…Sonic!...….Wake up!
…..Princess!...….Stay back!…
…Aquilo!…..D-Damn it all!…..'
…...Such pathetic insolence….
XIV. When Flames Die Out
The world kept spinning around me, and my head was throbbing so much, it left my body numb. The ringing drove me insane as I cracked my eyes open and struggled to breathe…
"…B-Blaze…? Ngh!"
Then the pain kicked in, all around me... Where was Theobald when you needed him, I thought. My hearing slowly came back to me, meeting the sounds of wrecked metal and fire right behind me. I turned, just to see the whole fortress standing in front of me; torn apart and still burning. A huge cloud of smoke towered above, covering the sun. I slowly got on my feet, still trying to collect myself…
"Blaze…?! Silver…! Maia…?!"
I jumped when I heard a blast not far from where I was. While making my way, I tried piecing everything together. The kingdom was safe. For now. And I remembered Blaze in her burning form, which meant we got the gems back. But her, not even Nega, we're nowhere to be seen. I was surrounded by nothing but trees and falling ash. The smell alone was enough to give me a headache. Slowly, I started to speed up through the woods, following sounds coming from the sky. The trees, along with a cloud of smoke, covered everything above me, making it hard to see what exactly was going on. But soon, I'd get a clue. In an instant, stray shots came out of nowhere, ripping through the wood far from me, while another blast went off above right afterward. I remained crouched for a moment, then continued moving forward, trying to see if I could leave that forest and get back to the others. I called Blaze and the rest over and over, but nothing. While running through the smoke and burning debris, my mind raced with a thousand questions. Waking up alone, after everything that happened, was enough for worry. The only thing I could do was hope that Blaze and the others were alright.
Soon, the forest would slowly turn into a clearing, just to meet a big lake and what looked to be the kingdom above the trees, not too far away. Suddenly, I heard a grunt coming from my left. It was Chiron, on his knees, panting with only one crooked baton in his hand. His armor looked like it could fall apart at any moment, with scorch marks covered all over.
"Chiron!"
I yelled, running closer to him…
"Are you alright?! What, happened?"
He turned to me, half-conscious, while I tried picking him up…
"Come on… Y-You have to get up."
He mumbled words I couldn't really understand.
"W-What…?"
He didn't say anything afterward. He just sat there, on his knees, looking at the sky... Right before hitting the dirt.
"Chiron...!"
I checked on him. He was still breathing, but not in good shape at all. I turned him over, his back against the ground. I looked up to where he did, and managed to spot Silver. His neck was being held by some sort of, figure, suspended in the air.
"Silver!"
The figure turned and stared at me, while Silver continued to struggle, hitting its arm many times.
Then, it just let him fall towards the lake below.
Silver didn't do anything to stop himself.
"No-!"
I sped towards him as fast as I could and rushed over the water. Catching him just in time, I turned to run back to the shore. Only for a blast to come from above, and send us flying towards the sand. We rolled against it, but I was quick to recover and get to him. Whatever it was, it wasn't above us anymore. I looked around for it, making sure not to miss anything-
"S-Sonic…!"
"Are you alright-?!"
"Sonic, l-listen to me… We're, out of time."
"…W-What-"
"You have to, get those gems back."
"B-But I thought, Blaze had them-"
There it was, suspended above the water. Some sort of, knight, about twice my size but heavily armored. A bit excessive, even. It almost seemed as if Nega actually took his time.
But then… I noticed them… Shining across its shoulders and arms…
Even the silver one.
"...Silver…"
"Sonic, p-please… We've, tried everything-"
"...You tell me, where she is, right now-"
"Cheating death once more, eh Sonic?"
The machine spoke. That voice…
"…Me? I, embrace it… Power, beyond your imagination…!" he said, raising his fist. "And now… It is mine to master-"
"Shut it... where's Blaze…"
"...Hmph… My dear Blaze and I had a bit of a, sparring session, of sorts… I had to test this new body, you see… And I could never, refuse such honor… It was thrilling, Sonic… Battling, and shedding blows, with my bare, hands… No more creation after creation, failing me miserably, every time... For the rest of your friends, well… It was more, collate-"
"Where… is she?"
"...If, you insist…"
…I, still remember how he turned, to look at the other side of the lake… Blaze was, washed up at the shore…
And Nega, blocked the way.
"...Move."
"Gladly."
He swung at me… but stopped, mid-way... Silver had locked him in place...
"Sonic! I-I'm begging you!"
'…Blaze…'
"I-I don't, want to lose you too!"
'…please…'
"But we… we can end this, now!"
'…please, be alright…'
"P-Please… I don't know how long, I can...! Your... your, quills…"
'…she…'
"W-Wait, where are you going?!"
'…she has to be…'
"Sonic!"
'...she has to…'
"Ngh! W-Watch out!"
[Silver the Hedgehog]
Sonic was sent flying into the forest, and the feeling of uselessness washed over me. I couldn't do anything, let alone stand up straight. Nega looked over at where he had sent him, and slowly started walking towards me. I really thought that was it. Everyone was down. I couldn't find Maia or Chiron. Sonic didn't even stand a chance. Aquilo was... And Blaze, she... It was all happening again. And it hurt every time. I felt the weight of time on me, as if everything was watching, waiting for me to do something. Anything.
It was all up to me then. I yelled with everything I had, and shot my hand straight forward. I held him in place… but, I was so worn, he'd still move inch by inch. I let go of him, and my knee buckled, hitting the sand. My legs couldn't listen to me anymore... I held him again, sinking him against the ground. Trying to at least slow him down… I tried crushing him with both of my hands, just to get my arm shot at with pure Sol energy from his hand. It felt like hell sat on it, as I screamed at the pain... Didn't matter... Adrenaline kept me going, and I tried pushing him away. He didn't budge, not even a little. He just kept walking towards me… I held him one more time, and tried pulling the Sol Emeralds away from him, but I was running on fumes.
My bracelets. I remember when they were given to me. When I couldn't control my abilities very well. They helped me nullify them to an extent, so that I wouldn't hurt myself while using the very power that coursed through my veins. They've kept me safe from myself, for so long… But, I realized. There was no need for them anymore. I wanted to stop running through time, even if it meant risking everything. There was no telling what could happen, if I'd take them off… But if I did, and somehow manage to keep myself together…
Both of them hit the sand, one by one. I closed my eyes, and waited…
But, nothing… Instead, Nega stood, as my power coursed through me like, never before. I felt… so light, yet was overwhelmed with newfound strength. As if I had finally broken shackles, that had been holding me back for decades.
With one swift thrust forward of my hand, I sent all my struggles. My resolve. Everything I had, unto that one push. Everything started to float around us, even me. The portion of sand below me disappeared, leaving nothing but rock. The lake was split into two, and the trees from across the forest ahead were no more, leaving a long path in the dirt... For moments, I stayed there, panting for air. My feet hit the sand, and my knees right after. I had this new courage, but the fight crushed everything I had left within my body. However… he was gone… No traces were left, and he was nowhere to be seen. Everything fell quiet, except for the rustling leaves, the rushing water, and distant trees falling on the ground. My mind began coming up with many questions altogether. Did I do it? Was it over? Did, I manage to save them? But then, I quickly tried to get back on my feet, and turned…
"...Sonic-"
"Is that all?"
As soon as I stopped, something hit the side of my neck. My whole body went cold, and in an instant, just… shut down. I fell, my vision quickly becoming nothing but a blurry mess. My mind screamed at every single fiber of my body. Begging, to stand back up again. But nothing. I was left there, on the sand. With nothing left within me. So numb. So drained. To the point that I couldn't even feel fear, pain, or anger… There was truly no way then, I thought… I felt something loom above, as I heard steps approaching me. It took everything from me, to just turn my head. I still remember his hand, how it went to grab onto me, and finish me off. I just looked at him, and smiled at one single thought…
But soon, I knew it wasn't the end.
Suddenly, a streak of light ripped through the trees and crashed against Nega. The impact was so violent, it sent me flying over the sand. I wasn't conscious at that point. I didn't know how much time had passed by… Until a scream woke me up. My eyes cracked open, and I winced at a throbbing headache and ringing in my ears. I was covered in sand, but so weak, I couldn't even move to shake it off. I barely could even think straight. Coughing, I slowly turned my head to my side… But then, I felt it. It was… unexplainable, no one would've believed me... I felt a presence, sitting on me, like an invisible force. Towering over the entire forest. It felt, cold. Raw. Sickening. Somehow, it made my stomach twist, but at the same time, it felt… sad… Then, I saw him.
On his knees, at the other side of the lake… My vision was faint, but… His quills. His body, everything… They were, different… And his green eyes. They shone, so bright… Something, was flowing away from him, like some sort of, foul steam… But far ahead of him, was her… Laying, on the shore.
The world was so, still, that day. And all I could do, was watch as he'd dug his fingers, pushing his head against the sand. I couldn't register these things. I didn't want to. But, seeing his face, would force me to. The silence, was shattered, and hearing him scream like that, would be something I would never forget… I've, seen many unfortunate things, throughout my travels. And, I'd always wonder, if I'd get used to losing them, in every other time. I thought, that as the days passed by, I'd grow numb. That I'd just, move on… Just to see them all over again, as if nothing ever happened… But I never did. And in a way, I was glad.
I couldn't even grieve. Tired, the only thing I could do was lay there, letting tears sting my eyes, and fall on the sand… He always meant something, at least for me. It didn't matter where or when I'd go, I'd always get some sort of, reassurance, every time I'd be with him. Like everything was going to be just, fine. Yet, there he was, hitting the sand. Torn from everything he used to be…
But… who could ever blame him?
Nega walked right out of the woods, unfazed, and onto his side. I could somewhat make up what he said then…
"…It's, somewhat amusing," the doctor began. "All of this, could have been easily avoided… She left me no choice, and now. You have no one to blame, but yourself… I do share your condolences, however… I will truly miss, having such a fierce opponent throughout so many years… A pity you missed it all. But rest assured, she burned with life… However, there is a time, when fire grows weak… When the struggle, is no longer about spreading, and scorching away. But, about something as simple, as staying alight… When the flame staggers, and quietly, falls into a deep, slumber… Gently, embracing darkness… You know, something quite interesting to note-"
Nega didn't hesitate to pull on his quills… And Sonic, didn't even move…
"-the flames are not the ones to give up… It's their foundation, that fails. When fire lacks a proper basis to support itself, for example, a knight in shining armor… they start to dwindle… Slowly, the wood turns to ash. The winds die down… Soon, it's left with nothing else to do, but hope… Hope, for your return… You should've heard her… Calling, on your name…"
Hearing his words, Sonic finally seemed to shift on his knees…
"Oh…? Don't you see…? You were her foundation, Sonic… Her everything… And now, she will be nothing… You, failed, her."
Nega threw him, letting him fall against the sand…
"…However, now is not the time to grieve," he declared, walking away from him and towards the shore. "Now is the time, for a new flame to take the throne," he continued, as he continued towards Blaze. "And with this power… One, that will burn, for eternity-"
Sonic mumbled quietly, catching the doctor's attention. Nega slowly turned around, and took his time staring at Sonic, who began to slowly stand up from the sand…
"...Oh? What was that?" Nega mocked.
"...I-I'll, end you…" he cried, outraged.
"Oh-ho…! I've forgotten how strong-willed you can be… Come, then. Show me your true, nat-"
Sonic's single touch of the dark metal with his hand sent Nega flying violently against the forest. I could hear the trees ripping, one by one, while dust gathered in the air above at a far distance. In an instant, Sonic followed right after him. And for the first time, I was afraid. Of him.
I didn't know how I was still alive. It took everything from me to sit straight, still in pain from before. I lifted myself off the ground, just to fall right back at it. I shook off the sand, stood up again, and limped my way alongside the shore. Every step I would take beside the water was unbearable. Hurrying, I held onto all the hope I could muster, while watching a battle unfold in the skies. The clouds quickly dispersed as they exchanged blows even I could slightly feel from the ground. I struggled to go as fast as I could, just to fall back down. I slowly got up, wiped the water off my face, and continued. And as I got there, I got on my knees, right beside her…
I slowly reached for her, calling her name and hoping she would open her eyes. But after slightly shaking her many times, I was left with no response. Dread slowly began to take over, and hope began to run out. My mind was quick to fill itself with doubt. The weight of letting her down, everyone down, started to settle in. How many times did I have to lose them, to make things right, I thought. But then, I listened for her pulse… and what I managed to hear, was louder than expected…
Startled by the loud, sharp noise from above, I quickly raised my head and stared at a strange sight. A part of the sky was broken. There was a large, bright hole, sparkling with light. And from it, something quickly flew out. It was some sort of aircraft. Its body was slim, shining through the bright sky as it circled the sky above the forest for a while. For moments, I was left confused while many questions came to mind, but then, when I thought I had seen it all, hundreds of yellow streaks of light shot out of it at Sonic and Nega, striking them like lightning. The entire sky was filled with these lights, falling rapidly through the clouds as they made their way to their targets. Sonic hit the ground hard, and dust started to rise… I recognized that energy anywhere.
He, had arrived.