The aqua skies and golden sun broke through the black blankets which had miniscule silver stars fixed to them. As soon as they did, the residents of Mobius stirred and started to arise from the comfort of their beds. Signs on shop doors were turned to reveal the side saying 'open' and infants skipped joyously to school.

Central City was overcrowded as usual with inhabitants swarming into the city centre and a vast rainbow of vehicles rolling down the countless roads. Hospitals were packed with victims of disease as well as pregnant women. Schools sounded their bells to indicate that another day of learning had begun. Shops were selling their products quicker than ever.

Sonic the Hedgehog had left his house for his morning run. To him, there was nothing better than breathing in the cool air and feeling the gentle breeze brush against his face. His legs moved in perfect rhythm and his eyes watched the numerous obstacles before him. He lived for the great outdoors. Running was a drug to him, one he was addicted to, for he couldn't go an hour without it.

Adventure was another, however there had not been one since approximately nine months ago, when Doctor Eggman had once again plotted to conquer the planet. Sonic had not heard from Eggman since he last defeated him. Surely, he hadn't quit. No, Sonic knew he was hiding someplace scheming.

At that moment, he heard weeping sounds and came to a halt. Not only did the owner of the voice sound deeply distressed, but they also sounded familiar. He was in the middle of a forest filled with colossal trees and lush green grass. Deciding to investigate, he crept round the trees towards the downtrodden sound, trying to keep to the shadows so he wouldn't startle whoever it was.

Sitting on a bulking stump in a clearing surrounded by bushes was none other than Amy Rose. Sonic started to fret as he noticed her light peach muzzle glistening as it was covered in tears. Her pink quills drooped and her emerald eyes closed.

"Amy!" cried Sonic, darting out from behind a nearby tree and making Amy jump out of her skin.

"S-S-S…So-nic?" she stammered, rushing up to him and embracing him in a friendly hug.

"Amy, what's the matter?"

"Oh, Sonic. You have to help me! Rouge knows I've got one of the chaos emeralds and she's trying to take it from me! She broke into my house and attacked me, but I escaped. I hope she hasn't found it or goodness knows what she'll do!"

"Why did you have a chaos emerald anyway? I thought we left them with Knuckles on Angel Island."

"I…payed Knuckles a visit a couple of days ago and asked for one. I've been having nightmares recently and no medication has proved successful in preventing them. I knew it would fill my head with positive thoughts, and it has been working."

"How did she find out you had one?"

"Shadow probably told her. He has a connection with the chaos emeralds, remember? He acknowledges when they moved, where they are moved to and who has them in their possession."

Sighing heavily, Sonic released Amy and stepped backwards. "Looks like I'll be heading to G.U.N HQ this morning."

"Please don't tell him you found this out from me, he'll kill me!" pleaded Amy, grabbing hold of his arm.

"I won't let that happen, I promise!" reassured Sonic, placing his hand on top of hers'.

Before Amy could reply, Sonic had freed his arm from her grip and sped into the trees.

All she could do now was sit and await his arrival. "Please take care!" she mumbled.

Re-entering the city, Sonic stopped at the orange-framed mat in the city centre to double check where G.U.N Headquarters were situated. He was eager to discover what Rouge and Shadow, if the latter was involved, intended to do with the chaos emerald. Although, Rouge was always searching for gems, so perhaps he shouldn't be concerned. Still, the two were not to be trusted.

Suddenly, a gigantic explosion sounded close by, soon followed by multiple screams of terror. Within a couple of seconds, Sonic arrived at the location of the sound to witness a lanky grey hedgehog with a patch stitched over his right eye, as well as maroon cuts running down his cheeks and arms firing bolts of lightning at fleeing citizens.

Tilting his head to one side in confusion as he studied the unknown figure, Sonic frowned as memories of previous villains he had faced in his lifetime played through his mind…unfortunately, the individual matched to none of them. So, who was this person? Who was he working for, that is, if he had a master? Was he just out to cause chaos, or was he seeking something?

As soon as the mysterious hedgehog realised he was there, he reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a tiny silver box. Before Sonic could question him, he opened the box and a purple gas was unleashed, sending the blue hedgehog into an unconscious state.