High up on the cliffs overlooking the valley that the Gogobas called home an unlikely group stood poised and ready to execute their plan. Even from this height they could see where Cythraul in Sonics body had gathered the Gogobas. Tails, Amy, Sticks an Knuckles turned to Eggman who glared moodily back. The evil doctor was sporting a black eye courtesy of Knuckles and was only begrudgingly willing to take part in the groups rescue mission.
"Just remember," Knuckles said flexing his enormous fists. "If you betray us.."
"Yeah, Yeah. Punch punchy!" The doctor grumbled. "You just want me to stop him right? Once he's captured I can go?"
Team Sonic looked at eachother and eventually nodded their agreement.
"Fine." The doctor growled and motioned the eggmobile forward. "Then follow my lead."
The group made their way down the valley, Dylan and Knuckles broke off as they drew nearer Gogoba village and snuck around the back of some of the huts. Tails and the others didn't bother to hide or sneak up and strode boldly towards Cythraul. Again the ghost troll had positioned himself in the center of the village with the gullible Gogobas waiting on him hand and foot. He was surrounded by the winter supplies that Sonic and his friends had recaptured from Barker just a few days ago. Massive corked jugs filled with juice and fresh fruit were quickly being devoured by the ghost in Sonics body. He seemed to appreciate their rich, succulent flavors far more than the dry, grey patties Dave had served up. He smiled as the gang approached.
"Ah, friends!" He declared as the group approached. "I have been expecting you. All though we seem to be missing a few people. He zoomed off towards the back of the huts where Knuckles stood protectively in front of a shaking Dylan. Tails and the others shot after them.
"Hand over the vase and I wont hurt anyone." Cythraul snarled and took a step forward. When he was level with the back door of the hut it suddenly swung open to reveal orbot with some sort of gun in his hand. He fired it at Cythrauls feet and hot, sticky yellow goo shot out. On the rooftop Cubot had been instructed to throw a bucket off the stuff. Unfortunately for Cythraul the dim robot had taken the doctors instructions literally and threw the bucket as well as the honey. It hit Sonics head and stuck there. From the sky a dozen beebots flew over head dropping what seemed like Dr eggmans entire batch. On the ground Cythraul screamed with rage. His angry cried echoed in the bucket.
"Now Dylan!" Tails instructed.
Behind Knuckles the young Mole sank to his knees and opened the lid on the vase. He started to chant in a language Tails did not understand. Cythraul started to struggle.
"Fight it Sonic!" Amy yelled. "We're here to help you. We're here and we love you."
"I don't." Eggman raised his hand to object. Knuckles clenched his fist and the evil doctor instantly shut up.
Tails stepped forward and joined Amy as she tried to reach Sonic. "I'm sorry that I put you in this position." The fox called. "I can see what our friendship means to you. It means alot to me to Sonic. Please come back to us."
Sticks and Knuckles joined in the pleas for their friend to fight against Cythraul. As the ghost pulled at the sticky honey covering his body more and more of Sonic spines were becoming visible under the yellow gloop. With a jolt of horror Tails realized that they were no longer blue. Tails grabbed Amy by the arm.
"He's gone dark!" Tails breathed.
The group watched open mouthed in fear as the monster inhabiting their friends body turned into a black ball and span on the spot. The sticky honey flew everywhere causing the group to leap backwards. The black blur shot onto the roof of the hut next to them and kicked Cubot down with an unceremonious boot to the back of his head. Cythraul glared down at them panting.
"How dare you challenge me fools." He snarled.
"We want our friend back." Tails called up. "Your deal was with him not us. We wont give up on him."
Cythraul started laughing. It was a shrill, earsplitting cackle that you would not expect to hear from Sonics body. He wiped a tear away and smirked down at the group.
"Idiots." He bellowed. "Like I said, I was expecting you."
All too late Tails realised what he meant. He moved towards Dylan but Cythraul moved quicker. Before their eyes Cythraul snatched up the vase and sent it rocketing against the side of the hut.
"No!" Dylan yelled.
Cythraul laughed louder and the group launched a simultaneous attack. Amy swung her hammer, Sticks threw her boomerang and the boys launched forward with their fists. Even Eggman attacked, sending a laser from the eggmobile. Cythraul dodged them all and snatched up Amy by her throat. Again he jumped up onto the top of the hut. Amys hands clawed desperately at his hands as Cythraul squeezed.
The ghost was manic now, his eyes were completely dark and devoid of any light
"You don't know how close you all came." He gloated. " I can feel him fighting inside me. He is so filled with rage. He is far stronger than you were boy."
Tails felt an anger unlike he had ever felt well up isnide him. He beat his tails hard and flew up so that he was level with Cythraul.
"Let her go!" He yelled and shot forwards. Cythraul dodged, still holding on to Amy. Tails could see water forming in the corner of her eyes. Her grip on Cythrauls arms was growing slack.
"Dont you see?" Cythraul said calmly. "This is how it ends. For her and for him. Knowing that he is responsible for her death will kill whatever is left of that wretched hedgehog."
"Hey!" Nobody destroys Sonic but me!" Eggman yelled. He fired another laser which again Cythraul dodged.
"He's wont be responsible." Tails yelled. "You are and if you hurt her he will fight you harder than ever."
"Oh?" Cythraul smirked. "You call yourself his best friend? You don't know Sonic very well. He will take this VERY personally. He made the decision to be possessed by me. He did it thinking you all would save him. It is his fault for believing in you. He will never forgive himself. He will never forgive you."
"No." Tails shook his head, trying hard ignore what Cythraul was saying.
In the ghosts hands Amy was growing weak. Tails stared into his pink friends eyes. They were no longer wide with fear. They were soft and kind. Using all of her strength she mouthed the words.
"He. Loves. You."
Amy shut her eyes and appeared to go completely limp.
"No!" Sticks yelled. On the grounds she, eggman and knuckled began throwing everything they could up at Cythraul. Even orbot and Cubot picked up some rocks and lobbed them at the monster. With the ghost distracted Tails shot forwards and tried to prize Amy free. Cythraul was strong and maintained his grip.
"Please Sonic." Tails called desperately. "Not this. Not her."
As he pulled at Cythraul Tails saw something glitter under Sonics scarf. He reached out and grabbed it. It was a golden ring. Tails had seen Amy with it before. When they were young. The day the three of them became friends. He pulled it off of the chain and saw a flicker of recognition in Cythrauls eyes. No, not Cythrauls. There was a flicker of light in there.
"Sonic!" Tails cried. "We are your friends. We always will be. We have been through so much together. Don't let this be it. I can't lose you. Come back to us."
The light in Sonics eyes began to return. His quills started to lighten at the ends. Cythraul let go of Amy who slid from the rooftop into Knuckles waiting arms. Sonic balled his fists.
"I can't hold on much longer." Sonic cried.
"What do we do!" Dylan moaned.
"Think of something!" The hedgehog called desperately. "And quickly!"
Inspiration suddenly hit tails. He sped to the square and scooped up a jug. He pulled out the stopper as he flew back to Dylan, pouring the juice out as he flew. Dylan took the jug and placed it carefully on the floor infront of him. He started his chant. On the rooftop Sonic screamed as he battled Cythraul internally.
Tails flew down to where Knuckles was cradling Amy. Eggman was leaning over her.
"She'll be ok." He reassured them.
Amys eyes slowly opened.
"Sonic?" She called out. On the roof Sonic heard her voice. She was safe.
He screamed out louder and with one last effort pushed the Ghost out of his hear. A red light filled the sky. From their huts where they had been hiding the Gogobas screamed in terror."
"It's the end of days!" The elder yelled.
"Not today!" Came Sonics triumphant voice.
A red mist left his mouth and sped towards the jar. Still chanting Dylans voice reached a crescendo. He slammed the cork into the top as the last of the vapor spilled into the jug.
"Yes!" The little mole yelled. "Wait till I tell Ma'am!"
"Good job buddy." Knuckles said appreciatively.
Tails turned his attention to Sonic who jumped gingerly down from the rooftop beside him. Tails hugged him.
"You're back." He thrilled.
"For good!" Sonic said reassuringly. "Thanks to you guys."
Tails watched as Sonics attention strayed to Amy and then quickly back to his fox friend.
"Go ahead." Tails smiled.
Sonic reached out and embraced Amy, kissing her firmly on the lips.
"Gross." Tails joked.
Amy and Sonic broke apart.
"Come on guys." He said to to the others. "Meh burgers are on me. You to eggface. I owe you one."
Together the group trailed back off to home. As they left the head Gogoba sloped out of his home and examined the sticky destruction smothering his village.
"Oh don't worry about us." He said in a whining voice. "We'll clear all of this up. It's not like we should be preparing for winter or anything."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Eggman had stayed for a few celebratory drinks at Meh burger before he made his polite excuses and promised that now things were back to normal he would resume trying to crush Sonic and his friends first thing tomorrow. Sticks and knuckles were next to leave with Dylan. Knuckles had taken his promise to protect the little guy to heart and was keen to get him back to his folks safe and sound. Sticks was just keen to learn more about the tribes magi spells.
"Might be useful if someone tries to but a hex on me in the future." She reasoned.
With the others gone Sonic looked across the table to his best friend and his girlfriend and wondered how he was going to make this work. How was he going to divide his attention between them. Fortunately for him his best friend was a genius and his girlfriend was exceptionally emotionally intuitive.
"So it's a boys night every other weekend." Tails explained, pulling out the carefully color coded timetable that Amy had drawn up. "Alternated with Date night." The little fox pulled a mock disgusted face at the idea of a date night.
"And the rest of my time?" Sonic smiled, vaguely amused.
"I've penciled in some personal time for you on Wednesday afternoons." Amy elaborated. "It's important for ones mental health to have some 'me time.' Friday nights are free for group hangs. Thursdays is soccer practice and we've agreed alternate Mondays with eggman for attacks."
Sonic laughed. "What would I do without you to?"
"Leave a peaceful life sleeping in your hammock in your beachfront paradise?" Tails supplied.
Sonic considered this. "Nah," He said finally. "I like this life way better."
The end