The polished brass of Parn's armor gleamed under the artificial lights of Station Square, a stark contrast to the shadowy figure beside him. Lord Ashram, the Black Knight of Marmo, his dark armor absorbing the light like a void, stood with his obsidian blade, Soul Crusher, resting across his shoulder. They made an odd pair, the heroic knight and his nemesis, united by a shared, albeit begrudging, goal.

"Poor strife family," Parn sighed, his golden eyes clouded with concern as he studied the bustling city around them. "I feel bad for Chris and Tifa."

Ashram's crimson eyes flickered with agreement. "I know. My Marmo sword, Soul Crusher, can stop Eggman. It can sever the very chains that hold them. We can save the Strife family. As long as we are still enemies, Parn."

Parn nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his own sword. "That's right. We work together to stop Eggman, as long as we are still enemies."

"I agree," Ashram's voice, a low rumble, echoed the sentiment.

"Let's go to Eggman's Empire!" Parn declared, his determination solidifying.

Ashram gave a curt nod, and the two unlikely allies moved with purpose. They were a force of order and chaos, bound by necessity, heading towards the gleaming fortress that marred the horizon.

Inside Eggman's hideout, the air crackled with manic energy. Dr. Eggman paced before a group of cowering figures. Chris Thorndyke, his bright orange hair dull under the harsh lights, was huddled close to his mother, Tifa Lockhart. Tifa's long black hair was pulled back, her red eyes wide with fear. Next to them, Sherry Birkin, her blue uniform a stark contrast to the drab metal room, trembled as she clung to Chris's arm. And finally, Tea Gardner, her light green tank top a splash of color in the dreary scene, desperately tried to appear brave beside her brother, their usually vibrant clothes dulled by their despair. Their indoor pets, the brown Gobbos with their expressive eyes, huddled at their feet, their tails tucked between their legs. All of them were bound by steel collars, handcuffs, and ankle cuffs, the cold metal a constant reminder of their captivity.

"Well, well, well!" Eggman's voice echoed with false cheer. "What do we have here? I hope you are not escaping from being murdered."

A Moto Bug, its mechanical voice grating, piped up with "What do you have to say?"

An Egg Pawn, its head cocked to the side, added, "Tifa and Sherry belong to Danny and Tom from Sonic movie!"

A burst of maniacal laughter erupted from Eggman and his henchmen. "AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!"

Chris whimpered softly. "Uh oh, Mom."

Tifa pulled her son closer. "I know, hold on to me."

Sherry, eyes wide with panic, whispered, "I'm scared."

Tea bravely tried to speak. "Please, I am scared."

Just as the despair threatened to overwhelm them, the walls of the hideout shuddered. A clang of metal reverberated, and the sound of fighting echoed through the hallways.

"WHO ARE THEY?!" shrieked, his voice sharp with surprise.

Parn and Ashram burst through the doorway, striking a dramatic pose.

"Stop!" Ashram commanded, his voice a low growl that resonated through the room.

"Friends of Wagnard," Parn announced, his eyes fixed on the terrified captives. "Leave Chris, Tifa, Sherry, Tea, and their indoor pets alone!"

Ashram's grip on Soul Crusher tightened. "As long as I am still Parn's enemy, I can stop you monsters."

Eggman's face contorted in rage. "Get them!"

The badniks charged forward, their mechanical limbs whirring and sparking. "You have no chance!"

Parn and Ashram met the attack head-on, a whirlwind of steel and dark fury. Parn's sword danced through the air, deflecting lasers and blades with practiced ease. Ashram, in contrast, moved with brutal force, his Soul Crusher cleaving through metal like it was butter. The clash of metal against metal and the whirring of the badniks filled the hideout, a chaotic symphony of battle.

The fight raged on, with Parn and Ashram carving a path toward their objective. Parn, despite his armor, moved with a swiftness belying his bulk, his sword a blur of shining brilliance as he dispatched the badniks. Ashram, a dark whirlwind of rage, laid waste to the robotic forces of Eggman with each swing of his monstrous blade. Their coordinated assault, despite their contrasting styles, was devastating.

Parn saw his chance, and with a powerful leap, sliced through the chains binding Chris, Tifa, Tea, and the Gobbos. The clanging of metal was music to his ears. Tifa immediately pulled Chris into a tight embrace, her relief palpable. Tea hugged them both, her body trembling with fear and gratitude. The Gobbos, freed from their restraints, chirped and scurried around their feet.

Ashram, meanwhile, focused on Sherry. He moved with surprising speed, his Soul Crusher severing the thick metal of her bonds. She gasped, her blue eyes wide as she looked at the imposing figure looming over her. He, with a swift nod and a low growl, motioned her to safety, just as Eggman, seeing his forces crumbling, ordered a retreat.

"Curse you both! I'll be back!" Eggman screeched, disappearing down a corridor with his remaining badniks.

Back at the Thorndyke Manor, warmth filled the once-empty halls. Chris, finally safe in his home, looked up at Parn, his eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Thanks for saving me and my family!"

Sherry, her eyes still wide with the recent terror, hugged Chris tightly. "My boyfriend, I'm so glad you are safe."

Tifa pulled Chris into another hug, relief washing over her face. "I love you, my son. Thanks to Parn and Ashram who worked together to save us."

Tea, her fear slowly dissipating, hugged Chris as well. "My brother Chris."

The Gobbos chirped cheerfully, their tails wagging as they nuzzled against Parn and Ashram, expressing their thanks.

Parn smiled slightly at the scene. "I know."

Ashram addressed the group, his voice low, with a strange undertone of something that could have been protective. "That's right. To you, Strife family, I am your protector, and my nemesis Parn is also your protector."

Tifa, humbled by the declaration, replied softly, "Thanks."

Ashram turned to Parn, a sinister grin slowly spreading across his face. "And to you, Parn, until we meet again as enemies."

He let out a low, sinister laugh, a sound that sent a shiver down everyone's spines. Despite this, Chris and the Strife family smiled back at Ashram, a unique gratitude for their unlikely protector in their eyes. Even as they knew, the heroic Knight and his nemesis, were forever foes. But here, on this day, they were the saviors of the Strife family.