.:Chapter 17:.

Hour of Heroes

Where have all the good men gone

and where are all the gods?

Where's the streetwise Hercules

to fight the rising odds?

Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?

Late at night, I toss and I turn

and I dream of what I need

I need a hero--I'm holding out for a hero

till the end of the night

He's gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast

and he's gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero--I'm holding out for a hero

till the morning light

He's gotta be sure and it's gotta be soon

and he's gotta be larger than life

Somewhere after midnight, in my wildest fantasies

Somewhere just beyond me reach

There's someone reaching back for me

Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat

It's gonna take a superman to sweep me off my feet

Where the mountains meet the heavens above

And where the lightning splits the sea

I can swear there is someone somewhere

Watching me

Through the wind and the chill and the rain

And the storm and the flood

I can feel his approach like the fire in my blood

-Holding Out for a Hero, Jennifer Saunders

Deep inside her unconscious, Cyan's human form lay motionless in her bed back on Earth, barely breathing, barely thinking. Everything seemed to be in a haze . . . as if it were all going by in slow motion. She heard sounds outside her window . . . the wind rustling through the trees, the songs of birds, the drone of cars on the distant highway. But they all meant nothing to her. They were the sounds of reality--one that had become unbearable to live after she had discovered Mobius was a dream. She was falling deeper into a spell that would forever ease her pain, willing herself into a void of eternal darkness. And the ironic thing was that she didn't even know why exactly she was so terribly alone and miserable . . . she just knew she had lost something incredibly vital, so very close to her heart that she couldn't live without it. It frustrated her not knowing what it was she was missing, and with all her remaining strength she tried to remember. But it just wouldn't come to her no matter what.

"What have I lost?" she kept asking herself. "It hurts that I can't remember . . . whatever it is it's gone--gone forever. I can never go back . . . "

She turned her head and looked at all the things that decorated the shelves and walls of her room . . . all the old mementos, books, posters, and memorabilia. There were images--pictures that seemed so familiar to her on these objects, yet so awfully distant. It was like looking at a mirage--something that looked familiar yet one didn't know if it were real at all.

"What does it matter now anyway?" she sighed finally, hanging her head dejectedly. "It's gone. I'll never be whole again without it. Might as well give up . . . there's no more reason to fight . . . to live."

"That's where you're wrong," came a sudden voice.

Cyan glanced up and suddenly found herself face-to-face with a pair of hazel eyes much like her own. The girl waited for some kind of form to materialize from the bluish-green mist that was now filling the air, but it never came. There were only the eyes that looked down hard at her, almost glaring angrily.

"Who are you?" Cyan asked.

The spectral eyes shook back and forth, as if the one who possessed them were shaking their head. "You know who I am. And don't say you can't remember, because you can, Cyan. You must."

"I can't remember anything," Cy sobbed. "I know I've lost something, something important, but I can't remember what it was."

"It's there, deep in your heart," argued the spirit. "It can come back to you, but you must help it, Cyan. Try to remember, for the sake of all life, try!"

"I've been trying all this time . . . It's no use. I just can't find the memories. It's too far gone. I can never have it ever again, and without it I have no reason to carry on."

"It's not gone I tell you!" the spirit cried. "Cyan, you believed in me when I told you I could grant your most longed-for wish, and all I had to do was ask you. Your wish came true, didn't it? So believe in me now, my friend, things will get better! But you must fight."

"What would I be fighting for?" Cyan groaned.

"Life, Cyan! All your friends, all your loved-ones, all life on Mobius, and possibly the entire universe is being threatened, and if you fall, it will all be lost!"

Tears streamed down Cyan's face. "But they're already gone! I can't recall any of them, but I know they're gone. I'm lost . . . I just want to lie down and sleep . . . sleep forever."

The spirit's eyes flared brilliantly. "It's not time for you to go, Cyan--not yet. Your destiny awaits you, and you've only scratched the surface of your future. You can be saved. Remember, Cyan, remember him."

Suddenly the girl looked up. "Who?"

"You know who. Magic has suppressed memories of him, but it has not destroyed them. They're there. Close your eyes and listen . . . Think of a great forest, Cyan, a forest that stretches on for countless miles, with towering redwoods and oaks, and a meandering blue river. Do you see anything?"

Cyan followed the spirit's instructions, and imagined the description of the forest in her head. For a fraction of a second, something vaguely familiar came to her, but it disappeared as suddenly as it had come.

"Imagine endless blue skies that seem to beckon to you, bring you out of the darkness of your fears to embark on adventure after adventure, in a world where anything is possible."

Again a tiny flicker of a memory came, but it didn't last long enough for Cyan to truly grasp. They were merely blurry glimpses into the past, too distorted to make out.

"Now remember a dark city far in the distance, looming beyond the trees and the plains like a shadow. Remember the acrid smell of pollution, death, and pure evil . . . and the incredible will you have to fight it. Tell me, can you see these things?"

"I see glimpses, but nothing more. I can feel some faint familiarity when you describe these scenes, but it's like a dream. It's too far . . . "

"No, it's never too far, Cyan. Never be afraid to reach for your dreams, no matter how great the distance may seem. You've never been afraid of that before, because you believed. Believing, Cyan, will save you and Mobius. It's what keeps life possible, for life is stemmed by dreams."

Normally Cyan would have been encouraged to fight by the spirit's words. Normally she would have easily recalled the scenes described to her, for they would always be a part of her. But suddenly the shadow of hopelessness fell upon her, and she laid her head down.

"I don't wish to fight . . . "

The spirit's eyes went wide. "Don't wish to fight? You mean give up? Surrender? Let them all perish?"

"I can do nothing . . . It's all been a waste. No one needs me."

"You're wrong, Cyan!"

"I've been wrong all along."

Quickly the spirit tried to think, think of anything that would bring Cyan out of the blackness she was falling deeper into every second. She knew time was wearing thin . . . Soon, if something wasn't done, Cyan would be lost forever. But it felt as if something were repelling the spirit, forcing it away from Cyan. Naugus's magic was pushing her out of Cy's memories as well . . .

"You'll never truly forget!" the spirit shouted. "It's always with you! All of it! He is too!"

"Who is it you keep talking about? Who's 'he?'"

"The bravest of all the Freedom Fighters, Cyan, and the fastest! Sonic!"

At the mention of that name something whisked past Cyan's vision . . . a stream of memories, and a great sense of knowing and familiarity, but it all blurred by so fast that Cyan could hardly see it all. For a second the spirit's hopes were up when she saw Cyan look up, as though she had recognized what she had seen, but, once again, Naugus's black magic fought it down.

Cyan shook her head. "I can't see anything but blurs! I tell you it's just too far away! As soon as I see something or feel something, it's gone in the blink of an eye."

The spirit trembled and looked around frantically. There's got to be some way . . . She won't die from your evil magic, Naugus! She won't!

Even as she spoke, however, she was being pushed further and further from Cyan, until all she could see was a misty picture as well.

No! she cried, but the power of the magic was overwhelming, forcing her out of Cyan's mind and heart.

I can't fight this . . . she breathed, and hung her head. It's too strong . . . I have failed . . .

"Cyan! Cyan!"

All of a sudden the spirit looked up in astonishment, and Cyan opened her eyes.

"Of course . . . " said the spirit aloud, eyes gleaming with realization. "In the nick of time--as always." A smile spread across her face, and she turned back to the girl she watched over.

Cyan sat up, listening intently, trying to determine if the voice she had just heard was real or a dream. Something about it had sounded so strong, so beckoning . . .

Silence was all that answered her, though, and she was about to turn away, and then . . .

"Cyan!"

There! That voice . . . she knew that voice from somewhere, long ago. Unlike everything else she had heard, it didn't sound so distant, so hazy . . . It was clear, strong, breaking through even Naugus's thickest magic, and it called to her heart. Who was that voice?

"Keep talking to her," the spirit urged.

She could see very little of Cyan, now, but she could hear Sonic's voice, and she knew that and only that would save Cyan now.

Back in the world outside, Sonic clasped Cyan's hand in his tightly. He was overcome by despair, but he wasn't yet ready to give up on Cyan. Something told him she wasn't gone yet, that there was still a glimmer of hope. And he could almost swear he heard a voice in his head urging him, begging him to speak to Cyan.

"Cyan, please," he called above the chaos around them. "Come back to me! You must! You can't let Naugus win!"

With his every word Cyan began to feel more and more like she remembered something, remembered something very dear to her indeed. The magic tried to block it out, but it just wasn't working. Every second Sonic's voice grew stronger, and every time Cyan heard it tears came to her eyes. It was the voice of a soul who feared nothing, who would never hold his head down in defeat. It was the voice of courage, kindness, nobility and light--bold and confident, but at the same time gentle and caring.

And then, pictures began to form in her head. At first they were like all the others; they stayed for a split second, and then vanished. But then, gradually, they began to last longer, and become clearer.

"Yes," the spirit nodded. "Keep talking to her . . . she's remembering . . . "

Sonic held Cyan close to him. "You can't leave me, Cy . . . I'll never love again if I lose you. You're the one I love--you! Don't give up!"

"I know you!" Cyan cried in her dreamlike trance. "Keep talking to me, please . . . It's coming back to me . . . Show me the way out!"

Suddenly she gasped. In the depths of her mind she found herself face-to-face with a pair of courageous eyes. At first she thought they were the spirit's eyes, but no, these eyes were piercing emerald, and the second she saw them she knew she had seen them before. Those wonderful eyes, the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen, so full of daring and valiance, so alive! They glistened like a gemstone, with a radiance that could rival that of the sun. And they were full to the brim with fire, fire that craved adventure and challenge, that dared every enemy, every obstacle, and was a stranger to fear, weakness and hopelessness. Why those weren't the eyes of any ordinary soul . . . No . . . Those eyes were the eyes of a hero, a true hero . . .

"Those eyes!" Cyan gasped. "Those magnificent eyes . . . Whose eyes are they? I know them . . . I know them from somewhere . . . "

"You can't give up!" Sonic cried, his head pressed against hers. "I need you sweetheart . . . We all do . . . Don't leave me, Cy, I love you. I love you with all my heart. It took me forever to realize it, and I'm so sorry, Cy . . . Forgive me."

Cyan's heart began to flutter when she heard him say this, and she knew that love was pulsing through her, igniting like fire in her blood. She suddenly wanted to race forward, find the source of that young, intrepid voice and those dazzling eyes and leap into his arms. There came a sense of belonging with his words, a sense of meaningfulness and purpose . . .

"Yes," shouted the spirit. "Come back, Cyan! Come back!"

Sonic shook terribly, desperately hoping, pleading, praying that Cyan be saved. Suddenly he caught his breath . . . It had almost felt like blood was flowing again through Cyan's veins, like life was returning to her cold flesh.

Hope welling up inside him, he held her tight, tears glittering in his heroic eyes. "Come on, Cy, I know you can do it! You're not one to give up, girl! You wouldn't give up on anyone you loved . . . Fight, Cyan, fight for me . . ."

All of a sudden Cyan could hear a heartbeat racing in her ears, a sound so precious to her that she abruptly leapt out of her bed, bursting into tears.

"Oh my god . . . I must find you! I must go to you! Lead me to you!"

Suddenly one of the walls in the chamber came crashing down, and Sonic hung over Cyan, trying to protect her from the falling rocks and icicles. Then he noticed a crack quickly spreading across the entire ceiling, and his heart began to race faster.

"Cyan, I can't live without you . . . Don't leave me . . . Don't leave me . . . You were there for me when no one else was. Even in the darkest of times, you stood by me, eased my pain and gave me nothing but your love and gentleness. No matter what, you always believed in me! I am amazed at how you believe in me, even when the odds seem too great! Some say such faith is impossible, but you have it, Cy! Even when threatened with death, you have it!" Soon he found himself trembling, sobbing even, holding Cyan as if he'd never let go.

In her dream world Cyan began to run, racing out of her room and her house back on Earth until she stood out upon the lonely streets, looking up at the blue skies above.

Blue . . . Suddenly there were flashes of a sparkling cerulean blue in her mind's eye, the most brilliant shade of blue that ever existed. It dashed by at incalcuable speed, and every now and then, she could see brief flashes of emerald-green eyes . . . and eventually, a face. She couldn't make it out well, but every few seconds, the figure in her vision would turn his handsome head and give her a confident, haughty smile that seemed to say, "catch me if you can."

"It's you!" Cyan shouted, her eyes widening. "The one . . . the one I love . . . Your name! Tell me your name! It'll come back to me, I know it will!"

"Give her your name," the spirit agreed, crossing her fingers. "And Naugus . . . you have not won. The battle isn't quite over yet, my friend. Beware . . . Beware and behold the power of love . . . "

"Fight for me, Cyan! Don't abandon me! Please don't abandon me! Don't forget all the times we've had together, you and I! Don't forget all the memories we've made! Remember me, come to me, and fight for me--Sonic! It's me, Sonic . . . "

And then, at the instant the name reached Cyan's ears, it almost seemed as if all the black magic supressing her memories was blown away, banished forever into darkness. Suddenly Cyan's vision erupted into a flash of memories that came blurring across her eyes, but this time they were as clear as crystal, and she recognized them all . . . First there were terrible black monsters, Night Demons, chasing her and her friend, Kimberly, and then came a streak of cerulean, racing by so fast that it left a trail of flames that sent the beasts away . . . Then there was a village within a beautiful forest, the very same forest the spirit had described, full of the faces of her dearest friends: Tails, Dulcy, Rotor, Bunnie, Antoine, Vren, Uncle Chuck . . . She saw Robotnik's sinister red-and-black eyes and Naugus's cruel grin . . . She saw the seven Chaos Emeralds, the all-powerful gems that held the fate of Mobius in their hands . . . She saw a giant island floating in the heavens and a mysterious world of ice and crystals, where three spirits transformed her, Kimberly and Natalie into Cyan, Khare and Trau . . . And, most of all, she saw the face she had always known, had always loved, had always believed in . . . Yes . . . Of course! It was him! Sonic . . . !

Like a whirlpool the memories came merging, swirling together in Cyan's head, until, at last, the spell was broken, shattered to pieces, and her heart leaping in her chest, she threw up her head and cried, "SONIC!"

All of a sudden, Cyan's lifeless body jerked violently in Sonic's arms as life flooded back to her. She gasped for breath, heart pounding madly, and soon, with every breath she took, and with every heartbeat, her strength returned as well. Terribly dizzy, but ever so desperate to return to the one she loved so much, she shook her head and opened her eyes . . .

There, looking down at her, tears sliding down his beautiful face, was Sonic . . .

"Sonic!" she cried, jumping forward and throwing her arms around him lovingly.

"Cyan!" Sonic shouted in response.

And a sweet sight it was when the two of them came together once again, holding each other as though their lives depended on it, as they did, for they could have never lived without each other's love.

Sonic pulled her close and looked deep into her eyes, the eyes he loved more than anything else in the world. "I thought I lost you, Cy . . . " he whispered.

"He tried to take you from me . . . " she replied, pressing her head against his shoulder. "Tried to make me forget . . . He-he made it all seem like it had been a dream . . ."

"Nothing he does can take us apart," said Sonic, squeezing her hand, joyous and relieved to feel life flowing through them again. "That's one thing villains always forget, Cy--love conquers all."

Suddenly a tremor caused the room to shudder, and Sonic looked up at the crack on the ceiling . . . The rocks were beginning to crumble and split--they'd go any minute now!

"Come on!" he shouted, leaping to his feet. "We haven't got much time! The Void is about this close to swallowing the whole world!"

"Sonic, where are the others?" Cyan asked as he helped her up.

"Most of them are in a valley below the mountain, fighting Naugus. I came in with Vren, Knux and Shadow with me, but . . . we all had to split up. Kaligarr, Trau and Khare each paid us a visit."

Cy gasped. "Trau, Khare . . . are they all OK?"

"I don't know, but we've got to find them and help them. It's gonna take all of us to stop Naugus now!"

And with that the two hurried out of the chamber to find their comrades and regroup.

Meanwhile the Freedom Fighters were fighting a losing battle . . . A great many of their number had been swallowed by the avalanche from Khare's storm, and now, what was left of them was backed up against a cliff deep in the forests, Night Demons closing in on them.

"Stand your ground!" Nihara ordered them, her eyes fixed on the black beasts, ears pinned.

The poor Freedom Fighters tried to look as brave as possible, but there was no hiding the utter weariness in their eyes, nor the fatigue in their tread. They knew they were losing, that hope was fading away from them . . . Always they would fight, but they were all aware of the fact that each and every one of them would probably die . . .

Young Tails faced the demons courageously, although he was terrified deep down. Bunnie, Rotor, and Antoine stood together, prepared to fight. They started the Freedom Fighters together long ago, had lived together, and now they would die together. Dulcy stood between the monsters and the other Fighters, acting as a shield, her teeth bared in warning. She had had a difficult time accepting this as the final battle, the end of it all, but surprisingly she was calm inside, the dark realization that only came with impending doom descending upon her. And Nihara, valiant Nihara, looked death straight in the eye. She was no stranger to it, for she had dueled death once before. If this truly was the end, then she'd die here, in battle, defending her only friends and family in the world, and the planet they all loved.

Suddenly one of the Night Demons broke into a gallop, and came streaking toward them. The others quickly followed, until they became a tide of blackness sifting through the trees. The Freedom Fighters charged forward to meet them, although they were terribly outnumbered, only about thirty of them and still twenty thousand Night Demons. The demon that had led the charge launched itself into the air, flying toward the group . . . And then Nihara rushed forward, throwing herself directly in the beast's path.

"Nihara, no!" Rotor cried.

But the warrioress refused to budge. The demon came hurtling toward her, forelegs outstretched and claws extended . . .

And then, suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a blinding light shot up between the Freedom Fighters and the Night Demons. The light was so fiercely intense that the Fighters cringed, shielding their eyes for fear of being blinded. And the second it hit the Night Demon's eyes, it let out a shrill shriek of agony and just as suddenly burst into flame, insinerated by an awesome energy that was surrounding the brighter-than-the-sun light. The other Night Demons nearby met the same fate, all instantly blinded despite the protection Khare had put on their eyes, and reduced to ash.

Then, amid the silverish-white light, two sets of blazing eyes appeared--one was a flaming red, and the other was a cold, glowing silver. Before any of the Night Demons could move, a shockwave of energy swept over them and turned their ranks into a wave of fire. This shockwave continued to whip across the land, destroying only the darkness that surrounded the Freedom Fighters. In a matter of seconds, there were no more Night Demons--only columns of smoke rising into the air.

Shocked, the Freedom Fighters looked up to see who their mighty saviors were. At first they could see nothing in the intense brightness . . . but then, two figures, standing back-to-back, suddenly appeared. There was Knuckles, only he looked very different now; his scarlet hide constantly flashed from red to silver, as furious energy surrounded him. His dreadlocks were at least two feet longer than before, falling to his knees, and his eyes had gone from a deep shade of violet to fire-red.

And then, behind him, was Trau, black-and-silver with her terrible emerald-generated power coarsing through her veins, but no longer directed at goodness and light.

They both had harnessed the power of the Chaos Emeralds and the Master Emerald to snatch their freinds from the jaws of defeat, Hyper Knuckles and Hyper Trau.

"Knuckles!" they all shouted. Some began to back away cautiously when they saw Hyper Trau.

"It's all right, guys," Knuckles replied, his voice taking on a godly echo. "Naugus's spell has been broken. Trau's with us again."

"Where're the others at?" Nihara asked.

"Vren split away from us to fight Kaligarr. Then, when we met Trau, Sonic and Shadow went on. Let's hurry and go find them--there's only about ten minutes left . . ."

Sonic and Cyan stood outside the area where the entire face of the mountain had caved in, looking out across the ledge beyond. Carefully Sonic stepped over the rubble, Cy following slowly. Once outside they looked down at the valley, searching for the Freedom Fighters . . . But what they found was nothing but bodies . . .

Cyan brought her hands to her mouth as she gasped. "Sonic . . . That can't be all of them . . . "

Sonic's eyes were grave as he gazed at his fallen comrades, both anger and sadness welling within him. "No . . . That can't be all of them. But where the survivors are, I don't know."

He turned and ran toward a boulder to get a higher view, when all of a sudden he heard a voice.

"Sonic! Cyan! You're all right!"

Both hedgehogs whirled around and found Shadow kneeling down beside Khare's unconscious form, holding her up with one arm while the other hung limp at his side. He looked horrible--covered in burns and bleeding . . . But at least he had survived Khare's fury.

"Shadow!" Sonic yelled, relieved to see his new friend. He and Cyan were at the Ultimate Life Form's side in seconds, and then they looked down at Khare."Is she OK?" asked Cyan.

"She's unconscious," Shadow panted. "But otherwise she's OK . . . I'm afraid her heart is ill though. Naugus--Naugus told her about everything . . . "

"We'll get the Chaos Emeralds and heal her," said Sonic. "But now we gotta find the others."

Then, suddenly, just as he was saying this, there came a familiar howl. Moments later, Vren appeared in the tunnel, and he too was in bad shape. Several deep gashes ran along his regal muzzle, chest and shoulders. The bone in his left wing was broken, he was limping on his right leg, and the expression on his face was that of pain and forlorn.

"Vren," Sonic called. "You've made it too."

Vren nodded weakly. "It is so good to see you all, my friends . . . "

"What's wrong, Vren?" Sonic inquired.

Vren sighed heavily and turned away, closing his magnificent golden eyes. "I have wronged, my friends . . . "

"What do you mean?" Cyan asked gently.

"Kaligarr . . . He--He'll never bother us again . . . "

Cyan, Sonic and Shadow lowered their eyes in understanding. Then Sonic patted the demon's shoulder reassuringly.

"It's war, Vren. You had no choice. Kill or be killed, bud. You were fighting for Mobius."

Vren nodded his head, but his eyes were fraught with regret for the injustice he had done. Taking the life of another living thing made him think of his old ways, when he was an evil, ruthless killer, and he hated to remember those days.

Suddenly he turned to the others. "Where is Knuckles? And the other Freedom Fighters . . . have they made it out OK?"

Just as he finished his sentence, there came a sudden flash of silver. At first it had appeared above the forest bordering the valley, but, with lightning-quick speed, it whisked toward the mountain and soon landed before Sonic, Cyan, Vren, Shadow and Khare. There was no questioning the source of such intense, living light. As soon as it came into contact with Sonic's skin, there came a familiar sensation in his blood, a sensation of ultimate power, energy, and fury. Shadow felt it too, and instantly he knew they were in the presence of the Chaos Emeralds.

Quickly the light faded, revealing Hyper Knuckles and Hyper Trau standing before the Freedom Fighter survivors, shrouded in an aura of pulsating energy that glowed with the brilliance of the stars.

"Somebody mention my name?" Knux grinned.

"Knuckles! Trau!" Cyan cried happily.

Trau's eyes widened when she saw her friend alive and well. "Cy! You're OK!" Suddenly she dropped her gaze. "Could you ever forgive me . . . for when I went Hyper on you all on the mountain ledge?"

"Of course I can," Cyan replied. "It wasn't your fault. It was Naugus. He's to blame for everything."

"Speaking of Naugus," said Sonic. "I think it's time we all paid him a visit. Whaddya say guys?"

All the Freedom Fighters shouted furiously and threw up their fists. Vren roared and Dulcy tossed her head up to breathe fire into the angry heavens above. Mobius herself seemed to cheer their heroic purpose on, for suddenly the skies came alive with furious sparks of lightning and earth-shaking crashes of thunder. The ground trembled, but it was no longer fighting against the Fighters . . . No . . . It was fighting for vengeance!

Suddenly Sonic dipped his head and closed his eyes, focusing his every emotion, his every thought, on seven sacred jewels. Then, in response to his summoning, the Chaos Emeralds appeared, even Shadow's one emerald, and slowly they began to circle the Freedom Fighter leader as a blinding light surrounded him. The others quickly stepped aside, giving him respectful distance, the sheer power of his Super Form already permeating the air. Faster and faster the gems whirled, until they were nothing but blurs of color circling at incalculable speeds. The light cloaking Sonic grew brighter by the split-second, and soon the onlookers could no longer see him. The air around them warped with heat and trembled with the greatness, the almighty wrath of the Chaos Emeralds.

The stones moved in closer, eventually disappearing into the light too, and then there came a glorious explosion of golden-white energy—a light so bright that it eliminated every shadow it touched, even those on the soul and the heart. The Freedom Fighters hurriedly shielded their eyes, but managed to catch a faint glimpse of the awesome sight before them.

With his speed and power increased by the thousandfold, Sonic suddenly spiraled upward from the veil of light, no longer a shimmering cerulean blue, but a radiant gold. For miles upon miles Mobians could see his golden glow, and when before they had watched the island in horror, they now looked up at the one, final ray of hope. A sense of deep respect, awe, and wonder stole through them all, and they found themselves standing still as stone in the wake of such tremendous power, hardly breathing, beholding it all fearfully but admiringly.

Sonic's eyes flashed open as the energy surged through him. They had gone from the deep, magnificent emerald to a blazing red, and sight of such fierce eyes caused the Freedom Fighters to quickly step away. They spoke of a remarkable but terrible power within, a power he could barely contain, and dared anyone to challenge their might. They were eyes that could pierce straight through the soul, and send fear through the bravest heart. Most people found it hard to look directly into the fiery orbs, for their ferocity could easily burn out the retinas of their eyes, but Cyan gazed up at them, her head bowed and her own eyes glistening with tears of reverence. She had been afraid before . . . she had had her doubts, and Naugus had nearly stolen her faith . . . but now she knew nothing on this planet or the next could defeat Super Sonic.

"I have seen this transformation many times . . ." breathed Vren. "But always I forget the incredible feeling of power that comes with it. How does any living soul face you in battle in this form?"

"There's a fine line between bravery and bravado," Sonic replied, his voice too echoing.

"So you have a Super Form too?" Shadow asked, nodding his head, and then closing his eyes, summoning the emeralds as well. "Then this shall be a battle to end all battles."

The Chaos Emeralds repeated the same process with him, circling him with ever-increasing speed until the blinding golden-white light engulfed him. Then, when he burst forth, he was no longer pitch black and red, but a glittering white-gold and burning crimson. Rampant energy flamed around him as it did with Sonic, Trau and Knuckles, and there was that same daring glint in his eyes.

"By the stars . . ." Vren gasped.

Now the air was trembling with the fury of the emeralds, feeding the fierceness of the storm. Lightning danced across the clouds, but not even that could outshine the intense light that surrounded Sonic, Shadow, Trau and Knuckles.

Super Sonic nodded his head, and slowly he turned his flaming eyes on the rest of the Freedom Fighters. Then, suddenly, he lifted his hand, focusing his powers for a second, and then swept out his arm, sending a wave of light that flowed over them all like a wave of cleansing water. The second it touched them, all of their wounds and their scars, all of their injuries and ailments disappeared completely, and the positive energy of the emeralds vanquished their pain. Vren's broken wing was mended, and Khare was revived. And thus, the tides were turned.

Inside his cave, Naugus slammed his fist into the ice furiously.

"How could this be!" he fumed, his teeth clenched. "They have all been released from my spells, but that is impossible! They're trapped within Sanctuary, where my magic is inescapable! How could it all happen!"

Quickly he whirled around, his cape billowing out behind him. He could sense the Freedom Fighters approaching, and something very close to apprehension was glowing in his red eyes. At the very last second Cyan, his source of life and power, had been taken away. His two forces of mind control and hypnosis, Khare and Kaligarr, were gone, and Trau, his greatest weapon, had been liberated from his magic as well. All his grand schemes that had been planned for years and years were crashing down before him, just like the mountain he paced within.

"Bah!" he snorted suddenly. "What does it matter if the tables have turned and the odds have changed? I still possess incredible powers, powers that could easily destroy them, even without the three girls and Kaligarr! I'll just have to fight them the old-fashioned way. Let them come!"

Then, suddenly, three unfamiliar voices began to whisper to the sorcerer.

"You shall not win, Naugus . . . " one quiet but hard voice snarled. "Your evil shall fall!"

"What!" Naugus growled, spinning around and looking about the room. "Who speaks?"

"You'll soon find out, now won't you, Naugus?" asked a deeper, fiercer voice. "Thought you had gotten away with it all, hadn't you? Thought yourself pretty tough?"

"I have won this war," Naugus hissed. "And I shall prove it to you, whoever you are!"

"Oh, but it's not over yet, Naugus," came a third dark, cold and cunning voice. "Your magic is weakening, and you know it. With every step they take, the Freedom Fighters lessen your powers more and more."

"Is that so? I do not fear those pathetic rebels! Let them come to me--I'll show them just what my powers can do!"

"You underestimated us, fool . . . " the second voice growled lowly. "'Tis a great flaw to underestimate one's enemies, especially when they themselves have incredible powers all their own that have never been witnessed!"

"No powers can match my own now!" Naugus argued heatedly. "Even if I have lost the Chaos Emeralds and my life force, I have still regained enough power to become invincible! They'll never defeat me! Never!"

"Evil is invincible, yes . . . " spoke the first voice again. "But goodness, love and light are forever! They conquer all while evil cannot! Even when the grip of darkness seems to squeeze all life out, there is always a flicker of hope, of resistance, that'll shine through the night!"

Naugus was about to speak when he suddenly felt his enemies drawing closer, and his black heart began to race.

"Do I detect a glimmer of fear in your eyes, Naugus?" asked the third speaker. "Seems even time has switched sides. You have no allies now, poor fool."

"SILENCE!" Naugus roared all of a sudden. "I don't care who you are or what you say! I am not prepared to end this fight soon, nor will I surrender! There shall be no Freedom Fighters left when I am through!"

There was only an eerie silence, and then . . .

"You have been warned, Naugus," the three voices spoke at once. "Not even your magic can save you now . . . "

The wizard's eyes burst into flames and he suddenly whirled around to the chamber entrance. "We will see about that!" He lifted his hands and cast a spell upon the earth . . .

All of a sudden the entire mountain rocked sideways, as if it were about to fall on its side, and then it trembled as earth tremors racked through its insides. Everywhere walls collapsed and rivers of magma began to pour out, filling the caverns that Sonic and the others had previously traveled through. Geysers erupted just a few feet from where Naugus stood, their hot vapors hissing as they came into contact with the cold. For miles and miles the mountains all around the island seemed to explode into storms of raging fire and molten lava, melting the ice and snow. Entire chunks of the island thundered down into the sea, sending up great tidal waves that flooded the surrounding land. The flames towered ever higher until they licked the skies, sending down fiery rain upon the forests. Once again the world seemed to twist and contort in the hands of Naugus's darkness, both freezing and burning beneath the quilt of thick clouds that masked it. Mobians and fellow Freedom Fighters were forced to flee to higher ground as fire, ice and water scoured the planet, destroying everything. They were afraid, yes, but even though destruction rung out all around them, they still looked up to the skies . . . They couldn't see it, but in the infinite blackness beyond the Void, a blue star was sailing through the galaxy, its beautiful sapphire light glittering brilliantly.

Naugus was now surrounded by a wall of fire, thermal springs, and boiling lava. Confidently he turned back to the direction the voices had come from, and said, "Let's see them get through that."

"That's what you said when you had a legion of Night Demons, a hypnotic griffin, the Ultimate Life Form, a Psychic Warrior, a Destroyer, and a Giver of Life on your side . . . " came the voices again.

"Blast you!" Naugus cried. "Who are you! Show yourselves! I do not fear you! If this is some pathetic attempt to fill my head with fear, just so Sonic and his little friends can defeat me, then it won't work, I assure you!"

"It's no attempt," they whispered. "do not ignore the voices of Fate. We truly know all, for we have seen it . . . "

If anything filled Naugus with fear then, it was that. His fate had been seen? Then was he destined to lose this battle, after all his tedious planning and all the power he had gained?

"Fear . . . It speaks to you."

"No!" Naugus snapped, shaking off the feeling. "I fear nothing! Nothing, do you hear me!"

"We know you feel fear . . . We can taste it . . . Beware, Naugus . . . Beware . . ."

And with that the cryptic voices of Fate disappeared, leaving Ixis Naugus puzzled, angry, and fearful. But he would not allow his worries to get the best of him, weaken his incredible powers . . . Not now, when so close!

"You won't defeat me!" he growled aloud. "None of you! Come out and face me! Do your worst, Freedom Fighters! Nothing can beat me in Sanctuary! I am king here! Ruler of it all! My magic governs every single little thing that happens here! So come on out and fight me! You shall fail, and Mobius shall be mine--as it should have been years ago!"

"Don't be so sure, Naugus!"

His eyes going wide, the wizard spun around so fast that he nearly lost his balance at the sound of this voice. This voice had been no faint, ghostly whisper of a spirit lingering in the shadows . . . No . . . This voice was strong, fearless, powerful . . . And Naugus immediately knew who it was. He had been too distracted by convincing himself and the spectral voices that he was not afraid to realize just how close his enemies had come . . .

Fiercely he turned toward the wall of flame that roared before him, his eyes searching through the fire. Yes . . . they were there. He could feel the energy of the Chaos Emeralds raging, and he readied himself to fight.

"Calling upon the powers of your Super Form, eh, Sonic?" he asked. "Hmmph! Not even that can match the powers of my magic now."

Then, all of a sudden, Super Sonic's blistering red eyes appeared directly before him, burning in a deadly glare through the flames. The fire leapt at him hungrily, whirling around him feverish attempts to devour him, but the Chaos Emerald energy beat it back with its own brutal heat, and kept Sonic completely unharmed as he stood there within the grasp of five hundred degrees.

Naugus tried as hard as he could to look into those eyes, to face his archenemy, but he could feel his retinas stinging painfully.

"So, Sonic," he hissed, squinting his eyes slightly to ease the burning. "You've come at last. Where are your precious little friends? Hiding?"

Sonic's pointed, golden ears swept back and the energy about him flared. "They're right where they belong, Naugus . . . Right beside me."

Just then more blazes of emerald energy appeared, first one, then two, and then three, four, five . . . Naugus went rigid, for now it felt as if the Chaos Emerald energy radiating throughout the room had increased by a thousand times. He was aware that Sonic and Trau could harness the power of the emeralds . . . but never had he seen or felt so many Super or Hyper Forms at once . . .

As Sonic strode through the fire, his fervid eyes never leaving Naugus, Cyan suddenly appeared at his side, enclosed in a brilliant neon blue glow, her eyes locked on the sorcerer as well. Then, to their right came Hyper Trau, her blinding silver contrasting sharply with the deep, flaming reds and golds that surrounded her. At her side was Hyper Knuckles, whose fists were clenching, already charging the furious power within to do battle with Naugus. And then, to Sonic's left, Super Shadow appeared, and then Super Khare. Yes, Khare had been able to take on the emerald's powers as well, and now she seemed to glow a brilliant violet and gold.

They all came together, each glowering at Naugus in warning, fury and hate. They had suffered together in the face of the wizard's plans, had nearly been forever divided, but now they would come together to fight him, and prove to him that nothing could ever break them apart.

Naugus could feel his confidence slipping when they emerged from the fire, their energy singing his skin. But then he suddenly took a tentative step backwards when he noticed the others . . . All around the chamber, perching on a rocky outcrop just above the flames, and surrounded by a faint shield of golden light, were the Freedom Fighters! All of their eyes were filled with the same purpose, to make the Evil One pay . . . Vren's mane bristled when he saw the sorcerer he so despised, and he bared his mighty fangs until the venom dripped onto the rock he stood upon. Nihara unsheathed her swords and crossed them just before her face, black eyes piercing straight into Naugus's.

Naugus could hear the spirits' voices coming back to him now as he looked on at this army that had come to fight him. Indeed he was outnumbered, more than he ever thought he'd be . . . And suddenly, in the face of the emerald-generated fury before him, his magic didn't seem so utterly powerful.

"Hello, Naugus," said Sonic once they all stood before the sorcerer.

Naugus snorted. "You cannot stop me, Freedom Fighters! You may have crushed my army and stole my greatest weapons, but the Void is still expanding and my powers are still great!"

"We'll have to see about that, won't we?" Knuckles asked, punching his fists together.

"I've fought Super Forms before," Naugus growled. "I do not fear them!"

"Yes," Sonic retorted. "But have you ever won against one? Time's up, Naugus. It's time you stepped down from your pedestal."

Naugus clenched his fist, and energy began to glimmer around him. "Never . . . Remember, Quickster, you can't kill a wizard. Even if you did defeat me, I'd still be able to come back."

"Then we'll just fight you and defeat you again," cried Shadow. "If your magic wasn't enough to stop us this time, it'll never be enough! You betrayed me . . . and you tried to take away the only friend I had!"

Trau's eyes suddenly took on their deadly ferocity again. "You turned me against the ones I loved the most, by filling my head with lies!"

"And you tried to make me believe it all was a dream, tried to make me give up on my dearest friends!" Cyan hissed.

"Vengeance is sweet," snarled Vren.

Suddenly all the Freedom Fighters advanced forward, crying angrily at Naugus. The wizard stood his ground though, for he could not show them fear now, otherwise he was a gonner.

"Stay back," he snarled. "I'm warning you! You'll all regret it!"

But his enemies ignored his threats, facing him with no more fear, no weakness. They knew they couldn't be defeated now, for they had something that could never die--love. Naugus could feel this all-powerful emotion burning deep in the cores of the emeralds, and it sent a blade stabbing into his cold heart. Furiously he growled. How was it that is was always this that defeated him in the end? Surely there had to be some way to ruin it, some way weaken its power!

"All right, Freedom Fighters," he seethed suddenly, lifting his arms. "You asked for it!"

Suddenly the whole mountain shook again, and then giant crystals shot up from the ground, some reaching heights of over twelve feet. They would easily impale anyone in their path, but Sonic and the others walked right past them without so much as blinking. In fact, when their raging energy touched them, the crystals of pure diamond melted into magma!

Glaring wrathfully Naugus threw his hands up to the chamber's ceiling, and abruptly an enormous chunk of rock--large enough to crush nearly all the Freedom Fighters in the room--came hurtling down toward them . . . Sonic and Khare turned toward the rock and with one motion of their arms stopped it dead in its tracks and sent it flying back toward Naugus. The sorcerer grunted and vanished, leaving the boulder to shatter to pieces as it hit the ground. He was sure they'd never be able to find him as he teleported, but all of a sudden there came a blazing wave of energy that seered straight through him and threw him to the ground.

"Going somewhere, Naugus?" Sonic asked, he and the others surrounding the wizard. "Go ahead . . . Try outrunning us."

"GAH!" Naugus roared, and then the fire burning in the background turned into an enormous wave of lava that came surging toward the Freedom Fighters. Even if Super and Hyper Forms were practically invulnerable, the lava's intense heat would surely do some damage!

But they all stood motionless in the wake of the flaming wave, even as it loomed over them and eventually crashed down, flooding the chamber. They were all completely submerged for several minutes, and for a second Naugus thought he had succeeded. But, moments later, when the lava cooled and receded, Sonic and his friends--even those on the ledge--stood totally unharmed.

Naugus gawked in disbelief. "How can this be!"

"Fool," Sonic hissed. "When powered by anger the emeralds are ferocious. But when powered by love, they are unbeatable."

"Nothing is ever truly unbeatable!" Naugus cried.

"There are forces greater than life and death, Naugus," Cyan suddenly broke in. "Forces that aren't governed by those laws. Some love can die . . . But not true love. Love, in its purest form, is the most powerful thing in existance!"

"You Freedom Fighters and your stupid morals!" Naugus spat. "You think love and virtue will always come to the rescue! You've got to fight the battle yourselves, fools!"

"And so we shall," Sonic returned. "with our love."

Naugus roared and suddenly rounded on him, shooting a beam of energy his way. Sonic held up his hand and the beam ricocheted away from him, right back at its shooter. Naugus tried to dodge, but the beam traveled too quick, and he was thrown down once more. Again the Freedom Fighters advanced. In a feverish effort to defend himself, Naugus sent up a forcefield of energy around him. But in a matter of seconds it was blown away by one of Trau's power orbs. Growing more furious and afraid, the sorcerer literally hurled himself at them all, energy burning all around him. He only ran right into the more powerful emerald energy wall that the Super and Hyper Forms put up, and it felt as if everything inside him had been insinerated.

Shrieking in pain he fell to the ground, smoking.

"Give up, Naugus!" cried Sonic. "You're finished anyway!"

Naugus tried to climb to his feet, but found it difficult. This energy was far more powerful than he ever imagined . . . too powerful.

"Get him while he's down!" the Freedom Fighters began to shout. "Kill him! Blast him to oblivion!"

Suddenly they came charging through the fire, also completely uninjured, although they didn't have the power of the Chaos Emeralds to protect them. Naugus gasped.

"How can this be possible! That fire should burn them to crisps!"

"They're protected by love too, Ixe," Sonic retorted. "You're trapped . . . "

"Destroy him!" they all cried in unison, Vren's roar adding power to their enraged voices. "Make him pay! Make him PAY!"

"Shut up all of you!" Naugus roared, but their infuriated chants only grew louder, and soon drowned out his voice completely. The wizard's heart pounded. He was trapped . . . And he was losing . . . He couldn't think nor feel anything but fear, anger and defeat. There was only one thing he could do now to totally ensure his survival--flee.

All of a sudden Naugus disappeared again and an angry uproar erupted throughout the chamber.

"Come back you coward!" they yelled. "If you're so strong, then face us!"

For a second or two they had lost their target. But then, Knuckles suddenly detected the energy that had been surrounding Naugus like a shield. It couldn't be mistaken for Chaos Emerald energy--it was too hostile, too hot, too evil.

"Over here!" cried the Guardian, charging forward.

He swung at the energy field with his fists, and sure enough made contact with his enemy. When he had the wizard down, Knuckles didn't hesitate--he mauled Naugus fiercely both with his punches and his energy attacks. Trau soon joined him, and under her fury Naugus momentarily disappeared in a fiery explosion.

"Blast you!" Naugus whirled around on them and sent a power orb shooting toward them. The two echidnas were able to block the orb's harmful energy rays, but it enveloped them for a second, preventing them from moving.

Seeing his chance, Naugus tried make his getaway again. And the moment Sonic saw him running, his blood boiled. He had expected Naugus to fight, but to see him fleeing and trying to get away with what he had done sent a wave of pure rage through his heart.

Like golden lightning he blasted forward at a speed so incredible that he became invisible for a moment. Then, a nanosecond later, he was in front of Naugus and forcing him back with a powerful ray of blinding energy. Naugus shouted furiously and tried to fight back, countering with his own powers, but the emerald energy overwhelmed him and he was pinned against the cave wall. All the other Freedom Fighters dashed up to help and make sure Naugus couldn't get away this time.

"It's never wise to run from the predator, Naugus," said Sonic, his tone low and deadly. "for they'll give chase."

Naugus struggled to break free, but he found himself bound by the combined powers of Sonic, Knuckles, Trau, Shadow and Khare.

"Go ahead, you fools!" he snarled. "Kill me! Or kill my body at least! My soul will live on no matter what you do! So do your worst!"

Suddenly Cyan looked directly into the sorcerer's eyes. "You are afraid, Naugus. All of evil is afraid of the light--ever since the beginning of time. When dawn comes the darkness flees. It may not always seem like it, but goodness, truth, and loyalty always win in the end, Naugus. And you know that."

Naugus tried to glare down at her, but for some reason he found her eyes unbearable to look at. Not only did they infuriate him, but they also sent a physical pain that stole through him like a blade. Suddenly he cried out in pain and found himself cringing. He clamped his eyes shut to stop it all, but still he saw the girl's eyes boring into his own, burning a hole right through his soul. And the more he struggled, it seemed, the more powerful Cyan became. The light in her eyes grew more intense, and the neon blue glow about her turned to a faint golden.

"What's happening!" Naugus shrieked, feeling his powers weaken by the split-second!

"I'm taking back the life force you stole from me," came Cyan's answer. "Life is my power, I've discovered, and I shall use it for good . . . not evil."

Now this Naugus hadn't expected at all, and finally the inner fear breached the wall of anger and power he had put up to defend himself. It shone in his eyes clearly, for he knew now that he had lost. Without the magic he had gained through the whole process, he was no match for the five Super and Hyper Forms before him.

And now came the moment the Freedom Fighters had been waiting for . . . With Naugus's powers drained, they all suddenly flocked forward, moving in for the kill. Sonic and the others mustered up all their energy and threw it all forward until Naugus was engulfed. The emerald power blew him away, drained whatever physical strength he had left, until only is spectral image remained once more. But even then the Freedom Fighters didn't cease their attack. They wanted to ensure that Naugus could never return. Their energy attacks grew more frequent and more intense, until the wall behind Naugus began to melt!

And as the energy burned and roared about him, literally destroying every part of his being, Naugus cried out furiously.

"I will return, Freedom Fighters! One day! One day I will return and destroy you all!"

Then, all of a sudden, the attack stopped abruptly, and the ghostly form of Naugus collapsed to the ground. With one final breath, he turned and looked up at the courageous group of Freedom Fighters above him, the ones he had come so terribly close to breaking apart, in confusion. His vision was too blurry now to see them all . . . All he could see real well now was a blinding golden glow directly ahead of him . . . and two blazing red eyes.

Sonic stood above the wizard, his fists clenched, charging his power. Slowly the gold light around him grew brighter until it shone even against the black skies above, shone on for miles and miles . . .

"Naugus," he breathed, trembling as the emerald energy surged through him, roared through his veins until he was hardly able to contain it all. "If you ever do come back, and if you ever do try to hurt my friends and my loved ones again . . . then may the Chaos Emeralds have mercy on your soul . . . "

Suddenly he leapt into a spin attack and shot high in the air. Then, in the blink of an eye, he flashed back down and tore right through Naugus, repeating the very same act again and again in a matter of split-seconds, nothing more than a golden light streaking back and forth, seering through everything he touched, moving faster and faster until, finally, there came a golden-white glow that surrounded both him and Naugus for a brief moment, and then a quiet explosion of light that flitted down to the ground, where it cooled into ash . . . and that was all that was left of the evil sorcerer Ixis Naugus.

The Freedom Fighters stood silent for a few moments, when suddenly the mountain began to shake again. Sonic turned and saw the the ice crystals, created by the Void's eternal winter, were rapidly melting. The spell was breaking!

"C'mon!" he called, and gestured for them all to follow.

Quickly, using the Chaos Emerald power, they all flew down to the valley below, and watched the snow disappear right before their eyes. Above the never-ending gray, blue and violet clouds of the Void began to move rapidly toward the peak, as if something were sucking them all up. A furious gale picked up, and the Freedom Fighters clung desperately to anything they could find. Soon these winds began to spin, until a horizontal vortex was formed, taking back everything the Void had created. Far off, the clouds of the mystic portal disappeared completely, and once again Mobians could see the early morning sky. All around the ice and snow melted, and the land began to turn green again. Rivers ran freely down the mountainsides, no longer frozen over from the Void's cold winds. Flowers and plants sprung to meet the warming air of life, and all the destruction that had been created in the wake of Naugus's terrible spell was reversed. It was only a matter of minutes before the Freedom Fighters could see the mouth of the Void sweeping over their heads, and the majestic beauty of the Floating Island returning at last. They looked on eagerly at the mountain, waiting for the horrible portal to disappear forever. It continued to wind down, quickly vanishing into the whirling column of golden-violet light . . . but then, suddenly, it stopped, and a single portion of the Void remained just ahead of them.

Shadow blinked. "What happened? Why has it stopped?"

Sonic shook his head, puzzled. "I don't know . . . The spell's been broken. All should be reversed . . . "

Suddenly there came startled gasps from the crowd, and Sonic spun around. What he saw shocked him and the others.

There stood Cyan, Trau and Khare . . . only something was terribly wrong . . . They were human again.

"No!" gasped Cyan. "What happened? We were supposed to stay Mobians from now on . . . "

Trau's eyes suddenly became grave. "The spell that turned us into Mobians was inside the Void, in Sanctuary. Now that we're outside, its effect must have been reversed as well . . . "

The Freedom Fighters lowered their heads sadly, for they had come to love and respect the girls even more in their new forms. Cyan laid her head against Sonic's shoulder and tried to fight back the tears that were already forming in her eyes. Khare fell to her knees and Trau shook her head miserably.

But then, just as despair was taking over, three lights suddenly appeared in that one final cloud of the Void . . . one bluish-green, one gold, and one red . . . They hovered down toward the group, until the eyes of the three spirits were looking down on them.

Sonic gave them a bitter look. "You never told us that if the Void disappeared, then so would the spell . . . "

The three pairs of eyes looked at each other sadly.

"Please understand . . ." said the blue-green spirit softly. "There was something we had to ask you before we could make the change permanent . . . Something we could only ask now."

Trau looked up. "What do you mean?"

"We had to be sure that you truly wanted this change," answered the golden one. "And nothing could prove it more than the tests you went through . . . the battle against Naugus."

"But why would you have to be sure?" asked Cyan suddenly. "We know we want to stay this way . . . forever . . . "

"Because," said the red spirit. "If we did make the change permanent, that means you could never be humans again, nor could you ever return to Earth. Making you Mobians makes you a part of this world, so even if the link back to Earth Uncle Chuck told you about was ever created again, you would never be able to return."

The girls and the Freedom Fighters looked at each other solemnly.

"Everything is up to you," said the blue-green one. "Your decision now affects your future, so choose wisely."

Cyan, Trau and Khare looked at each other for a long while, and then nodded.

"What'll it be?" asked the red spirit.

Together the three girls stepped forward.

"Spirits," said Cyan. "We realize that we came from Earth, and that we'll always miss a part of it . . . " She paused and looked back at the Freedom Fighters.

Sonic's eyes were fixed on her worriedly, as were Shadow's and Knuckles'.

Then Cyan turned back, a smile spreading across her face. "But Mobius is where we belong. I want everything--my friends, my family, my future to be here, on Mobius."

"And so do I," nodded Trau.

"Me too." said Khare.

The spirits' eyes smiled as they looked at each other, and then back to the girls they protected. "You're sure you're willing to make this sacrifice . . . for love?"

Cyan, Trau and Khare bowed their heads. "We're sure."

The spirits nodded their heads, and suddenly mist began to furl around the girls once more. The Freedom Fighters looked at each other happily, and then the mists subsided, revealing the three Mobians that had sacrificed almost everything for their world. Joyously the girls hugged one another, glad they could live this grand adventure together, and then they turned back to their dearest friends in the universe.

Cyan raced into Sonic's arms and held him tight, tears of sadness now replaced by tears of joy. Sonic looked deep into her eyes, the eyes he loved more than anything else in the world.

"Cy . . . you'd really make that sacrifice? For me?"

Cyan nodded and smiled. "I did, didn't I? I couldn't live without you, Sonic . . . I love you."

Sonic mirrored her smile, his eyes glistening slightly too. "Love you too, Cy."

Cyan brushed her hand against his cheek to wipe away the tears. "Come here, you."

She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeply, and suddenly the golden light that surrounded him flared up brilliantly, brighter than it had ever been, fueled by the love they shared for one another.

Trau hugged Knuckles tightly, and then gave him a playful shove. Khare and Shadow just embraced each other warmly, glad they were together, that they would stay together . . . forever.

"All right, all right, enough with the mush," came the red spirit's voice suddenly.

The Freedom Fighters looked up at them, and suddenly found yet another surprise.

No longer were the spirits just pairs of eyes . . . but now, hovering above them, much the girls' amazement, were Cyan, Khare and Trau! No wonder they knew all about their future . . . they had seen it!

Cyan's spirit smiled and winked. "Told ya we'd reveal our identities someday."

Together she and the other spirits flew back to the Void, snickering at the shocked expressions on the Freedom Fighters' faces.

"Enjoy your stay on Mobius!" Trau's spirit called.

"And expect to see us--in the future!" Khare's spirit echoed.

And with that, they disappeared into the Void, allowing it to finally vanish from Mobius completely. It was done. Everyone was finally where they belonged.