"...You know this is a disaster waiting to happen, right?"

Shadow groaned, looking out the submarine window as corals and reef went by them. "Yes, Tails... I know. Let's just hope that the queen does not refuse to help us due to the mistake I made before..."

"She seems pretty forgiving." Tails smirked. "She just has a hard time letting things like that down."

"Oh, and do you visit her often?"

"More than you, that's for sure..."

The sub twisted around a coral arch, then Tails pulled it to a stop. "This is the place. You need me to go out and make peace first?"

Shadow glared, getting up and putting his helmet on. "No, Prower. I can handle one leopard shark on my own, thank you."

He went into the back then closed the door before opening the hatch and dropping into the ocean outside the sub.

The last time he'd been down here, he'd been turned into a merhog by an amulet Eggman had gotten his hands on. Now, he was here on an important mission, and didn't have time to admire the scenery.

He stood in the middle of the clearing, until he saw his contact coming out of a sea tunnel, her spotted tail waving back and forth angrily.

"This had better be good, Shadow Robotnik..." The queen replied. "Or at the very least, short...?"

Shadow sighed, glaring at Tails who was trying to hide his grin behind the control panel through the front window. "I apologize for commenting on your height in that manner during our previous encounter, your highness. It was rude, and I'm sorry."

"You should be, considering the spell I casted upon your vocal chords after that event. Tell me, how did your superior officer take that news...?"

Shadow sighed, rubbing his eyes. "Can we please ignore our previous encounter's circumstances and get on with now, for Sonic's sake?" Shadow requested.

"Sonic?" Queen Marianna stepped closer. "What's happened to him?"

"He's been kidnapped and we believe he's being held on Collision Island, a region I'm told you're familiar with."

"Indeed. I know the name of the island. Recently however, the security on it has been upped significantly... I can only assume it has to do with Sonic's abduction. However, I am curious, as the last I'd heard, Sonic was killed in action taking down that annoying Dr. Eggman..."

"It's all happened within the past two weeks, your highness..."

"I see... What can I do to help?"

"We require a means of getting someone onto the island without detection. I've been informed that your people may be the best for that task."

"Well... I have noticed a difference in their guard shift duties... We could use that to our advantage."

Shadow paused as his communicator buzzed, and he pulled it free from his belt. "What is it, Silver? I'm in the middle of a diplomatic discussion."

Queen Marianna smirked. "Right... Diplomatic." she mumbled.

Shadow? Manic just called and said he wants to help.

"Help? What kind of help?"

He says he knows the island's security better than anyone, so you're going to need his help to bypass it.

Shadow groaned. "Fine. Tell him I'll contact him with information soon... While we're on the line, how's Amy doing?"

The delivery went just fine, from what we've heard... It's a boy, and Rouge hasn't puked once, though there were a few moments where-

"Nope. I'm good on details, Silver. I'll talk to you later." Shadow hung up, then placed his comm unit back into his pocket. "So, where were we?"

"Finding a way onto Collision Island. I will grant you some of my guards to take you as close to the island as we can, then you'll have to find a way in using your own wits. Whatever wits you possess..."

Shadow nodded. "Of course..." he murmured, trying to avoid a glare at the royal. Why did the beings of the deep have to hold grudges for so long...?

________________________________________________________________________

Sonic...? Sonic, wake up!

Sonic forced his eyes open, trying to identify the voice. "Nnn... What...?"

Thank Chaos, you're okay... We're in serious trouble, I think. Sandy whimpered.

Sonic looked around slowly, finding his wrists and ankles were bound, and he was in a dark, dirty room, which looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years. The small, solitary window was broken, a tree branch dangling through it from outside, and glass shards from the window were scattered across the floor, along with dried leaves and streaks of mud and dirt blew across the floor in the cold breeze.

Sonic shivered. "This is my old room... Before we escaped...!" he whispered. "...We're back on the island."

This is the creepiest place I've ever seen... I'm glad I don't have the same memories of this place. So what are we supposed to-

Sandy gasped then went silent as the door creaked open, and Sonic closed his eyes, pretending to still be unconscious as multiple shapes entered the room.

"...He's more resilient than we first thought..." one murmured. "You made him too well."

"Me!? It was Hopkins who suggested that we give him such a good immune system! I was the one who said we should just put a bomb in him so that when we were done with him, we could just blow him up right then and there! But you said that it would leave evidence!"

Not to mention it's entirely INHUMANE!!!!! Sandy complained.

Sonic remained still, not wanting the scientists to know he could hear them.

"So how are we doing to do this...?"

"Donald wants to be here when..."

The two left the room again, and Sonic waited until he felt the coast was clear. The door opened again a few minutes after, and Sonic remained still.

"It's okay..." a soft, unfamiliar voice whispered. It was a woman, he knew, and he'd never encountered any women working the project. He opened his eyes slowly, seeing a mobian cat bending down over him. "It's alright, Sonic... You're going to be okay..."

She reached down and stroked his quills in a loving manner, and though she seemed ghostly and transparent in places, her touch was as solid as it could be.

"Who...Who are you...?" Sonic asked softly.

"That's not important... But I promise you, that no matter what happens... You're going to be alright. Your friends are coming to get you."

Sonic smiled a little. "Really...? I should've known that Shadow would find me in a flash..."

The cat smiled, then kissed his forehead. "Don't give up, Sonic...We'll speak again..." then she vanished from view.

"Who was that...?" Sonic whispered.

I don't know... Sandy replied. ...but I could sense a great power from her... I don't think she's an enemy.

"...Neither do I."