Sonic was pacing the living room of his house. "How are we going to find him?"

Shadow was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. "We can't exactly cover the entire world."

Silver was floating a bit off the ground, deep in thought. An idea struck.

"What if we try to locate the poison's energy source? Knowing him, he's bound to carry it and strike at the next opportunity."

"One small problem," Amy said, who was clutching Sonic's hand to slow him down. "From what the others told me, you're the only one who can detect the energy signature. Sonic and Shadow can't."

Silver looked disappointed. "Well then. I got nothing else."

"Hang on," Shadow interjected. "He's onto something."

The other three hedgehogs turned to face him. Sonic finally stopped pacing.

"Yes, we should split up. But what if me and Sonic alternate taking Silver on our areas? We'll cover small sections, allowing Silver to not exert himself and stretch himself too thin."

Silver nodded. "I can do that."

Sonic straightened. "Alright, it's settled. Silv, come with me first."

The white hedgehog lowered himself to the ground. "Alrighty."

Shadow pushed himself off the wall. "I'll cover Sunset City. You two cover the outskirts and then we can switch."

The other two nodded in agreement. Amy hugged Sonic, leaning her head against his chest. "Be careful. He might ambush you."

Sonic laughed. "Ames, he can't catch me off guard. Even if he did, I'm the fastest thing alive!"

It was a few hours later when Silver finally joined Shadow. The gray hedgehog was leaning against a tree. "Took your time."

Silver sighed. "Sonic made me cover every inch of the outskirts even though I can analyze a lot of ground at once. I'm a little wiped."

"Seems to me like he's obsessed."

Silver joined his brother at the tree. "You have no idea."

Shadow shook his head. "No, I get it. He wants revenge. I know exactly how he feels, because of what I went through. When I was free of that nightmarish lab, I wanted nothing more than to get revenge on the lead scientist, Dr. Heary. In the end, I did, but nearly at the cost of my own life. I just hope that Sonic isn't feeling that vengeful."

"Let's face the facts. He probably is. I slipped into his mind for a second when I was busy searching. I saw nothing but anger and guilt. Anger at Eggman for poisoning him, guilt for nearly killing us."

Shadow nodded. "You're probably right."

Silver straightened. "I better get to work."

Shadow caught his arm before Silver flew off. "Don't exert yourself."

Silver smiled. "I won't."

The two sped off.

A few days have passed, and no one has found Eggman. Sonic was starting to get agitated, and was pacing even faster in his living room.

"Where is he?! He has to face the consequences for his actions! And no one should get to deliver them but me! I have to go out again! I have to find him! I–"

Shadow smacked the back of Sonic's head with enough force to silence him. "Could you shut it for one second? You've been like this since the first day of searching, and I'm sick of it!"

Sonic sighed and sank down on a chair. "I'm sorry, Shads. I just really want to find him. No…I need to find him."

Silver cast a sideways glare at Shadow, narrowing his eyes.

A resigned expression fell on the gray hedgehog's face, and he sat down beside the blue hedgehog. "No, it was wrong of me to act like that when you're going through so much."

Sonic looked up in shock. A ghost of a smile appeared on his face. "Wow. Are you actually apologizing?"

"Did I ever say the word 'sorry'?"

"You just did."

Silver laughed, and Sonic joined him. After a few seconds, a small smile materialized on Shadow's face, and then he joined in.

Amy walked in, smiling too. "Am I actually hearing laughter?"

Sonic jumped up and gave her a quick hug.

Amy laughed. "What's this for?"

Sonic pulled back. "No reason."

At that exact moment, the phone rang. Amy looked confused.

"Huh. I wonder who that could be…"

Amy walked back into the kitchen and picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Okay, what's our next plan?" Silver asked.

"I say we Chaos Control to Spagonia and search there. Eggman's been to Spagonia before, and I wouldn't put it past him to go there again," Sonic replied.

Shadow stood up. "We better go then, if we want to get a good search in before sunset."

The other two crowded around him, and Shadow pulled out a Chaos Emerald. "Chaos C–!"

"Wait!" Amy shouted, running into the room, holding the phone. She held it out for Sonic. "I think it's work."

Sonic looked confused. "It isn't the correct day…" He took the phone from her and held it to his ear. "Hello?"

"Sonic! I was worried I wouldn't be able to reach you!" It was Judge Harry.

"What is it, Harry? Do you need me early?"

"Actually, I do. But I would be perfectly fine if you don't take this job. I know why you might not want to."

A confused look flashed on Sonic's face. The other three mirrored it.

"Why?"

Judge Harry sighed. "The accused is someone you know. You and your family."

"Who?"

Amy, Silver, and Shadow were standing waiting for Sonic to tell them what was going on. After a few minutes of complete silence, Sonic said, "I'll definitely be there. You couldn't keep me away."

He hung up. The others stared at him.

"What did he say?" Amy asked.

Sonic turned around slowly. "He told me who the accused is."

"Who?" Shadow asked impatiently.

Sonic's eyes cast down for a second, and then they flickered up to meet each pair of eyes. "Eggman."

To be continued…

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