Author's note: Hi all. This is my first ever fanfic, so please be gentle! A word on the continuity of this fic: It's primarily based on the Archie Sonic cast, but takes in various characters and elements from other Sonic the Hedgehog sources, including the multiple TV series, the games and the British comics. There will be OC's, but most of the action will be centred on the established cast. Also, there will be various pop culture references throughout the text. The explanation for these is that my take on Mobius is that its culture, entertainment and technology is parallel to our real life world, although its history is quite different. Bottom line: Mobius is similar to early 21st century Earth, except with a different history and two sentient races. Disclaimer: Sonic and all associated characters and settings belong to Sega and Archie Comics (apart from the ones owned by Ken Penders and the Fleetway comics writing team.) Without further ado, let the story begin!

TIME: 21 July, 3322

PLACE: United Federation Supreme Court, Empire City

The courtroom fell silent as the judge's gavel fell. His voice rang out across the room. "Ivo Julian Robotnik, this court finds you guilty of the charges of theft of scientific equipment, terrorism and treason. Do you have anything to say before sentence is carried out?"

The accused was an obese man probably in his forties or fifties. He was bald, but an extravagant and neatly groomed moustache sprouted from under his large nose. Against the advice of his lawyer, he had chosen to face the court in his typical everyday clothing. A pair of black boots with white zip fasteners down the sides adorned his feet and lower legs, worn over a pair of black stretchy trousers that came to exactly halfway up his voluminous torso. His white shirt was barely visible under a red anorak with white trim and yellow pockets, that the accused stubbornly continued wearing despite the fact that the courtroom was sweltering in the summer heat. The man also wore a pair of small, dark, reflective glasses, and a pair of sophisticated goggles or lenses on his head. Whether the goggles were just sitting on his bald head or were actually surgically implanted into it was, however, unclear.

"Doctor." the accused hissed in an annoyed voice. The judge, temporarily put on the back foot, frowned. "Pardon?"

"My title is Doctor Ivo Julian Robotnik. Please have the courtesy to address me as such." Robotnik declared arrogantly. There was a collective gasp from around the court. "I would advise the defendant to kindly remember where he is and what he has been found guilty of." the judge said coldly. "Terrorism and treason both carry the death penalty in the United Federation." Robotnik started laughing in an irritating, high-pitched chortle.

"Treason?" Robotnik's dark glasses glinted in the light as he stared at the judge. "How can my attempted coup be considered treason when the United Federation would have been forever strengthened by my rule? Let's face facts, a mouldy lemon could do a better job at government than the fat joke that is currently in office. As for terrorism, I believe that is just what the big army calls the actions of the little army."

"This court has heard enough of the defendant's treasonous doublespeak." The judge angrily slammed his gavel down once more. "The case of the United Federation government versus Ivo Julian Robotnik is over. You have been found guilty by this jury, and I hereby sentence you to execution by lethal injection at a date yet to be decided. You do, of course, have the right to appeal." Robotnik grinned a maniacal toothy leer at the judge "I'm afraid that you underestimate me, your honour." Robotnik loaded the 'your honour ' with heavy sarcasm. "I do believe that my emancipation is near."

"Hardly." snorted the judge. "G.U.N. security forces surround the courtroom, and helicopter gunships patrol overhead." The judge's voice tailed off as he noticed a low, rumbling vibration running through the courtroom. The two G.U.N. security officers guarding Robotnik noticed it too, and put their hands to their gun holsters. Robotnik leaned casually against the wall of the reinforced plastic defendant's box and grinned. "Well, that does leave one direction undefended, doesn't it, your honour?"

The floor of the courtroom opened like a gaping mouth under the defendant's box, dropping Robotnik into the pit below. The shocked court members had no chance to regain their composure as something enormous burrowed up from below. The judge's eyes bulged as he saw that the 'something' was a huge robot shaped vaguely like a massive mole. The mole's front paws were clamped together, the claws rotating like drill bits. On top of where the robot mole's head would have been was a clear plastic dome, and Dr. Robotnik was seated proudly inside the dome. He was laughing like a maniac, and his greatly amplified voice boomed around the wreckage of the courtroom. "You really thought that the paltry force of robots I attacked United Federation territory with was all I had? Allow me to introduce one of my other creations. It's designated the E-35, but you can just call it the 'Egg Mole.'"

A bullet pinged harmlessly off the Egg Mole's reinforced plastic dome. Robotnik turned around in the cockpit to see one of the G.U.N. guards holding a pistol in his shaking hands. The guard fired again. This time, the bullet glanced off the Egg Mole's thick shoulder armour. Robotnik tutted. "How rude. I see you all need to learn some manners."

The Egg Mole's front drill claws stopped rotating and disengaged, bringing the bottom half of its head into view. A hatch opened under its lower jaw, revealing the six-barrelled shape of a minigun. At the same time, loud rock music started playing over speakers built into the Egg Mole's body. Some of the people in the courtroom recognised the opening bars of AC/DC's song 'Shoot to Thrill' and dived for whatever cover was available, realising what would happen.

With a sound like a huge sheet of canvas being ripped, the Egg Mole opened fire. The jury stampeded for the exits as the Egg Mole slowly started to spin in a full circle, stitching a line of bullet holes across the wall. Only a few escaped. At the close range the Egg Mole was firing at, most of the jury simply disintegrated in the rapid spray of bullets. The judge stood defiantly, ready to meet his end with dignity, when the stream of bullets ceased. Smoke wisped from the barrels of the minigun as Robotnik leered at the judge from the Egg Mole's cockpit. "It seems the tables have turned somewhat, your honour." "You won't get away with this, Ivo. Justice will catch up with you in the end." the judge declared defiantly. Robotnik simply laughed. "Oh, that is such an over dramatic cliché. I have many resources, high technology and military grade hardware. When I return, you'll all know it, not just a few yokels from Frontier Canyon." The Egg Mole's gun retracted and its claws began spinning up again. Robotnik gestured dramatically from his seat. "From this day forth, Doctor Ivo Julian Robotnik no longer exists. I have a new purpose and a new name. The world will soon learn to fear the name of…Doctor Eggman!" With a rumble, the Egg Mole descended back into the earth, leaving in its wake chaos, destruction and a very concerned Supreme Court judge.

Next time on Sonic Chronicles: We join the worlds' fastest hedgehog in the days before he became a hero, as he enjoys a period of family bliss on South Island. A period of time destined to be all too brief, as the spectre of the Eggman lurks on the horizon. Join us next time for Chapter 2: "First step to an oncoming storm." Please R&R.