Sonic and Shahra had just scaled the northern mountains, heading south toward the Sand Oasis once more in search of a permanent solution to the potential threat of an imprisoned djinn.

Slowing to a walking pace, the aerokinetic struck up a conversation with his magic-wielding friend as he reached their destination.

"Hey, Shahra?"

"Hm?"

"I know this is kind of a touchy subject, but I was curious… how did you and Erazor become… y'know… an 'item'?"

"It's a long story…" she explained. "You see, years before I called you into our world, Erazor appeared and performed many misdeeds after King Solomon sealed the evil spirits away. He was sealed away in a lamp and would not be released until one thousand people's wishes were granted, including Aladdin's. That's where I come in. Erazor and I met after Aladdin found me while trapped in a cave. I transported him home along with Erazor's lamp. Aladdin took the lamp home to his mother and Erazor appeared as she was cleaning it. That's how we met. Years later, after Erazor's sentence had been served, we reunited for a short time…"

Shahra's face turned to sadness as she recollected more events. "…But something seemed different about him. He had changed, consumed by his own rage and hatred for people… I tried to take his mind off of everything, but he brushed me off. His thoughts kept growing darker and darker as he continued to plot revenge. A year after his release he went on a rampage and started to carve up the words of this world while urging me to collect the seven World Rings for him. I refused and in his anger he set off toward the Skeleton Dome. I assume it was then that he resurrected the Forty Thieves and sent them to attack King Solomon, literally breaking him into pieces…"

Reaching a crossroads, the two stopped. Shahra pointed east, signaling their direction of travel.

"It was then that I learned of the 'legendary blue hedgehog' that would come to save our world from Erazor's malice. So, I sought you out and pleaded with you to save these lands."

Running again, Sonic sighed with disappointment. "Shahra, Erazor's power was his greatest asset, but it was also his greatest downfall. He could have used his gifting to make things better for others in this world, but instead, he used it to bring terror to many and to destroy. In my world, there's an old saying: 'ultimate power ultimately corrupts'. There's another saying… The French Philosopher Voltaire once said that 'with great power, there must also come great responsibility'. What that means is if you have giftings or skills and can do them better than anyone else, you have a moral and ethical obligation to use them for the good of other people. It's your responsibility. And when you ignore that responsibility, things go wrong for you and/or others around you."

Sonic's eyes fell as he neared the Dinosaur Jungle's entrance. "I learned that lesson the hard way…"

Shahra looked at her master with concern. "What do you mean?"

"My parents… died when I was ten. Murdered by the sniper I told you about named 'Fang'… I discovered my ability to move faster than sound when I was seven. I only used it on myself and to make my own life better. I kept that secret from my parents for three years until they finally caught me running along a road. We got into an argument after they found me that night… My dad tried to tell me about the responsibilities placed on me because of my new skillset, but I was young, stubborn, and pigheaded and didn't understand. I was upset and hurt as the three of us walked home… I sensed danger as we moved through a dark alley, but, I ignored it due to my anger… Fang shot both of my parents in the back of the heads and aimed for me. I ran away before he could pull the trigger."

A single tear flowed from Sonic's eye. "When I came back a few minutes later, both of them were gone. Their bodies had been taken. The only thing that remained was a pool and trail of blood on the ground. Consumed by anger and grief, I tracked down the killer and beat him senseless, tying him up and leaving him dangling over the edge of a tall building. I would have killed him, but I remembered the last thing my dad told me and let him live. Since then, I have devoted my life to helping others and making sure no one ever has to go through what I did as a young kid. That's one of the reasons why I'm such a joker: to hide my own pain when it does resurface."

Shahra's own tears began to flow as she listened. "Sonic… I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's not your fault. Some years later, when I was thirteen, Dr. Robotnik appeared and began terrorizing my homeland. After beating him for the first time, I found Tails, being mocked and bullied. Remembering what had happened to my parents, I came to his aid, and since then, we have become fast friends. We met Knuckles the following year after kicking Eggman's flabby butt a third time. He originally was tricked by ol' Ro-butt-nik to think we were the enemy, but he found out the true plot the hard way and joined us on our quest to beat him once more. After that time, we've all had several adventures together, such as beating a water monster known as Chaos, defeating an early prototype of Shadow the Hedgehog called the Biolizard, and even smashing a robotic clone of me who had upgraded itself to beat us."

"Wow. You have been through a lot, huh?"

"I guess you could say that…"

Sonic and Shahra had just reached the front gates of the Evil Foundry, as per Shahra's direction.

Sonic glanced at his friend as they ran inside. "Why are we here? I thought the Ifrit was toast."

"It is," Shahra replied. "This is where we're going to take care of Erazor."

"Oh, yeah. No one's going to go snooping around in a fortress of fire unless they want to get the pants burned off of them."

Shahra chuckled. "No, they won't, but hiding the lamp isn't exactly what I had in mind."

"Wha'd'ya mean?"

"In the stories, the lamp of a genie is his 'lifeblood' in a manner of speaking. Destroy it, and the genie will cease to exist."

The speedster was shocked. She wants to take it THAT far?! Whoa… He paused. "So, we head into the center furnace?"

"Right."

The blue blur picked up the pace as he reached the main corridor. He still hated the idea of running over a river of molten lava, even if a metal grid was used to support his weight. Exiting the hallway, he found the path leading to the heart of the foundry. Reaching the furnace, Sonic walked inside, finding himself standing on the same circular balcony he had fought the Ifrit on. The flooring was still scorched from the flame blasts.

Sonic walked to the edge of the balcony, looking down.

The lake of fire undulated and swirled beneath him, agitated by oxygen and a fresh flow of magma bubbling up from underground.

Sonic glanced at the lamp in his left hand.

He could have sworn he faintly heard Erazor yelling and cursing at him.

He looked back up at Shahra, sympathetically. "So, are you okay with all of this…? Are you sure this is what you want?"

The benign genie paused. "…Yes. I realize now that Erazor's love for me was fake… All he wanted was to use me for his own ends and wishes. It's better for everyone if he is gone for good…"

The blue blur nodded. A cold, stern look appeared on his face as he extended his left arm, holding the lamp over the lake of flames. After a few seconds, he bowed his head, a slight sensation of guilt coming over him. He did not like the idea of taking someone's life or essence, but nevertheless, this was something that needed to be done.

Sonic finally spoke as he opened his eyes and raised his head. "Erazor Djinn… You will no longer bring harm to anyone or misuse your power ever again…"

That said, the speedster opened his fingers and let the lamp drop.

A cyclone of fire shot up as the lamp hit the magma.

Erazor's screams of agony could be heard as the fires of the foundry destroyed his prison. The evil djinn let out one final cry before his essence was completely obliterated. "I hate that hedgehog!"

Sonic rolled his eyes, snickering on the inside. "Yeesh. Did you and Ro-butt-nik have a bridge club together or something?" The speedster let out a long sigh of relief. It's done. It's finally over…

Glancing up, he noticed a small smile on Shahra's face. She was finally at peace knowing her world would be forever safe. A smile came on his own face as she floated down beside him, letting her own two feet rest on the ground again.

Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her close as she leaned into him, returning the one-armed embrace. Turning around, the two began to exit the furnace and return back to the Sand Oasis.

"Come on, Shahra. Let's go home…" His expression perked up. "On second thought… I think I'm going to stay here for a little while… I think I've earned a little vacation."

Shahra's face brightened, overjoyed to hear him say those words.

That said, the duo of wind and magic bolted out of the Evil Foundry and across the Dinosaur Jungle, starting another adventure yet again.