Book IV: The Sacrifice

by SonicMaster23

All over Mobius, strange things are happening. A mysterious black hedgehog has been raiding villages, Chaos Emeralds are disappearng, and the Floating Island has fallen from the skies. The Freedom Fighters head to the island to investigate, only to find t

16. Chapter 16 Battle!

.:Chapter 16:.

Battle!

All over Mobius the Void was spreading now. About three days before the Void hadn't reached the outer edges of the Floating Island--and now it had engulfed more than half the planet. Everything in the path of the powerful winds was destroyed, and whatever was left was frozen. There was widespread panic as millions of Mobians were caught in the wake of the great portal, and desperately tried to outrun it. Those who had already been caught inside the Void either bunkered down and prepared to sit it out, or contacted the Knothole Freedom Fighters to help them in the battle against Naugus. Once they heard the war was in motion, ally Freedom Fighter groups, including Lupe and the Wolf Pack, Ari the Ram, Pallo of the Southern Freedom Fighters and Dirk of the Eastern Freedom Fighters, all flocked to the Floating Island to fight.

Naugus himself knew what was coming, and put all of his minions on high alert.

"It doesn't matter whether we're outnumbered or not," he had told Kaligarr. "We have the magic of Sanctuary on our sides, the destructive forces of Hyper Trau and Khare, and the massive Night Demon army."

"But sir," said Kaligarr. "What if they somehow snuck around those forces?"

"I highly doubt they could, my feathered friend. There'll be thousands of immortal Night Demons for them to fight. But, just in case they do manage to slip past them, I have everything planned out. You'll guard the back entrances to the caves, where the girls and the emeralds are kept. Trau will guard the emeralds, and Khare will guard me and Cyan. There's simply too many obstacles for them to evade."

The griffin only nodded.

"Do you doubt me, Kaligarr?"

"No sir," he replied. "I'm just wary. It is never wise to underestimate your enemy, no matter what the odds. There is always the possibility of a come-from-behind victory."

"Then we'll just have to squash that possibility," Naugus hissed. "To your post, Kaligarr! They're close--I can sense them."

Quickly Kaligarr turned and raced off to the rear entrances of Naugus's caverns, eyes narrowed and muscles quivering, ready and eager to do battle.

Meanwhile, in the forests just three miles off, the Freedom Fighters hid beneath the trees, gazing up at the towering mountain that rose before them. Shadow had been able to Chaos Control them all there, and now they were listening to the final instructions.

"Getting up that mountain will be the toughest part . . . " Sonic was saying, gazing at the gigantic peak. "That must be nearly thirty thousand feet high."

"It's a monster," Knuckles nodded. "But for us it shouldn't be hard. Vren can fly, I can climb, and you and Shadow could easily run up the mountainsides. There are also tunnels, deep within the mountain, that could easily lead us directly to Naugus's caves."

"And our opponent," said Nihara. "The Night Demon army, how do we fight them?"

"My Night Demons are deadly beasts, but not immortal," Vren explained. "They can dissolve into gas, so anything that touches them will go right through them. And if that gas touches you, it can blind you or even paralyze you. But don't worry--Night Demons cannot handle light . . . It puts them in extreme pain. And if lesser Night Demons are afraid or in pain too long, they turn solid again, leaving them vulnerable to attack."

"Dulce, your fire might come in handy," Sonic winked and the dragon grinned. "Also be aware, guys, that Naugus has magic. Anything in this battle is possible--so keep your wits about you and fight the very best you can. I trust Nihara will lead you all well."

The other Freedom Fighters nodded in agreement.

"The allies should also be here soon to back you guys up," Sonic continued. "We'll make the first move, advancing straight toward Naugus. He'll send his forces to counterattack, and then Knux, Shadow, Vren and I will wait till the coast is clear. Then we'll slip around the army and sneak into the base. Knux, you lead the way from there, since you know the mountain best. I'd prefer to find a tunnel that'd lead us right into Naugus's caves. From there, we can get the emeralds and rescue the girls. We'll all have to move quick--we're running out of time."

"Right," Nihara turned to the wide valley just below the mountain. "When should we advance?"

"Wait for my signal," came Sonic's answer. "The others and I will start off around the eastern side of the mountain. As soon as the army's distracted, we'll move in. Good luck, all of you. Take care of yourselves and one another . . . It'll be just like always, guys. Fighting evil at the final hour. No fear, fellas. No fear."

"Amen, my brother," Nihara bowed her head, along with the others, their eyes blazing with courage and spirit. None of them doubted their leaders nor one another. As long as they had faith, determination, trust, and the valiance of the Freedom Fighters, they would succeed.

Assured that they were all ready and waiting to go, Sonic, Knuckles, Vren and Shadow turned and set off into the forest, slinking quietly through the shadows.

"Good luck y'all!" Bunnie called after them. "Kick some rear!"

"Show 'em Sonic!" Tails echoed. "Show Naugus we aren't afraid!"

"For Mobius!" Rotor shouted, tossing up his hand.

"For Mobius!" Sonic cried back as he and the others mimicked the gesture.

And with that they were off. Nihara gestured for her troops to stay hidden for the moment while she stood upon a boulder, looking to the east. Sonic and his group crept about half a mile through the wood before he reappeared upon a rocky ledge just at the eastern edge of the valley. With a wave of his hand and a nod of his head, he signaled for them to move. Nihara nodded and turned swiftly to the Freedom Fighters.

"OK, guys, let's go!"

As one body they made their way down the slope and into the snowy valley, walking in ranks of five, Nihara leading the way. At first they walked . . . but as they drew closer to the base of the mountain, they began to move quicker, until they were running full tilt.

High above, on the huge ledge of his cave, Naugus peered down, waiting for any sign of his enemies. When he saw the large group of Freedom Fighters dashing toward the mountain, his eyes flickered.

"Party time." He snapped his fingers.

All of a sudden, just at the base of the mountain, on a large rocky slope, a massive cloud of black appeared before the Freedom Fighters. Nihara skidded to a halt, her hand braced on her sword. Steadily the cloud of black grew larger and larger, and soon the Freedom Fighters below could make out evil, yellow eyes leering at them through the darkness. The troops stood ready, their heads held high and their senses alert. But then, suddenly, their hearts froze once they realized the sheer size of the army they were up against. They looked all around . . . and found thousands of Night Demons to their left and to their right . . . and then behind them. The vicious creatures snarled and slavered when they saw them, their wings flapping and tails swishing threateningly. The hair on the Freedom Fighters' backs stood on end. They were completey surrounded . . . by nearly fifty-thousand Night Demons . . .

Nihara pinned her ears and glared straight at her enemies without a twinge of fear.

"Remember guys . . . no fear. Ready?"

"Let's get 'em! For all of Mobius!" They cried together.

Nihara drew her sword and held it high above her head, twirling it through the air in challenge to the massive Night Demon army.

"Charge!"

Sonic watched as the Night Demons leapt forward together, sweeping over the valley like a huge black wave. The Freedom Fighters raced forward to meet them, and just before they clashed, Dulcy tossed up her head and shot a breath of fire into the skies. The nearest demons shrieked in agony as the light hit their eyes. Some were immediately blinded, others snarled in fury and pain.

"Fight you cowards!" Nihara shouted, waving her blade at them as they cringed. "Are you not the deadliest of all demons!"

"Nihara, look out!" came a cry from behind suddenly.

The Freedom Fighters hit the ground as one demon suddenly launched through the air high above their heads, missing only by a few feet. Seconds later the other demons charged forward, their bloodthirsty howls ringing out through the mountains. The Freedom Fighters fought them back with torches and swords and clubs, and at first these objects merely swept through the Night Demons without damage. But then Nihara caught one that had been hit full in the eyes by Dulcy's fire and was on the ground, writhing in pain. Dashing toward it, she pressed her boot against its chest daringly, and found it had turned solid. Without hesitation she lifted her sword and sent it plunging into the creature's heart.

"Keep up with the fire Dulcy!" she yelled, and turned to fight more demons as they swept forward.

Now the whole army of demons was focused on attacking their enemy. Sonic saw his chance, and turned to the others.

"Now, let's go."

Silently they slid through the trees, staying as low as they could. Soon they came upon a rocky ravine as they neared the mountain's base, and Knuckles began looking for the easiest way up the peak. They found the terrain to be extremely craggy and treacherous. The rocks were sharp and loose with many sheer drops. In some places they encountered thermal springs and pools of molten lava, and in others they stumbled upon thundering rapids that crashed down the mountainside. In was the most hostile land most of them had ever seen. But Knuckles was no stranger to it. Very carefully he began to pick his way up the mountain, choosing to follow a gorge the enormous river roared through.

"Keep an eye out for caves," he told the others.

As they walked along, Sonic turned to Shadow.

"Tell me, Shadow. Why is it you seem so dark?"

Shadow kept his eyes on the ground. "I've experienced many hardships in my life . . . the girl I grew up with, the only friend I ever had, Maria, was killed violently before me eyes. Ever since then I've been cold . . . "

"That's why you joined Naugus . . . because he said he could bring Maria back . . ."

"Yes," Shadow answered sadly. "I once stood for goodness and light, and I never thought I'd ever return from the darkness. But . . . after Naugus's betrayal . . . and especially what Khare did on my behalf . . . I've suddenly changed greatly . . . "

"She sold her soul to Naugus for you didn't she?" Sonic asked. "What a sacrifice . . . "

"Yes," Shadow agreed hesitantly. "What a sacrifice . . . " Again that strange look came into his eyes.

Sonic saw this and raised his eyebrows at the dark hedgehog thoughtfully. "You and Khare got to know each other well . . . didn't you?"

There was a moment of silence, and then Shadow said, "We were starting to . . . For some reason, despite how cold and cruel I could be to her, she always gave me kindness and concern . . . No one but Maria has ever done that to me . . . "

"She must have had something pretty strong to fuel the sacrifice she made for you Shadow," said Sonic. "Now that's not just kindness . . . That's something that runs much deeper. I only hope we can save her and the others from Naugus's grasp."

Shadow fell silent as he thought about what Sonic had said, and looked to his ally questioningly. But the Freedom Fighter leader kept his eyes fixed ahead. He had said his piece.

"I will be forever grateful, no question," Shadow said at last, though he was feeling much more than gratitude for Khare's deed. "Now, Sonic, may I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Who and what exactly are you?"

A noble glint shone in Sonic's eyes as he answered Shadow's question. "I'm a fighter. Nothing more, nothing less. I can't live life without an adventure, and thank the Chaos Emeralds, I'm living in the greatest adventure I could ever ask for: forever fighting evil on Mobius. For centuries there have been villains, Shadow, who have dreamed of taking over this beautiful planet. One of them, Julian Robotnik, succeeded, just a few years after the other Freedom Fighters and I were born. He was a tyrant--he destroyed forests and turned every living thing he captured into robots with his dreaded machine, the Roboticizor. Ever since the day of Robotnik's coup, I have fought him, to liberate this world which I love, and keep it forever free. I battle evil and I save the innocent. As long as I'm here, no one will fall to evilness . . . for my spirit will not be denied. I'll face any enemy any day without fear, all for the greater purpose of keeping this land free. Call me a hero, call me a warrior, whatever you wish. I'll always be what I am. I'm Sonic the Hedgehog, leader of the Freedom Fighters."

Shadow nodded. "I've noticed, even from Naugus's side, just what a formidable opponent you are. But outside of the Freedom Fighters, you're a racer to, are you not? It's funny . . . how much you and I are alike. And yet so different. It's like we all have our opposites, our counterparts in life."

"Everything has an opposite," replied Sonic. "And pretty soon I have a feeling we're gonna face our opposites."

Suddenly, up ahead, Knuckles stopped at the foot of a huge cliff, where the river disappeared into a tunnel. Just to right the gorge branched off and curved sharply toward the mountain and out of sight. For a long while he stood there, gazing at the river's cave. Sonic, Shadow, and Vren watched and waited, and finally Sonic ventured to ask, "What is it Knux?"

Knuckles turned toward the branch in the gorge. "Look at the branch here . . . "

"Yeah, what about it?" Sonic asked.

"See how it's not on level with the rest of the canyon floor? And look how much smoother the rocks are worn on the bottom. It's a dry river bed."

"I see . . . " said Shadow. "But how does that help us?"

Knux turned back around to the river. "Look at the huge boulder, right there where the canyon starts to branch."

"I get it," Vren said all of a sudden. "The river's been diverted from its original path . . . there must be something hidden in the tunnel over there where the river disappears."

"Exactly."

"Oh," Sonic nodded. "Think there may be an entrance back there, Knux?"

"Let's find out. We're gonna have to move this boulder out of the way." He turned to the great boulder at the mouth of the dry river bed. It was an enormous rock, nearly twelve feet in length and seven feet in height.

"That must be tons . . . " said Vren. "It'd take some effort to move that . . . "

"Stand back, guys, and steer clear of the river bed," Knuckles suddenly called, walking up behind the boulder, and with one effortless swing sent his fist plunging into the rock, shattering it to pebbles. Then immediately he leapt out of the river's way as it surged into the branch, roaring down the river bed and away from its previous path.

"By the stars, I had no idea you packed that much power . . . " Vren said, gawking down at Knuckles.

"It's an echidna thing."

Sonic carefully navigated his way down the slick rocks toward the tunnel, where the river had previously flowed. And sure enough he stumbled upon a cave mouth deeper inside.

"Bingo. Let's go, fellas."

And so on into the tunnel they went, following its path as it delved deep into the mountain. Eventually the narrow tunnel opened up into a wide chamber, where river water had pooled. From there, the cave turned to the left, and Knuckles led them on. And just as they had hoped, their path gradually began to lead them upward. Vren's keen eyes had no problem seeing through the darkness, and so he walked on ahead, howling every time he found something. Several times they stumbled upon areas where the cave divided into three separate tunnels, and always they chose the one that led straight up. Knuckles marked the trails they took by scraping the white calcite rocks against the cave wall so, if they came upon a dead end, they wouldn't get lost. Amazingly, never once did their trail lead them to a dead end--it just spiraled ever upward.

It took the four warriors more than half an hour to ascend the tunnel, and as time ticked away, Sonic grew increasingly anxious to reach Naugus.

"How far up d'ya think we are?" he asked Knux as they carefully climbed up a steep trail.

"Probably near the middle of the mountain," the Guardian replied. "Though I can't be too sure. We've been climbing for almost fifty minutes . . ."

All of a sudden, just as he was saying this, the four of them came to an abrupt stop. There, before them, was nothing but a sheer wall of solid stone, the first dead end they had run into. They looked all around for an alternate route, but the only way out was back the way they had come.

Sonic growled in exasperation. "This was a long tunnel, it'd take too long to go back and look for another way . . ."

"Perhaps we can burrow our way out?" Vren suggested.

"Doesn't that put us in danger of collapsing the tunnels?" Shadow asked. "Besides, we don't know where we'll end up . . . "

"He's got a point," said Knuckles. "It is faster, and if we just head straight up we should reach Naugus."

"Shield your eyes, fellas," Sonic called suddenly, and before any of them hardly had a chance to duck and cover, he leapt up toward the roof and curled into a Triple Spin. Seconds later he was boring into the mountain, carving a tunnel leading straight up toward the summit. Quickly Knuckles followed him, making the tunnel wider for Vren, and together they all climbed up after Sonic as fast as they could. Shadow ran right up the tunnel wall and was soon directly behind the Freedom Fighter leader. Knuckles came next, and Vren brought up the rear, shimmying up the tunnel carefully with his strong claws and excellent balance.

No sooner had another moment passed when Sonic called from above, "Hey guys! We're in!"

His comrades emerged to find themselves in the middle of a gigantic cave of granite and ice and crystals. Giant diamond, amethyst and quartz shards sprung from the frozen walls, glistening beautifully in the meager light that shone through the single tunnel entrance directly ahead. Razor-sharp stalactites of ice hung from the cave ceiling like dripping fangs, and the floor was glazed over with frozen water and diamond dust.

"Definitely the caves," Sonic nodded. "OK, let's get a move on. We need to find the Chaos Emeralds."

They were just starting to move forward toward the tunnel ahead when all of a sudden Vren pulled up and let out furious snarl.

"What's up?" Sonic asked, but seconds later he too went rigid when an enormous shadow suddenly fell across the entrance to the tunnel, and Kaligarr leapt into view.

"Kaligarr!" Vren hissed.

"Vren," the griffin returned coldly. "So you've managed to sneak past our Night Demon army after all. I was waiting for you all to show up."

"Let us through, Kaligarr," Sonic ordered, his ears pinned in warning. "If you don't you'll pay."

"No one will pass," Kaligarr retorted defiantly, spreading his wings to block their way.

Vren roared so loud that the icicles and stalactites above quivered ominously.

"Shut up, you fool!" Kaligarr snapped. "You think your snarling will frighten me?"

"Do you not recognize a challenge when you hear one?" came Vren's answer as he leered at his enemy, golden eyes narrowed and teeth bared.

The griffin's feathers ruffled. "Do you not know when to quit?"

Vren snarled and stalked forward, venom oozing from his fangs. Sonic, Knuckles and Shadow followed, prepared to break past Kaligarr with sheer force alone. Upon their approach, Kaligarr's eyes flashed, and he abruptly reared up high on his hindlegs, flapping his wings furiously. The gale he created nearly threw them all off balance. Angrily Vren rose to his full height, slashing at the air with his mighty claws and roaring in challenge. Kaligarr responded with a loud hiss, the feathers of his mane standing on end, his wings spread and his tail flicking. Vren prowled forward fearlessly, a deadly threat glowing in his eyes. Kaligarr turned to face him, and soon the two were circling, exchanging warning snarls and threatening hisses.

Suddenly Kaligarr lunged forward, reaching for Vren with his wicked talons. Vren sprung to meet him, and then they clashed, tearing and slashing at each other viciously. The cave resounded with their ferocious snarling and the sounds of ripping flesh. Thunder suddenly boomed outside, and as lightning filtered through the tunnel, the two mighty shadows of Vren and Kaligarr were thrown onto the walls as the monsters dueled, locked in mortal combat. With frightening speed Kaligarr constantly lunged for Vren's throat, and the demon had just enough swiftness to evade him.

Sonic and the others rushed forward to his aid.

"Vren!"

Vren grabbed Kaligarr by the shoulders with his claws and threw him to the ground. "No! Go! I'll hold Kaligarr back! The three of you go!"

"We can't leave you here, bud," Sonic yelled back. "We have to fight together!"

Vren tossed his head up and roared. "For Mobius's sake go! You'll have one less enemy! I'll catch up later, just go!"

He barely had time to finish his sentence, for within a fraction of a second Kaligarr was upon him again, tearing wildly at his wings and his back.

"He'll be all right, Sonic, let's just get moving!" Knuckles shouted.

Sonic didn't like the idea of leaving Vren behind at all, especially since Naugus had taken him prisoner before. But there was no time to argue.

Gritting his teeth, Sonic whirled away angrily and raced down the tunnel, Shadow and Knuckles following quickly as the sounds of battle were left behind them.

Far below, back in the valley, the Freedom Fighters were quickly growing weary. Out of the fifty thousand Night Demons, so far only three had been killed, while the Fighters had lost close to ten people. The demons were growing smarter, learning to avoid Dulcy's flashes of fire whenever the dragon tossed up her head. And no matter what, they could not advance forward. The Night Demons kept them tightly packed in the center of the valley, viciously attacking any who tried to break past them.

"We're not getting anywhere, Nihara!" Rotor shouted above the chaos.

"We have to change tactics," Nihara growled, and suddenly she got an idea. "Dulcy! You can breathe ice as well as fire, can't you?"

"Yes, but will that affect them?"

"It's worth a try, Dulce!" Nihara cried, fighting back a bold demon who had charged the group.

Dulcy nodded and pulled her head back, taking in a deep breath of air. The demons nearby jumped back, closing their eyes, expecting fire. But what came next was a rather chilling surprise. Suddenly Dulcy breathed a great gust of ice through her nostrils, and the Night Demons hardly had a chance to realize what was happening. All at once nearly fifty demons were frozen solid, while others were slowed down as ice hit them, causing parts of them to turn solid again.

The instant they saw their enemies were vulnerable, the Freedom Fighters charged forward and immediately attacked the ones that were frozen. This time they eliminated about fifty-five demons in twenty seconds from the enormous army.

"Much better," Nihara nodded. "OK, Dulcy, keep it up. Everyone, keep those monsters away from her!"

Above the mountains rising far in the distance a fleet of small ships was gliding into view, searchlights scouring the land below as a mighty storm welled above, sending streaks of lightning dancing across the sky.

"How much time's left?" called Sonic as he ran down the long tunnel, following its sharp curve to the left.

"An hour and three minutes!" Shadow replied.

"The Chaos Emeralds are close," said Sonic. "I can feel their energy. How much farther to the chamber?"

"It's just ahead," answered Shadow. "It's well hidden; just before the entrance is a set of huge crystals. We'll have to navigate around them carefully."

Little did the group know as they ran that they were being watched. Somewhere in the darkness a familiar pair of glowing red eyes was following their every move. As they neared the emerald chamber, the eyes slowly began to flash silver until the red disappeared altogether. With a snarl a shadow leapt down from the rocks, racing full speed toward the emeralds . . .

Below Sonic, Knuckles and Shadow rounded the corner, and sure enough they came face-to-face with several great crystals, towering from three to five feet across a cave mouth hidden within their jagged teeth-like shadows. They looked nearly impossible to get through, for in many areas they grew dangerously close together, and the ground beneath them was slick. One slip could easily send one of them onto the ghastly bed of diamond spikes below.

"We'll have to move slowly," said Shadow, leading the way forward. "And keep your wits about you . . . A demon guards those seven gems."

In single file they began to weave their way around the sharp crystals, careful to place their feet only on the driest ground. The ice glaze beneath them seemed to melt the moment they touched it, and soon the crystal bed was dripping with water, making the journey past them all the more dangerous.

Suddenly Sonic shook his head as water dripped from the cave ceiling and landed on his nose. The icicles above were rapidly melting too, disappearing right before their eyes it seemed. In fact, the air around them was growing hotter with every step they took. Sonic eyed the cave walls warily as the sheets of ice turned to rivulets of water that trickled down to the floor. Then, suddenly, the ground beneath them quaked, almost sending all three of them upon the crystals.

Sonic latched onto one of the tall shards to keep his balance. "What was that?"

"Probably a tremor . . ." said Knuckles. "the mountains nearby are all volcanic."

"Could also be Naugus," Shadow added. "trying to stop us."

On the opposite side of the crystals, inside the emerald chamber, the silver eyes leered in warning . . .

"Keep moving," said Sonic. "And whatever you do, don't fall." He took one step forward, when all of a sudden the ground jerked violently again, and the crystals abruptly lurched inward, crossing over the cave mouth to bar their path.

Making a risky bid, Sonic charged toward the crystals and rammed them as hard as he could. They didn't budge—they were interlocked over the cave like fingers closing off the entrance.

Shadow and Knuckles tried to break past them, but it was no use. They were solid diamond, and their efforts didn't even leave a scratch on them.

"Are there any other entrances?" Sonic asked Shadow.

"None," Shadow shook his head.

"We've gotta find another way in—fighting these crystals is too risky with the ground so slick and the sharp rocks behind us."

"Hang on," said Knuckles suddenly. "The opening just beneath the crystals might be big enough to squeeze under." He pointed to the triangular gap below the interlocking crystals.

"The way the ground's been quaking I don't know if it's so smart," said Shadow. "The whole wall might collapse on us if we try it."

"Then we'll have to be quick," Sonic retorted. "C'mon, there's nothing else we can do."

"What about her?" Shadow went on. "I'm almost certain she's waiting for us on the other side."

"We're gonna have to face her sooner or later," Sonic said. "I'll go first to make sure—"

"Let me go first," Knuckles interrupted suddenly. "If anyone's gonna face her, it's gonna be me."

"Don't be crazy, Knuckles," Shadow called, but before anyone could say another word, the Guardian was clawing his way beneath the crystals, moving quickly and cautiously. He wasn't sure what to expect once he reached the other side, but he kept his eyes open and his senses alert. Surprisingly he had no difficulty squeezing below the diamond gate, and soon he found himself inside the chamber and in the glow of the emeralds.

Warily he looked from side to side, waiting for Trau to appear any moment now . . . but he saw nothing, heard nothing . . . the room was completely empty except for the seven emeralds and him.

Slowly he turned back to the entrance, never once taking his eyes off the chamber before him. "It's clear right now . . . just keep your guards up . . ."

Soon Sonic and Shadow were inside the room too, and the eerie silence they found put them all on edge.

"Anyone else find this a little suspicious?" Sonic asked.

"She's probably waiting for us to get close to the emeralds," said Shadow. "That's what she did the first time."

Knuckles suddenly turned around as a rock nearby tumbled from the cave wall to the floor. Soon afterwards another one moved, this one closer . . . He stepped back cautiously.

"Would calling to the emeralds work?" Sonic was asking Shadow.

"It's no use, they're under complete control and—."

"Shhh," Sonic cut him off suddenly.

"What?"

"Did you hear something over there? To the left?" He motioned to where the rocks kept tumbling from the wall. Soon more and more began to fall, and expecting Trau to spring Knuckles quickly backed away.

At the instant there was a deafening crash from behind and before any of them could know what was happening, there was a sudden blur of black and silver as smoke, dust, and burning energy filled the room. Once they saw the streaks of silver, Shadow and Sonic quickly leapt back—Knuckles, on the other hand, wasn't so fortunate. All of a sudden there was an agonizing blow from his right that sent him sprawling to the floor, and a deadly snarl soon followed. Then, striding slowly, eerily, from the billowing smoke, was Hyper Trau, her eyes flaming down upon him as she drew closer.

"Trau!" Knuckles gasped.

She merely glared down at him, a storm of hatred and fury whirling within the silver orbs of her eyes. "You . . ." she hissed through her teeth, and suddenly she sprung forward with terrifying speed and with one hit sent Knuckles flying again.

"Hang on, Knux!" Sonic shouted, and he and Shadow came running to his aid.

Trau suddenly whirled upon them, her eyes flashing. "Away with you fools!" The ground shook beneath them again, and suddenly a shower of rocks fell from the chamber's roof, thundering down before Sonic and Shadow. They were forced back as boulders smashed to the ground, sending up a stinging spray of pebbles and dust. When Sonic looked up again, there was a wall of rocks that reached all the way to the roof, blocking them off completely from Trau and Knuckles.

"No!" Sonic cried furiously and lunged toward the rocks, slamming into them with all his might.

On the opposite side, Knuckles pulled himself to his feet, facing Trau without fear. "Forget it, guys . . . go on."

"She'll kill you!" Shadow shouted.

"I'd rather die fighting than running," he growled in response. "Go!"

"Knuckles, I know you can fight," said Sonic. "But listen to me, you won't stand a chance against her—not with the emeralds on her side!"

"I said go for the emeralds' sake!" Knuckles hollered. "That's an order! This is my island, I'll make the choices here . . . You have to get Cyan and Khare . . . I'll take care of the emeralds and Trau. Just go, you're running out of time . . ."

"Knux . . ." Sonic warned, preparing to charge toward the rocks again.

It was almost as if Trau could see him straight through the wall of rocks, for she was glowering directly at him.

Knuckles stepped in her way. "Let them go . . . why waste your time fighting them when you can fight me?"

The flame in Trau's eyes ignited when she met his gaze. "For now, they'll be spared . . ." she hissed lowly. "The one who shall die now is you!"

Suddenly she lunged at him, her fist pulled back threateningly. Knuckles, despite his instincts to move, stayed put, never once flinching as Hyper Trau flew toward him and soon hurled him to the ground with a horrendous impact. He tried to get to his feet again but she grabbed him by the neck and flipped him clear over her shoulder.

"Get up . . ." she ordered him coldly as he clambered painfully to his feet.

"I'm not afraid of you," he replied, looking her straight in the eye. "I know you, I respect you . . . but I am not afraid . . ."

Hearing this fury consumed Trau, and she lunged at him once more, this time energy blazing within her hands. Before he could blink there was a searing burn and a thunderous impact that sent pain shooting through his body. Again he was on the ground and again he was attacked before he could make a move. Suddenly there was a tight grasp about his throat as he was suddenly lifted and thrown against the cave wall. Gasping for breath he gazed down at Trau, who held him up with one arm, her eyes blazing right into his.

"Why are you doing this to me?" he gasped. "What has Naugus done to you?"

Suddenly the grip around his throat tightened to an unbearable level and he was pushed back into the sharp rocks of the wall. He winced in pain and tried to draw breath, but he couldn't breathe.

"Why?" Trau snarled, trembling as rage and emerald energy surged in her veins. "Why? You dare ask me why!"

Suddenly she tossed him to the ground furiously and sent another orb of energy flying toward him. He was scorched by the excruciating heat, but somehow he managed to fight back the horrible pain and face her again.

When she saw he still had the gall to look her in the eye Trau swept forward and seized him by the throat again. This time she made sure her grip was so tight that it threatened to snap his neck.

"You feel that!" She cried. "Feel that pain! That's how I felt you miserable traitor!"

She swung her fist hard against the side of his head and threw him to the ground so hard that the rocks shattered.

"Traitor . . . ?" he asked once he found his breath again.

"Traitor," she snarled. "I thought I had someone I could trust, and then you betray me . . ."

"Betray you? What do you mean betray you? I never—."

"You LIE!" she cried and slammed into him with deadly force.

He clenched his teeth and staggered to his feet again, holding up his hand. "What has Naugus been telling you? I've never done anything to you . . ."

Trau surged forward, pinned him to the ground and sent all the energy within her tearing through him. As raw, unbridled Chaos Emerald and Master Emerald energy inflicted him with a stabbing agony he cried out, but otherwise gave no other sign of his suffering.

"Liar!" she growled. "Just like them all—lying, cheating, betraying rats! You may be in great pain now, but it's nothing compared to the pain I suffered!"

"What pain?" Knuckles choked. "I don't understand Trau, we were the best of friends, you and I! Why do you wish to kill me?"

"You killed me!" she shouted heatedly, the fury in her eyes slowly turning to pain. "I'm nothing now! I thought I was something but then you showed me that it was all a cruel lie! And you . . . you dare pretend that it all never happened . . ."

Again energy racked through him and courageously he held the agony down. "Trau, I would never hurt you! Betrayal is what's ruining this world, I fight against it!"

Trau snarled in rage and hurled him through the air. Once he hit the ground again she stood over him, daring him to fight her.

"Go ahead, keep up your lies. You think you're suffering now? It can get worse . . . much worse . . ."

She struck him with another wave of energy, but he made no move, showed no anger . . . He only faced her bravely.

Trau clenched her teeth and tossed her head wrathfully. "Curse you, fight me!"

He shook his head slowly. "I won't."

"I'll kill you right here if you don't!"

"Then kill me," he returned sharply. "I already told you I'd never hurt you. The only way I'll fight you now is through words. Whatever Naugus has told you is a lie, Trau . . . who do you trust more? Me or him?"

For a brief second Trau hesitated, then her eyes narrowed again. "I saw it all with my own eyes . . . Naugus for once spoke the truth . . . someone will always steal you away from me . . ."

"What do you mean? Who?"

"Everyone!" she cried, her voice suddenly fraught with pain and despair. "There's always someone else, some other girl who's more deserving than me, who's kinder and prettier! And you made me believe I was the only one out of all of them that ever mattered!"

Knuckles was terribly confused. "You are! Trau, I've never met anyone like you before!"

Trau screamed with fury and hit him again violently. "Enough of your lies!"

"I tell the truth!"

"I'll show you!" she fumed, the emeralds behind her pulsing with all the anger that raged within her heart. "I'll show you what I saw myself! We are after all in Sanctuary! See for yourself!"

She waved her hand, and all of a sudden, before Knuckles' eyes appeared the same pictures Naugus showed Trau when she went Hyper for the first time . . . pictures that hurt him as much as they hurt her . . . There were scenes where he ignored Trau completely, or argued bitterly with her . . . there were other girls who he paid attention to instead, girls whom he had known but had never felt anything for . . . the Guardian's great heart tightened and his eyes went wide.

Naugus . . . he said to himself as he began to tremble with rage. This is Naugus's doing!

Suddenly that same terrible mixture of pain, anguish and uncontrollable fury entered Trau's eyes again, and she slashed at Knuckles vehemently.

"See what you've done to me!" her broken voice caused the very mountain to shake.

"Trau, that's not me! I swear to you! That's Naugus, Trau, Naugus!"

Trau snarled at him and drove another energy shock in him, but somehow he fought it back.

"Naugus is the liar and the betrayer, not me! How could you trust him over me, Trau? How? He's the one that took your friends, Khare and Cyan!" He shuddered as more energy ripped through him, but fiercely struggled to find his strength. He turned to Trau, his breath coming ragged. "Don't you see? He's showing you this to make you turn on all of us! You're under a spell, Trau! A spell!" Weakness and burning pain sent him to the ground again, but still he fought. "You have to fight him Trau! Fight Naugus! He's the one giving you all this pain! He's the evil!"

Trau shook violently and now held her terrible grip on Knuckles, allowing the energy to flow into him endlessly. Despite this, her eyes were clamped shut in misery, and Knuckles knew there was a greater battle going on inside her head. Desperately he sought to reach his feet.

"You know who you really are, Trau, and who I really am too! You know we were great friends who would never dare hurt one another! Get Naugus out of your head! Fight him!"

Trau suddenly cried out in pain and forced Knuckles back down. The energy burning around him became so hot that he couldn't breathe once more, and the light was slowly beginning to wane from his eyes. It was a heart-wrenching sight to see him heroically fighting such a hopeless battle, and losing . . . His injuries were too severe . . . all over he was charred by energy and horribly wounded from Trau's heavy blows. Exhaustion and pain were taking their toll on his strength . . . He would die if this kept up . . .

If there is anything unconquerable in this universe, anything truly invincible, it is the spirit of Mobius's Freedom Fighters . . . For even when put against the very greatest odds, it just never died. Knuckles had such a spirit, and it was the fuel that allowed him to fight back even though his body was losing. His spirit knew that his words and his heart were winning . . . that they would win.

Suddenly and remarkably, Knuckles pulled himself upright and grabbed Trau's shoulders. "Remember me, Trau! Remember! You must!"

She cried out again in agony and Knuckles faltered for a brief second as the emerald energy attacked him again. But the second it subsided, he hauled himself to his feet painfully and shook Trau.

"Look at me! Look at the truth!"

Trau tried to throw him back, but he refused to let her go. The emerald's power threatened to throw him off his feet again, but somehow his spirit and his heart gave him the strength to fight it all . . .

He winced and shook his head, battling to look at her through his blurring vision. "I won't give up! You have to fight Naugus, Trau! And you have to believe me! I would never hurt you! Never! I knew from the second I met you that you were something different!"

Trau kept her eyes locked shut. "You lied!"

"No I didn't! Naugus made it look like I did! Don't believe him! Believe ME!"

"I can't!" cried Trau.

"You must! Remember your friends, the Freedom Fighters! Remember that you fight against evil and not for it! Remember us and how we used wrestle just to prove who was stronger, but found that we were more equal than anything!"

There came a massive surge of energy from the emeralds and he paused to fight back the pain, clenching his teeth till it felt as though his jaw would break. Then he faced Trau again.

"Look at me! You have to, Trau! You have to believe in me!"

"How can I!"

"Because I speak the truth!"

"How can I know for sure! How do I know it's not just another lie! How do I know anything from anything anymore!"

"Because I love you Trau!"

Suddenly everything--the Chaos Emerald energy, the battle, even time itself--seemed to stop in its tracks. As soon as the words were out of Knuckles' mouth, Trau's merciless attack came to an abrupt halt, and she could only look back at him, stunned. The storm of blinding silver in her eyes slowly began to fade into crimson red, and for a moment the hatred and anger disappeared . . .

Knuckles gazed back at her, breathing hard. For the first time she realized just how badly he was wounded, his blazing scarlet red marred by burns and gashes, his daring violet eyes blackened. Suddenly it felt as if a bullet of guilt and regret had been shot through her heart . . .

Far away, back in the chamber the group had entered from the underground, Kaligarr suddenly froze, and looked up in astonishment.

". . . She's been freed too . . . That's not possible . . . " His red eyes shifted in confusion.

Preoccupied by bewilderment, Kaligarr failed to notice Vren charging toward him from behind, green venom flowing from his bared fangs . . .

Somewhere else within the caverns, a pair of golden eyes glared in the emerald chamber's direction. Khare tried converting her telekinesis to Trau again . . . but something was wrong . . . her powers were being blocked by something extraordinarly powerful.

"No . . . Love's fighting Naugus's spell! Impossible!" She growled in exasperation and looked away, her eyes glowing. "Well, perhaps she can be converted, but not I. Come out, come out wherever you are, Shadow. I look forward to seeing you . . ."

Back in the emerald chamber, Trau could hardly believe her eyes. Quickly realization was hitting her, and its impact was like a shockwave of raw Master Emerald energy. Suddenly all the rage inside her had been crushed by an emotion much stronger--in fact, it was so strong that it brought her to her knees.

"Knux . . . ?" she asked, her voice no longer cruel and rough, but low and meak. "Do you really mean that?"

He nodded slowly, unable to speak for the moment. Exhaustion and pain were coming back to him, and he almost felt as if he could pass out. But their was no hiding the honesty in his eyes, for it showed brighter and clearer than any emerald light.

Suddenly Trau lowered her head as a tear slid down her cheek . . . "What have I done?" Her silver markings slowly began to turn red again, and her dreadlocks shortened to normal length.

"It wasn't you," Knuckles spoke up suddenly. "It was him . . . Naugus. He did this . . . not you."

"He nearly . . . he nearly made me kill you . . . " she gasped, anger welling inside her again. She seemed to grow paler by the second. Suddenly she turned to the cave wall beside her, and with her last great reserve of power, sent her fist smashing into the stone, shattering it to dust. "NAUGUS!" she cried furiously, trembling with anger, regret and pain. How much would it hurt to find out that some dark magic had turned you against the one you loved the most, and brought you this close to killing them? One could scarcely imagine what Trau was feeling now . . .

Suddenly Knuckles put his arm around her and pulled her close. "You have nothing to regret . . . It was that blasted Naugus . . . I put no blame on you . . . And by the Master Emerald he'll pay!"

"I'm sorry . . . " Trau moaned. "I'm so sorry, Knux . . . "

"He'll be the only sorry tonight," Knuckles growled, and suddenly he staggered to his feet and limped toward the Master Emerald.

"What'll we do?"

"Harness the emerald's power of course," came his reply. "They're the key to defeating Naugus, and I say we show him first rate the awesome destructive powers these sacred gems possess . . . But you'd better stay and rest--"

Suddenly, despite her own weakness, Trau rose too. "I'll come too . . . you were right, Red . . . the one thing we've learned is that we are more equal than anything . . . Let us fight together . . . "

Knuckles hesitated for a moment. They were both terribly exhausted, and right now the great battle against Naugus seemed utterly impossible. Trau certainly didn't look like she could handle all that energy again, but the Guardian did remember that this echidna--the one who matched his own dogged nature so perfectly--never gave up. Her place was at his side, not left behind him.

Finally he nodded. "Very well. Together then."

"Knux," she said lowly. "Before we go, there's something I want you to know."

"What's that?"

She gazed back at him with the same honesty in her eyes, with no evil magic to bruise them with doubt.

"I love you too."

Back in the tunnel, Sonic and Shadow ran side-by-side, the only ones left of the original group of four to take on Naugus. They had wanted to help Knuckles, for they knew just what he was up against, but the Guardian had been right. They were quickly running out of time. There was less than an hour left now, and with every step they took the odds seemed to look worse and worse.

"Do you think he'll make it?" Shadow asked Sonic as they ran.

"Knux?" Sonic asked, then his eyes grew grave. "He's a fighter . . . he'll make it . . . "

"I hope he'll come out OK . . . you were right, Sonic, this is turning out to be a battle of opposites. Seems every corner we turn leads to a new opponent."

"Keep your head up Shadow," said Sonic. "This is a tough fight, but we can't show Naugus fear. He preys on our emotions and turns them against us. That's what makes him one of the most feared villains on Mobius."

"I can see why," Shadow remarked, bitterly remembering how Naugus had betrayed him. Suddenly he thought of Khare. "I hope Khare's all right too . . . She saved my heart from being shattered again . . . "

"That was very brave of her," Sonic nodded. "You'll come to see, Shadow, that Mobius is a world of heroes."

Suddenly the alarm of the communicator on Sonic's wrist blared, and Nihara's worried voice came over the speakers.

"Sonic, we've got a problem down here!"

"What's up?" Sonic asked, skidding to a stop as Shadow listened intently.

"For a while we were gaining the upper hand on the Night Demons, when all of a sudden none of us can move . . . then this monster attacks us from out of nowhere! At first we thought it was Trau . . . but it was Khare!"

"Khare . . . ?" Shadow gasped, his eyes widening.

"She's slamming us Sonic! I don't know exactly how she's doing it, but she keeps immobilizing the entire Freedom Fighter army, allowing the Night Demons to attack. We're losing too many people down here!"

"She has psychic powers," Shadow shouted to the communicator. "The only way to fight her is through her mind!"

"I'm afraid we haven't got the time to do that my friend--Curses, here she comes again!" Suddenly a loud explosion could be heard in the background, and then there was nothing but static.

"Nihara?" Sonic yelled into the speaker. "Nihara, listen! The allies should be there soon! Just keep fighting! We'll find a way to help . . . somehow . . . Nihara?"

But there came no answer. Worriedly Sonic and Shadow looked at each other, the true seriousness of their situation beginning to dawn on them.

Meanwhile, far below, Khare cackled madly as she held the Freedom Fighters immobile in her grasp, leaving them all terribly vulnerable to the demons as they charged the group.

"Impressive, isn't it my friends? I highly doubt you've ever fought a battle quite like this." Suddenly she sent spikes of energy down upon them, and they all cried in pain.

The Night Demons leapt at the nearest Freedom Fighters they could find and tore at them viciously until there was hardly anything left . . . it was a ghastly sight, and for the first time true terror was beginning to engulf the courageous rebels.

"So, you're Khare are you?" Nihara snarled up to the black-and-violet hedgehog hovering just above them.

"I am. And you're Nihara, the skilled sword fighter and warrioress."

"How'd you like to see some of those skills firsthand?" Nihara spat, fighting spirit flickering in her eyes.

"I'm quite content up here, my dear," came Khare's cool reply. "It pleases me to see your 'brave' little friends suffer. Besides, you'd never stand a chance, no matter how adept at the art of swordfighting you are. I could easily predict your every move, and teleport with the snap of a finger."

"Why don't you fight eye-to-eye with your opponent you coward?" Nihara hissed.

At that instant Khare's golden eyes blazed. "You call me a coward? We'll see who's the coward before this day ends."

Suddenly she raised her head to the darkening skies above and waved her hand through the air. At once the clouds seemed to gather directly above the Freedom Fighters, slowly forming a massive funnel cloud. The Fighters looked up in horror was lightning flicked in every direction, scorcing the earth and setting the nearby forests to fire. The Night Demons cringed, but Khare suddenly waved her hand toward them, and all at once the light didn't hurt their eyes so terribly. Meanwhile the winds began to howl, whirling in the angry heavens overhead and kicking up a storm of snow and ice. Thunder roared and the planet shook until the mountains themselves began to crumble.

Khare grinned sinisterly as she released the Freedom Fighters and watched them scatter in panic as a whirling white vortex of snow and electricity descended upon the valley. The area erupted into total turmoil. Freedom Fighters ran for shelter, distracted by the tornado as it caught some of their comrades and hurled them through the air. Night Demons attacked the terrified rebels left and right, completely unaffected by the storm. Khare's evil laughter resounded through the air, above crashes of thunder and the howling of the cyclone.

"Let's see you defeat us now, Freedom Fighters!"

Suddenly, on the edge of the forest, the group of ships landed, and the ally Freedom Fighters looked upon the scene before them in utter astonishment. Among them were Lupe, Ari, Pallo and Dirk--the greatest companions to the Knothole Freedom Fighters.

"So this is Naugus . . ." said Lupe, shaking her head at the chaos ahead of them. "I always believed Robotnik was the worst . . . "

"This isn't even the half of it," said Ari, narrowing his brown eyes. "I've done battle with Naugus before. He has powers like you never imagined . . . " He dashed toward the battle, Lupe and the others at his heels.

"Hold on, guys! We're comin'!"

Khare whirled on the allies, her ears sweeping back in fury. She was about to advance upon them, when suddenly Naugus's voice echoed in her head.

"Never mind them . . . we have more important things to worry about. The Night Demons and your storm should fix the Freedom Fighters all right. Sonic and Shadow are still making their way further through the cave. How they freed Trau is beyond me, but trust me, they won't make another step forward in this fight! You're my last hope, Khare--take care of Sonic and Shadow."

For a second longer Khare glared down at her opponents, tempted to block the allies off from the Freedom Fighters completely. But at last, and a little reluctantly, she turned back toward the towering mountain before her and nodded.

"Yes, master."

Closing her eyes, she suddenly vanished into thin air. The very next second, she was inside the caverns, hidden within the shadows, watching the two hedgehogs as they approached another great chamber. This one was also full of crystals and icicles, and there was a stone stairway on the far side. Cautiously Sonic and Shadow looked around the room to be sure they had no waiting enemies. They would have worried about Khare, but since they figured she was fighting the Freedom Fighters, they were quickly on their way again, walking toward the stairway.

"I don't remember this stairway . . . " Shadow whispered, looking around in confusion. "This is where Khare used to be contained, but there used to be a large tunnel entrance just to the left over there--not these steps . . . "

Sonic glanced up at the bright light filtering through the cave at the top of the stairs. "Where do you suppose it leads?"

Shadow shook his head. "I'm not sure . . . But I guess we'll find out."

Quietly they ascended the stairway, and found a tunnel that branched off into several chambers to the left, right and directly ahead. The largest chamber was directly ahead, and it seemed to be the first place the two of them would head . . . but instead, a chamber slightly to the right caught Sonic's eye, for it was there that the bright light was coming from. And for some reason, something pulled him toward it . . . something strong . . .

"Sonic?" Shadow asked as the Freedom Fighter leader abruptly turned toward the lit room and just as suddenly began to run.

Perplexed, Shadow jogged after him.

A second later Sonic reached the entrance and peered inside the chamber . . . . and what he saw made his heart stop.

There, before him, was Cyan, enveloped in bright white light and lying inert on the cave's cold floor. There was hardly any life in her . . . she almost looked white she was so pale, and her eyes were dark and almost sunken. She hardly even seemed to be breathing . . .

Eyes wide with fear for her, Sonic dashed forward, his heart now pounding in his temples. "Cy!"

All of a sudden a set of huge crystals crossed over the chamber entrance with a loud crash. Sonic slid hard to avoid them, and as a malevolent laughter filled the tunnel, he and Shadow whirled around to see Khare, smirking down at them coldly.

"Welcome, friends! So good of you to drop in."

"Khare," said Shadow. "Listen, you must let us through, we're running out of time—"

"Silence, fool!" Khare snapped fiercely. "I take no orders from enemies of my master."

"Khare! Open the cave entrance!" Sonic demanded, his eyes whirling into emerald flames.

"Did you not just hear what I said?" she snapped, rounding on him. "And tell me, Sonic, why should I?"

Sonic stepped forward, looking Khare straight in the eye. "Because that is your friend dying in there, Kim, and we are running out of time to save her!"

"Friends?" Khare chuckled. "I have no friends—only my master and I work side-by-side."

"How can you say that?" Shadow asked her, glaring furiously. "You told me that you'd never harm your friends!"

"Then you must be mistaken. I have no emotion, no sympathy for any soul. What's it matter to me whether she lives or dies?"

"The planet!" cried Sonic. "All life as we know it! If Naugus absorbs her life force, he'll be back forever, and have the power to do anything."

"And I have no reason to fear Naugus."

"He's a traitor, Khare, you told me that yourself!" Shadow shouted. "Come on, Khare, don't do this! Don't be responsible for your friend's death . . . You don't really want to kill her."

"I feel nothing for her," Khare seethed, though deep down a terrible pain sliced through her heart as she said it. "Her life blood shall lead Naugus and me to ultimate power!"

"You can't just sacrifice her like this!" retorted Shadow.

"Oh, can't I?"

"Khare, I'm warning you!" Sonic snarled, standing at Shadow's side and pawing the ground in challenge.

"Oh dear, I'm so afraid," Khare sneered. Then, all of a sudden, her eyes began to glow. "Yes . . . petrified."

Suddenly a light flashed about Sonic and Shadow, and they were frozen in place.

"I can't move!" yelled Shadow.

"Neither can I!"

"You think you can defeat me, Freedom Fighters?" Khare asked, rising into the air and charging spheres of energy in her hands. "Well, why don't you give it a try!"

Then the energy orbs were hurling toward Sonic and Shadow, and suddenly the tunnel erupted into a thunderous explosion. Sonic was thrown but with a crafty flip caught his balance. Infuriated, he charged through the smoke, and soon found Khare. The she-hedgehog tried to teleport, but she had noticed him too late in the thick smoke, and he slammed into her hard, throwing her to the ground.

"You miserable fool!" she snarled, and suddenly she clenched her fist.

At that instant Sonic felt a tightening about his neck, but showed no fear. He faced her, eyes burning and ears pinned.

"If you want a fight, I'll gladly give it to you." He snarled.

"Consider it given," came Khare's ominous reply, and she was about to clench her fist tighter when all of a sudden Shadow jumped in between them.

"NO! I'm the one you want! Fight me!"

"Shadow—" Sonic began to say but Shadow cut him off.

"There's no time, Sonic, you've got to get to Cyan! If you don't we are lost!"

Khare chuckled. "What's the matter, Sonic? Afraid to face me on your own, are you?"

Sonic snarled and plunged forward. "I'm not afraid of you!"

Shadow jumped in again and risked a deadly collision. "No, Sonic! Remember how you said this was a battle of opposites? Well, Khare is my opposite . . . don't you see? Vren had to face Kaligarr, and Knuckles had to face Trau . . . I must face Khare . . . alone."

"If you're planning to do anything, you had better be true to your name, Sonic, and do it quickly. You have about less than thirty minutes left."

"No! Cyan!" Sonic cried.

Shadow turned to Khare, looking directly into her golden gaze. "Promise me one thing, Khare. If I stay, you must let Sonic go."

Khare glared at him silently, and then turned toward Sonic. Sonic tossed his head impatiently, desperate to move on.

"Let him go . . ." Naugus suddenly said to her. "He's too late anyway, for my magic is working faster than I anticipated. Besides, I'm looking forward to seeing the little rodent."

Finally Khare nodded. "Very well. He may go, but you stay."

Sonic glanced at Shadow, but the dark hedgehog motioned toward the cave behind them. Again Sonic strongly disapproved the idea, but he wouldn't let Cyan die.

He nodded too. "Good luck, Shadow."

"You too my friend. Now go, save Cyan. If she is lost I fear for us all."

Quickly Sonic whirled around toward the chamber where Cyan was being held, and dashed toward the entrance. But suddenly a cunning glint sparked in Khare's eyes, and out of nowhere great crystals plunged through the tunnel floor, sprouting up so fast that Sonic had to leap out of the way to avoid being impaled.

Shadow rounded angrily on Khare. "You said you'd let him go!"

Khare cackled maliciously. "Yes, but I never said I'd make it easy!"

"You liar!" Shadow cried, and suddenly he was tearing toward her as fast as he could move.

Khare smirked, and just as he came within a few inches of her she threw her hands up, and froze him in mid-stride with her psychic energy. Fiercely Shadow tried to break free, but suddenly he found himself being lifted off of his feet.

"Shadow!" Sonic gasped.

Khare continued to lift Shadow until he touched the icicles on the cave ceiling. Then, with brutal force, she hurled him sideways with the mere motion of her hand, and sent him crashing right through the crystals that blocked the chamber entrance.

Sonic was about to run to Shadow and see if he was OK, but already the black hedgehog was on his feet and bravely dashing toward Khare again. It was then that Sonic noticed the open chamber entrance, and saw his opportunity.

In a flash of cerulean he was swerving around the shattered crystals and disappearing inside the chamber . . .

In the center of the long tunnel the two dark hedgehogs faced off, their eyes locked on one another, circling slowly.

"Well, Shadow," Khare grinned. "It looks like it's just you and me!"

"Khare, I know you're in there somewhere . . . listen, it's me, Shadow, remember?"

Khare threw another orb of energy at him and he dodged, leaping swiftly to the side.

"It's just like Trau--Naugus has taken over your mind," he went on. "Fight him, Khare! Remember how you despise him!"

"Silence, idiot!" Khare snapped. "You speak nothing but nonsense! Come now, why don't you fight?"

Suddenly she vanished, and Shadow whirled around to find her. For a second or two the room was silent, and he saw no sign of Khare . . . and then, through thin air, she reappeared directly behind him, and before he could even blink she threw him against the cave wall with her psychic forces and pinned him, her arm outstretched and her hand clenching as if she were about to crush him.

"Khare," Shadow gasped. "Don't do this! For your friends' sake, don't!"

"How many times do I have to tell you, fool?" Khare snarled, throwing her hand down forcefully and taking Shadow down with it. "I have no friends! I stand alone!"

"So did I once," he retorted, climbing to his feet. "But that doesn't mean I couldn't be saved from my own loneliness . . . from my own trap."

He saw another flash of glowing gold energy and quickly Chaos Controlled himself out of its path. When he reappeared behind Khare, she spun around to face him.

"I feel no loneliness--I feel nothing. If you believe I can be saved, that I need to be saved, you are wrong!" There came a blaze of energy once again.

Shadow raced away unharmed. "Yes--yes I was wrong . . . to believe in Naugus's lies and to go into the depths of the very thing my Maria wished for me to fight . . . I know this now. I'm not evil, I am good! And so are you!"

"Goodness and light shall fall when my master's spell takes over the whole planet!" cried Khare. "You shall all fall, and Naugus and I will rule supreme!"

"Oh, so that's what it is, huh Khare?" asked Shadow, looking hard at her. "You think Naugus is going to give you all he says he will? Wrong! He's a traitor! A liar!"

An arc of energy came at him, and he staggered backwards to avoid it as it barely skimmed over his head. Then, suddenly, the crystals jutting from the wall behind him lurched forward. He then dove sideways, missing the sharp edges of the shards by centimeters.

"I work with Naugus, fool. Why would he betray me when I have nothing to lose?"

"You may not realize it, Khare, but you have everything to lose! You have your friends, the Freedom Fighters! You have the planet Mobius! Don't you get it? If we fall, you fall!"

"Not with my powers," Khare suddenly began to lift Shadow into the air again, her eyes expressing nothing but carelessness and hate. "Now that I work with Naugus, I am invincible!"

With one powerful motion of her arm she abruptly sent him crashing into the left wall. The impact shattered the crystals and ice and stone, and all of a sudden Shadow found himself hanging precariously in midair with a sheer drop beneath him. Desperately he twisted around and reached for an outcropping of rock as he began to fall, clinging onto it. In a matter of seconds Khare was standing above him, her boot pressing down on his fingers.

"Why don't you admit it, Shadow?" she seethed. "You're afraid."

"Yes, I am," he winced, hanging on fiercely.

"Why fear me? You are the Ultimate Life Form, are you not? A little drop wouldn't hurt you!"

"I'm not afraid that I'll fall," came Shadow's reply. "I'm afraid that you will! Just let Naugus take you over, Khare! Just hold your head down and don't fight back! Quitter!"

Again Khare gripped him about the throat with her cruel thoughts alone. "Why do you care if I fall or not? I need no one's care, no one's sympathy!"

"I didn't believe I did either . . . until I met you . . . " he choked.

Khare stared down at him, as if unsure about something suddenly.

"I used to believe that no one cared for me other than Maria, and that I didn't care either--that I didn't need anyone for me to be strong. But I was wrong . . . we all need one another to survive."

"I need no one!" Khare hissed and suddenly dropped him.

Shadow summoned Chaos Control again and reappeared on the cliff above her. "Nice try, Khare, but you won't throw me that easily! I won't give up on you!"

Khare flew toward him, charging her telepathic energy within her hands. "Then I'll make you give up! Why fight for me? What use am I to you?"

"If only you knew, Khare, if only you knew!" Shadow shouted before ducking the energy beam that whizzed over his head.

"Knew what!"

"Knew how much you've done for me!"

Thunder suddenly roared overhead, and a heavy snow began to fall. Again Khare hesitated, and whether it was because of the fact that it was growing harder to see Shadow in the darkening air, or for some other reason was unknown.

Then Naugus spoke again: "You mustn't give into him, Khare! He is the enemy! Don't listen to what he says--he lies! Get rid of him, and you shall be rewarded greatly!"

The dark hedgehog suddenly lunged at Shadow blindly, her eyes glowing like searchlights through the driving snow.

"You must be crazy, Shadow," she snarled. "I've done nothing for you, and I doubt I ever shall!"

Shadow sidestepped and dodged her attack. "No, wrong again! You've opened my eyes when no one else could."

Khare wheeled around and Shadow found himself swerving out of the way of a bolt of lightning. Despite this he went on talking without a flinch of fear.

"I've only realized all this just recently, Khare, but I see now that you gave me something no one else ever has: care, compassion, sympathy. . . You didn't have to show me any care, especially after I pushed you away, but what matters is that you did!"

"I never showed anyone care! I'm incapable of emotion." She waved her arm and sent an arc of energy sweeping out so fast that it grazed Shadow's side, burning him badly.

Shadow winced, but faced Khare. "No you're not! You cared for me when you had no reason to, and that's the noble thing about you! They say love is caring without selfish reason, and that's what you gave me!"

"Love," Khare snorted. "There's no such thing in this tortured world! It's just another lie!"

"What has Naugus done, turned you into me?" Shadow yelled. "I used to think the same thing, but you proved me wrong!"

"Miserable fool!" Khare suddenly cried. "I tell you I cannot feel! And I'll show that to you now!"

Suddenly she hurled forth all the energy she possessed, shooting arcs and beams and orbs of telepathic power. Shadow made an attempt to move but was instantly bombarded by the barrage of attacks, the energy searing through his flesh. With a cry of pain he leapt straight up in the air and teleported a fair distance away from Khare, but that hadn't been enough . . . Suddenly a ray of energy surrounded him and clasped him like a giant hand, squeezing the breath out of him. Then, through the snow, the black-and-violet hedgehog strode toward him, her eyes flickering cruelly as she increased the pressure of the energy's grip.

"Khare, don't--"

"You think this is bad?" she snarled before he could finish. "Well, let me show you a little more!"

She then lifted him up in the air once more, and Shadow quickly realized what a dangerous situation he was in. Lightning was flashing all around them, and lightning always struck the highest object . . . just as Khare expected. Frantically he struggled to break free, but it was no use; he was practically paralyzed. He could only move his hands, feet and his head. The rest of his body was quickly growing numb to all sensation.

"Khare!" he shouted over the booming thunder. "You don't want to do this, Khare!"

"Oh, don't I?" She tightened her grip and lifted him higher, where she could feel the electricity in the clouds building.

"No!" hollered Shadow as he fought. "Deep down you don't! Deep down you're the same Khare I knew! The same kind, caring girl that so suddenly came into my life!"

Khare merely laughed and held him nearly one hundred feet above the cliff she now stood upon. A bolt of lightning shot past Shadow so closely that he could feel its terrible heat on his skin.

"Fight Naugus, Khare! He's your enemy! He is the betrayer! That's why you're working for him in the first place! You did it . . . all because of me . . . " Suddenly a very sad look came into his red eyes.

"Hmmph," snorted Khare. "I've always worked for my master. No use wasting your breath, stupid fool."

"I waste nothing!" cried Shadow. "Naugus told me everything! You did it to save me, and you did it to save your friends! Naugus never planned to return Maria to me, even if he did have the power to bring back the dead! You knew this--that's why you made the deal with him!"

Another stroke of lightning came dangerously close to Shadow, and the thunder that followed was so loud that it seemed to crack the very heavens. But it added power to Shadow's voice as he shouted down to Khare.

"He told me you made a deal to prevent your friends from being harmed! But he lied, Khare! Look at what you're doing! You're not just hurting me, you're hurting all of us! You don't want to do this, Khare! Fight! For the emeralds' sake, fight!"

Something seemed to touch Khare's mind at that moment, something vaguely familiar, like a long lost memory returning in a dream. But whatever it was she shook it off quickly, and lifted the black hedgehog higher into the angry storm.

"I know Naugus has a tight hold on you," he went on. "but if Trau and Vren can be saved, then so can you! Remember, Khare! Remember your friends! Remember the one they call Sonic, the blue hedgehog! Remember your best friends Cyan and Trau! Remember the Freedom Fighters which you belonged to!"

The familiar sensation returned, but this time instead of Khare fighting it herself, Naugus's sinister voice drowned it out.

"Do not let me down, Khare! If you do you'll suffer greatly! KILL him!"

Suddenly she jerked him higher into the sky, and lighting grazed his head, giving him a minor shock.

"Ahh! Khare don't! Listen to me, not Naugus! There's only me here! The real Khare wouldn't do this! Wouldn't harm another living soul! That's what you told me before, Khare! Before Naugus and Kaligarr used their spells to hypnotize me! That wasn't really me . . . Don't you see? They're doing the same thing to you! They're making you forget! They're turning you against the ones you love the most!"

"I feel no love!" Khare screamed above the deafening gale. "Can you not see!"

"I don't have to see! I know! You wouldn't have made the sacrifice you did unless you felt it!"

Lightning flicked and thunder crashed.

"Love does not exist! It's nothing but a myth--something we are only taught to believe!"

"That's not true! You know what you're doing inside! Listen to me and listen to your heart! Your heart holds the truth! Listen!"

Khare suddenly looked as if she were in pain, clamping her eyes shut and trembling violently. A war was raging on inside her, a war similar to those Vren and Trau had to fight. Only in this one, Naugus was as angry as ever.

"I warning you, Khare! Lose this battle, and you shall lose your life! Do as I say! Kill him! Your psychic powers can do it!"

Khare screamed and shook her head furiously as a throbbing agony took hold of her. For a second Shadow dropped a few feet, but then he was jerked upwards again, the spell once more taking control of poor Khare.

"Be who you are and not what you've been made to me! Please, Khare! Mobius's fate lies within your hands now . . . You can't let all these innocent lives die! Please!"

"Khare!" Naugus snarled warningly.

The she-hedgehog staggered backwards and looked as if she'd fall to her knees. Shadow was sure he heard her cry out, "No! No!" but then she was on her feet again and lifting him ever higher. Lightning grazed his arm and again he shouted as the terrible heat burned through him.

"I know you're feeling something, Khare! Keep on fighting! For Mobius! For me!"

The turmoil inside Khare was intensifying all too rapidly. With every second the storm grew more violent, the wind tearing across the earth and flattening nearly everything in sight. Below the tornado of ice and snow constantly swallowed anything it touched, including Freedom Fighters. The mountains shook and rattled, and soon rockslides and avalanches thundered down into the gorges below. Again and again Khare cried out in pain, hardly able to keep her balance. It looked as if she were battling some imaginary opponent that was forcing her to the ground. Inside it felt as though she would be ripped in two. Naugus was holding her down, strangling her, forcing her to fight against those she loved the most . . . and then there was Shadow, the hedgehog she knew deep down, and had fought so long for. All those memories of the Freedom Fighters and of Shadow were coming back, and the voice in her heart grew louder by the second.

"You can't harm him! You fought to protect him! Look what you're doing! Look!" it cried.

"Finish him, Khare! Finish him!" shouted Naugus.

Suddenly Khare raised her hands to hold her pounding head, momentarily releasing Shadow. He prepared to land on his feet, but Khare caught him again, and this time the pressure of her hold was unbearable.

"Stop, Khare, stop!"

"Do it! Destroy him!" commanded Naugus.

"No, save him!" her heart argued.

"NO!" Khare shrieked, and this time Shadow knew he had heard it.

"That's it, Khare! Fight! You can do it! Fight him! I'll help you, Khare! Just--" Just before he could finish his sentence, Shadow suddenly let out a horrible cry of agony--one so horrible that for a millisecond Khare's vision cleared and she could see. Shadow winced, the loud crack still echoing in his ears, and then he tried to move his left arm . . . but he couldn't--it had been shattered by Khare's death hold.

When Khare saw his pain, her heart felt as if it'd collapse. She tried to speak, but couldn't.

"No! Shadow!" she cried mentally.

"Kill him or BE killed, Khare!" Naugus roared furiously. "You feel nothing for him! You feel no emotion! Now destroy him!"

Quickly the cruelty and emotionlessness returned to Khare, and she gripped Shadow tighter. But when the black-and-red hedgehog yelled in pain, her emotions faught back, slamming into her heart so hard that it felt as if she'd be knocked off her feet.

"How could you!" they screamed. "Stop this now or he's finished--or all life will be finished!"

"Kill him!"

"No!"

"KILL him!"

"NOOO!"

At last Khare couldn't take it anymore. She finally released Shadow again, and was about to collapse, when suddenly Naugus reached into her, taking hold of her soul and numbing her heart to all feeling. Memories were chased away, and now Shadow was being lifted as high as ever.

"Khare!" he cried. "Don't do this!"

"Prepare to die, you miserable fool!" she hissed.

"No! He's taken hold of you again! Khare, don't let him!"

There was no change in her eyes or her thoughts this time, no sign of struggling. Through the wind and snow Shadow fixed his eyes on hers, praying . . . searching. It would take something more powerful than Naugus's magic to save her now--far more powerful. At first, perhaps, in the beginning, before Shadow had known this girl who had come to be known as Khare, the psychic warrior, he wouldn't have had a clue what to fight Naugus's magic with. But now he did, and at that moment, from the depths of his heart, it hit him.

Suddenly he looked down hard at her, a light glowing within his crimson eyes that had never been there before.

"Naugus can't win, Khare. It's impossible. He may have the fury of the Chaos Emeralds, the ultimate control of the Master Emerald, and the limitless magic of Sanctuary on his side. But he shall fail! Love is fighting him! And love conquers all!"

Khare glowered at him hatefully. "You don't get it do you? Love is dead! I love no one, and no one loves me! I am alone!"

"No . . . " breathed Shadow. "You're not. And neither am I. I thought I was--until our paths crossed. You, Khare . . . you have given me kindness and caring and devotion . . . the things I've longed for ever since Maria perished . . . the things I've wanted all along."

Khare bared her teeth and lifted him higher . . . lighting flicked again, just centimeters away from him. Shadow glared back at her, trying to find Naugus's evil face within her eyes and beat him out forever.

"You cannot win!"

"I shall! You'll be with your precious Maria soon! I feel nothing for you nor the others!"

"You cannot win!" Shadow repeated furiously. "Remember love!"

"There is no love! I'm alone!"

"Remember LOVE!"

Electricity was building in the cloud directly above Shadow . . . at any second it would erupt . . .

"There is NO love! I stand alone! Forever alone! I want no one! Need no one! Alone! I am alone! No one cares . . . no one loves!"

"Yes they do, Khare! You are not alone! You are never alone--because I love you, Khare!"

All of a sudden the electricity that had been charging in the cloud broke loose and before anyone could blink, Shadow was engulfed in its blinding white light. It was over and done in a heartbeat, but to Khare it all seemed to happen in slow motion, for at that very instant her eyes and her thoughts had cleared, the evil crushed by Shadow's words and the emotion that followed . . .

Far below, Naugus's infuriated cry could be heard for miles and miles as it carried on the wild wind of the storm.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

There was a second of numbness as Khare watched the energy that had been holding Shadow dissipate. She could hear nothing, nor feel anything save the excruciating pain that was quickly welling up inside her as she saw Shadow drop his head and fall down toward the mountain. She tried to catch him but for some reason couldn't, for all her powers had suddenly died.

The moment Shadow hit the ground, Khare fell to her knees, and suddenly everything came to an abrupt stop. The roaring thunder and howling wind immediately died . . . the air and the mountains stopped trembling, and the raging tornado turned to dust. There was nothing but dead silence. In the valley below, the Freedom Fighters and Night Demons looked up in confusion. Not a single thing stirred in the forests nearby . . . not even the leaves on the trees nor the snowflakes on the ground. Nothing dared move or breathe.

Poor Khare sat there, trembling, everything hitting her at once . . . all the evil she had done . . . all the chaos she had created . . .

"What have I done . . . ?" he gasped, her voice quavering, tears filling her eyes. "What have I done!"

"What have you done!" Naugus's fuming voice suddenly growled in her head. "You've let the stupid Freedom Fighters win you, that's what you've done! You've disobeyed me, ruined my plans! Stupid fool! No matter . . . They are still too late! Cyan will be dead in a matter of minutes, and then I shall be powerful enough to obliterate them all with one snap of my finger!"

Khare's eyes widened. "What?"

"That's right! Your foolish friend Cyan is dying as we speak, all thanks to your psychic powers, of course. I couldn't have done it without your help. By using your powers I was able to convince the girl that everything she's experienced here on Mobius has been a dream, as well as make her terribly ill. So now she's lost the will to live. So there's one thing I must thank you for!"

The girl's jaw dropped in horror. She couldn't believe what she was hearing . . . She knew she had done evil while under Naugus's command . . . but nothing like this . . . It couldn't be . . . it was too horrifying . . . Cyan was dying because of her?

Unspeakable sadness engulfing her, Khare turned slowly to gaze at Shadow's wounded form laying on the ledge just before her. Yes . . . him too . . . she had hurt him too. She had hurt all of them . . . every single soul on Mobius. Trembling violently, her breath coming ragged, Khare shook her head in disbelief, her vision fogging with tears and indescribable pain.

"No . . . no . . . Naugus," she suddenly snarled, the misery merging with fury. "Naugus! You liar! You ruthless traitor! I should have known!"

Far off Naugus snorted. "Even if you had known, dear girl, I would have still been able to turn you into my little puppet. My magic is stronger than ever! And the Void shall envelope the entire planet of Mobius in twenty minutes! You and your Freedom Fighters have failed, Khare! Thanks to you, they all shall perish!"

The pain . . . the guilt . . . Khare couldn't bear it. It was tearing her apart, consuming her, draining the very life from her . . . She'd never be able to live with what she had done, and now there was no hope. Mobius was doomed. There wasn't enough time to save it now . . . and all because of the deal she had made.

A turbulant storm of remorse, agony, sadness and intense fury swirled inside of her head, throwing her thoughts into hysteria. Suddenly the air seemed so terribly cold, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't draw her breath. In all the madness she began to shake so hard that her boots rattled on the cold stone beneath her, her hand desperately reaching for something to hold to for fear that she'd fall, but finding nothing. She felt like she could die right there, less than two hundred yards from the evil sorcerer they had all come to defeat.

Constantly her head swayed back and forth, futily trying to refuse that this was all reality.

"It can't . . . " she breathed, her voice hardly audible.

Suddenly the winds began to pick up again, and an enormous funnel cloud swirled above the mountain.

"It can't . . . "

Furiously the winds roared until they became a gale, rays of energy mixing within and feeding the storm incredible power. The Freedom Fighters below looked on in terror as the greatest cyclone they had ever seen snaked its way around Naugus's mountain . . .

Khare trembled as the insanity in her head raged on . . . and then, at last, it reached its breaking point, and suddenly her heart seemed to explode.

"IT CAN'T END THIS WAY! NOOOOO!"

Right before the Fighters' eyes the mountain disappeared inside an enormous vortex of rampant energy and wind, roaring and howling with a sound their ears had never heard before. It was eerie, bone-chilling, almost like the cry of a tormented soul desperately seeking relief, solace . . . The catastrophic fury of the storm split the very ground apart and shattered mountains into dust . . . The entire island seemed to quake and crumble, threatening to fall apart in the face of Naugus's evil.

For miles around Mobians witnessed the massive tornado demolish the beautiful landscape of the Floating Island. At that moment in time, they all truly felt as if they had lost . . . Destruction, pain, loss and defeat reigned supreme all over the world . . . They could smell it on the wind and taste it on their tongues . . . It was over . . . Mobius would finally fall . . .

On and on the cyclone raged, fueled by Khare's extreme sadness and anger. The mountain was being ripped apart and shaken . . . Then, suddenly, the deep snows that quilted its peak broke loose, and a horrendous avalanche thundered down its north face toward the valley below. The Freedom Fighters turned and fled for their lives as the gigantic cascade of snow loomed before them.

Amid all the turmoil within the tornado's winds, a pair of crimson eyes suddenly opened, and desperately tried to see through blurred vision the black-and-violet hedgehog who knelt several feet away, her head hung in despair, her bitter pain literally tearing the earth to shreads . . .

Inside the mountain shook and shuddered tumultuously, walls caving in and floors collapsing. Sonic dodged a huge chunk of rock as it came crashing down from the chamber ceiling, and, his heart pounding, raced toward Cyan until he fell to his knees at her side.

"Cyan!" he cried above the pandemonium. "Cyan, wake up! You've got to, Cy! C'mon!"

He shook her frantically, but the girl didn't respond. It didn't even look like she was breathing . . .

Then, suddenly, Sonic's quills stiffened when an all-too-familiar voice spoke to him.

"You're too late, Quickster," Naugus cackled malignly. "It's over. She's dead."

Sonic's eyes widened and quickly he shook his head. "No!"

He took Cyan's hand and pressed his fingers against her wrist . . . and suddenly everything inside him collapsed.

No pulse . . .

Stricken by the very same pain, horror, and disbelief all his friends had been feeling, Sonic staggered backwards, unable to breathe, his quivering hand clutching at his chest. All of a sudden his whole world came crashing down, just like the mountain around him.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"