Sonic was usually quick to wake up, so when he woke up slowly he quickly realized something was up. First he was in a hospital like room, Sonic NEVER went to the hospital, his natural healing and the many methods of healing he found across his adventures usually dealt with even his worst wounds. Second was the fact this room had only one door and it was seriously locked up, probably enforced as well. Third was the feeling of.. energy, it filled the air here, he could taste it in every breath, it almost reminded him of his visit to the worlds of Camelot and One Thousand & One Nights.
This place was magic, magic enough he could feel it in the air. Sonic was... not the largest fan of magic, getting an arrow made of fire to the chest tends to do that to ya, the fact he could barley follow any of the explanations of how magic worked didn't help, he'd much rather stick to Chaos Energy.
He checked the room for anything else of note, some basic medical supplies, a bed, and some camera's very obviously following his movement. Probably some speakers as well... Along with something invisible. He turned to look at a wall, he couldn't see it but Sonic had years of experience dealing with Espio, and whoever this was just wasn't at the chameleon's level.
"Sooo you planning to reveal yourself? It's a bit awkward just staring at nothing". Sonic asked, causing the invisible entity to giggle and reveal herself. She was pretty he guessed, but Sonic wasn't the best at estimating humans attractiveness, but his quills stood on edge. This woman... Something told him she wasn't human, and he quickly realized something. While much of the magic in this area was simply from it being a magic filled area... The rest of it was coming off this woman.
"Ah? You must have quite a keen eye to notice me! A human never would be able to notice, but you noticed right away, mister hedgehog". The woman giggled, her eyes reminded Sonic of Egghead, not in the insanity or desire to conquer, but the mad spark of genius. Now, did he treat her like a potential enemy or...
"Hah! Well Sonic the Hedgehog ain't no average hedgehog lady! So, who are you and whats with the absurd amount of magic your giving off?". Sonic asked casually, treating someone instantly as an enemy was never in his personality and this woman seemed pretty nice from what he could tell. However he had to blink as some kind of... Stat sheet seemed to appear next to the woman.
Servant Class.
Caster.
Parameters.
Strength: E. Endurance: E. Agility: C.
Mana: A+. Luck: B. Noble Phantasm: EX.
Okaaaay that was weird, even for Sonic. Was he being effected by some new Cyber-Space ability from... Whatever had happened earlier to lead him here. Who knows, maybe he'd be able to do the Cyloop again? He had missed that ability honestly.
"Oh? Your able to detect the mana I'm made of, but you calling it magic... Your not from around here are you?". The woman asked just as casually, she hadn't dropped her smile once. But inwardly her mind was running through calculations and theories at breakneck speed.
"Well, falling through a portal tends to do that. Mind telling me where I am miss...?". Sonic trailed off, waiting to actually hear the woman's name.
"Ah! You don't recognize the most beautiful face in the world? You really must be far from home then. I am the universal genius, Leonardo Da Vinci!". The woman exclaimed, expecting shock or surprise... But instead, Sonic just nodded and grinned at her.
"Nice to meet you Leonardo! Already said it before, but I'm Sonic the Hedgehog, fastest hedgehog alive". Sonic replied and offered his hand for a handshake, which Da Vinci shook with her own hands. After they finished, they got back to their conversation.
"Now Sonic, since its clear both of us have some very big questions. How about we do something simple? I ask a question, you get to ask a question, and then back to me. We continue like this until we're both satisfied". She presented her idea to Sonic who nodded, it was a simple method but it'd work for them both. "First, what is your species?".
"I'm a Mobian, a race of humanoid animals. I'm pretty obviously based off a hedgehog". Sonic said and took a few seconds to think of his own idea. "Where am I?".
"Your at Chaldea, an observatory in Antarctica. Now, how do you know of Magecraft, or as you call it magic?".
"I mean... It's not exactly a secret? At least where I come from, one of my friend practices fortune reading and I've met a lot of magic users. What's Chaldea purpose? Like what do you do here?".
"The Chaldea Security Organization, an organization devoted towards avoiding the extinction of the human race. Where do you come from?".
"Green Hill Zone. I'm guessing the magic I'm feeling off you is apart of that avoiding the human races extinction then?".
The two continued their questions for a while, and while they had both gotten their answers, it left both confused and wanting answers.
'Wait, SHE'S A FREAKING GHOST!? Man! Knuckles is the one who deals with ghosts, not me! Time travel the first time was bad enough, at least this time theres probably not an evil god involved... Right?'.
'A alternate world, not connected by the parallel worlds we know of and seemingly without it's own Gaia or Alaya. This makes no sense! I could understand a different evolution path allowing humans and mobians to co-exist, but for magecraft to still be at the level of the Age of Gods? It's like his world follows completely different rules! Aaah I want to know more, but the Director will want to talk to me now!'
Sonic shivered, Da Vinci's stare was intense, the hunger for knowledge wasn't unfamiliar but Tails could usually keep his contained!
"As much as I'd love to peck you apart for more information, I think its time I reported what I've learned to Chaldea's director. Will you be fine for a few hours?". Da Vinci asked, she may still be confused but Sonic hadn't so much as hinted at being an enemy, so it was only polite to ask.
"Hours?! Ah sheesh, I'm not good at being patient. Do you have like, any books around here at least?". Sonic couldn't wait HOURS in a small room doing nothing, it just wasn't possible!
"Books? You didn't strike me as the reading type. Give me a moment". Da Vinci quickly left the room for 20 seconds and returned, offering Sonic a small selection of books. "I suggest 'The Iliad', its an enjoyable read".
With that, Da Vinci left again, leaving Sonic with a small collection of books to occupy his time. Sonic may be a bit of a speed demon, but even he enjoyed a good book now and again.
"This is madness! You can't honestly believe that... that thing's words can you Caster!?". The director of the Chaldea Security Organization, Olga Marie Animusphere. She was a young woman with white hair and golden-amber eyes.
"As... unbelievable as it sounds, all facts point to this hedgehog, Sonic, is telling the truth. He comes from a world completely different to anything we understand, perhaps even beyond the Kaleidoscope. He claims a device sent him here, perhaps his is a world where technology has reached the level of True Magic?". Doctor Romani said, head of medical at Chaldea. He wasn't very respected among Chaldea's staff thanks to his laziness, but when it came to it, he could be useful... Somewhat.
"Unbelievable! It's probably just some magus's old experiment, the lie detectors were probably messed up by whatever weird magecraft it's using!". Olga denied, unable to accept such an absurd thing just wandering up to Chaldea.
"I checked those sensors myself, while this the energy around Sonic messed with our technology at first, I've already started improving everything to have an immunity to it. It was actually quite simple to do once I looked over it a bit, its fascinating! It seems completely unaffected by the world and considering how no Counter Guardians have showed up, its an energy that both Gaia and Alaya ether can't effect or approve of! It even seems to be melding with the mana in the air, I wouldn't be surprised if could actually be used as a mana replacement!". Da Vinci exclaimed, her excitement obvious to see.
Da Vinci was a genius and the energy around Sonic was one of the most fascinating subjects she had ever researched! If she wasn't in a rush asking Sonic questions, she would've been asking him questions about the energy all day! She didn't even know its name yet!
"Gah! Fine! If your so interested in researching the rat, go ahead! Chaldea's mission is starting today, I need to go prepare for the Master candidates!". Olga almost growled, leaving Romani and Da Vinci alone.
"I thought she'd be more excited, this is a chance to potentially study the Kaleidoscope after all". Romani stared into his coffee, frowning.
"She's to focused on the master candidates, she has a few hours till the Rayshift starts. You can't fault her for focusing on that and not our visitor!". Da Vinci smiled... Then again, she never really stopped smiling. Plans forming in her mind on how to get Olga to relax and get some more talk time with Sonic, she wasn't giving up on her plans to investigate the strange energy around him!
"Yea... Yes I suppose your correct. But what do we do with Sonic? He won't stay distracted for to long, what if he wants to wander Chaldea? The magus here will try tearing him apart!". Romani said, Sonic seemed kind, he didn't deserve the fate of some magus taking him as a test subject!
"Oh Roman... You forget who I am, the universal genius! I've already got a plan to distract Sonic for the next few hours, and get our dear Mashu to finally make a friend!". Da Vinci laughed, Romani's eyes widened.
"YOU WHAT!? Da Vinci that's reckless! We only know the basics of Sonic, we only really know his world is different from ours, he has a strange energy, and he claims to be the fastest thing alive! Mashu needs to prepare for the Rayshift! It's absolutely foolish!". Romani near shouted.
"Roman, we have a few hours till the Rayshift. Mashu needs at worst 20 minutes to prepare, and she's a big girl, she can handle herself around the 'big scary hedgehog'". Da Vinci giggled at that last bit, Sonic was far to friendly to attack someone unprovoked.
"Are... are you sure? Da Vinci, I need you to tell me Mashu will be completely safe in Sonic's presence!". Romani demanded seriously, causing The Universal Genius to gain her own serious expression. She almost felt insulted, did he think she wasn't good at reading people? But then again, Mashu was basically his daughter...
"Roman, I promise you that Mashu will be safe. I'm confident in my reading of Sonic, he's a good... person. Sure we probably barley understand anything about him, but I'm confident he's a good person". She replied, Romani stared at her for a few seconds before taking a deep breath. He was nervous, why wouldn't he be? But Mashu had never had a single proper friend, so even if it was someone of a completely different species...
"Alright... Just, please stay nearby? We have no idea how powerful Sonic is, so having a Servant nearby would really help me relax". The doctor requested and she nodded, she didn't believe she'd need to interfere but if it helped keep Romani calm she'd stay nearby.
Da Vinci activated the nearby voice speaker and spoke to Chaldea.
"Mashu Kyrielight, can Mashu Kyrielight please come to the medical office?".