Chapter 6: The Battle

In a bright flash of light, the heroes we once knew changed into ultimate beings of power. Sonic; gold, shining fur, Shadow; so bright, that he was almost white with a tint of gold, Knuckles; Pulsating between red and a bright white, Blaze; her coat turned red and flames engulfed her wrists and ankles. And finally, Espio who had never been super before. He Pulsated between his usual magenta colour and a bright white. The heroes looked at eachother and Sonic scratched the back of his head, thinking about something.

"So, we just charge right through the front doors, and take him out?"

Espio answered, "Pretty much, but we need to do it fast. Before he even realizes we're there. Or else he'll try to use his emeralds against us."

Sonic smirked, "Hehe, don't worry. Fast is my middle name." With that, he began to float into the air, "You guys comin?" and he blasted off towards the palace. The others quickly followed suit.

The large front doors bolted open, and the group of powered up heroes stormed inside and saw Volvo in the center of the large foyer.

"Who are you?" Sonic said, dumbfounded.

Volvo swished his spiny tail (did I mention he had a tail?), and snorted. "He said you'd be coming."

Shadow interjected, "You're with Kaitan!"

"Yes, but don't worry. He'll be with you soon, he's just... charging up."

Espio's eyes widened. All of the sudden a large explosion came from the city, and the screams of civilians was heard. The group instantly turned around and saw smoke rising from the city. Espio flew out to a higher level to see what was going on and saw the city being ravaged by robots. They had the insignia of the Doctor Robotnik on them. The others came up to see what the commotion was about.

"It's the Doctor!" yelled Shadow, as he pointed to the crazed scientist, floating around in his hovercraft.

Sonic, became furiously angry. Robotnik just had to come at the worst times... but how did he switch dimensions?

"Bad timing, Eggman!" Sonic began charging towards him, but was swatted out of the air before he reached his foe. Kaiten was floating in the air, brandishing a double sided spear. There was a black aura surrounding him. Like a fog, with a positively evil feeling. Sonic hit the ground hard, but was able to regain his composure and stand up.

Dr. Robotnik chcuckled at the site of Sonic being pummeled, "You see Sonic, we've made a little arrangement."

Kaitan continued, "I will be taking care of you, while the city is taken care of by the droids." Kaitan pointed to Shadow, "You're next!" Then, he charged at Shadow, at a speed no one was expecting. He stuck the spear out in front of him, in an attempt to impale Shadow. Luckily, Shadow moved off to the side and dodged, but as soon as Kaitan realised he missed, he stopped and spun around, hitting Shadow in the head with the spear as if it were a bat. Espio quickly flew up and grabbed the spear, each one holding an end. The others took there chance, and began to fly straight at Kaitan's head. Knuckles landed a heavy punch, and Blaze proceeded to kick him in the stomach. Sonic then flew up behind Kaitan, and grabbed him in a choke hold.

The sheer number of people fighting against Kaitan confused him. But once Sonic grabbed his neck, he let go of the spear with one hand, grabbed Sonic of his back and threw him, once again, towards the ground. Espio took advantage of the the enemy, let go of the spear and was about to kick him in the face, but Kaitan grabbed his leg. Shadow turned to see Espio, now being

hung upside down by his ankle.

Kaitan threw Espio up into the air, and hit him hard with the spear, and he went hurdling towards the ground. Espio tried to get up, but fell to his knees, and clutched his stomach. Kaitan flew down to the ground and stood in front of Espio. Espio looked up, to see the evil figure standing in front. He knew the end was near.

"Espio!" Shadow began to fly to the rescue, but was beaten to the punch.

Espio closed his eyes and lowered his head, bracing for whatever beating he was about to get, when a loud sound, like a jet engine came from the ditance, and it was coming closer. He looked up, just in time to see Kaitan being tackled off his feet, by Metal Sonic. Kaitan rolled along the groun in an almost comical way, almost doing cartwheels.

"No body double-crosses me!" said Metal Sonic, shaking his fist at the fallen villain. His attention then turned to Espio, and he offered a hand to him. Espio looked shocked, but accepted the hand and was able to get up.

Shadow flew down to Espio, "Are you okay?" Espio nodded to show that he was alright, and he turned towards Kaitan who was slowly getting up.

"You fools!" Kaitan clutched his spear and held it tight. "You can't win!"

Three of Dr. Robotnik's combat droids stepped up beside Kaitan.

"Bring it on, metal head!" Knuckles yelled, clenching his fists.

Shadow looked around nervously. More droids had come to help Kaitan. All different kinds of them. They were completely surrounded. Espio thought... he knew what needed to be done.

"He's right..." Espio said, the others freezing, and curious as to what Espio meant. "We can't win..."

The other began to look around, at just what they were up against.

Sonic looked down at Espio, almost in disgust. "Are you saying we should just let them win? What about all the innocent people in the city?"

Espio shot back a stare like daggers, "You'll be no good to them when you're dead!"

They knew Espio was right. They were outmatched. Shadow lifted into the air and turned towards the others.

"C'mon! Let's get out of here!", and with that, they all shot out of the circle of droids, Espio and Shadow heading the point.

Espio yelled to Shadow, "We use the Sol emeralds, and get back to our home dimension. It will be safe there, if the Doctor is here... We will come back and free them, Shadow."

Blaze looked back, to see Kaitan right on their tails. with the power of the Master emeralds, and the Chaos Emeralds, he was able to keep up with them.

"He' following us!" she yelled.

Espio looked back, and Shadow noticed that Espio was slowing down.

"Espio, what are you doing?" he yelled, slowing to his pace.

"I have to slow him down! Get out of here!"

The others went on, not realizing what Espio was up to. Shadow stared at Espio, not wanting to leave his friend.

Espio's voice began to take an angry tone, "Go!" he pushed Shadow onward.

Shadow flew onward, and dared not look back. All he could do was try to fight back a tear.

Espio turned towards Kaitan, who was slowing down, and getting ready to fight. Espio took a deep breath, and took a fighting stance. After one last deep breath, Espio was ready. "It is likely I go to my doom..." and then he shot towards Kaitan like a bullet.

As Sonic and the crew stepped out of the portal and emerged in the other dimension, Sonic looked back as Shadow finally came through.

"Where's Espio?" he asked Shadow.

Shadow looked at the ground for a moment, looking for the right words.

"Shadow?" Sonic and the others began to get worried.

Shadow looked up, with tears and anger in his eyes. "He wanted to give us enough time... to let us get away."

Everyone was quiet. no one dared to break the silence.

"I think we should call it a day..." Sonic said, who began to walk away, most likely headed home. Slowly, the other began to do the same, until all that was left was Shadow. He waited late into the night, hoping that Espio would come. Finally, the portal closed, on its own.

A small wild chao came up to Shadow and started pulling on his leg, wanting Shadow to play a game with him. Shadow picked up the chao and pet its head. He looked up into the sky and repeated the familiar words "Nothing worth doing is ever easy" The chao perked up, and looked at Shadow curiously. Shadow looked back down at the chao.

"...Just something a good friend of mine said."

The End

... for now

The Sequel is in my profile. "Deal with the Devil"