buCHAPTER 22:/u Absolution/b
And I might know of our future,
But then you still control the past.
Only you know if you'll be together,
Tonight!
Cause every night I will save your life!
And every night I will be with you!
Cause every night I still lay awake,
And I dream of an absolution!
Cause every night I will make it right!
And every night I will come to you!
But every night it just stays the same,
In my dream of an absolution!
"Dream of an Absolution" – Bentley Jones / Sonic the Hedgehog OST © 2006
"Engine 2 thrusters operation at 30% and falling. WARNING: Engine failure imminent! Engine 1 thrusters operating at 80%. WARNING! Thrusters detected at critical! Shutdown imminent!" Soon the warnings started getting garbled; a power failure was imminent. And when that happens, doom was certain.
Kintobor was pounding his fist on the control panel, desperate for some sort of escape. Hissing expletives like a sailor, he ran back and forth from computer panel to panel to see what could be done. Each attempt ended in failure.
Meanwhile, Elise sat in the seat back. Her heart began to race as the situation intensified. She would die on this craft, and against all reason…she was satisfied. Her parents were dead, but that's not why she was content with dying…it was because Kintobor would not get the secret from her that she was apparently hiding…and better yet…Kintobor would die with her, and thus her people would be saved from the Flames of Solaris.
As she leaned back and committed her soul to Him, the lights went out.
Then they flickered back on, and as they did, a voice rang out in the cockpit. "Talk about a low budget flight! No food, no movies…and the only flight attendant is being hogged by the pudgy captain!"
Dr. Kintobor and Elise turned to see who this cheeky individual was, and Elise saw the familiar shape…of Sonic the Hedgehog.
"Sonic!" Elise cried out, getting up and running to Sonic.
Sonic quickly scooped up the Princess and ran out the door. "No time for thanks. Let's get off of this flying lemon!"
As Sonic ran down, both could hear Kintobor's furious outburst at watching the Princess escape. "You won't get away THAT easy, Sonic! You won't escape this ship alive, do you hear me!?"
Sonic ignored him. He darted along the passages, mentally going through the map he had been working on to get from the cockpit to the part of the EG-Carrier where he came from to get in. There wasn't much time left for this rust-bucket battleship, and Sonic knew it.
Another minute later, they arrived in a large hangar bay where all the inactive drones were kept before they were deployed through the main gate below.
"Oops, this isn't where we're supposed to go," Sonic said.
"We don't have to get out the way we came," Elise said. "Any way out would do."
"As long as it isn't straight down. We're still over a thousand feet above the surface, and without a Chaos Emerald, I can't teleport us if we fall!"
"Well then, make sure we don't fall."
"Noted." Sonic grinned.
They kept on forward, towards the middle of the hangar. Sonic noticed that the catwalk broadened out in the middle, so many people could stand there comfortably. Sonic stayed considerable distance away from the edges. There was a railing, but it was low and he could easily step over it.
He was barely arrived on the wide part of the catwalk when the ship rumbled underfoot, but something was different about the rumble. "That wasn't an explosion…" Sonic said. "Something hit the ship!"
"What could hit the ship this high up?"
"Either we're falling a lot quicker than I thought, or somebody threw a mountain at us…"
There was a huge scraping noise above, then there was a massive tearing sound, like a giant can-opener was cutting the ship apart. Suddenly, something burst in overhead and flew down in front of them.
It was over twenty-five feet from head to tail, and fifty feet from wingtip to wingtip. On its head was a glowing unicorn-like horn. The wings were laid with laser cannons, primarily on the fore-wing. The long tail was rather unremarkable, save for the large end, where Sonic guess a rocket launcher was. This mech was keeping itself up by flapping the wings, but Sonic could see thrusters in the tips of the wings. Providing speed perhaps?
Dr. Kintobor's roared through an unseen loudspeaker. "It's as I said, Sonic. You're not getting out of here ALIVE!!"
The mech blasted away the bottom hatch below and the walls, leaving open air. Sonic and Elise braced themselves against the wind. Then, the mech trashed the catwalk on either side, so all that was left was the large platform where Sonic and Elise were standing on. By the way it swung, it was being held by support cables. Sonic hoped they were strong.
"It's time that we finally terminated our relationship, Sonic the Hedgehog. With my EG-5000 Wyvern, I shall finally be rid of you!"
Sonic knew he was in a tough spot, and there was a high risk of innocent casualty as Elise was stuck here with him, but he had no choice. "Tough words, Doc, especially since I'm about to cook your goose!"
The EG-Wyvern took off around the platform, thrusters flaring for extra speed. Sonic could tell that this mech was agile, and it reminded him of the Egg Viper. Sonic turned to Elise. "Keep an eye on him if he does anything funny."
"Ok," Elise said, then as an afterthought. "Be careful."
"Will do."
The EG-Wyvern came to a stop, beating its mighty wings. "Think fast!" shouted Kintobor, just as lasers shot from the Wyvern, striking randomly on the platform. It shook, but held. The lasers must not have been strong.
The Wyvern flew around the platform a few more times, and came again to a stop. Sonic braced for another attack, but Kintobor had something slightly different in mind. Tucking in his wings, he dove right at the platform. Apparently, Kintobor was willing to destroy Elise with Sonic.
Sonic took a chance. When it dove, he spin-dashed at the horn and grabbed on. Firmly planting his feet, he yanked against the horn.
"What!? What are you doing you foul rodent!?" Dr. Kintobor outraged. Sure enough, the horn was the visual array for the unit, and with Sonic grabbing onto it, Dr. Kintobor couldn't see a thing. In an effort to shake Sonic off, the Wyvern bucked to and fro like the Cerberus did.
Sonic learned quickly that he couldn't guide it; probably because there was a manual user on the line. Hopefully, Dr. Kintobor would fly too close to the side of the EG-Carrier.
The fates must have been looking on Sonic with pleasure, for quickly the Wyvern took a dive into the siding of the Carrier that hadn't been torn off. Sonic let go of the horn, ran down the back and the tail and leaped off of it, booking 90 mph. The Wyvern crashed against the siding with a bang, just as Sonic landed on the catwalk. Quickly snapping his head back around, he watched the Wyvern right itself, the horn and canopy now exposed.
Dr. Kintobor snarled, "You'll regret that you worm!"
Sonic wasn't fazed. "I don't know, Elise. He sounds kind of pissed, doesn't he?"
Elise had a small coughing fit.
But Dr. Kintobor was serious. The tail whipped upwards like a scorpion's stinger. Sonic's first guess was right: it was a rocket launcher. The tail fired one rocket that hit the edge of the platform with a bang, rocking it.
Elise cried out from the fright of it. Sonic couldn't help himself either in crying out. "Good grief! He's trying to knock us off!" Sonic could see that where the platform was hit, a piece of the catwalk was now missing. Looking down, he saw the piece splash into the ocean.
Dr. Kintobor laughed. "Not so tough now, are you?"
"He sounds just like Eggman," Sonic muttered.
"If we jump, Sonic, we'd hit the ocean. Would we be able to swim to shore then?"
Sonic wasn't about to admit his extreme hydrophobia, so he quickly came up with a new excuse. "We're still hundreds of feet high. If we hit the ocean going that fast, it'd be like hitting concrete."
Another rocket rocked the platform. Sonic could hear the wires groan in protest. Sonic looked angrily at the Wyvern, then he got an idea. Quickly, he scooped up Elise. Before she could say anything, Sonic said, "I don't have time to explain it, so do you trust me?"
Elise had no idea what Sonic was going to do, but nodded.
Sonic backed away from the edge, putting on the appearance that he was genuinely worried about the platform getting destroyed. Sonic hoped that Dr. Kintobor would take the bait.
The mad doctor laughed again. "Aww, is the hedgehog getting scared? Well, time to tuck you in! It's nothing personal, Princess. Just good business."
Unseen to Dr. Kintobor, Sonic grinned triumphantly.
The Wyvern fired another rocket. Sonic snapped his head up and made a mad dash. He leaped off the catwalk, landed on the rocket, leaped off again quickly, landed on the tail of the Wyvern, and accelerated up the underbelly of the mech. When he reached the head, his momentum caused him to soar off and towards the doorway they came through when they first arrived.
Dr. Kintobor spluttered in outrage. "WHAT!?!"
"I appreciate the view, Doc, but this thing really taints the view. Gotta jam!" Sonic said, then took off inside the EG-Carrier.
As they raced back down the hallways, Sonic found the turn he was looking for before and made all haste to go down it. The EG-Carrier for sure was very close to crashing.
"Do you think he'll follow us?" Elise asked.
"If he's just like Eggman, sure thing," Sonic said, although he wished the contrary. "Eggman is a sore loser, and I'll bet my Power Ring that he's waiting for us to resurface. Good thing he doesn't know where I came in the first time."
Sonic came to the area where the piece of armor came off. "Here it is! Time to go topside!"
Sonic and Elise squeezed through the opening. Here, the wind was fiercer, and Sonic had to dig his feet in to keep from being blown away. Trails of smoke could be seen where explosions that were rocking the ship happened.
"Sonic! It's the cliffs!" Elise pointed towards their left side. Sure enough, the sea-side cliffs could be seen, rising up.
"We gotta juice, and now!" Sonic said.
A huge explosion rocked the EG-Carrier, and before their eyes, the entire front of the ship blew off. They watched it sink in front of them. Just then, a very familiar flying mech surfaced where it came apart. Sonic gritted his teeth. Dr. Kintobor found them.
The EG-Wyvern was slowly coming up upon them. "It's as I said, Sonic. You're not leaving this ship alive!"
Elise looked at Sonic, who was thinking furiously. Had he been alone, he could just use his Power Ring and blast through the Wyvern and finish it off, but Elise was here. Dare he risk that? Elise noticed that Sonic had an idea. "You have a plan?"
"Yeah, but it's risky. I have my Power Ring with me, and I could blast through the Wyvern, but I'll need to carry you with me. You might be ground into hamburger."
Elise looked at the Wyvern. "Well, couldn't you just aim for the wing?"
Sonic looked at Elise.
"If we just go through the wing, we could just damage it and continue to the cliffs, where for sure you'd have a better field to fight."
Sonic didn't hesitate. He whipped out the Power Ring and jammed it on his finger. He picked up Elise. This was a one-time shot so he had to make it count. He felt an apprehension reach him. What if he killed Elise in the process? Seeing the article that Elise had died was horrible…being the one responsible would be torturous. Sonic popped a question unconsciously. "Aren't you worried?"
Elise looked at Sonic with a smile. "'If you have time to worry, you have time to run,' right? On the other hand, I don't we have time to really do either."
Sonic laughed, feeling the energy within his body reach the point. "Ok, hang on!"
A yellow glow erupted around Sonic, and he dashed. Sonic aimed straight for the middle of the wing, where the metal had to be very thin. To better the odds of Elise's survival, he struck it feet first. He ripped through the wing like it was made of aluminum foil.
Sonic could hear Dr. Kintobor curse at Sonic, and fail to control the damaged Wyvern, but he didn't look back…even when he heard a terrible crash of metal against rock, followed by a huge explosion.
Sonic found the falling debris of the EG-Carrier's remains as potential platforms. Rocketing from one to the other, he kept his speed going. The cliffs by now were high above them, the rocky shore only feet below. He'd need a lot of speed to get up them, even with the Power Ring. Like a pinball, he pounded from one piece to another like bumpers. On one long piece, he ran down it then leaped high off the end. The cliff-side was too rocky and sharp to run up. One slip and they'd be impaled, so Sonic leaped. Sonic and Elise flew higher and higher. The cliff-tops came closer…and closer.
Suddenly, the Ring's power gave out, the ring now completely dead. Sonic's heart froze, and they started falling. Elise buried her face into Sonic's chest, bracing for a hit. Sonic reached out in vain for the cliff-tops as they hurried away. No, this couldn't be how it would end!
A colossal explosion rocked the cliffs, for he remaining engine smashed into it and somehow, Sonic and Elise started soaring up again, faster than before. Both cried out as they soared well above the cliffs. They had surfed the shockwave!
Gravity again took over, and they plummeted, now towards the grassy plains that covered the cliff-tops. Sonic curled into a ball the best he could to protect Elise. Sonic felt that this was going to hurt.
SMACK!! Sonic and Elise pounded into the earth, and Sonic lost his grip of Elise. Both tumbled down the plains like Jack and Jill on the hill. It was another several feet before they came to a stop.
Elise lay still, stunned. Sonic was made of tougher stuff, and with more adrenalin flowing through his veins then blood, he was wide awake. He'd smart tomorrow, but it didn't matter. He snapped his gaze towards Elise, who hadn't moved. Sonic felt his heart turn into stone…was she…
Elise rolled over onto her back and heaved a sigh. Sonic nearly collapsed from sheer relief. Feeling dizzy, he got himself up and walked over to Elise. Her eyes were still closed, and her arms were outstretched, feeling the earth as if she was expecting to feel something else. Elise opened her eyes finally, and the first thing she saw was Sonic's eyes staring earnestly at Elise.
Sonic reached down to Elise, offering to help her sit up. Elise automatically lifted up a hand so she could be helped up. Neither spoke a word for a while; for neither could hardly believe that they escaped the crash.
Elise finally managed to breathe, "Sonic…as much as that was fun…let's not do that again."
Sonic replied quickly, almost in a squeak. "Ok."
Somehow, this was hilarious to both of them, and both suddenly guffawed, doubling over with laughter. Sonic fell back over, surrendering to vertigo, but Elise kept sitting up, laughing into the daylight. For quite some time, Sonic and Elise laughed continuously. Their sides hurt after so much that they felt like they'd never breath properly again, but it felt so good to laugh. Moments before, they were about to die. Now that they were alive, it was the best thing ever.
Finally, both lay back on the ground, enjoying the summer breezes on the cliff-tops, enjoying the smell of sea-salt. Both were gasping for breath, as the sudden washing of noradrenalin in their system made them somewhat loopy. Very quickly, they studied the clouds intensely, guessing their shapes, sharing jokes and just having a good time. The hours passed quickly, they noticed when they sat up again and saw that the sun was gearing to set.
"That's so beautiful, just like the magnolia at the pond side…" Elise said, admiring the pinks, oranges and purples of the evening sky.
"Yeah…" Sonic said. "It's moments like that I live for…" Sonic looked at Elise. "You know, that's the best I've ever seen you smile. After the last several days, it's almost like the best thing I've seen."
Elise laughed. "Do you really love it with you see people smile?"
"I do!" Sonic said. "It's awesome to see someone just explode with a grin. It just shows that life is still living for. That's why I help others…so I can see people smile."
"I think that's a good reason to help others, Sonic. I too love to see my people happy, so I help them the best I can. To see the children smile, makes it all worthwhile."
Sonic cut in. "And now that Kintobor is gone, you won't have to worry about anything ever again!"
"Even if he was still here, I wouldn't have to worry…because if I could, I would have the time to do something about it." Elise looked at Sonic. "Thanks, Sonic…for everything you've done."
Sonic grinned. "You're welcome, Elise…"
- - - - -
Deep underneath the grand temple of the desert ruins, a formidable team had spent well into the evening exploring the ruins. This team was not here for the sights nor for salvaging the ruins, as many before had done; they were here on a mission: find Mephiles and destroy him.
Shadow, Viper, Metal-Sonic and Rouge had spent several hours wandering the ruins, but none would admit that they were lost. There was no map for the lowest levels of the temple, and if there was, it was likely destroyed ages before from natural means. Of all of them, Rouge seemed the least resolute of them to find Mephiles. It was common to find her looking down hallways, admiring anything that might contain treasure.
"I didn't know archeology could be so fascinating," Rouge would say.
Shadow and Metal-Sonic pretended not to hear Rouge's dreamy reports, so neither noticed that she found a small aquamarine likely dropped from the previous archeology surveys. Rouge laughed as she nearly worshiped the gem. "You may look like a drab compared to my Chaos Emerald, but darling, you are beautiful. All gems are beautiful, don't let anyone tell you otherwise, dearie…"
Viper, apparently drawing the line at addressing gems in the second person and with terms of adornment, finally snapped. "For God's sake, Rouge, it's just a rock."
Rouge continued to smile. "Viper!" She said, feigning shock. "I'm surprised at you! This little dearie is not just a rock." Rouge picked up the nearest stone. "THIS is just a rock. This is a gem. See the difference? All rocks are truly not created equal…but I suppose you wouldn't know, since you're a man."
Viper heaved a disgusted sigh. There was just no reasoning with this woman.
Mecha decided to speak. "I do realize that you have an infatuation, perhaps even obsession to the point of reverence with so-called precious metals and stones, Rouge, but I can't help but feel that your pointless babble on precious stones is not any contributor to our mission whatsoever."
Rouge looked at Mecha for a second, and then sighed. "Oh, I suppose you're right." Rouge put away the gem in one of her pockets. Unseen to everyone, Viper mouthed "Thank you, Mecha."
Soon, they came to a stone door, and from what they could tell, it had been shut for centuries. All looked it up and down. Normally, this would concern most people since they would lack the means of breaching such an obstacle, but these four weren't normal people.
"So," Viper looked the great door up and down. "Three slashes?"
Metal-Sonic ran a scan. "The door itself is four inches thick."
Viper looked at the android. "My wager still stands. Anyone want to venture a bet? Twenty bucks says three slashes."
"Three-to-one it's four," said Shadow suddenly.
"It's a bet," Viper replied. As Viper and Shadow shook hands, Rouge looked at Mecha, trying to get an explanation. Mecha merely smiled; Viper and Shadow were constantly either taking bets on each other's feats of strength, since there seemed to be no decisive superior between the two.
Viper whipped out Bane, and sliced once across the stone. A loud scrape of metal on rock shattered the silence from the strike. Viper struck again, and again! Here he paused, and gave the door a firm punch with his left. The door caved inwards with a loud crash. "You owe me twenty, Shadow."
"Deal," Shadow said.
All proceeded through the door, and found themselves in what appeared to be an inner sanctum. It was too large to imply otherwise. The center platform facing an open shrine, housing an altar on the other side also aided in this implication. All strode down into the heart of the sanctum, and looked around. Next to the way they came in, there was no way out. This had to be the place.
"It appears that we have come to the 'end of the way,' if I may borrow the colloquialism," Metal-Sonic observed.
"Looks like it, all right," Rouge said. "There's nothing here."
Viper and Shadow, unlike the other two, were still scoping the ruin. Something was out of place, and only they could tell. But Metal-Sonic noticed them. "I do not think that is true, Rouge."
Rouge looked at the hedgehog and hunter; sure enough, they looked as if they could smell something and were trying to figure out where it was coming from.
Suddenly, Viper looked forward, towards the open shrine containing the altar. "If you were planning to make a dramatic entrance, I'd say the moment is past!" he shouted.
There was an awkward silence for several seconds, but then something drifted out of the shrine, a black shadowy vapor. It soon gathered itself and solidified into a black hedgehog, limbs and spines encased in crystal. "I have been expecting your troupe for quite some time…you've kept me waiting…but I'm sure you realize that you are too late." He held up something in his grasp high. From afar, none save Metal-Sonic could tell what it was. "It's the Talisman of Wind."
Mephiles' words apparently didn't concern Viper. "Funny, I do believe I arrived precisely when I meant to."
Mephiles scowled at the human, but then refocused his attention on Shadow. "I have to admit, I am surprised to see you fighting alongside the bloodspawn. I would assume that the bloodspawn had told you about his role in your destiny…"
Shadow side-eyed Viper. The "bloodspawn" returned the look. Neither spoke.
"You are just like him, Shadow: never ceasing to amaze me. Allying with your worst enemy is something I never would have expected, even though the time is coming when he will sentence you to a gruesome death. You should be the one destroying him!
But it is not too late Shadow…you can still make it right. You can still teach humanity a lesson…teach the traitor a lesson. Show the world your fury! You can start with him."
Shadow looked at Viper, as did Metal-Sonic and Rouge. Suddenly, Viper withdrew one of his handguns and tossed it at Shadow, whom in turn caught it. "It's up to you, Shadow…" Viper said.
"What?" Rouge said. "What are you doing?"
Viper looked at Rouge. "This is Shadow's decision. This is his fate he is deciding."
"What choice?" Rouge cried out. "You already promised that you wouldn't betray him!"
"What I said doesn't matter!" Viper snarled. "For the last year, Shadow has been doing nothing but trust. He doesn't have his memory back, so all he can do is trust us. Has he even considered what would happen if we were wrong?"
Shadow looked at Viper strangely.
"He doesn't know what is true right now…all he knows is what he believes."
"Because it's true!" Rouge argued.
"Does he know that!? No! Damn it, Rouge! Stop making this harder for him!" Viper looked at Metal-Sonic, who seemed to understand.
"Enough, Rouge. What Viper has said is true. Shadow still suffers from the same amnesia brought on by the corruption of the Black Chaos Emerald. Unless the corruption is purified, Shadow can never know what is true and what is false. All he can do is believe what is true or what is false. He believes without being able to see."
"Faith," Shadow breathed. He was soaking this all in.
"Precisely," Metal-Sonic continued. "It's a concept that amazes me among the living. Believing in something when one cannot see it. I used to call such an endeavor foolish and misguided, nothing but a device use purely for manipulation. Although it has that potential, it can be properly used. Something science cannot explain…for it cannot disprove something it cannot measure. If it is unseen, it cannot measure it."
Viper nodded. "People constantly underrate it, claiming to follow a mirage in a desert. While comforting…it's fake, so they let it rot. They say that all that is needed is power...and a lot of it" Viper shook his head and his face hardened. "It's all bullshit. One of my own kind thought the same, but in the end, it consumed him. He was by far the most powerful of my own kind, and with my own power alone, I couldn't have stopped him. It took something else unseen to beat him…something that most of my species do not possess:" Viper leaned down in front of Shadow. "It's there…" He pointed to Shadow's chest. "the freedom of choice, the drive to live, the will, the passion, your own being."
Mephiles watched, and couldn't help but be fascinated. Rouge was disturbed. She did not like where this is going. Metal-Sonic watched patiently. Viper knew what he was doing.
"It's what makes you you: your soul." Viper's mouth twisted in a wry smile. "Sure, you're the ultimate lifeform, an ageless being of unspeakable power, but that's not you; you just happen to have those qualities. Hell, I'm a homunculus, a human being created in a test-tube, supposedly. I'm what some consider being the next step in evolution, but that's beside the point.
"What I'm getting at is that you cannot measure a being by the sum of his parts. What truly defines you is what you do. Your choices and actions, that's what defines you; nothing else can. I'm sure a certain someone in your forgotten past would say the same thing. And yeah, you can verify she existed since there are birth records and all. I'm sure she would have said the same time. Choices make you."
Viper grasped Shadow's hand, bearing his handgun, Mortal Coil. "Now you face another choice: a test of faith. You are capable of deciding your own destiny. The question is: which path will you choose?" He raised Shadow's arm so that the gun was now pointing at Viper's head between the eyes. "Shoot me and you can go on your deserved rampage for what humankind has done to you, and to prevent your own destruction…with…" Viper cast a glance at Mephiles. "or without him. I know this shot won't kill me…but it will tell me where you will go. You killed me once, you can do it again…but be warned, it won't be without cost.
"The other choice is obvious." Viper looked hard into Shadow's eyes. "What will you choose?"
Here, Mephiles laughed. "Finally, something worth remembering! Never in time would I have expected the bloodspawn traitor display such a remarkable discourse on choice! No playwright in history could ever come close to it! I have to admit, this was most certainly entertaining! But yes, Shadow, the bloodspawn speaks truly. What will you choose? Death or justice?"
"Don't do it!" Rouge pleaded. "Mephiles wants to destroy everything, and you!"
"Silence, Rouge!" Metal-Sonic said. "It's Shadow's choice. We cannot intercede!"
Mephiles continued to laugh. "Indeed, this is the point of no return! The crossroads! The grand absolution! Shadow must choose and him alone! There is no other alternative."
Shadow heaved a sigh, unsure what to do. He had been confronted with this choice once before. How many times must he be faced with it? As many as necessary, he supposed. Here again, it was presented…and now everything was on the line. His fate, Viper's fate, humanity's fate, everything: this truly was the choice to end all choices.
The last time he was given this choice, he had sided with fighting for humanity, as he had supposedly promised Maria over fifty years before. Viper the entire time while he was lost in the darkness of forgotten memories had told him the same. But here and now, Viper had dropped a bombshell: stating that Shadow all this time may have been deceived about everything, like Black Doom had done…or had he? Was Black Doom right all this time, and he oversaw the genocide of an entire race because of it?
Shadow closed his eyes. This would all be solved if he could only remember his own path. Why was he made to suffer this? Why was his memory locked away from him? It was HIS memory! HIS! It should never be denied him. But it was, and Shadow might never know why. It just is.
Faith: the choice to believe without seeing what is before. For the last year, Shadow could do nothing but that. Shadow hated being forced to do so, but what choice did he have? Now, he was finally presented with a choice, the final choice. No turning back. What he chose here was final. A test of faith indeed, but Shadow now had to choose.
He must choose. He must choose! Everything was tied to this choice, the fate of Shadow's choice. He must choose!
Shadow opened his eyes in a hardened glare. He had chosen!
A gunshot rang out in the sanctum, reverberated into a deafening roar. Quickly, it faded into silence, although this silence was perhaps more deafening then the gunshot itself. Rouge was petrified, hands over her mouth, eyes widened and unblinking. Metal-Sonic stared affixed, every joint locked, fingers curled into deadly talons. Mephiles was the same, staring affixed at Shadow.
Shadow was now facing Viper…still on his knees, looking Shadow in the eye. Beyond the realm of communication, that gunshot said only one thing between the two:
I trust you.
The gun, still smoking was aimed at Mephiles. The shot had missed, merely missing by an inch. But it might as well as hit to Mephiles. "WHAT!?" Mephiles said outraged.
"Do NOT try to deceive again, you devil!" Shadow snarled. "Nothing comes out of your mouth except lies and deceit. I will never believe a word you say!"
Mephiles looked enraged.
But Shadow was not done. "I see your mind: you had no desire to help me, to grant me justice. Your only lust is to merge with Iblis, and wipe out everything into nothingness! Well, Mephiles the Dark, it is you who should be afraid. Like Black Doom, I shall send you straight to hell!"
Mephiles spoke no word for quite some time. He lowered his arms. "It truly is a shame, Shadow the Hedgehog, truly a shame that you wish to go against me. I offered you the ultimate justice, and you throw it away! Only a fool would dare do such a thing. It appears that I thought wrong about you, Shadow. I thought you were different than the rest of the vermin. I was wrong. You've come all this way to face me, and yet you still no nothing!"
Mephiles threw a hand out, and some unseen force shoved all four back to the center of the platform. Shadow tossed Viper back his handgun, while Viper tossed to Shadow the SMG. Metal-Sonic brandished his claws, and Rouge scrapped her razor-edged boots against the stone.
Mephiles descended onto the platform on the far end, closest to the shrine. "I am darkness itself, nothingness! Everything comes from nothingness, and in the end, everything returns to DARKNESS!!" Mephiles slammed a fist into the ground, and at once, the stone became a liquid darkness, rippling under the feet of the four challengers. And then, Mephiles melted into it.
There was an uneasy silence, and all four held their breath. Suddenly, where Mephiles melted in to came out a large four-clawed hand, followed by another right after. Then, a head draped with over thirty tentacles rose up and loomed over the platform. One eye could be seen underneath the tentacles, glowing hotly green, marked only with one slit. On its head were ten horns, bent and twisted.
As the hideous beast rose, it stood tall. Standing over twenty five tall, head almost touching the stone ceiling, it was truly a disgusting sight to behold.
Viper and Shadow seemed to be not impressed. "As if we didn't see this brand of ugly before," Viper scoffed. "Still, tentacles on the face, yeah, gotta get some points for that."
Rouge joined in on the taunting. "Oh my, will you at that haircut? Get me the name of the stylist so I know who NOT to go to."
Mephiles' voice was more garbled and deeper, but everyone could hear every word. "Amusing, but you waste your breath. Soon your laughter will dissolve into cries of pain and despair."
"We'll see who cries in the end, Mephiles," Shadow said defiantly. "I have chosen to fight until my dying breath until you are ultimately destroyed."
Viper had to smirk. "And since Shadow is ageless, this will definitely take a while. Maybe you should quit and spare yourself the humiliation."
In response, Mephiles the Beast swiped ferociously at the four with his claws. They expected something of this sort and thus dodged effortlessly.
"No quarter!" Shadow exclaimed.
"Noted," Viper smirked.
Shadow immediately counterattacked, leaping high and striking the forearm of the offending arm with a violent whoosh, enough to tear the air. Metal-Sonic himself struck with his own spindash, reinforced by mithril-coated spines, leaving enormous gashes, although they healed immediately.
Mephiles brought his clawed hands together, and between them a dark energy sphere built up. He then took it up and slammed it into the ground, knocking anyone who was on the ground off their feet. The black ground shimmered, and then out sprouted many clawed tentacles, swiping at the assailants. Rouge flew out of reach, while the other three danced deadly around them, narrowly missing being hewn into pieces.
Viper managed to seize one in his left arm, rip it out of the ground and hurl it at Mephiles' face. It slammed into Mephiles and made him recoil. The tentacle attack ceased, and all regrouped for another onslaught on the beast.
Mephiles ducked, curling his arms in front of him. All braced themselves for an attack.
"Submit!" screamed the beast, and it threw its arms out. Out came a shower of crystal spikes, razor-edged, seeking flesh to skewer.
Rouge had the easiest time since she could fly, but the other three made do with their agility. Rouge however decided it was her turn. "Now that's no way to speak to a lady, mister. Maybe this will show you some manners!" Rouge flew high and dove at Mephiles' face in a whirlwind kick at freefall. Rouge smashed into the tentacles, breaking the flesh and shedding blood. Rouge fluttered away, but not before throwing an object at Mephiles' face, now turned to see where the attack came from. The sticky remote grenade stuck right between two tentacles near Mephiles' eye.
"Bombs away," Rouge said with a laugh and pressed the detonator. A loud bang shook the cavern, and there was an explosion of blood. Tentacle parts dropped to the ground below, followed by a river of black blood.
Rouge landed back with the others, and watched as the tentacles regenerated. Rouge didn't care. "Listen, ugly, you'd better get some manners before I send my boys to teach you another lesson." Unseen to Rouge, Viper bit his tongue to keep from uttering a retort.
Mephiles clawed at them again, and Shadow and Metal-Sonic scooted aside. Viper slid down onto his knees and hoisted Bane up just as the hand passed over, getting stuck inside the hand. Viper held on tight as he was hoisted off of the ground. Mephiles grabbed at Viper with his free hand, but Viper was no longer there. He let go of the sword just as the hand was about to grab him, and in turn fell only a short way, then he grabbed one of the claws and hoisted himself up on top of the one hands, flipped onto the other, then yanked his sword all the way through.
Mephiles and Viper had a brief stare-down. Viper smirked from his mount on the back of Mephiles' claws, and then leaped just as Mephiles slashed at him again. As Viper ascended, he gave a mighty heave and hurled the greatsword at Mephiles' face with the strength of ten men.
Mephiles roared hideously as the sword plunged in below the eye. As he reeled back, all retreated to see what he would do next. Shadow and Metal-Sonic joined Viper as he came down, after orchestrating a deadly attack on the lower level.
Mephiles took one hand, and did something that none expected. He shoved the sword further in until it was completely hidden within his body, and the wound healed over it.
Viper looked genuinely annoyed. "Oh, that's nice!" He whipped out his handguns. "Looks like I got to do some digging. I am SO not getting paid enough for this."
"We'll cover you, do what you must." Shadow leaped forwards in a spin, upwards towards Mephiles' eye. Metal-Sonic followed, veering to attack a different area.
Shadow struck the eye dead-center, and the beast roared ferociously, causing the stone to shake. Viper rushed forward, left arm reared back for a deadly strike at Mephiles' midriff. At the same time he threw it forward, he flashed yellow and transformed into Viper Prime. The sudden rush of energy and force enabled him to penetrate. As Mephiles braced his middle to heal, Shadow and Metal-Sonic retreated. Viper was now inside, and if Shadow knew Viper, he'd be ripping him apart from the inside.
The beast thrashed, and different parts of his body bulged violently. The beast squealed and roared in agony as his insides were being destroyed swiftly and wantonly. The beast reeled back, exposing his middle, and Viper Prime burst through the chest like a swimmer bursts out of the water. Viper reverted back to his normal self as he landed in a crouch, clutching Bane in his right hand. Behind him, the beast collapsed in a heap.
Viper didn't seem to pay it any mind, but gave a small shudder. "Eugh, that wasn't my idea of fun." He looked himself over, expecting to see gore all over him, but going Prime mode burned it off. It felt like it was still there though. "Note to self: this sword stays with me."
The mass of dark flesh melted into the ground, and underneath their feet, the dark water receded towards the far end of the platform. It soon gathered itself, forming into a shape like a hedgehog. Mephiles appeared bigger than he ever had before, and covered in more crystal, as if crystal itself was threatening to swallow him up. His arms and legs were now spiked with razor-edged crystal, as were his spines. The crystal glowed bright blue, and shocks of electricity zapped to and fro.
"You insolent fools!" Mephiles shouted. "Don't think you have come close to defeating me! I, Mephiles the Dark, am the embodiment of darkness! Darkness is eternal! Darkness consumes everything! Everything was born from darkness, and thus you too shall become darkness when you perish! You cannot escape it; darkness was before time, and will continue to be even beyond the end of the world, for glorious darkness is the past, present and future of every living thing. Each of you has darkness in your soul. Embrace it, for it is your ultimate fate! From darkness you became, and thus…you shall return! Darkness is supreme!"
"It's funny when you say that," Viper said, scratching his head. "When I enter a pitch-dark room, all I have to do is find the lightswitch and all that 'glorious' darkness you worship melts away." Viper looked at Mephiles. "Why do you suppose that is?"
"You understand nothing, bloodspawn," Mephiles sneered. "Light is an illusion. As soon as the illusion fades, darkness comes again."
"Sounds like you're in denial," Shadow returned. "Light and darkness are two different sides of the human soul. Light shows the darkness. Darkness is just the absence of light. Nothing more. There's nothing to fear of the darkness."
Mephiles laughed. "Such bravado for a worm despised by its own creators. Well, then Viper, Shadow, Knights of Light, let's see what you can do against the full power of supreme darkness!"
Shadow and Viper sized him up from afar. With those arms and spines, he could really do some lethal damage with those. Doubtless Mephiles could back it up with some deadly range attacks too.
"Rouge, Metal-Sonic," Shadow said. "This is our fight. Mephiles has not committed a wrong against you. Viper and I have our own scores to settle, you two do not. We will not blame you if you choose to leave."
"Correction," Metal-Sonic added. "I have learned of your theory that he and Echelon was, or more accurately speaking, is the same person. Echelon exposed me to chaos which inevitably led to my destruction. Although he did me a favor, I think that I should thank him personally, if you understand my meaning."
Rouge stepped forward. "Don't think you boys can get rid of me that easily. Hell hath no fury then a woman scorned after all. I sincerely doubt that you'd want such a fury on your heads, now do you, dearies? I'm in, and will not be told otherwise." Rouge stood beside Shadow.
"Four fools to send back to darkness," Mephiles said from afar. "So be it. Viper, Shadow, Rouge, Metal-Sonic, Time to meet your makers! Embrace your darkness!"
The four charged, Viper and Shadow in the lead. Mephiles charged right at them, claws curled into talons. Viper swung Bane, and Shadow quickly followed with a dropkick to Mephiles' face and Mephiles clashed back with claw and crystal. The five parted and clashed again, like beaters to drums in a death-battle of percussion.
Mephiles retreated a short distance, and charged up his energy. Glowing brightly, he rose up into the air like some mock-Jesus ascending. Viper shot at Mephiles with his guns, but found that the bullets merely ricocheted off. Mephiles then through one hand forward.
"Evasive maneuvers!" Mecha cried out.
All dashed aside, just as Mephies shot out a solid beam of dark energy, bigger then he was, burning the stones black. Mephiles recharged and fired again…and again. Mephiles soon changed tactics. He dropped back down to the ground in a crouch and charged right at Shadow.
Shadow charged in a spin, and struck Mephiles just as he went into one. Both bounced off, but attacked again. Shadow retreated, and then Metal-Sonic took over, spin-dashing again and again, Mephiles coolly returning each.
"Fools," Mephiles taunted. "Is that all you got? The darkness will consume you sooner than I expected!"
Mephiles rose up again, and all braced for the energy attack, but Mephiles instead surrounded himself in a blue energy shield. Viper didn't even try to use his guns; he knew it would be futile.
"Now, I dare you to try to destroy me now! I am almost to my ultimate power!" Mephiles laughed again, then threw his hand forward. Through the shield came an energized dark spike, soaring like a missile. All avoided it, and watched as it slammed into the ground and exploded, sending crystal shrapnel around. Mephiles threw another, and another!
"This is hopeless!" Shadow said. "Somehow, we can't deal any damage on him!"
"Not yet," Viper muttered.
"Feel the darkness!" Mephiles curled into a fetal position, the bubble shield collapsing around them, but suddenly it inflated as he snapped erect. As it inflated, dark balls of energy shot out like shooting stars and spread about high. Mephiles threw his arms down at on his command, the dark energy balls fell like meteors. Everyone dodged as fast as he or she could, but Viper being the largest target got the concentration of the attack.
As he dodged, the balls did something strange. As they came close to his left arm, they diverted course and, to Viper's astonishment, absorbed right into his arm. His arm, energized, turned from hot yellow to deep purple. Viper could feel the same madness that he underwent during his corruption creeping in the back of his mind…but he was now in control. He looked at the energy shield of Mephiles. He got an idea.
He charged at the shield, his arm brightening as it energized, and swung with a forward punch to the shield with his arm. It clashed against the shield briefly with the sound of shattering class, then like glass, the shield shattered. Mephiles snarled and flew back several feet, landing in a crouched position.
Viper stood panting. Anytime he used the dark energy of the Black Chaos Emerald in him, it drained him. "You know, Mephiles. It was a really bad idea to corrupt a lab freak like me, you know that?"
Shadow skated alongside the hunter. "You used the dark power?"
"Yes," Viper breathed. "The weakpoint of Mephiles is his own power. We can absorb it and use it against him!"
"But we risk killing ourselves with the corruption," Shadow warned.
"That's why I'll be the one to absorb it. I will not let you lose more of your memory, Shadow."
"So touching," Mephiles said. "I'm not so weak as to allow myself to be overtaken by my own power, bloodspawn. Submit!"
Mephiles charged quickly and before anyone could react, he rammed his left hand into Viper's abdomen. Viper stood petrified, his face frozen in agony. Mephiles looked amused, and gave his grip a squeeze, causing Viper to vomit up blackened blood. "Damn you…" he managed to breathe.
Shadow was also petrified. He wasn't sure what to do.
"All of you cannot hope to achieve defeating me with your limited power," Mephiles said. "I must admit, you put up a spectacular fight, well deserving of a place in the annals of the warrior, but now it's time for you to cease. Allow me to help you out." Mephiles cast a glance at Viper's left arm. "We'll start with that troublesome claw of yours…"
If Viper was alone, things would have gone very badly for him. Shadow however was there and snapped out of his stupor. In five feet, he smashed into Mephiles' unprotected side, sending him flying, loosing grip of Viper.
The hunter fell to the ground, gasping and vomiting up more blood. "Damn, that one hurt." The wound was healing, but Viper felt the madness creep up on him. A homunculus' physiology was built to absorb the life-energy of beings they touch. It was the source of their power, and the best way to do that was by killing. It would accumulate in their cores, granting them unnatural long life and inhuman powers. This was the reason why they were called "bloodspawn," among other names. Mephiles had inadvertently gave him his own life energy while his claw was in his stomach. With the energy came the dark energy, the corruption was awakening. The madness was coming.
Shadow did not notice Viper's growing torment, but Metal-Sonic and Rouge did. "Rouge! Get back! Viper is about to lose his mind!"
Rouge had seen what happened when Viper went into Corrupted mode, and obeyed in haste.
Shadow was too busy attacking Mephiles. He was furious, and his fur was kindled in a red glow. He too was absorbing the dark energy from Mephiles, and it was showing. Shadow didn't care; he had one focus: destroy Mephiles.
After more spindashes from each other, they clashed again, Shadow's fist in Mephiles' grip, and Mephiles' fist in Shadow's grip. They grappled continuously in this stalemate.
"I can see the darkness welling up in you, Shadow." Mephiles smiled, despite not having a mouth. "Your hatred and anger gives your strength, focus. When you let those unleash, you are unstoppable. Pity you don't use them, and that's why you cannot win."
Shadow did not answer. He however was becoming more aware of a certain energy build up behind him. He felt its presence before. Viper was about to unleash. "I'll let someone else answer for me." He let go and jumped upwards. Corrupted Viper charged with a roar.
Mephiles went to meet him, but Viper was now a monster. Viper slashed, pounded, hewed Mephiles to pieces, and he was still not satisfied.
The madness was driving him to kill, kill. Destroy the enemy. He is there. This way. This way. Smash him! Kill him! Do not let him escape! He is the enemy. All enemies must die! Kill him! Send him to hell, drag him back and send him again! Do it. Kill! Kill!
Corruption in Viper was short-lived, but the destruction left behind was atomic. Soon, it gave out, and Viper collapsed to the ground in a heap. Mephiles was still rebuilding himself when Shadow, Metal-Sonic and Rouge rushed to check on Viper. Viper was conscious, but in a daze. Metal-Sonic helped him up and Rouge supported one side.
Viper shook his head. "Ok, I really need to stop doing that."
"Enjoyable," said a voice. All looked to see Mephiles standing a short distance away, almost rebuilt. "It is definitely enjoyable to see the one fighting 'against' the darkness to use the darkness itself. Who is the real devil here?"
Shadow turned to face him alone. "Darkness is a part of us, it is true, but there is a point where darkness cannot maintain its hold on us. You had corrupted both him and me with the darkness, but as you see we are still here. Darkness cannot swallow us. Neither will you!"
Mephiles laughed. "Delude yourself no further, Shadow! Die where you stand!"
Mephiles charged with a roar, while Shadow did the same, withdrawing an object that none could see. Mephiles swiped with his claws, but Shadow ducked and with one powerful swing, he smashed the object into Mephiles' stomach and withdrew.
Mephiles looked like he had received his mortal wound; his energy was going chaotic and all could feel it. Mephiles looked down at the object Shadow had stabbed him with. "No! It cannot be! No!"
All looked to see what Mephiles was weakening to. Stabbed into his torso was a silver winged talisman. The Talisman of Darkness!
Shadow crossed his arms. "Yes. You offered me revenge…now I got it."
Mephiles began to lose his form, melting into a tar like liquid. Mephiles tried to remove the Talisman from his body, but it was stuck fast like Excalibur to the Stone. More and more parts of him were melting away, trickling towards the Talisman's gem. "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" He cried out, when in one bright flash of light, he became energy and was absorbed into the Talisman of Darkness once again. It fell to the ground, clattering and lay still.
Viper smiled. "Poetic justice, Shadow." Viper rose slowly to his feet. His wound had healed, but the drain from the corruption was still on him. "Man, I really shouldn't do that again."
Shadow smiled. He and Viper have been in close proximity long enough so that either one of them could tell when the other one was coming close to humor. Judging by the way, Viper said his words, Shadow could tell he would be all right, although he didn't expect anything less.
Rouge seemed still in the dark. "I've seen you do that only one other time, Viper. What is that anyway?"
Viper looked at Rouge. "Three words, Rouge: Black. Chaos. Emerald."
Rouge opened his mouth, and then shut it again. She recalled that in the previous year in the depths of Mount Boia they found something like a Black Chaos Emerald. It discharged some energy and knocked all of them flat. She had been hiding behind E-123 Omega at the time so she caught none of the energy. Viper, Shadow and Omega caught it full-blast. Rouge didn't know the details regarding their corruption or that they even had a corruption. Omega, being a robot, merely shorted out. The blast itself caused him to fall backwards, landing on Rouge whom hit her head when she fell, falling unconscious.
Rouge looked at the Talisman of Darkness. So, it was this things cousin—the Black Chaos Emerald—that caused all this mess? How could something so small do so much damage? Something didn't fit. Chaos Emeralds, when left alone, don't do anything. Something has to provoke them to unleash their power…like that freak Chaos Control that got them stuck here in the first place. How did that happen anyway? Was that the Black Chaos Emerald's fault too?
Rouge delicately stepped towards the Talisman of Darkness, as if she was stalking a rare bird from behind. She just wanted a closer look. Then she recalled what happened last time someone did that and quickly stepped back. But what were they supposed to do with the Talisman of Darkness now? Leave it here?
"So, boys," called Rouge. "What are we about to do with that thing?" She pointed to the Talisman of Darkness.
Viper by now had gotten most of his wits back. "Oh, yes…well, I suppose we have to do something, do we?"
Shadow wasn't so resilient. "Hmph, I don't see why we need to mess with it any further. We should just take the Talisman of Wind…," he pointed to the silver-winged talisman with a yellow stone some distance away. "…and leave the Talisman here."
Viper crossed his arms. "And if someone careless found it?"
Shadow looked at Viper, but said nothing.
"The odds of that happening are significantly low, less than one tenth of a percent I estimate," said Metal-Sonic. "However, stranger things have happened where things left buried to be forgotten are often found again purely by chance. With an object of such importance, dare we risk such a finding by whoever finds this sanctum? It could be next week or as late as several centuries. No one can know for sure. If Mephiles is released again, who knows what mischief he will unleash. It could be much worse than it has been."
Shadow felt obligated to agree. "Yes, and knowing Mephiles, the next time being worse is an assurance." Shadow looked at the Talisman of Darkness again. "Very well. We will take it." He looked at Rouge. "Weren't you supposed to return the Talisman somewhere?"
Rouge nodded. "Yes, but I figured you guys would have a better plan to do with it. I'm not so sure if I should leave it with the humans in Soleanna. Maybe they'll lock it up in a vault to never be used, or someone like Dr. Kintobor will come along again to use it. Who knows?"
"We don't have a choice," Shadow said, sounding like he was about to submit by force to being branded. "We will leave it with the humans."
Shadow looked at the Talisman again; the more he looked at it, the more he hated it. It contained the same power that wiped clean his memory, and he never really got it back. Besides impressions of the past, and his friends' accounts, he knew nothing of it. He was willing to bear the Talisman of Darkness with him since it was needed to imprison Mephiles again, but now that the deed was done, he no longer wanted any part of it. However, he knew that leaving it here was a bad idea. Leaving it with the humans was not a great idea either. He'd rather pitch it into the Void to never be touched again, but he didn't have that option. To the humans it was…
Shadow stepped deliberately towards the Talisman, forcing himself to take each step. He could feel that same mind-wiping power from afar, but his mind was already wiped. There was nothing to lose now.
He was only five feet away from the Talisman when he ground rumbled underfoot. All braced themselves, perplexed at this new development. Suddenly, the Talisman lit up bright white. Shadow blanched as it continued to brighten.
Then, the Talisman exploded with a bang and a bright white light. Shadow leaped back covering his face from the light, as did everyone else. Once the light faded, Rouge was the first to recover, and looked where the Talisman was. "It's destroyed!" she cried out. All that remained was a swarming black mass was twisting, gathering itself, hovering some distance above where the Talisman one sat. All watched it in horror. It was Mephiles!
"The I of now had absorbed your shadow of the past, Shadow," Mephiles said, growling. The blob became a head and hands, while the rest was still reforming. "What had worked ten years ago…NO LONGER WILL!!"
Mephiles threw out his hands, and a blast of dark energy blasted all of them back, shattering the ground. Mephiles completely reformed himself and hovered just off of the ground, looking around the room. Several feet away, the four landed roughly on the pavement, stunned.
Mephiles did not wait for them to stand up. He raised his arms up, and above them appeared the Talismans of the Earth and Wind, spinning around him like planets around their star. He then waved his arms apart, and all around him appeared an army…an army of clones of Mephiles.
Shadow recovered and rose up and scoped the area. All four of them were now surrounded by Mephiles' clones. He couldn't tell who the original was, but it didn't matter. Not knowing if they were as strong as Mephiles or not, the situation was dire.
"You have been defeated, Shadow," Mephiles said. "Your limited power cannot match the full power of darkness…and you will pay the price for you lack of vision!"
Shadow stood up, and the rest were recovering, rising and taking in the current situation. It looked impossible…but they weren't survivors of the Black Arm invasion for nothing. Shadow spoke for all of them. "So you claim."
"Hmph, still defiant to the end," Mephiles said. "It's useless, Shadow. If I don't destroy you here, the world will, and that bloodspawn at your side will be the conductor! You will fight, Shadow as you have here…and you will die at his hands. Why fight at all with that knowledge?"
Viper, Metal-Sonic and Rouge stood behind Shadow, almost in a military formation. Shadow would not be turned, nor would they.
Shadow curled his fingers around one of the viresium ring bracelets on his wrist. "If the world chooses to become my enemy…" He yanked the ring off, dropped it down on the ground then reached for the other. "…I shall fight…" He yanked off the other ring and dropped it. "…like I always have."
The Mephiles cloned began to advance. Shadow closed his eyes and crossed his arms in front of his face. His fur began to glow a fiery red. Without the rings on his arms, the power of chaos in his body was unrestrained. He rose up into the air, unconsciously mimicking Mephiles.
Viper knew exactly what Shadow was going to do, for he had seen it before. Whipping an object from his belt, he called to the others in a bark, "Huddle and stay down!" He tossed the object against the ground, and it opened, creating a bubble shield around the remaining three. There, they waited.
Shadow continued to ascend above the floor. He was glowing brighter and brighter. He curled into a fetal position as he ascended.
The Mephiles clones attacked. Some charged at the shield, while other leaped at Shadow.
Shadow, now glowing like the sun, snapped erect, limbs outstretched and shouted "CHAOS…BLAST!!"
A colossal explosion rocked the sanctum, wiping out anything unprotected. The blast was so great that the stone pillars blew away. The ceiling blew outwards, upwards into the sky, destroying the temple, exposing the night sky. The blast could be heard clear in Soleanna, and some in the city feared the worst, although they didn't know what it was.
Back in the sanctum, Shadow descended back to the ground, no longer glowing. The shield around the remaining three dissipated, and they all rose back to their feet. All looked around for the clone army, and found nothing but a river of black tar surrounding them. Mephiles was nowhere in sight.
Shadow slid the rings back on his wrists, and he felt his energy returning to normal levels. He looked around for Mephiles, but found no sign of him. Although he did find that the Talismans of Earth and Wind were left behind with them.
Viper noticed them too. "Hmph, he left in a hurry."
Rouge looked at Viper. "Do you think he really escaped after that?"
Viper gave a strange look at Rouge, which made Rouge take back her statement. Seeing that Viper had made his point, he looked at Shadow. "The Talisman of Darkness is destroyed, so Mephiles can no longer be sealed away. What do you propose we do, Shadow?"
Shadow looked at Viper. "Did you even have to ask that?"
Viper smiled. He knew the answer before he asked it.
Metal-Sonic said it best. "Then let us be off."
- - - - -
Viper landed on his feet in a crouch, sword outstretched to his side. Behind him, a dark figure dissipated as if it never was. Silver and Blaze joined Viper at his sides.
"What ARE these things?" Silver asked, eyes dilated. He never had seen anything like them.
"If I knew that, I think I'd tell you!" Viper snapped.
Viper, Silver and Blaze were deep in the Land of Shadows, beyond Pandora's Gate. Like a certain group of five before, they were quickly assaulted by the Spectres, a mysterious race of creatures that dwell within the Shadow Realm. And by the light of the seven Chaos Emeralds, they had been passing through when they were ambushed.
"Whatever they are, they aren't nice…" Blaze said sarcastically.
"Thanks for the news flash," Viper replied the same way.
None of them knew how long they have been in this place, for time right now was a triviality, while survival was vital. Viper hacked with his sword, and Blaze incinerated with her fire. Silver had the toughest time because of the darkness of the place. If he couldn't see it, he couldn't use his power to grab it!
"We can't keep this up forever!" Silver cried out.
"Tell me something I don't know!" Viper said back. "I'm taking suggestions!"
"What about the Chaos Emeralds?" Blaze said.
"I don't know how to use them beyond Chaos Control and Summon!" Silver replied, although he had the same idea as Blaze.
"All we really need is light!" Viper barked, slicing another Spectre. His aural sense had saved him here more times than he cared to admit.
Silver huddled between the remaining two, feeling like a fifth wheel no one needs. With one hand, he powered a mind-shield that kept some outside attacks at bay, but it was weak since his mind was trying to figure out a Chaos Emerald.
Blaze found that with holding the Red Chaos Emerald, her powers had multiplied. The Emerald amplified the discharged of her attacks, but she also found that it amplified her rage…and if it got out of hand, she could burn everything, including Viper and Silver to a crisp. She hadn't spoken a word, but it did what she wished. The Red Chaos Emerald's power must be flames…and wrath.
Blaze suddenly had an idea. If she summoned a fire devil, she might protect all of them in the vortex…but she had to make it big enough so Viper and Silver wouldn't be toasted. "Silver, Viper! Stay close to me!"
Obediently, they huddled, backs towards each other. Silver held the Sky Blue Chaos Emerald in his hand, and he could feel its frigid touch. Why was this Emerald cold? Before he could decipher the cause, around him erupted furious flames, twisting into a whirlwind. Viper and Silver shielded their faces from the blast-furnace heat. Over the roar of the flames, they heard the creatures squeal as some of them burned. Blaze held her hand high, keeping the flames from closing in on itself. She knew that she couldn't keep this up, for as air diminished, the flames searched for more. Oxygen would be burned up and they would suffocate in this vortex.
"Silver, if you're going to use a Chaos Emerald, use it quick!" Blaze commanded.
"I'm open to suggestions!" Silver said. He held the hand bearing the Chaos Emerald over his face, and found the chill on it relieving. At the same time, he held one arm outstretched in front of them, maintaining a mind-shield, which to his dismay did not prevent heat, for it melted right through.
Silver grew desperate. It was already getting harder to breathe in the vortex as the oxygen was being consumed by the flames. He closed his eyes tightly, and hope for a godsend idea. Right now, they really needed a shield…one that blocked heat. Unconsciously, he gripped the Sky Blue Chaos Emerald tighter.
The Chaos Emerald sensed the heart's desire of its beholder, and obeyed. Ice and defense were its power, so it would protect. The Chaos Emerald erupted in cold light, like the moon on a winter's night, and then like a curtain a light blue bubble formed around the three. The temperature dropped thirty degrees almost instantly.
"Whoa," Viper said, amazed. "What did you do?"
"I have no idea!" Silver exclaimed, not noticing the increased glow in the Emerald he bore.
"Well whatever you're doing, don't stop."
Blaze found that she could still maintain the inferno vortex while still inside the shield. She took full advantage of the protection so she unleashed the vortex into a raging inferno, incinerating the things outside furiously, while all three were safe inside. Blaze kept the inferno going for several more minutes. Now satisfied, she let the flames die. Silver dropped the shield unconsciously, and immediately smelled the familiar smell of sulphur in great abundance.
"Phew," Silver said, waving his hand in front of his nose. "I never did get used to that."
Viper didn't appear to mind the smell. "Trust me, kid, there are far worse smells things you could be smelling right now. This is nothing."
"Then I'll make sure not to smell them." Silver continued to wave the foul stench away.
Blaze looked around. The immediate area was silent, and it made her uncomfortable. "I doubt my flames were enough to drive them away."
"I'm feeling the same," Viper said. "Which is all the more reason why need to get moving."
"Where? We can't see a dang thing in here!"
"Hence why I said why we need light," Viper said, feeling like he shouldn't have to explain. "You figured out how to get a shield going, now figure out how to get some light."
Silver looked impudently at Viper, who had already turned his back towards the white hedgehog. What kind of an answer was that? Silver looked at the Sky Blue Chaos Emerald that was still in his hand. As they walked along, Silver studied it. Somehow the Emerald had made the shield by itself…had it?
Silver rattled his brain to figure out what made the Emerald did that. These Emeralds don't do things on their own whim…did they? They're just objects…powerful ones… So why did it do the shield on its own?
Silver replayed the battle in his head. Again in his mind, he was in the midst of the fiery tornado wishing for something to shield him from—Silver's mind snapped on quicker than a light switch. That's it! The Chaos Emerald had responded to his thoughts! His mind flashed back to what Blaze said when they first found the Talisman of Light. They had extraordinary power, as it transforms your thoughts into power.
Silver immediately held the White Chaos Emerald high, and thought hard. Show us the way to get out of here so we can fight Iblis! The White Chaos Emerald flashed brightly, which caught the attention of Viper and Blaze. Soon, a steady beam of light shone out straight forwards, and to the right. "It worked!" Silver smiled. "I told the Chaos Emerald to show us the way out of here so we could fight Iblis!"
Viper smirked. "Heh, I guess we were on the right track then." Viper looked at the others. "Shall we go?"
None need answered, and so they took off in a sprint towards the light beam. They went for several minutes, and although they were slightly winded from the fight before, the sight of light was like caffeine, energizing them for the final leg.
Just ahead, something that looked like a doorway opened up in front of them. This spurred them on even more. Sooner than any of them had expected, the three burst out into the open air. Despite the sky was dark and ominous, it might as well have been bright sunlight to the troupe as their eyes had adjusted to the darkness of the Shadow Realm. After a few seconds, their eyes adjusted to the new light, although it still smarted. They caught their breath, relishing the air, despite that it was choked with ash.
Silver was the first to look around. They were standing on a small ledge, which dropped off sharply into the largest lava lake the white hedgehog had ever seen. As far as he could tell, the lake stretched on beyond the horizon, although it was hard to tell as the view was broken up by large stone formations that dotted the lake.
Viper spoke for everyone. "Well, that's an eye-opener, no mistake."
Silver remained silent, although his silence agreed with Viper's words. This truly was a sight to behold.
Blaze had stared at the view as well, but something pricked her soul strangely, in a very familiar way. Instinctively, Blaze began to search the lava lake from the cliff, as if looking for something that could only be seen with her own eyes.
Silver grew aware of the sky above him, and he immediately felt outraged. "But we got back to the surface!" Silver exclaimed. "That Chaos Emerald led us the way out, not to Iblis!"
Viper looked coolly at Silver. "The Chaos Emerald knows the thoughts of the user. If you were seeking to find Iblis, then the Emerald made no mistake somehow. If you thought of how to get out of there, then it would have led you out...although I have a distinct feeling that if it led us out, we would have just gone back the way we came." Viper looked around. "As far as I can tell, there's no way out of this area except back the way we came."
Both looked back towards the cavern where they came from, and as they turned, a door swung shut over the cavern. The door, although it appeared to be made of the same stone as the large gate they used to get into the Shadow Realm, it was significantly smaller. The large gate was mainly simple in design, but this door was crafted finely. Instead of a flat top, the sides curved into a point. There were handles on the doors. The door was carved with indiscernible patterns, but they were detailed finely. Whoever made these doors took his or her time doing so.
Viper had stridden forward and tested the door with a pull, but it wouldn't budge. Some force was holding it shut. "Well, doesn't look like we'll be heading back anyway…not that I'd want to." Viper looked at his left hand which he had used to try to open the door. It had now faded into an orange color. "Now that's more like it," he breathed.
Silver's lips pressed into a far line in apprehension. Did the Chaos Emerald lead him where he wanted to go? Did he mess up by thinking that they just wanted out of there?
Blaze suddenly spoke up. "I sense His flames."
There was no need to expound on the possessive pronoun; both Viper and Silver knew whom she was referring to. Silver felt obliged to sign in relief…but then it was replaced with a different kind of apprehension…the one before a big battle.
A dull rumble reached their ears, the kind preceding an earthquake, spreading the news of an arrival like a public crier announcing the king is coming. Silver dared to look below into the lava lake. Sure enough, a wave of lava was coming towards them from the far end. It had to be Iblis.
Suddenly, a large demon burst through the lake's surface. Showers of lava fell upon the three below, narrowly missing all of them. Both stood their ground, and the demon looked down upon his challengers.
Iblis now looked much like his usual self, but his four arms have now fused into two, and in result the arms were thicker and his hands larger. Covering many strategic points on Iblis' body were sheets of rocky armor, and it appeared to be thicker than before. The shoulders were domed with thicker armor, and reinforced with large broad spikes, each twenty-five feet tall. Iblis face was rounder now and had a thick jaw, mouth now rimmed with large teeth. All could see that Iblis now had a third eye, a large one directly in the center of the forehead. The whole appearance gave Iblis the look of a bodybuilder.
"Iblis has matured," Viper said. "He's at his strongest now."
Silver and Blaze looked at each other. They had fought Iblis over and over again so he wouldn't get to this stage…because it was believed that Iblis at this stage was unbeatable. Now that Iblis has reached it…the battle had a new sense of urgency.
"You guys ready for this?" Silver said.
Blaze and Viper nodded, but Viper answered. "This battle is the one to end all battles. Either we finally destroy him…or he destroys us. Give it everything you got, no reserves." Viper held up the Green Chaos Emerald in his left arm. Silver and Blaze nodded, and raised their Chaos Emeralds. Blaze had the yellow and red, while Silver had the sky blue and white. Iblis may be the most powerful he had ever been…but so were they.
All three snapped their gaze at Iblis. "Iblis!" Silver cried out. "The time has come for you to be destroyed!"
Iblis roared fiercely in defiance. Who were these worms to command the almighty Iblis, the Flames of Disaster? Well, it was time to teach these parasites a lesson! Iblis roared into the sky, and the skies stirred. Suddenly, they opened up and fire fell like rain fell down upon them.
Silver held up the Sky Blue Chaos Emerald, and immediately, the icy force field protected him from the deadly rain. Viper relied on his agile movements to escape the danger. Blaze didn't fear fire; she danced in fire!
Viper regained his footing and taunted Iblis, "Is that all you got!? Come face me, Iblis! You stole my arm last time, but I got it back, but you'll still pay for it!"
Iblis roared again, and came closer. He was still a great distance from the cliff, but all grew suddenly aware of Iblis' size. Iblis curled his clawed hands together, and then threw his arms around like he was throwing a ball. From the movement, came out waves of fiery energy, searing through the air like a hot knife. All dodged the waves, even Blaze. Even to her, the rays were extremely hot, and they likely might have killed her.
With each attack, Iblis ventured forwards towards the cliff. Viepr's bullets were too weak to crack the armor effectively, and Blaze's flames, although damaging, weren't very effective. Silver didn't have anything large enough to crack the armor with, so all had to fight defensively. Iblis was coming closer. When he was close enough, then they would attack.
Iblis was now very near the cliff, and he towered above it. Silver felt really small, but would not give into fear. Suddenly, with his massive arms, lblis plowed his hands into the side of the cliff. All kept their balance as the cliff rumbled. All could hear stone cracking underneath.
"He's trying to destroy the cliff!" Blaze shouted.
"On the way!" Viper bellowed, and charged.
But Iblis was paying attention, and as Viper jumped at the face, Iblis leaned back slightly and opened his maw, and Viper fell right in. Quickly, Iblis clamped his mouth shut with a snap.
"Viper!" Silver and Blaze cried out.
Nothing happened for several seconds, and then suddenly, Iblis' mouth moved as if something was wedging it open. Soon, the mouth slowly opened again, as if trying to close but losing. Viper had braced his greatsword against the roof of Iblis mouth, and then used himself as the lever prying the mouth opened. He looked none the worse for wear. Viper grunted, "As appealing as a sauna sounds…I think I'll pass." He looked at Silver and Blaze. "Hey, a little help?"
Silver snapped out of his shock then sprang into action. He leaped on top of Iblis snout, and when he looked, all three eyes were looking straight at him. It gave him the creeps since the eyes were bigger than he was, but Silver charged. Slapping a hand on Iblis' center eye—noticing that it felt harder than marble—he screamed, "Take this, Iblis!" Silver's hand glowed bright blue.
Iblis screamed, and reeled back. Viper escaped his maw and Silver bailed, using his psychokinesis to hover back down to the cliff-top. Iblis had retreated to a long distance away after the blow, and all could feel the ground shake as his massive feet struck the bottom of the lake. The cliff-side made a funny noise each time it did, and it was followed by a sound of lava splashing right below. All felt a sickness in the pit of their stomachs as it did.
"Iblis must have destroyed the main supports of this cliff when he smashed it," Blaze said. "The cliff-side doesn't have much support to keep it up, and parts have already started crumbling off."
"In other words, we're in trouble," Silver finished.
"Trouble doesn't begin to describe it," Viper added, but then followed up. "We'll need to finish Iblis off fast, or else we're toast…literally."
"You don't have to tell me twice," Silver said, watching Iblis recover himself. "I hurt him, but I don't think I did any damage to that eye."
"While the eyes are a weak-point, we need to shatter his armor so we can attack his head," Viper said.
The demon was enraged. While Silver did not do any real damage to his eye, it had hurt fiercely. Those parasites would pay for that! Iblis glared at the crumbling cliff-side. They were doomed on that cliff, since he destroyed it, but he felt like he should speed things along. He located a nearby rock spire sticking out of the lava, standing nearly as tall as he was. Perfect. Iblis ripped it out of the ground, and prepared to heave it.
All could see what Iblis was up to, and for once, Viper felt a wash of cold sweat. "Uh, Silver, I hope you can catch that."
"I hope so too…" Silver felt his adrenalin shoot through the roof, pounding in his temples. Without thinking, he stood at the very edge of the cliff, hoping that he could grasp it in his mind to catch…and that the cliff wouldn't collapse under him as he waited.
Iblis heaved the spire as if it was a stick. Silver outstretched his hands and charged his power. He closed his eyes, hoping and praying he'd catch it. He could feel it coming closer…
When he dared to open his eyes again, he saw that the spire was now bathing in a blue-green glow of Silver's power. Heaving a sigh of relief, he cried out in a scream as he heaved it back at Iblis. He didn't look to see Iblis get struck hard by it and howl in pain, for he had leaned down onto one knee; that drained him. As Silver breathed, he started wondering how he could crack the armor. It felt like it was made of rock…
Silver's mind flashed to when in the past, he destroyed the concrete of the tower in Kingdom Valley so that he could make a floating apparatus of platforms for Sonic in an attempt to reach the EG-Carrier. He didn't know what rock Iblis' armor was made of, but it was worth a shot.
Iblis recovered and roared fiercely. Parts of his armor had cracked from being struck by a rock nearly as big as he was. He had enough; it's time to destroy them! Iblis stomped towards them furiously. Each step he took, more and more of the cliff-side was knocked off and fell into the lava below. All braced themselves as Iblis smashed his hands into the cliff-again, but then he pulled back on the cliff, and with a large crack, he tore the cliff off of its supports and held it on front of him.
Viper, Silver and Blaze had gripped the ground the best they could to avoid falling off, but they had a hard time of it. Iblis was not gentle with it, and various times, he tipped the cliff on its side so he could just toss them into the lake, but these three were annoyingly vigilant.
"Now's a good a time as any!" Viper cried out, holding on to the hilt of Bane, blade ran deep into the earth.
Silver leaped up off of his solid perch and hovered back onto Iblis' nose. It was unnerving standing on a demon's snout, but now wasn't the time. Silver clapped his hands together and slammed them on the armor. "I hope this works!"
A small archaic circle appeared on the armor, the same circle that appeared on the tower in Kingdom Valley. This circle glowed bright bluish-green. Immediately, there was a crack like thunder, and Iblis, in an attempt to swat Silver off of his snout, dropped the cliff into the lake.
Viper and Blaze held on as the rock punched into the lake. Unlike water, lava was a very viscous liquid, and the force of the rock hitting it shook it so hard that Viper and Blaze thought it would break. It held firm, but Viper felt numbness in his arm from holding onto the sword while the rock struck, for the sword absorbed much of the vibration.
Silver hovered down quickly, and Blaze saw a frightened look quickly fade into relief when he saw their condition. Landing on the floating rock, he inquired, "Are you guys okay?"
"Never mind us," Viper said. "Did you break the armor?"
"Kind of. I didn't know what the armor was made of, so I had to guess. I guess wrong so I didn't destroy it, but I did crack it pretty well."
"It should be enough," Viper looked at Blaze and nodded. Blaze nodded back; she knew what Viper was going to do. Viper looked back at Silver. "Give us a heave at Iblis face, and we'll finish the job."
Silver looked at Iblis, who was finished from recovering, and was now glaring down at the rock; his intentions were crystal clear. Silver nodded wordlessly, and stretched out both hands. The glow enveloped Viper and Blaze. "Up you go!" Silver cried, throw his hands up and behind him, towards Iblis.
Viper and Blaze flew up high and over Silver, heading straight for Iblis. Viper had Bane ready, and Blaze began burning furiously like a meteorite ready to strike. Iblis caught sight of them as they closed in, but it was too late to react. Viper and Blaze smashed into Iblis' head, further breaking the armor, causing it to fly off in pieces.
Iblis was swatting at them furiously, but Viper and Blaze were quick and dodged the huge claws. After several seconds, they had succeeded in ripping off large portions of the armor before they bailed.
Viper, feeling the blood of vengeance in his blood, was not done. Blaze dropped back down to the rock, while Viper immediately curled into a fetal position. When he snapped back erect, he had triggered Prime Mode. Now things were going to get loud!
Silver and Blaze watched Viper transform, and immediately stuck to the rock, remembering Viper's warning about him going into Corrupted Prime Mode, although they couldn't tell the difference between the two modes. All in all, they let Viper alone as he re-engaged.
Viper launched back at Iblis' face, glowing hot yellow and limbs dressed in unbreakable sharp gauntlets. He slashed, pounded and picked into Iblis face, his power destroying anything in his way. Iblis swatted again, but instead of dodging, Viper retaliated with a swipe if his own fist with bone-shattering resistance.
Viper retreated slightly, but Viper shouted. "Let's finish this!"
Silver and Blaze watched as Viper slung his left arm forward, and were shocked when a colossal energy silhouette of it poured out from Viper and held Iblis by the head, for it was so large that it engulfed the entire head.
Viper remained still, and Iblis swung at Viper, but he was too far away. From their position, Viper and Blaze could hear Viper speak. "You ripped off my arm nearly two-hundred years ago, because you knew what this arm was going to do, Iblis…this arm…was made to send bastards like you back to hell!"
Iblis continued to struggle, but it was all in vain.
"And now…you…DIE!!" Viper snapped his left hand into a fist violently, and so did the silhouette. Iblis' head exploded in orange lava-like blood. Iblis remained standing for a short time, but then fell backwards into the lava with a splash of lava; thus perished Iblis.
Viper fell back down onto the rock, reforming back into normal. The hunter looked at where Iblis fell and smiled. "Damn! I've been waiting to do that for a long time."
Silver and Blaze felt obligated to be elated, but Iblis always returned. How were they going to destroy him with the seven Chaos Emeralds?
Suddenly, a shot of flame erupted out of the lava where Iblis fell, shooting towards the rock, but halting just before it. It twisted around itself into a burning sphere, as big as a bull elephant.
Silver gasped. That was it! They needed to seal Iblis again, just like before!...and Silver would be the vessel to carry Iblis for all time. "Everyone! Get out the Chaos Emeralds! This is our chance!"
Everyone whipped out the shining gems. Neither knew what Silver was up to, but they knew Silver had a plan.
Silver decided to explain it. "I'm going to seal Iblis within my soul, and I know how to keep him in forever."
Viper's eyes widened. "Is that possible?"
"Yes, for it was done before over two-hundred years ago. They used one Chaos Emerald then, but here, we'll use all seven!"
Blaze nodded; it was a good plan. Viper hesitated, feeling something was about to go wrong, but nodded as well. "Go for it, kid."
Silver held two Emeralds in hand, one red and one green. He could feel the Red Chaos Emerald burn, but he ignored it. He stared hard into the roaring flame in front of him. "Eternal Sun! The living flame passed down to the royal family! Fall into slumber in my soul, Iblis…you cursed Flames of Disaster!"
All the Emeralds lit up like beacons, and lifted up into the air surrounding Silver, sending beams like laser into Silver's chest. The Red Chaos Emerald pulled at the flame violently, and it drew it in, then poured it into Silver's chest.
It burned, and he felt like his insides were on fire. He struggled, coughed and grunted. Was it supposed to be this painful? Suddenly, he saw the flames exit his soul, only to re-enter by the power of the Emerald. The flames kept escaping but were reabsorbed. This wasn't working! He was being rejected!
"No!" Silver grunted and cough. "Why won't it accept me as the vessel!?"
Viper looked at Blaze, unsure of what he was going to do. Then he made a strange face, for Blaze's head was lowered…as if she was going to do something drastic.
Blaze was in fact facing a decision. Iblis was sealed once before, and was about to be sealed again…but Iblis wasn't so resolute in going back into imprisonment. Therefore, just sealing wasn't going to work. Iblis had to be destroyed for good…and she felt that there was only one way to do it.
She looked up again and strode for Silver, and then the hunter knew exactly what she was going to do.
Silver didn't notice Blaze until she laid a hand on his shoulder. The Emeralds dimmed as the circle was broken, and Iblis escaped back out. It hovered there, taunting them.
"Blaze—" Silver cried out, feeling angry, but sobered when he saw Blaze's determined look.
"Silver…I'll take Iblis." Her voice was strong and unwavering like a solid rock being swept over by the furious oceans. "Don't worry; since my soul is already burning with flames…Iblis will accept me."
Quickly, she took the Emeralds out of Silver's hands. As he reeled back, clutching his chest, the Emeralds shown even brighter, the beams stronger. Iblis was pulled in again, and they could hear small shriek from Iblis as he was helpless in the act.
Blaze glowed orange slightly, and around her, tendrils of flame were licking her body. Despite being a fitting vessel, Iblis was still torturing her from the inside, and she too struggled, although not so much as Silver did.
Blaze dropped the Emeralds to the ground, and turned to the two, mystified by her act. Her face was like stone, but Silver could tell that she was suffering.
Blaze struggled to speak. "What are you waiting for? Use…Chaos Control…to open a portal…to the Void…so you may seal us in it!"
Viper blanched. To ask to be sealed into the Void was just like asking to be shot through the chest. "Blaze! You know what that will do!"
"Yes…" She breathed. "…it will keep Iblis trapped forever!"
"No!" Silver burst out. "I can't let you do this!"
Blaze looked at Silver. "We already…discussed this, Silver! We agreed…to save the world…at ANY PRICE!!"
Silver gritted his teeth, and felt his eyes sting. Viper's expression seemed locked in shock. Silver was in turmoil; they had agreed that they were willing to pay any price to save this world…and we're even willing to kill Sonic for it…but this was different! They're talking about killing Blaze!
"I CAN'T!!" Silver screamed.
"You have to!" Blaze cried out.
"Blaze—" Viper started, but she cut him off.
"It's the only way, Viper. You lost your arm before because of Iblis. We'll lose far more if we don't do this now! I must be the sacrifice to destroy Iblis. It's the only way!"
Viper felt his eyes sting. He had lost many friends to Iblis' wrath…and to finally be rid of that evil…they had to destroy a life. Life is too cruel, and he hated it. It was the only way, and there was another way, they'd do it…but there wasn't.
Viper sighed deeply, the kind of sigh that proceeded tears. "All right, Blaze. You've made your point. I don't like this, but I trust you enough to follow your lead."
"NO!" Silver cried out. "I can't do it! I won't do it!"
"Silver—" Viper started, but Silver cut him off.
"I can't go on in this world without you, Blaze!" Silver's eyes began to rim with water. "We were supposed to enjoy the world together when we destroyed Iblis. It wasn't supposed to end like this! You're my friend…right?"
Blaze looked at Silver, with a sad expression on her face. Obviously this was hard for her too, but she had already come to terms with it. "Silver…you still are so naïve…"
Silver pursed his lips, and one single tear rolled down his face.
Blaze then smiled. "But…that's what I've always liked about you." She turned to Viper. "Take care of him."
Viper pursed his lips, and then nodded.
Blaze closed her eyes tightly, and clenched her fists. Around her, the seven Chaos Emeralds flared to life. They circled around her gaining speed, and then they exploded into a pillar of red-purplish light. Silver and Viper blinked in the light, then it faded and saw Blaze. Her fur had brightened to pink, as did the fur cuffs on her garb and shoes. Her garb flared into bright red, and her yellow eyes deepened into red eyes. Around her, an aura of red and purplish flame enveloped her.
Only Viper knew what had happened. "She's in Super-form," he breathed.
Blaze stepped backwards off of the rock and began to ascend and drift away from the two. Silver made as if to follow her, but Viper gripped him by the shoulder to stop him. "Blaze!" Silver cried out.
Blaze looked downwards at the two as she grew farther and farther away. They heard her voice, almost sounding ghostly. "Thank you, Viper, Silver. I may pass, but you'll both live on. Good luck!"
"Blaze!" Silver called out again, and Viper tightened his grip on his shoulder.
"Silver," Viper whispered. "She's doing what she has to do…and we must as well."
"No!" Silver said, although he knew that Viper was right.
Blaze continued to ascend, shining bright as a star. She curled into a fetal position, and the light brightened around her. With a great cry, she snapped erect. There was a loud explosion, one so great that the clouds rolled back like water. The flash blinded Silver and Viper, and both felt a warm rush from the shockwave wash over them. Silver felt like his heart had been stabbed as he screamed one last time. "BLAZE!!"
The clouds continued to roll away, revealing the sky. The light continued to burn, and Viper thought it was Blaze still, but when he dared to open his eyes, he found that it was not Blaze…but the sun! The sky was blue and the sun was shining through, brighter than he ever saw it. He could see the clouds continue to dissipate and roll back. The planet was healing. Iblis' power had diminished…for he was destroyed.
Sparks rained down on the two, floating gently like leaves in autumn. Viper looked at them sorrowfully…for they were burning ashes of what remained of laze's body. Blaze had self-detonated and destroyed Iblis while he was trapped inside. That…was what she had done to destroy Iblis for good. Her sacrifice opened up the skies.
Back in the ruins of Soleanna, the underground dwellers felt the air change outside, and risked venturing out, only to find the clearing sky open up before them. Oh, what words could describe their great jubilation was there at seeing the sky for the first time in their lives? They had heard stories about the sky, but never had seen it, and it was even prettier then they imagined.
Iblis' blight was quickly dying. The seas began clearing, although it would take decades, may even centuries before they would be whole again. The earth remained barren, but all had faith that the world would be green and plentiful again. Iblis was gone! This was the day to be remembered! The day of deliverance!
But within all that jubilation, two souls were still aching from the loss of a friend, whose blood had been shed so that the world would heal from Iblis' blight. Silver had thrown his arms around Viper's neck, and was sobbing quietly into Viper's chest. Viper sat down upon the rock in the lava lake, and let Silver cry. He too was in tears, but Silver needed the support more than he did.
So, there they stayed, sadness in the midst of joy, grieving for the loss of Blaze the Cat, a valiant warrior who paid the ultimate price. Viper stroked Silver's head. The world was saved, yes, and they should feel happy, but for now, it was time to grieve for the dead.
