Behind the screens – Chapter 1
Author: There have been many concepts in the media that described secret worlds in books, movies, video games, computers, comics, and in the human body. However, we have yet to see a book, show, or film that describes a world hidden inside the television. And so, I plan rectify this error with this story that describes the secret world of cartoon characters. This fiction follows a concept similar to Disney's 'Wreck It Ralph', showing a mixture of characters from different TV shows.
I apologize greatly for not showing any update progress or any new stories, I've been so distracted and have not shown as much commitment as I should have. I hope you all can forgive me, and I will do my best to work on the next chapter to this fiction.
Attention: this fiction contains a multitude of characters that are copyrighted by such networks as Fox, Warner Bros., Disney, DIC, Hasbro, and Nickelodeon. My only reason for using these characters is for the enjoyment of Fanfiction authors and visitors. No intention of copyright infringement.
November 8, 2014
The camera's flashed brightly, as the crowd roared with anticipation. In a small limousine, Sonic, Tails, Amy, and Knuckles gazed out at the thousands who had come to witness this new chapter in their lives/careers: Sonic Boom.
"I can't believe it's finally here," Amy squeaked in excitement, "the first episode of our new show!"
"Yeah," Tails agreed with a smile. But then the young fox frowned, "too bad it's only two twelve minute segments, and not full half-hour like our previous show."
"Hey come on guys," Sonic interjected, "Remember, it's about us putting on a good show, no matter how long the screen time."
"And no matter how pointless it is," Knuckles mumbled loudly.
Hearing this, Sonic turned to the sour echidna. "You're not having second thoughts, are you big guy?"
"I thought we already discussed this months ago," Amy added, "This is what we were made to do."
"I know, I know," Knuckles stressed, "I just can't help but hate how this whole process works: new designs, new cast, new animation, and after two seasons (three if we're lucky) it will all just change again. I mean, for all we know this could be our final series as a team."
Sonic placed a hand on Knuckles shoulder. "Remember what I said, Knuckles. Out of all the others who were left behind, we're still together."
This little encouragement managed to bring a small smile to Knuckles face, but Sonic could still see a hint of doubt in his eyes. Just then, the limousine stopped.
"It's time," Tails said, as he motioned toward the crowd that awaited them.
Sonic nodded, as he placed his hand onto the door handle. Slowly, he pushed open the door, and stepped out of the limo. After a minute, Tails followed. Then Amy, and finally, summoning up all his strength, Knuckles.
May 12 (6 Months Earlier)
It was noon on planet Mobius, and everything was peaceful. Suddenly the peace was broken as Amy raced across the landscape to find her teammates.
"They're here!" Amy called out in excitement, "They're here! They're here!"
Hearing his dedicated fan girl shouting, Sonic raced over with the speed of a jet to see what the ruckus was about. "Hey Amy, what's going on?"
Amy continued to jump up and down as she told her hero the news. "They're here, Sonic! They're finally here!"
"Whoa, easy Amy," Sonic held up his hands, "What are you talking about, what's finally here?"
"Our designs," Amy cried with excited eyes, "our new designs for the new show are here!"
Sonic was instantly struck silent when he heard these words. Then, he grabbed Amy's shoulders in desperation. "Amy, don't play games with me! Are you absolutely sure?!"
"Yes-Yes-Yes!" Amy continued to cry, "I just got word from the center, and we are to report there right away!"
Just then Tails appeared, flying down to where the two hedgehogs were. "I heard the shouting. What's happened?"
Sonic turned to the two-tailed fox with an ecstatic smile. "It's time, Tails! Amy says our new designs are finally here!"
"They're here? Oh boy!" the young fox was so filled with excitement, his tails instantly spun rapidly; raising him a few feet off the ground.
"Did I here you correctly?"
The hedgehogs and the fox turned to where the voice was coming from. In a small hovercraft, Doctor Eggman, the eccentric genius and arch enemy of Sonic, hovered down to the three heroes.
"Did you just say the new designs are here?"
"You heard right, Eggman," Sonic said giving a thumbs up.
"Wahoo!" whooped the roly-poly mad doctor. "Well then what are we standing around for? Let's go!"
The four characters started to hurry off. Suddenly, Sonic remembered something. "Hold it!"
Everyone quickly screeched to a halt. All eyes turned to Sonic for the reason behind his call.
"We can't leave yet gang."
"WHAT?" cried the characters in unison?
"Are you mad, hedgehog?" Eggman shouted with disbelief. "We've waited eight long years for a new show."
"Yeah Sonic," said Amy, "what possible reason could we have to not go after waiting so long?"
Sonic gave the reason in a single word.
"Knuckles"
"Oh…right," Amy said sheepishly. She had forgotten that Knuckles had been selected to join the cast for the new show.
Tails looked around. "Where is Knuckles anyway?"
"Must you really ask?" Sonic said to the two-tailed fox. "He's where he has been for two years."
Meanwhile, on Angel Island, Knuckles sat on the top step of the Master Emerald shrine. The echidna gave a depressed sigh as he stared at the spot where the Master Emerald once stood. To Knuckles, the purpose of guarding the chaos emeralds had been one of the few things that kept him anchored to his existence. But ever since the Great Discovery, along with the announcement of the new show, life suddenly felt so . . . empty.
"Hey Knuckles!"
The voice snapped the echidna from his thoughts as he turned to see Sonic, Amy, Tails, and Eggman running up to the shrine. Knuckles narrowed his brow, crossed his arms, and turned back to the empty shrine with a huff.
"Knuckles, you are not going to believe this," Amy cried as they reached the shrine. "Our new character designs are finally here!"
Knuckles stood completely unfazed.
"Didn't you hear what she said, knuckle head?" Sonic asked the silent echidna. "She said the new designs are here! "
"Thanks for the repeated update," Knuckles muttered, his back still turned. "Now go away."
The four were completely stunned by this reaction; how could someone not be excited for something that took eight long years?
"Aren't you even a little excited?" asked Tails.
"Oh sure, I'm excited," Knuckles mumbled loudly.
After a moment awkward silence, Eggman decided to speak. "Well…then let's get going."
Sonic, Amy, and Tails nodded in agreement. But Knuckles stood still.
"Pass."
The four characters gasped at what they heard.
"What did you say?" Amy asked in disbelief.
"I said I'm not going."
Sonic gave a little chuckle. "You're joking, right? This is a joke?"
Knuckles finally turned and faced his four compatriots; showing he was dead serious.
"We know you're upset, Knuckles" Tails said, "But you have to come with us. The show can't go on without the full cast."
"So what, we're just going to be making fools of ourselves for a few seasons. Then the show ends, and then they'll just think of a new show that'll makes us more ridiculous!"
There was a moment of silence; the four couldn't understand why Knuckles would say such a thing.
"Come on, you knuckle-head baby, can't you just…" Sonic began. But Knuckles just turned his back again with a huff.
"I already told you! I'm not going!"
Amy rolled her eyes in annoyance; they weren't getting any closer to leaving. Just then, an idea popped into her head. She knew it was a desperate act, but desperate times called for desperate measures. The pink hedgehog casually walked up behind Knuckles with an innocent smile.
"Aw Knuckles, there's no need to fight with us," Amy said, gently placing a hand on the echidna's shoulder. "After all, we're not just cast members, we're family."
As she spoke, Amy placed her other hand behind her back and, in a quick burst of smoke, her signature Deko hammer instantly appeared. The other characters saw this and knew what she was planning to do.
"And families are supposed to stick together," Amy continued, slowly raising the hammer above the echidna's head. "This means…You're Going!"
Before Knuckles could react, Amy swung the Deko hammer down hard on his head, knocking him out cold.
Ten minutes later, Knuckles unconscious body lay slumped over Eggman's hover pod, as the characters moved swiftly across the landscape.
Sonic turned his eyes to Amy as he carried her in his arms. "You know he's going to be sore when he wakes up, right?"
"Aw, he'll get over it," replied Amy with a proud smile. "Besides, after waiting eight long years, it's either this or waste the few months we have 'til the show's deadline dragging him."
Sonic knew Amy had a good point: once a toon was given a new character design, they needed to spend the time between then and the deadline of their new show adjusting to the new form and practice their new personalities. And since their new show was only several months away, there was no time to waste.
Soon, the four characters reached what they felt was a clear enough spot for the procedure. "Okay Tails," Sonic said as they got into position, "do it."
The young fox stepped in front of the others and shouted out toward a direction in the open area.
"Alpha Command Broadcast Transition Sequence – Activate
Signal: XX924774695200X
Sequence Activation Code Phrase: Exit Stage Left"
For over two minutes, nothing seemed to happen. Then suddenly, sparks of electricity appeared out of nowhere and shot from all different directions. The sparks streaked wildly across the area to where they all collided a few feet from where Tails had shouted the command. The spot where the sparks collided rippled and glowed with a series brilliant Technicolor light. From the light, a futuristic metallic doorway slowly materialized. Sonic, Tails, Amy, and Dr. Eggman approached the door as it began to open with a groan.
Then the four characters, with their unconscious fifth, walked through the door.