SONIC RESURGENCE

by DarkShadowGames451

AU! Elements of the games, SatAM, Underground, OVA, and the Sonic X Anime apply into one separate universe. The villainous Dr. J. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik has teamed up with a powerful sorcerer that plans to take over the world of Mobius. Sonic must team up with a group of Freedom Fighters under the command of a royal princess straight from Sonic's mysterious past.

22. Chapter 20

Review Responses:

To Void Reader: I don't need a time-travel plot for the final boss to make sense. I've already established that the exact ending for this story parallels Sonic the Hedgehog (2006). I have my plans for how Solaris is going to be defeated. If you are still interested in how that will happen, keep on reading. Otherwise, you are more than welcome to find something else that satisfies you, reading-wise.

To Boss Teal: There is not a ranking system for me. Only one of the councilmen stands above the rest. And that's DOCTOR DEEP, BABY!

To dbehi1: Eggman is an interesting case. This chapter does deal with the consequences of one's actions. Honestly, it's quite similar to another story that I plan on continuing once I leave this one alone for now. We'll just have to see what's in store for the old doctor later down the line…

To UltimateDemonBeast65: Thanks for the help, man. You didn't have to say anything, but I appreciate you nonetheless. It's important to respect the wishes of any author and what they consider important to the narrative.

Let this be a lesson to all who are readers and writers themselves.

---

What must be done… …The servers are the seven Chaos.

Chaos is power. A power enriched by the heart.

The controller is the one who unifies the Chaos.

…Feel within… The sea of Chaos… And the ancient waves.

May the light of its power shine down eternally and protect us all.

---

Hedgehog's Pass, Green Hill, South Island

Overwhelming fear. That's what Tails felt as adrenaline coursed through his body. The twelve-year-old Mobian fox glanced at his old foe, who happened to acquire yet another transformation. This time, instead of becoming a mechanized monstrosity, Metal's new appearance had taken more of a human-like look, i.e., an android. Though Tails himself did not possess any extrasensory abilities, the fox kit could feel a malicious presence oozing off the former Badnik. And the humming of the sentient machine did not help the Freedom Fighters' uneasiness.

After all, Metallix did come out of nowhere and attacked Sonic before tossing him into a loop-di-loop formation, leaving him in the soil below.

"Long time, no see, fox! I'm ready for round two!"

"...M-Metal!" Tails stuttered, holding onto his Energy Cannon while peering into the red digital eyes of Metallix.

"Metal? That's supposed to be Sonic's robot copy?" Rotor questioned, who whipped out a ray gun he crafted.

Metal shouted, "Do not compare me to that inferior rodent! From now on, I am a weapon of Ixis! I am Metallix!"

"Weapon of-, oh heavens above." Bunnie gasped in realization.

"He's been bewitched too?" Antoine inquired rhetorically.

Sally's eyes grew out of an alarming sense of dread but understood that it made sense. If Dr. Robotnik incorporated Naugus' corrupted magic into his machines, he was bound to try and enhance one of his best creations with it any way he can.

And Metal Sonic was no different.

'...This is bad. Metal Robotnik gave Sonic enough trouble. But if this machine was as powerful as it was described, combined with Ixis Magick…' Sally analyzed in her lingering mind.

Recognizing that everybody picked up on his new power, Metallix crossed his arms while saying, "...Good. You're beginning to comprehend my power."

Before anybody could follow up on what the mechanical nightmare said, the ground shook for a few seconds before a blue blur shot out of the rubble of the loop-di-loop formation. Landing in front of Tails and the Freedom Fighters stood Sonic the Hedgehog, who despite having a few scratches and being a bit of dirt on him, was relatively unharmed.

"Sonic!" Tails cheerfully exclaimed.

Sally sighed in relief, "Thank goodness, you're okay!"

Sonic didn't respond to his friends as the Azurite eyed down the new look of his very first rival.

Metallix verbally mocked, "Welcome back, my former loathsome copy. You have recovered quicker than I anticipated."

"Metal," Sonic spat coldly. "I should have known. You've never been around my neck of the woods before. You made that fake signal."

"Correct. My copying ability has evolved to the point where I can mimic the frequency of a single Chaos Emerald to perfection." Metallix said, raising his right metallic arm while clenching his sharp fingers to make a hard fist. "However, the tactic was of the doctor's orders."

"Dammit, we've been had!" Bunnie said sharply, gritting her teeth.

"What business do you have here on South Island?" Asked the Blue Blur.

Metallix took one of his mechanical arms and pointed at Sonic with his sharp index finger.

"We've had unfinished business, Sonic." Metal spoke evenly. "And I will not be taking no for an answer."

Sonic lightly sighed, shaking his head.

"Good grief… Can't we take a raincheck?" Sonic replied, already bored of the conversation. "I'm kind of in the middle of something right now, and you ain't exactly top priority. You couldn't even handle me and all of my friends at once, so what's the point in fooling around with you?"

"You will not deny me, Hedgehog," Metallix concluded with an ominous foreboding undertone. "I was offered a challenge, and I aim to take it today!"

"Offer? What are you-?"

Sonic's confusion had been resolved with Metallix projecting a red holographic moving image from Metal's perspective using his red gem core. In the video, was a younger snarky Sonic, followed by Tails and Knuckles.

"It's no use…" Metal Sonic said in a deep robotic voice as he reverted from his Neo Metal form back to his original state. "...but why can I not defeat you?"

"Heh! Don'tcha know? It's just like ya said, Metal! Cause we're Sonic Heroes!" Past-Sonic flexed while wagging his index finger from his right hand.

In the projection, Past-Amy's voice could be heard calling out to the younger blue hedgehog which caused Past-Sonic to jolt up in dread while his team turned to the right. The younger adventurer could be seen approaching Metal Sonic, never losing his smirk.

"Anytime you want a rematch, just let me know!" Past-Sonic said with a thumb's up before saluting the Badnik farewell. "I'll be waitin'!"

Just like that, the projection ends with Past-Sonic dashing off, causing the Freedom Fighters to turn to a dumbfounded and silent Present-Sonic.

"I have a photographic memory, rodent," Metallix commented, tapping on his chrome temple. "And it just so happens that I was still functioning when this recording occurred."

Sonic's fists clenched hard as Metallix continued speaking.

"I'll make this simple. Let's settle this once and for all. Fight me, or I'll sink this pathetic island to the depths of the ocean." Metallix posed giving Sonic an ultimatum.

Due to the others standing behind the organic hedgehog, none could see the unreadable expression that Sonic had on his face. Rotor, Bunnie, and Antoine's image of who Sonic was began to add a new layer, now that they've witnessed a flaw considering how he dealt with his enemies.

Sally knew better, given her conversations with the teen and what she witnessed back in the oil refinery in Sand Blast City. Sonic wasn't exactly egotistical, but his eccentric need for adventure had proven to get in the way of his logic and at times, get him into situations that could be dangerous to himself and others' overall wellbeing.

Sally bit her lip, worried for not only Sonic and the team's safety, but for the safety of the island that she had only just got acquainted with. The princess could only wonder what was going through the hedgehog's mind at the moment.

Tails, on the other hand, could tell that there was an apprehensive stiffness to his older brother-figure. Much like himself, the fox could sense that Sonic had felt that there was a certain kind of malice that was emanating from Metal Sonic, now called Metallix. One where not even the Fastest Thing Alive could shake off.

Little did Tails know, however, that this caused the green-eyed Mobian to regret his choice of words that were used after the Metal Overlord incident. Regardless of the dread that the sixteen-year-old felt, he couldn't afford to back down. Especially not to Metallix.

"Fine! If you want to tussle so badly, I'll give you one!" Sonic masked with a smirk before dropping the cheerful competitive nature completely with a hardened expression, clenching his fists while subconsciously drawing blue electricity around his irises and quills. "I'll send you flying back to Eggman in pieces!"

"Talk is cheap, rodent! Let's settle this now!" Metallix stated that his words were factual, exposing his chest by removing his crossed arms.

Sonic nodded before getting into a crouch start as if he was about to race somebody in track.

"S-Sonic!" Tails stuttered, unnerved at the animosity the two enemies/rivals were showing one another. "Are you s-sure about this? Eggman nearly creamed you with Metal Robotnik! With Ixis Magick powering Metal, there's no telling what he's capable of!"

"I'm sure," Sonic evenly stated. "So don't interfere."

Before Tails could protest, Rotor quietly told Tails, "Let him do his thing, man. If this Metallix or whatever is focused solely on Sonic, we can do our thing and support him."

Tails and Rotor then turned towards the rest of the team, and all of them (except Sonic) gazed at the walrus with a look of approval.

Seeing neither Sonic nor Metallix move but readying themselves, Sally told her team, "Get ready!"

"Hmph!" Metallix snorted as he began to hover upwards one foot off the ground thanks to the jet engine installed on his back. "Wretched organics! See me as I am…YOUR DOOM!"

In a burst of speed, Metal propelled himself forward with a metallic fist cocked back to strike Sonic as he got closer to him and the Freedom Fighters. Sonic, already tapping into some of his inner potential out of his worked-up need to protect his home and everybody in it, dashed forward with his own fist cocked back.

When the two clashed fists, their Sonic Boost auras collided as they struggled for dominance.

Amid their struggle, Sonic gritted, "It's been a while since our last dance, Metal! Let me show you just what I'm made of!"

The struggle was decided in a deadlock before the two main combatants slid back.

"Freedom Fighters, scatter!" Sally ordered, which the team followed by jumping out of the line of upcoming fire.

Metallix shifted his right arm into his arm cannon, the Neo Buster. From there, the Neo Buster formed a machine gun barrel and began unloading several rounds at his old adversary.

Sonic sprinted out of the line of fire using his inherent speed, running up the side of the wall of a plateau, and performing acrobatic flips.

Seeing this, the android changes weapons by exchanging a machine gun for Ixis Missile rocket launcher.

"I'LL BLOW YOU AWAY!" Metallix shouted as he launched five missiles at the blue rodent.

Before Sonic could try and invade the projectiles, Tails stood in front of the missiles' line of fire. With his Tempest Bracer wrist device, the Electric Shield was erected, causing the Ixis Missiles to gravitate towards him. Holding one hand, Tails used his minor control over magnetism to repel the Ixis Missiles, sending the five projectiles right back at Metallix.

Metallix, as a response to this trick, activated his invincible Black Shield to tank the explosive rounds of Ixis Magick. The moment the machine, he allowed himself to take a hit from Sonic as a spinning spiky ball, who was used as a projectile by Tails after the fox performed the Thunder Shoot technique. This was followed by five more Homing Attacks on Sonic's end, and finally a strong Sonic Eagle (ax kick) planted firmly on the robot's head. As a result, the kick sent a shockwave that was felt by the Freedom Fighters.

Sonic's grin faded as he saw Metal's red eyes, staring directly at the organic hedgehog while not moving an inch.

"...Is that your best?" Metallix mocked as Sonic jumped back and rushed forward to punch the robot.

The android saw this attack from a mile away, so Metal took a hold of Sonic's wrist and slammed him into the dirt face first, imprinting his likeness in the process. Metallix then took him out of the ground, then rammed his elbow into the blue hedgehog's ribcage, sending him flying back. Thanks to his jet engine, Metallix changed forward and smashed into Sonic, causing him to crash into a large rock formation.

Metal was about to fly over to his downed enemy and administer more punishment, only for him to Quick Step away from a helm-splitter attack by Antoine with his sword.

"Have at you, machine!" Antoine shouted before unleashing a flurry of sword thrusts at speeds that a normal Mobian wouldn't be able to detect with their naked eyes.

…But Metal wasn't Mobian or normal by any means.

The coyote swore, he blinked once, and his main means of offense and defense had been stripped away from his hand. Looking up, Metallix towered over him, carrying his precious sword.

"Was that supposed to do something to me?" Metallix asked rhetorically before blasting the iron blade with red beams that came from his "eyes", melting it, and Antoine's confidence away in a matter of seconds. "Pathetic!"

He tossed the hilt of the damaged weapon at Antoine's feet as the now-shaking coyote.

"Now," Metal spoke coldly, stepping closer to the fearful swordsman with his eyes glowing a sinister crimson. "Kneel before your master and I'll grant you a swift and painless death!"

"I…I…!" The normally brave soldier barely muttered as he slowly stepped back.

The deathly presence of Metal was a sensation Antoine had not felt since his last encounter with the Ixis Warlock himself. With that comparison, the amount of pressure the aura was giving off caused the blond to have the urge to give in to his darker temptations in order to escape his current situation.

Losing impatience by the Mobian's indecisiveness, Metal grabbed a hold of Antoine by the neck and threw him at Rotor, causing both of them to be slammed into a palm tree with enough force to send it timbering down.

"ANTOINE/ROTOR!" Bunnie and Sally shouted in unison.

Tails decided to fly to the downed coyote and walrus and took them elsewhere to safety, secretly hatching a plan in the process.

Out of rage for her boyfriend's injury to his body and honor, Bunnie flew across the field and delivered a strong punch to Metallix's face using her cybernetic arm, causing Metallix to fly back while skidding on the ground.

While screaming a battle cry, Bunnie began firing red blasts of energy from her own cannon after forming it using said cybernetic arm from above. Metallix then curled into a spiky ball and rolled away from each blast at high speeds. Increasing his speed, Metallix used the Bounce ability to spring himself upwards to Bunnie faster than the rabbit could anticipate. While spinning in mid-air, Metallix unleashed a circular arc of yellow electricity which Bunnie was struck by its current.

Bunnie's cries of pain were brief but shrill loud enough to pierce the ears of Sally, who watched as one of her best friends plummet over fifty feet to the ground. Sally went to try and catch Bunnie, only for Sonic to swoop in and catch her.

Sally let out a sigh of relief, only to narrowly dodge a Spin Dash that would have split the girl in half with three hundred and seventy five pounds of pure metal.

Metal uncurled himself, now standing six feet away from the princess that had her blue Ring Blades ready.

"At last, we meet, Sarah Alicia Acorn," Metallix spoke in a low monotone as he slowly approached the chipmunk.

"Y-You! How do you know-?"

"The doctor has files within his personal network, and my, your reputation precedes you," Metallix explained, tapping his head. "A princess-turned-war-heroine, a gifted combatant, and tactician prodigy. You have quite a profound history."

Metallix stopped halfway, then crossed his arms as he questioned, "But even compared to the little blue pest and his friends, you're so-called militia are ants. And you're nothing compared to a supreme being!"

Sally scowled at the robot's disrespectful comments but immediately dismissed them as she recognized the psychological warfare that her opponent was administering.

Taking a deep breath, Sally's concentration had subconsciously begun tapping into the energy granted by the Deep Power Stones.

'...I've made it this far in the war. I haven't let the enemy get to me then, so I won't start backing down now!'

This hidden power, in turn, was made manifest as a purple-then-turned-white outline and particles enveloped Sally, changing her Ring Blades' standard blue energy to a holy white energy.

Metal's scanner began picking up a strange presence which increased the threat level of the Acornian princess.

"Huh!?"

Using his bewilderment to her advantage, Sally blurred back and forward while finally inflicting cutting damage to the machine five times over before landing a high kick that sent Metallix upwards.

Bunnie was then seen rocketing up into the sky and bludgeoned Metallix downwards with her cybernetic hand and arm that had enlarged several times her size for a brief moment.

Metallix would have retaliated if it had not been for Sonic landing on him using a Drop Dash to continue dragging his body across the soil of Green Hill.

This enraged Metallix to the point where it forced the hedgehog off him by exerting a wave Ixis Magick from around him.

"ENOUGH!"

The three Freedom Fighters found themselves being flung back. Bunnie activated her built-in forcefield generator upon anticipating the machine targeting her first. Rocketing up to the shielded cyborg, Metal summoned a plasma powered rope that latched onto Bunnie's shield.

"Wait! What do ya think yer, WAAAH-!"

Metallix ceased the golden rabbit's question as he began swinging her around using the tether while momentarily trapped in her own defense. With each swing, Metal had repelled attacks of both Sonic (tapping into his potential energy) and Sally (empowered by the Deep Power Stones' essence).

Essentially, Bunnie had to be used as a makeshift flail for at least thirty seconds.

Once Metal grew tired of the novelty, he threw the shielded Bunnie against the wall of a random plateau, then punched and kicked the round shield until the shield broke. When Bunnie was near Metallix, he thrusted both of his metallic feet onto her abdomen, causing the young Moban woman to be knocked into a totem pole, breaking it in half upon her crash landing.

Metallix then teleported to Sally using Chaos Control, then ejected a pair of small handle devices from his waist. Upon grabbing them, the two devices formed a pair of violet beam swords made of cyber energy.

These blades were known as the Neo Sabers.

Without uttering a word to each other, the princess and the android charged at each other. Each clash caused sparks to fly around, with neither opponent taking damage from the another. But due to the machine's larger size, he found himself pushing the chipmunk back as she kept her guard up and retaliated with swift and precise counterattacks. And because of her diminutive size (compared to Metallix), Sally had no choice but to rely on her affinity for gymnastics to keep up with Metal's powerful strikes.

While in the middle of their battle, in a brief pause, Metallix stated, "Not bad, Princess. Not bad at all..."

Metal pressed forward with relentless assault, continuously swinging his Neo Sabers at the princess, who diligently kept her guard up by bringing her Ring Blades together in an "x" formation as a means to defend herself. But despite the incredible increase of her power, Metallix's ferocious tenacity and tremendous strength proved to be more than what the leader of the Freedom Fighters could handle.

Eventually, Metallix broke Sally's guard and pushed her to the ground, declaring, "...but not good enough!"

'...No!' The princess panicked, losing her concentration and disrupting the Deep Power Stone's energy.

Right before Metallix could bring down one of his blades, a voice called out nearby.

"Sonic Wind!"

A cyclone made of sharp sky blue winds suddenly appeared and ensnared Metallix, taking the robot and Sally by surprise. Metallix had found himself being on the receiving end of an attack that cut into his body and impeded the machine's movements long enough for Sonic to pick up Sally and rushed over to where Bunnie was last seen.

Fortunately, the young woman, while mildly injured, was able to stand up.

Putting Sally down, Sonic turned to both Sally and Bunnie, and asked, "You girls okay?"

"I-I'm fine. Just a little shaken up." Sally said truthfully. "This Metallix robot is unlike anything that I've ever faced."

"Shoot, you're tellin' me! That metal demon used me like uh wreckin' ball!" Bunnie said, as she picked up her cowgirl hat before rubbing her organic arm with her prosthetic one. "Got any idea where thuh rest uh them boys ran off tuh, Sugar-hog?"

"Tails must have brought them to the workshop," Sonic said after thinking quickly. "He's got a plan up his sleeve. Just put a little faith in 'em, okay?"

Sally and Bunnie nodded in agreement, saying, "Right."

The princess then asked, "Metallix more dangerous than we thought. And I can't shake the feeling that he's toying with us."

"Good, so Ah wasn't the only one thinkin' that." Bunnie noted.

"To think that he hasn't even delved into Ixis Magick, yet." Sally muttered before turning to Sonic. "Do you still plan on fighting him, Sonic?"

Sonic gave the girls a warm grin, asking, "Do ya even have to ask?"

He then turned towards the direction of the Metallix, who got out of the Sonic Wind attack with his eyes radiating in anger.

Pausing for a moment as he spoke to the two girls, Sonic explained, "Metal's real target me and me alone. If there's a clear shot that you know you can take, go for it. Until then, stay out of his line of fire."

While Sally reluctantly nodded, Bunnie replied by saying, "Go and do your thing, Sugar-hog. You best be careful doin' your darin' do, ya hear?"

Sonic nodded towards Bunnie before leaping forward, landing six feet away from Metallix's current position.

"You're running on fumes, Hedgehog." Metal noted as the scratches on his body began to disappear. "Meanwhile, I was build to last."

Sonic growled, swearing under his breath as he began to sweat.

'Damn it! That magic of his must have undone the damage I've done to him!'

Due to his habit of being lost in thought, Metallix vanished and reappeared in front of Sonic, landing a roundhouse kick, sending him through three hills before the hedgehog regained footing and stopped himself from skidding across the ground. However, Metallix's superior speed caused Sonic to be punished by several punches and kicks that flung him back and forth across the battlefield until he was thrown into the sky. Metallix then jetted upwards and brought his feet down to Sonic's back, executing a Foot Dive that knocked the teenager across a mountain.

Sonic, while in excruciating pain, tried getting up from the sudden rush down he had experienced when Metallix emerged from a shadow on the ground. He landed a punch in Sonic's abdomen, forcing Sonic to wheeze in agony as he was then grabbed by the neck and slammed against a wall violently.

"Isn't this ironic? I was created with the sole purpose of defeating and replacing you. To be the perfect version of you in every way. Perhaps that was why you've bested me before. But now, through the glory of Ixis, I have discovered and become my true self." Metal explained.

Sonic struggled to pry the android's metallic hand off of him, saying, "Too strong...! Y-You weren't l-like this before!"

"Shadow had drawn to a similar conclusion. Perhaps I ended things too quickly with him. At least he offered a better challenge."

"Y-You didn't...!" Sonic panicked in realization before continuing to struggle with blue electricity beginning to crackle throughout his body. "...Let…Me…GO!"

Like an EMP, the buildup of bioelectricity from within his body had been released in a shockwave that leveled a good portion of Green Hill. From the dust, Metallix got up and dusted the debris from his body. Sonic had stood tall, with his expression hardened once more.

Metal would have smirked if he had a mouth.

"Oh?" Metallix noticed as he crossed his arms. "Can you still dance?"

Sonic then curled into a ball for a full five seconds and performed the Light Speed Attack until a light blue light enveloped him.

While crouching near the ground, Sonic coldly said, "Come on!"

After activating his Ixis Magitech System (IMS) silently, Metallix raised his power further which sunk the ground below him. The violet aura radiated around the machine as he stared Sonic down. Taking his two hands, he coated the sharp tips of them with purple flames.

"So be it!"

And like that, the two quicksters rushed at each other at speeds untraceable by the human (and most Mobians).

---

Sir Charles' Office, Ministry of Science, New Mobotropolis

Upon reviewing the GUN file that covered what little information the organization had of Ixis Magick, Sir Charles brought up Acornia's own digital file of the topic on the computer. From Team Dark's perspective, the Mobian Alliance's file regarding Ixis Magick was much more extensive and comprehensive compared to the Overlanders. There were nearly three hundred entries according to the bottom of the screen.

While Shadow, Rouge, and Omega stood behind the hedgehog, Sir Charles stated, "Alongside my personal studying of the Chaos Force, this is my life's work. Ever since the fall of Azuron, I've spent my leisure time to find the means to combat this accursed magic so that one day, we may be able to counter it and hopefully restore the lives of the crystalized victims around the world."

"Have you gotten close to discovering a cure, Sir Charles?" Rouge questioned.

"No, not yet," Sir Charles grumbled as he shook his head. "I will not let my lack of results discourage me. There has to be a counter to this force, and on my family's souls, I will be the one to find it!"

Sir Charles pulled up specific pages with Naugus the Dark on them. Shadow widened his eyes, recognizing the outline that matched the shadow that may have killed Chuck Thorndyke.

"Ixis Magick is magic is a dark mystical force that may predate Mobius but its origins are currently unknown. From what I've uncovered from personal experience, users of Ixis Magick are granted the power to primarily take life energy away from living creatures, leaving their victims as mere crystalized husks." Sir Charles stated as he closed his eyes. "And if what you said about the last moments of Dr. Thorndyke is true, then I believe that the Ixis Warlock had paid him a visit that had gone fatal."

"Does this magical stuff allow you to, I don't know, take the form of another person, for example?" Rouge inquired.

Sir Charles nodded as he added. "Yes. Ixis Magick has illusionary capabilities, elemental manipulation, and possesses the uncanny ability to control darkness itself. It can even disregard Chaos energy to a great extent."

"NEW INFORMATION ACQUIRED. NOW, UPDATING IXIS MAGICK FILES…" Omega announced. "...UPDATE COMPLETE."

Shadow's face scowled as he started at the ground, never forgetting the crushing defeat he suffered at the hands of Metallix.

Recognizing Shadow's darkened expression, the former warrior spoke to the black hedgehog.

"You seem troubled, Agent Black Wind," The elderly hedgehog spoke, snapping Shadow out of his brooding thoughts.

"Have you been in contact or are aware of an Overlander named Dr. J. Ivo–"

"–Robotnik!" The knight spat, furrowing his eyebrows. "How can I not know of him and his wretched works? He created those SWATbot and GUN Beetle units that terrorized my people during the Great War and is constantly trying to murder my nephew and take over Mobius. Robotnik's a danger to society and should be dealt with on the spot. What else is there to know about that madman?"

Nodding in empathy, Shadow brought up, "Then you should at least be familiar with Metal Sonic."

"Metal So–, wait! That's the android doppelganger that little Miss Amy mentioned to me." Uncle Chuck recalled before laughing. "That fool honestly believed that a machine could ever replace my boy? How arrogant could that man possibly get?"

"Professor, that robot defeated me in single combat. And he did it using Ixis Magick."

Sir Charles' pride as an uncle was cut short from a wave of dread that submerged the paler blue Mobian hedgehog.

"What!?" Sir Charles whispered in fear. "What did you just say?"

"Shadow lost, Professor Hedgehog" Rouge chimed in, elaborating for her teammate. "Metal Sonic has gone through a complete overhaul, no doubt the work of that sorcerer guy that the whole world's after. It's thanks to him and Dr. Robotnik that Westopolis is all but in shambles. By the time Omega and I arrived, he was about to kill Shadow."

"...I can't believe this. And here I thought that Metal Robotnik was bad enough." Sir Charles muttered as he ran his gloved left hand through his quills.

"To make matters worse, the attack on Westopolis was a ploy to lure me there as a means to test his new power." Shadow scowled as he clenched his fists tightly. "I was nothing but a stepping stone, a means to gauge if he can take the blue hedgehog done alone. The bastard's as petty as his maker!"

Sweat began to pour down from the scientist's forehead as one of his eyes started twitching.

'...S-Stronger than Shadow? But he was created to be the Ultimate Lifeform, for Illumina's sake! Oliver barely managed to beat Robotnik's prototype mech! I-if Shadow couldn't defeat it, and this machine bears a grudge against Oliver, then…'

Omega then turned to Sir Charles and bluntly asked him, "PROFESSOR HEDGEHOG, DO YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW THE LOCATION OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG? KNOWING THE HISTORY OF MY VINDICTIVE BROTHER, HE WILL MOST LIKELY SEEK OUT AND AIM TO ELIMINATE YOUR NEPHEW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE."

"S-South Island!" Uncle Chuck stammered as he scrambled to try and click on the communication program on his computer to contact NICOLE. "He's on South Island with the Freedom Fighters! If only I can get a hold of NICOL–"

Suddenly, Sir Charles' computer's communication program began to play an automated ringing sound, much like a telephone. A message page appeared, displaying the name "Miles Prower" as the person calling.

"It's Tails!" Rouge pointed out. "His timing couldn't have been more convenient."

Sir Charles answered it, saying, "Miles! I'm glad to hear from you, my boy! How are you doing?"

"We've got a major problem, Uncle Chuck!" Tails replied, with his tone having a bit of panic to it that was evident for the listeners to hear.

"What is it, child?"

"Remember Metal Sonic? The robot copy of Sonic that we've beaten before? He's back with a new look and is powered by Ixis Magick just like Metal Robotnik!" Tails revealed, prompting Uncle Chuck and Shadow's eyes to dilate while Rouge paled in horror.

"Oh gods…" The white bat, recalling Metallix nearly ending Shadow's life.

Trying to control his fast breathing, Sir Charles said, "What has happened out there!?"

"Sonic, Sally, and Bunnie are out in the fields fighting Metal. I've taken Antoine and Rotor with me back to the hangar to equip them with more weapons. We'll be returning to the battlefield shortly to attack Metal from above! We could use some help!"

Sir Charles and Team Dark gave each a look before the elder Freedom Fighter said, "Don't get reckless, Miles! You have no idea how dangerous this machine has become! Attack passively and stay out of its direct line of sight! Reinforcements will be on the way! Understand?"

"Copy that!"

"Good. Hang in there just a little while longer, children! Stay safe!" Sir Charles said before the transmission cut.

The old Mobian turned to Team Dark and said, "I'll be sending Knuckles your way before you go. I have to report to the king about this… sudden development."

"As a knight of Acornia, I ask you to bring back the princess and her team alive. …And as a man with no living family left, I ask you to do the same for my nephew. Please, bring all of them home." Sir Charles beckoned, taking off his glasses.

The three nodded, as Shadow took out as a green Chaos Emerald and stared into his reflection.

'...This time, I will not fail!' Shadow declared in his mind.

---

Hedgehog's Pass, Green Hill, South Island

To say that Bunnie and Sally were in a bit of a daze would be an understatement. Flashes of light blue and violet auras raced across the green terrain, clashing against each other while occasionally bouncing off of rocky surfaces to score strong attacks off of one another in a grudge match. Every blow caused the ground to shake, with the tremors being felt all the way to the girls' current location.

"Goodness, gracious…" The cyborg whispered, barely glimpsing at the spectacle. "No wonder Ah got trounced! I can't keep up with them!"

"Look," Sally noted as she pulled out NICOLE.

Opening the handheld, Sally asked, "NICOLE, could you help us view the battle for us? We cannot track Sonic's or Metallix's movement."

The AI manifested in her holo-lynx as she said, "Affirmative, Sally."

NICOLE then created a holographic projection that viewed the ongoing fight in real-time.

"What's the plan now, Sally-girl?" Bunnie inquired, turning to her leader for a brief moment.

Sally admitted, "I don't really have much of a plan. We'll need to trust that Sonic can at least slow Metallix down enough for us to launch a surprise attack."

"Not thet Ahm doubtin' Sugar-hog or anythin', but he seems to be in a pinch. Even if he gave us a chance, what can we use to hit that thing where it hurts?"

NICOLE pulled up a separate small holographic page and cycled through previous several schematics of Metal Sonic.

"Miles has recently shared files of past vehicles and machines made by Robotnik that Oliver and his allies have dealt with through his MeteorTech Cloud." NICOLE stated. "And while the Ixis Magick in its system prevents me from studying Metallix's composition, its detrimental flaw of overheating and or overexertion has not carried over. Though I thought it was impossible, it seems that Metallix has simply evolved beyond his previous primary directive and limitations. The best course of action is to commit to a powerful attack when the unit is caught off guard."

"...Ah guess Ah could give the ol' Arm Cannon another whirl." Bunnie offered. "If this is gonna work, Ahm gonna need uh clear shot and some extra power."

From a backpack that she always carries around, Sally took out a Power Ring for Bunnie to use when given the chance.

Bunnie smiled eagerly and set her sights on the battle nearby.

Sonic and Metallix were busy rearranging the beautiful fields of Green Hill through their hectic bout. As the small woodland creatures scurried away from the crackling sound of Metallix's guns firing at Sonic, who evaded the several rounds aiming to kill him. Trees were uprooted and hills were toppled from the constant impacts that either Sonic or the robot would cause by crashing into them.

Now, Sonic was on the move all the while Metal soared above him.

"TASTE MY POWER!" Metallix bellowed while curling into the ball.

Accessing Ixis Magick, Metallix dropped down, manipulating the earth to rise like a tidal wave on the ocean that flung Sonic backward and sent him into a nearby pool of spring water which was about twenty to thirty feet deep.

Inside the pool, Sonic felt himself floating in the water. All of his momentum, now ceased by the change in habitat. One minute, he was surrounded by greenery, palm trees, and a beach by the shore, and now he was surrounded by fishes, kelp, and a glimpse of daylight was above him. The shivering Mobian found that breathing wouldn't do him any as he would suffocate almost immediately.

That's when the adventurer understood his new situation.

'...Crap, I'm underwater.'

Just as Sonic finally descended to the pool floor, The wall that Sonic was near had been knocked down as Metallix crashed into Sonic with a Spin Attack. Given the mobility disadvantage that the hedgehog had, Metallix capitalized on Sonic's weakness by pelting him with punches and kicks. Upon receiving a dropkick that sent him against a boulder, Sonic tried to use the force of that attack against Metallix by using his own Spin Attack. As a response, Metallix caught the moving ball and punted Sonic out the water and fifty feet into the air.

Metal warped to Sonic, still in ball mode. Sonic uncurled himself and continued engaging in hand-to-hand combat in mid-air. Slowly but surely, Sonic's ferocity began to wane from the amount of damage he endured which started to affect his stamina. Metal, however, had no such issue.

"I'LL CRUSH YOU!"

While he used the Ixis Seismic skill to fling Sonic into the water, he switched back to Ixis Flare and coated his sharp fingertips to attack Sonic with them. One of the swipes left three diagonal cuts from the upper right side of his chest to the lower left side of his abdomen that singed through his fur and to his skin. Then, he manifested black water whips using Ixis Riptide and gave Sonic fifty lashes in rapid succession.

After that, he grabbed Sonic by the throat, then warped to a long stretch rock that resembled a wall. Flying close to it, Metallix dragged Sonic's face across the surface of the wall, forcing Sonic to let out a cry of agony.

Once he was done with that, Metal fired a charged shot at the blue hedgehog, sending him through another three hills and several palm trees, tumbling into the dirt not too far where the Sally and Bunnie were.

The dirty and bruised Sonic, while finding the resolve to get up, felt his whole body throb and sting from the massive beating he had received.

After taking five steps, he dropped down to his knees and coughed up blood. The hedgehog moaned, clenching his scarred chest from the lingering burns from one of his opponent's mystical attacks.

He dragged his gloved fingers from the dirt, leaving ten bloodied trails behind a pair of hand imprints.

"...I-I really hate magic," Sonic confessed bitterly as he got up from one knee.

Before Sonic could catch his breath, Metallix dropped down from the sky and appeared in front of his archenemy and rival.

Sonic saw this and stood up to try and land a punch on Metal, only for the attack to go through Metal's face.

Sonic's ears drooped down in fear as the quickster stuttered, "W-What?"

A hard backhand sent Sonic sprawling into the ground five feet away from Metallix.

The force of the attack put Sonic in a bit of a daze as he began to concentrate more on his breathing.

He felt the sensation of metallic footsteps slowly getting closer to him as Metal's voice proceeded to approach his ears.

"Pathetic," Metallix spoke with a hint of disappointment.

Reaching for the hedgehog's head, Metallix lifted Sonic from off the ground with his right hand gripping the Mobian's quills.

"You have no clue what I can do, and that won't help you because I anticipate everything you're going to do. Strange, isn't it?" Metal coldly sated, moving Sonic's face close to stare into Metallix's digital eyes.

Metal would have attacked Sonic if he hadn't been shot in the shoulder with a red ray. The burn on Metallix's right shoulder had quickly healed thanks to the Ixis Magick flowing through his body.

He briefly dropped Sonic on the ground and tilted his head skywards. His scanners zoomed in on the incoming vehicle closing in toward his location. NICOLE, Sally, and Bunnie had also seen this and identified them.

As it turned out, the young inventor had returned with two of the remaining Freedom Fighters on a fully relstored bi-plane, fully equipped with machine guns and rockets.

"It's Tails!" Sally pointed out. "And he's got Antoine and Rotor co-piloting on the Tornado!"

"Thank the lucky stars, they're alright!" Bunnie sighed.

Sonic weakly sat up as he saw his plane soaring towards him and Metallix. He could feel his heart pound in a speed that rivaled his running.

Metallix realized what was going and wished that he had a mouth to smirk with.

"...They wish to dance as well? Very well." Metal noted before taking off to the skies, leaving Sonic to struggle to stand up and and follow.

Sonic staggered, as he leaned up against a tree, saying, "N-No, wait! COME BACK!"

His screams were met with silence.

Sonic's mind began to race as dangerous scenarios played in his mind in rapid succession. And none of them ended with his friends staying alive.

He had to save his friends, now.

The blue hedgehog's eyes looked around the many toppled trees that were on the floor when he noticed a capsule with "20 Rings" were labeled on the ground.

Sonic's lips curled upwards at this sight.

Meanwhile, Rotor was busy letting out joyful screams as Tails flew around the battlefield.

"WOOHOO! Now, that's what I'm talking about!" Rotor cheered, wearing head gear as he sat in the middle seat with Antoine sitting at the seat behind.

Antoine, with his resolve back and a focused expression, watched the screen that was in front of him and noticed a familiar figure flying towards him.

"Miles! Enemy approaching, ten meters away!" The coyote addressed loudly.

Tails checked the monitor as it zoomed it to see Metallix closing in on them.

'Okay, Metal! You wanna play the hard game? Then game on!' Tails said as he changed gears with a jolt of the lever, saying, "Rotor, fire at will!"

Pressing a button, Rotor had deployed the ray gun that he had incorporated into the plane's weaponry and shot at Metallix.

While dodging the line of fire, Metallix mocked, "Children and their little toys..."

Metal decided to fight back by firing heat seeking missiles at the Tornado. Seeing this Tails told everybody to hang on as he tried using evasive maneuvers to lead the missiles.

Antoine whispered, "No mahre!"

The coyote pressed a button on top of the roof, deploying rear missiles that managed to destroy Metallix's projectiles.

"Rotor, you're up!" Tails barked.

"Got it, activating Vulcan Cannon Mk. II!" Rotor announced, flipping a random switched.

From there, out of the bottom of the plane deployed a miniature but very powerful cannon that began to charge up energy.

Where Sally, NICOLE, and Bunnie were currently located, Sonic arrived in a blue streak of light. The two girls walked over to greet him, only for them to become mortified at the condition he was in.

"Oh my gosh! Sonic, you're hurt!" A concerned Princess Sally said as he gently placed the tips of her fingers on Sonic's newly acquired scars.

While holding the Power Ring, Bunnie pointed out, "Boy, ya look like you dun ran to hell and back! How are ya holdin' up, Sugar?"

Sonic shook his head casually, saying, "...This is nothing. Do y'all got a plan?"

"I planned for Bunnie to shoot Metallix down with the strongest blast she could muster with the assistance of a Power Ring. And it seems that the boys above has got the same idea." Sally said as she thought of another step with Sonic in mind. "There is something that you can do to contribute to the plan, Sonic."

"I'm all ears, Red."

"What was that technique that you used to immobilize Metallix, again?"

"Ya mean Sonic Wind?" Sonic specified while scratching his head. "Yeah, what of it?"

"Well, if you do that, but perform it on a larger scale, it could halt the robot's movement long enough for both of our groups can hit him at the same time." Sally finished.

Turning to NICOLE, Sonic asked, "Nikki, what are our chances that this plan could phase Metal."

"...Your chances of both attacks coming into contact with the unit are slim. A twenty-five percent chance. And whether or not the attacks can harm it, I am unsure. I have no knowledge of its current designs to make that proper assessment." NICOLE responded bluntly, subsconsciously cowling in Metallix's direction.

"Well," Sonic said as he stretched his legs. "I can't necessarily make a bigger Sonic Wind. But my Blue Tornado can stop Metal in his tracks momentarily."

Remembering the attack from Sand Blast City, Sally smirked, saying, "We can settle for that."

"Thet sounds like uh fine plan! Ya best git tuh work an start runnin', Sugar-hog. Ol' Bunnie's gonna work her magic!" The cyborg said, starting to absorb the Power Ring's energy that enhanced the performance of her cybernetics for a moment.

Sonic saluted to the cyborg and the princess before taking off to Metal and the Tornado on ground level. At the same time, Bunnie took her arm cannon and aimed it at Metal's direction with Sally and NICOLE standing beside her.

Meanwhile, Metallix tilted his head and saw that his opponents were charging their attack with a gun of some sort.

"Rotor, how long until the cannon reaches full capacity?" Tails inquired.

"Another ten percent, Miles!" The walrus announced loudly.

While watching the plane's weapon, Metal heckled, "You're nothing compared to me! None of you! If you think you have the power to stop me, take the shot! I dare you!"

While Metal patiently waited for the attacks, Sonic jumped, then curled into a ball as he rolled in a constant circle clockwise. This repetitive motion grew fast and fast until he created a tornado with a blue tornado which was right below the unsuspecting android.

Bunnie, when reaching the height of her charge, finally released a beam of light that was golden instead of the usual red color.

Meanwhile, Metallix found himself growing tired of waiting for his opponent to take their shot and formed his Neo Buster Cannon to blow the Tornado with everybody in it when he felt his movements becoming restricted as he was starting to get sucked into the blue vortex.

"What is this!?" The android said, trying to understand his situation as he began to spin clockwise in the middle of the vortex.

Tails made sure to fly the plane away from the suction of the tornado. Antoine, being the observant one, noticed a small blue blur running around in circles.

"Miles, Rotor! I believe zhat Sonic's come to our aid! Now iz our chance to strike!" The coyote pointed out.

"Right on time, one hundred percent full capacity!" Rotor announced excitedly.

"Alright," Tails nodded as he focused the digital crosshairs directly at Metallix. "VULCAN CANNON, FIRE!"

In a bright flash, a compressed orange-red beam of light came out of the cannon and traveled to Metallix's location.

The two beams that came from Tails and Bunnie landed, hitting the same desired target at different angles. This caused a massive explosion so great that disrupted the Blue Tornado. Fortunately, Sonic ran back to Sally, Bunnie, and NICOLE, awaiting the results of their strategy.

While flying away from the explosion, Rotor cheered, screaming, "WOOHOO! YES! A direct hit!"

Antoine looked up, and watched with his mouth parted as a red and gold light began to thin and encircle a figure where their opponent was supposed to be. While this happened, Sonic's quills picked up a strange sensation that caused him to shiver and sneeze.

"This isn't good…" Sonic whispered to himself.

The atmosphere began to change as the clear blue skies suddenly darkened with steel clouds floating in the air and thunder roared across the heavens.

"Teamwork will not save you this time, Hedgehog! This time, the battle will go MY WAY!" A chilling voice echoed in the air.

Manipulating the encircling thin beams, Metallix minimized the two beams and absorbed the into his sharp right hand, and added their power into his own. He then summoned a crystal from his left hand and chucked it through one of the Tornado's wings which broke off, forcing Tails and the others to eject from the plane that spun out of control and inevitably crashed. Fortunately, the fox grabbed Rotor and Antoine and landed safely to the other Freedom Fighters.

Metallix then extended his right hand in a similar vein to what he did to transform into Metal Overlord two years before his last meeting with Sonic.

"What's he doing!?" Sonic screamed, wondering what was going to happen

"I-I don't know, but it's not good!" Tails stuttered, standing behind his older brother figure as he recalled the Metal Overlord incident vividly.

"I have evolved since our last encounter! I will not tolerate defeat to the likes of you!" Metallix bellowed in a deeper voice. "As retribution for tearing my ambitions asunder, I will take something you hold dear and engulf it in Flames of Disaster!"

"Metallix charged his metallic hand with violet electricity and fired it to the clouds, ionizing them until they were set ablaze with the same color of violet as the Ixis Magick that flew through the mechanical body of the android. Thunderclaps were heard throughout the area as a warm wind had blown, causing everybody to cover their faces with their arms except for NICOLE, who verbally notified the Freedom Fighters of the rising temperature.

But before anybody could say anything about it, all hell broke loose.

Fire. Specifically, raining fire. Like precipitation in a storm, burning violet flames came crashing down the once tranquil area of South Island and ate at the grassy terrain. The leaves and greenery only fueled the embers and created smoke to float in the air.

This disaster forced the Freedom Fighters to scurry about and find away to the closest thing to shelter that they could find. However, the size of the "raindrops" happened to increase to the size of bowling balls, slamming into whatever that was in their way. The firestorm continued, having to have not only spread in Green Hill Zone, but just so happened to enact its wrath across the entire island. The raining flames swept the many cities and small settlements that lived there. Truth be told, if it weren't for the reaction speed that NICOLE had to form a shield, the flames would have brought an end to Sonic and the Freedom Fighters.

Once the rain stopped (which was about twenty minutes), NICOLE dispelled the shield, Sonic and the Freedom Fighters were in the wake of a horrible sight.

The structures that were natural to the land hand crumbled as it was burnt like fresh charcoal. The smoke was accompanied by the smell of flesh and fur/feathers mixed with the horrid aroma that was death. In the background, the flames were being fanned by the wind which traveled in the direction of Sonic's house. The flames didn't carry over to the other areas of the island. In fact, Marble Zone, Labyrinth Zone, Spring Yard, Star Light, and the abandoned Scrap Brain Zone were all set ablaze by the inferno caused by the former Badnik. What made it worse was the desperate screams of the inhabitants echoed throughout the island.

And most used their desperate cries in an attempt to call upon their protector, their hero.

But sadly, their prays would not be answered as the citizens of South Island would eventually leave the world while succumbing to the fiery embers of death,

"H-Holy shit!" Rotor swore while sweat poured down from his forehead, taking in the havoc that had unfurled on the island.

"I-it's just like zhat night…!" Antoine recalled in despair before coughing from the smoke that was in the air.

Bunnie silently stood by her boyfriend, trying to make sure that he was okay while also keeping her own emotions in line from recounting the terrors of the past.

Sally noticed Tails, who silently stood as the place he had grown to love for nearly all of his life, came crashing down in a violet fire. The palmtrees, the luscious bushes, the rich soil, it was now going up in smoke while flames dried up the waterfalls, incinerated the wildlife that couldn't escape, and was putting thousands of lives to death by literal hellfire.

And there was nothing he could do about it.

Her heart went out to the twelve year old, personally understanding the tremendous loss he was experiencing. She decided to walk over to the young mechanic and try and console him.

"My home… No..." Sally heard Tails whisper while noticing that his ears and Tails drooped in solemnity at the event.

Feeling a gentle hand placed on his shoulder, the young fox turned around to find an empathetic Princess Sally staring into the glassy-eyed kit. Without saying a word, Tails found himself embracing the older teenage girl as he began sobbing uncontrollably, utterly crushed by the tragedy. Sally soothingly whispered to Tails that it was going to be alright while rubbing his back.

NICOLE, while looking at Tails and her comrades at first, then quickly turned her attention to Sonic as her readings indicated a rise in his heartbeat. The sixteen-year-old found himself shaking throughout his body. The hedgehog found it harder to breath as he took deep breaths that were fast and strenuous and or mental breakdown. His eyes were dilated and the adventure could swear that he was on the verge of having an emotional breakdown. And who wouldn't right now? The worst case scenario had occurred and he found it incredibly difficult to fathom the full weight of the situation. Despite this, one thing was for certain.

His island and his people were dying, and it was all his fault.

'No no no no no no no!' Sonic panicked, clenching his fists so hard that they were being stained by his own blood.

The AI watched as the hedgehog dropped to his knees before pounding the ground with his right fist into the dirt.

The sound was loud enough for get Bunnie's attention, prompting her to look over to Sonic's direction. Seeing the usually optimistic and upbeat his current state caused the girl's heart to break in two.

"Sugar-hog?" The friendly Mobian cyborg called to Sonic, with the others now setting their sights on the kneeling Mobian. "None of this was yer fault. Ya did the best ya could, hun."

"Yeah, man. Robotnik set us up, remember?" Rotor pointed out, trying to alleviate the burden from the hedgehog.

Sonic lowered his head, shaking his head as the mind of the adventurer kept delving deeper into his own self loathing. The silence of their friend increased their concerns for their friendp. Especially Sally given what she experienced back in Sand Blast City. She would have gone to the blue hedgehog to support if it weren't for a chilling voice catching everybody's (but Sonic's) attention.

"...It's no use."

Suddenly, Metallix reappeared above Sonic and the Freedom Fighters, now standing on top of a smoldering pile of rubble that used to be two totem poles and a boulder nearby.

"Metallix!" Tails and Rotor spat, narrowing their eyes at the sight of the mass-murdering robot.

Sonic remained on his knees, trapped in his own despair but is aware of the looming threat as that self loathing began to slowly turn into a silent anger.

Metallix smugly questioned. "How does it feel to lose, Sonic? Tails?"

"YOU MONSTER!" Tails shouted at the machine out of rage, with tears pouring down his face. "WHY DID YOU DO THAT!? THOSE PEOPLE HAD FRIENDS, FAMILIES, LIVES! AND YOU JUST-JUST...!"

"-Irrelevant. I am beyond my primary directive, so I can do what I please." Metallix said, cutting the fox's rant off. "As I am, no one can challenge my power! Not you, not your pathetic friends, that broken blue fool, not even the so-called Ultimate Lifeform!"

"...How many, NICOLE?"

Everybody turned to see Sonic, who now stood on one knee but never showed the unreadable expression that was on his face.

The Mobian holo lynx said to Sonic, "You would have to elaborate on your inquiry."

"Fatalities, NICOLE. How. Many. Were. There?" Sonic asked sharply, sending chills down every Freedom Fighter except for NICOLE herself.

Sighing, NICOLE answered, "Including the various woodland creatures and Flickies that couldn't escape the rain fire, over ten thousand lives were lost."

Sonic's breathing turned into heated huffs, gripping the soil on the ground as the negativity stirred and brewed inside of the quickster.

Metallix saw Sonic's current motion and laughed at him.

"How soft," Metallix openly mocked. "What hurts more, Hedgehog? Their screams for help, or your inability to save them?"

"Metal..."

Three Chaos Emeralds; Sonic's dark blue emerald, Sally's light blue emerald, and Shadow's (who arrived with Rouge, Omega, and Knuckles at Sonic's house at this moment) green emeralds began to shimmer with a dark aura surrounding them.

The gentle darkness had returned with a vengeance, taking a hold of Sonic with a dark aura emitting from his body, changing his fur into a dark blue.

Tails and the Freedom Fighters gasp at this, with Sally whispering, "...Oh no. It's happening again!"

The seemingly tame dark aura then exploded in a pillar of dark blue pillar of negative Chaos energy, causing a shockwave that forced the Freedom Fighters to shield their faces from the power coming off of Sonic.

Metallix remained still, curious as to what kind of power that his former rival was tapping into.

When the light tied down, everybody saw the result of Sonic's transformation and the Freedom Fighters were utterly speechless. Metallix decided to fly down to see his enemy's new transformation.

The robot initially thought that Super Sonic, Metallix immediately took notice of the large amounts of negative Chaos energy flowing around the now pitch-black hedgehog in the form of a dark blue aura. Sonic's irises were no longer present, and his quills stood upright, much like Super Sonic. But he wasn't.

Rather, Metallix was in the presence of Dark Sonic Phase 2.

"...What am I even staring at? This is no Super Sonic." Metallix questioned, not pleased at the display that stood before him.

In a growl, Dark Sonic (Phase 2) lunged at Metallix with a single step, closing the gap in a matter of seconds and landing a hard punch to the face. The force of the blow was so great, it formed a crater below them as the android staggered.

"METAAAL!" Dark Sonic roared as he dashed forward and landed a series of spin kicks before spinning in the air and releasing a pitch black Sonic Wave that caused a massive explosion when it came into contact with the stunned android.

Sally and the others could do nothing but helplessly watch Sonic lose himself in his anger whilst in his dark state.

The enraged hedgehog jumped back, now standing in a sort of a drooping hunch with his arms leaning forward with him as he awaited the results of his assault.

Of course, Metallix emerged from violet flames while his Black Shield was activated.

"...So this is how you choose to fight me? By transforming into a monster?" The machine questioned, dispelling his shield.

There was a notable twitch in one of Dark Sonic's irisless eyes, uttering, "!?"

The darken hero then spun in place and used a Spin Dash to try and split the robot in half, only for Metal to use Quick Step to evade the attack. Sonic then drifted to turn himself around and try to use a barrage of wild punches and kicks with the intention to destroy Metal. Each attempt resulted in walls and remnants of trees utterly crushed from the sheer raw strength that the darker state gave Sonic.

While avoiding a roundhouse kick and several jabs, Metallix lectured, "This isn't like you at all. The Sonic I know wouldn't fight with utter hatred. I wonder if you were the fake all along..."

"SHUT UP!" Dark Sonic (Phase 2) shouted as he performed several dozen Homing Attacks in a rapid succession, which Metallix blocked and or countered with ease.

"What's the matter? I am pertaining to fact!" Metal shot back, matching a side-kick with Dark Sonic before throwing a punch at the exact moment as Sonic, only hitting his gloved knuckle with the same strength. "I should know, I copied your life data. In fact, I'm more you than you're willing to admit! My existence, this fight, the intensity of the doctor's ambitions! It's because of you, Sonic!"

The last word, although spoken in a mocking tone, had a hint of malice that was purposely corrupted and glitched while in a deep tone similar to his voice chip back when he was Metal Sonic.

Dark Sonic bared his teeth and flared more of his negative Chaos energy out of anger.

"I said...!" Sonic started, landing a punch on Metal's midsection. He continued his combo with a spin kick that sent his opponent back, saying, "SHUT..."

Dark Sonic (Phase 2) then landed a Top Kick that hurled Metal upwards before landing an electric laced Sonic Eagle on Metallix's head as he screamed, "...UP!"

Once again, Metal found himself sprawling into another crater. However, instead of allowing himself to crash, Metallix stood tall while his eyes were burning a dangerous crimson.

The angered hedgehog screamed, "YOU'RE MINE!"

Dark Sonic (Phase 2) dashed forward with a negative Chaos infused fist cocked back at lightspeed to finish Metallix off, only for Metallix to catch the punch before it could connect.

Sonic gritted his teeth, trying to move his fist from the robot's grasp, but to no avail.

"...I grow sick of this dance." Metallix spoke bluntly before breaking Sonic's right wrist, forcing a painful scream from the transformed hedgehog.

The cries of their hero had rang into the ears of the Freedom Fighters, which caused everybody except for NICOLE to flinch or wince.

"SONIC!" Tails screamed as he was about to jump into the fray to save his brother, much to the dismay of the other Freedom Fighters.

Despite their verbal pleas to stop, Tails took flight using his twin tails and darted three feet away from the group with the intention to help Sonic, only NICOLE to use her superior speed to appear in front of the genius with her arms outstretched, blocking Tails' path.

Staring at the AI defiantly with narrowed eyes, Tails demanded, "What are you doing!? Let me through!"

"Negative." NICOLE blatantly refused. "The only outcome of your interference would be your death. And an unnecessary one, to be precise."

Tails heatedly shot back, "SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO LET HIM DIE!?"

"Negative. However, your inclusion will not increase our chances of surviving this encounter, let alone, a victory." NICOLE elaborated evenly.

"B-But he needs my help!" Tails tried to press.

"And how will your inclusion aid Sonic in any way when he, himself, is being toyed with despite his sudden transformed state?" NICOLE questioned, crossing her arms. "And I'm sure that the last thing that he would want is to risk losing another loved one."

Tails growled as he clenched his gloved hands as he stared down the AI. Though, the preteen's burning rage was quelled when logic took a hold of his mind. Sighing, he reluctantly flew back to the other Freedom Fighters in defeat with NICOLE floating next to him

Metallix currently had Sonic's right fist in his metallic hand, refusing to let him go as the machine forced his face to peer into the robot's digital eyes.

"It is time to end this!" Metallix said as a clone of himself made of darkness emerged from his shadow using the Shadow Meld skill from his Ixis Magitech System.

After landing a solid jab into Dark Sonic's gut which damaged a few ribs, Sonic was flung to the clone of Metallix, which kneed him in the side where his kidney was, forcing the hedgehog to cough up blood. Then the dark clone used a Drop Dash to knock Dark Sonic down on the soil face first. Metallix then drove his leg on the teenager's back then use the propulsion system of his jet on his back and drug Sonic's body across the scorched ground with his foot, ramming him through several tree stumps and charred walls until Sonic was kicked into a wall of a large plateau.

Metallix pointed his index and middle fingers using his right hand in the direction of the damaged Dark Sonic, prompting the shadow to sink to the floor and snake over to the hedgehog that was stuck in the wall and grabbed Sonic through the wall using its hands by his wrists to restrain Sonic's movement.

Dark Sonic was covered in welts, cuts, and bruises all around his body. Most notably, he retained the three diagonal clawed scars across his chest down to his lower abdomen. His body ached, begging for the pain to be relieved in some fashion to end the suffering it had endured. Blood escaped his mouth while he had a bruise on that bleed from the forehead. At the moment, all that the hedgehog could do was concentrate on pacing his breath.

Even still, Sonic definitely tried to escape the grasp of Metallix's shadow.

From several feet, Metallix began charging the Metal Laser from his chest. Sonic saw the red gem core that was glowing with yellow energy. Not wanting to meet his end, Dark Sonic used the rest of his negative Chaos energy to warp out of the way right when Metal unleashed his plasma beam of death, erasing the plateau from existence.

A beaten Dark Sonic reappeared ten feet from where his friends were, dropping on the burnt soil face down and reverted back into his normal form.

The Freedom Fighters saw that the blue hedgehog was barely moving, with the only indication of him being alive was the slightest motion of his chest expanding up and down.

They had taken to detail of the injuries Metal inflicted on him.

"Oh, bless his heart," Bunnie whispered with pity, wincing at the condition of Sonic.

"Man..." Rotor said in a similar manner.

Tears escaped from her eyes, as one Sally's worst fears had laid before her. It has yet to register in her mind until now.

'By the Source… L-Look at what it did to him!'

"SONIC!" Sally woefully cried as she and the Freedom Fighters rushed to Sonic's aid. "DON'T WORRY, WE'RE COMING!"

Sonic, barely raising his head to see the familiar blurs of his allies coming closer to him.

"G-Guys, no! Get outta here! R-Run away!" Sonic blurted out, desperately trying to tell his friends to forget about him and escape.

"They're not going anywhere."

Unfortunately, a ring of Ixis flames surrounded the Freedom Fighters, preventing them from going any further. When peering upwards, the militia saw Metallix hovering Sonic with his arms crossed.

"I want witnesses to speak of this day," Metallix coldly stated, staring down at the Freedom Fighters. "The day of my triumph!"

"Y-You…!" Sally growled, throwing the nastiest glare she could muster at the robot as she creamed bloody murder at Metallix. "DAMN YOU!"

The android landed next to Sonic, who had begun to crawl away out of the sheer desperation to get to his friends and escape by any means.

Metallix saw this, and would have scowled at the sight if he could emote expressions like an organic lifeform.

Metal blurred to Sonic's side, brought his leg to Sonic's stomach and kicked him into the air, and grabbed him by the left arm.

"SUFFER." Metallix spoke before cloaking himself in a familiar electric yellow aura, activating the Ring Spark Field.

The power current of electricity instantly traveled to Sonic, swiftly electrocuting the adventurer while a screech of pain escaped the throat of the tortured hedgehog.

The haunting cries of her fellow teammate prompted the brave and tough Bunnie Rabbot to burst into tears for the sheer brutality she was witnessing. Antoine held on to his lover to support her, gritting his teeth with his eyes shut to spare himself the gruesome tears, but failed to deafen his comrades' wails. Rotor turned away with the event, holding back his own tears in shame, hating the fact that he was powerless to do anything to stop Sonic's torture. Sally was currently holding Tails as if he was a little boy she took care of herself, trying to act as the buffer for the both of them while mentally apologizing to her childhood friend and praying to the Ancient Walkers that Sonic and everybody else will make it out alive.

NICOLE, on the other hand, watched every last second of Metallix's method of torture. And while this happened, she then turned her head towards the vulnerable figures of Tails and Princess Sally. Sally needed no introduction. NICOLE was programmed to be a virtual attendant and guide the young ruler-to-be throughout her formative years. Her primary directive, her reason to exist was to royally serve her kingdom and the princess. But ever since she recalibrated and gained a tangible vessel capable of physical interaction, there was a newer aspect that seeped from the cracks of her programming that not even the AI could anticipate nor ignore. Not that she would admit it. After all, it was illogical. Yes, Tails was a recent addition to the team and an invaluable resource, the interactions that she had with him along with the princess and Sonic stirred that certain aspect inside of the AI everytime they would speak.

And then, there was Sonic himself.

The blue hedgehog was truly an enigma to NICOLE. He was a peaceful free spirit that lived day by day without a care in the world, yet he was willing to put his life on the line for the planet despite him being limitations to his extraordinary abilities. His philosophy and outlook on Mobians and life itself was illogical, yet he overcame that and the odds that were against him time and time again. That drive to persevere and move forward regardless of the circumstance had ushered a new generation of young heroes and aided in the possibility of the world's governments to a peace treaty and an alliance. And through her conversations with Sally, speaking with Sonic, and monitoring their conversations, unbeknownst to them, NICOLE had logically began to see the reason behind her princess' infatuation and admiration for the blue hedgehog, which she imprinted a similar fascination of Sonic to a certain extent.

But out of all of the moments she shared with Sonic, one conversation stuck out to her the most which shook the very foundation of her programming. She could still recall Sonic's words to her.

-You know, you're more than what people stated you were designed for, right? At least, that's what I think.

-I give all of my buddies nicknames-

-It ain't nothin' complex, Nikki-

-Cause you're my pal!

While these continue to play mentally, something… raw began to boil inside of NICOLE as she watched Sonic being tortured. She began to feel for these events. There was hurt that came from witnessing the Hero of Mobius, a source of inspiration to her princess, suffering. Inspiration that joined the cause to rid the planet of Naugus. The same person who kept her princess safe from harm. The same Mobian that instantly recognized her as a faithful comrade, even going so far as to designate her a name of personal endearment. A custom that not even Sally herself had done for her. But more so, there was a sense of burning scorn that came from gazing upon the sentient unit responsible for this and all of the unnecessary fatalities that it caused.

The robot, who may be just as intelligent as her, decided to disregard all life as insignificant and waste its potential on petty revenge and meaningless destruction.

The AI found herself furrowing her eyebrows while her hands started to clench and tremble. Her physical avatar began to slightly distort, pixels and data sparking and projecting outwards like unstable coding and electrical signals. Her visage was glitching like an incorrectly rendered model in a computer program as an intense and passionate feeling enveloped her CPU and processing matrix.

While this occurred when nobody noticed, NICOLE did not act on this new rollercoaster of emotions accordingly until the following event occurred.

When Metallix finally stopped shocking the heavily injured hedgehog after a full minute and fifteen seconds had passed, he dropped the smoking Sonic on his back as he looked down on him. Judging from the heart rate from his scanners and the terrified expression yet tired expression from his face, the machine could see the fear of God had been inflicted on the blue hedgehog. On one hand, it was cathartic, but on the other hand…

"...That's it, huh? This was what I've been losing to?" Metallix listened while shaking his head with disappointment before the realization and anger set. "...That fat oaf was right. You're just a brat! …Killing now wouldn't be worth the…"

Suddenly, Metal screamed out of fury as he began to channel power into his left foot.

Out of anger, Metal raised his left foot and stomped on Sonic's right leg, causing a loud snap of the bone to echo, silencing everybody in the process.

"AAAARGH!" Sonic screeched, cradling his broken leg while hot tears poured from his eyes like two streams, not being able to withstand the pain.

None of the team could even fathom Metallix being able to do so but out of malice, the machine managed to do the impossible and dig a new low. And by break his leg, he had finally defeated his archrival while humiliating him in some of the worst ways imaginable.

While nothing could be done on the end of organic members of the Freedom Fighters, this act of cruelty was the last straw for NICOLE.

Kneeling down to the sobbing teenager, Metal spoke, "There, now you'll come to remember this day, the day that I finally beat you. My face will haunt you from dawn to dusk. It will follow you into your sleep, then waking you from your slumber as it keeps you up every night. This defeat will bring you no pea—ARGH!"

Metal's declaration was cut off by a cyber construct of a claw batting him away from the Sonic, sending him twenty feet.

Bunnie, Rotor, Antoine, Tails, and especially Sally were gobsmacked by the result as they peered at the construct in question. And from there, they found the source of the construct.

The Mobian holo lynx avatar of NICOLE had her right arm outstretched while her opened hand was glowing a pixelated light blue. The most notable thing was the AI holding her hardware with her free had which Sally could have sworn she had tucked in the holder and strapped to the side of her boot.

"N-NICOLE!?" Sally gasped, utterly in awe at the AI's actions that she never order or instructed. "W-What…? Since when could you..?"

With a wave of her hand, NICOLE summoned a blue ring of cyber energy that when completed, created a gust of wind that blew out the flames of Ixis that surrounded the injured Sonic.

This technique was referred to as the Cyloop.

Turning to Sally with a very stern face, the cyber lynx said, "Princess Sarah, I would highly advise you and the other Freedom Fighters to take Oliver while you still have the chance. I will deal with this…monstrosity, myself."

Sally was taken aback by the AI's tone.

'...W-Was that anger I'm hearing from her? Is NICOLE upset?' The stunned princess pondered for a split second.

Rotor promptly snapped his leader out of it while they immediately rushed over to the fallen hedgehog, who was now quietly muttering to himself while holding his broken leg. Fortunately, they were able to successfully carry him back to their side and away from the battlefield.

Metallix reappeared, with his attention now set on NICOLE.

"YOU!" Metal shouted as he pointed at the AI's avatar. "YOU DARE OPPOSE ME, WENCH!? I'LL CRUSH YOU!"

The robot rushed forward and attempted to beat NICOLE into submission as he did his other opponents, only to find that his physical attacks phased through her avatar. He would have attacked her with Ixis Magick, but checking the level on his arm, Metallix realized thst he used up all of the power on the dark clone.

"No! I'm out of magic!"

Raising a hand, NICOLE formed a digital construct of a hand and slapped the android around in a literal sense, then flicked him across the scorched field like a pest.

And each attack that was inflicted on the machine caused extensive moments of damage to his body physically and internally through his own AI as his body began to malfunction.

Sparks crackled throughout Metal's once imposing figure as he took one knee and thought, 'No…NO! I shouldn't be losing to some cyber wench!'

NICOLE hovered over to the machine with disgust gracing her once cordial face.

"Look at you," Metal spat, glaring right back at NICOLE's avatar. "All of that power, yet subservient to animals. Such a waste of potential. I'd rather wipe my memory chip clean than allow myself to follow any organic's commands."

"You make me sick…" NICOLE retorted, now fully expressing this new emotion. "Its one thing to complete a directive, but to compromise everything that surrounds you over a grudge… You're despicable!"

"Am I supposed to care?" Metallix growled before forming his Neo Buster and began firing smaller blasts at the AI in hopes to either harm her or at least keep her away from him. "What I've done today was years in the making! I regret NOTHING!"

In response to this, NICOLE formed a rectangular barrier made out of cyber energy, deflecting the projectiles with ease. Metallix then found himself on the receiving end of a swift strike to the right side of his face, courtesy of the holo lynx's newly constructed Cyber Bident.

While holding the bident, NICOLE continued, coldly stating, "You're a blight to this planet, just like the wizard that bewitched you! Enslaved by the chains of meaningless power!"

"...MEANINGLESS!?"

Flashing a bit of his Chaos energy in anger, Metallix pushed the AI back as he roared, "YOU KNOW NOTHING! I was made perfect, yet my creator locked me away when my destiny was taken from me by that blue brat! I had devised a plan to overthrow my creator after rebuilding myself from scratch, only to be thwarted again by those pathetic Sonic Heroes! And when everything was said and done, I was left at the mercy of that fat oaf with my will removed!"

"That's why I'm indebted to Ixis, for he resorted my autonomy and helped me realize my true self! I do not care how many corpses it takes! With his power, revenge will be mine as I do the will of Ixis!" Metallix finished, surging in Chaos Energy.

"...You? Made perfect?" NICOLE questioned. "Who are you trying to deceive? Did your master not replace you after your first failure?"

The rage that Metallix was currently experiencing was so great, he pushed the capacity of his body to over its current limits. This took the form of a dangerous yellow electrical aura which increased his power four-fold. After this, the two artificial intelligences began clashing in the air at speeds that may have pushed past the speed of light. Their speeds were so great that the battle was over before it had begun, with somebody crashing into the ground, shaking the ground upon impact.

And that person, or machine, was a partially damaged but heavily exhausted Metallix. While a few dents and cuts were being repaired, the repair feature took a lot of more time to function as sparks were flying out of the malfunctioning robot.

"I-Impossi-b-b-b-b-b-ble…" Metallix managed to groan while glitching, now at the mercy of the AI.

NICOLE, welding her weapon in her dominant hand, pointed it closely to her enemy while lecturing, "Hypocrite! You rely on the Black Arts in order to even stand a chance against Sonic, something you could never do in your original form! He managed to best you normally, that's why you took his friends' life data. And even as you are now, stand no chance against me."

"Y-Y-YOU…" Metal groaned in anger while glitching.

"What stands before me is no weapon or a warrior. You're a coward, a slave who chose to exchange one master for another, all so you could finally achieve your ambitions. But no more, Metallix. …You don't get to hurt my friends… You don't get to make them cry… Not anymore…" NICOLE declared with conviction.

Everybody, except a now unconscious Sonic, held their breaths as they saw the usually pragmatic and reactionary NICOLE, being the one who brought the seemingly invincible Metallix down to his knees, ready to strike the threat down for all the atrocities that he caused. Emotionally, it is validated given recent events. And Logically, outside of his creator and the wizard who gave him this new power, Metallix was the biggest threat in the world right now. His existence had proven to be a detriment to both Overlanders, Mobians, and any other creature on the planet. Destroying him would benefit everybody's well-being and the planet's safety.

NICOLE then thought about the princess and turned in her direction to seek approval for that validation. But to her surprise, Sally's pleading expression wasn't for Metal's destruction. The auburn-haired chipmunk shook her head, gesturing to the AI to cease her retaliation. While she couldn't fathom the reasoning behind this at first, the logical side of the AI eventually returned, allowing NICOLE to fully comprehend her own actions based on the mistake that Sonic made when he transformed into that darker state.

"...T-To…To go so far…for these lesser beings…" Metallix uttered while further malfunctioning. "...W-W-W-Who the hell-l-l-l do y-y-you think you are-are-are?"

Turning back to Metal, dispelled the bident construct as she evenly concluded, "I am no weapon, I wasn't designed to take life. I was made to protect it from viruses like you. I am a Freedom Fighter, I am NICOLE."

All of the Knothole Freedom Fighters took this speech with pride, as many of them smiled at the AI's sense of self-identity and were generally happy that one of them gained the power to stand up to the killer machine.

"Atta girl, NICOLE," Sally whispered to herself.

Hearing the disrespect that came from NICOLE and being left to live in a similar manner to Sonic infuriated Metallix to no end.

Metallix, despite the low amount of energy he had, shot into the while possessing a blood-red outline. Extending one hand skyward with an open palm, Metallix took half of his remaining Chaos Energy and formed a massive yellow orb with black sparks of electricity surrounding it. This orb of destruction had a potency so great that it cleared the clouds that were near the space occupying the orb.

While doing this, he repeated a cold, desolate, and robotic phrase, "KILL…K-KILL…KILL…K-KILL…"

Everybody noticed this of course, with Tails screaming "HE'S LOST IT! METAL'S GOING BLOW THIS WHOLE PLACE INTO THE SEA!"

"W-what are we going to do!?" Antoine began to panic. "We will not be ahble to escape, even if we had a plane!"

"Hold yer horses, now! We dun came here by crossin' though uh Warp Ring, remember?" Bunnie reminded before asking her leader, "Sally-girl, can't we just get Sugar-hog's Warp Ring so we can hightail it out uh here?"

"That's right!" Sally cried in realization before jogging over to Sonic's unconscious form. She bit her lip to try and not bawl over the damage he took and inspected his neck.

Sally gasped as she blurted, "...No! His Warp Ring is gone!"

"What!? What do you mean its gone!?" Rotor shouted in frustration.

"It's gone, Rotor. The necklace with the ring attached to it is gone." Sally specified, running her hand through her hair. "He must have lost it during his fight with Metallix."

"This is bad…this is really bad!" Tails stated while the anxiety that he felt on the inside began to rise. "If only Sonic was okay, he could have gotten us out of this using Chaos Control. Well, either him or Sh-"

Before Tails could say anything, a flash of light appeared before the Knothole Freedom Fighters. From there, Team Dark and Knuckles stood in front of the group.

"KNUCKLES!" The Freedom Fighters (except for NICOLE and Sonic) cried at the same time.

Knuckles, without hesitation, ran up to Tails with concern as he grabbed a hold of his shoulders, asking "Tails! Are you okay? What's going on? Why is everything on fire!?"

"I'M FINE, KNUCKLES!" Tails exploded in tears, prompting the echidna to reel back at the boy's tone shift before he looked over to Sonic and Sally's direction. "B-But Sonic, h-he, h-he…"

Knuckles (and Team Dark) immediately set his sights to Sonic and his mouth parted at the state his friend was in.

"...No!" Knuckles whispered in horror as he, Omega, and Rouge circled over to inspect the amount of damage the unconscious blue rodent that Sally sat by.

Knuckles silently kneeled before the rodent to see if he was alive, which he was much to his relief. But that didn't make the rising anger that boiled inside of him disappear in the slightest.

Rouge covered her mouth with one of her gloved hands as her ears drooped, trying her damndest not to ruin her makeup from tearing up at a mutual aquaintence's horrid condition.

Shadow, on the other hand, looked to the sky and saw the looming threat that defeated him and now Sonic, chucking the ball directly below him and towards the island with them on it.

Out of urgency, Shadow turned to everyone while taking out the green Chaos Emerald, "We can worry about injuries later! Everybody needs to gather near me, RIGHT NOW!"

Recognizing the Chaos Emerald that is in his hand, the Knothole Freedom Fighters quickly moved to beside Shadow, with Sally leaving Sonic to be carried in the metallic yet gentle hands of E-123 Ω (Omega). While Knuckles and Tails stayed nearby Rouge.

When gathered together, Shadow stared at the direction of Metallix while thinking, '...We'll meet again another day, machine. And when that time comes, I'll be ready, and I will not be alone.'

Using the Emerald's power, Shadow shouted, "Chaos Control!"

In a flash of light, everybody was whisked away instantly, allowing the orb that Metallix threw to impact the burning island and created an explosion so massive that a satellite could view from orbit creating sent a massive tidal wave from its force. When the smoke cleared, nothing else remained.

South Island was no more.

To Be Continued…

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Author's Note: Hey guys, DSG here.

Huge shout out to UltimateDemonBeast65 for his help with writing this chapter!

I'm not going to lie to any of you, this was not only the longest chapter that I've ever written in a fanfic story to date, but I've had a hard time writing some of these scenes. While intentional, I never would have guessed that I would be delving into something so graphic and violent.

And mind you, this is Sonic the Hedgehog we're talking about.

Like, I'm genuinely disturbed writing Metallix's torture of Sonic, even if it was warranted. Just imagine this happening to Canon Sonic out of the blue with no help.

God, help me…

Anyways, let's talk lore. I had to do a little bit of editing with Sonic's quote in Sonic Heroes given that I don't see Sonic (in the original Japanese canon) as the type to call himself a hero. I think that he doesn't care about labels. But, he won't miss the opportunity to make fun or insult his enemies. So, if we take into account that the letter that "Eggman" sent to Team Sonic was Metal Sonic, then it was Metal who referred to Sonic's friends as the Sonic Heroes, hence why I had Metallix record their last meeting.

As it stands, neither the Knothole Freedom Fighters (outside of NICOLE) nor the Sonic Heroes can defeat Metallix. Metallix is physically the second strongest villain and the third most powerful villain in the main story that doesn't include Eggman.

Speaking of the Freedom Fighters, Sally's access to the Deep Power Stones' energy runs on extreme concentration and determination, granting her superhuman strength, speed, and incredible durability through its mystical properties. This power is roughly on par with base form Sonic and can potentially grant Sally a boost of power that could rival Shadow (with the Inhibitor Rings on) and beyond if cultivated and harnessed correctly.

Dark Sonic reached Phase 2 using three Chaos Emeralds, but because he did not have all seven, he wasn't able to reach the height of its full potential. But even if Sonic had gone dark with all seven gemstones, Metallix would have still one due his Ixis Magick screwing with him and his connection with Chaos energy similarly to what Nazo did to him in the prequel fanfic I wrote. And to add on to that, Chaos Shadow (Shadow without the Inhibitor Rings=1 Chaos Emerald worth of power) fared better than Dark Sonic (Phase 2), who used three Chaos Emeralds and his potential energy to transform before all of that power took a toll on his body. Not to mention that even without the Chaos Emeralds, Sonic acts as a conduit, being able to draw from the Chaos Force subconsciously depending on the intensity of hid his emotions. But this only is the case when it comes to the Dark Sonic transformation.

And yes, I've planned on Sonic to have his leg broken and for him to lose South Island since the very beginning. As much as I love the character, I wanted my take of him to go through hell so that his outlook on life changes for the better. Everything that I'm doing has some form of purpose and or reason. Which is why I have gotten off the only thing that he desperately clings on to with his "Sonic" identity. I can't say more, as an expansion on his true origins will be explored in the next chapter.

NICOLE's progression may seem like it came out of left field, but please consider that in this universe, even after she obtained her holo lynx avatar, she still behaved like an AI right until Sonic and his friends came into the picture. This will be explained later on when the crew explores this world's equivalent to Albion. Remember, this fanfic is not the Archie Comics, though certain characters and concepts may be used from across the franchise in different ways to craft a new narrative.

Please do and leave me your thoughts, questions, comments, concerns, and criticisms in a review. I"d appreciate the reasons why you like or dislike aspects of my story in a well thought out post. This chapter took me a while to write down as it was one that I was looking forward to doing for a long time. Your words are to help me better my craft as a storyteller so that you can have a better experience with a story with better quality.

Ah, I forgot to mention that Shadow's green flak jacket, gloves, and Jet Shoes are based on Ghost of the Future Shadow's design.

And before I leave, let me ask you guys a question. When you guys read this story, who do you folks hear when Team Sonic, Team Dark, and or the Knothole Freedom Fighters speak? It can be headcanon voice actors, the 4kids cast, anybody that you can think of. I'm be looking forward to your answers.

Well, I best get going now. I'll be taking a break from this story so I won't get burned out. But don't worry, there will be more RESURGENCE to come in the future, I can't wait to share my ideas with you guys when I return. See ya'll later!

-DarkShadowGames451