Chapter 3: Family Reunion

The sounds of running footsteps were heard from the side rooms, echoing into the throne room as two familiar people entered the room, surprising Sonic that they had barely changed their appearance, Sonia's hair now slightly longer than he remembered from 5 years ago. He stood quietly as his siblings stared at him, clearly deciding if it's him-especially since his eyes are green now.

"Hey, sibs." He said after a bit, trying to break the uneasy silence. Shadow stood quietly as Sonia walked up to the blue hedgehog as she smiled-

-then slapped him in the face hard.

"That," she said calmly as Sonic held his face from the pain, "was for leaving without saying 'goodbye.'" Shadow quietly chuckled at the scene as the two siblings chuckled themselves. "It is good to see you again." She commented as Sonic smiled warmly as she gave him a hug.

"You too."

Not wanting to be left out, Manic jumped in on the hug- Shadow smirked at the three. Clearly they all had different ways of life, but you could tell that they still were close.

The hug lasted a few minutes more until the pink hedgehog broke off saying. "It's been five years. I want to know what you've been up to."

Sonic sighed, then chuckled. "I've been through a lot, that's for sure."

"Then let's go to the den and sit down- a.k.a you're still telling us what you've been doing."

Sonic slumped. "Fine."

"Yes, while you kids do that I need to have a talk with Mr. Shadow here about what GUN needs." Queen Aleena said to her children as she turned to Shadow. "Follow me please."

The two walked down the corridors in the West Wing- the Queen chose this area for no one had been in it since she was a little girl because her parents forbid it- and when she was old enough she was finally told why; to make it forgotten so no one will ever go inside for the objects hidden throughout the wing. For this wing is where dangerous items have been hidden...

... All except one.

"I assume you weren't sent here just to 'check up' on our kingdom." She stated as she walked slightly ahead of the black hedgehog who was eying his surroundings. "And, from the looks of it, you know where we are." Her face was serious, no other emotion showing.

Shadow nodded, not needing to say it. "Then you know what I'm here to look for."

She sighed as she continued walking, passing some metal guard statues. "Yes, I do." She glanced towards the black hedgehog then back to the corridor as she sighed. "But, as you should know, it's not here- it was destroyed."

Shadow nodded at the Queen's comment. "Yes, that is what the records say, but considering what we have on family from your family, the Commander assigned me to check up on the situation." He said, clearly not letting down on his mission.

The Queen stopped and sighed, "Of course." She glanced at the wall. "G.U.N has to know of our hidden treasury by now, that's where it would be if it exists." She said, emphasizing her words. She turned to the black hedgehog. "You are welcome to look around.. and see if Sonic would want to help you- poor thing is probably being driven crazy right now."

And with that, the Queen left leaving the black hedgehog alone to start his search.