Sonic the Hedgehog

Wrap-up

Inch by inch, step by step, the small group of fighters lose even more ground. Rouge, Tails, E-123 Omega, and Knuckles all have their backs to the wall, quite literally, as they continue their one-sided fight against the encroaching jackal troops.

"I think a tactical retreat is in order," Rouge says after firing seven shots into the relentless crowd.

"RETREAT? IN THE FACE OF CERTAIN VICTORY? REQUEST DENIED."

"I agree with the metal warrior!" Knuckles says, slamming one of the troops face-down onto the pavement.

Luckily, a dispute doesn't have to take place. One moment, an unstoppable army filled the street. The next, all of them fade away before the group's widened eyes. Aside from the immense destruction left in their wake, nothing remains of the phantom army. Not even the tiny cubes which have also dissipated. Instead, Station Square looks as if it's just suffered one of the worst national disasters in history.

Joining the clean transition, the sky returns to its natural blue. Once their initial state of shock passes, Tails looks at Knuckles, a big smile on his face. One contagious enough to give the echidna a big grin.

"They did it," they both realize in unison.

"Of course they did," Rouge says, lowering her rifle.

"SO NO MORE ENEMIES TO SHOOT?" E-123 Omega asks.

"That's right, big guy," Rouge answers.

"I CHANGE MY MIND. THIS IS AN AWFUL DAY."

Rouge is about to give him a smart reply when she and the others hear from the sky:

"Sorry for the wait."

Even if this isn't their first time getting a proper glance at their friends' new powered state, the three Mobians stare with gaped jaws as the golden hedgehogs slowly descend to join them on the ground.

Knuckles especially, considering what's being held in each of their hands. Amy holds two chaos emeralds, Shadow holds two, and Sonic has a bundle of three.

"It's about time we found you," Sonic grins, his feet touching the ground along with the other two hedgehogs. "We had to circle the city twice. Before that, as you can tell, we made a quick little detour."

"How... does it feel?" Knuckles asks.

"Wonderful!" Amy answers enthusiastically. "We were flying everywhere, dodging lasers, there was a dragon or something at some point- it was great!"

"Sounds like you guys really had a blast," Rouge says.

"I certainly took a couple of them," Shadow says while cuffing back on his inhibitor rings, not noticing a slow head turn from the golden hedgehog beside him.

"Shadow... was that a joke?"

"Why'd I open my mouth?"

"Ah-ah, we caught you red-handed! Hey, if you need to work on any new material- I'M your guy!"

Shadow's eyes roll into the back of his head.

"So what happened to the phantom ruby?" Tails inquires.

"Destroyed," Sonic quickly explains. "And its user along with it. We shouldn't run into any more problems."

"Well, that's a relief!"

Sonic almost responds in agreement, but before he can do so, a flash of white light engulfs the street. After it dies down and everyone's eyes adjust, they understand why. No longer do golden auras surround any of the three hedgehogs. They're each back to their familiar colors. More noticeable to them is the complete absence of the blood-pumping rush they previously just felt.

It's not hard to tell where that energy went. Knuckles nearly loses his balance at the seven gems held in the hedgehogs' hands. All of them have regained their natural beauty. Purple, green, red, white, cyan, yellow, blue, they're all accounted for. He had never in his wildest dream thought the day would come when he would see all seven together.

"They're yours, Knuckles," Sonic smiles, noticing his friends' glistening eyes. "With them, you can get your home back."

"This wouldn't have been possible without your help," the echidna says, taking a thoughtful look at the five others standing around him. "This wouldn't have been possible without ALL of your help. You each have my deepest gratitude. Most of us met as enemies. How ironic we've achieved the unachievable."

"Speaking of which..." Shadow walks forward, stopping in front of Rouge and E-123 Omega. "What will become of us now that everything is said and done? We've made mistakes. Serious mistakes. I wouldn't blame you if you were to throw us in a cell."

"Um... I would," Rouge interjects. "I'd prefer to go celless, thank you."

"MY ONLY REGRET IS NEGLECTING TO REMOVE THE DOCTOR'S SPINE WHEN I HAD THE CHANCE."

"Wow, you guys are REALLY bad at making a case for yourselves," Tails acknowledges.

"In any case, you guys are A-OK with me," Sonic shrugs. "Minus that robot's murder tendencies."

"HATERS GONNA HATE."

"Aren't your superiors going to be angry you let us walk?" Shadow asks.

"Do you see me wearing a GUN uniform?" Sonic replies.

"Point taken. Then I guess this is farewell."

"Wait!" Amy snaps everyone's attention, holding up a finger. "Before you go, we demand a formal apology!"

"An apology?" Shadow echoes.

"Yes!" Amy crosses her arms. "Two sentences minimum. You're free to start."

Shadow blinks twice.

"Sorry," he says. "Won't happen again."

"Huh?"

Everyone holds their laughter as Shadow and E-123 Omega start down the street leading away from the school.

"That was only four words!" Amy pipes up.

"Two sentences," Shadow counters. "Until next time, Rose."

"FAREWELL, ABOVE AVERAGE FLESHINGS," E-123 Omega bids, grabbing onto the black hedgehog's shoulders. "MAYBE NEXT TIME, WE WILL ALL SUCCESSFULLY KILL ONE ANOTHER."

The robot's jet engine whirls up before it and the android its attached to take off, leaving the street below.

"Guess it's my cue to bounce," Rouge says, walking past Knuckles whom she gives a wink. "Take care of my emeralds for me, handsome. I'll be back for 'em."

"Just try and take them!" Knuckles holds up a clenched fist. "I'll be ready for you!"

"Oh, I'm counting on it."

Her violet wings spread. After one last parting look at the red echidna, she joins her fellow teammates in the sky, focused on catching up.

"I hate that bat," Knuckles grumbles.

His unconvincing declaration of resentment goes unheard by the three Mobians standing next to him. Soon, he shares their same interest. A small crowd of humans have gathered on both sides of the street. Most of them seem to be from the local houses.

"It's okay, everyone!" Sonic announces to them. "We saved the world. You're welcome!"

Nothing comes after that sentence, ushering in a brief wave of awkwardness. It comes to an end with a single clap. Then another. And another. From both sides, the clapping continues, evolving into full-out applause.

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