Chapter 7: Meeting with Exetior
Judgement Cave
It didn't take long for Sonic and Amelia to reach their destination.
"Well, here we are, Sonic. Also, I need to come clean with you on something." Amelia said.
"What is it?" Sonic asked.
Amelia suddenly began to blink. Her fur turned magenta while her eyes were black and red.
Sonic took a step back.
"Did you bring me into a trap?" Sonic got into a battle stance.
"No, Sonic, I promise. I want to help you. My leader is trying to accomplish the same thing you are. Please trust me." Amelia said.
"I still trust you."
"Also, we've crossed worlds now. This cave serves as a border between the Sark, Exetior, and Exeller Dimensions, and possibly even more." The magenta hedgehog explained.
"Interesting." Sonic pondered.
"This way, Sonic." Amelia led the way.
The two were walking through a cave that was full of red rocks and boulders. The further they went along, they wondered into a passage where the cave turned blue.
"We're almost there, Sonic." Amelia said.
They then arrived at a giant stage.
"What's the stage for? Are we about to listen to someone give a speech?" Sonic asked.
"Not at the moment. Exetior, I have returned with a guest." Amelia said.
Another Sonic appeared, only a few shades darker, as well as with the black and red eyes.
"Ah, Amy, I mean, Amelia, you have returned, and with a new Sonic." Exetior said.
"Yes, and he's here to help us stop Sark." Amelia put in.
"You must be the Sonic that is the uncle to the Chosen One. I've been waiting for your arrival." Exetior floated down to Sonic.
"I'm not sure whether I should shake your hand or ask who are you versions of me?" Sonic asked him.
"You can do both." Exetior said as he and Sonic shook hands. "We are actually demons who took over these versions of you. We were all taught different ways. We were to taught to kill as it is our nature to do so. I came to this world to make it better. As for Sark, he is quite different."
"How do you know about Sark?" Sonic asked.
"I know he's the reason why you're here. He's raiding your world, trying to do to it what he did to his." Exetior answered. "Sark terrorized his world. He brought fear and chaos to his land, turning all his friends into mindless henchmen who only do his bidding."
"So he's you, but worse." Sonic said.
"Yes, basically."
"So how did Amelia end up like she did? How did you do that?" Sonic asked.
"It is a process called Demonization. It is a quick but extremely painful process."
"Trust me, I know." Amelia added.
"What happens if it backfires or doesn't work?"
"Either you end up in the Spirit Special Stage, or you die and get sent to the afterlife. One of your friends is stuck in the Spirit Special Stage." Exetior said.
"What? Who?"
"Your version of Cream. Sark killed her, did he not?"
"Yeah, he did." Sonic sighed as he remembered the look on Tails' face when the rabbit literally died in his arms.
"Since she died at the hands of one of us, she has to at least pass through the Spirit Special Stage before arriving at either the Overthere or Underwhere." The demon explained.
"Is there anyway I can go there and bring her back?" Sonic then asked.
"Yes, there is, but it is not that simple. You must find the entrance to the area, which is located in Forest Night, which has a cavern deemed 'Not Perfect', if you will, which so happens to be in the world of one of my allies, Exeller. Amelia knows the way, so you shouldn't get lost. Good luck. Also, another colleague of mine, Pervision, guards the Spirit Special Stage, and he might test you, so be aware." Exetior said.
"I will."
Sonic and Amelia made their way out.
"I don't do stuff like this, but the situation we're in now, and at this point, I have no choice." Exetior said after to two left. "You will not win, Sark. I'll see to that even if it means me dying myself."