?

Last thing the doctor knew, was his sassy walk to the ring, and the white flash that followed. When he comes to his senses, that cyan sky isn't there any more.

Just a deep, dark blue.

"My brain.." the Doctor whines, rubbing his bald head. He can see the sky pretty easy, but when he takes a look down..oh dear.

There's blue blocks beneath him, with red and white circles spinning clockwise. The environment outside of this obstacle course, are clear blue skies, with green birds floating. If the Doctor revealed this to anyone, they would never believe him.

"I must be on a psychedelic trip."

What really catches his eye is a shiny gem, with diamonds surrounding it. He pulls a rock from his pocket and makes a toss..but it's too big to go through. No retrieval now."

"I always knew you were real. Somewhere in this universe..but no worries, my dear. Your isolation is over."

He takes a step forward, but his surroundings turn counterclockwise. The Doctor his his shoes to use, rushing to the left side of the original zone. "Two rights, and a left.."he mutters, taking that exact route.

That gem's stuck in dead center, sharp diamonds blocking EVERY way. Robotnik gets a look beneath it. A cold, dark hole threatens to suck up anyone who comes it's way. Robotnik taps his head, jumping on the first three diamonds. He breaks them, but gets bounced to the right.

"These diamonds are a mere forcefield. Process of elimination. You've always excelled at this, Ivo."

The next diamonds get shattered. The Doctor goes to the opposite side, same result. Then comes the last side, and he's staring that hole right in the…eyes?

Next diamond shattered!

Another!

As Robotnik notices there's one left, he's on a collision course with that hole. He swipes his hand across those shoes, and eats a wall to his right. He slides down like paste..

"You're latte is ready, Doctor."

Said Doctor's shaking his own senses back in himself. "Are we talking cow milk? Or goat milk?"

"I..didn't know you liked goats milk.."

"When you're stranded alone, anything's on the menu. Ever tried salt water?" Robotnik says, cracking the last Diamond! That gems in full view. Stone doesn't seem to care, because he has bigger questions.

"You didn't boil it?! No processing..nothing?"

"No worries. My immune systems too strong for poison." The Doctor says, setting up for a big step towards the emerald. "Are you doubting me?"

"..No! Of course not! I just considered your—"

"Safety. Stone. Here's some valuable words of advice. Some encouragement. A big dose of Affirmation. Leave the saving to me." Robotnik demands.

"Yes, Doctor…and your vocabulary is—"

"Spectacular."

"Yeah!" Stones joy is heard through the tech. "We're finishing eachothers sentences."

"Neat-o..and be sure to add that coffee art. It adds a nice touch."

"On it."

Robotnik turns his attention to the task at hand. He waits until his sides TOP in the rotation, so he can make a freefall onto the emerald. His scheme goes as expected, falling onto the emerald. Another white flash, and…

.

.

Clear blue skies.

Chirping birds.

No more…of THAT.

The Doctor rises like The Undertaker. After adjusting his stache, he gets a good look at his right hand…that emerald's glowing with all its power.

"Ho!" Robotnik yelps, rolling to his feet. "Hello, beautiful. SHHH.." he sets a finger on the gem. "Don't cry. Your friends will join you soon enough."

Creep…

Westside Island

Emerald Hill

While the Fox is typing on a small screen, Sonic takes a stop to look at this new environment. Instead of palm trees, there's coconut trees. Instead of these larger than life, bright flowers, there are small, purple flowers, with some petals sprinkled around.

"So this is Emerald Hill. Trees are better, colors are new.." Sonic smiles as a normal fish swims up a bridge. "Wildlife's intact.

"Oh yeah.." Tails clicks his screen. "Your islands hard to trace because it's constantly moving."

"That's the fun of it."

As Sonic takes off through the zone, he crosses familiar bridges, and even a couple chipmunks. He gives them a wave as he rolls.

"THIS is what he wants to replace?" Sonic ponders. "He's out of his mind.." The hedgehog brings himself back to reality, noticing the Fox still on his tail. "Gassed yet?"

"You can…" cough. "Go a long time."

Sonic chuckles. "Ready for a twist?"

The hedgehog spots a couple gaps between the land, and makes each jump. He screeches to a halt, as Tails just flies over them. Sonic finally notices his electronic. "What's up with that?"

"I made it a while ago. I call it the: Miles Electric." The Fox gets a foot on a rock, staring into the sky. "What do you think?"

Sonic scratches his nose. "Yeah that's a nice name. I didn't think about that. What's it do?"

Tails flips his screen to the hedgehog. Seven colorless gems stand out to him. "Oook. What am I looking at?"

"Questions, questions." Tails teases. "So that lunatic attacked South. So that got me thinking.."

"Uh huh?"

Tails divides the fake gems up, to form a circle. "He didn't come here to bully you and run away. He wants something more. You ever heard of the Chaos Emeralds?"

Sonic looks on, dumbfounded. "Wow. I'm getting a real history lesson. I'll try not to doze off."

"You'll want to hear this. Just one makes you powerful enough, but once someone gathers all seven..let's just hope they aren't in the wrong hands. Some people like to use trackers..but If they find one emerald, it can give a signal to others." Tails explains.

"Will your little thing help us?"

"I've been looking for signals. No luck." Tails whines. "We just have to keep going. I guess. What do you want to do?"

"I'm not stopping when my friends are in trouble. We're gonna get them." Sonic crosses his arms, glancing at his gadget again. "People rejected that?"

"Yeah…"

"Whoever said 'love is blind' is talking out of their ass." His language makes Tails gasp. "Hate's really blind…you ok?"

"Ok um..I know you weren't calling me that, but that just sounds dirty."

Sonic shrugs. "I won't make you swear, bud. Do that on your own time."

"Ok.." Tails wipes his confusion away to get SOMETHING on that radar. No luck, again. "It'll be a minute before this senses the chaos energy. For now we—"

Sonic's already gone. Tails' ears sink. "He's cool..but could he stand still?" The fox asks himself.

The hedgehogs back in a jiffy! His green eyes are lighting up after his short adventure. "Tails! You've BOT to get a look!" Before the kid can respond, Sonic grabs his hand.

"Hang tight, kid."

They zoom away!

From the fox's perspective, everything's just a blur. He's not in the same spot long enough to get a good picture of ANYTHING. At least it's convenient though. Sonic's lucky to live this way. If he was on Earth, he wouldn't EVER have to see traffic. No car payments needed or anything.

"How many stars?" Sonic asks, but Tails is too dizzy to respond. Kid's spinning around after that thrill ride. "I'll ask again later." That hedgehog turns his attention to the majestic sight in front of him.

.

.

The grass is ripe for the pickings, illuminating in the sunlight. A stone fountain spills water all over itself, with a cute creature at the head of it.

"I need me one of these." Sonic says, leading his new friend in.

The Chao in the area fly over, looking that kid up and down. Sonic just wraps his arm around him. "He's with me. Cool guy when you get to know him. Loves cute animals. He'd love to pet you!"

"Oh yeah!" He sheepishly brings his thumbs up. "Sure!"

The Chao respond by swarming the pair. Sonic gets tackled down, but doesn't feel any pain. "Stop! That tickles!" While the hedgehog fights for his life, Tails is letting a couple rub up against his hands.

"Awww…."

"Chao!" One says.

"Chao?"

The creature tilts its head.

"Oh that's, sorry. I just—" Tails gets himself together. "Ok. Native tongue. I'll get to work on a translator." Luckily for the fox, he doesn't get swung on.

The Chao get off Sonic and play together again. Who knows what they're going on about.

"CHOCULA!"

That gets him right back on his feet A little rabbit in a dress immediately stands out to him. She looks younger than Tails. What's she doing all the way out here? To make it stranger, she also has company from a Chao with a red bow tie. Classy look, but doesn't help the situation.

Instead of running to scare the poor girl, he walks over instead. "You guys lost?"

The rabbits almost in tears. "You have to help us, mister!"

"Chao!"

"What's goin' on?" Sonic asks, on the case like a detective.

"We were just playing outside..and he flew away! We tried to call him but he didn't listen!" Cream tugs his fur. "Please mister, we've looked EVERYWHERE!"

If this was trivial, that'd be one thing. Yet Sonic can't help but pitch in. It would be cruel to tell a crying child to buzz off. Besides, that's for losers, and Sonic doesn't consider himself one. "I'll find him!" he assures, with that usual smile. "What's he look like?"

"Chocolate.." The rabbit answers, sniffling.

"Brown, got it."

Sonic takes off, leaving her and her Chao in suspense. She turns to her loyal pet. "Was I not specific enough? Oh…I hope he can find him.."

"Chao.."

Tails heard the commotion. Wriggling free of the Chao, he walks over. "He's the fastest thing I've ever seen. If anyone can find him, Sonic can."

—

Said brown Chao's following a thin white fume. This Chocula's taking the easy bait, blissfully unaware if this is a trap or not. The Chao follows the trail, through a trail.

The trail leads up to…the most delicious, ravishing plate of brownies the chao's ever seen. It's obviously spoiled due to the Chao's apparent appeal in the world, but this is on another level. It's so good, and so true.

So he thinks.

FWOOP!

A dart pieces the poor creature. It's fantasy comes crashing down, as does the creature itself. One soft "Chao.." and it's out. The animal responsible steps out of those bushes.

Leather boots, brown belt, brown hat, Purple fur all over, with one sharp tooth sticking out for show. That Chao had no clue he was in the presence of Fang the Hunter. The jerboa has the audacity to yank that Chao up by his tiny legs.

"Rare catch." Fang says, dangling the creature. "I'll be swimming in gold after I'm done wit ya." Money drives this hunter, who'll target anyone for a quick buck. He doesn't care if his targets get spun into a tasty stew, or forced to live in harsh conditions. It doesn't matter.

Money talks.

Fang whistles a tune, but turns around to meet Sonic. Arms are crossed, he's tapping those foot, and there's no joy on his face. "Hunting for sport?"

Fang adjusts his hat. "That's none ya business, rat! Move along, or else.." He reaches for his waist, but in a flash..Sonic's got his weapon.

"That's no way to treat someone."

"Preach to someone who cares." Even when he's angry, Sonic just spins his gun around. "That's no way to handle a firearm. You one of 'em tools aren't ya?"

Next thing he knows, he's all tied up in vines. The hunters been hung up for show. His weapons beneath him, but just out of reach.

Sonic's just leaning on a tree like it's a smoke break. That chao's in hand, safe from the predator for now. "You should stop hurting the animals. Doesn't really work out."

"You're too naive for the business, ya know?"

"Preach to someone who cares."

Before Fang can hit back, hedgehog's already gone. "Hey! That don't make no sense! Petty asshole.."

The Chao Garden's graced, as a rare brown Chao gets carried in by the rare, sound breaking hedgehog. The other Chao follow them to the rabbit. Sonic has to hear so much "Chao, Chao."

"Is he ok?!" She asks, running over.

"…" the Chao slowly turns its head. Visions dark at first, but when it makes out the shape of a familiar rabbit..

It flies from Sonic's arms, and flies into hers! The child just loses it again, hugging the creature tight. Had something bad happened, that rabbit

While they have a tearful reunion, Tails taps his friend. "Did he die?"

"Nope. He got shot."

"What?!"

"Yep. Small-game hunter..but I gotta protect Chao with my life. Just look at 'em. If you have a problem with Chao, you are the problem." Sonic states.

A blinkinh dot emerges on Tails' radar. The second Sonic hears the gasp, he looks over the fox's shoulder. "I got a new reading!" He glances at the rabbit with her friends. "I hate to cut this short but—"

"Already ahead of you." Sonic says, stretching his legs. "Last one there pays for our Gator Tots."

"You're on!"

Before they take off, the rabbit waves to them. "Thank you misters!" Sonic gives a wave back, and then they are off again. With the pit stop over, they must start their race for these emeralds. Being down one is enough pressure, but that evil doctor shows no signs of stopping.

If Sonic wants to protect the nature he holds dear, he has to make that Doctor stop.

Soooo, the heroes are down one, but at least they got to chill with the Chao. Next chapter, Sonic and Tails hunt for the second emerald, while that scheming Doctor has plans for his loyal assistant (or servant) Stone.

What's going down? Find out next time! Or don't lol