The crackle of the campfire filled the silence of the woods, flickering light dancing across the trees. Tails wandered a little, scanning the forest with curious eyes, while Knuckles and Shadow bickered behind him over something trivial. Sonic just sat back, half-listening, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Tom and Maddie had left a few minutes earlier, heading back to the car after realizing they’d forgotten something. The four were alone now, the forest air unusually still.

That’s when the shimmer appeared—like rippling water suspended in midair. The sound was low at first, a faint hum that grew louder until it cut through the quiet night. Shadow’s eyes snapped to it immediately.

“…What the—” Shadow muttered, his body tense, watching as a swirling portal glowed not too far from camp.

Tails turned next, his twin tails twitching nervously. Knuckles noticed after him, fists instinctively clenching, and finally Sonic turned his head, his ears pricking at the sound.

But as quickly as it had appeared, the portal vanished with a distorted ripple, leaving behind only silence. No figure stepped through. Nothing moved.

Knuckles broke the silence first, frowning. Knuckles: “Was I dreaming, or did I just see a portal open here?”

Tails: “I saw it too. Yet… it’s gone. How strange…” He tilted his head, still scanning the shadows between the trees.

Sonic: “We all heard it and saw it. Can’t be a dream.” His voice was serious now, though his stance stayed loose, alert.

Shadow: arms folded, eyes narrowing at the empty space where the portal had been “Well. We’ll have to figure this out somehow.”