Sonic the Hedgehog: The New Adventures

by ArtinS

The New Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog picks up the mythology of the classic blue hedgehog at the beginning of his journey as a hero. After spending his early life with his amazing super speed powers, Sonic must use them for good and fight his foes in the real world.

2. With A Great Responsibility

A cold and desolate environment, where the clouds gave way to a weak and gray sky. Some threads of mist could be seen rolling in the distance, but they were soon carried away by the wind. Making way for the ashes left by the fire on Flicky Island; an island known for its vibrant colors and nature, now turned into a broken and destroyed image of what it used to be... In another panel, slightly more mechanical and eerie, where the sounds of machinery could be heard in the distance, banging and operating. A room illuminated with a dark and dim red light, where only a strange type of cage in the middle of it stood out, was the highlight of this whole strange situation. The same cage, with metal bars the same color as the light illuminating it, seemed to contain something well protected inside. What exactly? A Flicky. But not just any Flicky. Of course not. This was the same special pink Flicky that a certain doctor had captured on Flicky Island before its complete destruction... The pink bird, seemingly chained with a strange device around its neck and wings, was trying everything possible to get out of this complicated situation. But it was futile. No matter how much it tried, it was tight around its neck. Even if it tried to fly just a few centimeters, nothing happened. Well, there were no other options available. And its ideas for escape slowly began to fade away. At least the pink bird could make sure that its friend had not been... It felt something touching its right wing. Its quick reaction was to try to move a few meters away; the bird even initially thought that the person responsible for all this had touched it. But in the end... wasn't it like that...? Oh, wait. It was another Flicky...
...Another one?! Unlike the pink Flicky, this one was blue with orange markings on its cheeks and belly, and brown eyes. Great, in the end, both were in the same situation... And yes, that was sarcasm. Well, not exactly in the "same situation." The pink bird was inside the cage, that was true. But the other one was outside and free. There seemed to be hope for both colorful birds. The pink Flicky, upon seeing its other friend, wouldn't hesitate to approach the bars of the cage to try to communicate with the blue bird, and the same would happen with the other Flicky. It seemed challenging, but not impossible for both special birds. They would manage to communicate with the time they had left. Although the pink bird didn't seem to like that its blue friend was in this type of territory, it was true that she needed someone's help to escape. And she wasn't the only one who thought the same. Besides, why else would the blue Flicky be there if not to help another special bird? At first, both would try to cooperate so that the blue Flicky could remove the devices from the pink bird. No use. No matter how they tried, it didn't seem to help at all... Maybe break the cage barriers? Yeah... I think those things are heavily reinforced. And I don't think Robotnik overlooked that small detail. But the little blue bird wouldn't give up easily, even if his friend had already stopped trying. The blue Flicky would desperately fly around the room, searching for anything that could help in this situation. Even the simplest thing, anything. But as I said before, nothing... The pink bird, knowing it made no sense to continue, would tell her blue friend that it was useless to keep trying, at least in this way. But the other Flicky would keep trying again and again, regardless of there being nothing in front of him. He knew he couldn't give up so easily, especially knowing the situation the pink Flicky was in. But finally, what he initially tried to ignore, he would come to realize that she was right; it was futile to keep going like this. Despite this, the pink bird had another plan in mind. One that might be very different from what her friend expected. After the blue Flicky returned to the bars of the cage, knowing they were still in the same situation as before, he would listen to what the other bird had in mind. And who knows, maybe it would be a better idea than this. Spoiler alert: it is. The special bird would start telling her friend that if trying to escape this way wasn't working, and clearly it was impossible to continue like this, they probably needed the help of someone else. Exactly who?
The inhabitants of the island that Doctor Robotnik had discovered with the help of his "assistants"; especially with the help of that peculiar blue hedgehog... And here, the presence of the blue Flicky became essential for the plan. He had to go directly to the island and explain to everyone about the critical situation they were in; not only because his pink friend was trapped, but also because Robotnik had at his disposal two of the most powerful and dangerous objects ever obtained by a human... Maybe it was something the blue bird wasn't sure about, but as they say: a good plan is one that has good execution. And they also didn't know how much time they had left... Despite everything mentioned above, and having a plan that, despite the risks, could still work, he didn't want to leave her in this condition. And even less so knowing what that cold and calculating doctor could do to her when he discovers what he can do with the Chaos Emerald.
But knowing that it was inevitable for this to happen even if she tried to avoid it in any way, the pink Flicky had complete trust in him and in this mission; she knew that her friend would be capable of stopping Robotnik's evil plans. But for that, he needed help first. In the end, after a decisive moment from which the innocent bird tried to be as sensible as possible, he would stop wasting valuable time and prepare his wings; It will be a long journey, I assure you. He wouldn't forget to turn around and look at his friend one last time in this moment... Now, ready to take flight, the agile Flicky, as soon as he spread his wings, quickly left the dark room the same way he had entered before. The last thing that would be heard in the room, along with the constant noise of machinery, would be the worried sigh of the caged bird.
Returning to a somewhat familiar island located in the southern ocean, the now South Island was gradually being rebuilt with the help of its inhabitants. Although it was true, all this took away some of the island's characteristic essence. But imagine it like the construction of a building. At first, it doesn't even have a clear shape, but as time goes by, it takes on the characteristic form of a building. Well, here it works in a similar way... kinda. Although most of the animals didn't have enough experience in "rebuilding" (let alone in what happened before the island ended up in these conditions), many showed an effort to have the island they once knew back again. With the necessary tools at their disposal, the animals of the island began the exhausting but important task of rebuilding South Island. Alright. They showed that they were prepared for this laborious task. They did it even without analyzing it, simply by seeing the island itself. But there was a big question here that I don't think I'm the only one having. And what about the materials? I mean, yes. Clearly, they had what they needed for a few more days, I dare say even for a week. But what would happen when they ran out? Do they have more reserve materials that we don't know about? Well, my friend, the answer is simpler than you think. An answer that has to do with a certain "fast" blue hedgehog. It was simple. Did they need more materials? Well, there were more materials to their left. And what's better, they couldn't even see how and when they were brought there in the first place. But hey, at least be thankful that they're available to you; and at no extra cost! Basically, that was Sonic's new job. Or, to put it more "nicely": his way of helping on the island. He simply changed his role from delivering letters to delivering materials. It was almost the same. Same timing, same experience. It was easy, right? Well, you have to be precise and fast at the exact moment when an animal runs out of materials and deliver what they need in a specific and error-free manner. You can notice a certain pattern in this. But seriously? Are we talking about being fast when it comes to Sonic? Please. Although it's true that the speedy hedgehog was still recovering from his battle injuries after what happened in South Island with the deadly drone. So he couldn't risk too much either. It's been about 2 days now, and his left arm seemed to be a little better; there was still some pain, but nothing to worry about. Despite that, sometimes he needed to use his other arm to hold various things at once: some pieces of wood, rocks... even vines. The blue spikes on the hedgehog moved at the same speed as the breeze that touched Sonic's face. His legs moved in such a way that they seemed impossible to see with the naked eye due to the speed at which they worked. Meanwhile, he maintained his characteristic expression of determination. With enough abundant materials stored in both his hands and his ever-useful backpack, which I can assure you was more loaded than it is when Sonic makes normal deliveries, the agile and bluish hedgehog would go back and forth, traversing the entire southern part of the island to make material deliveries to the animals in need at the exact moment. Little by little, Sonic began to decrease the amount of materials he had at his disposal.
I told you, I wasn't exaggerating when I talked about the large amount of materials needed. Even a small distinctive bunny, as soon as it ran out of wood, would have a couple more in the blink of an eye; let's just ignore the fact that it left a trail of dust and dirt in the air for a few seconds. From point A to point B, kilometer after kilometer, no matter the obstacles, Sonic's blue trail left its mark wherever the hedgehog stepped during his run. Some animals, including a particular pig that seemed to be known to the hedgehog in a somewhat... "explosive" way, were discussing and planning the final repairs that needed to be done on the island. Let's say that some progress had been made and that they would be ready in a few more days. Presumably. But sooner rather than later, a strong dust storm interrupted the small gathering. Even one of the animals, in this case a chicken, would tightly hold onto its safety helmet so it wouldn't fly off and get lost in the process. Although the simple fact that the helmet itself was even bigger than the animal made it somewhat comical. While the other two animals tried to rearrange their belongings after that moment, including plans and materials, and waited for the dust to momentarily settle in the air, the little bird with them would strain to see the cause of this sudden event. And believe me, with all that dirt in the air, it wasn't easy at all. Still, there was no mystery about who had actually caused this. The figure of the blue hedgehog quickly appeared among the animals; it even seemed like he hadn't realized the mess generated by his incredible speed (and who knows what he had dragged along in his path here). But hey, what did you want him to do? Walk? That wasn't on the list. Despite that, it wouldn't take long for Sonic to finally realize something... Were his quills a little to the right today? Well, well, now seriously! With both hands by his sides, Sonic would stand there for a few moments, looking at the three animals with more questions than answers. Damn, this guy didn't notice anything. He would even make a small gesture to see if everything was alright here. Yeah, sure... Forgetting this unexpected but at the same time predictable event, both the little chicken and the pig, and the third animal, which was a penguin, would finish organizing everything that was scattered on the ground and then let Sonic know that everything was fine and in order... Well, "tidy", a moment ago. In any case, the penguin and the chicken would move a few centimeters away from the rodent, with some of the things they had gathered in their hands. Although the word "some" fell short, I would prefer to say several. Some even fell, only to be quickly picked up by them. That was strange... Anyway, back to reality, the pig would inform Sonic of the latest news from the island. And apart from the repairs and other things still on the to-do list, it seems that someone had the grace to leave one of the regions of the island in a worse state than it was before. And the most puzzling thing is that this specific area hadn't been affected initially during the attack. Well, now that you mention it... it turns out that a simple, small detail from all this mentioned seems somewhat familiar to the blue furball... He remembers it as if it were yesterday (it happened yesterday). Sonic, being a responsible hedgehog, had been cleaning up after the disaster that occurred on South Island. A bit of metal here, there; come on, with his powers, this was a piece of cake. There was just one last thing to clean up and call it a day: the shell of that flying trash on the sand. Or who knows, maybe it could work as a good addition to his training track. It could be a new obstacle. Wait! An obstacle that activates with mechanisms! Very creative, but first he had to get rid of that thing. And everyone would think or believe that simply pushing would be enough. Ha ha... No, it's not. But let's not underestimate Sonic. He may not have as much strength as he appears, but what he does have is-!
Forget that, it didn't help either. Well, there was no other option. The blue hedgehog didn't want to go to these extremes, but if the situation didn't allow it... Rolling up his right arm, which Sonic didn't even have anything to do that with, and brushing off the sand from his gloves, the hedgehog focused on finishing this task as quickly as possible, gripping one of the drone's plates tightly and, without wasting another second, his legs would start moving instantly. Gradually, the furry blue creature gained speed and more speed, but only in reverse. Large amounts of sand would be lifted in the process, forming a cloud of dust in the air within seconds. Still, the only thing that drove Sonic to continue was to remove that thing from the sand and have it on his racing track. Would you believe me if I told you that even behind him, an accumulation of sand began to form? Well, there you have it. Wait, he feels something moving! But what we initially thought was a movement produced by the robot itself in the sand would turn out to be the plates of its structure. The same plates that would break completely and make Sonic unexpectedly run backwards towards some palm trees in the area. Well, that didn't work either. Time for plan B... or was it plan C? Using a conveniently located vine for the situation, the rodent's plan was to use it to lift that pile of junk. How exactly? The vine passed through some palm trees that were a few centimeters above the destroyed drone, to which it was attached. If we apply logic and physics to this, what Sonic will do with the other part of the vine in his hands is run (definitely not in reverse, terrible idea) towards the opposite side, generating enough force to easily lift the tangle of cables and metal out of the sand. No mistakes. No failures. Straight to the plan. Okay, here we go! And in less than a mere 5 seconds, as soon as the furry blue creature moved his legs, the vine would instantly break. Result: Sonic would end up face-planting in the sand. I think that was enough. And Sonic wouldn't take long to realize it. Let's forget the idea of putting this thing on the track. Even better, let's just forget the idea of removing it from the beach! Accepting and being sure of what he thought, the now frustrated hedgehog would approach that useless metal shell, stepping on the sand with tightly clenched hands. The next thing that would happen is that Sonic would kick the battered machine in frustration. The impact was so strong that the sound of metal would be heard from several meters away. Although it wouldn't take long for the rodent to grab his leg in an act of pain, realizing that it was very likely, almost certainly, a bad idea to hit something that was even more resilient than his own body in that way. Well, he deserved it a little. Despite this, what would happen next was something he didn't deserve. Because, without warning, the mistreated drone would launch approximately two missiles as a result of the hedgehog's blow. Come on, didn't we say that thing didn't have any more of those left?! The missiles would finally land far from the beach, but the rumble along with the sound of the explosion wouldn't silence. Minutes later, traces of a large dark cloud of smoke could be seen in the distance. Sonic, who had both hands on his head trying not to lose his sanity, thinking that what his eyes had truly witnessed hadn't happened, would decide to leave things as they were in the beginning as he slowly walked away. Nothing happened here, and he was never here... Like a dream. Yeah... I don't think Sonic knows who could have caused that either. How terrible. But time is running out, just like him. So, the pig needed Sonic's skills to entrust him with the most responsible and unique task for the hedgehog. As if he hadn't done it several times before...
Come on, now seriously. Besides, Sonic started to become more interested in this whole matter as the animal kept talking. What the piglet really needed was for Sonic to head to the area affected by the attack and with that... put up signs around! Well, that was- What? The furry blue hedgehog would react that way upon hearing the piglet's words for the first time. At first, he hoped that the animal was mistaken in what it said, or at least that Sonic hadn't heard it with enough detail and clarity. Something! But no. The piglet was clearly right. He would even take advantage of the fact that the hedgehog's hands were open due to the impact of hearing this "unique" task for him and give him both a hammer and the large number of signs that needed to be placed. This was with the idea of warning anyone passing by to be careful with that specific area and its unpredictable terrain. The only thing Sonic could think about all of this was that it couldn't be serious. Hey, I don't think it's all that bad. Maybe I'm wrong and it's an entertaining task... Forget that, it's really boring.
| MARBLE ZONE

Oh yeah, Marble Zone... An ancient ruin nestled in a mountainous landscape. The ground here featured areas covered in grass growing over the local architecture that spanned most of the floor. The area was also filled with various stone pillars and Greco-Roman architecture in the form of columns, arches, and walls. Despite the beautiful and historic landscape that could have been described, it didn't compare much to the current state of the place. The "famous" pillars that once stood out in Marble Zone now represented the shattered ruins of its past, while its arches and walls seemed ready to collapse at any moment. Sonic wasn't surprised why it was necessary to place all these danger signs; the whole area was a true hazard! But still, this task wasn't even close to his level. Not by a long shot. Surely he was better than this! He might even dare to say that planning the work was more preferable than this (he didn't know what he was saying). The temperature of the place gave way to a heavy and hot atmosphere, and with the sun's rays in an area lacking shadows where the clouds didn't seem to be present, it made it even more challenging. The only breeze, which wasn't even a cool breeze, but quite the opposite, would move the grass in the area in sync with the leaves burned by the explosion. Our blue hedgehog focused on what could possibly be treated as the worst punishment invented in this world for eons: having patience while hammering the nail into the sign. And let's say that the word "patience" wasn't registered in Sonic's dictionary. Sweating from the heat of the environment, along with the restlessness of the rodent to finish this, the situation became slower and a more boring process than Sonic could have imagined. A small fly would buzz around the hedgehog's ears in a disorderly and unpredictable manner, with sudden changes in its direction. Causing Sonic's ears to tremble as they heard the buzzing of the insect's wings. The hedgehog's eyes, on the other hand, were fixed on the sharp object in front of him, as if trying not to lose sight of it; even though the nail was something inanimate. His left hand firmly held the nail to prevent it from slipping from its current position. The last thing Sonic wants now is to start over. While his right hand tightly gripped the old rusty hammer, ready to bring it down at any moment and hear the sound of the nail hitting the wood. Carefully... Carefully... Very carefully... And... Sonic wouldn't wait any longer and, living up to his second name, his right arm would bring down the hammer in a blue blur. This would be followed by the clean sound of the hammer hitting the wood. Approximately five seconds of silence momentarily dominated the atmosphere as a small cloud passed in front of the sun's rays. The furry blue hedgehog, who had his eyes closed like locks, would finally open both of them (the left one first, the right one a few seconds later) after his hands felt... felt that the sign seemed to have been placed correctly!
Alright... alright... Don't rush it just yet. Raise the hammer slowly... Easy now... Ah, forget it, do it now! Sonic, already eager for the outcome, would instantly withdraw the hammer for his eyes to witness a completely bent nail in the wood. That was easier than... It's horrible! And where...? Where is the nail he used? It can't be the same one! All of the rodent's anger and rage at such a scenario and the realization that he literally wasted 40 seconds of his day on this would explode inside him in an attempt to hit nothing and throw dirt on... more dirt. I would even go as far as to say that he looked like a child having a tantrum; like looking in a mirror. His anger would conclude by throwing the hammer at the sign. Although, of course, fate would return it to him by having the thrown object hit him directly on the forehead. Sonic would calm down after this "reality check" and sigh in frustration as his entire body slouched over the dry and prickly grass. Well. This will take a looong time...
With his eyes closed, listening to his heart beat incessantly in his chest, while the characteristic sound of machinery and metal resonated outside and in the distance from the room (it even seemed like the gears were behind all those cold and dark walls), the little pink bird patiently waited with all her hopes placed on her faithful friend. Many options and thoughts passed through her mind regarding this difficult situation, which, let's be honest, they didn't expect at all. But even so, they couldn't give up so easily, not when everyone's fate was hanging by a thread about to break. They just hoped the other blue Flicky was on the right path. And visualizing the image in her mind, the pink-feathered bird would open her greenish eyes with concern as it focused on the only dim reddish light illuminating the "metal cage." Despite this, what awaited the defenseless bird would be something that could be classified as an unwanted surprise. The door of the room, which all of this seemed like a dull and faded gray reinforced with metal and steel, and who knows what else the paranoid lunatic put behind all this, would start making noises similar to those of a vault when it opens. (Although the process wouldn't have lasted more than a minute) With the entrance open, granting her freedom, but with no trace of the person responsible for opening it, her delusions thinking that someone had come to rescue her and take care of the deranged Robotnik would make the little bird not think or doubt what was really happening here. If it really was a rescue, how fast and logical would it have to be for her feathery friend to quickly convince everyone? And speaking exactly of that latter part, where was that friend? And as everyone must have been imagining, that wasn't the case. Instead, it would give way to one of those damn flying contraptions slowly and threateningly approaching the metal box containing the special Flicky. As expected, the pink bird's initial traces of hope regarding what was mentioned would crumble to pieces. Still, nothing seemed lost. Since this only demonstrated that the main plan was still on the table, right? The drone, which would come to a stop a few meters in front of the cage, would create moments of silence and unease between the small animal and the expressionless machine. At first, it seemed like both were staring each other down, as if one wanted to prove superiority over the other (although the Flicky's current state showed otherwise) while the sound of the propellers, combined with the robot's dead gaze fixed on the living being, made this a strange and untimely moment. Suddenly, the entire room would be illuminated by a strange type of light similar to the one from the drone's eye; appearing to come from the top of the machine, rotating 360 degrees before disappearing into mystery. This would be accompanied by a beep coming from the robot in the process. There wasn't a single spot or corner that thing had forgotten to illuminate. It would have even done the same to the dust in that corner too, but that was a whole other matter. The pink Flicky, and pardon the redundancy, would question the reason behind all this. And first of all, what was all that about?
Why was there a reason to illuminate the room if there was already something for that? (Let's be honest and realistic, the light in the cell and nothingness were the same in terms of illumination...) Similarly, couldn't they see that she literally had no way or access to escape from this prison?
Don't rush it and listen to the facts of life. For her unpleasant visit, from the reinforced door of the room would enter none other than the barbaric Dr. Robotnik himself; who seemed strangely in a good mood. Although his face didn't show it enough, the movement of his arms and legs gave the idea that he was. And as it was characteristic of the machine fanatic, he was accompanied by another one of his "beloved" drones behind him. Now there were two present.
-"How is my favorite special Flicky?" the doctor asks as he slowly approaches the cage, ordering his other drone with a quick hand gesture to withdraw during this period of time. She didn't know what Robotnik was aiming for with this, but clearly the pink bird wasn't buying into this absurd idea of the infamous genius pretending to be kind. Not a chance. In response, she would only stare at him with a furious look fixed on the tyrant's horrid glasses. Of course, Robotnik wasn't a fool. Did you think he wouldn't come up with a plan in case this happened? He may be just one person in charge of thousands of deadly machines at his disposal, but he's always two steps ahead of anyone.
-"Still at it, huh?"
The creative despot, standing in front of the trapped bird, would exchange glances toward a device he had on his right wrist. Composed of a cian glowing touchscreen, the doctor would begin making unusual finger movements on the screen. The pink Flicky would raise an eyebrow at this enigma, suspecting that Robotnik had something else planned. However, suddenly, a simple clicking sound from both the collar and the handcuffs restraining the bird from her freedom would fall to the floor of the metal cage, generating an echo upon contact with the surface. Now she was more confused than she was at the beginning, but that would only be the beginning of this tangle of events. Opening the small door of this prison, the now not-so-apathetic doctor wanted to show in a somewhat unexpected way at first that maybe he would be able to handle things in a way... different from what he was used to. For that, and opening his hand several centimeters near the access to the cage, Robotnik would insist on his idea, saying...
-"I think we should start over. What do you think?"
With both eyes wide open at such an image, with the thought that maybe, just maybe this was her one and only chance to be free and return to the reality she knew. It was now or never. And with a slow and unhurried step, the pink bird, wings tucked back and eyes fixed on any sudden movement from the doctor, would approach the entrance of the cage; facing Robotnik's white glove. However, just a few meters away from being completely outside and enjoying freedom, the special Flicky would inexplicably decide to stay motionless. Even for the genius himself, this sudden behavior from the feathered animal would seem confusing. Surprisingly, and understand me when I say that not even the guy who has everything programmed before things happen expected this to occur, the brave pink bird would flap in the blink of an eye towards the bald head of Dr. Robotnik. What would follow would be the little bird pecking violently and incessantly at the innocent doctor, who would step back a few inches as he tried to get rid of the winged rat on his head. If the tyrant Robotnik, after all the horrible things he did on Flicky Island, along with the vile things he did to the legendary birds, really believed that the pink Flicky would forget his actions and leave him as a bad memory, then he needed to rethink his intelligence twice (although perhaps his mind is too disturbed to do so). Setting aside the nonsense and being aware of her one chance, the bright-feathered bird would slide directly out of this prison, taking advantage of nothing and no one in... and forget about that! The doctor's two drones blocked the bird's path in her escape attempt, both with their structure plates open and ready to neutralize this pathetic flesh-and-blood being at any second. If it weren't for the animal's quick action to stop in the last millisecond, she would have ended up as a roasted bird. Still, if she had enough time maybe she could- Too late!
A faint blue ray recognized by the bird itself would trap her in the same strange zero-gravity field that Robotnik had previously used on the special birds in the legendary island. Due to the workings of the doctor's infamous invention, the pink Flicky couldn't move or even flutter its wings. Nothing. There was nothing left. She couldn't believe it. She... No, she could... She was so close! If only she had a few more seconds... But the past was the past, and whatever happened now wouldn't change it.
-"You know? For a moment, I thought I should continue this little game of being kind and careful, and that we would all get along so well..." Robotnik said, gesturing with his hands as if protecting something the same size as the bird, adding sarcastically...
-"But EUGH! It almost made me sick! Although I have to thank you for figuring it out before. I didn't plan on pretending for much longer."
And as the bald-headed man pressed multiple buttons on his wrist device to reconfigure his machines after this little "incident," which, according to Robotnik's own words, was part of the equation, the only thing the pink-feathered bird could do in her position was to look at the doctor with even more disdain and his completely insensitive attitude. Although I have to agree on this, and it is that no one, not even his own creations, would believe in the role of kindness from the calculating genius. So I wouldn't even call it a big revelation.
-"Enough talk! My little bird, how about we take a stroll?"
With his two machines accompanying the evil doctor behind him (along with the trapped Flicky), and not letting anything interrupt his "visit" to his plans, Dr. Robotnik took a few steps out of the room (two of them hitting the ground as they crossed the door of the "vault"). Ready to start whatever this theatrical scene was, the bald maniac stood firm with his arms pressed against his legs before turning 180 degrees and continuing with his distinctive way of walking.
| SCRAP BRAIN BASE

The doctor's main base, a contaminated industrial complex made of light gray metal, where various industrial buildings could be seen in the distance, with thick gray smoke coming out of their chimneys and turning the surroundings into a monotonous and gloomy brown. All his inventions, all his machines, EVERYTHING came from here. So, according to his own ideals, yes, this was pure perfection. Contrary to what the creature thought, for her, this was just an excuse for the bald man to hide his true perversity. Robotnik, inhaling for a few long seconds where all that could be heard was the sound of heavy machinery and the distance, finally broke the silence by saying...
-"Can you smell that? It's the sweet aroma of success! You don't always have the chance to find geniuses with an intellect like mine every day, you know?"
And uttering these narcissistic words, Robotnik began his little tour of the facilities in his base. Let's say his list started with what stood out the least, gradually moving on to the heavy equipment. Among all his twisted creations and inventions, along with a large arsenal of weapons of mass destruction and military-grade armament, the production of his line of drone models could be highlighted (which was absolutely not something to be taken lightly), a high-tech range that someone as mad as the doctor could invent, including a multipurpose metallic hovercraft with somewhat peculiar wings, an industrial segment composed exclusively for experimental testing, and the list went on and on...
-"Do you know why machines are the best invention of man? Because unlike their creators, they are not weak or fragile. They don't need rest or sleep. They fulfill their function without questioning anything." Robotnik said it in a slow tone, though somewhat clever and sinister at the same time. He even moved back and forth around the zero-gravity field in a matter of seconds.
-"In that, I can be proud of my creations. They don't call me Robotnik just to make childish and unfunny jokes about butts. These machines can do a thousand times without sweating or complaining what a fully capable person would do only ten times a day with their boring daily situations."
And although for a moment the crazy doctor seemed to take his ideals too seriously to the point of appearing somewhat sick, this time he seemed to be right (though it pains me to admit it). Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with what big-nose says, but let's be logical about it. If what you have around you are thousands of drones working tirelessly, probably accounting for over 75% of production per minute, then Robotnik's words were clear and true. And the most terrifying thing was that last little but very specific thing he said: "They fulfill their function without questioning anything".
Continuing with the tour, where Doctor Robotnik proudly showcased more and more of his belongings, the evil genius waved his arms back and forth as words and more words from his 'speech' flowed from his mouth. It seemed never-ending. However, slowly but surely, the conversation began to take a different turn that worried the trapped bird. Something that would focus her attention solely on the person who had put her in this situation. Something related... to extremely powerful objects... Adjusting his mustache persistently, his gaze was fixed on a hologram of Robotnik himself, although with some noticeable (not to say obvious) differences, such as a completely spherical torso with thin arms and legs, and unlike his current attire, the hologram wore a red top with a short yellow cape attached to his shoulders by a triangular collar. Very strange in my opinion, very. Although I don't think I was the only one feeling that sense of déjà vu. But that wasn't important here.
-"I am not someone who seeks to dominate the world, or at least not in an senseless way. The irrational, no matter what they do to prevent it, will eventually perish in the most ridiculous and anticlimactic manner possible. While the wise and intelligent will make use of this world in the way it should have been from the beginning." He made sure his words sounded as serious as possible. He would leave aside the tone of the paranoid inventor that anyone would mock, to switch to a more psychotic and terrifying one, and the pink-feathered Flicky had noticed that too. But this was just the tip of the iceberg of the doctor's ideas. He knew more... Using his wrist device again, and after tinkering with passwords and some numbers, a heavy mechanical noise would be heard near where they were at that moment. After a few seconds of pure doubts and mysteries, one of the Chaos Emeralds that Robotnik had under his control would finally be revealed, contained within a heavily fortified protective box armed to the teeth with who knows what (but surely not easy to break at all). Black cables, small metallic claws, and other things surrounded the shiny blue object from its current position. It was clear that the mad doctor had been analyzing it from the beginning.
-"No, I didn't take the Chaos Emeralds to become a 'powerful' or 'invincible' being, as they say out there. I am two steps ahead of the rest of the inferior beings. I don't take orders, I give them. I took the Chaos Emeralds to harness their full potential in my inventions. Imagine this, people blinded solely by the pursuit of destruction will kneel before me because of my machines enhanced with the most powerful and divine objects found in this floating piece of land in space. Wars, conflicts, fights, no matter what, they will be everywhere! And with that, the domino effect will come; at first, the small pieces will fall, and then... well, you will see my face everywhere."
Finally, the true plans of the deranged inventor would be revealed, and all of this said by him himself, without abandoning his pride or his own irony. He wasn't forced by anyone, nor was it to save himself. Of course not. He said it because he wanted to and could. The pink bird had imagined from the beginning that nothing good would happen if someone, or something, like Robotnik had the Chaos Emerald. World domination, that was known even before the doctor had the first emerald. But she never fully understood the intricate details of his plan, something that any other living being would have chosen to avoid for the fastest route. He truly was a genius in this. However, that didn't mean he was completely sane.
-"I think our tour ends here. But, of course, I don't want it to end without a little memento from me."
And with the simple press of a single button, all the screens surrounding the area would light up in synchronization, but what they would reveal was even worse. Recordings. Recordings of the exact moment when the little pink bird and her blue friend discussed the escape plan. A plan to defeat Robotnik and his empire. A plan to retrieve the Chaos Emerald and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands again. A plan that was now at risk. Now everything made sense. The strange light emitted earlier by the drone hadn't been any light at all; it was simply some kind of scanner or something to detect if there were any other unwanted 'guests' in the room before Robotnik could enter. He knew it from the beginning and pretended to be unaware of the situation.
-"I don't know if you thought that simply entering here would bypass my security. Well, you're wrong! Not only because of the failed escape attempt, but also for thinking that you could easily defeat me by seeking help from strangers who have nothing to do with this."
When he finished his cold and direct words, the evil doctor seemed to have no end to surprises. Well, with just a touch of another button on the keyboard in front of him, one of the screens playing the recording would abruptly change to the current location of two of his machines flying in the middle of the ocean. What was all this now? Let the doc summarize it for you.
-"I didn't want it to come to this, but you left me no choice. Now, because of you, your friend will die. And his death will be etched into your conscience." Robotnik would walk around the zero-gravity field containing the pink Flicky, chanting the words "your fault" and "his death." Such was his wickedness that even unsatisfied with his words and actions, he would try to make the poor bird feel guilty for the fatal fate of the blue Flicky, making sure she fully understood where all of this would end. She would try to stop him, but let's be realistic, how would she do that in the position she was in now? And Robotnik knew it very well... Setting aside the nonsense and moving on to more serious matters, the tyrannical genius would deactivate the zero-gravity field that imprisoned the bird. To set her free? Pff, it's obvious you weren't paying attention in class. Without even giving her a chance to breathe, the doctor would fiercely grab the neck of the little pink Flicky and stuff her inside the box containing the blue Chaos Emerald. How ironic. A metal box for another box even more resistant than the previous one. What was his game?
-"Now, work on unlocking the full potential of that Chaos Emerald, and maybe I'll reconsider turning your feathered friend into roasted chicken!"
His words were clear and direct. Although being honest about it didn't seem very feasible at that moment. Still, his work here was done, and the big-nosed man still had things to attend to. Leaving his loyal machines in charge of guarding his pink prisoner, Doctor Robotnik would finally leave the dark and cold room, leaving behind a somber atmosphere where only the constant buzzing of the lights that illuminated the place could be heard. The lonely bird could only think of her friend being careful from now on; because the rules had changed...
Flying over the middle of the sea, where the waves seemed to paint a moving canvas and shades of blue blended and danced to the rhythm of the sea breeze, the small legendary bird with blue plumage was now on a mission to find the island that his friend had referred to and warn its inhabitants of the imminent danger they were all facing. Wing after wing, the blue Flicky flew determinedly through the air. His sharp eyes scanned the horizon for signs. He didn't even know the name of the island itself, how was he supposed to find it in the first place? Decisively, the bird would momentarily stop, hovering in the air as he turned his head from side to side, trying to locate and orient himself. The importance of his mission demanded precision and determination, and he couldn't afford to be diverted. Was it to the north? To the northwest? No, it was definitely the southwest... right? The bird fell into a brief moment of doubt. The island was hidden somewhere in this vast ocean, but its exact location became blurry in his mind. However, the call of duty echoed within him, or was it something else? The small Flicky, with his curious eyes and radiant blue plumage, turned for a second, a shiver running through his body. Was it concern he felt? Or was it the unsettling feeling that something was chasing him? Unfortunately for him, both answers proved to be true. Two figures in the distance began to take shape before the eyes of the Flicky. They were familiar forms, but loaded with an implied threat. The bird's heart raced as he watched the figures approach rapidly, gliding across the blue horizon that surrounded them. There was no doubt, they were heading straight towards his location. Damn it, Robotnik. The legendary bird understood that there was no time to lose. The fate of everyone hung by a thread, and he was the designated messenger to warn them of the imminent danger. With one last glance at the approaching figures, the Flicky adjusted his course and launched himself back into the air. Well, if it wasn't to the north, then it would be to the south. He was convinced that the answer lay in that direction. However, as he ventured southward, a disquieting revelation began to take shape before his eyes. The landscape unfolding before him revealed unmistakable signs of an impending storm. Dark clouds gathered on the horizon, twisting and swirling in an ominous dance. The wind grew increasingly violent, whistling in his ears with a sinister warning.
Although he knew he was heading south, the little bird couldn't ignore the imminent threat looming on his path. The storm swirled furiously and seemed to challenge his progress, as if the ocean itself was trying to deter him from his mission. But the winged creature couldn't afford to doubt or stop.
The bright blue hedgehog was in the midst of a crucial task, and his concentration was paramount. Carefully, he grasped the hammer with his small, skillful hands and prepared to deliver the final blow to the last nail that needed to be hammered into the wooden sign. This seemed to be the defining moment, the last chance to successfully complete his work. The wood creaked slightly under the pressure of the hammer as the hedgehog struggled to maintain the calm and precision required in every movement. Be careful... Stay calm... Finally, the last nail reached its destination, sinking completely into the wood. Sonic sighed in relief, feeling the tension leaving his body. Now the sign was complete, proudly displaying his work and the effort he had put into it. The hedgehog took a step back to admire his finished work; yes, it was a bit crooked and irregular like the other signs... But they were there! All placed and in order, fulfilling their purpose of... well, being danger signs. He couldn't doubt that, and... And... they fell... one after another... Confusion and bewilderment reflected in the spiky animal's eyes as he helplessly watched his efforts fade away in an instant. All his efforts were in vain. His hours dedicated to hammering each nail with precision and care were wasted without meaning. It was as if reality itself insisted on returning the favor after destroying this place. But come on, clearly it wasn't intentional. What did he know was going to happen?! I mean, what else could happen to him? Just at the precise moment Sonic formulated that question in his mind, a bolt of lightning crossed the sky followed by a deafening roar. The clouds darkened rapidly, and the first drops of rain began to fall, soaking the ground and creating puddles in his path. The relentless droplets fell onto his blue fur, blurring its characteristic shine and soaking his gloves. The wet sensation seeped into his skin, reminding him that even the smallest things could divert his plans and test his patience. Perfect, there go his newly worn gloves and his clean, shiny fur. Nah, you know what? He's out of here. It was enough to devote himself to a dull and senseless task. He felt that his true potential, his demonic speed, was wasted on such an insignificant job. Let someone else take care of this later. Determined to take control of his destiny, Sonic firmly planted himself on the ground. He began moving his legs at a dizzying speed. Every step he took increased his velocity, bringing him closer and closer to the limits of his capacity. The surroundings seemed like a mere blurry backdrop as Sonic prepared to do what he did best: run. He could feel the energy building up in his muscles, ready to unleash the explosive power within him. His heart pounded, fueling his determination and his desire to leave this dull and outdated place behind. Finally, the fearless blue creature lunged forward, freeing himself from the burden of that boring task that held him back. His heart throbbed with excitement as he prepared to answer the call of speed that beckoned him. Determination burned in his eyes as his legs gained momentum. ...Or at least that would have been the case if his sneakers hadn't encountered a treacherous puddle formed by the recent rain. The slip was inevitable. Sonic desperately tried to maintain his balance, but it was in vain. Time seemed to slow down as Sonic slid downward, his body spinning in an uncontrolled dance before abruptly falling into a small hole hidden by the nature of the place. The sensation of falling as his body slid was brief but intense, and he couldn't help but wonder where that mysterious hole would lead him. Although, yes, it was likely that he would end up in the ancient and cold ruins of Marble Zone. The fall came to an abrupt halt, and the young animal found himself in a dark and gloomy place. The echo of his fall resonated in the ancient walls, and the atmosphere starkly contrasted with the fiery speed that characterized him. That clearly hadn't been one of his best landings, especially because a sharp pain shot through his injured arm, reminding him of the wound that hadn't fully healed yet. But it hadn't been one of the worst he had experienced either, believe me. At least he managed to stay on his feet and only suffered minor discomfort. Now, what new problem had he gotten himself into? The darkness of the ruins stretched around him, concealing the dangers and mysteries hidden in every corner. The silence was oppressive, interrupted only by the distant echo of his own footsteps.
The scene unfolding before Sonic's eyes was desolate and monotonous. There was nothing in that underground dungeon that could capture his attention. The structure itself seemed like a generic version of what one would expect from a dungeon, made of worn purple stone bricks weathered by the passage of time. However, one particular object caught Sonic's attention and diverted his gaze from the surrounding tedium. It was a strange chained pillar that inexplicably almost touched the ceiling of the dungeon. The rusty and dusty chains seemed to hold the pillar in place, as if it had been placed there for a specific purpose. Dust and dirt covered every corner of the dungeon, adding an air of abandonment and desolation. The passage of time was evident in every crack and worn surface. The musty, moldy smell and the eerie echo reminded him that he was not welcome in this place. After that, there wasn't much more than an open passage in one of the walls... An open passage?! Surprise shone in his eyes; he wouldn't even wonder why it was open in the first place. This only meant one thing: a way to escape from this place. Without hesitation, he advanced confidently into the unknown, certain that each step would lead him to the exit of this dungeon. At that moment, the underground ruins were left behind, overshadowed by the promise that lay before Sonic of returning to the surface. But realistically, we knew that things couldn't be so easy for our dear blue friend, right? After all, luck wasn't always on his side. And just as hope seized him, a sharp pain struck his head, as if he had violently collided with something solid. Wait a second. Wasn't that the exact same pillar? What had happened? How could it be that at that moment, after crossing the passage opening, he found himself struck by the same pillar he had seen before? I mean, it's not like all pillars are the same, but you know exactly what I mean. Incredulity filled his mind as he tried to process the situation. Was fate mocking him, playing with his luck? The irony of the moment was not lost on the surprised hedgehog. It seemed that the universe was determined to test his agility and speed. As he recovered from the blow, Sonic observed the pillar in front of him. This time, however, it wasn't suspended near the ceiling but in direct contact with the ground. The strange change in the position of the pillar only heightened the mystery surrounding this place. What had caused the pillar to change position in an instant? Was it some kind of dungeon trick? The pain in his head began to subside, and the world's fastest animal stood up. Oddity shone in his eyes as he cautiously circled the pillar and prepared to continue. This was just a minor setback; the true reality would be right in front of you as soon as you crossed... the same passage as before. Okay... a bit scary, to be honest. The hedgehog tried to downplay the previous incident, considering it simply a minor mishap on his way to the exit. However, he knew that the true reality would reveal itself as soon as he crossed that same passage once again. Uncertainty washed over him as he approached the entrance of the passage, feeling a shiver run down his spine. Anxiety grew within him as he finally crossed the threshold and found himself once again in the same room he had been in just a second before. The scene before his eyes was exactly the same, as if time had stood still. But there was one notable difference: the column that had previously been an obstacle to the spiky animal now reached halfway up the dungeon. The peculiarity of this situation did not escape Sonic. He paused for a moment, cautiously looking at the suspended column. The room had transformed into a living enigma, defying the laws of logic and coherence. What kind of place was this? Seriousness and concern intertwined on his face as he tried to find a logical explanation for what he was witnessing. Were these repetitive passages and rooms a trap in themselves? A test? Each repetition seemed designed to undermine his confidence and immerse him in a state of bewilderment. Think, Sonic. What did you learn in Christmas Island to get out of a situation like this? A vivid memory of his visit to his home island surged in his mind. In his flashback, he saw a young Sonic sitting on the warm sand of the island. His face reflected curiosity and intrigue as he watched two crabs in front of him, teaching him mathematics. The little hedgehog remembered how they showed him the simple addition of 2+2. Something easy. With a twinkle of amusement in his eyes, Sonic brought a finger to his mouth, evoking the innocence of those teaching moments in his childhood. Before his eyes, the image of a small fish began to form in the sand, created from two "2"s. The final result of the sum materialized before him, and a satisfied smile illuminated his face as he clapped happily. ... Yeah. That didn't work out too well, let's say. While concern persisted in his mind, a spark of hope touched the blue head of our character; literally.
A cold raindrop descended from above and fell onto Sonic's fur, interrupting his concentration. The blue hedgehog looked up at the ceiling of the purple dungeon, following the trail of the drop to its source. Another drop fell at that precise moment, soaking his nose and creating an uncomfortable sensation. Like a divine spark, a simple yet effective solution revealed itself before his eyes. He had been so focused on finding a complicated and elaborate solution to the problem within the dungeon that he hadn't noticed something obvious from the beginning. The same hole through which the hedgehog had fallen, the point of entry to this underground maze, now revealed itself as a possible way out. The solution had been right above his head all this time, falling in the form of raindrops. The water that had soaked him was a tangible reminder that the path to freedom and out of this oppressive place lay through that same hole he had initially fallen into. A slightly different exit, but equally effective.
The ongoing storm showed no signs of diminishing in intensity and instead seemed to intensify. The winds grew increasingly erratic and furious, lashing the landscape with unpredictable force. The waves of the sea, agitated and uncontrollable, crashed violently against each other, creating an imposing aquatic chaos. In the midst of this terrifying scenario, the little blue bird was at the center of the storm, facing the wrath of nature without apparent fear. His fragile figure seemed insignificant compared to the magnitude of the disaster unfolding around it. The sky was in constant turmoil. Lightning zigzagged through the dark clouds, illuminating the horizon with dazzling electrical flashes. Thunder rumbled with deafening force. Raindrops fell mercilessly, like small hailstones, inflicting painful impact on everything in their path. The air was thick with the fresh, damp smell of the storm, mixed with the saltiness of the raging ocean. Despite the violence unleashed by the storm, the legendary bird stood bravely in his place, defying adversity with impressive determination. His wings, soaked and battered by the wild wind, struggled to maintain their delicate balance. But knowing this story, we know that there's always a catch in any situation. A yellowish flash surprised the winged animal, momentarily causing him to retreat from its intense brightness. Followed by an explosion of considerable proportions that reverberated in the midst of the violent storm, adding an additional element of danger and chaos. The two flying machines belonging to the mustachioed one finally managed to reach Flicky, though after a strenuous effort. However, the sophisticated mechanical creations were not exempt from the same adverse situation that the special bird was facing at that moment. Gusts of furious wind and furious raindrops mercilessly battered the machines, challenging their stability and testing their resilience amid the chaotic setting. Thus began an epic confrontation, amidst the unleashed storm, where the feathered creature became the target of the two relentless drones. His survival depended on his ability to use the same force unleashed by nature to his advantage. With agile and precise movements, the blue creature skillfully evaded the capture attempts of his metallic pursuers, taking advantage of the wild air currents and the crests of the furious waves to disorient and confuse them in their attempt to reach him. The dark and stormy sky became the dramatic stage for this confrontation between the organic and the artificial. Lightning and thunder illuminated the scene with horrifying flashes, highlighting the courage and tenacity of the little blue bird who, against all odds, defied those machines with admirable resilience. It was a frenetic dance of agility and cunning, a struggle for survival. The roar of the storm merged with the sound of the drones, creating a discordant symphony that reflected the battle between the wild and the man-made. Finally, the moment came when one of the deadly drones would meet its inevitable fate. The tension in the air was palpable as the first drone, fueled by its impeccable programming, continued to pursue the brave bird through the chaos unleashed by the storm. An immense wave, formed by the immense force of the enraged winds, rose majestically in front of the drone. It looked like a moving mountain of liquid water, ready to crush everything in its path. The impact was devastating. The drone was engulfed by the immensity of the wave, its metallic structure twisted and shattered by the overwhelming force of the water. Silence took hold of the place for a moment, only interrupted by the thunderous crash of the waves and the distant roar of thunder. However, amidst the momentary calm, the last drone, the sole survivor of the relentless pursuit, emerged. Gusts of violent wind battered its metallic structure, but the drone continued its relentless advance, showing no signs of weakness or deviation from its target. The scene grew even tenser as the deadly drone, with its deadly payload of ready missiles, focused all its attention on the target that fought desperately to escape this unimaginable situation alive. The collateral damage that the small animal suffered in the process no longer mattered; his sole obsession was to reach his final destination. However, the drone struggled to keep the target in its sights. The fierce winds and the violent storm greatly complicated that task. It was like trying to aim at a moving target in an uncontrollable whirlwind.
Still, mechanical ingenuity found a way to stabilize and aim accurately for a valuable few seconds. Everything was ready for the climax as the drone's interface incessantly blinked in red and yellow: "MISSILE READY" The critical moment had arrived. With a single shot, everything would change. The drone prepared to launch its deadly weapon, confident that the projectile would irreversibly alter the course of events. However, what happened next was unexpected. At the precise moment the tiny missile left the interior of the flying machine, a penetrating bolt of lightning illuminated the sky. Electricity danced in the firmament and found its target, impacting directly on the technological creation. The drone, enveloped in a cascade of sparks and fire, suffered a catastrophic collapse. Its systems melted in the blink of an eye, leaving the drone inert and inoperable. The lightning once again demonstrated its indomitable power, nullifying any attempt to continue its destructive mission. However, despite the revived hope amidst the chaos, not everything was rosy for the brave bird. The threat persisted in the form of a tiny yet devastating missile, which remained intact and continued its relentless trajectory toward the target at a terrifying speed. Nothing seemed capable of stopping its advance, not even the relentless storm that lashed the scene with all its fury. Flicky, with his soaked feathers and trembling wings, continued to beat them tirelessly in a desperate effort. He felt how his wings, increasingly fatigued, lost strength with each flap. However, he didn't allow himself to stop, no matter what. He knew he had to keep going, fighting against exhaustion and the unfavorable forces conspiring against him. Time seemed to contract around him as the missile inexorably approached. Its deafening noise, increasingly audible, filled the air and heightened the anguish in the heart of the little blue bird. With each passing second, the pressure and anxiety increased as the projectile dangerously drew closer. "Just a little more... Faster!" he whispered in his mind as his wings beat with greater intensity. Each flap was a supreme effort, a gamble for survival in the midst of the storm. The final climax of the battle approached inexorably, every second passing like an eternal heartbeat in the bird's heart. Just two seconds away from the imminent impact of the small, lethal projectile against his fragile body, the winged creature closed his eyes, preparing to face the destiny that awaited at the end of those agonizing seconds. In that brief span of time, as silence and anticipation seized the scene, the legendary bird found himself immersed in a whirlwind of thoughts and memories. Time seemed to slow down, stretching like an eternal sigh that allowed his mind to soar and relive every significant experience he had lived up to that crucial moment. A flash of memories activated in his mind, as if a memory box had been opened. Vivid images emerged from his native world, a place full of natural splendor and harmony. But it also encountered the image of his faithful pink friend, the only companion that had been by his side in countless moments. The deep and sincere connection they shared was reflected in their eyes and in every gesture of complicity. And then, like a flash of light in the darkness, memories of the Chaos Emeralds flooded the mind of the special bird; the importance of his mission! Time, like an endlessly flowing river, resumed its natural course, carrying away the seconds that had seemed eternal. And in the midst of that temporal flow, the missile, on its inexorable trajectory toward the bird, seemed to take additional time before making its dreaded impact. Well... Um... Where's the boom? But surprisingly, the expected impact did not materialize. There was no explosion, no flashes of light that illuminated the darkness of the storm. Emptiness remained, the bewildering sensation that something had not gone as expected. Amidst the perplexity and confusion, reality prevailed: the missile had not found its target, there was nothing there. Only the relentless storm remained, continuing its destructive dance with nature as its sole witness.
Back in the company of the beloved Dr. Robotnik and his impressive Scrap Brain Base, the doctor was absorbed in the analysis of one of the two emeralds; specifically, the one emitting a dazzling pink glow. The experimentation room was filled with intricate cables and various scientific artifacts, all connected to the mysterious emerald, tirelessly working around the clock to unravel the infinite power contained within the divine gem. The mad scientist carefully observed every reading and result that appeared on the multiple screens surrounding his laboratory. In his hands, the mustached doctor held a steaming cup of coffee, with some words marked in red and black on it: My base. My creations. My rules. The evil scientist took leisurely sips of this invigorating beverage, allowing the caffeine to stimulate his restless mind as he continued his experiments. On one side of the worktable, there was an oval plate with a perfectly cooked fried egg. Its yolk shimmered enticingly, ready to be savored. Resting in balance next to the plate were a silver fork and knife, waiting to be used at the right moment. The perfect fuel to replenish during a tough but necessary research work... for the world. (Although we all know he doesn't talk in general). With a mixture of anticipation and caution, Dr. Robotnik contemplated the potential outcomes as he set aside his coffee cup and delicious meal. Determined, he adjusted his white gloves and protective glasses, preparing for his boldest experiment yet. He knows that he is about to manipulate one of the powerful Chaos Emeralds and he cannot afford to make mistakes.
With precise movements, the evil genius takes a pair of palm-sized metal tongs and holds them firmly, carefully connecting them to the ends of the pink emerald. The next few seconds could be summarized as an explosion of energy. No, literally. In an instant, the laboratory would be engulfed in a dazzling explosion of energy. The room would be illuminated with blinding light, and a deafening roar would fill the air. Electronic equipment would hum and sizzle, unable to withstand the massive discharge of power emanating from the mighty rock. The monitors abruptly shut off, and the hum of machinery ceased for a moment. It was a complete but temporary power outage. Amidst the chaos and darkness that enveloped the Scrap Brain Base after the energy explosion, a faint blue light flickered in practically every hallway and area of the base. It was the emergency lighting designed to deal with sudden blackouts and maintain minimal functionality in critical situations. Intermittent blue flashes blinked, creating an eerie and mysterious atmosphere in the confines of the laboratory. Raising his head, surprised and confused, Doctor Robotnik observes the subtle glow bathing his surroundings. With a calculating mind, he tries to analyze the magnitude of the explosion triggered by the pink emerald. As his thoughts swarm in his mind, the tyrannical scientist wastes no time in seeking a solution. With a firm and authoritative voice, speaking into thin air with a tone that displays his undisputed leadership, the big-nosed madman issues a precise command:
-"Computer, backup power!"
His words resonate in the momentary silence that has settled in the base. A few seconds of tense anticipation pass as state-of-the-art technology responds to its creator's request. Automated systems activate, electrical connections are restored, and turbines start spinning at full speed, supplying temporary alternative power to the base. In that brief period of time, the bald intellect immerses himself in his scheming thoughts, making plans and adjusting strategies to ensure that the power of the pink emerald does not elude him again. With each flash of light, his ambition and determination grow, knowing that although there is still much work to be done, with each trial and error, he gets closer and closer to achieving his sinister objectives... But before continuing, another sip from his coffee cup! However, tranquility quickly fades as his wrist communicator flashes in intense red, immediately capturing his attention. With frustration, the scientist watches as the screen of his wrist communicator displays a message in capital red letters that clearly says: "TARGET LOST." Indignation seizes him, and the sip of coffee he was about to swallow turns into an unfortunate spit in the face of the unpleasant image before his eyes. Disbelief takes hold of Robotnik. How is it possible that two of his deadliest drones, creations designed to rival any weapon on this pathetic planet, have failed in their mission? And worst of all, how is it that they have been defeated by a simple, stupid bird that acts purely on instinct and lacks strategic intelligence? The room fills with tense silence as the insane doctor processes the situation and seeks an explanation. Brilliant. There was still that flying rat to clean up... But before rushing into things, there is something else that deserves our attention. There is something that might momentarily uplift the doctor and make him forget about the imperfect incident that just occurred. Suddenly, alarms blare, filling the base with their sharp and disturbing sound. Attack alarms? Has the Chaos Emerald triggered other issues in the base besides the power surge? No, it's not that. Something much more significant is happening. At any moment, the base is about to make contact with the ground. And then, a revelation occurs in Dr. Robotnik's mind. A wicked smile spreads across his face as excitement intoxicates him. The island is near! Do you know what that means? Preparations for his sinister plans must be underway. His gaze becomes more intense, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as he visualizes his ultimate goal, which he has longed to achieve. With overflowing confidence and an enormous ego, the heartless Robotnik addresses himself as he adjusts his glasses with an arrogant and assured gesture...
-"Don't worry, little Flicky. Prolong the inevitable and let others suffer the consequences of your selfish acts. Sooner or later, you will come to me, and then..."
An evil laugh escapes his cold and calculating lips, filling the room with the sinister echo of his laughter. The future is full of dark promises, and he considers himself the only worthy superior in a world of brainless beings. In the end, it would be revealed that the Scrap Brain Base is not just an ordinary base, designed by a madman with complex and extravagant ideologies. No, it's much more than that. The final revelation shows us its true nature: it's a massive, constantly moving underwater base!
Imagine a colossal structure hidden beneath the deep waters, silently navigating the oceans. Every aspect of the base has been meticulously designed to function both on land and underwater! All this time, the paranoid Dr. Robotnik has kept his base submerged in an ocean of secrets, shielding it from prying eyes and ensuring its constant mobility. This strategic approach has allowed him to stay one step ahead of everyone else, avoiding detection and surprising those who dare to challenge him. Huh... Well, that explains something.
Sonic was just two steps away from reaching his goal. Each step was a significant effort, carrying the weight of accumulated fatigue and exhaustion from his complex climb. With each advance, he could feel his body protesting the additional exertion, but his determination never wavered. Just one more... The blue hedgehog forced himself to make one final push, feeling his muscles strain. The surface was within his reach. And... done! Finally, he had made it. The hedgehog emerged, his body covered in mud and his fur dirtied. The rain continued to fall, but now it was a light drizzle compared to the storm he had faced minutes before. Though his appearance was disheveled and his energy diminished, a sense of victory washed over him. Looking around, the speed demon realized that the persistence of the rain or his own physical condition no longer mattered. He had overcome the challenge and emerged triumphant. Despite being exhausted and hungry, he felt invincible in that moment. Ha! Take that, you damn old dungeon! Who's the best and fastest hedgehog on South Island? This guy! In a gesture of pure arrogance and confidence, Sonic lifted his paw and kicked some wet dirt into the hole he had climbed out of. The blue hedgehog was ready to leave those damn dungeons behind once and for all; because that's all they were, dirty and clumsy ruins. But as they say, don't jump to conclusions, because at that precise moment, surprise awaited all those present. Unexpected and completely unpredictable, the drenched and bewildered little Flicky appeared out of nowhere, as if the blink of an eye was enough to materialize in front of the victorious hedgehog. The sudden appearance of Flicky was so swift that neither Sonic nor the bird had time to react. The impact between them was inevitable and caused a disturbance that sent them falling together, through the same hole Sonic had climbed out of. Yeah, that very same hole the spiky creature had tirelessly and relentlessly ascended... Exactly, that one... Where was that confidence from earlier now? The irony of fate became apparent in that instant. The descent came to an end as Sonic once again crashed onto the dungeon floor. The noise resonated in the air, leaving his head dizzy and spinning a couple of times. Stars danced in his vision as he tried to regain balance and mental clarity. But his dizziness wouldn't end there. Before he could fully recover, the weary blue bird, who had followed his falling trail, landed directly on his head. The impact was disorienting, further shaking the blue hedgehog's mind. To make matters worse, the very hammer that the rodent had used minutes ago to place the useless signs also fell, striking Sonic's head forcefully. What was this?! Finally, gravity and dizziness took over, and the exhausted hedgehog fell backward, his sneakers pointing toward the dungeon ceiling. And as if things weren't complicated enough, the ground began to shake violently. An earthquake rattled the ruins where Sonic and the blue Flicky found themselves, but it also affected the entire island. The ground trembled beneath their feet, walls creaked and cracked, and the deafening noise of the tremors filled the air. The animals of South Island, who had sought refuge in the island's buildings due to the persistent rain, also witnessed the chaos unleashed by the earthquake. Debris fell and some structures collapsed. It wasn't the first time they experienced an earthquake on the island, but that didn't diminish their sense of danger and the need to seek safety. Amidst the relentless turmoil surrounding them, the old, rusty chains holding the heavy pillar on the ceiling began to give way under the intensity of the tremors. The links groaned and stretched to their limit. Finally, with a deafening crash, the chains broke, releasing the pillar from its ancient support. Applying the logic of gravity in this situation, and knowing that those very chains served to hold the massive object, then it was only a matter of time before it would fall to the ground.
Sonic, dazed and disoriented by the tremor, was unaware of the imminent danger looming over him. His mind still struggled to recover from the previous impact and the dizziness it had caused. He was defenseless, unable to foresee the imminent fall of the pillar now hanging above his position. However, the legendary bird, with its sharp instinct and impressive speed, reacted in the nick of time. With a quick and precise movement, it managed to move the rodent out of harm's way just before the pillar collapsed. The heavy object fell with a deafening crash, shaking the ground in its path. If it hadn't been for the bird's swift intervention, the blue ball of fur would have gone from being known as the fastest hedgehog to little more than a human-sized pancake. Now, it owes one. The moment of chaos unleashed by the earthquake finally came to an end, and Sonic regained consciousness and orientation amidst the "familiar" landscape unfolding before him. The earth stopped shaking, and silence filled the air, interrupted only by the distant echoes of the devastation caused by the tremor. Wow, what happened here? And who was this little friend? As Sonic tried to grasp the magnitude of the event, his attention was captured by a small winged being fluttering nearby. He curiously looked at the winged friend, wondering who he was and what he was doing there. Where had he come from in the first place? And... oh... Sonic was still there... Alright then... The feathered friend, with swift and unpredictable movements, seemed to be trying to convey an important message to the spiky hedgehog. Something out of the ordinary was happening, and the blue bird wanted to get the hedgehog's attention. Now, define what wasn't out of the ordinary on this day. However, Sonic struggled to understand the meaning behind those frantic gestures. No matter how hard he tried to decipher the bird's actions, he couldn't find a logical connection. The impatient rodent knew he was wasting time in that place. He felt a growing impatience and a desire to get out once and for all. Every second spent there was another wasted second of doing nothing. The bird seemed to be delaying him with its actions, further complicating the situation. Sonic decided not to waste any more time trying to understand Flicky's movements. He knew there was only one way to move forward: run. Run at full speed, overcoming any obstacle that stood in his way. He had no time for clumsy puzzles and repetitive rooms; he needed to reach the end as quickly as possible before losing his mind. The Flicky frowned, frustrated by the hedgehog's stubbornness; couldn't he wait even a few seconds?Sorry little fella, but his motto was "never stop". That's right. Exhaling a small sigh filled with impatience, with tense muscles brimming with energy, the swift blue hedgehog was ready to take the next step forward. With a determined thrust, his figure disappeared in an explosion of speed, creating a cloud of dust and dirt that dispersed in the air. But as the dust settled and visibility returned to normal, the blurry image of Sonic would once again pass through the same exit, the same entrance, the same passage. Again and again; indefinitely. He was trapped in an endless loop. Every attempt to move forward only brought him back to the starting point. Amidst the endless repetition of the same image, the little bird took this moment to devise a clever plan. Escape? No, of course not, what do you think? If the fast ball of spikes, with his impatient attitude, didn't understand the bird's words, then maybe it was time to try communicating in another way. And using the dust and dirt of the ruins to his advantage, along with the fluttering of his agile wings and the material at his disposal, he began to trace patterns on the ground, conveying the important message he had been seeking help with. After several attempts and successes as seconds turned into minutes, the blue Flicky managed to communicate the imminent danger through simple drawings. Closing his eyes as he tried not to forget any other small detail, the special bird felt a strange sensation inside him; as if an invisible force was calling him, a sign that there was something important here. Intrigued by this inexplicable call, the blue Flicky quickly turned, leaving behind his previous position and flying towards the hedgehog who continued to run tirelessly. With a quick and energetic flap of his wings, the feathered bird managed to interrupt the hedgehog in his frantic advance, immediately guiding him towards the important explanation it had to give.
Sonic, stubborn as always, crossed his arms in front of his chest while his foot tapped the ground incessantly; he was impatient and demanded a solid explanation that justified the interruption to his frenzied progress. To his surprise, something immediately caught the attention of the fast hedgehog. A flicker in the corner of Sonic's eye drew his attention, and his gaze shifted to the not-so-hurried drawings made by the small feathered friend. Well... there was a Flicky... Another Flicky trapped in a distressing situation... Next to them was the face of a guy with a mustache who seemed out of touch with current trends. Oh wait! Wasn't he one of those strange and pointy ones the blue hedgehog had faced a few days ago? Hmm, more of those things surrounding that weird... Words like "Evil," "Villain," "Horrible Person," and "Destructive" defined him... Strange rocks that were around the planet and causing destruction... Ohhh... Now it makes sense why the little friend was in that attitude. ...No, wait, this was really, really bad. The hedgehog realized he was facing an imminent threat, an evil presence seeking to cause harm and destruction. The Flicky had captured the essence of that dangerous situation in his drawings and had done everything possible to convey the warning to the hedgehog. Sonic's simple gaze revealed his concern; he knew he couldn't ignore the evidence before his eyes. Now it was his responsibility. The little blue animal wasn't there just to interrupt his path; he was a messenger. Huh... ironic, isn't it? Well, there was no time to waste! Determination took hold of Sonic as he prepared to move forward without wasting another second. However, once again, the determined bird interrupted his progress. This time, the Flicky had something important to communicate, something that challenged the notion of always moving forward. Because that was the big problem here, or at least what this place seemed to demonstrate at first: progress forward. The feathered animal stared at the rodent, his gaze full of meaning. It seemed to challenge the hedgehog to consider a different perspective, to question the traditional approach of moving forward without looking back. What if the key was to go backward instead of forward? To not see the dungeon as something simple and current, but rather the opposite? Sonic frowned at Flicky's suggestion. This new perspective challenged his instinct to keep running without stopping. However, something in the bird's gaze and his own confidence made him realize the truth of this fact. Turning his gaze to the entrance of the dark passage behind him, the speed demon felt compelled to test the theory proposed by his little blue friend. Without hesitation, he grabbed the hammer lying beside him and skillfully threw it into the passage, hoping to see if it returned to the same room they were in. A simple yet effective way to confirm if going backward was a valid option in their situation. They watched attentively as the hammer disappeared into the depths of the dark passage. A moment of suspense filled the air as they waited for the result. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he was willing to accept any outcome and adjust accordingly. However, as seconds passed, Sonic began to realize that something was amiss. The hammer didn't seem to return as he had hoped! Holy smokes, the birdbrain was right! Grabbing the small Flicky by his left wing and holding on tightly, the impatient rodent headed towards the right door in the midst of this nightmare. Suddenly, as both animals crossed the dark passage, Sonic abruptly stopped, coming to a halt so that his analytical gaze could encompass and study the new environment they found themselves in. Well... the dungeon didn't seem much different from the previous area they had left behind, except for some strategically placed torches that illuminated the dusty walls, with some carvings on them. The faint glow of the flames danced, casting ominous shadows in the darkest corners of the room. At first glance, the drawings seemed unintelligible and faded from years gone by. Is it just me, or do some of them show unknown objects in the sky? Ok, ok, maximum focus now, Sonic. Well, the blue Flicky was looking intently, trying to find a clue that would lead them to the exit. However, the little bird didn't seem to see any other passage or path ahead, or any other direction. Could it be that they were overlooking something? Or should they go back? No, wait. Just as confusion seemed to take over them, the Flicky turned his attention to the scribbles carved on the dungeon walls. Could these drawings hold some clue or puzzle to help them move forward? Or maybe... Hold on a second; it seemed like something was happening!
A subtle vibration ran through the ground beneath them, and a rumble echoed through the dungeon. To their astonishment, the ground opened up before them, and... a powerful stream of lava began to rise from the depths! Wait, hot lava! The glow and heat from the lava filled the air, creating a dangerous and tense atmosphere. The feathered animal let out a warning cry as he instinctively backed away. Amidst the confusion, the bird realized that Sonic was holding one of the dungeon torches in his hands, which had possibly triggered a trap mechanism in that inhospitable place. Oh, well done... No matter, there would be time to point fingers later. The most important thing now was to find an exit, to figure out how to escape from the imminent danger that surrounded them. The innocent hedgehog tried to return the torch to its original position, hoping to deactivate the trap mechanism he had activated. However, his efforts were in vain, as putting the torch back in its original position seemed to have no effect. He had to try, right? The ground shook beneath their feet as it opened wider, revealing the infernal depths below. The bubbling sound of boiling lava resonated in their ears, reminding them of the deadliness of the situation they were in. Urgency overcame them as they realized that time was slipping away quickly. Hold on a moment. If one single torch had triggered this event, what would happen if they tried removing all the torches instead of just one? Perhaps by removing them all, they could reverse the danger that threatened them and solve the puzzle! Both animals exchanged glances at this idea (although not for long; let's say time was not on their side). A quick and risky decision to escape a deadly trap. The torches started falling one by one, triggering a series of events and other deadly traps in a domino effect: fireballs shooting from the walls, blocks on the ceiling crumbling and falling in coordination. In short, the opposite of what they were both aiming for was happening. Even in one of these moments, the blue hedgehog, in an attempt to save himself, was forced to perform agile and precise movements to dodge the fireballs that threatened to consume him. What the hell were they doing? While the speedy Flicky flew at full speed and used his wings to skillfully dodge the falling blocks with survival instincts, a feeling in his gut told him that something was wrong with the whole situation. Are you saying that because of the nonsense that was happening or the situation in general? Then, in the midst of tension and urgency, the flying animal noticed a revealing detail. As the torches fell from their holders, none of them seemed to have gone out; but why? Wait, that's it! A flash of understanding lit up the eyes of the animal, who caught the attention of his rodent companion with a loud whistle, making him understand his new idea: to extinguish all the torch flames. At first, the fast hedgehog would doubt the intentions of his winged friend, but after nearly falling into the boiling lava and miraculously saving himself at the last second by simply stopping his fall with his hands and feet, clinging to the still opening ground, he would reconsider his own decision. Come on, they were just a few torches, a space that gradually became more difficult to navigate, and a beautiful lava bath waiting for any fool to fall into it and bathe in magma... What could go wrong? Oh Sonic, what do you do to make your everyday end up like this? Alright, ready! Without wasting any more time, Sonic shook off his gloves and prepared for what would come next. His gaze shone with complete concentration as he began running in circles around the torches scattered in the room. Each step he took left behind a trail of blue energy, as if he were carving his own path amidst the chaos. The wind began to respond to his presence, enveloping him in an invisible whirlwind that grew stronger with each stride. The dance of the flames seemed to synchronize with his speed, as if the fire itself was responding to his call; it was working! The small blue-feathered animal, who had witnessed the entire process with awe and admiration, could see with his own eyes how the flames began to fade away.
And as expected, against all odds, the ground suddenly stopped opening, as if someone had flipped an invisible switch to halt the trap at its peak, leaving both animals with a few meters of available space. The blue hedgehog, surprised but relieved, stopped to admire how the boiling lava, which threatened to engulf them in its fiery embrace, began to recede slowly, as if being absorbed into the very earth that contained it. Waves of heat and steam rose from the molten surface as it dissipated into the abyss. Both animals exchanged looks filled with astonishment and calmness. But come on, did you really think it would end like this without any further explanation? We're close to finishing this episode, but let's not rush things either! Because, even though they had gone through a near-death experience, there was still more ahead. The spikes hanging from the ceiling swung menacingly, ready to impale anyone passing beneath them. The green crushers, with their sharp blades, moved up and down slowly, seeking to trap the unsuspecting. And the pools of lava, with their infernal heat, were an imposing barrier they had to overcome... In short, they had practically gone from the junior level to the dominant level. But surprisingly, regardless of the consequences they had to face, regardless of whether their movements were clumsy or agile, as they advanced, they managed to overcome each obstacle and challenge as a team. A team that... sometimes seemed to need to work on their coordination (not to say they were lacking in that department). How did we go from a blue Flicky seeking help to stop the imminent plans of the crazy Robotnik to working side by side with a supersonic rodent? Just mobian things, I guess... After a grueling journey filled with challenges and dangers, and of course, ignoring how deadly this whole situation was, with sweat dripping from their foreheads and the small bird dragging an exhausted and dirty Sonic after an "innocent encounter" with a river of lava, they finally found themselves on the brink of what seemed to be the last passage of this infernal madness. Unlike the peculiar state the blue hedgehog was in, the special Flicky seemed unaffected. His blue feathers gleamed with an enigmatic glow, without a single speck of dirt. It was as if he was always immaculate, regardless of the extreme conditions they faced. Sonic, jokingly and enviously, wondered what the secret was behind the impeccable appearance of that legendary little bird. Perhaps it was something he could apply to his shoes and gloves to keep them always shiny and clean. Do you know how difficult it is to do that with saltwater from the beach? But now was not the time to digress. Attention was focused on the last passage, whose imposing entrance seemed to whisper to the bird alone... Ugh, it gives me shivers. Given the strange but undeniable sensation that filled the air, Flicky, moved by his innate curiosity, approached the imposing entrance of the passage. His blue wings fluttered with excitement as he looked at the door, only to discover, with some disappointment, that it was firmly closed. But don't worry! Because the appearance of the door was not the only thing that caught his attention; once again, blurry scribbles adorned its surface. Hm... there was a golden ring, whose curved shape ended up forming a silhouette surprisingly similar to that of the blue bird himself. That same bird being inserted into the sealed door of the passage... And then a revelation pierced through his mind like a ray of light. It was obvious, the next image clearly depicted Flicky and a hedgehog who could be none other than Sonic. Both characters were holding... an emerald! That's it! That explained the strange sensations the feathered creature had been feeling since they began being there! The third Chaos Emerald had been kept behind this door all this time! And if this was true, then it meant they could use it to their advantage against the mustachioed one. The pieces couldn't be clearer. Following the steps to the letter, the bird's eyes moved from one end to the other, searching for any clues on how to open the access that had seemed motionless for centuries; it was in the midst of this ancient mechanism. Determined to do this without a doubt, the legendary bird slowly approached the exact point where the ancient machinery seemed embedded in the wall (like a card reader but... more obsolete and less technological) and, after hearing the creaking of the old gears around it beginning to work after millennia of inactivity, the door, which had remained sealed and silent for countless generations, opened slowly. The passage access revealed itself to the amazed Flicky, giving way to an air charged with ancient and sacred energy that caressed the animal's feathers.
Sonic, who after taking a "2-second breather" to recover, had the same reaction as his winged friend as he rubbed his head trying to alleviate the slight lingering pain from the previous encounter. With a slight nod between them, the bird and the hedgehog set off, leaving behind the threshold of the entrance to the unknown. The environment surrounding them was shrouded in mysterious and penetrating darkness, but soon the torches began to ignite one after another, revealing a yellowish glow dancing in the shadows. Every step they took seemed to trigger the illumination of a new torch. Fascinating, isn't it? Flashes of flickering light illuminated the path ahead, and their eyes searched every corner, trying to unravel the secrets hidden in the shadows. The ancient stone walls seemed to whisper forgotten stories as they ventured deeper into that enigmatic place. And there it was. Amidst the darkness that still yielded to the last flickering flames of the torches, the magnificence of the yellow Chaos Emerald emerged before their eyes. The gem shimmered with a divine radiance, radiating an aura of power and mystery. Its yellow hues intertwined in a hypnotic dance, creating reflections that mirrored on the ancient stone walls. Who would have believed that an object coveted for centuries, sought after for its immense capabilities and that could unleash destruction if it fell into the wrong hands, now rested on their shoulders... Or well, at least that's what the spikeball thought and believed with the brief explanation they had been given, right? With cautious steps and eyes filled with curiosity, the blue Flicky approached the shining Chaos Emerald slowly. Each flap was precise and determined, showing the seriousness with which he approached the situation. Sonic, carefully observing the movements of his winged companion, decided to follow his example and joined him a few seconds later. The intensity of the yellow glow emanating from the gem illuminated their faces, reflecting a glimmer of awe and anticipation in their eyes. It was as if the world had disappeared around them, leaving only them and the dazzling presence of the Chaos Emerald. Was taking it all they had to do? That was the big question overwhelming them in that moment. However, the answer could only be found through action. The Flicky, with palpable determination in every movement, extended his right wing towards the top of the gem. The hedgehog, on the other hand, was hesitant and unsure, contemplating the possibility of reconsidering the consequences of... And forget about it already. Before he could express his thoughts, the fearless blue bird didn't hesitate for a second longer and, regardless of uncertainties or possible repercussions, made contact with the magical essence of the Chaos Emerald. In an instant, a brilliant glow enveloped both animals. The air seemed to vibrate with transcendental energy as an electric current ran through their bodies, connecting them to the primordial power represented by the Chaos Emerald. Meanwhile, reality itself seemed to fade away in a whirlwind of changing colors and shapes. Everything around them seemed to distort as if they were navigating through layers of a lucid dream. The feeling of weightlessness surrounded them as the surroundings transformed into a kaleidoscope of landscapes and scenarios; and then, luminosity, nothingness. The wind whispered softly in their ears, carrying the scent of damp earth. Dry leaves danced in the air, floating and gracefully spinning before falling into mud puddles. The gentle and melodic sound of raindrops falling to the ground and onto the abandoned, wet wooden signs added a natural symphony to their surroundings. In a fleeting moment, Sonic would feel an unusual sensation on his dark snout. At first, it would be only a slight discomfort manifesting as a subtle itch. Determined to discover the cause of such sensation, he would squint his left eye slightly, allowing a small sliver of light to reveal the source of his discomfort; discovering in that moment an unpleasant sight: EW, DISGUSTING! There was a worm crawling on his nose! Revulsion would take hold of the furry hedgehog, and with a quick sneeze, he would get rid of the unwanted guest. Gross. Sonic's mind would be filled with confused and contradictory thoughts as he tried to comprehend his surroundings. A deep sense of familiarity would wash over him, as if he had been in that place before. Wait a second, Marble Zone? Does that mean he was outside? Was it really so, or was it another never-ending test of the dungeon? The idea of being outside that infernal labyrinth would be too good to be true. For God's sake, let it not be true, or he'll lose his patience. No, no, false alarm. Everyone calm down. Certainty would flood him, combined with a torrent of relief and serenity, followed by a light sigh. He had managed to escape the dungeon and was now back in reality.
However, amidst the newly found tranquility, a question would arise in his mind. Where was Flicky? The Chaos Emerald? The absence of the little blue friend and the divine rock would make his gaze quickly scan the surroundings for any clues, hoping to find some indication of their whereabouts. Unexpectedly, the swift sight of two small animals running at full speed would capture Sonic's attention. They seemed to be fleeing from something, or perhaps heading towards a specific place. Intrigued by their hurried demeanor, the blue hedgehog couldn't help but wonder if they had witnessed something he had overlooked. Maybe they had crucial information about the mystery surrounding the special bird. Without wasting time, Sonic would make the decision to join the action. If these animals were somehow connected to the enigmatic Flicky, he couldn't afford to be left behind. He felt the urge within him to alert everyone about the imminent danger that lay ahead; the calm before the storm. Preparing his powerful legs to take off, the speedy hedgehog would fill himself with determination as he prepared to launch forward. With everything in place, Sonic would take one last breath, filling his lungs with the necessary energy to begin the journey. With determination in his eyes and speed in every fiber of his being, the spectacular Sonic would soar towards the horizon with his mission clear: to protect his friends. But not without seizing a unique opportunity before departing, of course. With a gesture of pride, he would place one of the signs that had caused all this chaos in a visible spot for any unsuspecting fool who passed through the area: "BORING ZONE. KEEP OUT" After all, he always considered it important to leave his mark wherever he went, without exception.
In a specific corner of South Island, almost, if not all, the animals had gathered in a particular place. They seemed to be looking at something out of the ordinary, something that deviated from the routine of their daily lives. Come on, as if they hadn't gone through something similar a few years ago... This scene was not unfamiliar to Sonic, perhaps since the incident when they tried to banish him from the island. But that was all in the past. Amidst the hustle and bustle, Sonic decided to approach a chicken that was nearby and ask what was happening. Had they rebuilt South Island overnight and were celebrating its rebirth? However, upon closely observing the construction materials and scattered objects around the place, that seemed unlikely to be the explanation. But then, if it wasn't that, what was it? The answer that Sonic eagerly awaited would soon be revealed before his own eyes. A mysterious figure emerged among the crowd, capturing everyone's attention with his peculiar appearance. The stranger had a spherical torso that contrasted with his thin arms and legs. His small head was adorned with hair that fell behind his ears. From his face protruded a pointed nose, complemented by a thick mahogany mustache that accentuated his countenance. Interestingly, he held a pair of oval blue glasses in one of his hands, adding an intriguing touch to his appearance. As for his attire, he wore a stylish green top, complemented by a short yellow cape that was attached to his shoulders with a striking triangular collar. Remember when I talked about the feeling of déjà vu? Although the appearance of this strange individual seemed to come out of nowhere, the aura of mystery and unknown origin soon dissipated. The peculiar character, with his friendly smile, dispelled any doubt or fear that might have arisen in anyone's heart. Instead, it radiated a warm and welcoming energy, as if he were an old friend in a familiar place.
Um... should we welcome him to South Island?