Holoska was a country located at the top of the globe (it was also known as the North Pole) and it was precisely this reason that the entire country was nothing more than snow and ice, with a few small towns dotted around here and there. No crops could be grown because of the icy terrain so they had import nearly ninety eight percent of their food. Not far from the small fishing village of lcesotope, four individuals were walking through the freezing tundra, with nothing aside from an emerald tracker and the flames burning brightly on Blaze's hands for warmth. Fiona kept looking at the tracker, making sure they were heading the right way while Tikal tried to keep herself warm next to Blaze, who walked silently beside the echidna. Silver was a couple of meters behind, lost in thought. Something Blaze found extremely unusual. Blaze was also wary about the weather, since a blizzard was due to happen any moment, as it already started to snow. They were about a mile away from Icesotope when a blizzard kicked in full force. Tikal shivered at the chilling breeze that blew snow into her face.

"Come on, this way!" Shouted Fiona over the roaring wind.

Fiona, Blaze and Tikal ran together towards the village, leaving Silver behind. The telekinetic hedgehog didn't hear what Fiona had shouted, and instead tried to make it to the village or in the very least, shelter.

He then saw a small cavern a few metres away. Silver ran towards it, shivering from the sub zero temperatures. He leaned against the icy cold wall as he tried to catch his breath, which was nothing more than warm mist. He looked around the cavern, with only the cold, silent darkness to greet him. He hadn't got a clue where the girls were, but hopefully they were safe. The roaring wind from outside began the blow snow into the cavern, making Silver shiver. I'll take my chances he thought. He decided to walk further into the cavern before vaguely hearing…

Laughter?

Silver froze. His blood ran cold as the tundra outside. He recognised that voice.

"Long time no see, Silver."

It was Sonic.

Oh shit, thought Silver.

Silver turned around to attack but Sonic opened a small glass container containing what he thought looked like black mist. The mist lunged at him, engulfing him in darkness, blocking out the light at the entrance of the cavern. Sonic laughed wickedly as Silver fell to his knees, fur changed from white to a strong grey. His eyes were not their lovely marigold colour but dark purple with slits for pupils. His quills were all messed up and ruffled in a similar style to Shadow's. Nobody could ever of guessed it was Silver.

Sonic approached the newly transformed Silver with some caution. Yes, he is the most powerful of the two but it can never hurt to be careful, right?

The grey hedgehog looked at him blankly and said, "My name is Venice, what would you like me to do, Controller?"

Sonic smiled wickedly.

"Track down Blaze, Tikal and Fiona and keep them occupied so I can grab the Chaos Emerald, okay?"

He said it quite harshly. Venice nodded obediently and walked out into the chilling cold of Holoska, flying towards Icesotope. Sonic walked casually out of the cavern, completely neglecting the cold.

Phase one is complete.

The small village of Icesotope was isolated to the rest of the settlements in the country, being near the Azu River. They fished for cod and tuna in this area and most of the villagers were busy doing just that. The blizzard had died down during the hour that Blaze, Fiona and Tikal had arrived in Icesotope and rested in a nearby inn. The three girls were drinking hot chocolate at the bar, sitting in some armchairs in an isolated part of the room. Tikal sat in the corner while Fiona and Blaze sat opposite each other, with Blaze taking some interest into Fiona.

"If you don't mind me asking," said Blaze, politely, "how do you know Sonic and Tails?"

Fiona nearly choked on her hot chocolate.

"I used to be a part of their Freedom Fighter group a few years back. I…I betrayed them to hook up with a villainous man that I thought I loved, till he abandoned me and left me for dead." Fiona replied, with shame.

"I'm so sorry, it sounds like you really loved him." Piped up Tikal.

"I did, now I just regret leaving the Freedom Fighters."

Blaze glanced out the window. Silver had still not arrived.

"Silver's still not here" said Blaze.

"I'm sure he's fine" said Tikal.

"Somehow I doubt that" replied Blaze.

"How so?" Asked Fiona, curiously.

"He seemed a little…off after returning from Westopolis," replied Blaze, "I get the feeling that there's something on his mind."

"Who knows?" Said Fiona.

As the girls finished up their hot chocolates, the sounds of the local police force rang out throughout the small town. The cars were driving towards the eastern side of the village. After paying for their hot chocolates, the three girls ran outside, where a gust of cold wind greeted them.

"What's going on?" Asked Fiona

"I haven't got a clue," said Blaze, "let's check it out."

"But what if it's a trap?" Replied Tikal, "the emerald is in the Azu River. Someone has to get it before Sonic does."

Blaze thought about it for a few moments.

"Okay, Tikal you go with Fiona and investigate while I grab the emerald."

"Fine by me," replied Fiona, "just don't freeze to death, okay?"

"Trust me," Blaze alighted her hands, "I won't."

Tikal and Fiona darted through the streets of Icesotope while Blaze headed towards the Azu River.

Sonic, once again, was tearing up a settlement till nothing but ashes remained. He was taking quite some pride in it as well. Police cars were littered about as he continued to butcher innocents until the girls arrived.

Fiona and Tikal arrived at the same time Sonic swiftly cut a mans leg off, with little or no hesitation. The dark blue hedgehog now had claws as sharp as a razor and as long as a a pen lid on both hands. Sonic turned face them, smiling evilly.

"Where's Blaze?" He spat at them.

"Not here" replied Fiona.

"Oh well, I guess I should leave you two with my…aquatint" replied Sonic.

A dark grey hedgehog, looking similar to Shadow appeared.

"Hold on, is that..?" Said Fiona

"Silver?" Asked Tikal.

Both of them were shocked at the sight of the new hedgehog.

"It's not Silver anymore," said Sonic, wickedly, "it's Venice"

Venice grabbed both girls with his telekinesis and threw them into a nearby building. Sonic ran off towards the river, eager to grab the emerald before the purple feline could.

Blaze arrived at the river and, without hesitation, dived into the icy waters. Once underneath the freezing, salty water Blaze could see through the small particles a Aqua Chaos Emerald, shimmering through the water.

Now the river itself wasn't that deep, it was about 50 feet, give or take. Blaze knew she had to swim fast to grab the emerald.

10 feet under.

Blaze continued to hold her breath despite the freezing water pushing against her fur.

20 feet under.

She let a little bit of air out. She could feel her lungs burn as she continued further into the dark depths of the Azu River.

30 feet under.

Blaze heard someone else dive into the river. Sonic, despite being aquaphobic, began swimming after her. And had managed to catch up fairly quickly.

40 feet under.

Blaze and Sonic were neck in neck with one another. Sonic seemed to be able to breath under water, while Blaze finally let the rest of her breath out. The Emerald was right there, in the sand on the riverbed.

50 feet under.

Both Sonic and Blaze grabbed the emerald and began a tug of war over it. Sonic tried to hit Blaze, to which Blaze head butted him, leaving him fazed. She swam up to the surface as fast as she could, feeling her life leaving her as she desperately needed oxygen.

Once Blaze had surfaced, she immediately gasped for air, shaking violently. A few of the fishermen noticed this and immediately alerted the medics. A muscular lion picked Blaze up (who gripped the emerald tightly) and took her into the offices nearby, just as the paramedics arrived.

Not very far away, Fiona and Tikal were struggling against their fight with Venice, who easily overpowered them with his telekinesis.

"Come on, Silver!" Shouted Fiona, "we know you're in there!"

"Hardly" replied Venice, "that pathetic mortal no longer exists!"

"What?!" Said both girls, surprised.

Venice then looked off towards the Azu River. He then turned to face Tikal and Fiona.

"Next time we meet, you won't be leaving alive." He said.

Venice teleported away, leaving Fiona and Tikal utterly confused.

Blaze found herself in a warm room, lying on a sofa with warm blankets over her. Hot chocolate was on the table in front of her as the paramedics explained that she was lucky to be alive, since most who end up in the Azu River die because of the freezing waters. Fiona and Tikal arrived shortly after this, with shocked looks on their faces.

"Are you okay?" Asked Tikal.

"Fine." Replied Blaze, "turns out that river is really cold"

"No kidding" replied Fiona.

Blaze showed them the aqua emerald. The emerald shined brightly against the lights in the room.

"Nice one!" Replied Fiona.

"Did you guys find Silver?" Asked Blaze.

Both Fiona and Tikal looked at one another. Fiona sighed.

"We've lost Silver."

A/N well there goes chapter 8. i accidentally deleted this chapter in original document, thank god for the back copy.

For anyone who's curious the village is named after an isotope ( a chemical element) and Venice was what Silver was gonna be called during the development of Sonic 06. Thought it would be a little appropriate.

Anyway this is the last chapter I can upload before Christmas and these chapter will be a little slow (see the update on my profile if you haven't already)

So I hope everyone enjoys their Christmas and please R&R