Outside POV


Together, Silver and Sonic both eventually made it to Seaside Hill, having cut right through Central City to get there... Sonic skids to a stop before he scans the surrounding area, Silver gracefully landing on his feet nearby after using his levitation ability to fly behind Sonic. "...Oh!" Sonic then points across the way... Sure enough in the bay already was a G.U.N boat, one that was built for speedy travels and able to hold a few crew members... Standing on the sandy beach, was Shadow. "Let's hurry!" Sonic says with a grin, speeding off before Silver quickly follows behind, not wanting to be any later than what they already were.

Shadow turns his head towards the sound of fast-paced footsteps and he sighs. "You're late." He says bluntly, glaring over at Sonic who slows down to a jog.

"Late?" Sonic scoffs before he glances down at his wrist. "It's half past a freckle according to my invisible watch~" Sonic playfully jokes as he shrugs, eyeing his rival who looked extremely unamused. Silver eventually catches up and sighs upon his arrival.

"Now that we're all here... Let's get moving." Shadow states, turning to lead the way towards the boat that waited for the trio of heroes in the water. Once boarded, Shadow gave the word and the motor roars to life and within minutes, they left shore... Hours pass by fairly slow and the journey was rather boring to Sonic and Shadow, Silver, however, found it a pleasurable trip, in awe of the ocean's beauty and the several creatures that came out to show off to the travelers on the water's surface, such as beautiful dolphins and seagulls that flew overhead...

Eventually, a conversation came up. "Silver's got himself a date, by the way, ~," Sonic says, laying on his side on the floor of the boat, having made himself comfortable. He smirks playfully as he glances up at Shadow who had stood still the entire trip so far in the middle of the boat, arms crossed and wearing a stoic expression.

"A date?" Shadow asks, glancing over at the gray hedgehog to his left. Silver tears his attention from the sparkly water and blushes madly, shooting Sonic a look.

"...Yeah but it's nothing too fancy.." Silver explains quietly, unable to take Sonic seriously anymore, due to Sonic's childish behavior and loudmouth. "It's just a one-time thing."

"I see." Shadow states in an aloof manner, he then shakes his head. "Tch. You should be more focused on the mission at hand, Silver." He scolds lightly, realizing that he was very much a hypocrite

"Sargent Shadow, Sol Island inbound at 6 O'clock." A nearby soldier interrupts their casual conversation and the three hedgehogs quickly snap their attention forward. Sonic climbs to his feet quickly to get at Shadow's side.

"Yupp!" Chuckles lightly. "That's Sol Island alright." He then beams happily. "Glad to see it's still thriving all the way out in the middle of nowhere!"

Shadow nods gently in response as Silver got up to his other side, standing in the middle of the two others. "Do you still think she'll willing to help us, Sonic?" He asks, his eyes trained on the island that was growing larger as they approached it.

"I believe so, Shad," Sonic says with a chuckle. "I doubt she'd turn us away... Plus she's gotten a hang of helping others out when need be...~"

"...Very well then," Shadow states bluntly as they came in even closer to the island.

The island was rather large with a giant volcano in the center of it. On Sonic's last visit he got to witness it become active, thankfully however underneath the island, there was a giant cavern where the lava flowed in endless rivers, serving as an energy source for the locals on the island. At the base of the volcano sat the village with several houses and a new building Sonic didn't recognize. It was a rather large building with a large dome-like roof. The edges of the island were large cliffs that were usually crowded with gates or shrubbery. So the only way onto the island properly is on the mini dock that sat directly at the front of the island. Connected to the larger island was a mini peninsula that led off to a mini island, and it seemed to be unexplored and had no structures built on that side of the island...


Killing the engine, the three G.U.N soldiers aboard the boat worked together to get the craft docked at the little pier that jutted out in the front of the island. Waiting on the dock stood an orange raccoon, she wore a serious expression as she watched these strangers dock up, but upon seeing Sonic, her entire demeanor changed.

"Sonic?!" She gasps, watching the blue hedgehog hop off of the boat and onto the wooden dock. "Is that you!?" She asks excitedly, her voice laced with a Huclen (Australian) accent.

"Marine!" Sonic chuckles, lifting his arms up and out, only for the young raccoon to quickly dash forward, jumping into his arms for a big embrace. "It's been forever!" He laughs as he spins in place, pulling back as he glances down at her. "You've grown so tall just likeTails has..." He jokes lightly. Marine was an orange raccoon with a white muzzle and a small black nose. Her eyes were bright teal. She had brown triangular ears with cream fur on the inside of them. Her tail was large and rounded with brown rings that went down its length. Around her eyes, she had dark brown and cream markings.

Her attire was simple and tomboyish in nature. Two pigtails were turned upright, held back by two bright yellow scrunchies. A pair of bright lime green overalls with a simple white t-shirt underneath. Her gloves were tan. Her shoes were lime green and orange with white socks.

"Oh, nonsense..~" She giggles a little before she glances past him, towards the other two hedgehogs climbing out of the boat to get on the dock. "Speaking of... where is Tails?" She asks excitedly as she searches for her old friend.

"He stayed behind this time," Sonic explains a little before chuckling. "Instead I brought along my two good buddies..~ Shadow the Hedgehog.." Sonic introduces Shadow, who only responds with a simple nod. "And Silver the Hedgehog..~"

"Hello..." Silver waves awkwardly and Marine couldn't help but laugh a little in response, waving back.

"Ohh I see... Darn, I wanted to show him my newest invention... I guess that'll be for a later time, huh?" She asks gently, turning her attention back towards Sonic in front of her. "But I'm assuming you're here to see Princess Blaze?"

"Bingo," Sonic responds gently. "She's in town, right?" He asks with a chuckle, glancing past Marine towards the village at the base of the volcano.

"You betcha..~" Marine says with a wink, grinning from ear to ear. "However... I'm gonna warn you, she's been a little hard to get along with recently..." Marine warns the blue hedgehog in front of her...


After Shadow gave the orders to stay docked, the trio allowed Marine to be their usher, leading them towards the little village that sat several meters away... In the center of the many houses, stood a beautiful palace that only indicated that was the home to the princess... Stepping up the several steps and eventually, they reached the top, Marine quickly turns to face the boys, her face serious. "Don't say I didn't warn ya." She reminds them gently.

With that said, she pushes open the doors... Stepping onto the marbled floor, the four of them make it to the throne room... Seated on a large throne that had been made for someone bigger than she was, sat the princess... A stoic expression across her face as she gazed down at the orange raccoon that strolled into the room.

"Marine..." She identifies her rather quickly for she lived on the island with the princess. "Did you find out what the meaning was of that boat docking at our pier?" She asks quietly.

"Yeah!" Marine responds, bowing a little before flashing the purple cat a cheeky smile. "It was just our old friend.~"

"..Old friend?" She asks quietly, confused as she then glances past Marine, spotting the trio of hedgehogs... Her amber eyes flicker with recognition.

"Princess Blaze...~" Sonic coos playfully at her before bowing, quickly following after him were both Shadow and Silver behind him... Sonic lifts his head as he locks eyes with the empress, flashing her his famous cocky grin. "It's so nice to see you again."

"...No need to be formal with me, Sonic." She reminds him gently before she rises to her feet. Blaze was a lavender and violet-furred cat with amber-gold eyes. She had a little black nose that sat centered on her white-furred muzzle. Her ears were pointed and tanned on the inside. Her tail was long and extremely fluffy at the end. Her hair had grown out since Sonic had last seen her, when before it used to stand straight upward past, now it came down to her shoulders while pulled back with a bright red band in the ponytail she made her trademark style.

Blaze's attire was one of status and royalty. Her most notable feature was the red oval gem on the center of her forehead, resembling a bindi. She wore a pair of red ruby studs in her ears. She had abandoned her purple tailcoat for something more feminine, a sleeveless high low dress that went down to just to the bends of her knees. Underneath she wore a pair of white leggings as before. She wore a pair of high-heeled boots that came up to her knees. Things that stood out the most to Sonic were the cape that draped itself over her shoulders and the bright ruby red bracelets she wore... She looked like she was falling into the royalty role and she looked rather flattering. With that said, she gives a small sigh, closing in the space between them, meeting them halfway.

"Right, I forgot~" Sonic chuckled before he suddenly goes in for a hug. Blaze stiffens up under his touch but takes the embrace lightly. Once Sonic pulled back, she gives him an awkward smile before she glanced toward the other two hedgehogs present. "I don't believe I have met you two yet..."

Shadow bows his head once again, respectfully before he lifts it, locking eyes with her. "Shadow, Shadow the Hedgehog, your highness."

She gives a small nod, glancing towards Silver who freezes. Amber eyes lock and he quickly clears his throat. "Silver, Silver the Hedgehog." He responds gently.

"...Well then..." She inhales gently through her nose before exhaling through her mouth. "Pleasure to meet you both, Shadow and Silver the hedgehogs... However please don't worry about being formal with me... I'd rather not be called by any title..." She admits gently.

"Still not liking the royal life, huh?" Sonic asks gently, frowning as he notices the annoyed expression on Blaze's face.

"...No... Never have and I don't think I ever will.." She answers honestly before placing her hands on her hips, looking back up at Sonic. "...However I must ask... What brings you three to my island...?"

Sonic's face lights up and he flashes her a grin. "Actually...~" He then steps aside and gestures to Shadow at his left. "I think he'll be able to explain a lot better than I can.."

"...Lady Blaze, I believe that you and your people might be able to help aid the Guardian Units of Nations and the Sonic Hero Agency in researching creatures known as Darks..."

Blaze's calm expression disappears and suddenly a serious one paints across it. "..." She lowers her gaze and gently shakes her head. "We should discuss this in private..." She whispers.

A sudden change in the attitude in the room shifts and the three instantly become on edge...


"...You said to discuss this in private... Yet why are we outside?" Sonic asks, walking beside Blaze as she leads the way...

"...Because this is ground that only the royal family can walk... And I have a better feeling that I should just... show you."

Both Silver and Shadow exchange a look at each other as they followed behind. Passing by a statue that looked aged from the blistering sun above, the four of them eventually make it to the mini peninsula that connected the motherland to the mini island.

"My Fiancé said he'd look into it but he hasn't gotten to it yet.." Blaze explains quietly.

"Woha? Fiancé?" Sonic asks, surprised. "You're getting married?"

Blaze's face reddens as they venture off further into the shrubbery and bushes. "Well... Yes but not yet... There's so much I have to do before the wedding day."

"I was about to say..." Sonic chuckles a little. "I would at least expect an invite~" He winks teasingly at Blaze who only rolls her eyes in response to the slight pestering.

"There's not an official date yet... When there is, expect an invite."

Passing over the crashing waves below, they reach the mini island and Blaze turns around to face the others. "What I'm about to tell you, maybe haunting to hear... So this is my final warning before we go deeper."

"..I think we can handle what you have beyond these trees, Lady Blaze..." Shadow replies gently. "We've encountered a Dark and we need to get as much information on him as possible," Shadow explains. Silver nods in agreement before he opens his mouth.

"We're afraid he might have the power to destroy the world and wipe out life as we know it..." Silver adds.

Blaze grimaces before she gently nods. Without a word she turns and pushes through the shrubbery... Sonic holds his breath as he follows close behind, followed by Shadow and Silver...

After a few minutes of walking through bright green vegetation, they suddenly break into a clearing, and the trio of hedgehogs noticed something strange in the air. "...Wait... This..." Silver whispers, recognizing the aura.

Blaze looks over her shoulder and frowns. "My island has developed a curse..." She moves out of the way and reveals a different-looking forest in front of her. The trunks were black as night and decayed. It had looked like a giant forest fire had swept through the area head... The limbs above spiraled in unnatural ways and stretched out towards the sky like several pairs of giant hands. "...My people are terrified of what lies beyond this tree line." She turns back to look at Sonic. "The forest that once stood here is gone, Sonic."

Sonic's eyes scan the dark oak trees that formed a natural gate to keep the outside world away... He frowns. "...It's unnaturally quiet here.." He glances back at Shadow and Silver who both wore serious expressions.

"Like back at the pyramid.." Shadow finishes the sentence, sighing. "How long has it been like this?" He asks, turning to look at Blaze.

"Not long... I discovered it trying to find a new location to put the Jeweled Scepter... Bring it to the home island." She begins. "I wanted to put it here, believing that only my family could access it at any time... However I discovered this dark forest instead..." She begins. "The beings that live beyond the first set of trees are creatures of darkness and evil... I've had the displeasure of meeting a few..." She goes on to explain. "I've kept an eye on this forest since it popped up.. but I'm afraid it'll just continue to grow until it reaches the village..."


To Be Continued...


Sorry, it's been so long since the last update! Nearly a year! Which is kinda crazy but to be fair life has gotten a little crazy lol