Chapter 39: The Final Chase

"So," Ash said, clenching his fists as they finally faced the powerful Pokemon, "you're the one responsible for all of this."

I have been waiting for you, Ash Ketchum Shadow Mewtwo replied. Your power has haunted me from the moment we first met. Now it is time to put an end to it.

"No," Ash shook his head. "It's time to put an end to your reign of horror. You've cast a shadow over our world for far too long. It's time to restore the light!"

Heheheheheh Mewtwo chuckled darkly. You amuse me, human. What does a puny little fool like you think you can do against me?

"How about this?!" Ash snarled, raising his arm. Greninja did the same thing, and a swirling veil of water enveloped him before condensing into a large shuriken on his back. "Okay, Greninja," Ash said. "Use Water Shuriken." Greninja yanked the shuriken off of his back and began spinning it around his head. After several spins, it glowed with a blinding light. "NOW!" Ash shouted. Greninja unleashed his super-powered shuriken and, with a large explosion, it scored a direct hit against Mewtwo.

"He got him!" Serena exclaimed happily.

"All right!" Misty cheered.

The dust instantly dissipated. To everyone's shock, Mewtwo wasn't even scratched. "What?!" Ash cried.

Even the power of Mega Evolution, Synergy, and Z-Power combined cannot harm me! Mewtwo declared. With that, he fired a dark blast that struck Greninja in the gut. It was instantly knocked out.

"AGH!" Ash screamed in pain, clutching his chest. The pain was momentary, and he quickly recovered. "Greninja, return!" he recalled his Pokemon to his Pokeball.

Now! Mewtwo snarled, pointing at him, I will destroy your puny little life. Then I will raise your body and make it my new vessel, to house my power. You shall be my new Messenger!

"Over my dead body!" Brock shouted, standing in front of his friend.

"You want Ash? You'll have to go through me, first!" Misty shouted likewise, standing in front of her friend. Following their example, everyone stood in front of Ash: Serena, Bonnie, Clemont, Iris, Cilan, Dawn, Max, Amy, Knuckles, Tails, and finally Sonic stood in front of him.

"No one's ever taken Baseball Head away from us before," Sonic snarled at Mewtwo, "and no one's going to take him away today! We will fight to our last breath to keep him away from you!"

"No, Sonic."

Sonic turned in surprise and saw Ash standing beside him. "Ash, what are you –?"

"If it's a fight Mewtwo wants, then I will fight," he said. "I won't stand back when the whole world is on the line. Even if it costs me my life, I will protect the world I love!"

"But Ash!" Sonic exclaimed, "If you die, then he'll take your body for his own!"

Ash looked at Sonic with a grave expression. "If I die," he said, "then you will stop that from happening." He turned to their friends. "All of you will."

"Y-Yes," Misty said softly, her voice trembling. "Just...please don't die, Ash."

He smiled softly and sadly at her. "I'll do my best, Misty."

No Mewtwo growled, dark energy crackling around him. There is no room for any of you here! With that, he unleashed a blast of dark energy that engulfed everything in sight.

"GAAHHHH!" everyone screamed. Ash and Sonic covered their eyes. They turned around to keep their eyes safe, only to witness a horrifying sight: all their friends were fading as they fell back in midair.

"NO!" Ash screamed.

"GUYS!" Sonic cried.

No sooner had they said this before their friends vanished as though into thin air, leaving only Ash, Pikachu and Sonic behind.

Perfect Mewtwo sneered. Now, at long last, the darkness shall reign!

"Where are they?!" Ash screamed at Mewtwo, absolute rage flooding his face. "What have you done with them?!"

Oh, you needn't worry about them Mewtwo chuckled darkly. I am sparing their lives for the moment, as I have returned them to your puny world. The darkness around them began to crackle violently. But they will not escape their fate. When the darkness has fully covered your world, there will be nowhere for them to run. It will not be long before they wish for the fate that I am about to inflict upon you...DEATH!

"Ungh," Misty groaned, slowly getting to her feet. "What…?"

"Misty!" a familiar voice called. She looked up and saw Brock coming to her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm...fine," she replied as he helped her up. "Where is everybody?"

"Over here!" Dawn called. They looked up and saw the bluenette running towards them, and realized they were back in the meadow where they were when the dark portal swallowed them up.

"Everyone?' Misty said, looking around.

"No," Serena shook her head as she sadly came up to them. "Not everyone."

Misty looked around, deathly pale. "Oh no...where's Ash?!"

"He's...not here," Serena whispered.

"Uh, guys?" Tails called, "You might want to see this."

"What is it?" Brock asked. "And does anyone know what time it is?"

"My PokeNav's completely dead," Max shrugged. "We should figure it out by looking at the sun...or moon. Whatever's in the sky."

"That's just it!" Knuckles said. "Look!"

They all looked up and realized they couldn't see the sun or the moon. A dark cloud obscured everything, slowly spreading. It was no longer possible to tell whether it was day or night.

"This is...terrible," Misty whispered in horror as lightning flashed in the sky.

"You monster!" Sonic screamed. "That's it! You're going down!"

Hmhmhmhmhm Mewtwo sneered, eyeing the werehog with a strange gaze. Heheheheheh...AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA! You overestimate your power, werehog! He then extended his hand out towards him. Or should I say...hedgehog.

Suddenly, dark energy erupted from Sonic's stomach. "GAHHHHH!" he roared in pain as the energy began erupting from his head, hands, feet, and eyes.

"Sonic!" Ash cried.

The spectacle lasted for about fifteen seconds. When it finally ended, Sonic stood there, wavering a moment and putting his hand to his head, before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.

Sonic the Werehog was no more.

Hmhmhmhmhmhmhmhmhmmmmmm Mewtwo chuckled. Oh, yessss...YESSSSSSS. I'd forgotten how much of my power he absorbed when that fool Eggman split the planet apart.

"What?!" Ash exclaimed.

It feels so good to finally have it all BACK! he roared. Dark energy swirled around him in a sphere. Then, with a burst of power, he emerged in a larger form.

Ash's eyes were wide. "Mega Evolution!" he breathed.

POWER Mewtwo replied. UNLIMITED POWER. MWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!

From a hospital in Hoenn, Shadow the Hedgehog watched as the darkness slowly crawled towards him from the north. He clenched his fists and turned away, powerless to do anything. He walked into a room where a young brunette laid in an endless slumber.

"I didn't want it to end this way," he whispered, a tear falling from his eye. "But if this is how it must be, then at least we can be together...one more time."

Foolish Ash Ketchum Mewtwo said condescendingly. How will you defeat me now?

Ash reached for his Pokeballs, only to grasp nothing. "My Pokeballs!" he exclaimed. "Where are they?!"

I sent them back to your world with your friends Mewtwo sneered. I don't know what would be worse: remaining trapped in those capsules forever, or suffering the reign of darkness. I suppose I'll just have to figure it out as I go along.

"If you wanted my friends to suffer in the darkness," Ash growled, "then why did you keep us here?"

Your friends are mere insects compared to my power Mewtwo replied. They are no longer a threat. YOU, however, are the greatest threats to my plans. Therefore, I shall personally see to it that you can do nothing against me...by killing you.

Ash looked at Pikachu with a deadpan expression. "Why is this always happening to me?"

"Pika," Pikachu shrugged.

This is the end! Mewtwo declared as he raised his arms and formed a massive ball of dark energy. PREPARE TO MEET YOUR DOOM!

Ash backed away a step in fear. Then Mewtwo launched his massive attack, and the trainer covered his eyes, waiting for the impact.

It never came. Instead, he heard something kick the sphere away into the void, where it exploded harmlessly.

What?!

"Sorry, cat-face, but your little game ends here, and it ends NOW!"

They looked up and saw Sonic the Hedgehog standing in front of Ash, fists clenched at his side.

What did you just do?!

"I did what I had to do," Sonic replied. "You did me a very generous favor, Mewtwo: you freed me from the darkness for good! You may have been able to hinder me by the power of the night before, but that's all over now. I am no monster. I am Sonic: Sonic the Hedgehog! And you're about to find out just what that means!"

You make me sick, Sonic the Hedgehog Mewtwo growled. It's a good thing I'm going to kill you, too.

"Not a chance!" Ash shouted back at him. "Your night has lasted long enough, Mewtwo. You think the darkness is the herald of our defeat? You think that because things look hopeless there is no hope? Well, you're wrong! The night is darkest right before the dawn. And though the pain in that hour is great, the victory that comes after makes it all worth it. That is the hope we hold to in our darkest hour, and that is the hope that will empower us to defeat you! The road ends here, Mewtwo! Your darkness is nothing but the herald of our victory!"

Mewtwo glared at Ash with absolute hatred. The road ends here, you say? Hmhmhmhmhm! Suddenly, a long, narrow pathway shot into the void. Oh no, Ash Ketchum...the road has only just begun! With that, he shot down the path like the speed of light.

"After him!" Ash cried.

"I'm on it!" Sonic replied, dashing down the path as fast as he could. It felt good to be able to run again.

As he ran, he began to feel energy surge through his body. Chaos energy? Is it the Chaos Emeralds? No, wait! he thought excitedly. It's happening again! His feet pounded the ground faster and faster as his form slowly changed once again. His speed picked up, and he shot down the path to catch up with Shadow Mewtwo.

Urgh! Mewtwo growled as he saw Sonic quickly catch up to him. He was right on his heels now. How did you catch up so quickly?!

"Um...hellooooooo?" Sonic replied. "Have you forgotten who you're dealing with here?"

You cursed little rat he snarled in reply. Take this! He threw a ball of energy at Sonic, but the nimble hedgehog just sidestepped to avoid it, not even breaking a sweat.

"All right!" Sonic cheered. "Now it's my turn!" With that, he leapt up, curling into a ball, and shot straight at the evil Pokemon, hitting him square in the chest.

Guh! Mewtwo grunted. You'll pay for that! With that, he shot another ball of energy at him, but he sidestepped to dodge it again. He shot two balls of energy, but Sonic avoided both of them. Enraged, he shot three balls of energy. Sonic leapt over them, but his foot scraped one, causing it to spark.

"Ouch!" he exclaimed. "That didn't feel good. No time to sweat, though. I gotta go fast!" He kept running after Mewtwo, his golden eyes locked on the prize.

Still running, Sonic the Hedgehog? he snarled. Maybe I should punch you out! He came a little closer, raising his fist. Sonic, however, took advantage of the opening, curled into a ball, and shot at him again, striking him where it hurt. ARGH!

"Bad idea, cat-face!" Sonic taunted him. "Try an alternative approach! I like an unpredictable enemy. It makes this more fun!"

I'll eat your blue heart out, you insolent hedgehog! Mewtwo shouted as he floated away from Sonic a bit. Then he raised his fists and began spinning cylindrically in the air.

"Looks like a drill attack," Sonic noted, smirking. "Now we're talkin'!"

Mewtwo shot up, performed a corkscrew, and then came charging at Sonic. The quick-thinking hedgehog leapt over him, escaping the attack. He looked behind him to see Mewtwo disappear.

"Gone already?" he wondered. "That was too easy. Where is he now?"

DIE!

"Whoa!" he exclaimed, looking forward just in time to see Mewtwo attack him with his fist again. He slid under him and continued running. Mewtwo chased after him, but Sonic was ready. With a smirk, he leapt into the air, performing a backflip, and kicked Mewtwo in the back of the head.

GAHHHHHHH! Mewtwo screamed as he rocketed forward from the force of Sonic's attack. He tumbled across the ground until he fell to the ground. Sonic screeched to a stop in front of him.

"Looks like Round 1 is mine!" he grinned. "Ready for Round 2?"

You… Mewtwo growled as he got up on one knee. Your power is impressive, hedgehog. He got up on his two feet. But it is nothing compared to the power of darkness! With that, Mewtwo fired a Shadow Ball. Sonic nimbly leapt over it, smirking.

That was too easy to dodge! he smirked. He's so predictable! Hehe–wait...OH, CRAP! IT'S GOING FOR ASH!

Ash, who had caught up to them thanks to his bond with Sonic, got hit by the full force of the attack. It knocked him onto his back. Sonic felt all the pain he did, screaming as he reverted back to his normal form. He fell onto his bottom, a hand on his head. Then the pain vanished. He looked up and saw Ash lying on the ground, motionless.

"Oh no!" he exclaimed, rushing up to him. He shook him slightly. "Is he dead? No, wait...he's breathing! He's just knocked out!" He turned to Mewtwo. "That was a dirty move, you know that?"

All's fair in the darkness, Sonic the Hedgehog Mewtwo sneered. With Ash Ketchum out of the way, I will have no problem disposing of you. Then, with your death, he will swiftly follow!

"Oh, really?" Sonic retorted. "You know, if I was you, I wouldn't overestimate your power."

Oh, really? the dark Mewtwo sneered. Your friend is down, as is your source of power. What can you possibly do to defeat me now?

Sonic glared at him, fists balled at his sides. Then the Chaos Emeralds appeared, surrounding him and bathing him in their power. Then, with a bright flash of light, he transformed into his super form. Mewtwo was caught off-guard and covered his eyes.

"How's this for an answer?" Sonic asked.

Hmhmhmhmhm Mewtwo chuckled, amused. It seems I underestimated you, hedgehog. But it makes no matter. I will destroy you all the same! With that, he shot up into the air. Sonic followed, right on his heels. Ash, meanwhile, slowly opened his eyes, grunting in pain.

"Ugh," he moaned. "That...hurt. You okay, Pikachu?"

"Pikachu," Pikachu nodded.

"Good." He looked up and saw a bright light in the sky. "Go for it, Sonic," he smiled, putting his hand on his chest. He felt something in his shirt. "Huh?" He pulled out a bright stone on a necklace. It was slightly cracked on the outside, but the diamond-shaped stone in the center was unscratched.

"The stone," he whispered. "Could this be…?"