Trapped.

The world flew to mind as he sunk towards the bottom of the pool of water. He couldn't swim, he couldn't get back to the surface. The bottom of the pool was a light green crystal-like glass and the water was empty as far as he could see.

'Maurice, run! Get to safety!'

Memories flashed into his head of G.U.N soldiers dragging away an adult blue hedgehog with brown hair towards a boat, of leaping into the water when he was shot at, waking up on an island… alone.

Sonic shook his head to clear it and desperately tried to swim towards the surface only to sink closer to the bottom.

His feet seemed to sink into the floor as he struggled more; the water began to swirl around him reflecting the light in all directions.

He was losing air…

Suddenly the light dimmed and the whirlpool disappeared. In the pitch black Sonic walked along the floor until he came to a wall and began to climb. Out of his vision a small green crystal attached itself to his right arm clinging on as he climbed higher towards air.

Reaching land he quickly collapsed against the ground as his vision disappeared. Slowly his senses left, the last one being his hearing. In the background he could hear a young voice yelling.

Shadow huffed and pushed aside another branch that got caught in his quills. Quickly he glanced down at his golden cuff to see it glowing, having left the fake one at the castle, which meant that he was near a large source of Chaos Energy.

Usually this meant he was near an emerald, but in the past few weeks on their world he'd found that his younger blue friend had enough energy to make his own react as if an emerald was nearby. While an emerald would be nice… he was hoping this meant he was close to Sonic.

Reaching a large cliff that expanded for all directions Shadow growled quietly. If he used Chaos Control to go around, there was no telling when there'd be a chance to replenish that energy.

Deciding to rest for a few moments he picked out a spot on the wall that looked smooth and leant back against it.

The next few seconds were a blur for the hedgehog. The wall seemed to dissolve against his back as he found himself falling backwards in the dark.

The seemingly solid stone melted at his touch (or his flailing limbs) until he landed in lit area covered in hay.

Poking his head out and glad that Sonic was not there to see how he looked he quickly shook and brushed the hay out from his quills before standing and walking out of the cavern.

Purple, glowing crystals on black stone were replaced with light green grass and an open field. Huts rested, huddled together, at the opposite side of the field while part of the Dark Forest protected the other side. Treading on the ground Shadow walked over towards where he could see Mobians going about their business. If he was lucky they would have found Sonic and the two could find a way to get back home.

Upon reaching the town he found that most of the kids that were outdoors were small children or their older siblings. A small boy rabbit that slightly reminded him of Cream saw him and stared for a few seconds before racing towards a nearby hut, screaming like he was about to be killed all the while.

A few adults who had stayed home to work in their houses popped their heads out of their doors to see what was going on, only to immediately duck back inside or grab their kids and lead them to the forest quickly.

"Prince Shadow…" Shadow turned and saw a dark pink hedgehog with light blue eyes glaring at him, "You and your kind are not welcome here."

Shadow huffed and raised an eyebrow, "My kind? That's not very nice. Why am I not welcomed here? You can't be blaming me for what my grandfather and father have done."

The hedgehog glared angrily, "I don't make judgments like that. I'm blaming you for nearly killing my brother!"

Right after the accusation Shadow had to dodge to the left, as a vine seemed to come to life as it flew towards him. His red eyes widened as he saw more flying towards him. 'She's an elemental!'

Maria had once told him legends about Mobians called elementals that could control the water, wind, fire, plants… almost anything not made by man. However to his knowledge G.U.N had made sure they all died out, easily done because of how few were around, G.U.N didn't seem to exist here though.

A vine wrapped around his leg catching him off guard as he stumbled and fell onto the ground.

An arrow whizzed past his head barely missing its mark. Spinning as he stood he saw Amy Rose's counterpart glaring at him with another arrow at the ready.

The two were about to attack again when a call suddenly came from the forest.

"Sonia!"

Turning again to check for another threat Shadow saw what looked like Tails along with a green hedgehog racing across the field. Neither of the two caught his eye though when he saw a blue hedgehog hanging limp in the green one's arms, a golden cuff glinting in the light.

XXxxXX

Sonic.

Immediately the threat of a Black Arm, much less their prince, flew out of her mind as she saw her youngest brother being carried into the village unconscious for the second time in the past two days.

"Sonic."

The whispered name from the Black Arm prince beside her brought her attention back to the real world.

Ignoring him again she started to run towards her brother. He vanished in a streak of gold as she reached the three boys.

"What happened?" She asked as she took the blue boy in her arms. Something hard hit her in the arm and she saw a golden glowing cuff link attached to his left wrist… it was the same as the black hedgehog from earlier.

Placing that out of her mind for now she focused on what Manic was saying, "…he came out he just collapsed and we hurried here."

She nodded and walked towards his old hut, "If I remember correctly this happened the first time when mother took his powers away. He should be fine after a good night's rest."

XXxxXX

"Hurry, Sonnie boy!"

Let a frown sneak its way onto his face he clung harder to the taller hedgehog's wrist as he attempted to stop tripping. Heavy metallic footsteps made his ears swivel as he turned his head to see a large robot coming towards them. When the older one stopped he tugged at the hand and scowled, why wasn't he moving?!

"Sonnie, I need you to run. Find your father and get off the island."

He scowled harder and yanked again as tears formed at the corner of his eyes, "Uncle Chuck, we gotta go."

He couldn't just leave him behind like this. He was important, somehow, and needed to come. If he came things would turn out differently, he knew it.

"Run!" The light blue hedgehog commanded firmly as he gave him a small shove. Going along with the push he rolled underneath a bush and held absolutely still as the heavy steps stopped.

A gunshot rang out and the sound of something hitting the ground followed after. Once the robot's steps disappeared he shot out of the bush and towards the seaside. Now he had to leave, or his uncle's sacrifice would be for nothing.