Author's Note: Sorry for the delay for this. But now it's back. So, enjoy!
I do not own Sonic The Hedgehog. All rights belong to Sega. I only own the OCs.
Chapter 11: Land Safe, Water and Fire-Not Safe!
It was bad enough that both Sonics were still alive after secretly witnessing that Snively's old invention that came in handy for once was smashed by both heroes as well as black hedgehog both Scourge and Robotnik were unfamiliar with, now they had other problems with two more Emeralds found by their enemies. As the evil green hedgehog led his partner in crime through a familiar streets which was thankfully well hidden, a place where he thought he'd never see again and fought down the shudder that crept up through his skin and quills, he couldn't stop thinking about something he saw that made him actually quite concerned.
Concerned for himself at least, because he didn't care about what others would think. Now the Terror of Moebius was speaking to the monster that appeared before him and the evil doctor from Young Sonic's world.
"Mm-Hm...Uh-huh...Oh, so that's your little secret. Well, that explains everything. Thanks for the heads up, big guy. I'll be sure that none of us will be goin' there." Scourge said to the giant monster, who growled as Robotnik kept his distance, just in case.
The huge black beast then made a hissing sound which actually made the seventeen year old raise an eyebrow as he could surprisingly understand what it was saying.
"Really? No wonder I couldn't find him. Not that it would make much of a difference." The evil hedgehog muttered, and with that, the monster gave a nod before sinking back into the black portal and vanishing. Scourge sighed and ran a hand through his quills. "Well, that complicates things."
"You actually understand what our friend is saying?" Robotnik questioned, skeptically. "I couldn't even get a gig out of it."
"Surprisingly, yeah. I was a bit shocked when I found that out, but hey, it really comes in handy. I guess it's something to do with when I made that wish to merge all three worlds together and I found him." Scrouge smirked with a shrug.
The evil scientist thought deeply, before coming up with a logical explanation. "It could be that because you were the one who found the Time Eater, you were affected by the Sol Emeralds' power that allows you alone to communicate with the creature which you yourself had made it all possible."
"Glad to hear I made an impression. Pretty cool new ability." Scourge chuckled, before frowning deeply. "If I hadn't, then you and I would really be in for a horrifying shock when we both die one day."
"What do you mean?"
"He gave me a warning since I freed him from a prison he was locked up in for who knows how long."
Robotnik frowned suspiciously. "What did he say?"
Scourge placed one hand into his pocket while scratching the top of his head with the other, explaining. "He's saying that he's been locked up in the deepest part between reality of all the Multiverse along with his own counterpart, who was also freed, but he doesn't know what his buddy's doing right now or who found him. Anyway, this place and our realities as well as other worlds through out Space and Time are only slightly linked to a place that stupid alien guy Black Doom was trapped in. They call it the Prison of Evil, where the most evil of people end up to when they're on the verge of death."
"The Prison of Evil?" Robotnik raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Yep. Apparently it's a place of death and punishment for those who, let's just say, like Black Doom and even your other self unknowingly ended up. For those like them and...for you and me, it's a prison that doesn't allow them to move on to the afterlife or even the Underworld. It's worse than the latter. Once you're there, there's no getting out, unless you change your ways and become good permanently According to our buddy, if you return to evil once you leave, you disappear into ashes, and if you're deeply evil with not remorse or anything like that...well, you face being eaten from the giant monster like Black Doom did; they call it the Executioner." Scourge explained, and the more he did, the more even he began to become quite scared.
"What!?" The evil scientist exclaimed, still skeptical but horrified while placing his hands on his hips. "So, you're saying that this Prison of Evil is where you and I will end up someday? That's nothing but a bunch of superstitions and hocus pocus!"
"Is it, though?" The green hedgehog replied, thinking about his late lover. "What if Fiona is there and the only way to save is to change history? Once evil, dead or alive go there, you can't get out. Only those who are like Sonic and his friends and his small alternate self can freely go there as long as they're the way they are. At least that's what our friend told me."
"Are you nuts? You don't really believe in all of that, do you?" Robotnik asked, pointing at his young ally.
"Your other self's there."
A moment of pause.
"Dr. Eggy's been there for the last three months in the other Sonic's world from what I've heard. The Time Eater's seen him and even his robots himself. Neither of them know it yet, and not even our friend knows what the other evil villains have been doing since all he wanted was to escape his own prison that was made just for him. He's a creature that devours Time and Space, to grant us what we want." The teenage Moebian explained.
While still suspicious about this Prison of Evil thing, Robotnik couldn't help but gulp nervously and seeing how things that were thought impossible are indeed possible, he had no reason to believe that the Time Eater was actually lying and since Scourge can communicate with the beast, it made sense seeing what the green hedgehog had witnessed. But to hear that his counterpart, Dr. Eggman, was actually and permanently trapped in such a horrible realm without even knowing, now Robotnik feared that the same thing could happen to him.
But he and Scourge were still alive, so they can at least attempt to avoid it.
"You're not having second thoughts, are you, hedgehog?" He then asked.
"No way!" Scourge shook his head. "I'm going to get those Sol Emeralds and change history to the way I want, in order to bring Fiona back! If she's trapped there and tortured and the only way to save her is to prevent her death from ever happening, then I'll take it! I'll erase Kinto-Butt and Snively from existing and nobody's gonna stop me! Not them, not Silver, and especially. Not. Sonic. The. Hedgehog!"
Scourge then stormed past Robotnik who stood there, but paused when the latter pointed out. "You do realize that what you're about to do is actually quite noble. If you erase not only my good counterpart, you're also erasing the man who was, as you have admitted to me a little while ago, killed more lives than you did. I need to ask you, Scourge. Was he the one responsible for the death of your dear Fiona?"
"...So?" Scourge muttered, which pretty much confirmed the doctor's suspicions as he heard his obnoxious partner's chuckle.
"You're about to erase a good man, but you are also erasing a monster, which in turn will save countless of lives." Robotnik continued with a grin. "You're turning yourself into an Anti-Hero, and before you know it, you will become a hero, just like Sonic and his alternate self. Or perhaps you already are; after all, you killed Snively and that in turned saved more lives."
"I don't care about what others think!" Scourge snapped, whirling around in anger. "I hate all doctors and scientists since they take lives away and they took away my parents, only caring about themselves, and it's all Kintobor's fault that my brother stupidly saved my life and got eaten by that stupid dragon!"
He then gasped in horror as he realized he blurted out part of his past without even thinking. The green hedgehog lowered his gaze, feeling sick to his stomach. He hadn't meant to say that, but he had been frustrated and was reaching his limit.
"Forget what I said." Scourge muttered, trying to recompose himself, but he knew that it was already too late, because his partner began chuckling again.
"Well, that's surprising, coming from you, Scourge." Robotnik grinned wickedly, turning to face the evil hedgehog, beginning to sense that the teenager may not be as evil as he thought. Just traumatized and angry and wanting to change the future for his own liking. "You not only wish to save Fiona, but also your family. You really are the Sonic of Moebius."
"Don't call me that!" The green hedgehog hissed darkly. "Like I said, it's a minor downside."
"But doing this will only bring your mother, father and brother back. You wish to save all four of them-"
"Just drop it, okay!?" Scourge shouted, clutching his fists. "I'm doing this for Fiona, and to rule Moebius! That's all I really want! As far as the planet's concerned, everybody except her hate me! Well, I'm going to give them another reason to hate me, especially since Snively framed me and with my reputation, it doesn't make much of a difference! I've accepted it, and I don't care what other people think! To do that, we need to kill both of Sonic, or at least have them do our bidding."
"And how do you intend on having both Sonics to do our bidding?" Robotnik questioned, as he was about to taunt his young companion about what the teenager really wanted, but stopped short when the green hedgehog mentioned this.
Relieved and pleased that the evil scientist dropped it by being more interested in how to defeat Sonic and Young Sonic, Scourge smirked wickedly. "We're in the past of a time before Snively lost the one thing that made him evil and before I killed him. We can use it to our advantage that not even those two blue hedgehogs can escape from. Let me show you, Robotnik and I think it may help you in the future."
"I'm listening." The evil doctor grinned evilly.
Scourge let Robotnik into an old building while avoiding in being spotted despite that the places that were merging seemed to be rather empty. He knew his way by heart and memory while suppressing the urge to get out, refusing to give into that wickedness. The evil green hedgehog turned on the lights and revealed they were in a large lab with computers, monitors and a large glass dome with a beam cannon within.
"Well, this is very interesting. What kind of machine is this?" Robotnik asked, finding this to be fascinating.
"This, my bad doctor, is called the Roboticizer." Scourge replied, walking past as he approached a lever near a computer.
"Roboticizer?" The evil doctor blinked.
"It's a machine invented by Kaiser the Metal-Changer, who used this or at least the original design to kidnap little Moebini animals and transform them into robots and then sell them off to kids who would later get killed by their new 'toys'. Or at least, it would've if it hadn't been for the authorites. But the blue prints were stolen by Snively and he used them to create his own, luring people in and transforming them into his robot slaves in his attempt to rule the planet." The Terror of Moebius explained, leaning against a desk with his arms crossed.
Robotnik actually flinched in fright by this. "W-well, that is fascinating, but don't you think that's a bit too much? I know that I'm evil, but I've always resorted to using Mobini animals to use as fuel for my robots. Plus it's easier and quicker to create robots from scratch."
Scourge nodded, "True. I'll admit it, this never occurred to me, especially since Snively tried to turn me into his robot slave since he wanted my speed to make himself unstoppable."
"I take that you escaped since you're still a Moebian, or is there a cure?" The mad doctor questioned.
"There is no cure. Not that I know of, at least. Once you're a robot, that's it. I did escape...eventually. It was because of one saving grace that I'm really thankful for." The evil hedgehog shook his head. "Unlike everybody else...I'm immune to the Roboticizer for some reason."
"What?"
"...This happened two years ago, when he finally managed to capture me." Scourge explained.
Scourge's Flash-Back: Two years ago...
"Let me go!" A fifteen year old Scourge, still cobalt blue like Sonic, screamed out as two Roebians held him tightly and were dragging him across the room to the large dome, while a short man with a huge nose and six strains of hair in a black and green suit laughed evilly, standing near the lever.
One minute, the hedgehog had been minding his own business, the next he was ambushed by a sleeping gas that knocked him out, because when he woke up, Scourge was imprisoned in a cage and was now being carried by two of the evil scientist's robots that were once people towards the very thing that turned them into what they permenantely were now.
"You've been quite a thorn on my side, Scourge and a slippy little brat to capture. But finally, I have you within my grasp and you won't be leaving here in flesh and blood, hedgehog." Snively declared.
"Go to the Underworld, Baldy Mc-Pointy-Nose!" Scourge hissed, still struggling to free himself. "What do you want with me, anyway!?"
Snively cackled madly. "Your speed is quite impressive, boy. I've always wanted you ever since you were a child, but you've always managed to get away from me. Now that I have you, you will become my robotic slave and soon all of Moebius will be mine!"
"WHAT!?" Scourge screamed, before yelling out in alarm as he was tossed into the dome which slammed shut and trapped him inside. Sitting up while recovering, he felt fear and horror rush through him as the robots stood by and it was in that instant he knew what this machine was.
This was the Roboticizer itself! Even worse, he was about to suffer the same fate as the other victims. Terrified, Scourge backed away but knew he was trapped, and despite wanting to cry out for help, no one would come to his rescue. He was doomed. He would never see Maurice again...not that he cared about his little brother who betrayed him since moving in with Kintobor.
"There there, my little Mecha Scourge. Look on the bright side, you won't be feeling any pain or emotions, or even free will. You will forever be spared from death itself!" Snively faked an reassurance as he walked over to the lever.
"No, please! Don't do it!" The frightened hedgehog begged. "I don't wanna be a robot!"
But Snively didn't listen as he slammed down the lever and the dome was quickly filled with energy which made Scourge scream while squeezing his eyes shut, bracing himself to spend the rest of his life as the evil scientist's robotic slave. He curled up while trying to not think about the pain of his body turning into cold metal. Eventually the machine stopped like it normally would.
Yet what Snively didn't expect to see was...Scourge still in his real form. The terrified teenager noticed this as well as he didn't feel any change at all and looked at himself in confusion. Yet he screamed when the evil scientist tried again and the hedgehog whimpered, but the results were the same. Nothing happened to him.
"What!? How is this possible!?" Snively demanded, going over to the controls and computer to see if they were anything faulty. When it all came back fine, he growled before ordering his two robots. "Drag him out and bring in another victim! I need to make sure this machine is working!"
The robots did as they were commanded and dragged the dumbfounded Scourge out, before dragging in a Moebian Peacock who was sealed inside and victim's pleads were ignored. Scourge could only watch in horror as, unlike himself, the bird was engulfed by the beam and when it was finished, as the steam cleared, the Peacock was no longer in flesh and blood. In his place was a perfectly identical robotic-Peacock who was devoid of free-will and stepped out.
"Your orders, Dr. Snively." The Peacock-Robot said obediently.
Snively frowned and ignored his new servant for the time being, glaring at Scourge and hissed. "You brat...You are impossively immune to the Roboticizer!"
"I am?" Scourge asked, shaken up and terrified of what he just saw yet feeling faint that he was somehow unable to become a robot, which was a huge relief.
"Yes, and this means I need something else in order to make you be under my control. I will need to implant a microchip or at least create a Mind-Control weapon for you to obey me." Snively hissed darkly, then ordered the robots. "Take him to his cell and make sure he doesn't escape!"
Now knowing he can't become a robot, Scourge wanted nothing do to with this. "Forget it, Arrow-Face! You're not going to control me!"
He stomped onto one of the robot's feet and kicked it's shin and while the robot couldn't feel pain, it was enough to get it to let him go before he used his free hand to punch the other in the face. Now freed, the hedgehog Spin Dashed into them and across the room, bashing into Snively who screamed out in pain and crashed onto the floor.
"Better luck next time, Snot-ly!" Scourge taunted before making his escape, smashing his way out through the window and through the corridors before breaking free out into the streets and didn't stop there, passing by shocked citizens who watched him run.
Still, he couldn't get the image of what happened out of his head, and what would've happened to him if he hadn't been immune.
End of Flash-Back:
"After that, his project was smashed a week later and he was never able to use the Roboticizer again." Scourge finished explaining, gazing at the machine in disdain and hints of fear in his eyes.
"And how do I know you're not lying about this immunity?" Robotnik questioned, skeptically.
"Video recordings." The green hedgehog replied, turning and typing in a few strokes which revealed the security cameras which Snively kept while the evil egg-shaped doctor approached him from behind. "This dates back to a couple months before Arrow-Nose-Head caught me."
The footage played before the eyes of the evil duo and what Robotnik saw made his blood run cold. An unfamiliar pointy-nosed man with several robots emerging from the same dome...that were once people, humans and Moebians, with several more suffering the same fate. Still...
"I need prove of your immunity, Scourge." The evil doctor told him darkly.
"I knew you would say that. See that switch over there?" Scourge sighed, closing his eyes in resignation, and once his companion did see it and nodded, the teenager continued. "Pull that down and you'll see."
"Well then, seeing as I'm a doctor, it's only fair that you demonstrate." Robotnik said and while he knew he would be having nightmares after seeing this, if Scourge was immune, then perhaps Young Sonic and Sonic weren't.
The green hedgehog nodded and actually gulping in fear as he felt a case of deja vu, he stepped inside once the door slid up and winced when it slammed shut. This was one of the worst ideas he came across with and was in a mental war with himself, fighting off the urge to just bust himself out and wondering why he thought this was a good idea. Scourge turned around and saw Robotnik go over to the lever and once the evil doctor pulled down the lever after getting the hedgehog's approved nod, the machine came to life and engulfed the Moebian who squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself.
Once it was finished, Robotnik waited until the light faded and saw, to his surprise, that Scourge was still himself. The green hedgehog noticed this as well and sighed in relief. He was still immune despite having gone through the Superior Emerald permenantly changing his fur colour.
"Oh, good. I was worried that I somehow lost my immunity." Scourge placed a hand to his chest, waiting impaitently for Robotnik to let him out before racing out once the doors opened. Yet he felt his legs shake and fought off the urge to collapse onto the ground.
"I admit it, I am quite scared by this machine and I don't think I'll be using it in my world." Robotnik responded, approaching his companion. "But what makes you think that Sonic and his other self aren't immune since they are both your counterparts?"
"Hmmm...Good question. But it never hurts to try. Besides, every dimension works differently, so there's a chance that the two blue guys aren't immune at all." The green hedgehog admitted, before smirking once he calmed down. "Not only that, we can get the Sol and Chaos Emeralds from them once they're right in our hands."
"Excellent idea." The evil doctor grinned in agreement. While he was terrified of this machine's power, the idea of having Young Sonic and Sonic under his control as robots would make things much better than he originally thought.
As he began rambling about how he could have a Mecha Sonic much better than Metal Sonic who was built from scratch, while Robotnik laughed evilly in his annoying 'Santa Claus' laugh, Scourge stared at the machine that almost turned him into a robot, and then thought about what the Time Eater had told him.
'The Prison of Evil...would I really end up going there if I remained the way I am? If Fiona's there...then she...she...the Executioner could've already swallowed her...' Scourge thought to himself and while he wasn't sure why he was feeling hesitant, he knew he had to focus or else he would be distracted even further.
He had to get rid of Sonic, or at least turn him into a robot. If the two blue hedgehogs aren't immune like he was.
After Sonic and the others explained to Shadow, Big, Cream and Cheese on what was going on, the group decided to come up the next course of action on the situation, but as they walked with the two Sonics itching to keep going to save their friends and find the Sol Emeralds and the Chaos Emeralds, they noticed something nearby and stopped.
"What's that?" Cream asked, pointing at up ahead as she noticed, to everyone's shock, another giant ring with a dark portal leading to somewhere.
"It's just like the ones that lead me to Casino City and Robotnik's Death Egg." Sonic remarked, before quickly correcting himself as he glanced at his younger, alternate self. "I mean, that lead us to them."
"Wonder what's in this one?" Young Sonic, placing his hands on his hips. "The first two places are just like where I've been to. But since Station Square, everywhere else is new to me. Then again, I've never seen Bamboo Jungle before."
"Me neither, and I definitely never saw a city that has giant toys and games that are out to get you." The cobalt hedgehog agreed, shuddering at the memory of the Game-City. "When those over-grown teddy bears and dolls tried to grab me, I thought I was dreaming."
The red-brown hedgehog gulped and shivered. "Yikes. You must have gone to the no-go zone of Arcade Town. Nobody dares to go near that area since it's said to be haunted with ghosts posessing the giant toys and video games. People actually live there since they were toy and game fans, but that place always gave me the creeps."
"They say that Arcade Town was possessed by the spirit of a child who has died many years ago by an animatonic bear.(1) But I don't believe in all of that silly nonsense. Rumors say that someone was secretly controlling those giant toys that are actually robots to scare people away." Kintobor stated, which made Sonic and Young Sonic gaze at him suspiciously. "It has nothing to do with me!"
"Hmm...I guess you have a point, except maybe they were possessed by ghosts." The sixteen year old hedgehog shrugged. "I didn't hear any mechanical parts when those toys moved."
Tails, Young Tails, Amy, Young Amy, Big, Cream and Cheese, and even Knuckles all shivered in fear even though the seventeen year old attempted to hide it. Unfortunately for the red echidna, Young Sonic, Silver and Shadow noticed and looked at him skeptically.
"Unbelievable. You call yourself a Guardian?" The Ultimate Lifeform scoffed.
"Zip it!" Knuckles grunted, glaring at the black hedgehog.
"You're not afraid of ghosts, are ya?" Young Sonic asked, raising an eyebrow and a small smirk forming.
"No way!" The Guardian of the Master Emerald protested.
Sonic and the others except for Kintobor however smirked knowingly while Cream looked sympathetic as the blue teenage hedgehog said. "Oh, he's terrified of them. One time most of us went to this haunted house and castle while trying to stop Metal Sonic in disguise of Eggman, he freaked out so much that he looked he turned into a ghost himself."
"Looking back now, it was pretty funny." Tails giggled. "I could've sworn he screamed like a girl too."
"It wasn't just you, li'l buddy. He so screamed like a girl." The cobalt hero chuckled. "I never thought that the high and mighty Knuckles the Echidna would do that."
Knuckles growled before turning around as he stubbornly folded his arms to hide the fact that he was blushing in embarrassment. "I didn't freak out or pale like a ghost, and I don't scream like a girl!"
"Actually, you did kind of screamed like one when Amy and her younger self pounced on you." Silver stated, snickering in amusement.
"Oh, shut up!" The red echidna snapped, now even more embarrassed.
"Relax, Knux. We're only teasin' ya." Sonic chuckled, deciding to stop the teasing all together.
"Coming from a hedgehog who's afraid of water. I'd tease Tails, but he's young and the fear of thunder and lightning is a different thing." Knuckles pointed out, which stopped Sonic and everyone else all together, lowering their heads in realization.
The blue hedgehog scratched the top of his head, realizing that his friend was right. "Yeah, you're right. Sorry, man. Getting over your phobia isn't easy."
"I try not to let my fear of storms get to me but...I'm so embarrassed to say that even now I still can't get over it." Tails sighed, then smiled softly when his older brother gave him a comforting rub on the back, and when Young Tails shivered, Young Sonic pulled him into a comforting hug.
"Why are you afraid of water, Sonic?" Red asked. "I mean, thunder and lightning are scary and dangerous, and ghosts do scare people."
"Let's just say, me and water don't mix. It doesn't help that I can't swim." Sonic shrugged sheepishly, and Young Sonic looked just as embarrassed.
"Oh...Aw, that's okay. Not everybody can swim." The eight year old red-brown hedgehog reassured.
Silver suddenly gulped nervously as he muttered, "Just hope Blaze doesn't go all crazy with her fire abilities."
"She can use fire?" Amy asked, surprised.
"It's her power ever since she was born. Princess Blaze has the gift of controlling fire." Kintobor explained.
"Which doesn't help since while we're born friends...I have pyrophobia." The fourteen year old hedgehog admitted.
A pause.
"Nothing wrong with that." Young Sonic shrugged.
Suddenly the area shook slightly which alarmed everyone as they wondered what was going on, the younger ones starting to become scared. It wasn't until the Mobians, Moebians and the only human noticed something briefly come out of the portal, a huge long watery tentacle stretch out before retreating back in along with a loud roar. The tremors then stopped as the group stared at the dark portal in shock, and it wasn't until Sonic, Tails, Amy, Knuckles, Cream and Cheese and even Big realized what it was.
"What the!?" Young Sonic gasped.
"What was that!?" Young Tails exclaimed.
"Guys, I have a feeling I know what it is." Tails muttered, worriedly.
Sonic narrowed his eyes, knowing that his best friend/little brother was right. "Me too, bro. That means we'll be facing more of our enemies from our pasts and I know who I have to face through there."
"Who?" Silver asked.
"Chaos." The cobalt hedgehog replied.
Young Sonic, Young Tails, Young Amy, Red, Silver and Kintobor all gasped in horror while Shadow narrowed his eyes, as the eleven year old blue hedgehog exclaimed. "Say what!? That tentacle belongs to that Chaos monster!?"
"'Fraid so, buddy." Sonic confirmed, knowing what he had to do and turned to everybody else. "You guys stay here while I take care of Chaos."
"Sonic, you don't have all the Chaos Emeralds! He'll kill you!" Amy protested worriedly.
The teenage hedgehog smirked, giving his self-proclaimed girlfriend a thumbs up. "I've got this. Don'tcha worry!"
"Let me go with you!" Young Sonic declared with determination despite that they would be facing a water monster, but his surprise and shock, his older, alternate self gently made him back up.
"Sorry, Sonic. But I need you to be here with the others just in case. Why don'tcha see if you can find another place to find the Emeralds 'til I get back, 'kay?" The sixteen year old said apologetically.
"Oh man!" The eleven year old grumbled, pouting as he folded his arms due to missing out on the action. Then again, maybe he wasn't to face Chaos. Not yet, at least. Plus, it was a water monster, and Sonic had more experience dealing with that thing than Young Sonic himself did.
Sonic just shrugged sheepishly and despite the others telling him to be careful and he himself mentally admitted that this was going to be tricky, the blue hedgehog nodded and after steeling himself, he leaped into the portal to begin another difficult battle.
The moment Sonic emerged from the dark portal, he landed on the wreck of a road and, to his shock and realization, found himself standing on a destroyed road bridge in the watery ruins of Station Square. Despite that he's seen it before and the real Station Square-or rather the Station Square in the present, was rebuilt and back to normal, it was still devastating.
"Never thought I'd see this again. I forgot how awful this is." Sonic muttered to himself, seeing the flooded streets and wrecked buildings. It wasn't until he noticed something glimmer in light-blue just up ahead. "Hm?"
Sensing the familiar power, the blue hedgehog raced over to see if his suspicions were correct and to his surprise, on the ground, was a light-blue Sol Emerald shining and waiting to be taken by him. Why was it lying here while Chaos was waiting, he wondered.
"Huh. That was easy." Sonic remarked as he picked it up and smirked. "One of my favorite colours, too."
All of the sudden the ground shook again, alarming him before he heard the roar again and looked up to see just time a familiar giant monster made purely out of water, an brain visible to the naked eye and all reptile like as it opened it's eyes, it's mouth wide open with sharp teeth and tentacles. It was the height of fallen sky scrapers that were also flooded. Despite feeling a little intimidated, the teenage Mobian narrowed his eyes as he placed the newly found Sol Emerald into his quills that joined the yellow one, preparing himself for a really tough battle.
"Perfect Chaos!" Sonic exclaimed, glaring hard at the giant monster he fought before. "I can't believe I have to fight you again. Well, guess it can't be helped, so let's do this!"
Perfect Chaos roared as it leered down at the young Mobian who glared back bravely and then charged to try and fight it. The monster hissed and reared it's head back with a mighty roar, creating small water cyclones to try and get him as he raced along the ruined roads and buildings. It also attempted to attack him with it's tentacles, but because the blue hedgehog was the fastest thing alive, he easily dodged these attacks. Sonic jumped across fallen debris and buildings and over the flooded areas while trying to find an opening without drowning, before an idea hit him in his mind and he felt like hitting himself.
"My Sea-Mask! I completely forgot abou-AAAH!" Sonic didn't get the chance to finish as he was nearing another tentacle that somehow appeared in front of him. Thinking quickly, he jumped over it just as more appeared until he saw how close he was to the enormous beast.
Realizing he couldn't get close without actually getting close, Sonic quickly took out his Sea-Mask and put it on before activating it. Now at least safe from drowning, the blue hedgehog jumped onto the tentacle and boosted his way up towards Perfect Chaos while attempting to keep his balance, hopping from one tentacle to another and attempted to avoid it's laser beam that was about to blast from it's mouth. Making sure he wouldn't be engulfed within it which would end up with the giant monster swallowing him and make him sink into the water where while he wouldn't drown thanks to the Sea-Mask, Chaos would still kill him, Sonic went for a Homing Attack through it's throat area, and spiraled towards the brain.
It hit home as Perfect Chaos roared in agony while Sonic spin his way out and on the roof of a building, and turned around to see how much damage he caused. The giant monster was now angry as it attempted to attack him with it's tentacles and water bombs along with more cyclones. The cobalt teenager dodged these attacks easily while realizing that it was somewhat easier than the last time. He wasn't sure why, but then again the battle against Black Doom, even with Shadow and Young Sonic's help, was also easy. Maybe if he was lucky, the upcoming battle against the Werehog, which he was certain was going to happen, might be easy too.
'No. Can't think like that. I can't be overconfident. Gotta focus!' Sonic thought to himself, not wanting to repeat the mistake he made when Eggman split the world apart. The hero of Mobius ran and jumped to find another spot to get up close to Perfect Chaos to attack again.
Finding an opening, Sonic repeated the last strategy and bashed into the brain once again before freeing himself and landed on another ruined building. The blue hedgehog then readied himself while Perfect Chaos was even madder than before and attacked with full force of it's tentacles and other attacks. The sixteen year old leaped and dodged quickly and easily, but to his horror, the giant monster wasn't just willing to try and attack him anymore; as he ran, Perfect Chaos began destroying each and every already smashed buildings and pathways, making him realize that it was too dangerous to get up close and had to try and escape without getting caught in the crossfire.
To his dismay, Perfect Chaos sank into the flood waters and he knew in that instant it was going to attack him from another part. Grunting in irritation and frantically trying to come up with a plan, Sonic heard splashing from his right and gasped when the giant monster emerged. The blue hedgheog doubled back and avoided the huge laser beam that destroyed the road in front of him, forcing him to somersault and jumped from one tentacle to another and managed to land on another platform safely. But it was still too far for him to reach and he gasped when Perfect Chaos attempted to attack with it's tentacles again and Sonic was forced to leap back further before he ended up on a platform that was already broken and was caught off-guard when one tentacle hit it so hard that he was sent catapulting into the sky.
"Whoooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Sonic screamed, before being smacked by another tentacle and sent crashing through a building on the other side and landed hard into the water in a splash. He began to panic as while he was glad to have put on the mask, he still couldn't swim and was sinking deeper and deeper, unaware that Perfect Chaos used this to it's advantage before sinking underwater itself.
"That's just great! How could I sink so low when I fought him two years ago?" The blue hedgehog asked sarcastically in frustration, before seeing a pole and grabbed hold of it sticking out from a building that was partially underwater. "Okay, just gotta climb my way up and I should be okay."
He then heard a gurgling roar from behind him and when Sonic looked over his shoulder, he gasped in horror when he saw a watery ghost form of Perfect Chaos swimming towards him, with it's mouth wide open as he realized that it was about to swallow him.
"Well, this is new...!" Sonic muttered shakily with a sweat-drop, and quickly climbed his way up despite the giant monster beginning to suck everything in and he struggled to hold on and climb. As he climbed and struggled while nearly losing his grip, Perfect Chaos got closer and closer and he urged himself to climb up faster and faster.
Finally reaching the surface, Sonic pulled himself onto a small ledge while panting before Spin Jumping up to higher ground, narrowly avoiding Perfect Chaos wide open maw that slammed shut, missing him entirely. Landing safely on the ground, the blue hedgehog raced away from the edge while the giant angry monster emerged. He skid to a stop and spun around, glaring hard while trying to figure out how to defeat this thing. If only he had all seven of the Chaos Emeralds, this would be a piece of cake.
"Tch...Man, I wish I was Super Sonic right about now." Sonic grumbled to himself, for he needed to be in his super form just for this battle, but he knew that he had to do without it.
Just as he was trying to figure out how to defeat Perfect Chaos, all of the sudden he felt strange warmth coming from the Sol Emeralds which the yellow and light blue ones suddenly glowed brightly and, sensing something was wrong, he leaped back and deactivated his Sea-Mask before resting it on his forehead and to his shock, the two crystals emerged from his quills and began spinning around him.
"What's going on!?" Sonic exclaimed, before shielding his eyes as the Sol Emeralds shone brightly and he felt the familiar surge of power and determination flow into his body, making him feel like he wanted to burst out entirely.
When he did and feeling himself float, Sonic opened his eyes and found, to his bewilderment, he had somehow transformed into Super Sonic, his fur all golden, his quills sticking up and his eyes all ruby red. The now golden hedgehog gazed at himself in confusion, dumbfounded at how this happened and tried to rack his brain on the mystery of all of this, until he then remembered that Sol Emeralds somehow transforming him and then remembered what Kintobor told him and his friends earlier.
"The Sol Emeralds withdraw their powers connected to the Sun's energy, as well as being able to manipulate across Space and Time, through interdimensions. However, they can also grant whoever wields them any wish they want, even by just thinking of it in their minds." Kintobor explained.
"Oh no! How could I forget that!? Man, the others are gonna me so mad at me when they find out about this!" Super Sonic exclaimed in horror, realizing that since he was carrying two of the Sol Emeralds, he inadvertently wished to transform to fight Perfect Chaos, as he had promised himself he wouldn't do that, or at least make any wishes from the crystals themselves.
The roar from Perfect Chaos snapped Super Sonic out of his dilemma as he looked up to see a tentacle come straight towards him. Realizing he had to use this chance right about now to win this fight, the hero of Mobius grabbed hold of it with both hands, and focused on his burrowed power to dissolve it. Just as the giant monster, now even more furious at him, fired it's laser beam, he shot straight through and like he did a long time ago, flew straight into the mouth which closed shut. The golden hedgehog then Super Homing Attacked at it's brain so hard and focused on his energy that the giant monster writhered and roared in agony before it burst and exploded, sinking into the water in utter defeat.
The moment Sonic landed safely on the ground, the burrowed power quickly dispelled and he returned to normal with the two Sol Emeralds back in place. He gently caught them in his hand and looked at the crystals in disdain and guilt. He used their power. He used them without even willing to do so. How was the blue hedgehog going to explain all this? Even worse, the blue hedgehog wanted to transform, needed the power. Wanted it. And that absolutely terrified him.
Was he starting to become reliant for power to help him save the day? That he can't do it all by himself anymore? Sonic didn't want power. He only wanted to use it for emergencies...and this wasn't really quite it. He was certain he could've defeated Perfect Chaos without needing to be Super Sonic, but the blue hedgehog began to think that he was becoming power hungry and it was frightening.
"I didn't mean for my wish to come true...I didn't even ask for your help..." Sonic croaked, tears of fear and guilt forming before he closed his eyes, tears sliding free as he fell onto his knees and sobbed.
Just then, the whole area began to distort again which caught the guilt-ridden blue hedgehog's attention and when he looked up and realizing the distoration might either be willing to bring out another ambush attack from Scourge, lead him to another part of Moebius or even bring out the Dino-Alien's monster to come for him. The latter thought scared him, thinking that he was next and Sonic squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself while pleading for at least a new destination and not an ambush as he wanted to just head back to his friends, and hoped that he wasn't next on the menu of the beast, still uncertain on whether it was the Time Eater or not.
When it finished, Sonic felt a gentle cool breeze and croaking of frogs in a distance. Opening his eyes, the blue hedgehog softly gasped in awe as he found himself to be in some kind of forest. It seemed to be in the middle of the night with the full moon shining through the trees, vines and flowers looking all beautiful, mystical and magical, fireflies flying slowly, fresh green leaves and grass everywhere. At the sight, he wiped away his tears for a clearer look.
"Whoa..." Sonic murmured, standing up. "It's beautiful. Probably the best place I've been to from Red's world all day."
As the sixteen year old hero looked around in wonder, he spotted something white and statue-like up ahead. Confused, he then saw that it was another figure. Gasping while wondering who it was, the blue hedgehog raced over to get a closer look and when he reached it, his eyes widened as he saw it was an unfamiliar person; a cat with royal garments, a jewel on her head and seemed to be frozen the same way most of his friends had been earlier.
"Percival? How can this be?" Sonic muttered, as somehow this female cat reminded him of one of the Knights of the Round Table in King Arthur's world. He then remembered how Silver, Kintobor and Red mentioned about Princess Blaze, but neither of them mentioned what she looked like.
Could this be her?
"That's weird. Why did Percival have a counterpart that wasn't from my world?" The blue hedgehog wondered, before deciding to see for himself since this was another person he didn't recognize. So he held out the blue Sol Emerald to the statue of Blaze, returning her to life as she sparkled in colour while returning to normal.
Blaze, groggy a little from the unexpected experience, moaned a little before stumbling a bit, causing the hero of Mobius to quickly catch her in his arms and set her down gently.
"Whoa, easy." Sonic muttered gently, kneeling next to the Moebian Princess. "You alright?"
"Where..." Blaze began, regaining her senses as she blinked in confusion. "How did I end up in the Mystic Forest of Beauty and Night?"
'Mystic Forest of Beauty and Night? Sure is a good name for it. Kinda long, though.' The blue hedgehog thought.
It wasn't until the lavender cat noticed she was in the pair of peach arms that held, to her shock, one of the Sol Emeralds; a light blue one in a gloved hand. Alarmed, she glanced up quickly to the one holding her and while she was skeptical at the gentle and concerned look on the blue hedgehog's face, in that instant she only saw the eyes that belonged to Scourge, except there was something different and not thinking straight, she thought that maybe the situation the evil green hedgehog caused restored him to his original colour and was attempting to play tricks on her.
"YOU!" Blaze hissed furiously, punching Sonic in the chest which shoved him away and he stumbled onto the ground, nearly dropping the Sol Emeralds.
"Ow! Hey, what gives?" Sonic demanded, wincing as he already had a near beating against Perfect Chaos just moments ago.
"Don't play coy with me, Scourge! Hand over the Sol Emeralds and tell me where Dr. Kintobor and Silver are!" The furious Princess shouted, glaring so hard that the teenage hedgehog could practically see fire and flames form in her hands.
'Whoa. When Silver and Kintobor said she uses fire powers, they weren't kidding.' The sixteen year old thought, standing up as he held his hands up in defense while correcting the Moebian Cat. "Hey, take it easy. Look, I know I look like Scourge, but I'm not him. I'm his counterpart from an alternate universe. My name's Sonic, and I'm the hero of Mobius."
Blaze didn't believe him one bit. "Nice try, Scourge! You can't fool me! You're using the Sol Emeralds to disguise yourself very poorly with a fake innocent personality and name, messing with Space and Time!"
"Wait, I'm serious! I can take you to Kintobor and Silver. They're with my friends and we can explain what's going on and what the real Scourge did. I fought that jerk, and I can fully understand your anger towards him." Sonic explained honestly.
"Just tell me where they are and give me the Sol Emeralds, Scourge, before I kill you! It's all your fault that this happened!" Blaze warned.
Realizing that words weren't getting through to her, Sonic groaned as he shook his head while staring upward. "Geez, and I thought Knucklehead had social issues."
'That and at least Percival was more respectful than this girl.' He thought to himself.
Not taking his response kindly and still believing that Sonic is Scourge, Blaze yelled out angrily and threw a burst of flames at the blue hedgehog who yelped and sped out of the way quickly, narrowly avoiding the fire which began to set the trees on fire. Sonic sweat-dropped, before crying out in alarm in a panic before he leaped away again as the enraged Princess focused on the fire she cast from the burning trees and dousing them before aiming them towards her opponent who continued to dodge her attacks.
"Wait! I don't want to fight you! You gotta believe me!" Sonic protested pleadingly, tucking the Emeralds into his quills.
"Stop tricking me and face me, Scourge!" Blaze shouted, preparing to attack again.
"I'm not Scourge! I'm Sonic! S-O-N-I-C!" The blue hedgehog argued, leaping away when the furious lavender cat shot out more flames at him and even fire balls that made him dodge from side to side. "I saved you from being a statue, and from the blackness I'm sure you were stuck in!"
"And how do you possibly know that!?" The Princess demanded half-sarcastically, charging as she made to attack with punches and kicks which Sonic avoided some, blocked others and tried not to fight back despite the wet battle he had to endure, now was facing a heating fight.
"I did the same thing with my friends and Kintobor! He and Silver told us everything! I was asked by an old ghostly friend to find the Sol Emeralds since they're the only way to restore everybody that got frozen like you did! That's how I managed to restore you!" Sonic explained while dodging and leaping back, panting as he admitted. "Terrible thing is I accidentally wished I was Super Sonic to beat a giant monster I defeated about five minutes ago!"
"Just admit your crime, Scourge, and prepare to die!" Blaze yelled, screaming in battle cry and fury while charging again.
Realizing there was no way of getting through to her unless they actually fought, Sonic felt regret as he muttered. "I didn't want to do this...but you leave me with no choice."
So the blue hedgehog jumped up high while dodging the lavender cat's attack and then Spin Dashed into her, catching her off-guard while crying out in pain. But she flipped and landed safely on the ground. As the hero of Mobius landed, the two glared at each other before charging again, throwing punches and kicks while hitting each other yet dodging some of the attacks. He didn't want to hurt her, but this was becoming ridiculous and desperate and he felt horrible for fighting another potential ally who had been another victim of Scourge's evil plots along with Robotnik and the giant black monster.
Eventually Sonic knocked her to the ground and just stood there, panting in exhaustion, but not as much as Blaze despite that he had been through two heavy battles since entering the dark portal. The Princess winced, still injured from her earlier battle against Scourge and having been through the torture of being trapped within her own body, having only seen blackness until...until she woke up. The blue hedgehog didn't blame her for mistaking him for his evil counterpart. He carefully approached the lavender cat and knelt down beside her, holding out a hand to help her up.
At first Blaze winced, thinking her opponent was about to choke her like Scourge did, but then for the first time since being restored, she saw how...gentle the blue hedgehog was. He just waited and didn't do another thing to attack her.
"I told you. My name is Sonic; Sonic the Hedgehog. I'm nothing like Scourge. I want to help, and our worlds along with another much like my own but slightly different are in danger and if we don't stop him or two other enemies, we're all doomed." Sonic said softly and kindly, and let out a smile, sad smile. "I hardly even know about your world, but I know that you're Blaze. I don't want to hurt you."
Gazing into his eyes that were the same as Scourge's, along with his appearance, Blaze finally noticed slight differences with Sonic; he lacked the jacket and sunglasses, his shoes were different, his white gloves as well, and his expression...rather than evil and greed, they held kindness, bravery and at the moment, sadness and guilt.
"You're...telling the truth." Blaze muttered, still hesitant to trust Sonic, but she felt her anger and frustration fade.
"I hardly ever lie. Heroes don't hurt innocent people or those who need my help." Sonic replied.
"...I'm sorry, Sonic the Hedgehog. It's just...you share the same eyes and appearance as he did." The Princess muttered.
Sonic chuckled softly. "Yeah, I'm still finding that creepy too, considering how big of a jerk he is."
"You said you used the power of the Emeralds to defeat a giant monster. Why is that?" Blaze asked, still suspicious.
"It was an accident. As I fought that thing, I forgot that I had the Emeralds on me and I didn't think that they would grant my wish as it was just a wishful thinking. Where we are now, we're all trapped in this weird White Space that another, giant black monster came out of nowhere from. I'm really sorry. I didn't meant to do that." The blue hedgehog sighed, still upset with himself for having done so.
"...As much as I dislike relying on others, I'm grateful for your aid. Scourge's wish was beyond my skills." Blaze sighed, finally accepting Sonic's offer as the latter helped her stand up, and to her surprise, reached up for the yellow Sol Emerald and gently placed it into her hands.
"I just need to burrow the other Emerald to restore one of my other friends I need to save, then I'll give back to you or Silver. He has the other three." Sonic promised.
Blaze, despite still being hesitant, couldn't help but find herself blushing at how gentle and kind the sixteen year old was and she looked down to avoid in being seen like this. Unfortunately for her, Sonic noticed, but for their sake, he decided to not say anything. It's not like he could help in being charming and nice towards others. It's usually girls who go all crazy, bashful and lovey-dovey towards him...He just hoped Amy wouldn't kill him if she found out about this.
Moments later, Sonic and Blaze emerged from the dark portal, where the others were waiting and, to his surprise, a statue of Rouge stood there...or rather, Knuckles and Shadow had just placed her there with Young Sonic holding a light blue Chaos Emerald in his hand. When everyone turned to face the duo, they were relieved to see him alright, but were shocked to see the Princess right there.
"SONIC!" Amy exclaimed, racing over and hugged her 'boyfriend' and began crying. "I was so worried!"
"A-Amy, I'm fine. You know me." Sonic replied, slightly pushing his self-proclaimed girlfriend back.
"Blaze!" Silver exclaimed in relief as he and Kintobor hurried over to their friend who was just as relieved to see them. "You're alright!"
"Princess Blaze! Thank goodness you're safe!" The kindly human doctor cried out.
"I am alright. It is thanks to Sonic the Hedgehog who freed me..." Blaze acknowledged, before admitting in guilt. "Of course, I mistook him for Scourge and attacked him."
"You what!?" Both Amys exclaimed, horrified.
"Hey, hey. It was all just a misunderstanding. No big deal." The blue hedgehog quickly said before another big fight broke out.
"You always get yourself in trouble no matter where you go." Shadow stated, frowning. The response he got was the younger hedgehog sticking his tongue out at him, prompting the black hedgehog to scoff. "You're sixteen years old now, and you still act like a child."
"Hey, I may be getting older on the outside, but I'm still the same in spirit. Not everybody wants to be a boring grown up." Sonic said in annoyance.
"That explains everything." Knuckles grumbled under his breath. If Sonic heard him, he probably chose to ignore that comment.
"Hi, Princess Blaze! It's nice to see you again." Red greeted happily as he approached, and like with Kintobor and Silver, when Blaze saw him, she was in complete shock.
"...Maurice Red Hedgehog? But how? I thought you were..." She trailed off.
"Sonic saved me!" The red-brown hedgehog helpfully supplied. "I was stuck inside the dragon's tummy for a week and when all of this started, Sonic saved his younger, alternate self from it and got swallowed up to save me and he got us out!"
"He did?" Blaze blinked, turning to gaze at the aforementioned hero who nodded with a smirk to confirm it. She then asked. "Wait, younger, alternate self?"
"That's me." Young Sonic spoke up, approaching. "Hi there. You're Blaze, right?"
Blaze stared at the eleven year old hedgehog, then at the cobalt hero and back and forth a few times, before saying to the younger hero. "You seem to look less... spiky. And different in the eyes and lighter blue."
"Yep. Pretty cool, huh?" The hero of Alternate-Mobius said proudly.
Sonic chuckled, and said a bit nervously. "Easy, tiger, before Amy and your Amy end up jealous."
True to his word, Amy and Young Amy were looking at Blaze suspiciously as in their minds, they began to think that the lavender cat, beautiful as she is, was plotting take away their Sonics from them. So to quickly clear this up, the blue hedgehog approached Rouge and said. "Hey, I'd better wake Rouge up."
Sonic brought out the light-blue Sol Emerald, much to the surprise of everybody else, and like with Blaze, Rouge was restored to normal with sparkles covering her body until colour returned. Blinking a bit drowsily, the albino bat noticed what happened and turned to the Birthday-Hedgehog.
"Thanks, Big Blue. That's the first time I've ever been stolen." Rouge thanked, smirking.
"No problem. Glad to see you're okay, Rouge." Sonic replied, giving his friend a thumbs up.
"Stolen?" The Moebians, human doctor, and Alternate-Mobians asked, a bit worriedly.
"It's a long story. Let's just say that Rouge likes everything that's pretty, sparkly and shiny." Tails explained with a sweat-drop. "She's a good person and all, she just...likes jewelary a lot."
"Not to mention she's the bane of my existence, trying to always still the Master Emerald and making my life miserable." Knuckles groaned...
Which resulted in getting a good hard whap on the head and a large bump formed, causing everybody else except Shadow who rolled his eyes to smirk.
"Ow!" The red echidna cried out in pain, before demanding angrily at the female agent. "What'd you do that for!?"
"Very funny, Knucklehead." Rouge said sarcastically as she glared back at him in insult. "Just when I thought we'd spend Sonic's birthday party I happened to have helped set up without arguing for once."
"Well, don't blame me! Blame that Scourge guy along with Eggman's stupid Robotnik-self and that giant monster that ruined everything. Then again, it had been a nice conversation at the party while it lasted." Knuckles grunted, turning around as he folded his arms, blushing slightly on the muzzle.
"It's not his fault, Miss Rouge." Cream spoke up gently and nervously, with a sweat-drop.
"Chao..." Cheese murmured.
"Cream's right. Look, the important thing is that we gotta stop Scourge and Ro-butt-nik and that giant monster in order to save the worlds and figure how to return everything back to normal so we can all go home." Sonic agreed, shrugging.
"Eggman? But I thought-" Rouge cut herself off when she finally noticed Young Sonic's group, and seeing Kintobor who resembled to the late evil scientist, but looked thinner and...strangely friendlier until she realized what this meant. "Oh. Space-Time travel, huh?"
"How'd you know that?" Young Amy asked, surprised.
"Well, you three cuties are Sonic, Tails and Amy, right? And this guy looks like Dr. Eggman, except he's on a pretty good diet from what I can tell." The albino bat replied.
"They're us from alternate universe, just like Dr. Kintobor, Blaze, Silver and Red are." Tails explained. "And you're right, we're travelling through Space and Time, due to Scourge the Hedgehog, Sonic's evil self from their world called Moebius, Eggman's other self who is still called Robotnik and that giant monster that trapped us here."
The Mobian GUN Agent frowned in concern, folding her arms. "I'll admit it, the thing that snatched me was like nothing I've ever seen before. It's definitely very dangerous."
"From what I have indicated, this thing appears to be connected with what is happening with our worlds and time itself. It appears to be a destruction of Time itself." Kintobor spoke up, frowning deeply.
This got Sonic, Young Sonic and Shadow's attentions as the three hedgehogs looked at him in alarm, before the cobalt teenager thought back to what the mysterious Dino-Alien who could also be a dangerous threat had told him in that weird nightmare.
"The Time Eater...it should not have emerged. Yet, your evil counterpart has unleashed it's wrath to doom us all. In your world, the two other worlds, and this world...all existence are in grave danger. I ask you and your allies, to destroy the Time Eater, young hedgehog. Hero of your world, you and your other good self are the only ones who can defeat it and defeat your evil counterpart who has caused this to happen."
"...Maybe that thing is the Time Eater." Sonic muttered worriedly, making his friends to glance at him in confusion. "I'm not sure why, but before Mini-me, Shadow and I fought Black Doom, I had this weird vision of a dino-alien telling me about this Time Eater thing, saying that it wasn't meant to emerge, but Scourge somehow released it to destroy not just our worlds, but that guy's world too. He's too suspicious as he gives me the creeps and tried to attack me when I asked about it, but at the same time, he says that Sonic and I are the only ones to defeat Scourge and that thing."
"Now that you mention it, Sonic, I guess it kinda makes sense. I heard his voice too, and we heard it again when the huge giant monster took away the evil alien but it didn't come for us for some reason." Young Sonic agreed after a moment.
"Black Doom, leader of the Black Army, carrier of the Black Comet. You have caused too much destruction, death and despair among the mortal realm and do not show or feel any guilt or remorse within your black, ice cold, stone heart." A voice echoed from underneath yet seemed to go around them.
"You have been warned before, the time you came to the eternal prison." The voice continued, causing Sonic and the other two hedgehogs to glance back despite they couldn't see the owner, but knew it belonged to the monster from the teenager's dream. "If you remain evil, you will never move on, nor will you be allowed to revive yourself. Returning would only cause you to disappear."
"This is NOT the real world! It is the world were Space and Time are halt!" Black Doom growled, though there was a hint of fear in his voice as he struggling to push himself up, but then found himself held down when electricity formed, keeping him pinned to the invisible floor. "UGH! U-Unhand me!"
"SILENCE!" The voice bellowed which shook the area, and startled the three heroes, with Sonic and Young Sonic clinging onto each other. The youngest hedgehog was about to whisper something when his older self quickly shushed him, fearing that they could be next on the monster's list of whatever's going on. "You know the penalty. You are deemed unworthy to remain. Face your true ultimate punishment for your crimes for all eternity. This portal will have the Executioner claim you this way alone."
"...Do you think, that monster was actually called the Executioner?" The young blue hedgehog asked, shuddering as he remembered what happened.
Shadow frowned and thought back to what Black Doom had said.
"That may be...But I have told you. I was reborn, thanks to the meddling of the green hedgehog you call Scourge, and Dr. Eggman. I have been...freed from the...eternal prison...all evil...are sent to...as their...punished demise." The evil alien said.
"Eternal Prison...Perhaps there's more than just the afterlife and the underworld, and if Scourge and Dr. Robotnik have anything to do with it, then it's not just space and time that has been interfered." Shadow theorized, his frown deepening. "However, the creature that spoke to the two Sonics may be up to something as well...perhaps coming for them for his own scheme."
"But I thought Scourge's wish was to merge with three worlds to change history." Silver stated, worriedly, before he remembered something important. "Unless..."
"Unless?" Amy asked, confused.
"Maybe the stories are true." The fourteen year old hedgehog muttered, his muzzle beginning to turn pale.
"What're you talkin' about, Silver?" Sonic asked, shrugging in confusion.
"Before I traveled back in time, I used to hear spiritual stories that gives everybody nightmares, but none of it was proven true. They say that those who show no remorse or even are willing to change for the better are not even allowed to go to the Underworld when they die because they are deemed too dangerous. Instead they go to a place that only those who are heroes and pure heart and not willing to change and will always have great love and care for others and earn them in return are allowed to traverse back and forth freely, while villains are to remain trapped there for all eternity, and if they try to escape to the real world, they will disappear..." Silver explained.
As he did, everyone, even Shadow, began to pale and shiver in fear and great concern.
The silver hedgehog paused, before continuing. "They call it, the Prison of Evil."
"The Prison of Evil!?" Everyone else all exclaimed in unison.
"Wait, does that mean that if my big brother doesn't change, he's gonna be trapped in there too when he dies!?" Red exclaimed, horrified.
"I'm not sure...I'm not even certain of such a place is real or not." Silver shook his head.
"But if Black Doom was taken by that thing to a place none of us heard of, then I have a bad feeling that it is real. But, would it mean it's connected to all realities and not just Mobius or Moebius?" Tails theorized.
"It is quite possible, and it could also be a prison of the creature that may or may not be the Time Eater." Kintobor said.
"A prison for those who refuse to change...if that's true, then this could mean one thing." Knuckles said, frowning deeply.
Sonic felt horrified, as while he wasn't certain if a terrible thought came to him was right or not, he thought back of Eggman's death, how before then the evil scientist still refused to change and those rare times when he did help out was only for his own benefits, and never gave up until he was swallowed by the Nega-Mother Wisp.
"If it's true, then that means..." The blue hedgehog muttered, gazing up at the white sky. "Eggman could be in the Prison of Evil, too. Would that mean...if I end up turning evil, the same thing could happen to me? Or was I suddenly in Scourge's point of view when that guy tried to attack me in that dream?"
"What are you talking about, Sonic?" Big asked, confused and clueless as always.
Sonic lowered his gaze and rubbed his right arm uneasily. "When I was fighting against Perfect Chaos, I kinda forgot I was carrying two of the Sol Emeralds with me, the blue one I found before I fought that thing, by the way and while it wasn't meant to come true, I accidentally made a wish I was Super Sonic to beat it..."
He closed his eyes and continued in guilt. "...And the two Sol Emeralds somehow granted my wish."
"What!?" Silver and Blaze exclaimed, shocked while everyone else was speechless.
"It was an accident!" The sixteen year old quickly said. " I didn't mean for it to happen! I didn't even think of using them except for saving everybody from their statue forms! I'm sorry!"
"Wait, the Sol Emeralds really did that!?" Young Sonic exclaimed, bewildered. He shuddered. "Talk about creepy."
"Creepy isn't the kind of word I'd use. Terrifying is more like it." Sonic pointed out, rubbing his arms. "I'm scared that I'm starting to lose it, and I don't want to turn evil. I'd never forgive myself if I ever did. I have no idea why they even reacted to me, and I'm too scared to even find out. Sometimes I scare myself."
While his friends gazed at him worriedly, Silver, Blaze and Kintobor shared concerned glances and from what they could see, Sonic was terrified that the Sol Emeralds reacted to his wish that he hadn't meant to actually make come true, yet he helped him to defeat a monster that was seemingly impossible to stop. Instead of being angry at him like they were furious with Scourge since he caused all of this, they felt sorry for the hero of Mobius who was scared of their emeralds' powers.
"Sonic...it wasn't your fault." Blaze spoke up softly, causing Sonic and his friends, most who were trying to comfort him while Shadow stood by uneasily, to glance up at her. "The Sol Emeralds are powerful and unpredictable."
"It's not the first time someone made an accidental wish with them. We should've told you that they automatically grant wishes to anyone who hold even just one." Silver muttered, feeling guilty for that.
"It's best to be more careful, but compared to you and Scourge, you made a wish that was for good, yes?" Kintobor added.
"Yeah..." Sonic sighed, scratching the top of his head. "I only transform into Super Sonic in case of emergencies, but I wouldn't call what I did back there as one. I don't wanna rely on powers to help me out and I don't want to become power hungry. I just wanna be with my friends and family, enjoy my freedom, having the world in peace, and go on adventures for some action, and do the right thing."
"Does your heart say so?" The lavender cat asked softly.
The blue hedgehog he knew deep down within his heart it was exactly what he wanted, and even closed his eyes to listen to it. Within his mind's eye, he saw himself happily living his life with everyone he cared about and loved deeply, including friends who he would never see again but knew they were always with him, and everything he said was still there. No desire for power, only using it even when his determination called forth of those powers yet he never thought about using them for his own benefits. Only when the situation called for it and he would willingly sacrifice himself and keep going, never giving up on what he believed.
"More than anything. I don't care what happens to me." Sonic replied after a moment, opening his eyes with a nod. "I just gotta do what I gotta do."
"Sonic, I told you before. You're too good of a kind heart to become evil." Kintobor said, bending to the hedgehog's level of height and placed a comforting hand on the teenager's shoulder. "If you're scared of power and hold a deep bond with your friends, then it's proof that you are safe from your inner darkness."
Sonic's eyes widened as he realized that the good version of Eggman was right. Even when the time the World Rings of Anger, Hate and Sorrow merged into him, he used that power as Dark-Spine Sonic as well as Shara's power to defeat Erazor Djinn's monstrous form, not letting that power overcome him and had returned to normal. Plus, he overcome Dark Gaia's darkness and avoided in becoming a Werehog himself. His desire and love for his friends and world always banished thoughts for power that didn't even exist in his mind or heart. His friends, his family, they were his life along with his freedom, love for adventures and Mobius itself and they were what kept him going.
Plus, maybe Kintobor wasn't bad after all. So far the man in front of him gave nothing but comfort, the complete opposite of Eggman and Robotnik.
"Thanks, Kintobor." Sonic replied, smiling emotionally before wiping away his tears, and said to everyone else. "Thanks, guys. You have no idea how lucky I am to have you all as my friends and family."
He then turned to Young Sonic who felt the same thing, and the older Sonic said, a bit sheepishly, "Well, except you since you're feeling the same thing, right?"
"You bet! I'm really happy to have Tails and Amy in my life, and the rest of you guys are so cool to hang out with!" The younger Sonic replied, before saying about Shadow and Knuckles. "Those guys, though...they're a bit hard in getting used to."
"Har de har." Knuckles muttered sarcastically, but did smirk a little while Shadow rolled his eyes.
Everyone else smiled, before Sonic then asked his younger, alternate self curiously. "By the way, where'd you find the Chaos Emerald you found?"
"Well...it's a crazy story and...I kinda think our worlds aren't the only ones that are in trouble." Young Sonic began, scratching the top of his head.
Even though Sonic was glad that he was still himself and he wanted to remain that way, what Young Sonic was about to say next would put him and Blaze into complete shock.
A/N: How Young Sonic found the Light-Blue Chaos Emerald will be revealed in the next chapter. Sorry that this chapter was super long. I'll try to make the future ones shorter, as we're still a long way to go.
But it seemed things are becoming more dangerous as the situation goes on. Will Sonic and his friends be able to handle it? Only Space-Time will tell.
(1) This part is based on the scary game franchise "Five Nights at Freddy's", only in Mobeius rumors which are yet to be confirmed.
See you later!
