Sonic the Hedgehog

Darkest Night

Once the overwhelmingly dominant, clear sound of the ruby's noise finally subsides, so do the inverted colors of the golden hedgehogs' surroundings. As well as their previous battlefield.

No longer are they in the empty, grassy field just outside Station Square's normally impassable borders. Like some winding dream of sorts, they've ended up floating above what looks to be a rich, busy city, albeit very familiar. Casting aside the usual darkness of night are the various buildings sporting colorful, neon lights.

Even from his distant position in the night sky, Sonic can recognize multiple casinos- some of which he's been in. But not for quite a long time if his vague memory is anything to go by.

"What is this place?" Shadow ponders aloud. "Why would the jackal bring us here?"

His question bounces off of Sonic completely, with the burning sense of intense déjà vu occupying his rapidly thinking mind. The identity of such a place is right on the tip of his finger, but he can't grasp the answer he knows he has.

"ATTENTION citizens of Springyard!"

Everything clicks. Eggman's booming voice drowning out all noise, traffic, and chatter on the city streets was the final piece of the puzzle. Sure enough, when Sonic cranes his neck to look up at the dark sky, an ugly mug is there to meet his gaze. A round, grey, metal airship modeled after the face of its creator.

In its center is a curved rocket booster reassembling the Doctor's rather unusually large, pointy nose. On parallel sides above the rocket are two red-stained windows which act as large eyes. And sticking out on both sides of the large base are three triangular panels mirroring Eggman's large bushy mustache.

Last but not least, however, is what's at the bottom of the aircraft. The last notable piece completing the representation of Eggman's face. The smiling mouth in the image of the Doctor's unhinged grin. Shaping it are large, red hatches capable of dispensing the station's ultimate weapon. The Metal Virus.

After the war, the unimaginative minds of journalists everywhere had adopted a common name to refer to the station, as Eggman had simply never come up with one. The Face ship. Destroying it during the war's final stages was not easy, but the hedgehog still took pleasure in doing so regardless. Even if the act turns out to have been slightly inconsequential since the later constructed Egg Carrier was a major improvement. At the very least in terms of subtlety.

"It is I, your future ruler!" The sinister voice continues over the loud intercom. "In another one of my gracious decisions, I've decided to bestow upon you all a gift! One that all of Mobius will soon be familiar with. The removal of YOUR free will. After this, such a burden will be reserved for my capable mind alone. Don't worry, you don't have to thank me!"

"NOT THIS TIME!" Sonic screams

"Hey, wait-!"

Shadow tries to grab Sonic before it's too late, but by the time his hand reaches out, the golden hedgehog is already blasting off in the Faceship's direction.

"Doesn't he know this isn't real?" Shadow questions. "We need to be vigilant! Infinite can strike from anywhere!"

"It feels real..." Amy's comment catches Shadow's interest. "I think that's enough for him. But we can't let Infinite draw us apart! Let's catch up."

Shadow gives a simple nod, and he and Amy take off after their missing third who's already in front of the Faceship. Like a bullet, he pierces through it at a previously unimaginable speed. A burst of electricity emits from the damaged base before it bursts into a bright explosion, illuminating the entire city in a bright, intense white light. Once it dies down, all that remains of the base is a giant puff of smoke. Evidently, Eggman's contagious chemical concoction seems to have joined in the base's fiery demise. The Metal Virus is no more.