"I have a bad feeling about this," Shadow says, looking at the ruined city not too far away.
He, Rouge, and E-123 Omega wait beside Knuckles and Amy in the middle of the green, pleasant field. Gathered in a neat circle before them are all seven of the dark chaos emeralds.
Most of the plan has yet to be announced, but even so, everyone aside from the desperate echidna can tell whatever it is he's planning, it isn't foolproof.
Not too long ago, Tails flew into Station Square, coming to the conclusion that Sonic had entered the city without warning. While Amy wanted to believe otherwise, it was something she knows he'd do by now.
"If he doesn't show in the next two minutes, I'm going in after them," Shadow says.
"Don't be silly, you're lucky to be standing," Rouge argues. "If anything, I'm going in."
"I'll come with you," Amy tells her.
"That won't be necessary," a voice says from above which everyone is thankful to hear.
Looking up, they see Sonic held securely in Tails' grip as both of them gradually descend onto the field. Knuckles gets in the hedgehog's face before his full weight has touched the ground.
"Does that brain of yours even think?" Knuckles grunts. "It's a warrior's job to win as an army. Not die as an individual!"
"Look, I'm sorry Knux, but do you think we can speed this up?" Sonic asks. "I was told you have a plan."
"I do," Knuckles confirms, looking over at his surrounding allies. "Everyone, gather around the emeralds!"
With no time to waste, everyone follows the echidna's command without question. Each of them is now in a circular formation around the seven dull gemstones.
"It's a pity what's come to be of my precious emeralds..." Rouge pouts.
"They're NOT your emeralds! Knuckles barks. "Besides, if this works, we'll have them back."
"Wait, really?!" Sonic asks, shocked at such a revelation.
"Yes," Knuckles nods. "Back on the plane, one of them regained their life for a brief moment after Amy joined me in my prayer. I know I wasn't imagining things. I'm sure of it. Their divine power is not lost."
"How can you be so sure?" Shadow questions.
"Something my father told me long ago. He sat me down after I had asked to know more about the stones that kept our home alive. His explanation was vague, but I remember it like it was yesterday. He told me the emeralds contain practical energy, yes. But that's only half of it. They also have the ability to turn our very thoughts into power. In other words... positive energy. I don't think Eggman succeeded in extracting that."
"SO HAPPINESS IS WHAT GIVES THE EMERALDS THEIR TRUE POWER?"
"In a way, yes," Knuckles answers.
"THAT IS THE LAMEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD."
"Wait, hold on," Rouge interrupts. "Even if we're able to revive these gems, and that's a big IF, what good will that do? I don't see how they can get us out of this mess."
"They won't," Knuckles agrees. "But they might grant one of us the ability to do so."
"If I remember correctly, didn't you say their ability to grant certain individuals immense power was... a rumor?"
"It's all we've got."
"I say we do it," Amy smiles. "Hope wins all battles! I don't see why this one should be any different."
"You heard her," Sonic says, joining Amy in smiling. "If you think this has a chance of working Knuckles... let's do it."
"This is insane," Shadow grumbles.
"Is it any more insane than the last couple of days have been?" Rouge retorts.
"Hmph."
"Okay, everyone, let's join hands," Knuckles announces, holding his out to Amy on his left and Tails on his right.
They both grab them, hopeful their hands won't be crushed by the echidna's intimidatingly large fists. Sonic's left hand holds Amy's right, and the hedgehog grins after holding Shadow's left.
"I guess this officially makes us friends," Sonic teases.
"Just shut up and focus," Shadow snaps as he grabs Rouge's left hand.
E-123 Omega completes the circle by holding Rouge's remaining palm in its titanium grip, and Tails' who does a poor job hiding how nervous he is to be joining hands with one of Eggman's death robots.
"Okay, this next step is important," Knuckles warns. "Pay attention, you'll need to recite this later. Amy, are you ready?"
"Sure thing!" she says, closing her eyes.
Both of the Mobians begin their prayer in unison.
"The servers are the seven chaos. Chaos is power. Power enriched by the heart... we are the ones who unify the chaos."
After, Knuckles opens his eyes.
"Before we recite in unison, all of you need to think of something that makes you happy. It can be anything."
"I WISH TO DOMINATE ALL WHO STAND IN MY WAY."
"Yeah... like that. Quickly, everyone, close your eyes and concentrate."
Rouge does just that, thinking of what'll make her the happiest.
The scores we'll pull together will be extraordinary. I can picture it now. Just the three of us.
I don't know how, I don't know why, Shadow internally admits. But I know somewhere out there, Maria is watching me. She may not be proud of what I've done, but I can only hope that'll change with what I'm going to do.
All I want is just for everyone here to be happy! Amy wishes. Once this is over, we can do all sorts of things together. And maybe... just maybe me and Sonic will have our happily ever after. Like Cinderella! Except... without the evil step-family and fairy godmother.
Mother... father... I WILL restore our home. Knuckles internally declares. Soon, it will be alive and thriving again. Like it once was before the invasion. I can see it now.
I WILL be the hero I know I can be! Tails internalizes. And you'll be there to see it, Sonic. I won't let you down.
I just want somewhere to run again. Sonic dreams. For all of us. My friends, their friends, humans and Mobians everywhere. Clear skies and a bright, warm sun. Freedom.
"Okay!" Knuckles says. "We shall begin-!"
"Look!" Rouge shouts, pointing behind Sonic.
Everyone on the hedgehog's side joins him in turning around, and they all feel the same weight drop down on their heart. Hovering just a few feet away is Infinite, looking down at the group of allies. He just stays there, not saying a word. Then... he begins to laugh. A shrill laugh as if he just heard the funniest joke in the world. He can barely begin to say his next sentence over the laughter refusing to subside.
"Is this what it's come to? Prayer circles?!"
Knuckles turns back around.
"Ignore him and keep to your thoughts!" he yells. "It's now or never!"
Everyone nods in unison and closes their eyes.
"The servers are the seven chaos!" they chant over Infinite's cries of laughter. "Chaos is power! Power enriched by the heart!"
"Time to put an end to this worthless squabbling," the Jackal decides, pointing an open palm in the group's direction.
"We are the ones who unify the chaos!"
"BE GONE!" a ball of red electricity leaves Infinite's hand.
"GRANT US THE POWER NECESSARY TO DEFEND THE ONES WE LOVE!" Knuckles screams.
A cloud of smoke engulfs the circle of friends on impact. Behind his mask, Infinite grins, although, slightly disappointed the fun ended so quickly. He begins to think of what there is to do next when something else steals his attention.
Something disperses the smoke cloud. Shining, golden light too powerful for the Jackal's naked eye. He allows himself to look away for a brief moment before turning back to see what's going on. By all accounts, his prey should be nothing but ash.
In the smoke cloud's place is a transparent, golden dome shield. Infinite gasps, realizing his attack hadn't hit anything at all. Within the shield, everyone is unscathed. But what's more concerning are three of the opponents in particular. The shield dissipates, and to Infinite's disbelief, they join him in the air, rising from their feet.
Of the three, glowing friends is Amy Rose, her short quills now extending even longer. She radiates a rose gold aura, that just barely matches the brightness of her scarlet red pupils. Even as she ascends, she still holds onto her Piko Piko hammer.
Joining her side is Shadow who also levitates, radiating a golden lemon-cream aura. His pupils are ruby red, and they forge a burning gaze powerful to pierce through the Jackal's visor and sting his crimson eyes.
In front of them hovers Sonic, who has also undergone a similar transformation. His aura is one of pure gold, and his pupils, like his fellow powered-up allies, are a bright red. All three of the Mobians' fur matches their illuminating auras, which shimmer down to a more seeable view.
Knuckles is left speechless as he watches the hedgehogs stop in mid-air.
The ancients... were they...?
Infinite's fists clench with unbridled rage.
"WHAT?!" he yells.
Sonic points in his direction.
"Infinite... it's game over."
...