Chapter 18: The Fast and Furriest
"This place is something else," Fox said. "Yeah, I know. Look," Mario said as he pointed to the loop de loop ahead. "It looks like there is a trail leading to it. I just wonder what could walk on it?" Shulk questioned. "Maybe someone who can walk upside down?" Fiora asked. "I'm not sure how we'll find that useful," Mario said. "Okay gang. Let's focus up here. Our mission is to wait for some villain to show up. Simple. A capture and interrogation," Fox said. "Hey, you know I remember this one show about a superhero who's also a detective. I think he wore a cow costume? Or maybe it was an owl?" Mario said. "Yeah yeah. This is real life so let's try to keep fictional heroes out of this conversation," Fox said.
Fox walked around the area. "This would be a prime spot to initiate an attack," Shulk said. "Then it's likely they'll begin their invasion here," Fox said. "So we just wait? It really isn't my usual thing," Mario said. "Ah, the adventuring type?" Fiora asked. "Yup. Just jumping around and exploring," Mario said. "Then we'll set a base here," Fox said.
Fox brought out some supplies. "Let's hope Slippy didn't mess with the equipment too much," Fox said. "You seem to insult your friend a lot," Fiora said. "It's just their way to mess with him. It just means that they respect him even for his flaws," Mario said. "Yeah, he gets it," Fox said as he set up a satellite. "It's kind of like how we mess with Reyn," Shulk said. "Oh. I see," Fiora said. "And there," Fox said as he set up the last of the equipment, "Now to wait. If anything even breathes, we'll know about it," Fox said. "So, what now?" Mario said. Mario's stomach grumbled. "Sounds like someone is starving," Fiora said. "Now that I think of it, I really haven't eaten that much since the Mushroom Kingdom," Mario said. "Well then, Fox, do you have a sort of traveler's kitchen?" Fiora asked. "Yeah. It's been collecting dust but I'm pretty sure it works," Fox said. "You'll love Fiora's cooking," Shulk said. "I hope so," Mario said.
Night fell and Fiora had whipped up a meal for everyone. "Mamma mia! This is fantastic," Mario said. "Glad you enjoy it," Fiora said. "This is as good as ever. And I pretty much only had Peppy's oatmeal for a long time," Fox said. "How does that taste?" Shulk asked. "Like sand mixed with onion, and I'm pretty sure that's the recipe," Fox said. Suddenly Fox's computers began beeping. "Looks like we got something," Fox said. Fox ran up to the screen. "Multiple bogeys approaching," Fox said.
Out of nowhere shadow bugs covered the area. "I think they're here," Mario said. "Yeah, I see them," Fox said. Primids began forming. Fox shot some of the first that formed. Shulk unleashed his Monado while Fiora brought her daggers out. "You got a weapon?" Fox asked. "Oh yeah," Mario said as he summoned a fireball from his hands. "Well, that's something," Fox said. They all stood back to back, taking down the Primids a horde of a time, but they kept multiplying quickly. Shulk sliced a Primid. "Lucario mentioned these. He said,'' Shulk sliced another Primid, "They are the first form of evolved shadow bugs." "What else do shadow bugs do?" Fox asked. "We don't know. The ancients didn't let them get that far," Shulk said. "Well we won't either," Fiora said.
The Primids' numbers increased. Mario shot blazing fire at the Primids. "Let's-a go!" Mario yelled as he ran and jumped on top of the Primids, shooting fire beneath him and setting them ablaze. Mario then returned to the group. "They must've really planned this," Mario said. "When they have an army that multiplies, it's easy to risk," Fox said as he shot the Primids. Fiora then went ahead to slice some Primids. "I'm not sure how longer we'll be able to keep this up," Fiora said.
Out of nowhere, the wind began to pick up. "What now?" Shulk asked. "Not sure. Just hold your positions," Fox said. The wind began to form into a tornado, running through the Primids at a breakneck speed. The gang noticed that the tornado was blue. Then it stopped as above a hill, a figure stood. "Well well. What kind of trouble is going on here?" They looked and saw a blue spiked animal with gloves of white and shoes of red with a streak of white going through them. "Shulk, doesn't that look like?" Fiora asked. "Yeah, it does," Shulk said as he thought back to his battle with Metal Sonic.
The creature tapped his shoes on the ground. He stretched his arms and legs. "Well, time to join in the fun," he said. Suddenly the creature ran off the hill in a blur. The gang all looked as it ran at incredible speeds, taking down many hordes of Primids in seconds. The creature then jumped on the heads of the Primids and rolled into a ball, launching many of them into the air. "He's fast," Fox said. "Very fast," Mario said. The creature grabbed a Primid, rolled into a ball, and tossed it to the rest of the Primids like a bowling ball. "Huh, 60 seconds? New record," he said. "Whoa," everyone else said. "Hm," the creature said with a smile as he flicked his nose with his thumb and ran off toward the loop de loop that he was able to run through.
"Whoa! The computer couldn't catch him until he stopped," Fox said. "Which means he could be the fastest alive," Fiora said. "I get the feeling we figured out who this Dr. Eggman built Metal Sonic for," Shulk said. "I think we should find him. If we can get his help, we'll have a speedster," Mario said. "He's right," Fox said. "Yes, but now I am wondering. Why did these Primids not have any command?" Shulk questioned.
"You may be wondering who I am. Well, the name's Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog," said the blue creature as he ran, "I'm kind of a big deal. I'm kinda the fastest thing alive. Ya see this is Green Hill, and well there's trouble. These strange things just pop out of the ground, but I'm able to take care of them quickly." "Sonic, do you always narrate to yourself?" asked a voice. "Whoops. Didn't know this was on. Hey Tails, what's up?" Sonic asked. "Nothing much. I'm just doing more research on these things. I'm not sure what they are," Tails said. "Well just do the best you can do Little Buddy. I'll stop by your workshop later," Sonic said. "No problem Sonic," Tails said.
Sonic ran through the Green Hill Zone with a carefree attitude and style. Big the Cat was fishing in the lake. Amy Rose was showing her tarot cards to Cream the Rabbit. Even though he couldn't see him, Sonic knew that Knuckles the Echidna was guarding the Master Emerald atop the floating Angel Island. He then stopped by his best friend's workshop.
"Yo Tails! Anything up?" he asked. "Whoa! Sonic! I thought you were going to get here later?" Tails asked. "Yeah. It's been a minute. Later technically means anytime since I said it," Sonic said. Tails laughed, "Only Sonic the Hedgehog would think that." "So, anything new?" Sonic asked, "I just saw more of those weird shadow monsters attack people, and like always I saved them." "Well since Eggman's sudden disappearance, these things have been appearing. Luckily from one of our encounters, I was able to extract a piece of them and I am currently analyzing it," Tails explained, "I'm 50% done. I should have some more information in the morning." An explosion was heard outside. "That ain't good. Imma go check it out. You finish your work," Sonic said. "You got it Sonic," Tails said. "Gotta go fast!" Sonic said.
Sonic ran towards the source of the explosion. Everything seemed like a typical run in the park until… From the other side of Green Hill, something or someone was heading towards Sonic. Sonic looked ahead. "Huh? Is that?" he asked. "Humph!" "AH!" Sonic yelped as he was punched in the face and launched away by someone.
[Moments before Convergence Crystals united]
Atop the highest mountain of the Green Hill Zone, another hedgehog looked over it. He looked quite similar to Sonic, yet there were some differences. On his spikes he had red quills at the end of them. His shoes were bulkier. He wore rings on his wrists. His quills were black.
"I am Shadow. Shadow the Hedgehog," he said to himself, "50 years ago, I was created by Dr. Gerald Robotnik as the Ultimate Lifeform in the Space Colony ARK. I befriended the doctor's granddaughter, Maria, and I was his hope in curing Maria of an illness that threatened to take her life. She was my best friend. The illness didn't take her. Humans had come aboard an ARK to put a stop and erase Project: Shadow. Maria gave her life so that I may live, and of course I made a promise for Maria." "Bring hope to humanity," he remembered.
Beneath the mountain, from a distance Shadow could spot a mass of Primids forming. "Hm." Shadow jumped off the mountain and dived down to the ground. He landed with a fist punching the ground. He skated off with his shoes. His speed is equal to Sonic's. Shadow arrived by the location of the Primids. The Primids spotted Shadow and charged to confront him. Shadow charged ahead. He punched one of the Primids with his herculean strength. He used his shoes to heighten a jump and roll to take down a horde of them. A couple of Primids attempted to get him from behind. "Chaos Control," he said as he teleported behind the Primids and kicked them. Shadow brutally punched, kicked and rolled into the Primids as he was able to take them. "Hm."
Unbeknownst to Shadow, four Convergence Crystals united, and out of nowhere a vision came to his mind. He witnessed darkness covering multiple worlds. Then within that darkness a large blue beam struck the cores of the worlds, turning them to debris. He then witnessed the same to his world. He awoke, distraught and confused. He then quickly realized he saw blue energy destroy these worlds. "Sonic," he said with anger.
[Present]
"Humph!" Shadow yelled. "AH!" Sonic yelped as Shadow punched him as they were running. Sonic flipped and landed back on the ground. "Ugh. Shadow! What was that for?!" he asked. "What did you do?!" Shadow asked. "Ugh, what're you talking about?" Sonic asked. Shadow charged towards Sonic. Sonic jumped over Shadow and tried to punch back but Shadow caught the punch with a kick. "I saw worlds be destroyed! And a blue energy did it!" Shadow yelled as he jumped and tried to ground pound Sonic. "I am not sure what you're talking abo- OW!" Sonic yelped as Shadow punched him back. Sonic stood back up, "Or maybe I'm just that good. And powerful apparently," he mocked.
Sonic ran and Shadow followed. Shadow pushed Sonic to a wall. Sonic then rolled and tried to roll into Shadow but Shadow covered himself with his arms. "You need to stop Sonic, and listen for once!" he exclaimed. "Uh, how about no," Sonic said as he rolled straight into Shadow. Shadow yelled and caught Sonic like a ball and threw him. Shadow rolled into a ball and collided into Sonic. "I made a promise and I intend to keep it!" Shadow yelled as he unrolled and punched Sonic. "Ugh! Shadow, get out of my way! I have people to save!" Sonic yelled. "Where?!" Shadow yelled. "Oh, uh, let me think. Oh yeah. None ya business bro!" Sonic yelled.
Sonic ran circles around Shadow, creating a tornado. Shadow did the same and his tornado being smaller yet taller launched Sonic away. "Ugh. Huh? Look! Eggman!" Sonic yelled. "What?!" Shadow exclaimed as he turned around. "Gotcha!" Sonic yelled as he rolled into a ball straight into Shadow and launched him into a cave with the rocks falling on the entrance. "Sorry Shadow, but I got things to do," Sonic said.
Sonic ran and found more Primids. "Dang, that's a lot," Sonic said, "I blame you Shadow!" "Hiya!" Amy yelled as she smashed some Primids with her hammer. "Glad to see you finally made it," Amy said. "Yeah. Thought you could have fun without me?" Sonic asked. "We have very different definitions of fun," Amy said.
Sonic rolled into a ball and ran around smashed through some of the Primids. He jumped on the Primids and smashed them. He then punched a Primid and kicked another. Amy used her hammer and smashed some more. "Urgh!" From the sky, Knuckles punched the ground and sent many Primids flying. "Knux? What brings you here?" Sonic asked. "I was guarding the Master Emerald when these things showed up. I was able to deal with the ones on Angel Island and I followed some of them. How come I knew you had something to do with it?" Knuckles asked. "Hey! I'm just as confused as you are," Sonic said. "Focus boys!" Amy yelled as she smashed more Primids.
Knuckles punched more of the Primids. Sonic rolled and smashed through them. "Sonic! Do you read me?" Tails asked. "Yup, I'm kinda busy Tails," Sonic said. "Oh, well I just wanted to let you know I finished my analysis," Tails said. "Alright then, what do you know?" Sonic asked. "These things are made of dark matter. They can multiply their numbers pretty quickly. Fortunately they are easy to take out. Bad news," Tails said. "Whoever controls them has the numbers to defeat anyone," Knuckles said. "Yup. What Knuckles said,'' Tails said. "AH!" Knuckles yelled as he punched the ground, causing a rupture.
Sonic rolled around again and dealt with a lot of Primids. "You gotta do better than that Knuckles if you want to keep up," Sonic said. "I can keep up just fine!" Knuckles yelled as he jabbed many Primids. "Hee yah!" Mario yelled as he jumped from a hill with fire in his hand and punched a Primid, causing an outburst of fire that launched the Primids. "Whoa, who's the italian plumber?" Knuckles asked. "Uh, I'm from Brooklyn," Mario said. "Oh, my bad," Knuckles said. "I'm not sure. I saved him earlier though from these things," Sonic said. "It's-a me. Mario," he said.
Fox came in, blasting the Primids and Shulk and Fiora charged ahead and sliced some of the Primids. "We need to talk," Shulk said. "No problemo buddy," Sonic said as he rolled backwards and took out the last of the Primids. "Hm," he said as he flicked his nose. "Does he do that alot?" Fox asked. "Pretty much every time," Knuckles said. Sonic's wrist communicator beeped, "Sonic, you still there?" Tails asked. "Yup. Present," Sonic said. "Sonic?" Shulk questioned. "Yeah. I'm Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog," Sonic said. "Hey Sonic, can you come down to my workshop?" Tails asked. "Sure thing little buddy. Be right there," Sonic said. "Looks like Tails knows what's going on. I kinda want to get to the bottom of this too," Knuckles said as he cracked his knuckles. "Excuse us, but we kinda do need to talk now," Fox said. "Huh? Sure thing! Just meet us at Tails' Workshop," Sonic said as he ran. "Wait!" Fox yelled. "Too late, he's already there," Amy said, "Come on. I'll take you there."
Amy and Knuckles led the group to Tails' Workshop, where Sonic was already waiting. "Hey. You finally made it," he said. "You didn't exactly tell us where this place was," Fiora said. "Huh? Though you knew?" Sonic questioned. "How could we possibly know?" Mario asked. "I just kinda assume everyone knows where everything is. Besides Big," Sonic said. "So, what does Tails have to say?" Knuckles asked. "Glad you asked Knuckles," Tails responded.
Tails came out with a machine. "Is that a fox with two tails?" Fox asked. "We just met… hey, what are you?" Mario asked. "I'm an echidna," Knuckles said. "We just met a red echidna with spiked fists," Mario finished his sentence. "Ya better watch out for them too," Knuckles said as he punched his knuckles together. "No need to threaten them Knuckles. Tails, what is this thing?" Amy asked. "Well this is my EnerScan. With this, I found out that the shadow monsters target some sort of energy and using this I can track who the monsters are looking for," Tails said. "You mean the Primids?" Shulk questioned. "Oh, I guess if that's what you want to call them," Tails said.
Tails fired up his machine and it started making a loud noise. "Tails, are you sure this is safe?" Amy asked. "Totally. I already tested it once," Tails said, "It only nearly exploded one of my tails." The EnerScan fired up and on its computer started to track eight energy sources that the Primids were designed to track. "Huh, it looks like it's all of us, including you four," Tails said. "Hm. I'm betting this is another one of Eggman's plans," Knuckles said. "Eggman? You know him?" Shulk asked. "Ha ha ha! Do we? He's only the woooorst," Sonic said. "Well, Sonic, we have a lot we need to talk about," Shulk said.
Shulk explained Dr. Eggman's attack on his world. He mentioned how he used Metal Sonic to combat his future vision. He then told them about the Convergence Crystals and how the villains want to conquer the universe. "So, Egghead's messing with powers he doesn't understand. He really doesn't know when to quit," Sonic said. "How come you said it in a way like this happens to you everyday?" Mario asked. "Well, ancient artifacts. Eggman. Robots. It's pretty much my life in a nutshell," Sonic said. "Really?" Fox asked. "Yup," Tails said. "Most definitely," Amy said. "Hey, no need for my word," Knuckles said.
"Well well, look who's talking about me." The gang all looked forward as Dr. Eggman floated in. "Well well. Long time no see Egghead. Found out you've been causing trouble elsewhere," Sonic said. "Indeed Sonic. I finally have the power to put an end to you," Dr. Eggman said. "If you say so, but I heard it too many times," Sonic said. From his eggmobile, Eggman dropped more shadow bugs as the rose and became Primids. "Hm. So it is your doing," Sonic said. "Yes and no. Uncovering their secrets is my doing. Advancing them as well, but the rest will be saved for later," Dr. Eggman said. From the sky, Metal Sonic flew in and landed in front of the Primids. Shulk unleashed the Monado. "Careful," he said. "Don't worry. I got this," Sonic said.
Metal Sonic yelled out as the Primids unleashed their charge. "Another fight eh? Must be my lucky day," Knuckles said. "Are you sure we'll be able to win this?" Fox asked. "Trust us and we can," Amy said. Knuckles led the first charge as he punched a Primid. "Always wanting to fight," Tails said as he blasted a Primid. "I see you're skilled with a blaster too," Fox said as he blasted many Primids. "Hiya!" Amy yelled as he swung her hammer. "Take this!" Fiora yelled as she sliced some Primids. Shulk sliced some Primids while Mario set them on fire.
Metal Sonic yelled as he charged ahead. Shulk had a vision of Metal Sonic taking them out all within a second at that moment. Right before Metal's plan went to motion, Sonic boosted Metal and they landed by a wall. "I didn't see that," Shulk said. "How's it going, Metal? Long time since we saw each other," Sonic said. Metal Sonic wharbled. "Hm. Nice. Nice," Sonic said. Sonic kicked Metal but Metal caught himself. "How can he?" Shulk questioned. "Focus!" Knuckles yelled as he punched some Primids that were charging. Sonic rolled into a ball. Shulk saw another vision. He saw Sonic rolling straight into Metal but Metal had torn down the ground beneath Sonic. "Huh?" Shulk questioned. Everything went according to Shulk's vision until Sonic flanked Metal's attack. "It's like he can see the future. No, he's too unpredictable," Shulk said in realization.
"What?! Why isn't the program working?!" Dr. Eggman complained. "Here we go!" Mario yelled as he jumped on top of Tails' Workshop and landed on Eggman's Egg Mobile. "Get off!" Dr. Eggman ordered. "Where's Donkey Kong?!" Mario asked. "The ape?! Oh, you'll meet him soon enough!" Dr. Eggman yelled as he tilted his Egg Mobile and shook Mario off. "Ah!" Mario yelped. Dr. Eggman shot some missiles at Mario. Shulk came between them and sliced the missiles. "Thanks," Mario said. "No problem," Shulk said. "Hm. Metal! We're done here!" Dr. Eggman ordered. Metal Sonic complied and flew off. "You may have beaten me here, but you will not survive what is to come!" Dr. Eggman yelled as he flew off. "Eggman! You coward!" Knuckles yelled. "Wait," Tails said.
Tails checked his computer and realized there was a large energy source appearing in the middle of Green Hill Zone. "It's a bomb!" he yelled. Shulk had another vision of a bomb exploding and engulfing this entire world. "We need to get out! Now!" Shulk yelled. "We'll take the Tornado," Tails said. "Wait! We need to get back to our ship!" Fox yelled. "Gotcha covered!" Sonic yelled as he grabbed everyone and ran them back to their ship. "See ya in the sky!" Sonic yelled as he ran back. "Come on! Come on!" Fox yelled. Their ship took off as they were followed by a jet. They witnessed the bomb countdown and explode. The explosion was dark and expanded by the second, engulfing the entire world.
"No, our home," Amy said. "Tails, we're gonna need you to follow us," Fox said. "Gotcha," Tails said.
Unbeknownst to them, within the shadows that engulfed their world, the world remained intact, still engulfed by darkness. Inside a cave lay the trophy of Shadow the Hedgehog.