Sonic the Hedgehog

Final Stand

Finally, the distortion recedes. Amy and Shadow quickly get back to back, raising their fists in a defensive position. At any moment, Infinite could strike from absolutely anywhere. Overhead, the sky, just like Station Square, shares the ruby's red tint. That city in particular is where the super hedgehogs think they've winded up until they notice the blocky architecture that makes up the majority of the buildings in sight. Below them are tightly packed residential areas and businesses with tight roads running through them. Eventually, Amy recognizes where they've been transported.

"We're in..."

"Sunset City."

Well aware of who's behind them by now, both Shadow and Amy turn around to face Infinite once more.

"Zero wouldn't dream of destroying the place he called home for so long. For me, however, laying waste to this miserable dump won't warrant so much as a second thought."

"CHAOS SPEAR!"

By the time Shadow finishes screaming the attack, the place where the hot green energy spear would've made contact with its initial target simply continues through the air until it dissolves. Infinite had teleported in time to dodge it, and reappears ten meters behind where he previously hovered.

Blazing red electricity sparkles from both the phantom ruby and the hands that draw near it for concentration. Neither of the two hedgehogs could notice, but behind the Jackal's mask lies a sneer.

"Let's ramp up the excitement, shall we?"

Over him spawns a gargantuan creature with a size big enough to broaden Shadow and Amy's eyes with concern. A flying, serpent-shaped monster with black scales all across its fifteen-meter-long body. Its face mirrors Infinite's mask, except its pointy muzzle opens up to form a massive jaw lined with sharp, ragged teeth.

"There, this should keep you busy while I go finish off your beloved hero."

Once the last syllable leaves his mouth, the Jackal disappears.

"He's still trying to divide us!" Amy yells in a fury.

"In that case, we need to lend Sonic a hand," Shadow concludes. "Which one of us should-?"

Amy takes off, soaring through the air in Infinite's direction like a shooting star.

"Well, that answers that..." Shadow mumbles.

By now, the monster looming above the minuscule hedgehog in comparison has become aware of its prey. Instinctively, Shadow reels his hand back and throws it at the massive enemy yelling:

"CHAOS SPEAR!"

Unlike last time, the burning green spear meets its target head-on, striking its silver head. Unfortunately, it hardly makes any impact in the slightest on the phantom beast.

"So you're tougher than the others..." Shadow audibly acknowledges.

Using sudden and surprising speed, the monster almost gets the drop on the hedgehog with a mid-air dive. Almost. Shadow vanishes out of the way of the creature's jaws, and reappears behind its massive tail.

"Hmmm... that teleport and my most recent chaos spear took more effort to pull off than before. Time is running out. I can feel this power leaving me. This monster must be disposed of so I can help the others finally put an end to this."

***

Two miles in the distance, Infinite's one eye scans the dull, brown, desolate field outlining Sunset City. Even this far out, the pleased Jackal can still hear his creature's angered roars.