Chapter Three: Aushatara Makes Her Move

	In a dimention completely devoid of any light or solid matter, Aushatara and Shaetore appeared.
	"A temporary sanctuary, I assure you, Mouse," Aushatara told Shaetore. Shaetore tried not to 
scowl at being called Mouse. She hated that nickname. "-he will be sure to send others after us, the moment
 I step foot into a normal zone."
	"So what is the plan, my Lady?" Shaetore asked.
	"Simple, Mouse. I will be seeking a mortal whose strength and evil is nearly a match for my own. For 
this, I will need silence for a few minutes as I will See into other dimentions."
	"Yes my Lady," Shaetore bowed as Aushatara closed her eyes.

	As Sonic and the others headed back to the palace to prepare Cream and her friends for their journey,
 he paused, ears perked.
	Knuckles looked at Sonic. "What is it, Sonic?"
	"...she's Seeing into other zones. I can sense the essence of her presense in other zones. She's 
searching for something..."
	"Maybe searching for a way to defeat you?" Knuckles suggested.
	"Most likely, Captian..."
	Knuckles sighed. "Sir, permission to speak frank for a moment?"
	"Of course, Captian," Sonic said, a little suprised.
	"Sonic...what happened to first name basis? It's Knux, doncha remember? You called me KNUX,"
 Knuckles pointed out.
	Sonic looked at him for a moment and laughed. "I'm sorry Knux, I thought you liked being called 
Captian..."
	"Oh don't get me wrong, I don't mind it. At least in public. But when we're not out trying to make 
an impression, you let me call you 'Sonic' instead of 'Sir', cause we're FRIENDS, right?"
	"Right. Okay Knux, point taken!" Sonic laughed, walking away.

	At the palace, Cream and the others stood before Sonic as he stood before his throne. Sonia, 
Manic, Shadow, Knuckles, Amy, and Sierra stood next to Sonic. Sierra was the first to step up, approaching 
the golden sea lion, holding a medallion in her hands. "Rukicha, stong and humble, I present you with this 
yellow Chaos Emerald. May Hope watch over you."
	Rukicha took the medallion. "Thank you, Miss Ranay."
	Amy stepped up to the silver girl. "Pitecha, smart and cunning, I present you with the grey Chaos
 Emerald."
	Pitecha took the medallion and wore it around her neck. "Wow, thanks Amy!"
	Next was Knuckles, who stood before the red dragon. "Chahura, brave and thoughtful, I present 
you with the red Chaos Emerald."
	Chahura pickled Knuckles up to give him a boost in putting on the medallion. Chahura then promptly 
thanked Knuckles by giving him a big dragon hug. The captian struggled under the dragon's grip and tried to 
smile. "It's...good to see you....too...boy...but...can't...breathe!"
	Meanwhile, Shadow stepped up to the black hedgehog. But instead of pointing any attributes out 
about the hedgehog, he just presented him with the orange emerald and frowned. "You have some work to do, 
Chalcon. Don't fight with your brother, and PLEASE, for Hope's sake, don't misuse your power!"
	Chalcon sighed and bowed his head. "Yes sir..."
	Sonic ribbed Shadow as he stepped back and looked to Chalcon. "Chalcon, your ability to access a 
situation and figure out a solution is your greatest strength. USE that talent, alright?"
	Chalcon looked up at Sonic, a bit suprised. "Uh...yes sir!"
	Knuckles was still flailing in Chahura's arms.
	Manic stepped up to the penguin. "Rupicha, sweet and playful, here's the green emerald!"
	Rupicha took the emerald and wore it, looking up at Manic, starry-eyed. "Wow...thanks Manic!!"
	"Guys-" Knuckles gasped under Chahura's grip.
	Sonia stepped up to the pink fairy. "Pucha, sassy and witty, here's the purple emerald to protect ya."
	Pucha put it on. "A way past awesome fashion accessory!"
	"Chahura!" Knuckles gasped, nearly choking.
	Finally, Sonic stepped up to Cream. "Cream, it's up to you to lead this group and stop Aushatara. This 
blue Chaos Emerald medallion will be my eye to see this other world Aushatara will be in, and I'll know when to 
bring you home."
	Cream wore the medallion and bowed. "Thank you, Sire, I will not let you down!"
	Knuckles was finally released, gasping for air and trying to stand with Chahura looking down on him
 lovingly.
	Chaima fowned, looking at Sonic. "What about me? Don't I get an emerald?"
	Sonic knelt before Chaima. "You, Chaima, don't need an emerald."
	"Haha!" Chalcon taunted. He was promptly slugged in the face by Pucha.
	Chaima looked confused. "But...why not?! Why should-"
	"You'll learn, soon enough, my friend," Sonic assured him. "But trust me when I say that you honestly 
don't NEED one..."
	Chaima sighed. "Oh....okay..."
	Knuckles stumbled next to Sonic, looking dazed. "I...concur...!"
	And he collasped.

In another dimention, Aushatara Saw a great battle take place on a floating island. A golden creature battled a metal-clad raptor. Watching, studying the situation, Aushatara became interested in the raptor as he fought. She sensed this creature was clever...cunning. It had been through many battles. Even though the raptor fell in defeat under the golden creature, Aushatara smiled to herself. "Clever, clever creature. Yes, your legacy WILL live on. You have been chosen by Darkness..." Aushatara opened her eyes. "I have chosen a zone, Mouse. We will cross over to this zone, and gather a grand army of followers. From there....phase one will begin."
Sonic, who was sitting in his throne with his eyes closed and arms folded, opened his eyes quite suddenly. "She has made her move." Cream and the others were camped out on the floor before the throne, having waited there all night for Sonic to call them. Knuckles, with a staff in hand, was snoozing near the door. Royal members were sitting in their rightful places, napping as well. Sonic stood up. "Wake up everyone, she's on the move!" Everyone stirred and looked up. "Time ta go already?" Cream asked. "Yes. Let's hurry, Cream, I fear the goddess is up to something horrible," Sonic said, and held up his hands, closing his eyes, concentrating. "What's he doing?" Cream asked. "He's opening a portal into the next zone," Knuckles said, watching. Before Sonic's hands, a white portal started to form. He collasped to his knees. "I spent all my energy making this portal. Go quickly, it will not last long!" Cream looked at her chao friends. "Let's go!" She bolted for the portal and lept in, followed by Chaima, Pucha, Rupicha, Chahura, Rukicha, Pitecha, and Chalcon. The portal shut behind them as Knuckles helped Sonic to his feet. "Are they gonna be okay, Sonic?" Sonic nodded. "They are being watched over..."