The Final Battle: The Coming of Maræos
Max the Hedgehog In:
The Final Battle:
The Coming of Maræos
A Sonic Fan Fic by Debbie Prichard and Nathan Marrow
Copyrights:
See Survival Guide for all copyrights.
Characters and Descriptions:
Max- now much older, Max is now in charge of Mobius.
Metalla- ruling at Max's side is his faithful wife.
Ron- Now without his parents Ron is on his own, but he now wears an amulet, which he does not know the meaning of it.
Sara- Sara still remains single; she feels that the time isn't right to get married.
Tails Jr. (T.J.) - Now that he is head of the technology department on Mobius, Tails Jr. keeps busy by inventing better and safer ways to live.
Steve- Working by Tails Jr.'s side is his caring cousin Steve.
Fists- Fists has decided to take on his father's job and protect the emeralds. Although there have been no threats to the planet Fists is spotted more and more often in Mobotropolis and Fox City.
Metal- after undergoing some updates Metal is just as good as he use to be in his prime.
Charles- Charles has also undergone upgrades to ensure that he doesn't rust.
Kari- With her soul being reborn Kari continues to push for space labs and observatories.
And now onto the feature presentation of The Final Battle: The Coming of Maræos.
Timeline: 10 years after Battle Royal 4
The new crew had gathered around a table in one of the palace's dens. Each of them had a severe look of sorrow on their faces.
“Well the last of them is gone,” Max said as he put on his father's medallion.
“So what are we going to do now?” Fists said as he took his mother's medal.
Since Manic and Jennifer did not have kids Tails Jr. was given permission to protect Manic's drum medallion.
“I would like to find out what this amulet was for,” Ron said as he took off the gold amulet and studied it carefully.
“Who's knows what that thing is for.” Max said as he looked at it.
Suddenly without warning the amulet began to glow.
“What's going on?” Tails Jr. asked.
The medal started to get extremely bright and soon a blue beam shot out from one of the jewels and took the form of a kitsune.
“Who are you?” Metalla asked.
“That's sad you can't even remember your dad.” Nathan said.
“Dad you're alive?” Ron asked.
“No I am very dead.” Nathan said.
“Then how can you be here?” Steve asked.
“The amulet that Ron is holding can call back my spirit when ever he needs help.” Nathan said, “Don't abuse that privilege though, even dead guys need rest once in awhile.”
“Wow this will come in really handy.” Ron said as he put the amulet back on.
“One other thing.” Nathan said, “I think it's time to give your lives back.”
“What?” everyone said in shock.
“You guys grew up way to fast, you never got to experience what it meant to be a kid, would you guys like to become youthful again and have fun instead of being old and slow?”
“Sure!” Max said.
“I don't know what's in it for you?” Fists said.
“You're just like your dad, never trusting, he was one of the people that told me to do this.” Nathan said.
“You talked with everyone?” Tails Jr. asked.
“Yes, all of us have our own little lounge where we get together and talk.” Nathan said, “Now let's see, would 20 years old be fine?”
“Fine with me.” Sara said.
Everyone else agreed.
“Ok then, let's get to it.” Nathan said as I raised my arms, “Great spirits of space and time, grant these adults their youthful forms of twenty years, they never got to experience what it meant to be young. Please hear my plea and transform these seven back to their twenty year form.”
Gold bolts came through the ceiling and hit each of them. Instantly their bodies began to return to their twenty-year form, and soon they were kids again.
“Wow! I've never felt this good!” Max said as he tested his strength.
“I've got to go now, remember Ron do not abuse the calling.” Nathan said as he disappeared.
“Wow this is awesome.” Steve said.
“This is so cool, it's about time he did something cool.” Ron said.
After a few minutes Kari came walking into the room.
“What happened to you guys?” She asked.
“My dad appeared before us and brought us back to our twenty year forms.” Ron explained.
“Sounds neat.” Kari said.
“Yeah, but what to do now.” Metalla said, “There isn't anything to do.”
“Well I know what I'm doing.” Max said standing up.
“What's that?” Fists asked.
“I'm going down to the lake.” Max said with a strange look in his eyes.
Kari watched him as he left and then turned; “I'm going to go see what's up.”
Kari did a kick turn around and followed Max to the lake.
Max was skipping stones by the lake waiting for Kari who had sent him a letter, earlier that week asking him to meet her there.
“Hi Max.”
“Hi Kari, What's up? Why did you want to meet me here?”
“We have talk.”
“Sure, What about?”
“I think you know about what.”
“How would I know?”
“I don't know the way you've been acting lately. It just seemed like you've had this overwhelming dread that something bad was coming.”
“You're right, I keep having this recurring nightmare that a new enemy is coming.”
“Why should that be a nightmare? I mean you've taken on the enemy before and won.”
“I know but this time it's different. The enemy will not be who we expect and will be more clever and powerful than anyone we've ever gone up against.”
“I see, that explains my dream,” Kari said.
“What do you mean?”
“My dreams are telling me to find a new world for the people of Mobius.”
“What, a new home? Why?”
“Because in my dream it says that sacrifices will have to be made if the people of this planet are to survive. One of the sacrifices will most likely have to be the planet itself. So I have to leave an do a dream meditation in order to explore all available dimensions in order to find the perfect world.”
“When are you leaving?”
“I'm going to have leave immediately so that I can find a suitable world and get back in time to help stop the enemy. Max if are dreams are real how are we going to convince the people of Mobius to leave the only planet they've ever known and the reason they have to leave is that this one is going to be destroyed.”
“I'm not sure how to answer that. I guess we'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it. Who knows maybe when the battle starts they'll agree to leave.”
“But won't that be to late?”
“What do think we should do? Go gather up as many people up as possible or better yet make an announcement over the viewing screens that we've had dreams of this world being destroyed so everyone pack up and prepare to evacuate the planet.”
“I don't know but shouldn't we tell someone?”
“We'll tell the other kids for now and see what they suggest. There's no need to start a panic if we can avoid it.”
“You're right.”
“What's that?”
“It's a communicator that Metal made for everyone. I'll call T.J. and have him get in touch with the others and have them meet us here.”
After everyone showed up Max and Kari told them everything and it turned out that they each had had a similar dream.
“So everyone had the same dream?” Sara asked.
“Seems so.” Fists said.
“Shouldn't we tell the people what we've seen?” Tails Jr. asked.
“No, it will just work them into a frenzy.” Ron said.
“But they have a right to know.” Steve said.
Everyone suddenly got quiet and started to think, finally Max came up with something.
“O.K. since I am the ruler now I'll have to take responsibility. I will tell the people the truth. Steve I need you and T.J. to go to the Oracles cave and see if you can find anything at all that will help us explain things.” Max said.
“But why? I don't understand, the Oracles been dead for years. How could anything he has be of any importance to us?” Steve asked.
“I don't know but from what my dad told us about him, he was a very mysterious and strange person. He seemed to know things about them they themselves didn't know. Trust me if there are answers out there then I'm sure well find them at the Oracles cave. Sara can you get the map out of the trunk in the attic for them?”
“Sure, come on.” Sara said waving towards Steve and T.J.
“I'd better go too if I'm going to find another world.” Kari said.
“Bye, Kari. Now to face the people, Ron, Fists would you two mind spreading the word about my announcement?”
“Our announcement. I'm not going to let you do this alone.” Metalla said.
“Then we better get ready.”
After they left a mysterious figure watched them as they walked away and followed in the shadows.
Later in the day at the Oracles cave Steve and T.J. spent hours searching but came up with nothing.
“This is useless we're not going to find anything.” Tails Jr. said.
“Chill out T.J. we just started.” Steve said looking through some papers.
“Just started? Yeah about three hours ago.”
“Really it's been that long already?”
“Yes, it's been that long.” Tails Jr. said as he kicked a book out of the way, it landed next to the bookcase, which started to wobble and then a book along with a box fell off Steve as able to catch the book and the box just landed in T.J.'s arms.
“What's in here?” Steve asked trying opening the box; he was in instant shock.
“What is it?” T.J. asked coming over.
“I can't get it to open!” Steve said.
“No way, I don't believe it!” Tails Jr. said as he tried to open it also.
“What's going on here, there doesn't seem to be any lock on it.” Steve said.
Suddenly Tails Jr. caught some major cold shivers.
“What's wrong?” Steve asked.
“I don't know. I just get the feeling that this place is haunted.” T.J. said, shaking.
“It's not, quiet your whining.” Steve said as he got ready to open the book.
“I don't like the feeling of this place.” T.J. said.
“Oh come on.” Steve said as he opened the book.
Suddenly there was a cloud of smoke and a hologram of the Oracle was standing before them.
“I told you this place was haunted!” T.J. said getting ready to run.
“Be calm my children, I am not here to hurt you, but only warn you.” The Oracle said.
“Warn us about what?” Steve asked.
“The coming of one of your greatest enemy to date.” The Oracle said, “Do not trust a thing he says, and destroy him as soon as you can before his evil manages to destroy the planet.”
“Who is this person your talking about?” T.J. asked, but before he could say anything the hologram was gone.
“Come on, let's get going, Max is probably wondering where we are.” Steve said as he grabbed the book and the box, and the two made off for Mobotropolis.
Meanwhile on a balcony outside of the castle, Max, Ron, Fists, and Metalla were looking over the crowd of people who had gathered below.
“Did you have to tell this many people?” Max asked looking at Ron and Fists.
“We only told a couple of people, news spreads fast.” Fists said.
“Don't worry, you'll be fine.” Metalla said.
“Thanks.” Max said as he turned towards the people.
Max gave a quick look over the crowd and began his speech.
“Fellow people of Mobius, the time is drawing nearer, a new evil plans to come and destroy the planet, but as before the planet of Mobius has shown that no matter how strong a foe may be, we are stronger. Do not worry about this evil, we shall quickly dispose of him as we have done countless others. And while we do have plans for the worst, we do not expect the worst, but the best. That best being that we shall continue the legacy of champions and we shall not surrender to anyone!” Max said.
The crowd was in awe for a few seconds, but then broke into cheers, Max looked back and said, “I think they took that well.”
“Come on mister big shot, Tails Jr. and Steve found some interesting things.” Metalla said.
The group of 4 headed down to a room where T.J., Sara, and Steve had already gathered.
“What's the big news?” Max asked.
Steve handed him a book, “Open it.”
“If you say so.” Max said as he opened the book and nothing happened.
“Hey, what's wrong with that thing, there's suppose to be smoke and an Oracle.” T.J. said.
“All the pages are in some old language too.” Max said flipping through the pages.
“I think that cave air got to you.” Ron said.
“Very funny, well then take a look at this.” Steve said as he showed them the box.
“What's in it?” Max asked.
“I don't know, we couldn't get it opened.” T.J. said.
“Well maybe Cyrus' son could do it.” Fists asked.
“James?” Metal asked coming into the room.
“Metal, what are you doing here?” Max asked.
“Nothing right now, there's nothing to do.” Metal said as he did some moves.
“Well I see I got everything working ok.” James said walking into the room.
“James, you're here, we need you to do something for us.” Metalla said.
“What is it?” James asked.
Metalla grabbed the box and walked over to James, “We need you to find a way to open this box.”
“I'll try my best.” James said as he took the box and made his way to the lab.
“T.J., Steve, you guys take this book and see if you can figure out what it means.” Max said handing T.J. the book. Both of them made their way off to the library, “As for the rest of you, take a break and relax.”
Everyone walked off in different directions once outside of the room.
Meanwhile outside of Mobius, in the Great Forest at the tree house they use for a hideout Katriana and Ariana were deciding what their next move would be.
“Kat, what are you thinking?”
“We have to know what's in that box and in that book especially. One of them my have the answer we need to destroy our enemy.”
“What if the book tells us that we need help in destroying Maræos?”
“I told you never to mention that name,” Kat said.
“Sorry, Maybe we should ask them for help?” Ariana asked.
“No, this is our fight and we'll deal with it.”
“All right, what are we going to do first?”
“I'm going to try to slip in to the Palace and find out where they've got the book. You go back to that lab we followed the others too and try to get that box. What are you going to do if you run into a locked door? You flunked lock picking,” Kat said walking around the treehouse.
“Don't worry about it. I'll try phase shifting through the door,” Ariana said smiling.
“Be careful you never really mastered that.”
“Don't worry about me. Just don't go invisible again if you can avoid it.”
“I promise I won't do it unless I have to.”
“Good but if you decided to do it then don't stay long. Remember what happened last time, it took you a week to get back to normal.”
“You know girls if you hadn't runaway I could have taught you much more and how to better control the ones I did teach you.” Maræos said.
“How did you find us?” Katriana asked.
“Did you really think you could hide from me forever?” Maræos asked. “You ungrateful little brats I take you in under my wing when no one else would. Teach you things that no one else, not even your own mother could have. And this is how you repay me? Plotting my destruction.”
“If you'd die on your own we wouldn't have to plot anything.” Katriana said.
“You knew our mother?” Ariana asked.
“Yeah, sure he. I told you not to listen to him Ariana he's well know for his lies.” Katriana said.
“Kat, I'm shocked that you don't believe me. I did meet your mother years ago. In fact it was a few months after they killed my uncle.” Maræos said.
“Our mother killed your uncle?” Ariana asked shocked.
“Don't listen to him Ariana, he's a liar and a thief. It's too bad that they couldn't have destroyed you too.” Katriana said.
“My dear sweet Kat I would never lie to you.” Marcos said.
“Yeah, right.” Katriana said.
“Your mother was only indirectly responsible. I first came here for revenge but after talking to the people responsible I decided to wait.” Maræos said.
“Ah, what happen? After hearing how your uncle died you get scared.” Katriana teased.
“As a matter of fact I was a little intimidated. After hearing how he was killed, I decided that the only way I could seek my revenge and win was to simply bid my time and wait. Recently I leaned that the famous Sonic the Hedgehog recently passed on and I felt that this was the perfect time to strike. Since him and his son were the ones who struck the fatal blow.” Maræos told them.
“If they beat your uncle then I'm sure with our help they'll beat you too.” Katriana said.
“But Kat you said…” Ariana started to say but Katriana put her hand over her mouth.
“Never mind what I said.” Katriana said with clenched teeth. “I suppose conducting experiments on us and the others was just a hobby?”
“You should be thanking me. Your mother's powers were extremely limited. Without her medallion she couldn't do anything. She probably had those powers all her life but lied dormant until her medallion brought them to the surface. You were each born with a few of those powers. But thanks to my experiments those powers are more powerful and you also have a whole new variety of powers to learn and chose from. Not only that you'll also look like your 17 for a long time to come. You should be thanking me.” Maræos told them.
“Thanking you, that's it I've heard enough from you, let's go Ariana.” Katriana said grabbing her sister's hand and started to leave.
“Ah dear sweet naive little Kat, you had such potential with your anger towards the world for hating your sister simply because they mistake her for an Overlander. When the truth of the matter is your both half human, half hedgehog.”
“What?!” Katriana and Ariana said together.
“Later girls.” Maræos said as he vanished.
“Wait, come back.” Ariana cried.
“Don't let him get to you, he's a known liar.” Katriana told her.
“It makes sense, everything he said. How else do you explain us being sisters?” Ariana asked.
“I don't know. We'll worry about it later. Right now we need to get our hands on that book and that box.” Katriana said.
“Why don't we ask them and see if they can help?” Ariana asked.
“We'll discuss it later, get to the lab, get that box and get back here. Keep your mouth shut and don't talk to anyone. Now get going.” Katriana said and took off towards the Palace.
James had told everyone that the box had a magic barrier around it and it could be awhile till he would be able to open it. Max and Metalla had some business to take care of so they decided to return to the Palace. Steve and Tails Jr. went back to the workshop at the Palace to study the book. Sara, Ron and Fists decided to stay till James could open the box. Ariana showed up just as James figured out how to open the box.
“I've got it, I think I know how to open it.” James said.
“Really how?” Sara asked.
“Well I need you guys to put your hands on the box in this order Sara, Ron, Fists and that should open it.” James said as they put their hands on the box and as it started to glow so did the Medallion Sara was wearing. As it started glowing brighter so did the box, Ariana felt the urge to touch it and as she placed her hand on top of Fists' she became visible and the magic barrier vanished and the box opened. Inside they found 5 medallions and a note.
“Wow, that was cool.” Ariana said.
“Who are you?” Fists asked.
“My names Ariana.”
“Nice to meet you Ariana. My names Ron, this is Sara, Fists and James. Now why are you here?”
“We were hoping that there would be something in that box to help us destroy our enemy.” Ariana said.
“Your enemy? Who's your enemy?” Fists asked.
“His name is Maræos. He's a demon, a devil. Not in looks but in personality, in looks he's very handsome.” Ariana said.
“I have a question. How come we didn't see you come in?” James asked.
Ariana hesitated remembering that Katriana told her not to talk to anyone. Meanwhile Katriana had just made it to the palace. She phase shifted into the palace and was just about to look for the workshop when she heard voices from a room down the hall.
“Have you been able to decipher that book yet?” Tails Jr. asked.
“A little it's in a language I don't recognize. It's taking time to translate it. From what “I've been able to translate parts of it and from what I've deciphered it says there's a special spell that will turn us into what the book describes as Hyper Warriors.” Steve said.
“But we already are warriors.” Tails Jr. said.
“Well from what I've read it'll improve and increase our powers 10 fold. I think there maybe even more but I haven't been able to translate it yet.” Steve said.
Hearing this Katriana decided that she needed that book. So she used her powers to make several books off a far shelf fall. Confused as to how this happened they went over to pick up the books. Katriana took this opportunity to slip in and get the book; unfortunately Steve and Tails Jr. spotted her and went after her.
Back at the lab Ariana decided to tell them everything she knew.
“We've had special powers, abilities to move things, to Communicate to each other simply by thinking of it.” Ariana said.
“That doesn't answer my question.” James said.
“Yeah, and you keep saying `we'. Who's `we'?” Sara asked.
“Me and my sister Katriana. Who's going to kill me when she finds out that I told you all this.” Ariana said.
“Why?” Fists asked.
“She feels that Maræos is our problem and that we should be the ones to handle it but I think we can use all the help we can get.” Ariana said.
“What has he done that's so wrong?” Ron asked.
“It's thanks to Maræos' experiment's I can sometimes become invisible. He performed experiments on Katriana, several others and me. Some of which didn't turn out all that entirely well. He confronted us earlier today and told us he was going to seek revenge on the people that killed his uncle.” Ariana said.
“His Uncle?” James asked.
“Yeah I think he said his name was Swizmen or something like that.” Ariana told them.
“You don't mean Swizmon?” Ron asked.
“Yes, you knew him?” Ariana asked.
“Yeah, my friends, our parents and I helped our friends Max and Sonic to destroy him.” Ron told her.
Ariana got excited and was about to ask if it they knew her parents; when she heard Katriana call to her.
“I'm sorry I have to go.” Ariana said.
“Why?” Sara asked.
“Katriana's calling me I'm sorry I have to go.” Ariana said and started to leave.
“Wait.” James yelled. “Sara give your medallion to her.”
“What? Why?” Sara asked.
“There's a note in here that says the lost children of Mobius and Earth will return to reclaim their place in the world. Then here is a medallion with your name on it Sara and one for Metalla, Steve and here's one for you Ron. Then on this note, it says that Jennifer's medallion goes to the one who can open this box and that this one that's connected to the note belongs to her sister.” James explained handing them their medallions.
“I don't know I mean we just met this girl. I'm not comfortable giving Jennifer's medallion to a total stranger.” Sara said.
“Hey don't worry about it I wouldn't won't to take anything that means so much to you.” Ariana said before leaving.
Katriana stopped just before she got to the tree house and skimmed the book just before Steve and Tails Jr. caught up to her.
“Hey give us back that book.” Tails Jr. said.
“Gladly, here.” Katriana said throwing the book on the ground in front of Steve. “It's useless to me.”
“How could you possibly know that? It's in an ancient dialect. It took me half a day just to translate two pages.” Steve said picking up the book.
“It doesn't matter how I know, all you wanted was your precious book back and I gave it to you.” Katriana said.
“Kat are you O.K.?” Ariana asked.
“Yeah where's the box?” Katriana asked.
“It just had some medallions in it.” Ariana told her. “Hi you must be friends of Ron, Sara and Fists. Kat, what happened I thought we needed that book, if we were going to defeat our enemy?”
“Your enemy?” Tails Jr. asked.
“Don't mind my little sister, she's got a big mouth.” Katriana said.
“Your, your sister?” Steve asked shocked.
Trying to keep her temper in check Katriana grabbed Ariana's hand and walked off.
“Hey we're not through with you yet, get back here.” Steve yelled.
Kat stopped and turned around “Why so you can make fun of my sister like everyone else always has?”
“No we just want to know who you are and where you came from.” Tails Jr. said.
“My names Katriana and this is my sister Ariana and when or if we ever figure out who we are and where we came from we'll let you know, maybe.” Katriana said still holding Ariana's hand she turns and walks off dragging Ariana behind her.
Later everyone met back at the palace.
“There were medallions in that box.” Ron said. “This one is for you Steve it looks a little like drums.”
“This ones a saxophone for you Metalla.” Sara said.
“What's the one you've got Ron?” Tails Jr. asked. “It's a double handled guitar.”
“There was this double-decker keyboard in there for me.” Sara said.
“There were two more medallions in there, the one Sara's wearing was one and a note that said `the lost children of Mobius and Earth will return to reclaim their place in the world'. James thinks that Jennifer's Bass Guitar and the other one a transverse flute belongs to this girl we met and her sister.” Fists said.
“What was her name?” Steve asked.
“Ariana, Why?” Ron asked.
“We met her and her sister, I think. She was human, right?” Tails Jr. asked.
“Yeah so?” Sara asked.
“So her sisters a hedgehog.” Steve said.
“What?” Everyone said.
Suddenly Ron's amulet glowed and Nathan appeared again.
“I see you've met Kat and Ariana.” Nathan said with a smile on his face.
“You know them?” Sara asked.
“Well let's say their mother and father just told us about them today.” Nathan said.
“Who are their parents?” Sara asked.
“Sorry, I was asked not to tell, yet.” Nathan said.
“Oh come on.” Max said.
“So what's this thing I hear about Hyper Warriors?” Nathan asked.
“Oh I see it, the first chance for more power and you come running back.” Metal said walking into the room.
“Do you have to be so naive?” Nathan asked.
“If you want me to be.” Metal said.
“Whoa, stop it, Nathan, what's wrong with the hyper warrior thing?” Steve asked.
“It doesn't make sense, there's already a level of hyper, plus I know for a fact that there's nothing beyond Mystic Level 5.” Nathan said.
“Well could it be that you're wrong, for once?” Fists asked.
“No, but it doesn't seem possible that there can be two levels of hyper, it just doesn't make sense, unless…” Nathan started to say.
“Unless what?” Metalla asked.
“I'll get back to you on that.” Nathan said disappearing.
“Oh boy.” James said, “Now we've got three things to worry about.”
“We'll let's not worry about them until the time comes.” Max said, “It's late and I'm going to bed, if you guys want to stay for the night find one of the rooms.”
Max walked out and soon everyone else was making their way towards a room.
During the night Maræos was planning on what he should do.
“Well, let's see for one thing I am going to need to increase my power, they defeated Turk and at this level I have no chance of defeating Max.” Maræos said to himself, “But where could I get that much power.”
As he continued to think, it finally came to him and he took off in a flash.
“Just our luck, Maræos knows where we are and Max and his friends think we're trouble makers.” Kat said as she and Ariana sat down in on of the old huts in Knothole.
“Well why don't we go to them and say we're sorry for what we did.” Ariana said.
“You really think it will be that easy?” Kat asked, “After stealing that book, you think they'd trust us?”
“It was just a suggestion.” Ariana said.
“Ok, well then we just need to figure out how we can stop Maræos.” Kat said.
“Simple, by helping Max and the others.” Kari said walking into the hut.
“Who are you?” Kat asked.
“I am, Kari, most people know me as Sailor D.” Kari said.
“What are you doing here?” Kat said getting ready to attack.
“Whoa, hold on a second, I knew your mother, and I know she would have wanted you two to join with Max and the others.” Kari said, “I'm sure if you explain why you did what you did, then they should forgive you.”
“You know, you're the most sane person we've met all day.” Ariana said.
“Well I usually am.” Kari said.
“You knew our mother also?” Ariana asked.
“Oh yes, a lot of people knew your mother, unfortunately not to many trusted her.” Kari looked at her watch, “Oh my, I've got a job to do, good luck girls.”
With that Kari turned and ran off into the forest.
“That was strange.” Kat said.
“I liked her.” Ariana said.
“Come on let's get some sleep, we're going to have a big day tomorrow.” Kat said laying down in one of the beds.
Ariana took the other bed and soon both we asleep.
Elsewhere on Mobius Maræos had found the thing he was looking for.
“Finally, this was too easy, I can't believe they left the Master Emerald unguarded.” Maræos said as he looked over the emerald, “Uncle talked about this jewel as one of the strongest in the galaxy, let's see how strong it really is.”
Maræos put his hand on the Master Emerald and soon the room began to shake and beams of energy shot from the top of the emerald.
“Yes I can feel the power, I'll have no trouble destroying the planet now!” Maræos said as he took off at awesome speeds.
The next morning Max and the others were woken up by pounding at the front door.
Max was the first down there and was shocked at who was standing there.
“Kat, Ariana, what are you two doing here?” Max asked as the others came down.
“We wanted to apologize for what we did yesterday.” Kat said, “Can you forgive us?”
“I guess so.” Max said after thinking for a few minutes.
“Thank you!” Ariana said.
“If you don't mind we have to be somewhere, thank you.” Kat said as she and Ariana took off.
“That was strange.” Sara said.
“Yeah.” Fists said.
Max closed the door and everyone turned around and nearly fainted.
“Hello everyone, I'm glade you could stop by.” the figure said.
“Who are you?” Max asked.
“Me, I am Maræos, I've come to seek my revenge on you for killing my uncle.” Maræos said.
“Wow, I'm really scared, we took care of him, we should have no problem taking care of you.” Ron said.
“Wait a second, there's some familiar energy coming off of him.” Fists said.
“Yes you should remember chaos energy, specifically from the Master Emerald.” Maræos said.
“What!” everyone said.
Maræos swept his hand and instantly everyone was transported outside of Mobotropolis.
“Welcome everyone, I'd like you to meet my shadow warriors.” Maræos said spreading his arms out and a giant shadow appeared. It died down in too several dozen warriors.
“Come on guys, let's take them down, we've got things to do!” Max said.
Everyone started fighting these warriors.
“What's going on, I went right threw him.” Sara asked.
“Oh, I'm sorry did I forget to mention that my warriors are simply light and dark, in a word they're literally shadows. But don't let them fool you were as you can't touch them they can touch you.” Maræos said laughing.
“He's mine.” Max said.
“Be careful, Max.” Metalla said.
“Ah how sweet, I think I'll throw up.” Maræos said.
Max and Maræos continued to fight, while the others continued to battle the shadow warriors but every time they'd knock one out there'd be a dozen more to take their place. Suddenly Maræos throws Max, who had only been able to make it to Mystic Level 4, to the ground like a rocket.
“Is that your best? I'm bored.” Maræos said.
“Max, are you all right?” Metalla asked.
“Yeah, I've got to try to get to Level 5.”
“No, you can't it nearly killed you last time.” Metalla asked.
“You're exaggerating. I was just wiped out. I can do it.” Max said getting up and going back after Maræos.
Metalla scared for Max's safety ran over to Steve. “Steve isn't there something in that book you found to help Max.”
“I don't know it's taking time to decipher.”
“Let me see that.” A voice said taking the book away from Steve.
“Katriana, Ariana what are you guys doing here?” Steve asked.
“I don't know, I guess I just thought that you guys might need some help.” Katriana said. “But if you don't want my help.” She said offering the book back to Steve.
“No, it's, it's all right.” Steve said.
“Very well. Let's see here according to this there are several levels to Mystic. However no one has ever made it to Level 10 without special training and some kind of special magic training. Max will have to become much, much stronger before he will ever stand a prayer of reaching anything higher than Level 6.” Katriana said.
“Well I guess for once, Nathan was wrong.” Fists said.
“Wait I thought you said it was difficult to read?” Metalla asked.
“What I meant was, it's in a language that I don't recognize.” Steve said.
“Katriana can read almost anything. There are a few things that she can't read but for the most part she can read any known and even some unknown languages.” Ariana said.
“All right with Max's current power level I can cast this spell and for about 6 minutes he can go into Mystic Level 6. He'll also be able to do a major super spin with this additional spell.” Katriana said.
“Why only 6 minutes?” Metalla asked.
“Is that enough time?” Steve asked.
“It'll have to be, that's the best I can do. Any longer and it could kill him. Until he gets some more power training this'll be as high as he can go.” Katriana said.
“Then do it.” Metalla said.
“Powers of Light, Powers of Darkness grant him the power to reach the newest level for the a 6 minute interval.” Katriana said as a light from the book shot up and hit an already weak Max. Then she started the second spell. “Powers above and beyond the forces of nature grant him the powers he needs to destroy his enemy.” Suddenly Max started glowing and stars surrounded him before vanishing in a bright flash of light.
As it died down Max's body was still gold, but his eyes had turned a red color.
“What's going on?” Max said looking over himself.
“You're at Mystic Level 6.” Kat said.
“Cool!” Max said.
“Hurry up and destroy Maræos, you only have 6 minutes!” Kat said.
“No problem.” Max said as he went into action.
“Oh no, I am really scared.” Maræos said.
“You know, you're pretty cocky for someone who had to steal power from the Master Emerald.” Max said.
“Max, you're wasting your time.” Ariana said.
“Right.” Max said as he powered up.
“Bring it on.” Maræos said.
Bot Max and Maræos went straight for each other, when they hit it created a huge explosion.
“You're better than I thought.” Max said.
“You haven't seen anything yet.” Maræos said, “Hyper Blaster!”
A blue and yellow beam came from Maræos hands and hit Max dead on. Max went flying back and hit a rock, almost knocking him out.
“He's in trouble!” Ron said.
“What can we do?” Steve asked.
Max stood up and gathered as much energy as he could.
“Only three more minutes.” Ariana said.
“No problem.” Max said, “Ball of Power!”
A large orange sphere formed in Max's hands and slowly made its way towards Maræos. It hit Maræos and extremely injured him.
Maræos quickly stood up and stared coldly at Max.
“You've tried my nerves enough hedgehog, it's time for revenge!” Maræos started to power up and gather energy at the same time.
“Max hurry up!” Kat said.
“I'll give it my best shot.” Max said, by now the effects of being at level 6 were taking their toll. Max was trying as hard as he could to stand up.
“Now, you're finished!” Maræos said as he blasted Max with a powerful beam. Max used up the last of his power to block the beam.
“It wasn't enough.” Max said as he returned to his normal form and fell to the ground.
“Max!” everyone, shouted.
“That was too easy!” Maræos said as he began to advance on Max.
“Hold it right there!” a familiar voice said.
“Sailor D?” Ron asked.
“No, it's Super Sailor D.” Sailor D said walking into the battle area. Her normal outfit was replaced by one with longer ribbons and a different locket. Her staff had also changed colors.
“And who might you be?” Maræos asked.
“I was the one that told Max how to defeat your uncle.” Sailor D said.
“So I have you to blame for that.” Maræos said turning to look at Sailor D.
“You could say that.” Sailor D said.
“Well then, here's a present!” Maræos said as he shot a huge fireball towards Sailor D. She jumped into the air to avoid it.
“Neo Dimensional Warp Blast!” Sailor D said as she twirled her staff and a huge purple beam hit Maræos.
Maræos was knocked down, but quickly jumped back up and looked a Super Sailor D.
“Max, transform!” Sailor D shouted.
“I, I, can't.” Max said struggling to get up.
“Get up Max.” Fists shouted at his friend.
“I don't have the energy.” Max said as he failed to get up.
Kat held her head in shame.
“Pitiful.” Maræos said as he looked towards Sailor D, “So you're the next one up?”
“You could say that.” Sailor D said as she focused on Maræos, “I've been waiting for the day to take you down.”
“Well then pretty lady, let's bring it on!” Maræos said as he shot an energy wave towards Sailor D.
Sailor D was caught off guard and was thrown a little ways back, but she quickly got up and fired her attack once more at Maræos. By now Maræos had still shown no signs of losing any power, Sailor D on the other hand was visibly struggling to stay super.
“Come on, is this the best the planet has to offer?” Maræos said.
“Think again.” Said a familiar voice.
“What the? Who's there?” Maræos said looking around.
“Behind you.” The voice said.
Maræos turned around and standing there was Sonic and Nathan.
“What, how can this be? You're alive!” Maræos said.
“Wrong, try again.” Nathan said.
“So, what do you think you two can do? Even your own son couldn't stop me!” Maræos said.
“We're not here for that.” Sonic said.
“Then what are you here for?” Maræos asked.
“We're here for Max.” Nathan said.
“What?!” Everyone said in shock.
“Come on son.” Sonic said looking at Max, “Look at you, giving up hope already?”
“But dad, that dream.” Max started to say.
“You can't always trust your dreams Max, now get up and finish what you started.” Sonic said looking very stern at Max.
“This is the perfect chance to destroy them.” Maræos said under his breath as he ran towards Max and Sonic. Suddenly I stopped him, by getting in front of him.
“You stay out of this.” Nathan said very straightforward.
Maræos gritted his teeth and then back down.
“Come on, what happened to the son that was always out to push himself and prove to everyone that he can do anything?” Sonic asked.
“I can't dad, he's to strong for me.” Max said pleading to Sonic.
“That's all in your mind, you're as strong as you want to be, you are keeping yourself from winning.” Sonic said.
“But dad…” Max started to say.
Sonic slapped his son across the face, “No more buts, now get out there and show me what you've got!”
Even Maræos was shocked at what Sonic did. Sonic walked away from Max and didn't even look back. Max stood up and thought for a second.
“My father is right, I'm keeping myself back, forget those dreams I had, it's time to stop this.” Max said as he concentrated as hard as he could.
“Kat, what's going on?” Ariana asked.
“He's doing it, he's going to the next level!” Kat said.
Max continued to power up and soon reached Mystic Level 6.
“Now!” Max shouted as he pulled massive amounts of energy towards him.
“What's going on?” Maræos asked looking around.
Max's hair stood straight up and his eyes returned to their normal color. Suddenly without warning Max's hair burst into a fiery orange color.
“Amazing.” Maræos said.
“That's my son.” Sonic said looking at Max.
“I, I, did it! I'm at Level 7!” Max said looking at himself, “and now we finish Maræos off.”
“That's what you think.” Maræos said as he gathered all the energy he could.
“Too late! Fire Blaster!” Max shouted as a huge beam of fire shot from a sphere that formed around Max. The beam hit Maræos dead on.
“No!!!!” Maræos shouted.
The explosion caved in on itself not causing too much damage.
“You did it!” Sara shouted.
“Cool dew Max!” Ron and Steve said.
“Congratulations Max.” Sonic said, “Come on Nathan, we'd better get back.”
“Not so fast, the fun isn't over yet.” Maræos said just barley standing up.
“I don't believe it!” Max said, he was still at Level 7.
“If I can't have Mobius, then no one will!” Maræos said as he started to gather his remaining energy and form it into a huge sphere.
“Oh no!” Metalla said.
“Come with me on my ride into destiny!” Maræos said, “Galaxy Gun!”
The sphere drove itself into the ground, heading straight for the core of the planet.
“Oh no!” Tails Jr. said.
“Once that sphere hits, the planet will be destroyed!” Sailor D said.
“Get everyone together.” Nathan shouted, then he turned to Sonic and whispered, “Take me to the Gateway Generator as fast as possible.”
“Sure.” Sonic said as Nathan jumped on his back and he raced towards Mobotropolis.
“Where are they going?” Max asked.
“Come on Max we don't have time, we've got to warn the people.” Sara said tugging at Max. Everyone ran off leaving Maræos laughing like a mad man.
As they reached Mobotropolis they saw chaos.
“This isn't good.” Max said, still at full power, and let's see if we can find anything.
The group ran into the palace and started to dig through books until they ran out.
“This is our last chance.” Kat said pulling out the book they found in the Oracle's cave.
“Quick see if there's anything in there.” Max shouted.
Kat started to flip through the pages and finally found something, “Let's see if this works.”
“Hurry the planet will explode any second now.” Sailor D said.
Kat started to speak ancient words and as soon as she finished the blue beam shot into the sky and hummed there. Suddenly the planet exploded into billions of pieces.
After a few minutes of pure whiteness, the area of space cleared to reveal a planet that had taken the place of Mobius. This planet was unharmed by any pollution or wars and was clean.
Somewhere in the center of a large green field a kingdom stood completely unharmed by what had happened in the last few minutes.
“What, happened?” Max said, he had suddenly returned to his normal look.
“Look, were on some kind of new planet.” Ariana said pointing out the window.
“What do you know, it worked!” Sonic said as he and I walked into the room.
“What worked?” Fists asked.
“We powered up the Gateway Generator and used it to protect the planet.” Sonic said.
“That's impossible, we used a spell to stop the explosion.” Kat said.
“Interesting, the combination of that spell, the Gateway Generator and Max's power must have triggered some kind of fail safe that was built years ago.” Nathan said.
“Cool.” Metal said summing it up in one word.
“Come on Nathan, let's get back.” Sonic said.
“Alright.” Nathan said.
“Before I go, Max, excellent job and destroying Maræos.” Sonic said as he and Nathan disappeared.
“Yes, but what about Maræos?” Ron asked.
“He must have been destroyed by the blast.” Kari said as she transform back to normal.
“Well what about the emeralds?” Fists asked.
“They are still where they are.” James said walking into the room.
“James, your alive!” Tails Jr. said.
“And you'll be happy to know that so is the rest of Mobius.” James said.
“Well looks like a day well done.” Max said.
“Kat, what do we do now?” Ariana asked.
“I don't know.” Kat said.
“Why don't you stay here? It gets lonely in this place every so often.” Max said.
“You mean we can?” Ariana asked.
“I guess so.” Metalla said.
“Can we Kat?” Ariana asked.
“I don't know nobody's just given us anything for no reason. What's the catch?” Kat asked.
“You're just like Fists always' looking for an angle, a catch. There's no catch. Your welcome to stay as long as you like.”
“But why? You know nothing about us.” Kat asked.
“That's a reason for you to stay right there.” Metalla said.
“Thank you.” Kat said.
“Does that mean we can stay?” Ariana asked.
“Yeah, I guess so for now.” Katriana said.
“All right.” Ariana said.
“Now to make it official.” Sara said waling over and putting Jennifer's medallion around Arian's neck. “This medallion belonged to a very good friend of ours so take good care of it.”
“I will but you seemed so reluctant earlier, what changed your mind?” Ariana asked.
“Then you were just a stranger passing through, now you're a friend who's here to stay.” Sara said.
“Thank you.” Ariana said hugging Sara.
“Then I guess this must belong to then Kat.” James said.
“What is it?” Kat asked.
“It's one of the medallions we found in the box. I believe it's a transverse flute.” James said.
“Are you sure it's mine?” Kat asked taking the medallion.
“According to the paper in the box it does. Jennifer's belonged to Ariana and this was to go to her sister. That is you isn't it?”
“Yes, thank you.” Kat said putting the medallion on.
“Well now that that's settled all that's left to do is make ourselves comfortable in this new place.” Steve said.
“Come on then, let's party.” Metal said.
As they walked out of the room, the book that Kat had opened once more and showed a picture of the Oracle giving a thumb's up.
The End
