Strong as he was Dark Oak was absolutely no match for Shadow. With six chaos emeralds backing him up, the dark hedgehog had far more strength. Ripping parts of his armour off, Shadow left him completely unable to defend himself but still the general would not hand over the emerald.

To end this futile argument, Shadow tore off both Dark Oak's hands and took the Emerald from him.

"Finally…" He declared holding it aloft with the other six floating around him. "I have all the Chaos Emeralds."

"Not yet you don't!" A voice declared. Shadow glanced up, just in time to see Sonic and Miles emerge out of a Chaos Control warp. Sonic swung his leg around knocking the emeralds out of orbit around Shadow. They flew a short distance before rolling to a stop at the waters edge.

"Give those back!" Shadow snarled. Sonic darted in his way and wagged a finger at him.

"I don't think so." He remarked. Shadow scowled and hand up a hand, the beginnings of a Chaos Spear attack burning between his fingers.

"Get out of my way." He barked. "I'm so close to me goal I wont let anybody stand in my way now!"

"Maria huh?" The blue hedgehog asked and Shadow faltered slightly.

"What?" Miles asked.

"Isn't it obvious buddy?" Sonic asked with a raised eyebrow. "Black Doom promised to revive Maria for him. That's how he recruited our dark friend here." Miles stood there with a stunned expression for a moment before his look turned hostile.

"Shadow, I never believed you of all people could be so incredibly stupid!" He shouted.

"I don't have to justify myself to any of you!" Shadow snarled. "They took Maria's life when she was only a child. Now I'm giving her life again!" He took a hostile step forward. "Now step aside or I'll kill you all!"

"In that case…" Sonic simply walked calmly up to Shadow, removing the glove on his left hand and stood there in front of him for brief silent moment. Shadow stared him down angrily.

Then without warning he slapped the dark hedgehog across the cheek with his glove. Shadow didn't even flinch; he simply stood there with his look changing to mild surprise.

"You're challenging me to a duel?" Shadow asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You and me!" Sonic told him with a large smirk. "No Chaos Emeralds. No Rings. No power ups." The dark hedgehog put his face into a scowl. "Whoever wins get those Emeralds.

People have always been trying to guess which of us is the better fighter; which of us is stronger.

And let's face it we've been wondering ourselves. It's time to put that argument to rest, right here, right now."

Shadow's eyes darted from Sonic to the Emeralds and back again. With Maria so close to being revived and Black Doom demanding those Emeralds he was hard pressed for time, but even so the thought of a one on one fight with his greatest rival to prove forever which of them was better as far too tempting. How could anyone in their right mind pass such an offer up?

"What? You chicken?" Sonic asked with a large goofy grin.

"Chicken? I'll show you chicken!" Shadow snapped. "Ok, you want a fight. I'll give you one hell of a fight!"

The blue hedgehog's grin widened and he somersaulted backwards to a safe distance. There he adopted a fighting stance, muscles tensed and ready.

Despite the injuries Dark Oak started to rise by Miles signalled him to stay down.

"This is something we should not interfere in. This is their battle."

The two hedgehogs faced each other once again on the battlefield. Shadow stared Sonic down before he set his face into a smile of his own. Tensing his muscles he brought his arms defensively forward, spreading his legs in his own adopting fighting stance.

There was a long drawn out period of silence, the only faint sound the high wind in the air.

"Bring it!" Sonic remarked, launching forward with a fist drawn back. The two hedgehogs met in mid air and the power exchange sent them both flying backwards, spiralling out of controlling. Regaining control in mid air they vaulted back over the ground striking at each other with a prolonged series of kicks.

They were moving so fast the two of them were leaving after afterimages in their wake, flashes of red and blue highlighting the power struggle.

Sonic scored a hit across Shadow's chin, forcing the dark hedgehog back and using this opening the blue hedgehog powered on through battering his opponent with a long series of punches to the gut. Shadow was knocked left and right before Sonic brought his leg back and hammered home the hardest kick he could manage.

As all his strength was in his legs Sonic's attack was so strong that it sent Shadow flying back to slam into the ground sending clouds of dust rocketing up into the sky.

The dark hedgehog did not waste any time in recovering, rebounding off the ground to summersault high into the air.

"Chaos Spear!" He declared, throwing his arm forward and unleashing the burning energy attack. Cupping his hands beside him Sonic gathered his own energy and fired his own technique.

"Sonic Wind!" The two forces of elemental power clashed in mid air, the shockwave the clash unleashed sent both hedgehogs flying backwards until they hit the dirt.

Sonic was the first up, vaulting to his feet and sprinting forward. Shadow caught his punch in one hand before hammering the other straight into the blue hedgehog's face knocking him back.

Now it was Shadow's turn to go on the offensive, smacking punch after punch against his opponent's body before smashing a head butt in. Stunned Sonic staggered back a few steps giving Shadow the time he needed to gather the energy he required. The dark hedgehog's outline glowed bright red, his eyes turning crimson as bolts of scarlet lightning burned around him.

"CHAOS…" He started. Sonic regained his wits just in time to see the energy reach its peek and ready to be unleashed. "BLAST!" Turning loose his strongest attack, Shadow hammered a fist into the ground sending out a powerful energy wave.

"Chaos Control!" Sonic shouted as quickly as he could and the single instant the energy discharge reached him he disappeared into a green flash; emerging out of the warp right above Shadow.

Curving his body into a ball he started spinning in mid air before slamming down, his spin attack striking Shadow directly on the top of his head. Unable to defend the dark hedgehog was hammered into the ground; slammed hard and pinned there. Sonic kept pouring on the speed, driving Shadow further and further down.

"Oh no, you're not getting me that easily!" The dark hedgehog snapped, slamming his own fist into the ground as hard as he could, propelling both himself and Sonic up into the air. Catching the spinning hedgehog with the other hand, Shadow tossed him like a base ball into the air. Unable to control his direction he slammed into a standing rock nearby breaking it apart.

Skating after him at high speed, Shadow darted in close as Sonic rebounded and before the blue hedgehog could react he smashed the strongest punch he could manage directly into his stomach. Sonic was thrown back clear out over the edge of the water.

Shadow knew full well that Sonic could not swim. Once in the water the dark hedgehog would have the advantage.

Before he hit the surface Sonic flipped up in mid air and spinning his entire body around he created a cyclone of moving air around himself; the water being drawn up before he used it as a spring board to send himself flying at break neck speed towards Shadow.

"How the…" Shadow managed to get out before the flying kick caught him completely by surprise. The blow knocked him off his feet and he crashed onto the ground sinking into it slightly. Sonic kept on the offensive; slamming several lightning fast punches into the dark hedgehog's stomach before bring his foot around for a kick.

Despite the beating Shadow blocked the attempt with the side of an arm. Hoping to catch him again Sonic brought his fists down and Shadow caught these as well, the two of them engaging in a desperate power struggle trying to outdo the other.

The dark hedgehog managed to regain his footing and pushed back, rising up still trying to outdo his opponent.

"Chaos…" He started, powering up for another energy discharge. Sonic cut him off right there by slamming his head into the dark hedgehog's face. Stunned Shadow staggered back and Sonic flew forward with amazing speed.

The technique from the outside looked like Sonic had simply ran past him, but he had been moving so fast that he had landed two kicks and a dozen punches in that short space of time.

Shadow however took them with ease and recovered easily, about facing and racing after the blue hedgehog. The two of them clashed together at high speed, their outlines becoming mere glowing blurs of red and blue.

Neither Miles nor Dark Oak could keep up their movements. They were so fast the naked eye was simply inefficient to observe the fight.

Sonic however managed to reach the upper hand at one point, his fist coming sharply up in an upper cut striking Shadow across the chin. The strong blow sending him reeling across the ground before he finally rolled to a stop.

Sonic dropped down and took the opportunity to catch his breath.

Shadow hoisted himself back up, dirt clinging to his quills with bits of small rock dropping from him.

"Good as ever." The blue hedgehog remarked. "Great. I don't want to win this without a challenge." Shadow pushed his way back to his feet, shaking the dirt from his body.

"You won't be winning at all." He said coldly. He raised his arms and unbuckled the golden ring attached to his left wrist with a loud metallic clinking. It fell away and clattered to the ground. It was quickly followed by the ring on the right wrist. Sonic blinked in confusion.

With his wrists freed of these restraints the dark hedgehog flexed his muscles with suddenly with a sudden surge they pumped up, becoming more chiselled and defined.

More than that however, Sonic got the sudden and undeniable impression of increased strength and energy.

With speed that surprised Sonic, Shadow flew forward so quickly it was like he was teleporting. His fist slammed into the blue hedgehog's stomach like a war hammer, the blow's shockwave allow sending Sonic rocketed backwards to crash into the water; sending a giant spray into the air.

Scrapping his fingers through the dirt to prevent himself going out too far, Sonic pushed himself up in the shallows. This stomach felt numb and the rest of his body didn't feel particular rosy either. Before he could take a moment to rest, Shadow came after him again. Unable to defend Sonic was hit by a crippling blow across the shoulders before Shadow brought his leg around in a kick that knocked the blue hedgehog back onto the land; tearing it up as he went along before hitting his head on a large rock.

"Owie, owie, owie, owie!" Sonic declared, sitting up holding his head which now had a raised red lump on the top.

Shadow came charging at him once more, slamming a fist forward.

But this time Sonic was not playing around. Not only did he catch the attack, he pushed it back matching Shadow's own strength.

"How…" Shadow asked as Sonic stood back up; their power struggle now exceeding all expectations; not only were they fighting in physical strength but their energies, the dormant chaos energy had had absorbed over the years was aroused and thrown together in a desperate struggle for supremacy.

The two of them clashed one final time before breaking apart, each of them breathing heavily and sweating intensely.

"Sonic." Miles started, glancing off to the side. The blue hedgehog followed his gaze and let out a short gawking sound in alarm. Sam Speed's Conejo car was moving across the terrain towards them, no doubt filled with the reinforcements they asked for but they did not realize that crouched on the top of their transport was the white hedgehog.

"You!" Silver snarled, seeing the blue hedgehog. Throwing his hands down Silver rocketed up flying forward using his telekinesis, knocking the car back and out of the way.

"What in tar-nation?!!!" Sam Speed declared desperately trying to keep control of the wheel.

Sonic adopted a worried expression as the white hedgehog landed nearby, murder written into each muscle on his face.

"Ah crap."

Sensing the unfolding events, Black Doom's third eye opened up.

"The three are in one space and time." He declared. "Past, present and future. This is the moment of restoration."

An event would take place at this point; that was preordained. What that event was something of a mystery.

The preparations for the ritual were not yet complete however.

The emeralds would react before they were supposed to. While a good portion of the ritual rested on the preordained, an equally important part rested with careful planning.

Black Doom did not like wild cards.

"Forget him Shadow!" He declared, sending his message directly into Shadow's mind. "Get the Chaos Emerald and get back here. Maria is almost ready to emerge."

Hearing those words, Shadow straightened up.

This battle had gone on long enough. Time was wasting. If Maria was about to be reborn then he wanted to be there.

"Look pal, this is really not the best time." Sonic started as Silver moved threatening towards him, the marks on his hands glowing. "Look I'll fight you if you want but can we like reschedule or something?"

"Reschedule?" Silver repeated baring his teeth. "This is the fate of everything we're talking about! That can not be rescheduled!!!"

While Sonic was distracted the dark hedgehog made a break for the emeralds, reaching out ready to transport himself away as soon as he had them.

Before he could reach them, Dark Oak slid into his way. His hands were gone, his armour was still falling away and his glass eye was cracked by he stood there like an impassable wall.

"If you want these Emeralds…" The former general began adopting a fighting stance despite the lack of hands. "Then you're going to have to go through me to get them!"

Shadow snarled angrily.

"Easily done!"

He leapt at the General with a flying kick and in his weakened state Dark Oak was incapable of defending himself from it.

He was knocked backwards to crash onto the ground in amidst the emeralds with a loud thud.

Hurling his projectiles like baseballs, Silver tried to crush Sonic underneath them. The blue hedgehog gulped before darting out of the way.

"Silver that's enough!" Amy shouted pulling herself out of Sam's car with Blaze close behind her. "Stop it. Leave him alone!"

The white hedgehog did not listen, he continued trying to crush Sonic underneath the large lumps of stone he ripped out of the ground.

"Sonic! The Emeralds!" Miles called out. Sonic glanced back over his shoulder even as Silver was telekinetically ripping a piece of iron ore from out of the ground; wielding it above his head like a sword.

"Ah, you bastard!" The blue hedgehog declared about facing and running at Shadow.

"Get back here!" Silver declared, telekinetically flying after him with his boulder sized weapons at the ready.

Shadow glanced back and yet as all three hedgehogs met in the centre of the Chaos Emeralds, something happened.

"No! Not now!" Black Doom cried out but his protests did little to stop it.

All seven Chaos Emeralds started glowing, activating one after the other. Then in a single flash of blinding light their collective power was unleashed all at once.

Unable to see, Silver dropped his boulders and had to cover his eyes at the intensity.

Having to shield their eyes Shadow and Silver could not see as Dark Oak, the centre of the emeralds; was bathed in the light.

Sonic, gazing through the gaps in his fingers watched as the former general hovered there, arms out spread as if accepting the embrace of someone close.

"Oh it's so beautiful." Dark Oak whispered. "It doesn't hurt anymore…" Sonic lowered his arms and watched in stunned awe as parts of the general's armour started to crack. His feet started breaking off, followed by the horns on his head and the shoulder pads. Crossing his arms in front of himself and bringing his knees up; cracks running all over his metal exterior. "I'm coming home…"

"It's… its actually happening." Miles gasped.

"Happening? What's happening?" Sonic demanded looking back. Miles didn't reply; the young fox simply stood there with a wide grin on his face.

Bathed in the light of the emeralds Dark Oak appeared like a newborn child. Just as his armour neared the breaking point; the glow intensified one final time as Dark Oak spread his arms and legs out, his metallic façade breaking open.

The entire armour shattered at once, parts of it flying off and turning to ash in mid air.

Sonic had seen this happen once before when Dark Oak had been working for Krish, his armour broke open to reveal the hideous mass inside. A deformed creature warped by years of imprisonment within Nexus.

This time the form was considerably different.

Two large golden angelic wings spread out either side, each feather gleaming brightly in the light. The body was humanoid with silky, faint purple skin and cloven hands; two large fingers and a thumb. The ears were pointed and the hair behind them was snow white and long, reaching down past the waist.

A pair of dark oval shaped eyes opened, showing that they were dark blue almost a black with a star like gleam to them.

His face was almost completely circular with wide eyes and no nose. Having seen enough Seedians at that Tribunal meeting, Sonic knew instantly that one of their kind was standing before him.

"Dark Oak is from Maginaryworld?" he asked.

"That's not my name." The angelic being stated. "I remember now." He spread his arms and wings out wide as if to accept the light. "My name… I know my name." Tears flooded into his eyes and coursed down each the side of his face. "My family… I remember them… oh how could I have forgotten so much?"

"Well?" Miles asked. "Who are you?"

The angel like being straightened his back before turning to face Shadow, tears still rolling down his cheeks but a sudden fixed determination added to them.

"My name… my name is Iapetus! I am the Titan of Light!!!"

His wings flew up high above his head, spreading out wide trailing a few golden feathers.

"Black Doom! I know you're watching. I'm free now! I remember it all! I am me again!"

In a wild whirl he turned on Shadow and extended a hand forward his three fingers arched wide. Shadow didn't have enough time to react.

Iapetus, the first of the restored Titans, soured at him with an outstretched hand. He grabbed Shadow by the shoulder and pinning him to the ground.

"Get off me!" Shadow snarled. The dark hedgehog lashed out with a series of kicks. Each one made contact but the Titan didn't even budge. His body was so sturdy as like a rock, completely unhurtable.

Iapetus ignored his curses and studied the mark on his arm and the engraved scar around it.

"By all rights I should let this mark damn your soul." He remarked, laying his free hand down upon it. "But I'll give you a chance to save yourself." Shadow suddenly cried out in pain as a deep golden glow passed down the Titan's arm and into the mark itself; its outline highlighted brightly. "I'm not doing this because I like you. I'm doing this in repayment. If you had not brought the Emeralds here I may never had regained what I lost.

This is my thanks." He withdrew his hand revealing that the scar around the mark had healed completely. The mark itself was still there but its outline had grown translucent as if it was fading away.

Timing it just right, Shadow landed the strongest kick he could manage into Iapetus' stomach. This blow did force the Titan off him and as soon as he was loose he went for the Emeralds.

"That doesn't not mean however I am going to permit you to do whatever you want." Iapetus remarked, reaching up high and clenching a tight fist. As Shadow neared the Emeralds, a sheet of rock flew up blocking his path. The dark hedgehog slammed into this at break neck speed, impeding himself up to the ears in it.

Shadow pushed himself out of it, shaking the dirt out of his quills.

"You weren't this strong before." He stated coldly.

"I was once." Iapetus told him. "And now I am once more." Shadow growled and vanished into the midst of a Chaos Control warp. Before Iapetus could stop him he emerged directly in the centre of the Emeralds, engulfing himself and the jewels in a green glow as he attempted to teleport himself and his bounty away.

"You cheating little..!" Sonic said, swearing after that and rushing forward as fast as he could go. Without evening thinking he slammed into Shadow head first at the exact instant the dark hedgehog initiated Chaos Control. The two hedgehogs and the seven emeralds blurred like a mirage before vanished, disappearing completely.