MJ dodged the biolizard's tail for the thousandth time. For some reason, it kept catching up to her, and she found herself having to either duck or jump.
But Shadow had the more difficult part. He had to grind up the pipe that led from the lizard's mouth to its life support on its back. MJ was a great distraction for the lizard, though…
"HELLO! Over here!" MJ would call, waving her hands to catch the lizard's attention. "Yeah…yeah, you see me? Don't I look yummy?"
I never thought in my whole entire life that I'd ever say that…she thought.
The lizard would fall for it, and either chase after her, or send some sickening black electric balls in order to stop her from running. MJ got pretty good at dodging the attacks, and felt like she was jump-roping…sorta.
As Shadow hit the life support for the third time, he realized the lizard had some new tricks up its sleeves. It was getting quicker, and soon, MJ wouldn't be fast enough to run away any longer.
After having fallen for the 'don't I look yummy?' method, the biolizard let out a roar that shook the entire room.
"What the--?" Shadow exclaimed.
After the rumbling stopped, little pink balls circled around the lizard, almost like protectors. Surprisingly, they started shooting off at the two at amazing speeds!
Shadow furrowed his eyebrows as he brainstormed. The biolizard had caught on to what they were doing, and had devised another way to get rid of them. There had to be another way to get to the life support…
"SHADOW!" MJ!
Shadow turned and saw the seal desperately trying to avoid the swift balls, but it was to no avail. She was getting hit by a lot of them.
Quickly, he ran over, and picked her up, dodging the balls as he ran.
"Shadow…thanks…" the seal breathed.
He nodded, and stopped running, but didn't put her down. If he did, she would be hit by more balls. He had to keep her in his hands at all times, but yet he still had to attack the biolizard….an idea popped into his head.
"MJ! Listen closely because I think I know how to get rid of this creep…" and the hedgehog whispered his plan.
MJ looked a little scared. "You sure?"
"Positive," was the reply.
With that, still carrying MJ, he hopped from one ball to the other, using them like stairs to get up.
"GO, MJ!" he yelled, throwing the seal.
MJ stuck her arms out, and pressed with all of her might on the life support. The biolizard roared with pain. Using the momentum from the push, MJ directed herself over the lizard, doing a complete flip.
Shadow caught her, and the two watched with glee as it only seemed to make their enemy get all the angrier.
"Care to do it again?" Shadow asked.
MJ smiled. "You bet."
With that, they did their act once more.
"Shadow! Look! He's getting weaker!" MJ exclaimed with joy.
"You're right! One more time?" Shadow smiled.
MJ laughed. "What do you think?"
But this last time had a problem. The biolizard knew what they were up to. With great patience, it waited until Shadow threw MJ, and then using its tail, it slapped the seal away like a fly.
"MJ!" Shadow called after her, but the seal didn't hear. He watched in horror as she just fell to the ground like a doll, unconscious.
"Why…you!" at that moment, Shadow felt a rage that he had only felt once before. Using everything he had, he bounced from ball to ball, and finally did one last homing-attack to the biolizard, avenging MJ.
After the lizard disappeared, he ran over to the fallen seal.
"MJ! Don't die on me!" he called, shaking her.
No answer.
"Oh, c'mon, c'mon!" he exclaimed to nothing, shaking the seal.
To his relief, MJ's eyes finally fluttered open.
"Ow…my head…" she murmured, her hand covering her sore spot.
"Thank goodness…" the black hedgehog whispered.
Without thinking, Shadow gently put his hand where it hurt on her head, and began rubbing his thumb around to massage the pain.
MJ blushed, but closed her eyes, feeling like a small child.
"Shadow! MJ! Come over here, quick!" Maya Eva called, interrupting the quiet moment.
Quickly, the two got up, and rushed over, joining everyone else behind Knuckles.
"The servers are the seven chaos…chaos is…power…power is enriched by the heart. Only you can do this! Stop the chaos emeralds!" Knuckles exclaimed, and everyone watched with hope as the large emerald spun.
The ARK shook once more.
"Since we've stopped the chaos emeralds, why is the colony still on a crash-course to earth?" Knuckles asked, falling down, as so did everyone else.
At that moment, they all heard Professor Gerald's voice speak loud and clear… "The biolizard has become one with the space colony—it is determined to keep it on its collision course!"
A moment of silence swept over the group. Now what?
"Sonic! Shadow!" Shani suddenly exclaimed, a big smile on her face.
"What?" the two hedgehogs asked in unison.
"The chaos emeralds!" MJ chimed in, pointing to the seven jewels.
Shadow and Sonic's eyes fell upon the little gems, and then fell upon each other as the same idea began to form in their heads…in fact, in everyone's heads…
…well, except for Knuckles…
………
It was only Shadow and Sonic in the room, now. The others went back to the deck, ready to watch the last fight. The fight to save both sides of earth. Everyone could feel it in their hearts. The feeling that a miracle was about to happen.
"You ready?" Sonic asked, standing across from the other hedgehog.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Shadow replied, and the two closed their eyes, focusing on the emeralds.
If you were there, you would be amazed at the light show. Each emerald suddenly lifted high in the air, and encircled the two hedgehogs. Sonic lifted his head high, and accepted this new feeling, while Shadow, a bit new, kept his focus and his head straight.
Suddenly, each felt a new power pulse through their veins, becoming one with their blood. They felt stronger, and lighter as the emeralds empowered them.
Sonic opened his now crimson eyes, and Shadow opened his as well. Sonic was a golden color, while Shadow was a cross between silver and gold, but he still had his red stripes.
The two smirked, and in a flash of light, they were gone.
………
"Look! There they are!" Tails exclaimed, pointing at the small lights.
"Yeah! All right!" Lee cheered.
"GO SONIC AND SHADOW!" Shani yelled.
Shadow stared at the monster in front of him…when suddenly, deep down in his heart, he heard the encouragement and cheers the others were giving…it was an unexplainable feeling, but yet Shadow felt that it strengthened him even more.
"YOU GUYS CAN DO IT!" Mira shouted.
Sonic heard the same as well. He smiled. There was no way he was going to let his friends down.
Eggman watched as Sonic made the first move and successfully dived towards the ugly swelling spot on the finalhazard.
"Fight on…" he whispered.
Sonic was surprised to have heard Eggman say an encouragement, but he smiled. That scientist could be a bit crazy on the outside, but deep down, he was really a good man.
"COME ON, SHADOW!" MJ cried.
Shadow seemed to only get all the stronger when he heard the seal's voice. It gave him more courage and more strength than he had ever felt before…but something was missing. There was something that was draining the power…and Sonic felt it, too. All of a sudden, their lights began to dim…
"What the…LOOK! Their lights…they're…" Amy was at a loss for words.
"They're loosing power!" Tails exclaimed.
Everyone was consumed with fear.
"How could that happen? I thought that chaos emeralds had unlimited power!" Maya Eva informed.
"They do…which is what I can't understand…" Tails shook his head.
Jet was thinking. There had to be a way to strengthen their power! But…how? Suddenly, it struck her. She whispered her plan in Darkness's ear. Darkness whispered it to Maya Eva. Maya Eva to Shani. Shani to Krystal. Krystal to MJ. MJ to Lee. And Lee to Mira.
Tails looked beside him. Lee wasn't there!
"Lee? Lee!" Tails looked around.
"Krystal's not here!" Amy exclaimed.
"The others aren't here as well!" Rouge informed.
"Where could they have gone?" Eggman asked, scratching his head.
The five looked at each other in confusion. Where did their friends from the other side of earth go?
To tell you the truth, they went back to the Master Emerald which was still at the shrine. The eight friends walked up to it bravely, and circled around it.
"If the Mater Emerald has the power to stop the chaos emeralds…surely it has the power to strengthen them as well," Jet concluded.
Everyone nodded, and locked hands, closing their eyes.
"Now, Maya Eva!" Jet commanded.
The teal echidna spoke, "The servers are the seven chaos…chaos is power…power is enriched by the heart. Please, strengthen the chaos emeralds!"
At that moment, all eight friends were lifted into the air. Most of them screamed—in fact, all of them did, but the unexplainable comfort they had in their hearts soon stopped it.
Suddenly, they began spinning in a circle around the Master Emerald. In fact, they were spinning so violently, that if one of them were to let go, everyone would be blown away.
Each child gave their encouragements, their wishes towards Sonic and Shadow, strengthening them, and giving them everything they could.
But it was not enough.
Suddenly, Krystal felt a song burst into her soul. In fact, everyone did. Each could hear a familiar tune dancing in the air, and felt the urge to sing, but Krystal was the first, despite her fear…
Krystal: Can you feel life movin' through your mind?
Ooh, looks like it came back for more -- Yeah
As Sonic watched Shadow make a successful dive, he heard something. It sounded like…singing…
Jet smiled. Krystal overcame her fear. No longer did she care about what others thought about her voice. The brown animal felt so proud, she joined in.
Jet: Can you feel time slippin' down your spine?
Ooh, you try and try to ignore -- Yeah
Shadow heard is as well. Who was singing and what were they singing? Whatever it was, it seemed to make him immensely stronger, and he didn't want them to stop.
Jet and Krystal: But you can hardly swallow
Your fears and pain!
When you can't help but follow
Krystal: It puts you right back where you came!
Shadow dived, and smiled. He started to like this song!
Soon, the six other children caught on and joined in, singing and encouraging Sonic and Shadow. It was their wish to win, and wishes were eternal.
All: Live and learn!
Krystal: Hanging on the edge of tomorrow!
All: Live and learn!
Jet: From the works of yesterday!
All: Live and learn!
Mira could feel a burst of courage and a wanting to join—and she did.
Mira: If you beg or if you borrow!
The half-robot-half-hedgehog smiled. It felt great to step out of her comfort zone, and she wanted to do it again.
All: Live and learn!
Krystal: You may never find your way…
Shani: Whoa, oh, oh, oh, yeah...
Sonic smiled. Only Shani could do that!
Maya Eva: Can you feel life tangle you up inside?
Shani: Yeah!
Maya Eva and Shani: Now you're face-down on the floor!
Shani: Oh!
The two exchanged glances. That was fun!
All: But you can't save your sorrow
You've paid in trade!
When you can't help but follow
Krystal: It puts you right back where you came!
Shadow made a successful dive, but something was wrong. Through all the singing in this song, there was one voice he longed to hear above the rest…
All: Live and learn!
Lee: Hanging on the edge of tomorrow!
All: Live and learn!
Mira: From the works of yesterday!
Sonic dived once more, and checked his ring power. He was doing great so far, but his mind wondered about Shadow.
All: Live and learn!
Darkness: If you beg or if you borrow!
All: Live and learn!
Krystal: You may never find your way…
Maya Eva: Whoa, whoa, whoa...
Shani: Oh, yeah!
As they let the song play, Sonic and Shadow kept attacking. Suddenly, Shadow started hearing new voices cheering them on. Same with Sonic. Suddenly, their minds clicked. It wasn't only the people on ARK cheering them on. It was everyone on this side of earth encouraging them and wishing them to win. As they continued fighting, they didn't realize that those wishes would stay with them, for, as I said before, wishes are eternal.
MJ: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...
Shadow felt another smile come across his face. Yes. That was who he wanted to hear! With newfound strength, he made another dive. Back on Sonic's side, the finalhazard wasn't going easy. Suddenly, familiar pink balls surrounded it, and fired off at the blue hedgehog. Listen to the song, a voice said. Both hedgehogs heard it, and obeyed. The song strengthened them, gave them courage, and a new will to fight.
All: There's a face searching far, so far and wide
There's a place where you dreamed you'd never find
Krystal: Hold on to what if...
Krystal and Darkness: Hold on to what if!
All: Live and learn!
Jet: Hanging on the edge of tomorrow!
All: Live and learn!
MJ: From the works of yesterday!
All: Live and learn!
Mira: If you beg or if you borrow!
All: Live and learn!
Krystal: You may never find your way!
All: Live and learn!
Sonic smiled. There was something missing in this song, though…
Lee: Hanging on the edge of tomorrow!
All: Live and learn!
Sonic: From the works of yesterday!
Everyone was surprised to hear the blue hedgehog singing with them, but they smiled. That only strengthened the chaos emeralds' power even more.
All: Live and learn!
Shadow gave a smirk. All right. If that's the way Sonic wanted to do things…
Shadow: If you beg or if you borrow!
MJ got a big smile on her face when she heard the ebony hedgehog's voice. It gave her a burst of joy, and she couldn't help but even give that away to strengthen the two hedgehogs.
All: Live and learn!
Krystal: You may never find your way!
The song echoed and resounded against the walls. They didn't want the song to stop, but unfortunately it did have to…but that didn't mean their spinning and encouraging had to stop. No, that continued. There was still a creep to destroy, and Sonic and Shadow were almost done.
As it gave one final cry, the finalhazard fell hopelessly away. But by then, the ARK was already caught in earth's exosphere, grabbed by gravity.
Sonic and Shadow flew down towards earth, and stopped, gathering their strength. This was it…what it all came down to. It was now, or never.
"You ready, Shadow?" Sonic asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be," was the reply, and the two burst off, now a gigantic beam of bright light.
"Shadow…" MJ thought, hoping the ebony hedgehog heard her.
"MJ?" Shadow thought.
"Shadow…I…" the seal paused, her heart beating. It was now or never. "Shadow…I…I love you!"
Shadow seemed to be taken aback at what the seal said…but yet, it only seemed to make him stronger, and the light became brighter.
"MJ…" he was about to say something, when another voice spoke.
"Shadow…" the familiar melodic voice drifted.
"Maria!" Shadow gasped.
"Shadow…give them a chance…to be happy…" Maria's voice whispered.
Shadow furrowed his eyebrows, and returned his attention to his mission.
"MJ…you gave me more than I could ever thank you for. You made me realize the error of my ways…thank you. And now…for you and for Maria!" Shadow said the last part out loud, and Sonic didn't know who he was talking to, but shrugged it off.
"No way THAT'S getting through!" he exclaimed, holding his hand out.
As the ARK was just a little more than ten meters away, Sonic yelled, "NOW, SHADOW!"
The two faced each other, grabbed each other's hands, and exclaimed together, "CHAOS CONTROL!"
And then, a brilliant flash of light.