsed with a grunt, and all of the super-nanites fell with her.

Finitevus stood a few feet away, breathing heavily. The fight had taken a toll on him as well; he was looking pretty tired. "It's over," he panted.

Nicole lifted her head. She sat up slowly. She wiped mud and blood from her lip and got to her feet. Before she could take even one step, the anti-nanites converged on her. Nicole didn't fight the anti-nanites, though. She let them trap her. Now she was in a sphere made of anti-nanites. Nicole squinted in the darkness. The anti-nanites whooshed all around, creating a slight breeze that ruffled her filthy fur.

"I should have gotten to the Master Emerald when I had the chance," Finitevus's muffled voice echoed through the sphere. "But…no matter. I can absorb the chaos energy you have in those 'super-nanites.' Then, my anti-nanites will be indestructible. After that…you're dead. So is Knuckles and all the rest of you little pests."

"I don't think so," Nicole said.

Finitevus growled. He could hear the smile in her voice. "Give up already. You've lost."

"No, you've lost." Nicole lifted her shaking hand. "You've made the mistake of putting all of the anti-nanites in one place." She clapped her hands together. Hundreds of glowing, golden ropes shot into the air, wrapping themselves around the anti-nanites. They broke apart, giving off a brilliant green glow. Slowly, the anti-nanites began to disappear. Once they had all gone, Nicole dropped to the ground, landing neatly on her feet. She smiled triumphantly.

Finitevus stared at her, mouth hanging open in shock. He dropped to his knees. "No…no," he groaned. "How…? How did you…?"

Knuckles marched towards the albino echidna with Julie-Su at his side. He dug his fist into his palm. "Not so tough now, huh?" he said. He brought his fist down hard on Finitevus's head, knocking him unconscious.

Julie-Su picked up Finitevus and threw him over her shoulder. She grinned at Nicole. "Thanks for the new punching-bag!" she chuckled.

"Yes, thank you," Knuckles said. "We couldn't have beaten him without you."

Nicole simply gave a nod. As she watched the two of them leave, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Sally standing next to her.

"You did it, Nicole," Sally said. "You saved everyone."

Nicole shook her head. "No. It was the nanites that saved everyone. I just moved them around a bit."

Sonic snorted. "Come on! Give yourself more credit! You beat him, and you looked super cool doin' it!" He gave a thumbs-up.

Shadow nodded. "Yes, good work."

Nicole looked at all of them, her gaze resting on Espio the longest. The chameleon smiled at her.

"Hey, now we should have a party or something!" Sonic said cheerfully. "A victory party!"

Sally rolled her eyes. "A party? We're all exhausted, Sonic."

"I should be heading back now," Shadow spoke up. "Commander Tower must be wondering where I am." He started to walk away. "Sayonara."

"Sheesh, what a party-pooper," Sonic mumbled.

"Hey! Wait a minute!" Sally ran up to him.

Shadow stopped walking. He stared at her inquisitively.

Sally smiled and held out her hand. "Thanks for all the help, Shadow."

Shadow smiled. "You're welcome." He shook her hand. "Well…uhh…guess I'll see you around."

"Come visit New Mobotropolis some time," Sally urged.

"Hmm…I don't know." Shadow glanced around nervously. "I don't really like crowded places…"

"Well, it doesn't have to be a crowded place."

Shadow blushed. "Wh…what now?"

"It could just be us and a couple of our close friends."

"Oh, right. That's what I…thought you meant." Shadow shuffled his feet in discomfort. "So long for now." He turned on his heel and skated away.

Sonic walked up to Sally, wrinkling up his nose. "What was that all about?"

Sally blinked. "What?"

"You guys sure are super friendly with each other."

"Huh. Yeah, guess we are." Sally shrugged. "He's actually quite nice once you get to know him. We're friends now."

"Just friends?" Sonic asked.

"Oh my gosh!" Sally chuckled and pushed him playfully. "Are you jealous?"

Sonic shook his head fast. "Nuh-uh! Not at all!"

"Yeah, whatever you say." Sally started to walk back into the city. Sonic followed her, looking anxious. "Let's go to Chuck's Chili Dog Diner. I'm starving."

"So…you're really just friends?"

"Yes! Jeez! Anyway, so what if we weren't? It's my choice who I want to date."

"Yeah, but…Shadow?" Sonic cringed. "Blech!"

"I didn't say I liked him!"

"You implied it!"

"No, I didn't!"

Sonic sighed. "Fine, whatever."

It was silent for several moments. Then, Sally said, "Do you think Shadow feels the same way?" She stared wistfully off into space, batting her eyelashes in a ridiculous way.

Sonic crossed his arms and pouted. "That's not funny."

"Oh, lighten up!" Sally laughed.

Espio watched them go. Then he turned back to Nicole and smiled. She was sitting on the ground, relaxing. Espio sat next to her, and watched the sky. The storm clouds were finally moving away.

"The sun's coming out," Nicole said.

"Yes, it is." Espio looked at her. She was pretty badly injured. Scratches covered her arms and legs; part of her ear was ripped a little. "Are you feeling all right?"

Nicole nodded. "I should be able to heal myself…at least…I think…" She frowned. "I've never really been hurt before. Not like this."

Espio took her hand in his. "You won't hurt so much after awhile," he whispered.

Nicole smiled shyly, and stared down at her feet. "I suppose that's true," she mumbled. "Bad feelings don't last forever, only the good ones do." She paused. "Umm…that's what Sally told me, anyway…"

"Well, she's right." Espio leaned in closer to her.

Nicole turned to him, and her nose brushed up against his. Her face lit up. Just as Espio started to turn his head, Nicole got to her feet.

"Come on," she said. "I need to start repairing the city."

Espio snapped back to reality. "Yes, of course." He stood up. "Let's go."

And together, hand in hand, they walked to the center of the city. Despite all of the destruction before them, they smiled. Because they knew that everything would be all right. Because only good feelings filled their hearts.