CHAPTER 02: The Journey Commences

Sonic's POV

"Zzzzzz... zzzzzz… zzzzzz… huh?"

I opened my eyes and found myself lying near a shore. I tried standing, but I fell. As a result, I just knelt on my knee. I looked around. There was no trace of Eggman or Shadow. I must've fallen here when the Death Egg exploded. They probably fell somewhere else. I hope Shadow's not at the bottom of the ocean. If Eggman was, then I'll finally acquire my big break!

I stood up fine. I decided to head inland to look for a village or a town to get a clue of where I am. But if I ever have a monster attack, I'll just use that opportunity to practice up.

I ran towards east, into a forest.

Act 01 – Odd Stuff

Sonic's POV

The forest looked normal and safe.

I still had my speed. I ran at supersonic speed along the path. I halted when I reached a set of trees. They were as tall as me. I poked them one by one. There was no response. I remained silent for a few seconds. I ignored the trees and moved along. But as I ran, I kept on discovering more and more of the same tree.

What's with these trees? It's freaking me out.

Eventually, I reached the end of the forest. I climbed onto a rock and gazed around. I spotted a town not far from where I am. Great! I can use some rest. However, I suddenly heard a growl from behind me. When I checked, I saw a wolf glaring at me.

"Looking for a fight?" I asked it.

I jumped off the rock. I ran towards the wolf and struck it with a high kick then a straight punch. The wolf ran off, dropping some rings. I picked them up. I counted about 50 rings. Hmmmm… I might be able to use this in the town so I can rent a room in the inn.

I ran away to the town.

A few minutes later, I reached the town. The people seemed surprised to see me. I can hear them talk to each other with me as their subject.

"A visitor from the forest? Why hasn't he turned into a tree?"

"Is he immune to the curse?"

"I wonder if he's the one who could save us all…"

I walked slowly. This people are so unsettling. So what's the big deal if I came through the forest?

It took me five minutes to walk every 100 meters. I found an inn at the edge of the town. I went in and rented a room for the night at the cost of 20 rings. But I still felt unsettled.

Later that night, I was sleeping on my bed. The room had ten beds in it. There were only four people in here.

The door opened. I unnoticeably looked at the door. A blue robot came into the room. It was shaped like a human. His face was also human. However, the rest of his body was metal, colored blue. Wonder who he is..?

He sat on the bed beside me. He just sat there for the rest of the night.

Act 02 – X, the Reploid

Sonic's POV

As soon as I woke up, I checked the bed aside me to see that the blue robot is gone. He must've left the town. I stretched up and warmed up by doing some little exercises.

Later on, I went outside for a breath of fresh air. I sat on a barrel beside the inn and watched the townsfolk work and the children play. It was so peaceful.

It was not five minutes when a little girl came and asked me, "Are you immune to the curse mister?"

I stared at her, puzzled. "Curse? What curse?"

"The forest's curse. It's said that if the creature sees you, you'll immediately transform into a tree."

"A creature you say? But, I didn't see any creature." I replied.

The little girl looked surprised. "…You didn't?"

I nodded.

In the next second, the girl got frightened and ran away, screaming.

I called after her. But she just ran and ran. I looked behind me and found the blue robot staring at me! I fell off the barrel. I got up and took two steps backwards.

"Wha' dya want?" I asked.

"You came through the forest?" he asked.

"So?" I replied.

The robot glanced at the townsfolk for a second. "By your looks, I can tell you're strong. You should consider lending a hand to this town. You could be of great help to them."

"Why would I do that?" I inquired.

The robot took a step towards me. "I heard this rumor that the creature they're referring to is holding some sort of jewel. It's a red diamond. They say that whoever wields it will be granted power."

My eyes widened. This jewel seemed familiar.

"Maybe… Just maybe… It must be a Chaos Emerald!" I cried.

"Chaos Emerald? You know that jewel?" the blue machine asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. It's a stone of power. It contains great power. But it's only one of the seven Chaos Emeralds. If all seven are wielded by one, that certain wielder will be granted unlimited power."

The robot seemed pleased. "How fascinating. Tell me, do you know where I could find them?"

I shook my head. "Nah, my enemy had all seven of them. He used them for… something. But that place where he was exploded into nothing. The Chaos Emeralds are probably scattered across the globe."

"…I see. Maybe I can help you look for them." the robot said.

"But I don't know anything about you, do I?" I snapped.

The robot strolled a bit. It took him a minute to finally make his decision. "Alright, I'm X. I'm a War Reploid."

"X, huh? What in the world is a Reploid?" I asked him.

X frowned a little. He looked up at sky. "... The Reploids... They were designed to look like Humans... Us technical marvels were given unique personalities and were intended to be the perfect workers and the perfect partners for mankind... But the wheels of peace between Reploids and Humans were beginning to grind to a halt..."

"How come?" I asked.

"The Reploids were well designed. Perhaps too well. Their humanity began to sow the seeds of rebellion. The rebels were labeled Mavericks and feared by their Human masters... The Humans decided to pit Reploid against Reploid... That was the fate given to us. The Reploids fighting for humanity were never given a choice... Thus the war of the machines began and the Humans just watched... War begot war... And time passed..."

"...So you were built for fighting..." I uttered in a low voice. "But not all Reploids were built for war, right?"

X nodded. "Indeed."

"So what brings you here? If you're a War Reploid, then shouldn't you be fighting other Reploids by this time?" I questioned. I feel comfortable in asking these questions.

"Supposedly, yes. But while I was fighting, there was this mighty force that dragged me here along with my partner..." X answered.

A strong force... I thought.

Light bulb.

"X? Do you... feel weak? Were you very strong before?" I asked.

X looked at me, surprised by the question. "How did you... Were you strong before, than weak now?"

"Yeah... It must've been the Strength Thief..." I replied. "Dr. Eggman said that all the strongest creatures around the world will have their strength stolen. You must be one of them. Me and my friend are also part of them..."

X thought of it for a while. I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

"I see..." he said. "So as I was saying, you should try helping this town. I'm sure they'll reward you for their effort. Hmmm... you should try getting rid of the curse. That'll be the least you can do."

"You want me to turn into a tree?" I asked him indignantly.

"I didn't say that. With your speed, that monster won't have a chance to turn you into one. I'd say you're appropriate for this." X replied.

I thought of it. I didn't like the idea of being turned into a stupid tree. But the Chaos Emerald...

I looked at him with a serious face. "I'll give it a shot. I've got nothing much to do anyway..."

Act 03 – The Curse's Source

Sonic's POV

I stood at the entrance of the forest. I have to run at a high speed so that the monster won't get the chance to turn me into a tree. Well, if it's about speed, I'm #1!

I dashed into the forest looking to the left, and to the right. I only found the weird trees. They must've been the townsfolk turned into what they are now. I wonder if they can see me.

Suddenly, I heard some noises. I stopped and listened.

"I won't let you get away with this! You're going to pay for cursing these innocent lives!" a man shouted.

I followed the noises. I occasionally discovered a wide cave. The noises were coming from there. Before I could enter, someone said, "Wait!"

I turned around and found X standing.

"I'll give you some hints before you enter." he said.

"Then spit it out, will ya?" I demanded.

"Only attack the monster with rapid attacks. Don't try doing a combo attack. The monster might get a chance to turn you a tree. From what I've heard, the monster looks like a tree. But the most important of all, don't let any of its leaves touch you! Those leaves must be the monster's power. So if you come into contact with one, then it's all over. Did you get all of that?"

I nodded.

"I'll be waiting for your return here. Come back safe and sound. Good Luck." X said.

I walked into the cave. I kept on walking until I reached a big round room. I spotted the monster fighting a muscular guy with black hair and orange clothes. The monster whipped its arm at the man. But the man dodged and kicked the monster. Then the monster fired a flurry of its leaves. The man wasn't able to dodge. He turned into a tree afterwards.

I stepped into the room and shouted, "HEY!"

The monster noticed me and fired a flurry of leaves at me. I dodged to the right. And ran to its back and jabbed it. The monster turned around to see me about to punch him. The monster was sent flying towards a wall. I ran towards him and kicked him twice. I ran and stopped at the entrance. The monster began to spin, releasing a number of leaves! I jumped back to avoid one.

Soon, the whole room was filled with leaves. The floor was filled with leaves, making it impossible for me to reach the monster!

"Dang it! I can't hit him from here. If I step on a leaf, then it's over." I told myself.

"Let me handle this." a familiar voice ordered.

I turned around and found X aiming his right arm at the monster.

"I can hit him with my buster. You go and attack on my signal." X said.

"Okaaaay..." I said infirmly.

X fired his buster at the monster. The monster gained holes and was soon hit by a strong shot that lifted him into the air.

"Now!" X gestured.

I ran and jumped then kicked the monster with all of my strength. X dashed forward and jumped and cut the foe into two with a saber. The monster died! We did it!

We landed on the leaves, which turned brown and disappeared. I looked at the tree. There was a flash and the tree was now a man. That meant everyone else was rescued.

"You okay there?" I asked.

The guy knelt first and stood."...Yeah."

"How does being a tree feels like?" I questioned. "Anyway, we should get back to town."

Act 04 – Aftermath

Sonic's POV

All the townsfolk were cheering for me and X. It kinda felt embarrassing. The little girl a while ago gave me 50 rings. I didn't want to accept it, but she just forced me to. I turned to the muscular guy and asked, "Err... what d'ya said your name was again?"

"Oh, I'm Goku. Thanks for rescuing me." the guy replied. "I have something to give you. That monster had this."

He showed me and X the red jewel.

"The Chaos Emerald! Thanks!" I said as I took it.

X tapped me on the shoulder. "Sonic, this guy... Maybe he's also one of those whose strength was stolen. He's muscular, but he's actually weak."

"Goku? You were dragged here, weren't you? You were strong before and weak now, correct?" I asked Goku.

Goku gazed at me with a bamboozled face. "Were you... Never mind. I appears clear to me that you were similar to me."

I glanced at X, who shrugged.

"Do you know who caused all of this..? If both of you were strong before and now weak, then I presume you now the cause of this." Goku asked us.

I remained silent as X explained. After the discussion ended, I asked Goku a question.

"Hey, if you don't mind, maybe you can help me. We could help each other and bring down that old man. We might be able to regain our strength after this."

Goku nodded immediately. He's probably mad at Eggman for stealing his strength. We'll get him for this! But first...

I turned to X and inquired, "Will you help us out?"

It took X six seconds to shake his head. I stared at him, confused.

"Why not? Don't you want to get back your strength?"

"Ummm... It's not that... I'm just used to doing things alone. Well, until next time, Sonic and Goku." X said.

He nodded and he left us. After all we've been through... Well, I'm not going to force him.

"First, we should try looking for answers about our location." I told him. "But first... I'm hungry!"

=============================================End of Chapter 02=============================================