Chapter 1: Hello, Avalice!
Three Days Later…
Trail Ocean, Morning Hours
Above the vast expanse of crystal-clear waters, a red biplane soared through the sky, cutting through the morning mist. The plane was sleek, with grey wings and the word 'SONIC' emblazoned boldly in white along its sides, a stark contrast against the tranquil waters below. The biplane carried two distinct figures: a young fox at the controls and a blue hedgehog sprawled lazily on the top wing.
The pilot, a fox cub named Miles "Tails" Prower, had yellow fur, contrasting with his white muzzle, cheek tufts, and chest fur. His blue eyes sparkled with intelligence, and his twin bushy tails swirled behind him. He wore white gloves and sturdy red shoes with white accents. His hands expertly manipulated the plane's controls, keeping them on course.
Laying atop the plane's wing was a hedgehog with quill-like spikes extending from his back, green eyes, and a tan muzzle. He wore white gloves and red shoes with white stripes. Sonic the Hedgehog appeared relaxed yet restless, his blue quills catching the sunlight as he stretched languidly. Despite his laid-back demeanor, Sonic's eyes reflected his impatience, his mind already racing ahead to the next adventure.
"So, Tails, how much longer before we reach the island?" Sonic called out, trying to mask his boredom. "Because it better be quick, we've been flying for hours!" He leaned back, dramatically flinging his arms out.
Tails chuckled, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Don't worry, Sonic, we're almost there! We'll be approaching the Avalice Archipelago soon!" His voice carried excitement, his twin tails spinning in anticipation.
Sonic groaned, playing up his impatience. "Ugh, man, I want to touch the ground real soon." He shifted to sit on the wing, tapping his foot impatiently in a rhythmic pattern.
"You could enjoy the scenery," Tails suggested, trying to keep things light-hearted.
"You know what, sure." Sonic smirked and formed a binocular shape with his hands as he scanned the horizon. "Let's see, we have blue water, blue water, blue water, aaand blue wa—oh, wait, that's my leg," he joked, wiggling his foot and grinning.
Tails laughed, shaking his head. "Very funny. We're less than an hour away. It could have been shorter if you waited for me to upgrade the Tornado," he pointed out.
Sonic shrugged. "Eh, guess I couldn't wait to visit a brand-new island and kick some butt," he said, clapping his hands together and now standing on top of the wing. He glanced at Tails. "You sure he's here?"
"One hundred and one percent," Tails responded confidently, lifting a finger as if making a grand proclamation. "It's said that deep within the archipelago lies the mystical Kingdom Stone, a powerful relic that is the source of energy for all of Avalice, fueling the kingdoms of Shuigang, Shang Tu, and Shang Mu." He explained eagerly before adding, "And who always shows up wherever a mysterious artifact of unimaginable power is at play?"
"Good old 'Egghead'," Sonic grinned. "Can't have him disturbing the peace. And hey, what's better than stopping Eggman than to also explore a brand-new place?"
Tails smiled. "Can't say, but that brand-new place seems to be appearing in front of you," he said, nodding toward the horizon. "Look ahead, Sonic!"
Sonic turned his head and, for the first time in hours, his eyes widened with genuine excitement. A vibrant mass of earth against the endless blue on the horizon—the archipelago. "Oh yeah! This is happening! Avalice, here we come!"
Shang Tu Island – Dragon Valley
On the island of Shang Tu, in the valley region to the east, two figures raced along a rugged trail atop the rocky mountains. The valley, lush with dense forests and towering peaks, was bathed in the golden hue of the morning sun, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves.
Riding a red motorcycle, a wildcat navigated the terrain. The green wildcat, with her light-green fur adorned with dark stripes, had green eyes that gleamed with mischief. She had black tips on her ears and tail. She wore a black tank top that showed her midriff, which was white with yellow edges, dark green cargo shorts, biker gloves with yellow cuffs, and a red scarf around her neck. Her boots were black and green with yellow laces. This was Carol Tea.
"C'mon, Lilac, don't tell me old age has already gotten to you!" Carol shouted over her shoulder, a wide grin on her face as she tried to provoke her friend into a faster pace.
Sash Lilac, racing alongside her, rolled her eyes at the taunt, a playful smirk playing on her lips. She was a purple dragon with a blend of mammalian features. She had light purple scales and magenta eyes. Her hair, a darker shade of purple, was styled into long twin tails, while the rest formed spiky points. She wore a blue sleeveless vest over a tank top, light blue shorts held by a dark blue belt, and light blue gloves with yellow trims. Her blue boots with yellow soles completed her ensemble. In her ears, she wore earpieces shaped like blue drop-shaped gems.
"Carol, I'm only three years older than you!" Lilac retorted, shaking her head in mock annoyance.
"Yeah, yet you're behind me, old man!" Carol taunted again, sticking her tongue out playfully.
"Oh, just you wait!" Lilac countered, her competitive spirit igniting. She curled into a ball, gathering energy, and with a burst of power, she launched forward like a comet. Her Dragon Boost as she called it propelled her past Carol, and she reached the end of a trail marked by a lone tree. "Wujuu, yeah!" Lilac jumped in excitement, pumping her fists in the air.
Carol stopped behind her, annoyed. "Hey, no fair! Dragon Boosting's not allowed!" Carol protested, dismounting her bike with a pout.
"Don't remember that rule," Lilac grinned, crossing her arms confidently.
"Nope, nah-uh, we're having a rematch right now," Carol insisted, her tone playful.
"C'mon, Carol, don't you wanna start robot busting?" Lilac asked, her expression turning more serious as she thought about the situation with the robots.
Carol's expression shifted, her brow furrowing in thought. The recent events—the King of Shuigang's death and Prince Dail's increasingly erratic behavior—had caused a stir. The prince had been sending robots to steal energy from other kingdoms, raising tensions. While the blue crystals dropped by the robots were useful for powering her bike, the implications of these actions were far more serious. War.
"I guess… they do give blue crystals… But after a few robots, we're having a rematch!" Carol declared, her determination evident, unwilling to let Lilac's victory stand without a challenge.
Lilac smiled warmly, nodding. "Sure thing. Oh!" she exclaimed, her attention shifting as she spotted a robot—a round yellow orb with stubby legs and a green cannon—trundling by. "Dibs!" she shouted, surging forward with a burst of energy.
"Oh no, you don't!" Carol laughed, revving her motorcycle and speeding after Lilac, her competitive nature fully engaged.
Shang Tu Island – Dragon Valley's Borders
The Tornado flew over the lush landscapes of Shang Tu Island, its engine roaring as it reached the borders of Dragon Valley. Below, dense forests and rocky peaks stretched out in all directions.
"Sonic, welcome to Shang Tu Island, one of the Archipelago's three main islands!" Tails announced, his voice filled with excitement as he guided the plane through the clear morning sky.
"All right! Time to start exploring this place," Sonic responded, his voice brimming with anticipation. He was ready to leap off the plane as soon as they landed, eager to start their adventure. "Gonna start with… Huh?!" His excitement quickly turned to surprise as he spotted something in the sky alongside them.
He noticed a red ship being pursued by a swarm of Egg Robos, egg-shaped, humanoid robots modeled after Doctor Robotnik.
The Egg Robos, with their rotund bodies and mechanical arms, were relentless. As they flew in formation, firing lasers from their blasters at the ship, Sonic watched as one of the robots scored a direct hit, causing the ship to spiral out of control. Smoke billowed from its engines as it descended rapidly, the sound of its engines sputtering. The crash was imminent as the ship fell toward the ground with smoke and sparks. The Egg Robos continued their relentless pursuit.
"Oh no! Tails, find a place to land the Tornado. I'll go check on the pilot," Sonic ordered, his green eyes focused as his body tensed, ready to jump.
"All right, Sonic. Be careful!" Tails responded with worry as he began searching for a suitable landing spot.
"Pff, careful? Where's the fun in that?" Sonic quipped, a confident grin spreading across his face. He leapt off the plane, curling into a ball mid-air. Using a conveniently placed rock ramp below, he launched himself forward at incredible speed, leaving a blue streak in his wake.
Shang Tu Island – Dragon Valley, Below
Meanwhile, in another part of the valley, Lilac and Carol watched the unfolding drama from a distance. Their eyes widened in shock as they witnessed the red ship's descent. A piece of debris landed near them, making them yelp in surprise.
"Oh no," Lilac gasped. Without a second thought, she sprinted toward the crash site, determination etched on her face.
"Hey! Where are you going?" Carol called after her, frustration and concern mixing in her voice.
"I have to make sure they're okay!" Lilac shouted back, her voice resolute. Her eyes were focused, her mind set on helping whoever might be in the downed ship.
"Can't you be little miss hero pants some other time?" Carol grumbled, her voice laced with exasperation.
"Not a chance!" Lilac yelled before dragon boosting toward the crash site with incredible speed.
A second passed as Carol watched her best friend go after the ship. "Fine. I'll go by myself. Yippee… Wo-woah!" Carol's mutterings were cut short as a blue blur raced past her, followed by a fleet of Egg Robos in hot pursuit. Their blasters fired at the blue figure, and Carol's eyes widened in realization. "Eek! Never mind, I better help!" She revved her motorcycle and took off, beginning her pursuit.
Shang Tu Island – Dragon Valley, Deeper into the Forest
Deep within the forest, a tall, imposing figure monitored the situation through a screen. He had an egg-shaped body, long limbs, a distinctive orange mustache, and a small bald head that reflected the sunlight. Blue glasses covered his eyes. He wore a red top with a short yellow cape attached to his shoulders, white gloves, black pants, and black boots adorned with silver buttons. He was Doctor Robotnik.
As he watched the footage from one of the Egg Robos, his expression shifted to annoyance. The footage showed the blue hedgehog, Sonic, taunting the Egg Robos as he effortlessly dodged their attacks, playfully sticking out his tongue in a way that clearly irritated the doctor.
"Grrr, I really should get new clothes; these ones don't even fit me anymore!" Robotnik muttered to himself, tugging at his shirt. "My Robo Tailors better have finished making my new suit when I come back." He then refocused on the screen, where Sonic continued to evade the Egg Robos.
"Just you wait, rodent," Robotnik growled, his voice low and threatening. "When the rest of the Chaos Emeralds are gathered and the Kingdom Stone is secured…" He paused, his grin widening. "The Robotnik Empire shall rise, and I, Doctor Ivo Robotnik, will rule this world! Muahahahaha!" His laughter echoed through the forest, the sound both chilling and foreboding.
In the shadows, a massive machine began to power up, its lights flickering to life. The ominous hum of machinery filled the air as Robotnik's laughter faded into the distance.
{A/N}
You might have noticed that Eggman still calls himself Robotnik, yeah?
And that he's still wearing his classic outfit while Sonic and Tails are described with their modern looks?
Well, this story takes place way before the Adventure games, so it's kind of a weird mix between the two eras. Just wanted to point that out.
See you later!