Sonic stepped out from the Abandoned Shaft. He almost forgot about what would happen when he stepped up to the large gate in front of him. Suddenly, someone behind him said, "Hedgehog. Don't you know how to greet a new friend? Take my hand." He tensed up, extending his arm out as he turned around slowly without looking directly at him, terrified of what he might see. But the second Sonic's hand touched the stranger's, a red gooey substance hit the ground. Startled, he directed his eyes on the one who had been following him.

Upon first sight, anyone would have concluded that the stalker and Sonic were brothers or maybe twins since they were both hedgehogs. Albeit the other one having blue fur and white gloves, his eyes were black and red instead of white and green. He also had slightly visible fangs and claws and was wearing a red jacket. Sonic tensed up again, for he recognized him slightly. The other hedgehog laughs to himself, "Man, who ever threw out these ketchup packets are missing out big time. Greetings th-." He paused for a little bit, seemingly examining his counterpart. "Oh, hello again, Sonic. You remember me, right?" About now you would have guessed this was Exetior, but as you can tell, he's changed.

Sonic nodded. 'How you fall down here without a mark on you? Good thing. It would have been a shame to see someone like you hurt." The fallen hedgehog didn't know what to feel about that complement or even if it was a complement. "It must be shocking to see me down here. But there is more than one of those gateways in the multiverse, you know. Listen, I've been currently waging war with my little stepbrother, Spike. Roleplaying, I mean. His version of hide and seek could be tipped in my favor with a partner! Come on, you'll be great at it!" He led Sonic through the gate and instructed him to get a behind a tacky lamp that was apparently outside his station.

A few seconds later, a young dragon entered the scene. "Ha! Found you!" said the dragon.

Exetior threw up his arms, admitting defeat. "You've cornered me again. You're getting cleverer every day, Spiky."

"Yes, of course I…" Spike started to say, "Ex! I told you not to call me that!"

"Oops, slipped my mind."

"That's a lie and you know it!"

"Guilty as charged. Once again, the mighty dragon of hyperdeath out wits me."

"Yes, exactly! I am an absolute deity and guardian after all! Of the Icy Tundra Biome. But just for now! Anyway, you're hopeless to defeat me alone!" A smile grew on Exetior's face. "Uh, you are alone out here, right?"

"Hey, Sonic. Tell Spiky how wrong he is."

As the fallen hedgehog stepped out from behind the lamp, a look of surprise crossed the dragon's face, "What?! How did you…?!"

"Alone no longer." Said his brother.

Spike rushed to his step-sibling and whispered, "This is great, we have to tell the captain about this!"

"You don't have to call her the captain." Exetior claimed.

"I do if I wanna join the royal guard!" Spike sped back to his original spot. "Very well, let's see how two hedgehogs do against the might of SPIKE THE DRAGON! Ha ha!" He runs off.

"By the way," said Exetior, as Sonic stepped up to him, "Spike will be role-playing a lot as you go through the Tundra. Don't play too rough with him, okay? See you up ahead." He walked away.

Sonic wasn't so sure if he liked the new Exetior. Maybe he could reset, start over, and try to break him. Go on the Path of No Mercy. Nope. He wouldn't do that. Well, he would. He can.

He has…

~End of Chapter One