Bound by Music

Finding Sonic

Robotropolis

Sonia and Manic were still awake and excited as the other members of the Underground began to wake up with the rising sun.

"What's gotten you two so chipper?" Cyrus, their closest friend asked in a tired and slightly grouchy mood, "You guys could wake up a demolished Swatbot from the scrap yard."

"SONIC'S ALIVE!" they cheered at the same time. Everyone in the room stopped and gasped excitedly. The lion's eyes widened.

"You serious? This is awesome! But where is he? How did you know?"

"He started singing," Manic explained, "and then when we joined in with our instruments, this other dude did too."

Cyrus held up his hands, "Woah, hang on a sec. You're saying that there was someone else besides you three that was singing?"

"Yes," Sonia sighed, "His voice was amazing..."

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Since you're amulets are working again, maybe I can pick up Sonic's signal."

"Really? Oh thank you, Cyrus!" Sonia exclaimed as she gave him a tight hug that rivaled that of another pink hedgehog.

"Uh, sis, you're making him turn blue," Manic pointed out, and the princess sheepishly released him. The poor lion gasped for air.

"Just gimme a few minutes, and I'll trace it," he said when he regained his breath enough to speak. Manic did a thumbs up pose, mimicking the oldest triplet.

"No worries, Cy, we know you can do it."

The two siblings were about to leave the large computer room when green smoke suddenly filled the area. When it dissipated, an old friend of theirs stood before them.

"Oracle!" Sonia and Manic exclaimed, and the mage gave them a grandfatherly smile.

"Hello, Prince Manic, Princess Sonia. I have seen that the two of have reconnected with your brother," he began, and the two of them grinned. But before they could tell him anymore, he held up a hand to continue, "I too have heard him, and I have found his location for you. He is very far away, too far, perhaps, for you to find him in time without my help. I shall send you and your friend there, but I must warn you. The land Prince Sonic lives in now is very dangerous, and Robotnik has grown stronger there. Keep a wary eye, young ones," he finished before opening a swirling green portal. Manic and Cyrus high-fived when they found out he would be going to.

"Ready to kick some Buttnik backside, Cy?"

"You bet!"

"But Oracle," Sonia interrupted, "who is the fourth voice we heard singing with us?"

The old anteater chuckled, "He is a very special person. That is your second task. You must find him, as well, and bring him back to Robotropolis with you."

"But how will we know who he is?"

"The same way you first reunited," he laughed, making it sound as if it was simple, "Call out to him."

The trio nodded and waved to the magician before they linked hands and jumped into the portal. Once they were through, the Oracle closed the portal and sighed deeply.

"Good luck, young ones, I fear that a great danger shadows you. Be careful, for your mother's sake, and your kingdom's."

Green Hill Zone

Sonic sat on his rooftop for most of the morning, holding his amulet in the palm of his hand. He had been in deep thought since their song ended, and he only barely registered seeing the sunrise. He was happy to know that his "sibs" were alive, but he also really wanted to know who the fourth voice was. It sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it.