Sonic X: Back To Earth.
Author's Note: Okay, so this is the final part of the Mutagen Saga you all have been waiting for! And if we're lucky, the third update for this story so far this year and this month! I feel awful for so many cliffhangers, plus a two year hiatus for Back to Earth, so this is the ultimate result.
Time for the conclusion of the first Saga! Here we go!
I own no rights to Sonic the Hedgehog or any of the related media.
The Mutagen Saga.
Mutagen Saga Epilogue: The Restored World.
Last time, the evil darkness of Nazo has risen to take over the two worlds by destroying everyone and recreating life in his own image. Sonic and his friends have attempted to fight him, but the dark being has proven far too strong for them.
Sonic then uses the Chaos Emeralds while sharing his power with Tails and Knuckles, and the long brutal battle soon esculates with Nazo absorbing life from Chris and the rest of Earth's humanity and all of Narasu's Mutagen!
This forces Team Sonic to combine their powers to take out their enemy once and for all, while Sonic ultimately merges the two worlds for his final task in saving everyone as well as Time itself.
What has become of our heroes now? Has Sonic made the right choice?
Darkness. An abyss of nothing, a pure blackness of cold, ice chills, the empty feeling with no life, no light, no warmth, an endless matter ready to swallow anything whole within the maw of a massive evil creature or predator devouring its prey. It was this world of nothing that Sonic the Hedgehog slowly descended, alone without anyone to accompany him: No friends, no companions, no sunlight to provide warmth, no hills to run to his heart's content, no trees or roofs for him to sleep on...no wind to guide him freely wherever he would go.
His power was gone, restoring him to his cobalt shade of blue, exhaustion and tiredness having engulfed him and resorting the hedgehog into unconsciousness, descending in a slow float like a feather set free to its journey to the ground. Except there was no end in this lost world of darkness.
'Where...where am I? Is this really...the end?' Sonic's fatigue thoughts flowed, an echo floating weakly within. 'Huh...Maybe I wasn't as strong as everybody said I was.'
Sadness, regret, loneniess and a twinge of fear crept within his heart, weighting it down like a set of weights chained like an prisoner taken to a cell.
'Sorry, Rusca. Guess even sharing my power with Tails and Knuckles wasn't enough...to keep me alive. I wish I could at least say goodbye to them and the rest of my friends. I hope they're okay. Did I make...the right choice?' Even in sleep, sorrow began to emerge, Sonic's lips trembling, whimpers on the urge of crying with tears seeping through his eyelids.
Despite his greatest desires to return to life, to reunite with all of his loved ones, embrace them and adapt into the new world and new timeline, soon beginning to cry his heart and wounded soul out, the rarity of him crying breaking through the mask and shield he created for the strength for those he deeply cared for, to not show any other forms of weakness, Sonic knew in the end that his death would not go in vain.
'Well...at least everything's gonna be okay now...I miss them already.' A saddened yet content smile, with acceptance of the reality he was floating in, filled his muzzle as he allowed himself to drift freely, awaiting for angels to come carry him to the other side, if the stories of Heaven's gates are real.
Like a dream coming to embrace the hedgehog with comfort, soothing as a blanket wrapped around his body, a feeling making him feel so much younger, like a newborn being welcomed into the world, in arms of a caring mother cradling her child with the heart-felt love, brighter than the sun, Sonic's memories flowed of all of his loved ones: Tails, Amy, Cream and Cheese, Chris, Cosmo, even Knuckles and the Chaotix, all of his allies. Their warm, happy smiles or usual expressions peering before him.
Sadness of never to be ablt to see them again, yet content with relief that they should be safe now, overflowed Sonic's chest, his heart swirling like a small whirlpool of emotions.
'Guys...Sorry that I can't be there to see the new world with ya's. But I'll never forget you. Just please...take care of yourselves and each other, 'kay? It's been great...to be with all of you. Still not one to be all mushy...I wish I could just let you all know...how much I really love ya's. I'll miss you, guys. One day, we'll see each other again. I promise.' Sonic hoped his message would pass on, his smile never wavering, only tilting back slightly more, allowing the strange void to swallow him whole, to take him to his final resting place.
Or, so he strongly believed.
"Sonic...Sonic the Hedgehog..."
"H-Huh?" Hearing the strangely familiar voice, another soothing and firm he once distrusted, Sonic softly groaned, owlishly blinking his eyes open.
Surprise and confusion etching across his face, awareness almost instantly returning to him as the darkness seemed to melt with whiteness of light, a hue of blue like in a dream flowing through like the rising of the morning sun, the blue hedgehog soon found himself facing a familiar hedgehog, at first mistaking him to be Shadow, but even in his blurred vision, Sonic soon took notice of the red fur, and the coat of a calm expression on his features.
"Rusca? Is this really...?" Sonic began, his heart sinking heavier than before, yet the concept of having sacrificed himself was not lost to him. "Does that mean I'm really dead, then?"
"No, Sonic. This is a crossing between your dreams and life and death for souls. A limbo, if you will, but you are still very much alive. I have come before you would awaken in the newly restored world. The merge has been completed, and everything will be alright now." Rusca responded, a slight shake of his head.
"Huh?" Sonic blinked, perplexed. Did he hear right? He wasn't really...dead then? If so, then why was he here? Was everything alright? Were his friends okay?
Heart racing faster than his feet, the blue hedgehog couldn't stop the seed of dread sprouting its roots like an over fertilized plant growing along walls of an old building.
Rusca's lips curved slightly upward, the warmth of a smile blooming like the light of the morning sun forming on his features, as though reading Sonic's panicked thoughts. "Don't worry, your friends are safe. You and two of your closest allies have shared your power, fufilling the prophecy."
"They're okay?" Sonic's chest rose, relief glowing as bright as a newly born rainbow after a rainy day and the sun shining through the clouds, lips trembling once more in happiness before it morphed into a blank look. "But then, how am I here?"
"It is the only way I could communicate with you to give you my deepest gratitude, chosen one. You have succeeded what I have failed all those years ago."
The cobalt speedster's expression remained blank, confusion briefly sticking like permanent ink. "I did? Wait, are you talkin' about how I managed to save the world and created a new timeline?"
"You will know soon enough, young hedgehog. But yes, the world and time are saved. You have done well. For now, it is time for you to return home to your friends."
Relief, happiness, and warmth swelled through the teenager's body once more, a burst of sunlight-like energy coursing through him that he nearly unleashed laughter and an urge to cry at the same time strongly tempting him to let it happen. Everything was okay now. Sonic's friends were safe, they were alive, he is still alive, just passed in having a very weird dream of communicating with Rusca, but hey, he'll take what he's got.
Even as he knew he would have to get used to the new timeline with new memories, a gentle, soothing wave of relief drifted across him like a warm blanket tucking him in bed as though he was a small child. He was alive, just passed out, and soon he would wake up back at home with his friends...
Home...that was once just his world, now combined with Earth that had become his second home for a brief-extended time. One that now merged with his birthplace and become a brand new world for himself, all of his friends...for everyone.
"Well, then, you're welcome. Guess I got you to thank, too, Rusca. I can really go home?" Sonic asked, hopefully.
Rusca's soft smile and nod confirmed the blue blur's earlier suspicions. "Yes. It is time. Sonic, we may meet again once things settle down, although I suspect there will be more questions for you to ask me when we do..."
"Huh?" Sonic blinked, only for the light before them growing as strong, leaving him unable to ask any further on what the other brave hedgehog really meant.
"Farewell...Sonic the Hedgehog."
Just as Sonic outstretched to reach for Rusca, his pleads for him to wait falling to deaf ears, he did not get another word out to question the ghostly hedgehog any further, as he soon faded from his sight...
"...nic...onic...Sonic...Sonic! Wake up!"
The sound of a youthful, strangely unfamiliar voice calling his name through the grogginess muddling his brain, Sonic soon felt his eyes slowly blink open as they heavy like weights tugging them down. The blur clouding his vision finally became clear enough for him to see a human man, about in early twenties, at first a glimpse of a familiar young boy aged twelve hovering over him in front of the adult, his voice mixing with like an echo.
"C-Chris...?" Tiredness still kicking in, Sonic let out another groan with the warmth of arms gently cradling him in an embrace. As soon as the vision finally cleared, his human best friend had vanished, in the place of the adult that strangely was identical to him, dressed in...a cream-white tuxedo suit?
The man smiled warmly, tears swelling in his eyes with a collective nod. "Sonic, I'm so glad you're okay...!"
"Huh? Who...how'd you know my...?" The blue hedgehog was confused, before awareness sharply caused him to gasp as he blinked in surprise, bewildered as realization kicked in. "Chris!? Is it really you?"
"Sure is," Chris, now restored to his adulthood, confirmed. "This is what I look like as a twenty-one year old..."
"Chris...It IS you...! Chris!" Suddenly energized as though the great healing of a being had mercifully granted him the renewed strength, Sonic happily embraced his human best friend, the two melting within the arms of each other, laughter bubbling up from the core of their hearts.
"Sonic..." Chris' lips trembled, tears hot and stinging through his throat and streaming like a gentle trickle from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the river, his hold on his hedgehog best friend in a gentle squeeze as though he was hugging a stuffed toy.
His heart swelling of pure happiness and joy, relief engulfing him in the warmth of light, the young Thorndyke felt that everything was alright now. The worlds had merged as one, Sonic and the rest of their friends were here to stay. It was all alright now. Except...
"But...how are you back to your real age?" Sonic questioned, once he and Chris reluctantly released each other, confusion etching across the teenager's face. More importantly, the hedgehog himself didn't feel any older-not physically, at any stage.
"I don't know how or why you and the others are the same age while me, Danny and Frances are back to normal, but you, Tails and Knuckles did it, Sonic. You saved the two worlds." The human man shrugged, just as puzzled.
"Say what?" Sonic was now twice as perplexed, shifting his gaze over across the field, where Cosmo and Tails, the youngster fox already awake, embraced with joy, and Knuckles nearby rubbing his head tiredly.
True to his friend's word, the humans have indeed been restored, while the Mobians remained the same, not having aged by nine years as the blue hedgehog had feared upon seeing Chris an adult, nor having come to have his wish reversed by accident.
Lingering nearby, Espio and Charmy were both hovering over the familiar green body fructure of Vector, much to the relief of Sonic, was miraculiously restored to his original size, the crocodile groaning as he pushed himself up, one hand placed on his throbbing head, as though someone had put several rocks into it.
"Ooooggghhh...That was even worse than the last time..." Vector grumbled, dazed through the experience of the Mutagen but relief coursing through his veins that he was now back to normal. "Somebody got any asperin?"
"Boss! You're okay! Yippeee!" Charmy squealed happily, colliding into his oldest friend's chest for a bear hug, laughing away with hysterics that nearly knocked the older detective over. "He's back, he's back! Wheeeee!"
"Whoa! T-Take it easy, Charmy!" Vector yelped, unable to mask the chuckle of joy while Espio smiled warmly, a silent nod of relief gifted upon his leader who returned it with a thumbs up.
Sonic smiled happily, turning his gaze upon the rest of his and Chris' friends. Nearby, Team Dark seemed to be alright as well, Shadow's back to them with his arms crossed, expression stoic and stern as he was well known for as long as the blue hedgehog had known him, Rouge glancing at Omega who did a scan across the fields of fresh, green grass, blades of the earth dancing like a symphony of a ballet against the gentle breeze, and the greatest surprise were the rest of the humans of their group.
Topaz looked virtually the same, except the tale-signs of being nine years older than the hedgehog remembered, only faint wrinkles. Danny and Frances were now Chris' current height: The other boy restored to his early twenties, a thin beard trailing along his jaw, wearing a thick, dark green jacket similar to that in his childhood, thick brown cargo pants and black boots, while the now restored young woman's hair was long in a ponytale, her frickles long gone, and she was wearing a baby blue t-shirt with a white skirt and matching shoes.
Unbeknownst to the blue hedgehog and all of his friends, all across the world, the newly merged world and the universe now bigger than ever before, the moon once from Sonic's dimension has now merged with that of the Earth's moon, restoring it to its former glory, all traces of Dr. Eggman metallic half used to repair it before using it for another failed evil scheme to take over the world, having seemingly been erased from existence, the two suns also merging yet not growing into a dangerous esculation, the humans and Earth animals affected by the Mutagen had now all been restored to their original age and forms.
Confusion, awe, wonder and slight fear swept across the faces of humans and Mobians alike, cities and terrians spread further, areas such as the desert outside of Station Square restored with Casino City now residing another several miles away, and those close to Chris and Sonic's hearts rejoiced for their newly restored life-span.
All across the globe, Earth animals gazed around, the people of Sonic's world all collectively casting their gaze to the sky, the broken moon now restored, merged with the other moon still intact, the kind citizens Team Chris met and gave them their Grapple Hooks and gears all breathlessly in awe. The Parrot child enthusiastically pointing at the sunrise with his hand, showing his mother who remained silent.
In Area 51, Chuck and Sam could see what has transpired, the two men sharing a bewildered glance, before relief washed over them both, with the younger man cheering on enthusiastically, his fist pumped into the air.
"Yes! I knew Sonic wouldn't let us down!" The S-Team Leader exclaimed, fully relieved. "You go, Sonic!"
"He certainly has pulled through. I knew he and the others would save us all." Chuck smiled with relief, arms crossed against his chest, returning his gaze to the ceiling above.
While he was still deeply concerned for his grandson's safety, the elder Thorndyke at a strong, possible feeling that along his journey, Sonic and the others had saved Chris right before saving the world. He wasn't certain why, but he had a strong feeling it was possible.
'You certainly have done it again, Sonic. You, Chris, Tails and all of the others truly are the heroes of the two realities. I hope you'll all get back home soon.' Chuck's smile grew, a warmth of appreciation and happiness sweeping across his expression.
Soon everything would alright once again. Not back to normal, but a promising sight of a brand new tomorrow with many possibilities to see. One where he just couldn't wait to explore to the end of his days.
The person he was most proud of the most was his young grandson Chris, who had saved Sonic's life all those years ago and made it all possible, proving that humans and the people in the hedgehog's world really can co-exist peacefully.
Even within the cells not far where the two men were, Nelson, Lindsey, Ella, and Tanaka, all also returned to their original states and ages, felt the sheer relief that everything was finally back to normal, yet their concerns for Chris, Sonic and their friends lingered.
Were they alright? Where were they? How did they manage to achieve the impossible?
Their thoughts were broken as the doors to their cells opened, revealing the GUN guards, now no longer under the influence of the Mutagen, their gazes painted with guilt, apology and empathy.
"Mr and Mrs Thorndyke, Miss Ella, and Mr. Tanaka, you are all free to go with all charges reversed." One of the guards announced, his head bowed alongside his fellow agents low. "We are deeply sorry for the trouble caused to all of you and Christopher Thorndyke."
Confusion and shock washed across the couple and their house servants, each of them exchanging glances with realization dawning on their expressions. Questions lingered into their minds more than ever.
In the end, Nelson was the one to speak, his tone etching with gratitude and forgiveness. "Thank you. I would like though to speak with the President and the Commander for the acussion and charges against me, my family and friends."
"Y-Yes, of course, Mr. Thorndyke. We will make the arrangements as soon as possible." The guard saluted, sheepish and nervously.
The business man nodded, satisfied with the answer. Relief crept along his heart. Things were finally starting to become alright once again, although one thing was certain.
He had a strong possible feeling life is going to be more of an adventure for many years to come.
At GUN HQ, the new President and all of the agents saw what had transpired, confusion and relief washing over, the man in charge having replaced his processor years ago forming a smile on his face.
"Sonic the Hedgehog...I know you and I haven't met yet, but you are truly the world I have been hearing all these years," He murmured, relied and deepening gratitude swelling within his chest. "Thank you, young hero. You and your people are always welcome in our world as friends...and equals."
He did not know how humanity and Mobian will be able to adapt peacefully in co-existence, but if there was one thing the President knew of from Sonic and Chris' experience together as close friends, he will not give up until friendships are formed and alliances will be made.
It may take a long time, with a difficult road up ahead, but he was full of confidence they will all pull through, no matter what. Until then, he was looking forward in meeting the young blue hero himself, and honor him and all of his friends in every possible way.
Who would have thought that it would take a young boy like Chris to develop a bond an an 'alien' hedgehog who has proven to be more human than even some of the rest of the people on Earth and show them that the universe held more kind people in other planets than humanity originally believed?
In the safe house, Helen, restored to her original age as well, beamed happily as she and her mother and father each took a sight outside once they stepped onto the concrete pavement.
"I can't believe it...Everything's back to normal now." Doug remarked, stunned with awe.
"It's a miracle! We've been saved by a miracle." Helen's mother breathed happily, hands clasped together with relief sweeping within her chest.
Helen's smile beamed, bright as the sunlight beginning to rise over the horizon, her heart swelled with relief yet deepening concern. Her mind swimming for the whereabouts of her fiancee Chris, and their close heroic friend Sonic the Hedgehog, and all of their friends and allies.
"It is a miracle," The young woman whispered. "Sonic has made it all possible. I knew he would."
Everything was alright now. Yet at the same time, she knew...life would never be the same again.
'Guess that means Rusca was right. It wasn't just a dream.' The cobalt hero thought, swells of happiness like a calm wave of the ocean resting against his chest engulfing him.
"Sonic!" The melodic, gentle and sweet voice of Amy cried, gaining Sonic's attention to see his self-proclaimed girlfriend racing towards him, throwing herself onto him as the blue hedgehog yelped, yet a slight chuckle escaped, her arms wrapped around his shoulders. "Oh, Sonic! You did it!"
Behind her were Cream and Cheese, the little rabbit girl cheering on happily. "Everybody's okay now! You did it, Sonic!"
"Chao chao, Chao!" Cheese chirped.
"Heh, it wasn't just me, Cream," Sonic pointed out, as the rest of his precious friends, all having heard Amy's shrills of happiness, approached with collective relief. "We all did it together. If it weren't for any of you, I'd never woulda beaten Nazo or save the two worlds."
"I can't believe we actually did it!" Tails exclaimed, barely able to contain his excitement.
"It was kinda rough, but I could handle it." Knuckles shrugged.
Relief flowed like a mighty ocean across Sonic's chest, the reality of everything was alright was made possible. They really did it...they saved the worlds-no, the new world now, the one he and his friends had created. It was then he came to another realization, a soft gasp escaping from the depths of his heart. Clear as day, as memories flowed, blown like the field of flowers in the most gentlest breeze, yet to his great confusion, all of it remained the same, from his earliest childhood, to all of his adventures he and his friends had on Earth, the Galaxy, and the battles against Narasu and Nazo...
"But, I don't understand," Cosmo murmured, casting a gaze at the now newly restored aged humans. "If all of you are the same, how did Chris, Danny, Frances and Topaz return to their proper age as well?"
"I don't get it either," Sonic scratched his head, more awkwardly. "If the merge is complete, why can't I remember Chris mention anything about getting to my world six months both our time and his? I still remember everything in the old timeline, but I can't remember my new memories. Is there a delay there or something?"
"I had thought about that, because I thought we would all de-age by nine years in the new timeline." Chris agreed, a thoughtful frown creeping along his features.
"I believe I can provide an explanation on that."
Startled at the un-welcoming unfamiliar voice, the Sonic Heroes all collectively snapped their attention at the slightly injured, brutally exhausted form of Dr. Eggman along with Decoe, Bocoe and Bokkun, the trio all groaning.
"Care to explain it then, Eggman? What's goin' on here?" Sonic questioned, annoyed with the moment of happiness and victory being slammed shut.
He still owed his long-time enemy a major butt-whooping for all the mess he caused, and by the angry, annoyed, or scary expressions collectively etched across his friends' and allies' features, Sonic had a feeling they all felt the same mutural feeling. Personally, the blue hedgehog didn't even blame them.
Not that Sonic would go as far as ending Eggman the dark, bitter way-that thought made him shudder, memories of his time as Dark Super Sonic still stabbing his heart with fear like the most jagged and deadly knife ever created by the most evilest of black smiths. No, the hedgehog would only give the egg-shaped creep quite a few bruises for a long time to time, but Sonic the Hedgehog wasn't heartless.
For now, what the teenage hero and everyone he knew needed was a much well deserved break...right after they got all the answers from their nemesis and common enemy. If Eggman knew something about this, they would get him to answer, no doubt.
"Reveal the intentions or be annihilated." Omega warned, his fire-arms ready and loading the ammo he still had remaining, the hint of hatred and anger echoed through the monotone of his voice.
Eggman and his cohorts flinched with fright, combined with the rogue robot's threat and the collective heated angry stares from the rest of the Sonic Heroes who all waited impatiently, Sonic tapping his foot against the soil of the earth, his finger tapping against his bicap.
"Very well," The evil scientist cleared his throat. "As you all know, Chaos Control has sent us through space and time from your world to this planet, mere nine months ago for us and for Earth time. Or so it was originally believed, that I calculated the porthole's connections between the two worlds and the quantum alignment which has the Thorndyke traverse between dimensions by fluke."
"Tell us somethin' we don't know, Egghead," Sonic grumbled. "What is it that you found out?"
"Well, as Narasu mentioned how the porthole was used to mutate his body structure via the use of his DNA, and the upgraded sentiments and chemicals of the Mutagen itself, I managed to hack secretly into his system, and discovered the connections between Earth and your world is far more closer than we all thought to believe. The reason for this, it would have been far too dangerous should that boy Thorndyke remained in our world in the future." Eggman explained.
"The future?" Amy inquired, quizzedly.
Unlike everyone else, while Sonic blinked, his mind whirling on many more questions, Tails let out a shocked gasp himself. Could it really bit? They really traveled back in time, then? Sharing a gaze with Chris who exchanged it with him and Sonic, the trio unknowingly having the same thought.
"So when we first came to Earth, we traveled nine years back in time?" The two-tailed fox gaped, a collective gasp from the rest of the group, even Shadow who raised a brow with suspicion, all of them exchanging glances themselves.
Sonic softly gasped, eyes as wide as a dinner plate with realization dawning and another soft gasp soon followed, despite that the theory sounded completely crazy. It couldn't be true, could it? "Wait, are you sayin' that we not only traveled across space and time, but we actually traveled back in time?"
"And then I traveled into the future three years ago...Even though the Master Emerald made me younger again until I came back home." The young Thorndyke continued.
"So that's why the merge was meant to happen right now. If it happened nine years ago in Earth's past and our present, time woulda been destroyed because the past and the future would've merged too." Sonic concluded firmly.
'But, would that mean...Rusca had actually lied to me? Why did he do that? And the new timeline thing...that was a lie as well. Or at least. I think it was.' The blue hedgehog felt the sudden frustration, anger and annoyance over having been lead on a roller coaster of emotions over the adventure ever since the red hedgehog had given him those visions.
If he ever saw Rusca again, Sonic was going to make sure the former would be getting an earful of a lecture. Still, he willed himself to chill and remain calm, his hand once more found its way through his quills. If that was the case, then he and his friends had spent months in the past and each time he used Chaos Control, more parts of the present merged with Earth? No wonder it was slowly destroying time.
'Huh...So Chris is older than me all this time, and neither of us knew it.' This has just gotten pretty complicated to the max. Guess his human friend really was the chaperone since the journey through space all along despite being in the body of a kid.
Man, time was really messed up.
"So the alignment was broken into a rift because of incorrect space-time continuum travel." Chris added.
"And if I chose to let everybody on Earth stay the same and we aged nine years ahead, that woulda been the end of everything, right?" Sonic shrugged, a chill running through his spine over the thought.
"Indeed," Eggman confirmed, rubbing his neck with embarrassment. "At first, even I thought the time difference between the two worlds was a coincidence as time itself can trigger in a slower or faster pace in each dimension, even worlds and through space itself. But when the merge began and Narasu foolishly triggered Chaos Control through the emeralds themselves being far too close to my porthole, it reversed his original agenda to rapidly age humanity from nine years forward to backwards."
"But then Nazo absorbed it all and attempted to age everybody to gain more power through negative energy." Tails realized, a chill collectively spiraling down everyone's spines.
"So when you, Sonic and I used Chaos Control, it restored Earth's time and its inhabits back to normal, merged the planet with our own..." Knuckles trailed off, firmly crossing his arms.
"And saved both time and the realities," Sonic nodded, understanding, a twinge of guilt yet huge relief washing over him with a sad smile creeping up his expression. "Sure glad I picked it this way, or else I woulda made the biggest mistake ever."
"So, then, everything's back to normal now?" Charmy asked, curiously.
The blue hedgehog shook his head, standing to his feet, his gaze over to the horizon of the sun's morning peak, its warmth embracing him and all of his friends of that of loving parents wrapping their children in soft fabric of blankets.
"No, Charmy. Nothing's really back to normal. Nothing will ever be the same again. Things have changed for the better now. Our two homes have become one, so we're not goin' anywhere through space and time anymore." He gazed solely over the horizon, the gentle breeze of the wind providing the comfort between the light's warm glow, the feeling of the strangeness of the new world creeping along his very wild but soothed soul and heart.
"Does that mean we don't have to say goodbye to our friends?" Cream asked, her eyes sparkling like the brightest star in the clearest night of all, hope and happiness washing over her and everyone else.
Sonic chuckled, a soft smile formed on his muzzle. "That's right, Cream. Earth and our world are the same planet again now. We're livin' together from now on," he shrugged sheepishly. "It'll probably take a while for humans and Mobians to learn to co-exist like our ancestors did. But hey, I'm sure we can manage. If they can do it, then so can we."
"You're right. I never thought it would actually happen, but now we don't have to be separated from the borders of space and time, and life can continue on without Time itself being destroyed," Chris nodded, happiness raging through his chest. He couldn't it: His life-long dream to see his Mobian friends again, having them stay had finally come true.
Best part was, not only were the worlds united once more, but having regained his proper age, he can also marry Helen as well.
"But, if that's the case, what about Shadow? He was in the past when we first met him, and Eggman brought him with to our timeline into the future." Knuckles pointed out, quizzedly gazing at the aforementioned black hedgehog who raised an eye-ridge, realization dawning to them both as well as everyone else.
"Hmmm...I suppose that is one mystery that is yet to be solved," Shadow grumbled, casting his gaze away to avoid everyone's perplexed and concerned stares. "But it doesn't matter. I have to figure out why I was brought back to Earth in the first place, let alone brought into the future."
Everyone exchanged worried glances, thoughts and worries coating their shoulders. It was something Sonic didn't even hear from Rusca, the blue hedgehog crossing his arms as he gazed back at his bitter rival.
"Guess we'll have to find out soon enough. In the meantime, I've got a confession to make," Vector sighed, his chest coated with guilt over his actions when he was a giant, rubbing the back of his neck as he gazed at the rest of the group. "I'm really sorry for attackin' you guys, and not bein' able to fight off the Mutagen. I could hear everything that was goin' on til Narasu's gem thing was broken."
The group's concerns stares etched towards their crocodile friend, before a collective warmth of smiles flowed through most of the Sonic Heroes.
"It wasn't your fault, Vector. We're just glad to have ya' back. What's really important is that everything's okay, you're cured, and now we've got a whole new world to live in and explore. The real ones to blame are Eggman and Narasu." Sonic reassured optimistically.
The green crocodile blinked, perplexed over the blue hedgehog's sincere forgiveness, emotions swirling with happiness and relief in his chest like a comfortable gentle waves following soon after. He and Sonic exchanging hand-shakes soon joined, the reconcilation between friends. "Thanks, Sonic."
Collective smiles of relief and content flowed through the Sonic Heroes, save for Shadow, who cast his gaze to the fields beyond, discomfort looming across him even as he masked it within his features, and Omega who showed no expressions, yet he did not make a comment either.
"Speaking of Narasu, what happened to that creep anyway?" Frances inquired, shifting her head back and forth for any signs of the insane scientist.
A wave of a collective gasps of remembrance and shock engulfed the Sonic Heroes, Dr. Eggman and even his robots, Sonic and his friends casting their gazes in a frantic search for the man having caused this fated adventure to occur. Hearts of the group beat wildly with suspicion and concern, as despite all of the terrible things Narasu has caused, neither of them were completely heartless.
Except for one black hedgehog, who caught movement from his right, his gaze sharped with annoyance and twinge of strange relief. "Hmph, he's alive and I think Chaos Control has turned him back to normal too."
"Huh?" Teams Sonic, Rose, Chris, Chaotix and the rest of Team Dark murmured, switching their sights towards where the Ultimate Lifeform was looking at.
True to his word, the pushed up form of Dr. Kai Narasu caught their attention, except something was completely different from the now revived and freed man: All metal traces on his body from the corruption of his own creation was all but gone, his hair back to normal as were his eye and arm, having collapsed on his side with aches and pains through every joint within his body. The twisted man lifted a hand to his head, only to see said hand was back to the way it should be, a gasp of shock and realization escaping through his lips.
Narasu's disbelieved eyes grew among his hands, soon examining the rest of his body with bewildered bolts like lightning strikes overcoming him, standing quickly to his feet against the gritted soil.
"Huh? What in the...? My-my body! It is...back to normal! How can this be? What in the world happened after my mutagen gem was destroyed?" Narasu was asking frantically to himself, failing to comprehend this situation.
"Welcome back to normality, Narasu." Sonic's sharpened, annoyed voice, strongly volumed with sarcasm, spoke, gaining the man's attention.
Startled with a flinch of fright, Narasu slowly spun his head to his left, his eyes widening with horror, disbelief and dismay to see not only Sonic the Hedgehog still alive, the teenage hero's arms crossed with a frown etched on his expression, but also the rest of his friends and allies who all collectively shared his features of feelings that triggered anger and disappointment. It was right there and then that the restored scientist knew, he was in real big trouble.
"O-Oh...Erm...I-I see things have r-returned to normal." Narasu waved, sheepishly having his hands raised in surrender and fear.
"Mmmm...Well, yes and no," Sonic conceded, slightly cooling his anger and expression. "Sure everybody on Earth including you are back to normal, but the planet itself as well as our own have now merged with each other again, this time permanently. The other good news is that time is still going, so we're all here to stay for the rest of our lives, and me, Tails and Knuckles saved you from an evil giant monster. You're welcome."
Heavy awkward silence filled the chill of the morning air like cerment being poured upon the mad scientist's body, the words coming out of the blue hedgehog's mouth taking its sweet time to find a nice, comfy part of his brain's apartment for residency, until...
"WHAAAAAAAAT!?" Narasu screamed, horror mounting all across his features, collapsing to his knees with dismay. "Are you saying that humanity now has to live side by side with your kind for the rest of eternity!?"
"Yep, pretty much. I know that you don't like it, but that's just how the way things are. So...welcome to the new reality, Dr. N." The cobalt hero casually responded, rubbing his nose nonchalantly.
"But...But...this is...it cannot be! You all can't foolishly believe you mutant animals and humans can co-exist peacefully all across the globe! It's against all facts of science!" The scientist protested, wails threatening to burst through his throat.
"Actually, they did before," Chris corrected, a confused and perturbated murmur gasped as a response, allowing him to elaborate. "Humans and Mobians, which are what Sonic and everybody in their world were really called, especially both sides of our ancestors. The Marasians were part of another history, where a brave hedgehog was raised by a human leader who rose to fight against those opposed to co-existing peace. It was through them that they allowed everybody to live peacefully, proving the bond of both sides still exist."
"But because of what an evil king did, that guy wanted to rule the world, but he died when he pushed that ancient hedgehog's buttons the wrong way. In the end, he had to sacrifice himself by using Chaos Control to split the world and the whole universe into two timelines, up until nine years ago in your case, and nine months for us." Sonic continued.
"Where did you learn from all of that nonsense?" Narasu demanded. "It's impossible!"
Sonic's lips carved, his smirk brightening confidently once more. "Ever heard the phrase that anything is possible? We all found murals in an Ocean Palace in Seaside Hill Zone, and as it turns out, the reason why the merge was dangerous before is because apparently not only me, my friends and Egghead traveled across dimensions, but we ended up traveling back in time by nine years, so we had to return to the future to prevent time from being destroyed."
"And since Chris traveled forward through time by six years, his body wasn't capable in surviving without the Master Emerald reducing his age until we returned home to the present. Now that everything's happened correctly in the right time, nine months for us is the right course to merge our world with Earth." Tails perked up happily.
"Which means that both your plan and Eggman's were all a fluke, but now everybody can live peacefully together again, with a help of history lessons and our friendship, of course." Amy's smug smile drawled towards the devastated Narasu, her tone matching of her expression.
Disbelief, despair and horror shattering his resolve along with the loss of his plans for revenge, Narasu could only turn away, a wail escaping with tears streaming like waterfalls down his cheeks. All of his plans for revenge, reduced to nothing, except for accomplishing Christopher Thorndyke's dream for having humans and Sonic's people to live together as one...It's just so unfair!
"While on that note," Topaz began, authority once more commenced she was trained all her life, her tone tinged with anger and disappointment as she marched up to the defeated scientist. "Dr. Kai Narasu, you're under arrest for conducting illegal experiments, attempted murder and fraud and for breaking the parol rules."
Too devastated to protest or make a move, knowing that he had lost everything, not to mention being surrounded by so many of the heroes leaving him defenseless, Narasu just slumped with a pitiful moan. There was just no way he was going to be getting his revenge now.
"I'm sure glad Narasu is finally beaten for good." Danny sighed with relief.
"Even though things won't be the same, I'm just glad that we're back to normal, and now we've got a whole new world and friends to look forward in seeing, with our old friends being with us now!" Frances agreed, her happiness contagious as Cream and Cheese cheered on.
"I can't wait to visit Ella without having to worry about time going away!" Cream exclaimed brightly.
"Chao chao, chao!" Cheese chimed, his cries echoing like a melody of a chime blown gently against the wind.
"And it looks like you're here to stay too, Cosmo." Knuckles's warm expression was cast towards the young Seedrian of the group, filling the young alien girl surprise and relief even as the rest of her friends gazed at her.
"Oh! I...I guess so," Cosmo's beautiful blue eyes shifted slowly to the ground, unease emerging in her chest. It is true that she had been revived and was here to stay, happiness filling her heart that she can now be by the side of all of her new friends, the sadness of waiting to be reunited with her old friends and family will never go away, and another thought coming to her mind. "It's just...I don't know where I'm going to live, or what I'm going to do now that everything is alright."
"What're you talkin' about? You're goin' to be livin' with us!" Sonic happily pointed out, his expression softened to that of understanding "Sure, I know that we can't replace your friends and family and your old home, but since we all met, you weren't ever alone. We've been together and by the side no matter what happened, and you've been there for us. We wouldn't have made it this far without you. So...thanks, Cosmo."
Cosmo's expression filled with stunned awe, happiness soon replacing it with relief. Sonic was right: Even with her old life gone forever, meeting Sonic, Tails, Amy, Cream and Cheese, Knuckles and Chris had made her fully realize she wouldn't ever be alone. All of their adventures across the universe, through this journey on Earth, even just one friend would be by her side, and her life was never ever lonely. Through the loss of one family and home, she had gained another even through resurrection.
"And if you need a place to stay, you could..um...er...you could always come live with me, if you wanted to." Tails shyly offered, a hinge of pink hue covering his muzzle, his heart's rate esculating a thousand beats as fast as Sonic's speed.
Likewise, Cosmo's face heated pink and red, the offer being brought to her once more ever since she came back to life. Despite what the Metarex and others has said, she and Tails' love have proven plants and animals can co-exist peacefully, if not sometimes bond.
"Thank you, Tails. I'd be happy to." She finally smiled, the two embracing once more, Tails' laughter along with hers in a symphony of light-chimes, fitting in the morning air to brighten the future's promise of greater things to come.
"Awwwww...Isn't that sweet?" Rouge cooed, one hand partially covering her mouth to hide her mirth, giggles threatening to erupt at the adorable scene.
"They both grew up fast, huh?" Chris chuckled, happy for his two friends.
"Yep! I'd say the future's bright for everyone," Sonic agreed, a wink and a thumbs up following. "I can't wait to go explorin' the new world."
"We still gotta protect it from Eggman, though."
"Yeah, but that's nothin' new." The blue hedgehog nonchalantly shrugged.
"Speaking of Eggman, what about our money?" Charmy inquired innocently.
Flinching at the sudden serious question, at least to the head detective of the Chaotix Agency, Vector's eyes spread as wide as dinner plates. "OH MAN! I almost forgot!"
Espio, however, swiftly caught the sight of Eggman, the evil scientist grimicing over the forgotten-and exaggarated-promise for wealth for their services, attempting to sneak away along with Decoe, Bocoe and Bokkun, the robots' hard-drives heating up, wishing no further brutal punishment from the Sonic Heroes for at least a little while.
This caught the attention of the chameleon and his two friends. "He's getting away!"
"That slime ball!" Vector roared furiously, his fist clenched so tightly one was amazed that his hand wasn't bleeding yet.
Eggman, hearing the furious cries, shakily dared to peak over his shoulder as did his robotic minions, all four of them cringing with fright to see the near-rampaged looks of the three detectives and the furious, disappointed, partially amused(for Sonic, Rouge, Chris and even Shadow, surprisingly) expressions on the faces of the rest of the heroes, Omega's laser cannon locked on for his new mission to eliminate his creator, and the evil scientist just knew he was screwed.
"Uh-oh...! T-Time to go!" Eggman yelped, quickly running away as fast as his legs could carry him, his dumbots quick to follow, fearing their lives.
"Wait for us, doctor!" Decoe screamed, his voice-chip high-pitched with panic.
"Don't leave us behind!" Bocoe pleaded.
"HEY! Get back here, you creeps!" Knuckles roared with his fists held above his head, he, the Chaotix and Omega quickly giving chase.
"Chaaaaaaarge!" Charmy battle cried.
"Dr. Eggman must not escape! Annihilate! Fire!" Omega fired ammo in every direction Eggman and the other three, as the former badnik would call them, 'worthless pieces of scrap', they went, their screams high as the pitch of terrified baby banshees.
Sonic and the rest of his friends and allies all burst into hysterical laughter, each and every one of them enjoying the show of their friends chasing after their arch-nemesis and his circus metal toys. Even Shadow couldn't mask a grin of amusement on his face, his arms crossed against his chest.
"Well, looks like things are gonna be even more exciting from now on," Sonic happily announced once the laughter ceased(despite Knuckles, Omega and the Chaotix still chasing after their enemies), his emerald eyes cast to the sunrise once more. "We've beaten the bad guys, saved and created a new world in three days, and it's gonna be great future days ahead! That's gotta be a new record!"
Most of his closest friends simply smiled, some nodding in agreement, others such as Shadow, his gaze solely upon the horizon as unlike his former enemies and his friend Rouge, the black and red hedgehog was still uncertain what his future would bring, especially with both the world of his creation and Sonic's world were now part of a single planet, the two universes merged and joined together in a single space and time for all eternity.
Who knew what he would facing, but as the Ultimate Lifeform, his memories of Maria lingering, her last words in her dying breath, all seeped deep into his heart. Stealing a glance at Sonic, the optimistic hero who thrived for excitement and adventures, with so many friends by his side, no matter how different they were, the blue hedgehog would always look deep within those he trusted with all of his pure heart.
'Perhaps...I should look deeper in the inside within people the way he does. In my own way.' Shadow thought to himself, determination swelling across his chest. He will continue to fufill Maria's promise, no matter what.
While Shadow thought of what his future would next bring, the rest of the heroes followed Sonic's gaze, many thoughts and feelings mixing in with anxiety, excitement and wonders over flowing deep within their hearts. But deep down they knew, as long as they had each other within this new world, everything would be okay. The young Thorndyke of the group, memories of when he first attempted to stop Sonic from going back home in fear of returning to his old, boring life flowed once more.
A once impossible goal now made a reality, simply because of a timeframe that wasn't to be in his past, but in his future. At long last, Chris Thorndyke dream had finally come true.
"Welcome home, Sonic." Chris murmured, bending to his hedgehog best friend's height level, a hand gently placed on his shoulder.
Sonic returned the soft smile etched on his face, a thumbs up raise. "Yeah..." His gaze turned back to the horizon, the gentle breeze drifting through his quills and his friend's hair cool and refreshing like the most calming shade a tree could provide. "This is home now. It's good be here...in both worlds. And we're gonna go through them...together."
It felt great. Content and peace brought to them after months(years in Earth's case) of many trials, adventures, scary discoveries and losses, everyone was mostly happy to have succeeded in saving the universes once again, and as Sonic had said, in a short span of just three days. A memory that will forever chain them all together for many years to come for the rest of their days and beyond.
With so much to live for now, friends finally reunited after such a long time, many new discoveries bringing them all closer together as ever, mysteries either solved or yet to be answered, the Sonic Heroes knew that life would never be the same again.
And they wouldn't have it any other way, because Sonic the Hedgehog would always have his cherished friends by his side, no matter where he went.
Mutagen Saga
End
A/N: Not the best kind of ending as I had hoped, I'm really sorry that the previous chapter and this one weren't as great as you all expecting, and I can change it and extend chapter 21 if any of you wonderful and loving readers wish, but I had planned the ending scene for ages now.
Well, short of. I had other ideas on how it would turn out, until I came to a realization with the timeline thing being too complicated, so this is the final result. *Sweat drops sheepishly*
The next chapter will be an interlude(kind of like what will come in Sonic DX Adventures) before we hit the next Saga of Back to Earth, with more familiar characters not seen in the anime appearing! Now, I'm not sure when I'll get started on that, as I'll be working on one of my other stories even though the timing of writing will be limited for the next two months.
But I promise you that I'll try and update this and my other stories as soon as possible without another majorly long hiatus. It's hard to say at this stage, yet I refuse to give up writing! So I'm not going anywhere anytime soon! *Winks*
The Mutagen Saga is finally finished, with many more adventures for Sonic and his friends over the Horizon.
See you later!