The sky was black with ash and smoke.
The city below was a glowing, collapsing graveyard in progress.
As the trio of Mobians fell from the G.U.N helicopter, the continuing explosions and slow collapse of flaming, skeletal skyscrapers set an ominous soundtrack to their rapid descent. Safely landing on one of the few undamaged buildings due to the twin-tailed yellow fox, Tails, he smacked his scanner, unwilling to believe anything could reach the speeds shown.
“This is impossible, you guys. I wasn't even sure my scanner could accurately measure their energy, and yet... Are you sure we’re dealing with another hedgehog?”
“I find it impossible for anything to outpace your brother here. And besides-.”
The red and black hedgehog's tight grin was closer to a snarl as he lightly adjusted his white and neon-yellow skin-tight gloves while snapping.
“If you mention my teleportation again-.”
“Nay,” Knuckles countered, unfazed, “but your teleportation will be a boon in this battle against-.”
A voice sliced through the air like a razor.
“The fastest being alive, you fucking slowpokes.”
The building they were on shook as the trio stared at the afterimage of the cockiest hedgehog they’ve seen as he adjusted his black and blue gloves. His blue spikes vibrated as neon blue lighting quickly flashed between them. His green eyes were filled with derision and mania; his smile was no better. As holes and fiery explosions seemed to just appear throughout the building, Shadow reconstituted the motorcycle Tails rebuilt and improved.
Jumping on the back, Knuckles held on tight as Shadow raced down the collapsing building. Right next to them was the blue hedgehog, examining the motorcycle with a scoff as he jogged.
“Two-tails must’ve been the brains behind this, huh? Ugh, too bad I’m getting a headache just from going so fucking slow to appreciate it; after reworking his scanner five seconds ago, too.”
He abruptly vanished mid-stride, leaving Knuckles and Tails disoriented and ever more terrified. Meanwhile, Shadow stayed on task to get himself and the traitor to the ground alive. Near the base of the skyscraper, Knuckles leaped off the motorcycle…
And found himself back on it.
Blinking, he tried again.
And again.
When the cycle was on the ground, he finally landed and released his frustration.
“Why are you being cowardly and so chil-?!”
The hedgehog’s voice came from everywhere.
“Don’t finish that sentence, Clifford. I’ve been in suspended animation for fifty fucking years until fifteen minutes ago. In those fifteen minutes, I have observed half the world in person and the other half through the magic of technology. The world has irrevocably changed, and despite the ungodly number of lights and advances, it’s darker. Lonelier.”
Appearing in a hole before them, he stared into the distance, his eyes unfocused and moist.
“They’re unworthy of… of…”
Tails attempted to slowly approach the hedgehog, his paws raised. The only reason he didn’t freak when the hedgehog seemed to teleport right behind him was from Shadow’s training and trust. However, he froze when the stranger gently placed a paw on his shoulder, his voice soft and kind.
“Don’t bother, kid. I can tell you’re one of those ‘glass is always half-full’ types. I can also tell you’ve gotten help from Batman and Clifford here.”
In a neon blue blur, he reappeared in the hole again, eyes distant again.
“Even if the light is still there…”
He squeezes his eyes, tears vanishing, then glares at the trio.
“The star is gone.”
The deranged smile returned, trembling, wider, and more vicious.
“And I won’t stop until I extinguish every other goddamn light in the fucking sky.”
The earth quaked as another pristine tower fell in the distance, seemingly untouched by the hedgehog surrounded by streaks of lightning and blue flame.
“And in case you’re wondering what to call me, turtles and tortoises…”
A low rumble shook the remaining buildings, and the sky cracked with thunder as the godlike hedgehog disappeared.
“... call me Shockwave.”
