World's Collide: Triple Trouble

This is what happens when you're dealing with stress, writer's block, and lack of sleep, you put all that energy into a story that sounds cringe on paper.

Prologue

Deep within the Forest Falls Zone was a place known as Verdant Shrine, a sacred grove surrounded by towering trees casting long shadows over the forest floor. In the center of the grove stood a stone pedestal, ancient and weathered, covered in mysterious runes that glowed faintly in the dim light. Atop the pedestal rested the Cosmic Beryl, a gem that pulsed with an ethereal energy, its many facets shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow.

Quill, the silent guardian of the grove, watched from a nearby tree branch, his eyes sharp and focused. He could feel the magic emanating from the Beryl, a powerful force that kept the balance of his world in check. As the appointed protector, he had sworn to guard it from anyone who might seek to misuse its power.

Today, though, something was different. The usual sounds of the forest—birds chirping, leaves rustling—were eerily absent. A heavy stillness hung in the air, and Quill's instincts told him that trouble was coming.

Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the whirring of machinery. Quill's ears perked up, and he turned to see a strange craft descending into the grove. It was an odd, egg-shaped vehicle, flying just above the ground. At the controls sat a rotund man with a wild mustache and round glasses, his red coat flapping in the wind. Dr. Eggman.

Beside him hovered a sleek, blue figure—Metal Sonic, his metallic frame gleaming in the light of the Cosmic Beryl. Quill narrowed his eyes, recognizing the threat immediately. He had heard stories of Eggman and his mechanical minions, of their relentless pursuit of power and destruction.

"Alright, Metal Sonic," Eggman said, his voice booming with authority. "There's the Cosmic Beryl. Let's grab it and get out of here before anyone knows we're here."

Metal Sonic nodded and shot forward with lightning speed, heading straight for the pedestal. Quill leapt into action, launching a quill from his slingshot at the robotic hedgehog. The quill struck Metal Sonic's arm, causing him to veer off course, but he quickly recovered and continued his approach.

Eggman's Egg-o-matic swooped down, positioning itself above the Cosmic Beryl. Quill dashed through the trees, moving faster than he ever had, but it was no use. Metal Sonic reached the pedestal first, knocking Quill back with a powerful swipe of his arm.

Eggman grinned, reaching out from his cockpit to grab the Cosmic Beryl. "Ah, the power to bend realities to my will!" he exclaimed. "With this, I can rule not just one world, but every world!"

Quill struggled to his feet, his eyes widening as he saw Eggman lift the Beryl from its pedestal. "No!" he shouted, his voice filled with anger and desperation. "You don't know what you're doing!"

But it was too late. As Eggman held the Cosmic Beryl aloft, a blinding light erupted from the gem. The air around them seemed to warp and twist, the trees bending at impossible angles as the very fabric of reality began to unravel.

The ground shook violently, and Quill felt himself being pulled in every direction at once. He tried to hold on, but the force was too great. With a final burst of light, everything went dark.

Quill awoke to the sound of rushing water and the scent of unfamiliar foliage. He blinked his eyes open, wincing at the bright sunlight streaming through the leaves above. Slowly, he sat up, looking around in confusion.

He was no longer in Verdantia. The landscape was different here—lush and vibrant, but strange. Trees with leaves of every color towered over him, and a river flowed gently nearby, its waters clear and sparkling. Quill had no idea where he was, but one thing was certain: this wasn't his forest.

He stood up, brushing himself off, and glanced around. In the distance, he could see the outline of a mountain range and a valley filled with more strange, colorful flora. He frowned, his mind racing to make sense of what had happened.

Then it hit him—Eggman. The Cosmic Beryl. The shattering of realities. Somehow, Eggman's reckless actions had thrown him into another world, one that was not his own. And who knew what kind of chaos had been unleashed elsewhere?

Quill clenched his fists, anger bubbling up inside him. "You'll pay for this, Eggman, you have no idea what you've unleashed."

Sonic groaned as he slowly regained consciousness. His head was pounding, and his vision was blurred. He blinked a few times, trying to shake off the haze. As the world around him came into focus, he realized he wasn't at home. Instead, he was lying on a patch of grass, the sky above him clear and blue.

"Tails?" Sonic mumbled, pushing himself up onto his elbows. "What… what happened?"

"Sonic!" Tails' voice called out urgently. The young fox was crouched beside him, shaking his shoulder. "Thank goodness you're awake! I was starting to get worried."

Sonic sat up, rubbing his temples. "Yeah, I'm okay. I think. Where are we?"

Tails glanced around, his eyes wide with confusion. "I'm not sure. This doesn't look like home. I mean, it's sort of familiar, but not really. It's… different."

Sonic frowned, taking in their surroundings. They were in the middle of a small city with a mix of urban and natural features. Buildings made of colorful stones and wood dotted the area, surrounded by vibrant flowers and lush greenery. In the distance, he could see a mountain range that he didn't recognize.

Tails stood up and pointed to a nearby sign. "Look, Sonic. That sign says 'Flower Mountain City.' Ever heard of it?"

Sonic shook his head. "Can't say that I have. And I've been around plenty."

Tails' twin tails twitched nervously as he continued, "Whatever happened, it felt a lot like the effects of the Phantom Ruby… but stronger. I don't know how to explain it, but it's like reality itself got… mixed up or something."

Sonic stood up and dusted himself off. "Well, that's just great. First the Phantom Ruby, and now this. Just when we thought we were done with weird reality-bending nonsense."

Tails nodded in agreement, then pointed down the street. "And check this out, Sonic. It's eerily quiet. No people around, but there are a bunch of robots patrolling the area. They don't look like anything we've seen before."

Sonic followed Tails' gaze and spotted several strange robots moving through the city. They had sleek, angular designs, nothing like the usual round and clunky Eggman bots. They seemed to be searching for something, scanning the area methodically.

"Yeah, this has Eggman written all over it," Sonic muttered, narrowing his eyes. "He's always up to something, and I bet he's behind whatever just happened."

Before they could move to investigate further, Tails' communicator beeped. He quickly pulled it out and answered, and the screen lit up with the face of Jewel the Beetle, her expression tense and concerned.

"Sonic! Tails!" Jewel exclaimed. "I'm so glad I got through to you. Are you guys okay?"

"We're fine, Jewel," Tails replied. "Just a little confused. Do you know what's going on?"

Jewel sighed, looking around nervously. "We're still trying to figure it out ourselves. The planet… it's tripled in size. Cities and people have been popping up all over the place, places I've never even heard of. And the Resistance is spread thin trying to keep the peace. It's total chaos."

Sonic crossed his arms, his expression serious. "Sounds like Eggman's behind this somehow. We're in a place called Flower Mountain City, but there's no one around except some weird robots."

Jewel nodded. "We've seen them too. They're not Eggman's usual robots, but they're definitely hostile. Be careful, you two. We've been trying to regroup and figure out what to do, but it's a mess. I'll send you our coordinates. Meet up with the Resistance as soon as you can. We need all the help we can get."

"Got it, Jewel," Tails said, nodding. "We're on our way."

Jewel smiled weakly. "Thanks, Tails. And be careful out there, both of you."

The call ended, and Tails looked up at Sonic, who was already cracking his knuckles and stretching his legs, ready for action.

"Well, Tails," Sonic said with a grin, "looks like we've got a job to do. Let's find this Resistance, figure out what Eggman's up to, and set things right."

Tails nodded, a determined look on his face. "Right behind you, Sonic. Let's go."

With that, Sonic and Tails took off down the deserted streets of Flower Mountain City, moving quickly and quietly as they made their way toward the Resistance's coordinates. They didn't know what lay ahead, but one thing was clear: Eggman had messed with reality itself, and it was up to them to stop him.

In the heart of Shang Tu, the grand city built on tradition and honor, the atmosphere was tense. The walls of the palace loomed high, their intricate carvings and banners fluttering gently in the breeze. Inside, the Magister, the wise and revered leader of Shang Tu, sat behind a large wooden desk, his brow furrowed in deep concern.

He gazed out over the city through the large windows behind him. From this high vantage point, he could see the bustling streets, filled with citizens moving about with a noticeable tension in their steps. The Magister knew something was terribly wrong.

A knock at the door broke his concentration. "Enter," he called, his voice steady but grave.

The door swung open, and Neera Li, a Frost Knight panda girl with a fierce gaze, stepped inside, her white and black fur gleaming under the soft light. She wore her usual armor, a mixture of blue and silver that reflected her icy powers, with a heavy cloak draped over her shoulders. Following her was General Gong, a strong and dependable panda who was one of Shang Tu's most trusted military leaders.

"You called for us, Magister?" Neera said, bowing slightly as she approached the desk.

"Yes, Neera. Gong," the Magister acknowledged with a nod. "Something has gone seriously wrong. Our scouts report strange new cities appearing all over the landscape, and with them, people who are not from this world. What can you tell me about this?"

Neera's expression was serious, her blue eyes reflecting the cold determination that came with her role as a Frost Knight. "Reports have been flooding in all morning. Entire cities have sprung up out of nowhere, and the people in them are as confused as we are. They seem to come from other lands, but none of them match any place on Avalice that we know of."

General Gong crossed his arms, his face showing the strain of the day's events. "It's been a challenge keeping the citizens calm during all this, Magister. Panic is spreading, and without answers, it's only going to get worse. We've been doing our best to maintain order, but this is unlike anything we've ever faced."

The Magister nodded thoughtfully, his fingers drumming lightly on the desk. "This is indeed troubling news. Continue your efforts to keep the peace. I will try to get in contact with Lilac and her friends. They have dealt with extraordinary situations before, and their help might be invaluable."

Just as Neera and Gong were about to respond, a guard entered the room, his expression serious. "Pardon the interruption, Magister," the guard said, bowing. "A young woman has arrived, asking to see you. She says it's urgent."

The Magister raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this development. "A young woman? Did she say who she was?"

The guard nodded. "She introduced herself as Lanolin, of the Diamond Cutters."

The Magister exchanged a glance with Neera and Gong, both of whom seemed just as puzzled by the name. "Very well," the Magister said after a moment. "Send her in."

The guard bowed and exited the room. A few moments later, a young sheep with a determined expression entered. She wore a practical, rugged outfit, suitable for a scout or warrior, and her eyes darted around the room, taking everything in before she spoke.

"Thank you for seeing me, Magister," she began, her voice steady. "My name is Lanolin, and I'm part of a group called the Diamond Cutters. We've been working with a Resistance force that's trying to keep the peace in our own world."

"Your own world?" the Magister repeated, leaning forward slightly. "What do you mean by that?"

Lanolin hesitated for a moment, as if searching for the right words. "I know this sounds strange, but… we're not from this world. Reports from the Resistance HQ indicate that something has gone terribly wrong. We believe that our world, and at least two others, have somehow merged together."

Neera's eyes narrowed, her icy demeanor reflecting her skepticism. "Merged? As in… combined into one? How could such a thing even be possible?"

Gong rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Crazier things have happened, Neera. Remember what we've faced before? We can't rule anything out."

The Magister considered Lanolin's words carefully. "This is indeed a troubling theory. Do you have any idea how such a merger could have occurred?"

Lanolin nodded, taking a deep breath. "We believe it might be the work of a madman from our world. He's known as Dr. Eggman, a scientist with a dangerous habit of tampering with things far beyond his control. If anyone could cause something like this, it would be him."

The Magister sat back in his chair, his expression darkening as he processed this information. "Dr. Eggman… It seems we have much to learn about this new threat. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Lanolin. Your information may prove crucial in understanding what we're up against."

Lanolin nodded firmly. "I'm here to help in any way I can. The Diamond Cutters and the Resistance have been trying to keep the peace in our own world, but we need all the allies we can get."

"Very well," the Magister said, turning to Neera and Gong. "Continue your efforts to keep the city safe and secure. I will reach out to Lilac and her friends immediately. We must prepare for whatever comes next."

Neera and Gong nodded, both looking determined. As they turned to leave, the Magister looked back at Lanolin, his expression thoughtful. "Stay close, Lanolin. We may need your knowledge and your skills sooner than we think."

Lanolin nodded, a resolute look in her eyes. "Understood, Magister. I'll do whatever it takes to help."

As the doors closed behind them, the Magister took a deep breath, his mind racing with the implications of Lanolin's words. Three worlds merged into one… a mad scientist tampering with powers beyond understanding… The challenges ahead were unlike anything they had faced before, but he knew that with allies, they stood a chance to make things right.

Lilac groaned as she slowly opened her eyes, her head spinning. She blinked a few times, trying to make sense of her surroundings. The room was unfamiliar—cozy and warm, with walls made of sturdy wood and a few simple pieces of furniture scattered around. She was lying on a couch, and beside her, she could see Carol and Milla, both of whom were also just waking up.

Carol stretched and yawned, her ears twitching. "Ugh, where are we? This definitely isn't home," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

Milla sat up slowly, looking around with wide, curious eyes. "Lilac? Carol? What happened? How did we get here?"

Before Lilac could respond, the door swung open, and a bubbly, energetic lemur with a long, striped tail bounded into the room. "Oh good, you're all awake!" she exclaimed with a big smile. "I'm Tangle, by the way! I found you three being carried by a really scary-looking jester robot."

At her words, a figure stepped into the doorway behind her—a tall, mechanical figure with a jester-like design. His body was sleek and metallic, with a purple and yellow color scheme, and his eyes glowed a deep red. He crossed his arms and huffed. "I'm not just some scary jester robot," he said in a flat, somewhat annoyed tone. "My name is Fark."

Carol snorted, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Fark? That sounds a lot like—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Lilac quickly clapped a hand over Carol's mouth, stifling her laughter. "Carol!" she said, trying to keep a straight face. She turned to Fark with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. And thanks for helping us out."

Fark rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in his tone. "Yeah, I've heard that joke before. It's no problem, though. You guys looked like the hero types, and you're gonna need to be strong with everything that's going on."

Lilac, Carol, and Milla exchanged confused looks. "What do you mean?" Lilac asked, sitting up straighter.

Tangle jumped in, her tail swishing excitedly. "Oh, it's been a crazy day! I mean, crazier than usual. There was this big flash of light, and suddenly a bunch of new cities and people appeared all over the place, like they just popped into existence!"

Fark nodded, cutting in with a more serious tone. "Basically, several worlds have merged into one, and now this merged world is in total chaos. People are confused, places are mixed up, and no one knows how to fix it."

Milla frowned, tilting her head to the side. "But… how could something like that happen?"

Tangle shrugged, her expression turning a bit more serious. "If I had to guess, it's probably Eggman messing around with strange artifacts again. He's always poking his nose where it doesn't belong."

Carol snorted again, folding her arms. "Eggman? What kind of name is that? Sounds like he'd be more worried about breakfast than world domination."

Tangle giggled but then nodded with a more somber expression. "I know, right? But don't let the name fool you. He's nearly conquered our world several times, and each time he did some pretty terrifying things. He's a lot more dangerous than he sounds."

Lilac grimaced, the mention of a ruthless conqueror striking a familiar chord. "Sounds a lot like Brevon," she muttered, her voice taking on a hard edge. "He's a warlord from our world. Tried to take over using this ancient technology. We managed to stop him, but it wasn't easy."

Fark nodded in understanding. "Sounds like someone I'd end up fighting. Seems like we've all got our share of bad guys to deal with." He glanced away for a moment, a flicker of worry crossing his optics as he thought about his own world. Spark and the others… were they okay? Were they still trapped in Cyberspace, or had they been thrown into this chaos too?

Before anyone could say more, a quiet yet firm voice called from the doorway. "Tangle, the transport is here. We're heading to the Resistance HQ." A Wolf Girl, a reserved and watchful warrior with a sniper rifle slung over her back, stepped into the room, her eyes scanning everyone carefully.

"Everyone, this is my partner Whisper!" Tangle introduced, hugging the Wolf Girl. Whisper looked slightly uncomfortable but didn't push her away. Especially not after nearly losing her during the Zombot crisis. "Whisper, has-"

"Sonic and Tails have been contacted." Whisper added, glancing at Tangle.

Carol raised an eyebrow, looking between Tangle and Whisper. "Who are Sonic and Tails?"

Tangle grinned, motioning for everyone to follow her out. "Oh, you'll see soon enough. Let's get moving!"

As they left the house, Lilac, Carol, Milla, Fark, Tangle, and Whisper all stepped outside into the strange, new world. Fark followed quietly, his thoughts still lingering on his friends from Cyberspace. He hoped they were alright, but for now, he had to focus on the task at hand. They had a lot to figure out, and they would need all the help they could get.

Inside the metallic fortress of Dr. Eggman's base, the hum of machinery and the clatter of construction filled the air. Conveyor belts moved steadily, transporting parts and newly assembled robots to various parts of the sprawling facility. The walls were lined with monitors displaying different sections of the new, merged world—a chaotic blend of landscapes, cities, and unfamiliar territories.

Dr. Eggman stood at the center of his command room, gazing at the screens with a satisfied grin. His Egg-o-matic hovered behind him, a testament to his recent triumph. "Well, well, well," he chuckled, rubbing his hands together gleefully. "I'd say things have turned out rather splendidly! A new world, ripe for the taking. All thanks to a little meddling with that Cosmic Beryl."

He turned to face a young AI hologram, Sage, who was standing near a large console. "How's our new database coming along, my dear daughter?" he asked, his voice softer, filled with a rare warmth that contrasted sharply with his usual villainous demeanor.

Sage looked up from her work, her expression calm but focused. "It's almost complete, Father," she replied quietly. "I've been integrating the data from all the merged worlds. Your new forces are slowly being built based on the optimal designs I've identified."

Eggman's grin widened as he reached out and gave Sage a gentle pat on the head, a gesture of affection. "You're doing well, Sage. Very well indeed," he said proudly. "I couldn't ask for a more capable assistant."

Sage's expression softened slightly at his praise, and she nodded, returning to her work with renewed determination.

Eggman then turned to another one of his loyal minions, Orbot, who hovered nearby. "And what about you, Orbot? How's the status on our other project?"

Orbot straightened up, holding a clipboard and tapping it thoughtfully. "The roboticization of the new forces has been proceeding smoothly, Doctor," he reported. "We've managed to convert a significant number of individuals, and their performance metrics are exceeding expectations. Oh, and Cubot is getting a new voice chip installed—one that's guaranteed not to malfunction."

Eggman's eyes briefly flashed with relief, and he gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Finally," he muttered under his breath, silently grateful for the improvement. "That's been a long time coming."

Turning his attention back to the roboticization process, Eggman chuckled, stroking his mustache. "Ah, roboticization... I haven't used that technology in years. But for the purpose of this new world I've created, I needed manpower. Lots of it. And what better way than to turn the locals into my loyal, mechanical soldiers?"

Standing nearby, Clutch the Opossum, a cunning and opportunistic character with a penchant for profit, nodded in agreement. "I'm certainly thankful to you, Doctor, for letting me in on such a lucrative venture," he said, his voice slick with appreciation. "A bigger world means bigger possibilities... and bigger payouts."

Eggman chuckled at Clutch's words, clearly enjoying the company of a fellow schemer. "I've always enjoyed the entrepreneurial mindset, Clutch. Happy to bring you along for the ride."

Eggman's gaze then shifted to Spade, the panda leader of the Red Scarves, now one of his roboticized minions. Spade stood at attention, his eyes glowing with the eerie red light characteristic of Eggman's robotic soldiers. "Spade," Eggman addressed him, "bring me more individuals who would do better serving under my command. We need fresh talent, after all."

Spade nodded, his voice cold and mechanical. "I know a few who could be brought to heel, Doctor. They won't resist for long."

Eggman's grin returned, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Excellent. I'm always happy to bring fresh talent under my management," he said with a sinister chuckle, alluding to the roboticization process. "Now, off you go."

As Spade turned and left the room to carry out his orders, Eggman clapped his hands together, summoning two more of his minions. Rough and Tumble, the notorious skunk brothers, swaggered into the command room, both grinning widely.

"You called, Boss?" Rough asked, cracking his knuckles.

Eggman nodded, leaning back with a satisfied smirk. "Indeed, I did. I have a special task for you two. I need you to find Surge and Kitsunami. It's about time I brought them in, even if they're Starline's defects."

Tumble grinned, baring his teeth. "It'd be our pleasure, Doc. We'll round 'em up and bring 'em back, no problem."

Eggman chuckled, pleased with their enthusiasm. "That's what I like to hear. Now go! We've got a new world to conquer, and I want all the pieces in place."

With that, Rough and Tumble turned and hurried out of the room, eager to carry out their orders. As they left, Eggman gazed at the monitors once more, his mind filled with thoughts of his expanding empire.

"Yes, things are shaping up quite nicely," he mused to himself, his grin widening. "This new world is full of potential. And soon, it will all be mine."

Sage continued her work quietly in the background, Orbot hovered nearby, and Clutch watched with a calculating gleam in his eye. Eggman's base buzzed with activity, his plans already in motion. Whatever chaos the merged worlds had brought, Dr. Eggman was determined to turn it to his advantage, one way or another.

This introduces an OC I've been wanting to use for a while but really didn't have the guts to put him down on paper.

Quill the Pine is a Porcupine Mobian who uses his Quills as ammunition. Physically, he looks similar to Sonic and Shadow but with hundreds of tiny Quills that he can pluck and use.