[Mini Story : The Guardian Of The Master Emerald : Part 1]
No one's POV
During the "Shadow the Hedgehog 2005" arc, Sonic, Wendy, and Cherrya needed to find a way to reach the floating island that Shadow had activated.
Sonic: The Tornado!
Wendy: Huh?
Sonic: When I was little, I had a plane that allowed me to travel between the islands of Mobius.
Chelia: Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!
Sonic threw a ring that showed the image of another, more open forest. They entered it and started heading toward the plane's location.
Chelia: Where are we?
Sonic: Welcome to Angel Island. I was born here.
Wendy (amazed): This place is beautiful!
Sonic: And that's just the jungle. Wait until you see the plains.
Chelia: But are you sure you know where you're going?
Sonic: No.
Wendy and Chelia: What do you mean "no"??
Sonic: It's been a long time since I came here, and I'm not sure the plane's still in good shape, but I know where to go.
They exited the forest and found a large hill with ancient pillars around it, a big pedestal with a bright green emerald in the center, and Chaos creatures nearby.
Chelia: Where are we?
Sonic: Let me introduce you to the object that keeps this island floating in the sky: the Master Emerald.
Wendy: Floating in the sky?
She stepped toward the edge of the island and saw they were very high up.
Wendy (surprised): Woah, we're really high!
Chelia: What's the Master Emerald?
Sonic: It's an emerald so powerful that even the 7 Chaos Emeralds combined are nothing compared to it. Normally, it's protected by a guardian who's clearly not here right now.
Wendy: Weren't you supposed to be the guardian?
Sonic: Yeah, but I got lazy, so I handed the job to another fool who thought it was in the wrong hands.

Sonic approached the emerald. Just as he was about to touch it, a huge rock dropped from the sky.
Wendy: Sonic, watch out!
Sonic dodged at the last second, and a shadow descended after.
??? Who are you to dare trespass on my territory?
The girls were startled, while Sonic looked annoyed. The shadow straightened up - it was a red echidna with spiked gloves and violet eyes.
Sonic (annoyed): Can you stop acting like some ancient sage ready to give out riddles?
??? Sonic? What are you doing here?
[End of the Mini Story]
---
Carla's POV
It had been two days since we started researching this famous cave, but we still had no leads. While helping Ethan, I managed to decipher some Exceed writings that mentioned sealing, caution, and spreading, but I still couldn't fully understand their meaning. Why seal a seed that could save a village? Why would the Exceeds attack tigers? Why has Sonic become so distant since last time?
All these questions gnawed at my mind until a tap on my shoulder snapped me out of my daze.
Ethan: Hey, are you okay?
Me (scratching my head): Sorry, it's a bit hard to read, so I'm a little lost.
Ethan (smiling): Don't worry, come with me. Let's walk a bit, it'll help clear your mind.
Me: Okay.
I got up and followed him; we started walking through his large garden.
Me: Say, do you think the Exceeds had a good reason for sealing that seed?
Ethan: I really don't know what to think. The Exceeds and the cherry blossom tigers used to have a good relationship at first, but something must have happened for them to fall into conflict to the point of sealing away our greatest treasure.
My ancestors never revealed that secret to me.
Me: This is all starting to confuse me. Knowing the Exceeds, they wouldn't do something like that, and besides, how did they even get to Earthland?
Ethan: You don't have to feel disturbed by it. I know exactly how to make you feel better.
He started getting closer. I felt a tension in the air that told me what he was about to do. He placed his hands on my shoulders and brought his face closer to mine.
Me: Ethan, wait, I...
I didn't even get to finish my sentence - he had already captured my lips with his.I felt the warmth of Ethan's lips against mine - soft, hesitant, precious.My heart pounded so hard I forgot the rest of the world.
In that suspended moment, there was only him and me.I smiled shyly as I opened my eyes again, but then a strange shiver ran down my spine.
A presence... a gaze.
I discreetly turned my head, and my smile froze.In the distance, half-hidden behind a tree, Sonic was leaving.I stood frozen, throat tight.
I didn't even know if he had seen... or understood what it meant.But his look - that look - haunted me instantly.
I slowly returned to our lodging, my heart still floating, unsure how I really felt, a gentle smell of food immediately reached me.Wendy, smiling, had just finished cooking,next to her... Sonic.He was laughing, smiling even, helping set the table, as if nothing had happened.
As if he hadn't seen anything earlier.An invisible weight crushed my chest.
Wendy: Hi Carla!
Me (a bit distracted, looking at Sonic): Hi...
I moved closer to help, trying to start a light conversation.
Me: You seem to be doing well, Sonic... How's it going?
He nodded without really looking at me.
Sonic: Yeah, it's fine.
His voice was polite but cold. My smile faded a little.
I tried again a few more times to talk, slipping in remarks, questions, trying to find our usual bond...But every time, Sonic answered briefly, with the same distant tone, the same evasive gaze.I felt Wendy watching us out of the corner of her eye - silent, but very attentive.
She knew.
She had figured it out.
After dinner, Sonic said he wanted to get some air,he quickly put on his shoes and left without really looking at us.
The door closed softly.
A long silence fell over the room.
I stood there, motionless, fists clenched against my dress, heart pounding wildly.Wendy calmly put a plate on the counter, then approached me.
Wendy (almost sadly): Carla... You know... Sonic loves you.
My heart skipped a beat.
Wendy: For a long time.He never told you... He was scared. Scared you didn't feel the same...Scared of ruining everything between you two.
I stayed frozen, unable to find my words.
Wendy (looking down, hesitant): When he saw you... earlier...It broke him.
I felt my legs buckle, the world spinning around me.I didn't know what to think anymore.I had never wanted to hurt him.Never.Yet, I had just broken something infinitely precious without even realizing it.
At that moment, I had a vision -
I saw Ethan's domain, but the surroundings were covered in blood.
Sonic stood in the middle, blood on his hands, laughing like a madman in front of several shredded corpses - among them, me, Wendy, and Ethan...
Oh no, this can't be...
Me (panicking): Wendy, we have to find Sonic!
Wendy (confused): Huh? What's going on?
I felt my body becoming light, and suddenly we were thrown out of the house.We landed on the sand as white tigers started circling us.
Wendy (quickly getting up): Carla, what's happening??
Me: I don't know!
The tigers all jumped at us.
Wendy: Sky Dragon's Wing Attack!
Wendy repelled them with a strong gust of wind.
Wendy: Carla, let's get out of here!
Me: Yes!
I grabbed her around the waist and we flew up into the air, heading for Ethan's domain.But suddenly, my body stopped moving.I noticed we were glowing white, and we were forcefully propelled back toward the domain, crash-landing hard.
Me (trying to stand): Wendy, are you okay?
Wendy: Yeah... I think so...
??? Sorry girls, but there's been a change of plans!
I knew that voice.I turned around and saw Ethan clapping his hands with a mischievous smile.
Me: Why are you doing this?!
Ethan: It's simple.If we kept playing this little game any longer, it would cause our downfall.So it's better if I use you before it's too late.
He raised his hand toward Wendy, who floated up and was violently slammed against a wall that cracked on impact.
Me (worried): Wendy, NO!
I tried running to her, but I was paralyzed again,she was unconscious.
Ethan: No, no, no.You're both coming with me.I don't want your little hedgehog friend interfering.
He moved the head of one of his tiger statues at the entrance, and suddenly the ground began to tremble.The earth lowered, forming a staircase leading into a cave.
Me: What the hell is this!?
Ethan: Simple.This is the cave that guards the Cherry Blossom Seed.
Me (angry): So you were playing us from the start???
Ethan: Indeed.I won you over so you'd help me decipher some scrolls, even though the real solution was simply to force you to place your paw on the pedestal to open the door.But I couldn't - because that blue cactus was around.Luckily, thanks to you, I managed to break him mentally.
What a scumbag,He had manipulated me and my feelings...Sonic...If only you knew how sorry I am.
Ethan: But enough talking - let's go find that seed.Oh, and don't worry about Sonic.The clothes I gave you mask your presence, so he won't be able to sense you.In fact, he might even end up as dinner for my people.
He used his telekinesis to lift both me and Wendy and entered the cave, sealing the passage behind us.
---
Sonic's POV
I went outside to get some air.I needed to clear my mind after what happened.I wasn't going to let myself get broken just because I saw Carla kissing someone else...Kissing someone else...
I clenched my fists, remembering the disgusting kiss I had witnessed.I wasn't myself at dinner earlier - I'm sure she felt guilty.But now I know her heart doesn't belong to me anymore...
I walked through the village streets and saw a skewer stand.
I checked the menu - it was all wild animal meat, pretty normal.But my gaze froze when I saw one dish that sent chills down my spine.The dish was called "Cherry Soup with Mobian Meat."
I looked at the vendor, confused.
Vendor: Is there a problem, sir?
Me (pointing at the dish): What's that?
Vendor (checking what I pointed at): Oh, that's the Cherry Soup with Mobian Meat - our local specialty.
Me: When you say Mobian, what kind of meat are we talking about?
Vendor: Well, animals from Mobius.
My heart skipped a beat.
Vendor: The locals love that meat, especially hedgehogs.
He... he can't be serious...These people... they EAT...My body started trembling...A purple aura surrounded me, the same one that appeared when Wendy was hurt by Shadow.
Me: So you're telling me you hunt Mobians, kill them, and cook them for your so-called "specialty"?
Vendor: Uh, yes, it's our routine to hunt those things.
"Those things"... Not only do they eat us...They treat us like things!!!
Vendor (nervous): Uh, sir, are you alright?
[Warning : Sensitive Content Ahead ! Yes maybe I went to far with the wrath of Sonic so if you can't stand it you can skip this part]
I grabbed him by the collar and threw him out of his stand,I grabbed 4 skewers, removed the meat, and used 2 needles to pin his hands to the ground.
Vendor: AAAAAAH WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!!
I turned into my hedgehog form and gave him a death stare, getting close to his face.
Me: I'm avenging my people!
I took the two other needles and stabbed them into his eyes, then crushed them with my foot.The villagers witnessing the scene were horrified.Eight men in samurai gear surrounded me.
Me: Oh, so you want to play too? Tell me, have you eaten Mobian meat?
??? All citizens do. What's your problem?
Me (evil grin): My problem?
You just pissed off someone you shouldn't have.

My electricity turned purple.
One of them charged at me - I just walked past him.Suddenly, his body split into three vertically.
The others were horrified.I disappeared from their sight and reappeared behind two samurai.
I grabbed their heads and smashed them together so hard their skulls broke.
The other samurai tried to slash at me, but I activated Sky Dragon Mode, becoming as light as air...Wendy... forgive me, but they must pay for what they've done.
I appeared behind a samurai, ripped out his spine and head, then smashed another's head.
The three remaining samurai turned into tigers.
I walked toward them slowly.
Two of them charged at me with sharp claws and teeth.But before they could touch me, they suddenly started crushing themselves - teeth, claws - and exploded.
I turned to the last one.
??? (whistling): Brothers, this Mobian dares to attack a whole village without knowing the grave consequences he's facing! Let's show him our unbreakable unity!
All the villagers gathered around me, turning into tigers...
And looking closely, I saw there were no children or women among them...Perfect, now I can eliminate them without remorse.
They all jumped on me; I stayed still.They started biting me everywhere, from my hair down to my toes. I had closed my eyes. They clawed at me, trying to tear me apart. But suddenly, I grabbed a tiger with my right hand and ripped it in two like tearing a piece of paper. I bit the head off another and tore it away. I sliced 30 tigers with an electric Spindash. I incinerated 280 tigers with my electricity. I dismembered 567 tigers by shredding them.This time, I was unstoppable, and I hadn't even succumbed to madness yet. I was in full control, fully aware of what I was doing. I wasn't afraid of the consequences; in fact, I was proud.
I would never let a people survive if they killed another, and to think I believed we were all equal...
I sat surrounded by more than 3000 mutilated, burned, and dismembered tigers. I got up and built a fire, gathered the corpses, and sat down again.
Me (clasping my hands): Enjoy your meal!
---
[Sensitive Content Ended.For those who haven't read the previous scene,you can start here]
No One's POV

Ethan had taken Carla and Wendy into the cave. Wendy was still unconscious while Carla was thinking of a way to warn Sonic. They arrived before a large red door with cherry blossom patterns and a cat paw print in the center.
Carla: So this is it?
Ethan: Yes, now turn back into a cat!
She crossed her arms, looking away. Ethan brought Wendy toward her and smashed her against the wall, suddenly waking her up and causing her forehead to bleed.
Carla: WENDY!!!
Wendy (waking up from the pain): Carla...?
Ethan (angry): Turn back into a cat!
Carla hesitated, but when Ethan was about to hit Wendy, she instantly transformed.
Ethan: Good, now open the door!
Wendy was paralyzed; she still couldn't use magic. Carla approached the door and placed her paw on it. The paw print fit perfectly, lit up, and the door opened. Inside, they saw a golden seed resting on a stone.
Ethan: Finally... after so many years of waiting, this day has come!
He took the seed. A tremor shook the ground.
Ethan: Thank you both very much for your help. I wouldn't have made it without you.
He released Carla and Wendy from his telekinesis.
Ethan: But this is where our paths part. Goodbye, Wendy. And you too, feline beauty.
He laughed as he walked away. Stones started to fall. Wendy was too badly hurt to stand.
Carla: Wendy, please get up!
Wendy: Carla, I'm sorry, I hurt all over.
Carla grabbed her and flew toward the exit, but it was blocked.
Carla: Oh no, the exit is blocked!
Stones fell around them, and the cave completely collapsed. They opened their eyes and saw they were in Sonic's arms, outside the cave.
Wendy and Carla: Sonic!!!
Sonic (smiling): Sorry for being late, I had a few things to deal with.
He no longer had the dark aura that had turned him black.
Wendy: How did you find us?
Sonic (with a sly grin): Your clothes prevented me from sensing your presence, but not your underwear.
Wendy (giggling): Thank goodness for our underwear then!
Carla was still looking sad.
Sonic: Hm? Is something wrong?
He set them down. Sonic looked at her for a moment, troubled, but turned away, ready to leave without asking for explanations. But this time, Carla refused to let the moment slip away.
She stepped forward.
Carla: Sonic... wait.
He stopped but didn't turn around.
Carla clenched her fists, gathering her courage.
Carla: Earlier... when you saw Ethan and me... I didn't want to hurt you.
Sonic tensed slightly.
Carla: I didn't realize how much you meant to me. Not until I saw your gaze leave, not until I felt that enormous emptiness.
The wind softly carried her words around them.Finally, Sonic slowly turned around and met her gaze. His eyes shone, but he said nothing.Then Carla did what her heart was screaming at her to do.She turned back into her human form, approached him without rushing, fear and hope mixing with every heartbeat.She gently raised her hand, brushed Sonic's cheek, and before he could hesitate, kissed him.A tender, trembling kiss, full of all the things she had never known how to say - a kiss speaking of regrets, promises, and long-hidden love.For a moment, the world disappeared around them.There was only the warmth of their hearts, beating as one at last.
When Carla pulled away, Sonic remained motionless, wide-eyed. Then a real, radiant smile lit up his face.He gently placed his hand over Carla's.
Sonic (whispering): Me too.
The mood shifted when Carla noticed Sonic was injured everywhere, his mouth bleeding.
Carla (starting to panic): Sonic... what happened to you?!
Sonic (looking at his wounds): Oh, don't worry. I just had to fight the villagers.
Wendy: Fight them?
Sonic: By the way, where's Ethan?
Wendy: He ran off with the cherry blossom seed... but more importantly, are you okay?
Sonic: Yeah, why?
Carla: A normal person would be dead with a body like that.
Sonic: Good thing I'm not normal then. Shouldn't we catch up to Ethan before he does something stupid?
Carla: Yes, but what happened back there?
Sonic started laughing.
Sonic: Well, it's simple: the villagers fed on Mobians, especially hedgehogs. They wanted to devour me... but they attacked the wrong guy...
Carla walked over and saw what was left of the village - now a ghost town.
The streets were soaked in blood, littered with tiger skeletons.
Carla and Wendy (horrified): SONIC!!!
Sonic: Yeah, that's my name.
Carla: You massacred them?!?
Sonic: More like peeled them apart and ate them. But yes, at least I avenged my fallen brothers.
Anyway, where's Ethan? He's the last of his kind now.
Wendy: THE LAST OF HIS KIND???
Sonic: Yep, no survivors. Besides, there were no women or children, so it's nothing serious.
Carla: NOTHING SERIOUS?!?!
Sonic saw Wendy, and his amused look turned serious.He approached her. She shivered slightly.He gently brushed her cheek and saw the cut on her forehead and all her scratches.A dark flash crossed Sonic's eyes; his smile faded, replaced by a hard, terrible expression.His fists clenched so tightly that his gloves creaked under the pressure.A dark, almost tangible aura emanated from him, the air vibrating with furious energy.
His irises darkened, and his whole body seemed ready to explode.
Sonic (cold voice): I'm going to find him.
He took a step forward, then another.
But before he could vanish into the night, two small figures rushed at him - Carla and Wendy.
They hugged him together - Carla clinging tightly to his chest, Wendy clutching his back without fear.
Carla (sadly): Sonic, no...
Wendy: That's not you.
Sonic's body tensed with emotion; the dark energy flickered.Carla looked up at him, her eyes shining with a pleading glow.
Carla: Stay with us... We need you as you are... not like this.
Wendy: You're not alone, Sonic... Don't lose yourself.
Slowly, the tension in his muscles eased.The darkness that had engulfed him dissipated, swept away by the warmth of their embrace.He slowly knelt down, overwhelmed with emotion, wrapping his trembling arms around Carla and Wendy.
He rested his forehead on Carla's shoulder, drawing strength from their presence to resist his inner demons.
The silence that settled was not empty.
It was filled with everything they didn't need to say.
They were there, together, and that was all that mattered.
---
[Mini Story : The Guardian Of The Master Emerald : Part 2]
No One's POV

Knuckles: Sonic? What are you doing here?
Sonic: I came to pick up my plane. You wouldn't happen to know where it is?
Knuckles: Ah, the Tornado? It should be on the other side of the island, I think.
Wendy: Um, Sonic, who's that?
Sonic: Oh right, let me introduce you - this is Knuckles the Echidna, my successor as the Guardian of the Master Emerald.
Knuckles: Hi!
Sonic: Knux, these are my girlfriend Wendy and Chelia, Shadow's girlfriend.
Wendy: Hello!
Chelia: Hi!
Knuckles: Nice to meet you, girls. Wait, which Shadow are we talking about?
Sonic: Who do you think? Shadow the Hedgehog.
Knuckles burst out laughing at Chelia and Wendy's confused looks and Sonic's amused face.
Knuckles (trying to stop laughing): Hahaha sorry girls, it's just that, hahaha, Shadow isn't exactly the type to love anyone but himself.
Sonic: I can confirm that!
Chelia (proudly): Yet he loves me, and I love him back!
Knuckles: Tell me, did you force him?
Chelia: Huh? No! Well, a little bit, but no.
Knuckles: Either you forced him, or he lost a bet with Sonic.
Sonic: And yet, he's changed a lot since the whole eclipse portal incident.
Knuckles: Must be the portal distortions that messed with his brain.
Wendy (nervous smile): You forgot we're on a mission?
They headed to the other side of the island while Sonic explained their current mission.
Knuckles: Hmmm so Shadow's playing the infiltrator?
Sonic: I think so.
Chelia: I hope so.
Knuckles: Well, knowing him, he'll probably act like a bad boy who plays by his own rules and take them all down.
Sonic (mocking tone): Knowing him? You've only ever seen him in pictures when I told you our stories.
Knuckles: Ah, true enough.
Wendy: Look!
They spotted the plane ahead of them, with birds sleeping on top of it.
Sonic: Wow, the Tornado hasn't changed one bit - and it's not even dusty.
Knuckles: Yeah, I use it sometimes for rides.
Sonic: Rides? Aren't you supposed to be guarding a magical rock?
Knuckles: You think it's easy standing in front of a magical stone for months?
Chelia: Guys, please, can we take off? We don't have time for this!
Sonic: Yeah, you're right!
Wendy: By the way, I forgot to ask - how does this island stay floating?
Knuckles: Thanks to the Master Emerald. As long as it's on its pedestal, the island stays in the air.
Chelia: So if the Emerald ever disappears...
Sonic: The whole island will crash into the sea.Last time, it happened when I moved the Emerald to clean its pedestal - the island started falling.
Knuckles: That's why it was a better idea for me to guard it.
Sonic: Yeah... Let's go, we'll come back to visit you sometime.
Knuckles: No problem, come back anytime!
Sonic started the plane, and they flew toward the unknown floating island.
[End of the Mini Story]