The sun rose once again over Ponyville. The sun's brightness lighting up the whole area with shadows being stretched over the landscape. Over by the farm, a lone rooster called out, signalling the morning to the still sleeping ponies, the sun shining on the apple trees. Shops were opening and some ponies were already roaming Ponyville, browsing the opening shops or just talking to each other. In the library, the sun shone through the windows and on to the sleeping Twilight. Her eyes slowly opened to the sunlight, unfocused and dazed. She sat up and stretched her arms with a loud yawn. As she scratched her eyes she looked to her right to expect to see a still-sleeping Spike in the smaller bed next to hers. However, the bed was vacant. She got out of bed, stretching her legs in the process. She looked down to the floor below, her attention fixated on the also empty sofa. Not a blue hedgehog in sight. She went down the floor below and looked around. Sonic or Spike were nowhere to be seen, but she missed an obvious clue. The door was open.
"Spike? Sonic? Any of you around?" she called out, looking outside.
"Over here Twilight!” Spike replied, waving his arms in his direction. Twilight walked over to where Spike was standing, the air was warm and pleasant. Spike was overlooking a far mountain with surrounding hills. "Morning Twilight, sleep well?” he asked. It was almost like there wasn't a strange hedgehog walking around town.
"Uh yeah, great", she replied looking off to the distance. "Hey, where's Sonic?” Spike replied by simply pointing in the direction of the mountain. Twilight narrowed her eyes, trying to see him. Suddenly, a large trail of dust sped down the mountaintop. At first it looked like a rock slide, by the trail went down the mountain at such speed it was unlikely. The trail hit the bottom before travelling over the distance hilltops, clearing them as if they were nothing. A blue figure was visible as it blasted over them and past trees, leaves being ripped from the branches. The speedy hedgehog made a beeline for the library. Spotting this, Twilight and Spike took a few steps back. As Sonic reached the library, he fixed the heels of his feet into the ground as he screeched to a halt, a faint cloud of dust stopping behind him, with massive tracks being left in the dirt. Spike clapped excitedly and Twilight smiled in amazement.
"Wow Sonic, that's incredible! You could give Rainbow Dash a run for her money!” she exclaimed happily, "I mean that has to be some kind of record. Though speed records for hedgehogs around here are not going to be hard to beat", she giggled. Sonic winked and waggled a finger.
"Well, I'm not called the fastest thing alive for nothing!", he chirped, almost smugly. Your friend Pinkie told me about this Rainbow Dash character. She said I should race her or something", Sonic said with confidence. Spike lit up with excitement.
"You’re going to race Rainbow Dash?! That will be aweso-" before he could finished, he belched. Green flames erupted from his mouth and a letter appeared out of nowhere. Spike nonchalantly caught it and opened it. Sonic flinched back.
"That's....disgusting", he said nervously. Twilight rolled her eyes.
"Relax, he does it all the time", she reassured him with a smile.
"Are you sure that's healthy?!"
"Probably. Anyway, what does the letter say Spike?” she asked. Sonic shook his head in a mixture of disgust and confusion. Spike unravelled the letter and cleared his throat.
"My dearest and most faithful student, Twilight
I would like to know if you had been drinking too much of Applejack's cider, because that sounds like something a little too unreal. However, the idea of alternate universes are not new to me, but they are very mysterious. If this Sonic the Hedgehog is a real being, then I'd like to meet him personally. We could learn so much from him, though I would like to stress for you to not worry about dangers just yet. If there are, then they will be dealt with.
If this is the result of cider, then please lay off it for a while. I think you've had enough. I'll be round to visit you soon.
Yours sincerely, Princess Celestia"
"I think the Princess is sceptical about Sonic's existence", said Spike. Twilight lowered her head slightly.
"You don't say? She thinks he's a drunken vision for crying out loud” she replied sarcastically. Sonic scratched his head.
"Hmm, well I guess I have some time to properly have fun and most importantly, race", Sonic grinned as he looked over to the town.
The sun shined brightly over Fluttershy's house. The many animals scurried out of their homes and wandered the surroundings. Birds sang songs to each other as the area came to life with wildlife, it was like something from a fairy tale. Despite the noise, a sleeping hedgehog remained undisturbed, his expression less serious than earlier. A small yellow pony approached him and shook him gently with her hoof.
"Hey...Mr. Shadow, wake up please", Fluttershy said quietly. Shadow groaned and turned away from her. Fluttershy shook him again, this time with two hooves. "Come on, you want to go to Rarity, right?” Shadow moaned again and turned back round, his eyes half open"
"Urgh, what-what's your name again?” Shadow sounded dazed.
"Fluttershy, sleep well?” Shadow got up and stretched. He bent his back backwards and cracked it. He sighed.
"Exceptionally well surprisingly enough", he replied. Fluttershy smiled.
"That's great to hear. It's morning and Rarity should be awake by now if you want to go see her." Shadow cracked his knuckles and stretched other parts of his body.
"Yeah, sure, whatever", he said, still in a dazed state. Fluttershy rolled her eyes and walked off.
"Ok, Mr. Sleepyhog, we'll be leaving shortly", she said half giggling, walking towards the door. Shadow just stared at her.
"Sleepyhog? Really? Urgh, I need to get back to my world", he thought to himself, "Though this pony has been very nice to me. I suppose it's thanks to her I'm getting some sort of lead to finding the emeralds. Hm, live and learn I guess", Shadow got off his bed and walked after Fluttershy.
"Oh! You got out of bed? Great, you ready to go?” Fluttershy asked. Shadow's expression became serious again and crossed his arms. He nodded in reply. "Ok, but we have to get there fast, the district will be busy and-", she stopped when she caught a glimpse of the grinning black hedgehog.
"Have to go fast you say? Heh, leave that to me", Shadow walked past Fluttershy out of the house. He looked into the distance and at the large town that stood before him. Fluttershy joined him outside. Shadow pulled out the blue emerald and it started to glow. "You ready to go faster than ever before?” he asked. Fluttershy nodded nervously. She didn't know what was about to happen. Shadow reached out an open hand, prompting Fluttershy to hold on. Shadow shut his eyes as the emerald glowed brighter still. Fluttershy closed her eyes in fear.
"CHAOS! CONTROL!" and with that, Shadow and Fluttershy disappeared instantaneously in a flash of light. Some animals gathered where the two left and looked around to find them. They didn't know that they were already in Ponyville.
"Twilight! How are you this fine morning?” Rarity rushed over to her and the blue hedgehog. Sonic was busy waving nervously at staring ponies to notice. "...and what is that?!” pointing to the blue blur.
"Oh Rarity, you haven't met Sonic have you? Sonic?” she turned to get his attention. Sonic turned to greet the shocked white unicorn. He smiled awkwardly. Twilight stood between the two. "Rarity, meet Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic, meet Rarity. She owns the Carousel Boutique in town", she was trying to keep the awkwardness between the two to a minimum.
It wasn't working.
"A, uh, hedgehog, eh? Well, you are certainly a unique one!” Rarity smiled.
"Thanks, I guess. So what do you do exactly at a 'Boutique'?" he asked. Twilight wasn't listening; she was too busy gazing at 2 figures that stood out from the rest. She spotted her friend Fluttershy; she looked dazed as if she'd been on a roller-coaster 5 times in a row. But with her was something else. She narrowed her eyes to look at the black figure walking with her, it looked a little like Sonic, but certainly someone else. She was so busy; she failed to notice Sonic and Rarity trying to get her attention.
"Twilight...TWILIGHT!", Rarity shouted. Rarity shook her head and turned to her friend. "I was just saying how I got a rude awaking last night"
"Uh, you did? What happened?"
"Well, I was sound asleep, enjoying the peace and quiet, when suddenly this knocking came at the door. So I went downstairs and there was this girl standing there. She stood on two legs, like your friend Sonic. She asked if I had a specific gem and I happened to have it. She was very unusual, never got a good look at her face, she was wearing some kind of weird cloak”, she continued. Sonic was very attentive during this revelation.
"Rarity, what kind of gem was this girl looking for?” Sonic asked.
"Oh, just a regular gem, but this one glowed! It was marvelous! She gave me a replica in return, which is ok I guess, but she seemed very desperate for it"
"What was her name?” Sonic was very curious now.
"I asked her 3 times and she never told me. Terrible manners if you ask me, not a social one I guess. Well I must be off, I need to get to the Carousel Boutique right now and use that gem. See you later Twilight and good to meet you, Sonic", and with that, Rarity walked off with a smile. Sonic's face was now serious, the 'girl' sounded familiar. Twilight just looked at him, slightly concerned.
"Sonic are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm uh, fine....”, his expression serious.
Rarity walked up to the boutique to find Fluttershy and a random stranger waiting for her.
"Hi Rarity, we need a favor to ask, or rather my friend Mr. Shadow needs a favor", Fluttershy said quietly. Rarity just stared at the hedgehog.
"Fluttershy, who is this?"
"Oh, this is Shadow the Hedgehog. He is looking for an emerald", she said, as if it was a totally normal sentence.
"Yes, they are vital to me right now", he added. Rarity rolled her eyes and groaned.
"Another person after my gems? Ugh, as if I didn't have enough people already. Fine, what does it look like?” Rarity moaned. Shadow pulled out the Chaos Emerald. Rarity stared at in awe. "Why, it's simply dazzling! It’s better than that other gem I had! But I don't have gem like that one, sorry", she admitted. Shadow looked at Fluttershy in disappointment, who nervously grinned in return.
"Hm, I knew this was a waste of time", Shadow growled as he went to walk away, Fluttershy turned towards him to try and stop him, but the words did not come out.
"My, what's with all the oversized hedgehogs around here?” Rarity said to Fluttershy. Shadow immediately stopped in his place and turned, his expression a mixture of shock and his classic seriousness.
"What did you say?!"
"Well, there is you of course and then there's that blue hedgehog wandering around with Twilight. What's his name again, Sonic! That's it.", she said happily. Shadow was shocked at what he was hearing.
"You mean there are other hedgehogs?” asked Fluttershy
"Yes, go find Twilight, she replied.
"Where can we find this 'Twilight'?!” he demanded, fists clenched. The two ponies stared at him before Fluttershy eventually spoke.
"Come with me, we'll find her soon enough. Thanks anyway Rarity. Come on Shadow.", and Fluttershy walked off. Shadow groaned angrily, but still followed. Rarity waved goodbye with a blank expression before returning inside.
"What is up with this town today?", she quipped.
"I can't believe this. I'm nowhere closer to finding the Chaos Emeralds and to make matters worse, Sonic is here as well. What did Eggman do?! Did he transport us to this dimension on purpose? Hm, questions. That's all my life appears to be full of", Shadow thought to himself. Fluttershy turned gave Shadow a gentle smile.
"I'm sorry we couldn't find your emerald, but maybe they are around somewhere else?” she said. Shadow said nothing and continued to walk in silence, he wasn't in the mood for talking. On top of one the buildings out of sight was the hooded girl. She knelt on one of the roofs, making sure to stay hidden as she watched over the ponies. In her hand was the glowing yellow emerald. The sun lit up her partially shaded face, her eyes gazing over the town, as if she was looking for something.
Or someone.
As she looked over, her eyes stopped and fixated on something. Her mouth opened in shock.
"I found you after all...” she muttered silently. With that, she stealthy leaped of the roof and landed gracefully on the ground. With a deep breath, she entered the crowds of ponies. The crowds turned to look at the strange girl walking among them, but said nothing directly to her. She didn't care for their stares. She saw where she wanted to go. One thing that did catch her eye was a rainbow trail speeding across the sky.
"Look! Up there!” Twilight pointed to the sky, "Hey! Rainbow Dash!! Down here!” she waved up the flying cyan pony. It looked down with a grin and sped down toward the purple pony and blue hedgehog that had their heads aimed at the sky. Rainbow slowed her decent and landed safely on the ground as her wings tucked into her sides with a triumphant stance.
"Hey Twi! Who's this guy?” she said pointing at Sonic.
"This is Sonic the Hedgehog, the fastest hedgehog I've ever seen. Sonic, meet Rainbow Dash, the fastest pony in Equestria", she introduced them to each other. The two stared at each other. Rainbow Dash couldn't help but raise an eye-brow.
"So you’re a speedy hedgehog? Never seen one like you", she said with a grin.
"I could say the same about you", he replied. "Fastest pony? It's something I haven't heard all that often. I've heard some things about you, maybe I could interest you in a race?"
Rainbow grinned menacingly. "You think you can take me on newbie?", she taunted. Sonic grinned.
"I'm no newbie, bring it!"
"You're on, big blue!", pointing at him with a hoof. Suddenly, a familiar pink pony burst out of nowhere with confetti.
"YAY! WE HAVE A RACE PLANNED!!” Pinkie yelled. Sonic and Dash jumped and just stared uncertainly at Pinkie. She suddenly pulled out a massive microphone and blared into the air for everyone to hear.
"ATTENTION CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE. WE HAVE A RACE ABOUT TO BEGIN!!", several ponies gathered round to gaze in wonder and confusion at the two, more staring at Sonic. For obvious reasons. Further away, Shadow and Fluttershy stopped to pay attention to the announcement. "THE TWO RACERS ARE...RAINBOW DASH THE FASTEST PONY IN EQUESTRIA AND MAKER OF THE SONIC RAINBOOM!!", Pinkie continued to shout. The hooded girl even stopped to listen.
"...and who else?” she muttered quietly.
AND OUR NEW CHALLENGER. HE'S NEW IN TOWN AND LOOKING TO MAKE A NAME OF HIMSELF, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, THE FASTEST HEDGEHOG IN EQUESTRIA AS WE KNOW IT!!"
Shadow rolled his eyes at the description. Fluttershy was just as excited as the rest of the ponies but in her own reserved way. Under her cloak, the girl grinned.
"Of course it is...", she mumbled.
As Twilight looked on, she was joined by two other ponies. Rarity had returned from her work, still wearing her glasses. Along with her was an orange pony wearing a large hat with a yellow mane. Applejack had stopped working to come investigate.
"What’s all the racket about?” she asked Twilight.
"Oh, Hey you two. Rainbow Dash and Sonic are gonna race!” she replied happily.
"Who in tarnation is Sonic?"
"Oh, you must be the only pony expect Fluttershy not to meet Sonic. He's the fastest hedgehog ever"
Applejack raised a brow, "That blue feller right there? He doesn't look like a hedgehog"
Twilight sighed, "I know..."
Applejack said nothing more as she stared at the hedgehog and pony. They were left in a circle together, surrounded by ponies, all cheering and staring. "So, where should we race?” Sonic asked while crossing his arms. Rainbow Dash looked at him. Pinkie butted in to answer the question aloud.
"THE RACE WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE COURSE OF THE RUNNING OF THE LEAVES!!", she again announced. Applejack stepped forward.
"It's summer", she announced deadpan.
"I. DON'T. CARE!", she exclaimed. "EVERYONE FOLLOW APPLEJACK TO THE STARTING LINE! I HAVE BALLOON TO CATCH!", and Pinkie dashed off. Applejack rolled her eyes and led the ponies to the starting line, Sonic and Rainbow Dash included. Among the crowd was Shadow and Fluttershy who followed everyone else to the starting line. Fluttershy looked at Shadow.
"Are you going to talk to him right now?" she asked. Shadow looked at her.
"Later, let him race for now...", he calmed responded.
The hooded girl was not among the crowd, she was jumping rooftops in order to catch up to the competitors.
"Hmph! I can't just run up to him right now. I'll need to wait. But this race should be interesting. Sonic the Hedgehog, do not disappoint", she thought to herself.
The ponies had all gathered near a fountain outside Ponyville, the trees stood tall with bright green leaves. Usually they were red, orange and yellow during this race. Sonic and Rainbow stood side by side at the starting line. In the air was a hot air balloon, in it was Pinkie Pie and Spike, ready to provide commentary on the race.
"Welcome to the...rather sudden race everyone. Please make sure you are not too close to the track as these two will be going at some speed", said Spike through a microphone. "Seriously. Stand back."
"The race will be 5 laps of the regular course for the Running of the Leaves, due to the sheer speed of these two opponents!", Pinkie was commenting with her microphone.
On the ground, every pony was watching, among them were Shadow and Fluttershy. Nearby was the hooded girl, watching from a nearby tree. Ponies were cheering for both racers. Rainbow saluted everyone happily, Sonic was showing off, performing a spin-dash before doing his famous finger waggle. They looked at each other with fierce competitiveness as the two got ready to go.
Twilight walked in front of the two.
"Ok you two, no dirty tricks and no mid-race fighting. Understood?", she said. The racers nodded.
"Do I need to be on my feet for this?", Rainbow Dash asked.
"Nope. I want to race you at your best", Sonic replied.
"No Sonic Rainbooms though. It's wreck the down at this level", Twilight warned. Satisfied, she walked off and gave a signal to Spike.
"THE RACE BEGINS IN 3...2...1...
...GO!!!"