Chapter 2 – A Hero's Sacrifice

Metal Sonic was dumbstruck at what he was just seeing. Feeling a mixed state of shock, amusement and somewhat some fear, the robot stared speechlessly at Tails who glared at him silently.

Shadow could hardly believe his eyes. "Can somebody tell me what the hell is going on?" he asked in disbelief. "Is it just me or has Tails grown much more powerful?"

"He really did it," replied Silver. "Tails has ascended to a Super stage that exceeds what we have achieved so far. The combined power harnessed by the Chaos Emeralds and his driven desperation enabled him to tap on his energy to astonishing heights."

"Just as I thought," said Sonic as he looked on feeling very pleased.

"How can you be not surprised by this?" asked Shadow. "This is Tails we're talking about! He doesn't have the drive to fight like us! He's so shy, timid and geeky!"

"You don't know Tails like I do," said Sonic. "I've known him for a long time than any of you guys, and yes, he may not be the fighter type, but within him I sense spirit, determination, and willingness to stand for all that is good and true, and he demonstrated that back when he and I had our adventure in West Side Island stopping Dr Eggman from taking over the world with the first Death Egg he constructed. Of course, we had other adventures foiling his evil plans prior, but it was that time when he proven his worth, and acknowledging his hidden courage ever since, I accepted him as my closest friend and took him in as my honorary little brother."

"That's a touching story, Sonic," smiled Draco as he wiped a small tear from his eye. "The bond you and him shared him is something that not even the friendship he and I share could ever match. Besides, I was in that situation too in a couple of instances, but the most notable was during the battle the team and I had against the Dark Queen last year. I'm not the combative type myself and I'm also on the shy side too, but at the critical moment, my brooch responded, helped me achieved my Mega form, and since then, I grew stronger with everyone else."

"Yes, you did," said Cynder. "Anyway, we better quiet down and see how Tails will fare against Metal Sonic."

"Do you think he'll be able to defeat him?" asked Lily.

"I'm not sure," replied Percival. "Metal Sonic is still nearly invincible in that transformed state, while Tails is yet to fully master that form he just advanced to. He may be able to dish out more damage, but that doesn't mean he can defeat him completely, though we'll have to wait and see."

"Dunno about ya guys, but I never thought of this," said Jakkin. "It seems like Tails will have this one in the bag in as his power is through the roof!"

"You think so?" asked Torden doubtfully. "I never thought a fox could be just as strong if not surpass that of a dragon."

"Tails is different," said Draco. "He fought Eggman countless of times, and he even saved Cocoa Island from the Battle Kukku Empire."

"Yep, and that's before he and I first met," said Sonic. "Now, I know a lot of you dragons are wondering what kind of form Tails has advanced to. As you may already know, Shadow, Silver and I are currently in Super form, and so was Tails prior to the sudden change. However, he has achieved what is known as the Ascended Super stage."

"The Ascended Super stage?" asked the dragons.

"That's right," nodded Sonic. "He's the first one in our group to assume it. From what I recall, according the legend of the Chaos Emeralds, to achieve the Ascended Super form, one has to master the base Super form and go through either one of the following four methods. The first method is to experience an emotional upheaval, and by that, I mean emotions that are very, very great. The second method is through intensive, while the third is to feel out a tingly feeling in the back. Finally, we have the fourth method, which is what Tails had gone through aside from the first, and that is through the instinct of a desperate need."

"Sounds very agonising," remarked Draco.

"Hopefully, Tails will still be in balance in this new form," said Charonus. "It could spell plenty of trouble if he doesn't manage it skilfully."

"Well, I think he would, if he…" but then, when Sonic realised that Tails was not as fully experienced with the Super form as he, Shadow, and Silver, his mood turned sullen. "Oh, crap…" he said.

After staring at one another without saying a single word, Metal Sonic broke the silence. "So, the sleeper has awakened," he said with a chuckle. "About time I would see you feeling really ready to fight!"

"Don't talk," said Tails in an eerily deep and calm tone. "You were the one who pushed me to the extreme."

"Well, then, if you're so tough now, why don't you show me what you're made of?" asked Metal Sonic. "Or maybe I could help you release your fury through your friends."

"I won't let you do that," hissed Tails. "This is it. You have gone too far this time, and I'm going to make sure that you will regret all your wicked deeds."

"Give it a try," said Metal Sonic in a mocking tone.

Tails zoomed in towards Metal Sonic and delivered the first blow. It was a punch so strong that Metal Sonic was sent backwards across the battlefield in an alarming speed. The team were left speechless.

"I'm warning you," said Tails. "Don't push me."

Metal Sonic recovered and already he was starting to feel horrified. "There's no way you can be able to deliver such a powerful punch!" he exclaimed in a daze.

"You know, it's really funny," said Tails. "Sonic has told me about this power, and I can't help unleash it to the full extent upon you. I just lost control of myself, but I am taking a shining to what I'm capable of doing."

"No, you can't be serious," said Metal Sonic. "I am the one and only Sonic, the real Sonic! No one can defeat me, not you, not the ultimate lifeform, and not even my inferior copy!"

"Soon you will learn the truth that you can be beaten, like always," said Tails. "And you won't threaten any more innocent lives ever again."

With another charge, Tails kicked Metal Sonic in the stomach and then delivered an upper kick sending the robot high up into the sky. As Metal Sonic fell, he prepared to make his recovery to avoid crashing on the ground when Tails grabbed him by the tail. Then he pulled him forward, swung him round and round and slammed him back first on the ground.

"Wow, that's incredible!" said Silver. "Tails is wailing on Metal Sonic big time!"

"Maybe I shouldn't be so worried after all," said Sonic as he became a bit more optimistic about the situation. "Even though he is yet to fully achieve balance and control with the Ascended Super form, he might be able to pull it off after all."

"I guess that the battle is probably won, am I right?" asked Draco.

"Don't be so sure about that, Draco," said Cynder. "Metal Sonic is still virtually unstoppable in that monstrous form. Perhaps when he's weakened enough, we could be able to step forward and resume the fight."

"I was thinking the same thing," said Sonic. "At the moment, we better let Tails let out all of his rage on Metal Sonic until he cools down."

Tails continued to give Metal Sonic a beatdown. After punching him several times in the stomach, he jumped up and stomped on the robot's nose forcefully. Metal Sonic got up once more, and he became even more fearful as the fox walked slowly towards him.

"No, don't come any closer, you barbarian!" he pleaded. "I beg you, stay away from me!"

"You were the one who started this game," said Tails. "Why are you afraid to finish it if you're so bent on taking over the world?"

"I'll make you pay the price for messing with me!" hissed Metal Sonic. "Remember that I have your friends' abilities copied and I'll use them on you if that's what it takes!"

Metal Sonic unleashed a barrage of Plasma Bursts, Fire Blasts and even his own energy attacks on Tails who stood still. Brazenly, he attacked in rapid frequency with all of his moves exploding all around, but when the smoke cleared, it revealed that none of the attacks have left a scratch. Tails was not damaged in the slightest and as he continued to glare at Metal Sonic, the robot started to panic.

"Nice try," said Tails. "But you'll have to do better than that."

"I will not lose," said Metal Sonic desperately. "I cannot lose! Not to the likes of you!"

With that, Metal Sonic charged towards Tails in an attempt to strike him with his claws, but the fox quickly grabbed his arm and squeezed it. Metal Sonic howled in pain and pushed away from Tails, seething with anger at getting bested.

"Metal Sonic, I have had enough," said Tails. "The game's over!"

Tails prepared to charge up an energy blast, but Metal Sonic also proceeded to deliver a powerful Flamethrower attack. When the two released them, both attacks collided with one another. Back and forth they went while Tails and Metal Sonic struggled to charge up more in the hopes of overcoming each other. The attacks built up near to the point of engulfing the two super powers, much to the worry of Sonic and his team.

"Uh oh," they said. "Their attacks are going to explode! Everyone take cover!"

The team ducked down as Tails and Metal Sonic's attacks nearly took up the battlefield and engulfed them both, leading to a blinding flash followed by a powerful explosion that rocked the throne room.

"Whoa, that was massive!" gasped Torden as he held tight while the wind blew fiercely.

"This is way more intense than the attack we unleashed during the battle with Ash!" exclaimed Draco. "I sure hope Tails will be alright!"

"Both attacks are very powerful!" shouted Cynder. "I don't know if Tails or Metal Sonic will be able to survive that!"

"We shall find out when the explosion dissipates!" replied Sonic.

After a few minutes, the blinding flash subsided, leaving a vast cloud of smoke, which eventually cleared up. Fortunately, the team could see Tails still hovering in the air much to their relief, but they wondered where Metal Sonic had disappeared.

"Guys, look at that!" exclaimed Silver.

The team looked up and finally, they found Metal Sonic, also hovering in the air, but he was in a broken state as several parts of his body short circuited. Even so, the evil robot was not completely out. Tails grinned, seeing that Metal Sonic was still beatable in his ultimate form.

"Curse you, fox boy!" growled Metal Sonic. "Look what you have done!"

"It looks like you're not the invincible robot you make yourself out to be," said Tails. "Now you will suffer as I continue to break you down even more!"

"Hurry up, Tails!" called Sonic. "This is your chance! Deliver the killing blow as fast as you can!"

"Not yet," replied Tails. "I'm not finished."

Sonic and Shadow were taken back, including the rest of the team. They have never imagined that Tails, a sweet-natured and shy fox, would want to continue on fighting Metal Sonic, let alone tear him down without mercy. It was very clear that in his Ascended Super form, Tails could not be reasoned with, and they could tell that it meant trouble.

"Look, I understand that you're angry," said Sonic nervously. "But you must know that this isn't the time for…"

"For what?" Tails interrupted. "To sit around and let him free so he can take over the world? Just shut up and let me handle this on my own."

Draco and Sonic could hardly believe their ears. To them, Tails had completely lost it.

"Goddamn, he's so cool," gasped Torden.

"Alright, where were we?" wondered Tails as he returned his focus on Metal Sonic. "Oh yes! I was going to disassemble your limbs, of course!"

"You wouldn't dare!" shrieked Metal Sonic. "I am absolute completion, and there's no way you're going to take it away from me!"

Metal Sonic screamed with fury and in an instant, he started to glow. Electrical circuits sparked violently as he glowed even brighter.

"What's next? You're powering up to a Super form?" asked Tails.

"Hahaha, no Tails," laughed Metal Sonic. "I just had another idea. If I can't beat you, then I might as well obliterate you! You and your wretched friends are history! Within a minute or less, I'm going to self-destruct, and take you and the rest of your team with me! Don't think you can strike me now! You might as well give it all up, for I will burst with just one attack! Let's just call it a draw, shall we?"

Tails stood frozen in shock and realised what he just done while Metal Sonic laughed maniacally. He allowed Metal Sonic to initiate his self-destruct, and he had doomed his friends and himself. Feeling a sense of guilt and defeat, he fell to his knees and pounded the ground helplessly.

Sonic looked on grimly, and feeling responsible for everything that led up to the battle, he turned to his friends. "This is it," he spoke. "It is time for me to go…"

"Say what?" Cynder asked while the others stared at Sonic in shock. "Go where, Sonic?"

"Take it easy, everyone," said Sonic as he waved his hand.

"Come back, Sonic!" cried Draco, but Sonic flew off towards the fight.

Tails looked up when he saw Sonic standing between him and Metal Sonic. "Sonic, what are you doing here?" he asked.

"Tails, I just want to say that I'm sorry," said Sonic. "I thought fighting would be something you would enjoy as it is what I enjoy. All the years we spent together foiling Eggman, it has been the best time of my life. Please, when you return to Earth, take care of Amy for me."

"Wait, Sonic," said Tails when he realised the meaning behind Sonic's words. "You're not…?"

"I'm so proud of you, Tails," smiled Sonic. "Goodbye, my friend."

And with that, Sonic grabbed Metal Sonic and dove down into the near abyss below. Tails could only watch with horror as the two disappeared in the darkness.

"SONIC!" he wailed. "NO!"

Author's Note: Oh no, Sonic gave up his life in an attempt to save the world and his friends. A really sad chapter indeed. Could this mean that Metal Sonic is gone too? We're almost near the halfway point of the story, so we should find out by then...