Huge shoutout to my reviewers for liking these one-shots! Also, thank you to the Guest who commented on wanting this story finished before moving on to the mafia one-shot. Now, I don't know how many parts I will add, but I want to keep you guys on edge while getting a better picture on what the plot is about. As for now, keep on reading and enjoy Part 3!
As Sonic opened his eyes, the room was dark. Sitting up on a soft bed he laid on, he realized he was in the guest room, still in Vanilla and Cream's home. The sky had already turned dark, and the appearance of the stars and full moon made him check the alarm clock resting on the nightstand next to him.
9:04 p.m.? How long did he slept? And wasn't he eating pancakes with the others earlier? When did he even fall asleep? His ears picked up on voices coming from downstairs, indicating the others were awake. As he got off the bed and put on his sneakers, he heard something tap on the glass.
Turning his head, Sonic noticed a figure tapping on the window glass. Before he could get a good look at it, the figure quickly dashed away. Curious on who it could be, Sonic rushed over to the window, opened the double panes, and jumped out of there, using his super speed to chase after the figure, who was urging him to follow.
Sonic wasn't sure why, but the appearance of the figure seemed familiar, even though this person is camouflaged in the darkness. But what surprised him is that his silver medallion necklace was glowing, urging him to go after that person. Whoever it is, the necklace is reacting and wants him to run until it gets its answer.
Heading deeper into the woods, Sonic abruptly stopped when he reached a clearing in the forest. However, this clearing is filled with lavender flowers, which is a place his rival Shadow would definitely love to see. He didn't think about it further when he saw the figure standing in the middle of the clearing, surrounded by the lavender flowers.
The full moon appeared from being hidden by the trees, reflecting a light on the figure to reveal who it is. She stood firm and poised like a royal queen, as the breeze made her long purple hair and white dress flutter. Her arms were spread out, greeting him with a warm welcome as her lips stretched into a gentle smile, light blue eyes softened with love.
"My baby boy," she cooed, as her arms reached out to him. "Look how much you have grown."
Sonic froze, stunned as he took a good look at the female purple hedgehog. Her appearance is just like how he remembered in his dreams and his past. It's as if she never aged at all. Even her voice is exactly how he recalled after all those years. Could it really be here?
He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Instead, he used his hands to sign a word he remembered.
"Mom?" Sonic signed with his hands.
Queen Aleena's smile grew, as she nodded. "It's me, Sonic. I missed you so much."
Sonic took a step forward, reaching his hand out to her. Queen Aleena ushered him over with her hands, as her arms remained wide open. "Come give your mother a hug, my sweet baby."
He didn't hesitate as he ran and jumped into her arms, hugging her tightly as he buried his face on her, feeling his eyes getting wet. Even though Sonic the Hedgehog doesn't cry, no one is around to judge him since its just him and his mom. He let those tears escape from the corner of his eyes, choking back a sob as he felt his mom hugging him.
Then, he pulled himself back at arms-length, wondering why his mom's hug felt weird. Usually they were soft, but it felt hard and firm, almost like hugging wood. As he wiped his eyes and looked back, he realized the person he was hugging wasn't whom he thought it was.
Jumping back while maintaining a good distance, he realized this wasn't his mother Queen Aleena. It had her appearance, but more like a wooden appearance. He noticed black strings attached to it, causing him to realize that this person in front of him is actually a puppet.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" the puppet said in a sugary tone. "Don't you want to hug momma?"
Sonic took a step back, glaring at the puppet. This wasn't his mother at all. In fact, this was all some sort of trick to lure him here. He knew it's not Eggman since he doesn't remember his past anymore. However, he has a pretty good idea on who it really is, as he used a spin dash to attack the puppet, who was able to dodge it.
"Now what did she ever do to you?"
He growled, watching Zen appear from behind a tree. His hands held the strings, indicating he was the one controlling the puppet. Soon, a few more puppets with different appearances appeared out of nowhere, surrounding Sonic so he wouldn't escape. In retaliation, he used his speed to blow them away, except they were pulled back by Zen to avoid getting hit.
"Even though I'm supposed to capture you, I've been ordered not to just yet," Zen said, as he took a few steps forward until he stopped a few feet away in front of Sonic. "Sonic the Hedgehog, use the power of your medallion to fight me."
Sonic arched his eyebrow in confusion.
"I mentioned before that you would need to use it the next time we cross paths," Zen used his hands to control the Queen Aleena puppet, who started to move. "Show me your true power."
He made the Queen Aleena puppet rush towards him, as Sonic dodged her attack with ease. Touching his medallion as a stream of blue light came out, it materialized into an electric guitar as it landed in his hands. Sonic started playing, shooting blue lasers from the headstocks to stop the other puppets from coming near him.
Doing a backflip to maintain a far distance, he played the strings and let out a final note, which played a high-pitched sound that echoed in the clearing, causing Zen to disappear in a foggy mist along with his puppets. It frightened the birds and animals who lived nearby, as they ran away or covered their ears. But once the high-pitched sound faded away, they went back to hiding in their homes.
Sonic scanned his surroundings, not sensing Zen or his puppets nearby. His guitar went back into his medallion, indicating that the enemy is now gone. But when he turned around, Zen was already standing in front of him, and grabbed his wrist to pull him close for their noses to nearly touch. "Such a pity you cannot speak. Hearing your powerful voice would've made the battle so much interesting."
Zen used his other hand to grab Sonic's chin, making him look at his icy blue eyes. "We already captured your sister, and I already sent Infinite and his Jackal Squad to capture your brother. Once master gives me the orders to retrieve you, you'll be reunited with your siblings."
His lips stretched into a small smirk, as he saw Sonic's expression darkened with rage. "You 3 are the keys needed to awaken our deity. Having Queen Aleena is a bonus since she is the trigger needed for our plan to succeed." Zen stroked Sonic's cheek with his thumb. "Do not worry. No harm will come to your bodies. We only need your souls to help us. Luckily, you'll all be part of my puppet collection, and we'll be one big happy family. That's why I sent you that music box as a small welcome gift."
Sonic broke out of his grip, backing away until he was at a safe distance, ready to attack. He wished he was able to curse at him, but can only say it in his head. If he hadn't been so distracted by what Zen told him, he would've found a way to get that pendant necklace from Zen's necklace and break it to get his voice back. But now, he's too angry because of what he just heard.
"If you wish to surrender, then be my guest. You'll be able to be with your sister," Zen crossed his arms as his smirk widened. "Do you wish to see her?"
Before Sonic could do something, Zen brought his arm out and snapped his fingers, causing a portal to open from the ground in front of them. A figure rose from the portal, legs resting against the grass as the portal closed underneath her. Sonic gasped, recognizing the person who was tied up with black strings gazing at him with her blue eyes filled with fear.
Her pink hair is styled in a pixie cut with two strands of bangs on the front – the left one longer than the other. She even had a new outfit on that matched well with her bright fuchsia fur and peach skin: a short-sleeved white top with red outlines at the neck part, red checkered skirt, pink belt wrapped around her waist with a heart-shaped buckle on the front, pink ankle high heeled boots, long purple gloves that reach her elbows, and hung around her neck with a yellow string is a silver medallion necklace shaped like a keyboard.
She was then lifted from the ground, and Sonic realized there were black strings attached to her, as Zen used his hands to make her move. "See? I told you we've captured her."
Eyes filled with rage, Sonic rushed over to Sonia, hoping to save her. Unfortunately, he was too late as he watched her and Zen vanish in a foggy mist, running through them until they were gone. Sonic stopped, punching the ground in anger as he tried to let out a huge scream. Due to not having a voice, he couldn't make a sound. Instead, all he could do is pound at the ground in anger, cursing at Zen for messing with his mind. Cursing at his new allies who are working with him.
But most of all, cursing himself for not being quick enough to rescue his sister. He was able to find Sonia, but not the way he wanted. Not only is she captured by Zen, but his brother Manic is in danger. Infinite and his Jackal Squad are hunting his brother, and he has no idea where they could be. Once Manic is captured, Sonic is next. After Sonic, it'll be Queen Aleena.
He won't let them win. Sonic will rescue his family, and stop their evil plan. Whatever they have in store for him, he'll make sure they never succeed.
"Boss! We looked all over, but our target is nowhere to be found!" a black and white male jackal with yellow eyes, scar above his nose, black and grey gloves, black and grey boots, and a green bandana tied around his forehead said as he jumped down from the roof top.
Another male jackal, who shared the same appearance as the other except he had on sports tape wrapped around his arms and legs, white bandana tied around his neck, and red cap on his head, agreed with the other. "Uno is correct. We searched all over, and there are no signs of the green hedgehog."
Infinite, who no longer wore his mask, frowned as he folded his arms. "Don't stop looking. He must be found at once!"
"Except we don't have a solid lead," a female jackal said, who wore a green tank top, brown army pants, black gloves, black and grey boots, and her long white hair tied up in a high ponytail. "It's possible he went to a different location."
"Or went into hiding to avoid being detected," a male jackal answered, who wore a red bandana tied around his neck, yellow gloves, yellow boots with red on them, and a weapon holster wrapped diagonally on his body, answered. "Zero, why exactly do we need to find this target? What's his bounty?"
Infinite sighs. "Quatre, I told you all before. Our saviors gave us orders to search for the green hedgehog known as Manic, capture him, and bring him back to our hideout alive and unharmed." He looked at his squad. "He is one of the keys needed to awaken a new power hidden from the world. Once this power is unleashed, all of us will live in peace and harmony."
"Are you sure about that?" the female jackal questioned. "It sounds a little far-fetched."
"It's the truth, Trois. Remember, they are the ones who brought us all back to life from the dead. They will help us get revenge on those who wronged us," Infinite snarled in anger, but then stopped as he used his nose to sniff the air. "Once we complete our task, they swore to make sure we live a comfortable life. No more being hunted down by anyone, especially that wretched Shadow the Hedgehog."
Duex frowned. "Hopefully, they'll help us get our revenge on that bastard."
"And we will. But for now, we must complete our mission," Infinite glanced at everyone. "All of you, spread out and search for any clues on where he could be. Remember to inform Cinq and Sei that we won't stop until we find him! Got it!?"
"Yes sir!" the Jackal Squad saluted, then disappeared into the shadows as they all jumped at one rooftop to the next.
They failed to notice that hidden in the alleyway is a manhole cover, where it leads to the sewers. Hiding in the sewer system is a male green hedgehog with light green fur, long green hair with strands framing his face, light brown eyes, peach muzzle, two golden hoop earrings pierced at his right ear, a gray opened vest, black spiky choker, brown fingerless gloves, red and white ankle boots with spikes on them, and hung around his neck with a blue string is a silver medallion necklace shaped like a drum.
Waiting until he's certain they all left, the light green hedgehog known as Manic ran from his spot, going through every corner while keeping an eye out on his surroundings. Whatever those guys want with him, he won't stick around to find out. Instead, he'll keep on running and hide in here until he's certain that he lost them.
"Guess I won't be looting with Scourgie today," Manic mumbled to himself. "Luckily, I know where to get out and-
He didn't finish his sentence when he felt something hit the back of his neck, knocking him out as he was caught before he hit the ground. Before Manic closed his eyes, he saw a black tail with white at the edges, indicating it belonged to a jackal.
Sonic hugged the music box close to him, laying on his side on the bed as he curled himself into a ball. He returned to his guest room, making sure he quietly snuck in without letting anyone know where he was. Thankfully, everyone was asleep during that time, and his ears picked up on snoring from the other rooms along with downstairs.
He still has no idea how Zen or his master knew about his past, especially his family. Whoever this master is, this person is obviously a new evil villain, which isn't surprising since Sonic made so many enemies in the past. But seeing Mephiles & Infinite again definitely shocked him since he was sure they were gone for good.
The others wouldn't believe it, but Sonic was sure he saw those two. Zen is real, and the time he had his voice stolen felt absolutely surreal. He did wish it didn't happen, but now it's too late because he cannot speak unless he gets his voice back from Zen. The next time they cross paths, he'll be prepared this time.
Sonic closed his eyes, stopping himself from crying as he remembered seeing the puppet who resembled his mother. Seeing and hearing her felt so real, and Sonic was certain it really was his mom. Instead, it wasn't. The puppet & Zen tricked him, and he almost fell for their trap.
"My sweet baby, I miss you so much."
He curled himself tightly, feeling a tear escape from his eye as he hugged the music box close to his chest. It's been so long ever since he last saw his mother and siblings. He was lucky to see Sonia, but never got the chance to speak with her when she disappeared with Zen. His brother Manic is still out there somewhere, and he has no idea where his mother or the Oracle of Delphius could be.
As more tears escaped from his eyelids, he heard his door being opened. Sonic kept himself still, still facing the wall so the person wouldn't notice he had been awake and crying. The sound of footsteps indicated someone is approaching him. Is it Tails or Knuckles coming to check on him? Amy? Cream or her mom? Or one of the Team Chaotix members?
His nose twitched as he recognized a particular scent coming from the person, who is near his bed. He then felt a hand resting on his head, until it moved to his cheek when he felt a thumb wiping his tears. Once his tears were wiped away, a blanket was pulled over him, covering his body so he would stay warm.
"Take it easy, faker. I'm not gonna let Zen or anyone else go after you," Sonic heard his rival say. "Don't be afraid to tell us anything. If it's something the others cannot know, I'll be willing to listen."
Shadow's eyes nearly softened, as he patted Sonic's head. "Take your time until you're ready to tell me about your past. I swear I won't judge you until I hear the full story from you."
Do you all want another chapter? If you want to see Part 4, then you must review and comment! The more reviews I get, the more motivated I'll be in updating, so please do that, everyone!