Chapter 8:
"Prepare to be humiliated and defeated Eggman," Sonic shouted.
"I may not have expected Shadow to escape, but both of you are still no match for me," Eggman replied.
"Sure you are," Sonic replied with a smirk.
"Sonic," Purity said. "Even with Shadow, there is only a small chance that you'll beat him in time to save you friends. You should accept my help."
A slim chance is all I need. Sonic countered before turning to Shadow. "You ready Shadow?"
"More than you'll ever be," Shadow replied.
"Than let's go!" Sonic said.
"Prepare to die you meddlesome hedgehogs!" Eggman shouted back.
Eggman launched several missiles at the two, but they easily dodged. Sonic jumped from missile to missile into the air. When he was high enough, he launched a homing attack, but Eggman just batted him away. Sonic slammed into the wall hard. Shadow then appeared behind Eggman and realized several Chaos Spears, but they didn't even leave a scratch. Eggman swung around and punched Shadow, sending him high into the air.
Sonic pried himself from the wall and did a spin dash, but it just bounced off the robot. Shadow began to fall and used his momentum to also spin dash the robot, but there was no effect either. Shadow landed next to Sonic.
"This isn't getting us any where," Shadow growled.
"I can't tell what the weak spot is either," Sonic agreed.
"I told you this is my ultimate weapon," Eggman gloated. "And you are beginning to run out of time."
Sonic glanced at the monitors and felt his heart miss a beat. The cells were rapidly filling with water and their captives still hadn't woken up. It wouldn't be long before they drowned.
Running out of time! Sonic thought desperately. I need to end this fast, but I only have one emerald. Maybe…
Sonic pulled out his emerald.
"Are you giving up?" Eggman asked with glee. "Because I will be glad to accept your surrender."
Shadow just stared at Sonic, wondering what he was up to.
Sonic ignored the world around him and looked deeply into the emerald.
"That's right," Purity whispered. "The emeralds are all connected to each other and to you. Call to them Sonic…"
Slowly, as if in a trance, Sonic lifted the emerald, which began to glow brightly.
"I don't know what you're doing, but…. huh?" Eggman said as his monitor began to beep. "How is this possible?"
The other six emeralds left the machine and began circling around Sonic and lifted him into the air. Shadow just stood shocked.
"HOW DID YOU DO THAT?" Eggman demanded. "YOU NEVER HAD THAT KIND OF POWER BEFORE!"
Sonic was oblivious to Eggman's ranting as the emeralds spun faster.
"It is time Sonic," Purity said with a smile. "Time for the joining…"
As the emerald energy began to pour into Sonic, he suddenly snapped out his trance.
"NO!" Sonic shouted, trying to stop the process. I will not be used!
"Sonic stop struggling!" Purity begged. "It is meant to be!"
NO! Sonic insisted. I will not listen to you.
Yes… Another voice, or possibly voices, said.
"Oh no," Purity said. "Please Sonic! I only want to help you!"
But you took me form my parents. Sonic said. You manipulated my life. How can I trust you?
We understand you…
"NNOO!" Purity shouted as she was pushed away from Sonic completely.
We have been with you. We know you. We will give you power.
I don't want it… Sonic protested weakly.
You may reject us, be we want you. You have been chosen… And we will not be denied!
With a blinding flash of light, the emeralds entered Sonic, turning him into Super Sonic. Sonic than began attacking the machine, easily tearing through the metal.
Shadow wondered at what happened, but ignored it for now. Since Sonic was taking care of the robot, he would rescue the others. Shadow ran to the first cell and opened the doors. The water rushed out and Shadow grabbed the unconscious Amy. Shadow then when to Tails' cell and finally to Knuckles'. Just as the water drained away for the last time, Knuckles and the two others began to stir.
"What happened?" Tails asked, staggering a little as he rose.
"Where's Sonic?" Amy said.
"When I get my hands on Eggman…" Knuckles growled.
"You better hurry if you want a piece of Eggman," Shadow said. "Last I looked, Sonic was turning his latest machine into scrape metal."
"Then why are we waiting here?" Knuckles asked. "Let's go."
"Right," agreed Tails as they all headed back to the arena.
"I can't wait to see Sonic again." Amy said with glee.
They rushed through the door but came to a stop when they took in the scene in front of them. Super Sonic was standing on what was left of the robot with a battered and begging Eggman at the foot of the pile.
"I'm sorry." Eggman said. "I won't do it again. I promise."
"What makes you think I care what you say?" Super Sonic asked maliciously.
"Sonic!" Amy gasped at his tone.
Super Sonic glanced at her and the others, causing them too give a shudder. Sonic's spines where jagged and his normal ruby eyes were just swirls of red. When he grinned, they could see his teeth were now sharp and pointed.
"You're just in time to see me finish off Eggman for good." Super Sonic said, turning back to Eggman and raising his hand.
"No Sonic!" Amy shouted.
"This isn't like you!" Tails shouted.
Super Sonic hesitated and lowered his hand. He staggered back a little and glanced at his friends again, his expression one of fear instead of malice.
"I've got to get out of here!" Super Sonic said suddenly and took off through the roof, leaving the others stunned behind him.
"Can some one explain to me what just happened?" Knuckles asked after a few minutes.
"When we were battling Eggman," Shadow began. "Sonic began giving off his own chaos energy and was able to call all the emeralds to him. He began absorbing their energy, but then he started shouting. I don't know what was wrong, but he still turned Super so I thought everything was fine."
"Then what happened?" Tails wondered.
"I can explain," came a voice from behind them. They jumped and whirled around to see a white and silver hedgehog.
"Who are you?" Knuckles asked.
"And what do you know about Sonic?" Amy added, holding her hammer.
"My name is Purity," she replied.