Sonic flew his plane into a large fog bank. He had been flying for almost three days and was thankful The Chaos Emerald in the engine kept it going. The fog was thick, but he knew what direction to go. He wished he didn't! The last time he came here with Sally. And it had caused him more headaches than he wished to remember. He just prayed he hadn't have to go back in time. Just the thought of it gave him a migraine. After an hour of flying, he flew out of the bank. A small island was in the center of a clear area within the fog. A few trees shaped like balloons and a gray stone temple in the center. Sonic sighed, "Here we go again!" Sonic landed on the island and jumped off the plane. He looked around expecting the stone griffins that guarded the island to attack, but there was nothing. Just the eerie sound of the wind. Sonic thought about grabbing the small blaster pistol under the plane's controls, but he hated guns. He walked carefully up the small stone steps to the large archway that led inside. He looked around, but nothing happened, "Man this creepy. Last time I was here, I didn't have the time to be freaked out." He walked into the temple and fell down a hole. He fell onto a stone slide and slid downward. He hit the hard ground and stood up. He looked around, "Hello!"

"Sonic!" A tall man with a long graybeard walked into view. He wore purple robes and used a large staff to walk.

"Lazar! I thought you were dead."

The man sighed, "I am dead Sonic! But before Robotnik's machines killed me, I sent my sprit here. Here I may stay."

"Did you send for me?"

"Yes! A storm is forming on the horizon. Unless we do something soon, this planet will tare itself apart."

Sonic looked around, "So where are The Time Stones. I assume I have to go back in time."

"NO!" Lazar tapped his staff on the ground, "Time travel is the cause of all this. Technology that shouldn't exist is now here in this time." Lazar waved his free hand and the two stones appeared. Two large stones with red gems in their centers that fit together by matching cracks. Lazar beckoned Sonic to come forward, "While you will not go through time, you will glimpse into the past."

"Why?"

"Five thousand years ago the world was in a constant state of war. Soon the planet will be at war once again. Hopefully seeing the past will help your future."

"How will that help out?"

Lazar sighed, "Because! You might have to kill two of your friends."

"WHAT!" Before Lazar could answer, The Time Stones flashed with red light that enveloped the room.

5,000 years ago!

In a large tent in the middle of a large camp, eleven mammals sat at a long table, A lion sat at the head of the table in a fancier chair than the others did. The lion was dressed in golden armor and a black cat dressed in chain mail stood behind him with a golden long sword in a black sheath. The ten other mammals that sat at the table were dressed in a verity of fancy armor. Each one had a sword bearer standing behind them. Food was spread across the table and there was plenty of wine. The lion picked up his large goblet, "To the victory of Allied Forces!"

"To Victory!" Everyone at the table raised their goblets. They drank them dry in one gulp and servants quickly refilled them.

The lion stoked his mane, "Of course, we must give thanks to the brave solider that held off the black army until reinforcements arrived." He waved to the guard at the tent and the dog pulled back the flap. A blue hedgehog in green armor walked in and bowed. The lion bayed his servants to set a seat at the opposite end of the table. The hedgehog sat down and bowed his head again when food and wine was set before him. The lion laughed, "Please speak!"

"My lord! I am not worthy to speak before such great generals."

"You are far from a common solider. Without you, we would have lost Hollow Wind Pass."

"I was simply doing my duty."

"Duty is for the battlefield! Here we are all warriors. Please, introduce yourself!"

The hedgehog bowed his head again, "My name is Liu Ren! I am for the eastern province. I have come to fight for the virtuous Shu Ran and rid us of the villain Zho Kai!"

The lion smiled, "A bold statement! Worthy of a solider of your abilities. And you flattery is appreciated." The lion finished his wine and waved the servant off before he could refill it, "I'm afraid that we must send you back into battle soon."

"My duty is to you my lord."

"Zho Kai's troops are immense in number, but their leader is a fat overweight pig. The only thing holding his troops together is Chao Yun! A hedgehog from a distant province. The warrior wields a powerful Halberd and has slaughtered hundreds of troops."

"You wish for me to fight him!"

"Only you have a hope of defeating him. But first we will try to convince him to join us. Deep in the mountains east of here is a sword maker. He has crafted a sword like no other. You will go and retrieve the sword and use it to convince Chao Yun to join us. Without him, the black army will fall apart."

"I shall go without delay."

"Damn Rain!" Liu Ren stopped his horse under a dense collection of trees. The hedgehog jumped off the horse and let the gray charger graze. He grasped his spear and looked around. The trees did a fair job of keeping the rain from hitting him, but he was still getting soaked. He had followed a small path for the past three days, but now his journey took him through the forest. He still had at least another two days worth of travel before he reached the sword smith. As he wandered around, he spotted a pair of tents under a large tree. It bore neither insignias nor colors. He decided to catch it and slowly approached the tents. They were side by side. The first one was open and he could see a red horse in side eating oats. The second one was closed, but a light was on inside it. As he got closer, the tent flap opened and a green hedgehog stepped out. Dressed in black battle armor and gripping a golden Halberd with a crescent blade and sharp point. Liu Ren recognized the burning crimson eyes, "Chao Yun!"

The hedgehog chuckled, "I see I am well known." He looked over the blue hedgehog with green eyes, "And you appear to be Liu Ren!"

"You know me?"

"The brave warrior who held off three legions of men, killed four strong officers, and prevented the capture of Hallow Wind Pass. I was hoping to meet you on the battlefield."

Liu Ren readied his spear, "I guess this is close enough! Prepare yourself!" Liu Ren moved to attack, but stopped as he heard Chao Yun's laughter, "Why do you mock me?"

"Because you are soaked through, tired, and hungry!" Liu Ren blushed slightly as his stomach growled. Chao Yun waved him in, "Bring your horse and eat." Liu Ren stood motionless for several moments before snapping awake. He walked back to his horse to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He brought his horse to the tent with the red one. His hungry horse quickly joined the red one in eating the oats that were in a small bin. The red horse didn't seem to mind and moved over so the gray one had room. Liu Ren gripped his spear and slowly entered the other ten. Chao Yun was sitting on the ground in front of a small wooden table. A large lantern provided light and food was abundant. Liu Ren looked around and spotted the gold Halberd leaning against the tent, within easy reach of Chao Yun. The green hedgehog laughed, "Sit! I was lucky to kill a couple of deer. There is too much for me to consume."

Liu Ren sat down on the opposite side of the table. He set his spear down, "Why are you doing this? We are enemies!"

Chao Yun poured him a small glass of wine, "Only on the battlefield. Here we are just two warriors having a drink." He set the bottle down, "Going to the sword smith?"

The color in Liu Ren's face faded, "How did you know?"

"I am on the same journey. The sword smith has sent for both sides to send their strongest warriors to see him. He will judge who is worthy." He bit into the meat, "Don't let the food get cold."

Liu Ren nodded and they ate in silent for several minutes. After he had eaten his fill, Liu Ren stretched, "Why do you serve Zho Kai? My lord is willing to give you anything you want."

Chao Yun sighed, "I will tell you only if you grant me three favors."

"What favors?"

"One! Never speak of what I am about to tell you to anyone. Two! Don't try to win me over to your side. And Three! Fight me!"

"All three are easy enough."

Chao Yun refilled their cups, "I serve that stupid slob only because people want to kill him. Strong warriors from all around have come to kill that villain off. I am disappointed by the lack of challenges. I hope you will be more of a challenge."

"Wait! Your telling me that the only reason you protect him is because you want to fight. What kind of warrior are you?"

"One who seeks a worthy adversary." Chao Yun finished his wine, "I have grown tired of having no equal to my power."

"So when do you want to put me to the test?"

"After we see the sword smith. There will be plenty of time to fight after that." He rubbed his eyes, "It is late and I want to get an early start tomorrow."

"Agreed!"