First of all, thank you for all the reviews! Much appreciated indeed. Ah yes, chapter two times two equals this chapter! Comforting to know that a college student knows basic math?

Metal: Fool. I bet you even required a calculator for that.

M.H.: Hey hey! It was a joke. Man, lighten up.

Metal: I'd rather light something up.

M.H.: Point taken. TheManicalHunter918 does not own the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.

Metal: If you did, you'd probably try to pair me up with someone.

M.H.: A little late to the party huh?

Metal: Explain yourself…

M.H.: On with the story!

-l-

Changes that Sting

-l-

The long nap was just what he needed. Now ready resume his search for answers, Sonic got up with plans to blast out the door. There was only one thing that slowed him down. With a loud grumble and some gut pains, Sonic's stomach was reminding him that he hadn't eaten in at least two days.

"Whenever there's a crisis, I kind of lose track of these things." Sonic thought while groaning at his hunger.

Normally being a hero was quite a profitable job. Most times he was rewarded for his efforts after a battle was through. Those were the times he would spend catching up on missed meals. However, since he currently didn't have any means to buy food, the proud hero would have to accept any favors he could get for now. Sonic never liked taking advantage of others, whether it was a necessity or not. Still, he couldn't let himself weaken from not eating, so he decided to stay a bit longer, just so he could get his strength back.

"Hello Mr. Sonic. Did you sleep well?" Cream asked noticing the hedgehog was awake.

"I did, thank you for asking Cream." he said with a kind smile.

"Good. Oh and Mr. Sonic?" Cream looked a little nervous as she continued "Would you mind staying just a bit longer? Just until we have breakfast? We don't get to see you very often…" She made puppy eyes to make sure he said yes.

Sonic felt a bit better having heard that, as he didn't feel as guilty for staying "As long as your mom agrees to it."

"I do Sonic." Vanilla's voice interjected "I knew you would feel bad about asking, so I had Cream do it for you." she revealed.

"You need to take better care of yourself Mr. Sonic." Cream mildly scolded him "You always worry about being an inconvenience, but you should know we don't think that about you."

"Heh you guys know me too well." Sonic was almost looking for an excuse to say that. It made it easier to forget that he was still in the wrong time, dimension, zone, or whatever.

An hour later they were done eating, and Sonic got ready to leave. With a little insistence on Cream's part, he was forced to bring along extra food for the trip. After the wonderful, yet somewhat excessive hospitality he was treated to, the hedgehog was ready to hit the road.

"Goodbye Mr. Sonic! Tell everyone hi for us!" Cream shouted.

"Remember, if you ever need anything, you're always welcome to stop by." Vanilla assured.

A cocky smile later, and the he was off in flash of blue. According to what Vanilla had told him, he could find Amy in Evergreen City. Sonic wasn't sure where to look, but he knew it couldn't be that difficult. At least most people still thought of him as the real Sonic, so it wouldn't hard to get some info. With less thought and more action, Sonic got up to max speed. Sailing across the green plains, the hedgehog was in state of pure bliss. He couldn't recall the name of this place, but he sure recognized the tall palm trees and dancing sunflowers. He was in such a trance that he didn't quite notice the strange ship hovering at the far end of his path.

"Sir, scans are picking up signs of a mobian target headed this way." a strange looking metal crab told its master.

"What is your point?" a rotund man shouted from the mobile "Honestly fool, must you interrupt me with your mindless babble?"

"Target identified as Sonic the Hedgehog, sir." the crab continued its report "The one we've been tracking since yesterday.

After checking his computer, the obese man gave an intrigued stare "Hmm…so it is. I suppose we should pay him a visit then. Switch targeting computer over to speed tracing mode."

Sonic kept on racing along at full speed. Getting a little lax, he decided to run backwards, just for the heck of it. He careened down the slope, until he came to a nearly flat land.

"Sonic is that you?" the large man called out.

Sonic turned around just in time to see something blocking the light. Checking the sky, he glared up at a familiar sight.

"Well well, if it isn't Eggman!" Sonic placed his hand perpendicular to his eyebrows to see better "So you survived huh?"

"I don't know who you're calling 'Eggman' but I assure you I am alive and well." the doctor gave a mock bow.

Sonic forgot that this Eggman doesn't know anything he does. No doubt it was going to take some getting used to that.

"Surely you would know. I am Doctor Ivo Robotnik. Proud creator of my own capital city: Robotnikland." this Robotnik was still as full of himself as the other.

"Yeah been there done that. Look Robozo, do you mind saving the speech 'til later? I've got a friend to catch up with." Sonic half-expected the crazed doctor to explode in anger, or at least give out a typical villainous response like 'Hmph mock me while you still can'.

Instead this Robotnik kept an eerie calm about him "Well now that was quite uncalled for. And here I was about to invite my best friend over for a chat."

Sonic wondered if he had lost it. Did Eggma- Robotnik just say they were friends, and if so, since when? Then again, was anything possible in this new world? Even Cream and Vanilla never actually confirmed nor denied anything about Robotnik.

"Who are you calling 'friend'? Sonic asked cautiously.

"Why, you of course! Don't tell me that you forgot about our long partnership!" Robotnik almost sounded…hurt? Offended? Was he even capable of that?

"It seems…" Robotnik began slowly "That you have lost your memory after all! After that renegade echidna tried to off you, I feared the worst!"

Sonic was almost mind-crushed. Was Robotnik trying to play him for a fool, or was Knuckles really the bad guy in this world? Sure, he did threaten his life, but being his main enemy?

"It looks like you took a serious beating too. If you just come with me, I can patch you right up." Robotnik lowered his mobile to Sonic's level.

"Get away from me!" Sonic dashed back impulsively.

Robotnik cocked his head in confusion "Sonic, it's me! Don't you remember anything?"

"Just…keep your distance." Sonic was not feeling well. His cool exterior was shattering. The experience caused his whole body to shake.

Instead of demanding that he come with him, or catching him by surprise with a trap, Robotnik just sighed "I see…well I don't want to force your hand Sonic. When you think you can trust me come back, and I'll be glad to help you out. Come Crab-Watcher we're leaving." with that, Robotnik drifted away in his mobile.

Sonic waited and waited, but nothing else happened.

Something felt so wrong about it. The whole ordeal had the hero doubting and questioning his actions. No longer ready for what surprises lay ahead, Sonic reluctantly made his way to Evergreen City.

Upon arrival, Sonic couldn't deny that he was awe-struck. The last time he'd been here (albeit in his own world) the place was fairly boring, with few or no points of interest. However, this was like a whole new place. It had a festival-like theme park, tons of fancy restaurants, and it even had a casino! Though not a compulsive gambler, the hedgehog couldn't deny that slot machines and roulette tables had a certain daringness to them that he enjoyed.

He gave out a long whistle as he checked the place out. He took in all the new sights with a contented smile. This would be, in his mind, a great place to chill if, and when, he got sick of his search. Looking for a way home was going to require a little bit of down time every now and then. As he crossed over into the large city square, Sonic failed to notice the small crowd of people that was following him. A few steps later he turned around slowly. After doing so, his eyes went wide, and his heart beat began to race.

"He's seen us! Get him!" a jackal journalist shouted while the rest charged ahead. Sonic's face contorted in fear, as a familiar nemesis threatened to trample him where he stood.

"The paparazzi!" he screamed and took off as fast as his legs could carry him. He turned down another street, only find it cut off by an equally deadly force.

"Fangirls capture the targets alive and mostly unharmed!" while another spoke out "I knew Amy's tarot reading was accurate!" and third shouted "Hey wait a second! It's only Sonic! Oh well, we'll capture the other one later!"

"AHH!" Sonic had stared in face of death before, but this was enough to cause heart failure. Panting heavily, he looked around for an alternate route. Seeing a nice side ally, he wasted no time ducking there for cover. Thankfully, the crazed entourage bypassed him just barely.

"Geez." he said while dusting himself off "Whatever happened to the nice boys and girls that just wrote cute little stories about me?" then he remembered a few choice pairings "You know what? Never mind." he said gagging a little.

"GOT YOU SONIC!" a high pitched voice followed a strong little hug. Sonic couldn't quite see, but could easily tell it was a little girl.

"Whoa whoa kid! Take it easy!" he laughed. The girl looked up at him with an adoring smile.

"I knew it! I knew it! This is the bestest day of my life." letting go of the hug, she stared up at him.

"Sonic." she said while holding out a book "Could I have your autograph?"

Sonic always was a softy for kids so he said "Aww…Sure why not?" and picked up the book.

"Yay! Here use my pen!" she said handing it over. Sonic was just about to finish writing when she spoke up again "Um…Mr. Sonic? Could you do something special for me?"

Sonic sighed, but still humored her "Sure, what's up?"

"Could you address it to me?" Sonic gave a smile while rubbing his head. The things he did for these people. Still, she was just a little kid, so what's the harm in being nice?

"Alright what's your name kid?" he said ready to write.

"Say to my favorite fan. My bestest and most dear friend: Amy Rose'."

Sonic accidentally tore the page. With a shaking hands he dropped the pen to the ground.

"Oh m-man how stupid." he said while reaching for it. As he did, he got a good look at the girl. She was indeed a pink hedgehog; only her quills were worn sticking out like his, and not brushed down. It was scary; it was like looking at Amy seven years younger.

"H-ha c-cute name kid." he said struggling to finish writing "D-does anybody else h-have a name like that?"

Amy shook her head "Nope I'm the only one! And no one is a bigger fan of yours than me!" she bubbled.

Sonic couldn't think straight. He was better prepared for Robotnik than he was for this. While he and Amy had never been exactly boyfriend girlfriend, seeing her like this was just cruel. Had Vanilla really meant for him to ask her about Knuckles? How could he ask her something like that? At that moment, he would've given anything to have her back to her normal self, demanding that he go on a date with her.

This was one time he would've accepted with no argument.

He handed the book back to her causing her to squeal with joy. It's not that this Amy bothered him. It was just hard to see her like this.

No he wasn't going to lie, it hurt.

It hurt far worse than Knuckles and Robotnik combined. It made him wish he hadn't come to the city at all. All the great places he saw weren't worth this, by a long shot.

"Thank you Sonikku. I have to go see mom, but you'll be back later right?" Sonic just nodded silently.

With a quick wave, Amy ran off. Sonic was stuck where he was, unable to move or speak. His head was empty of all thoughts, save for his steadily growing emptiness. Not willing to give it another second, he sped away. He only had one friend left that could help him now.

Atop a high building, a person eyed him. Spreading out a pair of wings, the figure left to follow him.

"Sonic…what's happened to you?"

-l-

End of Chapter Four

-l-

Meh it was hard to write a better intro for Amy, but Robotnik's entrance was just as I had hoped. Just so you know, I have nothing against Amy. However, at this point, nothing could be more crushing for Sonic. I really hope I don't lose anyone just for that. I look forward to reading your comments.

Until next time.