Well, it's been a very fun ride, but all good things must come to an end. Here we are with the final chapter! I really enjoyed making this story and I hope you guys who have been along with me here have enjoyed reading it.
Still within his own dream, Sonic opened his eyes and saw the doors opening to the cold-sleep capsule room, Cyrus directly in front of them, before multiple vines, some with red thorns and others with yellowish/green ones, slithered inside and knocked the lion out of the way before Shadow was shown standing back up as he gazed ahead, looking completely astonished. Sonic was then shown walking inside of the room towards the ebony hedgehog, but he looked as though he were in a trance-like state as he did so. Shadow took a fighting stance as he kept his cautious eyes on the other hedgehog and Sonic could feel his mouth move for a split second, but instead of his own voice, he heard a familiar feminine one from behind him instead, causing his eyes to widen in surprise, awareness returning to him.
Sonia – Did you lose something dear, too?
Shadow's expression formed to one of shock at those words. Just then, Sonia and Manic's figures emerged from behind Sonic, both staring at the ebony hedgehog with identical focused expressions.
Manic – Did you wish it was all a dream?
Shadow's eyes widened even further, before a vine struck into him, knocking him backwards to the ground.
Sonic's eyes then opened again, as though he had just woken up, seeing that he was now lying in his open capsule. He sat up and looked over the side, seeing Cyrus' unconscious body on the floor beneath him while the vines of thorns receded back into the elevator.
Sonic – Cyrus…
Sonic then looked over to the other side of the room, seeing Shadow's unconscious form lying on the ground as well.
Sonic – Shadow!
His gaze finally turned towards the elevator seeing Sonia and Manic both standing at the entrance to the doors while the thorns retreated back inside, the wall of glowing neon green and fuchsia vines of thorns continuing to rise from behind them. Both hedgehogs then turned their gazes towards Sonic and his eyes widened in shock as he took the sight of his siblings in; it really was them!
Sonic – Sonia?! Manic?!
Suddenly, he found himself back on the cliffside he last saw both his siblings, when they reiterated their vow.
Sonic – Listen up, the moment I wake up, I'm gonna come looking for you. So you guys better be waiting for me once I'm out.
Manic and Sonia's eyes began to fill with hope from Sonic's optimism.
Sonic – You don't really think I would go through with this if I didn't think we would see each other again, do you? Mom used to say that miracles only happen where there's a wish.
Sonia – You think if we wish it, a miracle will happen?
Sonic shrugged his shoulders.
Sonic – Who knows? But hey, in "Sleeping Beauty" the princess only survived because of the twelfth witch's wish, right?
Sonia wiped her eyes while Manic managed to give a small smile in return.
Manic – So as long as we all wish for it…
Sonic nodded determinedly.
Sonic – We can make it happen.
Sonic then reached his hand out to his siblings.
Sonic – Sonic Underground forever.
Manic and Sonia looked at each other before they both smiled and put their hands over Sonic's.
Manic – Forever.
Sonia – Forever.
The three siblings held each other's gazes as they kept their hands stacked, sealing their vow.
Sonic – Yeah, as long as we all wish it… right?
Sonia and Manic looked at Sonic in confusion once they heard him mumble, only for their expressions to instantly turn to ones of concern.
Sonia – Sonic?
Manic – Whoa, what's wrong, Bro?
Sonic – Huh? What are you talking about-?
Sonic then felt something wet drip down his cheeks and fall onto his and his siblings' stacked hands. He then reached his hand up to his face confusedly, discovering it was tears that were falling down his face.
Sonic – What…? That's weird… Why am I…?
Sonic chuckled as he tried to make sense of why he was crying. He tried wiping his eyes and willing the tears to stop but for some reason they wouldn't; if anything, they seemed to get heavier and began falling even faster than before.
Sonic – I-I don't know why… I-I'm not… I… I…
Suddenly Sonic felt his chest begin to tighten, and his grin slowly faded from his face before his shoulders began to shake. Seeing their brother was clearly about to have a breakdown, Sonia and Manic both worriedly closed the distance between Sonic and brought him into their arms, just as soon as devastating sobs escaped from the cobalt hedgehog's mouth. The dam had broken; Sonic wailed and cried and cried his heart out as he hugged his siblings tightly, as though he never wanted to let them go.
Sonia – Hey, it's okay. It's okay, Sonic.
Manic – That's right, let it all out.
Manic and Sonia continued to hold Sonic close, offering as much comfort as they could; they had never seen their brother like this before. Their strong and confident brother who was always so positive and cheerful, always the one to make them feel better, always the one who looked ahead with a bright attitude. For him to be reduced to such a sate, something was clearly very wrong, and this time he needed them. The three siblings stood together in each other's arms for a while until Sonic's sobs finally seemed to begin subsiding.
Manic – You okay now, Bro?
Sonic managed a small nod, and the three hedgehogs finally pulled back but Sonic kept his head down while Sonia and Manic each kept a hand on his shoulders.
Sonic – I… I've been lying to myself, Guys…
Sonia and Manic looked surprised.
Sonia – What?
Sonic then looked back up at Sonia and Manic, his eyes showing a great amount of sadness and fear in them.
Sonic – I don't actually want to go through with this either! I thought I could handle it like I do anything because I knew how troubled you two were about it! But what if I'm just jumping in headfirst without thinking again?! And if I am…!
Sonic glanced down before moving his left leg across his right, subconsciously covering the scar on his ankle.
Sonic – How can I possibly look Mom in the eye again?
Sonia and Manic's eyes widened as it truly dawned upon them the turmoil Sonic had also been going through.
Sonia and Manic – Sonic…
Suddenly everything went black.
Sonia and Manic – Sonic, please live…
Sonic's eyes then opened, waking up once again in his capsule just before he heard M.A.R.I.A's voice communicating to him.
M.A.R.I.A – Relax and count with me. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven.
The capsule began to freeze and Sonic glanced around before closing his eyes once more, starting to relax.
Sonic – Oh, it was just another dream…
However Sonic abruptly opened his eyes again as a though occurred to him.
Sonic – Wait, another?
The image of thousands of thorns suddenly appeared around the outside of Sonic's capsule for a moment, and his eyes widened in realization.
Sonic – This isn't a dream!
The capsule itself then faded away and was replaced with vines of thorns underneath Sonic's body for a moment, startling him before it returned to normal.
Sonic – Sh-Shadow…
Sonic was then shown lying on the ground, calling out in his sleep.
Sonic – Shadow!
At that, Sonic finally woke up, for real this time.
Sonic – Where am I?
He pushed himself up to his knees, seeing he was in a room in which the floors and walls were completely encompassed by vines both with red and yellowish/green thorns.
Sonic – Shadow?!
Sonic looked around, trying to find any trace of Shadow, until his attention turned towards the center of the room, where a single capsule bed was standing, covered in a cage of thorns, indicating this was the center laboratory room of Level 0. The capsule was closed, but light was shining from within it, illuminating the silhouette of a hedgehog figure, and due to the size being big enough to accommodate even a full-grown human, it would not be difficult at all for two young mobians to occupy the space at the same time.
Sonic – (Sonia…?! Manic…?!)
Back outside, the vines of thorns from beneath the thorn dragon were continuing to burst and break apart. Sonic was then shown again, sprinting towards the capsule bed at full speed.
Sonic – Sonia! Manic!
Sonic curled into a ball and shot forwards using his spin-ball attack, aiming to break his siblings out of their containment, only for a burst of lighting to strike the ground in front of him just before he could get close enough, throwing him backwards and causing him to skid across the floor of vines. Sonic was a little shaken from the electrical discharge, but as he gathered his bearings and attempted to sit back up, two clusters of multiple vines, one with red thorns and the other with yellowish/green ones began spiraling up from the floor. Once Sonic got back to his knees, he looked ahead and his eyes widened as he watched the two clusters of vines begin to take shape until the one with red thorns formed into Sonia's figure while the one with yellowish/green thorns took the form of Manic.
Sonic – Sonia?! Manic?!
Both thorn figures stared at Sonic with blank expressions.
Sonia – Please. Leave us in peace.
Sonic – Why?! I'm here to save you guys…!
The thorn figure of Sonia merely stretched her hand out, causing another blast of electricity to strike the ground in front of Sonic, knocking him back again and into the wall. Two vines, one with red thorns, and the other with yellowish/green thorns then wrapped around his arms before two more wrapped around his legs as well, lifting him up and holding him in place.
Sonic – That's right! You're both Alternatives Manic and Sonia's minds created!
Manic – Sonic, it's us, Bro.
Sonic – Why are you getting in the way?!
Sonia – We're not in the way at all. We'll remain the us that you want and you'll remain the you that we want.
Sonic – None of what you're saying is making any sense!
Manic – We're not asking you to understand. In fact, it's better that you don't.
Sonic gasped in surprise before his expression turned determined and his body began sparking with blue energy as he started pulling on his restraints, attempting to use his powers to help break free.
Sonia – Just forget about us.
Sonic – Not happening!
Sonic managed to pull his arm forward, prompting the thorn figures of Sonia and Manic to narrow their eyes as they attempted to pull him back.
Manic – Please, stop.
Sonic – I will not…!
The power emitting from Sonic's body grew stronger as he continued to fight against his restrains, pulling against them hard enough that the thorns surrounding his ankles cut into his skin, causing blood to spurt from them. The expressions of the figures of Sonia and Manic turned to ones of concern as they watched.
Sonia – Stop…
Sonic – No! I will save my family…!
His power aiding him, Sonic pulled harder, causing the thorns to cut into his wrists this time, spurting blood from them as well, and causing the figures of Sonia and Manic to look more frantic.
Manic – Stop it…!
Sonic – And put an end to this nightmare!
Sonic pulled against the thorns restraining him using every bit of power and will he could feel coursing within his body, crying out in pain as the thorns dug into his arms and legs, spurting streaks of blood from all his new wounds. The figures of Sonia and Manic now looked desperate and panicked, tears flowing from their eyes as they took in the sight of Sonic literally hurting himself just to break free.
Sonia and Manic – STOP IT!
Outside, the thorn dragon let out an anguished wail as more thorns started sprouting from its base, swinging around wildly. However, back inside, M.A.R.I.A's computer system was falling apart due to the destruction of the wild thorns, causing a high voltage charge to explode throughout the entire High-end lab. Sonic's eyes widened as he watched the thorns covering the walls around the entire room explode from the bursts of electricity before a larger electrical discharge was set off from the center capsule bed, enveloping the room. Sonic then felt himself fall onto the floor as the thorns restraining him loosened their grip and limply fell to the ground as well. He managed to sit back up and looked over to the center of the room; the thorns caging around the capsule bed had been cleared away by the explosion, and it had been knocked onto its axis a little but was otherwise undamaged. There was still a chance!
Sonic – Manic! Sonia!
Sonic got back to his feet and started to run over towards the capsule with his superspeed again, only for a magenta and green furred hand each to reach out and grab his ankles, forcing him to trip and fall over. He looked behind him and saw the thorn figures of Sonia and Manic were the ones who grabbed him, except their upper bodies were changing to look like his siblings' original forms.
Sonia – Please… Stop…
Manic – We're begging you…
Sonic looked surprised as he watched their forms change; it was almost as if his actual brother and sister were really right there! But he couldn't let that deter him; summoning his power again, shown by the blue energy sparking around his body, he attempted to pull himself across the floor towards the capsule bed.
Sonic – Why did this happen?! How did things turn out this way?!
Sonic continued to drag himself across the room, while the figures of Sonia and Manic pulled themselves up and wrapped themselves around his waist, trying to hold him back with desperate expressions on their faces.
Sonia – Please!
Manic – You can't!
Tears welled up his Sonic's eyes as he used his powers to fight against the grip the figures of his siblings had on him, the blue energy sparking around his body growing stronger by the second as it responded to his emotions.
Sonic – If it's my fault…! If it's because I wasn't honest about coming here, then take it out on me! You can wrap me in thorns forever if you want! But please! Just don't destroy the world!
Tears began forming in the eyes of the figures of Sonia and Manic as their desperation to hold Sonic back grew as well.
Sonia and Manic – Don't!
In response to their desperation, another thorn dragon head emerged from the window of the opposite side of the tower, except its color was already faded, and it promptly crumbled to ash two seconds later while the first thorn dragon continued to wail. More volts of electricity shot out around the control area just outside the center lab and the figures of Sonia and manic instantly widened their eyes as they felt their energy diminish all at once, causing their grips on Sonic to weaken and allowing him to crawl out of their grasp. Sonic then continued to crawl swiftly towards the capsule bed while the figures of Sonia and Manic lay weakly on the floor.
Sonic – Sonia! Manic! If you can hear me in there, please wake up! Bro! Sis!
Sonic finally reached the capsule bed and reached up to put his hand on the glass as he took a moment to catch his breath, the blue energy emanating from his body finally calming down. The figures of Sonia and Manic could only reach out towards him in vain.
Sonia – No! Sonic!
Manic – Don't look, please!
Just as Sonic began to pull himself up, he momentarily stopped in his tracks once his eyes caught sight of something strange; the hand he had resting on the glass wiped away the condensation from the area, allowing him to see inside the capsule, the color… blue? Hold on, that couldn't be right. Shouldn't he be seeing either magenta or green? Looking perplexed, Sonic went over to the small pad on the side of the capsule and began manually overriding the on/off controls.
Sonia and Manic – NOOOO!
The capsule then opened, and as the cold mist cleared away and Sonic peeked inside, what he saw made his eyes widen in shock! Lying there inside the capsule wasn't Sonia or Manic… but him?! How could that be?! Sonic looked even more shocked once he saw that the Sonic lying inside the capsule was wearing not just his original gloves and shoes, but also his medallion! But he was sure he turned in his medallion along with his other belongings to the vault before entering the cold sleep capsule room just like everyone else… didn't he?
Manic – No! Don't!
Sonia – Don't remember! Please!
Sonic then looked down towards the legs of the other Sonic, seeing the scar on his right ankle, prompting him to quickly lift up his own right leg, before he began unraveling the bandages wrapped around his foot, as they also covered the area of his ankle where his scar was supposed to be. As he removed the loosened bandages, his eyes widened in shock once more at what he saw; the scar that he's always had since the accident as a child, that he even remembers seeing on his leg when he, Manic, and Sonia last spoke up on that cliff, was not there. His ankle was completely bare, as though it had never existed in the first place.
Sonic – (I'm… I'm…)
As realization set in, the memories of what really happened on that cliff came flooding back.
Sonic looked back at his siblings, now with a determined expression.
Sonic – I've made up my mind!
Sonia and Manic looked surprised at their brother's sudden serious resolution before he grabbed both of their hands.
Sonic – I'm not going to do it!
Manic – What?
Sonic smiled.
Sonic – I'd rather take my chances with Chaos here with you guys than survive in a future where I'm all alone. Even if we do all end up turning into ash, we can at least still be together! Just like we promised!
Manic and Sonia looked completely floored, as though they couldn't believe what they were hearing.
Sonia – Really? Then you're really staying with us?
Sonic nodded.
Sonic – I'm not leaving.
Tears began welling up in Sonia and Manic's eyes once more, except this time they were tears of joy, as the two jumped forwards onto Sonic and hugged him tightly once again, all three siblings laughing as they spun around in their group hug. After a few moments, they all finally let go.
Sonic – All right. Let's get out of here.
Manic – Wait! But what about your capsule?
Sonic looked over at his medical bracelet before giving Manic a confident grin.
Sonic – I'll just give it to someone else who can make better use of it. You saw all those other visitors. We're definitely not the only family being forced to split up here. If all someone needs to get inside is one of these things, we might as well give it to someone who won't have to say goodbye.
Sonia – Do you really think that will work?
Manic – Hey, if we've already checked in, they shouldn't notice the difference if we make a quick switch now.
Sonic nodded.
Sonic – Come on! Let's hurry before it's too late!
Sonic began to run off back towards the castle.
Sonia – Sonic, wait! Don't just run off without-
Sonia was cut off mid-sentence as all of a sudden, she and Manic both felt the ground beneath them give out. The area of land they were standing on had shaken loose, causing the two hedgehogs to begin to fall over the side of the cliff. Time seemed to move slowly for Sonic, as he turned around and caught sight of his siblings beginning to fall over. Fear and shock overtaking his expression, Sonic turned on his heel and ran back towards his siblings. No time to stop and think, he leapt forward and wrapped his arms around Sonia and Manic just before all three hedgehog siblings plummeted over the edge; time seemed to resume to its normal pace right then as the waves from the sea continued to crash against the rocks below. Sonia and Manic's hands were then shown reaching up and over the edge of the cliff as they climbed back up. Apparently, Sonic had used his momentum when he grabbed his siblings to push them to safety on a nearby ledge just as they fell. Two guards who had seen what had happened immediately came over and helped them the rest of the way up.
Guard 1 – Are you all right?!
Sonia – Yes, thank you…
Guard 2 – Are either of you hurt?
Manic – No. If Sonic hadn't pushed us onto that ledge in time-
Both siblings suddenly looked up in shock, realizing Sonic was nowhere in sight.
Sonia – Wait, Sonic? Where's Sonic?!
Manic – I don't know!
The second guard took out his walkie talkie to report the incident while Manic and Sonia looked around for their brother.
Guard 2 – This is GP-03. Accident occurred. Send medical staff immediately.
Sonia – Sonic?!
Manic – Bro?!
Both the guards then gasped as they looked over the cliff, and both Sonia and Manic went still until they turned around and looked down as well, seeing Sonic's lifeless body lying on the rocks below, blood pooling from underneath his head and a little even dribbling from his mouth. Horror instantly filled both Manic and Sonia's features as they stared at the sight before them and grabbed their faces while an enormous wave of disbelief and grief overwhelmed them.
Sonia and Manic – N-NOOOOOO!
Both of their backs suddenly began bulging before a massive amount of matter burst forth from them; their Chaos viruses have been awakened.
The memory of the footage Sonic saw on the news camera then flashed through his mind as well, as he realized that was what happened next.
Newswoman – MNN News! What happened here?!
Guard 1 – Bet back! Get back!
The camera shifted its angle and zoomed in on Sonia and Manic lying on their stretchers, convulsing in pain while grasping their necks and shoulders, which were bulging as more Alternatives were attempting to emerge from their bodies.
Scientist 1 – They want them in the High-end lab.
Scientists 2 – High-end lab?
Scientist 1 – Level 0. The top of the tower.
Sonia and Manic both then began screaming in agony.
Guard 1 – Hey! Stop that!
Scientist 3 – Stop it!
As the third scientist tried covering the camera with his hand, the image managed to zoom in close on Sonia and Manic's pain filled faces as they screamed again before the camera was forced away, the last image that could be seen through the scientist's fingers as his hand covered the lens was the tower of the facility.
Sonia and Manic's bodies were then shown when they were brought to the High-end lab, an enormous amount of liquid-like energy being produced from their bodies as they lay on the capsule bed, while multiple bolts of energy emerged from the whirlpool of liquid energy swirling around the room. Next, the moment the liquid-energy began growing at a far too ravenous rate, consuming the entire room and pounding against the glass panes as it began to take form, to the shock and fear of Gerald and the other scientists, followed by hundreds of blue and magenta eyes along with other facial features to form in the energy-like matter, before in a split second, all the matter in the lab took the form of giant vines with red and yellowish/green thorns, which broke through the glass and began consuming everything in sight. Multiple soldiers were then shown shooting at the thorns encompassing the facility, though they were slowly backing up as they did so, as well were other soldiers attempting to ward off dinosaur-like monsters that were cornering them along with the other visitors and Venus Gate scientists outside on the castle grounds. However, in the midst of all the chaos happening, Sonia and Manic were shown surrounded by glowing neon green and fuchsia thorns while two regular vines, one with red thorns and one with yellowish/green ones spiraled around them; matter emerged from both of their backs before combining together, taking the form of Sonic before splitting off from the other two hedgehogs. The memory of when the elevator doors to the cold-sleep capsule room opened up, revealing Cyrus standing directly in front of them before multiple vines, some with red thorns and others with yellowish/green ones, slithered inside and knocked the lion out of the way before Shadow was shown standing back up as he gazed ahead, looking completely astonished, was shown next. Only this time, the thorns were also revealed to be gently carrying Sonic and placing his body into his capsule. Despite being in a trance-like state, Sonic looked down behind him as the thorns set him down, first seeing Cyrus' unconscious body on the floor beneath him, then looking over to the other side of the room to see Shadow's unconscious form lying on the ground as well. Finally, his gaze turned towards the elevator, seeing Sonia and Manic both standing at the entrance to the doors while the thorns retreated back inside, the wall of glowing neon green and fuchsia vines of thorns continuing to rise from behind them.
Sonic – Sonia?! Manic?!
Both hedgehogs turned their gazes towards Sonic as he heard their voices speak to him.
Sonia and Manic – Sonic, please live!
Back in the present, the thorn dragon was shown lowering itself back down towards the water, wailing in agony as the color of multiple vines of thorns at its base began to dull before crumbling away into ash. Knuckles, Miles, and Amy were shown continuing to fight off the brambles of thorns on the ground, all of them looking quite exerted from their non-stop battle, but were all suddenly shocked once the brambles promptly halted in their tracks and also began to lose their color before turning to ash.
Knuckles – What…?
Amy – The thorns are…!
They all then looked up at the sky once they heard the thorn dragon continue to wail in pain. The three grouped back together as they kept their eyes up on the sky.
Knuckles – What's going on up there?!
Tails – I don't know! But something must have happened!
The three watched as the thorn dragon continued to lower back down while its thorns broke apart and crumble away.
Amy – I hope Sonic and Shadow are okay…
Miles and Knuckles glanced over at Amy, seeing her worried expression before they looked back up, sharing her sentiment.
Back inside, Sonic was shown sitting against the capsule bed where his original body was lying in, solemnly glancing down at the floor, having now remembered everything.
Sonic – So I'm just like Shadow then… an Alternative your minds simultaneously created…
Sonia and Manic were glancing solemnly at the ground too; the truth they had been trying so hard to keep from their brother had been revealed. There was nothing more to do.
Manic – We just wanted to change the world into one where you lived on, without you realizing a thing…
Sonia – That's what we kept wishing so strongly for…
Manic and Sonia's bodies changed back completely into vines of thorns, merging back into the ground before both their faces emerged from the ceiling, looking down at Sonic.
Sonic – All this time, I thought I was being the strong one for you guys… But in the end, you were the ones who were really looking out for me.
Manic – That's not true, Bro.
Sonic looked up in surprise at the chuckle in Manic's voice, seeing both his and Sonia's faces smiling at him.
Sonia – Manic's right. We were only able to grow strong because you were always there for us. You were willing to make such a difficult choice and looked ahead with optimism just to keep us from falling to despair.
Manic – And then you literally sacrificed your life to save ours. Sonic, you're our hero.
Sonic's eyes welled up with tears again as he looked up at his siblings' faces.
Sonia – We're sorry for not realizing what a heavy burden you were placing on your shoulders. Maybe this all could have been avoided otherwise.
Sonic's eyes then widened a little before they turned serious; all this time he thought he was responsible for what happened, but after hearing what Sonia just said he finally realized something.
Sonic – Don't be. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Manic – Yeah, we know. Cause that's who you are, Bro.
Sonic – What happens now?
Sonia and Manic's smiles disappeared.
Sonia – Our wish went out of control…
The room soon began shaking with debris falling from the ceiling and bolts of lightning once again shot around the room; the tower was falling apart.
Manic – You'll have to live without its help from now on.
Sonic stood up, staring up at his siblings with adamant refusal.
Sonic – No! I told you, I'm not leaving you guys again!
Sonia – The world will have to change once Sleeping Beauty wakes up.
Sonic – Knock it off, Sonia! This isn't Sleeping Beauty!
Sonia and Manic's faces looked surprised at that statement.
Sonic – Please! I don't want to be alone!
Sonia and Manic then smiled reassuringly.
Sonia – You'll be alright, Sonic. We finally understand.
Manic – Like you said, our bond is one that can't ever be broken, remember? And your existence is proof of that.
Sonic looked perplexed.
Sonic – What do you mean?
Sonia – You're the culmination of the Sonic both our hearts yearned for, the Sonic we've always known and still remember. Chaos allowed us to bring you back because we know you better than anyone. So don't forget us.
Manic – Even if we're not there with you physically, even if you're overcome by unspeakable loneliness… As long as you hold onto the image of us within your heart, pieces of us will always exist inside of you.
Sonic – But…
Sonia – Besides, you won't be alone, Sonic. We've been watching you your entire journey, and you've made so many wonderful new friends. We know you'll be in good hands.
Sonic – Sis… Bro…
Sonia – We know it's selfish of us to ask this of you, but please, grant us our final wish… Live, Sonic…
Manic – For all of us…
Sonic continued to stare up at his siblings' faces above, tears still welling up in his eyes. Even so, he knew what they were saying to be true; they had put their faith in him when they needed it, now it was his turn to do the same. Sonic wiped his eyes before he stared up with a determined expression.
Sonic – Okay! Okay, I will! I promise!
Sonia and Manic smiled, before their faces appeared to crack apart and a mouth full of sharp teeth made out of vines of thorns broke through the ceiling, chomping down over the capsule bed and Sonic's original deceased body, barely missing Sonic himself. After a moment, one glowing fuchsia vine and one glowing neon green vine emerged from the cluster of thorns, slamming into Sonic and pushing him back out of the room. Sonic could only watch as he was pushed away, feeling the vines also pushing something into his hands as they did so, and seeing Sonia and Manic standing within the cluster of thorns, back in their original forms, each of them glowing a radiant fuchsia and neon green, smiling at him while cradling his original body in their arms. No words needed to be spoken, their eyes were clearly saying "I love you." As the two vines pushing Sonic out of the room receded, their edges slithered off his right arm last, but not before laying on top of Sonic's hand for a short moment, just as how the triplets normally stacked their hands; sealing their final vow, before they let go. Tears fell from Sonic's eyes as he neared the exit of the room, his right hand still reaching out towards his siblings while his left remained clenched around whatever he was holding.
Sonic – I love you guys too.
Suddenly Shadow ran over and grabbed Sonic around the middle before running off, just before multiple thorns fell through the ceiling and covered the entrance to the High-end lab.
Outside, the wings of the thorn dragon had turned already dissolved to ash and the rest of its body seemed to be unraveling, causing the tower on top to begin coming apart. Shadow and Sonic were shown racing up the rest of the stairs towards the roof, using their superspeed to outrun the falling debris behind them.
Shadow – There wasn't enough energy to run out of control?! Don't stop running!
Sonic followed behind, not slowing down, but sobbing his heart out over his siblings; not bothering to hide his emotions this time, letting them all out as he cried.
Shadow – It's going to self-destruct!
The thorn dragon let out one final roar before the color of its entire body completely faded and dissolved into dust, causing the remains of the tower to completely fall apart and plummet straight down to the ocean just as soon as Shadow and Sonic reached the top; only two bright lights that looked like stars, one fuchsia and the other neon green, remained floating in the air where the tower used to be. Sonic and Shadow were then shown falling towards the sea as well, catching the attention of Miles, Amy, and Knuckles back on land.
Amy – There they are!
Sonic and Shadow reached their hands out towards each other as they fell.
Sonic – Shadow!
Shadow – Sonic!
They managed to grab each other's hands before they pulled each other close, holding onto the other tightly as they shut their eyes, bracing themselves for the impact below.
Tails – Hang on! I've got them!
Miles began spinning his tails and lifted off the ground, preparing to fly towards Sonic and Shadow, only for Knuckles to notice something in the water, prompting him to hold up a hand to Miles, signaling for him to stop.
Knuckles – Wait! Look!
Knuckles then pointed down to the water, where multiple vines, half with red thorns and half with yellowish/green thorns, sprouted up from the water and came together underneath Sonic and Shadow, catching them just in time. The thorns gently lowered the two hedgehogs safely on the cliff just before their color faded and they scattered into ash, although they seemed to shimmer in the light as they did so, much to the amazement of Sonic and Shadow.
Tails – Sonic! Shadow!
Both hedgehogs turned to their right, seeing Miles, Amy, and Knuckles running over to them.
The waves of the ocean continued crashing against the cliffside, ash blowing in the wind, only the carnage and ruins of what was once the Venus Gate Cold Sleep Capsule Center remaining as the only proof of the catastrophe that had taken place in the last two days. The fuchsia and neon green specs of light were dimming as they shined overhead; meanwhile Sonic was shown reaching out towards them with his right hand as though he were trying to hold them in his grasp, knowing they were all that was left of his brother and sister. The two specs of light then flickered a few times before they faded completely, prompting Sonic to lower his hand, but he kept his gaze up at the sky. Everyone else was shown standing or sitting just behind him as they processed everything he had just told them.
Knuckles – So that's what happened…
Miles went over to Sonic's side and grasped his still clenched left hand in both of his own in an attempt to offer some comfort.
Tails – Sonic, I'm so sorry…
Sonic looked over at Miles and smiled at him appreciatively before gazing towards the horizon.
Sonic – You know… I had also hoped that this was all a dream. A dream I was having while asleep inside the cold sleep capsule. I would have been fine with that if it were true… But the reality is that I was a dream Manic and Sonia were having, wasn't I?
Everyone was silent for a moment before Shadow spoke up.
Shadow – Who knows, maybe we're all a part of someone else's dream.
Everyone except for Sonic looked over at Shadow with intrigue.
Amy – Whose?
Shadow – A single incomprehensible being that evolved a long time ago.
The ebony hedgehog then stood up and walked over to Sonic's other side, staring out at the horizon as well.
Shadow – Not that it matters.
Sonic looked over at Shadow with intrigue as well.
Shadow – You are Sonic… just as I am Shadow…
Shadow turned slightly to gesture to the others.
Shadow – And they are themselves. No disease, dream, or some evolved entity changes the importance of that. No matter how unbearable the pain is, endure it until you find someone you can encourage to follow where you left off.
Shadow then brought up his right wrist and looked at his inhibitor ring, gazing at the inscription of Maria's name on it.
Shadow – That's, what I think she would have wanted for me.
Sonic – Shadow…
A moment of silence passed between the group before Knuckles finally broke it.
Knuckles – What do we do now? What next?
Sonic returned his gaze towards the horizon for a moment before he brought his left hand up and opened it, revealing the objects he had been holding onto to be his along with both of his siblings' medallions; Sonia and Manic's final gift to him. Sonic them closed his eyes and used both of his hands to bring the three medallions close to his chest for a moment before he opened his eyes, a fire now having been lit inside them and proceeded to put his own medallion around his neck. It already felt right having it back where it rightly belonged, but then he went on to put both Sonia and Manic's medallions around his neck as well, and at that moment, sporting all three of them, Sonic felt complete. With that done, Sonic turned towards Miles.
Sonic – Miles, let me see your bracelet.
Miles lifted his right wrist up to Sonic, who then proceeded to remove it from his wrist, much to the young fox's surprise.
Tails – Hey!
Sonic then threw the bracelet away as far as he could, surprising the others as well.
Tails – Sonic!
Knuckles – What are you doing?!
Sonic turned towards Amy and Knuckles next.
Sonic – Amy, Knuckles, you too.
Both mobians once again looked surprised.
Amy – But, don't we need them?
Sonic then smiled while gesturing to Knuckles' gloves and Amy's hammer.
Sonic – You really think so?
Amy and Knuckles looked down in surprise at their respective Alternatives, realizing what Sonic was saying before they grinned and nodded to each other. They then proceeded to remove their own medical bracelets and throw them away as far as they could just as Sonic did. Shadow and the blue hedgehog himself soon after removed their respective bracelets and threw them away as well before Sonic looked back at everyone with a smile once again.
Sonic – All right. Let's go.
Tails – Go? Where?
Sonic – Somewhere where there's people.
Sonic looked over at Amy.
Sonic – Maybe to find Amy's friend.
He then turned his attention to Knuckles.
Sonic – Or maybe the rest of Knuckles' clan.
Sonic looked back at Miles.
Sonic – Hey, maybe even your own village, Tails.
Miles looked surprised at the nickname Sonic just used.
Sonic – You know, because of the extra tail, now?
Miles was silent for a moment, making Sonic begin to feel as though he overstepped.
Sonic – Uh, unless you don't like that…
Miles however then shook his head, beaming all the while.
Tails – No, it's okay! I love it! It sure beats any nickname I've had before!
Sonic smiled again, relieved.
Sonic – You got it, Buddy!
Shadow soon walked up and gazed towards the road leading further into the mainland.
Shadow – There's no telling what will happen once the public learns that Venus Gate has been destroyed. Not to mention the attention that will be on us, the only survivors.
Tails – What about everyone else's disease?
Sonic looked out towards the mainland as well, but with a confident smile on his face.
Sonic – Then I guess it's up to us to check on them. We know the secrets of Chaos. If anyone can help the rest of the infected people of the world, it's us.
Knuckles – This will be no light task. There are many who will intend to abuse such power.
Shadow – And if what the Professor said is true, G.U.N. especially will go to any lengths to get their hands on this knowledge.
Amy – Do you really think we can handle it?
Sonic – Who knows? But miracles only happen where there's a wish.
Everyone looked at Sonic in surprise, who just grinned back at them all.
Sonic – Something my mom used to say. And right now… we have the power to make miracles a reality.
Everyone took in Sonic's words before grinning back at him, sharing his sentiment; Tails stretching out both of his tails, Knuckles raising both his fists, and Amy holding up her hammer over her shoulder. Even Shadow was smirking, Sonic's confidence spreading to him as well.
Sonic – I don't know what's gonna happen from here on out, but I do know that no matter what, we're all in this together.
Sonic then reached his hand outwards, just as he always did with his siblings whenever they made a vow.
Sonic – What do you say, team?
Tails was the first to place his hand over Sonic's.
Tails – You bet!
Amy and Knuckles soon followed suit.
Amy – Me too!
Knuckles – It'd be an honor.
Everyone looked over at Shadow expectantly, as he was the only one who had yet to join, and the ebony hedgehog huffed in amusement.
Shadow – Very well.
Shadow then came over and placed his hand in the center on top of everyone else's. With that, the vow was sealed. Everyone looked back over to Sonic, who nodded confidently before the group of five all turned to the road and began walking down it, away from the ruins of what was once the Venus Gate facility, noticing that pieces of the ground alongside both edges of the road had been torn up, making the very path ahead look reminiscent of a vine of thorns. It was a long way from wherever this group of friends may end up heading, but they held solace in knowing whatever it was that lay ahead of them, they had each other; they were a team now, one that would watch each other's backs through thick and thin come what may. As for what is in store for them next…
.
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That is not my story to tell.
The end! Or is it?
Really though, I don't have any plans for a sequel, sorry everyone. But that does not mean I think this is where their journey ends. I decided to leave whatever happens next up to your interpretation; it's also the reason why I did not include characters like Silver, Blaze, or even Rouge in this story, cause I like to imagine they are new friends the gang will meet in whatever their next adventure will be. And of course I also did not want to use Eggman for this exact reason as well, but we have seen various versions of Robotnik throughout the Sonic franchise, so maybe he had a twin brother or something, who knows?
There are lots of unsettled plot points as well, like Sonic now being the only surviving member of the royal family, and how that will effect both his and Mobius' future. Also Shadow is definitely not planning on returning to G.U.N. after everything that has happened, but they definitely are not just going to let him go without answers. The entire world will have questions about what happened at Venus Gate and Sonic and the others now have a new mission of helping those they can with the Chaos Virus.
On that note, this is where we say goodbye. Thank you all so much for your support and for following along! It felt amazing to be back in my writing groove again. And I will see you all again depending on whatever else I bring to the table at some point. So long!
