Chapter 2: The Party Crasher

With everything set and his friends awaiting his arrival, Sonic raced through the green and lush landscape. Tails had given him cryptic instructions to meet up, leaving Sonic intrigued but unsure of what to expect. The blue blur dashed across meadows of flowers and tall grass, the wind tousling his quills as he sped toward the designated spot. A sense of curiosity and anticipation filled him, wondering what surprise awaited him from his friend.

As Sonic zoomed through the vibrant scenery, he couldn't help but admire the beauty of Mobius. The sun painted golden hues across the sky, casting a warm glow over the sprawling meadows and towering trees. The air was crisp and filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, a stark contrast to the usual chaos he often found himself in.

Tails had been unusually secretive about the gathering, only hinting that it was something Sonic wouldn't want to miss. The hedgehog grinned to himself, knowing Tails always had a knack for surprises, whether they were epic adventures or unexpected celebrations.

As Sonic sped through the green and lush landscape, he suddenly spotted a familiar group gathered around a table in a clearing up ahead. To his surprise, among his Mobius friends were his allies from Hollow Bastion. Sonic slowed down, skidding to a stop, and approached the group cautiously.

"Hey guys, what's going on?" Sonic called out with a tone of curiosity. "You having a party or something?"

There was a sudden pause and silence, and then everyone turned towards Sonic with excited grins.

"Surprise!" they exclaimed in unison, revealing the beautifully decorated table and the stunning cake adorned with Sonic's face.

Knuckles, Yuffie, Rouge, and Espio fired party poppers, adding a burst of colorful confetti to the air. Aerith clapped her hands with a warm smile, while Cid and Leon stood and gave Sonic a nod of acknowledgment.

"Aww, you guys!" Sonic exclaimed, his face lighting up with genuine surprise and gratitude as he walked further into the festive circle of his friends.

The celebrations were in full swing, each member of the group adding their unique flair to the birthday bash. Tails grinned mischievously as Sonic approached, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes. Amy came charging in, eager to envelop Sonic in an enthusiastic hug. However, Sonic expertly sidestepped her attempt with a playful dodge.

Rouge and Knuckles were cheering loudly as they enjoyed their chili dogs, the spicy treats disappearing quickly amidst their banter. Charmy tossed three chili dogs into Vector's mouth in quick succession, prompting a surprised but amused reaction from the crocodile detective. Espio rolled his eyes at their antics but couldn't hide a small smile at their playful camaraderie.

Cream and Cheese were in their element, zipping around with trays of drinks in funky party cups. Cream offered Aerith a tall glass of sparkling lemonade, garnished with a slice of lemon that floated merrily on top. Aerith accepted with a radiant smile, thanking Cream warmly. Meanwhile, Cheese fluttered over to Leon, presenting him with a vibrant fruit punch in a cup adorned with colorful umbrellas. Leon nodded in appreciation, his eyes crinkling at the corners with a grateful smile.

Yuffie was up to her usual antics, trying to put a party hat on Cid, sneaking up behind him with a mischievous grin. Cid, grumbling and swatting at her attempts, looked both annoyed and amused by her relentless efforts.

"It's kinda impossible to surprise you," Tails remarked, his voice tinged with amusement.

Sonic chuckled, still trying to avoid Amy's attempt to envelop him in a hug. He playfully raised a hand to gently push her back, his grin widening.

"You totally got me this time, Tails. I had no idea," Sonic admitted, his tone filled with genuine surprise and fondness.

"Yeah, right," Tails replied with a knowing smirk. "Happy birthday, Sonic! Hope you like this."

Tails turned and just like magic, he presented a plate with a chili dog wrapped in a festive bow to his best friend. Sonic's green eyes lit up as he eagerly snatched the plate and took a hearty bite.

"Like it? I love it!" Sonic exclaimed, giving a thumbs-up to Tails amidst the laughter and chatter of their friends.

Knuckles, still munching on his chili dog with Rouge, called over to Sonic with a wide grin.

"Hey Sonic, you seen what I set up?"

The echidna pointed with his free hand towards the tree where the Ansem piñata hung, swaying gently in the breeze. Sonic followed Knuckles' gesture and spotted the ominous figure dangling from the branch. He let out a low whistle of surprise and admiration.

"Wow, that's something you don't see everyday. I wonder who came up with that idea?" Sonic asked, turning back to Tails.

Tails shrugged with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Guilty as charged. I thought it would be fun to sock it to Ansem one more time," he replied, flashing a grin at Sonic.

"Good call, buddy," Sonic said with a chuckle. "I'm definitely up for that."

Just then, Leon, Aerith, Yuffie, and Cid with the party hat on his head, strolled up to Sonic and Tails, joining the lively celebration. Sonic's face lit up with joy at the sight of his friends from the Restoration Committee.

"It's great to see you guys again," Sonic remarked warmly, looking up at his allies. "Thanks for coming all the way to Mobius."

Leon nodded with a small smile, his usual composed demeanor softened by the festive atmosphere.

"We wouldn't miss it, Sonic. Happy birthday," he replied, his voice carrying sincerity.

Aerith stepped forward with a gentle smile, her eyes sparkling with warmth.

"Happy birthday, Sonic. We're so glad to be here celebrating with you," she said softly, her tone filled with genuine fondness.

Yuffie bounced on her toes excitedly, her party hat slightly askew.

"Happy birthday, Sonic! This party is awesome!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.

Cid, wearing the party hat somewhat begrudgingly, grumbled good-naturedly, "Yeah, yeah. Happy birthday, Blue. Make it a good one."

"I thought it would be great for everyone who helped us on our last adventure to join us on your special day," Tails explained, looking to Sonic with a smile.

With a nod, Sonic took another hearty bite of his chili dog. The hedgehog scanned the group gathered around him with a bright smile.

"Say Tails, did you manage to get hold of anyone else, pal?" Sonic asked casually, genuinely curious about who else might have been invited.

Tails scratched his head sheepishly, his twin tails twitching behind him.

"Sorry, Sonic. I sent out loads of invitations, but a lot of our friends were busy or couldn't make it to Mobius," he explained with a hint of disappointment.

Sonic nodded understandingly, his mind briefly wandering to the friends he had hoped to see.

"Oh, that's a shame," Sonic replied thoughtfully, chewing on his chili dog as he pondered. "I was really hoping to catch up with Ulala, NiGHTS, G, Kairi... and..."

His voice trailed off as a perplexed expression crossed his face, his hand instinctively resting on his chin in contemplation. The others in the group exchanged puzzled glances, sensing something amiss.

"Sonic, what's wrong?" Aerith asked gently, her concern evident in her voice.

Sonic furrowed his features, his usually sharp mind struggling to grasp a fleeting memory.

"Weren't there... like others we made friends with, who helped us stop Ansem?" he murmured, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

"Sonic, are you sure?" Tails asked, a hint of concern in his voice as he tried to follow Sonic's train of thought. "Lucina, Wally, and his Gallade were the ones who helped you during that last battle, remember. I reached out to them, but they couldn't make it."

Sonic rubbed his temples, frustration evident on his face.

"No, Tails, I mean... three other friends," Sonic insisted, his voice serious and troubled.

The hedgehog looked around at Leon, Yuffie, Aerith, and Cid, his eyes searching for any sign of recognition.

"Do you folks remember anything?" Sonic pressed, his voice tinged with concern.

Leon uncrossed his arms, a furrow deepening on his brow as he delved into his thoughts.

"Sonic's right. There were more," he acknowledged slowly, his usually steady voice betraying a hint of unease.

Yuffie shook her head vehemently, her brows furrowing in frustration.

"I... I can't remember," she admitted reluctantly, her tone filled with dismay and confusion.

Aerith's gentle eyes widened with realization, a flicker of worry crossing her features.

"I'm sorry, Sonic. I don't remember either," she confessed softly, her voice tinged with sadness.

Cid grumbled lowly, scratching his chin with a rough hand, his gruff demeanor masking a deeper concern.

"Damn... this ain't right," he muttered gruffly, his frustration palpable.

Sonic clenched his fists, a surge of determination rising within him as he grappled with the unsettling mystery.

"Something is not adding up," he murmured pensively, his tone grave. "We shouldn't forget... them."

Tails exchanged a worried glance with Leon, his expression mirroring Sonic's concern.

"This is strange. It's like... a gap in our memories," Tails observed quietly, his mind racing with unsettling possibilities.

The group's mood had turned somber amidst their attempts to recall missing memories, the festive atmosphere dampened by the unsettling mystery. Just as they began to ponder their predicament, a sudden disturbance shattered the uneasy peace.

Out of nowhere, a dark portal ripped open violently in the midst of the lush meadow, as if tearing through the fabric of reality itself. The air crackled with energy as the portal expanded, emitting a shockwave that rippled across the once-tranquil scene. Trees swayed, flowers bent, and the very ground beneath their feet trembled from the force of the dimensional breach.

The sudden disturbance scattered everything from the festive table in a whirlwind of chaos. The Ansem piñata, previously hanging in jest, swung wildly and then split open with a crack, scattering its contents across the meadow. Sonic's chili dog, held firmly in his hand moments ago, flew away from him amidst the tempest, adding to the disarray.

Gasps of surprise and concern erupted from the group as they watched in astonishment. The festive table, once adorned with decorations and Sonic's themed cake, now lay in disarray, its items swept away by the forceful gusts emanating from the dark portal.

"Woah!" Sonic exclaimed, his voice barely audible over the wind.

"Ahh!" Amy shrieked as she reached out instinctively for her quills, her eyes wide with alarm.

Cream and Cheese rushed to the pink hedgehog's side, their faces mirroring her confusion and fear.

Charmy, caught off guard by the sudden gust, was nearly swept away, but Vector lunged forward and grabbed him just in time, pulling him close to his side.

"What the hell?" Cid's gruff voice cut through the chaos, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the swirling darkness that had erupted in their midst.

Yuffie, nearly knocked off her feet by the shockwave, stumbled backwards. Cid's quick reflexes saved her from falling, his strong arm steadying her.

"Steady there, Yuffie!" he muttered, his voice tinged with concern.

Knuckles clenched his fists, his brow furrowing in determination as he searched the horizon for any signs of threat.

"What's going on?" he demanded, his voice echoing the concern etched on everyone's faces.

Leon, always the vigilant warrior, took a defensive stance, his eyes fixed on the portal. Aerith stood beside him, her face a mixture of shock and resolve.

"This isn't normal," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the chaos.

Amidst the commotion, Tails's urgent shout pierced through the tense atmosphere.

"Sonic, look!" Tails pointed urgently towards the dark portal that had torn open in the meadow.

Sonic tore his gaze away from his hand where his beloved chili dog had vanished in the upheaval. Following Tails's outstretched finger, his eyes widened in alarm as he finally saw it—stepping out of the portal was a hedgehog unlike any he had ever seen or heard of before.

The hedgehog's indigo-blue fur shimmered in the unnatural light, contrasting sharply with the powder-blue accents on his belly, muzzle, and inside his ears. One of his eyes burned with an intense red glow, while the other was clouded with a cataract, a visible scar marring his otherwise striking features. He wore a red scarf that fluttered ominously in the chaotic air, paired with denim-blue boots adorned with white cuffs, stripes, and buttons. His gloves matched his boots, decorated with golden bangles that jingled softly as he moved.

Silence fell over the group as they gazed upon this enigmatic figure. However, it was Yuffie who broke the tension with a hesitant question, her voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of apprehension.

"Uh, Sonic, is he any relation of yours?" Yuffie asked, her eyes flicking between Sonic and the mysterious visitor.

Sonic shook his head, his expression stern and wary.

"No," he replied firmly, his gaze fixed on the indigo hedgehog. "I've never seen him before."

"Figures..." Yuffie muttered.

Sonic's expression darkened with a mix of anger and concern. He stepped forward boldly, his voice clear and commanding amidst the swirling uncertainty.

"Hey, this is a private party! Who are you and what do you want?" Sonic demanded, his blue eyes locking fiercely on the hedgehog's intense gaze.

The indigo hedgehog remained silent, his face a mask of inscrutable determination. Slowly, deliberately, he raised his arm, palm flat towards the group. The air around them seemed to hum with an eerie energy, as if charged with the weight of unknown intentions.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Leon muttered, sensing the darkness emanating from the indigo hedgehog. Summoning his Gunblade, he stood ready to protect his friends.

"What's he doing?" Tails asked, his voice tinged with confusion and worry.

Knuckles scowled at the visitor, his fists clenched tightly, ready for a fight.

"I don't know, but it can't be good," he growled, his purple eyes never leaving the stranger.

"Stay close, everyone. We don't know what we're dealing with yet," Aerith advised, her voice steady and soothing, though a flicker of concern danced in her eyes.

"Whatever it is, it looks like we're about to find out the hard way," Rouge remarked, her tone a mix of curiosity and readiness.

The mysterious indigo hedgehog's aura of darkness enveloped its body, and without a thought, it produced strange, swirling holes in the fabric of reality. These rifts seemed to be portals through time, their edges rippling as scenes from different locations flickered within them, though the images were distorted and hard to make out.

The holes began to pull everyone in with an irresistible force. Team Chaotix was the first to be sucked in, their cries of surprise echoing through the meadow as they were pulled into separate rifts, each member disappearing into a different swirling void.

Rouge and Knuckles clung desperately to the table, their fingers digging into the wood, but it wasn't enough—they were pulled in along with Amy, their forms disappearing into the swirling voids, each of them taken by a different rift.

"Hey! Not cool!" Sonic shouted, his anger rising as he watched his friends vanish one by one.

Determined to stop the threat, Sonic dashed towards the mysterious hedgehog, launching himself into a Homing Attack. As Sonic closed in, the indigo hedgehog's dark aura seemed to react instinctively, swirling protectively around him. It was as if the darkness had a mind of its own, sensing Sonic's approach and preparing to counter it.

Just as Sonic was about to strike, the darkness lashed out like a living entity, forming a protective barrier. With a swift, powerful motion, the indigo hedgehog's arm moved, channeling the dark energy into a forceful strike. The darkness manifested into a solid, almost tangible force that struck Sonic with the power of a freight train, swatting him away like a mere insect.

Sonic was sent flying, the impact of the dark energy throwing him violently across the meadow. He hit the ground hard, his body skidding painfully across the grass, uprooting flowers and leaving a trail of disrupted earth in his wake. He finally came to a stop after crashing through a fence and slamming into a picnic table, the force of the blow leaving him momentarily dazed and disoriented.

Leon, Aerith, Yuffie, Cid, Cream, and Cheese were all sucked into the rifts, their desperate attempts to hold on proving futile. Leon tried to dig his heels into the ground, but the force was too strong, and he was pulled into a rift, his form disappearing into the swirling darkness. Aerith clung to a nearby tree, but the pull was relentless, and she too was sucked into a rift, her soft cry echoing as she vanished.

Yuffie, her eyes wide with fear and confusion, tried to use her agility to escape, but the portal's pull was inescapable. She was drawn into a rift, her voice calling out in desperation before she disappeared. Cid, grumbling and cursing, tried to hold his ground, but even his strength was no match for the portal's power. He was pulled into a rift, his grip on reality slipping as he vanished.

Cream and Cheese held onto each other, their small forms no match for the swirling voids. They were pulled into separate rifts, their cries of fear echoing in the chaotic meadow.

Tails clung desperately to a nearby tree, his fingers slipping against the bark as the portal's pull grew stronger and more insistent. His wide eyes filled with fear, he struggled to hold on, but the overwhelming force was too much.

"Help us... SONIC!" Tails cried out, his voice breaking with desperation as his grip finally gave way.

Tails was pulled into the rift, his terrified expression the last thing Sonic saw before he vanished into the swirling void.

Sonic, dazed and battered from the indigo hedgehog's powerful strike, lay on the ground, struggling to remain conscious. The last sight that registered in hedgehog's fading vision was the heart-wrenching image of his friends being torn away into the unknown, their cries for help echoing in his mind. The overwhelming sense of helplessness and the haunting plea from Tails reverberated through him, leaving him unconscious and their fate uncertain.