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Sonic had already known there was only one way the battle with the Finalhazard could’ve ended. He’d realized it, somewhere deep inside himself, as soon as Shadow had turned to him, an almost wild look in his eyes, and said those fateful words.
You might just be the real ultimate lifeform, Sonic.
And yet.
The moment they’d teleported the Ark back outside the Earth’s atmosphere, the moment Shadow had finally been overtaken by the strain he’d been fighting the whole time, the moment his white-gold glow had begun to leak from his fur in ribbons of light, Sonic had lunged forward to grab his hand.
Sonic had screamed at him. Told him not to let go, just hold on a little longer, just a bit further. They were almost home. They were so close. He’d known he’d been at his own limit, too; that they’d never get there in time, that they’d used up every last ring they’d had to prolong their transformations, but he’d refused to acknowledge it. To accept it.
Shadow had smiled at him. It hadn’t been like any of his other smiles, sharp and wide and confident. It had been small and gentle. Relieved. Thankful. Tired.
He’d slipped his hand free of Sonic’s.
And then he’d been gone.
Sonic had been left there, alone in the expanse of space, hands empty of everything but the limiter ring he’d accidentally snapped off in his desperation. He’d clutched it to his chest, shoulders heaving as he gasped for air where there was none, fighting with every cell in his body to hold his tears back. He’d wanted so badly to rocket down after Shadow, but he’d known that there was no surviving atmospheric re-entry without a super form.
Somehow, Sonic had managed to fly himself back to the Ark. After all, Shadow had saved him, too, at the very end, and Sonic had refused to let his sacrifice go to waste.
His own super transformation had left him the moment he’d landed on his feet, and his knees had buckled underneath his own weight. He’d nearly depleted all his energy in the fight. A full-body ache threaded through every muscle, every nerve. A dull headache settled right into his skull. He’d wanted to collapse on the floor and sleep for a million years, then and there, but he’d forced himself upright. Put one foot in front of the other.
The silence as the doors between him and the others had slid open had been palpable. The air almost choked as they’d turned to him and realized he was the only one there. The only one who’d come back. Who’d survived. He’d felt the guilt, the regret, and the disappointment all wrap hands around his throat and squeeze, almost as hard as Amy had when she’d dashed over to tackle him in a hug.
It’d been easier for Sonic to smile, after that. To ruffle Tails’ head fur and tell him, I knew you could do it. Great job, buddy. To bump Knuckles’ fist with his own. To return Eggman’s reluctant, stern nod of appreciation with a smug grin. To pat Amy on the shoulder and apologize for making her cry.
Rouge had been standing at the window, away from the crowd and Eggman. Sonic had shaken Amy off to approach her, offer her the limiter ring he’d been holding onto like a lifeline. But Rouge had only smiled gently at him, her expression a painful echo of Shadow’s, and pushed his hand away.
“I think you need that more than I do,” Rouge had told him. “Besides, I trade in jewels, not gold,” she’d reminded him with a playful wink.
He’d just laughed. “Whoops. My bad.”
Truthfully, he’d been glad for an excuse to keep the ring. Once he’d left Rouge to talk with Knuckles, he’d latched the ring around his own wrist, underneath the cuff of his glove, for safekeeping. Just a souvenir for one heck of an adventure! he’d thought of telling his friends when they’d inevitably question it. None of them had, though, despite the concern that’d been clear on their faces. Not even Eggman had commented on it.
The ring hadn’t been only a souvenir. It’d been a reminder of what he’d gained and lost. His greatest victory, undercut by his greatest failure. Some hero he was. Some ultimate lifeform. He hadn’t even been able to save the one person who’d been right there in front of him.
Still, he had to keep going. That was what Shadow would’ve wanted.
Sonic owed him that much.