"There isn't anyone down there. We were the last ones out after he came down there. We thought… He was going to take us again. He was so close… The beast. But… That creature that used to be our father, he came and took us. Bujin said something about keeping him occupied…" Julie said, before Shadow could have the Organization search the caverns.

"You're positive that you were the last? What happened to everyone else?" Shadow said, his voice rising. Not Maria… No… Not again…

"Yes… The others… Some may have gotten out… But… The monster was so close… He had those… those things with him… The needles… And… He was… Could he possibly be a living being anymore… The machinery on him… He didn't have so many before… He almost touched us…!" Julie stopped, she couldn't continue for the tears, she was still in emotional shock, and terrified.

"If anyone else made it, they're in the stronghold next teh this hanger… It can't beh opened from the outside…" Jazz said. He had put on his glasses, trying to hide himself it seemed.

Shadow glanced at him, then turned back and went to the door leading to the stronghold. He stared at it. It was sealed and locked. He tapped at it, apprehensive. There was a return tap, and a dull, muffled voice.

"Who goes there?!"

"We are evacuating the colonies with armored transports and guards, it's now or never! Open up!" Snicket said, now standing next to Shadow.

"Show proof that you are friendly!"

Meiou walked up to the door. "In reference to the codes, how are we to prove it? Some of our own have turned, and have the knowledge that can 'prove' that we are friendly."

Jazz walked up to the door, shoving through the crowd. He knocked on it. "Mayhaps weh can't prove who weh are, but perhaps Spike, ya should come on out before ya run out o' supplies and have teh leave into the beast's claws." He said.

There was a silence, then clicking and clanking noises. The door opened to reveal that the wall was nearly 3 feet thick, made upon layers and layers of unrecognizable material.

A white echidna stepped out and did a quick bow to Jazz, his decorated spines moving silently as he motioned for the others to come out as well.

"I apologize, Master Jazz, for taking such suspicion, but it was necessary after the events tonight. Hmm… who is this?" He asked, turning to Shadow.

"Shade's Father." Jazz said, distracting himself with seeing who had been hidden in the room.

"I see. It's a pleasure to meet you, though under these horrid circumstances. If you'll excuse me, Master." The echidna turned and disappeared back into the crowd, returning with Atlantis, Oracle, and Maria.

Shadow fell to his knees and pulled the golden furred hedgehog to him, tears coming from his eyes, as he held her close. He was unable to speak, but he thought he could never let go of her again. He had nearly lost her… The monster had almost gotten her…

"I'm okay, Daddy! What's wrong?" Maria asked.

Ash walked up to Shadow, apparently distracted. "I'm afraid we don't have time for that at the moment. We have to go, now. That maniac of a fox is coming this way. And we can't stop him, it'll be a miracle if we escape him." The mongoose said.

Shadow stood up, still holding the little hedgehog's hand. He nodded to the mongoose. "Do we have enough room? It looks as if there are nearly a hundred here, though most are women and children."

"We do. Just barely though. We have to hurry."

When they had finally found a safe place, or safer being as many miles they could put between them and the machines, they finally took a rest at a station that the organization used for emergencies.

To nearly all their surprise, many had in fact made it to the bunker instead of going outside to what was certain doom or capture. As Shadow had said though, most were women and children, as the fighters of the colonies had tried to delay the attackers and became captured themselves. Nearly all the remaining were families or the old and weak, though many of the families had been split apart, some capture, some safe. The only capable fighters left were the ones who had been escorting them into the safe hold, ready to protect it in case a way was found inside.

"We can't just sit here, out in the open. It's far too dangerous. Not only from the beast scientist, but the natural creatures that live here." Darkerz said, for he had been one of the escorters.

"I know… But where to go… This world… Is far too dangerous without shelter. And without a safe haven to rest, we cannot plan the rescue mission." Snicket said.

It was 'day' again, and the clouds still covered the black sky, and lightning flashed, though the rain had stopped. They were all huddled in a giant mass in and around the station, with the last of the hover machines and vehicles making a circular perimeter.

Tails came up to them, having regained consciousness with the others that had been the first to be caught. He looked at everyone thoughtfully, then his eyes lit up. "I know of a place… It's… been a long time since I've been there though. And we'll need a portal to make it."

"A portal isn't a problem. I can use one of the hovercrafts and convert it within a few hours." Meiou said.

"This place. It's absolutely safe, from them. They'll never find it. Though I warn you, do not mention Cobalt. Leave that, to me." Tails finished. The fox had matured as Jazz had, though now he was most certainly in his late teens.

Meiou had spoken true, with Tails' and Flick's help, for the gray fox was just as skilled as they now though he still could not speak, the portal was ready within two hours.

Tails got up on one of the hover craft, raising his arms and waiting for them to be silent. He knew better then to send them through without letting them know what to expect first.

"If any of you all have heard of Mobius, then know, this place is nearly an exact replica, environmentally wise. The sun shines, the trees and grass are green, so don't be alarmed, we are leaving this world for now. There are, however, no humans." The fox got down off the hover craft, and gave the signal he was finished. They started through the portal.

"This is the land I came from originally, though Mom and Dad never admitted it. This land, and the people in this tribe we are finding safe haven with, are the Quicktails. Nearly all foxes here, are born with two tails. Mom for some reason was born with only one, and Dad was from Mobius, a normal breed of fox. They left to Mobius together." Tails explained as they walked through the green forest of this new world.

The Rubieans and Doraliens were looking around at this place with a sense of awe, Most of them had been born in the other dimension, and had not seen green plants before. The trees were tall, far taller then even the trees of earth, and every now and then, they'd hear a rustle of movement far above.

"That will be my kin. It won't be long before we come to the main entrance way and the city. They'll know of our arrival by now." The fox said.

Shadow had followed them from reaching the station without so much as a word. He had finally taken in that his sister was gone. Though he didn't grieve on the outside, he kept it within him. He feared if he broke down in front of Jazz, Julie, and the rest, that they may as well. Jazz had stopped talking as well, though his sister was keeping her self busy by helping Oracle tend to Maria.

Spike helped them, for it turned out that he had been sent by the Knuckles tribe to watch over Coral and Atlantis. They had been created by the eighth Chaos Emerald, and had become it. When the tribe had heard that there was another emerald, they had sent him to find and protect it, though they had no way of knowing that it had turned into living beings.

In the attack however, Coral had been injured beyond saving, so, he used his powers to transfer her part of the Chaos Emerald's energy into her sister. So now the emerald was no longer split, and had become one again, though still not returned to it's original form. Spike had decided to stay and watch over Atlantis, her offspring and her relatives, feeling it his duty as a guardian.

They came upon the gates of the village. Unlike the echidnas, the foxes had not become a tribe dependent only on the spiritual power of the emeralds. They had combined it with technology far beyond that of any human or Mobiun's dream. The buildings that wove in and around the trees were immense, and though the treetops themselves were not visible, neither were the tops of the buildings. The windows were used like doors, as the inhabitants all had two tails and flew about the city, though many also used flying craft to get around, mostly the too young and elderly.

The dwellings were decorated with different colored tribal markings, as were the foxes themselves, though they also were modern clothing and dress. Many had goggles like Tails, and were flying about as if they were racing each other. They took interest in the newcomers, watching them curiously, though not coming over to them. That was left to only a select group.

"Ah, tis the young Prower. It's been such a long time. From the looks of it, you have brought an awful lot of… friends with you… Are you in need of something?" Said the leader of a group of uniformed officers. He was a handsome orange fox, with a badge of two fox tails on his chest, made of gold.

"Yes. Unfortunately so Sire, I wish I could have come on better terms. There will be time to explain later, but for now, could you find us all a place to rest?"Tails asked with a bow.

"Of course." The uniformed foxes helped the large group into a large flying vehicle. Spike swore upon his life to protect Maria while Shadow, Tails, Jazz, Snicket, and a young mongoose they called Mina remained behind to be escorted to the Royal Council to explain.

They arrived at the council quarters, and large domed building that rose high into the sky, trees having grown and woven themselves around it. After a long explanation, the council conferred and called them back in.

"This being you speak of, and the situation, is not unfamiliar to us. Though he has not yet invaded this world, there are reports from our ambassadors that he has been in others. As always, we welcome you and all the people you have brought to stay as long as you like. You may make your home here if you please even. Though even we know that eventually, if not stopped, he will come here." The same fox that had greeted them before said.

They thanked them for their kindness and were about to leave, when Tails halted them. He shook his head.

"Yes?"

"I'm afraid that's not all the bad news sire. I regret to inform, that one of our own has joined the beast called Bujin. His name will be familiar to you. Colbalt!" There was a burst of conversation between the council members as Tails announced this, anger and fear.

"Silence! Tails, if this is true, then things are far worse then we have thought. Not only will we have to build our borders more stronger, but we'll have to get involved directly. We'll have to hunt him down, and exterminate him. Thank you for the information, please go. We need to discuss this more."

As they left, Tails attempted to explain.

"Cobalt, was not only Meiou and Finitevus' apprentice, but he came from the Quicktails. And not only was he one of us, he was… Special. He came from the royalty of the council itself. The leader who've I've been speaking with, Brove, is Cobalt's brother. So ordering that… He has ordered his brother's death."