Then…

The sun was bright that day, casting long shadows across the school field. It was sports day for the first years, and the sound of cheers and laughter filled the air as they watched the track race about to finish. A young Sonic, dashed across the finish line with a grin as wide as his face. His opponent a stoat and a snake did their best, but they lost to him. His blue fur shimmered under the sunlight as he panted to catch his breath after his run. The moment his foot touched the finish line, he heard the loud, proud cheers of his parents.

"That's my boy!" his father, Jules, shouted, pumping his fist in the air. His voice was filled with pride, his smile as wide as Sonic's.

His mother, Bernadette, clapped enthusiastically, her eyes gleaming with pride and joy. "You were amazing, Sonic! You're so fast!"

Sonic, barely able to contain his excitement, he ran straight to them, throwing himself into their arms and accepted their rib crushing hug. Jules lifted him up effortlessly, spinning him around in the air as they laughed together. "Fastest hedgehog in the world eh!" Jules exclaimed, setting Sonic down as he gave his son a noogie. "You'll be winning races all your life, kid."

Bernadette leaned down and hugged him tightly. "You did great today, Sonic. We're so proud of you." She kissed his forehead, and Sonic could feel the warmth of her love in that single moment. It was perfect, as Sonic smiled as he munched down on his victory chili dog.

That evening, after dinner, they were all still talking about the race, the memory lingering in the air like a warm glow.

"We're going to the theater tonight," his mother said, standing by the front door with her purse in hand as she adjusted her royal blue dress. "It's just your dad and I, it's been a while since we had a night out."

Jules ruffled Sonic's quills. "You okay staying home, champ? We won't be long. We'll be back before you know it."

Sonic, full of energy from his win, nodded enthusiastically. "I'll be fine! You guys go have fun. I'll just watch cartoons and play video games!" He said with a wide smile.

His parents smiled, and Jules gave Sonic a final playful push on the shoulder. "You take care, alright? Don't stay up too late."

"I won't!" Sonic said, grinning as they left.

The door clicked shut, and Sonic turned to the TV, settling in for a night of cartoons, games and snacks. The house felt empty without them, but it wasn't a lonely kind of empty. He had never imagined that this would be the last time he'd ever see them alive.


Hours Later

It was late. Far later than Sonic thought his parents would be gone. He was starting to get tired, his little body curled up on the couch. He glanced at the clock. They should've been home by now.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Sonic's heart leapt with excitement. His parents were back! He ran to the door and flung it open—only to see a police officer standing there, his expression somber.

"Are you... Sonic?" the officer asked quietly, his voice gentle.

Sonic blinked, his excitement fading instantly. "Yeah... Where are my mom and dad?"

The officer knelt down, his eyes filled with a kind of sadness that Sonic didn't understand. "I'm so sorry, son... There's been an accident."

Sonic's stomach dropped, and the air seemed to thicken around him. "What do you mean?" His voice trembled, the words barely escaping his throat.

The officer hesitated, clearly struggling with what he had to say. "There was a mugging near the theater. Your parents... they didn't make it. I'm so sorry."

Sonic stared at him, the words not making sense in his young mind. His parents... gone? How could they be gone? He had just seen them, just hugged them, just felt their warmth. It couldn't be true. It didn't feel real.

"I'm really sorry," the officer repeated, his voice soft. He reached out to gently touch Sonic's shoulder, but Sonic flinched away, his mind swirling in disbelief.

He wanted to run. He wanted to run faster than he ever had before but there was nowhere to run to. The world suddenly felt cold, empty, and wrong. Sonic collapsed and howled.


Now…

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft orange glow over the hills as Sonic walked up the worn path toward the cemetery. He wasn't usually one for quiet moments like this he was more used to the rush of speed and adventure, where everything moved so fast that it was easier to outrun the things that hurt. But not today. Today was different.

His shoes crunched against the gravel path, the faint sound barely audible in the otherwise quiet surroundings. The air was still and cool, the trees rustling gently in the breeze. Sonic paused as he reached the familiar spot, his gaze falling on the two gravestones ahead. They were simple, understated, just as his parents would have wanted.

Jules and Bernadette Hedgehog.

Sonic swallowed the lump forming in his throat as he stood before the graves, his hands lowed the giant bouquet of roses as he lowered it down to his parent's grave. It had been nearly eleven years now since that night. The night that still haunted him, no matter how many victories he had won or how many worlds he had saved. He could still hear the voice of the police officer, telling him they were gone. He could still feel the empty space where they used to be.

"Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad," Sonic murmured, his voice softer than usual. "I… I won another race the other day. Against Shadow and Silver. The two were pretty good...It was no big deal. You guys would've laughed at how easy it was."

He let out a small chuckle, but it didn't reach his eyes. His chest felt heavy, weighed down by the memories of what could have been. The future they were supposed to share was gone, wiped away by a random act of violence.

"I've been thinking a lot about you two recently," Sonic continued, rubbing the back of his neck, as if unsure if he wanted to finish what he was saying or not. "I'm close to something big. Something that could change everything."

He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out one of the Time Stones, the faint glow casting soft light across his face. "These… these stones. They could let me go back. I could stop it from happening. I could save you…" He paused for a moment thinking "Ever since that day I saved Amy on little planet and seen what these things can do…I thought about saving you…and yet…I still have one left…"

Sonic stared at the stone for a long moment, its power pulsing in his hand. He had been on a journey to find the rest, to fix the broken timeline, but deep down, the real reason he wanted to collect them was standing right in front of him—his parents' graves. He could undo it. He could bring them back. And yet after years of searching for them, he still had one more left to go.

He tightened his grip on the stone, his jaw clenching. "I just—"

"Sonic?"

The sudden voice startled him, and Sonic quickly turned to see Tails and Knuckles walking up the path behind him. Tails was carrying a small bouquet of flowers, and Knuckles had his usual serious expression, though there was something softer in his eyes today.

"Hey, buddy," Tails said, his tone gentle as he approached. "We figured you'd be here."

Sonic offered them a small smile, grateful for their presence. "Yeah, I needed some time. It's been a while since I visited."

Tails placed the flowers down at the base of the graves, arranging them carefully before stepping back. "Your parents would be proud of you, Sonic. You've done so much."

"Yeah," Knuckles added, folding his arms. "You've saved the world more times than I can count. Not many can say that."

Sonic shrugged, kicking at the ground lightly. "I guess… but sometimes it doesn't feel like enough, you know?"

Knuckles glanced at the gravestones; his expression grim and thoughtful. "I get it. I lost my whole tribe a long time ago, and no matter how much I fight or protect the Master Emerald, it doesn't bring them back. But I had to learn… it's not about changing the past. It's about honoring them by doing the best you can moving forward."

Tails nodded in agreement. "Knuckles is right, Sonic. You can't let yourself get lost in the 'what ifs.' I too lost everyone I cared about until I found you."

Sonic stayed quiet for a moment, staring at the Time Stone in his hand before slowly slipping it back into his pocket. "But… what if I could? What if I could go back and change things?"

Tails and Knuckles exchanged a glance, understanding dawning on them.

"Sonic," Tails said carefully, "you've already been through so much to fix the timeline. But going back… saving your parents… it might not fix everything. I mean, it could make things worse."

Sonic's fists tightened, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. "I know. I just… I don't know if I can keep living with this hole in my heart. I think about them all the time. If I could just stop that mugger…"

Knuckles placed a hand on Sonic's shoulder, his grip firm but supportive. "We're with you, no matter what you decide. But remember—your parents would want you to keep going, not look back."

Tails nodded, his eyes filled with concern and understanding. "We're your family now too, Sonic. Me, Knuckles, Amy, Silver, Blaze, Cream, the Chaotix hell even Shadow and Rouge. And we'll be here, no matter what happens."

Sonic looked between his two closest friends, feeling a mixture of gratitude and guilt. They had been by his side through thick and thin, and they were right—he wasn't alone. But the thought of his parents, the chance to see them again, was almost too tempting to ignore.

"Thanks, guys," Sonic said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

The three stood in silence for a moment, the cool breeze gently rustling the leaves around them. Sonic closed his eyes, imagining for a brief second what life would have been like if his parents were still here. He could see them, smiling at him, proud of everything he had accomplished.

But as the wind whispered through the trees, Sonic opened his eyes again and looked at the gravestones. He knew the path ahead wouldn't be easy. The temptation to go back was strong, but his friends were right—his parents would want him to move forward, to keep fighting for the world they had believed in.

He turned to Tails and Knuckles, his resolve strengthening as he looked down at his phone to see a message from Mario. "Let's go. I have got work to do, and so do you."

Tails smiled softly, and Knuckles gave a nod of approval. Together, the three of them left the cemetery, their bond stronger than ever as they prepared for the battles still to come.


It is impossible to even describe what the museum was like. There is not a single word in the English language that would even deliver justice to what the grand marble halls of the New Hyrule Museum of Ancient Artifacts was like. One can drop a pin from one side of the building and someone on the other side of the building can hear it. Tall columns that looked as if it was tall enough to reach God himself, rose toward the vaulted ceiling, where skylights allowed the moon's silver glow to filter down, casting long shadows over the ancient relics on display. All was quiet, save for the steady hum of security lasers crisscrossing the grand exhibits, guarding priceless treasures from any who would dare steal them.

Sonic, Mario, Link, and Mega Man stood together in the dim light, their eyes focused on the grand display in the center of one of the various rooms the museum. There were countless dislay cases showing things from ordinary buckets to weapons, as well as a couple of cardboard boxes to the side, but right in the middle of the room was the Mirror of Twilight, a powerful artifact from Hyrule's history, rumored to have the ability to bridge worlds and open doors to realms forgotten by time. The super smash brothers had received a tip from Shulk that Ganondorf wanted to steal it and they were trying to stop it from happening.

"I don't like this," Mega Man muttered, his mechanical hand flexing in anticipation, his blaster arm primed and ready. "If Ganondorf gets his hands on the Mirror, who knows what kind of havoc he could unleash."

Link, always calm under pressure, nodded as his hand hovered near the hilt of the Master Sword. "This artifact is dangerous in the wrong hands. If Ganondorf manages to tap into its power, he could access other dimensions—or worse, tear apart reality itself."

Mario adjusted his red cap, his face set in a determined frown. "Then let's-a make sure that he doesn't get the chance."

Suddenly, a low, menacing laugh echoed through the halls, bouncing off the marble walls and sending a chill through the air. "You're too late, heroes."

From the shadows, Ganondorf emerged, his towering form casting a long, dark silhouette across the polished floor. His crimson eyes gleamed with malice, and his armor clinked softly as he stepped forward, his cape billowing behind him. In his hand, he held a dark scepter, its head crowned with twisted metal and glowing with dark energy.

Sonic tensed, his body instinctively shifting into a ready stance. "Ganondorf! You're not walking out of here with that Mirror!"

Ganondorf smirked, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Fools. This artifact belongs to me. You cannot stop destiny."

With a flick of his wrist, the dark magic in his scepter surged, and the security lasers short-circuited, plunging the room into near-total darkness. The faint glow of the Mirror of Twilight illuminated Ganondorf's malevolent grin as he approached the display, ready to claim the power within.

"Not on our watch!" Sonic shot forward, a blur of blue energy as he aimed a spin dash directly at Ganondorf. But before he could land the blow, Ganondorf raised his scepter, and a wave of dark magic exploded outward, sending Sonic crashing into a display case that showcased old shields.

"Sonic!" Mario called out, leaping into action. He tossed a flurry of fireballs at Ganondorf, who deflected them effortlessly with a shield of dark energy, as it was deflected towards the stone pillars.

Link was next, charging with the Master Sword drawn, its blade gleaming with sacred power. He swung at Ganondorf, but their swords clashed in a shower of sparks. Ganondorf pushed him back with sheer force, laughing as if the battle were nothing more than a game, as Link landed down onto the floor his face filled with rage.

"You think you can stop me, Link? You've failed before. You'll fail again." Ganondorf taunted, driving his dark blade against Link's defenses.

Mega Man unleashed a barrage of plasma shots from his buster, but each one was absorbed by the protective aura surrounding Ganondorf. The dark warlock turned to Mega Man, his eyes glowing. "You're nothing but a machine. You can't comprehend true power."

Mega Man gritted his teeth and fired again, but Ganondorf knocked him aside with a powerful magical blast, sending him skidding across the floor.

Sonic picked himself up from the wreckage of the display case, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. His eyes darted to the Mirror of Twilight—it was beginning to glow as Ganondorf channeled his power into it.

"We can't let him open that portal!" Sonic yelled, his mind racing for a plan.

Mario nodded. "We need to stop him now!"

Just as Ganondorf was just feet from the Mirror, Sonic burst into a full-speed sprint, circling around the warlock in a blur of blue energy. "C'mon, Ganondorf! Let's see how fast you are!"

Ganondorf snarled and swung his scepter, releasing a wave of dark energy, but Sonic was too quick, dodging and weaving around him. With each pass, Sonic landed a hit, his fists and feet moving at lightning speed.

As Ganondorf growled in frustration, Link took his opportunity. "Now!" he shouted to the others.

Mario leaped high into the air, delivering a powerful stomp onto Ganondorf's armored shoulder, forcing the warlock down. In that instant, Mega Man fired a charged shot straight at the scepter, knocking it from Ganondorf's grasp.

The warlock let out a furious roar as his weapon clattered to the ground, his shield of dark energy flickering.

Sonic seized the moment. With a burst of speed, he zipped across the room and snatched the scepter, crushing it in his hand. Dark energy exploded outward, dissipating into the air, and the glow around the Mirror of Twilight faded sending the room back into darknesss.

"Looks like you're out of tricks, Ganondorf!" Sonic said, standing defiantly in front of the Mirror.

Ganondorf staggered, his eyes blazing with rage. "This isn't over, hedgehog."

As Sonic stood his ground, something caught his eye—a faint, flickering light in the folds of Ganondorf's cape. His gaze narrowed, and before Ganondorf could react, Sonic dashed forward and ripped the object from his cloak.

It was a Time Stone, glowing brightly with its cyan light radiating the same ancient energy as the other six.

Sonic's heart skipped a beat as he held the stone in his hand, the power pulsing through it unmistakable. This was the final piece he needed.

"Where did you get this?" Sonic demanded, his voice low, his eyes fixed on Ganondorf.

The warlock sneered, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "That is none of your business, hedgehog. But you'll find that time has a way of slipping through your fingers."

Sonic clutched the stone tightly, his mind spinning. He had the final Time Stone. He could go back. But he couldn't focus on that now, Ganondorf still posed a threat.

As Ganondorf prepared to launch one last magical attack, Link stepped forward, his sword glowing brightly. "This ends now, Ganondorf."

With a mighty swing of the Master Sword, Link unleashed a beam of sacred energy that struck Ganondorf head-on, sending him crashing into the far wall. The warlock collapsed, weakened but not defeated.

Sonic, Mario, Mega Man, and Link stood together, ready to strike if Ganondorf rose again. Ganondorf glared at the 4 about to reach for whatever hidden weapon when all of a sudden, his eyes bulged as a soft *thwack* sound was heard. Then another. And another. And another. And another. And another. And before anyone knew it Ganondorf collapsed to the floor, his head covered with tranquilizer darts, and a very displeased looking Solid Snake looking down at the passed out Ganondorf in disapproval, a large cardboard box was on Snake's side.

"Piece of cake." Snake said with a faint smile as he and Link started to drag the unconscious Ganondorf out of the room. Snake looked up at the other as he gave them a short approving nod "You did pretty good there I must say, and this time not as much collateral damage."

"You were there this whole time?" Mega Man said sounding mildly annoyed as he looked at Snake up and down.

"That's right kid." Snake said as he adjusted his gun "And I must say compared to the last fight that happened between Bowser and what's the name of that broom guy…the collateral damage is fewer."

Mario sighed, adjusting his cap. "But at least he didn't get the Mirror."

Sonic, still holding the Time Stone, stared at it for a moment, lost in thought. "I've got the last stone…" He stared at it as if trying to comprehend its power. Sonic's heart raced as he looked at his friends. This was it—the moment he had been fighting for. With all the Time Stones in his possession, he could go back, change everything, and save his parents. But there was also the weight of the timeline, the knowledge that any change could ripple out in ways he couldn't predict.

He clenched his fist around the stone. It's now or never.

"Thanks, everyone," Sonic said, his voice quieter than usual. "I've got to go fix this."

With that Sonic burst out of the museum running faster than he ever ran in his life. Faster. Faster. Faster. The time stones started to revolve around him, colours were flashing all around him. Blinding him. Sonic just kept on running. Running. Running.