SONIC HEROES: THE SERIES
Part 4 of 5 of the Zeenint Saga
Kadaj © Square Enix
Chapter Ninety-Eight: Master of the Emeralds, Part 4
The scene returns to the floating sanctuary of Angel Island, where one of greatest battles in history was taking place. Zeenint, having regained his original form, looked away from Metal and Rouge and faced his newest target. Using his powers of persuasion, Sonic convinced the God of Darkness to fight his former master and perform the Fusion Dance. The combination of two Mega Forms created a warrior that existed on a whole different level.
"Alpha Sonzo, huh?" Zeenint smirked. "I must say, I'm not very impressed."
"Feeling a little bit confident, are we?" Sonzo chuckled playfully. "I wouldn't get too comfortable if I were you."
"You threat is empty as the former Parasiden." Zeenint said arrogantly. You may try to fool yourselves with dreams of power and flashy light shows, but the result will always be the same. In the end, a rat is still a rat." The emerald Sovereign turned back to Metal and Rouge, holding out his palm. "Now if you excuse me, I must get back to wo – AUGH!!"
Before they could blink, before they could even breathe, Sonzo zipped across the field and slammed his fist into the human's chest. The unexpected assault not only knocked Zeenint into the ground, but through the island and into the ocean, forming a geyser of water in his wake. Rouge gapped as the mixed hedgehog landed majestically – his quills blowing with wind – but Metal felt resentment toward him.
"You two all right?" Shadic asked.
"I was just fine without your help." Metal growled as he looked away.
"Just ignore him." Rouge said dully. "Anyway, that was amazing what you did. I'll bet Zeenint's wishing he never met you."
"I wouldn't be too sure." Sonzo said seriously. "When I touched him, I could feel his Chaos coursing through his veins. I've never seen so much energy in one place before. Not even the nine Bijuu together could compare to him. I already know one thing, I'm gonna have to go all out if I want to survive."
"But can you do it?" A flash of light exploded in the air, revealing the emerald master. Zeenint was soaking wet with the smell of sea salt and a bruise formed above his black scar. "Do you honestly think you can defeat someone who could threaten the Highest One?"
"Well, we won't know unless we try." Sonzo shrugged. He hovered into the air until he was level with the human. "Besides, this getting exciting. There is no way I'm gonna pass this."
"Your confidence will be the end of you." Zeenint sneered.
"Look who's talking." Sonzo chuckled. "At least I didn't get my tail handed to me by a mutated rodent using a little butter knife."
"You irritable little pest!" Zeenint snarled. "I am going to send you to hell!"
"Bring it!" Sonzo challenged.
The two godly warriors stared down at once another with the world waiting for them with baited breathe. Though it originally seemed like nothing was happening, Metal's sensors allowed him to see that they were actually gathering energy from their surroundings. And then they were off. Zeenint and Alpha Sonzo shot rocketed at one another and, just as they were about to collide, both warriors vanished. Rouge snapped her head left and right across the grounds, trying to spot them.
"Where are they?" Rouge asked quickly. "Did they use Chaos Control or something?"
"No, they're still here." Metal stated; his eyes followed an unseen force. "They are just moving at a rate that is too fast for a simple organic such as yourself to follow. Fortunately, my technology is not so limited."
"So, who's winning?" Rouge questioned.
"At this rate, it's impossible to tell." Metal replied.
Meanwhile, Metal's eyes continued to follow the battle with Zeenint and Sonzo defying all logic. The human Sovereign and the Alpha hedgehog were moving much faster than anyone would expect – time seemed to slow down around them. Alpha Sonzo thrusted his foot forward, but Zeenint capture the hedgehog's leg under his arm, preventing him from moving. With his target capture, Zeenint swung his arm around to the hedgehog's neck. The mixed hedgehog was forced to react on instincts and curled his spine backwards to dodge the fist by half an inch. After the danger had passed, Sonzo twisted his leg around and slammed his heel into the Sovereign's cheek, forcing him to release. But green-haired human wasn't about to let that go. Gathering a large supply of green Chaos energy, the emerald master held out his palm.
"Chaos Bombardment!" Zeenint yelled.
The Sovereign released series of emerald-colored energy arrows similar to Shadow's signature Chaos Spear. With the power he held, Alpha Sonzo easily swiped them aside. But the moment he touched them, the energy exploded instantaneously, creating a chain reaction. Time resumed to its normal pace as Sonzo crashed into the ground, forming a large indent in the dirt. Burning marks covered a majority of the hedgehog's body, which was thankfully healed due to Nazo's regenerative powers.
"Ow...that hurt." Sonzo groaned.
"You imbecile!" Nazo yelled from within their mind. "You share my memory! You should know that Chaos Bombardment is a reactive technique that implodes when coming in contact with non-energy substances!"
"Wh says I'm the one in control!" Sonic snapped. "Sonzo is made from both of us!"
"This creature mostly uses my body and abilities." Nazo explained. "But it is control by your mind and heart, meaning you're the one in command.
"Oh..." Sonic replied.
While the mixed hedgehog was distracted by the two voices bickering in his head, Zeenint landed above him. His feet crushed the ground on either side of the hedgehog and his hand wrapped around Sonzo's throat.
"Why do villains always go for the throat?" Sonzo choked. "Can't you come up with something more original?"
"I suppose I can't pass up the chance to watch a rat die slowly." Zeenint said menacingly. "I just love killing disgusting animals whenever possible. That's why I took great pleasure in killing off Parasiden."
"Nazo's power's a mine, right?" Sonzo grunted. "Then that means I should be able to do this! Chaos Blade!"
An aura of red energy surrounded Sonzo's hand as he swiped across Zeenint's chest. The emerald master hissed agonizingly as her blade of energy cut through his black scar, increasing the pain by tenfold. After forcing himself out of the master's grip, Sonzo pushed himself up by his hands and slammed his foot into Zeenint's face. Metal and Rouge jumped to opposite sides while the Sovereign tumbled backwards and plowed through a nearby boulder. The two temporary allies watched amazingly as a red blur passed them, leading up to Sonzo holding the former master by his coat.
"Look's like you're having a bad day." Sonzo commented jokingly. "Ready to give up?"
"Not just yet." Zeenint sneered. Without warning, her grabbed Sonzo's quills roughly. "This is only the beginning. Chaos Control!"
And just as expected, both warriors vanished in a flash of green light.
"Any idea where they went now?" Rouge asked.
"Stop asking me questions, you stupid organic." Metal glared, earning another fist over his head. "Damn it!"
The scene alternates to the small remainder of Emerald Town on the far side of the country. After Zeenint's earlier attack on the town, all that was left was a twenty foot crater and a few pieces of rubble. The people that were left alive by the former master were forced to camp outside the debris with the assistance of some old friends. Rogue, Siren, and Phantom of the Bat Colony were helping Amy and Kumori as they directed the people to their places. Just then, Kadaj arrived on his cycle with a create tied to the back of the seat.
"Look's who's finally back with the supplies." Kumori said impatiently.
"Be grateful I'm even helping you in the first place." Kadaj sneered, cutting the crate ropes with Souba, his sword. "The only reason I'm taking my time to assist you is because Shadow asked me to."
"That, and you like being a good guy." Amy teased; Kadaj glared. "Now take that to service tent two and three."
"Noisy little rat telling me what to do...." Kadaj muttered incoherently as he carried the crate off.
"Now that only leaves...." Siren began until her ears started to twitch. "Hey, what's that?"
The gathered heroes stared questionably until a sudden explosion erupted a few feet away from them. Amy and the others shielded their eyes as the smoke cloud overshadowed them – Phantom dodged a flying wheel. When the smoke screen passed, the group discovered Sonzo lying on the shattered remains of Kadaj's bike with Zeenint holding the hedgehog by his long quills.
"Is that...?" Amy questioned.
"I thought you were the smart one, Nazo." Zeenint said menacingly. "Long hair isn't a very good compliment for a battle."
"Not like I had a choice." Sonzo mumbled.
The emerald master lifted the ruby-red warrior by his quills and started swinging him around in circles before finally releasing him. The mixed hedgehog was sent flying through the trees and burst through the sheet walls of a nearby tent, thankfully landing on a soft mattress. He heard a couple of screams and saw people fleeing the tent, but that was the least of his problems. Zeenint ripped through the tent walls, but Sonzo pressed his feet into the master's chest and kicked him overhead, thrusting him into the roof. The tent was sent flying along with the emerald master, who found himself tangled upon landing. Zeenint used Chaos Blade to rip a hole through the sheet, where he learned Sonzo was waiting for him with a large red arrow between his palms.
"Take it like a man!" Sonzo smirked. "Chaos Lance!"
The mixed hedgehog thrusted the power arrow, only to be disappointed as Zeenint twirled out of the way. Amy and the others dived out of the way as the Chaos Lance shot past them and eradicated what was left of Kadaj's bike. Zeenint kicked off the ground and grabbed Sonzo by the wrist and attempted to flip him over. However, Sonzo amazingly caught himself as the former master threw him down and twisted his hand around to grab Zeenint's wrist.
"Chaos Control!" Sonzo shouted.
And once again, the godly warrior disappeared in a flash of light. Amy and the other heroes stared with stunned expressions with the exception of Kadaj, who had just arrived after missing the whole thing.
"Hey, guys, watcha staring at?" Kadaj asked in a bored manner. His expression was then transformed to pure anguish when he caught sight of the hollowed remains of his cycle. "WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BIKE?!?!?!"
The scene alternates to gusty hillside of Windy Valley, or what's left of it. Because the windmills of the grassy plain was the only power supply to the nearby town, Zeenint's assault had left everyone in the dark, literally. Fortunately, the townspeople were working on repairing the structures after enlisting the help of some famous mercenaries. Team Virtex had originally been called in by the Sonic Heroes to assist with the reconstruction, but Rector couldn't pass up turning this into a business opportunity. Howl was sent to cut wood, Marine handled the supplies, Hybrid became the battery for the equipment, Marine was on medical staff, Shade monitored the progress, and Rector did the heavy lifting. Right now, Team Virtex was on brake after handling a particularly difficult problem.
"I can't believe you knocked six workers all because you saw a spider." Shade sighed at her lover.
Ok, maybe difficult was a bit exaggerated.
"I couldn't help it; I freaked out." Rector said pathetically. "It was moving all eight o those creepy black legs. Animals are not meant to have that many legs!"
"And so comes the end of our 'brave' leader." Howl joked.
The team of mercenaries laughed at the sulking leader until they heard a thunderous boom from one of the windmills currently under construction. Team Virtex swiftly jumped to action and approached the smoking tower, where they discovered Sonzo floating across from the destruction, looking ready to fight. Just as the team of mercenaries stood for battle, Zeenint suddenly shot out and grabbed the hedgehog by the neck before slamming him into the ground.
"Who are those supposed to be?" Raine asked.
"I don't know, mate." Marine said shakily. "But they look really scary."
I can't put my finger on it, but something looks familiar about that hedgehog." Hybrid commented.
Meanwhile, Sonzo grappled Zeenint in a strength of wills, attempting to force one another back with pure strength. But the emerald master was not known for playing fair. While Sonzo was distracted in trying to keep his opponent at bay, Zeenint lifted his foot and thrusted it into the hedgehog's leg. The crimson warrior cried out as he felt the bones in his knee shatter upon impact, forcing him to release his hold. Zeenint capitalized on this by raised his knee to the hedgehog's chin, forcing him skyward. But before Sonzo could get a few feet into the air, the human Sovereign swiftly snatched his leg and tossed him backwards into the hillside. Sonzo remained dazed for a moment, but gathered enough common sense to coating his palm in healing energy and run it over his shattered kneecap.
"I don't know why you have this, but it comes in handy." Sonic said.
"Fool!" Nazo scowled. "Only someone as pathetic as you would need this kind of power. If don't fight with full force, not even my powers will be enough to help you."
"Geez, I never realized I whined so much." Sonzo groaned as he stood up. After shaking his mind clear of distraction, the mixed hedgehog noticed something was missing. "Hey, where did, tall, green, and ugly run off to?"
"Oh, that was very witty."
Sonzo's attention was redirected towards the sky, where Zeenint hovered loftily with both palms open. In that one instant, Zeenint released a wall of energy spheres that could easily outclass Marine's expertise. The horde of energy was moving too fast for Sonzo to dodge all of them, so he had to play defensively. The mixed hedgehog clapped his hands together and formed a dome of red energy around his body, effortlessly reflecting Zeenint's power. The former master himself was growing more frustrated with this elusive rodent. At the moment the shield went down, Zeenint used his advanced speed and appeared at the crimson warrior's side not a moment later. The former master jab his hand for the hedgehog's heart, but was unexpectedly captured into Sonzo's hand. Zeenint tried the same tactic with his other hand, only to be met with a similar result.
"I must admit, I haven't had this much trouble dealing with an enemy since my own sister." Zeenint grinned devilishly. "Do me a favor and say hello to Haleya and Kainek for me."
"You can tell them yourself." Sonzo grinned. Zeenint struggled to break free before noticing a faint red aura collecting around the hedgehog's body. "Chaos Blast!!"
A nuclear red explosion captured the two fighters and their surroundings, but was limited by the hedgehog's power. Rector and Team Virtex were able to endure the shock of the explosion and watched ominously until the dome of destruction began to fade away. When the chaos had passed all that was left behind was a twenty foot long indent in the Earth – Sonzo and Zeenint had long disappeared.
"Where' they go, mate?" Marine asked curiously.
"That green one must have used Chaos Control to escape before the blast went off." Shade theorized. "It wouldn't surprise me judging by the speed and power they both have."
"That hedgehog looked a lot like Nazo." Howl commented. "I don't know whether to by happy or worried."
"Either way, it doesn't look too good on both sides." Rector said seriously. "Get in contact with Shadow and Silver."
The scene finally returns to the Master Emerald shrine of Angel Island. A spark of green light formed over the broken fragments of the former Master Emerald, which released Sonzo and Zeenint on the land. Both warriors jumped away in opposite directions, skidding backwards without leaving their eyes off their opponent. Sonzo was panting heavily, suffering from the backlash of using Chaos Blast unprepared – only Shadow had every truly master the technique. In addition to exhaustion, his clothes were ripped raggedly, his left pant leg was stained in blood, and his right cheek was severally bruised. All the way, Zeenint didn't seem any different from the beginning – not ever his coat was dirty.
"Looks like you're quickly running out of energy." Zeenint said confidently. "A pity, really. And here I was hoping that I would be able to drag this out a little longer."
"I've got..." Sonzo panted tiredly. "Enough strength...to fight...you."
"But do you really?" Zeenint questioned, raising his hand as if to demonstrate. "You had to fight me, deflect my power, formed a barrier of Chaos, and performed a number of high-leveled techniques. Even if you are fused together, you must have your limits."
"He's right." Sonic said within Sonzo's mind. "We've been fighting all out and Zeenint hasn't even broken a sweat. What kind of guy is he?"
"You see, unlike you, my power is not limited." Zeenint stated certainly. "I draw power from the darkness of every living creature on this planet. And darkness exists within everything. You can't win."
"Not alone, perhaps!"
Zeenint merely smirked at the serious tone of the voice as an electrified claw stabbed through his chest, directly over his heart. Metal Sonic increased the intensity in his left claw while pressing his right claw through the master's spine. And to add further interest, the golden-eyed Rouge loomed over Zeenint's shoulder and stabbed her fangs into the human's neck. Despite being puncture in two vital places and having his blood drained, Zeenint didn't really seem all that phased.
"Are you quite done?" Zeenint questioned. "I have other things to do before I destroy this planet."
"Destroy it?" Sonzo repeated. "But I thought you needed the darkness of the people to become powerful."
"There are more planets than Earth, rat." Zeenint said malevolently. "This world all those that will come after it will serve as martyrs for its next ruler."
"What are you talking about?" Metal asked.
"I suppose you have a right to know before you die." Zeenint chuckled. "As you may recall, the Highest One sealed me away in that hedgehog form because he felt my rising power and forced himself awake. That was only partly true. You see, after I had killed Kainek, I obliterated the world he lived on as well – sort of a funeral in his name. But at the moment Kainek's planet was destroyed, I felt the Highest One's power for a small moment. That when the ultimate secret of the Highest One: his weakness."
"His weakness?" Rouge mumbled into Zeenint's neck.
"I tested this theory out for a moment and it proved successful." Zeenint continued. "I learned that when Orphius and Mythril created the planets, they added their own life force to create life on those world. And it was then I resolved my true objective. I no longer wished to be the sole Sovereign, I wished to be the Highest One himself!"
"But how could you match the strength of a real god?" Metal questioned.
"Orphius wasn't killed, only fragmented." Zeenint explained. "If the Highest One had gone through with the death of his brother, someone would have to replace him to balance to stability of the universe. Mythril couldn't kill him because whoever kills a god must be the one to replace him."
"That's why you want to destroy the world!" Sonzo exclaimed in realization. "You want to weakened Mythril just enough so that you can overpower him! And once he's dead, you become the new Highest One!"
"Exactly!" Zeenint cackled. "And thanks to the contribution of the Chaos Emeralds, I can ascend to a level of power like never before! When I broke free from my shell, I only used the essence of light to shatter it! But that still leaves the darkness!"
Sonzo, Metal, and Rouge's eyes were wide in horror. If Zeenint had been allowed to absorb the energy of the Chaos Emeralds, nothing would be able to stop him. Metal increased the intensity of his Metal Surge to its maximum and Rouge bite down hard until she was touching bone. Thought severely weakened, Sonzo forced himself to himself to jumped ahead with a mass of Chaos Energy compressed into his fist. But it was futile. The emerald master released a pulse of energy from his body, throwing all three allies back to the ground. After being sure that he would not be interrupted, Zeenint glanced over to the glistening Chaos Emerald, summoning their powers. The seven gems of miracles were reduced to a dull shade of grey as the darkness was drained from them – leaving behind an empty shell – and seeped through Zeenint's skin.
"I have awaited this moment for an eternity!" Zeenint roared madly. "Witness the true power of god!!"
With the darkness of the Chaos Emeralds coursing through his veins, Zeenint's body began to expand at an unbelievable rate. He gained an extra two feet in height, his eyes were entirely blank, and his muscular mass was five times larger than before, ripping his coat and bracers to shreds. Zeenint had become the one thing the universe had feared – a true God of Destruction.
"This is impossible." Sonzo muttered horrifically. "No one is suppose to be the powerful. No one!"
"Now you understand better what you are dealing with." Zeenint grinned manically. "The truth hurts, doesn't it? Now you have come to realize it. Sonzo, Metal, Rouge – all of your powers together are no match before the strength I have obtained. Although your speed is greater, you cannot overpower me."
"No..." Sonzo groaned, weakly pushing to his knees. "I can't...let it end this way."
"But it's too late." Zeenint proclaimed. "I know all about the fusion technique and I know you can only keep that form for thirty minutes. We have been fighting for at least twenty, which leaves only ten minutes remaining. And besides..." At that moment, Sonzo lost his Mega Form. His standard form looked exactly like Nazo, but with curve quills and cobalt lines like Sonic. "You're all out of energy."
"I can't...let it end this way." Sonzo groaned.
"Think of it this way." Zeenint grinned darkly. "Angel Island will be the first thing to be destroyed, which means you won't be around to witness your greatest failure." He held one hand into the air, gathering a large amount of green Chaos Energy. "Now witness your end. Ragnarok!!"
The compressed energy was forced into a sphere, which gradually expanded as its master deposited more energy. And in less than a minute, the sphere had grown to the size of a full moon. Sonzo, thought feeling certain that he couldn't block such a technique, preferred to die standing up than lying on the ground like a dog. Zeenint was amazed at how determined the hedgehog was and decided not to delay him any longer. The future master of the universe tossed the Ragnarok towards the Earth, sealing its fate.
The ultimate battle for the fate of the universe draws to a conclusion. Will Sonzo be able to prevent ultimate destruction? Is there anything that can stop this invincible god? Or has Zeenint finally succeeded? Find out on the next Sonic Heroes!
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