Note to all readers: When this story takes the main character to Mobius it takes place in the video game world of Sonic The Hedgehog, fifteen years in the future of the current timeline. Also note, this is my first fan fiction so please be sure to read and review so I can improve my story and my writing style.
Chapter 1: Years Before It's Time
Undisclosed Lab in the Rocky Mountains, Canada, Planet Earth, July 23th 2012
Ferris read over the readings on the screen in front of him "Looks like it could work, what do you think Solaris?"
The AI Solaris' hologram appeared to his left "We won't know until we try sir. But, if we look over the readings they are the best we've gotten so far."
The 15 year old looked over the AI's hologram thinking of when he had made her several months before. Today she took her preferred form as a thin woman with blonde hair wearing a lab coat.
Ferris smiled "I can't believe this could actually work, I could actually manage to identify the existence of alternate dimensions!"
Solaris' hologram gave it's impression of a sigh "I know your excited sir, but scientific discoveries don't find themselves you know."
The fifteen year old genius got out of his chair with a sigh "I know, I know" and he excitedly made his way down the hallway of his research lab.
He had bought his lab, or rather the supplies to build it three years ago, using the money he made from selling new advanced weapons and protective armour to the American and Canadian militaries. He still made military technology, but lately it had been more of a side project due to his current focus on inter-dimensional travel.
The lab was built into the base of a mountain in British Columbia. The entrance was inside a small cave on the westernmost side of the mountain. As an added security measure once you got deep enough into the cave there was a half-a-foot thick steel door that required finger print, retina scan, and a pass code to enter.
I can't believe this could actually work. I could discover another dimension. I bet I could even win a Nobel Prize for this.
His thoughts became more excited as he neared the end of the hallway and the door that lead to what he would call his life's work.
As he entered the room he looked around at the equipment inside. Just as I left it obviously. What am I even worried about, nobody can even get in let alone touch anything.
It was a fairly sized room filled with the results of countless experiments. In one corner of the room was his Mark III No Atmosphere Protective Suit, It generally looked similar to basic space walk suits but was equipped with some little "fun" extras.
In another corner was a weapons rack with weapons ranging from a silent sniper rifle to a automatic rifle, with bullets that could go through a tank to hit their target. These were the prototypes of the weapons he had been working on for the military, they were finished but he wanted to hold onto these for a while before presenting them, for you never know when you might need some weapons nobody had yet.
Then looking in the centre he saw his prize, a bulky circular door frame with wires attaching it to several computers that were being used to monitor the inter-dimensional reactions and capabilities. This was the Inter-Dimensional Gateway.
"Solaris could, you have a trans-unit bring me a Mark IV NAPS suit please."
The holographic woman appeared next to him, "Already done sir."
"Thank you Solaris, could you also boot up the Gate scanners."
The AI's false face appeared confused "But sir, I thought we were going to run a few more tests first, make sure it's safe."
Ferris gave her a smile, "No, if it doesn't work now it won't work after more tests."
"Understood sir"
It took a minute for the robot to get there with the suit. When it arrived Ferris briefly admired his work. This particular trans-unit was painted a bright red with a black stripe stretching from front to back. The robot resembled a two foot tall, square box with four wheels for mobility and two arms with four joints, each for picking up and moving things.
Ferris quickly walked up to the robot and picked up the suit.
"Thank you" he said quickly "you are excused."
The box then drove itself back to where it was stored when not in use.
The teen then donned the suit with little difficulty, skipping the helmet deciding to put it on later.
"Solaris how much longer until the gate is active?"
"Seven minutes sir." The AI's voice sounded from all directions.
Ferris nodded, Seven minutes until I make history, he thought. Thinking about the list of preparations he needed to make he got to work, rechecking all the readings coming from the gate and ensuring the return device was securely attached to the wrist unit of his suit. By then seven minutes was up and a low humming sound emanated from the Gate.
Ferris looked over to his helmet, remembering to put it on. As he walked over to it his prototype gun rack caught his eye. Never know, maybe taking a gun might not be a bad idea. He then made his way over and clipped a pistol holster and it's corresponding silenced pistol to the tool belt on his suit, along with several extra clips of ammo.
Using a camera mounted on the wall Solaris watched her creator as he did this. "Are you sure you're going to need that, we don't even know if this will work in another dimension. Heck, we don't even know if it will have gravity."
Ferris walked over to his helmet that was sitting on a bench nearby. "I don't know, but I just have a feeling that I'd regret not bringing it more than I will if I do bring it."
By the time he was done his sentence he had reached his helmet and was beginning to put it on. After completing this task he began to walk towards the Gate until he stood around a metre away from it. "Solaris activate the gate please."
As he finished speaking the open space inside the doorway began to glimmer and then as if someone had flipped on a light switch a bright, purplish-blue light began to emit from the doorway.
"Well wish me luck" he said plainly.
"Good luck sir."
And with that he made his way into the bright unknown.
Angel Island, Planet Mobius, September 28th, 2012
The red Mobian Echidna, Knuckles, watched as the sun began to lower itself in the horizon. He did this every evening, at the same time, sitting on the same step on the altar of the Master Emerald, just as he had for nearly twenty five years. The large green gem reflected the remaining rays of the sun's light in all directions in the form of bright beams of light. Knuckles stayed sitting on that step until the sunlight was no more. He then stood up, About time to go home I suppose.
He then began to wander towards the small wooden hut he called home. It was small but it had all the basic necessities. A bed, a fridge, a roof, he had even recently bought a flat screen for when he got bored.
"Home sweet home." he said happily as he walked in the door.
He then proceeded to preform his usual evening routine. He began by making himself dinner, leftover porkchop with a side of caesar salad this evening, he then sat down on the edge of his bed and enjoyed the fruits of his basic labour. He was then about to turn on the TV for some "dinner theatre" when the phone rang. Knuckles quickly finished the bite in his mouth then reached over to his bedside table and answered the phone.
"Hello?" he said immediately
A voice with what on Earth would be described as a British accent answered, "Good evening Knuckles."
"Evening Professor, how can I help you."
"Well if your offering your assistance"
Knuckles calmly interrupted the man, "Professor we both know where this is going, you're going to ask for my help in some ruin somewhere on the island and then explain to me some sort of over complicated reason why you're thankful for my assistance and couldn't do it without me. So lets just skip the crap and tell me where you want me to meet you."
If the professor was surprised at this statement his voice didn't show it "Very well, meet me at our campsite."
"I'll be there in ten."
Knuckles hung up his end of the call and placed his phone on his bedside table. He sighed, it wasn't that he disliked the archeologists who were working in the ruins on the island, he just hated that they seemed to think that he would tend to their every need whenever they find something they don't completely understand. He was the guardian of the Master Emerald not a personal assistant.
