Chapter 37: Sonic's Final Decision

Sonic was sobbing. The ghost looked at Gandalf. "Why did this happen?"

"He was overcome with emotion at the order Melkor had given him to get rid of you," he said. "Melkor had planned on it."

Sonic nodded. "He didn't want to send me back to the Void; I could see it in his eyes."

"And now he is the most evil Dark Lord Middle-Earth has ever had," Gandalf told him. "Middle-Earth is no longer safe. The end has begun." The wizard doubted there was much that could be done, but they couldn't stand by and let it happen.

Sonic nodded. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Gandalf thought about it before nodding. "You could stay as a ghost," he said. "I've got a spell that could keep you here."

Sonic smiled. "Yeah, that would be awesome! Will anyone see me, or will I be invisible? What about Shadic?"

"Some might be able to see you. As for Shadic, you could at least watch over him."

The ghost sighed in relief. "Do it, then. Cast the spell."

Gandalf pulled the energy required for the spell and cast it at Sonic, who felt the spell hit him, and felt himself being tied to the mortal world.

"How do you feel?" Gandalf asked.

"Excellent," Sonic said. "It's a pity I can't truly come back to life, though. I still have my shapeshifting powers even as a ghost, right?"

Gandalf nodded. "We need to keep a watch on things in Middle-Earth," the wizard said. "When Shadow makes his move, we need to be ready."

"Then that is what we shall do."

"Shadic may be able to help us as well. We just need to make sure he doesn't follow his father."

Sonic nodded. "We can't have him finding out that Shadow is the Dark Lord," he said. "It would upset him greatly."

"I shall inform Elrond of this turn of events." Gandalf smiled at Sonic. "I won't say what exactly has happened to Shadow, in case Shadic overhears us."

Sonic nodded. "I'll come with you."

The two returned to Rivendell, where Elrond was waiting for them. When he saw only Gandalf, he frowned.

"What has happened?" he asked. Shadic looked around for his parents as the adults spoke.

Gandalf sighed and told him. "Sonic and Shadow have both died. Melkor is dead, but a new Dark Lord has risen in his place."

Elrond's eyes widened. "That...that is grave news," he said.

Shadic heard this and began to cry. Sonic sighed and materialized in front of him and Elrond so they could see him. Shadic continued crying, reaching up into the air for someone to pick him up. Sonic smiled and floated up to him. Shadic saw Sonic and held out his arms, wanting to be held. Elrond saw Sonic also and sighed, then looked at Gandalf.

"I assume there's a reason he's still here and not Shadow?"

Gandalf nodded and led Elrond into another room, closing the door so that Shadic couldn't hear them. "Shadow has become the next Dark Lord," he said. "Sonic wishes to help matters."

Elrond's eyes widened. "How...how did he become a new Dark Lord? What happened, and how did Sonic die?"

"After we found the last of the Silmarils, Shadow accidentally used the Black Breath on Sonic. It was more powerful than I had thought, and even Kingsfoil did not cure him. I had gone on alone, as Shadow wished to be with Sonic in his final hours." Gandalf paused then and sighed. "After Sonic's death, Shadow became Melkor's servant in return for the powers of necromancy; Melkor had promised to bring Sonic back. In the battle afterward, he killed Melkor in a fit of anger because Melkor had ordered him to take care of Sonic, and all the Dark Lord's powers were transferred to him. Now, Sonic wishes to help us, and Shadic must never find out what has transpired."

Elrond nodded. "We must do everything we can to make sure Shadow does not take over Middle-Earth."

The wizard sighed. "We will need everything we can muster," he said. "Shadow is the most powerful Dark Lord Middle-Earth has ever had."

Elrond closed his eyes, concentrating. He nodded. "All the races of Middle-Earth will have to be together on this," he said. "It won't be easy."

Gandalf nodded, and they walked back outside. Sonic was playing with Shadic, who was laughing. Gandalf cleared his throat, and the ghost looked at him and Elrond.

"We should get started on the details," Gandalf said.

Sonic nodded. "Go ahead."

"What do you want to do?" Gandalf asked. "Are you going to stay here with Shadic?"

"Yes," Sonic said. "I'll take him back to our house in Rohan and watch over him. What about you and Elrond?"

"We're going to get to work preparing the people of Middle-Earth. We don't know when," Elrond paused, "the Dark Lord will begin his attacks."

Sonic nodded and looked at Shadic. "I'll see you soon, then." He closed his eyes, fturned solid, transformed into a giant eagle and allowed his son to get on, then flew off towards Rohan. Gandalf and Elrond looked at each other.

"Will he be able to do this on his own? He is dead, after all." Gandalf asked.

Elrond nodded. "I am sure he can. You could visit them once in a while."

Gandalf gave the elf a smile. He'd do just that when he thought it was necessary. The two nodded and watched the ghost eagle fly off in the distance. When the time came when Shadow reappeared, they would know, and all of Middle-Earth would be ready.