I'm sorry it took so long for me to get this posted. It's been a busy few weeks, but I'm back! And hopefully it won't take so long for me to get the next update done.
And now, for the chapter you've all been waiting for...
...
It was about a week after Eggman's disappearance, that Sonic and company could be seen flying over the Emerald Ocean in the X Tornado. The blue hedgehog breathed in the fresh air as the wind ruffled his quills. This was what he lived for: The wind, the adventure, and having his friends by his side.
Speaking of friends; Silver flew around next to the plane, then circled back around. He'd been flying loops around the plane for a while now, most likely out of boredom.
When the gray hedgehog swooped down near where Blaze was standing between the two right wings, she asked why he didn't take a break from flying around. "I'm surprised you aren't tired from all the energy it takes to keep you in the air." She said.
"It doesn't drain me as much as you're thinking, blaze; it's more a mental effort."
Tails turned to to Amy, who was in the backseat of the plane. "Hey Amy, How close are we to the islands?"
She looked down at the map in front of her, "According to this, we should see the Starfall Islands any minute now."
"We're close." Shadow confirmed, gazing into the distance from the top of the Tornado. "I can sense the chaos emeralds energy from here."
Sonic turned to his rival, "That's freaky, Shadz. How come you can sense the emeralds, and I can't. I have chaos energy to."
The ebony hedgehog frowned, "You can wield chaos energy, you don't possess it like I do."
"Oh, I forgot only the great and powerful 'Ultimate Lifeform' is a living chaos battery." The Blue Blur said, sarcastically.
Shadow growled, "Watch your mouth, faker. I'd hate for you to have to swim the rest of the way."
"I'm sure you'll do plenty of swimming for the both of us."
"SHUT UP!"
Blaze sighed as the two hedgehog's started arguing; this was the sixth time on the trip that they'd gotten on each other's nerves. "How long do you think they'll last this time?"
Tails shrugged, "Probably until we land."
"In that case, I'll scout ahead." Silver said, before rushing off with the wind toward the approaching island.
"Lucky Silver." Amy groaned, covering her ears to block out the steady stream of shouting.
"I wonder if Mr. Ultimate Lifeform can fly?!"
"At least I can swim! So I won't die the moment I hit the water!"
"I'll land on you, and force you to carry me to shore!"
"I'd just like to see you..!"
"SILVER!" Blaze suddenly shouted.
Everyone turned their attention ahead; toward the gray hedgehog, who was suddenly falling from the sky.
"Hang on everyone!" Tails shouted; sending the plane speeding down to catch Silver, who was flapping his arms as if that would help.
"Tails! Buddy!" Sonic shouted as he gripped the wing. "Give us a better warning next time!"
"No time! The fox shouted back, jerking on the controls as they flew under their falling friend.
"I've got you!" Blaze yelled, grabbing Silver's hand and yanking him on the plane wing with her.
"Thanks Blaze." The Gray hedgehog expressed. "I don't know what happened, my powers suddenly let out on me."
"I told you to land on the plane and rest."
He shook his head, "It wasn't that, something literally cut me off from my powers."
"But what would..." Tails started asked; but the plane suddenly jerked, and went into a spiraling loop downwards. Sonic and Shadow nearly fell off when the Tornado started descending again, and now the two hedgehog's were hanging on for dear life.
As they plummeted, Sonic raised his head in time to see a red force field appear around the island. He closed his eyes and braced for impact, there was a feeling of weightlessness then...nothing.
...
When Sonic opened his eyes, he thought he was still unconscious. There was no possible way he'd gone from free-falling toward the ocean, to lying flat on his back in Green Hills.
The Blue hedgehog sat up quickly and looked around; he was definitely in his home zone, but how? Then he noticed the sky, all glitchy...just like that forcefield around the islands!
I sense your confusion mortal.
Sonic turned quickly, searching for the source of the voice. "Hello? Who's there?"
When no one responded, the hedgehog tried again. "If anyone's there, show yourself!"
There was another pause, then...
Very well.
A shadow melted out from under one of the palm trees; and Sonic jumped back as it formed into a suspended purple orb.
Does this satisfy you, mortal mobian?
"I...Who, or should I say what are you?"
This does not concern you, hedgehog. All you need to Know is I am a being as old as the Ancients.
"That doesn't give me much information." Sonic pointed out.
It is sufficient. Tell me, mortal, How did you end up in Cyber Space?
"Cyber Space? Is that were I am?"
Oh yes, and without my help you cannot hope to make it out to rescue your friends.
"My friends!" The Blue Blur shouted, "Where are they? What happened to them? Are they all right?"
Calm yourself, mortal, the other mobians are alive.
Sonic started breathing out a sigh of relief, before he realized the floating moon hadn't actually answered his questions. "Where are they?"
The black hedgehog, the gray hedgehog, and the violet cat; are all stuck in Cyber Space like you.
"So you're saying Shadow, Silver, and Blaze are all okay, but stuck in the same position I am?" The Blue Blur summarized.
Correct.
"What about Amy and Tails?"
The pink hedgehog and yellow fox have been imprisoned at the Starfall Islands, by a mischievous AI, created to steal the Ancients' secrets and harness my power.
Sonic thought this through, his situation just kept getting worse every second. Here he was; trapped somewhere called Cyber Space, many of his friends were in the same situation, but Tails and Amy were captured! Then there was the purple sphere in front of him, could it be trusted?
The moon must have read his mind, because it said: Whether you trust me, or not; you need my help to rescue your friends. All I ask in return, is that you free me from this prison.
This just confirmed Sonic's suspicion. This thing was obviously evil, and had been imprisoned in Cyber Space for...something. No way he would help it, but...
His friends. Shadow, Silver, and Blaze were all fine at the moment; but what about Amy and Tails? If he never escaped, who would rescue them?
As much as the hedgehog hated it, he knew what he had to do.
"If you show me and my friends the way out of Cyber Space, and help us rescue Tails and Amy; I'll help you escape."
Wonderful. The purple moon purred. I knew you would...
"But If you try to cause harm to the planet, or anyone on it; I will stop you."
A harsh laugh escaped the floating sphere, I should have known you'd say that, mortal. You have the air of a hero about you.
"It's one of my defining qualities. Now, how do I get out of here!"
Impatient to. Very well, I will show you a possible way out; but it is beyond my power to actually get you out myself. May luck be with you, mortal. At those words, the purple moon sank into the ground and vanished.
"Wait!" Sonic shouted, "You didn't actually tell me how to get out!"
There was no answer, only silence. The azure hedgehog groaned, "I should have known better than to trust a..."
He trailed off as shadows appeared where the sphere had disappeared, and formed a kind of path through Green Hills.
The Blue Blur contemplated the path for a minute, then shrugged. "Not what I was expecting, but better then nothing." He sped off, following the path from the side.
After about 5 minutes of running, the world suddenly started getting...glitchy. More than usual, I mean.
Sonic slowed down to observe the phenomenon; but the glitch vanished before he could get a good look at it. He sped up again, and the same thing happened; he slowed and it disappeared again.
'It's like it responds to my speed.' Sonic observed. Testing this theory; The Blue Blur ran faster than before, pumping his legs so fast they looked like an infinity sign under him. As he suspected; the red glitches appeared, stronger than before. The red closed in around him like a tunnel; and at the end, a silvery-white void had appeared.
Gaining speed, the hedgehog rushed the portal and crashed through. For a second time, he felt weightless...
...
Until he crashed head-first onto solid ground.
"Oww." Sonic groaned, rubbing his forehead. He looked up at his surroundings, though there wasn't much to see from where he was.
The hedgehog had landed in a small alcove, with cliffs on three sides. And behind him, was what looked like a giant, ancient throne.
Oh! And it was raining too. Not much else besides that.
"Where am I?" He wondered aloud. The last thing he expected, was for a familiar voice to answer.
"We're on the Starfall Islands, Faker."
Sonic turned to the giant throne, where Shadow was perched at the very top. He glared down at his rival, like he blamed him for their situation.
Sonic just smirked at his rival, "First off, I'm not the faker here. Second, how was I supposed to know where I'd landed. And third, how did you get out of cyber space before me? Unless that purple moon talked to you before me."
Shadow's eyes widened slightly before narrowing. "You've met The End, too?"
"I..." Sonic frowned, "Wait, what did you call the moon?"
"The End?"
"Is that it's name?"
His rival shrugged, and opened his mouth to answer; but before he could, a red glow started travelling up the ruin. It spiraled at the top, glowing extra bright; then two figures appeared, falling on the ground in front of Sonic.
"Silver! Blaze!" The speedy hedgehog shouted, crouching beside his friends.
"Ngh, Sonic?" The gray hedgehog blearily raised his head. "Wh-Where are we?"
"The Starfall Islands." Shadow repeated.
"You're here to?" Blaze asked.
"I know, apparently we have no luck." Sonic commented.
"Keep laughing, faker; I have the key to navigating these islands."
"What key?" The other three mobians jinxed.
Instead of answering, Shadow jumped down from the ruin and sped off without another word.
Blaze looked at the other two hedgehogs "What do we do now?"
"Well," Sonic said, thoughtfully. "If we really are on the Starfall Islands, then Amy and Tails have to be somewhere around here. I say we go search for them, and learn more about these islands. Who knows what kind of secrets have been hidden here."
"So, improvise." Silver summarized.
"Exactly! Come on, let's explore these new frontiers!"
...
I'll get right on the 3rd chapter, please don't get mad at me if I take too long. Review and tell me what you think so far!