- "This whole mess is my fault. I've been so blinded by rage, I thought I had no choice."
"You always have a choice. Making the right one is never easy. One more thing I learned is that when you really screw something up, you can't fix it on your own." - ―Shadow the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog[src]
The Battle for Earth was the decisive confrontation between Team Sonic and Team Robotnik to preserve the salvation of Earth from the laser of the Eclipse Cannon.
Background[]
Sonic forces Knuckles to tell him where the Master Emerald is
- "Professor, is this really what Maria would have wanted?"
"The question isn't what Maria would've wanted? It's what do they deserve? Remember what she meant to us. Remember what they took from us." - ―Shadow the Hedgehog and Gerald Robotnik[src]
After the activation of the Space Colony ARK in London, Sonic the Hedgehog, driven by a desire for revenge against Shadow the Hedgehog for gravely injuring Tom Wachowski, broke the oath he made with Tails and Knuckles the Echidna. He forced Knuckles to reveal the location of the Master Emerald, learning that Wade Whipple is the current guardian. Sonic easily took the relic from Whipple at the Green Hills Sheriff's Station while he was playing hockey. After release the seven Chaos Emeralds, Sonic activated his super transformation and headed into space to confront Team Robotnik.
Shadow charges the Eclipse Cannon
On the ARK, Shadow questioned Gerald Robotnik if annihilating Earth was truly the best way to honor Maria Robotnik's legacy. Robotnik manipulated Shadow's grief, urging him to channel his pain to charge the core and power the Eclipse Cannon. Robotnik explained to Doctor Eggman that once the cannon was ready, they would destroy the planet. This plan overwhelmed Eggman, who suggested ruling humanity together, but Robotnik rejected it, expressing his hatred for humans and berating Eggman for never being loved. Eggman tried to suggest they could form a family, but Robotnik compared him to Maria, crushing his feelings. Robotnik declared that the only way to give meaning to Maria's death was to destroy the planet. Once Shadow finished charging the cannon, Robotnik set a 10-minute timer for the laser, with Shadow vowing justice for his late friend.[1]
Battle[]
Duel on Earth[]
Super Sonic attacks Shadow
- "You hurt my family! This ends now!"
"Now you know my anger. The pain I've felt for fifty years! And you've made the same choice I did."
"I'm nothing like you!"
"We'll see." - ―Super Sonic and Shadow the Hedgehog[src]
Suddenly, Shadow and Robotnik noticed something approaching the Space Colony ARK. Upon seeing Sonic's quill, Eggman realized it was the hedgehog in his super form. Super Sonic flew toward the ship, smashed through the window, and clashed with Shadow, declaring that he would avenge Tom for the harm Shadow had caused him. Surprised, Shadow noticed the similarity between them, which Super Sonic tried to deny before falling to Earth. Upon falling, Super Sonic was hit by Shadow, causing him to lose the Chaos Emeralds and they both ran to catch them.
Super Shadow stops Super Sonic
Sonic regained his super form, but Shadow also harnessed the emeralds' power. Quickly, Super Sonic tried to hit him, but Super Shadow was able to stop him and they began a duel. Their duel carried them across the planet to Sounion, Greece, where Super Sonic was knocked down. Cornering him, Super Shadow accused Sonic of betraying his friends and letting vengeance consume him. Despite Sonic's denials, Shadow's critique of his care for Tom enraged him, prompting Sonic to deliver a powerful blow that sent Shadow to the Moon and stripped him of his super form.
Super Sonic and Super Shadow flying to the Space Colony ARK
Held back by Super Sonic, Shadow demanded to be finished to fulfill his revenge. However, Sonic, remembering Tom's advice that loss doesn't change him, he decided not to kill him. Confused, Shadow asked why, and Sonic replied that no one wins with revenge. Reflecting on this, Shadow shared his pain over Maria, while Sonic spoke of Longclaw. Sonic advised Shadow to leave the pain behind and keep the love he felt for Maria in his heart. Shadow, regretting his actions, looked for a way to fix things, so Sonic helped him up, ensuring that they always had another option. Together, they activated their super forms with the emeralds and flew to the ARK to stop the Eclipse Cannon.[1]
Duel in the Space Colony ARK[]
- "Ivo! What are you doing?!"
"Thwarting your evil plan!" - ―Gerald Robotnik and Doctor Eggman[src]
As the two super hedgehogs battled, Robotnik grew desperate to locate them. Resentful of his grandfather's insults, Eggman tricked him into punching his neck and betrayed him to prevent the Eclipse Cannon from firing hoping to save the Earth. However, Robotnik used his nanosuit to activate a jetpack and pursued Eggman. The two grabbed each other's mustaches tightly before mutually agreeing to let go. Robotnik then deployed a massive nanofist, stunning Eggman, who compared it to Green Lantern, mentioning how he hate watched that movie before Robotnik struck him and slammed him into the ground.
Robotnik restrained Eggman and began spanking him as a reprimand for his betrayal. However, Eggman managed to use a nanodrill to free himself and attempted to reach the command center, only for Robotnik to intercept him, releasing a scorpion exoskeleton. Eggman accidentally created a fence in his panic before deploying a mantis exoskeleton to evade Robotnik's attacks. During their duel, Robotnik pinned Eggman, who used one of his nanopincers to cut a piece of Robotnik's mustache. Enraged, Robotnik retaliated by letting Eggman fall onto a walkway within the ARK.[1]
Showdown in Space[]
Super Sonic and Super Shadow destroying the Gun Hunters
- "Ready to recycle some tin cans?"
"Just try to keep up." - ―Super Sonic and Super Shadow[src]
However, Robotnik noticed a warning from the Space Colony ARK, realizing that Super Sonic and Super Shadow were heading to the ARK to stop his plans. Disappointed by Shadow's betrayal, Robotnik deployed a swarm of Gun Hunters to attack them. As the robots advanced, Super Sonic and Super Shadow prepared to face them, working together to destroy a large number of the machines with ease.
Robotnik is disintegrated by the Chaos Energy field
As the battle raged on, Robotnik approached Eggman, who attempted to say some final words. Due to Robotnik's sadistic behavior, Eggman quickly regretted it. Without mercy, Robotnik opened the hatch and threw Eggman into space. With Eggman presumed dead, Robotnik laughed and mocked the death of his grandson. However, Tails and Knuckles opened a ring portal and saved Eggman. Using Sonic's quill, Eggman electrocuted Robotnik's backside, sending him flying into the Chaos Energy field, where he was disintegrated.
The Moon is accidentally split by the Eclipse Cannon
Eventually, the laser of the Eclipse Cannon was about to fire, worrying Super Shadow, who prepared to destroy all the Gun Hunters by creating Chaos Spears. Quickly, Super Sonic and Super Shadow rushed to the cannon, using their powers to prevent the laser from hitting the Earth, while the battle was observed from London. Reassembling with Team Sonic, Eggman joined Tails and Knuckles to successfully change the cannon's trajectory, while Super Sonic and Super Shadow prevented it from firing, though Super Sonic eventually lost his power. By saving the planet, Eggman claimed he managed to save it, but soon the trio accidentally split the Moon, so he blamed Tails and Knuckles.[1]
Space Colony ARK's Destruction[]
Eggman stabilizes the Space Colony ARK's core
- "The reactor core is overloading. It's only a matter of time before it blows."
"So, what does that mean for Earth?"
"A radioactive atmosphere. Rain that kills the crops and melts your flesh. Other than that..."
"We're not done here. You try to stabilize the reactor. Buy me some time. I'll push the station away from Earth before it explodes. This is our last chance, to do the right thing." - ―Doctor Eggman and Super Shadow[src]
As Sonic fell toward Earth, Tails and Knuckles tried to save him. Knuckles threw Tails to use a ring, but they both passed out. At the last moment, Knuckles caught them and opened the ring, saving them. On the Space Colony ARK, Eggman warned Super Shadow that the core was about to explode, causing a radioactive atmosphere. Super Shadow ordered the explosion to be stabilized while moving the station away from Earth, assuring him that it will be the last time they will do the right thing, which motivated Eggman to help him. Following the plan, Eggman activated a platform to place a stabilizer, delaying the blast.
Super Shadow pushing the Space Colony ARK
As Super Shadow removed his limiter rings, he used all his power to push the ARK away from Earth. Knowing he had limited time, Eggman made a final livestream through the screens in London to say goodbye to Stone. He told him that if he couldn't rule the world, at least he might save it, thanking Stone for being the only one who truly cared for him and calling him a "syco-friend," touching Stone. In the final moments, Super Shadow, remembering Maria, successfully pushed the ARK far enough before the explosion occurred, destroying the ARK and seemingly killing both Shadow and Eggman.
Team Sonic reconciles their friendship
Upon waking up, Team Sonic noticed the explosion of the ARK in the distance. Tails explained to Sonic that Shadow and Eggman had chosen to sacrifice themselves to save the planet, and the team praised their sacrifice. Regretful over their previous argument, Sonic apologized to Tails and Knuckles for his vengeful behavior, asking for their forgiveness. In response, Knuckles showed his fist, accepting the name Team Sonic, which moved Sonic. He quickly hugged Knuckles and Tails, declaring that they should simply call themselves "team," mending their friendship. In London, Stone, tearfully, gave a final farewell to Eggman before leaving the area.[1]
Aftermath[]
Team Sonic runs in the woods
- "It's great to be back together."
"We're stronger than ever."
"And nothing's gonna stand in our way. Except that one piece of unfinished business." - ―Tails, Knuckles the Echidna and Sonic the Hedgehog[src]
Afterwards, Team Sonic, Maddie Wachowski, and Ozzie held another camp in Green Hills to celebrate Tom's recovery, as he survived and got a cast. Overjoyed, the family shared a group hug, with the team happy to be together again. However, Sonic mentioned that he still wanted a fair race with Tails and Knuckles to prove who was the fastest. The team then started running through the forest towards the sunset.
Shadow approached his Limiter Ring
After the explosion of the Eclipse Cannon, Super Shadow was pushed toward Earth and managed to survive with the help of the power of the Chaos Emeralds. Back in his normal form, Shadow approached one of his Limiter Rings and put it back on his wrist.[1]