QAN: Hey guys, apologies for having not updated in some time. Revision at school is becoming even more tiring and I've had to stop writing for a while to focus on my exams which are starting next month. :( But anyways, hope you all enjoy Chapter 38 and I'll see you soon with the next few!

Chapter 38: Water Prison

M-T

I ... wasn't really expecting that ambush to happen.

At first, we were all okay as we entered the next world but ... it just came out of the blue. Although, I gotta salute Megan for going in to help Sonic and those pre-historic animals. I wanted to help too but in the end, I saw that she had the upper-hand against the man who attacked. Maybe ... he was Walter Sullivan, like I suspected before Shadow and I ended up here in the otherworlds.

We didn't know for sure, but we might get some hints soon. Who knows?

Once we came out of the area, a circular path wrapping itself around the incredibly tall building greeted us. With the mammoth, Manny (I think it was) leading us, we were sure that everything was going to turn out fine.

"Hey Tails," My surrogate brother greeted cheerfully, jogging over to walk alongside me. "How you holding up?"

"I'm fine Sonic, no need to worry." I repiled, sending a huge grin in his direction. Though as I continued speaking, my grin was replaced with a confused frown. "But, I'm not really sure what kind of place this is,"

Upon hearing those words, Sonic frowned in thought. "I'd say it's some kind of water prison or something. Although, I'm sorry you and Shadow got stuck here,"

At least, we know you're okay big bro...

Meanwhile, I noticed that Elise was walking alongside Megan and engaging her in a conversation to keep her mind off the ambush. Sonic seemed to notice what was happening and we both couldn't help but smile at the two girls chatting away.

"They've been friends for a while now," My surrogate brother revealed to me. "To be honest, it wouldn't surprise me if Elise decides to stay with us when we eventually get out of here."

I knew he was referring to the otherworlds and not just the water prison. Even though Shadow and I haven't been here for that long, we managed to get some idea of what happened to Sonic and his new friends. Just before the ambush, we heard that Megan was looking for her mother whom seemed to be quite nice, judging from what Elise told us. I felt really bad for the young girl and Shadow was sympathetic too. So we decided to help her in any way we could.

After a while, we entered the third floor and were greeted with a series of doors leading to small rooms in a circular formation. The walls and floor were painted in a murky brown colour and we all could hearing water dripping from above.

Elise sighed in disgust. "It's so damp and gross here!"

"I'm with you on that, Elise." Peaches repiled. "The sooner we get out, the better."

Megan decided to start looking in the cells for anything useful we could find. Unfortunately, there was nothing that could help us in the first cell. Just a single bed and a small window on the grey walls. Occasionally someone would walk past, covering the bright light for a brief second. Sid and the possums didn't like it, so we went out.

"Guys, why can't we be back home?!" Crash wanted to know, hiding behind his younger brother and shuddering in fright. "I—"

"Shut up, we'll be out of here soon." Diego interrupted, with annoyance lacing his tone.

We luckily managed to find a few first-aid kits, health drinks and ammo in the second and third cells but once again, we got nothing in the fourth one onwards. Eventually we arrived in a small room which had a ... hole carved into the floor?

These worlds just get more and more strange.

"So, what are we going to do?" Sid asked as he took a seat on one of the benches that stood a few metres away from the door we entered.

"Um... We could continue looking around for suppiles?" Louis suggested hopefully.

"Or we can separate into two groups and do what wiener came up with?" Eddie repiled, earning a glare from the molehog. "I don't know, so I'm leaving it to everyone else to come up with any ideas."

Meanwhile, I sat down on the other bench next to Sonic, Shadow, Elise and Megan. I couldn't help but let Knuckles and Amy drift into my thoughts. One time we were having a walk in the park to keep our minds of Sonic's attack and the next, we wind up separated. I was really hoping that everything was going to be okay with them, but.. my big bro, friend and I wouldn't know until we eventually escape.

"I say we go for Louis' idea." Sonic said after a while, breaking the silence. "Eddie's one is pretty good too."

"Yeah," Megan repiled, nodding in agreement. "But, who's going with who?"

"Megan, you'll be with Sonic and his friends." Ellie answered. "Manny and I talked about it just earlier and here is how things will go. You guys are going to check out the lower levels whilst we explore the higher ones."

"Are you all okay with that?" Manny asked, giving us a look of concern.

One by one, Elise, Shadow, Sonic, Megan and I nodded to reveal that the plan was set. We were told that we would meet up back on the third floor after exploring the water prison for any supplies or weapons, which was perfectly fine.

My big bro decided to take the lead as he jumped into the hole, me being second whilst being followed by our other three friends.

Hopefully, things will be okay soon.

T-M

It was a really long way down, I tell ya. And we were screaming our heads off as we fell seemingly towards our doom. Truth be told, I actually thought we were plummeting into a bottomless pit! But to my great relief, I was wrong about that.

Shadow was the first to land perfectly, whilst Sonic simply followed by landing with his face getting stuck in the ground. Now, normally I would have cracked a joke about a certain video game to do with our planet. But seeing as we were all trapped in the otherworlds, I knew it was a bad idea.

"Is everyone alright?" Tails asked, after we all pulled ourselves to our feet.

"Y-Yeah," I repiled as I helped Elise up. "How about you and the others?"

"I'm fine, let's just get this over with." Shadow muttered as he pulled Sonic out of his position which, like I said before, reminded me a lot of 'Unleashed'. I actually enjoyed playing that with my mum when I was about 9 years old. The only downer about it was that Chip was gone. I understood he had to look after the planet, but still ... it would be awesome to see him again. "Sonic, do you need some help there?" Elise asked, sneaking concerned glances at both him and me.

"N-Nope!" The blue hedgehog grunted as he pulled himself up to his feet and thanked Shadow. "I'm good."

Well, alright then.

Once we all gathered ourselves together, we began to explore the basement and lower levels of the water prison. I knew our assaliant from earlier was still lurking around so I told myself that whatever happens, I'd jump in to protect my family and friends. Although, I began to wonder how my mother was doing. Whether she was okay or not, I didn't know. Maybe ... she was trapped somewhere or ... maybe, she managed to escape and happened to be looking for me right now.

It seemed possible... I just needed to find out...