PoC: Finally, an update that doesn't take a week. PenFullofChaos819 does not own Sonic of Sega.

Metal: …

PoC: Here to pester me again huh?

Metal …

PoC: Plotting my death maybe?

Metal: …

PoC: Dude, are you mad or something?

Metal: …YES! I'VE DONE IT!

PoC: GEEZ! Done what?

Metal: I've created a new name for myself! Hyper Metal Super Sonic Mark II! That, my friend is a name I am truly worthy of, wouldn't you agree?

PoC: Uhh…No comment.

Silver: That's my line!

PoC: Oh man…what the hell are you doing here?

-l-

The Moment of Truth

-l-

Rouge awakened to find herself trapped in a small room. While not exactly a filthy place, the bat was still grossed out at the sight of so many shackles and chains, much like the ones she was fastened to.

"Finally up?" a harsh voice asked "I bet a pampered bitch like you isn't used to a pit like this." as the speaker came into view, a cold chill ran down her spine.

"But for the people of the underground, this is a five star resort. Champagne and caviar for us is not having fleas and ticks to sleep with." Knuckles said with a frown.

"I always wondered how a rat like you came to carry the Plague." she spat.

The echidna simply laughed her comment off "I guess you're lucky then that I don't suck blood with anything but these." he aimed his spiked fist at her throat, before pulling away again "Too bad my client didn't want you to get any 'special' treatment, otherwise we could've had some fun."

Rouge was sickened by this. It wasn't that Knuckles was a bad looking fellow, it was the thought of all the horrible things he had done. Rouge couldn't stand the sight of someone so corrupt.

"Knuckles." a low, but commanding voice boomed "That's enough. Leave the two of us."

Knuckles rolled his eyes, but did eventually comply. As soon as he had left the room, the dark figure loomed over Rouge.

"Don't touch me!" she snarled, but the figure continued to calmly look her over.

"Hmm…No injuries from what I can see. Are you healthy as well?" he asked.

"What do you care you kidnapping asshole!" Rouge thrashed against her bonds as hard as she could.

"That's a good sign. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Maasawd Sorih, and I confess I am the one that had you captured." Maasawd revealed his identity.

"So it was you all along? Look, pal, I don't know who you think you are, but Sonic and Tails are going kick your ass when they get here." she snapped "If I were you, I'd start saying my prayers."

"Sonic you say? I'm sure at least Miles will come for you, but the other is a special case. It really doesn't matter…as long as I receive the Chaos Emeralds." he said flatly.

"You villainous types are so lazy! If you want the emeralds so badly, we don't get up and find them yourself?" she scoffed.

"I can't come in contact with them, not as I am now." Maasawd seemed almost upset when said this.

"You make no sense! Why do you want the emeralds for anyway?" Rouge demanded.

"You wouldn't understand even if I told you." turning to leave, Maasawd tilted his head to speak "You've no need to fear, no harm will come to you during your stay."

Rouge stared at him in wonder "Who or what are you?"

"I…can't say…for I don't fully remember." he said, stepping out. As the heavy door slammed shut, Rouge was left full of questions about her captor.

L

*Amethyst's apartment*

L

"Sorry if I sound ungrateful, but you turned me into a freaking mummy!" the sapphire hero whined "I mean really, how do you expect me to move in this? You know this hedgehog's gotta be able to run!" his neurotic nature was starting to come out.

The vixen shook her head at the pitiful spectacle "Oh that's enough complaining, you can move just fine. Just try not to tear the wrap on anything, and you should be good to go." she said while putting the medical kit away. Just then the front door opened.

"Hey guys sorry it took so…long?" Tails caught sight of the blue (now mostly white) hedgehog "Not to burst your bubble, but it's a bit early for Halloween."

"Oh Tails, you comedian you." Sonic said back, still grouchy over the possible snags he might get into with his new 'body'.

"So, how did it go?" Amethyst asked.

"Well you know I had to pull a few strings, but at least I got a fix on where we might find Knuckles." Tails replied proudly.

"Where?" she kept pressing for the answer.

"The Derelict Ruins." Sonic and Tails answered at the same time. The two immediately stared at one another.

"Sonic…you knew?" Tails noticed how unnerved his friend looked.

"Rouge was brought there…in exchange for the Chaos Emeralds…and me." Sonic admitted.

"Are you sure?" Amethyst saw him nod.

"Yes. Knuckles left a warning right after he made off with Rouge." he said, remembering the note.

"So you knew about this all along? Why didn't you say something?" the vixen asked. She was clearly very worried about her best friend.

"After seeing Tails again and getting attacked, there was just too much on my mind." Sonic realized how upset the vixen was so he added. "I'm really sorry Amethyst. I'm sorry I didn't save her when I had the chance."

She shook her head "It's not your fault…I just hope she's okay…" Amethyst closed her eyes and placed a hand over her chest.

"It'll be alright Ame; I think I know how to get Rouge back." Tails said, opening up his sack, he revealed the grey Chaos Emerald.

"You've got one already? Sweet!" Sonic said with enthusiasm "But he said he wanted all seven. I'm pretty sure one won't be enough." Tails gave a very Sonic-like thumbs up.

"One emerald is as good as another right?" Tails hinted to his scheme "And now that we have an authentic emerald, it'll be easier to make the 'others'!"

"You don't mean…" Sonic understood now "You think that'll be enough to fool him?"

"Can't let him get his hands on the real deal, can we? And as for tricking him? Leave that to Ame." Tails cued the vixen.

"Sure thing, but it will take awhile. In the meantime, I suggest the two of you look for the real emeralds while I make the fake batch." she advised.

Sonic knew this was a good plan. If Knuckles managed to get his hands on even one emerald, the ruse would quickly fail. To say nothing of what that Maasawd guy might try. They really had no choice in the matter, so he said "Okay, let's do it!"

"Wait…you're not coming with us?" Tails asked the vixen.

"Of course not silly. Fake emeralds don't make themselves you know." she looked away before adding "And besides, since when does leaving me behind bother you so much?"

"Ouch…" Sonic cringed at her biting comment.

"What do you mean? I've never liked leaving you." Tails said, slightly hurt by her words.

"Really? Because you sure do it an awful lot…" Amethyst crossed her arms and huffed. Although turned away from Tails, Sonic could see her light purple irises shimmering in the dim light.

"Ame…I…" Tails hung his head. He knew she was right "It's true; I've been a terrible friend for pushing you away like that. I just wanted you to be safe."

"Would it have killed you to at least stay in touch? I've already told once you how much that worries me. " she said back.

"Please don't bring that up again; I already said I was sorry. Do you still not forgive me?" he asked hugging her gently.

Sighing at the attention, the vixen turned to meet his pleading sky blue eyes on her shoulder. Amethyst knew she couldn't stay mad at him for long "Darn it Tails! Why did you have to give me that look? Of course I forgive you." His childish expression became very warm at her words.

"But..?" he knew there was more, there always was.

"No buts…Just promise me you'll call once in a while. If only to let me know how you're doing. And please don't do anything overly dangerous. I love Rouge, but you know I love you more."

"Hey I think I that did too, but if it'll make you feel better," he nuzzled her briefly as he spoke "I'll promise twice, that way I can't possibly forget, right?" Tails said, and Amethyst turned around to return the hug.

"Thank you." she said burying her face in his fluffy chest.

"Ahem…" Sonic blurted out, causing the two to separate immediately "I don't need to remind you two to keep this thing 'T' rated, do I?"

Tails and Amethyst blinked several times in confusion "No…?"

"Good." he said smugly. However, his lightheartedness left him as he said "Now…I have something…" he considered stopping there, as he was already on their good side. It's not like he exactly misled Tails when he allowed him to think they were best friends, so why ruin it? What would telling them really accomplish? But even as these thoughts passed his mind, Sonic knew that if he was going to count on keeping their trust, he was going to have to first show them some in kind "…something important to tell both of you."

"Sure Sonic, but why the long face? Is something wrong?" Amethyst worried over his attitude change.

Tails knew by his expression that Sonic was completely serious "What is it bro?"

"Uhh…it's kind of a long story so…" the hedgehog stalled.

"Why don't we sit down?" Amethyst suggested. She swore she could feel the tension in the air. Once the three were all comfortable, Tails and Amethyst waited for Sonic to talk.

Sonic was sure speaking further was going wreck his good day, but he never once failed to finish whatever he started "I'm going to be totally up front with you guys, and I won't blame you if you hate me or don't trust me afterwards."

"Hate you? Why on earth would we?" the vixen said in surprise. Tails said nothing, but rather continued to wait patiently.

"Alright here it goes." giving a quick prayer for strength, he started the long explanation "Do you two remember how you said I went missing after Chaos Control blew up?" the two foxes nodded "Well…that wasn't me…" he said with absolute truth written on his face.

"Huh? What do you mean? How could that not have been you?" Amethyst asked.

"Go on…" Tails said, now very intrigued.

For the next two hours, Sonic told them every single detail. He told them what he was doing before he came to this world, and about how a reaction similar to the one at Chaos Control took place there. He admitted to meeting Knuckles first, and then Vanilla and Cream shortly afterwards. Every step up until meeting them was recounted just as it happened. At the end, he threw in all the differences between this world and his.

The silence that followed made him very uneasy. Amethyst's eyes looked like they would pop out of her skull, whereas Tails wore an unreadable expression.

"So…you are…a-another Sonic?" she said in complete shock "Is there another one of me too?"

Sonic shook his head "Not as far as I know, but maybe I just never met you in my world."

"I'm…I'm at a loss for words." the vixen noticed Tails' vacant stare "Tails? Are you alright?"

Tails fixed his gaze on the hedgehog, but remained silent "So this is what Robotnik was talking about…" he thought to himself.

Sonic's head sagged on his shoulders "Tails…I know what you must be thinking. I'm sorry for deceiving you, even if it wasn't my motive. I'm totally cool with leaving if that's what you want."

"That's enough…" he spoke up "It's enough to say that you simply aren't the Sonic I grew up with."

"Tails! It's not his fault! How would you feel if you were thrown into another world with everyone acting differently? Think how hard it must've been for him to tell us the truth!" Amethyst stood up for the foreign hedgehog.

"Thanks Amethyst, but he's right." Sonic said sadly "It's not cool to think your best friend's back, only to find out he's an imposter."

"Imposter? Sonic! How can you call yourself that?" the vixen said in dismay.

"If what you've said is true, and you aren't the same Sonic…" Tails stated "Then I guess you know where that leaves us, right?"

"Yeah…" Sonic said in understanding "You just say the word, and I'm out of here."

"No…Tails please don't…" Amethyst begged.

Walking right up to him, Tails bore a hard glare down on the cobalt hero.

"Sonic…" he began.

-l-

End of Chapter Eleven

-l-

Normally cliffhangers aren't my thing, but situation was too perfect to not put one in. Even the last chapter wasn't edited as much as this one, and that's saying a lot (couldn't find a good way to get the scene with Tails and Amethyst in with Sonic's confession). I admit, editing takes the majority of my time.

DanceDream: Sorry to make you wait so long! I promise you'll get to see Tails' reaction in the next chapter. Yeah Tails and the Chaotix are fun to write about, since the two are practically oil and water in this world. P.S. Don't be sorry, those song quotes fit really well! I actually look forward to them : )

Ghostkid33: Even for a guy who loves Biology and English, I can't abide math. I mean yeah I can do it, but not with any amount of ease or finesse : \ . Ha-ha, yeah I love writing about Vector. The guy's awesome on so many levels.

Serenity: Good because I started writing full-length before I asked, so I just wanted to be sure! Expect the first chapter by this coming Saturday, or Monday at the latest (I try not to update on Sunday).

Infamousplot: I'm glad you like her. I am personally against adding OC's, but I had a void to fill on Tails' part. Stay tuned for Tails' reaction to Sonic's confession (I hope it won't be too obvious). P.S. I might consider telling the other Sonic's story another time (hint hint).

knight of the windZ10Z: I'm very glad to hear that! Hopefully this chapter will be just as impressive. Glad to have your support!

Until next time!