Chapter 5: Escape from Exeller
Hidden Palace Zone, Exeller Dimension
The kids continued to make their way through the Hidden Palace, solving puzzles and avoiding traps in the process.
"Guys, look! Shiny!" Precious pointed to a large gem ahead.
"The Master Emerald!" Karson exclaimed.
"Wait, someone's over there. Look!" Sarah pointed out as she pointed to a blue figure.
The kids hid behind a wall and peeked at the figure next to the emerald.
"It's him! It's the guy from Uncle Tails' house." Precious whispered.
"No, he's different. He's a lighter shade, and he's talking to someone." Sarah said.
Indeed there was another Sonic-like hedgehog that had Sark's appearance, only, like Sarah said, a few shades lighter in fur color.
"Yes, Exetior, I have heard the news." He said.
"Who's he talking to?" Precious asked.
"No clue, but it most likely isn't good for us." Karson answered.
"Wait, I sense something or rather someone nearby, and they feel pretty powerful." He then said.
"Oh no! He must sense Serenity's power. We gotta get out of here." Sarah told the group.
"Going somewhere?" The Sonic said, suddenly appearing next to the kids.
"Gah!" They reacted.
"So this is where you all ended up? Well, now we don't have to go dimension searching for you all now."
"Who are you?" Karson asked.
"I'm Exeller and I've been looking for you all." Exeller said.
"What do you want with us?" Precious demanded.
"Well, you have what we all refer to as the 'Chosen One' and we need her, so if you don't mind, hand her over and make this easy. That would be lovely." Exeller offered.
"No way! She's only a baby!" Sarah shot back.
"What? Damn it! They said she would be older. I better report this to Exetior." Exeller told himself.
"Psst, let's escape while he's not looking." Karson whispered.
The others nodded as they eased past Exeller and took off toward the Master Emerald.
"So how are we going to get out of here?" Precious asked.
"I saw Dad use the Master Emerald to teleport, so maybe we can try to teleport home."
"Hey, get back here!" Exeller yelled, rushing over to the kids.
"Then do it!" Sarah exclaimed.
"Master Emerald, take us home!" Karson said.
Suddenly, the Master Emerald began to glow and the kids were gone.
Mecha Green Hill Zone, Exeller Dimension
The children appeared in an area that looked like an industrial version of Green Hill Zone.
"Uh, Karson, this isn't home." Precious told her brother.
"I see that." He shot back.
"So, where are we anyway?" Sarah asked.
"Still in my world. Yes, you are linked to all Master Emeralds, same with your sister, but you are not strong enough to travel to where you want to." Exeller said, appearing nearby.
"How did you-"
"I can travel at will. Now, don't make this hard. Hand over the Chosen One. We're trying to help you." Exeller explained.
"You look like this other guy that killed our Aunt Cream, so no way!" Precious told him.
"Trust me when I tell you this, I'm not like him. Not completely, anyway."
"We haven't seen anything that proves otherwise." Sarah said.
"Damn, kids are persistent. Glad I didn't have any." Exeller said to no one in particular. "But like I said, you have to trust me. I'm trying to help you."
"You swear?" Karson asked.
"Karson, you're not supposed to swear." Precious said.
"Not that kind of swear, Precious." Karson face palmed.
"Well, I need to see something first." The demon pointed out.
"What?"
"We must see if you are worthy of being the protectors of the Chosen One." Exeller then began to glow red.
"That can't be good." Sarah said.