And here it is! The final battle! This was a blast to write and I'm very proud of how I captured some characters I was initially terrified to write for since, as their story is still in the work, I was really worried about being out of character but I think I did them justice!
I personally want to thank two people.
My bud Jester, for his neat idea of a Symbiotic relationship of Mephlies and Infinite due to the ruby, which is a REALLY neat idea since the Phantom Ruby likely was made from the destruction and rip of Solaris and the Time Eater ages ago, and was a neat way to include my other favorite edgy demigod
And, my bud Thesuperdude since without him, I would still be suffering from writers block ;w; I hope you all enjoyed my story, it was fun!
Till next time!

Link to my bud with the Symbiote idea here! Purple Jester ( JesseTheMeehan) / Twitter

Sanctum and Steel are wonderful characters and I hope to see more of them in the future ;w;

Please look at their DA and Tumblr!

5courgesbestbuddy

With a rush of the red mist, Infinite snarled as the serpentine beasts curled and shot down in flashes of speed and light, the threatening trio dodging out of the way just barely.

Steel soared upward in his own red aura, grasping at the few bits of debris that were floating before spinning and hurling the rocks towards the jackal while down below Sanctum and Scourge rushed off to the side.

Rocket skates scorched against the illusionary soil, ignoring the screeches as he leapt and ducked under the flying cubes attempting to overtake his body once more. How unfortunate that he was a fast learner.

Frothing in rage, Infinite set his sights on the emerald blur; the mad serpentines hissing and slamming into the fractured earth with wide open maws in hopes of snatching up the emerald menace.

"Your aim is garbage!" Scourge smirked as he zipped across the field, snickering at the snarl of infuriated hate. Sticking his tongue out at the glowing orb of gold that loomed beneath the wild flowing white locks of long hair, Scourge casually slipped under a rising block of glitching rock. The smug smirk disappeared from sight as Infinite angrily snapped his arm down, the wave of cubes curling into a spire before slamming into the bed of the rock.

The cackle of behind him threw him into a hotter rage, his agile and humming body turning sharply to lock onto the emerald blur," Ohhh~ So close!"

"Oh you think you're funny do you!?"

"I'm hilarious~" Scourge winked, though curiously blinked at the sudden casting of shadows over him," OH SHI-"

With a twist of speed, Scourge lunged off to the side just as a large masked serpentine slammed head first into where he just stood.

"Oh~ I hit the 'come on and slam' button didn't I?~"

"Would you-"

A cascade of blue lances cut off his tirade and slammed straight into the sides of the face planted serpentine, the glitching howl deafening as Sanctum used the new foot holds to leap and climb his way up toward the jackal in a heated fury.

Screeching in sheer rage, the second serpentine rushed to avenge its injured brethren; something the genetic counted on as he dove under the charging head.

Crimsons narrowed in sheer cold calculation as his body disappeared in a soft flash of bright blue, the ripple of energy making the jackal's fur ruffle and spike in agitation with subtle sparking purple energy jumping free from his crackling red cubes.

Below him, Scourge poked his tongue out playfully before zipping out of the way of falling cubes; only realizing too late that the hedgehog was nothing more than a distraction.

The single golden orb went wide in horror as the bright blue flash reappeared in front of him, menacing red eyes glaring down on him as a sharp lance steadily appeared in his opened palm. For a moment, Infinite fell into a not so distant memory of another hedgehog looming over him before striking him down with little mercy or remorse.

The manic red cubes jolted and glitched aggressively across the landscape, a high pitched wailing screech resounding from the intensity of sparking glitches that seemed to spread and grow further in volume from the serpentine abominations' cracked maws.

"ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO DO THAT!?"

"I DON'T THINK SO?" Steel hollered down to the emerald hedgehog as he launched his minimal debris at the spasming creatures.

Red energy crackled and surged from the cubes to crash against the tossed debris, only for a low hum to resonate before the air grew dense.

Time seemingly slowed as Sanctum brought down his lance to the point he recalled the gem being placed on the fluffy chest, bright purple energy sparking and jumping as blue Anarchy met crimson Phantom. The purple run off growing to a brighter white before curling inward then outward in a shattering boom powerful enough to send the hedgehog and jackal flying away from each other.

"HOLY SHI-"

Twisting, Steel roughly pulled Scourge down by the foot mid jump with his telekinetic ability before debris shattered and went flying; the young telekinetic instinctively wrapped his red aura in the form of a shield over him and the scarred hedgehog beside him. "SANC!?"

The resounding shock wave rippled through the floating cubes and wailing serpentines, their cries cut off mid screech as the area grew dead silent aside from the bitter rumblings of settling buildings outside of the forced reality.

Ignoring the slightly thinner arm over him, Scourge sat up with wide eyes.

The collapsing illusions fell to ash in rediscovered wind with deafened anguish.

"SANC?!" He called out again, the emerald quills bristling a bit when silence came in an answer.

"Hey! Watch it!," Steel winced as he raised his shielded aura slightly from debris raining down on them, his amber eyes narrowing at the lack of sound as they too fell to dust on contact with his barrier," Or...not?"

Steadily, the blackened world faded away to ruined buildings and smokey horizons; the distant noise of a fight within the city limits finally filling the muted expanse.

"Did we win?" Steel glanced around for some hopes of clarity, though the rather natural noise did little to answer his question,"...Well that was kinda anti-climatic-"

With a push against his barrier, the telekinetic was startled at the ferocity Scourge had as he broke through out of wild intensity and concern," Eh, boss-"
"SANC!? SANC HOLLER IF YOU CAN HEAR ME!?" Scourge bellowed as he rushed towards the odd crater that came from the explosion of energy.

"...OH-"

With a faint scramble, Steel took off after the older hedgehog in the coldest realization.

Sanctum had an explosion of energy straight to the face.

"Aye! Which way did he shoot off to!?"

"I DON'T KNOW?! YOU THINK I'D BE SCREAMING IF I KNEW?!" The scarred hedgehog rounded with wild ice blues that were threatening to spill over to crimson.

"Okay, bad time to ask questions," skidding down the side of the crater, the two began to awkwardly dig through the piles of soft gray ash.

Frantically, Scourge pawed through the ash with a faint wheeze; ignoring the fact that ash was beginning to cling to his peach fur with each panicked stroke.

"Shit- Come on Sanc-"

In his digging, Scourge's hearing steadily became muffled once more, the ringing of mild panic overtaking the inherent need to be on guard until his hands brushed against something warm in the ash pile.

As his hopes soared he quickly pulled against what he found to be an arm only to crash back down when an unconscious jackal was pulled free instead. "DAMN IT-"

Letting the mobian flop back into the ash pile awkwardly he kept digging," Uh, shouldn't we pull him out too-"

"Sanctum's priority one." Scourge grumbled as he dove into another pile in vicious vigor,"...Well good thing we're burrowing animals I guess…" Steel mumbled as he raised a hand, the soft red hue returning as his aura carefully began to lift up piles of ash to shake through.

"Wait...WAIT WAIT WAIT! STOP SHAKING THAT ONE!"

The young albino tensed when Scourge leapt up into a floating pile of ash, ignoring the sting in his hands from the energy as he quickly grasped a dirtied gloved hand and pulled," SANC!"

Steadily, Steel lowered the ash ball to the ground before his aura faded; the curled up hedgehog limply flopping to the ground as he was rolled onto his back by their odd 'leader'.

"Is he?"

"No! No...He's breathing see?" Scourge laughed in faint mania as he rested a hand on the dusty chest plate, happy to see it move up and down.

"He's…."

"What?"
Carefully, the scarred hedgehog let his fingers trace over the faint cracks in the front of his armor; dread beginning to weigh down on his shoulders and in the pit of his stomach as he quickly shot down to scoop up the striped teen.

The quiet groan of protest both reassuring and further increasing his trepidation.

"Steel, I'm gonna pick him up, grab my ring from my jacket and open it."

"I- alright," the faint aura flicked and sputtered as it settled around the small golden warp ring, the ringlet casually floating out from the inner pocket.

"What about um-"

"Priority!"
"Okay!" Steel flailed slightly as he flicked open the ring, though casually eyed the unconscious jackal with faint concern before a grunt caught his attention," Stop staring at that edgy wannabe! We gotta make sure Sanc's armor ain't cracked or he's screwed!" Scourge barked as he heaved the heavier hedgehog over his shoulders in faint strain.

What was he made out of!?

"Aren't we screwed too?"

"STEEL!"
"THE WARP GATE'S OPEN, STOP SHOUTING AT ME!"

With a bit of awkwardness, Scourge managed to shift towards the gate; bickering slightly with the younger of the trio in regards to 'how to maneuver an unconscious hunk of lethal meat' without accidentally adding to the damage.

A sharp twang snapped across the quiet ashen crater, the jackal still unmoving as he remained slumped across a pile of ash.

From across the ruined wake of buildings, a faint shadow glimmered and slithered forward curiously. Upon seeing the downed jackal it quickened its pace almost excitedly before snapping towards his torso. The moving shadow twitched and nudged against the fluff, shivering at the sense of power deep within the very bones beneath the soft fur.

Tenderly, the shadow reached up to touch the fluffy cheek; pleased at the sight of breath still escaping past his lips.

With an ominous tug, the liquid shadow began to pull the jackal back toward the ruined city buildings; a deep chuckle escaping it as it began humming a soft plan to itself.

And to think…..all he had to do was ask~

Chirping birds were the first thing he heard as Sanctum carefully cracked open his eyes. His body felt simultaneously heavy and light while his hands twitched and curled around the feeling of sheets beneath him.

"...What…."

Grunting in surprised strain, the striped hedgehog carefully sat up in the bed, his eyes widening slightly at the mended cracks in his chest plate. When did it crack!? Who fixed it-

"You're awake!?"

Crimson orbs flicked to the faint excited rasp from the doorway, his hackles lowering when he realized it was merely Scourge. Awkwardly, the emerald hedgehog tugged his jacket back up; his gloves gone and fingers bandaged," You were out for a bit dude, not cool….Making Steel worry…"

A soft huff of a laugh settled in his throat as Sanctum settled back against his headboard," Steel, worried?"

The sight of faint pink in his muzzle told him enough as the scarred hedgehog scoffed," Well yeah! You passing out like that! Who does that after an explosion?"

"In all fairness, people usually don't walk away from explosions…."

"Yeah but, we're not like other people," Scourge grumbled faintly as he pointedly looked away for a moment," So an explosion shouldn't be a big deal."

"It wasn't the usual kind though…"
Sanctum took a moment to let his fingers trail over the repaired armor with a faint smile,"...I didn't think you listened to my explanations of repair and upkeep?"

Subtly, Scourge shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, his ears folding down slightly as his cheeks flushed to a darker pink,"...I didn't."

"Mhm." Softly, the striped creation felt his lips tug upward in a quiet smile as his hand slipped back down,"...Did we win the fight?"

"I mean, you kinda slapped him so hard you both went down so….I consider that a win."

"Hm, that's what he gets for 'messing with our warp ring and pizza time'~" He joked, crimson orbs sparkling a bit from the poor attempt to hide the snicker.

"I mean, I guess but…"

"...Where's Steel?"

"Vibing to some video games and pizza in his room."

"Good, good...I suspect he said not to bother him?" Sanctum felt his body relax at the familiar eye roll," Of course he did….Well then…" He quietly patted the spot next to him," Come here then."

"What? Into your room?"
"You two brought me to bed didn't you?"

"Yeah but-"

"Scourge, you said we could talk later and it's later." Sanctum cracked a faint smirk at the awkward bristle," So...come lay down and talk to me."

"Eh- You-" Scourge stomped his foot slightly as his cheeks burned a hot red," You're doing that on purpose!"

"Hah! I have no idea what you mean~," he winked before patting the spot again," Now come on."

With a faint embarrassed bristle, Scourge grumbled and walked over before flopping down on the mattress with a bounce.

Though as Scourge lay there, Sanctum noted the faint bags under his eyes; the unkempt quills were a bit wilder than usual. Only to come to realize that," ….You stayed up to make sure my armor didn't snap while I was out, didn't you?"

That red darkened further as Scourge sunk into the pillow a bit, hating that the look he was getting was making him all...warm.

Closing his eyes softly, Sanctum quietly settled back down," We can have that 'talk' a little later, why don't you get some sleep first?"

"What, you think that now that you're awake you can immediately boss me around?" Emerald grumbled, already looking content at the idea of sleep," Well, someone has to be the adult, now don't they?"
"Psh...Whatever you say old man…"

As his eyes closed, Scourge tensed when something soft pressed against his forehead before a comforting warmth settled against him,"...Thank you for not leaving me behind….For coming for me."

"..." Silently, the scarred hedgehog twisted and pressed his face into the soft fluff; fully taking advantage at the rare opportunity," I don't know why you're thanking me….Who would I take over the zones with otherwise?"

The crimsons softened in clear amusement as he rested his chin on the messy quilled head," Oh...just saved me because you like the way I punch, hmm?"

"It's hot."

Scourge smirked softly at the deep chuckle, his ears twitching down in contentment as he felt a hand run through his shorter quills in an attempt to tidy them up. "Well, now I'm wondering why else you stayed up for so long if you 'like the way I punch'~"

"Pssh, shuddap…"

Sanctum hummed quietly as his arms gave a faint squeeze around the tired hedgehog, his mind falling into a faint lull when he felt his breathing steady against his hold.

"...This better not lead you to think you can sleep here during the night. I won't have your fur on my sheets like you did with the couch….Scourge?"

The faint snore nearly made him deadpan and sigh, though instead he elected to rest more against the pillow. His hand still idly working through the emerald quills in absentminded thought,"...Though I suppose I wouldn't mind it...So long as you cleaned up afterwards…" he added in a softer tone, a gentle pink settling in his muzzle as he smirked.

"WOULD YOU LOT STOP BEING SO SICKLY KIND? SOME OF US ARE RESTING DESPITE THIS MORTAL COIL!" a demonic screech permeated through the drywall, muffled and quieted by its thickness.

With a strained deadpan, the genetic creation slowly looked to the wall," Well whose fault is it for not thinking to make sure the body he took allowed him to NOT be affected?"

The sound of something falling made him sigh softly, quietly laying on his back to give his sleeping partner more room to relax," Maybe we should switch the water out with something holy so we can have peaceful moments…"

Peaceful moments, in this house?

Ridiculous.

FIN