Sonic Forces: Not a Hero

Facing Fears

As I caught up with Sonic and the Resistance, I looked down to see everyone fighting Infinite's army. I stood upon a mountain ledge watching the battle play out. Until everyone stood before Infinite. Infinite then pushed everyone back using his power.

"NO!" I called out, as something flew over, firing at Infinite. It was some kind of black and red robot, that seemed to have a score to settle with Infinite. Infinite just laughs as he uses his energy to create a giant sun in the sky.

"Guys, what just happened?" I called, looking at the sun slowly descending upon us.

"You've got to kidding," said Knuckles, "That's just a special effect, right?"

"No, it's not," said Tails, "While we're under the Phantom Ruby's control, it's a part of our reality!"

"Unbelievable!" said Espio, "What chance do we have against that?"

"The sun will fall upon you all!" shouted Eggman, "BOOM! THE END! Your pathetic lives are over."

"No, this can't be it!" I thought, not ready to stop here, "There's got to be something we can do to stop this." Then I noticed something glowing in my pocket, the Phantom Ruby Prototype. "Is this reacting to the illusion? Wait..."

"Tails!" I called over, "I need you to come to my coordinates, hurry!"

"What's wrong?" asked Tails.

"I think I have a plan," I said. It was only a few minutes before Tails arrived, I stared at the sun, clutching the ruby tightly. When Tails arrived, I showed him the ruby.

"Look, it's reacting. Eggman said something about the Phantom Ruby Prototypes! Let me see," observed Tails, as I handed him the ruby it stopped glowing, "Whoa, it is. He said the Phantom Ruby Prototypes only react to the person who activated it. That must be you, buddy! Your courage and heroism are probably what triggered it."

"I don't know about that," I said, "But it stopped Infinite's illusions before. Maybe it could do it again."

"There's a chance," smiled Tails as he handed me back the ruby, "If you use this, it could make that sun disappear."

"That's what I was hoping to hear," I smiled, "I'm going to get to the top of the fortress and take care of that sun. Tails, just in case I don't make it, tell everyone--"

"No," said Tails, "You'll make it, don't give up. You have someone important to save, remember."

I paused a second before smiling, "Yeah, thanks, Tails."

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I ran towards the fortress, not looking back. As I approached the fortress, Eggman's security system kicked in. Robots began to pour out of the fortress, aiming everything they had at me.

"I'm not stopping," I thought, as I leaped over the first wave of enemies, "I have too much here to lose! I won't let anyone take them away from me!"

"Grr..." growled Knuckles, "We made it so far. We were so close"

"This is truly world-shattering!" said Espio.

"Grr!" growled Vector, "Isn't there anything we can do?"

"Don't give up hope everyone!" I called, jumping up walls, trying to climb to the top, "I'm going to stop this!"

"If you can get close enough to that sun," explained Tails, "The prototype should cancel out the effect."

"You'll be burnt to a crisp before then!" called Knuckles, "Give it up, rookie! Fall back!"

"I'm sorry Knuckles," I said, using my wire to climb and dodge lasers, "But this is our only chance. If we don't do something, we're all finished!"

"It's all up to Artemis now," said Silver.

"The chances of success are minuscule," explained Tails, "It's a desperate long shot."

"Not helping Tails!" I growled as I grappled straight to the main tower of the fortress, "I just need to take this path and then I'll be at the top."

"Please," begged Amy, "Come back in one piece!"

Suddenly a beam of light appeared behind me, inching closer to me, "Give me a break!"

"You think you can stop the sun?" laughed Eggman through the speakers of the fortress, "You'll burn up like a moth drawn to a flame. It's over!"

"I'll be the one to decide when it's over, Eggman!" I yelled, running the spiral path to the top, trying to keep the beam of light as far behind me as possible. What kept me running was my friends cheering for me.

"You're a real soldier now, rookie," encouraged Knuckles, "You can do this!"

"Hang in there a bit longer!" said Amy.

"Show everyone what you're made of!" cheered Vector.

"C'mon you can make it!" urged Knuckles.

Just as I made it to the top, the beam of light disappeared inches behind me. My breath of relief was temporary as I felt the heat of the sun getting closer. I clenched the ruby, before closing my eyes and grappled into the sun.

"Please...work!" I prayed, with all my heart. Feeling the heat hit my fur, just before it became unbearable, the heat vanished. I opened my eyes to find the sun had disappeared. Realizing I was falling, I grappled back to the top of the tower, collapsing to the ground. The ruby shattering as I hit the ground, "Thank you..."

"Impossible!" shouted Eggman as he flew up to the top, "I thought all the prototypes were destroyed!"

"A costly oversight, Doctor," said Tails as he flew over to me, helping me up, "This is why I always check and double-check as any good scientist would."

"Tails.." I said weakly.

"You did good, Artemis," smiled Tails, "Leave the rest to us."

"This is the turning point, guys!" cheered Knuckles, "Time to press our advantage and kick major butt!"

Eggman growls in frustration before calling, "Infinite, take care of Sonic! Don't let him get into the fortress! If he hits that reactor, we're finished!"

"No!" I thought, "I can't let this happen!"

"Tails," I called, "I need you to get me to Sonic!"

"No way! You're still hurt!" Tails protests.

"Please, Tails," I begged, "I can't afford to lose both Zero and Sonic! Please trust me!"

Tails hesitated but agreed as he held my arms as we flew over to Sonic position.

"Hang on my friends!" I thought flying over the fortress, "I will protect you!"