PROJECT: Nightmare
Chapter Nine: Lost Hope
He was a midnight blue, with electric blue lightning stripes present where his regular red stripes were before. His shoes were the deepest black. His eyes were an even darker red, more wine-coloured, with a lust for blood. Even his grin, which was mischevious before, was now plain sinister. Just by looking at the small grin you could tell how much he was DYING to say, "I'm going to have so much fun killing you."
It was the true form of evil. He had finally conquered his dream... he was their Worst Nightmare. Ivo saw that the first part of his plan was successful, and hurried to his EggWalker to prepare Phase II.
Nightmare jumped off the pedastal, the wind finally ceasing. He glared at the gang as they rose to their feet. "Hmm, well I can't say I'm too fond of you five, but it must've taken you a lot of guts to sneak into our base. I admire such courage, even if it is foolishness, so I'll make you a deal: Stay out of my way, and I'll let you live."
Amy whimpered in fear as Sonic stepped forward to meet his enemy. "Over my dead body..." he hissed dangerously.
Nightmare clenched his teeth. "I can arrange that." He grabbed Sonic, held him over his head, and swung him around, flinging him hard into the console. The Emeralds were shaken loose from the console and clattered to the floor. Sonic lay motionless.
Amy screamed. "Nooo, SONIC!!!" Sobbing, she hurried to his silent form.
Nightmare cackled. "Was that the same hedgehog that gives the doctor such a hard time? I hardly believe it." He turned to Tails, Rouge, and Knuckles, and pointed at Sonic. "See there? May that be a warning to you three, should we cross paths again." His jet skates flared wildly, and Nightmare slammed up through three stories until he broke the roof that gave him access to the outside.
Knuckles watched the debris fall for a few seconds, then turned his attention to the fallen hedgehog. "Oh no!" He rushed over to them, Rouge and Tails on his heels.
"Sonic!!" Amy shook him violently. "Sonic, wake up!" She dropped her head on his chest, sobbing "Why won't he respond? Why won't he say something...?"
"...........ow..."
"Sonic?!" Amy gasped. "Oh, Sonic!!" She threw her arms around him. "I'm so glad your okay!!"
He grunted at her embrace. "Easy, Amy. It's good to see you, too." He hugged her back.
Knuckles stepped forward. "Sonic, what should we do? Nightmare is already off to... destroy stuff."
"Gee, that tells me a lot," Sonic quipped sarcastically.
"Well..."
"I know, I know, Knux." He stood up, using Amy for support. "We've got to stop him. The question is... 'how?'."
Tails turned to start pacing... and fell flat on his face.
"Tails!" Sonic gasped. "You okay?"
The orange kitsune was silent for a few seconds. "You know, Sonic..." he said softly, "The key to stopping Nightmare is right under our noses..." he grinned. "Or in my case, our feet." Tails stood up and held out the yellow Emerald he tripped on.
Sonic took the Emerald from Tails, pondering deeply. "...Super Sonic?"
"Do you think it would work?" Rouge asked.
Sonic frowned. "What other choice do I have? I can't fight him in my regular state..." He sat down and closed his eyes.
In the blackness behind his eyelids, he kept seeing a golden flash. Then Sonic thought he heard a voice. It was much like his own... it fact, it WAS his own. But yet it wasn't his. He didn't know... oh, how his head hurt. The voice was speaking something unintelligible.
The golden flashes stopped. Soon, images of the city burning flooded Sonic's mind. He saw the electric blue steak that ws Nightmare, standing over something... something pink. And orange. Amy and Tails, helpless, fallen to the hands of Nightmare. Rouge and Knuckles had been tossed to the side.
Sonic saw himself laying nearby, watching helplessly at Nightmare attacked his friends. He suddenly turned to his right and saw Shadow's image, looking calm, smiling softly. Shadow was saying something... everything went black. But he still saw Shadow. Sonic leaned forward in his mind, trying to hear his friend's words. His lips were moving... his voice was getting louder.
Shadow's image began to slowly change. His quills became sharper, and his skin started yellowing. Shadow's voice changed to the voice Sonic heard before. HIS voice. Suddenly, it became perfectly clear.
Sonic jumped up from his position, no longer feeling weak. He held up the Emerald and shouted what he was told:
"Super Sonic has returned!!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sunny stared from her place in the bush, frowning. Shadow was really gone... he had finally left. Crying lightly, she headed back to the garden.
"How could he go?" She whispered in Chao. "I thought he liked me."
She was almost back home. But then a sound behind her caught her eye. she whirled around hopeful. It was Shadow... but he painted himself blue. (How odd,) she thought. (Oh well.) She squeaked her welcome cry, and waited a response.
The blue Shadow turned at her, sneered, and turned away.
Sunny huffed. No one could treat her like that! She ran forward and jumped on him before he could run away.
"Get off of me!" He yelled and started shaking his leg.
Sunny clung for all she was worth.
Growling, the blue Shadow plucked her from his leg and threw her as far as he could. "Maybe that'll teach you to not listen to me!"
Sunny sat up, sniffling. Why was Shadow so mean? Unless... "It's not Shadow?" Sunny flew into a tree to get a better view. She quickly searched the blue hedgehog in the distance. His right wrist was naked.
"I knew it! Shadow never goes anywhere without his night-light." Sunny climbed down. The blue Shadow didn't wear a Flame Bracelet, telling Sunny that it wasn't the real Shadow. "But..." she pouted, "Where is the real Shadow?"
She didn't know. But she decided that she needed to find out. However, she wouldn't be able to do it alone.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Shadow ducked furth back behind the display pedestal he was hiding behind as he watched the electric blue blur whiz by. "That... was not Sonic." he decided. "Could that be Nightmare's 'super' form?"
Shadow slipped around the corner. He head Amy's voice coming from the corridor to the right, though he couldn't make out what she was saying. (If everyone is down that way...) he slid to the left, (then I'll go *this* way.)
He hurried down the left side of the hallway where he came into an unusual room. All along the side were notebooks filled with papers, journals, and books. In a way, it made Shadow think of a library. Some of them looked very old, while others looked as if they had been placed there that day. Shadow first looked at the old books, and found one labeled, "Ultimate LifeForm: Prototype One". He pulled it out and skimmed through it.
In the book, he found a journal of Gerald's data on Shadow's progress, and a few photos. "My baby pictures..." Shadow grinned. "Aww, I was such a cutie!"
He flipped through a few more pages, eventually coming across more in-depth background data, including several reasons for Shadow's existance. "But I already KNOW all that..." Shadow mumbled, shutting the book. "I was created to save Maria... a task in which I failed..."
He shook his head, erasing the sad thoughts from his mind. He had fulfilled her promise; now she could be at peace. He made his way down to the newer looking books. "Hello, what's this?" He found a diary labeled "PROJECT: Nightmare". Shadow grinned. "My new friend." He skimmed most of it, it basically being Eggman's progress with Nightmare, which was pretty much the same as Gerald's progress with Shadow.
Then Shadow found an entry that had been written the day before, one that interested him greatly...
"November 4th; 12:13 PM
I have been carefully calculating the Chaos Power given off by Super Sonic and Hyper Shadow during their fight with the FinalHazard. I had recorded them carefully, and was hoping I could use their data as a way to super-power Nightmare. Today, I think I have finally pulled things together. Nightmare has agreed to willingly work with me in an effort to create the Eggman Empire, a way to "give us both a legacy", as he puts it. I can't say I have ever been happier. He listens to my every command without any sign of resentment. I have no fear of him turning on me at this point.
"As powerful as he is, he would not be able to do much without additional Chaos Power. That's where my studies for Sonic and Shadow came in. By watching their movements and abilities in both forms, I was able to project a plan for Nightmare, making him twice as strong. Nightmare was born of the Chaos Emerald power, so while he looks to be in a normal state, he is always in hyper form. By using the Emeralds again, he will grow ten times as strong. I have dubbed this his 'worst' form, since to the general people, it shall be the worst of their dreams come true."
Shadow frowned. He really did not like the way this sounded. But there was more.
"I have several theories on how Nightmare could possess such power. He could use the Emeralds I have, or should Sonic get to them first, he could steal the 'super' of Super Sonic by means of a Chaos rebirth. Then, there's the third theory, involving crippling the children of the Emeralds---"
Shadow gasped and dropped the book. He could read no more. " 'Children of the Emeralds'? Those are the Chao!"
Horrible visions of Sunny, Wave, Violet, and the others flashed in Shadow's mind. He left the diary on the floor and made his way out of the library and towards the exit. Right now, he did not care of the others saw him. He had to get back to Chao World. The Chao could be in danger!
With all his might, Shadow glid across the island until he reached the center of it, where Chao World was located. Into his garden...
Empty.
"God DAMNIT!" Shadow stomped his foot on the ground. The cave was vacant, the pool was still, and no Chao were rolling in the grass. They were gone. Shadow held his head. "No... this can't be..." He felt tears form. "They can't be gone, no... but were they kidnapped, or did they look... for.... me....."
Suddenly Shadow understood. They must've gone looking for him because he was gone so long. "Chances are they followed Nightmare. But where did Nightmare go?" He had to wonder. "I'll check the island first, then head off to Station Square. If not, I'll look to Sand Hill. The area around here really isn't all that big. Nightmare can't have gotten far."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Shadow was right; Nightmare hadn't gotten far. He was about 15 miles southwest from where Shadow was standing, right outside the public library.
Nightmare stood in front of the spot where just days before, he was blown up the entire section. But then, he had needed a bomb. "Today, I don't need a bomb. I have me!" He slammed his fist into the side and watched the renovations go up in smoke. He had to notice how well an explosion went with the sunset.
Over the next half-hour, Nightmare made his way around, terrorizing the city and the people living there. Houses were demolished. Screams echoed in his ears like music. A little splash of blood here and there completed the work. The world was his canvas, and the destruction of the city was just the first of his masterpieces.
After a while, Nightmare made his way to the outskirts of the city, near the location of the Radical Highway Zone. He stood high up on a platform on a bridge, next to dozens of cars that were caught in a traffic jam to escape the city. He reached for a support cable. "This will be the first thing to go..."
"Not if I can help it!"
"Wha... YOU!"
Nightmare stared at the creature on the beam high above him. He recognized this creature, but from where...? They never met in person... (Perhaps I saw a picture... wait, a picture!) "YOU! Super Sonic!!"
"That's mah name, don't wear it out!" Sonic quipped as leapt down to Nightmare's level.
Nightmare growled. "You're too late, hedghog. The city is mine to destroy."
"That's nice, except that the city is actually MINE... to save."
"In your dreams, hedgehog." Nightmare took a battle stance. "It's time to finish this!"
Sonic too a stance of his own. "Couldn't have said it better myself."
Nightmare lunged for Sonic. "Enough of your talk; prepare to die!"
By now, the sky was completely dark, making the glowing combantants and their fight even more spectacular to witness. Sonic blocked the strike with ease, countering with a light-speed dash which knocked Nightmare into a support pole. However, Nightmare recovered from the attck much sooner than Sonic had predicted, and soon HE was flying backwards, teetering dangerously over the edge.
Not one to quit easily, Sonic flipped back onto the bridge and knocked Nightmare into the traffic. Nightmare activated his jet skates and flew up, then divebombed Sonic from above. Groaning, Sonic stood up weakly. Nightmare flashed an evil grin. "Give up yet?"
"Over my... dead... body..."
"You said it, not me." Nightmare glowed a brilliant blue as he powered up, then dove in for the attack.
"STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!" a high-pitched voice cried.
Nightmare froze in mid-air. "What in the world...? Oh damnit! Why can't you people just leave me alone?!"
Tails, Knuckles, Rouge and Amy came running along the side of the bridge where the battle was taking place. Their distraction gave enough time for Sonic to recover. "What are you guys doing here?"
"We came to help, duh!" Knuckles said.
Sonic shook his head. "I don't... no. I need to do this. Besides, how could you guys help?"
"They can't!" Nightmare yelled. "You're history, Super Sonic!" With that he rammed his head into Sonic's stomach, sending him toppling into Amy. Sonic jumped back up, but kept getting bashed back by Nightmare, until he started to flash blue amist his golden glow.
"Shit..." he muttered. He was losing power. Before long, he would return to his normal state, and then he was done for. The Chaos energy was starting to fade faster...
...Something that seven children of the Emeralds running up behind Nightmare were able to sense...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cobalt gave the order, and the seven chao of Shadow's garden flew down and joined together. They formed a wall in front of Sonic and the others.
"How cute..." Nightmare mocked. "The little blue blobs are trying to save you. Too bad their efforts will be futile!!" He raised his fist, but suddenly stopped.
He heard a sound.
A very joyous sound.
Hell, it was downright cute! And it was starting to grow louder....
And in stereo!
He looked down to see the seven Chao all singing and dancing in sync, making humming noises and la-la-las to create a soft, peaceful song. Nightmare resisted.
"No... you can't! Stop singing!"
They did not listen. They sung louder. The balls on their heads began to glow a brilliant white.
"You... no! You're stealing my power! ENOUGH!!!" Nightmare began to glow again, the same glow he had done before when he was trying to attack Sonic. "Fine. Steal my strentgh if you will, but if I'm going out, I'm going out with a BANG!"
Amy reached for her Piko-Piko hammer. "You wouldn't..." she mentally readied herself to unleash the weapon.
"Oh, believe me, you little pink pest... I would."
And he did.
But not without a slight change of plans.
Instead of knocking the Chao away, Amy leapt in the way of the blast, whacking Nightmare with her hammer. Some of the Chao were still knocked over by the attack, but Amy took the full brunt. She went flying, right over the edge of the highway.
Sonic, who was now his regular blue, dove and stretched out his arm and grabbed her wrist as her body hung over the side. Her hammer fell to the streets far below, out of eyesight due to the darkness. He pulled her up, holding her close so that she didn't fall. "Amy? Oh Amy!"
She whimpered. "....S-Sonic...? Are the Ch-chao alright?"
He gathered her up in a hug. "They're fine... and I'm glad to see that you're okay, too."
"How sickeningly sweet..." Nightmare spat as he approached them. "Too bad I'm a sour person." He raised his fast. "Say goodnight, forever!"
"HOLD IT!!"
Nightmare growled. "NOW what... ?!"
A lone black figure stood above them, blending in against the night sky. "If you want them, you'll have to get through ME first..."
The gang all gasped in shock, except for Sunny, who cheered, and Sonic, who grinned. "Shadow!!"
Nightmare glared at Shadow as he leapt down. "Shadow, eh? I've heard of you."
"Perhaps you haven't heard enough."
A growl, and a summoning of Chaos Spear.
Shadow jumped away from the yellow bolts. "You see Nightmare, there's something interesting about me. I'm immortal."
Nightmare lunged.
"I live forever. It's odd, really, because there's nothing more I want than death."
Shadow dodged.
"However, a very dear friend of mine begged me to make a promise, and I will KEEP that promise!!" The anger building up in Shadow was unmistakable. Slowly, he was being dragged into Rage.
Nightmare frowned, waiting for the right moment to attack. "What does that have to do with me?"
"I have to save the earth. Give the mortals a chance to be happy. Save them... from you! For you see, Nightmare, *I* am your enemy, not Sonic."
"I... I don't understand."
"...I won't let you live a lie, Nightmare..." Shadow stood up straight. "*I* am the world's Ultimate LifeForm."
Nightmare gasped. "No.. it can't be..."
"Oh, but it can. You see, you were created in my likeness, which is why we look the same. The only real difference, is that I came first. I am the original."
"So I am your clone..." Nightmare scowled. "But! I am your clone in appearance only!"
"I agree. We can't be identical. I know things that you don't."
"Really?" Nightmare pondered. "Such as...?"
"Such as... Eggman left something interesting out of your battleplan." Shadow jabbed out his right hand and gripped Nightmare by the tuft of fur on his chest. "In the name of Maria Robotnik, I will destroy you!" A white ball of energy began to form around Shadow's hand, taking a Saturn-ish shape.
With a gasp, and a grit of the teeth, Shadow emmitted this one lone cry:
"FINAL CHAOS REBIRTH!!!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The white energy spread to Shadow's arm, then covered his body, and he flashed a silver colour. Nightmare was once again returned to his regular black. "What... what happened?!" He demanded of Shadow.
"I told you, I know things that you don't. The Chaos Rebirth allowed Hyper Shadow to fall into existince once again."
"So you stole my power. Big deal." Nightmare growled. "I was created to be better than you! You'll never stop me!"
Shadow glared deeply. "We shall see, Nightmare. OH, how we shall see."
Chapter Nine: Lost Hope
He was a midnight blue, with electric blue lightning stripes present where his regular red stripes were before. His shoes were the deepest black. His eyes were an even darker red, more wine-coloured, with a lust for blood. Even his grin, which was mischevious before, was now plain sinister. Just by looking at the small grin you could tell how much he was DYING to say, "I'm going to have so much fun killing you."
It was the true form of evil. He had finally conquered his dream... he was their Worst Nightmare. Ivo saw that the first part of his plan was successful, and hurried to his EggWalker to prepare Phase II.
Nightmare jumped off the pedastal, the wind finally ceasing. He glared at the gang as they rose to their feet. "Hmm, well I can't say I'm too fond of you five, but it must've taken you a lot of guts to sneak into our base. I admire such courage, even if it is foolishness, so I'll make you a deal: Stay out of my way, and I'll let you live."
Amy whimpered in fear as Sonic stepped forward to meet his enemy. "Over my dead body..." he hissed dangerously.
Nightmare clenched his teeth. "I can arrange that." He grabbed Sonic, held him over his head, and swung him around, flinging him hard into the console. The Emeralds were shaken loose from the console and clattered to the floor. Sonic lay motionless.
Amy screamed. "Nooo, SONIC!!!" Sobbing, she hurried to his silent form.
Nightmare cackled. "Was that the same hedgehog that gives the doctor such a hard time? I hardly believe it." He turned to Tails, Rouge, and Knuckles, and pointed at Sonic. "See there? May that be a warning to you three, should we cross paths again." His jet skates flared wildly, and Nightmare slammed up through three stories until he broke the roof that gave him access to the outside.
Knuckles watched the debris fall for a few seconds, then turned his attention to the fallen hedgehog. "Oh no!" He rushed over to them, Rouge and Tails on his heels.
"Sonic!!" Amy shook him violently. "Sonic, wake up!" She dropped her head on his chest, sobbing "Why won't he respond? Why won't he say something...?"
"...........ow..."
"Sonic?!" Amy gasped. "Oh, Sonic!!" She threw her arms around him. "I'm so glad your okay!!"
He grunted at her embrace. "Easy, Amy. It's good to see you, too." He hugged her back.
Knuckles stepped forward. "Sonic, what should we do? Nightmare is already off to... destroy stuff."
"Gee, that tells me a lot," Sonic quipped sarcastically.
"Well..."
"I know, I know, Knux." He stood up, using Amy for support. "We've got to stop him. The question is... 'how?'."
Tails turned to start pacing... and fell flat on his face.
"Tails!" Sonic gasped. "You okay?"
The orange kitsune was silent for a few seconds. "You know, Sonic..." he said softly, "The key to stopping Nightmare is right under our noses..." he grinned. "Or in my case, our feet." Tails stood up and held out the yellow Emerald he tripped on.
Sonic took the Emerald from Tails, pondering deeply. "...Super Sonic?"
"Do you think it would work?" Rouge asked.
Sonic frowned. "What other choice do I have? I can't fight him in my regular state..." He sat down and closed his eyes.
In the blackness behind his eyelids, he kept seeing a golden flash. Then Sonic thought he heard a voice. It was much like his own... it fact, it WAS his own. But yet it wasn't his. He didn't know... oh, how his head hurt. The voice was speaking something unintelligible.
The golden flashes stopped. Soon, images of the city burning flooded Sonic's mind. He saw the electric blue steak that ws Nightmare, standing over something... something pink. And orange. Amy and Tails, helpless, fallen to the hands of Nightmare. Rouge and Knuckles had been tossed to the side.
Sonic saw himself laying nearby, watching helplessly at Nightmare attacked his friends. He suddenly turned to his right and saw Shadow's image, looking calm, smiling softly. Shadow was saying something... everything went black. But he still saw Shadow. Sonic leaned forward in his mind, trying to hear his friend's words. His lips were moving... his voice was getting louder.
Shadow's image began to slowly change. His quills became sharper, and his skin started yellowing. Shadow's voice changed to the voice Sonic heard before. HIS voice. Suddenly, it became perfectly clear.
Sonic jumped up from his position, no longer feeling weak. He held up the Emerald and shouted what he was told:
"Super Sonic has returned!!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sunny stared from her place in the bush, frowning. Shadow was really gone... he had finally left. Crying lightly, she headed back to the garden.
"How could he go?" She whispered in Chao. "I thought he liked me."
She was almost back home. But then a sound behind her caught her eye. she whirled around hopeful. It was Shadow... but he painted himself blue. (How odd,) she thought. (Oh well.) She squeaked her welcome cry, and waited a response.
The blue Shadow turned at her, sneered, and turned away.
Sunny huffed. No one could treat her like that! She ran forward and jumped on him before he could run away.
"Get off of me!" He yelled and started shaking his leg.
Sunny clung for all she was worth.
Growling, the blue Shadow plucked her from his leg and threw her as far as he could. "Maybe that'll teach you to not listen to me!"
Sunny sat up, sniffling. Why was Shadow so mean? Unless... "It's not Shadow?" Sunny flew into a tree to get a better view. She quickly searched the blue hedgehog in the distance. His right wrist was naked.
"I knew it! Shadow never goes anywhere without his night-light." Sunny climbed down. The blue Shadow didn't wear a Flame Bracelet, telling Sunny that it wasn't the real Shadow. "But..." she pouted, "Where is the real Shadow?"
She didn't know. But she decided that she needed to find out. However, she wouldn't be able to do it alone.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Shadow ducked furth back behind the display pedestal he was hiding behind as he watched the electric blue blur whiz by. "That... was not Sonic." he decided. "Could that be Nightmare's 'super' form?"
Shadow slipped around the corner. He head Amy's voice coming from the corridor to the right, though he couldn't make out what she was saying. (If everyone is down that way...) he slid to the left, (then I'll go *this* way.)
He hurried down the left side of the hallway where he came into an unusual room. All along the side were notebooks filled with papers, journals, and books. In a way, it made Shadow think of a library. Some of them looked very old, while others looked as if they had been placed there that day. Shadow first looked at the old books, and found one labeled, "Ultimate LifeForm: Prototype One". He pulled it out and skimmed through it.
In the book, he found a journal of Gerald's data on Shadow's progress, and a few photos. "My baby pictures..." Shadow grinned. "Aww, I was such a cutie!"
He flipped through a few more pages, eventually coming across more in-depth background data, including several reasons for Shadow's existance. "But I already KNOW all that..." Shadow mumbled, shutting the book. "I was created to save Maria... a task in which I failed..."
He shook his head, erasing the sad thoughts from his mind. He had fulfilled her promise; now she could be at peace. He made his way down to the newer looking books. "Hello, what's this?" He found a diary labeled "PROJECT: Nightmare". Shadow grinned. "My new friend." He skimmed most of it, it basically being Eggman's progress with Nightmare, which was pretty much the same as Gerald's progress with Shadow.
Then Shadow found an entry that had been written the day before, one that interested him greatly...
"November 4th; 12:13 PM
I have been carefully calculating the Chaos Power given off by Super Sonic and Hyper Shadow during their fight with the FinalHazard. I had recorded them carefully, and was hoping I could use their data as a way to super-power Nightmare. Today, I think I have finally pulled things together. Nightmare has agreed to willingly work with me in an effort to create the Eggman Empire, a way to "give us both a legacy", as he puts it. I can't say I have ever been happier. He listens to my every command without any sign of resentment. I have no fear of him turning on me at this point.
"As powerful as he is, he would not be able to do much without additional Chaos Power. That's where my studies for Sonic and Shadow came in. By watching their movements and abilities in both forms, I was able to project a plan for Nightmare, making him twice as strong. Nightmare was born of the Chaos Emerald power, so while he looks to be in a normal state, he is always in hyper form. By using the Emeralds again, he will grow ten times as strong. I have dubbed this his 'worst' form, since to the general people, it shall be the worst of their dreams come true."
Shadow frowned. He really did not like the way this sounded. But there was more.
"I have several theories on how Nightmare could possess such power. He could use the Emeralds I have, or should Sonic get to them first, he could steal the 'super' of Super Sonic by means of a Chaos rebirth. Then, there's the third theory, involving crippling the children of the Emeralds---"
Shadow gasped and dropped the book. He could read no more. " 'Children of the Emeralds'? Those are the Chao!"
Horrible visions of Sunny, Wave, Violet, and the others flashed in Shadow's mind. He left the diary on the floor and made his way out of the library and towards the exit. Right now, he did not care of the others saw him. He had to get back to Chao World. The Chao could be in danger!
With all his might, Shadow glid across the island until he reached the center of it, where Chao World was located. Into his garden...
Empty.
"God DAMNIT!" Shadow stomped his foot on the ground. The cave was vacant, the pool was still, and no Chao were rolling in the grass. They were gone. Shadow held his head. "No... this can't be..." He felt tears form. "They can't be gone, no... but were they kidnapped, or did they look... for.... me....."
Suddenly Shadow understood. They must've gone looking for him because he was gone so long. "Chances are they followed Nightmare. But where did Nightmare go?" He had to wonder. "I'll check the island first, then head off to Station Square. If not, I'll look to Sand Hill. The area around here really isn't all that big. Nightmare can't have gotten far."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Shadow was right; Nightmare hadn't gotten far. He was about 15 miles southwest from where Shadow was standing, right outside the public library.
Nightmare stood in front of the spot where just days before, he was blown up the entire section. But then, he had needed a bomb. "Today, I don't need a bomb. I have me!" He slammed his fist into the side and watched the renovations go up in smoke. He had to notice how well an explosion went with the sunset.
Over the next half-hour, Nightmare made his way around, terrorizing the city and the people living there. Houses were demolished. Screams echoed in his ears like music. A little splash of blood here and there completed the work. The world was his canvas, and the destruction of the city was just the first of his masterpieces.
After a while, Nightmare made his way to the outskirts of the city, near the location of the Radical Highway Zone. He stood high up on a platform on a bridge, next to dozens of cars that were caught in a traffic jam to escape the city. He reached for a support cable. "This will be the first thing to go..."
"Not if I can help it!"
"Wha... YOU!"
Nightmare stared at the creature on the beam high above him. He recognized this creature, but from where...? They never met in person... (Perhaps I saw a picture... wait, a picture!) "YOU! Super Sonic!!"
"That's mah name, don't wear it out!" Sonic quipped as leapt down to Nightmare's level.
Nightmare growled. "You're too late, hedghog. The city is mine to destroy."
"That's nice, except that the city is actually MINE... to save."
"In your dreams, hedgehog." Nightmare took a battle stance. "It's time to finish this!"
Sonic too a stance of his own. "Couldn't have said it better myself."
Nightmare lunged for Sonic. "Enough of your talk; prepare to die!"
By now, the sky was completely dark, making the glowing combantants and their fight even more spectacular to witness. Sonic blocked the strike with ease, countering with a light-speed dash which knocked Nightmare into a support pole. However, Nightmare recovered from the attck much sooner than Sonic had predicted, and soon HE was flying backwards, teetering dangerously over the edge.
Not one to quit easily, Sonic flipped back onto the bridge and knocked Nightmare into the traffic. Nightmare activated his jet skates and flew up, then divebombed Sonic from above. Groaning, Sonic stood up weakly. Nightmare flashed an evil grin. "Give up yet?"
"Over my... dead... body..."
"You said it, not me." Nightmare glowed a brilliant blue as he powered up, then dove in for the attack.
"STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!" a high-pitched voice cried.
Nightmare froze in mid-air. "What in the world...? Oh damnit! Why can't you people just leave me alone?!"
Tails, Knuckles, Rouge and Amy came running along the side of the bridge where the battle was taking place. Their distraction gave enough time for Sonic to recover. "What are you guys doing here?"
"We came to help, duh!" Knuckles said.
Sonic shook his head. "I don't... no. I need to do this. Besides, how could you guys help?"
"They can't!" Nightmare yelled. "You're history, Super Sonic!" With that he rammed his head into Sonic's stomach, sending him toppling into Amy. Sonic jumped back up, but kept getting bashed back by Nightmare, until he started to flash blue amist his golden glow.
"Shit..." he muttered. He was losing power. Before long, he would return to his normal state, and then he was done for. The Chaos energy was starting to fade faster...
...Something that seven children of the Emeralds running up behind Nightmare were able to sense...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cobalt gave the order, and the seven chao of Shadow's garden flew down and joined together. They formed a wall in front of Sonic and the others.
"How cute..." Nightmare mocked. "The little blue blobs are trying to save you. Too bad their efforts will be futile!!" He raised his fist, but suddenly stopped.
He heard a sound.
A very joyous sound.
Hell, it was downright cute! And it was starting to grow louder....
And in stereo!
He looked down to see the seven Chao all singing and dancing in sync, making humming noises and la-la-las to create a soft, peaceful song. Nightmare resisted.
"No... you can't! Stop singing!"
They did not listen. They sung louder. The balls on their heads began to glow a brilliant white.
"You... no! You're stealing my power! ENOUGH!!!" Nightmare began to glow again, the same glow he had done before when he was trying to attack Sonic. "Fine. Steal my strentgh if you will, but if I'm going out, I'm going out with a BANG!"
Amy reached for her Piko-Piko hammer. "You wouldn't..." she mentally readied herself to unleash the weapon.
"Oh, believe me, you little pink pest... I would."
And he did.
But not without a slight change of plans.
Instead of knocking the Chao away, Amy leapt in the way of the blast, whacking Nightmare with her hammer. Some of the Chao were still knocked over by the attack, but Amy took the full brunt. She went flying, right over the edge of the highway.
Sonic, who was now his regular blue, dove and stretched out his arm and grabbed her wrist as her body hung over the side. Her hammer fell to the streets far below, out of eyesight due to the darkness. He pulled her up, holding her close so that she didn't fall. "Amy? Oh Amy!"
She whimpered. "....S-Sonic...? Are the Ch-chao alright?"
He gathered her up in a hug. "They're fine... and I'm glad to see that you're okay, too."
"How sickeningly sweet..." Nightmare spat as he approached them. "Too bad I'm a sour person." He raised his fast. "Say goodnight, forever!"
"HOLD IT!!"
Nightmare growled. "NOW what... ?!"
A lone black figure stood above them, blending in against the night sky. "If you want them, you'll have to get through ME first..."
The gang all gasped in shock, except for Sunny, who cheered, and Sonic, who grinned. "Shadow!!"
Nightmare glared at Shadow as he leapt down. "Shadow, eh? I've heard of you."
"Perhaps you haven't heard enough."
A growl, and a summoning of Chaos Spear.
Shadow jumped away from the yellow bolts. "You see Nightmare, there's something interesting about me. I'm immortal."
Nightmare lunged.
"I live forever. It's odd, really, because there's nothing more I want than death."
Shadow dodged.
"However, a very dear friend of mine begged me to make a promise, and I will KEEP that promise!!" The anger building up in Shadow was unmistakable. Slowly, he was being dragged into Rage.
Nightmare frowned, waiting for the right moment to attack. "What does that have to do with me?"
"I have to save the earth. Give the mortals a chance to be happy. Save them... from you! For you see, Nightmare, *I* am your enemy, not Sonic."
"I... I don't understand."
"...I won't let you live a lie, Nightmare..." Shadow stood up straight. "*I* am the world's Ultimate LifeForm."
Nightmare gasped. "No.. it can't be..."
"Oh, but it can. You see, you were created in my likeness, which is why we look the same. The only real difference, is that I came first. I am the original."
"So I am your clone..." Nightmare scowled. "But! I am your clone in appearance only!"
"I agree. We can't be identical. I know things that you don't."
"Really?" Nightmare pondered. "Such as...?"
"Such as... Eggman left something interesting out of your battleplan." Shadow jabbed out his right hand and gripped Nightmare by the tuft of fur on his chest. "In the name of Maria Robotnik, I will destroy you!" A white ball of energy began to form around Shadow's hand, taking a Saturn-ish shape.
With a gasp, and a grit of the teeth, Shadow emmitted this one lone cry:
"FINAL CHAOS REBIRTH!!!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The white energy spread to Shadow's arm, then covered his body, and he flashed a silver colour. Nightmare was once again returned to his regular black. "What... what happened?!" He demanded of Shadow.
"I told you, I know things that you don't. The Chaos Rebirth allowed Hyper Shadow to fall into existince once again."
"So you stole my power. Big deal." Nightmare growled. "I was created to be better than you! You'll never stop me!"
Shadow glared deeply. "We shall see, Nightmare. OH, how we shall see."