The forest was filled with the scent of the Abomination.

The creature came to a stop, nostrils flaring as it tried to pinpoint the source. It had been two hours since it emerged from its home world and ditched its handlers. The loud cacophony of sounds and smells made it restless; in Hell there was there was next to no gravity, and smells didn't expand due to the lack of winds. As such, never the immortal faced so many different scents at once.

But it lived up to its reputation, and quickly caught the right track. Unfolding grand white wings, the beast launched itself into the sky, silent as the death as it honed in on the source of the smell.

xxxxxxxxx

Why can't you tell me?' Wouldn't that be easier than sneaking into GUN's headquarters?

The Manacle's responding chuckle sounded a bit too humorless for Sonic. It was a sound-feeling -that was the only way he could name the strange type of communication they shared- that dripped with disbelief. Meaning, the stone did not believe he was strong enough to know the truth.

I can take on whatever you dish at me you stupid psychopath. The cobalt hedgehog thought morosely as he sat down on the living room couch. A cup of coffee laid forgotten on the low table, it's owner being too mentally troubled to drink it.

It had been two hours since he brought back his friends. Thankfully this time he didn't crash the Tornado on the way back, so these last few moments had been spend with musing and somber thoughts. If the Manacle could just get on with it and spill it out already.

What you will discover will destroy the conception you had of this world, Ogilvie. If I told you, you will recoil from the truth like all scared mortals and demand proof.

Hey! You are the only one who fucking knows about my past! Stop talking in riddles and fucking tell me- A sharp, painful and sudden headache stopped the hedgehog's laments on its tracks. Sonic clenched his head, grimacing under the pain as the Manacle growled threateningly inside his mind. It apparently did not enjoy colorful language. Not when it was directed at itself.

It's just that...You know about my past. You know what happened before I was found. You know who I was before I had been taken in by the royals. Sonic grinned weakly. He could feel the surprise coming off in waves from the Twilight Manacle; clearly the stone hadn't been expecting it. He felt it shift around, ruffling through his memories before letting out a low hiss.

Yes, Sonic the Hedgehog was a prince: a adopted prince sure, but to Queen Alena's motherly eyes he was her son in everything but blood. When Eggman was defeated, a mere three years after the oversized dictator started chasing his siblings and him around, the sapphire hedgehog left to make a name for himself. He still visited them of course, but he had known for years he wasn't related by blood like them.

There had been a detachment between them. There had been too much differences between him and the two other royals.

Pink and green were usual colors for hedgehogs as far as he knew, just like brown, white and red. Purple and black were rare colors, even with royals who's genetics were often enough imbued with Chaos energy. As for blue, well, Sonic never heard of another hedgehog of his coloration.

Nor his eye color or their shape. While mobians possessed oval eyes, his own had pointed edges, and Tails once pointed out that they glowed faintly in the dark. The fox and Sonic -though it took a lot of time and whining on the hedgehog's part to make the two-tailed vulpine stop poking at him with machines - had attributed his strange appearance to the Chaos energy inside of him and left it at that.

Surprised?

The Manacle chuckled sinisterly.

I didn't expect any less from you, Ogilvie. You are a prince by blood after all...

Wait what?!

What was the stone talking about? He was royalty by blood? But the only zone that had a king (or queen in this case) was ruled by his adoptive mother! Did Twilight want to give him more headaches with all this new information? Why couldn't the stupid stone be clearer? He needed to know this!

I can say no more, child. Some things you have to discover them by yourself. I'm sorry.

But you can at least give me some clues! I'm stuck here waiting for Tails and Knuckles to wake up! I can't go ransacking the GUN headquarters! Sonic cried mentally in despair. He wasn't one to be desperate, but he wanted a alternative choice, since the last time he had transformed...hadn't gone so well for him.

Or Shadow. Or anyone else than the Manacle when he thought about it. The said parasite seemed to whine mentally at the memory of its rampage, trying to be apologetic for the event. Sonic asked again, and the beast snarled like a bird with ruffled feathers, giving it's host that could be translated to a do-I-look-like-I-care-much with a taste of annoyance.

Sonic's left ear twitched in annoyance. "Aren't you helpful." The sapphire creature mumbled to himself, closing his eyes briefly in thoughts.

How about I tell you why those immortals are chasing after you?

The Blue Blur's emerald eyes snapped open. He blinked, his mind processing what the stone had just said. That...actually seemed like a good idea. He was tired of those beings chasing after him for a unknown reason...actually, he had a idea why. He knew it had something to do with the creature that decided to be a passenger of his body.

Not my fault they hold a grudge. The Manacle growled. It seemed to pause, deep in thoughts, before continuing. Ogilvie. Lie down on the couch and close your eyes.

Sonic raised a eyebrow at that. "Uh...why would I do that?" Neverless, as he spoke the sapphire stretched out on the comfortable furniture. He kicked his shoes off, and laid down on the couch. The Manacle's words had picked his curiosity, and the sapphire was interested, as well as desperate, to know why he had the devilish entity slumbering inside of him.

That curiously made way to apprehension when he felt his body turn limp and his eyes unwillingly close shut.

It felt cold, yet warm at the same time. Uninviting, calm and timeless.

The sapphire looked at his surroundings. Why was everything white, flat and quiet? Where was the sun and the clouds? Where was he? Then, he smelled something that was completely out of place.

A hot, strange smell that reminded the azure speedster of sulfur. It made his nose and ears twitch in distaste. It was potent, oddly familiar, and it seemed to burn inside his nostrils. The source was coming from behind him.

Hello, Ogilvie. The rumbling voice-like feeling left no doubt of what creature stood behind him. Curious, he turned around...only to openly gap at what stood in front of him.

It stood crouched in front of the young hedgehog, pupiless gold-white eyes staring down at him with mirth. The creature was large, larger than Perfect Chaos, larger than anything he had faced, with teeth that could rip through a building jutting out of a crocodilian-like skull that easily surpassed the size of a mansion. It's body was long, serpentine, with four powerful limbs, two muscular back legs and two long, skeletal arms that were armed with terrible claws and covered with spikes.

It was a dark, sinister red, a shade that was painfully familiar to the blue hedgehog...until it suddenly clicked.

"Twilight?!"

It's wings extended above him, crimson flames flaring to life on the beast's body as it chuckled, bringing its nose down to the blue hedgehog's level. It's head was utterly massive, with thick, sharp teeth that held a resemblance to knives.

The thing lowered it's skull towards Sonic, who tried not to flinch as the tip of the gigantic creature's snout brushed against his chest. Heat emitted from the skin of the beast, enough to be noticed but not enough to hurt him.

I think it's high time we meet face to face, little one.

The gigantic, dark red fire glowed like a small sun. A burning, living flame with two massive, intelligent orbs that looked down upon him like a god would to its subjects. The fire had a basic, humanoid outline, a pair of massive, constantly shifting wings and a tail so long he could not see the end of it.

"Twilight?" The golden eyes stared, unmoving, not blinking, before the creature's maws opened slightly in what could only be a terrifying mockery of a smile.

You look so small.

One of the gem's enormous, clawed hand reached out to the blue speedster, who let out a surprised yelp and dove out of the way as one of the massive limb's fingers tried to poke him in the chest.

"What the-?!" Sonic backed away slowly from the creature, his ears folded back in irritation. "Hey! What was that for?!"

The flaming monster snorted and waved a claw in front of the sapphire. The bladed limb was easily twenty times the side of the young hero. What? Am I not allowed to pet you?

Sonic was pretty sure even the tip of his ears the red from how much he was blushing.

"What do I look like to you, a dog?!" The living fire looked down at its host, amused by how the young mortal waved his hands around, peach cheeks dusted with red.

Yes, little hedgehog. From my point of view, you look tiny. Don't try to raise your quills either. You will still look absolutely adorable. It raised its head high, white-gold eyes looking down at the azure one. The tail waved lazily behind its gargantuan body. Sonic glared.

"Well...not everyone is the size of a freaking city!"

A comfortable pause issued.

"Where are we anyways?" He looked around. Everything was white. Blank. The only that escaped it was the floor, which was beautiful halo of gold with hints of other color. It was smooth, made out of a material unknown to the Blue Blur.

Arit'koma. What mortals refer to as a mindscape. I transported your conscience here while you were calm and rested.

Huh. So this was his mind. He kind of expected more.

"How come you never did this earlier?"

Our bond wasn't very perfect at the beginning. It's starting to solidify, and the stronger it gets, the more energy I can give you. That makes me, in return, stronger. More in control. Sonic blinked, noticing the slight jab at him, and what it meant. That he could transform without going in a murder rampage. My physical body slowly evolves the further I am connected to my host.

"Wait, that's why you changed appearance as a bracelet? ...and by the way, it's still too dainty." He waved his right hand at the creature. The delicate bracelet, to his surprise, wasn't there. Then again, this wasn't his physical body.

Twilight snorted. Yes. Right now, I can only transfer 20% of my energy to you. Thirty if you count what I like to call 'Rage Mode'. Sonic shuddered inwardly as he remembered that state. It had felt nearly as overpowering as Super, but controlling himself had been like trying to mix oil and water. He hoped he would never turn into that ever again.

"Why did you bring me here anyways?"

To explain a few things. I think its time you know why you are being hunted.

Sonic raised a eyebrow in a questioning manner. "What happened to not saying anything and forcing me to break into a military base to get information?"

Twilight chuckled. Ah, yes. That you will still do. What I am going to tell you is more centered upon me, and why I need hosts. The enormous creature sat back on its haunches, the two torrents of crimson flames that were its wings folding upon its jagged back. It looked down at its blue-furred host, who nodded, as if encouraging the creature to continue. To understand this, we have to go back to the First Era, when Mobius took form and the first creatures formed. At that time I first woke under a red moon, hostless, for I had no need for it. Not then anyways.

Sonic blinked. "You're that old?!" The Blue Blur knew the gem had a long history, but for it to exist since before the Echidnas' dynasty, it was something!

The Twilight Manacle nodded. Yes, I am. During those days I was fearless, for no predator could be of match against me. I was the ruler of the skies, a living fire many feared. Life was peaceful for me, yet I constantly searched for a enemy. A rival. Powerful sorcerers and mighty warriors fell quickly before me. I kept searching, no matter how hopeless it seemed. But who could hope to match me, the Crimson Flame? The creature shook its head. I found out several years later after I begun my quest. To this day, I regret my foolishness.

"What happened, Twilight?" Sonic, who had sat down in front of the beast, urged onwards.

Mobians wanted to get rid of me, and the Eternals happened. The crimson colored fire grumbled weakly. They have many names. Immortals, Hunters, messengers...but the words 'Demon' and 'Angel' is what they prefer. They are immortal creatures from two different realms, both constantly in war with each other...and in search of a good hunt. A long, fiery tail swept behind the creature as it growled angrily. Not at Sonic, the sapphire realized, but at itself. Naturally, you can realized what happened when the great sorcerers of Mobius opened gates for them. Mobians thought the Eternals would be their saviors. They made a irreversible mistake. The immortals came out in numbers and quickly took over half of Mobius. When the sorcerers tried to seal the gates...they realized what they made was permanent.

"How come there isn't anything written about this? I'm sure I've would have heard it from Tails."

Most who were present and aware of what was happening died during that year. Twilight huffed. Anyways, as their armies were crushed by the invaders, the people of Mobius decided to play their ace. The fire monster's eyes narrowed. Me. They used me to lure the Eternals. They thought we would kill each other. The creature let out a loud, humorless laugh, opening its mouth in a toothy grin.

How wrong they were. My fire was stronger than their blades. I crushed them. Their armada destroyed, the few who survived ran back to their worlds, Hell and Paradise. The gates were too small, so I could not follow them. I had retreated into a volcano to sleep off the little damage they had done to me. The Twilight Manacle's face fell, and the fire seemed to dull. As if the memories were making it gloomy. I wasn't expecting them to come back so soon...not with their own sorcerers...or their leaders. Only the strongest of them become king or queen, and they last for hundreds of years. The crimson creature's golden flickered down to its host. The gaze was severe and so intense the sapphire hedgehog almost looked away. Almost.

Dark Gaia. Light Gaia. Remember the name of those monsters, because we will kill them.

Sonic shivered, feeling his ears fold back. The mere names of leaders of Hell and Paradise made him shiver. They felt so wrong, those names, so rightfully evil and heartless, the sapphire knew that this wasn't a task he could walk away from.

And how Twilight spoke. It was a statement. It would use Sonic to kill them, and he wouldn't be able to refuse.

Ignoring its host's shiver, the Manacle continued. The two most powerful Hunters. Two against one. I had finally found my match...and I took more than I could chew. I was, at the end, able to defeat them. I could have killed them...but... The creature's voice seemed to break at this point, as if it didn't want to relieve the memories. As I was weakened, and Gaia and Light Gaia near dying, their sorcerers used the leaders' bloods to seal me in a primal form...the one you wear on your arm. A sight escaped a tooth-filled maw. But golden eyes flashed, and it looked down at Sonic intensely. As if it knew something the other didn't. They retreated back to their world. They hid the portals. I was weakened, in need of a host...the sorcerers used the leaders' blood to seal my true form away...

...and only their blood could set me free.

xxxxxxxxxx

Tails' clear blue eyes fluttered open.

The young fox stretched, his tails twitching in confusion when he realized he wasn't laying on a cold metal surface, like the last time he had been taken hostage by Dr. Eggman, but rather in the comfortable safety of his bed. Confusion sprang forth as the yellow furred fox looked around. He recognized the sight of his bedroom.

Tails stared.

How in the name of all things rational did this happen?

"Tails? Are you awake?" A familiar voice asked from outside the room. The bedroom's door opened slowly, drawing the two-tailed fox's attention. The young boy watched as Knuckles walked in, sporting more than a few bandages. Blinking once, twice, the fox rose from his bed and looked around again. No, he wasn't dreaming. This was his bedroom.

Noticing his shoes at the side of the bed, he picked them up, as well as a fresh pair of socks. "How...how did we get here?" He asked as he sat down on the edge of his bed and dressed himself.

The red echidna let out a low hum, poking a bandage across his chest as he did so. "If I had to guess, Sonic brought us here." He pulled at the fabric, watching with amusement as it fell loosely. "He was always the worst of us when it came to wrapping a wound."

"Where is he?" Tails smiled, amused by the statement. A image of Sonic standing over the their prone forms, covered in bandages as he struggled to put them over their injuries appeared inside his mind, and he let a small laugh escape his cracked lips.

Knuckles beckoned the younger male to follow with his head, and Tails did so obediently.

Sonic was curled up on the living room couch, fur rustled and some of it burned, but otherwise fine and whole as he slept. His knees were tucked into his stomach and he was using his left arm as a pillow. His right one was curled into his chest, next to his heart. Tails noticed with interest the silver bracelet with the ruby attached to his brother's thin wrist. It looked different from the last time he had seen it...then again, he had only glimpsed it.

He also noticed the soft green cover thrown over the Blue Blur's body, covering his back and a part of his legs. "You gave him a blanket?" Tails suggested, and was pleased Knuckles flush red under his fur. He had said that on a whim, knowing Sonic wasn't careful enough about his own body to grab a cover. Luckily, he had been right. The yellow fox only wished he had a camera.

"He was shivering!"

Tails giggled childishly at the echidna's defensive answer. But his expression became serious when he remembered something.

"Did you and Sonic defeat Eggman?" The Guardian of the Master Emerald shifted his weight uncomfortably. His hands clenched at the feeling and it left Tails even more confused than before.

"Well?"

"Last thing I remember was at the fat egg breaking his promise and attacking us. You got knocked out...and I followed after. Sonic must have done everything by himself."

Tails stared at his red-furred friend with disbelief.

"...you know how improbable that sounds..."

Knuckles shrugged. "Well, I don't know what to say other than that. Normally I would wake him up, but I fear that would strain him. By the looks of things, he got us out of Eggman's base-with the Master Emerald." The echidna sounded at least impressed by Tails' point of view. The fox looked back at his sleeping brother. Sonic was curled up under the thick wool blanket, both of his arms tucked against his chest and his legs as well, sharp emerald eyes hidden by soft blue fur.

Tails yawned, his tails stiffening behind him, doing their own version of a stretch. He turned around, about to leave the living room. "I'm going to go make something to eat. Can you help me?"

And then the roof was torn off.