Same old, same old. Eggman was once again trying to take over the world, but first he had to deal with a small blue rodent. However, unfortunately for him, it wasn't easy to take out the hedgehog, mainly due to his speed. This was one of those occasions, though the evil genius (though with a lack of common sense) was luring Sonic into a trap. But how does one lure a speedy hedgehog into a trap? By kidnapping one of his less speedy friends, of course.

"Get back here, Eggman!" Sonic yelled while running toward the floating Egg-Mobile, noting a door far ahead that would mean he'd be too late to stop him.

"Fat chance, rodent! I've got a plan and you won't stop me this time!" the fat man replied, pointing at Sonic. "I've got your friend captured, and you won't be fast enough to save her!"

"Mr. Sonic, h-help!" Cream yelped from the claw on the Egg-Mobile, being forcefully dragged along with the mad genius as Sonic ran at top speed towards the machine.

"You're too slow, Egghead! Give it up!" Sonic chuckled as he spun into the Egg-Mobile, damaging it.

"Oh, what was that, rodent? I'm too slow? It seems you're the slow one, my old enemy."

"What do you mean, Egghead? I'm clearly the faster-"

And then Sonic slammed into a glass door, it seemed he was too late in defeating the doctor, and he had gotten through the door in time.

Fortunately for him, this wasn't a solo mission.

"Guys, I didn't make it, he's heading up now!" Sonic reported in a headpiece that he was wearing to communicate with his allies.

"Alright, we got it!" Knuckles replied in an aggressive tone.

"Yeah, we do! Eggman's not winning, not now, not ever!" Amy replied. Sonic was relieved that this had gotten her attention off dating him, at least for now.

"Hmph," Shadow replied, and Sonic was still surprised he was on this mission. However, he wasn't too shocked, since Cream had always been kind to him and - Sonic overheard this on a run around the globe - she reminded him of Maria. So of course he'd want to help her out.

"Yeah, he's not getting away! Not until we foil his plans!" Tails, of course, Sonic's best bud, though Sonic felt closer to the fox than that, feeling a brotherhood between them. He also had seen him muttering to himself about how to talk to Cream, so maybe there was something there. But whatever, that wasn't important now. He had to catch up to them, so he poured on the speed to catch up with them, skidding to a stop behind them. Shadow was the only one not startled, as he knew that Sonic would do that.

"Come on, Sonic, you don't need to scare us like that." Knuckles seemed a bit angry before calming down. "Well, we still need to go after Eggman, seeing as he still has a plan and he still has Cream."

"Agreed, now let's do it to it!" Sonic dashed off at the speed of…well, something much faster than a normal hedgehog, leaving the others to chase after him. Shadow didn't go at full speed, making sure the rest of the group actually could catch up to him, and they stopped in what looked to be the control room. Cream gasped in relief, seeing her friends had caught up to the doctor.

"Alright, Egghead, this has gone far enough!" Sonic yelled, reusing an old line from the past. Nobody seemed to care.

"I disagree, rodent, it's just getting started!" Eggman had his hand held over a button, looking like he was about to press it. Unfortunately, Sonic had super speed and managed to grab his arm.

"What's that suspicious-looking button meant to do, Egghead?" Sonic quipped, though being genuine at the same time. He had no idea what it did.

"As if I'd tell you, rodent!" Eggman laughed, before shoving Sonic aside and slamming his fist on the button, with everyone barring Shadow letting out a startled cry.

"...That didn't seem to do a-" Sonic started before the ground started shaking. Sonic noticed Eggman looked a little freaked out too, as if this wasn't what he had planned. "What did you do, Eggman?!"

"I don't know! The machine's malfunctioning!" Eggman yelled. "It was supposed to create a portal to whisk you all away, but I don't think it's firing! It's going to blow!"

"That doesn't sound good, Sonic. We should get Cream and get out of here." Knuckles was trying to strategize, being a commander of the resistance and all. Sonic smirked, probably agreeing with the plan.

"Yeah, I don't intend on staying when this goes kablooey, so let's-" And that was as far as Sonic got before they were all blinded by a brilliant white light, shining directly into their eyes, before they all fell unconscious.

Cream woke up to a surreal sight, seemingly floating in space. There was nothing around her except one giant figure in front of her, surrounded by an almost blinding light.

"U-Um…hello?" She was nervous- scratch that, she was downright scared- of whatever was going on and whoever was in front of her.

"...You, and your friends, have been sent to a different realm. One that you will not recognize, one that will be a new experience." The stranger seemed to tell her, but its voice surrounded Cream, and felt very loud in her large ears. "You will need to find your footing in this realm, and maybe, at the end of your journey, you will learn something new about yourself."

"W-What does that…?" Cream started, before everything went black.

And, as it turns out, she wasn't out for very long.

She woke up to something small smacking her in the head, and as she got up confused, she heard someone mutter…

"W-Why isn't the Pokeball working?!"

Cream slowly looked up to see an older human looking at her with what seemed to be fear. Cream was confused, as she didn't seek to harm him.

"U-Um…hello?"

The man was even more shocked hearing her speak, and backed away slowly.

"W-Whatever kind of Pokemon you are, don't hurt me!"

Akari, as well as most people outside in, noticed the time-space rift on the mountain. And they all noticed the figures flying out of it. Akari had never seen anything like this before.

"...That's new. I'm not sure if it's good or bad, but it's new."

The hair stylist next to her nodded.

"Hopefully good, but we cannot deny this is a new occurrence."

"Agreed. Let's cross our fingers, and hope that this means something good."

The stylist nodded again.

Sonic landed in what seemed to be an open field, in front of what looked like a giant bear. It didn't look too friendly, with its whole body glowing yellow.

"Uh…hey, fella, you're not gonna maul me are you-?"

But what happened next was not the bear trying to maul him, but lightning from the…mountain? That lightning struck him, and Sonic felt like his body was on fire. When the pain subsided after a few moments, all the hedgehog could feel was fury.

Then the bear decided to try and maul him. Sonic guessed it was just surprised by him appearing. He smirked, this would be fun-

He sped at the bear, striking it in the chest with a spin attack. What he didn't expect is that the bear caught him afterward, sending him flying off.

Sonic growled, knowing this bear had made a dangerous enemy. It was only a matter of time before he could beat it. It didn't matter where he was, this bear was a threat. And he had to take care of it.