Dr. Robotnik's Ship, High Above Sonic's World
Robotnik
"Excellent work, Squadron 577 Commander! Have the Emerald transported here immediately!"
Squadron 577 Commander
"Yes sir."
The Egg Robo's image flickered and the screen went black. Robotnik twirled in his chair back to the other side of the room, where the other 5 Chaos Emeralds were being held. He could hardly hold in his maniacal glee. He was even tempted to start juggling them.
Robotnik
"OH HO HO HO! That little blue pincushion thought he defeated me when he kicked me off South Island! The fool! And once the final Chaos Emerald is in my grasp, NO ONE WILL OPPOSE ME!"
The doctor spent a few minutes laughing evilly to himself. Soon, the door to Robotnik's lab opened, and an Egg Robo entered, holding the sixth, and as far as Robotnik knew, final Chaos Emerald. He hopped from his seat and greedily grabbed the jewel.
Robotnik
"Ahhh, beautiful. The key to the world in the palm of my hand. How is work on the Death Egg project coming along?"
Egg Robo
"Construction on the Death Egg is currently 40% complete. However, it is expected that using the Chaos Emeralds will allow construction to be finished within the week."
Robotnik
"Excellent. Now get back to your post."
Within the year, the Robotnik Empire spanned the globe. All who opposed the mad doctor's will were either killed or roboticized. Almost nothing was spared from Robotnik's conquest. And the crown jewel, powered by literal jewels, was the mighty Death Egg, emblazoned with Robotnik's face staring down at the world in mockery. Eventually, due to the lack of opposition, the evil genius found himself with more free time than he could handle, and he took his hobby of researching ancient civilizations to higher, almost obsessive heights.
Robotnik, To No One in Particular
"Hmmm...fascinating. It says here that the ancient Echidnas were destroyed by their own god after they angered him by trying to - what's this?"
He had been thumbing through an old journal, once belonging to a researcher who had been killed during the doctor's takeover. Suddenly, he noticed something which could prove quite useful to his cause. Or detrimental, if the wrong person got their hands on it.
The Master Emerald? And what was this "Floating Island?" Whatever they were, he had to get his hands on them lest someone were to use them to start a revolt. He delved further into researching this "Master Emerald" and its island home. He soon became obsessed with trying to find it, no matter the cost. Months passed, with no results.
Robotnik's Chambers
Robotnik
"RRAAGH! Why haven't we found it yet?! I've researched countless journals, countless manuscripts, and I've come up with nothing! NOTHING!"
Just then, he received a transmission from one of his reconnaissance drones. It, along with a few thousand other Badniks, had been redirected to hunt specifically for the Floating Island. He hastily opened the transmission call.
Robotnik
"What is it? What have you found?!"
His voice had an almost panicked excitement to it, but the Badnik didn't care, or notice for that matter.
Buzz Bomber
"Sir, we have discovered a large landmass levitated by unknown means."
Robotnik
"Then what are you waiting for? Show it to me, you mechanical moron!"
The transmission then shifted to a view from the Buzz Bomber's perspective, revealing a small planetoid obscured by clouds, completely hollow but covered in diverse biomes.
Robotnik
"What the-? That must be it! A bit less island-shaped than I was expecting, but it must be! Prepare to send a Badnik squadron down to the surface, send me your coordinates, and wait for me to arrive!"
With that, the doctor closed the transmission and entered the coordinates into the Death Egg's mainframe, and soon the battleship arrived at its destination. Robotnik took his Egg Mobile down to the planetoid's surface.
The Lost Hex
After walking around for a bit and finding nothing, he began to get annoyed. He kicked at the ground in agitation, uprooting a few flowers. Then he heard a voice, as old and withered as the plants on the planet below.
Zik
"Might I ask why you feel the need to destroy my flowers?"
Robotnik, startled, turned around to see the source of the frail, yet somewhat intense voice, a small blue creature with cane and an intense look in its eyes. Behind it were five other figures, with varying colors and sizes, but all just as evil-looking.
Robotnik
"Ah, natives! Allow me to introduce myself! I am Dr. Ivo Robotnik, ruler of the world and the greatest scientific genius of all time. Now, I'm looking for something called the 'Master Emerald', and I was hoping you could help find it for me. Cooperate and I might just let you live."
The large red creature, who was by far the most intimidating of the group, chuckled loudly, clearly amused with the conqueror's demands.
Zavok
"That's certainly a generous offer, Mr..."
Robotnik
"Doctor."
Zavok
"Doctor Robotnik. However, we know nothing of this 'Master Emerald' you speak of, nor who you are. Now, why don't you give us a reason to listen to your little threat?"
Robotnik was furious. He'd spent months, nearly a year searching for this place, and now these upstarts were trying to keep unlimited power from him!
Zazz
"I say we kill 'em now!"
Robotnik
"How dare you! Badniks, ATTACK!"
The horde of Badniks started ro rush towards the creatures, but after just a second, they all stopped in unison. Motobugs, Buzzers and Buzz Bombers, even the few Egg Robos stopped in their tracks, floating limply, like dolls. Zavok chuckled to himself. Suddenly, he and his compatriots thrust their hands out in unison. Well, mostly. One of them was busy eating...something. Then robots, all turned towards the scientist, weapons armed and loaded.
Robotnik
"W-Wait! You're supposed to attack them, not me!"
Zavok
"I'm afraid not. Now, give us one good reason why we should let you live."
He glanced just over Robotnik's shoulder, and almost instantly, one of the Buzz Bombers fired, blasting half of the doctor's moustache off, leaving only singed hair and a frightened dictator in its wake.
Robotnik
"Please! I'll give you anything! Power beyond your wildest dreams, even!"
Zavok merely scoffed at him. He raised a hand, about to let the Badniks kill their former master. Just as he was going to give the command, his master raised his hand for him to stop.
Zik
"Patience, Zavok. After all, he did say he was the ruler of the world below, did he not? If what he says is true, he could be quite...useful."
Robotnik
"Yes! Listen to him!"
In response, an Egg Robo put its gun to Robotnik's head. He promptly shut up.
Zavok
"Hmph. Well then, doctor. Show us this power."
Under the very likely threat of death, Robotnik led the Zeti back to the Death Egg and showed them the six Chaos Emeralds. Of course, they immediately stole them for themselves and proceeded to take over his empire in a matter of days under the motto "Those who are useful will survive, and those who aren't will be made useful." The once pristine and orderly, though near lifeless, cities became hellholes of violence and chaos, and no one stood a chance against the Zeti's cruelty. Except maybe a certain hedgehog, but that's for another time.
And that's it for the prologue! Sorry about using so many blocks of general exposition text, but that's time-skips for ya. There'll be far less of those in the story proper. Anywho, I hope you enjoyed what I've got so far. Toodles.