Sonic had never felt so low, so broken, so . . . defeated. He had technically
won, but technically and actually were two separate things. The Death Match
between himself and Mario had ended.
Sonic had run when all of Mario's allies had rushed to his side.
. . like a coward! He should of stayed and fought, he knew that was what
he should of done! But instead when he had his chance to prove he was made
of sterner stuff, he buckled. Okay, the odds were against him, but how
was that different from normal in his life?
Moving
and feeling like the walking dead, Sonic went to the only place he knew
he could feel secure: Sally's apartment.
Sally's family was not as rich as it wanted to appear to be,
oh they had money, but not that much. Being overthrown did have its bites.
Sally's only real income had been the comics for the last fives years.
If not for them . . . Sonic didn't want to think about it.
He had heard rumors that at long last a movie was indeed coming
out, it was no third season, but at least there was a chance she could
get a part with him. Sonic realized that over the last five years he had
been more concerned about her career than his! His contract was not as
life long as people outside Sega thought.
He didn't know if that was noble or stupid, and strangely he hoped
Sally liked whichever it turned out to be.
Sonic always feared however that one day Sally would be left
behind, and the Sega coup. would FORCE Amy on him. He didn't mind Amy that
much anymore, she had grown up some since she came on board with Sonic
CD. He had some hope that Sega liked Sally enough because they had brought
her back during the 'End Game' incident,(why is it grand plans that fail
the most utterly? That one was suppose to be the height of the comic, not
so much now) but, then again, maybe that was just there way of keeping
it kiddy style,(having no one die).
Heh, and Mario had accused that he was going to call Nintendo
childish.
In the huge spiral building that was Nintendo land HQ sat a number of businessmen
and top brass Nintendo characters.
"Gentleman." Said the businessman in the central chair.
"Through the out come of the unarranged Stadium Death Match was not as
we would of predicted, it did turn in our favor. The amount of income we
have gotten from the fight had been more than acceptable. We can therefore,
proceed with our long hoped for expansion plans." An image of a very particular
part of the city came onto the video table the conference was being held
on.
Link's eye caught it.
"Sir." Said the Hylian.
"What is it Link First."
"I must asked why that area has been chosen, there ARE several warehouses
in the same vicinity that would come at a much lower cost."
"You misunderstand Link, the cost of buying the land from the government,
will be most cost effective when our other goals are reached as well."
Other goals? Link felt himself become ill. He looked to see gargoyle
grins from the Mario brothers and co, and also the Donkey Kong clan. He
got confused looks from Pika'Chu and Jigglypuff who sat along side Pok'emon
trainers Ash Katchem and his not-girl friend Misty Waterflower. He couldn't
tell what Fox McCloud and his wingmen were thinking.
"Now then gentleman we will discuss the second delay in our completed product
Gameboy advance." The Businessman began moving onto other topics, but Link's
mind didn't follow.
When Sonic came to Sally's house, he really, really, wished he had gotten
lost.
A huge wreaking machine stood posed and eager at the apartment
building, as Sonic got closer, he saw all the apartment residence, most
retired game characters, were being heard out of the building.
The next thing he saw caused him to grind his teeth. There was Mario, Donkey
Kong, and Link First. Three of the four top Nintendo characters, the forth
being the pok'emon Pika'Chu.
Mario seemed pretty pleased with himself, watch the game and
fan character be force out of their affordable housing.
The next thing Sonic saw mad fire burn in his eyes. At the grossly over-sized
feet of the huge gorilla was Sally's roommate Bunny Rabbot, she wasn't
getting up on her own. Helping her up he asked.
"Bunny, what's goin' on? Where's Sally?"
"Were being evicted." Said the half robotic rabbit in a weak
voice, Donkey Kong had knock the wind out of her when she had blow her
top to the Italian plumber.
"What? How?" Sonic asked Bunny, Mario answered for her.
"Nintendo has just bough this land from the government, so therefore you
are all trespassing." He said smugly, the personality he showed to his
love Peach not present.
"Sonic." Said a recognizable voice behind him. He turned to see-.
"Sally!" Sonic said glade to see she was alright. and embraced her not
caring what Sega told him about keeping it for all audiences later.
"Sonic we have to do something!" Sally whispered, but someone with exceptional
pointed ears heard her.
"There is nothing you can do." Link said flatly and to the point as always.
"This transaction was and is completely legal."
Donkey Kong then began to laugh at both Sonic, Sally, and Bunny as she barely managed to get back up. The brute pushed Bunny back
down again.
Ironically it was Sally and not Sonic who did what came next.
"You b*stard!" She said taking a swing at the monstrous ape, which was
caught in his over-sized hands. Still smiling, he began to lift Sally off
her feet at arms' length and then with his other hand began to squeeze
her neck.
Before Sonic could go into a spin dash to decapitate the filthy beast,
Link's sword lightly touched Kong's back.
"That's enough, put her down." Link ordered, after glancing at Mario, Donkey
Kong unceremoniously released Sally on the concrete.
Then without a second thought, Mario gave the kill sign with
his hand, and the Koopa Troopa next to the machine nodded at him, and then
at the other Troopa operating the weaker.
The huge thing began to power up, then smash part of the apartment
building to pieces. Sally's eye opened wide and murmured "Oh no." as she
ran back into the building Sonic too shocked to stop her. Sonic in a streak
of light grasped the turtle next to the machine by the scuff of his shell.
"Turn that thing off now!!!" Sonic threatened.
The Koopa trooper's skin turned white, even his shell lost some
of its color.
"Turn it off!" The Koopa said in fear for his life.
Sonikku didn't even wait for the dust to settle as he blasted
full speed into the pulverized building. Finding her in a second
skidding to a stop Sonic found Sally under a peace of heavy ceiling.
Pushing it off her, Sonic saw the red pool forming around her.
Sonic didn't move from that spot for some time mealy holding Sally's still
warm body in his arms until it grew cold. Only then did Sonic notice what
was in her hand. It must have been what she had gone back in for. It was
a diamond ring. She had gone back inside for a piece of jewelry?! Then
he looked at the inner lining of the ring, and he saw it was an engagement
ring, meant for a proposal she would never give. Sonic had never the guts
to ask her, now he knew she was building up the courage to do so herself.
The sense of loss in Sonic only grew.
It was midnight, and it was cold, but not as cold as the fire burning in
Sonic's eyes. He put on his red cleats and white stitched glove in an almost
ceremony fashion.
When he was done, he stood on top of the monorail station that would
take him into the heart of Nintendo's empire.
"I will avenge you." Said Sonic, he didn't really give a damn if it sound
melodramatic or not, he only want one thing, and he was going to get it.
The word revenge was etched like stonework into his mind.
Real End Game begins. Sonic thought coldly.
"Going somewhere off on your own?" Said a semi-Australian voice behind
him.
Sonic knew it was Knuckles.
"What do you want?" Sonic spate.
"It has to do with an Italian Plumper and my fist." Said Knux.
"What was she to you?!" Sonic retorted.
"Everything!" Shouted Knux, surprised by the emotion in the voice, Sonic
turned to see his spiked fists clenched.
"Turn the volume up, I don't think the entire city heard you." Said a young
and no longer high-pitched voice. Amy came into view, being flown on top
of the building by Miles 'Tails' Prower.
"Shuddup you pink brat." Said Knux, not liking Amy's attitude.
"I/she am/is not a-" Said Amy and Tails together and then realized they
had started to say the same thing.
"What is it Tails?" Sonic asked, not liking the answer he knew he was going
to get.
"I'm coming with you Sonic, Sally was like a mother to me. If your going
to try and set things right, I want to be there with you Big Brother."
Sonic knew that Tails was going to come one-way or the other
weather he like it or not. Uttering a curse, he looked at Amy with the
same fire in his eyes, but not the kind Amy would of liked to see.
"Ok, Amy, what's you reason for coming. And it had be better than, you
don't want to miss the fun!" Sonic accused.
"Sonic," Amy started. "I'm not going to try and fit into Sally's boots,
but I need to prove to myself that I'm worth something once and for all.
Like your more than likely thinking, this is the final battle, and if I
go in and survive than I know what I can do.
If not-then good radiance to a stupid pink pine cushion who couldn't
get over a stupid crush she had on a older man who was in love with someone
else from day one!!" Amy panted at her out burst. Sonic and Tails stared
at her, Knuckles didn't seem to care.
"Amy . . ." Tails said. So that was it. Self worth, Sonic couldn't deny
her this. This was her trail by fire, and she had already accepted the
torch.
Resigned to his company, a question entered Sonic's mind.
"How'd you know what I was going to do? Or where I was for that matter."
Knux answered, "I was going to do the same anyway, as for the
rest, great minds think alike." Knuckles said with a smile, thinking of
all the times he had called Sonic stupid.
A horn sounded in the distance coming closer.
"That's my ride." Sonic said, no, it was their ride and the others sad
as much.
As the white streak, flashed below them, everyone looked
at the each other, and each came to the same resolve. That was the monorail
that would take them into the beating heart of Nintendo's empire.
Each leaped and landed firmly onto the train's back as it went
under the building's ridge.
The four fighters flew like the wind on top of the train's cars. Sonic
saw their target, the huge spiral mountain like building that was Nintendo
HQ, as the monorail turn a corner, Sonic leaped off the transport was quickly
followed by Knuckles Tails, and surprisingly Amy as well.
The searchlights play over the corner's every angle,
Something's wrong everyone writher in the grip of nightmares.
Like a lumbering monster the building stood before them, growing larger
as they approached, Amy keeping along with support from Tails. As they
reached the outer perimeter lined with its concrete wall, the steel gate began to rise to block their path.
Going into a spin attack Sonic smashed the petty annoyance to
allow his friend to follow . They began the ascendance up the huge
ramp that circled the building.
I don't want to believe, I was born to fight,
Though it would be easier to just say that it's too late.
Knuckles was the first to notice the green insectiods flying toward them
down the turn of the ramp. Pok'emon: Scythers. Possessing large blades
instead of arms, fast, born fighters, logical choice Knuckles reflected.
It was Tails who saw that the praying mantises actually carried riders.
One was a tall human in green overalls, the other was a small yellow mouse
with electricity sparking from its cheeks. Luigi and Pikachu: it was nice
to see that cared that much about them. Coming at the attackers at two
different angels the Scythers made Slash Attacks at the furry warriors.
Don't hide your eyes from the bitter fact laid out before you (that she's
gone)
Turn it into courage "blow up, blow up."
"Never say give up ever again."
Pierce through the storm.
Sonic jumped over the insect carrying the plumper did a back flip and retaliated
with a spin attack.
Tails and Amy darted side to side to avoid Pikachu electric shocks,
while Luigi threw a giant turnip at Knuckles, which the Guardian of the
Master Emerald with a single punch smashed to pieces.
Tail meanwhile realized that there was no way he could fight off Scyther's
speed and Pikachu attacks lighting attack at the same time.
"Never say give up ever again."
And run toward tomorrow.
Flying solo over the city, Fox noticed the fire works on the Nintendo building, flying in low he got a good look at the fight.
Link sat in Hyrule Castle, listening to the radio, the only piece
of modern technology within the stone fortress' walls. Thinking about what
had happened earlier that day.
"This is Fox McCloud," Came the Star Fighter's voice over the
machine. "I've spotted a battle on the Nintendo building, about a
840 feet up and rising, defender appear to three Pokemon and Luigi Mario,
one of the attackers is confirmed as Sonikku Takachi Hedgehog."
Link's head shot up along with the Hylian guard with him in the
room.
Children dream so innocently in the sunlight,
What will shine in there pure eyes tomorrow?
Fox flew besides the ramp, charging his lasers, targeting the one fighting
with Pikachu. Fox held his breath, it was a fox(!) a Kitesune in fact.
This wasn't enemy to him, this was one of his race, and he was only a kid,
barely old enough to get behind the controls of his first plane. Fox found he couldn't pull the trigger, readjusting his target parameters,
Fox took aim and fired. Pikachu got off the Scyther just in time using
his Agility before the blast hit the Scyther in the back. Tails looked
to see an Airwing fighter
flying by, Tails was confused, Star Fox was one of Nintendo's second
brass, why would they help him? But Tails then knew why, and hoped filled
him, and he silently thanked the pilot of the Airwing.
Blood coming down it's back, it's strength fading, the Scyther eyed it
attacker from behind, using it's last bit of strength it leaped impossibly
high into the air, and with one motion cut right through the side engine
of the Star Fighter, breaking off the sword arm.
The engine detonated and both fighter and insect were consumed
in the flames.
"Fox, Fox!" Come in!" Shouted Hare over the radio having lost contact with
his Wingman over their commutation system.
Link leaped to his feet grabbing the Biggororn sword from the
wall.
"That it! Saddle Epona!" Link ordered at the guard.
A part of me, doesn't want to feel this hatred, knowing that the emptiness of hurting others is same for everyone.
Don't close your heart, holding your knees trembling, that won't accomplish anything.
The Scyther attempted a doubled edged slash attack with Knuckles but
at the last moment the Echidna land on the flat of the blades, and jump
over knocking Luigi off.
Sonic and Knux's eyes meet. The message was clear.
~Go ahead Sonic, Sally was your not mine I see that now, go,
do what you feel you must!~
Acknowledging the gesture, Sonic sped ahead, leaving Tails and
Knux to fight the guards, he was surprise to see Amy keeping up with him.
If Amy natural speed had at last broken through, Sonic hope she didn't
die on her feet. Many young Hedgehogs, died from exhaustion or even a heart
attack, having pushed their bodies too far too soon, caught in the runner's
high.
"Never say give up ever again."
Overcome your sadness.
Link on Epona's back raced out of the castle gates, he had never put such a strain on the horse or himself.
Then Sonic and Amy reached the plateau. The ramped ended suddenly and without foreshadowing, and both Hedgehogs skidded to a stop, Amy breathing hard.
"Never say give up ever again."
And you will fly once more.
As long as you believe . . .
The heavy silence was like a cloak over the top of the steel mountain.
Sonic didn't move and neither did Amy. Even when they saw the
reason for their venture, they did not move.
Mario stood before them, Donkey Kong looming behind him. The
plumper was armed to the teeth. His flying cap was perched on his head,
a glowing fire flower held in his hand.
"Welcome to the pinnacle of Nintendo's empire Sonikku Takachi Hedgehog
and Amy Thorn Rose." Mario said with a mock welcoming voice.
"Your empire crumbles tonight Mario Mario." Sonic said matter of fact,
"I can see you've resigned yourself to that."
"Ha, your kind would not even exist if not for us." Mario said.
"And if not for us you would still be a flat brainless 2-D character."
Amy surprising said having caught her wind.
Mario made a sound of intrigue.
"The reason the super Nintendo came into existence was the Sega Genesis,
the Saturn, the Dream Cast, N64. It's a never ending cycle that has allowed
us to evolve." Amy said.
"Well," Mario said. "Your cycle end now." Mario nodded toward Donkey Kong,
and the Monkey came at Amy with a cry.
Amy yelp as she threw her hammer at him cause him to shout in
pain and anger.
Sonic and Mario stared at each other. Neither move, Sonic then
came at light speed, releasing a number of spin attack, but Mario knew
this trick and dodged each one. Mario aimed and fired, the fireball stronger
than any Sonic had seen him use before. He was in the heart of Nintendo,
he was at the maximum of his power.
--------
Knuckles leaped up into the air with two mighty strikes broke both wings
off the Scyther's back.
Shooting off lighting like an automatic pistol, Pikachu was making
Tails tap dance for his life.
"Great what I'm going to do? why dose this stuff always happen
to me?" Tails said as he began to tire.
As Donkey Kong tried to grasp Amy she ran between his legs, and she managed to duck at he retaliatory swing.
You not the only one whose lonely, try sitting on the crescent moon.
Sonic spun around Mario several times looking for an opening, Mario
shot out another fire ball, Sonic did a reverse spin attack flying into
the air prepared to bounce off the mini-tower behind him.
But Mario anticipated this move and blasted two fire balls: one at
Sonic, the other behind him, the resulting rubble from the fire ball impacting
the wall hit Sonic in the back, knocking him down. But at the last moment
he slowed his decent by skidding against the building.
Mario advanced in pre-victory lust. Sonic took a step back only
to find he had nowhere to run to.
The dreams we had as children shine still as shooting stars,
The Scyther tried it's best to stand, as Knuckles charged it, it made one
last desperate counter attack, Knuckles went under the blade and landed
a crushing blow to the insect who promptly collapsed.
Using a high jump Luigi came at the Echidna from above, but Knux leaped
to meet him and grabbed him by the shoulders, then he back flipped and
landed both his spiked fists in the sides of Luigi's head.
As the plumper fell the to ground Knuckles balked.
"Whose a knuckle-head now."
Keep going, no matter how hard or sad thing might seem,
Frustrated with Tails dodging his electrical attacks, Pikachu used his
Agility to rush up to Tails, planning on just latching onto the fox and
electrocuting him.
Just as Pikachu was about to land, the fox took a step back while his
fist rush forward. Surprised and shocked from Tails resorting to fist-de-cuffs,
and a non-game move, Pika'Chu received a punch right in the stomach that
sent him sailing.
Tails seemed to ignite into flame, but four points of light that formed
around him told differently. Hyper Tails channeled all his power into his
aerial familiars,
Kiss me, kiss me wind, hold me, sky hold me tight.
"Try this one for size!" Shouted Tails pushing his cupped hands forward,
his familiars charged like spears hitting the stunned Pokemon, resulting
in an explosion leaving the electric mouse either fainted or slain.
"Alright now we're talking!" Said Tails panting for breath.
And protect us until we break down the walls,
Amy tripped as she did her best to back off from Donkey Kong's superior
physical might, making her hammer fly from her grasp. As she sat
up she saw her hammer lay a full five feet from her hand.
Donkey Kong sent a fist as Amy's head that would kill on impact. Resetting
to instincts Amy moved faster than she ever had in her life, and in one
motion rolled away from the ape's attack, grabbed her hammer, and landed
it square on the side of his head, the sound of break bones very clear.
When we will touch down and embrace our dreams.
Ignoring the strange stares Link and Epona continued to race through the city streets toward Nintendo HQ.
Sonic stood ready waiting for Mario to attack. the fireball came right at him, he charged at it straight on.
For if anything, we were all born to live.
Sonic speed shifted at the last moment and struck hard into Mario's gut.
Pulling back for another hit, Sonic found Mario's hand around his throat.
Sonic only then realized how little damage he had done to Mario's
fat belly. Sonic felt his lungs scream for air as his windpipe was slowly
crushed.
"Good-bye, Sonikku!" Mario mocked.
Survival became the only thought in Sonic's head, panicking, Sonic took
hold of one of his own quills, ignoring the pain as it cut threw his glove
and skin and the lighting pain as the quill gave way from his scalp, he
stabbed half blind with the sharp end of the quill at his killer.
Mario's eyes opened way, a drop of blood came out the corner
of his mouth, followed by more as he coughed and tried to scream, but something
sharp and long was stuck in the center of his neck.
Mario's grasp went limp, he came to his knees, and then after a few agonizing
second fell never to rise again, a small pool of blood forming around the
head.
Sonic was pale, and looked like he was going to throw up, his
entire life, he had been fighting robots, machines, they didn't have death
in their eyes when they died, they didn't scream in pain, they didn't bleed
red.
"Sonic . . . ." Said Tails as he came to the top of the plateau with Knuckles,
beholding the scene, Tails hadn't found any signs of Pikachu.
His hand shaking, Sonic pulled the quill out of Mario's neck,
avoiding the life less gaze of the eyes.
Without saying a word, and with the sound of hooves against concrete
becoming audible, Sonic turn and passed his friends in a Sonic boom.
Stealing glances at Mario's dead body, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy,
followed him.
Link called Epona to a halt at the building's top. Leaving his horse behind
him, Link saw the unmoving forms of Donkey Kong and Mario. Looking at his
superior, Link saw the four pins on Mario's overalls that mark him as the
only one to win four Death Matches in the arena.
Pulling them off, along with the one Link had won in his battle
with Mario himself. Link threw the badges over the edge of the rooftop.
-------
The sunset over the Mobian graveyard, basking it in a warm golden light.
Normally a princess of Mobius would have had hundreds of mourners, but
Sonic and Knuckles had both demanded that it be private.
The preacher said a few words, of how Sally was now in a Kingdom safe from
coups and also that all of them could rest knowing that she did. Sonic
didn't hear a word. He merely stood there like a statue built over the
princess' grave to ward off robbers. After the preacher had left, and everyone
had given Sonikku a respectful distance, Sonic came to rest on one knee
next to the grave, his hand resting on the tombstone. He didn't bother
to so much as look at the inscription, his language was far too shallow
to express who Sally was and what she meant to him. Then again, the same
could be said of any language. Small droplets of water hit the ground
as Sonic cried, he no longer cared what Sega thought his character should
be like, and had showed them so much with a fingered gesture.
He had loved Sally, and now she was gone, and now emptiness filled his
soul. So may dozen yards away, Amy saw that emptiness, she knew it well,
she had felt it when her village had been slaughtered, and then again when
Sonic had rejected her.
Go to him. A part of her whispered. He is alone, weak, he would
welcome any comfort offered him. You could be at his bedside before the
week is out. Amy however, instead of feeling energized by the idea or by
the prospect of courting Sonic, she felt ashamed and dirty. It wasn't
right to do that to him, to use this tragedy to her own personal gain,
he needed a friend, not someone claiming to be one only interested in becoming
his bed fellow.
Holding her knees together, Amy felt the void present in her
soul again, the darkness, the loneliness.
Tying to think of a way to help his best friend, Tails looked at
Amy, she looked so hurt and alone. She must of felt pain from Sally's
passing as well, but Tails sensed a large amount of shame coming from her,
feeling nothing but compassion, Tails put his arm around her.
Amy felt something warm and soft touching her, looking with her
eyeballs without moving her head, she saw it was Tails. Strangely, the
void seemed to lessen more and more until it was nothing as Tails held
her. She returned his embrace.
Sonikku Takachi Hedgehog vowed never to return to that spot. But Sonic
did return, every Christmas he returned along with Sally's birthday and
the date of her death. He came and went every year, in spite of Nintendo's
bounty hunters like Samush(sp). A month later, Sonic heard that Link First
had retired early to his cottage in Kokkri Forest, some said he married,
other said he went on adventuring, either way Link found his inner peace,
it was soon followed by Pokemon Trainers Ash and Misty who announced their
engagement and return to Katchem's home in Pallet Town where both would
continue to train but neither would allow their Pokemon to be used in Nintendo's
Death Matches, not soon after the three remaining StarFox members turned
in their resignations from service as Nintendo's mercenary core. And the
MST crew's satellite of love had been hit by a comet resulting in the lose
of all hands.
Sonic of course knew their reason for leaving, each and every one
of them had waken up to see what the empire that Nintendo had forged from
nothing had become, and had decided to live out their lives in decently.
None of them ever tried to hunt down Sonic or his friends, and often Sonic
would later believe they helped him from behind the scenes. They couldn't
leave Nintendo of course, no more than Sonic could leave Sega.
But Sonic knew, in their own way, they were kin. Perhaps, as
we all are kin.
That made Sonic feel more alive somehow, he knew that him suffering would
be the last thing Sally would of wanted. So he would go on, live on. Standing besides Tails Amy, and Knuckles, Sonic left the graveyard, with
his head high, and his face toward the horizon.
Another day is like a new beginning,
And so today I know that it's a new start.
I know the bad times are disappearing.
Cause now I know, we will never be apart.
You're the one that makes me feel so high, just like the diamonds in
the sky.
I never want hear you say good-bye, because you're my diamond in the
sky,
(Yea!)
Another road that we must travel, another night for you to show me
the way.
I never want hear you say good-bye, because you're my diamond in the
sky,
You're the one that makes me feel so high, just like the diamonds in
the sky.
Where do all the rainbows go?
To somewhere I don't know.
Wherever it is, I want to go
Oh, wherever it is, I want to go
Feel so high
Feel so high
I never want to hear you say goodbye
'Cause you're my diamond in the sky.
You're the one that makes me feel so high
Just like the diamonds in the sky.
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