As the trio arrived to their destination, they found the base that was sending the signal. But what they saw around was a terrible sight to behold. Every tree stripped of it's leaves by fire, land parting and cracking so deep the magma was being released. Tremors were present ever so often and the sky was covered in thick clouds as air was barely breathable, polluted by the smoke that was sipping from everything that was destroyed.

-What the hell happened here? - Knuckles said looking around.

-No life forms detected in the area. - Omega's voice sounded from the smoke as only his eyes were visible, shining with their bright red light.

-This is not what I expected... Someone must've wrecked this place. - Shadow spoke up looking at the sky as ash fell on his face.

-Did that guy do this?

They all fell silent for a moment taking in what they were witnessing.

-Does this image remind you of something Knuckles? - black hedgehog asked wiping his face from the ash. - Back when Doctor trapped us in the white void one of the portals was to a place that looked a lot like this. Silver that we knew said it was his world, his future.

-You mean...

-Future that Silver wanted to prevent is happening right now. - he said in confidence in his voice. - But it's not as he said it happened... The world was supposed to be already like this when he was born.

-Maybe he will be soon?

-No. - hedgehog muttered walking through the destroyed gate that was leading into base's courtyard. - He already is and I've met him.

-What are you saying by this?!

-History became fluid with the appearance of Time Eater, these are the consequences.

-So we can still prevent it, right? - red echidna asked walking up to him. There was a brief silence broken up by Omega's steps.

-Right... Omega, can you do something to increase our visibility?

-Negative, follow me to the main building. - robotic voice stated loudly. As they entered the building, they found it abandoned. None of the lights were working and scent of burnt flesh was ever present.

-There's a strong Chaos Energy residue in this place. - Knuckles spoke up. - If the emeralds are not here we at least know they WERE here.

-Omega, can you grant us some more vision? We can't see in the dark like you.

-Apologies, I am not equipped with lighting equipment.

-It's a long shot, but generator at this place could be just disabled. - echidna proposed.

-If just the entrance is trashed like this I doubt the rest of this base is even barely functional.

As they proceeded further air cleared up but they encountered an obstacle in form of collapsed part of the roof. Under the debris there were burnt corpses of humans that were unfortunate enough to get crushed on their way out. Shadow took a knee by them.

-They weren't burned by fire... And they were running out of here. Someone on the inside was responsible for this.

-What do you mean not by fire?

-Someone turned their own bodies against them... As you know every living creature has at least a little amount of energy we posses. It was manipulated to burn them from the inside. It was like spontaneous combustion if you will.

-How do you even know that?

Ebony hedgehog let out a chuckle.

-Let's just say work at G.U.N. had it's... Darker days. - he said with a strange spark in his eye. Echidna just looked at his companions, he knew it meant Shadow did something like that before. - Omega, burst through.

As the robot used it's massive clawed hands to move the rubble aside, Knuckles noticed familiar shape on the wall, distorted by the soot on it. Curious, he tried wiping it clean.

-Shadow, I think you might want to see this. - he said turning his head to the black hedgehog.

-What is it? - he asked walking up to the echidna.

-You recognize this symbol?

Shadow's eyes widened.

-So I was right... They're responsible for all of this. - he clenched his fist. - These fuckers may be already dead, but this way they got what they deserved.

-The way is clear. - they both heard Omega's robotic voice.

They continued their way down the corridors of the base and were slowly stumbling upon more and more bodies, some still sizzling after they extinguished.

-Chaos Energy is getting stronger. I think the emeralds are still here. - Knuckles spoke up, breaking the silence between them all. As they cut the corner they entered a big hall, with one ray of light coming down on a person that sat upon a mountain of corpses. In his hand he held human skull, clean of any skin and muscle. He was throwing it up and down in a steady motion with his head resting on the other hand. Around him all seven Chaos Emeralds were floating, their color slightly darker than usual and light they emitted greatly dimmed.

-You boys have no idea how to make your presence unknown. - he said without looking at them. He stopped juggling and held the skull firmly, looking in it's empty eye sockets. - Isn't it funny how humans that rely on their strength so much are easily killed? With a snap of my fingers all you see around you were incinerated in an instant. - he started putting more pressure, trying to close his hand. - They gave me new life. Life I once had and cherished as a little guy that craved adventure. But then it all changed. - he crushed human skull, clenching his fist. - My adventuring days were over, I had to do something else. - he stood up and finally looked at the trio. His eyes brightly shining with the scarlet color. - No one remembered me and no one wanted to believe my words! I have been denied my own life!

-What the hell are you talking about!? Give us back the emeralds! - Knuckles shouted at the person on top of the pile. Shadow crossed his arms and remained silent, trying to make sense of the monologue. Omega was locked on the one that he worked with not too long ago, carefully watching his movements.

-Ah, Knuckles. You live your life guarding your precious Master Emerald. Never bothered by anything that is happening outside your island. - he snickered. - Your strength could knock out someone even if they were using the emeralds but you still could never catch up. Both in speed and in intellect. You were slow and allowed Eggman trick you that a certain blue hedgehog wanted to steal the one thing you guard. - he laughed again. - You let him do that twice, that's how pathetic you are!

Echidna gritted his teeth annoyed and angered by what was being said about him.

-Who do you think you are?!

-You still don't know? This is just precious. - he started laughing again. - You know me, you've known me for a long time...

A bright flash of golden light blinded Shadow and Knuckles as the assailant used the Chaos Emeralds to turn himself into more powerful entity. What they saw was a golden hedgehog with pure red eyes.

-I am Sonic! Sonic the Hedgehog!

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