Hello Everyone. I'm back with something fresh and new. Now I've been a Sonic the Hedgehog fan for a long time but I never really acted on it. This will be the first time I tackle this fandom with my own story. Here's hoping all goes well!

Disclaimer: I do not own any the characters from the Sonic the Hedgehog series/franchise. This is a fan project for fans by a fan.


The End of the World

Years ago, Eggman launched an assault to seize control of the world. All the countries military forces banded together and many people fought valiantly to protect the freedoms they had. Freedom fighters and insurgents attacked Eggman's mechanized army with all their might, but none of them could last for long. The might that the Chaotix Detective Agency provided swayed the battles in our favor, but Eggman hired a group of mercenaries known as the Jackal Squad to meet them at the front.

Team Chaotix was defeated.

The United Forces sent in some of their best platoons to give a fighting chance at the battlefront. Among them were GUN's best operatives; Shadow the Hedgehog, Rouge the Bat, and E-123 Omega. Their efforts ended the quarrels with the Jackals and Shadow fended off their leader, Infinite. Although victory smiled upon him, the final battle with Infinite left Shadow scarred.

During the siege of the world, Eggman attacked and raided Angel Island. The keeper of the island and guardian of the Master Emerald, Knuckles the Echidna, made a stand against the fleet. In time, his efforts were in vain. He was captured and imprisoned on the lead ship.

In the final hour of this conflict, the world's bravest heroes made one last stand against Eggman. The battle raged for hours with neither side giving an inch and the greatest hero of all, Sonic the Hedgehog, fought harder than any of the others. When the battle was over, the morning mist set in. An eerie calm had swept the blood-stained plains. This last stand dealt the decisive blow. Many of the survivors gathered to a single location. Everyone was in awe and grief as they gazed at the sight before them.

Sonic the Hedgehog is dead.

With their spirits crushed, Eggman completed his conquest of the world and began building his empire. At long last, he succeeded.

It's been many long years since that day, and a new breed of fighters are preparing to take back what's theirs.

Ten years later...

Calm. Still. The forest was silent. Nothing to be heard but the gentle breeze through the leaves. The atmosphere was chilling, calming, yet the danger was very much present. In the heart of it all, a rabbit with an antler no older than nineteen stood there. His eyes are closed taking in every sensation he felt. A small rustle is heard from above and he sprung into action. Several targets appeared as he lept into the air. He unholstered two pistols from his boots, took aim, and open fired on the targets. Each round fired hit the dead center of the targets. This continue for several minutes.

By the time he fired his last round, small battle robots swarmed onto the meadow. He put is weapons away and too a battle ready stance. With a small smirk and chuckle, the robots charged him all at once. He swiftly extended his left leg kicking one and knocking it back. Another one throws a punch at the jackrabbit, but his swift recovery from the kick allowed him to dodge backwards. Gritting his teeth, he charged delivering a clothesline sending the attacking robot into more effectively destroying them. The dance flowed back and forth for five minutes. Wanting to wrap things up, the jackrabbit crossed his arms and a blue aura started to emit from his mahogany fur. After a few seconds, he let out a battle cry releasing the energy. A vibrant light swept over the area destroying the remaining robots. Feeling drained, he dropped to his knees taking in deep breaths. As he did so, the landscape distorted.

[Simulation: Terminated]

[Confirmed Kills: 52]

[Destroyed Targets: 364]

[Subject: Sergeant Major Lee]

[Training Simulation: Completed]

"364? Dammit! Why do I keep missing that one?" Lee questioned to himself. He had done this particular simulation for the past few weeks and ever since last week, he's always missed one target. Lee was taken out of his thoughts when he heard clapping. He looked over his shoulder to see his superiors watching. The one applauding was a burly white tiger. He wore a fatigue flack jacket, military grade black glove and his dog tags could be seen hanging from his neck. The other was significantly shorter than the tiger and stood there arms folded. His appearance was much more intimidating with scars all over his body and a patch over his left eye. His face seemed to imply that he wasn't all that impressed. Lee walked out of the training dome to greet them.

"First Sergeant Specialist Vaughn," Lee addressed the tiger with a salute. Vaughn returned the gesture with a smile. Lee then turn to face his commanding officer. "General Shadow, I had no idea you were coming to watch."

Shadow walked into the light a bit more and the scars became more prevalent. "At ease, Sergeant Major," he responded putting Lee to a calm. "I've been keeping track of your progress since you began here with GUN. I wouldn't miss this."

Shadow trained Lee while the jackrabbit was still very young. Lee came to a GUN facility after an incident the left the creature with a broken antler and homeless. For the past ten years, he was trained by Shadow himself and quickly rose through the ranks over the years. It was only the beginning of this year that Lee was promoted to Sergeant Major.

"Seems like you're still having some difficulty with this particular simulation," the general stated walking up to the console.

Lee shrugged it off briefly. "Yes, sir. I'm still missing a target. Not to worry, I'll be back later to to try the simulation again-"

"You're still expending too much energy with Chaos Blast," Shadow cut him off immediately. Lee jumped back startle by his mentor's demeanor. "No matter your affinity with it, you cannot release that much energy. If this were a real battle, you be dead." Lee shrunk at the general's comments feeling like he didn't measure up.

Seeing this, Vaughn speaks up with a thick Slavic accent, "Even still, kill count is better than most other's. Wouldn't you agree, General?" Shadow simply nodded. "Even better than me. Well done, comrade!" Vaughn gave Lee a reassuring slap on the back causing him to hit the pavement face first.

"Thanks, Vaughn."

"Now then," Shadow opened, "there's a debriefing at 17:00 sharp in the lower level conference room. Retire to the chamber to replenish the energy you expended during your training, Lee, and I'll see you both then. Dismissed."

"Yes, General," both Vaughn and Lee responded.

After their reply, Shadow left the training dome. For the next few minutes, he found himself standing next to a window. He stared out into the darkened sky hovering over Eggman's new fortress in the distance. So much had happened since that day. Eggman seizing control, Sonic's death, freedom fighter's disappearing left and right. Shadow watched the world change for the worst. Coming back to reality. He made his way to the chow hall to grab a small snack and kill a bit of time.

Back with Lee, he and Vaughn went to a more remote location on the base. He walked up to a keypad and enters a code. After a few more security measures, a door opens up. Both of them walk inside where they are met with a vibrant viridian light.

"I'll be waiting for you outside, comrade," Vaughn says. He exits the chamber leaving Lee to have his alone time.

Lee walks towards the center of the brightly lit chamber. There, in a special pedestal, was the Master Emerald. He stares at the gem smiling gently. He reaches his hand out and presses it against the emerald. Closing his eyes and focusing for a short moment, the gem glows ever so brightly and Lee lights up as well. After a few seconds, He feels like brand new. Lee opens his eyes slightly and stares at the floor, the smile no longer gracing his face. He recalls a time so long ago when the world was much brighter. He gazes upon the emerald with a pained look on his face.

"Master Knuckles," he speaks to no one in particular, "I wish you were here. I feel so lost. I've done what you've asked of me and have kept the Master Emerald safe all these years. I wish there was more I could have done. I feel so helpless without you."

Long before Eggman took over, Knuckles taught Lee a great deal before he joined the ranks of GUN. He was his only real friend. With newfound determination, he comes back to reality. "Don't worry, master. I'll do everything in my power to restore this world back to what it was."

With those words, Lee left the chamber. It was almost time for the debriefing, so he moved without any haste ready for whatever mission the commander might have in store for him.


Thank you all for reading. I hope you'll enjoy and stay on this journey with me.

Side note: I may have a vast imagination, but there are limits. if possible I'd like your help. I need 10 "Original the Characters" to serve for later parts in the story. If each reader could spare one, it would be greatly appreciated. See you next chapter! ^_^