Prologue:

Mobius, a world unlike anything you could imagine; familiar, and yet different. Simple in appearance, yet amazing in the history of both itself and its inhabitants.

Greetings and salutations, friends and fans. I am Thomas Holmes II, with my first ever full-length story; based on both my own experiences and the experiences of others.

I know how much you guys love Sonic the Hedgehog; the Blue Blur; the Fastest Thing Alive; so it is my wish to share with you my extraordinary adventures with the Blue Blur. They may not be what you'd expect, but then, I'm sure a lot of things aren't what you expect.

Like with most stories, it is best to start at the beginning; in this case, it was the beginning of how Sonic found his family and I began my journey towards healing. Healing of what, you may ask; you'll see.

Chapter 1: Sonic's enigma

My story begins in April 3406 MA (Mobius Age), or 14,206 years after the arrival of the entity, Gaia.

At the moment, I was alone in the workshop that Tails had built inside a cave in Green Hill, Northammer. Sonic and Tails were out on a mission to take out one of Robotnik's latest robot factories. I'd wanted to go with them, but Sonic had told me, politely and casually, that I wasn't ready yet, but I would be soon. Green Hill was such a beautiful place; palm trees, sparkling blue water; Flickies flying here and there and other cute little animals having fun. I knew that Green Hill wouldn't be like this if Sonic hadn't been there. He and the Freedom Fighters had protected the Green Hill for years, making sure Robotnik and his forces didn't take it.

Though I loved it here, I still missed my old home of Mercia and my family. My parents had died when I was a baby; I'd been brought up in by my brother and sister; but I had lost them and my uncle too. Saddest of all, I'd lost my best friend, Beatrice...

I shook my head, trying to ignore those thoughts and turned my thoughts to Sonic. Just thinking of Sonic made me feel a little happy; he was many things to me; my hero and had been for years; my mentor, the one who did most of my training with me; and a role model, because he was so brave and heroic that I wanted to be like him. But sometimes, Sonic seemed more than my hero, mentor and role model; sometimes, he seemed like a brother to me...

Sonic had no family of his own, like pretty much everyone else in Knothole. He'd been brought up by his Uncle Chuck prior to Robotnik's takeover and his parents had apparently died in the war. Yet, he'd told me that he kept feeling something wasn't right about that, though why, he didn't know. But that was soon to change...

Robotropolis, back alleys

A Human woman was hurrying home, taking a shortcut through some dingy alleyways. Her eyes kept flitting around, and she handled the stun pistol hidden under her coat, which she carried for protection, ready to draw it if necessary. This place was said to be crawling with thieves and bandits.

Just then, as she rounded a corner, she walked into someone and fell over backwards. Shaking her head, she drew her pistol, but it was only a hedgehog boy with red hair, dressed in a cloak against the cold.

"Oh, I'm... I'm so sorry, miss," he said. "I didn't see you there. Let me help you up."

"No, thank you," the woman said, waving him away and getting up herself. "I can handle myself, thank you." And she walked off again.

The boy smiled. "No matter; I got what I needed." And he pulled off a mask he'd been wearing. He was a green hedgehog of 14 with punk hair, blue eyes, two rings in his left ear, and wearing spiked bracelets, a red jacket and a belt with a pouch. His name was Manic and when he had knocked into the woman, he'd managed to slip off her bracelet without her noticing. He examined it briefly.

"This should get us some real good food," he said, before hurrying home.

Manic lived with Ferrell, a thief who essentially lived in the sewers. Ferrell was a kleptomaniac, who had never been able to resist the lure of valuables. However, since Robotnik's takeover, Ferrell and his bunch had recently become something of the Mobian version of Robin Hood and his merry band of men. The taxes were high and relentless and many people had been forced from their homes because they couldn't pay. Ferrell felt it was only right to give something back to the poor and if it meant stealing money and valuables from rich people to buy food for the poor, so be it.

Manic returned home. "Ferrell!" he called. "I'm back!"

Manic had known Ferrell for as long as he could remember; he'd been found in a basket by Ferrell and his gang when he was a baby. Ferrell had immediately taken a liking to the green hedgehog and so, had raised him like a son. In fact, Manic often thought he was Ferrell's son and that his mother was a hedgehog who had died. But this, of course, was not true and Ferrell knew that one day, he'd have to tell Manic the complete truth and who he really was.

"Manic, my boy," Ferrell said, smiling widely. "What have you got for you this time?"

Manic opened his pouch and took out the bracelet, plus a couple of wallets, a watch and even a wedding ring. Any wallets Manic took, he would soon return to their owners once he had taken what they needed.

"Good haul," Ferrell said, picking up the bracelet and holding it up to the light. "You've amazed me once again with your skills, Manic."

Manic smiled at his foster father. "Well, I couldn't have accomplished it without your lessons, Ferrell. How much will all this make, do you reckon?"

Ferrell chuckled. "Who knows? But no doubt, enough to help Margaret and her folks get along. She will be pleased. Your abilities make you a hero to poor people here, Manic."

"That's good to hear," Manic said, then his eyes dropped to the ground and his smile faded a little.

"Anything wrong, Manic?"

"Ferrell, what is it about me that makes me so different? And why is it that I sometimes hear voices in my head and often feel emotions that don't seem my own? Is there something about me that you're not telling me?"

Ferrell said nothing for a moment. What could he say? "I can't say, Manic," he said finally. "I wish I could tell you, though. But please, don't let it bother you. The answer will come eventually. How about a play on your drums? That might clear your head."

Manic sighed. "Okay, Ferrell."

Windermere Mansion

Sonia, an eggplant-coloured hedgehog of 14 with lilac eyes and orchid-coloured spines and hair, was in her bedroom sitting at her vanity table and brushing her hair.

"There," she said eventually, setting the brush down. "Just the way I like it, smooth and dirt-free."

Sonia had grown up in the aristocratic home of Lady Felicity Windermere and while her guardian was in no way snobbish, the expensive and highly pampering world of aristocracy had caused Sonia to develop a huge of dislike for germs, untidyness and dirtiness and she always liked to look her best.

Sonia was an expert pianist, and whenever she wasn't keeping herself clean, she was practicing. Other aristocrats who'd heard her play often said she could rival composers like Mozart and Beethoven if she kept it up.

"Sonia, are you nearly ready in there?"

"Just coming, Bartelby," Sonia said, going to the door. Sir Bartelby Monclair was Sonia's closest friend in the upper class. He was a nice and handsome guy, but he was too friendly with Robotnik for Sonia to see him as anything more than a friend.

Sonia left her room and went to the stairs, at the bottom of which Bartelby was waiting.

"Come on, then, Sonia," Bartelby said. "We don't want to be late for our meeting with the Alberts at the mall."

"On my way down," Sonia said, and she began to backflip her way down the stairs, moving gracefully and never once losing her balance.

"Sonia!" Lady Windermere said in exasperation. "How many times have I told you not to do that in the house?! You're going to hurt yourself or someone else!"

"I can't help it, Lady Windermere," Sonia said. "It's just a natural instinct of mine."

"I know, but you've drawn enough attention in public as it is," Lady Windermere said. "I don't want you to attract the wrong kind of attention, my child."

Sonia merely giggled. "You worry too much," she said as she made her way to the door. "What wrong kind of attention could I possibly attract?"

"Yeah, lighten up, Felicity," Bartelby said. "Why would Robotnik bother with Sonia? She's doing nothing against the law or anything."

Lady Windermere merely sighed as Sonia and Bartelby left.

But despite her positive attitude, inwardly, Sonia felt concern about herself too. There was something inside her that made her different in an extraordinary way; something that was the cause of her great skill. Plus, sometimes, she'd found she could make objects move without touching them; she could hear people's thoughts at times; and her senses seemed more enhanced than was per the norm for hedgehogs. But Lady Windermere had never really explained why this was; all Sonia knew about her past was that she was adopted and nothing else. Somehow, Sonia knew there was more, but what that was, she couldn't think of...

Green Hill

Sonic the Hedgehog, the fastest living thing on Mobius, was tackling a group of Badniks with his best friend and surrogate brother Miles 'Tails' Prower. As you may know, Badniks were robots powered by Mobinis, which were a class of Mobians that weren't as evolved as actual Mobians. Robotnik had found that roboticizing them didn't help much, and so had opted for using them in organic batteries for his Badniks. Sonic and Tails were freeing those cute little creatures by destroying the robot shells, by means of spin-dashing them.

Sonic was a cobalt blue hedgehog of about 14 with emerald green eyes, peach-coloured arms, muzzle and belly, a well-toned body, six quills on his head, a small bunch of indigo hair and was wearing white gloves and red and white high-tops.

Sonic shredded a Caterkiller and a Chopper to pieces and Tails took out a Grounder and a Crabmeat. A Buzzbomber swooped in; trying to zap Tails to dust, but Sonic was too quick, blasting him into dust instead. Soon, all the Badniks were merely piles of scrap metal and the animals were escaping back to their homes.

"Another load of Badniks taken care of," Sonic said, "Nice job lil' buddy."

"Thanks, Sonic," Tails said. He was a nine-year-old two-tailed fox with orange-brown fur, white chest fur and muzzle, three bangs on his forehead and sky blue eyes. He too wore gloves and high-tops, though his high-tops were halved white and red.

Sonic had known Tails since the day of the kid's birth. His parents Amadeus and Rosemary Prower, had disappeared. Sonic had taken Miles back to Knothole where he and the others had raised him themselves, especially Sally, who was like a mother to him. They had eventually given him the name 'Tails', because of his twin tails. Tails eventually came to view Sonic as his big brother, given how much Sonic cared for him.

"Let's get to finding that factory, lil buddy," Sonic said, "and take it out." He activated the communicator on his hand to contact Princess Sally Acorn, the leader of the Knothole Freedom Fighters. "Sal, you there, girl?"

"Loud and clear, Sonic," Sally replied. Sally was a hybrid of a squirrel and a chipmunk, with sapphire blue eyes, brown fur and auburn red hair, and wearing a blueverse and boots. "What's your position?"

"We're in Green Hill," Sonic replied, sweeping his hair out of his face. "What's the location of the Badnik factory?"

In Knothole, Sally consulted NICOLE, her handheld computer and closest friend. Where she came from we may never know. She wouldn't say.

"The factory is just two miles west of your location," Sally said, "Just remember Sonic. Robotnik's new shield could be powerful enough to resist even you."

"I know, Sal" Sonic said, "But if I can't prove it's not penetrable, ol Buttnik will put it around every factory. I have to take the risk." He switched off the comm. "Come on, Tails," he said to the kitsune, "Let's go."

"Right behind you, bro," Tails said, twirling up his tails and flying after Sonic as they headed off.

Badnik factory, Green Hill

These Badnik factories could produce 100s of Badniks an hour. However, they couldn't actually put in the organic battery straight away. That is why Badniks already online go out to capture Mobinis to power the Badniks. Sonic had destroyed several factories over the last two years and Robotnik was determined to prevent him from destroying this one. That was why he had now installed a shield, hoping it would repel the hedgehog.

Robotnik's two foremost assistants, Snivley, his nephew - a small man with almost no hair at all and a long pointed nose - and Grimer - also a small man with green skin - were operating the factory. At the moment, they were speaking to Robotnik via holographic projection.

"Shield status," the dictator demanded.

"Shields ready, sir" Grimer replied in his high, falsetto voice.

"Good!" Robotnik said, "Activate! Soon, when that wretched hedgehog tries to use his speed, he'll be in for a big surprise. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Of course, he underestimated Sonic's speed, as he was about to find out.

Sonic and Tails were standing on a hill, watching the large shield that surrounded the factory.

"Are you sure about this?" Tails asked his big brother.

"Not entirely," Sonic admitted, "but I have to try. Don't worry; I've been practising, lil bro. I've just gotta do it to it." He revved up his legs.

"Be careful, big bro!" Tails called, as Sonic rocketed towards the factory at supersonic speed.

Snivley and Grimer were preparing to head back to Robotropolis, when Decoe and Bocoe approached. They were two assistant robots built by Robotnik; Decoe was tall and lanky, with gold plating, whereas Bocoe was short and stocky with silver plating.

"Sirs, there's a life-form approaching at super speed," Decoe said.

"The hedgehog," Snivley said, grinning, "Excellent. Now we'll see just how powerful our shield is."

Sonic was running full out towards the factory. "Almost there," he groaned.

"Give it all you got!" Sally said, over the comm. Sonic was soon going so fast he was a blur. He gritted his teeth as he hit the shield.

"No way am I stopping!" he shouted, feeling the shield resist him, but he pushed on. It crackled him, trying to resist him. Then, BOOOM! The shield was down. "YEAH!"

"WHAT?" Robotnik cried, who had been watching the whole thing from Robotropolis, "The hedgehog destroyed my force field! Curse that blasted hedgehog!"

Sonic felt a little dizzy after going through the shield, but he resisted his fatigue. He had to free the Mobinis and destroy the place. He rocketed inside and in a blink of an eye, busted all the Badnik shells, wrecked the place and busted open the pods holding the animals captive. They gave their thanks in various ways before running off.

"Now, to blow this joint. Literally!" Sonic said, and taking out small bombs, he activated them and set them up around the factory. The moment they saw the bombs, Snivley and Grimer panicked.

"Let's get outta here!" Snively screamed. Punching the launch button, their command centre took off, just as the factory blew. The shockwaves sent it spiralling through the air.

"Doctor Robotnik isn't going to like this at all," Grimer said, as they headed back to Robotropolis.

Tails' workshop

I was just thinking about heading to bed when Sonic, massaging his head, and Tails entered the house.

"Hey, Sonic," I said, getting up and walking over, "You guys kick some robo-butt as usual?"

"Oh yes, Tom," Sonic replied.

"Did you feel lonely without us?" Tails asked.

"Sort of," I said. "I still wish I could have joined you."

"Maybe next time," Sonic said, patting my shoulder.

"Anyway, I was thinking of heading to bed," I said. "I'm getting tired."

"Yeah, I think we could all use some shut eye," Tails said. "Especially you, Sonic, after tackling that shield."

"Yeah, I got a mondo headache right now," Sonic said.

Later that night, I was sleeping soundly in a sleeping bag on the floor of Sonic and Tails' room. However, my dreams weren't exactly pleasant; I was dreaming of dark rooms, creeping shadows, screams, evil laughter and then, a gunshot. Then, I jerked awake.

Another bad dream I thought to myself, massaging my forehead. Will this never end for me?

I was feeling thirsty, so I slid my glasses on and got up quietly to get a drink. However, I noticed Sonic's bed, which was in the shape of a racing car, was empty. Where was Sonic? Had he gone for a midnight run or something? Nah, he wouldn't; not after that strain he endured from tackling the shield. I crept downstairs and found him gazing out of the window. He looked round as I appeared.

"Oh, Tommy, it's you. Sorry if I woke you."

"No, it's okay, Sonic. But why are you up at this hour?" I looked at the clock on the wall. "It's 2:00 in the morning."

Sonic sighed. "Tommy, have you ever felt like... there's something mysterious about you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I feel like I'm different from everyone else; and not in a typical 'everyone's difficult' way - I mean different in a phenomenal way."

"Well, you're already a phenomenon, Sonic; you move faster than the speed of sound."

"I know, but sometimes, I feel emotions that aren't really my own; thoughts that never came from my own mind. I keep feeling like there's something missing from my life, but I don't know what."

"Well," said a voice, "it's time you learned exactly what is missing."

Sonic and I looked around nervously. "Who's there?" Sonic asked, "Show yourself, whoever you are."

There was a flash of bright green light; so bright that it was also blinding. Then, a hooded figure appeared before the three of us. He looked like a hybrid of a reptile and an anteater. He also looked very wise.

"Greetings, my friends," he said, "What a pleasure it is to meet you."

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I am the Oracle of Delphius," he replied, "I am one of the most powerful prophets on the planet, Thomas Holmes."

"How do you know my name?" I asked.

"I know a lot about you, Thomas Holmes II," the Oracle said.

"Hey, I've heard about you," Sonic said, "You live up in the Ice-Cap Zone. You're that mondo weird prophet-hermit-seer guy."

The Oracle chuckled. "Why, yes. Anyway, sit down, my friends." He gestured at the table.

"With respect, this is our place," Sonic said.

"I'm merely being polite," the Oracle said, sitting down at the table. "Please sit down," he said again. Then, he produced a plate of chilli dogs out of thin air.

"Whoa," I said. I cleaned my glasses and put them back on; just to make sure they were really there. "Crikey! How in the world did you do that?"

'I have extraordinary gifts, young Thomas," the Oracle said. "But I didn't actually create these from thin airs; I pre-made them and then teleported them here."

"Oh, boy," Sonic cried, sitting down and starting to eat rather sloppily. Chilidogs are Sonic's favourite food as you probably well know, and he rarely ate him neatly.

"Now," said the Oracle, "it's time you learned who you really are, Prince Sonic."

Sonic spluttered on his fourth chilidog and I, who had just been having a drink of water, gagged and spilled water down my pyjamas.

"Prince!" we both said, coughing.

"Yes," said the Oracle, "Prince Sonic Hedgehog. What your uncle didn't tell you is that you are from the Royal Hedgehog family, who ruled besides the Acorns for over three thousand years."

"Is that even possible?" I asked.

"It is," the Oracle said. "It's what's known as a diarchy."

"So I'm royalty like Sally?" Sonic asked.

"Oh yes," the Oracle replied, "and soon your quest to discover your power will begin. But you are not alone."

Sonic was amazed. "Well, I have my friends, the Freedom Fighters," he said awkwardly.

"Yeah," I agreed.

"You also have a brother and a sister."

Sonic gagged and spat chilli everywhere.

"WHAT?!" he cried coughing.

"WHAT?!" I said at the same time as Sonic.

Well, that's the answer to Sonic's true heritage. Well, part of it anyway. The rest will be revealed next chapter.