Author's note: Sonic's current form is a cross between Darkspine Sonic (Secret rings) and WereSonic (Unleashed). To say the least, Sonic is running on pure badass at this point.
Dark Dawn Chapter 5:
The light grew brighter and illuminated the battlefield as more angelic figures poured from the sky. They were smaller than the first, wearing golden armor and wielding bows with heart-shaped arrows in their hands. Flying low, the angels delivered their wrath upon the dark beasts with extreme prejudice. They loosed arrow after arrow, cutting a swath of destruction through the army with almost instinctual grace.
Their leader spread his wings and dashed forward, flying directly at the largest shadow he saw. While he flew, he removed a majestic bow from his back and aimed it at his target. Drawing one arm back, the angel formed an arrow of pure blue light between the points of the bow and fired.
The shaft of light struck Sonic in the chest, swerving its course when the hedgehog tried to jump out of the way, and slammed him to the ground. When it passed all the way through his body, the light dissipated, leaving a small patch of golden fur for a moment. His eyes darkened, turning bright green before fading back to pure white.
The hedgehog got back to his feet and approached Young Link, picking up the unconscious boy as if nothing happened. He then dashed away; running faster than human eyes could follow.
"Smashers!" The angel called, his voice ringing with authority. "Retreat to the city and recover your strength. This fight is no longer yours."
Many of the Smashers hesitated, unsure of the newcomer, until he shouted again. "The Hand of Creation is in danger! Go!"
They pondered his message for a moment before heading towards the city, all except Link, who was locked in combat with Roy, and Mario, who remained unconscious. Seemingly satisfied, the angel returned the shadow.
"Holy arrows…," the shadow said, glaring at the angel with renewed hatred. "What brings you here, oh Pawn of the Goddess?"
"I am Pit, captain of Palutena's army." The angel responded. "You, Dusk, have been charged with upsetting the balance of light and shadow, as well as that of creation and destruction." Pit's eyes narrowed. "Your judgment shall be swift and decisive, will you face it honorably?"
Dusk laughed. "The balance? Ha! The scales have been tipped, Pawn, and for once," he pointed at Pit. "Not in your favor."
"Do you not know what could happen?" Pit asked, "this world could be ripped apart, countless shall perish!"
"And when they do," said Dusk, "their power will be mine!"
"That is unacceptable." Pit grabbed his bow in both hands and broke it in half, forming two scythe-like blades, one in each hand. "Return to your Hell."
Link didn't see the conversation, but he could only watch as the blue hedgehog ran off with his younger self. He tried to fight Roy without killing him, hoping to end the fight quickly. Roy was under not under that obligation, however, and kicked the warrior between the legs. Link grunted and fell to his knees, raising his shield. Before Roy could try to behead him, Link lashed out with one leg and caught Roy's, dragging him to the ground as well.
Link dropped his sword and whipped off his left glove, revealing a triangle shaped gold crest on the back of his hand. He held Roy's neck with one hand while placing his left on the struggling swordsman's chest. A black spark jumped between the two warriors and enveloped Link's hand, the dark power flowing into his body.
When Roy seemed to return to normal, Link removed his hand and stood up, glowing with a dark pseudo light. He reached up to his own neck and grabbed the charm that hung there. The moment his hand touched the black-orange crystal, he began to change shape. Link couched down on all fours as his nose and ears elongated, becoming a dark grayish color. His hands and feet became paws and his eyes took on a feral quality, shining bright blue in the darkness. Gray fur erupted from his flesh, completing the transformation. The wolf howled and sped after Sonic.
Link ran as fast as he could, his speed augmented by his new form as well as the dark energy flowing through him. The wolf shot across the field, appearing as a gray flash slowly gaining on the blue blur. He was only vaguely aware that Mario had jumped on his back until the plumber reached down and placed something in front of his snout. He recognized the object as a green koopa shell, one the items from the previous tournament. Mario then produced a large hammer and showed it to Link, who nodded his understanding.
Mario tossed the shell into the air and, with a yell, smashed the hammer into it. The shell shot forward and slammed into Sonic's legs, forcing them out from under him. The hedgehog collided with the ground for the second time, skidding to a painful stop. Young Link was tossed into the air only to be caught by Mario, who leapt off of Link's back with the child in his arms.
While Mario tended to the boy, Link turned to face Sonic, who was busy wiping the dirt from his quills. The wolf leapt with claws and teeth flashing, aiming to remove Sonic's head. The hedgehog was too fast, however, and had already moved to counterattack. Before Link could react, hundreds of blows hammered into his side, tossing him into the air. He landed gracefully and jumped to the side just as Sonic, who was rolled into a ball, shattered the ground where he used to be.
Link took the opportunity to slash Sonic, drawing dark blood wherever he struck. Sonic grunted in pain and spun quickly, delivering a savage kick to his opponent's face. Despite the pain, Link stood his ground. Planting his claws, he sank his teeth into Sonic's leg and thrashed wildly, trying to rip it apart. A second kick forced him to let go.
"You'll…have to do…better than…that to… beat me." Sonic's voice was strange; it sounded strained and halted at odd places, as if he had to fight to get the words out.
"You have… to beat…me…please."
Without warning, Sonic dashed forward and slashed at Link's face with his claws. Link stumbled back before catching himself and growled. He prepared to pounce again but stopped suddenly. Sonic looked at him, confused, before Mario's hammer connected with the back of his skull, knocking him down. Link jumped to intercept the hedgehog. He pinned Sonic down and placed his mouth to his throat. With a quick twist, the creature went limp.
Dusk lurched forward in pain, clutching his chest. Pit stopped his attack, but didn't lower his guard. The shadow looked down, scanning for something. When he found it, his shadowy form took on a reddish hue.
"The vessel," he said, seeming to frown in Sonic's general direction. "A minor setback, but a setback nonetheless."
Just then, an idea struck him. He looked to Pit. "You, angel. What do you know of the balance?"
Pit scowled and lowered his blades slightly. "Nothing that I would share with one like you, demon."
"Demon?" Dusk asked, then his tone became quieter, almost a whisper. "No matter. You should know, however, that that being," he pointed at Sonic, "is from another dimension."
Pit gasped, "You…
"And as you know," Dusk continued, "beings of great power cannot remain across the border for long. That power, or some of equal value, must be returned eventually."
Anger flashed in Pit's eyes. He flew forward and shoved a blade at what passed for the shadow's neck.
"What happens if that power is unable to be returned?" he asked in a deadly voice.
"That is the question, isn't it?" Dusk answered. "I suggest you find out soon."
With that, he melted away from Pit's grip, becoming an insubstantial mist.
The angel rushed forward, blades flashing. He struck at the shadow repeatedly, but none of his attacks connected. Whenever a blade got close, the shadows faded, causing Pit to hit nothing but air. He reconnected his bow and began firing. The same result.
The mist descended around Young Link and seeped through his flesh. His skin became pale and his hair turned a sickly gray color. The child stood up and caught one of Pit's arrows in one hand. He crushed it casually. Young Link smiled.
"Hmm," Dusk said as he examined his new body. "I had planned to escape, but this body stores so much sorrow and pain. I can use this."
"Foul beast!" Pit screamed, "A child!?"
"I did not taint him," Dusk said, "He did it to himself. This 'child' took the souls of the dead and sealed their negative energy into his being. He could use it as he wished."
"And now," Dusk said as he pointed at Pit. "I wish to destroy you."
He took a step forward. It nearly killed him. Dusk clutched his head as he fell to his knees, screaming. His left hand glowed with a golden light.
"Th-this power!" Dusk screamed, "The child is fighting back!?"
Energy swirled around Young Link's body, charging the air with power. Ghostly forms rose from the ground and began to take shape as the earth cracked under him.
"This child healed our spirits," said a voice that was neither Dusk's nor Young Link's, but seemed to come from all directions. More figures rose from the earth.
"Yeah," added a second voice, "He's saved the world, too. Little dude's a hero."
"Thank you." The last voice was unwilling to say more.
The first voice spoke again. "It's time we repaid the favor."
"Let's give him a taste."
"Get out."
Dusk screamed in frustration when the ghosts rushed him. They slammed into Young Link and passed harmlessly through him. Dusk, however, was being ripped from his host with terrifying force. He latched onto anything he could grab, trying to dig deeper into Young Link. He briefly succeeded before what he grabbed was also removed. The spirits tore him from Young Link and dumped on the ground. Dusk started laughing.
"Fools!" he yelled. "Your sorrow is mine!"
Dusk stood up. His now solid body closely resembled the adult Link. Instead of green, however, his tunic was white. His face sported red and black tattoos that wound around his pupil-less gray eyes. In his hand was held a wicked sword. Rather than a solid blade, the sword consisted of razor thin strips of unknown metal that bent into a double-helix pattern. The metal strips met at the tip, folding into each other to form a deadly point.
"Behold," he said in a quiet voice, "The Fierce Deity!"
Note: Wow, I suck at pacing. I need to find a way to slow this down a little.