Desperation starts to set in, and our heroes find themselves on shaky ground. Metal Sonic's power seems to grow by the second…can he even be stopped? Sonic seems to think so, but as for how he'll do it…
Dropkick Symphony 054.
Miracle Theory, Act 2: For True Story
hgehog ~ Sonic the Hedgehog ~ Sonic the Hedgehog ~ Sonic the Hedgehog ~ Sonic the Hedgehog ~ Sonic the Hedgehog ~ Sonic the Hedgehog ~ Sonic the Hedgeh
"Only if you say so."
What could that possibly mean?
"I don't know...I don't understand!"
Amy Rose clutched her head in worry and frustration, eyes shaking with fear. That unknown, unwanted feeling clawed at her heart as she watched her hero, her Sonic rush at the jaws of the beast again. It was the Metal Overlord, but somehow different, somehow more menacing than that last time when she had gathered her anger and swirled it up with her courage, as well as her love for Sonic. She wanted to scrap him that time and felt like she could do it, but now...this was a far different story.
"Only if you say so."
"I...what..."
Tears started to roll down her cheeks, hot with anger. At herself, at Metal Sonic, at Sonic, at Spike, at Eggman, at herself, at herself...
Her screams choked themselves in her throat, somehow tasting bitter in her despair.
It hurt.
Everything. Hurt.
One hand moved to the front of her dress, clutching at the spot where her heart was. Where it should have been.
Contracting. Disintegrating.
Sonic twirled himself in the air and dodged another laser burst from his opponent. He hit the ground running and dodged another shot as he slugged the robot in the jaw, its head shifting only slightly as his fist dented the cold metal. He kept his fist planted in the same spot, roaring with determination as he followed straight through and finally shoved the head off to one side.
"Chew on that!"
Unamused, the machine overlord summoned one of his massive robotic hands to crush Sonic, but the blue hedgehog boosted himself forward in midair and out of reach. He slid to a stop, a cocky smirk still on his face despite the odds.
The secret of this little pocket dimension was finally out. While Metal seemed to hold all the cards, Sonic knew that he had some power of his own, no matter how small it was in comparison. Making use of it would be key to surviving and eventually winning this fight. It seemed like just another battle, just another chapter in their history despite the price of failure attached to it. Not just the fate of his world, or his universe, but the fate of all time and space hung in the balance.
Amy Rose was the saviour of all existence.
Problem was, she didn't know it yet.
Metal's power grew from her despair. At the least, if her feelings turned positive then he could draw on them instead, but the best possible solution would be for her to reach her full potential and end the situation herself. It wasn't as simple as telling her to believe in herself, to just go for it. No, there was more than that swirling around in her head. She could feel things that he couldn't possibly comprehend.
A tension and strange kind of terror was swarming her, mind, body and soul. He had felt it himself for a split second and felt himself ready to crack. She was so much stronger than she could possibly know, but he'd make sure she knew when this was all over. The only thing to do now was to fight, to let his world-famous ego fuel his every step for once and not worry about the consequences left over. Leave it on the floor, that was what this was.
No turning back. All manner of cliched lines could be put to use here. Just one came to mind.
"You fight, and you overcome."
Sonic again charged forward, putting his belief in those words. His enemy put up a force field that was promptly smashed through, but not without ill effect. Sonic felt himself literally beginning to melt as he slowed to a stop, his vision slowly dimming.
"You're not getting me, not like this!"
In an instant, he was back to himself, though visibly winded. Drawing on his own power had its costs, and Metal Sonic could handle them far easier than he could. Will was the basis of survival, and sooner or later he might run out...
Sonic pushed energy into the bottoms of his sneakers and attacked from behind, punching the robot in the back of the head at light-speed. Out of nowhere, a floating hand smacked into him and caught him up, crushing him to death.
Temporarily, at least.
He forced himself free, feeling the energy drain from him quickly and leaving him gasping for air. He could cheat death here, yes. But the cost again was so high...
He knew that more than anything else, he needed Amy's help. He needed her to stand up and be strong, and he knew she could do it.
"Amy!"
"S-Sonic..."
"How're you holding up?"
"I...I'm not doing so good."
"That's okay," he called back as he dodged a stream of ice crystals. "Just hang in there, and watch me, okay? I'm gonna show you that I can do this, and that we can do this. We can get ourselves out of here, okay?"
"W-we can't. It's hopeless."
"It's not hopeless, Amy. If Metal Sonic says that you're giving him strength through your misery, then just focus on the positive thoughts inside of you. Even just one will help!"
"I...It's not that easy..."
"I know, but you have to try, Amy. For both of us, okay?"
Sonic had to turn his attention from her as a wave of flame threatened to swallow him up.
"Bah! This is starting to get annoying...!"
He gathered energy in his right hand, a whirling ball of wind forming in his palm and growing with each second.
"Here it goes! Sonic Wind!"
The attack flew towards the flame wall and wiped it out in a torrent of wind pressure. Sonic used the new opening to rush towards Metal Sonic again. Another spiralling ball of wind appeared in his right hand, increasing in intensity as he charged.
"Fool. Do you think your petty attacks can stop me?"
"Maybe not my petty ones, no. But I've got something special for you, buddy."
"You may try, but you will fail, no matter what you do."
Sonic smiled and threw his attack at Metal Sonic, watching as it slammed into an invisible barrier and exploded into ribbons of blue wind.
"You underestimate my arrogance, Metal."
The robot could hear his double behind him, one hand raised in the air with two fingers pointed to the sky.
"This is my world. I am the ruler of all that you can conceive of and more. I am God."
"That makes it simple, then."
Energy surged through Sonic's fingers.
"If you're God, then I'll just have to cut you down."
"You are nothing!"
"Wrong as usual."
Sonic brought his arm down, a flash of light appearing briefly in front of Metal Sonic before disappearing. The machine's frame creaked and groaned as it split cleanly apart in two directions, insides perfectly intact as black liquid floated in the air.
"I am, and always have been better than you, bolt-brain."
"Howwwwww…can you…do this…to meeeeeeeeeeee…"
Sonic landed on the ground, watching as the two halves of Metal Sonic started to fall away from each other.
"As long as I believe in myself…I can do anything. All you are is a nobody, Metal. That's why you'll never win."
"I…youuuuuu…"
"Shadow told me that the Eclipse Cannon could pierce stars. So I decided to do a little better than that. Rather than piercin' 'em…might do well to split 'em in two. That little move was my Star Splitter. Crazy, huh?"
"You won't get away with this…you won't…!"
"I already have," Sonic said as he turned and walked away. "I'll play with you some other time…"
"Sonic…"
He reached the shaking girl, who was resting on her knees. His hands touched her shoulders gently.
"It's over. I beat him, Amy. Believe me…it's done."
She felt her heart lighten a little bit, and she looked up into his eyes. They were reassuring, if only a little bit so. She wanted to believe in him, in his words. She had seen him fight and win, with his own will and strength.
But somehow…something…
"I…Sonic…I don't…"
"Easy. Let's find a way out of here, okay?"
"No, you don't understand," she pleaded. "I can feel…something…I don't know what, but it's something. It doesn't feel right, it hurts."
"Amy?"
"Sonic…I…"
His ears twitched suddenly, and he saw a wall of black light threaten to consume them both. There wasn't anywhere to run anymore, he realized. She screamed, and he held her tightly in his arms, ready to endure whatever came their way.
The darkness slammed into him, and he clenched his teeth as he choked back the screams that he wanted so desperately to let out. But for her sake, he couldn't do it…he had to protect her in every way he possibly could, he had to be her hero and give her something to hold on to…
Did he? Was this something he had to do?
Yes.
Why?
Amy is my friend.
Was that the reason…? Or…
Or what?
Something more was there, wasn't it?
You're right, there is.
The pain drifted away, and he felt his grip loosen on her slowly.
"Are you okay, Amy?"
She could smell the blood and hear the pain in his voice. The heavy sound of his breathing and the feel of his life…slipping away?
"No…Sonic, don't leave me, okay?" She grabbed onto him, wishing and praying that he wouldn't do anything but stay with her, but she could hear the angry and bitter roars from the Metal Overlord. She knew that it was possible…it was possible that he would…
"You…"
"Sonic, I-"
"Are you...okay?"
"I'm fine! Don't worry about me, Sonic! I...are you...?"
"Can't lie to ya...I'm not feeling so hot right now," he said with a weak laugh. "That actually hurt...kinda bad, you know...?"
"It'll be okay..."
"I'm feelin' so tired...like I can't stay awake much longer..."
"No, no...you can't. You can't leave me here, Sonic. I need you. I'll always need you. Don't go," Amy pleaded.
"Hey...l-listen to me, okay? I need you to...listen close..."
"I will..."
He smiled and patted her back softly. "No matter what...you need to do one thing for me..."
"Anything..."
"Don't...ever stop believing in yourself...in what you can do, you know? I...I've always thought that you were strong in a lot of ways, Amy. You're...somethin' else..."
"Sonic!" She felt him collapse against her. "Sonic, don't...don't talk! You're wasting your energy!"
"It'll be okay, Ames. I promise, if you just keep...keep believing."
"What can I do on my own?" she asked.
"Anything...you put your mind to..."
"Sonic?"
His eyes closed slowly, and Amy could feel his body lightening against her own, a cool breeze blowing by and erasing him from existence bit by bit.
"Sonic...? This is all a dream, right? I-I'll wake up and it'll be okay, right? Right?"
She shut her eyes tight, even as he disappeared from her grip. Her tears started to run down as she felt her hands clutch at empty space, the twisted laughter of Metal Sonic ringing through her ears.
"I'm...so..."
She opened her eyes, sliding slowly to her knees.
"...useless..."
"I wonder what I should do with you now. Shall I torment you further, or should I end your miserable existence here? Decisions, decisions..."
There's no point in resisting, is there? I'm...finished.
She looked up to see the Metal Overlord towering over her, black liquid from its teeth dripping down onto her dress.
I wish I could have...done more, somehow. But that's far too much to ask...
"I've decided to obliterate you, Amy Rose. Then nothing will stand in my way..."
"Nothing...I..."
Nothing? What does that mean...? Why would he say that now?
Amy felt something start to surge inside of her, and she finally felt that she understood Sonic's words. What he meant when she said that she could do anything she put her mind to...here, something like that wasn't simply a figure of speech...
If I just believe...
She stared into the blood-red eyes of Metal Sonic, her heart racing.
I don't have anything else to lose...no, that's not right. I...want to keep the promise I made to him...to Sonic. I can't let that go.
"If I just believe..." she whispered.
The robot's long neck extended, its jaws opened wide and ready to crush the helpless girl into dust.
"I...I won't let you..."
"Time for you to die!"
"No...no!" she said, her determination rising. "I won't die here! I won't!"
Amy closed her eyes as the sharp teeth started to surround her...and then suddenly stopped.
I…I did it. I really did it…
"What...what is this? Impossible..."
No…that's what I thought, too. That's what I kept thinking, but…
"You're wrong," Amy said, standing up. "As long as I believe in myself, nothing's impossible! Nothing!"
She drew her hand back. "Get lost!"
Metal Sonic was slammed backwards by an invisible force, his long neck shattering to pieces and head floating aimlessly before merging with its body again.
"You insignificant little worm! I'll grind you into dust! What can you do without your precious Sonic?"
"Sonic...you're right. This...I can't win without him, I need his help."
"He's gone. Scattered to the winds, and it's your fault."
"He said that he..." Amy placed her hands over her heart. "He said...that no matter what, he'd be there for me...my darling Sonic..."
If I just believe...anything is possible.
"If I just believe...my wishes will come true, won't they?"
"I wanted to savour your demise up close, but you're becoming an irritant...now it's time for you to disappear." The robot overlord fired another massive burst of black light from its mouth towards Amy.
Sonic...if you can hear me, I...I need you...
Metal Sonic looked on in fury as the blast fanned out around the hedgehog girl, a smile appearing on her face. The energy faded, revealing Sonic standing with one hand stretched outward.
"At your service, Miss Rose," he said with a wink.
"Sonic...oh, Sonic, thank you...I mean it. If it wasn't for you-"
"Hey, it was all you, you know!" he said with a wave of his hands. "I couldn't do any of this, only you could."
"You kept on believing in me, even when I couldn't believe in myself. And I...I think we should...talk about that later."
"Sounds like a plan! Now, let's-"
"Sonic."
Amy stepped forward, her eyes blazing with anger.
"This fight...I'm going to end it myself."
Sonic flashed a nervous grin, feeling the waves of energy start to roll off of Amy. "Y-yes ma'am!"
Talk about power...remind me not to rile her up again after this adventure!
"I feel as if the Time Stones are going to be useful in the outcome, Sonic."
"How many you think I need, Ames?"
"Just one will do," she said calmly. As she focused herself, a pair of glimmering angel's wings appeared on her back.
"You'll need to get back to the real world..."
"Yeah."
"Sonic...be careful," she said softly.
"I will. You take care, too..."
"For you, anything. I promise I'll be careful." She snapped her fingers, creating a small portal in front of Sonic. "I think I'm getting the hang of this whole thing..."
"You're doin' fine..."
She nodded and took a deep breath in, trying to steady her shaking hands. "See you on the other side..."
"Roger that." Sonic rushed through the portal as it closed, leaving Amy and Metal Sonic alone.
"Do you honestly think that you can stop me? You fool!"
The robot grew even larger, two more dragon-like heads sprouting from its frame and growling in defiance.
"Think...no, I don't think I can stop you. I don't have to think about that."
Sparks shot out from her red dress as it changed to white.
"It's already been decided, you walking scrap pile. I'm taking you down."
Sonic landed in Collision Chaos, his eyes adjusting to the new surroundings.
Unfortunately, his new surroundings mostly consisted of identical looking robots.
"Oi...you serious?"
"It is useless to resist," one of the Metal Sonic copies droned. "You have no chance of survival..."
Sonic nodded and looked around himself, noting the thousands of copies ready to attack at once.
"Well, I guess that's that," he said with a sigh.
In no time flat, Sonic had shot over to a Metal Sonic clone and punched its head cleanly off.
"Playtime's over."
hgehog ~ Sonic the Hedgehog ~ Sonic the Hedgehog ~ Sonic the Hedgehog ~ Sonic the Hedgehog ~ Sonic the Hedgehog ~ Sonic the Hedgehog ~ Sonic the Hedgeh
Amy has finally found her strength, and is ready to take on the Metal Overlord. Sonic begins his fight against what seems like impossible odds. Both will give their all, but will it be enough?
055 – Miracle Theory, Act 3: Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned
- Sonic and Amy take on their biggest challenge yet. For the sake of everyone and everything, it's time to go all in!
