Sonic the Hedgehog

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Normally, a fight is something Sonic would rarely ever shy away from. But after such a grueling hard day with E-18 guerra-hard's pounding to top it all off, the aching hedgehog only rolls his eyes at the sight of another challenger. Especially one he's already bested.

On the ground, Eggman's face tells a different story. Even someone of his incredible mind can barely begin to comprehend what's in front of him. The jackal should be nothing more than a severed head left to rot in Ice Cap's wasteland.

But somehow, he's very much alive, confirming what Metal Sonic told him had been the furthest thing from the truth. Still, how the Jackal even made it to Prison Island to steal his greatest creation remains a greater mystery. Right now, he cannot afford the luxury of figuring out such a perplexing puzzle.

"Hey, I remember you," Sonic rolls his eyes, still standing at Eggman's side. "You're... what was your name again?"

"I have to hand it to you, Doctor," Zero says, ignoring Sonic. "I knew you for the creative type, but I could have never imagined such a beautiful creation being remotely feasible . Though, I suppose anything is possible with the power of chaos."

"That power isn't meant for you!" Eggman says, crawling forward.

Sonic is too interested in what Zero has in his hand to notice. Not the chaos emerald. But the enchanting glow of the black-striped ruby. It emits a brighter, demanding glow, except in place of natural essence is an almost ominous trance.

Is that what Miles Electric picked up?

"Isn't it?" Zero says, replying to Eggman's comment. He raises the phantom ruby. "By what metric do you determine who is and isn't worthy of greatness, Doctor? I'm the one holding the phantom ruby. It's only natural I'd take it for myself. With it... my power will be limitless. Infinite."

"You worthless fool!" Eggman yells. "That ruby is meant to be utilized by my machines. Its energy is too much for a mere mortal to wield on their own. You'll phase out of reality itself!"

"Not me," Zero says, holding the cyan emerald and the ruby together. "You've underestimated me for the last time, Doc. Mobius has feared you for far too long. Allow me to take over."

Sonic watches in horror as the very life of the cyan emerald fades in front of his eyes. He's seen enough. Right when he takes the first step towards the mercenary, a shockwave sends him and Eggman sliding back. The latter of which understands what this signifies. The ruby's completion.

It glows brighter than ever, casting the room in bright red light. It can hardly be glanced at with the naked eye. Zero holds the ruby to his chest, watching as red kinetic energy seems to bounce off his fur and the artifact's glowing surface.

"It's time the whole world knew my name. My true name."

Without a warning, the ruby latches onto his flesh. A cloud of red electricity engulfs the shrieking Jackal, burning his body with its sting. An almost alien sound pulsates through the room.

Blinding red light comes next, flashing once and bursting each of the lights above, leaving the room in pitch-black darkness. The Jackal's sinister glow is the only source of illumination around. Finally, the electricity dies down, only leaving behind sparkling aftershocks.

Lingering in the doorway, his shrieks now over, Zero stands hunched over, motionless.

"Did he just... die?" Sonic finds himself questioning, unsure of how to react.

He gets an answer.

"I didn't," the sparkling Jackal says as he looks at Sonic with bright, crimson eyes. "Zero did."

From the Jackal's body, multiple after images emerge, appearing as still shots from the past. He keeps his view centered on the dumbfounded duo in front of him. He extends a glowing palm in Eggman's direction.

"So long, Doctor."

From it, a bright beam shoots forward. So does Sonic, snatching Eggman out of its trajectory right as it hits the room's back wall. On impact, the steel wall dematerializes completely, brightening the interior with the sun's rays. The raw power of the attack extends to the ceiling which begins to shake and crumble. A piece of falling debris meets Sonic's back, pinning him to the floor. To his left, Eggman lies down, shielding the back of his head with his hands.

"Always the hero," Zero remarks, hovering in the air. He looks down at the trapped hedgehog. "You just saved me a regrettable action, war hero. I think I prefer the both of you alive. You'll bare witness to my first act."

"Of what?" Sonic asks weakly. "Being a clown? I'd hardly consider it a first."

"No, I think I'll test my true capabilities. I can think of no better place to start than the one that eviscerated my entire squad."

Sonic's heartbeat accelerates.

"What was the total population of Station Square again? Two million?"

"Zero, don't do this!" Sonic yells, trying with all his might to get up.

"Open your ears, hedgehog. Zero is dead. I... am Infinite. See you around... 'war hero.'"

In a blinding flash, the Jackal is gone. Sonic has just enough time to pound the floor in anger before he loses consciousness all together.

...