Sonic zipped into the outskirts of Ponyville, his blue blur vanishing behind him. "So, ya wanted to see me, Shadow?" he asked aloud, spotting the black hedgehog staring at the rising sun.

"Hmph. It's about time you showed up. I thought you chickened out at thr last second." Shadow huffed in a snarky tone.

The blue hero shrugged, "I'm not one to back down from a challenge. Especially from you. After all, we gotta keep our rivalry goin'." he boasted to the black hedgehog. Shadow shook his head, putting his arms to his sides.

"Oh, and I hope you didn't mind if I brought someone along." Sonic added, gesturing to the cyan pegasus flying next to him, lowering herself to the floor. "Now, any reason why you want to do this now of all times? We have a world to save."

"Of course I know that, Faker. I just need to make sure you're at the top of your game." Shadow revealed. "And she can watch, but not intervene at all."

"Aw..." Rainbow sighed.

Sonic chuckled, "It ain't personal Dash. It's just that me and Shadow like to have a bout every now and then. Just wait for me, alright? It won't take too long." he assured, earning a nod from Rainbow Dash as she flew away to watch from the sidelines at least.

Groaning, Shadow spoke, "Now let's get this over with. You have to be ready for anything."

The blue hedgehog rolled his eyes, "Uh, yeah. I already know that. I've been at this hero thing longer than you have. I haven't screwed up yet and I don't intend to now, especially with this world and ours probably in dire stake."

Pointing a finger at Sonic, the black hedgehog replied, "That's why I wish to test you. The stakes are higher this time, and we cannot afford to mess up. Especially you."

Rubbing his quills, Sonic smirked, "I didn't know you were willin' to help, Shadow. I thought you were just bein' petty."

Shadow clenched his fists, "I'm not this time. Now, prove to me you can save this world."

Sonic mirrored Shadow's actions, "Heh. Alright, bring it on! I'll kick your butt back to Mobius." he and the black hedgehog got into their fighting stance. Rainbow Dash sat down, ready to root for Sonic since Shadow requested she didn't join.

"Go, Sonic!" cheered Rainbow.

Shadow rolled his eyes, rearing a fist back as he hopped to the blue hedgehog. "Another fan, Faker?" he muttered, trying to punch Sonic, but he swerved to the side swiftly, making his fist collide with Shadow's muzzle, stunning him briefly. The black hedgehog put his hands back to his sides for a moment

"Nah. I think of her as a rival, which you should as well." admitted Sonic, jumping up and performing a divekick, which Shadow deflected by grabbing the blue blur's red sneakers and throwing him onto the ground. Sonic spat out some grass, "Heh. You've gotten stronger since we last fought. This is gonna be a little harder than I thought." he quipped, flipping onto his feet again, crouching down into a running stance.

Shdow smirked, "You think you can out-manuever me, Sonic? I train myself everyday to ensure I am at my full potential. You slack off until the world needs you."

"Of course you do..." grumbled Rainbow.

Sonic curled into a Spin-Dash, which Shadow did the same, surprising Rainbow. "He can do that too?! I gotta learn that trick at some point." she sighed quietly.

The hedgehogs uncurled, "Hey, I can't improve myself, Shadow! Eggman doesn't, so why should I put in the effort?" he joked, "But seriously, you know I can handle just about anything the doc can throw at me right? Gods, machines, aliens, demons, I've fought 'em all before."

Shadow punched Sonic successfully with an uppercut, "That's your flaw, Faker. You're too confident. One of these days something is gonna appear and you're not gonna be able to stop it." he scolded, seeing the blue hero fall on his back. Annoyed, Sonic countered with a right hook to Shadow's chest, making him grunt in pain.

"What? You mean Egghead becomes competent again? That ain't happenin' anytime soon." Sonic joked, seeing the black hedgehog get his bearings once again.

Rainbow crossed her hooves, "Is this a fight or a PSA?"

Shadow turned his head to the pegasus, "Stay out of this, mare!" he warned, narrowing his gaze at Sonic.

"Hey, she has a point ya know!" Sonic performed a roundhouse kick on Shadow, who ducked underneath the blue hedgehog's spinning leg. "I come through in the end everytime! I got Tails, Knuckles, Amy and all of our friends by our sides! We haven't messed things up just yet!" he reminded his rival, seeing Shadow duck. Shadow grabbed Sonic's fist while he attempted to punch him, blocking the attack successfully.

Shadow curled into a ball and hitting Sonic with his Spin-Dash, knocking him back. "But what about now? It's you, me and Tails this time. Stranded in another world. What if the doctor figured out how to outnumber us. What will you do then?"

"Hey!" Dash called out, "My friends aren't pushovers, ya know! We can take Eggman down with you! In fact, Sonic and I already stopped him once before you even showed up!"

"He was most likely unprepared. Next time, he will be sure to combat all of you." Shadow grunted, he moved his hand back, it glowing yellow lightnin as he saw Sonic near him. Rainbow wondered what he was doing and how he was doing it, but she decided to see it for herself.

"Chaos Spear!" Shadow yelled.

A yellow electric spear aimed itself at Sonic, who barely dodged it with a well-timed quick-step. Rainbow's jaw was agape, "What the hay was that?! Do you have more superpowers or something?!"

Sonic replied, "He can manipulate artificial chaos energy. Kinda throws me for a loop sometimes, but I can take it." he boasted, backflip-kicking Shadow in the muzzle. Rainbow tilted her head in slight confusion, "Energy from the Chaos Emeralds. He can use a weakened form of the energy from his own power." he explained, but then he smirked, seeing Shadow throw another yellow projectile in his direction. "Luckily, I have somethin' to counter it."

Curling into a ball, Sonic threw a blue wind barrier in the form of a tornado, "Sonic Wind!"

"Chaos Spear and Sonic Wind, huh? Cool names, but can beat my Sonic Rainboom though." Rainbow bragged.

"Debatable." Sonic quipped.

"Give up, Faker. I have this won." Shadow threatened.

"Yeah, right."

The two hedgehogs lunged at one another again, but something appeared in between them. A powerful bolt of lightning nearly struck them. Sonic and Shadow jumped back in surprise, while Rainbow wondered where the source of the lightning came from, "T-That wasn't a cloud..." she muttered, seeing the clear sky above her.

"You are correct."

The three turned around, seeing a metal man clad in a blue cloak strapped to his shoulders, flowing cape and as a hood covering his metal mask. "It is about time we met, Sonic the Hedgehog. You prove to be a threat to me and my mission." the mysterious being threatened.

Sonic clemched his fists, "Who are ya, huh? Another Eggman robot?"

The cloaked being raised a hand, "No. I am no robot. I am here to see if you are truly a threat like Eggman says. You may call Doom." he declared. "You will perish before she arrives."