The summer breeze traveled swiftly across the grass, picking up the seeds from a dandelion and blowing them across the midday field slowly. Twisting and turning in the lazy breeze, one blew off from the others, like a tiny hot air balloon taking off. Drifting higher into the air, upon reaching the apex of its flight, it seemed to transform into a point of light.

The tiny twinkle of blue/white seemed to float for a second, before wavering ribbons of red and blue energy streamed out. Up, down, left, right, and everywhere in between. Connecting with each other and all stopping mysteriously at a certain point, creating a large circle of energy. Slowly swirling and spinning, random rays of light shooting out into the field, dissipating after only a few feet, the ones that do hit a bush or small tuff of grass just seem to pass through before disappearing.

A tiny ripple started at the center of the apparition, like a pebble tossed into a pond. The ripple spread out about half a foot in either direction before stopping and reversing direction, reaching the center a second later, like a pebble dropping in reverse, the ripple collided with itself and started to push out. But was interrupted as that exact center of the giant swirl of light exploded outward. A glowing blue and red form burst out, and landed right in front of it with a slight thud. Bits of energy seemed to float off it, dissipating into the air, as the figure itself seemed to go from being blurry and semi-transparent, to solidifying as more energy evaporated from it. Slowly resolving itself into the form of a blue hedgehog standing up from the crouching position he landed in, about four feet tall. Bright green eyes scanned the field in front of him, taking a few steps forward, his blue and white sneakers crunched in the soft grass, his gold buckles glinting in the bright sunlight, and the last few drops of energy drifted off of him.

Another breeze drifted lazily past, as if nothing happened. A few more dandelion seeds flitted right past his eyes as he turned around, his long blue quills bounced a few times, hanging down to his waist.

As he watched, the circle shrank quickly, until it was a pinpoint of light again, the spot swelled and burst into a few tiny dots of light that faded while falling gently. As if this were a normal occurrence he lifted his arm, like one would check their watch. Instead of a timepiece, on his arm was a large, light blue crystal, with no obvious way of attaching it or taking it off. A small sparkle of light was all he could observe, the sunlight seeming to get trapped in the cloudy crystal, shining back at him. But in reality it shone with its own light, faded at the moment but still noticeable. He looked up at the spot where the portal had been; all that remained was a faint feeling of something more, a tiny heatwave from the sun, and a large pleasant field. It would take at least a day for the Crystal Ring to charge up enough energy to open the portal, so until then this place was nothing but a sunny field, and that’s how it would stay.

“Sonic!”

“Huh? Tails?’

“Hey Sonic, are you here?!?”

“Yeah, I’m over here!” Sonic yelled out then looked up, waiting for his friend to come in for a landing. After a few seconds he began to wonder where he was. Right before he was going to yell again, the bushes ten feet away began to rustle, and a young fox of about ten walked out slowly, wearing a pair of faded blue jeans, red and white sneakers, gloves, and a old beat up brown backpack.

Tails was looking around for sonic as the hedgehog was about to speak, before he could say anything Tails spotted him and blinked, his eyes getting wide, then bringing a arm up to block his vision he spun around.

“Dammit Sonic, can’t you at least be decent when we meet?”

“Now waitaminute, what’s wrong with what I’m wear-and why are you cussing?”

Tails narrowed his eyes into a cynical look that he’d obviously gotten down to an art form, though avoiding looking at Sonic. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a large brown cloth object. “Luckily I borrowed your backpack to carry Ted with me today; my old one got damaged when I went to visit Amy… all those candles… I almost didn’t save Theodore.” With a shudder he threw the cloth thing behind him, Sonic caught it and unfolded it, revealing a trenchcoat, his size.

“What’s this for?”

“For you to wear obviously, I’d ask what happened to the one you were wearing this morning… or why you had an extra in your backpack. But I’m sure I wouldn’t like the answer.”

“But-“

“Just put it on.”

Not used to taking orders from Tails, or for the fox to even be giving orders, Sonic paused for a second confused, but did what he asked. The trenchcoat fit perfectly, and it was pretty comfortable, even in the sun. Sonic tied the straps around his waist and posed. “Ok, whaddya think.”

Tails looked around slowly, a small brown doll in his hands. “You look fine, like you normally do.”

“Normally?”

“Come on, let’s get back to Knotting Hole.” With that Tails started walking off, back the way he came, without a glance back to see if Sonic was following. After half a second Sonic jogged up and started walking alongside him.

“Ya know, something really weird is going on here bro.”

“Your telling me, I thought you decided to give up streaking.”

“What?!?”

An hour or so later, they could see the village in the distance, Tails wasn’t flying so Sonic just walked with him, taking longer than usual. And the whole time Tails was carrying that weird doll with him… and sticking pins in it too.

The longer they had walked, the more that Sonic was sure something just wasn’t right. And when they arrived at the village, he was sure of it. It looked mostly normal. Except for the fact that there was nobody on lookout, people were wandering out much farther than they should be safely, and they weren’t the… normal types of people he’d usually see out and about during the day. It wasn’t anything definite, but there was always something. Somebody wearing fishnet stockings and an army jacket, a few people with collars… one even had spikes on it. Just the way they were dressed was slightly odd. Add in the fact there were a few more couples, and a lot more people he didn’t recognize, and was that… three people there behind that tree?

“Dude, something just ain’t right here. All these people out this far…”

“Well it is a nice day out.”

“Yeah I know that, but out this far, this early? Aren’t they worried about exposing themselves?”

“Don’t be jealous because your date prefers to stay out of direct sunlight.” And while Sonic tried to figure out that part, Tails chuckled softly; a cold mature sound coming from such a young fox. “And you really shouldn’t be one to comment on ‘exposing’ yourself.”

“Now what does that mean?”

“Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about, the puns may be funny, but they’re not you… you sure are acting strangely today.”

“Me? Acting strangely?” At this sonic waved an arm around. By now they had gone into the village, surrounding them were more, larger buildings than Sonic remembered from that morning. Windows covered, odd colored lights coming from underneath shades and between curtains. And every now and then, a little squeal or other sound, faintly, emanating from within.

“So the place needs a bit of cleaning, the floor is dirt ya know. Plus most of the people who clean are busy with the insides, I’m sure they’ll get around to cleaning out here… eventually.”

Yet another thing from Tails that made no sense. Sonic had been pondering what was going on for a while, something he did rarely, but this was home, and there was no immediate threat. So he’d refrain from jumping to conclusions, he could always do that later. Right when he was about to try again to ask just what the hell was going on, they reached one of the lifts that went high into the trees, up into the residential levels of the village. Made of wood, vines, and rope, with a little mechanics in to move the thing. It was lowering slowly to meet them. At least something was as it should be.

As it lowered gently to the ground, the gate opened, and a bobcat stepped out, about 16, but larger than Sonic. A defininate skater type, tall but very lean. Loose old t-shirt, baggy pants, slacker expression.. His long unkempt blond hair shook around as he jumped the few steps from the lift to the ground.

“Finally, somebody normal.” Sonic said under his breath, sarcasam evident in his voice, but the bobcat didn’t notice as he addressed Tails. “Hey Tails, hello Ted. How’r you guys this afternoon?”

“We’re cool, just came back with Sonic, trying to figure out what the hell he’s been smoking.”

“Hey!”

“Heh, good luck kid.” The bobcat said, brushing hair out of his eyes.

“So where are ya off to? You know there’s the poker game tonight.”

“Yeah, I know, but I’m off to go shopping with Angie. Heard that Red’s got a new shipment in and we’re gonna go check it out in a few. I might make it for a few hands later.”

“Cool, see if she has any new pins, some blue would be nice for-”

“KURT!!”

Sonic looked around quickly, surprised and on his guard, Tails smirked, looking around also. And the cougar just smiled as a small furry, yellow blur jumped up into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck. A yellow blur with baggy faded jeans, a long sleeve dark green shirt, and a pair of reflective blue shades in her hair, held up by her round, fluffy ears.

“Hey Kurt, I couldn’t wait. I talked to Red and she said she got in some brand new silk rope, just perfect for us.”

“Well that’s great Angie, but erm… what about.” He jerked his head to the other two.

“Its no prob, Sonic suggested it to me in the first place-”

“I did what now?”

“…And Tails and Teddy told me of the perfect place to order some from.” The blond tiger reached out and after slipping her hand out of her overly long sleeve, rubbed first Tails--who had a disdainful but accepting expression on his face--then his doll on the head. All the while being attached to the bobcat. She turned back to him and kissed him on the nose, he let her down and she poked him in the chest, which only came up to her eye level.

“Now I need you to come and help me pick out color and length.” After that, she readjusted the shades on her head and grabbed his wrist with both hands, pulling him after. Kurt turned back and waved, smiling. “I guess I might not make it to the poker game tonight.” He winked and turned back, letting the little tigress pull him along.

“Ooohkay, maybe not so normal after all.”

“What?” Tails asked as he got into the lift and turned around, waiting for Sonic to follow.

“Oh… nothing.” Sonic got in and closed the gate, hoping this was all some big joke on the part of the whole village on him.

On the way up Tails said very little, which was odd enough as it is. Seeing as how he was also holding was Sonic realized to be a voodooo doll just upped the weird factor by about 10. So while trying to do what he rarely did; think things through, Sonic found two pockets that didn’t have something really weird in them and stuffed his hands in them, as a cold breeze blew through the trees at the higher levels. The lift came to a clanking stop, and the gate opened with a soft creak onto a wooden platform. Edged with a railing of branches lashed together in a sturdy fashion. A few people were waiting for the lift and got on as its two passengers departed, as the door closed and the car made yet another trip down, the two were alone again.

Sonic walked over to the railing and looked down. Below him spanned many more levels. Wooden bridges crisscrossing his view, connecting the trees. Huts were built on and carved into the trees. And far below larger buildings were on the ground. The lights faint and the sounds lost to the breeze, but he knew they were still there. People walked and ran, back and forth, along every level-more people than he ever remembered living in the village. As he observed this, a cold stiff breeze blew through the branches, blowing his coat around with a soft rustling sound, and almost pulling the doll from Tail’s hands. He stopped to put it in the backpack, giving Sonic a little more time to look around.

Sonic was starting to be grateful for the coat, as the dwindling summer daylight was leading to a cold forest night. Tails slipped the backpack on and started off again, calling over his shoulder.

“Come on, we don’t wanna be late.”

“Where are we going exactly?” Sonic asked, catching up in a quick blur.

“Where else? To the game.” Tails asked trying not to sigh.

“What game?” This time, Tails did sigh, quietly, but long. “What is wrong with you today Sonic?” He asked, “You’ve been acting strange all day. Next you’ll be telling me you forgot your meeting up with Amy after the game, when the sun sets.”

“My what now?” At this Tails gave him a long, hard look, as if trying to analyze him. After what was only a few seconds but felt like much longer to Sonic, Tails snorted and rolled his eyes, continuing on.

Sonic stared ahead at Tails, thinking for a second. Then he took a slow, long look around, at all the people and places around him. A realization came upon him, slowly, which is why he had trouble understanding it. Anything slow to Sonic confused him. But as this one approached, and he finally started to figure it out, his emerald eyes widened.

“Could I have taken a wrong…” Sonic froze then snapped his jaw shut, “Better wait to make sure.” The hedgehog said to himself, then he hurried off after Tails again, gone in a blur, to see what he could see.

After a few twists and turns, and a few bridges Sonic didn’t remember being there before. They arrived at a large building, supported by two trees placed close together. With a large platform all the way around, and a low roof. They approached the front and Sonic was surprised to see two wild west saloon style doors, so there was no way to ever lock this place up. Tails went in boldy, like he owned the place, shoving the doors open in front of him and slipping through before they flapped back and forth on their hinges.

Sonic followed more cautiously, upon entering the building he was greeted by an interesting scene. It was like a bar, a few steps leading down to a large open space, decorated by large round tables and chairs, many taken. The far end of the room heald a large bar, with a larger mirror behind it, and an even larger bartender, making drinks and keeping an eye on everything, but with a smile on his face. Many of the tables had low clouds of smoke over them, and just as many also had card games going on.

The sounds of food and drink orders, conversations about the games, and general chit chat reached his ears. While the smells of smoke, liquor, and a few other things he couldn’t recognized reached his nose. But one smell floated right past the others and straight into his brain.

“Chili Dogs!”

Wish a ‘woosh’ of sound, and a blue and brown blur, he was at the bar. The doors hadn’t even stopped swinging back and forth. And bar patrons had automatically gotten a firm grip on hats, cards, chips, and anything else that was loose before he’d passed. Then went right back to their games and conversations as if nothing had happened as soon as he passed. Apparently this was a normal occurance.

Upon hearing the sound of a hungry hedgehog approaching, the bartender turned to him and smiled.

“Hey Sonic, the chili’s just been made, want a nice fresh one?” Sonic thought for half a second, considering if this was a trick. But his stomach chose that moment to growl and remind him he hadn’t had anything since breakfast, so he nodded.

The large blue cat’s smile turned into a grin as he turned to a small frog sitting next to a few bottles behind the bar, lapping up something that was probably from the half filled bottle next to his dish. “Hey froggy, go tell Gam that his favorate customer is here.”

The green amphibian nodded and burped, hopping to the floor and to a door behind the bar, leading to a room where those heavenly smells were coming from. Each time he landed a small burp could be heard. The bartender turned back to Sonic and laughed, slapping his hand against the counter and speaking in a slow drawl.

“We just got a new shipment of Froggy’s favorate stuff in. He can barely hop straight. I don’t trust him to take orders and tips till he sobers up a bit. But its ok, I wont get worried till he’s too drunk to fish with me.” With that he slapped the bar again, laughing hard as all the drinks in ten feet in either direction hopped into the air, quickly grabbed by their owners before they could land, apparently this was another common thing too. Sonic didn’t get the joke really but laughed along anyway, just the image of a drunk frog trying to fish helping him along. As they both stopped laughing a mechanical voice followed the returning frog back out the kitchen door.

“Allright Big, I got his order right here, the usual. Tell him to keep his jacket on.” This got Big and everybody at the bar between the kitchen door and the hedgehog laughing. A red and black robot wearing a food stained smock came rolling out on his feet, holding a tray of two large, steaming chili dogs, the smell making Sonic’s mouth water and him forget to wonder what was so funny.

After dropping off the grub, the robot headed back to his kitchen. Sonic picked up his plate as Big spoke to him. “I’d ask how you were paying but I’ve already had enough laughs for today kid, If you’re still hungry… and you usually are, you know where Gam is.” The feline grinned and walked down the counter, away from sonic, wiping it off and talking to the people sitting there. Sonic turned around and looked for a familiar face, over on the left side, halfway to the door, was a large table, with Tails standing behind one of the chairs, leaning on it and chatting. Sonic hurried over, careful not to drop his food.

Large, round, and obviously only used for poker. The table had chairs all around it, with enough space between them for the occupants to be able to keep cards secret. The top was smooth and well worn, chips stacked in the center. Only about half of the chairs were taken, apparently more to arrive later.

There were a few people that Sonic recognized from around the village, but only by sight. Tails was leaning against a chair watching the current game, the backpack in the chair, and the voodoo doll’s head coming out of the bag. Every now and then Tails would look at the cards somebody was holding and lean over, murmuring to the doll quietly, nobody seemed to pay this any mind. Sonic was about to sit down with his food when he realized that Antoine was sitting next to Tails--er, actually sitting next to Ted. He didn’t recognize the stiff military fox because of how he looked here. White t-shirt, black leather pants, mussed short hair, black leather collar, no sword, and a very relaxed posture as he observed his hand calmly.

“Ant? Is that you?”

Antoine stiffened and looked up quickly, surprised that his presence would surprise anybody. He looked around once then spoke up.

“Ouais son me.”

Tails looked up from his musings and stared at Antoine as if seeing him for the first time, then looked up at Sonic, getting used to his saying dumb and/or obvious things all day.

“Yeah, its him.”

The hedgehog sighed and pulled out a chair, sitting down. He started to wonder again if this wasn’t just some trick being pulled on him somehow. Accepting five cards and tossing a few chips from whosever pile was in front of him, he waited for the big punchline to jump out. Though what did decide to jump out was more than just a punchline.

“Mummies back from the shiny man’s kitchen.” A pair of tan rabbit ears slowly rose up behind Antoine, followed shortly by a short, very tangled crop of orange hair. The face that Sonic saw follow that upped the weirdness meter a good three points. It was female, he could see that under the seventeen pounds of blue eyeliner that sat on her face, making her green eyes shine brightly in comparison, and shine they did. They weren't dim but they weren't what he could call sane either.

As she stood, Sonic could tell the rest of her wasn’t all there either. She was wearing a hot pink tube top, and a matching--if anything hot pink could have a ‘matching’--skirt, and was most definately a girl. She rested her head on Ant’s, who visably perked up at her arrival; sitting up straighter, with a sly smile on his face as his eyes drifted up. She kissed the top of his head then nuzzled it with her chin, speaking up again. This time Sonic recognized the thick southern accent, though thicker than he remembered.

“The mean stove bit me, but ah told it off Sugah.” The girl he now recognized as Bunnie said, as she raised her right arm up, and for the first time Sonic noticed that there was a leash attached to Antoine’s collar, which was now in her hand. Which she proceeded to tug, Antoine looked up patiently, and she heald her left hand in front of his face, which he blew on then licked. Nobody really noticed this going on. Neither did Sonic, but for a completely different reason.

Bunnie’s left arm was normal, not robotic. No matter what they might have been able to pull off to fool him in the few days he was gone, this was something his friends wouldn’t have been able to do, no matter how hard they tried. If they could it would have been done long ago. Sonic’s eyes were probably as big as the plate of chili dogs next to his pile of chips, holding up his cards to keep from staring, the hedgehog took a few deep breaths. It seemed he was in an alternate dimension, being confused for the resident Sonic. Again.

At least nobody was trying to kill him, sure Bunnie was sitting in Ant’s lap and used him to hold her cards, was wearing thigh high white leggings, a garter belt, and a hot pink choker of her own. Chatting random babble to Ant, who seemed to only respond in french. It couldn’t get weirder, that was for sure.

“With your selective memory I’m sure I have to remind you about your date with Amy Rose.” Tails said, after a particularly long conversation with his voodoo doll.

“My what now?” Sonic’s hand dropped to the table, his cards spread out. Everybody else looked over at his hand and threw their cards to the table in disgust. Bunnie made a face at him as she shoved the pile of chips his way, then brightened up as she started to build a pyramid out of her remaining chips, smacking Antoine’s hand when he tried to help.

Tails slumped against the back of the chair, sighed and shook his head. “I should have known, did you hit your head or something?” He spoke slowly. “You. Have a date with Amy Rose. Tonight. At the usual time.” He paused as he realized Sonic probably didn’t remember that either. “At sunset. I remembered to tell you because Sally said she wanted to see you a little before. Didn’t say for what.” Tails leaned over, more talking to Ted than anybody else. “Nobody ever tells me anything.”

Sonic pondered briefly what Sally and Amy Rose might be like in this dimention, then scarfed down his chili dogs as one might down two shotglasses. Then he realized he had a date with Amy, and wished he had two more.

Deciding to try and blend in for a while, Sonic ordered a few more chili dogs, and joined in the game. He only did so-so but at least Tails stopped looking at him like he’d suddenly sprouted horns or something. And after about twenty minutes he even started to do pretty well. Even though every now and then he’d lose to the voodoo doll. A humbling experience if ever there was one. But at least he was having fun, and unlike most alternate dimention mistaken identity episodes, nobody was trying to kill him.

“Allrighty, who ordered the three chili dogs, extra chili?” The gray and white furred feline waitress sauntered up to the table, balancing a tray in one hand, mussing random patrons hair as she passed with the other. She brushed her blue hair out of her eyes as she eyed the table. Upon noticing Sonic she grinned.

“Never mind, stupid question.” She lowered the tray and waved it in front of him, pulling it back when the hedgehog reached for it.

“Now I know you have a date, and as a favor to you from yours truely, I brought you some breath mints. Promise to use ‘em honey.” Took the plate off the tray, and reached out to put it next to Sonic, just as the sound of a boot impacting with the doors, and the dual cracks as each smacked into the wall. The waitress jerked in suprise, the plate jumping out of her hand and heading for the floor. In a burst of speed that suprised even himself, Sonic caught up with the plate, grabbed it, made sure all three chili dogs were still on it, and had it in front of himself.

“Wazzaap Nootches?!?” Sonic turned to see just what had almost made him lose his precious dogs. A red feline in boots, monochrome fatigue pants, a black tank top, and fingerless gloves stomped through the bar, like she owned the place. Or had just come home. As she reached the card table, she noticed the waitress and spread her arms, opening her mouth to speak.

“I know, I know, the usual.” She put the tray under her arm, tossed the breath mints to Sonic and turned back tot he bar, her red cape swishing around her. The new arrival grabbed a chair, spun it around and plopped herself down, a huge grin on her face.

“Allright bitches, ready to donate your money to the Bank of Red?” She put her elbows on the table, and rested her head on her hands, the light directly above the table glinting off her multiple ear piercings, braclet, and alerting Sonic to the fact that the people in this village with collars outnumbered those without. And that this particular one was spiked.

“I have to disagree, Ted and I have been having a lucky day, your money is going towards our new pin set. Which will be back to you.” He stopped and thought this over. “But at least we’ll have won it in the first place.”

“Yes, the sparkly butterflies have assured me of success.” Bunnie said from behind her poker chip pyramid.

“Et votre magasin, quelqu'un le regarde?” Looking back as if she just remembered he was there, Bunnie mussed Antoine’s hair, then flicked him in the nose and turned back to her pyramid.

“Oh, the store is still open if anybody is interested.” Red seperated her chips into different colors. “I’m having kam watch the store for me.” Tails looked up and raised an eyebrow.

“Are you sure thats wise? What if LaDolly gets bored and just wanders off.”

Red grinned again. “Don’t worry, I just got in a new shipment of blindfolds, she’s spent half the day there already. Not buying anything, so she might as well work there.” She reached over and patted Ted on the head. “And I’ve set aside a nice set of pins just for you two.”

Sonic watched this exchange with curiosity. He had no idea what they were talking about but he was sure he was gonna find out. And the way things had been going he was gonna find out in the scariest way possible.