Chapter 1: Shattering History

This universe was created centuries ago, though the exact way it came to be is uncertain. Some say it came through a massive explosion. Others say it was created by divine will. Still others say that a great, cosmic war erupted and brought it into being. Whatever they believe, however, all agree that this universe was not simply created out of nothing. Rather, a man's reckless ambition to become a god swallowed the old universe and locked it into a perpetual time cycle. No one knows how long this cycle lasted, but the day it ended is where the records of contemporary history begin.

Even so, we still know little about the early days. Many of the writings of the past are difficult to decipher due to their rusting through the centuries. We have, however, managed to recover some of what was written, but alas, it all amounts to myths of the old days: alternate dimensions beyond our comprehension, gods locked in an endless war – yeah, not much on the actual history we've been looking for.

Though our knowledge of the past is far from miniscule, there are still many questions that remain unanswered. When this world first came to be, the animals inhabiting the world were no different from what they appeared as when the old world was destroyed. But as the centuries wore on, they gradually evolved into very different forms: powerful forms that had more capability than to simply eat, sleep, and bark. They could manipulate and control elements, do things no human being could do, and so much more. We don't know how this happened, or why. Yet we are not offset by these creatures. On the contrary, we generally embrace them as friends and companions.

These creatures are known as Pocket Monsters, or Pokemon, and they live all over the world.

Humans have various ways of bonding with these creatures. The most popular way is to send them into battle against other Pokemon in a competition to see who will be the last one standing. This might seem cruel, and there are some out there who treat their Pokemon partners with cruelty. But the vast majority of these Pokemon trainers, as they're called, show affection for their Pokemon. A battle ends when one Pokemon falls unconscious from the strain of battle, leaving the other the victor. The fainted Pokemon is promptly healed.

Such is the way of this world, and while certain other types of Pokemon competitions have emerged in years as of late, most prominently Pokemon Contests which show off a Pokemon's inner beauty, the Pokemon battle remains the most popular type. However, there are several people with evil intentions who use Pokemon to achieve sinister goals. Sometimes, the Pokemon they intend to use actually turn on them. The results of these incidents can be nearly catastrophic, but nothing thus far has brought the world to ruin.

But a few short years ago, something unprecedented happened.

A powerful structure located in the region of Kanto serves as a life-giving source of energy, without which the region would begin to wither. This structure, known as the Tree of Beginning, is largely left alone by humans, as any human who sets foot in there will quickly be swallowed up. A few short years ago, however, several humans entered the Tree in an effort to save their Pokemon, which had been unintentionally kidnapped. The Tree swallowed them up, but a mysterious Pokemon's power reversed this effect, saving the humans. But this came at a price: the Tree's power began to fail, jeopardizing both the mythical Pokemon and the whole region. It was only thanks to one Pokemon's heroic sacrifice that the Tree was restored. Since then, it has been left alone.

What no one knew, however, was that the Tree is more than a source of life for the Kanto region. It is a cosmic monument that serves as a wall to prevent travel between dimensions or galaxies. When its power failed, this wall collapsed. Before it was restored, however, a massive burst of power in another galaxy seized the inhabitants of a certain planet. This power took them away from that planet and brought them to this world, where Pokemon live and thrive. When the Tree's power was restored, the cosmic wall rose up once again, sealing them away from their former home.

At first, tension brewed between these mysterious creatures and the humans. Many of these creatures had a very strong resemblance to Pokemon, leading to much confusion and chaos. However, the truth about these creatures was ultimately revealed, and since then they have been granted protection from being treated as Pokemon. Since then, the world has been at peace.

But peace is never to last.

As the distant region of Kalos slept peacefully one night, the skies above shuddered as a massive space armada loomed over the atmosphere. At the helm of the flagship, a portly man in a red suit with black pants and a large mustache laughed maniacally: Dr. Ivo Robotnik, better known as simply Dr. Eggman. His fleet was nearing the optimal position he set for himself, and thus far nothing had –

WEEOOWEEOOWEEOOWEEOO

Dr. Eggman abruptly stopped laughing when he saw an alarm go off. He looked up and saw that a small spaceship had crashed into the landing of his flagship, the Egg Carrier. Standing in front of the wreckage was an all-too familiar form. Even before it stood up, he recognized his arch-nemesis, as he'd tangled with him more times than he cared to count.

With his feet firmly planted, Sonic the Hedgehog stood up to face his nemesis.

A large horde of robots emerged from the ground, their firearms locked onto him, along with the turrets of the Carrier. Against any other foe, this would've been over-preparation. But Sonic wasn't "any other foe." Eggman gave the order, and every gun on the ship started firing. However, using his greatest strength, his ability to run at the speed of sound, Sonic dashed through the heat of battle, avoiding the shots and bouncing into Eggman's robots using his signature homing attack. He continued to run, narrowly avoiding one robot's grasp, and plowing through several more.

At this, Eggman decided to take matters into his own hands, jumping down in his own large mecha and rapidly firing at Sonic. Naturally, the blue hedgehog avoided these shots with ease.

Eggman growled at his insolence and fired several homing missiles at Sonic, but even though he didn't expect them, none of them hit. Sonic ran down a large corridor, but Eggman wasn't standing for it. One of the missile launchers on his mecha's "hands" suddenly turned into a large metal hand. He launched this into the corridor, straight for Sonic. Sonic saw this a moment too late, and the mecha snatched him and yanked him back into Eggman's clutches.

Sonic tried to wriggle out of the robot's iron grip, but it was useless. He was stuck fast. Yet just when it looked like he was giving up, he flashed a sly grin at Eggman and closed his eyes as though concentrating. Suddenly seven emeralds, each of a different color, appeared around him. Eggman's eyes widened (though you couldn't see this because he always wears glasses), and before he could stop him, Sonic broke out of his clutches, hovering and glowing a bright golden. He had absorbed the power of the Chaos Emeralds and was now invincible. Eggman could do nothing against him, and the super-powered hedgehog flew straight through his robot's core, destroying it.

"Uh-oh!" Eggman quickly ejected his one-man pod from the helm of the robot and rocketed down the corridor. "Time to go! Whoa!" he cried as he flew. He shut the blast doors in the corridor, but Sonic smashed right through them. Before they knew it, the chase was in outer space. Finally, Eggman shot into an odd-looking ship, his pod jerking around as it bumped the walls of the narrow passageway through which he entered. Then, abruptly, it ejected him, and he fell flat on the ground.

Sonic, who decided not to us the door, burst through the floor and hovered high above the terrified doctor.

"Sonic!" Eggman exclaimed. "Oh, no...look, I'm sorry! Please, don't destroy me. I didn't mean anything! Please, honestly! I was playing video games again, I swear!" He was on his knees, begging for mercy.

"Well, well, well," Sonic smirked cheekily. "I never thought I'd see the day where Eggman would beg for mercy from me. Well, you know, I'll consider what you said –"

As he snarked, Sonic failed to notice Eggman pull out a hidden red button. Naturally, something bad ensued when he pressed it; that's what always happens when someone presses a red button.

"Gotcha!" Eggman sneered. Suddenly, several teeth-like structures surrounded Sonic, creating a force field around him. Sonic tried to get out of the field, but, to his shock, it held him in. Before he knew it, he was constrained in the center of the circle the "teeth" made. On seeing this, Eggman burst into maniacal laughter. The Chaos Emeralds were forcibly extracted from Sonic, returning him to his natural state.

Outside, the ship began to open up, revealing a massive cannon aimed straight at the planet below. As Sonic suffered from brutal electrocution, Eggman watched his victory with glee.

"Hohohoho," he chuckled. "I've waited far too long for this. FIRE!" he cried, pressing the switch.

And that's just what the cannon did. A massive beam of energy rocketed down and struck the planet. From the place of impact, a huge crack formed, then broke open. A dark energy hissed out as a vague form emerged.

Part of this dark energy flew back through the cannon, which Sonic was powering. Before Sonic knew what was happening, he felt his muscles convulse as he clawed at the ground. His teeth grew razor sharp, and if he didn't know any better, he felt a little hotter. Additional fur? What's happening to me?!

At last, the spectacle ended, but in one sense, it had only begun. "Excellent," Eggman said. "The whole world is split apart. Oh, the confusion, OH, THE CHAOS! This is the best thing to happen to me since the Eclipse Cannon!"

Sonic, finally recovering from the torture Eggman inflicted on him, stood up on his legs, which felt strangely shorter. He glared at Eggman with an unusually fierce glare in his eyes. "You," he panted, "You've really done it this time...Eggman."

"Why, Sonic," Eggman sneered. "That's a nice new look you have. Very festive, especially for the occasion." Then he pulled a lever. "Sayonara...Sonic the Werehog! Gaaahahahahahahahaaaaaa!"

The glass window behind Sonic suddenly opened, sucking him and the Chaos Emeralds out. He grasped in vain for safety and, with a prolonged scream that no one can hear in space, fell to the earth as it slowly but violently split apart, isolating the many regions it held.

As Sonic fell, he had so many questions running through his head, including What's happened to me? Why did Eggman break the planet into so many pieces? What is he up to?! But, like our questions about this world's history, these remained unanswered for the time being. Regardless, he was determined to find the answers and stop Eggman's latest plan for world domination.

All he had to do first was survive the fall.