Above the grass, a bright flash of light appears, spitting out five individuals on the ground. Once it disappears, it is revealed all of them have piled on top of each other like clothes in a laundry with Ragna being the unfortunate one to be below them. Tellingly, his complaints are heard muffled before he has the strength to raise his head and says, "Hey Sonic! Is there any idea as to why we come out piling on top of each other?"
"Don't blame me! Blame the Chaos Emeralds!" Sonic protested, sandwiched between Ruby on top and Hyde below him, who is squashing Yu and in turn, squashes Ragna lastly. "Besides, how should I know we're gonna fall on the ground?"
"Just...make sure you think on what position we're about to appear in before we teleport." He sighs, seeing his bad luck returning for this moment.
"You two, please don't fight..." Ruby pleads, which causes Sonic and Ragna to deny they're fighting. All of this is witnessed by Yu and Hyde, the latter saying, "Am I gonna ask if this is becoming common between you four before I showed up?"
"No. It's not long." Yu answers.
"Okay. So can we just get off each other now or are we gonna be staying in this position forever?" He reminds them, not hiding a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
After getting off each other, the group takes a look at the surroundings. Green rolling pastures, brown checkerboard soil and palm trees are the main feature of the place, being accompanied by clear blue lakes and waterfalls in the background together with brown, rough mountains. All of this is put together to create a picturesque place that will surely take one's breath away.
"Wow. This is such a beautiful place!" Ruby exclaims with delight, her eyes sparkling from everything she's seeing.
"I agree. I wouldn't mind visiting here if I was on vacation." Hyde concurs, breathing the fresh air.
"Guys, remember. We were in Kanzakai earlier so I think we may be in another world." Yu reminded, not hiding his admiration of the scene.
"As to what world this is, I don't know." Ragna chimed in, seemingly disinterested but appreciating the scenery nonetheless. "If I'm being honest, the place looks too bright and cheerful for me to take in."
"Hey! Don't you dare disrespect my most favorite place in the world!" Sonic suddenly went on defensive, tapping his foot in irritation.
Turning to look at him with raised eyebrow, the Grim Reaper states, "I wasn't disrespecting it. I'm saying that it doesn't suit my tastes. I admire the place too, just not as much as the other three."
"Speaking of which, what's the name of this location? And what world is this?" Ruby ask the questions that allows Sonic to pridefully present them with a smirk.
"Why, it's Green Hill Zone. And if you four are curious, we're in my world."
His answer renders the four silent until all of them says, "What?"
"It's my world. Specifically, we're currently in my home world."
Another moment of silence later, the four relaxes once they process that they're in Sonic's world.
"Oh. I see. I didn't know we're visiting your world sooner Sonic." Yu admits.
"Me either. But regardless, I'm happy to see Green Hill and its bright pastures after going through four worlds filled with destruction and chaos." Walking to the edge, Sonic breaths the passing air. Even though it's not that long since he visited, just being here is enough to bring him joy discounting the fact that this is his most favorite place in the whole world. Whether it be from nostalgia or the place being that beautiful, one thing for certain is a smile from the Blue Blur.
"While I can see that, I wonder why?" Hyde expresses his confusion. "If our worlds are nearly destroyed, then why hasn't your world had gone under attack?"
"Now that you mention, yeah. Why is my world unharmed?"
"If I suggest an answer." System speaks up, getting everyone's attention. "It might be because Infinite focused all his efforts in your worlds and the other three first. He may have belonged in Sonic's world but judging from his personality, I believed he wants to spread chaos in various worlds no matter what. He may have chosen to pick on this world and the unknown ninth world last after he's done decimating your worlds."
"Hmm... That is possible," Yu agrees while rubbing his chin. "Or he's taking his time before he decides to destroy all of nine worlds if he desires to."
"Let's hope he didn't go through with it..." Ragna stated.
"You know guys..." Ruby speaks up, tapping her chin in thought. "While we're busy going through worlds to collect Chaos Emeralds and rescue our friends if possible, it didn't occur to us about who Infinite really is. This whole time, we haven't learnt any single thing about Infinite aside from his personality, origin and powers."
"Huh. You know, you're right Ruby. I'm curious too." Hyde nods in agreement.
"Perhaps we should ask Sonic about Infinite. He knows him well enough." Yu suggested.
Turning to Sonic, who has the purple emerald out to track where the next emerald is, Ragna asks, "Hey Sonic. You probably heard our conversation. You mind telling us who Infinite is?"
After the emerald glows, signifying he found the trail for the next emerald, Sonic turns to Ragna and answers, "Yeah. I've heard you guys. I can tell you everything I know Infinite based from my perspective and my friends. We can do this while we walk towards where the emerald is supposed to be."
"Okay, sure. That works."
With System affirming that the three candidates aren't present in Sonic's world, much to their disappointment, the group moves out, with Sonic telling everyone about Infinite and the war that he nearly lost to.
In Cross Field...
Taking his partner's suggestion, Infinite takes a rest in his base of operation where he recharges the Phantom Diamond's power back to its full potential. He may be a multiversal destroyer capable of powers stronger than anyone in any nine worlds with the exception of the Chaos Emeralds but he's aware that he's basically the successor to System XX and losing all of his powers will spell doom not only to him but to the worlds he forcibly fused together in Phantom World.
"Aaaahhhh... My energy and power are recharged... Now for a test drive." Wanting to demonstrate, Infinite casts his Phantom Sphere and create many swords, all extending out from him. Satisfied, he deactivates his move.
Since his partner is making his move in killing off the five candidates, Infinite decides to observe the seven worlds he destroyed for his viewing pleasure. Appearing as seven holograms surrounding him in the air, the jackal grins over the aftermath of the destruction he unleashed. With his yellow eyes watching them with malicious glee, Infinite states, "There's nothing like seeing many worlds in chaos that can satisfy and remind of my success. My world and that world is still haven't been destroyed yet but soon, the time will come when I'll unleash my wrath against the nine worlds..."
As he continues watching, his mind wanders off to the end of the war, where he's kneeling before Sonic and red wolf rookie of the Resistance, glitching from head to toe from the damage and overuse of the Phantom Ruby...
"Impossible...! I cannot be defeated!" Infinite exclaims in disbelief, clenching his fists.
"Wrong, loser! The things that can't be defeated are heart, soul, and the bonds of friendship. Three things you and your counterfeit cronies lack!" Sonic counters, referring to his partner.
Infinite could do nothing but pound the floor. Him, being defeated through friendship? That's bull! He's supposed to be the most supreme being in the world! He has the Phantom Ruby and his illusions at his beck and call! He cannot be defeated, not like this!
Just as when he's about to do something in retaliation, a force is suddenly pulling him in the direction of the tower. Why is he being pulled there...? Wait, if he's being pulled there then that means...
Struggling to remain still, Infinite gasps, "No, wait! I can still fight! I-I c-c-can still...!"
Losing over to the force, Infinite screams in agony as he fades away to the Imperial Tower, with Sonic and Rookie looking at him in puzzlement.
While he's not troubled by that memory anymore once he integrated himself as the next observer of the Phantom Field and acquire immense strength, Infinite knows that that event is what triggered his Phantom Ruby to get him out before he's about to be killed. Thanks to his will power and absolute refusal to die, he survived, but not before blacking out as the Phantom Ruby teleports him somewhere out of his world. When he came to, he not only realizes he's still alive, but someone else who's in the same situation as him is there as well. The location they awoke in is called the Phantom Field and the jackal seems to know everything about what the field does and how it operates.
That's where he realizes that he suddenly became the System's successor after she is defeated by seven individuals and left to be made as a pet of team RWBY. At first, he was distressed over this turn of events but upon seeing his Phantom Ruby is upgraded to Phantom Diamond, which amplifies his abilities more and adds new skills, Infinite sees that, with being capable of observing the worlds, he could exact his revenge against Sonic and his world and sees to it his dream of his world in ruins come true. With the help of his partner, of whom he helped him recover his strength and vitality as well as upgrading him using the arrow originating from his world, the two take their time getting used to their newfound powers.
One week and few days have passed before the more formidable and upgraded Infinite and his newly-found partner wreak havoc over seven worlds, causing wanton destruction, changing the environment to assist in fusing seven worlds and later the last two worlds and, most of all, disposing everyone who may be against them or impede them in their quest to destroy the worlds and remake it in their own image. The only people they didn't kill are the nine candidates of nine worlds, seven of which he engaged in a battle where he foresees that he's the victor. He would have killed them all in one spot if the Chaos Emeralds haven't showed up. Why, of all things, do the emeralds show up to allow the seven to survive for another day?
"...Perhaps it's because the emeralds show up whenever there's danger involved?" Infinite thought loudly as he reminisces of the events leading up to this. "I've heard rumors about if the emeralds are sentient and capable of showing up in response to someone's thoughts. Still, even if the emeralds plan to swerve my plans off the rails and capable of cancelling my powers, they're still outmatched by the might of my Phantom Diamond."
"For now, let me watch all of the destruction I've wrought again. It's certainly my type of content to watch." He says with sadistic smile as he plays back the video to when he killed everyone whether through personally meeting them, decimating all of them with his powers and killing them in front of their friends. He hopes his partner has killed the group and the remaining four individuals already by the time he finished watching.
"Then again, he has the power over time. What could they possibly do to counteract it...?" Infinite mentions ominously.
"…And that is pretty much who Infinite is."
The next few minutes is spent on the group walking down the path, letting them take in the view of Green Hill while Sonic tells them all about Infinite, his motivations and how he's responsible for nearly causing the world to be conquered by Eggman. Suffice to say, the four are shocked over his atrocities and how he almost contributed to Sonic's failure. While the reactions vary from Ruby going teary-eyed to Ragna scowling in anger while clenching his fist, all of them are appalled over the reason why Infinite turned to villainy and become the monster he is: being weak.
"Infinite has done all of the atrocities because he's called weak? That's…insane!" Hyde sums up the reaction among the group, feeling like bringing out his Insulator if he ever see Infinite.
"I know. My exact thoughts too when I learned the reason why." Sonic concurred.
"Then he's pathetic and petty enough to consider doing that if he wants to get strong." Ragna bluntly stated. "He may have become the dangerous monster we loath him for but above all, all I ever see of him as of now is one petty weakling who went insane over one simple word."
"Still though, his squad were killed, which may have played the part in pursuing more strength, probably he doesn't want to see himself as weak." Ruby offered her view of him, referring to how he used to be the leader of Jackal Squad before they were wiped out and left with his friends dead. "I…kinda feel bad for him."
"While I agree with you Ruby, I believe he's not worthy of sympathy anymore if we account for his actions from past and present." Yu reminded, hiding his anger over his seeming indifference. "I don't think he has the chance of redeeming himself again after he crossed the line. I know it from experience."
"Well! Since you all know who Infinite is, let's not linger on what could have been regarding him and let the past be the past, right?" Sonic attempts to lift their mood by telling them his stance toward the past, present and future. "We're here today because we want to stop Infinite and claim our futures. Hope you understand that as we march towards our goal of finding the Chaos Emeralds."
While the mood doesn't seem to change much, they agree with his sentiment and so, the group hurries along. As Sonic observes the luminosity of the purple emerald, the group passes by a shuttle loop in the background, with Hyde and Ruby remarking on it and Sonic telling them it's a natural formation in his world.
Few seconds, the group walks by the loop that seems to be sitting next to the first loop. Though Yu looks at it, he think nothing of it and moves on.
The group find themselves taking a glance to the loop as they pass it by. Except…
"Guys, wait. Something's not right." Yu halts the group from proceeding, inspecting the loop thoroughly.
"Hm? What's not right Yu?" Sonic asks, seeing him looking at the loop with keen eyes. Seeing this as odd, he asks, "And why are you staring the loop for?"
Still looking at the loop, Yu then says, "It's because I just realized… We've been passing by the same loop."
His odd statement confuses the group. Feeling unsure, Sonic states, "Uh, I think you mean we're passing by three loops that so happen to sit beside each other. It isn't uncommon so…"
"No, I insist. I swear we're passing by the same loop. My eyes aren't being deceived." He stays firm of his words, even if they're looking at him with raised eyebrows.
"Look, whether we pass the same loop or not, we need to hurry along." Ragna, believing he's seeing things, approaches Yu to sort this out. "There's no telling when or I Infinite is gonna attack us and try-
-not…looking…?"
"Huh?" Ruby lets out in confusion when Ragna is grabbing Yu by his shoulder suddenly. Her confusion is shared among the group, all of which notice they shifted positions even if it's slight.
Silence hung over the group, trying to process of what's happening until Hyde speaks up. "Ragna? How did you come near Yu in an instant?"
"I..." Ragna is lost over what he's trying to say, removing his hands over his shoulder. "I don't know. I was sure I approach Yu to reprimand him and the next thing I knew, I was there immediately."
"Surely you're not that fast?" Sonic asks, even if he knows he couldn't do that unless he desires to.
"No. I ain't fast."
As if the situation couldn't get any weirder, the bright sunny day turns into starry night, which turns into day, which turns into night, and day, and night, and day. While this is happening, rivers, grasses and wind move at high speed at the same time with the exception of the group, who is watching everything around them move at high speed. It's as if time is accelerating.
"What the hell? Now what is this?" The Grim Reaper is feeling unnerved now over the day and night cycle happening too fast.
"Is this the work of the Phantom World?" Sonic suggests a logical explanation, feeling his quills waving with the wind at a fast rate.
"It sure looks like it..." Ruby is unsure when she said it but she thinks it is the case.
The whole time this is happening, Yu is keeping his eyes peeled over anything out of ordinary. He's not talking about everything that is happening around them but rather, someone else is in the vicinity. And that unsettling feeling is back again.
Unable to take this feeling and thinking they might be in danger, Yu turns to the group and says, "Guys. I think we should leave and find the emerald quick. Let's not stand there thinking of what's happening around us."
"Well, I'm thinking of doing just that but, you sound so...anxious." Sonic pointed out.
"Look! Let us move on! I don't know why but I think we will be in further danger if we-"
Thum.
"-stay here...any...longer...?"
Confusion once again hangs over the group when they find themselves in a different area of Green Hill Zone. In the background, two shuttle loops, one near them and the other far from them, are seen together with two springs situated to the side of the first loop, rings floating in the loop and they're on flat terrain. The river is still present for them to see, except it's now on the other side. Also, the time stopped speeding up and so, it is nighttime. They would be relieved when they realize it stopped accelerating if not for the sudden change of location.
"Okay. This is getting weird and scary." Hyde sums up the feelings of the group, summoning his Insulator. "I have a feeling we're already under attack by someone else."
"If we are, then who is it? It couldn't be Infinite, right?" Ruby nervously look left and right, hugging her Crescent Rose like if it's her stuff toy. "I don't think he's capable of...whatever is happening around us."
"I incline to think he's responsible, considering he's been messing with us but..." Sonic felt unsure if the half-masked jackal is responsible. "If he isn't then, who could it be?"
"Whoever he is, then we just pummel them to the pulp." Ragna growled, holding his Aramasa. "In fact, I think they're already in the vicinity."
"You're right. They're already in the vicinity." Yu, despite being anxious, stays vigilant as he summons Izanagi-no-Okami as he looks around and see where could the enemy be. "And, I don't know why but, I have a feeling that we shouldn't be...fighting them."
Before anyone can speak up, an unfamiliar, haughty and husky voice is heard coming from above.
"You're right, my boy. All of you should think twice before you stand a chance against me..."
Turning their heads up, the group sees a tall and muscular man standing over the edge on top of the loop, his arms folded and brandishing a wicked smirk that sends chills down their spines.
As everyone stares at him with cautious looks, the man chuckles evilly and, in a condescending tone, declares, "...For I, Dio, will strike you all down with all my might. None shall ever stop me for I have the control over time!"
Meanwhile...
In a different area, far away from the path the group used to pass by, a black hedgehog makes his entrance by emerging from a flash of light. Landing on the ground, a green Chaos emerald is seen being held on his right hand, which is glowing slightly due to the presence of Chaos Emeralds somewhere.
Standing up, his red eyes stare the emerald for a brief moment before shifting his sight to the loop in the background. "Judging from the vision I had of this emerald, there are three emeralds somewhere held by five people, which includes Sonic." The hedgehog says in a gruff tone. Staring the loop, he adds, "And based on my calculations, perhaps the group are near that loop. The vision may be limited in terms of location but I think I can find them. I have to hurry though, because they're about to fight that vampire who's working together with Infinite."
Putting the emerald in his quills, the black hedgehog sprints out of the area by skating, hoping he's not too late in lending a hand. "Hope you don't do anything reckless Sonic. You do not know the extent of not only Dio's, but also, Infinite's power yet..."
Hello everyone! Welcome to the-
You expect a normal author's note, but it was I, DIO!
Wha? Hey, what are you doing here Dio? Can't you see I'm-
I'm in charge of this note here, so you should think twice before I, Dio, end you.
...You do know I can remove you here if I want to, right?
Hmph! I know! I just want to have some fun. Am I not allowed to do that?
Fine... But just this once, alright?
Alright. I accept your agreement. So anyway, the man you all know as Dio, capitalized as DIO, has entered the fanfic, revealing the ninth series to be JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Considered to be the author's most favorite anime of all time, it is his pleasure of including the series out of love and appreciation, so I hope all of you praise me for I, Dio, is revealed to in cahoots with Infinite.
As to how he's still alive? Well, you can refer to the scene with Infinite and how he survived. I'm not sure if that's enough but eh, I desires Infinite and Dio as the main villains of this fanfic so, what can you do?
Hahahaha! It is my pleasure to be a part of it! Well, except for my and Infinite's inevitable defeat.
Well, if I let you two won, then everything is destroyed by your hands. And besides, I already planned how all of you are defeated.
Hmph! At least I'll be a formidable opponent who will give a thrilling fight for these weaklings they call themselves heroes and Jotaro. I hope that you'll do your best in writing the next chapter or else, I'll drink your blood.
Remember, I'm in charge here and have every right to remove you out of the author's notes.
Of course I, Dio, remember that! So anyway, with that out of the way, it's time we take our leave and expect the next chapter to be released. I'll see you all fools next time...
And, if you like to, review and show me what are your thoughts so far for the fanfic so far! Goodbye!