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Chapter 2: Chronos Dimension
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In the skies above Never Lake, a spherical structure stood. It was the Little Planet, a planet practically made of Chronos Energy. In short, Chronos Energy was similar to Chaos Energy in that it could control certain aspects of time, whereas Chaos Energy controlled space.
Little Planet would appear over the lake for a month every year, and with it came the Time Stones. Similar to how Chronos Energy was the equivalent to Chaos Energy, the Times Stones were the equivalents of the Chaos Emeralds. The Chronos Energy given off by the Time Stones would reach down to Mobius' surface, restoring the land surrounding Never Lake to how it was about ten years ago.
Sonic the Hedgehog sprinted along the grasslands, noticing Little Planet over one of the nearby mountains. He grinned, leaping up the footholds, and staring in awe at the planet's beauty. Suddenly, he realized that a chain had been attached to the planet, tethering it to Mobius.
What's more, the chain was connected to a mountain with a very familiar face upon it.
"Robotnik again?" Sonic growled, glaring at the face carved into the mountainside. "I warned him last time, if he ever threatens Mobius again, there won't be any mercy! Didn't think he'd stir up trouble again in less than three years, if at all!"
Indeed, he had brought the madman to his knees just over two years ago, and Mobius had been mostly peaceful since. He smirked, cracking his knuckles, and jumping down the mountain, rolling off of the slope and landing on the chain.
Meanwhile, on the Little Planet, Robotnik chuckled darkly, watching as Sonic entered the planet's atmosphere. "Yes, that's right, Sonic. Run, run, as fast as you can. I have a nice surprise for you waiting up here..." He stood, hurrying to his Egg-Pod hovercraft. "I knew sending my creations to this planet ten years ago was a brilliant plan! Even if Sonic tried to stop me in the past by using the Time Stones, he'll still need to take down my Robot-Makers, which are guarded by my most faithful of servants!"
"And of course..." His eyes gleamed behind his goggles. "There's a little play-mate he has waiting for him in the Collision City, where Chronos Energy and Chaos Energy collide."
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Sonic felt the wind whip his spines around as he hurried across the Palm-Tree forest. As he expected, Badniks waited for him around every turn, and he spun through each one.
Then, without warning, he felt his stomach churn as he lost his footing, and bright blue stars circled his body. He let out a cry of shock as he felt himself skid across his stomach, finally stopping after a moment or so. He pushed himself up, groaning, and looking around.
The Palm-Tree forest had become...drier, and the cliffs nearby looked smoother than they had previously. He remembered the old legends of Little Planet, and he shrugged, assuming that was the reason. He continued forth, surprised to see Badniks still lurking around.
Suddenly, he stopped, staring in awe at the mechanism in front of him. It looked like some sort of floating jail cell, it's bars made of electricity, with the floor and roof made of solid steel. A nearby Badnik noticed him, and revved up it's wheels, charging straight for him. Sonic leapt over him, curling into a ball and slicing through the cell.
In a flash, he returned to the present, losing his footing once more and slipping from the cliff, landing on his back and groaning again. "Ugh...I don't think I'll ever get used to that..." He sprinted forth again, noticing a Ring Portal dead ahead, similar to the ones on South Island. He scowled. "What? Why are there Ring Portals on Little Planet? I knew the Time Stones were similar to Chaos Emeralds, but to think they're this similar..."
Regardless, he jumped in, landing on what appeared to be a repeating street in the middle of an ocean. Overhead, he noticed strange UFO-looking machine, and he smirked when he noticed the Time Stone a few feet away. He ran for it, only to fall back as the UFOs dove for him, blocking him from getting it.
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"Doctor Robotnik, the hedgehog has destroyed the Robot-Maker of the Palm-Tree forest, and has collected the first Time Stone!" An Orbinaut announced as it floated into the man's main control room.
"Oh, no big deal." Robotnik snickered, watching from his mobile camera as Sonic zipped ahead towards the Collision City. "He hasn't even met him yet, he should have butt out when he had the chance!" Suddenly, he noticed something on the screen; a pink, blurred-out object, hidden behind a palm-tree.
He zoomed in, sharpening the image until it was clear. "Grr...That pesky rodent! He has back-up!" He glared at the Orbinaut. "Change of plans! Contact Metal and tell him the update; capture that hedgehog's partner! The two of them might prove to be a challenge!"
"Yes sir, Doctor Robotnik!" The machine raised one of it's maces, as if saluting, before shooting down the corridor.
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Sonic screeched to a halt, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the sun as he looked ahead. "What in the world? The forest seems to flatten out and lead to a city. Strange..." Suddenly, he heard a twig snap behind him, and he spun around. "Who's there? Are you one of Robotnik's Badniks? Show yourself!" Everything was silent for a moment, before a young, pink hedgehog stepped out from behind her hiding spot. "What the...A girl?"
She nervously glanced down at the floor, smoothing out her skirt, and blushing. After a moment or two, she waved. "H-Hello. You're...from the world below, right?"
He nodded, raisin g an eyebrow. "You mean Mobius? Yeah, I'm from there."
"It's not often we get a visitor from there." The girl explained. "A-Are you here to sight-see? I can show you around!"
"Sorry, kid, but I don't have time to sight-see." Sonic scowled, turning around towards the city. "Little Planet's in danger, and I have to stop it!"
"You're heading to Collision City, aren't you?" She quickly spoke up, holding up a hand to get him to wait. "I can show you there! The Palm-Tree forest gets really dense up ahead, and you might lose your way."
Sonic considered this for a moment, before smirking, giving her the thumbs up. "Sure thing. I was starting to get a bit lonely anyways!" The girl jogged up to him, and Sonic gave her a bit of a head start, before following her lead. "So, what's your name, kid?"
"A-Amy Rose..." She replied, bashfully. "What's...your name?"
He smirked again. "I'm Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog!"
About fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the gates to Collision City, and Sonic slowed down to allow Amy to catch up; somewhere along the way, he'd gotten ahead.
"S-Sonic..." She panted, wiping a bit of saliva from her chin. "How...how are you...so fast?"
"Heh...s-sorry..." Sonic reached up, scratching his spines. "Sometimes I get a bit ahead of myself...and others..." He reached down. "You okay?"
Amy blushed, taking his hand and nodding. "Y-Yes..."
"Thanks for showing me to the city." He waved, preparing to start running. "But I gotta get going!"
"S-Sonic, wait a moment!" She called, and Sonic stopped in his tracks as he grabbed his hand. They were both silent for a minute, until Amy finally looked up into his eyes. "I...you're welcome..."
He stared for a moment, before sighing. "Amy-"
CRASH!
Suddenly, the wall ahead of them cracked open, and a yellow blur shot towards them. Sonic immediately raised his hands up to defend Amy, only to stare in shock as the blur curved over his head, landing behind them and snatching Amy up off of her feet. Sonic growled, before his eyes registered what was before him.
Floating above the ground, with Amy in it's arms, was a cobalt-blue machine, with piercing red eyes, deadly claws on it's hands, and three upward-turning spikes.
About a minute passed, before he finally regained control of his voice. "HEY! Who are you ? !" He snarled. "Put her down!"
"Be quiet, hedgehog." The robot ordered, and Sonic flinched at how demonic it's robotic, tinny voice sounded. "Under orders of Doctor Ivo Robotnik, I am placing you both under arrest for defying his greatness. Come along peacefully, and you shall not be harmed. Struggle, and you will be executed on the spot."
Sonic growled, glaring at the claws pressed against Amy's neck. "Let Amy go! She has nothing to do with me! You can tell Robotnik that she was just showing me to the city!"
"She is an accomplice, and is therefore under arrest!" The robot retorted.
Amy looked down at Sonic, eyes pleading for him to save her, before she noticed a gang of Badniks behind him. "SONIC! RUN!"
Before he could react, the Badniks pounced on him, pinning him to the ground and hitting him with everything they had. Amy felt tears well up in her eyes, and screamed as the robot hedgehog flew away, towards Doctor Robotnik's base.
The robots let up as Sonic ceased to move, eyes shut. They dispersed, leaving his body beyond the gate as a warning to anything else that might cross the path. Suddenly, Sonic opened one eye, making sure they were gone, before smirking and pushing himself to his feet, sprinting on ahead.
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Robotnik snickered as he watched Sonic scurry forth. "That's right, hedgehog, come right into my trap. You won't make a mockery of me this time!" He had sent even stronger Badniks than before to hinder the hedgehog, and although they each lacked a Chaos Emerald, they were made of reinforced steel and covered in spikes. And without the Chaos Emeralds, Sonic was just as powerless as a moto-bug.
"Sir, I have brought the accomplice." The robot hedgehog reported, throwing Amy at his feet and kneeling. "What are your orders, Doctor Robotnik?"
"Very good, Hyper Metal Sonic!" He cackled. "Just think, if you froze Sonic in his tracks with one Chaos Emerald, just imagine what you could do with all seven!"
Metal nodded, reaching into his abdominal area, where the sky-blue Chaos Emerald sat. "...Doctor."
"Yes, Metal?"
"Why did you make these fake Chaos Emeralds?" The robot inquired, and Robotnik tittered darkly.
"Do not misunderstand, Hyper Metal Sonic." He explained. "These Emeralds are just like the real ones, albeit counterfeit. The real ones contain the power of Chaos, the God of Destruction, whilst these," he held one up to make an example, "are merely normal Peruzzi-cut gems which I have filled with the energy of the leftover animals I kidnapped."
Metal tilted his head to the side. "I'm afraid I don't understand. Why falsify the Emeralds instead of retrieving the real ones?"
"Hyper Metal Sonic, the Chaos Emeralds are a legend among legends!" Robotnik stood, raising his arms to emphasize. "My grandfather, Gerald Robotnik, studied not only the planet Mobius, but also it's myths and folktales."
"One such tale spoke of a legendary tribe, whose prosperity came from a 'pillar', called the Mighty Stone. However, one day, the tribe angered the gods, and a monster rose from the pillar. It left a path of terrible chaos and tragedy in it's wake. Only after it's rage had been sealed into the Mighty Stone had it's reign of terror ended. The tribe was eradicated completely." He sat back down, opening a file on his computer.
"The gods, knowing that the Mighty Stone would bring about only destruction if used in the wrong hands, separated the tribe's home from the mainland, casting it into the cosmos, where it and it's culture vanished forevermore."
On the computer screen, it showed a mural of sorts, a large Emerald in the middle. On the left was what appeared to be a dragon of sorts, while on the right was an angel, barely a tenth of the dragon's size.
"Or at least...that's what the legends say." He continued. "My grandfather, before his death, had sent probes into the outer reaches of space, and came across what appeared to be a meteorite, floating amongst the stars. Upon landing, the probes sent back data which appeared at first impossible. The 'island's' atmosphere was composed of elements similar to that of Earth's, nitrogen, oxygen, etcetera. The probes came across an ancient ruin, and within it, an enormous Emerald and this mural."
"It also found 'Ring Zones' scattered around the island, and within them, gems, which the scriptures sent back described as 'Emeralds of Destruction'. The probes attempted to place them at the altar which surrounded the Mighty Stone, but the signal was lost, and what happened remains a mystery."
He scowled. "And then, before his death, he created the 'Ultimate Life-Form', composed of makeshift Chaos Energy. It was meant to be a cure, but after his death, this ultimate being vanished..."
"...Doctor." Metal tilted his head once more. "What is the reason that there are Ring Zones on Little Planet and South Island as well?"
"Mobius and Little Planet, in a way, circle each other infinitely, as a Möbius Strip, if you will. Since the island was once a part of Mobius, it is safe to assume that some of it's Chaos Energy 'leaked' from the island eons ago, before it was separated from the mainland. Little Planet, too. The Chaos Energy formed these Ring Zones, and the Time Stones, which are equivalent to the Chaos Emeralds, were attracted to them, sealing themselves within."
"And the Chaos Emeralds found in these Ring Zones?"
"...The result of an experiment, which went horribly, horribly wrong." Robotnik scowled, glaring at the screen as Sonic zipped out of the Tidal Tempest Ruin. "Just as my grandfather created the Ultimate Life, I sought to do the same, not as a cure, but as a destroyer. I studied everything carefully, but the Chaos Energy I faked spiked; a flash of light destroyed not only my laboratory, but also half of Westopolis. Hundreds were killed as a result, and I, being the only survivor and cause, was sent to jail for twenty long years. I often laid awake at night, wondering, 'what was that flash of light?'..."
"I didn't realize it at first sight, but I understood when I found that he absorbed the fake Chaos Emeralds..." He growled, slamming a fist into the keyboard. "Never in a million years did I once consider that I had created my own worst enemy..."
"Doctor, Sonic the Hedgehog is your... ? !"
"Yes..." He snarled. "I created Sonic the Hedgehog with my own two hands, although I wouldn't know until after my stint in prison...And who knows how many other monstrosities I'm responsible for? The only reason Sonic isn't already an adult is because of the five-year time-span it takes to get from Earth to Mobius. Besides, I have no idea if the Chronos Energy had any influence on when the Chaos Energies reached Mobius..."
On the monitor, Sonic had managed to collect the Time Stones and had made it through the Wacky Workbench factory. "That little pincushion! Hyper Metal Sonic!" The doppleganger saluted. "Head to the Stardust Speedway and cut him off! I'll be there shortly to back you up." He grabbed Amy's collar. "As for you..."
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Sonic hurried on ahead, looking left and right. "Robotnik's base has to be around here somewhere! The more dangerous things get, the closer I am to the man himself." He skidded to a stop, glaring at Metal as he blocked him. "You again! Where's Amy ? !"
"She's still alive, for now." He replied, ominously. "Doctor Robotnik has given me strict orders to dispose of you, and I intend not to disappoint." Robotnik floated over them, and the front of his hovercraft glowed. A laser shot down into the floor, and Metal revved up his engine, ready to take off. "If you want her back, you will have to beat me to her at the end of the Speedway. If you can't, then I'll make sure you watch as I gut her like a fish!"
"And if I can..." Sonic snarled. "I'll make sure you're so busted up, not even a Chaos Emerald can repair you!"
The door in front of them opened, and they took off, sparks flying behind them. Sonic smirked as he passed the robot, only to stare in shock as Metal flew overhead, glowing golden. He growled, speeding up so that they were neck-and-neck.
Suddenly, a set of spikes jutted up from the floor out of nowhere, and Sonic barely had time to jump over it. "Now you're just playing dirty!" It didn't take long for him to catch up. The laser was getting closer, and Sonic felt the heat burning the backs of his shoes.
"This is the home-stretch, hedgehog!" Metal seemed to snicker. "I'll enjoy watching you die!"
Sonic pushed himself harder, and for once, he felt his chest about to burst from exhaustion. Metal was a robot, and wouldn't run out of energy until long after the race, but Sonic relied on his lungs and the air around him. He tripped, crying out in pain as he skidded across the speedway, landing in a crumpled heap.
He reached up, holding his nose and making sure it wasn't broken. He gulped back the saliva that had built up, sprinting forward once more. The finish line was dead ahead, and Metal was almost there.
"This is it..." Sonic felt his legs begin to give out, and he begged his body to push harder. Suddenly, he heard Amy's screaming from the finish, begging him to help her, to not die. He growled, glaring back at Robotnik, then at Metal. "Damn you..." He took a deep breath, running faster than he ever had, his legs becoming a blurred figure eight. "DAMN YOU ! ! !"
He shot past Metal Sonic, leaving both the robot and their creator with shocked expressions. Metal made a tinny growl, speeding up as well. His legs scraped against the ground, but he didn't care; Robotnik could rebuild him and buff out any scratches.
Then, it was over.
Metal's legs began to melt, and he lost his balance, slamming into the wall next to the finish line just as Sonic passed it. The real deal quickly spun through the ropes holding Amy in place, picked her up, and continued running as the speedway burst into flames, the robot having exploded.
He kept running, straight to the Palm-Tree forest, before tripping up, sending both himself and Amy sprawling onto the grass.
After a minute or so, Amy managed to push herself up, limping over to her savior. "S-Sonic, wake up!" She cried, shaking his shoulder. "Sonic, please, wake up!"
He began to stir, groaning as he pushed himself into a sitting position. He stayed silent for a moment, before chuckling. "...Heh...heheh..." His chuckles soon grew into laughter, and it took him a second to calm down. "Phew..." He sighed. "Gotta congratulate Robotnik sometime; that was such a RUSH!"
"Sonic, are you okay?" Amy asked, worried. The blue hedgehog nodded, standing up.
"Yep, fine. Just needed a minute or two to rest." He stretched out his legs and arms. "Ahh, feelin' better already!" He smirked. "Now then, time to kick some Ro-butt-nik!" He paused. "...Oh, man, I have got to remember that one!" Amy shivered a bit, and Sonic raised an eyebrow. "Hey, Amy, you alright?"
She burst into giggles, looking Sonic in the eye. "...Thank you, Sonic!" To his surprise, she tackled him in a hug, smothering his cheeks with kisses. "You're my hero! You're soooo cool!"
"Wh-Whoawhoawhoa!" Sonic cried out, pushing her off. "Listen, Amy, I-I'm grateful that you think I'm cool and all, a-and you're welcome for saving you, b-but..." He backed up, raising his hands in defense as she approached, a cutesy look on her face. He gulped, turning on his heel, and sprinting in the opposite direction, towards the Metallic Madness factory. "S-Sorry Amy, I'm not ready for that kind of commitment!"
"Sonic, come back!" She cried, chasing after him.
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Sonic had managed to lose Amy somewhere around the Quartz Quadrant, and he let out a sigh of relief. He had made it to Robotnik's base, and he jogged forth, towards the center.
Robotnik was waiting for him, in another of his machines. This one was a spherical pod with four hammers surrounding it. "You horrid little hedgehog!" He snarled. "How dare you destroy my beautiful creation!"
"Give it up, Ro-butt-nik!" Sonic snickered. "I beat you once, I'll do it again! I gave you fair warning last time. This time, there'll be no mercy!"
The hammers launched themselves down at him, and he sidestepped each. He spun into a ball, bouncing off of the pod. He growled, repeating it, only to fly back as the hammers reappeared, sucked back in by a magnet.
He placed a hand to his chin. "Alright, reinforced steel, hammers all around...Nice goin', Ro-butt-nik. This might actually be trouble to trash!"
Suddenly, a whirring came from the doorway, where Metal Sonic lay, gripping the door frame.
"Yes! Get him, Hyper Metal Sonic!" Robotnik ordered, and Metal's jet activated, sending him straight for his original. Sonic dodged, and the robot smashed into Robotnik's pod, sending it flying into the control panel. "Wh-WHAT ? !" He cried, grabbing Metal by the neck and leaping out of his machine, running away. "YOU CLANKING CLOD! THIS WHOLE FORTRESS WILL EXPLODE NOW!"
"NOT SO FAST, RO-BUTT-NIK!" Sonic exclaimed, making a dash for him, until he heard a voice behind him.
"There you are! Soni~c!" Amy ran through the door, oblivious to the falling pillar.
"AMY!" Sonic sprinted towards her, grabbing her and running out of the fortress. He reached the Palm-Tree forest once more, leaping at the chain as it began to crumble, setting Little Planet free. He landed on the ground, panting as he wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead.
They both looked up at the Little Planet as it vanished, leaving behind not a single trace.
A few minutes passed, before Amy looked at her hero, remorsefully. "...Sonic, I...I'm sorry...If I hadn't followed you, you could've gotten Robotnik, a-and..."
"No, I'm sorry..." Sonic sighed. "...Little Planet was your home, and because I didn't think to leave you at the Palm-Tree forest, you can't go back...Amy, I'm sorry..."
The pink hedgehog wrapped him in a hug. "You have nothing to be sorry about...Besides, you did save me, so I can't be mad at you after that." She kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Sonic the Hedgehog..."
"Listen, Amy..." Sonic pushed her off, gently. "It's not that I don't like you or anything, but I just think we need time to consider things before rushing into it...Kinda something I never do." He chuckled nervously. "L-Look, maybe in a few years, okay? As soon as Ro-butt-nik's gone for good!"
"Really?" She smiled, eyes sparkling.
"I-I said maybe!" Sonic raised his hands. "Okay? Let's wait before rushing into something like this."
"...I see." Amy nodded, smiling. Sonic grinned back, before Amy pulled an enormous hammer out of her pocket. "After Robotnik's gone, you'll be all mine!"
"A-Ah, just...let me handle Robotnik, okay?" He chuckled nervously.
"Oh, fine..." She crossed her arms, pouting. "But...that doesn't mean I won't stop trying to make you mine!"
"A-Amy! Cut that out!" Sonic cried as she chased after him. "Oh, gosh, what did I get myself into ? !"
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To be continued...