This is the rewritten Sonic story I was working on. I made a lot of changes and added Infinite to it. The first chapter is short for it's solely focused on him. They'll get longer as the story progresses. I hope you guys like this story. It might be a little slow in the beginning but it'll get better.

Prologue

Infinite Reborn

Dark, ominous clouds shrouded the skies as an oncoming storm slowly approaches from the distance. A lone jackal mask covering over his scarred face, wandered somberly through a long dirt road surrounded by vast grasslands seeming to reach no end. For he had no destination point designated he was still unsure of where he wanted to go. Just walk endlessly until he fell into the dark abyss of his weakened state and collapsed for his body couldn't fight for much longer. The glowing phantom ruby attached to his chest slowly fading in power as it pulsated in slow rhythm draining whatever strength he had left as he fought to stay alive.

How he survived it all and escaped after the defeat of Dr. Eggman he didn't know. He remembered feeling his body dissipating as the Doctor transferred the remaining power of the phantom ruby into the machine in his failed attempt to defeat Sonic. He recalled falling into darkness, his power drained, right at the brink of death then next thing he knew he awakened in the middle of a forest. Weakened and barely alive. Again how did he survive it all? How was he able to escape the clutches of death? What other power was at work here? None of this was making any sense.

He could feel an aching headache rising from all his thinking. He pushed away the thoughts and continued his walk. His feet dragging on the dirt road one slow step after the other. Right hand clutching onto the phantom ruby. His breathing heavy as he fought to catch his breath. It wouldn't be much longer now. He could feel it. Should he succumb to the darkness. Give into it all and accept defeat and death? What else was left for him now?

"Worthless… you're weak… Don't ever show your pathetic face around me again," the voice of the ebony hedgehog echoed in his mind. His words from their first encounter that lead to his transformation continuing to haunt him. It's because of him why all of this came to pass. The one who took everything away from him in a blink of an eye. The one who annihilated his entire squad singlehandedly without mercy.

"Shadow the Hedgehog," he said the name in anger as he could feel the rage and hatred beginning to build within him. It was that damn hedgehog that made him feel inferior. Called him weak and worthless. Shadow took him down without any effort. Defeated him and coming out unscathed. Leaving the young jackal scarred as a haunting memory of that day. Then his defeat against the other blasted hedgehog that he, himself, defeated at first with ease. Locking him away in one of Eggman's bases. His strength was unrivaled, unmatched. He held the fate of the world in his hands. And then in the end to all be taken away by those hedgehogs and their annoying friends. He had it all. So how could it be possible for him to lose.

He begins to grip his hands into fists. His rage building from his fury as the images of his defeat at the hands of Shadow and Sonic flashed through his mind. "I… am not… weak. I am not… weak! I cannot surrender to death just yet. No I will not bow to death just yet. I will not fall until those hedgehogs pay. I will have my revenge."

Just then something in the distance caught his eye. A bright purple light shining brightly almost reaching the sky. What it was he didn't know, but somehow he was drawn to it. An invisible force calling out to him to beckon closer. Should he feed into his curiosity and investigate the mysterious source.

After a few minutes of debating against himself he finally decided to investigate. He increased his pace and neared his destination. The light fading as he neared a deep clearing surrounded by many mountains all around. Once he reached the edge his sights fell upon what appeared like a large ruined castle in the middle of nowhere. What was left of it that is. Green moss covered almost every stone wall that surrounded. Shattered windows along with cracks and some holes from obvious old age. Several tall pillars that seemed to almost touch the sky. How was he not able to notice it before? Even though it was in ruins it could still be seen. Was this just a hallucination from his fatigue?

He hesitated at first. Then taking a deep breath he began to make his way towards it. Once neared he stopped. Arriving at a row of pillars that lead a pathway inside. Violent lightning strikes pierced the dark clouds and struck down. Followed by loud rumbling thunder that seemed to make the ground shake. He was soaking wet from the rain. He could use the place for shelter until the storm passed. Or become a perfect grave. Either way he pushed away all doubts and began to make his way inside. The path seemed to go on forever for as once he was far away from the entrance he was shrouded in darkness. The lightning flashes from the storm being the only source of light inside. Feeling himself weaker he moved towards his left as he felt for the wall then pressed his left hand against it as he used it to keep his balance as he walked.

A few minutes later he finally entered a large room. It was surrounded by windows overhead. He counted maybe five or six. Though the glass was shattered on each one a strange design could still be seen painted on its surface. He couldn't make out what it was though.

"Just what is this place," he said to himself.

Something about this ancient castle was making the fur behind his neck stand on end and keeping him in an alert state. He couldn't shake off the eerie feeling and uneasiness rising within him. He couldn't explain it but something about this place was off.

The storm continued outside not making the situation any better. Why was he here? What drew him to this place? There was a light then it faded once he neared. Something or maybe even someone called him here. For what purpose he wondered. Just what power was at work here.

Just then, when a lightning bolt struck and briefly lit up the room he sees a shadow quickly move not too far to his right. He shifts his gaze in alert.

"What the?! What was that?!" He turned. "Who's there?"

He was replied with an eerie silence. Again was he just hallucinating? His mind playing tricks on him for letting fear overwhelm him. No. It's not possible. He has no fear. It must be coming from his exhaustion from his weakened state. Yes that had to be it. There was no one here. He was alone.

He turned to lean against the wall for support. His body getting weaker by the second. He needed rest. For no matter how hard he fought to survive he still felt his body failing. He was losing power and the strength to remain standing. Was this really it? This was his end? No he refused to die just yet. There had to be away to restore his lost power and regain who he once was.

Just then, as if on cue with his thoughts, a bright purple light begins to shine in the center of the room. Resemblance to the same light he had seen leading him to this place. He shifted his gaze forward. "Now what?" There, on a stone pedestal, laid a strange purple gem.

It was too bright at first for him to see clearly, but just like before he felt the same feeling of being drawn to it. Something was calling him to come closer. He remained still for a brief moment, then he pushed away from the wall and used what little strength he had left to make his way towards the pedestal. He slowly neared, and his eyes fell upon a purple gem. It was unlike anything he's ever seen before. It entranced him. Almost completely mesmerized by its beauty. Was it this that lead him here? Just what exactly was it?

The power you seek… is just beyond your grasp, a strange, bodiless, deep voice echoed around him. Gather the seven Chaos Emeralds and the power you desire shall be yours.

Still entranced he slowly lifts his right hand up reaching for the purple gem. Apart of him hesitated for he didn't quite understand what was going on, but for some reason he was unable to control his body. He felt compelled to do what was told of him. The disembodied voice spoke truth though. He wanted revenge. He wanted to make his foes pay for all the humiliation he suffered. He wanted to watch them die by his hands. Slowly so he could enjoy their painful deaths. Sonic, Shadow. They would pay for what they've done.

Unbeknownst to him a shadow slowly moved behind him as his hand neared the gem. Victory shall be yours Infinite, the voice spoke.

Infinite reached the purple Chaos Emerald and gripped it in his right hand. He closed his eyes as he could feel it's power coursing through him and restoring his fading power and ailing body. The light soon disappeared shrouding him in darkness once again. He remained still for a few short moments. Chaos Emerald now in hand and held at his side. Its purple energy outlining his entire body in a flamelike eerie glow. He slowly opens the only visible eye for the other was masked, and instead of his eye being yellow its color changed to green.

Infinite somehow survived after the fall of the Eggman Empire. Awakening in an unknown place. Now with the power of one of the Chaos Emeralds in his grasp and his power restored Infinite vows revenge on Sonic and Shadow. Darkness rises once again on the world. What plans does the young jackal have instore for the heroes?

That's the end of the first chapter. Read and review and tell me what you think. Your reviews are greatly appreciated. I read that the phantom ruby is stronger than the Chaos Emeralds, but since the one Infinite holds is weak at the moment that the emerald was able to overpower it. Plus I need it to work like that for this story. And I know only Sonic, Shadow, and Silver are able to use the power of the Chaos Emeralds but there's a reason why Infinite is able to also.