As Rage was hit into the strange portal that Eggman had made he reached out to try and grab something but it was in vain. He fell in and for a bief minute he felt as if he was being pulled and stretched. The feeling was nauseating and very unpleasant. All while it seemed as if lights were flashing around him. That was until he just passed out.
When he finally felt himself come to he was sore. His entire body felt like he had just been thrown in a vortex and thrashed around a room. It was as he began to stir he heard a voice. "They're waking up Spike!" It was a female voice, soft and calm.
Rage finally opened his eyes to find himself looking into a unicorn's face and a small reptile. A bit startled he jolted into a sitting position with a shout. He panted some looking at the two. A small bipedal purple lizard with green spinal scales and eyes. A lavender unicorn with a dark purple neatly done mane and two lighter stripes within it. A long tail that was much the same story.
"Uh..." Was all Rage could bring himself to say 'Am I going crazy or did I hit my head?' he thinks.
"Thank Celestia you're alright!" the unicorn cheered. "Spike here found you outside after we heard a loud noise. You've been out for a few days...I was afraid you were well...done for!"
Rage didn't know what to say. He was still in shock after everything. He took a minute and the two in front of him looked at each other. "I don't think he understands us, Twilight..." the small reptile says softly thinking Rage couldn't hear him.
"You think he's deaf?" Twilight asks and the small reptile named Spike shrugs.
"I...I'm fine..." Rage finally managed to say. 'Wait a minute...that was...weird...why does speaking feel so...weird...? In fact my sight feels off too...what's going on?' he thought as the unicorn extended a hoof.
"Well that's good!" She says cheerfully "I'm Twilight Sparkle nice to meet you!"
Rage took a second before he extended a hand only to see a horse hoof over his normal hand. Quickly he shot it back and looked shocked. His heart raced. What had happened to him? He was about to go into a full panic before a memory of something one of his instructors told him...years ago...he closed his eyes and flashed back to his days in a placed called the Chaos Realm, when he trained to become The Last Chaos Guardian.
A younger Rage was in a large stone building standing across from a brown-yellow fox who had some strange projections up in the air. They looked like a map of stars but with a bunch of interwoven lines and strange symbols and text that he couldn't quite understand. "...Chaos Guardians once flourished across many worlds, Young Rage..." the fox says. This was Dranzer, he was the Lorekeeper for the Chaos Guardians. The one who knew all of their stories, the past of the group. "As such one of the abilities we were given that is within our blood allows us to transform into forms that let us blend into other worlds. We have no control over it in most cases...remember though if you ever find yourself in another world seek out another Guardian-" the fox paused and sighed, he had forgotten Rage would be alone out there. "Sorry...I meant to say you have to do your best to fit in. You can't let others know you come from another world unless they have prior knowledge of other world's existence or they've interacted with us previously..."
Rage opened his eyes once more to see the same unicorn looking extremely concerned at him. "Are you...sure you're alright?" she asks, tilting her head. She then looked at Spike "Why don't you go get us some water, Spike?" she requests. The small reptile nodded and ran off.
Rage finally took her hoof and stood up. He was on all fours and shook a little. This was unnatural to him but he had to learn, quick. He looked into a tall mirror on the wall and looking back at him was a bright red unicorn with a dark gray mane with some red highlights and his emerald green eyes were looking back at him like he had seen a ghost "So you're sure?" she asked him once more. He shook his head snapping back to reality and nodded.
"Y-yeah I am a bit shaken up but I am fine." he replies. "Where...am I?"
"Oh!" she exclaimed "I am sorry you must be awfully confused. You're in Ponyville and this is the Ponyville Library. I'm Twilight Sparkle, I run the library...and sorta live here." she introduced herself as Spike came back with a pitcher of water and some cups. He set them on a table a few steps away and Twilight led Rage over. "This is Spike, he's my number one assistant!" she says rubbing her hoof against his head and he blushed embarrassed.
"Nice to meet you." Spike says. "What's your name?"
"I am R...Ragis Chaotic..." Rage introduced himself as Twilight handed him a glass of water. He thanked her and did his best to try and hold it to take a drink. "But most people just called me Rage..." He says after sipping some of the water. Slowly but surely he was getting used to this strange new form.
"Ragis...Chaotic?" Twilight asks, tilting her head. "That's..a strange name. You're not from around here are you?"
Rage had to think for a minute on how to respond. "No I am from...a very far away land." he lies. "I uh...had a mishap with some magic and ended up here?" he sounded much more nervous with his explanation and had to hope that it would fly.
"Magic?" she asks "Strange...I didn't feel anything..." she says in a softer tone looking off in the distance. "I wonder..."
"Ahem, uh anyway...did...did you find me alone?" he questions her slowly. He was still adapting to all of this and he needed to know whether Sonic was safe or not.
"No, there was this strange creature with you." Twilight says. "It could speak and it's resting in the other room, he seemed to know you."
"What do you mean?" Rage asks. "Strange creature?"
"He said something about Mobius?" Twilight says. "Tall, walks on two legs, blue...has a bit of an attitude?"
"Let me go speak with him." Rage sighs as he slowly walks into the room Sonic was in.
Sonic was sitting on the ground, he was much shorter than normal. That or it was just how Rage felt in this form. He looked over to Rage. "Rage...?" he asks. "Is that really you?"
"Yeah, it's me." Rage answers "Are you alright?"
"AM I ALRIGHT?!" Sonic exclaimed. "Look at you!" The blue hedgehog threw his arms out in shock. "I'm not the one who-"
"Quiet down." Rage shushed him. "We have to keep the fact I don't normally look like this under wraps..."
"What in Chaos are you going on about?" Sonic shout whispers to the red pony.
"We're in a different world Sonic." Rage answers giving Sonic a nasty look. "It's because of my own powers I look like they do. You see the problem if they find out I come from another world?!"
"Uh...Rage?" Sonic whispers pointing to the entrance of the room. Rage's expression went from annoyed to his eyes widening in fear as he turned to see Twilight was standing at the entrance to the room.
"Uh..." Rage looked panicked as Twilight took a few steps forward. "How much did you hear...?"
"Enough..." Twilight says looking dead into Rage's eyes.
"Twilight look-" Rage starts to speak before she cuts him off.
"I don't like it when ponies lie to me..." she says. "You come from Mobius like this Sonic guy..."
"How did you..." Rage asks in shock as her horn illuminates and a strange book flies over to her.
"I read about your world in this book when I was young. I thought it was all some old legends..." Twilight sighs "I never expected one of our own would have gone there. So why lie?"
"I..." Rage paused and thought for a second. "Put yourself in my shoes...what if you arrived there, looking like Sonic here and was asked by a total stranger where you came from? Would you just be upfront with a stranger and say 'oh yeah I came from another world full of magical unicorns and walking, talking reptiles!" he asks.
Twilight looked at him for a minute. The way he made Equestria sound like some childish wonderland got her a bit worked up but she took a second. He had a point. "Very well..." she says, though frustrated. "You made your point...if you really come from that world Princess Celestia will have to decide what we're to do with you..."
"Now look, I want to meet a princess as much as the next guy, but we really need to get back to Mobius." Sonic says motioning his hands in a 'hold up' like motion. "We have friends in danger there."
"I am afraid that's not possible." Twilight says. "Not right now anyway...Princess Celestia is not allowing any kind of interdimensional transportation let alone most teleportation."
"Some law?" Sonic scoffs. "Some law isn't gonna stop us."
"No, she literally cut off all ties to the outside!" Twilight shouts.
"How do you know about other worlds?" Rage asks skeptically. "You're not telling us something."
"That's none of your business..." Twilight sighs.
"Like hell it's not!" Rage barks "You don't just know about other worlds randomly!"
"Fine, we've had issues with it in the past." Twilight scoffs rolling her eyes. "This isn't the first time someone from another world has found their way here. That's not important though. What's important right now is that you two are stuck here until Sombra is dealt with."
"Sombra?" Sonic asks.
"He's an evil pony who was dormant in the ice of The Crystal Empire." Twilight answers "In fact he woke up not long after you two appeared!"
"You think we had something to do with it?" Rage asks.
"It would make sense..." She stated.
"If that is the case then it was a coincidence. I've been out for the last few days as you said." Rage says. "I was thrown into some strange portal and then the next thing I knew I woke up with you two staring me down. I don't know how or why I ended up here of all places"
"You can't honestly tell me you have no idea how you got here." Twilight scoffs.
"I didn't make the portal!" Rage shouts. "I am a victim here as much as anyone else!"
"Stop it!" Spike shouts "All of this arguing isn't getting us anywhere!"
"Spike's right..." Rage sighs "Look Twilight, I don't want to be here and that's obvious. So why don't we just cut the crap and you let us find a way to get back home?"
"Well until you're okayed to go back by Celestia you're stuck here." Twilight says "Now we really must go. She'll decide what we'll do with the two of you."
"We really don't have a choice..." Sonic says, putting a hand on Rage's back.
The red unicorn looked at Sonic for a minute. He didn't like it but this was the situation they had been put in. Finally he nods and the two follow both Twilight and Spike.
They walked through the streets of the small town, the sun was warm and the weather was nice. As they walked Rage looked around. A lot of small shops, buildings and houses. It was a quaint little village. He smiled, it reminded him a lot of his home. Before everything happened.
They were led to a train where they were situated in a private car. "Fancy." Sonic chuckles. "How come you're treated like this?"
"Having connections to the Princesses has its perks." Twilight chuckles a bit as if she was embarrassed by that.
The train moved through the countryside at a decent pace. No where close to Sonic's own speed let alone Rage's. The red unicorn watched the countryside fly by as Twilight and Sonic conversed.
"So...he's not normally like this?" Twilight asks Sonic directly.
"What do you mean? Like is he normally this moody?" Sonic asks, cocking an eyebrow.
Twilight shook her head before she answered. "No, I mean a Unicorn. Is he not one?" she rephrased her question.
"No, Rage isn't a unicorn." Sonic says, shaking his head. "Not normally at least. I don't know how he did that..."
"You said we found you almost when you came out so you think he did that before passing out?" Twilight asks.
"Hmmm..." Sonic rubs his chin looking over to Rage. They didn't think he was listening even though he was, he was choosing to ignore them. "I dunno...maybe he changed before he came through the portal."
"Why didn't you?" Twilight asks.
"Well I don't have the same powers Rage does. He's special." Sonic says with a cocky chuckle.
"Special how?" Twilight question. This was when Rage finally spoke up.
"Don't answer that." Rage says to Sonic shooting a look over to the hedgehog. "That is something that she is better off not knowing."
"Rage-" Sonic tries to object as the red unicorn walks over.
"What I am, my powers, isn't something she needs to be involved in..." Rage sighs "It will just make her a target."
"What are you saying?" Twilight asks.
"Twilight...look it's nothing against you. You seem like a very nice pony but there are some things I can't share with you...if I do it would put you in danger." Rage explains.
"But we hardly know each other!" Twilight scoffs "How could knowing who you are be dangerous?!" she demands
"Twilight, I have enemies that would use that against me. Even if I barely know you they'd use you like bait..." Rage sighs "I can't let harm befall someone else because of my own recklessness..."
Twilight looked at Rage and sighs. The look in Rage's eyes was one that she had seen before. It was similar to one Fluttershy used when she was worried about somepony.
The rest of the ride was silent. When the train finally arrived at the castle town Twilight was the first to the door. "Welcome to Canterlot!" she says as they walk out. Sonic and Rage looked around. The large town was bustling with ponies scurrying about and moving around. Salesponies peddling their goods and guards on patrol. Twilight led them through the streets to the entrance to the castle.
"I am glad she led us here." Sonic whispers to Rage. "I'd have gotten lost!"
"I know what you mean, I have trouble enough navigating Central City back on Mobius." Rage whispers back. Sonic chuckles softly as they walk up a large staircase to the doors of the castle.
"Now guys, behave yourself. You'll be meeting with the great Princess Celestia." Twilight says.
"Relax Twilight." Sonic chuckles. "We'll be fine."
Twilight gave a skeptical look before turning and leading the two to the throne room. "I let her know we were coming so she is expecting us." Twilight says as they reach the door to the room. She opened the door and inside was a tall and elegant unicorn with a pastel mane. She had been speaking with a guard but ushered him away when they entered.
She stretched a feathery pair of wings as she walked over to them. "Twilight it's good to see you." she says bowing her head in greeting as Twilight knelt.
"It's good to see you too Princess." she smiles. "These are the two I told you about." she informed Celestia who walked over and looked over the two. First Sonic,
"I see, A Mobian...younger from the looks of it." she says. "It's been a long time since a wayward Mobian found their way to Equestria."
"I'm Sonic, Sonic the Hedgehog." Sonic says with a thumbs up. Rage simply rolled his eyes as Celestia's gaze met his eyes and he looked back at her. She stared deep into his eyes before walking around him.
"You're an interesting one..." she says "Your magic is much like one I met eons ago."
"Excuse me?" Rage asks as Celestia walks back to face the whole group. Twilight also gave a look that screamed for answers.
"It was when I was much younger...before I banished my sister." Celestia sighs "I met a strange unicorn. They weren't here for long but they stayed for a while. They came from some strange place. I can't remember their name off the top of my head...They called themself a Chaos Guardian. They were a huge help when they were here."
Rage's eyes widened when she said that. The Chaos Guardians had been here? He was in shock. "I am a Chaos Guardian." he says.
"That so?" Celestia asks, rubbing her chin as she looks to Rage's flank, a strange mark was present. Seven gems all of different colors corresponding with the 7 Chaos Emeralds. "Interesting..."
"What should we do, Princess?" Twilight asks. Celestia looked at the two and rubbed her chin. The princess was deep in thought about what should be done with the two.
"I dunno..." she sighs "Sonic being a Mobian would no doubt frighten other ponies. But Rage..."
"I am not sure I like the sound of that..." Rage mutters. The white Alicorn remained silent for a minute though the look on her face made it clear that she was deep in thought on what to do with the two strangers that had found their way into Equestria.
"Rage, are you willing to aid us?" Celestia finally asks him.
"In?" He asks, cocking an eyebrow curious as to what she was going to ask of him.
"King Sombra..." Celestia says. Twilight shoots a look at the white alicorn in surprise.
"Are you sure about that Princess?" Twilight blurts out. "I mean...the girls and I can take him just fine."
"I am sure you could." Celestia agrees. "But another set of hooves wouldn't hurt."
"What about Sonic?" Rage asks.
"It would be best if he stays here." Celestia decides. "I don't want to cause an uproar and I am not sure Twilight wants to walk around tricking everypony with illusion magic all day."
"Seriously?" Sonic asks looking at Twilight with an angered look
"I couldn't have you scaring the rest of Equestria!" she says in an elevated tone.
"Let it go, Sonic." Rage says putting his hoof up to stop him. "Remember what we were told. The longer that King Sombra guy is off doing whatever the longer we're stuck here."
"I know that but-" Sonic tried to interject but Rage stopped him.
"Sonic, I know you want to get back to Mobius as much as I do but we can't right now." Rage states.
"Celestia here could just open whatever it is called long enough to let us!" Sonic shouts.
"You think I didn't weigh that option?!" Celestia barks. "I don't take kindly to your tone Sonic! The protection and safety of Equestria is at the core of my choices! If I let you both go back now for all I know Sombra could make use of that!"
"Sombra never showed the ability to transport to other worlds before...did he?" Twilight asks.
"I don't know and I am not in the mood to find out." Celestia sighs.
"What about just one of us?" Rage asks.
"What do you mean?" Celestia asks.
"I think I can use Chaos Control to send Sonic back himself...that would be a very quick one and done." Rage suggests.
"Now hold on Rage!" Sonic objects. "If you can do just me why not the both of us?!"
"Give us a minute." Rage sighs, grabbing Sonic and pulling him off to the side.
"Sonic I can't send you AND me back using Chaos Control, I don't have an anchor here to use as a starting point. I need two points in order to send someone and myself across worlds. If I send just you then I can use myself as an anchor and send you to the anchor point on Angel Island." Rage explains. "Besides you know we need someone back on Mobius as soon as possible."
"What are they talking about?" Twilight asks Celestia. The white Alicorn shrugs in response, it was all alien to her.
"Are you sure Rage?" Sonic asks. The red unicorn nods. "Alright. I'll trust you."
"Okay." Rage says as he turns to Celestia. "Princess Celestia I know this is a lot to ask but would you be able to open the Dimensional Pathways for just a second so I can send Sonic back and I mean just a second."
"A second?" Celestia asks "That's all you'll need?" he nodded and Celestia thought for a moment. If it was going to be that quick then she figured there wouldn't be much harm. "Alright but in return you'll help us with our issue?" she asks.
"Promise." Rage nods affirmingly. The white Alicorn nodded back in agreement. Rage then turns to Sonic. "I'll see you soon okay?" he extends a hoof and Sonic shook it.
"Alright be careful Rage." Sonic says, taking a step back. Rage looked to Celestia who looked back. Rage then turns back to Sonic and focuses. His horn ends up glowing as he channels his energy which surrounds him and Sonic.
Celestia's horn glowed as well and she looked to Rage. Finally Rage shouts "NOW!" he calls and Celestia casts her own spell and with a flash of green light Sonic is gone. Almost as quickly as that Rage's own glow vanished a bright spark of black colored energy flashed on his horn and he was sent flying into the wall. He hit it with a loud 'crash' and then hit the ground. A small but of rubble from the force fell on him.
Twilight ran over to him and helped him up. "Are you okay?!" she exclaims as he rubs his head.
"Yeah..." he says groggily. "That was unexpected..."
"What happened?" Celestia asked with a bit of worry in her voice.
"Sonic is back on Mobius…" he advised, shaking his head. His vision was blurry and head was pounding. "I dunno what caused that backfire though…"
"Are you going to be alright?" Twilight asks him.
Rage looked at her and nodded "I've taken blows worse than that." He says "I just need to rest and I'll be fine."
"In that case…" Celestia sighs out of relief "Twilight why don't you take him back to Ponyville so he can rest."
"Of course. Do you want him staying with me too?" Twilight asks.
"If you would." Celestia nods. "Then tomorrow help get him acquainted with Ponyville and everything."
"Hold on, I thought you wanted me to help with this King Sombra?" Rage questions.
"That's true however nopony can reach him for a week at least." Celestia says looking out of a balcony where near the horizon a mountain was obscured by what looked to be a raging snow storm. "The problem with The Crystal Empire is that it only appears once every so often because of Sombra's curse. Lately he has gotten even more powerful and that snow storm makes navigation impossible and flying would be a fool's errand." She explains.
"Alright I guess I'll do whatever Twilight wants for the time being." Rage sighs.
"Oh come on, it's not that bad." Twilight sighs rolling her eyes. "Come on now. We shouldn't keep the Princess tied up. I am sure she has other business to tend to." She assumed pushing Rage out of the room.
Celestia waved as Twilight shuts the door and sighs looking at Rage. "Now then…first things first your name…"
"What of it?" Rage asks with a hint of skepticism tainting his voice. "Got a problem with it?"
"No." Twilight answers "But it is different enough to make me worry you'll be unable to blend in."
"So…you want me to adopt a second name…?" Rage asks, tilting his head. Twilight nodded and Rage sighed. Who was he to argue? She knew more than he did. He sighed and nodded.
Twilight rubbed her chin in thought as they walked through Canterlot. Finally she got it. "Burning Rage!" She exclaims "That can be your name!"
Rage thought for a minute. The name had a good ring to it and it fit. He nods in acceptance. "Very well." He agrees, though it was clear from his tone he wasn't exactly keen on it.
"You can still go by Rage." Twilight says "Just tell ponies you prefer Rage." Rage said nothing as the two walked onto the train to return to Ponyville. Twilight looked at him and sighed. 'He's not exactly an easy pony to get along with is he...?' she thinks as they sat across from each other.