Three days later…

Sonic and Shahra returned to the Sand Oasis, having finished their sightseeing and quests together. As friends, they had become closer and thinking of him leaving brought sadness to Shahra's mind. Sonic had also been thinking about Shahra and what would happen to her after he left, remembering what she said about being alone. Reaching a set of ruins, Sonic stopped at the entrance. Turning around, he noticed a few tears forming in the genie's eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

She wiped the water from her eyes. "I don't want you to go away, Sonic…"

"I know, Shahra. But, I have a world back home that is still under attack. And it needs my help. But, I have been thinking about what you said, and you know what? You won't ever have to worry about lack of interaction ever again. You will be able to see Ali Baba, Sinbad, and even the kings Solomon and Shahryar whenever you wish."

The genie was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Sonic rubbed the ring on his finger one final time, raising his hand into the air. "Shahra… You're free!"

Shahra's face bore shock as trails of light flew from out of the ring, swirling around her. Seconds later, the golden anticlastic bracelets on her upper arms split in half, falling off. Tears formed as the shackles fell off. She was no longer chained to her ring. A whirlpool of emotions spiraled around inside her as the words intermittently escaped her mouth. "I… I-I'm… I'm free…"

"I did some thinking Shahra. I wanted you to be as free as the wind and as free as me, to not have need for a master. So, this became my final wish. Your powers are still the same, but you will no longer become bound to a contract with anyone else ever again."

A smile reached each ear as it finally hit her. She had been released. With tears of joy streaming down her face, she tackled Sonic, laughing and hugging him tightly.

The speedster's smile was as big as hers as he returned the embrace.

She looked him in the eyes, overjoyed as her laughter simmered down. "Thank you." Without warning, she leaned over and kissed him.

Surprise formed on Sonic's face as she pulled away. "Now what was that for?!"

"What? That was just me saying thank you for everything."

Sonic rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed. Now his cheeks were turning red. "You're welcome…" The teenager inhaled deeply and regained his composure. "So… how do I get home?"

"Hold out your right hand."

The blue blur did as instructed.

Shahra cast some kind of spell over the ring on his finger. It glowed a bright blue this time as light pulsed from Sonic's chest. The band still illuminated, Sonic's blue aura surrounded him once more.

"I made the ring on your finger an extra source of power for you," the genie explained. "With it, you now have full control over the element of wind. The ring will glow that same color whenever you use your aerokinetic abilities."

The aura faded away and Sonic grinned as he felt his new-found power channeling through his body. "Thank you."

"Now, rub the ring."

The band glowed white as Sonic did so. Seven different colored diamond-cut jewels materialized from the illuminated ring, pulsing light, and moving in a circle above his head.

Sonic was shocked. "The Chaos Emeralds?! How did you—?"

"Whenever you wish to keep those gems close by, speak or think a command or rub the ring and they will be stored into it. If you wish to summon or use one or more, do the same thing and they will appear."

Sonic stammered. "I-I don't know what to say…"

"You don't have to say anything…"

Sonic took a few steps back, extending his ringed hand toward the sky. The seven Chaos Emeralds quickly moved in a circle around him as he clenched his fists, floating up. The movement accelerated and the seven gems fused into Sonic's body.

In a flash of light, the blue streak underwent another transformation. The royal blue sections of his clothes along with his black hair turned a golden color. His "quills" slanted upward, as if caught in an anti-gravity field. His eyes went from brown to red and a fire-like golden aura surrounded him, enabling him to fly. The ring on his finger constantly glowed a golden color.

Super Sonic floated a foot off the ground, freshly powered from the gemstones controlling time and space.

Shahra floated toward the teenager and hugged him tightly. She was going to miss him terribly and did not want to see him leave. At the same time, they both knew that it needed to be done. A minute later, they released each other.

"Goodbye, Sonic. You will be greatly missed."

The super-powered speedster placed a hand on her shoulder. "Likewise, Shahra. Take care of yourself."

Caught up in the moment, Shahra leaned in, kissing him once more.

Even though Sonic had no amorous feelings for Shahra, this was the last time he'd see her for a very long time. That in mind, he pulled her closer for the remainder of the kiss.

The genie's lips released his as he floated towards the entrance of the ruins.

Stopping just before going inside, Super Sonic turned around. His trademark smirk formed again as he extended his little finger out once more.

Shahra did the same, remembering their promise with a smile.

Sonic looked at his companion and friend one last time, waving to her. Goodbye, Shahra… Goodbye…

Shahra waved back as she watched him jettison through the entrance in a flash of golden light.

Super Sonic could hear Shahra's voice echoing through the Lost Prologue, narrating the rest of his story as he continued flying home. And so, the legendary blue hedgehog, having saved the world of the Arabian Nights, ran endlessly, until he found his way back into his own world. Along the way, he had many adventures… but those are stories for another time… Thank you… Sonic the Hedgehog. The Legendary Hedgehog.

In a flash of light, Super Sonic appeared back in his own house, hovering next to his couch. The illuminated band changed from golden to white as the Chaos Emeralds were stored into the ring, causing Sonic to revert back to normal. He looked down at his coffee table as his feet touched the floor. The Arabian Nights was open, exposing the first page and title of the story "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp". As he watched, the title text changed, engulfed in magic.

The speedster read the new title. "Sonic and the Secret Rings."

The world of the Arabian Nights had acknowledged the blue blur's participation in their stories and saving them and he had a pretty good idea who was behind all of it.

"Shahra…" Sonic smiled and closed his eyes. Thank you… Take care of yourself.

The aerokinetic slowly closed the changed story book and placed it gently on his bookshelf.

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled as he stared out his front window. "Well… I'm back…"

The front door burst open as a kid with a propeller on his back came rushing in. "Sonic!"

I recognize that voice! The speedster turned around, smiling. "Hey, Ali Ba—whoops!" He slapped his forehead. Did it again, didn't I?

Miles Prower's face bore confusion. He raised an eyebrow, tilting his head to one side. "Huh?"

"Nothing, Tails."

The boy noticed the band on Sonic's finger. "Whoa! Cool ring! Where'd you get it?"

"Long story, bud. I'll explain later. So, what's cooking?"

"Eggman just unleashed a bunch of robots into Station Square again! He's planning something!"

Sonic rolled his eyes, chuckling. "The Eggman-Land project again, huh? He never gives up, does he?"

Tails sighed. "I guess not…"

I just get back from saving the world again and he has the nerve to start his schemes. The guy's all class… The blue blur walked outside and cracked his knuckles as he began stretching. "So, Tails, ready to kick some Ro-butt-nik some more?"

The kid laughed, following and closing the door behind him. "Count me in!"

Crouching in a running position, the ring on the speedster's finger glowed blue as his aura surrounded him. A confident smirk on his face, Sonic blasted away for Station Square faster than the speed of sound with Tails on his heels.

"All right! Let's do it!"