Chapter 21: Dragon Warrior Sonic

The entire city of Station Square has been engulfed in a cloud of golden dust as the entire population of Station Square were walking through the walkable cover. Ever since they saw the superb blast, they all rushed back to their home to find out the source of the cause. The people of Station Square were astonished by what has happened here as they continue to see through this haze.

As they continued to look around, a number of questions are bottling inside their heads.

Is Master Espio ok?

Was Shadow defeated?Or did he win? Was this a trick made by Shadow to strike the villagers?

And what about the Dragon Warrior? Did he fulfil his destiny and defeated Shadow?

Or not?

Charmy the messager bee was ahead of the pack when he spots something in the distance. He lets out a gasp. "Look!"

His call alerted a certain number of humans and creature near the bug. They looked in the same direction as he is. The same leopard and pig were standing beside Charmy to see what he is seeing. Judging from the silhouette, they all knew who it is.

"The Dragon Warrior," the leopard and pig both gasped. Standing tall and proud was indeed the Dragon Warrior. He looked very much like the warrior from a certain hedgehog's dream; wearing the same straw hat and his cape was flowing with the breeze. The dust around the warrior himself began to disappear as the crowd to get a good look of him.

It was Sonic! But instead of wearing a straw hat, it was a wok. And it was not his cape that was flowing in the breeze but his apron that was tied around his neck. When the dust settled, his proud smile was quickly replaced with in a sharp of an "O". He looks on in complete embarrassment. The blue hedgehog wasn't expecting the dust to settle so quickly. With them on in the dust, he looks like a true warrior. But with them on in the clearing, he definitely looked like a fool.

The villagers just stared at him; all stunned by this phenomena. Sonic lets out a cough because of the dust that he inhaled through his nose before removing the apron from his neck. He smiles; bashfully, before lifting his hand up and waves to the crowd.

"Hi,…uh…everyone…" he spoke up. Anything to break the tension in the air.

The citizens continued to stare at Sonic… before erupting in a roar of cheers. The blue hedgehog realised this could only mean one thing.

Sonic the Hedgehog – the Dragon Warrior – has defeated Shadow the Hedgehog! The menace is finally over and peace has finally been restored to the city.

Like on the day that they announced him as their only hope, they all chant "Dragon Warrior" again while clapping as well. A few citizens nearby picked up their saviour and lifted him onto their shoulders. Unlike before, Sonic was no longer confused by all this and was now fully aware of it. He pumped his fist in the air as the cheers grow more loudly. Guess he was meant to be the hero that everyone has been talking about. He never felt more proud.

A certain crocodile was pushing through the crowd to see his son. He emerges from it to sees the victorious hedgehog high in the air. Vector was now overjoyed and smiling from ear-to-ear to see his son. Not just safe and sound but also, for what he has done.

"THAT'S MY BOY!" he proudly proclaimed. His announcement has turn Sonic's attention onto his joyful reptile father. Vector grabbed the nearest being by the collar and holds him up a foot off the air. "That blue, lovely Kung Fu warrior…is my son!" The croc has lets go of the being and clasp his hands together as he sheds a tear.

At first, he was dazed about his action but now, after hearing and seeing what his hedgehog son has done, he couldn't help but be moved by his achievement. His doubts of his son's destiny as a Kung Fu warrior have vanished and were replaced of Sonic's victory.

Pleased that his dad is happy for his success and also shedding a tear, Sonic hops down onto the ground and raced over to hug Vector. Vector embraced him back as they shared a father/son moment. After a long time, Vector has finally accepts his son's dream. Just as long he doesn't give up his cooking lifestyle.

"Thanks, dad," Sonic said. The wok on his head falls off him and rolls on the ground. It keeps on rolling when it suddenly stops. Sonic looks up to see the wok was stopped by the smallest fighter in Station Square: Chip. The small red creature was smiling as he was then joined by his fellow comrades.

Vector looks over his shoulders to see that someone or somebodies were expecting the Dragon Warrior. He puts his hedgehog son down as the two chefs face them. It was the Furious Five.

Everyone stops clapping at the sight of the Furious Five who are all lining up; proudly and no longer in distain. Sonic actually takes notice of their behaviour and expression on their faces. They were all now marvelled by his performance; something that they couldn't do.

The hedgehog smiles at his new comrades. "Hey, guys."

Only four of them were smiling. The fifth one – the de facto leader – takes a step forward towards the hedgehog. Instead of a stern look or the kind of look that can really kill Sonic, the kind of expression on Amy's face… was awestruck. Waiting for she was about to do, Sonic was getting a bit impatient for her answer. Finally, Amy lifted her hands and… places her right fist into her left palm. She was going to salute to the Dragon Warrior.

"Master," she said; bowing to the newest hero of Station Square as the others and the residents of Station Square followed suit.

"Master," everyone repeated. As they all bowed their heads and with their eyes closed, Amy looks up to see the hedgehog and for the first time since their first greeting, she smiles. Sonic was now absolutely shocked by this. He knew Amy was the strong type and rarely show her emotions excerpt for her temper to anyone. Sonic thought no-one would soften the girl but he guesses that after a big battle like that, it must have changed her.

For Amy, never in her life has she expected for someone to come out of the blue to defeat the villain that the world has feared. And now, she was deeply impressed. Amy has finally let go of her pride, realizing that she had been wrong about the blue hedgehog all this time. The pink hedgehog, along with her fellow fighters, has now accepted Sonic as a fellow Kung Fu Master.

The blue hedgehog couldn't help but feel humbled and overjoy by this. Who knew after a short time of training would overcome the impossible obstacle.

Sonic lets out quiet laugh; all modest but secretly pleased. "Master?"

Man, I can't wait to tell Master E—

Sonic's eyes went into shock. That is when he just realised that there is someone missing and he was back at the palace; alone and critically wounded.

"Master Espio!"

Sonic didn't have time to explain everything to the Five or his father or anyone because he already on the move. He was now in a hurry back to the Jade Tower. The last time he saw his master was in the hands of Shadow. He was badly injured from the outcome and he would have been killed if Sonic didn't intervene. With every second he climbs the steps, the closer he gets to his master.

Hope I'm not too late.

For the second time today and still wheezing for breath, Sonic has finally made it to the top of the longest staircase in the world. Passing the huge crack that was made by Shadow in the battle between former student vs. master, Sonic arrives at the main door. He goes through the big hole that was also made in the big battle and raced across the hallway until he spotted a familiar figure.

Lying broken and battered on the top step of the moon pool with his eye closed shut is purple chameleon master.

Panic has taken over Sonic's face.

Oh no.

Am I'm too late?

"MASTER!" Sonic cried out; rushing to his side. "Espio! Espio! Are you OK?!" The blue hedgehog kneels down and carefully holds his master in his grasp as he rolls him onto his back. He was hoping Espio would be alright.

To his relief, he was. But for how long.

Barely breathing, Espio weakly open his eyes to see Sonic. The battered Kung Fu master smiles at the sight of one of his students. "Sonic… you're alive…" The chameleon goes all depressing for a second, "…or we're both dead…"

Glad that his master was okay, Sonic shakes his head. Guess Espio doesn't know the news. "No, Master, I didn't die. I defeated Shadow."

Although he was weak from his battle, the astonished chameleon still had the strength to widen his eyes. Sonic couldn't be serious. Could he?

"Y-you did?" Espio croaked.

Sonic shot a smile and gives a nod to Espio. After hearing what the hedgehog has said, the chameleon master couldn't help but be delighted and comforted.

Shadow has finally been defeated. By Sonic. Guess he shouldn't be quickly to judge his late master's decision.

"Wow…," he quietly uttered; pleased to hear the news. "It is as the Great Eggman… foretold. You are… the Dragon Warrior." Every time that he breathe through each word and the way he sound, Sonic's smile dropped and starts to worry. But Espio still keeps his smile on his face as he pressed on.

"You have brought peace… to Station Square… and… and to me. Thank you... thank you, Sonic... thank you... thank you..."

Espio closes his eyes and his head goes on a limp. He becomes very still. Sonic quietly stares at him and places his head on the floor. A second has already passed and Espio was not moving or breathing.

No…

It can't be…

Sonic shakes his head as he starts to freak out. "No... Master!" He was nearly on the verge of tears. "No, no, no! Don't die, Espio, please..." he begged. He couldn't believe it.

His master, his first Kung Fu teacher, one of the few beings that he has gotten close to – was gone.

What he wasn't expecting was a quick slap to the face. An action made by the old chameleon himself who has his eyes open and was looking all bitter again. The surprised hedgehog places his hand over his sore cheek; all stunned.

WHAT?! I thought he was dying!

"I'm NOT dying, you IDIOT!" Espio snaps at the startled hedgehog.

Ok, NOT dying at this moment.

But Espio quickly retain himself. "... ah... Dragon Warrior." The master calmly closes his eyes again, places both his hands on his chest and smiles serenely. To the chameleon, the nightmare is over. "I'm simply... at peace. Finally."

So Espio IS at peace. NOT resting in peace. Good. I thought it was bad.

Sonic removed his hand and lets out a sign of relief. "Oh... right! So, um, I should... stop talking?"

Espio still had his eyes closed and his grin was still on his face. "If you can."

With the danger gone and peace returned, Sonic decided to join his master in meditation. He lies down next to Espio, closes his eyes and begins to meditate. The master and pupil are now lying next to each other on the top step of the moon pool. After what appears to be more than five seconds, Sonic opens his eyes and starts to fidget. There was something that he wants to say to Espio but he decided to hold it in; not wanting to interrupt his master's moment of peace. But with every second passed, he tries so hard to keep from saying something to Espio and it has becoming so difficult.

Sonic opens his mouth again; about to say something but he stops before he utters a word. He fidgets for another moment but realised that he couldn't control himself any longer. It was now or never. He just has to come out and say it. He takes a deep breath…

"Wanna get something to eat?"

Espio whip his eyes open when that question was said. He lets out a deep sign; closing his eyes again. Just because he was now at peace, doesn't mean they can go and get a meal in the middle of meditation. Then again, he or Sonic never grabbed a bite before this whole battle started. The chameleon began to think before giving his answer to Sonic.

"Okay."

Author's Notes:

This chapter was dedicated to my late grandmother. Thank you for all the years and everything.

I'm so sorry for the long late. I had to take some time to get a hold of myself after what has happened to my grandmother. After you lose someone that for most of your life, it's not easy to recover from all this. Once again, I would like to say thank you for all your support that you guys sent me. My family is doing fine now. The funeral went great and tearful. We said our goodbyes to the one lady that we all love and knew. Rest in Peace, Nana.

I also remember watching the new Ninja Turtles show in the episode Slash and Destroy near the end where Raph loses Spike/Slash in the battle. Master Splinter comes up to him and said this:

"Do you know what I do when I miss my loved ones from my past? I focus on the friends I am surrounded by in the present."

This quote really helped me. My nana may be gone but I also have my friends and family to be with in the future.

With the past behind us, I'm sure that I will be fine with writing up the rest of my FanFics. The next story will be announced in the next and final chapter: The Credits.

Until we meet again,

TheDragonLord2912

I do not own any Kung Fu Panda or Sonic related characters. They are property of Dreamworks and Sega. Other character who appeared in this FanFic belong to me.