If Sonic got a ring every time he woke up in a dark, drab empty void he would be bathing in gold rings. He found himself in front of some of medieval castle, dark purple flames lit up the castle from the outside. He tried his best to pick his beaten body off the ground, but his overwhelming exhaustion from everything that happened recently pulled him back down towards the dirt that he had landed on.
Where did it go wrong? He could vaguely remember the last peaceful day he had. He was running around the back garden, kicking up dirt at every sharp left he made. Shadow rarely spoke to him then, if he did he didn't ask if Sonic was okay or telling the blue blur that it wasn't his fault, instead they had stupid arguments that were so serious at the time, but were ultimately childish and insignificant to the fights that had ensued recently. Silver, in all of his naïveté, would separate them. The last time Sonic saw Silver, the real Silver, was five months ago when he went to the store and never came back. Just like he, himself, never came back from his run. How could he forget the deranged damage he caused? Central City-east end destroyed, New Magix-destroyed, Westopolis-reduced to ash. He destroyed those cities. He killed all of those innocent people who lived there. And who was to blame for all of this? Everyone would say it was Mephiles or Eggman, but Sonic truly believed it was his fault.
It was his fault that Silver was no longer with was his fault that Dark had returned.
It was his fault that Eggman had nearly won.
It was his fault that Drago, Lien-Da and Fiona were dead.
He was the only one to blame.
He was snapped out of his thoughts by the sound of Alexa picking herself up from the dirt, Mistletome in hand, now covered in golden armour that mirrored the one worn by the knight on the tapestry in Cornidea's Castle. A pure white cape was draped over her shoulders as she looked at the armour, shocked.
"What the heck?" Said Alexa, checking herself over in shock, "what's with the fashion change?"
"No idea..." Sonic trailed off.
"Okay...?" Replied Alexa, "what's wrong, Sonic?"
"Nothing, it's just..."
"Just what?"
"What's the point of all this?" Sonic began, feeling the urge to vent, "what are we going to achieve by killing yet another person? I mean, let's face it Alexa, there is no way we can stop this, stop him. I'm no better than Mephiles, you know that right?"
"Sonic, I-"
"I killed thousands of people, thousands Alexa! I murdered innocents without batting an eye. I simply didn't care. I enjoyed it. So I did it again and again, not stopping to think. So maybe fighting against someone who sees me as such is just pointless."
"That's not true-!"
"THEN WHAT IS ALEXA?!" Sonic roared, startling the princess, "WHAT IS? I'VE KILLED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO KILL ANOTHER PERSON, IN THE VAIN HOPE THAT IT PUTS AN END TO THIS?! HOW MANY MORE ARE WE GOING TO KILL AND JUSTIFY BY SAYING ITS FOR THE "GREATER GOOD"? GO ON, ALEXA, TELL ME HOW IS ANY OF THIS RIGHT?!"
"Y'know what? You're right," replied Alexa, "you are absolutely right. We are going to kill a God. We are killing him, to save everything in existence. To save Silver, we must do it. But that doesn't mean it is right. Nothing involving warfare and fighting is right. None of it. Are we the heroes? Or the villains? Do such people truly exist? Who knows? But one thing that I know for certain, is that nothing we do is ever right nor wrong when it comes to fighting and self defence. The 'greater good' doesn't exist. It never has, and it never will. It is something that the simple-minded use as an excuse to for go consequences. To believe that they have the moral high ground and if they kill it's justified. Both sides to a conflict are both inherently good and evil. Dark enjoys killing people, Ruby does too. But does that mean we do?"
"I don't," replied Sonic quietly, "but you do."
"I do kill," answered Alexa, "but only when I believe it is absolutely necessary. I always acknowledge how gruesome and inhumane it is, because it stops me from thinking it's okay, when it's not."
Alexa put both her hands on Sonic's shoulders.
"It's all in the past, Sonic. That past does not define you in the present. People change, some faster than others. Granted there are some who don't but I don't believe you are one of them."
"Really?"
"Yeah," replied Alexa, "besides, you are not killing Mephiles, I am. I do have the God-slaying sword after all."
"True," Sonic said, "I'm sorry for shouting at you."
"It's fine, you needed to vent that's all."
"So, what do we do with Venice?" Asked Sonic, now acknowledging the unconscious hedgehog lying on the ground.
"Leave him," said Alexa, "he's completely drained of energy. He won't wake up for a couple of hours, six hours at the most. Anyway, let's put an end to this, shall we?"
"Let's." Sonic agreed.
The duo walked cautiously towards the dark and sinister fortress, ready to engage in a fight when the enemy presented himself. Both Sonic and Alexa could feel their darker halves crawling around their bodies, whispering their evil and wicked desires to them. They were trying to tempt them. Tempt them to the side of evil. Not that it worked.
Alexa pressed onward, Mistletome in hand, through the dark and eerie hallways towards the throne room. Ruby was whispering away as usual, much to Alexa's annoyance.
'Why don't you just give this up? Stop this silly crusade and we can tear the world apart!'
'Yeah, no I would much rather fight a dark deity than go with your ideas.'
'We can rule the world. Don't deny it, princess, I know you want to see the world at your feet. You are craving it!'
'Shut up, Dark!'
'Ugh! Stop that!'
Unfortunately, Sonic wasn't having much luck. To his credit, Dark was persistent when it came to things he desperately wanted. Very persistent.
'I can't believe you are going to throw away such a...good opportunity for revenge. It truly sickens me.'
'Good. You deserve it.'
'It does make me wonder, what if Alexa turns her divine blade against you? You wouldn't be able to stop her from killing you. You also can't stop her from breaking your heart either. When she inevitably leaves you, what will become of you?'
'You are a terrible liar, Dark.'
'Am I lying? After all, you've already hurt her.'
'What?!'
Sonic looked over towards Alexa. He couldn't believe that he hadn't noticed the mark on her face before. The claw mark under her left eye was bleeding out bit by bit, although Alexa hadn't seemed to acknowledge the pain. Guilt began to weigh on Sonic as he looked at the mark he made on her face.
"I'm sorry, Alexa."
"Hm? What for?" Questioned Alexa, startled at the sudden sound of Sonic's voice.
"For hurting you, leaving that mark on your face."
"It's fine honestly," replied Alexa, "it'll heal. And besides, you weren't in control of yourself, Venice was. I don't blame you, not truly."
"Doesn't it hurt?"
"Only a little."
Sonic continued to follow Alexa down the dark and eerie hallways, feeling an overwhelming sense of trepidation as he took each step forward. He could barely see the path ahead, as it was covered in a pitch black blanket, that shielded the path from view. Both hedgehogs pressed on in the vain hopes that something along the ominous cobblestone walls would lead the to Mephiles, or at least give them their bearings. But no such luck...
Until they reached the end.
At the end of the hallway, a pair of grand yet sinister oakwood doors blocked their path, chained together to keep something or someone in. Not wishing to delay their mission any further, Alexa cut right through the chains with Mistletome as Sonic pushed the heavy doors open.
Inside the huge room, the dark deity himself was chained to the wall. The visible chains adorned the dark god's body, keeping him pinned up against the mossy, broken cobblestone wall. Mephiles' body was completely crystallised, red eyes with a envious green as an iris, with a slim, snake like pupil that slithered up to face the duo. The six foot deity sharpened his claws and flashed his sharp, flesh hungry teeth at Sonic and Alexa as he smirked wickedly at them.
"SO, YOU DARE CHALLENGE ME, GUARDAIN," Mephiles roared, shaking the entire structure with every word, "AND YOU, CONTROLLER, HOW DARE YOU DEFY ME AGAIN! I WILL END YOU BOTH!"
"Yeah, good luck with that!" Shouted Sonic.
Mephiles growled as he pulled himself away from the old wall. The chains that had held him for several millennia had finally withered away and snapped, freeing the demonic deity from his restraints. Mephiles stretched his wings before attacking both hedgehogs with a swing of his dark claws, Sonic ducked underneath his hand as Alexa simply blocked it with Mistletome, slicing his hand open. Dark crimson blood poured out of the wound like a waterfall as Mephiles launched Alexa through a wall in retaliation. The princess began to pick herself up from the rubble that had formed beneath her as Sonic attempted a homing attack on the god, whom simply batted him away with his hand. Mephiles roared as he picked Sonic up, crushing him with his suffocating grip, before reeling back in pain after Alexa slashed away at his ankles, blood spewing out of it like a river. Sonic landed on the cracked concrete floor. Mephiles, enraged at Alexa, grabbed the young guardian and pounded her against the ground repeatedly until the floor eventually gave way and collapsed beneath them, causing both hedgehogs to fall into the dark depths below, landing in a huge accumulation of raw Dark Energy.
"ALEXA!" Roared Sonic, noticing the princess was now unconscious and sinking below the now sticky substance. Just before Alexa had disappeared out of view, he noticed that her once pristine, golden armour had begun to wither and decay.
And then it hit him.
She wasn't supposed to be near Dark Energy.
It was her one weakness.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Cackled Mephiles, his evil voice ringing throughout the stronghold, "NOW THERE IS NO MORE LIGHT GUARDIANS TO STOP ME FROM DESTROYING EVERYTHING IN EXISTENCE!"
Anger.
Hatred.
Disgust.
Rage.
He felt all that and more as the sticky substance attached itself to his body, coating him in a shiny, black coat. He felt his innermost thoughts and feelings grow stronger and more persuasive, this was going too far. Mephiles had gone too far.
Just like his parents.
Just like his teacher.
Just like the Topaz Unit.
Just like...
"DARK!"
He had just managed to spit that word out before his vision had disappeared, clouded by the Dark Energy. He didn't care anymore. He was no longer cared about himself, or anything else. He just wanted to make that malicious demon pay.
He wanted revenge.
He desired revenge.
Remnants of Mephiles' wicked laughter echoed in his ears, clinging to his very soul, his very core, mocking him. Mocking him? No, that was just taking this further. That wicked beast has crossed the line and is now mocking him? That's it.
That's the last straw.
He snapped.
"Aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhh!" He roared.
Sonic, now completely covered in the sticky black substance, began to feel a river of energy flow all around his body, making him stronger. His fangs grew until they were razor sharp. His claws grew until they were able to pierce through his gloves like a needle. His fur reverted back to the familiar midnight blue it was five months prior. Only his eyes remained unchanged, albeit slightly discoloured, as if there was a red lens on top of his irises. The now dark hedgehog roared in anger, ripping the sticky substance off his flesh. Now free, he noticed something as he flew up to confront Mephiles.
Mistletome was stuck in his right ankle.
The Dark God was unable to pull the divine blade out. As Mephiles looked up, Sonic pounded the deity into the nearest wall, which crumbled into little pieces thereafter due to the impact. Sonic launched several Dark Chaos Spears at Mephiles, then dived in to pull Mistletome out of the demon's ankle. Sonic dropped the sword after it scolded him, it landing in the Dark Energy cesspool. He was slightly taken aback to find the sword purifying the dark abyss below, and decided to let it. He had his revenge to get first.
...
"My my. What a poor excuse for a Guardian. She can't even fight the one being that she was destined to fight. Ha!"
Alexa woke up to find herself in the throne room of Ruby's castle. She could barely remember what happened to her after Mephiles had pounded her into the cracked stone floor. She began to shiver, it was, oddly cold here. Colder than usual.
Ruby sat atop her throne, with a rather bored expression painted across her face. Her head was resting on her right hand, which had been turned into a fist. She watched Alexa's every move with a sense of caution. Alexa's powers were as unpredictable as the princess herself, whether Ruby wanted to admit it or not.
"Why am I here?" Alexa asked.
"You, like the fool you are, landed yourself into a big lake of Dark Energy. You sunk like a rock into it and now we are both going to die because of your stupid little stunt."
Alexa didn't expect Ruby to answer her. Not immediately anyway. It just not what Ruby does.
"It wasn't stupid." Protested Alexa, "I saved Sonic!"
"No you didn't," replied Ruby, "your actions had also landed him in that abyss. Although he hasn't passed out. Not yet at least."
"Care to elaborate?"
"*sigh* he was quick to transform into his Dark Form, using his shadow self's powers to defeat Mephiles. It will wear him out quickly so you have to get up off your lazy ass and kill Mephiles before Sonic runs out of energy."
"Since when did you hand out advice?" Asked a shocked Alexa.
"It's not advice, it's an order!" Snapped Ruby, slightly flustered, "you know I'm always right. Always. I don't want to die and neither do you so get a move on or I'll take over instead."
Ruby snapped her fingers, causing the grand pinewood doors to open, leading into a bright white light, unlike the drab, dark interior of Ruby's castle.
"Get out of my sight," she snapped at Alexa, "ugh, I can't believe I'm helping you."
"Me neither," replied Alexa as she walked into the white light.
...
Sonic continued to punch Mephiles rapidly until the dark being sent him flying into the only remaining wall in the building. Or what was a building. The intense battle had completely eradicated the entire prison, leaving nothing but rubble behind. Sonic began panting, this fight was exhausting his energy to say the least, and yet he had to keep pressing on, for Silver and Alexa's sake. For everyone's sake.
His newfound desire to destroy Mephiles stoked the flames of anger inside him, powering his body to dish out all sorts of pain. He got back up after that blow and dived straight for Mephiles' heart, digging his blood-soaked claws into his flesh, but it wasn't enough. Mephiles simply chucked him aside.
A blinding light caught both their attentions, as they were both looking over to the pit of Dark Energy. They watched as a knight in golden armour jumped out of the hole, divine weapon in hand. Alexa had returned.
Sonic felt somewhat relieved, but that feeling became engulfed and consumed by anger and hatred. He pushed his relief and happiness aside, he was determined to end this. He has had enough.
Nodding to one another, both Sonic and Alexa rushed towards Mephiles at once. Alexa jumped up, raising her sword, and struck Mephiles in the head with it. Simultaneously, Sonic once again lunged for Mephiles' chest, digging deeper and deeper until he ripped his heart out.
His blooded corpse dropped to the floor, blood pouring out like a fountain. Alexa and Sonic, covered head to toe in blood, looked at the now deceased God both relieved and slightly horrified at the sight. Alexa couldn't stomach the sight any longer and turned to face Sonic, who was panting heavily.
"Are you okay, Sonic?" She asked. She kept a firm grip on her sword in case Sonic was actually Dark.
"I'm fine," replied Sonic, his voice sounded like a fusion between his own and Dark's, "you're alive?"
"Yeah," replied Alexa, "Ruby helped me."
"As you can see, Dark helped me," said Sonic, his monotone voice echoed around the empty realm,"who knew?"
Shortly after those words left his lips, Sonic felt extremely light-headed. He swayed violently before collapsing in exhaustion in Alexa's arms.