Sonic and Gaëtan set off for Gaëtan's house.

- Would you like some help walking?' the boy asked him before they set off.

- No, I'm fine, thanks,' he replied curtly.

- You know, there's nothing wrong with being unwell.

- I'm not unwell.

- If you say so. Oh, by the way, what's your name?

- Sonic.

- Hm. And what powers do you have?

- Super speed and spin dash. Well, shall we go?

- Ok, ok...

They were currently staying at Gaëtan's house. Gaëtan had lent Sonic his bed to rest and left him alone in his room. But the hedgehog couldn't sleep, thinking too much about his friends. At around 5.30pm, when he had been resting for 2 hours, Sonic went down to the ground floor, using his speed to gain momentum and slide down the staircase banister. Small flashes of blue again streaked his body.

Apparently, that's going to happen to me as soon as I use my powers now. That's pretty cool, as long as it doesn't cause me any harm.

- Yeah!' he said once he was down.

He was feeling much better. He was still in a bit of pain but it hardly bothered him any more. He walked over to Gaëtan, who was staring wide-eyed at his TV screen, looking panicked.

- Hey, are you all right?' Sonic asked, tilting his head.

The boy took his eyes off the TV and turned it off.

- There's a BIG problem,' he replied. Something that has never happened since this world began.

- All right, spit it out.

He looked Sonic in the eye.

- I've got two bits of bad news: you won't be able to go home because the portals won't open any more and... we've got no more powers! No superheroes have them any more!

- WHAT?' shouted Sonic. But how long has that been the case?

- At least half an hour!

- Are you sure?' asked Sonic thoughtfully. It can't be...

- It is! I've tried it!

- But what kind of powers do you have?

- It doesn't matter.

- Ok... but I still have my powers! I slid down the stairs earlier using my speed and style!

- What the hell? But that's not possible... The source that gives us our powers is no longer active!

- Let me show you. Here's my famous spin dash!

He did it and it worked.

- Ha, did you see that?!

- That's not normal,' he replied.

The boy backed up to the end of the room.

- Are you really a superhero? Maybe you're a super-villain. Maybe you're the one who disabled our powers, or maybe you're an accomplice! Yes, you are!

The young human said all that very quickly, flattening himself against the wall behind him.

- What are you talking about? What on earth are you talking about? My... my powers can come from somewhere else! the hedgehog tried to reason with him.

- No, that's impossible! So you must be a super-villain!

He rummaged in his pockets, then widened his eyes.

- Oh no, I've left my telly in the kitchen!

- Hey, stop it, you're talking as if I'm going to attack you! (Sonic was starting to get annoyed). You're the reason I'm still here! If you'd taught me how to open a portal sooner, I'd be home right now! You know what, if you're going to be like this, maybe I should just leave, you won't be able to help me anyway, I suppose!

He headed for the front door, opened it violently and ran out without even closing it.

Angry and also worried, Sonic started running to try and relax. Eventually he stopped at a deserted football pitch. He sat cross-legged on the artificial grass, while electricity continued to run through his body.

My emotions are affecting my powers now...

He sat there for a long time, breathing hard, even though it was getting darker and darker, and even though it had started to rain.

Sonic finally stood up, soaking wet.

Right. To get home, I need to find out what this source of power is, where it is and who deactivated it. I'd have to talk to their leader, their President or a king. There must be someone from this world!

He decided to explore this world. He's bound to discover something along the way that will be of use to him!