1 12 Year's Later
After the horrible events of the metal virus, when all living things had turned to metal, the nefarious Dr. Eggman had yet again planned to take over the world. But this time with the help of the anthropomorphic platypus, named Dr. Starline.
Dr. Starline greatly admired Dr. Eggman and used to work under the human scientist, as his apprentice. However, during the climax of the metal virus, Eggman grew tired of the platypus and fired him. To gain Eggman's graces once again, Starline created two supreme beings.
By applying the same procedures performed by Eggman's grandfather, Professor Gerald Robotnik, Starline had recreated "Project Shadow", but instead of protecting the world, as was the intent of Pro. Robotnik, their objective was to subdue it.
FLASHBACK
"I call them: The Ultimatum." Starline said, proudly introducing the mad scientist to his demonic creations.
"Ho Ho Ho!! Starline, you surprise me! Two Ultimate lifeforms!?"
Eggman stared with wonder at the two floating beings inside glass capsules, moving his head from side to side. He pressed his face against the glass of the capsule on his left, trying to get a better look at the creature within. Eggman looked as if he was a child outside a candy store, admiring sweet morsels.
"Yes.", Starline replied coolly, as he stood by the capsule on the right, amused by his bewildered leader.
"So, they have the same strength and power as Shadow the Hedgehog!?"
"Yes, but more so."
"Hmm!?", Eggman questioned, finally turning his attention toward the platypus.
"Shadow claims he is the Ultimate Lifeform," Starline explained, "because of his immortality, but after much careful research, I have identified a singular flaw..."
"And what's that!?"
Starline sighed. He hated to be interrupted.
"He has...", Starline continued, growling slightly, "emotion."
"What! So, you're saying that these beings have no feelings, whatsoever!?"
"Precisely, Doctor! If we wish to be successful in conquering the world, it is necessary that Ultimatum is deprived of emotion."
"Necessary? Why is it necessary?"
"Because, if you examine the original Project Shadow, you'll discover that his emotions have caused him to make many dreadful errors in his past. Shadow's love for Maria and sympathy for Amy made him help Sonic destroy the ARK's canon, which resulted in him losing his memory and being lied to and misused by you. His superiority complex made Zero feel inferior which caused him to become Infinite. His brash behavior gave Neo Metal Sonic what he needed to become Master Overlord. His pride caused him to become infected with the metal virus. And his sense of guilt, at Windmill Village, caused him not to kill YOU, even when he had the chance. Therefore, I removed that feature from their minds."
"I see your reasoning, Starline.", the Doctor realized, rubbing his chin. "Shadow's emotions weaken his abilities! But!.., removing them from Ultimatum will mean that they will complete their mission By..Any..Means..Necessary!"
"Exactly!", the platypus yelled holding an evil grin.
"Ho Ho Ho!! Ho Ha Ha Ha!! Starline," Eggman began, towering over the platypus, "You've developed something that even I missed when creating Infinite... A being without a soul! And not only have you given me the means to finally destroy that insufferable blue rodent, but also the tools to end Shadow the Hedgehog, as well! I believe this is the makings of a wonderful partnership."
Eggman turned to leave but stopped short.
"I have one question, though, Starline." He spoke over his shoulder, "I thought the alien race that Shadow's DNA came from no longer existed. How were you able to find a suitable life source to match Shadow's?"
Starline gave a smile like the Devil and said, "I have my ways, Doctor."
END OF FLASHBACK
Eggman released Ultimatum into the world. I remember it like it was yesterday. Everyone was there: the Chaotix, Team Dark, the Babylon Rogues, Blaze, Silver, Tangle & Whisper, Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Cream & Gemerel, and me... Amy.
It was like the war with Infinite all over again, but worse. Instead of six months, the war lasted two years.
Starline betrayed Eggman, imprisoning the evil genius and taking over his army. Under Starline's command, Ultimatum conquered the world. Many lives were lost, and many more souls were broken.
The tide soon shifted, however, when Ultimatum, seeing Starline's corruption, turned on their master. They possessed the world and proclaimed themselves as the protectors and gods of Mobius.
The war and Ultimatum's reign finally ended when Sonic, Shadow, Silver, Knuckles, and Blaze used the power of the Master, Chaos, and Sol Emeralds to defeat Ultimatum. Eggman went into hiding for a few months and Starline had disappeared.
When Eggman's whereabouts were discovered by G.U.N., Team Dark along with Sonic went after him. They were shocked to find him on Angel Island, threatening to use the power of the Master Emerald to achieve his newest scheme. With the passion of protecting the Master Emerald and the anger of not realizing Eggman was hiding on his island, Knuckles used the power of the Master Emerald to become Super Knuckles.
I wasn't told all the details, but if it wasn't for Sonic, Knuckles would have killed Eggman.
Eggman now resides in a space dimensional prison, serving a life sentence in a state of unconsciousness. His location has been well hidden by G.U.N. Ultimatum and all the research of Dr. Gerald Robotnik has since been destroyed, along with Eggman's bases. And finally,... we are now at peace.
* * * * * *
Since Eggman's defeat, life has slowed down a lot, but in a good way! After the Restoration helped rebuild the Acorn Kingdom, everyone began to have a new perspective on life. We no longer had the weight of the world on our shoulders, and we could finally do more with our lives!
The Chaotix have since grown their detective agency including 2 new detectives into their group: Bruce the Rabbit and Chirp the Gecko. After a long and dangerous adventure, the Chaotix were reunited with Mighty the Armadillo, Ray the Flying Squirrel, Julie-Su, and Saffron the Bee. They also created their own security company and became Mobius's most world-renown detectives. Vector (age: 32) has been happily married for 7 years to Bell the Crocodile, has two children, and still DJ's on the side. Espio (age: 28) teaches ninjutsu and is currently dating Lilac the Chameleon. Charmy (age: 18) has become one of the Lead detectives in the Detective Agency.
Eight years ago, Vanilla said her vows to Lapin the Rabbit. They had twins and are now happily running a family cafe and bookstore called "A Cup of Vanilla & Cream", along with their daughter, Cream (age: 18), and Chao friends, Cheese and Chocola. Gemerl still lives with them and is a proud employee of the family business.
After Eggman's defeat, Whisper (age: 28) put down her gun, and she's healed a lot over the years, since the finding of her thought-to-be-dead comrade, Slinger. How Whisper and Slinger reunited is another story, but Slinger and his human associate have been warmly accepted into our group.
Whisper is also the business partner and close friend of Silver the Hedgehog (age: 26).
In the future, Silver is the CEO of Silver Green, an energy renewal greenhouse company. In our time, Silver works with Whisper to find renewable energy and also assists Tails and G.U.N. to find and prevent future disasters.
Tails (age: 20) has truly become an amazing inventor and scientist! He currently works for the famous tech company: GTECH, a partnership with the top scientists of the Acorn Kingdom and G.U.N. After Eggman's defeat, Orbot and Cubot decided to work alongside Tails, as his personal assistants and was able to help G.U.N. capture Metal Sonic. Metal Sonic's software has since been reprogrammed to battle for and protect Mobius. He now has a voice chip and works for G.U.N.
Team Dark no longer exists. A few months after Eggman's arrest, Rouge (age: 30) left G.U.N. She was pardoned for her past offenses and took the opportunity to leave the organization. She became CEO of her own jewelry company and later (after much persuasion) convinced Knuckles the Echidna to partner with her as her gemstone dealer. I've heard from Rouge that Shadow (age: 27) and Omega still work for G.U.N., but that's about it. Rouge prefers not to talk about it.
The Babylon Rogues (Jet age: 26, Wave age: 30, and Storm age: 31) have their own Discovery TV show called: The Tomb Raiders, where they search for ancient civilization's hidden treasures. They work alongside Jewel the Beetle, who's their agent and business partner. Jewel still lives in Spiral Hill Village and her gem museum has expanded due to her partnership with the Babylon Rogues.
Tangle (age: 27) is still as wild as ever! She works as a stunt double and is a self-defense instructor with Sonic. For the last 5 years, Sonic (age: 27) has worked as Captain of the King's Guard. Everyone was pretty shocked when they heard the news. No one ever thought that Sonic could or would get a permanent job since it would force him to settle down in one place. I've heard that Sonic is dating Queen Sally Acorn, but I'm not sure.
Knuckles, of course, (age: 28) still lives on Angel Island, guarding the Master Emerald and the 7 Chaos Emeralds with his wife Julie-Su the Echidna and their daughter Lara-Su. I assume Blaze (age: 26) is the queen of her world, now. I don't know really. No one does. Once she left for her world, there was no way to contact her.
Unlike my friends, my life has turned out to be... well, not as exciting. After the Restoration finally closed its doors a year later, I had a lot of time to myself. I did a lot, and I mean A LOT of self-reflecting.
I realized that I degraded myself every time I chased after Sonic. I sought a hedgehog's affections who clearly just wanted to be friends. I was practically harassing the poor guy!
I was foolish, emotional, blinded by love, and not willing to accept the truth of my reality. If Sonic was a different hedgehog, our friendship could have been over a long time ago. I eventually apologized to Sonic, which he just brushed it off with a "Don't sweat it, Amy! I'm not gonna lie, you were annoying at times. But I knew that just like Tails and Knuckles, you'd stick by me to the end! You're a good friend and rest assured, I'll always have your back!"
I was happy with my friendship with Sonic, but my reputation was still tainted. I didn't want to be remembered as that "Pink Girl who always chased after Sonic"! I wanted to be above that, and do something new with my life! I needed to love myself first before I could love anyone else. So, I did!
I went back to school and earned an associate's degree in Medical Assisting - landing me a job at SeaSide Hospital. I worked for a psychiatrist for two years there, before moving on to the private practice of Dr. Primer. Dr. Joseph Primer is a licensed psychologist, who's been practicing in SeaSide City for 13 years and is a university instructor. I've worked under Dr. Primer for the last 5 years. I've learned so much from him that I discovered my true passion: to help others improve themselves, just as I did.
In my second year with Dr. Primer, I wrote a book called 'Dying Within', where I opened up about my life and shared how I overcame my struggles. It was hard at first, but as I continued writing my autobiography, the last of my scars finally faded. I was renewed! I soon learned that my book was helping others as well, and it compelled me to do more!
Sometime later, I started a YouTube page called UFirst: a platform where I share techniques to improve one's self through honest self-awareness. It was my place of comfort and it gave me purpose! Dr. Primer was so impressed with my love of self-healing that he encouraged me to attend his university and study psychology. Without hesitation, I accepted his offer!
* * * * * *
The room was still, as darkness covered everything, except for a single light. That light was shining on a single person. All eyes were on her. She looked at her awaiting audience and spoke.
"If you would have told a pink battered hedgehog twelve years ago - after the war, after Eggman's defeat, after the Restoration ended and everyone parted ways - that her past scars would heal, and that she would move on from Sonic, and would be an inspiration for others?.. Ha! She wouldn't have believed you! But as I stand now before you all..."
Amy's voice echoed throughout the room, eyes fixed upon her audience with passion. The spotlight was on her. She smiled.
"I can't imagine my life any better than this!"
