Infinite Sadness

T.W. Barker's Infinite Circus

A few weeks later...

The lights go bright, two stunt bears ride in on giant, rubber balls, carnival music plays. A spotlight captures the attention of everyone, directing their gaze to T.W. Barker as he bows.

"Thank you," he begins, "and welcome to what I assure you, will be the greatest show you've ever feasted your eyes upon! For tonight's performance illustrates grand battles between god-like friends and foes!"

Modern Shadow Chaos Controls onto the stage, the spotlight scans across the ground to capture his signature edge factor. The audience awes with excitement.

"Shadow the Hedgehog," Barker announces. "A worthy and intimidating rival."

He swirls around Shadow, presenting him to the crowd like a sculpture or a doll. Modern Sonic then Chaos Controls across from Shadow into a second spotlight.

"And what's this?" Barker reacts dramatically. "Why it's Sonic the Hedgehog as well. But is he a fake or an alternate version? Oh my, what about this little guy right here?! Two Sonics?"

A third spotlight appears between Sonic and Shadow. Classic Sonic poofs into the space.

"That's right, this is going to be a magnificent death match between three noble hedgehogs."

Dave the Intern leaps up with excitement.

"Wow, an actual death match? Like where they actually die?"

"You are correct, my good man!" Barker replies.

The three hedgehog's brace themselves. Aggressive music begins to play as they engage in a battling spectacle. Everyone is amused in spite of also being disturbed. The show is a hit and ends with a bang, with all three hedgehogs disintegrating into red pixels. Barker receives a standing ovation. He bows before rushing backstage. Behind the curtains, he relishes the thrill of a successful night with his shamefully masked cousin.

"Another glorious show!" he tells Zero. "This reminds me of those rambunctious family reunions only better because money is involved. Don't you agree?"

Zero grips his chest suddenly. The tent glitches. The audience finds this odd.

"Arg, my powers..." he whimpers. "I don't think I can..."

"Don't black out again! Not until after the encore," Barker coldly snaps. "Send that little Sonic back into the arena before the tent fades away."

Classic Sonic appears again, distracting everyone with leaps and cute noises. Barker hurries back onto the stage, removes his hat, bows frantically and tells everyone...

"Welp, that's all folks! Come on, stunt bears, away we go!"

The stunt bears end the show the way they started it, rolling around on whimsical balls and grunting until the lights go out. Everyone cheers one last time before dissipating to head back to the village. Seconds after they're all gone, the entire circus disappears, leaving behind only Barker, the stunt bears, and the jackal... who collapses. Barker stands over him, agitated.

"Zero? I hope this fit you're having can be rectified by a night of rest. If not..."

"Doomed to be a circus mutt," Zero cries with turmoil. "The Phantom Ruby's power... it's left my blood stream!"

Barker is confused.

"I thought that ruby is what gave you the power to create those illusions. Do you need the actual ruby to do your magic?"

"Yes!" Zero coughs. "What you saw... was what was left... inside of me, but now..."

"That's too bad, for this means the end of my stupendous show," Barker realizes. "I'm... displeased. Stunt bears, get over here!"

The stunt bears surround the frail jackal, punching their palms.

"Of course you know I'm not a philanthropist. Take off the mask," Barker demands.

"No, my face is unsightly!"

"Need I remind you that you signed a contract? You owe me seven more shows. Give me the mask and we'll call it even."

"No cousin, it's all I have!" Zero pleas.

Barker ignores him and snaps his fingers. The stunt bears pin Zero down and rip the mask off his face. They toss it to Barker. Zero covers his face and clinches his teeth.

"You are pathetic indeed," Barker comments. Sigh. "Being a villain isn't for everyone. You must not have inherited the right genes."

Zero snaps, insulted.

"How dare you! I'm the greatest villain of all time!"

Barker chuckles.

"Maybe in another universe."

Zero growls and prepares to lunge at Barker but is in so much pain, that he yelps like a kicked puppy and grabs himself, curling into a ball. Barker puts his hands on his hips scoldingly.

"I'm unimpressed. Your past is dismal. Off you went with the rest of my cousins to some alternate dimension, got them all killed, then turned into this. Do you remorse the death of your pack? I do. What's tragic is that you were my favorite cousin. I don't know what you thought you had to prove, but I never imagined you'd grow up to be such a disappointment."

Suddenly the stunt bears are knocked off their feet by the blasts of three motobots. They snarl and hop out of the way as the bots circle Zero. Eggman floats down on the Egg Mobile.

"Great circus!" he compliments. "I was especially impressed with that little Sonic bouncing around. I wanted to shoot him but then he disappeared. Nice illusion. Seriously though, I knew you couldn't pull a stunt like that, Barker. Not even with a pair of stunt bears. So whose your friend? I'm Doctor Eggman."

"Eggman?" Zero repeats. "Ugh, but not the same one... clearly."

"I know, I know," Eggman laughs, "there are several versions of me floating around in several dimensions."

"Do you mind?" Barker interrupts. "This is family business, Doctor Eggman."

Zero holds his chest in pain and gasps.

"Ah, I see," Eggman laughs, "drained of your powers, eh? I bet I could help you with that. Say Barker, wanna barter the jackal? I'll trade you these three motobots, what do ya say?"

Barker ponders. He and Zero may be cousins but he's too bitter to care about his wellbeing.

"Hmm, Zero is pretty worthless," he says harshly.

"I'll take that to mean it's a deal!" Eggman exclaims with delight.

A claw reaches down from the Egg Mobile and snatches Zero.

"So long, sucker!" Eggman yells as he takes off with Zero dangling in the air.