Well enjoy.

Chapter 21

Sonic looked around at his surroundings. There was nothing but pure nothingness. All he could see was his comrade, Zero. Zero had his Z-Saber in hand prepared for the worse. "Where are we?" Zero asked.

"I'm not sure," Sonic replied looking around.

"F-fools," echoed a loud, familiar voice. "You're lucky to have made it this far."

Clutched his saber and slowly backed up next to Sonic. Sonic clenched a fist and pounded it into his other hand. "Where are you?"

"V-very well," the voice replied.

Just then there was a high flash. Sonic and Zero shielded there eyes trying to block it out. Just as it dimmed out Zero looked to see there his long time enemy, Copy X. He had a new look to him which included two small golden wings, a refined helmet that looked more like crown and a new and improved buster. He had taken on his Ultimate Form.

Zero looked about the area to see they were in the Neo Arcadian HQ and Copy X was sitting at his throne with the seven Chaos Emeralds and the Baby Elf floating above him. Sonic narrowed his eyes towards the emeralds.

"D-don't you see," Copy X started. "N-now that I have the Chaos Emeralds I am invincible."

"We'll see about that," Sonic shouted as he shot forward at full speed. Just as he made impact a layer of energy appeared before him throwing him away. Zero ran to Sonic's side.

"S-see what I mean."

"Dammit," Zero said looking down. "DAMN YOU!"

Zero ran forward at full speed and came in contact with energy field. Zero continued to move forward with saber pointing straight out. Copy X sat in his throne laying his head in his hand. He slowly lifted his free and snapped his fingers.

"Zero," came three familiar voices. Zero turned his attention away to see Harpuia, Fefnir and Leviathan dropping down onto him. Harpuia knocked Zero's weapon away while Leviathan slashed him away, leaving Fefnir to finish with an assault of shots towards Zero. Zero's body jerked with every shot. Zero fell to the ground and slowly lifted his head. "Could this be it?"

"No," then a foot appeared next to Zero's head. Zero looked to see that the foot belonged to Shadow the Hedgehog. "Not in a long shot."

"You," Harpuia said under his voice. "I've got a bone to pick with you."

"So do I," Shadow replied.

Copy X snapped his fingers yet again leaving the three at the entrance of the base. Zero and Sonic arose from the ground and dusted themselves off. Zero then picked up his saber and looked over to the two hedgehogs. "How did you get here," he asked.

Shadow looked away. "Just as you and Sonic disappeared I made leap for it."

"Did anyone else make it through?" Sonic then stepped forward.

"I saw Tails, Amy and Knuckles jump through but we didn't land in the place. Who knows, they probably landed in another universe."

Sonic's heart stopped. Just the thought of him losing his three best friends sent chills through his whole body. "Sonic," came Zero's voice as Sonic snapped back to reality. "C'mon we're going in."

Sonic replied with a nod and together with Zero and Shadow they entered the large dome. Sonic looked about the area to see there were screens with pictures of Zero, Sonic and Shadow. Sonic looked away and thought for a moment again about Knuckles, Tails and Amy. He could picture them falling in an endless abyss of nothingness for the rest of there lives. He then pictured them landing on some strange land that had round mountains with dinosaurs roaming. He then thought about how the world would have seven orange balls with stars on them instead the Chaos Emeralds.

"It's okay Sonic," Shadow said putting his hand on the blue hedgehog's shoulder. "I'm sure Tails and others are okay. There probably looking for you now."

"He's right," Zero intervened. "Things will turn out for the good."

Sonic cracked a little smirk as a sign of a thank you. The three then came to a sudden stop as they approached a large door. Zero approached the door and put his hand on it. this caused it to open. As it opened Zero looked back at Sonic and Shadow who both looked like they were prepared for battle. "Let's go."

Sonic looked and Shadow who didn't look back. Shadow then leaped into the doorway and disappeared into the darkness, followed by Zero. Sonic looked back for a moment at the base and then followed his two comrades.

(Meanwhile)

Ciel typed her way through the many screens on her monitor trying to find Zero. "Oh, Zero where are you."

(Neo Arcadia)

Sonic, Zero and Shadow were floating around in what looked an abyss of purple space. Before them was a door. Zero slowly made his way towards the door and put his hand on the doorknob.

"Zero," the red REploid looked up to see Harpuai flying down at him with twin sabers out.

"You," Shadow said as he activated his hover boots. He shot through the air and slammed into the green Reploid's side. The two then shot away into the endless abyss.

"Shadow!" Sonic called.

"Don't worry about him," Zero said. "He did that so we can keep on goin'."

Shadow and Harpuia were looked in each other's arms as they were thrown deeper into space. Shadow looked into the eyes of opponent as did Harpiua. "I've been waiting for this for a long time."

"As have I Hedgehog."

The two then threw each other away and recovered in midair. Shadow's arm began to glow Crimson Red with energy while Harpuia clutched his dual weapons. The two shot forward at each other and came a powerful impact.

(Meanwhile)

"C'mon keep up with me," Sonic shouted dashing ahead.

"Just keep going," Zero clicked his heels together activating his jets. He then caught an extra burst of speed letting him catch up to Sonic.

"I see the exit," Sonic said pointing up ahead.

Zero's eyes widened as he too could see the light up ahead. As he and Sonic entered the light the two heroes shielded their eyes. Once they adapted to the light, the two looked about their surroundings to see they were standing in a arena that completely covered in sand. As Sonic continue looking around Zero kept his focus straight to see another one of his enemies.

"What's wrong," Sonic asked.

"It's him," Zero replied witout looking at Sonic. "Fefnir."

A short distance away at the other end of the arena stood a red Reploid holding two large cannons in his hands. This was Fefnir. The evil Reploid let out a little giggle as he was looking down.

"Out of the way," Zero commanding pointing his saber at his opponent.

"Not a chance," Fefnir said softly after giggling. "You'll have to go through me if you wish to fight Master X."

"Oh please," Sonic stepped forward. "The odds are against you. It's two to one."

"Well then I can fix that." Fefnir hunched over shivering and wrapped his arms around himself. A dark aura began to erode from around his back and began to glow purple. He then was consumed in ball of purple energy. The purple ball then began to expand. Sonic backed up a few steps as the ball grew taller and wider. Then the ball faded away leaving a whole new Reploid in its place.

"Fefnir?" Sonic asked.

"That's him alright," Zero clutched his saber ready to fight. "I've fought him like this before."

(Meanwhile)

Shadow and Harpuia through space bouncing off of each other causing loud booms. Shadow stopped for a moment as his entire body began to glow crimson red. He pointed his fists straight toward Harpuia who had also stopped attacking. "CHAOS BLAST!" Shadow shouted as he released the energy though his fists. The blast shot forward towards Harpuia who had prepared his twin saber to block the attack.

"What form of power is this?" Harpuia said in his mind as he caught the attack. The blast him farther and farther away from his opponent as he tried to protect himself.

"Hehehe," Shadow managed to say while panting. "How that?'

(Back to Zero and Sonic)

Before Sonic and Zero stood the new and improved Fefnir. While his head remained the same his body had grown a lot bigger and different. His was somewhat similar to that of a tank and his two cannons had become four much bigger ones. Tow were set on the sides of his body while the other two were above his head.

"Well, well," came a voice.

"Things finally got a little interesting," came another.

Sonic and Zero looked behind them to see that a red echidna and a two tailed fox were standing not too far away from them. Sonic cracked a smile for a moment but then it faded away. He couldn't find Amy. She was nowhere to be found. Zero took notice of this.

"Sonic, you and Zero go on ahead," Knuckles said pounding his fists together. "Tails and I can handle this freak."

"Is that so," Fefnir as he released a large blast from his left cannon. "Sonic grabbed Zero's and he quickly dashed out of the way. Knuckles angled his eyes as he took time to run forward with his fist ready. As he drew closer to the blast he leaped into air, raising his fist.

"Knuckles!" Sonic shouted as he was scared for his friend. Knuckles made a connection with the blast causing a loud explosion. "NO."

Zero and Sonic watched the in horror as the dust cleared. Even Tails grew a little worried. "You know," came Knuckles' voice through the dust. "If you put a littled more punch in that blast it might've even tickled me a bit."

The dust cleared revealing the red echidna unscratched. Sonic cracked out smile to see to see his friend okay.

"Sonic, go," Tails said as he flew to Knuckles's side. "This won't be an problem to us."

Zero took off running while Sonic remained in place, stunned. He was happy to see Knuckles and Tails were okay, but Amy still wasn't here.

"Sonic," Zero called from exit to the arena. "C'mon."

Sonic's body turned toward the exit but his head was still turned towards his two friends. He then snapped back to reality and ran to Zero and the exit.

(Meanwhile)

"Miss Ciel," Cream said with a worried look on her face. "Do you think Sonic and the others will be okay?"

Ciel looked out the window of Tails' ship for a few moments then looked at the young bunny. Ciel put her hand on Cream's head and replied with a smile. "They'll be fine."

(Sonic and Zero)

Sonic and Zero appeared in what looked like an aquarium. There was water everywhere. Sonic was terrified as he did not know how to swim. Zero took notice of this and stopped.

"What's wrong?" Sonic asked. "Why'd you stop?"

"She's coming," Zero softly replied.

"The last Guardian?"

"It's her alright, Leviathan."

Sonic and Zero looked at the water in the area. There was someone or something swimming around in there. Zero angled his eyes with anger as he knew that water was Leviathan's specialty. She was practically a goddess when it came to water. Sonic took a quick glance at his comrade and then back at the surrounding water he could see that the water was moving around a little bit. Like someone something swam by since he removed his focus.

(Meanwhile)

Knuckles ran at full speed and leaped into the air. Tails flew down next to him and grabbed his arms. Fefnir took notice of this vulnerable moment and fired a blast at the midair duo. Tails shot higher into the air barely dodging the attack.

"Now," Knuckles shouted and with that Tails shot down at an angle toward the new and improved Guardian. As he gathered speed, Tails began to spin around. "Here I go."

Tails released his grip sending the red echidna into a cannon ball like attack. Knuckles pulled his fist back preparing for an almighty punch. Fefnir began to aim his cannon and fired.

Shadow back flipped through the air and recovered, his fists surging with Chaos Energy. Before him stood(er….. floated) a new and improved version of Harpuia. His head was different unlike Fefnir's had. It was longer at the top and his body had the shape of airplane, eagle crossover.

"How do like my new form?" Harpuia asked.

Shadow angled his eyes and growled for and moment. He then cracked a smirk and replied by saying, "It's pitiful. You were much stronger when you smaller."

Harpuia's evil smile slowly faded into frown. Who did this hedgehog think he was? How dare he mock the power of Neo Arcadia? Without hesitation Harpuia charged forward at full speed, as did Shadow.

(Back to Zero and Sonic)

"Sonic!" came a young girl's voice. "Zero."

Sonic's heart stopped as he new whose voice that was. he and Zero both turned around to see a pink hedgehog wearing a red dress. Sonic's eyes widened and he blew out a smile. "AMY!"

He ran at the female hedgehog with his arms wide open. Amy's eyes widened to see the arms of her true love opening up to her. She had no choice but to jump into his arms.

"Amy," Sonic said softly into her ear. "I'm so glad you're okay."

"Oh, Sonic does this mean that you're finally admitting your love for me?"

Sonic's eyes widened upon hearing that word, love. Sonic pushed off her and stood by Zero. Zero lifted his eyebrow with intrigue.

"Oh no," Sonic said. "I'm just glad to see you're alive that's all. What are thinking Amy? Jumping into that portal like that? Don't you know you can get hurt? This is our fight; meaning me and Zero.

"I know Sonic," Amy said. "It's ju- -"

"SHHH," Zero loudly interrupted. "It's time."

"For what?" Amy curiously asked.

The water in the enormous began to stir around. Leviathan was coming. Amy pulled out her Piko Piko hammer. "Sonic you and Zero go on ahead. Me and her have a score to settle."

"Right," Zero said running up ahead.

"No I'm not leaving you," Sonic shouted.

"GO," Amy said. Sonic was startled by her anger and remained in silence. He then and ran off with Zero.

The water in the area rose up in the form of the pillar with a blue female Reploid standing on it. In her hands was a long spear which was pointed at the pink Hedgehog.

"Hello," Leviathan calmy said. "It's good to see you again one last time."

I like cliff hangers and this has got to be one of the best I've made so far. The next chapter will be in soon so stay tuned.