[Mini Story: The Hungry Hero 2]
No one's POV
Chelia was about to leave the guild when she saw Sonic pass by.
Chelia (calling him): Oh hey Sonic!
Sonic (smiling normally): Oh hey Chelia!
Chelia: What are you doing here? Did you know the whole guild's been looking for you?
Sonic: Really?
Chelia: Yeah, they've been searching for you for a month! Wendy's been worried sick!
Sonic: Wow, I didn't know I'd been gone that long.
Chelia: Where were you?
Sonic: Oh, I was on a mission—I thought they knew.
Chelia: Anyway, you'd better give them some news quickly.
Sonic: You're not wrong... I've got an idea—what if we go to your place so I can call them?
Chelia: Good idea! Want me to make you something?
Sonic (licking his lips): Oh yes please, let's hurry!
He took her hand and pulled her toward the house. Chelia noticed his grip was a bit too tight but figured he had just gotten stronger.
Two hours later, Shadow teleported in front of Chelia's house.
Shadow (entering): Sorry I'm late—ready for our date?
He didn't hear a sound.
Shadow: Chelia, are you here?
He reached the kitchen and saw a scene that terrified him. Chelia was lying on the dining table—only her bones remained, forming her skeleton.
Shadow (traumatized): ...Che...lia...
He screamed in rage upon seeing his girlfriend's lifeless body, but stopped abruptly when he caught a familiar scent—the scent of the blue hedgehog.
Shadow (angrily, in tears): SSSSOOOOONNNNIIIIIIIICCCCC!!!
Meanwhile, at Fairy Tail...
Erza: Why is he avoiding us?
Natsu (confused): I don't get it—I can sense him, but when I head to his position, he vanishes.
Lucy: If it was just a solo mission, we'd understand, but it's been over a month now.
Gray (hand on chin): Something's wrong—we have to find out what it is.
Wendy (sad): Sonic... why...
The guild door burst open—Yukino collapsed at the entrance, her clothes half-covered in blood.
Lucy: Yukino!
Natsu: What happened?
Yukino (frightened): Sting... Rogue... the others... they were...
She didn't even finish when Millianna limped in.
Millianna: Erza... it's terrible... Kagura...
Erza: Millianna?!
She collapsed, but Erza caught her just in time.
Carla: What happened to them?
Shadow was the third to walk in, head low.
Wendy: Shadow! (approaching him) Did you find So...
She saw Shadow's right hand covered in blood, holding a ribbon. Wendy recognized it—it was Chelia's.
Shadow: Sonic... ate her...
Everyone: ATE?!
Natsu: What do you mean, ate?!
Makarov: Are you sure we're talking about the same Sonic?
Yukino: But he came to the guild earlier! He asked to speak to Sting and Rogue privately... and when I entered, they were...
She held back vomit.
Millianna (crying): When I got there, I saw him trembling over Kagura's half-eaten body, drooling. He wanted to eat me too... but the girls sacrificed themselves so I could escape...
Wendy shivered remembering how Sonic trembled before he disappeared.
Gray: Has he gone insane? Why is he eating his friends?!
Lucy: Maybe he's being controlled—there's no way he'd just start doing that out of nowhere.
Shadow sensed something.
Shadow: I've found his exact location!
Everyone: Where is he?
Shadow: He's in Onibas...
Elfman and Mirajane: OH NO!
Everyone turned toward them.
Mirajane: Lisanna...
Shadow: I can teleport one of you with me.
Natsu: Then take me with you!
Erza: No, let me handle it!
Wendy:...Shadow, take me with you!
Carla: Wendy, you can't...
Wendy: He'll listen to me—I'm sure of it.
Lucy: But...
Makarov: Enough! Wendy, go with Shadow. He'll protect you if things go bad.
Shadow: Count on me.
Carla: Wendy, be careful!
Wendy: I promise!
That line triggered a memory in Shadow—one he couldn't forget.
Flashback
After defeating Perfect Chaos and bringing Sonic's soul back, Shadow and Sonic stood on the roof, gazing at the horizon.
Sonic: That was close—you really saved me this time.
Shadow: Hmph.
Sonic: Hey Shadow, can you promise me something?
Shadow: What now?
Sonic: If I ever lose control... or die... will you protect Wendy for me?
Shadow (rolling his eyes): Can't you ask Natsu or your guild buddies for stuff like that?
Sonic (smiling): They're not the Ultimate Lifeform.
Shadow: ...
Sonic: So do you promise?
Shadow: ...Fine.
End of Flashback
Shadow and Wendy teleported to the location and saw something that made Wendy step back in horror and scream. Lisanna's insides were exposed—she had been half-eaten by the blue hedgehog.
Wendy (hands on mouth): This... can't be...
Shadow grew even more furious. His ears twitched—he sensed a presence.
Shadow (turning): Still terrible at hiding your presence, Sonic the Hedgehog.
They turned and saw Sonic behind them—his hands and mouth stained with blood.
Sonic: Oh hey guys!
Wendy (starting to cry): Sonic...
Sonic: Hm? Wendy, why are you crying? I was only gone a month. Come give me a hug!
She tried to approach him but Shadow blocked her with his arm.
Shadow (with a dark look): I won't let you get near her!
Sonic (smiling): What's the problem? Why are you looking at me like I'm the villain?
Shadow: Then tell me—why were you sneaking around and why are you covered in the same blood as that girl on the ground?
Wendy: Sonic, what's wrong? Please talk to me.
Sonic looked at her, surprised, then burst out laughing.
Sonic: Funny thing is... Lisanna wasn't even part of the plan. She just got in the way. But her flesh... was delicious...
Wendy (crying): Why... why are you eating them, Sonic?
Sonic: Why? Well, I guess it's my fault... I never should've entered that base a month ago... If I hadn't eaten human meat that day, none of this would've happened... But now that I have—I'm glad it did...
Shadow still held Wendy back while she cried.
Sonic: I never knew human meat could taste so good. Now I get why cherry tigers loved it so much... Then I saw how appetizing everyone else looked... their tight muscles... plump chests and butts... I'd found something better than the nectar of Wendy's womanhood...
Shadow tried to stay calm.
Sonic: Just looking at you both makes me salivate thinking about your flesh. It's driving me crazy!
Shadow: You've gone insane.
Sonic: No, Shadow. I've finally seen the truth... Humans kill animals for food, right? So why can't I do the same?
Wendy: You see us as animals?
Sonic: It's not my fault you're so tasty. I've been feasting for a month—but I NEED MORE! My hunger is insatiable—not even the entire city of Crocus was enough.
Wendy (traumatized): CROCUS?!
Sonic: I feel almost sorry for them... But the princess made a nice main course.
Wendy approached Sonic with her head lowered. She stopped in front of him.
Sonic: What? Gonna give me a hero speech about not eating others?
Wendy: I'm sorry, Sonic...
Sonic: Oh? And why's th—
Sonic fainted in Wendy's arms. Shadow realized she had cast a sleep spell on him.
Wendy: Sonic... I promise... I'll bring you back...
[End of the Mini Story]
---
Sonic's POV
We arrived at the Rain Village, where we were supposed to find Juvia. The village was under a massive rain cloud, but the surroundings were sunny.
Wendy: So this is it?
Lucy: Juvia should be here.
Happy: Hey guys, look at this!
Happy was playing by stepping into the rainy area and back into the sunny zone. Of course, Natsu copied him.
Carla: I'll admit, I kinda missed their antics.
We entered the seemingly empty village.
Lucy: There's no one here?
Carla: With all this rain, it's no surprise.
Natsu (pointing): No— I smell Juvia. She's right there.
We saw Juvia sitting on a bench in front of a house.
Natsu: Oh hey, Juvia!
Juvia saw us, smiled, and threw herself at Natsu.
Juvia: Mr. Gray, you're back!
Natsu (blocking her): Easy now!
Her expression changed when she saw us.
Juvia (surprised): Natsu, Lucy, Wendy, Sonic...
Happy: Don't forget Happy and Carla!
Lucy: Hi, Juvia!
Wendy: Don't tell me you live here all alone.
Juvia didn't get to answer—she fainted in Natsu's arms.
Natsu (worried): Juvia, are you okay???
Lucy, Wendy, Happy, Carla, and Me: Juvia!
We brought her inside and laid her on a bed, covering her.
Lucy: Poor Juvia.
Wendy: She must've been in the rain too long.
Natsu: It's weird—I can smell Gray's scent here.
Happy: He's here?
Juvia (weakly): Not anymore...
Me: Really? Why?
Juvia: A few months ago, Mr. Gray and I found this abandoned village and lived together in this house. (Looking at Lucy with satisfaction) Just the two of us.
Lucy (nervous smile): Why does it feel like you're pointing that at me?
Juvia: We trained together, went on missions... and at night, Juvia joined Mr. Gray in bed.
Lucy and Wendy blushed.
Lucy: Okay, no need for the details!
Juvia: ...Even if he kicked her out.
They sighed in relief.
Juvia: But everything changed six months ago... Mr. Gray started getting black marks on his body... Juvia was worried. He began doing solo missions more often and one day, he left and never came back.
Wendy: Did you try looking for him?
Juvia: Juvia searched the nearby regions—but no luck.
Natsu: That idiot ditched you without warning?!
Lucy: You did the same thing, Natsu.
Natsu: Yeah, but I left you a will.
Happy: It was a goodbye letter, Natsu.
Lucy (angry): Still, it was selfish... Did you think about how I'd feel?
Juvia and Me: Can you stop flirting, please?
Lucy: What?! No—it's not like that!
Juvia started crying again.
Juvia: I'm really sorry you had to see me like this during our reunion.
Natsu: Don't cry, Juvia. I promise we'll bring that idiot back. We need him to rebuild Fairy Tail anyway.
After Juvia fell asleep, we went outside to think of a way to find Gray.
Happy: So, Natsu, what do we do?
Lucy: It's been almost a year and I still haven't found Gray or Erza.
Natsu looked forward with a serious expression—unusual for him.
Happy: Why do you look so scary?
Natsu: I've figured out our next destination... We're going to Sabertooth.
Lucy: Huh? Why?
Natsu: I'll explain later.
Wendy: Go ahead—we'll stay and look after Juvia.
Me: We?
Wendy and Carla gave me annoyed looks. Judging by those looks, if I went with them, it'd be to ogle the Sabertooth girls. Which... is kind of true...
Me: Fine, go without us...
Natsu, Lucy, and Happy left while Wendy, Carla, and I stayed to check on Juvia.
Me: Does she have a fever?
Wendy: No, just needs rest.
Carla: Her clothes are soaked. You should wipe her down.
Wendy: Okay.
Suddenly, Carla took her human form and covered my eyes with her hands.
Me (annoyed): Did you really transform just to cover my eyes for this?
Carla: It was either this or throwing you out.
Wendy (shocked): Whoa! They're huge!
Carla saw that Wendy had backed away from Juvia and was pressing her forehead to the wall.
Juvia: They belong to Mr. Gray...
Carla and Wendy were shocked to hear Juvia talk about her chest like that.
Me (examining her breasts while fondling them): It's true that in the past year, the curves and softness of her chest have increased. Gray is really lucky.
Carla: HOW DID YOU TELEPORT IN FRONT OF HER?!
Me: Chaos Snap. It's the technique Shadow uses to teleport.
Carla tried to punch me to make me back off, but I grabbed her with one hand because I felt something that made me regain my seriousness.
Me: Did you feel that?
Carla (annoyed): What?
Wendy: What's going on?
I stepped out of the house when I recognized the scent of the person.
Me: Lightning Dragon Roar!
I unleashed a massive laser that parted the rain clouds. The sky once again lit up the village, but I saw something that filled me with rage: it was a cherry blossom petal. Several petals started falling from the sky, and I saw someone I had hoped to see again for a long time—Ethan, the Cherry Blossom Tiger.
Ethan: Well, it's been a while, blue hedgehog.
I turned into my hedgehog form as I saw him approaching. The petals were falling more and more.
Wendy: What's going on? (Seeing Ethan) Ethan??
Carla: Where's Sonic? (Seeing Ethan) Oh no...
Ethan (smiling warmly): Oh, it's so good to see you again, Wendy and my feline beauty.
Carla (angry): What are you doing here?!
No one's POV
Ethan: Oh, I was just passing by and thought I'd come back to take my girlfriend and say hi.
Wendy: Girlfriend?
Carla: What are you talking about? I'm not your girlfriend!
Ethan: Really? I thought you loved our passionate kiss last time.
Carla: You used us to steal a stupid seed, and now you think I belong to you?!
Ethan: And yet that stupid seed helped me obtain this.
He summoned a scythe as cherry blossom petals started swirling around.
Ethan: With this weapon, I can finally fulfill my ancestors' wish—to purify this world ruled by magic.
Sonic remained silent.
Wendy: Purify?
Ethan: Earthland's magic prevented cherry blossoms from blooming properly since the Eclipse Gate incident. Environmental alteration cost us many precious things. It was the same with the Exceeds—their magic stopped the trees from growing naturally. That's why we decided to eliminate them.
Carla: By eating them?!
Ethan: Our ancestors taught us to hunt any meat that wasn't ours. Of course we eat those filthy Exceeds—same goes for the Mobians and their stupid Chaos Emeralds.
Sonic: WHY DON'T YOU JUST SHUT THE HELL UP?
They noticed Sonic had turned from blue to black—he was now Dark Sonic.
(Note: If Sonic's eyes are visible, he's in Dark Sonic form. If not, he's uncontrollable and in Dark Super Sonic form.)
Dark Sonic: I didn't get your rant about cherry trees or your dumb ancestors. All I see is a cannibal who eats whatever he wants. And for the last time: CARLA IS MINE!
Wendy and Carla: SONIC, NO!
Sonic charged at Ethan with a right punch, but Ethan blocked it with his scythe.
Ethan: Don't think I forgot what you did to my people. I've gotten stronger.
He tried to slash Sonic, who dodged and punched him in the stomach, sending him flying 20 meters outside the village. Sonic tried to follow up, but vines covered in cherry petals restrained him. Ethan slashed him with his scythe, creating a large gash in Sonic's stomach—but the wound instantly healed.
Ethan: Oh? You've got a nice healing factor.
Sonic broke free, grabbed Ethan by the neck, and slammed him down.
Ethan (placing a hand on Sonic's stomach): Cherry Technique: Tree's Curse!
He formed a magic circle on Sonic, with cherry blossom patterns appearing on his body. Ethan backed off.
Ethan (standing up): Don't bother running—you'll soon turn into a cherry tree.
Dark Sonic: I've seen dumb curses, but yours is the dumbest ever.
The patterns vanished in a puff of purple smoke.
Ethan: WHAT?! How's that possible?!
Dark Sonic: I can neutralize low-level spells. I thought you had the brains to expect that.
Wendy and Carla found Sonic. Carla hugged him from behind.
Carla: Sonic, stop! Don't do this!
Dark Sonic: Carla… don't worry, I'm still Sonic.
Carla (confused): What?
Dark Sonic: You can see my eyes, right? I'm still in control. Don't bug me with sweet talk. Just go take cover.
Carla: But…
Dark Sonic (smiling): Do what I say, and stop complaining unless you want me to punish you.
Carla let go and backed away. Ethan used the chance to throw needles at her, but Sonic caught them, injuring his hands.
Wendy: Sonic!
Dark Sonic: I'm fine. Get out of here!
Ethan raised his floral-engraved scythe.
Ethan: Blooming Tiger Dance: Thousand-Petal Barrage!
He slashed the air, launching a storm of pink energy blades shaped like petals. Each tracked its target like living shurikens. Dark Sonic dodged with blinding speed, trailing black lightning.
Dark Sonic: Shadow Pulse.
He unleashed a burst of chaotic energy that repelled the projectiles.
Ethan: Mirage Sakura: Mirror Garden!
He summoned petal clones, each wielding mini-scythes. A forest of blades filled the sky. Dark Sonic smirked, eyes glowing darkly.
Dark Sonic: Chaos Shift: Black Fission!
He split into shadow copies, striking with overwhelming speed. The flower clones exploded in light. He used the opening to slice Ethan's shoulder without moving.
Ethan, wounded, entered berserker mode. Branch-like tattoos appeared on his body.
Ethan: Enough games! Celestial Cherry: Floral Apocalypse Scythe!
His scythe lengthened with sacred wood and flared with spiritual energy. A single strike could shatter the earth. Dark Sonic, serious now, gathered Chaos energy.
Dark Sonic: Chaos Wrath: Abyssal Judgment!
A black-violet sphere formed above him, sucking in light and matter, then blasted it at Ethan. Ethan's giant scythe split the beam. The explosion created a massive crater, destroying half the village. Burnt petals rained down as Dark Sonic reappeared—wounded but standing. Ethan was on his knees, scythe embedded in the ground, smiling in respect.
Ethan: You impress me, blue hedgehog. I'm surprised you still smile with all that rage inside.
Ethan lunged for his final attack.
Ethan: Final Blooming Tiger Dance: Zero Petal, No Return!
But before he could strike, Dark Sonic raised his hand.
Dark Sonic (calm, deep voice): You shone too long in your illusion of nobility. Time to fade in mine.
Chaos Illusion!
A black wave spread across the battlefield. The air grew heavy. The sky cracked. Ethan blinked—and found himself in a twisted world.
Ethan: What the…
The cherry trees were frozen. All petals were black. The ground was cracked glass, and his reflection was of an old, broken, lonely man.
??? You never protected anyone.
??? Your petals only bloomed to die.
??? You are weak.
Ethan tried to cut the illusion, but his scythe passed through shadows.
Ethan (panicking): No… this isn't real! IT'S NOT…
But with every step, he sank into an invisible floor. Black roots entangled his legs. The illusion became a void—no trees, no sound, no light. Ethan was alone, paralyzed. His mind… faded away.
Dark Sonic stood before Ethan's now-unconscious body, frozen in a defensive stance.
Dark Sonic (coldly): The fight is over. Even cherry blossoms wither… when there's no hope.
He turned away, the wind carrying the last petals.
---
Sonic's POV
I returned to the village, my color back to normal. Half the place was rubble, luckily no one lived there. Wendy and Carla jumped into my arms when they saw me.
Carla: You're such an idiot...
Wendy: I'm so glad you're okay.
Me: That was pretty easy.
Carla bonked me on the head.
Carla: And yet you became Dark Sonic!
Me: Yeah, I just wanted to play around with his soul a bit.
Wendy: Don't tell me he's…
Me: Dead? Nah, just unconscious after the illusion I put him in.
Wendy: Where did you learn all those techniques?
Me: I invented them.
Wendy and Carla: WHAT?!
Me: I told you—Chaos Emeralds make the impossible possible, remember?
Wendy: No!
Me (smiling): Oh, I forgot. So, how's Juvia?
Juvia: Juvia is much better.
Wendy: Juvia, you're awake?
Juvia: Yes, Juvia feels Gray is nearby.
Me (laughing): Sometimes I wonder if you're a Dragon Slayer too.
Wendy: Then let's go find him!
Juvia: Yes, follow Juvia!
We started to follow her when I felt someone grab my jacket from behind. It was Carla, head down.
Me: Something wrong?
Carla: Earlier... you said something before fighting for me...
Me (lifting her chin seriously): Remember this—you're mine. Neither Ethan, Happy, nor anyone else will have you. And I'd fight that battle a thousand times if it means protecting you or Wendy.
Blushing, she kissed me. But Wendy, having seen it, pouted with crossed arms.
Wendy: Wait a minute! I want to thank him too!
She pulled me away from Carla and kissed me as well.
Me (blushing): Hey, what the...?!
Carla (challenging Wendy): I'm not losing.
She kissed me again.
Wendy (determined): Two can play this game.
Another kiss. They kept going with tongue, giving me no time to breathe.
Me (overwhelmed): Are you serious right now?! I just came out of a psychological battle!
They kept going, happy as if it were a game.
Wendy (laughing): It's the kiss war, Sonic!
Juvia: Umm… Juvia hopes she's not interrupting.
We remembered Juvia was still there.
Juvia: Since when is Carla in love with you?
Me: Long story. We'll explain on the way.
Later
We reached a battlefield where Natsu and the others were fighting Avatar, a dark magic cult. Wendy arrived just in time to heal Lucy, Happy, and Taurus, who were poisoned. Juvia found Gray helping them. The fight was intense; the cult's leader summoned a giant monster… blah blah blah, Natsu one-shot it. Moving on—the author's too lazy to describe this part. We know how Fairy Tail works…
Gajeel, Levy, and Lily arrived with Magic Council guards.
Lucy (surprised): Levy, is that really you?
Levy: Lucy?
Lucy: So the rumors were true—you joined the Magic Council guard. I'm so happy to see you!
Levy: I'm really happy to see you too!
Happy: How did you find us?
Lily: Thanks to Gray. He left a message at Avatar's base when we passed through.
Natsu: Levy! Lily! It's really you?
Levy: Hey, Natsu!
Lily: Long time no see, guys.
Natsu (pointing at Gajeel): Look! There's a Gajeel look-alike too!
Gajeel (angry): Are you kidding me?! After a year, you still want to fight?!
Natsu: Come on, we all know the real Gajeel would never join the Council.
Gajeel (smirking): And yet it was the old tree who offered me the job when I was looking for work.
Happy: Oh, you must mean Warrod.
Wait a second—isn't that the old founder of Fairy Tail? The guy who's always making jokes?
I looked at Happy, who had the same terrified look, thinking that Gajeel actually believed the joke.
Gajeel: With my appointment, I can totally arrest you. You, Salamander, I'm arresting you for giving me a nasty look.
(Pointing at Lucy) You, I'm arresting for wearing indecent clothing.
Lucy: Huh?!
Gajeel: Juvia, for excessive moisture.
Juvia (confused): Excessive what?
Gajeel: The blue cat, for excessive raw fish consumption.
Happy: Eating is a crime?
Gajeel: You, Wendy—I'm arresting you for... um... your presence.
Wendy: Huh? But where am I supposed to be then?
Me: You think you can arrest them without any proof?!
Gajeel: Oh, but I have better proof for you.
He threw steel handcuffs that clamped onto my wrists.
Me: What the...?
Gajeel (with a dark look): I'm arresting you for the massacre of the Cherry Blossom Village.
Everyone except Gajeel, Levy, and Lily: WHAT?!
Me: Wait, you're not serious! Levy?
Levy (sighing with a sad look): You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you...
Natsu: What is going on???
Lucy: Wait guys, this has to be a misunderstanding!
Wendy (head down): There's no misunderstanding...
Everyone turned toward Wendy and Carla, who looked sad.
Natsu: What do you mean?
Carla: We went on a mission to that village. When Sonic discovered that the villagers were feeding on Mobians...
Lily: He slaughtered and devoured them!
Me: And once again, I regret nothing.
Lucy, Wendy, and Carla: Sonic!?
Gajeel: You'll have a good reason to regret it when you're sentenced to death for killing those innocent humans.
Me (confused): Wait—humans?
Levy: You killed the Cherry Blossom Tigers, right?
Me (annoyed): Yeah, but they weren't humans—they were tigers. Animals. Just like their name: Cherry Blossom Tigers.
Gajeel, Levy, and Lily were stunned.
Lily: It's true, we only saw animal corpses...
Gajeel: Ah... then we can't arrest you.
Silence.
Everyone except me: HUH?!
Gajeel (annoyed): He killed animals. That's not a crime—just a sort of poaching.
Me: Exactly!
Erza: Wait, are you serious?!
Levy: Yes, there's no rule against destroying a village full of animals.
Lily: However, he did commit poaching. That's punishable with a fine.
Me: Alright, how much?
Gajeel (smiling): Five million jewels.
Everyone was shocked.
Gray (angry): And you think he can raise that kind of money??
Natsu: FIVE MILLION?! THAT'S INSANE!!!
Me: Should I pay in cash or by card?
Gajeel and the others were stunned.
Gajeel: Wait—you have the money?
Me (rolling my eyes): I just don't like paying unnecessary fines. Now take these handcuffs off, my wallet's in my pocket.
Erza: Where did you get all that money?!
Happy: Do you have a superpower or something?
Me: Yeah, I'm rich. That's my superpower.
Wendy: About how much?
Me: Enough to buy a continent, I think.
Everyone: A CONTINENT?!
Me: Well yeah—did you think WendyLand was going to build itself?
Natsu: Wendy what?!
Me (sighing): A portal ring on Earth is worth 10 million jewels...
Erza: Whoa, whoa—how many rings do you have?!
Me: I don't really remember, but I know it's more than a billion.
Everyone: A BILLION?!
Lucy (trying to calculate): So if there's a billion rings, that means on Earth it's...
Gray (smiling): Sonic, did you know you're my best friend?
Natsu: Shut it, Ice Princess—he's MY best friend!
Gray: No one asked you, flamethrower!
Are they really trying to bribe me now?
Erza (stroking my head): Sonic, did you know you're my favorite hedgehog?
EVEN ERZA?!
Gajeel (tackling me): Hand over all those rings—now!!!
Happy: We're rich!
Lucy (pulling my head into her chest): No, I'm rich! Sonic's going to share his money with me, right?
Erza (ripping me away from Lucy to press me into her chest): No, Sonic's sharing his money with me, because we like each other—right?
Wendy (blushing): Sorry, but I'm going to marry Sonic, so I'm the one he'll share his money with!
Carla: You mean we're going to marry him, so he'll share the money with us.
Everyone went quiet after Carla said that.
Everyone except me: WHAT DO YOU MEAN "CARLA'S GOING TO MARRY HIM"?!
Damn... looks like I'm not living to see adulthood...
---
[Mini Story: The Hungry Hero 3 – Finale]
No one's POV
Sonic woke up in a cell under the guild. His foot was chained.
Sonic: Ugh, my head... Where am I?
Wendy: You're at the guild.
Sonic saw Wendy on the other side of the cell, watching him.
Wendy: The others thought it was best for you to stay here... You're going on a diet—only healthy food—until you stop eating humans.
Sonic: Wait, you're not serious?! You're really going to leave me here???
Wendy: I'm sorry, Sonic. It's for your own good.
She walked away.
Sonic: No, Wendy, come back! YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LEAVE ME HERE, PLEASE COME BACK! WENDY! WENDYYYYY!
She left the room, holding back tears. The others looked on sadly as Elfman and Mirajane cried over their sister's death.
Shadow: I'm sorry. I wasn't fast enough to save her.
Natsu: It's okay, man. At least Wendy is safe.
Erza: What do we do now?
Lucy: We just have to hope he calms down and becomes himself again.
Shadow stood and walked into the room where Sonic sat with his back to the wall.
Shadow: Do you feel proud causing so much pain to your friends? I thought you cared about them.
Sonic didn't respond.
Shadow: Still staying silent?
No answer.
Shadow: Fine. I'll leave.
Sonic: Shadow... wait.
Shadow: What?
Sonic: You can feel the Chaos Energy in me, right?
Shadow: Yeah.
Sonic (looking at him): So what do you see?
Shadow looked at Sonic and sensed a dark aura swirling around him—so sinister it gave even him chills.
Sonic (with a sinister smile): Shadow... you know I can use Chaos Snap too, right?
Shadow's eyes widened.
Sonic: I'm nice—I'll give you a 10-second head start.
Shadow dashed out of the room.
Shadow (yelling in the hall): Everyone, we need to leave—now!
Wendy: Huh? Why?! What about Sonic?
Shadow: He is the problem! We have to go!
Natsu: Shadow... take Wendy far from here...
Wendy: What?!
Makarov: We knew Sonic might try to escape. That's why... we'll have to use our final option. I'm sorry, but it's the only way if we can't control him anymore.
Wendy (wide-eyed): No... You're not going to...
Gray created an ice wall separating Shadow and Wendy from the others.
Wendy (breaking into tears): NO, DON'T KILL HIM!
She tried to break the ice but couldn't.
Erza: Don't worry about us, Wendy. If we don't survive, we want you to at least make it.
Natsu: Go now. It's better if you don't see this.
Wendy: No—I'm not leaving! You're all my friends! I can save him! He'll listen to me...
Carla: HE DOESN'T LISTEN TO YOU ANYMORE, WENDY! It's sad, but we can't bring him back.
Wendy: Carla, NO!
Shadow teleported Wendy away from Magnolia. Sonic exited the room into the guild's main hall, standing before all his former comrades.
Sonic: Oh, hey!
Natsu: Sonic, you're not going any further!
Lucy: We're sorry... but this is where your journey ends.
Sonic: Wow, a whole guild just for me? I must be special. (Licks lips) Well then... bon appétit.
They all charged at Sonic, who smiled watching them come...
Shadow and Wendy arrived on a hill.
Wendy: Shadow, why did you do that?! My friends... they're...
She fell to her knees. Shadow was so angry he looked away, gritting his teeth.
30 minutes later, Silver appeared in front of Fairy Hills.
Silver: He must be somewhere around here.
Sonic came out of Fairy Hills.
Sonic: Oh hey Silver! Long time no see! What are you doing here?
Silver (worried): That's exactly why I'm here—I need your help. There's a big problem!
Sonic: Whoa, slow down, what's going on?
Silver: The future is in danger!
Sonic: Okay, let's go inside so you can explain everything properly.
They went inside. Silver sat at a table while Sonic was in the kitchen.
Sonic (putting Lucy's severed arms into the oven): So tell me what's going on.
Silver: Well, I noticed some strange disappearances that kept increasing—people were getting killed by someone, but we didn't know who it was.
Sonic (taking out a knife to cut Levy's flesh): Oh? Tell me about this killer. Maybe I know them.
Silver couldn't see what Sonic was doing.
Silver: Well, he was too fast to see. Strangely, it's true I always saw you next to the corpses, but I thought...
He stopped talking as he realized the truth.
Silver: Wait... but that means—AAAAAAAAAH!
Sonic had stabbed a knife into both of Silver's palms.
Sonic: You know, Silver... sometimes it's better not to stick your nose in other people's business.
---
In the future
Silver appeared, panting after escaping from Sonic. His hands still hurt and were bleeding.
Silver: It's impossible... so Sonic... he's...
???: Is what?
Silver turned around, terrified when he recognized the voice. Sonic was leaning against a wall, staring at him.
Sonic: Long Time No See.
Silver (trembling): S-S-SONIC!
Sonic (licking his lips): Maybe we should pick up where we left off... when you ran away 200 years ago.
Sonic was referring to the moment when he stabbed Silver's hands and Silver fled back to the future.
---
Back in the present
Sonic walked on a hill, whistling, and found Wendy sitting under a tree.
Sonic (smiling): I knew I'd find you here, my little tomato.
Wendy looked at him with a sad face.
Sonic: What's wrong?
Wendy: Why are you doing all this, Sonic? I thought you loved us.
Sonic: Of course I love you!
Wendy: I wasn't just talking about me! What about the others? Did you love them too?!
Sonic stayed silent for a moment.
Sonic: Okay, I'm sorry. You shouldn't have witnessed Lisanna's death.
Wendy: I just want to understand why you ate them.
She began walking toward him.
Wendy: You can't just wake up one day and kill those you cared about.
Sonic: Wendy...
Wendy (stopping in front of him): Tell me, do you find me... appetizing?
Sonic looked surprised.
Sonic: What? No! I'd never eat you!
Wendy: Why? Am I not good enough for you now?!
Sonic: Listen, I've basically lived with you almost all my life. I can't do that to you... I care too much.
Wendy (angry): And Carla? Didn't you care about her? You loved her just like you love me, didn't you?
Sonic: I...
Wendy: And Natsu and the rest of the guild? Didn't you care about them?
Sonic: It's not the same... they're not like you...
Wendy: Then I'm begging you—please stop eating humans! I BEG YOU!
Sonic (smiling): I can't.
Wendy (crying hard): Why... why eat those you believed had a chance at freedom?!
Sonic didn't answer.
Wendy (head down, turning back to the tree): That's what I thought...
Sonic: Wendy, wait!
He tried to go to her, but barely dodged an energy spear. He saw Shadow rushing at him at full speed. Sonic countered with a Spindash; Shadow did the same. Their attacks clashed.
Sonic: Let me through!
Shadow: Over my dead body! I'll never let you hurt her!
Sonic: I'd never hurt her... because she belongs to me, AND ME ALONE!
He charged at Shadow. Shadow countered with scattered Chaos spears. Sonic dodged them, but one spear hit the tree next to Wendy—it started to fall.
Sonic: Wendy, look out!
He pushed Wendy just in time. The tree fell between them, separating them. Shadow saw a sharp branch on the ground, grabbed it, and charged at Sonic.
Shadow: This ends now!
Sonic saw the attack coming and dodged it—barely. But the worst happened: Shadow accidentally stabbed the sharp branch into Wendy's forehead, piercing her skull.
Sonic: WENDY NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
She collapsed instantly. Sonic caught her as Shadow stepped back, trembling in horror.
Shadow (panicked): Oh no, no no no no no, what have I done!!!???
Sonic wept over Wendy's lifeless body.
Shadow: Sonic... I'm sorry... I...
Sonic (stopping his tears): Leave... (looks at Shadow) ...before I rip your F*cking throat out.
Shadow panicked for a moment, then turned and fled, traumatized by what he had done.
The End
Shadow closed the book after finishing the story in front of kids at a kindergarten. Sonic, Wendy, and Chelia were sitting further away but had heard everything.
Sonic (shocked): Why... WHY ARE YOU SO SATANIC?!
Shadow: What? The kids loved my horror story about you—the hungry hero, right kids?
The children cheered joyfully as the three other mages looked on in confusion.
Wendy (shaking): That story is going to haunt me for days...
Chelia: Since when are stories like this allowed in kindergarten?!
Sonic: The real question is: Is your boyfriend mentally stable?! I mean, I get that he made a story where he is the hero and I'm the villain, fine. BUT WHY IS IT SO HORRIFYING?! First, I'm a cannibal, and Wendy dies at the end. THE WORST PART IS, HE DIDN'T EVEN START WITH "ONCE UPON A TIME," SO READERS THOUGHT IT WAS A CANON MINI STORY!
Shadow: Still, the book's already a bestseller. I'm receiving a prize for best novel tomorrow.
Chelia (excited): Wow, I'm so happy for you!
Wendy (nervously smiling): Weren't you shocked at first?
Shadow: By the way Sonic, get ready for tomorrow too.
Sonic: Huh? Why?!
Shadow: I promised to send the antagonist of my work to the ceremony. You'll be highly celebrated.
Sonic (annoyed): No thanks. I'd rather not be congratulated for that.
Wendy: Although... the author did create a truly scary story.
Chelia: It's true. Normally, he just writes pervy stuff about me or Wendy, but I didn't think he'd go this far.
Sonic (relieved): Thank goodness it was just one of Shadow's stupid stories.
Shadow (to the kids): So who's hungry? I ordered beef for lunch!
Kids: Yay! Meat!
Sonic (facepalming): Wendy, note this: I'm vegetarian for life.
[End of Mini Story]