Sonic: Friendship is Eternal Ch. 62

The Crystal Empire Finale

Sombra fired a bolt of Negative Magic at the black and red hedgehog before him, which Shadow swiftly dodged before launching several Chaos Spears with the wave of his arm. Sombra created a black shield around him that absorbed the spears before changing them and launching them back. The Negative Spears were purple with black electricity crackling on them as they rocketed toward Shadow. Shadow used Chaos Control to move out of the way in time, glaring up at Sombra.

Sombra exited his shield smirking at the hedgehog. “Honestly you should make it easier on yourself and just give me that gem you’re holding.”

“Not a chance.” Shadow said as his body began to glow red.

“Very well…don’t say I didn’t warn you!” Sombra shouted as he teleported to Shadow only to have his throat latched onto by Shadow’s hand.

“Gotcha” Shadow said with a smirk. “Chaos Blast!” he shouted unleashing the energy. Sombra screamed as Shadow held him in place. The energy burning and tearing at Sombra from every angle.

The ponies of the empire looked up, watching as their king was being bested. Hope began to fill their hearts as they watched the fight, though at the same time they felt scared for none knew what Sombra was truly capable of.

Sombra panted as he tried to stead himself on his hooves, his body smoldering. Shadow pulled his arm back and threw a punch into the side of Sombra’s muzzle. The king stumbled as he got closer to the edge of the balcony. Shadow fired a Chaos Spear up into the air before rushing Sombra and kicking him high into the air where he met the Spear. Shadow used Chaos Control and delivered a punch to Sombra as he caught him in the descent.

Sombra hit the ground with a loud crash and Shadow teleported down to him. Sombra lay within a small crater with the ground around the edges cracked from the force of the impact. He looked around and noticed all the ponies had found a safe place to hide to avoid being collateral.

“What’s wrong? What happened to all that big talk Sombra?” Shadow taunted.

Sombra growled before standing up suddenly and launching Shadow with a negative pulse. Shadow hit the outer wall of the palace before falling flat onto his face.

“Don’t be so cocky! I haven’t even begun to fight!” Sombra said before making stalagmites of dead crystal rise from the ground quickly. Shadow felt the ground shake and quickly rolled and got onto his feet, moving away from the attack as he zoned in on Sombra. His jet shoes activated allowing him to skate towards his target. Sombra grinned, using a Negative Tendril to grab Shadow and pull him closer.

“Welcome to my world!” he said before a dark sphere encased them both. Shadow soon realized he wasn’t restrained and looked around. Taking note that the whole area was pitch black and the only indication of a floor where slight ripples that were visible whenever he took a step. Sombra’s laughter could be heard as a faint echo in the endless expanse of darkness. Shadow perked his ears, trying to pinpoint the source of the laughter.

“Peekaboo!” Sombra said before his glowing eyes appeared below Shadow and launched him with a negative pulse. Sombra moved in for another attack, grinning the whole time. Shadow turned and quickly fired a Chaos Spear, hitting Sombra in the face.

“I see you!” Shadow said before using Chaos Control to stop time before landing and setting multiple Chaos Spears to strike Sombra. He ended the Chaos Control and watched with a grin as the Spears all struck Sombra at the same time.

“Insolent rodent!” Sombra shouted in rage before fading into the abyss of darkness again. Shadow could feel a tingling sensation begin to form all over his skin; he began to scan the area trying to find Sombra. Shadow soon felt pain in the form of a small bolt of negative magic striking him. This was followed by another, then another until soon enough his entire body was under assault by hundreds if not thousands of those little bolts. He screamed in agony from the attack.

Meanwhile

Sonic was doing his best to get out of the hold those crystals had on him, but no matter how much he struggled he couldn’t get free. Spike looked down at the heart still in his claws and sighed sadly.

“We failed Sonic…” he said.

“Don’t say that Spike, I’ll get us out of this and we’ll save the empire…I just gotta think…” Sonic said, trying to find a way out of this.

“We’re not coming down anytime soon at that rate…” Spike said

Meanwhile

Shadow panted as he held himself up by his hands and knees, his body smoldering from the earlier assault. He coughed before spitting out some blood and slowly standing up.

“Poor misguided creature, you came here thinking you could best me. Yet you know not the true extent of my power.” Sombra said. Shadow just stood there, his head hanging low a bit and his eyes closed. “Do you hear me rodent?! You are dealing with King Sombra! The most powerful unicorn to have ever existed! You have no chance; such is the fate of such a lesser creature”

Shadow raised his head and opened his eyes, displaying anger and determination. “You’d do wise to not underestimate me!” Shadow shouted to the darkness as he entered Chaos Boost level 3 and released his inhibitor rings. His entire body glowing with power and soon becoming a bright crimson as he focused all his anger, “Chaos Blast!” he shouted, the energy being unleashed. Sombra screamed in pain as he was hit by the attack, the pain began to mix with shock as he realized his Dark Zone spell was shattered by that attack. The energy ceased and Sombra opened his eyes, seeing Shadow right there in front of him.

“Welcome to my world, bitch!” Shadow said before punching him hard enough to send him through several buildings. Sombra skidded to a halt, standing and spitting the blood from his mouth. Shadow just glared at the unicorn, his inhibitor rings returning as he panted from using so much energy.

“Who…what…are you?” Sombra asked.

“I’m the Ultimate Lifeform Shadow the Hedgehog!” Shadow proclaimed with pride.

“Sonic Wind!” Sonic shouted, watching as the blade of air cut a part of one of the crystals. “Come on…Sonic Wind!” he shouted, the blade this time freeing Spike from one of the restraints, Sonic used it again and managed to free Spike.

“Go Spike! Save the Empire!” Sonic shouted. Spike nodded and proceeded with Crystal Heart in hand.

“Hey! I’ve got the Crystal Heart!” Spike shouted, gaining everyone’s attention as he held the heart high. Sombra glared at the dragon as he re-entered his ethereal form and rushed towards him.

“That is mine!” Sombra shouted heading right for him. Shining picked up Cadance and threw her at the Dragon, she used her wings to give herself a boost and grabbed him before descending to where the Crystal Heart needed to be placed. Sombra roared in anger as he was denied the heart.

“The Crystal Princess!” Some ponies exclaimed as they watched her.

“Crystal Ponies, fill the Crystal Heart with your love and unity so that we may defeat Sombra once and for all!” Cadance said. The ponies obliged, their coats becoming vibrant as they bowed their heads and filled the heart. The heart glowed brighter and brighter before unleashing its power, completely covering the whole empire. Sombra looked down at his hooves which were starting to break apart from the heart’s power. His entire body began to glow as he roared in pain before he shattered into pieces and faded away into nothingness.

The pulse of energy created a light show in the sky and a barrier to protect the empire. Not only that, but everyone’s coats became very crystal like. Shadow looked down at his sparkling fur and his eye twitched. Sonic, finally free and back with the others was admiring the shine of his crystalline coat.

Twilight sighed happily as she looked at the scene below. “You did it Spike” she said as she relaxed for the first time since they got there.

Later

“Oh I do so wish those crystal coats were permanent.” Rarity said as they left the empire, everyone back to non-crystalline coats.

“Well things are better when they’re a ‘Rarity’” Applejack said with a wink causing Rarity to blush.

“Aw” she said to her farmer friend, finding that very cute and heartfelt.

“So you all heading back to Canterlot?” Shining Armor asked as he walked them all to the train station.

“That’s the plan” Twilight said with a smile, “We have to tell the princess that all is well in the Empire” she added.

“Well I hope when you guys aren’t being on duty heroes you can come visit” he joked. Twilight smiled before giving her big brother a hug.

“We promise that will be soon” she said as they reached the train and prepared to board.

“Oh one last thing Twilight” Shining said

“Yes?” she asked, turning mid stride to look at him.

“You’re going to be an Aunt” He said

“Say wha?” she asked, her expression showing utter shock as his words were processed.

“I’m pregnant Twilight” Cadance said with a smile. Twilight blinked before her face and horn lit up before a giant explosion of magical fireworks that made Trixie’s jaw drop in awe occurred. Twilight cheered happily before hugging her brother and sister in law.

“I’m so happy for you two!” she said, doing her best to contain her squeals and failing. Shadow pulled Shining closer.

“Do you realize that I now have to sit next to that for the next 2 ½ hours?” he asked sternly, indicating Twilight being all super girly.

“Well I didn’t really have a chance to tell her before, besides you guys were here on business” he said with a nervous grin.

“I’ll get you back for this, mark my words” Shadow said dangerously as he turned to board the train, grabbing Twilight by her mid-section and lifting her up over his shoulder before carrying her into the train with him. Twilight squealed when he did that, a rather cute squeal at that.

“Put me down!” she shouted, blushing madly.

“Bye Twilight, don’t forget to write!” Shining and Cadance said as Twilight and Shadow entered the train. The others saying their byes before following them in. Shadow set Twilight down on the seat.

“Stay” he said as he sat down.

“Do you think I’m a dog?” she asked, a little offended by that before a book was held to her. With a happy squee she used her magic to take the book and began to read.

“Peace and quiet” Shadow said quietly with a smirk.

“How about a nice train riding song?” Sonic asked, earning some nods as the train began to move. Shadow shot a dangerous glare in his direction, however this only prompted Sonic to continue.

“I know a song that gets on everybody’s nerves” Sonic began to sing

//One of these days I’m going to kill you where you stand Sonic// Shadow thought angrily as he tried to ignore the song.

Canterlot

The train slowly came to a stop, the doors opening and allowing our heroes to exit. Twilight wasted no time in heading to the princesses. Everyone else stayed at least 5 feet away from Shadow, who was glowing a bright red.

“How long’s he been like that?” Applejack asked Knuckles

“A good hour maybe” he answered. Sonic just had this nervous grin on his face, trying not to meet Shadow’s gaze, since he knew that was where it was being cast.
In the palace

“Well done Twilight Sparkle, you and your friends saved the empire and helped to preserve Harmony for all of Equestria” Celestia said, showing her student and Spike the new stained glass that showed Spike holding the crystal heart high, and the others joined together to help repel Sombra. Sombra and Shadow being shown at the two higher points and larger than the others to signify their conflict.

“You flatter me” Shadow said as he saw that.

“When did you get here?” Twilight asked.

“A minute ago, had to take care of something first” he said

With the others

“Sonic?” Tails asked, poking at the limp body of his friend. Sonic having been beaten and charred by Shadow’s Chaos Blast. “You alright?”  

Sonic slowly and shakily moved his hand to give him a thumbs up before letting it fall back down.

“He’ll be fine” Tails said with a smile.

Back in the Palace

Shadow and Spike were looking at the stained glass while Twilight talked to Celestia. “How’s it feel to be seen as a hero for an entire empire?” he asked the dragon.

“I’m not too sure” Spike said “I guess awesome is one word to describe it” he said with a smile. Shadow chuckled at that, patting him on the head.

“One day you’ll be able to prove yourself a true hero” he said.

“There’s a difference?” Spike asked.

“A true hero is one that puts everything they have on the line to stop something only they can stop. Whether they survive or not, they’re still a true hero” Shadow said

“I’m not sure I’d be ready for that…I mean everything weighing on my shoulders and me being the last hope…” he said before noticing Shadow was eye level with him.

“I never thought I’d be ready to make any kind of sacrifice like that, until the time came. The worst you can do is hesitate, especially when you know you’ve yet to play your hand” he said. “Never give up, never give in, stand tall and fight for all you care for” Shadow said. “That’s a true hero, and someday, that will be you”

Spike smiled at that, “Thanks Shadow, though I’m still unsure”

“When the time comes, you’ll know for sure. So don’t worry” he said before the baby dragon gave him a hug. Shadow smiled and hugged him back.

“Aw, that’s so cute” Twilight said, having seen that. Shadow and Spike backed out of the hug, blushing.

“Ready to go?” Shadow asked

“Yep” Twilight said before she left with those 2 and met up with their friends. Boarding the train and heading home.

Luna walked up to Celestia as they watched the train leave, holding a book with her magic. The sisters giving each other knowing glances.

With the Babylon Rogues

“So just go south from here?” Wave asked

“Yes, Equestria is just across the sea.” The griffon said.

“Thank you” Wave said before relaying to the boys what she found out when she got back to them at the shore line.

“Coincidentally our boards have power” she said giving them their boards.

“Let’s just hope it’s enough” Jet said before getting on his and riding it over the waves towards Equestria with Wave and Storm following.

With Metal and Mephiles

Wulok smirked as he drew a symbol on the foreheads of Metal Sonic and Mephiles. “This symbol means Hatchling. Once you’ve passed our trials of Mind, Body, and Spirit. You will be given a new symbol meaning Brethren” he said as he finished. “Your first test is that of the Body, through this door you will be tested on strength, endurance, and balance” he said, opening the door for them. Metal and Mephiles entered a sort of arena through the door, where several burly griffons were waiting.

“Your test begins now!” Wulok said. Mephiles smirked, holding his hand out to fire a dark blast. Though something was wrong, he couldn’t feel any of his energy channel. Metal Sonic began to initiate a scan only to receive a short circuit and finding nothing beyond his motor control and current thinking was working properly.

“I think we have a problem…” Mephiles said as the Griffons began to move in on their now defenseless prey.