Chapter 32: The Truth Comes Around


Terios's Mind

"Who am I really? What is even real anymore?" "Is everything a lie?"

"So many questions, but not enough answers."

"My mind is merging together with what seems to be different times, places and memories. One minute, I'm seeing my home world at peace, being with my family, the Lumari people. The next, all there is darkness, suffering and sorrow. Other times, I see Naminé, being used and threatened by the Organization. But then it shifts, I then see Aqua being dragged away by those guards. But something else keeps coming through, a timeline I was not part of. All I see and feel is the darkness, flames, disaster and destruction."

"Nothing makes sense anymore. And that Blue Hedgehog, Sonic. Why does he look like the Great Catastrophe? Why are there two of him? There is something about him, something that doesn't sit right with me."

"I need answers. Why are my memories colliding like this? Am I destined to become nothing more than a broken being? Will my light ever fight this powerful darkness? I hope so, for everyone's sake."


Back in White Space, with Terios still unconscious, the Sonics, Modern Classic Tails, Riku, and Naminé gathered near the Traverse Town hub. The rest of the team joined them. Terios sat slumped up against the hub's lamppost, as the group prepared to explain what had happened.

"Is he going to be okay?" Charmy asked, his voice full of innocence as he buzzed around next to Vector and Espio.

"He's just knocked out," Modern Sonic admitted, his gaze lingering on Terios. "But who knows what his mind's gonna be like when he wakes up."

Classic Sonic shrugged, his silent gesture speaking volumes—none of them could be sure.

"What happened to him?" Amy questioned.

"From what Sonic and Riku told us, he took quite a big hit from a building he summoned through his own powers," Modern Tails explained, glancing at the others.

"Oh my," Cream gasped, her small hands covering her mouth in surprise. Cheese mimicked her expression, wide-eyed and equally shocked.

"And that's gonna hurt," Classic Tails added with a sympathetic shake of his head.

"I'll say," Big commented, his deep voice rumbling as he stood with Froggy perched contentedly on his shoulder.

"It didn't look particularly pleasant," Riku confirmed, his tone calm but laced with the memory of the intense battle. "We barely dodged it in time."

"Bah," Knuckles scoffed, folding his arms. "Serves him right, I say."

"Knuckles?" Aerith turned her gentle gaze toward the guardian of the Master Emerald, her expression a mix of surprise and concern.

"Even with those fake memories, he's the one who caused all of this!" Knuckles grumbled. "He sent us here, trapping us. Honestly, he got what he deserved."

"Dude, come on!" Modern Sonic responded, his voice sharp with disapproval.

"The echidna's got a point, Blue," Cid agreed, leaning against his spear.

"Cid!" Yuffie gasped, surprised by the gruff mechanic's bluntness.

"This guy tossed us into that void," Cid continued, shaking his head. "And let me tell ya, I'm not exactly a fan of that place."

"We all went through it, Cid," Yuffie sighed, her expression weary as she turned to the older man.

"Yeah, well, I'm just saying," Cid muttered, still grumbling under his breath.

Knuckles turned his attention to Riku, his expression hard.

"And Riku is here, huh?" he scoffed.

Riku, slightly irritated by Knuckles' tone, narrowed his eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Knuckles crossed his arms tighter, glaring at the silver haired teen as he replied.

"It means, are you going to pull any funny business like last time?"

Before Riku could respond, Modern Sonic stepped in, clearly frustrated.

"Give it a break, Knucklehead!" Modern Sonic snapped, his voice firm. "Riku helped seal the Door to Darkness, remember? And not to mention, he helped stop Terios." He gestured toward the unconscious Terios nearby. "So maybe cut him some slack."

Modern Tails nodded in agreement, stepping forward.

"Yeah, Riku has proven he's on our side, Knuckles," he affirmed.

"Riku's not the same guy he was back when we last saw him," Amy added, her voice calm but supportive. "He's fought to protect everyone and everything."

Even Espio chimed in, his tone measured.

"People can change, Knuckles. He's proven his loyalty by helping the Sonics stop Terios."

Knuckles grunted, still skeptical but unwilling to argue against the group.

"Fine, but I'm watching him."

"Of course you are," Modern Sonic rolled his eyes. "You've been watching him since we got back."

Riku glanced at Sonic, giving a small nod of appreciation.

"Thanks, Sonic," he said thankfully.

Sonic waved it off.

"Don't worry about it. We've got bigger things to deal with than Knuckles holding a grudge."

Knuckles huffed but stayed silent, clearly still uneasy, though the tension had mostly lifted.


Leon folded his arms, his gaze shifting to the unconscious Terios close by.

"Let's get back to the issue of Terios and the Organization's influence, shall we?" Leon declared stoically.

"Agreed," Yuffie added.

Leon then turned his attention to Naminé.

"What I don't get is, why mess with his memories like that?" Leon questioned further.

Naminé, standing next to Riku, looked over at him, her expression filled with worry.

"What do you mean?" she asked softly, a hint of nervousness in her tone.

"I mean, why those particular memories?" Leon continued, his voice steady. "Why were you in them, Naminé? Why not alter his memories in a broader sense, create something completely new?"

"That's a good question," Rouge added, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I'd like to know why you appeared in those specific memories."

"We know you were manipulated and used," Modern Tails remarked gently, his voice full of empathy. "But I think we need to understand why you replaced someone else in his memories."

Vector and Espio exchanged a glance, their detective instincts already working to piece together the mystery.

Naminé looked down, guilt weighing heavy on her shoulders, even though she knew deep down it wasn't entirely her fault. Riku, standing beside her, gave a reassuring nod, silently offering his support. Amy, standing nearby, noticed Naminé's unease and stepped forward with a soft, understanding gaze.

"We're here for you," Amy said gently. "Your powers were used, and you and Terios are both victims in all of this. So please… explain everything you know."

Naminé glanced at Amy, her eyes softening at the comforting words. She knew they all deserved the truth, no matter how difficult it was to share.

"Terios's mind was pretty much broken," Naminé began to explain. "However, there was anger, sadness and sorrow in his memories that weren't totally fragmented."

"Come again?" Knuckles asked, clearly confused.

"Basically, the Organization thought it would be a good idea to use the memories he had lingering and influence them further," Naminé admitted.

"So, inserting yourself into them, right?" Modern Tails asked.

"That's right," Naminé confirmed, her gaze shifting to the fox. "My powers allow me to alter and manipulate memories. I can place myself into someone else's mind, replacing key figures from their past. The Organization made me take the place of someone important to Terios."

Vector's eyes lit up as his detective instincts kicked in.

"I get it now," Vector said, his tone full of confidence.

"You do?" Charmy buzzed in curiosity.

Vector nodded before continuing.

"Yeah, it all makes sense now. The Organization used Naminé's powers to replace someone from Terios's past—twisting his memories so he felt like he had to protect her at all costs. They manipulated him by threatening Naminé, using his emotions as a weapon to control him."

Charmy's eyes widened in realisation.

"Whoa… so they tricked him into thinking Naminé was in danger the whole time?" the bee questioned.

"Exactly," Vector confirmed, his voice sharp with understanding. "They messed with his memories and twisted his feelings, turning him into their pawn."

"That's cold," Cid muttered, rubbing the back of his head.

"Indeed," Espio replied, his calm tone hiding the gravity of the situation.

Modern Sonic crossed his arms, deep in thought as he pieced everything together. His expression shifted.

"Sonic?" Amy asked, noticing her friend's serious look.

"I think I know who Naminé replaced in those memories," he said quietly, his mind racing.

"You do?" Aerith asked, her eyes searching his face.

"Spill it, Sonic," Knuckles cut in, his voice impatient. "Who was it?"

Modern Sonic exhaled, his gaze shifting toward Naminé, then back to the group.

"It was Aqua," Sonic confirmed. "Naminé replaced Aqua in Terios's memories."

The group fell silent for a moment, the weight of the revelation sinking in. They turned to the blonde haired girl, who nodded in agreement.

"Aqua..." Riku thought to himself. "That name, I swear I've met her before?"

"Hold up," Yuffie blurted out, eyes wide. "Terios knew Aqua?"

Modern Sonic nodded, his expression serious.

"Not only did he know her, but they're both connected to Willa and Erik—Terios's original creators," Modern Sonic clarified.

The air seemed to still as the implications of Sonic's words hit them. Everyone exchanged confused and shocked glances.

"Wait, what?" Amy asked, her sharp gaze narrowing.

"Who the heck are Willa and Erik?" Cid mumbled.

"And Terios wasn't created by the Organization?" Aerith exclaimed in disbelief.

Everyone looked confused by this revelation. But Rouge, and her links to intelligence, spoke up.

"You know what, I remember those two names now," Rouge admitted, breaking through the tension.

"You do?" Classic Tails asked, his curiosity piqued.

"How do you know them, Miss Rouge?" Cream asked innocently, Cheese hovering beside her.

"Yeah... spill it, spy!" Cid grumbled, crossing his arms and eyeing Rouge.

Rouge paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts.

"I came across those names in some G.U.N files a while back. They were tied to a project I didn't dig too deeply into, but the names stood out. Willa and Erik—both tied to something big, something secret."

The others exchanged looks of intrigue, a mix of skepticism and curiosity filling the air.

"Really?" Knuckles said, his eyebrow raised. "So, G.U.N was involved too?"

"Seems like it," Rouge replied, turning to Knuckles.

Vector stepped forward, reaching into one of the black armbands around his wrist. He pulled out a folded-up piece of paper, its edges slightly worn from being hidden away.

"Rouge is onto something, folks" Vector said, holding up the paper. "I've got a little piece of intel here that could help us."

Modern Sonic blinked, his arms uncrossing as he eyed the paper.

"Wait, Vector, you had this the whole time? Why didn't you say something earlier?"

Vector shrugged casually as he replied.

"Well, I was stuck in that void for a while, and before that, I was planning on sharing this at your birthday party, Sonic." He shot a glance at Aerith. "But I promised no work-related business until the party was over."

Aerith smiled softly, her expression knowing.

"I appreciate you keeping your word, Vector. But I think now's the time."

"Agreed," Espio said with a nod.

"I think it's the best time to share our findings, Vector," Charmy added eagerly.

"Uh, what does the paper say?" Big asked, tilting his head towards Vector.

Vector unfolded the paper carefully and held it out in front of him, clearing his throat.

"We found this when digging through some archives in Hollow Bastion's library," he explained. "As you know, we were trying to figure out who this fake Ansem was. But this… this could help explain the connections we've been looking for."

"Explain what you found, big guy?" Yuffie pressed, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Vector glanced at the group before reading aloud:


Willa and Erik, in their pursuit to save their home world of Aetheris, have grown desperate. Their people, the Lumari, stand on the verge of collapse, threatened by an encroaching darkness. They sought my assistance, believing that the knowledge and works of Professor Gerald Robotnik, could provide the solution they needed.

In their desperation, they uncovered secret data from the abandoned Space Colony ARK, records tied to Project Shadow. However, the data they found pointed to a dangerous entity that played a pivotal role in the project's completion: Black Doom.

I warned them not to trust this being. His nature is vile, and his intentions are shrouded in darkness. He is no saviour. He is a harbinger of destruction. Yet, I fear my words have fallen on deaf ears. Willa and Erik are driven by a singular goal—to save their world and their daughter, no matter the cost. But if they have indeed chosen to seek Doom's assistance, then they walk a path leading only to devastation.


As Vector finished reading, the weight of the passage settled over the group. Everyone stood silent for a moment, processing what they had just heard.

"They wanted to save their world… and their daughter" Amy murmured softly, her expression full of sympathy.

"But they turned to Black Doom?" Knuckles said, his voice laced with disbelief. "That's just asking for trouble."

"Black Doom?" Yuffie asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Who the heck is that?"

"Black Doom was an alien overlord," Modern Sonic explained, his tone serious. "He helped create Shadow using his own DNA. He tried to use the power of the Chaos Emeralds to take over our the world, but Shadow stopped him."

"That's right," Rouge added. "He was ruthless, controlling a whole army of aliens called the Black Arms. He was after nothing but destruction."

"And these people, Willa and Erik, turned to him for help?" Yuffie said, shaking her head in disbelief. "Sounds like they were desperate."

"Desperate enough to risk everything," Modern Sonic replied. "If Black Doom's involved, that explains why Terios has some of those dark powers."

"So, they tried to recreate Project Shadow," Espio concluded thoughtfully. "But with the added threat of Black Doom's influence, it went even further wrong."

"That's a dangerous gamble," Cid grumbled, his voice tinged with frustration. "Playing with forces they couldn't control."

"But they wanted to save their daughter," Amy said, her voice softer, understanding the deeper motivation behind it all.

"At the cost of their world?" Knuckles asked. "That's a pretty big gamble, Amy."

"Well, it seems like they lost," Leon muttered, casting a glance at the unconscious Terios slumped against the lamppost.

"And you know who suffered the biggest loss here, right?" Modern Tails remarked, connecting the dots.

"Their daughter?" Classic Tails replied, his voice full of realization.

"Yeah…" Modern Sonic said grimly. "Aqua."

The entire group fell silent as the weight of Sonic's revelation hit them. Eyes turned toward Naminé, her expression serious but resigned.

"Naminé, is this true?" Aerith asked cautiously.

Naminé looked down for a moment, then nodded slowly.

"I don't know Aqua personally, but in Terios's memories, I replaced a small blue-haired girl using my powers. That girl, I believe was a young Aqua."

"Whoa… so Willa and Erik—Aqua's parents—created Terios with Black Doom's help to protect their home, their people, and Aqua?" Yuffie asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

"It's all coming together," Modern Sonic confirmed. "They created Terios as a protector."

"This is indeed huge," Vector remarked, folding his arms in deep thought. "I knew our work back on Hollow Bastion would open more doors and questions."

"So Terios was originally a good person?" Cheese asked curiously.

"Seems so, Cream," Modern Sonic replied. "But there's still a lot we don't know about him, or about what happened to him."

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted, and the familiar voice of the mysterious man echoed from the void of White Space.

"I can explain further," the voice said, breaking the silence.

Modern Sonic sighed, rubbing the back of his head.

"Oh great, Mr. Cryptic is back," he teased.

Classic Sonic mimicked his future counterpart, shaking his head in unison.

From the darkness, the man with the red bandages appeared, stepping into the dim light of White Space. His presence brought a chill, as if the air around him was heavy with secrets. His one visible eye, not covered by the bandages, scanned the group before resting on Riku. A small chuckle escaped him.

"I see you've gotten caught up in this mess, my young friend?" the man mused, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.

"Riku," Modern Sonic asked, turning to the silver-haired teen. "You know this guy?"

Riku nodded, his expression serious.

"Yeah… he goes by the name of DiZ," Riku said.

"DiZ?" Modern Tails echoed, his brow furrowing in thought.

The group exchanged shocked glances. After all this time, the mysterious man had a name—one they hadn't heard until now.

"So, after all this time, we finally get your name," Modern Sonic remarked dryly. "Took you long enough."

DiZ, unaffected by the sarcasm, gave a slight nod.

"Names are irrelevant until the right moment. But you've earned this one."

"Okay, fine," Knuckles grumbled. "So, what do you know about Terios?"

DiZ's gaze shifted to Terios's unconscious form slumped against the lamppost.

"Terios was designed as a protector, yes. But after the collapse of the Lumarian civilization, Willa and Erik's efforts to save their home, people and daughter were left in ruins.

"How did their home world fall?" Modern Tails asked.

"I think I might have an idea…" Modern Sonic remarked, his tone thoughtful.

"Sonic, what does that mean?" Aerith asked, looking at him with a mix of concern and intrigue.

"Yeah, Sonic, what you got?" Yuffie chimed in, eager to hear his theory.

Modern Sonic stood tall, his expression serious as he addressed the group.

"Before we fought, Terios said something to me… something that stuck with me."

"What did he say?" Amy asked.

"He said I looked like 'The Great Catastrophe,'" Sonic recalled, his voice steady as he relayed the memory.

"Oh yeah, he did say that," Classic Tails affirmed, his mind connecting the dots.

Classic Sonic nodded silently, the same realisation dawning on him.

"So… what are you saying?" Knuckles asked, crossing his arms, his voice laced with impatience.

Sonic's eyes narrowed slightly as he pieced it together.

"I'm saying… that this 'Great Catastrophe' caused the downfall of Terios and Aqua's home world."

The group fell into a stunned silence once more, the weight of Sonic's words settling in. They exchanged glances, trying to process the implications.

"You think… you might've been connected to that world's destruction?" Amy asked softly, her voice full of concern.

"No, not me," Modern Sonic clarified. "But something or someone who looks like me—or maybe it's something I've been tied to, even without knowing."

Leon's expression darkened as he considered the possibility.

"If Terios believes you're tied to this 'Catastrophe,' that might explain why he saw you as a threat. Regardless of what the Organization put in his head."

"Which means the Organization used that fear to manipulate him further," Vector added, his voice steady as he processed the connection.

"So… whoever this 'Great Catastrophe' is, they're the reason Terios and his world were destroyed," Modern Tails concluded. "And now Terios thinks Sonic is that being."

"Or was," Classic Tails added, his voice quieter. "It sounds like this happened a long time ago."

"That explains Terios's grudge," Aerith mused.


DiZ, who had been silently observing the conversation, stepped forward.

"You're all beginning to understand. But the full truth of the 'Great Catastrophe' is something you will have to uncover yourselves."

Modern Sonic sighed, shaking his head as he replied.

"Of course we will… You won't tell us, will you," Sonic said with an annoyed tone.

"This is something you need to find out for yourselves, my blue friend," DiZ explained, his gaze shifting to the unconscious Terios. "But I can tell you how he came into the Organization's grasps."

"Alright, then explain that," Espio inquired, his voice sharp.

"Yeah, do that," Charmy added eagerly.

DiZ turned his attention to the group.

"Terios was put into stasis by a bureaucratic agency you all know well," he said cryptically, his tone as elusive as ever.

Everyone exchanged glances before it clicked.

"G.U.N.?" Modern Sonic questioned, his expression serious.

"You're saying G.U.N. captured Terios and put him on ice?" Rouge muttered, her eyes narrowing. "That explains the files on Willa and Erik."

"Yes, but G.U.N. didn't work alone," DiZ revealed as he slowly moved closer to the Traverse Town hub, keeping his voice measured. "They had help from another organization."

"Right, this is getting on my nerves," Knuckles groaned, clearly frustrated by the vague explanations. "Just cut to the chase, DiZ. Who worked with G.U.N.?

DiZ paused, a knowing look in his visible eye.

"Their commitment to protecting the universe runs deep," he remarked cryptically, refusing to give a direct answer.

The group looked at each other, still uncertain but sensing there was more to this unnamed organization than DiZ was letting on.

"Okay, but why did G.U.N. get involved in the first place?" Amy asked, cutting through the tension. "Was it because of Project Shadow?"

"Yes," DiZ continued, his voice now steady. "Due to Terios's connection to Project Shadow, G.U.N became aware of the Lumarians' activities. They arrived just as darkness began to sweep across their world, consuming innocent lives. The world plunged into the dark, and Terios… couldn't stop it."

Modern Sonic frowned, realising the gravity of the situation.

"So they blamed Terios and put him into stasis," he mused.

"And Aqua?" Vector asked, his eyes narrowing with concern. "What happened to her after all this chaos?"

DiZ looked down, a flicker of emotion crossing his face before he regained his composure.

"She was taken into protective custody," he replied. "As for Willa and Erik… I'm unsure of their fate."

"Man, this is getting way too crazy," Cid sighed, scratching the back of his head.

"You said it," Big agreed, even Froggie looked confused.

"So, the Organization broke Terios out of stasis, right?" Modern Sonic asked, looking to DiZ for confirmation.

"Yes," DiZ replied, his tone measured. "They raided the facility holding Terios, escaping with his frozen body. They then experimented on him further, using Naminé to manipulate his memories." He turned his gaze to Naminé, who looked down, guilt evident in her expression. DiZ continued, "And they… enhanced him further."

"You mean adding this 'Mephiles' to him?" Modern Tails interjected, connecting the dots. "Right?"

"Do I dare ask?" Knuckles groaned, crossing his arms, clearly frustrated by the sheer complexity of the situation.

"I'm with Knuckles on this one," Yuffie sighed, shaking her head. "This is getting to weird."

"Mephiles?" Leon asked, turning to Modern Sonic, curious.

"Let's just say Terios inherited some of this Mephiles's powers," Modern Sonic explained. "And I'm guessing that's how he can control time and space?"

"Very good detective work, my blue friend," DiZ said with a slight nod of approval.

Modern Sonic smirked as he replied.

"Meh, I learn from the best," he said, gesturing to Team Chaotix, who were standing nearby.

Vector puffed up proudly, crossing his arms.

"That's right! We rub off on ya eventually."

Espio nodded thoughtfully in his response, "It seems there's much more to uncover here, and Terios's past is key."

"But what do we do now?" Charmy asked, buzzing around, clearly overwhelmed by everything.

"Charmy's right," Aerith added, her voice soft but steady. "Terios has been stopped, and the Sonics have saved us all through these past adventures stuck in space time. So, can we go home now?"

"I'm afraid not," DiZ muttered, his gaze shifting toward the vast void of White Space.

A collective groan rippled through the group, frustration and weariness settling in. How could this not be over yet?

"Oh please, what else is there to do, DiZ?" Modern Sonic asked, his voice thick with exasperation.

"Please, Mr. DiZ, why can't we go home?" Cheese asked sadly, her small voice trembling as she looked up at him. Next to her, Cheese chirped in a similarly sad tone.

DiZ sighed, his tone grave as he turned back to the group.

"Most of the work is done, yes. But... there remains one final threat. Something that has been released in the wake of Terios's defeat. A force designed to replace him and erase everything from existence."

Riku stepped forward, his brow furrowed as he pieced it together.

"You mean… the Replica, right?"

"Replica?" Modern Sonic echoed, blinking in confusion.

Classic Sonic, ever silent, shrugged, while Classic Tails tilted his head in bewilderment.

"Right, what is this 'Replica'?" Modern Tails asked, voicing the question on everyone's mind.

DiZ turned to the group, his face unreadable.

"Most of the Organization in Castle Oblivion have been defeated. However, one final lingering threat remains—an entity crafted by a being called, 'The Doctor'. They are someone who has sought to erase you all."

The name caused murmurs through the group, but Modern Sonic's expression suddenly shifted, realisation dawning. His face dropped into his hands as he let out a frustrated groan.

"Oh, please don't tell me…" he remarked. "How didn't I see this coming?"

Everyone turned toward Sonic, curiosity in their expressions.

"What?" Knuckles asked, his arms crossed impatiently.

"Use your brain, Knucklehead," Modern Sonic replied, rubbing his temples in frustration.

Everyone else in the group exchanged confused glances, not wanting to believe what Sonic was suggesting.

"It can't be him, right?" Amy asked.

"Surely not..." Espio said in disbelief.

"Wasn't he stuck in the Realm of Darkness?" Leon remarked.

"I thought he was lost forever," Cid muttered.

"Why would he work with the Organization?" Yuffie added, still trying to wrap her head around the idea.

DiZ took a step forward, his voice calm but certain.

"I take it you all know who I'm referring to, yes?" he asked

Modern Sonic let out a deep sigh, his shoulders slumping.

"Eggman… right?"

DiZ gave a slow, deliberate nod.

"Yes… and no, my friends."

Modern Sonic threw his hands up in the air.

"Oh, this just keeps getting better! What do you mean, 'yes and no'?" he remarked in annoyance.

Espio's eyes narrowed as he analysed DiZ's words.

"Clarify what you mean by that, DiZ?" Espio asked.

"Yeah, you're going to have throw us a bone here, pal," Vector added. "Even I'm struggling with this."

Before DiZ could respond, Naminé stepped forward, her face serious.

"I was there that day… Eggman—or Robotnik, whatever he was calling himself at the time—was brought to the Organization. They turned him into a Nobody in front of me."

"A Nobody?" Modern Tails echoed, taken aback. "You mean… he doesn't have a heart anymore?"

Modern Sonic rolled his eyes and replied, "Well, that sounds about right. Even when he was Eggman, he barely had a heart."

A few chuckles rippled through the group, but the gravity of the situation still lingered in the air.

"So Eggman—no, his Nobody—is now working with the Organization?" Knuckles asked, his expression still skeptical.

"His transformation was no accident," DiZ explained. "The Organization saw value in his intellect and his ability to manipulate worlds. He's not the same man you once knew, but his ambitions remain just as dangerous."

"Great," Modern Sonic muttered sarcastically. "So now we're dealing with an Egghead that's lost his heart but still has his evil genius mind intact."

"Well, damn..." Cid muttered.

Riku crossed his arms, his brow furrowed.

"That explains the Replica. He must have used his knowledge with Vexen to create something… worse."

Naminé nodded in agreement.

"He's twisted the research and experiments to create a new threat. The Replica is designed to be more powerful than Terios, capable of erasing everything—"

"—including us," Modern Sonic finished, his tone growing serious.


Suddenly, nearby, a swirling time hole began to appear, ripping through White Space. The shimmering portal within the tear rippled, but its contents were unclear. Before anyone could react, a familiar, maniacal laugh echoed through the void.

"Oh, how I haven't missed that laugh," Modern Sonic groaned, already exasperated.

"It seems the time to settle this has come," DiZ remarked, his voice steady as he watched the portal. "The Doctor knows Terios is weak, and now it's time for the Replica to stand as your last challenge."

The group was taken aback, glancing nervously at one another. Modern Sonic turned to Classic Sonic, who gave a confident nod, his usual silent determination etched on his face.

But Modern Sonic paused, his mind working through the situation.

"Sonic?" Modern Tails asked, sensing his hesitation.

"I know what we need to handle this. If Egghead's behind this—even as a Nobody—he'll have tricks up his sleeve. And for something like this… we'll need all seven Chaos Emeralds."

The group looked around with concern as Modern Sonic continued, "But we only have six."

"Damn!" Cid muttered in annoyance.

"That's right, the green one is still missing," Modern Tails added, the weight of the situation pressing down on them.

"What we gonna do?" Classic Tails mused with panic in his tone. Classic Sonic shrugged, he had no clue.

Silence fell over the group, uncertainty settling in—until Naminé suddenly looked up, her expression filled with realisation.

"Naminé?" Amy asked, sensing something.

Without saying a word, Naminé turned her hand over, palm up, and with a soft glow, the green Chaos Emerald materialised in her grasp. It shimmered in the dim light, casting an emerald glow over the group.

Everyone stood in stunned silence, except for DiZ, who watched with a knowing expression.

Modern Sonic, breaking the silence, chuckled in disbelief.

"You were keeping that quiet from us, Naminé?" he teased.

"Sora gave it to me. He wanted me to give it to you, Sonic," Naminé explained.

"Sora?" Modern Sonic repeated, the name causing a ripple of surprise among the group.

"Sora thought you'd need it more than he does," Naminé explained. "He intrusted me to deliver it to you."

Riku, standing near Naminé, let out a small laugh under his breath, shaking his head with a faint smile.

"Riku? What's up?" Vector asked, curious.

"Typical Sora," Riku replied, a smile spreading across his face. "He's always thinking of others, even when it's not his fight."

"My memories of Sora have become clearer during this adventure," Sonic said thoughtfully. "Everyone's memory of him has improved. It makes my heart feel his connection—this bond is something special."

"Yeah, he sure is a link to us all," Charmy added innocently, buzzing in excitement.

"Well put, Charmy," Vector agreed, nodding in approval.

Cream and Cheese exchanged glances before Cream spoke up, her voice gentle.

"We don't know this Mr. Sora, but he seems so special to all of you."

Big scratched his head, adding, "I don't know him either, but he sounds like a good friend."

"Ribbit," Froggie chirped in agreement from Big's shoulder.

Classic Tails, wide-eyed with curiosity, finally chimed in.

"I can't wait to meet Sora one day."

Classic Sonic gave a firm nod, his expression mirroring his counterpart's sentiment.

Naminé handed the emerald to Modern Sonic, who took it with a newfound sense of understanding. As he held the emerald, a sudden warmth washed over him. For a brief moment, a memory surfaced—one of Sora, standing beside him, a smile on his face and the Keyblade in his hand.

Sonic felt the deep bond between them, not just as friends but as fellow heroes who had fought to protect what mattered most.

"Thanks, Sora," Sonic whispered to himself, feeling the comforting weight of the emerald in his palm.

"Say, I didn't get a huge headache this time when you took hold of the emerald, Sonic," Yuffie quipped with a playful grin. "I just feel good memories returning of our friends."

"Me too!" Charmy buzzed in agreement. "I couldn't deal with another one of those painful headaches."

"You said it, bee," Cid replied with a nod, his gruff tone softened by the relief of the moment.

"It seems the pain before came from your memories filling in the gaps about Sora, Donald, and Goofy," DiZ speculated, his voice thoughtful. "But this emerald… it's different. Perhaps because it was with Sora all this time, its energy feels more… pure."

"Well, it's good to see Sora and his pals clearly again," Modern Sonic said with a smile, holding the emerald a little tighter. "But before we reunite with them, we've got one last job—stopping Egghead and his Replica."

He turned to Classic Sonic, who looked back with equal determination.

"Fancy one more team-up to save time, space, and everything… again?" Modern Sonic smirked, already sensing Classic Sonic's answer.

Classic Sonic, always ready, jumped with excitement and gave his older counterpart a nod.

"The power of the emeralds should give you the advantage," DiZ affirmed. "But be on your guard. This final battle will not be simple."

Modern Sonic flashed a confident grin.

"Trust me, DiZ. Old Egghead and his new toy are going to get the Super Sonic beatdown of a lifetime."

He held out his fist, waiting for Classic Sonic's response. Without missing a beat, the smaller Sonic returned the gesture, fist-bumping his future self.

"And besides," Modern Sonic added with a playful tone, "I've got a trick up my own sleeve, just in case."

The group felt the wave of confidence radiating from the two Sonics. Despite the looming battle, their spirits were high. They were ready to end this and finally return home.

Riku stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Modern Sonic's shoulder, his smirk carrying a mix of confidence and trust.

"Give them hell, Sonic," he said.

Modern Sonic nodded, his expression full of determination.

"Thanks, pal. I won't let you down."

Leon stepped forward, crossing his arms as he took charge.

"We'll stay back here and keep an eye on things, including Terios. You two focus on taking down Eggman and this Replica."

"Good call," Vector agreed with a nod, turning to the Sonics and giving them a big thumbs up. "You've got the power, Sonic."

Espio, ever calm and composed, added, "We'll hold the fort until you return. Focus your energy and come back safe."

Both Sonics turned to the group, feeling the weight of their support.

"You can do it, Sonic!" Amy said with confidence, her voice filled with encouragement.

"Yeah! Give 'em a smack for me, Sonic!" Knuckles added, smacking his fists together, ready for battle in spirit.

"We believe in you, Sonic," Cream said sweetly, Cheese nodding beside her in solidarity.

"Just be careful out there, Sonic" Big chimed in, with Froggie croaking in support on his shoulder.

"Show them what you're made of, Sonic!" Rouge called out.

"You're going to win, I know it!" Charmy buzzed with excitement.

"Please… be safe," Aerith whispered, her hands clasped together as though offering a quiet prayer for their safety.

"And give that Egghead a hit for me," Yuffie teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Rough 'em up, Blue!" Cid added, his gruff voice showing a rare softness, full of faith in the hedgehogs.

Leon gave them both a firm nod, his eyes serious but full of belief.

"I know you'll pull through, Sonic. You've got this."

DiZ, standing quietly at the edge of the group, spoke next.

"It seems you have all the support you need. We're counting on you both. Good luck."

Then, Naminé stepped forward, her expression filled with hope and trust. She raised her pinky toward Modern Sonic.

"Promise me you'll stop them… and that you'll come back safely," she said softly, her eyes locking onto his with sincerity.

Modern Sonic smiled warmly, lifting his pinky to meet hers. Their fingers linked in a gentle promise.

"You've got my word, Naminé. We'll stop them, and we'll all make it back. I promise."

Classic Sonic gave a confident thumbs-up, his eyes filled with unwavering certainty.

Modern Tails stepped up, his voice steady and full of belief.

"We're with you, Sonic. Every step of the way."

"We're coming too!" Classic Tails added with a big grin.

The two Sonics exchanged a glance, their bond unspoken yet understood. With a shared nod, they turned back to their friends.

Modern Sonic raised his hand for a high five, and Modern Tails eagerly met it with a sharp slap, their friendship radiating in that simple gesture. Classic Sonic and Classic Tails shared a knowing look before exchanging their own high five, a symbol of the adventure they'd weathered together.

With their friends behind them, hearts full of determination, and the power of the Chaos Emeralds in their grasp, the Sonics stood ready. Together, they'd face whatever challenge lay ahead, knowing that the strength of their friendships would carry them through, no matter how daunting the battle.


Sonic's Memory

Sora gazed out of the window of the Tornado Gummi Ship, his expression was contemplative, lost in the depths of his thoughts. Sonic noticed the turmoil within his friend and approached him.

"What's on your mind, pal?" Sonic asked, his green eyes reflecting concern.

"It's just Riku," Sora said with a sigh. "I can't shake off how weird he's been. Potentially working with Maleficent and all. It's like he's not himself."

"I get it, Sora. It's tough when a friend seems lost," Sonic replied. "But remember, no one's beyond saving. If Riku's doing this, he needs our help, and that's what friends are for."

Sora looked at Sonic, gratitude in his eyes.

"Thanks, Sonic. You're a real friend."

"Hey, I try my best. But you know, nobody's perfect, pal."

"What do you mean?" Sora asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sonic leaned against the window, adopting a thoughtful expression.

"Well, everyone messes up sometimes. It's part of being human, or hedgehog, or whatever. We all have our moments."

Sora's eyes softened as he considered Sonic's words.

"Yeah, you're right. We're not perfect, but that's what makes our friendships even more important. We help each other through the tough times."

Sonic grinned, "Exactly! And hey, we're not facing this alone. We've got each other's backs, and that's a powerful thing. Friendship can do wonders, Sora. Trust me."

The two friends shared a heartfelt moment, their bond strengthened by understanding and support. In the midst of the cosmic journey, with stars illuminating the path ahead, Sora found solace in Sonic's wisdom. The blue hedgehog was a veteran when it came to these things, years of stopping Eggman, saving his world and friends. Sonic had seen it all. He had dealt with a lot of pain and anger, but managed to come out the other side ok. Sora was inexperienced and still learning, he was a 14 year old kid who needed guidance on his first adventure. With Sonic around, Sora knew he was in good company.


Another chapter down. Not many to go now!

Thanks again to everyone who supports this story.

The chapter is pretty much a exposition dump to a degree. It helps bring everything full circle and hopefully tie up some loose ends.

For Riku, this is after his story, as he knows Naminé and DiZ. He begins his Road to Dawn soon.

The green Chaos Emerald has brought a fond memory back to Sonic. This memory is from Chapter 17: Cosmic Groove - Part 1 of Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix - Blue Blur Edition.

The journal entry read by Vector comes from pretty much the scene during the 2nd Secret Chapter: Desperate Measures, Darker Paths - which is from Kingdom Hearts: A Fragmentary Passage - Shadows of the Past.

G.U.N worked with another agency to bring in Terios. This is something I want to look deeper into in the next few stories. Perhaps, even a character or two, linked to this organization might appear.

Also, where was Terios kept? That again is another mystery needing to be explained.

Bring on the last few chapters of this Chain of Memories x Sonic Generations crossover. I hope you have enjoyed it so far.