A/N: Sorry for making you guys wait for an update. Thank you to all who have read, reviewed and liked this fanfic. I really appreciate it! So, without further ado, here I give you chapter 3.

Disclaimer: All characters in this fanfic belong to their creators, I do not own them.

Drowsy green eyes opened as a soft groan was released into the air. A white gloved hand came to rest upon blue spikes, ruffling them in order to soothe an awful headache. The azure hedgehog scanned his surroundings, his vision slightly blur. Just where the hell was he? Why was it so dark? Was it night time?

Sonic's spikes seemed to stand on end as memories of an ebony hedgehog being stabbed in the abdomen appeared within his head. He jumped off of the bed that he had been laying on, determined to find out what had happened to Shadow, but his plans were thwarted by a stinging sensation in his left ankle. He looked down and nearly screamed as he gazed at his leg that had a shackle on it. The shackle had spikes that were facing inward and were almost firmly implanted within his flesh. Pain rushed through his body, the consequence of his sudden movements and he grit his teeth in agony. He was glad that he no longer seemed to be wearing the electric collar, but the pain was still horrible.

I need to get out of here... Wherever here is. He thought to himself and that's when he became aware of a presence nearby. He looked at the direction of the presence, but was unable to see anything but a silhouette. The figure approached Sonic and he was suddenly able to see the shadows of two tails.

"T-Tails, is that you?" He called out to the shadow, slightly fearful. Hadn't Tails been murdered? Was it his spirit? Did that mean that Sonic himself was dead? Many questions ran through his mind and none were answered by the appearance of his young fox friend, whose eyes were bleeding, his fur no longer the bright yellowish color it used to be. The fox seemed to have a permanent melancholy look on his face and he did not say a word. He bent down to look at Sonic, his eyes black and red like Exe's.

"Tails... Am I dead?" Sonic shuddered at the sight of his once cheerful friend, now nothing but a drained version of himself.

"No." The voice that resonated from the fox was as melancholy as his expression. "You are in his world now."

"Tails... What happened to you, I thought he killed you..." Sonic felt nothing but dread and confusion. The maniacal laughter that followed after he had spoke did not subdue these feelings.

Exe grinned, sharp teeth on full display, as he approached them. "I killed the shell he called a body and gave him a new, better form. Isn't it lovely, Sonic? And don't worry, your other friends are here as well!" The blood covered hedgehog clapped his hands together enthusiastically. "I tried my best to make my world just like yours, with my own little touch of course. I do hope you like it here... Because this is your new home, Sonic. With me and my toys..."

G.U.N Headquarters...

A white bat stood outside of the ward as her ears twitched, picking up every sound that came from inside. Screaming, nothing but screaming. It was mostly from the patient, while the doctors tried to sedate him. She frowned to herself. It had been three hours since he had awoken from an unusual injury and he still had not fully healed. Naturally, this had troubled the doctors who had never had this problem with him before. Tests, scans and endless examinations had been done while he had been asleep and when he had awoken, he had not been pleased.

She silently wondered if waking up to a room full of doctors examining him brought back memories of his days on Prison Island and if that, along with the stress of having been attacked, had been too much for the Ultimate Lifeform. Her ears pricked up again as the screaming died down. Had they finally been able to restrain him? Ignoring what the doctors had said earlier about the danger of entering the room, she walked in and frowned as she saw Shadow strapped down to the bed, his red eyes gleaming with fury. The fact that he was unable to break the straps troubled her.

He saw her and looked at her with a slightly warmer expression. "Rouge..."

"I'm glad you're okay. I was really worried about you, Shadow." She said and gave the nurses and doctors a look that told them to leave.

She frowned. "Did Sonic do this to you?"

His eyes seemed to darken at the mention of his rival's name. "N o, it was not him. It was something...else. Something that I have never faced before..."

"What was it, then? Metal Sonic in a new, more identical form to Sonic?" She pressed further for details, even though she doubted she would be much help in combat against the creature. If it had caused so much damage to Shadow... It could probably kill her in an instant.

"No, it definitely wasn't Metal Sonic. It's this...thing that calls itself Exe. Sonic explained to me that it's this being from another universe that took his form... I was slightly skeptical, but I knew Sonic would never hurt his friends, nor would he lie about something like that in this situation..."

Rouge nodded. "What do you think this being wants?"

Shadow frowned and looked down at his abdomen, which was still bandaged. "To be honest, Rouge, I am not completely sure...but it seems it wants Sonic to itself and seems to think that by killing all of Sonic's friends it's 'protecting' him... And it's ruthless in achieving its goal."

Suddenly, a soldier came running in, completely breathless. "Rouge! I've been looking everywhere for you!"

"What is it?" She looked at him, slightly annoyed. If it had to do with filing a report... She would have to have a word with the Commander...

"Sonic...has attacked again..." The soldier handed her a file and Shadow watched as her eyes widened in shock.

Rouge's body shook with horror and she looked at Shadow. "He's killed Amy and Cream..."

Shadow's red eyes widened and he clenched his hands into fists as he grit his teeth. Two more victims... And now Sonic was missing as well, making him seem even more like the culprit...

After the soldier left, Shadow looked at his partner. "Rouge, we need to figure out who's going to be next so that we can beat him to it. If we can find some way to follow him...He will lead us to Sonic."

She untied the straps that held Shadow down and looked at him. "Alright, but please don't overexert yourself."

He smirked. "I'm surprised you agreed and broke protocol so easily."

"This is more important than rules." She replied and looked at him. "I think I may have an idea of who his next target will be. You said this thing believes it's protecting Sonic, but what about someone who has hurt Sonic already?"

"It'll go after that person with murderous intent." Shadow replied.

"Then she is definitely the next target." Rouge frowned. "Let's hope we get to her before he does."