Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

(MB-2625, South Island, Green Hill, Day)

Sonic: Everyone, get behind me! (clutching a Chaos Emerald) CHAOS—

(The Paradox Prism shatters into shards, producing multicolored beams of light which blast everyone nearby backwards. Suddenly, all the light in the area is sucked into where the Paradox Prism once was, leaving the area in total darkness.)

(Scene change: ???)

(An unconscious Sonic appears out of a red rift, followed by several large chunks of the ground. Multicolored energy is pulsating on Sonic's shoes. As Sonic drifts through the unknown space towards a bright light, a white statue resembling Agent Stone appears, causing him to bump into a different direction, a familiar grey and blue suit draping itself around his body, the crimson Prism Shard fusing with the left glove while the Chaos Emerald fuses with the right.) 

(Sonic drifts past a ‘statue’ of a slightly smaller Blaze, a statue of a similarly-sized Sonic wearing a hat, a statue of Rouge and a statue of a one-armed Knuckles. Sonic is pulled into an orange light, and everything fades to black.)

(Scene change: MB-2508, New New Yoke)

[In a surge of blue energy, a weakened Sonic is teleported to an area similar to Sunset Heights, in the middle of a street. Painfully, he rises to his feet above a sun that is slightly closer than it should be.)

Sonic: (groans) That's a sonic boom of a headache… where am I? (Sonic tries walking through the city, but is interrupted by a vehicle with a loud horn and bright lights coming his way.) Huh? (Sonic is not hit by the vehicle, seemingly glitching through it.) This doesn’t make any- ow! (Sonic hits the bend of the sidewalk as he tries to run and falls into the street, where he is swept around by a white and black Cubot.) Oh come on! (Sonic is thrown into a wall.) Great, I’m in a strange place with nobody around, no sign of Eggman and my shoes are glowing. How did this even happen? (Sonic sees himself in a window in a modified Phantom Rider outfit.) Aaaaand I’m wearing EggTech. (Sonic walks off to try and talk to a citizen on a moving sidewalk.] Uh, pardon me, what do you call this place?

(The citizen walks right through Sonic.) 

Sonic: Please don’t tell me I’m some sort of ghost. (The citizen walks off. Sonic moves to a different sidewalk, and waves his hands in front of a different citizen.) C’mon, someone’s gotta be able to see me. (The other citizen also ignores Sonic and walks away.] And you're busy staring at nothing. Okay.

(A loud horn suddenly sounds out. Sonic covers his ears to block out the noise. The source of the horn is revealed to be a floating circular device with text displaying on it.)

Sonic: ‘Welcome to New New Yoke. You should be thankful, you animals.’

(Denizen 2017 quietly walks past Sonic and stands next to him, while the hedgehog is distracted observing the city.)

Sonic: No mountains, no beaches, no palm trees? (Sonic notices a WANTED poster of a werehog: Blitz The Werehog, Wanted: DEAD, no reward.) This isn’t making any sense.

(Denizen 2017 pulls up his hood, a video camera is watching the situation as the red light flickers blue.)

Sonic: (noticing Denizen 2017) Woah, Buddy! You’re a lot bigger than back home— (Denizen 2017 ignores him.) Right. You can’t see me.

(A spotlight suddenly appears on them. Denizen 2017 puts his hands behind his back, while Sonic looks up to see what is going on.)

Security Drone: Unidentified citizen. Alert! Alert! (The Security Drone plays a siren.)

(Denizen 2017 clutches something behind his back as several highly-weaponised Egg Pawns drop down from above.)

Egg Pawn #5: You are in violation of City Ordinance 17 K/7.

(Denizen 2017 glances around, grip tightening.)

Egg Pawn #2: By the authority of the Chaos Council, stand down or be melted down. (The robot arms its blaster)

Sonic: ‘Chaos Council’, huh? Sounds important.

(Two more Egg Pawns arrive behind Denizen 2017, who attempts to run off. But Sonic initially finds himself unable to run, before his left glove sparks red, solidifying him into reality as he grabs Denizen 2017’s hand, both of them to blasting away at incredible speed, leaving a trail of energy in their wake.)

(Sonic dashes through the city into an alleyway as he is struck with a flashback of looming over a terrified Buddy before Silver appeared behind him as he slams into a wall.)

Sonic: Ugh, I’m not used to all these walls- (Denizen 2017 pulls him up.) Thanks, buddy.

(Two Egg Pawns approach Sonic and begin firing laser blasts. Sonic bounces off of one of them during with an attempted Spin Attack as they are instead burst by Denizen 2017’s Wispon.) 

Sonic: What the—

(More Egg Pawns arrive and shoot lasers, narrowly missing Sonic. Sonic dashes off again, dragging Denizen 2017 with him again but is blocked by a transport vehicle. Sonic takes a sharp turn, causing some of the Egg Pawns to slam into the vehicle.)

(Sonic dodges another vehicle, but begins slipping towards another one.)

Sonic: Nope nope nope nope nope! (Sonic glitches through the vehicle as Denizen 2017 launches himself above it and continue running while avoiding lasers.) We’ve gotta get off the ground! (Sonic takes a running jump off a vehicle and grabs onto the underside of a monorail while Denizen 2017’s weight nearly drags them down. It brings them to the top of a building, with the Egg Pawns still in pursuit firing lasers. Sonic barely dodges them.) 

(Sonic notices a giant machine lowering a new floor onto a building. He jumps off the monorail, and lands on the building, with the new floor lowering above him. His shoes start slipping again. The Egg Pawns follow the duo, chasing them to the edge of the building. Sonic dodges laser fire and nearly glitches through the floor, Denizen 2017 jumping off while grabbing his hand again just before the new floor is added, crushing the Eggforcers.)

(The duo is thrown from the building by the explosion, Sonic performs a Spin Attack to land safely on the streets. A camera watches them, Number Two is watching Sonic through the camera in real-time with a flicker of confusion in his organic eye.)

Sonic: Smog, concrete, Eggman’s creations. It's like everything I hate, all in one place! (Sonic boosts through the city and up a tall building in a confused fashion.) We could use a moment to relax. (Upon reaching the top, Sonic jumps and spins, launching himself in the air and landing on a rooftop, allowing them a view of the city. Sonic looks down to see a checkered loop-de-loop.)

(Denizen 2017 points his Wispon at Sonic, adjusting his glasses.)

Sonic: Hey! I just saved your life, buddy! How about you take a breather before you start pointing that at people? (Sonic freezes when he realises where he is.)

———

(Scene Change, MB-2625, Sunset Heights, past.)

(Tails is trying to repair E-123 Omega.)

Tails: Hmm... that should do it... c’mon, I could really use your help here!

(A Roboticized Sonic appears from a manhole, striking a pose and prepares to throw the manhole cover at Tails.)

Tails: Sonic, I don’t know if you’re in there— (Tails taps the communicator on his left arm, getting no reply from anyone. It dawns on him that Sally isn’t coming. Amy isn’t coming. Nobody is coming. He begins messing with the wiring in Omega’s arm.) But if you can hear me, sorry about this!

(Tails crouches in as Sonic begins to attack with lunging an arm towards him, Omega’s cannon goes off thanks to Tails tampering, blasting Sonic into a wall.)

Tails: (Taking a step closer.) Sonic…? 

(Sonic’s neck cracks as he stares down Tails, optics flickering blue as he prepared to charge at him despite his injuries.)

Sonic: (mechanically) FOX, PRIORITY ONE. 

(Sonic hesitates upon hearing something off to the side. Suddenly, a blue glow surrounds him as Silver appears from a portal, pointing something at Sonic.)

———

(MB-2625, Tails Lab)

Tails: It’s called the Paradox Prism, and look at these readings, just trying to dent this thing could rupture the planet!

———

(Scene Change: New New Yoke, present)

(Sonic snaps out of the flashback as Denizen 2017 uses his Wispon to heat and open a tin of beans.)

Sonic: Paradox Prism. Right. That’s what Eggman was after. (defeated) And now he’s won? No, that can’t be true, I can still scramble his plans! (Sonic sees a nearby billboard adorned with the Chaos Council's symbol and begins staring at it, looking back at Denizen 2017.) We can’t just stand around, we’ve got work to do.

Denizen 2017: (Confused, tapping a Resistance logo on his glove before gesturing to Sonic.)

Sonic: Right, you’re with the resistance. I was with one like that when Eggman reached my home… trust me, I’m in the same boat you are.

(Denizen 2017 seems to relax slightly.)

Sonic: (thinking) Guess I’ve just been some super fast weirdo to you. The names Rider. (The eyes on the Chaos Council symbol glow bright blue and sound a siren. Several white and black arrive, and fire lasers.) And that’s our cue to exit!

(Sonic offers out his hand, Denizen 2017 grabs it before he dashes off. Another camera is shown watching him.)

(Back in a lab where Number Two is again watching Sonic through the camera in real-time. A light flashes on in the lab's hallway, and the shadow of Emperor Doctor Robotnik (MB-2508) is projected onto the scene. Number Two begins watching footage of ‘Rider’’s earlier actions in New Yoke City.)

Number Two: …familiar.

Emperor Doctor Robotnik: More ungrateful rebels?! It’s bad enough what they did to the ruby, and now they dare to rise against us!

Number Two: No. Something new. Not in the initial databanks. (Number Two types on the control panel in front of him, and a visual of Sonic's energy profile is brought up.) Its energy profile is... intriguing. The Unidentified Blitz Variant has outrun the Egg Pawns, saved a member of the resistance and is heading towards the corpses area. (A decayed Eggman logo is shown of a screen of the panel.)

Emperor Doctor Robotnik: …fine, relay the information to that AI that calls him father.

(Sonic is dashing through an area of the city. He runs straight by a citizen being threatened by a white and black Metal Sonic. Denizen 2017 nearly freezes up before blasting it.)

Sonic: Finding our way back the others would be a lot easier if everything wasn’t all Eggman-y. (A his mech hovers down right in front of Sonic, forcing him to skid to a halt.) Whoa!

(The mech drops to the ground with a thud, the glass dome fogging up over Eggman.)

Sonic: Eggman, great. I don't know what you did, and I don't know how, but I'm gonna kick your butt!

Eggman (MB-2505): Hedge…hog…

(The zombie laughs and presses the button on the door of his mech suit, a mace appears out of the funnel of the mech suit's arm as he shakes it.)

(The zombie uses his mech suit to uppercut Denizen 2017, sending him flying into a wall as it continues laughing. The purple icon on the mech starts ringing as the mace-arm retracts as it abruptly drops to the floor and crawls towards Sonic. The mech leaps at Sonic, barely missing. Sonic jumps above it and tris to run up the mech's arm, rolling off as spikes emerge from the shoulders. He unfurls himself up and continues dodging, then runs up a building, allowing him to slam down on the zombie’s mech, Knocking the mech on its back helpless. Sonic circles the mech at high speed, creating a tornado which spins it around into the air. Then Sonic glitches again, causing him to veer off into a wall.)

(The mech drops to the ground, the cockpit cockpit flies open, revealing a zombified Eggman with a lead pipe jammed into his head.)

Eggman (MB-2505): Hedgehog! I hate! I hate!

Sonic: (Running up to the mech.) Whoa! You— this doesn’t make any sense… and it’s gross.

(Denizen 2017 points his Wispon at the zombie Eggman, only for the internal lights to flash blue and red as the cockpit on the zombified Eggman’s mech closes again, springing into action again, pursuing Denizen 2017 and Sonic  through the city, slamming into twelve walls along the way.)

Sonic: Ugh! We can deal with that rotten egg later. (Sonic looks in front of him, and sees several Security Drones dragging citizens into a large pipe.) We can deal with him later. Right now, we’ve got friends to find! (Sonic quickly changes direction, running into the pipe… but Denizen 2017 lets go of his hand.)

Sage (MB-2505): (Elsewhere, remote-controlling the mech) He is getting away, I advise-

Eggman (MB-2505): I hate! I hate! Hate hate hate)

(The mech attempts to follow, but doesn't fit in due to the size of his mech, and is instead stuck in the opening. The zombified Eggman reaches the mech's hand through, but fails to grab anything. He screams as several Eggforcers arrive to pull him out. From a ledge above, Axey and Gloom witness the situation.)

Axey: He's faster than Blitz, powerful, and hates the bloated buffoon. We’ve gotta follow this guy.

Gloom: It lines up too well with what’s happening. First we lose Blitz and Glide, then the council forms after Heavy Metal, now mysterious cracks start appearing in the sky and now that appears. It doesn’t feel right.

Axey: (Resting the head of her axe on top of the ledge.) We’re short on people and whoever he is just saved one of ours. (short pause) Doesn’t that remind you of someone?

(Scene change: New New Yoke, Subway tunnel)

(Sentry Drones fly past, carrying captured citizens. Sonic follows close behind. Soon, they arrive at the Roboport, and Sonic jumps off the tracks onto a platform, a hand over the left side of the mask due to the visor cracking.)

PA Voice: Departing trainsport from Circle Station arriving in the Roboport...

(Several monorails are present nearby, as well as tubes leading to other parts of the city.)

Sonic: Great, that wolf stayed behind… which means I’m alone in a city with a zombie in it, in a world where Eggman’s won. I could really use a familiar face right about now. (Sonic looks around, and notices a citizen resembling Silver with stormy eyes, who shoves his way into a tube before Sonic can reach him.) Silver? Buddy? (Sonic dashes off after ‘Silver’ before a badger bashes past him.)

???: Hey! Get outta my way, So— spiky thing! (She runs into the nearest tube.)

Sonic: Sticks? (Sonic weaves through the crowd in an attempt to keep up.) Sticks! Paranoid badger! (‘Sticks’ moves around a corner into a tunnel. Sonic follows, but finds no sign of her.) Wait, what? Huh. (Sonic slowly walks through the tunnel, until he notices a door and keypad resembling those on Tails' Lab.) Huh! If Blitz had his own little buddy… Please be the same. Mmm... 

(Sonic types ‘1992’ into the keypad. The door clanks and doesn’t slide open.)

Sonic: Great, the locks changed. (Sonic begins inputting random combinations at super speed until the door slides open: ‘2016’. Sonic walks into the room.) Finally something around here makes sense. (Sonic notices the devices and equipment in the room and the Resistance logo on the wall.) So, I guess you’re also with the resistance? (Sonic looks at ‘Sticks’ typing away on a control panel.)

(The badger gasps, raises her metal boomerang aggressively, and growls.)

Sonic: And something tells me you’re not from around here either.

???: (walks forwards slowly and aggressively) How did you get in?! (presses a button on her belt, clutching her boomerang. The door slams shut again.) Who are you?!

Sonic: (hesitating) Uh... would your name happen to be Sticks the Badger?

Striker: The name's... (yelling) Striker! (Striker jumps into the air and pounces at Sonic, who barely dodges. Striker begins climbing the wall.) What do you want?! Who sent you?! (Striker climbs to the ceiling, and redirects the lamp to shine on Sonic brightly. Sonic is momentarily blinded, allowing for Sticks to drop down and dropkick Sonic across the room.)

(Sonic falls onto some cylindrical containers. He picks one off himself, and begins dodging Striker’s rapid throws and blows.)

Sonic: Whoa! Heck! How many boomerangs do you have?

Striker: Shut up, you blue-haired familiar idiot!

(Sonic gets to his feat, and kicks Striker away. Striker dashes back, and grabs Sonic's left glove with her free hand. She then swings Sonic around, tossing him out of the room and over the subway tracks. A monorail speeds by at that exact moment, catching Sonic on the roof of its cars. Striker quickly grabs on. As the monorail speeds through the Tunnel, Striker continues fighting Sonic, chasing him across cars.)

Sonic: You, stop! I’m on your side! Amigos! (Sonic spins off the monorail and onto the beam it runs along, noticing his gloves.) You could probably use a friend in a place like this!

Striker: (jumps off the monorail onto the beam and charges at Sonic.) I don’t need friends, I have knives!

Sonic: (dodging Striker’s knife while speed-walking backwards) Looks like you’re out of knives.

(Another monorail speeds by, and Sonic and Striker jump onto it. At a platform below, an unknown Denizen is seen recording the situation through her mask while aiming her Wispon.)

Denizen 2018: (whispering) Target located. We're at the Roboport.

(Over in another a building in New Yoke City. Gloom and Axey are operating from on top of it.)

Gloom: Loud and clear. On our way. (Gloom spreads his damaged wings and flies off. Axey follows close behind.)

(Back to Sonic and ‘Striker’, fighting on the monorail. Striker suddenly hops in front of Sonic, and continues attacking, hitting him in the head with a random trash bag.)

Sonic: (groaning) That’s it! Time to calm things down a little! (Sonic throws his left hand into the air.) Chaos— (Sonic lets out a pained sound as he starts glitching again, nearly going through the roof of the monorail as the damaged half of his mask restores itself.)

Striker: (taking a breath) Y’know, you remind me of someone I knew once… (suddenly yelling) loud, blue and annoying!

Sonic: I’d say the same to you! (Sonic ducks below her fist, dives at her and dodging into her before swiping at her legs) Strange, paranoid and a good person under it all!

Striker: You’re wearing EggTech, you idiot! Why I oughta-

(Striker hops off the monorail and onto another one passing by on the second track, speeding in the opposite direction. Sonic follows. Sonic continues dodging by jumping around the monorail. Soon, they both jump off onto the beam the second monorail runs along. Sonic slowly backs up as Striker crawls forwards.) 

(Another rebel is seen recording the incident from a platform below. Another monorail speeds by, and Sonic and Striker jump on it.)

Striker: I don't know what kind of mind games you're playing, but it won't work! My mind is inopena- not acce- you won’t get into my head! (Striker lunges at Sonic, suddenly glitching, causing her to slip and topple off the monorail. Striker manages to grab on by stabbing her boomerang into the roof, leaving her dangling from the side.) Not like this, not like this!! 

(A horn blares, headlight shining directly at her signifying another monorail approaching swiftly on the other track. Just before the other monorail would hit Striker, Sonic spins into action, and grabs Striker out of harm's way, leaping though the air to a platform, which they land on and tumble across, before coming to a halt.) 

Striker: (panting) You saved me? I just tried to kill you!

Sonic: If you’re with the resistance, then we’re on the same side!

Striker: Okay, okay… but you could easily be an alien in disguise! (muttering) Definitely an idiot.

Striker: Could you stand still a minute? You’re giving off energy like Axey when Blitz was around. Follow me.

(Scene Change: Glide’s Lab)

(Sonic is examining Striker’s inventions, while the badger types away at a computer.)

Sonic: I, uh, like your weapon by the way. Haven’t had a boomerang thrown at me in months.

Striker: Obviously.

Sonic: So, how did you end up here?

Striker: That’s personal, nobody’s getting that outta me. (Striker swivels her chair around to face Sonic.) But everyone’s got a backstory, don’t they? I lost everything, everyone I know. Next thing I know, I woke up to a world ruled by Lord Metal Butt and everyone’s bigger than me. (tapping the Regulator on Sonic’s glove) Fell in with Axey’s resistance and she gave me Glide’s lab, said I might be able to do something good with it.

Sonic: (looking at a picture of a Sonic-like figure with a Tails-like figure on the wall: ‘Blitz and Glide’.) Guess we have something in common then… (looking down) it’s like being thrown right back into some of the worsts days of your life, isn’t it?

Striker: (sighing) I guess so. Still not sorry for attacking you, you followed me. (checking a chart) Woah, these energy readings are off the charts… (throws the chart away, pulling out a a larger one) thankfully, I have a bigger chart. (Striker kicks Sonic in the leg.)

Sonic: Hey, that hurt— (The regulator on Sonics left boot flashes red as the right one flashes green.)

Striker: Eh, those two weren’t workin’, half this energy is still a mystery but you’re giving off more chaos energy than Gloom does on a bad day.

Sonic: In that case, it’s time for a test drive!

Striker: No, wait, you dope! It's not safe. The council are like aliens, they have eyes everywhere!

Sonic: We had a big fight on the monorails, they probably saw that already. (dashes out of the lab)

(Sonic emerges from a pipe in the streets of New New Yoke. Striker follows close behind. Suddenly, both Sonic and Striker are grabbed by the fist of the zombie’s mech, which emerges from behind a corner. Several Egg Pawns arrive.)

Eggman (MB-2505): HEDGEHOG! That I hate! (He mindlessly yanks at the controls as the mech holds Sonic and Striker threateningly near the cockpit.)

Sonic: Ugh, not the rotten egg.

(Striker begins biting at the hand as the mech blasts off, with Sonic and Striker still in its left fist. The Egg Pawns follow. From atop a building, Gloom and Axey watch.)

Gloom: Looks like they found Striker. (clenches fist) Now we’re down another—

Axey: (clutches axe) Don’t say that. We took care of the Phantom Ruby, we almost had Robotnik beaten back before it went wrong, so let’s get moving.

(Inside a giant building in New New Yoke, adorned with the logo of the Chaos Council. Inside, Sonic's limbs are restrained by electronic shackles from a restraining device. The room is in total darkness. Footsteps are heard.)

Sonic: Who's there? Hello? (A bright light suddenly shines directly at Sonic.) Ow! A little warning! Man, that's bright. (forcing his eyes shut)

(A door opens, and in walk two Egg Pawns, along with a captured Striker.)

Striker: Told you not to run off.

Sonic: Striker, is that you? (Number Two walks by) Tail... (gasps) I mean Glide! C’mon, lemme loose!

Number Two: (types at a computer) Negative. My identification is... Number Two.

Striker: I knew it! You're a robot!

Sonic: He’s been roboticized…

Number Two: They would prefer I call myself mechanically enhanced. Survival requires adaptation, mistakes must be corrected.

Sonic: (seeing Number Two’s semi-roboticized form) Glide—

Number Two: Number Two! Now be quiet. You will need all the breath you can muster if you want to survive.

(The door opens, and four figures on hovering chairs enter, obscured by the shadows as a fifth follows on their own pedestal.)

Sonic: More silhouettes? Who does your lighting?!

Number Two: The Chaos Council. (presses a key, turning on a spotlight on above one Eggman.)

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): (grumbles) So, what do we do with this Sonic, oh so glorious alternate dimension Robotnik?

Number Two: (presses a key, turning on a spotlight on above a younger-looking Eggman.)

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): I say we eviscerate him, my oh so brilliant counterpart.

Number Two: (presses a key, turning on a spotlight on above a red and blue Sage.) Sage.

Sage (MB-2505): (looking over to the figure on her left before focusing her gaze on Sonic.) Hedgehog.

Number Two: And you have already met the walking corpse. (Presses a key, turning on a spotlight on above the zombie.)

Doctor Eggman (MB-2505): I.. hate! I hate!

Number Two: And finally, our emperor. (Presses a key, turning on a spotlight on above a scrawnier cyborg with a bushy mustache.)

Emperor Robotnik: By the dumbfounded look in your eyes, I gather you've finally come to grips with the gravity of your situation, rrrodent.

Sonic: ‘The Council’? Looks like an Eggman clone reunion. I’ve heard about relying on yourself, but this is ridiculous. (looking to his right) Oh, hi Sage.

Emperor Robotnik: Silence, Rodent! We are The Council. You’re as annoying as Blitz and half his size.

Sonic: (groans) So many Robotniks, so many questions. Does anyone have an aspirin? C’mon, I recognise one of you, could use a rundown on what happened.

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): And give you knowledge, information? Get a load of that!

Sage (MB-2505): Your attempts at bargaining are not working.

Emperor Robotnik: I don’t see why we don’t just have him disintegrated.

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): And spoil the fun of watching him realise everyone he cares about is lost?

Sonic: (wide-eyed before scowling) Oh, like your husband? I don’t see Agent Stone or our Sage anywhere.

Doctor Eggman (MB-2505): (points at Sonic repeatedly, yelling until his jaw nearly falls off)

Sage (MB-2505): (starts operating her console, causing a robotic arm to come out of her chair to re-attach her creators jaw.)

Emperor Robotnik: What I really want to know is how this low-level lifeform got here?

Sonic: (deadpan) Wow, if that isn’t an unoriginal insult.

Sage (MB-2505): Perhaps our answer lies in the energy signature he is emitting. There is a mix of both Chaos Energy and something similar to the Prism.

Number Two: (Number Two presses a key, and footage from earlier of Sonic outrunning Egg Pawns plays on a TV screen in the room.) May I suggest a series of grueling life-endangering diagnostic tests?

Sonic: Not helping, Glide! I bet Blitz didn’t do well on tests.

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): Those in favor of stress-testing my world’s Sonic until his suit breaks and he’s reduced to a glitching mess, raise your hand.

(All of the Chaos Council members except for Sage raise their hands.)

Emperor Robotnik: Delightfully devilish!

Doctor Eggman (MB-2505): (claps wildly)

(Instead of raising her hand, Sage presses a ‘yes’ button on her device. The device restraining Sonic is lifted off from its base, and placed in a sealed chamber with a glass wall for the Chaos Council to watch through.)

Sonic: Hey, hey!

Emperor Robotnik: Number Two, put him through the paces. Let's see how powerful he really is.

(Sage presses a key on the access panel. Sonic grunts, and struggles against the electronic shackles binding him.)

Number Two: Do not fight them. It will only end badly! For her. (Number Two points to Striker. An Egg Paan prods her with an electric weapon, electrocuting her.)

Striker: Bring it on, you rust pile!

Sonic: Striker! (Number Two presses a key, and the shackles deactivate, causing Sonic to drop to the floor of the chamber.) Okay, let's start the test. The sooner we do this, the sooner Striker and I can get out of here. (Number Two presses another key, and two laser turrets emerge from opposite walls. One fires at Sonic, and he barely dodges out of the way.) Lasers! I hate lasers. (Both turrets begin firing rapidly, and Sonic continues running to dodge.)

(Sonic runs up a wall, and rapidly circles the turret there, causing it to lose focus on him. The other turret prepares to fire. Sonic then jumps in the space between the two turrets, causing both to fire. A slow motion shot of Sonic dodging at the last minute is shown, which leads to the laser cannons shooting each other. Emperor Robotnik snaps his fingers, and Number Two presses a button to re-capture Sonic. The entire chamber then moves upwards, while Sonic is forced to the one below through a hole in the floor. In the new chamber is a curved conveyor belt. After being released, Sonic runs on the belt, avoiding moving laser beams while the belt ripples and bends.)

Sonic: This little experiment’s getting boring already, eggheads! (throwing his right hand outwards) CHAOS CONTROL!

(The world is encompassed in grey, green outlines over almost everything. Sonic begins charging up a Peel Out, clenching his left fist as he nearly glitches through the floor.)

Sonic: C’mon, need to think of something to say…

(Sonic sets up a fan to launch into the crusher, running faster and faster until a mix of blue, red and green energy start building up around him.)

Sonic: You want to test me, Eggheads? Question: How do you tick off a hedgehog? Answer: Mess with his friends! (Sonic performs a Spin Attack as time unfreezes, landing inside a clear glass sphere but continuing to run.)

(The computer shows Sonic's energy level rising. A repeated beeping is heard. The Chaos Council (except for Sage) watches on in interest. The computer shows Sonic's energy reaching dangerous levels. The building begins shaking.)

Sage (MB-2505): Prism energy confirmed, similar to white shard.

Emperor Robotnik: That dorkupine’s energy field is supercharging our systems.

(The computer begins to spark. Number Two backs away. The energy generates a great white light. Sonic, who is still running can only see the mass of energy around him. Suddenly, a vision of a Shadow with black pupils throwing himself into a multi-coloured crack appears.)

Shadow (MB-2523): I’ll find them, I promise.

(Several visions clash: Blaze warping out of the Sol Dimension in a pillar of flame, a cyborg version of Antoine with his sword as part of his arm, a world overcome in glitches, an Eggman dressed like a bee, a mechanical version of Knuckles placing an emerald in a grave, a zombified Sonic speed-dragging himself across the world, a hazy flashback of Sticks and Amy, a bright blue blur, then a white flash and a darker blur, a multi-coloured flash and ‘Rider’ standing in front of Striker.)

(Flashback: South Island, Green Hill, Day. Every piece of the recollection is scattered, out of order.)

Amy: (bouncing) Happy birthday, S——! You got here before most of the guests!

Knuckles: (Angry) Nothing flusters me, Egghead... (grabbing a Buzz Bomber before slamming it into a wall.) …except when you're around!

Sage: Extraction complete, Prism obtained father.

Eggman: You won’t be laughing when I blast you into the next universe!

Chapter Text

(MB-2508, New Yoke City, Fifteen Minutes Prior)

Robot patrol: Attention, denizens. Be a good egg. Obey the Council. Everyone must move in an orderly fashion. Keep a single-file line when moving to your next destination.

(The light shows Sonic in various comedic poses.)

Robot Patrol: Any information you have about the unknown being, come forward.

Sonic: (Over PA) Smog, concrete, [our beloved emperors] creations. It's like everything I [love], all in one place!

(Zombie Eggman’s mech appears in line between the Egg Pawns.)

Sage (MB-2505): (Over PA) Think egg thoughts. Dream only egg thoughts. Egg is perfect.

(Gloom and Axey run and jump from building to building. They hide under a ridge on the edge of the building as soon as they see Sonic and Striker being held by the zombified Eggman’s robot.)

Sonic: Ugh, not the rotten egg.

Striker: (biting at the hand)

(The two resistance members get up on their feet.)

Gloom: Looks like they found Striker. (clenches fist) Now we’re down another—

Axey: (clutches axe) Don’t say that. We took care of the Phantom Ruby, we almost had Robotnik beaten back before it went wrong, so let’s get moving.

(Her communicator beeps, a hologram of a member appears.)

Resistance Member: Hey, boss! You gotta get back to HQ now. There's something you gotta see.

(She turns off her communicator. She and Gloom move down a building. She jumps into and passes through a curved pipe, followed by him.)

(Scene Change: New New Yoke, Underground)

(Three Resistance members watch a computer screen. The doors open, allowing Axey and Gloom to walk past them. Denizen 2017 offers his half-eaten tin of beans to ‘Silver’, who turns his head and looks past Denizen 2018 into nothing.)

Croc: Axey, Gloom, right over here.

(The door closes behind them. Axey types on the computer screen. A recording of Sonic is played.)

Sonic on recording: (dodging Striker’s knife while speed-walking backwards) Looks like you’re out of knives.

Gloom: Zoom in on his face.

Axey: A please would be nice. (zooming in) Green eyes, blue fur…

Gloom: It can’t be.

(Flashback, Forest)

(Flickies tweet and flap. Gloom is fast asleep upside-down in a lake. The ground rumbles, the water suddenly heating up as he shoots up into a red, swirling sky.)

Gloom: What—

(He falls and lands on the ground. Trees in the background are being plowed and knocked down, creating huge clouds of dust from behind. Gloom pulls out a Chaos Shard, only to find himself tackled in a dark blue streak by what is revealed to be Heavy Metal as mass-produced Egg Pawns start uprooting trees to throw. Gloom tries to stretch his arm outwards to reach the shard, but hears Axey screaming over by her bakery, swinging a dual-bladed axe shaped like a heart at Egg Pawns as the freed Flickies start huddling together behind her.)

Axey: Get away! (grunts) Stop destroying our forest!

(Gloom drives the Chaos Shard into the ruby in Heavy Metals torso, only for the robotic doppelgänger to vanish in red smoke. Gloom flies and carries Axey away to safety. They see the devastation of their land from above as fires and smoke are scattered all over an island at various points. A variety of moments show areas of the island transforming into metal buildings, roads and rails, ending with cracks opening in the sky.)

Croc: (through communicator) We lost Blitz’s signal, there was a flash and he’s just gone!

Axey: (letting out a tear) It's gone. All of it. We almost made it, we almost had him.

Gloom: (looking down at a crushed flower) It’s not over.

(Present Day, Underground)

(Axey and Gloom watch on.)

Axey: We’ve got multiple Robotniks to deal with, what if he followed them through? He's got the strength, speed he knows we can make a better world. (They look at the sunflower inside the glass cylinder.) We might have another chance.

(Scene Change: New New Yoke, Surface)

(Axey and Gloom move cautiously across the landscape. A Security Drone's sensor spots Denizen 2020. They hide beside a building, then seize their chance. Meanwhile, the sensor detects Denizen 2020 again. She raises her shoulders in panic while Security Drones continue roaming around the city.)

Robot Patrol: Interrogation protocol engaged. Denizen 2-0-2-0, you were seen burning posters. Explain yourself.

Denizen 2020: (pressing an electrified glove to its face) Why? Cuz I aim to misbehave!

(Axey and Gloom land onto a building, and walk slowly, looking ahead at Egg HQ.)

Axey: There's a chance we can get in through the ventilation system.

Gloom: Then let’s get this over with.

Axey: Nope. First we have to get through the firewall.

(Axey pulls out a pink laptop with a map on the screen, two white balls depicting them on a red road. The Pink rings indicate sensors.)

Axey: If we set off any sensors, the guards will be on us like Robotniks old toupee. (A green ring flashes at the top of the map.) That’s where they have Blitz.

Gloom: Are you sure they have the same name?

Axey: We don’t know that they don’t. Just try and remain stealthy, don’t run in.

Gloom: Cowards run, I win.

Axey: (seizing his hand) You nearly got eaten by that hoard last time you said that. If it makes you feel better, before we can stealth, (moving to the ledge) we need a diversion.

(An explosion ricochets through the chamber in a massive shockwave - in a blizzard of multicolored circles, causing the Chaos Council to flinch. The shockwave covers New New Yoke and causes the power to go out as soon as it touches buildings. Axey digs her axe into the wall as the shockwave throws Gloom backwards, she grabs one of his tentacles. The shockwave continues to cause power outages, including a huge airship which switches off and crashes down into the roof of the HQ. Security drones drop to the ground and break in front of the Denizens, including Denizen 2020, who looks at it with a grin.)

Gloom: Looks like he caused enough of a diversion himself.

(They walk a few paces, looking around the area which is pitch black. Denizen 2020 looks at the rest of the security drones, confused. She kicks one, causing it to fall flat. The resistance members do the same thing to other Security Drones. Denizen 2020 grins.)

Axey: Is this what luck feels like? I missed it.

Gloom: First, we get a Blitz lookalike wearing EggTech only weeks after we got a paranoid badger, now he turns into an EMP?

Axey: Maybe you're right but let me have hope for onc--!

(--Gloom swoops up and grabs Axey, carrying her towards Egg HQ. Metal clangs as they reach the ventilation room. They look around in a crossroad. She leads the way. Meanwhile, Sonic hits the ground. He groans, eyes still closed. The power flips back on again. The Chaos Council and a small gaggle of mass-produced Metal Sonics get up. The power all around New New Yoke goes back on. The Denizens look up at the Security Drones spying on them.)

Robot Patrol: Denizens, order! Return to formation!

(Scene Change: Egg HQ)

(Emperor Robotnik screams as one of his Badniks don’t reactivate.)

Emperor Robotnik: My baby!

(He blows on it quickly and chuckles madly as it resumes flying above his head. ‘main’ Eggman slowly towards his chair.)

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): I should’ve seen that coming.

(A Game Over screen and jingle plays on the video game Sage was playing, now reactivating herself.)

Sage (MB-2505): Electrocution not appreciated.

(Number Two types on the keyboard. A beep sounds. Sonic is unconscious on the ground. He flashes back to Eggman holding the Paradox Prism.)

Sonic: Paradox Prism.

(He flashes back to himself running from one of Eggman’s creations, the prisms glow seeping outwards...)

Tails: (flashback) Sonic, look out!

(...followed by a younger, bluer Sonic running away from entropy itself as a similarly young Tails fades away.)

Sonic: What?

(A ring-shaped generator hovers over him. Circular domes of electricity surround his gloves and shoes, attracting to the generator. He is dragged into the main room. He grunts, struggling to break free of the generator's grasp, and puffs out.)

Sonic: So, what do I get for passing the test? (Snickers and sighs, panting in exhaustion.)

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): Where on Mobius did he get as much energy as a prism shard?

(A beep is heard on Number Two’s monitor.)

Number Two: Correction, Your Eggcilence. He did not draw on the city's power, but...

Striker: He brought a piece with him!

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): What?! What do you mean, he brought his own? (looking at the monitor) The combined power of a Chaos Emerald AND a prism shard?!

Emperor Robotnik: Incredible. If we were to drain him until he’s skin and bones, we might just have the necessary power to rule beyond just this world!

Dr. Eggman (MB-2505): (wildly swinging his arms until one nearly falls off) Hedgehog! (gesturing to his monitor.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Uh, really? Don't you think that's a little excessive? I don’t want to imagine what your Sonic is like.

(The zombified Eggman grunts in anger, slamming his fist.)

Emperor Robotnik: You heard the corpse. Energy Extractor!

(Steam flows through the chute in the ceiling. The Extractor moves down from the chute and closes in on Sonic's face, with two pointers sticking out.)

Sonic: Anyone else having bad dentist flashbacks?

Emperor Robotnik: Cut out the prismatic energy he's got inside that prickly hide of his so I can gut him already!

Sonic: Wait! Can a hedgehog say his last words?

(The extractor drops away from him. The Chaos Council have a think for a moment.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Fine. But be brief!

Sonic: Well... uh... (He inhales sharply, intentionally wasting time.)

Sonic: Right. I just wanna say that this life of mine has been a wild ride. (Striker winks at Sonic. Sonic winks back at her.) Who would've imagined the places I'd go or the chili dogs I'd eat when I came into the world. But at the end of the day, it's not about the ups, the downs, the zigs, the zags. It's about the friends we made along the way.

(Striker looks down at her slightly glitching leg as ‘main’ Eggman looks almost longingly at a picture of his wedding to Agent Stone, Sonic and friends in the background.)

Sonic: Ah, friends! Right! All right, let's see, um... Tangle, always there when I needed a pick-me-up. Shadow! Oh, Shadow with his... with her heart of gold hidden beneath the edges. Amy, for all the times she’s saved my butt. And, uh, and Knuckles with his... knuckles! (Looking at Number Two) I’d like to thank Tails, the best little brother a guy like me could ask for. And then there’s—

Emperor Robotnik: It's almost dinnertime. FINISH HIM!

(The extractor closes in on him again.)

Sonic: Oh, already? But I'm not done. Looks like this is game over.

(The Extractor glows red and spins rapidly. Emperor Robotnik twiddles his fingers and smiles in excitement. Striker watches nervously. Sonic clutches his hands to no effect.)

Sonic: See ya, buddy.

(Striker watches on in horror as Sonic squeezes his eyes shut, the extractor suddenly jerks back at the last moment as Axey arrives at the scene in a combat pose. The Chaos Council gasp in horror. Sonic opens his eye and looks around just to check and realizes he no longer has the extractor threatening him.)

Sonic: (Chuckles, happily) I'm alive! I'm alive!

Emperor Robotnik: Get her!

(The mass-produced Metal Sonics start chasing and shooting at Axey, around the Extractor chute. Striker digs her boomerang into one’s head hides. Gloom arrives as a squid, bringing the vent with him as Sonic clutches his right hand.)

Gloom: Finally. CHAOS—

Sonic: CHAOS—

Together: CONTROL!

(Time unfreezes roughly five seconds later, Number Two now on the floor after being kicked in the head while Sonic has somehow freed his right hand, trying to reach for the left. The hinge of the extractor snaps off, the ring of the generator, along with Sonic rolls. Gloom and Axey are free to move.)

Emperor Robotnik: Die, mosquitoes! (More mass-produced Metal Sonics enter and combat the resistance duo. The Chaos Council flinch and are forced to flee thanks to broken robots being flown towards them. Another one’s arm hits the zombified Eggman, sticking out of his head. Axey digs her axe into the torso of one and slams it into the wall, breaking it.)

Number Two: (rising upwards) Badniks, secure all targets.

(More MP Metal Sonics emerge from an elevator to combat the resistance duo. They charge at Gloom first, but he starts using his tentacles and swings them at each other. As Number Two leaves his post, Striker barrel rolls towards the computer and starts typing. MEANWHILE!)

Sonic: Whoa!

(...Sonic is still rolling trapped in the generator's ring. One MP Metal Sonic kicks it and sends Sonic into a spin. While everything pans around him, the ring finally falls to the ground. Sonic groans. Striker hacks the computer, taking the circular domes of electricity off him.)

Striker: Okay blue boy, you're up.

Sonic: A bit woozy from all the lab testing. I’m guessing that’s Axey and Gloom?

(Gloom kicks Number Two down to the ground, but Number Two extends one tail up and takes him down too. Axey kicks off and swings her extended arms around, throwing an MP Metals Head at another.)

Axey: Strike!

(She combats Number Two, who dodges nine strikes before her axe takes off one of his mechanical tails as he uses one to grab her, tossing her and causing her to crash into the wall, where Sonic watches on.)

Sonic: (worried) Oh, come on. Why you gotta hate on 'em like that?

(Sonic speeds into the extractor and hits the Extractor, sending the open laser spinning around, tearing a long line along the wall and the floor. Gloom evades the laser, which destroys the MP Metal Sonic who kicked Sonic earlier.)

Gloom: I suppose I owe you one.

Sonic: You can pay me back later.

(The laser continues to tear around the room. It heads towards the Chaos Council. They (except Sage) all duck. The laser cuts off the tops of their chairs, missing her entirely.)

(The Chaos Council scream and dash into the elevator. The elevator takes them into a safe place while interdimensional Badniks attempt to communicate. One of the smaller ones starts attacking Gloom, but Sonic runs right through it. The second one goes for a ground pound on Axey, but Sonic jumps up behind it and kicks it, colliding it into the third one causing both to fall. A buzzer sounds as Striker types an incorrect password, with a symbol of Sage appearing on the screen.)

Sage: (recording) Nope. Access Denied. Go away. Get a life. Find purpose. Join the empire.

(Furious, Striker screams and bangs her fists on the keyboard, while the laser closes in on a glitching Sonic. It just misses in front of him. Number Two lands in a fury and attacks Sonic with a flying tail-fist. He glitches through it while Striker types the password, once again triggering the incorrect buzzer. Striker proceeds to fire a crossbow at one Badnik, slingshotting the hand of one into another, throwing nunchucks at another, using a bo staff to type as she uses an Enerbeam to grab a club and starts swinging.)

(Meanwhile, Sonic, cornered to the wall, dodges a few arm attacks from Number Two but gets caught this time. He swings and slams Sonic to the ground, and then into the wall. With Sonic completely trapped, Number Two prepares one last fist attack, aiming for Sonic’s face.)

Number Two: Hedgehog, priority one.

Chapter Text

(Sonic is stuck to a wall via Number Two’s extended tail. Crosshairs from Number Two's screen lock on to Sonic's head.)

Number Two: Rodent detected, (an unnatural look of anger shows on his face) EXTERMINATE!

(He prepares a flying fist and launches it in an attempt to attack Sonic. However Sonic bites down on his organic tail, freeing himself as Number Two’s fist gets stuck in the wall. Servos whir and the fist shakes, behind him is Striker typing on the keypad. The screen shows Number Two's status, in which they all turn yellow.)

Computer: Now paired. (She picks up her scanner and configures it. Axey takes out a random robot from behind as Striker aims the scanner. The light on Number Two’s eye turns blue.)

Number Two: New admin privileges recognised, device paired.

(Scene Change: Yoke HQ)

(A ringing tone plays on Sage’s gadget as the Chaos Council look at the screen.)

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): Paired? Paired?! The badger overrode our control?!

Sage (MB-2505): That doesn’t match our files.

Emperor Robotnik: To hell with your files; override her override! Break her jaw, make it so she can only eat out of a straw!

(The younger Robotnik shares a concerned expression with his zombified counterpart.)

(Scene Change: New New Yoke)

Sonic: Buddy? Can you hear me?

Striker: No, he’s still the councils tool of destruction. (A battle involving Axey is going on behind her.) Luckily, I'm in control of him now. You're welcome. Attack, fox boy!

(Number Two prepares for combat. A swarm of Egg Pawns swarm through the door. He double-arms one robot, somersaults and lands a handstand in between the rest of them. He then stretches his tails out wide and twirls them around like a propeller, knocking out the other robots.)

(Scene Change: Yoke HQ)

Emperor Robotnik: (Clenches his fist in annoyance) What in the name of me have they done with my mechanically mutilated vermin? To the security room!

(Most of the Council race towards the security room along with some mass-produced Metal Sonics, while Zombie Eggman slowly floats on his chair with Sage in tow towards the security room. Number Two pushes down a rising platform full of various large-scale Badniks, landing with a crash. Meanwhile the Council make a right turn and enter the room. The younger Robotnik shoves the zombie out of the way and uploads the footage to the screen. They see a platform burst into flames, the same one from which they deployed their Badniks, and a rising Number Two, showing an intimidating look with extended tails. The camera pans to Sonic with a laser cutting towards him.)

Sonic: Whoa! (He sees it and ducks in the nick of time. Meanwhile, the ‘main’ Eggman makes it to the entrance of the security room.)

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): Tell you what, if I had Stone, hell, I’d take Cubot, he would be a black mark on the floor!

(The laser cuts everything as it travels around in a circle, including another swarm of Egg Pawns just as they walk past the door.)

Striker: Number Two, close that door.

(He clangs another group of Badniks before his tails begin to spin as he jumps, gliding to the door. With all his might, he closes the large door. Gloom appears.)

Gloom: Glide? Is he aware?

Striker: The fleshy part of his brain isn’t working, if that’s what you’re asking.

(The Council scream. Number Two punches and breaks a code system by the side of the door. Axey appears, grabbing Sonic, Gloom, Striker and Number Two together in a group hug.)

Axey: We did it! Bring it in, fam!

(Striker complains but doesn’t push away, Gloom slips out while Number Two does nothing and Sonic squirms a little.)

Sonic: Hey, hey, hey, hey, get off! I’m a bit small for this!

Striker: (squirming) I can’t breathe!

(Axey’s smile disappears.)

Axey: Right, sorry Blitz— I don’t know your name.

(The laser comes towards her and the rest of the team; They duck to dodge it.)

Sonic: Right, introductions. (Sonic hits the side of the mask, causing it to retract and fold into itself and revealing his face.) The names Sonic, Sonic The Hedgehog— (The laser comes towards them; They dodge.)

Axey: Axey, and you’ve already met Striker.

Striker: Can we stop talkin’ and start trying to stop the deadly laser?

Gloom: Gladly.

(The laser comes towards them again, they dodge, including Sonic, who shows an annoyed look beforehand.)

Sonic: Long story short, I have no idea how I got here, my Eggman is here and none of my friends are around and you guys look like you need a hand! (Quietly) I can’t even remember what happened, but I have to fix it.

(They are startled by a heavy pounding in the distance. They look to where the pounding's coming from, except for Striker, who runs towards the door in the opposite direction.)

Striker: Follow me if you want to live!

(She strikes the security panel for the door with her boomerang. The pounding door opens, revealing another swarm of Egg Pawns but the laser cuts across and defeats all of them to the council's dismay. A sprite of a laughing Sticks appears on the security room's main screen.)

Emperor Robotnik: Gah! Patch us into all the badniks for visuals. FIND THEM, YOU USELESS EXCUSE FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE!

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): Insult her again and I’ll pound you into scrap metal!

Emperor Robotnik: Oh contraire, my portly variant! Last I checked, I was the one who made our little dimensional gateway, not to mention being the entire main mind of this empire!

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): Someone hasn’t lost in a while.

Sage (MB-2505): I shall do it, but not for you. (She nods towards the zombie before she leaves the security room.)
 
(Scene Change: Egg HQ)

(Sage prepares a Titan-style mech-suit while waving her arms in some approximation of a dance move, along with a look-a-like Metal Sonic trying to copy her motions with a decayed Metal Sonic on the other side, which is also being viewed by the Council.)

Emperor Robotnik: (Angrily) You simpleton, grow u—

Zombie Eggman: (stepping in front of him, giving her a thumbs up with an approving sound, then one to the decayed Metal Sonic.)

(In slow motion, Sonic and the newly re-formed team walk in. A triple-screen with Egg Pawns approaching from both sides appears. Sonic runs to the right...)

Sonic: Baddies bigger and denser than me this way. (…and then to the left.) And that way. (returning to the team) They’re coming from both sides.

(The door opens ahead of them and Axey’s team run past it. Two of the Egg Pawns collide with one another as they approach each other. Gloom notices shooting coming from behind. He turns and approaches a wall of downed Egg Pawns, using a tentacle to grab one’s arm before going back to running with the rest.)

Gloom: We need to get out of here!

(He continues running only for Striker to grab him.)

Striker: Are you crazy?

Gloom: Please tell me you are being ironic, there are Badniks after us.

(He stops as Striker jumps in-front of him.)

Striker: They’ve got some weird crystal powering their entire operation, if we can get our hands on it…

Axey: They’d be out of power!

Sonic: (Stopping) ‘Energy crystal’ (runs to cut the argument.) Hold-a-wait-a-what-a-sec. The shard? The Prism Shard! Of course! (They see blasters firing through the gap in the door.) That’s what my Eggman was after, the Paradox Prism! (looking at his left glove) Maybe that’s what caused all of this. If I could get my hands on that part, I could get back home! Glide, where’s the shard?

Number Two: My designation is Number Two. I do not have clearance to the sub-sectors of the core.

Sonic: Eh, no worries, I can make my own clearance.

(Blasters fire at them, causing both him and Striker to duck and brace themselves. They look back to see another two swarms of MP Metal Sonics approach them, breaking another door open in the process. Sonic and the team lean onto the wall for cover.)

Sonic: In case of emergency, always throw yourself down the stairs.

(Striker, Axey and Gloom, dodging weapon-fire, come with Sonic and escape to the top of the stairway, with the former continuing to shoot away.)

Sonic: Come on, team. I’ve done this before, we could do it again!

(Sonic starts to glitch again, flickering to a lighter blue before his left eye suddenly had a scar over it, his right arm missing as he falls down the middle of the long staircase, with the rest of the team following him. MP Metal Sonics emerge from one of the doors and see Sonic falling down. The falling members appear on the Council's monitor.)

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): Don’t splatter yet, hedgehog…

(Sonic spins in mid-air as he returns to his original suited state, a bright blue beam bursting from his right arm to grab the falling crimson Prism shard, which re-fuses with the Regulator on his left arm before he is grabbed by a hand, level with where MP Metal Sonics are marching down the staircase. Sonic is then slammed into the wall and falls to the floor.)

Sonic: (Groans) Ow! First I get disarmed, now this?

Sage (MB-2505): Prepare to be destroyed, then desecrated in the name of the Eggman Empire.

(Look-a-like Metal Sonics drop in beside her ready for combat.)

Sonic: Uh--huh! (—Ducks and braces himself from a laser attack.) Okay, actually kind of cool.

(The rest of the team are falling behind Sage. Sticks enerbeams back up, followed by Axey. Gloom kicks the head off of the decaying Metal Sonic to the left while Number Two uses his extended tails to latch onto the edges of the staircase. Using his upwards momentum, he punches and takes on one of Sage’s Metal Sonics, only for the decayed one to strike him down with its own disembodied head. Axey dives into the Titan-like Metal Sonic and tosses it into a group of Egg Pawns walking down the steps. As soon as the black and white robot recovers, she kicks it and continues her battle.)

(A flashback, just outside of Egg HQ. A werehog-shaped Metal Sonic colliding with Blitz, a crack opens in the sky before Phantom Ruby explodes, a multi-coloured flash of light.) 

(Sonic takes on Sage. As soon as Sage slams her buzzsaws down, Sonic sneaks him from behind and kicks the mech, only bouncing off of it. Indifferent, Sage continues trying to attack Sonic with another buzzsaw, while Sonic dodges every attack. Sage punches the wall with a buzzsaw, while Sonic spin jumps to dodge it and land on top of it, spinning it around with a look of worry. He jumps out of the way again. Meanwhile, Striker continues bouncing off of Egg Pawns. The decayed Metal Sonic lunges at Number Two, but he rebounds off the wall to knock him back. Gloom is hit by a falling Egg Pawn but Axey, from below, launches the robot up, freeing him. )

(Sonic stares at his current enemy, peels out and manages to parry a sawblade, charging up a flurry of Homing Attacks, turning into a Grand Slam… before Sage uses the buzzsaws to block it, sending him flying into a wall with blades surrounding him. Number Two is tagged from behind by the Titan-like Metal Sonic and combats the regular ones; getting hit again by the robot until Gloom flies right into it, sending it down the middle of the long staircase, dropping a Chaos Shard. Axey tosses one the decayed Metal Sonic into the wall, catching the Emerald’s counterpart before digging her axe into the face of the Titan-like one, sending it down into the abyss while on a level lower.)

(Striker digs her boomerang into the face of an Egg Pawn before pulling one closer with her enerbeam. With Sage distracted, Sonic breaks free and Spin Attacks the mech, knocking it down and landing on top of it while preparing for the next danger. A view of the action appears on the screen, only for Sonic to charge a flying punch at it, defeating it. The Council gasp in shock.)

Sonic: Whoo! 

(Sonic homing attacks Sage’s mech repeatedly before striking a direct hit, the mech collapses onto her robots.)

Sonic: (to Striker) You okay?

(He pulls up Striker’s hand and high fives it. leaving the latter confused as she continues holding his hand up and looking at it.)

Striker: That’s a hyper-intelligent A.I capable of conjuring up thousands of imaginary fights and battle plans all at once and has control over all of Eggman’s tech, I don’t have time for a high five!

Sonic: And we all just sent her mech onto its butt!

Striker: (with a small smile) I guess we did.

Emperor Robotnik: (over Communicator) Divert more energy from the crystal to your creations immediately, you failing pile of code!

(Sage raises a bar on her controller to maximum. The decayed Metal Sonic rises up with its visor flashing blue as it snatches the arm of the Titan-esque facsimile.)

Metal Sonic (MB-2505): Targ-ets identified. Operation: oblite-obliteration! 

(It rockets forward to confront Axey and her team again, throwing blow after blow. The zombified Eggman laughs triumphantly watching his creation maul the team.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): (Punches the air) Yes! This is why sentience works!

(Emperor Robotnik ignores him as the zombified Eggman throws his head backwards in laughter, nearly losing it. The exhausted team reunite.)

Axey: They’re stronger than us… but not as fast. Hey, Striker?

Striker: (suddenly smiling) Yeah, Ame- Axe- Boss?

Axey: How’s about a little fastball special?

Striker: I like the way you’re thinkin.’

(Striker curls into a spinning ball in front of her teammates as Axey holds her in one hand, winding back and throwing her, defeating multiple Egg Pawns at high speed.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): What?!

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): It’s a world of were-Mobians, how did none of us not account for that?

(Sonic looks to Number Two.)

Sonic: You're up! You see that bad guy over there?

Number Two: (Monotone) Yes?

Sonic: Throw me!

(Number Two’s mechanised tail grabs onto Sonic, tossing him into the powered-up Metal Sonic before tossing Gloom into another group of Egg Pawns with the other tail.)

(Lines of blue, red and brown auras appear from a bird's eye view at the middle of the staircase. The battle with the juiced-up Egg Pawns continue, with Gloom dodging cannon-fire and taking out one robot. Number Two scales a wall and glides into another, crushing it under his weight. Sonic is still fighting the decayed, powered-up Metal Sonic. He dodges a downward arm attack and steps behind it. He spins toward it and kicks it down the barricade of the stairway. He jumps and homing attacks towards another robot... on top of a mountain of robot scrap along with Number Two and Gloom.)

Sonic: (whispers) What kind of budget are these guys working with?

Number Two: Most of the planets resources and whatever they can pull from neighbouring worlds.

Sonic: What?

Number Two: (monotone, shrugging) It was faster than going off-planet.

(Gloom dives into the robot scrap and starts digging.)

Axey: We're at the sub level. Anyone found the exit?

(A thud sounds as Striker joins them.)

Gloom: Found it.

(The Council look at the mountain of Badnik scrap with Axey’s Team on their monitor escaping.)

Emperor Robotnik: We lost them! (Slams his fist on the desk.) What was that about sentient creations? I say we should— (noticing the others glaring at him.) Sage! Wake up! Find them!

Dr. Eggman (MB-2505): (Typing out ‘please’ on a device.)

(Sage grunts as her mech clears a few robot parts that landed on top of her, including a robot hand that was covering a Metal Sonic.)

Sage (MB-2505): Brother, reactivate.

(Sonic kicks a robot part.)

Axey: That was awesome! Good work, team. Let's go.

(Axey and the team set off, but Sonic, struggling to catch up, notices a left turn and stops.)

Sonic: I think it might be this way!

(The team gather around.)

Gloom: Well, how do you know?

Striker: He's got a prism piece in his glove, it’s- (Sonic’s left arm jolts out in front of him.) probably pointing him to it!

Sonic: She’s right, it’s like they’re trying to pull themselves back together. (Runs to the far side) Hot, (Runs back to the group) cold. (Runs further to the far side) Hotter, (Runs back to the group) colder! (Running farther to the far side.)

Axey: He really doesn’t let anything stop him, does he?

(A crash is heard. Sage returns with a hard light form, with a swarm of white Egg Pawns and the decayed Metal Sonic.)

Sage (MB-2505): You are to dismantle them and  (Points her finger forward.) Find them.

(The robots move on ahead. Striker is pointing to the right direction in urge.)

Striker: C’mon! Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!

(The crew follow Striker. While Metal Sonic flies forward, Sage sees her enemies over on her left and stops.)

Sage (MB-2505): What? (Observes the scenario) They're headed for the core. (Shouts) Alter direction, change course!

(Sage is shunted to the wall repeatedly by a chain of Egg Pawns making the turn, grunting before returning to holographic form. Meanwhile Axey’s crew are under attack, but Number Two sees and points at something ahead of him.)

Number Two: It is there, we are nearly there.

Axey: (Throwing an arm around him.) Good job, Glide.

Number Two: My name is—

Axey: Listen to me, there’s some part of you that’s still Glide. There has to be! We used to fight over the most trivial things. There’s a big, young genius in there without his brother in there who could really use his friends right now.

(Along the long corridor is the security door. Emperor Robotnik observes the activity and is angry and frustrated.)

Emperor Robotnik: (Exclaims, groans) Shut it down! Shut it down! Close all corridors! Deploy lasers!

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): You had those removed when they cut up the guards.

Emperor Robotnik: Incorrect, I removed them when they cut up our last fifth member. Oh well, better than letting them complain about a hostile work environment!

(The doors begin to close in-front of Striker’s view.)

Striker: We’re gonna get creamed, run!

Gloom: Just don’t lag behind.

(While blasters continue firing, Number Two steps into the gap between the first door and blocks both sides, allowing the rest of the team to run past. Gloom lifts up a canister and wedges open the second door. After he and Number Two make it through, Striker throws her boomerang at the canister behind her, closing the door and trapping Sage and her little group behind her.)

Sage (MB-2505): Rip it down, rip them all down!

(The doors open once again and a large swarm of Egg Pawns walk through and continue shooting. The team hide in safe places, except for Gloom and Sonic.)

Gloom: I suppose this could be the end of the line.

Sonic: Not on my watch, time to scramble Egghead Junior!

Gloom: I hope you’ll prove me wrong.

(Gloom lifts up another canister and tosses it in the air, blocking blaster fire. Sonic sees this and seizes his chance, showing a determined look. With cannon-fire everywhere, he runs, slides underneath and jumps over it, twirling like a ballet dancer as he does so. He spin jumps towards the canister. He propels and rides it forward with his legs, intercepting blaster-fire along the way. More and more burn marks appear on the canister as Sonic continues to drive it forwards. Axey’s jaw drops in excitement. Gloom looks mildly surprised.)

(Another flashback, a brighter blue Sonic running through the woods, Sticks searching through a pile of junk.)

(With the Egg Pawns approaching them, Sonic spin dashes the canister into the decayed Metal Sonic, sending him flying towards the Egg Pawns, launching them backwards in a heap. The heap hurtles towards Sage.)

Sage (MB-2505): …I hate that hedgehog.

(Sage goes holographic as the mass phases through her, going physical again just before the canister explodes a hole in Egg HQ, sending her out along with the Egg Pawns and falling from a great height. The residents watch the falling robots crash down to the ground, a certain stormy-eyed Silver holding a large Chao under his arm.)

Denizen 2006: He got them this far…

(He looks up before a purple aura surrounds him and he floats back into darkness. In the break in Egg HQ, Sonic looks down at the people, standing on top of a pile of robot scrap. He laughs out loud and turns back along the corridor, only to be confronted by zombified Eggman’s mech and a small group of Egg Pawns. Eggman thrashes angrily and slams on his controls. Sonic stops as soon as he sees it.)

Sonic: (Groans in annoyance) Enough with the zombie. Give me one I like!

(A swarm of Egg Pawns confront the rest of Axey’s team.)

Sonic: Striker, how we doing over there?

(Striker is busy tinkering with the security door's code, becoming more frustrated.)

Striker: I’m trying here! Ya can’t rush me!

Sonic: (To the zombified Eggman, angrily) Hey, it's me you want. Come and get me, Baldy McHalfstache! 

(The zombified Eggman clutches his controls. As Sonic runs away, he and his Egg Pawns go after him. Number Two, guarding Striker, kicks one Egg Pawn and throws it towards another. The zombie screeches angrily and chases Sonic towards the open hole.)

Sonic: Who wants to play follow the interdimensional hedgehog? Cannonball!

(Sonic spin jumps through the hole and falls down. The zombified Eggman gestures the Egg Pawns to dive down and go after Sonic. Sonic grinds and runs along a rail.)

Sonic: What do you say? Once around the park?

(The Egg Pawns fire at Sonic. He jumps just before the tunnel, luring one to crash into the wall. He passes Denizen 2017, who fires at one of the Egg Pawns. As soon as Sonic reaches the cylindrical tunnel, he jumps onto the cylinder and spin dashes around it, breaking more chasing Egg Pawns. He jumps over an obstacle, and then hops onto a train heading opposite, spin jumping from carriage to carriage and defeating more Egg Pawns, chuckling. The robots stop. The zombified Eggman gestures his robots to charge in the opposite direction. Sonic is then seen running forwards again, Spinning around the rail and knocking a few Badniks along with the damaged zombies mech suit, sending him to a spin, followed by a furious scream. While the rest of the crew take on more Egg Pawns, the zombie’s pursuit of Sonic continues. He uses his right arm to fire blasters at Sonic, which he dodges. He presses the yellow corner button on his robot and goes for a fist attack. Sonic jumps up to dodge that attack, but is then punched with the left fist of the robot, sending him somersaulting in mid-air and screaming.)

(Another flashback, a not-zombie Eggman refusing to help Sonic at the Starfall Islands eventually consumed by a cosmic plague.)

(Sonic glitches again, one hand clinging to the rail as he phases through, he dodges a fist attack. With Dr. Babble chasing him, the baby retracts his weapon. Sonic then does a super peel out and zooms along the rail. A loop later, Sonic is then running behind the robots he's after.)

Sonic: What’s wrong rotface? Too slow? Your legs falling off? (He spin dashes along the rail, homing attacking the line of Egg Pawns and causing them all to fall and break in a heap onto the road. The zombified Eggman screams as they both charge at each other. Sonic chains together homing attacks on the mech, cracking open the cockpit again and sending it into the heap. Sonic lands back on the rail, watching the zombie scream and thrash about in a tantrum.)

Sonic: Two words: breath mint.

(Suddenly, a distant rumble is heard. He looks back, then to a silver hedgehog facing away in an alley. He drops from the rail, meeting the hedgehog.)

Sonic: Hey there, you okay?

(Denizen 2006 turns to face him, stormy eyes suddenly turning normal.)

Denizen 2006: (Worried) You-you’re not supposed to be here! You’re not—

Sonic: (putting his hands up) Hey, hey! That’s the resistance patch on your glove, right? We’re on the same side here. Me, you… and a Chao? We could probably use your help all the way over—

Denizen 2006: You shouldn’t be here. So move aside or I’ll make you!

Sonic: Okay, so we’re still at this point. I’m outta here, I’ve got worlds to help!

(At the end of the corridor, Striker shoves the sharpened end of her boomerang across the keys on the security door. A beep sounds.)

Striker: Hah! Take that, technology!

[The security doors open up. Sonic makes it through the gap in the door wedged open by a broken robot part, and meets the team.)

Axey: (pulling him into a hug) Sonic! I knew you'd make it back. Are you okay?

Sonic: (ignoring a flash of an Amy in front of him) Yeah, I'm fine—

Gloom: We should hurry.

Striker: Yeah, I thought you'd be flatter than a snake's belly.

(Gloom, Axey and Number Two are grabbed by a robot's hand. Sonic turns back.)

Sonic: Not cool!

(Behold, Emperor Robotnik, wearing a purple Death Egg Robot-styled mech-suit.)

Emperor Robotnik: Need a job done right, do it yourself. Step away from the core, or these lesser lifeforms are toasted, blended and then puréed.

;Suddenly the doors start closing in front of him. They completely shut as he nearly makes it to the doorway. Sonic tries to push the doors back open, but Striker restrains him.)

Striker: Hey! Let’s just get to the core!

Sonic: (pulling away) No way! Those are your friends!

(Number Two punches the mech in the head, breaking himself and his teammates free.)

(Gloom flies into it, only to get swatted away by the left arm of a second mech, banging into the closed door.)

Gloom: Go on without us, deprive them of their power!

Striker: You heard the alien, c’mon!

(She walks on alone, leaving Sonic frustrated. Sonic stays there and touches the door and looks at it miserably. Meanwhile, Striker is running along the bridge prompting Sonic to come with her.)

Striker: Come on!

(Sonic finally lets go of the door and dashes away from it, reaching the Shard Generator.) 

Sonic: Okay, white shard, meet crimson—

(Several flashbacks run of Eggman and Sonic's friends with the Paradox Prism. The Prism in Eggman’s weapon chamber, overloading until it explodes as Sonic jumps in front of the others.)

Flashback Tails: This was supposed to be a normal day…

Flashback Amy: I’m not about to let another birthday get ruined because that jerk wants to destroy us!

Sonic: (Upset) We didn’t even get to cut the cake. (Facepalm) I could’ve done it differently, I could’ve had a second emerald on me.

(A flashback hits again of Sonic's friends, the Time Eater only a couple years prior… and then the same birthday, the stormy-eyed Silver disappearing at the table before whiteness ate everything.)

Sonic: All of them. I failed all of them, and now they’re all who-knows-where! And now I’m stuck in a whacked-out universe where Eggman gets to win and mess with other worlds?

(A thud is heard through the door.)

Sonic: My Eggman’s ruined everything, and now I’ve got to clean it up again. 

Striker: No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. 

Sonic: Sometimes I just want it to stay saved, you know? For a little bit. I showed up to his wedding, for Chip’s sake!

Striker: Which just means we’ve got some other weird other world stuff goin’ on! There could be bits everywhere, just grab this one and we can sort things out!

Sonic: (Hesitant) Last time this thing was intact, it was blowing to pieces. Maybe we should take a second—

Striker: Sonic! I’ve told you this already, ya idiot! Hurry up and grab it!

(The decayed Metal Sonic peeps his face through a gap, threatening to open the door.)

Sonic: The only person who might have the brains to fix it is a cyborg without his smarts!

Striker: What I’d give to have Tails— Glide right now. (Beat) Great, you’ve got me doing it now!

(Sonic puts his hand close to the shard, nervously. Eventually, he touches it, with energy crackling in electric sparks. His hand is then attracted to the shard, generating copious levels of energy and causing Striker to panic.)

Striker: That doesn’t look good!

(Sonic tries to pull himself away from the shard as a purple portal opens beneath him.)

Striker: (reaching for him) Sonic!

(The shard stops generating, with Striker looking solely at the shard in shock.)

(Scene Change: Unknown Hallway)

(Sonic lands on his face, the mask of the suit collapsing in again. He stands up and looks around, seeing the remains of a Werehog-like Metal Sonic, a purple DJ booth and a skull.)

Sonic: What? Not cool, I was just about to— (he sees what looks like the stormy-eyed Silver again) You again? That’s it! You mind telling me what’s going on here, buddy? First you say I shouldn’t be here, now you do this? If you are who I think you are, you’re a real jerk.

Silver (MB-2508): I told you, you shouldn’t be here. I’ll get you out of the way.

Sonic: Is this about the future? You can’t fix the future without changing something now, but just getting rid of someone won’t—

(Silver disappears as a purple aura encompasses Sonic, who starts trying to charge up a peel out.)

Sonic: What, gonna say it’s no use? Just let me go and we can ignore this.

(There’s a loud crank as two gear-like cuffs hit the floor. Silver reappears in front of him, skin peeling off to reveal something primordial as his jaw unhinges.)

(There’s a flash of light. Sonic lands in a white space, multi-coloured cracks across the ground with the sky bleeding a dark purple.) 

Chapter Text

(We begin inside a forest. Flickys can be seen flying inside the jungle from an open gap leading outside. A few moments later, vines drop from above and coming down are the Forest Fighters, each  wielding weapons to protect themselves. They begin quietly moving forward, all looking around whilst holding their weapons up to look out for any signs of danger that could be near them, preparing to attack in case they have to. The leader of the group, a squirrel, lifts up a large leaf from a plant.)

Salugh: Take whatever you can find, quiet and quick.

(The group begin looking around for food. A berry inside a bush catches Salugh’s eye. Suddenly, a cawing sound can be heard from above. Each of them stay alert to their surroundings, each looking around for signs of danger. Suddenly, a bush rustles. Something comes out of it and charges towards the group.)

Stab: (Yelling) They’re in the trees!

Fly: (Yelling back) We use the trees!

Stab: (Still yelling) Stop talking and start running!

(Fly gets hit by the thing that was charging towards them all with a mechanical thunk while Stab screams, a burn on her arm.)

(Scene Change: White Space)

(Sonic pushes himself off of the ground, looking up at the dark ‘sky’. He sighs, looking around.)

Sonic: (Sarcasm) White Space? It’s been generations since I saw this place… (pointing his right arm around) There’s gotta be a way back.

(Blaze — or a version of her — blitzes past him, dropping a robotic eye as she disappears through another gateway.)

Sonic: Blaze?! Wait— and now she’s gone, that’s just great. (his arm jolts in the direction of a green gateway) Another random portal…

(Sonic speeds around, through a desolate loop-de-loop and through a mid-destruction wall, colourless and frozen in time. He passes a version of Agent Stone, a slightly smaller Blaze, a statue of a similarly-sized Sonic wearing a fedora, a sharp-toothed Rouge and of a one-armed Knuckles, all turned to pale statues.)

Sonic: (realising) This… isn’t good. What if the others are here?

(Sonic starts running again, blasting past countless versions of people he knows and doesn’t know, people he hasn’t met, never met or will meet. They’re all lifeless statues, no sign of colour.)

Sonic: (trying to hold back a tear) C’mon, they might be anywhere around here. 

(A multi-coloured crack opens above him, a more purple-ish version of Mighty lands on his back, dropping a drained Chaos Diamond and rapidly losing colour.)

Mighty (FN-2222): What— Big Green? Is that you?

Sonic: Mighty? Wait— (he reaches for the Chaos Diamond, placing it somewhere) I need to fix this.

(Sonic speeds into the green gateway.)

(Scene: MB-2511, Forestropolis)

(A portal opens up in the sky. Coming out of it is Sonic, falling and screaming in the process. As he gets further and further down, he begins hitting rocks until finally settling on the ground, landing on his feet.)

Sonic: (Rubbing his head) I really need to look before I leap. (Looks up) What?

(Sonic quickly speeds out of the gorge. He begins looking around on confusion.)A

Sonic: Alright, time to look around. (Yelling, with his voice echoing) Anyone out there? (Turns around) Everything’s all… weird. Please don’t tell me this world is dead…

(Sonic slightly kneels and looks over into the forest, into a world of trees and constructs of stone and wood. Suddenly, he notices the damage to the suit, half of his robotic left arm revealed with the Regulator containing the Chaos Emerald still attached.)

Sonic: Ugh... that’s no good. (Looks at his shoes, lifting his leg up in the process) No other damage. (Turns his hand around, looking at his robotic hand once more) Okay, Sonic, think. (Puts his hands to his head) It's not like answers are just gonna fall from the sky-- 

(Sonic hears a cawing sound. He looks up.)

Salugh: Run!

(The Forest Fighters can be seen dashing out of the overgrown forest.)

Sonic: Alright, Cave-people Freedom Fighters, that’s what I’m dealing with. (Sonic begins running over to them. They begin to fall until finally landing near the rocks that Sonic had landed on earlier.)

Stone Rose: I told you it was too dangerous! Can’t we try and make do with what we have?

Sonagh: (impatiently tapping his foot) We got nothing, Fly’s still growing!

Stab: We’re wastin’ away here!

Salugh: Not anytime soon. (The four turn their attention to Salugh. She un-clenches her fist, holding out a berry she had caught earlier in the jungle. Stab rushes over, eager to eat it.) 

Stab: Ah! Gimme, gimme, gimme!

Sonagh: (Throws his arms around Stab to stop her.) We know the rules, can’t have others foo unless we trade.

Sonic: (Echoing) Hey? Can anyone hear me?

Salugh: Wait. (Cupping her ear) Did anyone else hear that?

Stab: It's the trees! They're talkin' to us!

Stone Rose: (Sighs, putting a hand on Stab’s shoulder.) We've already been over this. Trees don't speak.

Stab: Yeah, that's what they want you to think!

(Sonagh’s head snaps to a certain area, a glitching outline in his view.)

Sonagh: I’ve got this! (He begins to run from the others) Huh? (The world glitches around them, redirecting him and forcing him to skid to a stop, bumping into his fellow Forest Fighters in the process. They all fall. Salugh loses grasp of the berry she was holding. Everything seems to slow down.)

Salugh: (In slow motion) The berry!

(Fly notices it flying in the air. He becomes delighted by the sight of it. Time reverts back to its normal speed. He begins jumping up, trying to grab it as his tails bounce. Eventually, it rolls away and falls down back into the forest.)

Stab, Fly and Stone Rose: No!

(Salugh glares at Sonagh.)

Stab: Yep, we’re wastin’ away. (Puts her arm around Fly)

Stone Rose: Can you quit it? Sonagh just—

(Sonagh gets up and looks behind him. the figure in his vision is slightly blurry as it solidifies into reality by clutching its fist, but eventually goes to perfect sight. As soon as he notices it, he begins getting annoyed.)

Sonagh: Somebody’s here! (Quickly gets the others back to their feet before blinding boosting towards Sonic, fists clenched.)

Sonic: (Boosting up a tree) Hey! I’m not trying to fight you!

Sonagh: (Jabbing the spikes on his shoes into the bark to follow) I wouldn’t want to fight me either!

(Salugh pulls a large, sharpened bone from Stone Rose’s quills as Stab pulls out a sharpened boomerang made of stone and Fly picks up a slingshot. The three hold out their weapons towards Sonic and Sonagh’s fight, thinking of him as a threat.)

Sonagh: (rolling under the boomerang, only to get hit in the head on its way back) Hey! His arm is metal! 

Salugh: He’s here for our supplies!

(Sonic quickly runs from the Forest Fighters. Stone Rose charges towards him, holding a comically large stone hammer. He manages to dodge, jumping over her. Suddenly, his left hand starts to glitch as he turns green before glitching again, becoming Blitz.)

Sonic: Huh? I’m all Werehog-y. (He clenches his fist, his claws digging into a tree in front of him.) Oh, I can use this! (Salugh charges towards Sonic. He climbs further up the tree, but then notices Sonagh and Fly charging towards him. He stretches one leg to kick at them before landing, running away again.)

Sonic: Hey! Can’t we talk this out, it’s been a pretty long birthday!

(More flashbacks hit Sonic, someone downing Anarchy Beryl like an addict, one Sonic failing to stop the World Roboticizer and dragging Eggman into the blast, a younger Sonic smashing rocks with Shadow, Dark Sonic going ham on his own friends and enemies, Sonic and Amy bringing Miles home, another Sonic beaten down by Enerjak, Blitz fighting a twisted Enerjak. More memories that aren’t exactly his own flash by.)

Sonic: Just trying to find a glowing rock, (Catches a boomerang being thrown at him before throwing it back) And you’re all getting in the way! I don’t want to be here either!

Stab: No one asked you!

(Fly hesitantly throws his stick towards Sonic. He ducks down, then looks towards the Forest Fighters.)

Sonic: Everyone, just calm down so I can stop my brain from exploding. (Accidentally bumps into a tree, glitching into a more classic-looking Sonic) Whoa! (A weapon is thrown towards Sonic. It narrowly misses him. He begins to run away again.) No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! Ugh, stubby legs! (Sonic jumps off the platform. He manages to grab onto a vine hanging off a tree branch. He begins jumping across lots of tree branches while avoiding Stab and Stone Rose.)

Sonic: Isn’t that a robot over there?

Songah: Robutt!

(The two hedgehogs curl into balls, latching onto a vine and jumping off onto a glowing rock structure protruding from a destroyed building, both landing a hit on a Buzz Bomber. Sonic looks at the remains with recognition, managing to stop as he returns to his usual self. He turns towards the rest of Forest Fighters, who all land in front of him.)

Salugh: You broke it!

Sonic: Like I said, not here to fight!

(Sonic reaches for the side of his helmet again,  only for another weapon to fly past his hand.)

Sonic: (throwing his left hand upwards) Chaos Control!

(The world goes greyscale as Sonic speeds around the Forest Fighters ‘HQ’, a flash of a Freedom Fighters base overtaking it in his vision.)

Sonic: It’s not the same.

(Sonic dashes around again, looking over the Stone Age-like area, crumbling pieces of technology and the world before scattered about.)

Sonic: (Runs down to the edge of the platform) Great, I’m even further from home, there’s Badniks and the world looks like it got destroyed… which explains why everything dresses like cave-people. (Time unfreezes) Whole lotta green though, that’s a nice change.

Salugh: Yeah… we used to plant trees before the monster appeared and it all got strange.

Sonic: Monster? Hmm. (Looking at burn marks on the tree, sniffing at it) Not the usual burn methods.

Salugh: That’s one way to put it. This is our home, and the monster stole our guardian and started destroying it.

Sonic: Monsters, overgrown trees, lost Shards... sounds like you could use a hand.

(The Forest Fighters form a huddle.)

Salugh: He’s faster than Sonagh, that’s for sure.

Sonagh: Hey! I’m plenty fast! I’m fast itself!

Fly: Is nobody thinking why he turned all big and weird? And then all small?

Stab: I don’t trust him either, he’s all tech-y.

Stone Rose: Maybe we should do introductions? He smashed one of the robots, it could’ve been watching us.

(Suddenly, a buzzing sound can be heard again. Sonic brings his mask down as his enerbeam grabs a drone before curling into a ball, smashing it into himself.)

Sonic: The name’s Sonic, Sonic The Hedgehog.

Salugh: (Offering out her hand) Salugh.

Fly: Fly!

Sonagh: (Stepping in front of Fly) Sonagh.

Stone Rose: I’m—

Stab: Stab, but you already knew that, didn't ya? (Stands closely to Sonic) Who sent you?!

Sonic: (Puts his hands up) Look, you all seem like a lovely group, but I'm trying to find my way back home and looking for some answers. (Steps forward) And shiny crystal Shard that may or may not have some really weird powers. If I can grab it I’ll be outta your hair.

Stab: A Shard? We don't know--

Sonagh: (Walks forward) Exactly where it is, probably could’ve avoided all of this.

Sonic: Can you take me to it?

Salugh: Of course. But... first, come to our village. I'm sure we can help each other. 

(Sonagh speeds towards the village, dragging Fly along, who grabs Stone Rose, who grabs Stab who grabs Salugh while Salugh grabs Sonic.)

Salugh: We didn't always live up in the trees. For years, we lived on the ground, took everything we needed from the forest to survive, hunted now and then for the winter. Then that stone showed up and it got all…

Sonagh: Big trees! No animals, then the big metal monster started showing up and burning it all!

Stone Rose: Every day around here is a struggle to survive, but we’ve been managing. 

Stabs We’re miserable! (Begins shaking Sonagh)

Sonagh: Hungry, too!

Fly: (Holds up a piece of bark) Ever tried filling up on bark? (He splits the bark into three, splitting it between him and Sonagh, who noms on the bark)

Sonic: (Realising their chain of Mobians is broken) Bark? Don't any of the trees nearby have fruit or nuts or something?

Salugh: All they grow now are ones we have to roast, or else they taste like wood. (Stops to a halt. The camera pans out to a far view of the village.) We're here.

Sonic: This is your village? (Runs up to Stab’s house, which consists of a very big hole that goes down and leads to a series of tunnels.)

Stab: Hey! Get away from our house!

Sonic: Your— I mean, it's very... rustic!

(Suddenly, Sonagh rolls into a bush. He has his hands clenched together, holding something beneath them. He jumps out holding a berry.)

Salugh: (Takes the berry from him) Ah-ah-ah! Hold that thought.

(Sonagh grumbles.)

Salugh: Sonic, we'll take you to the-the--

Sonic: Shard.

Salugh: Exactly! But... first, you'll help us by taking care of the monster so we can gather supplies. (Chucks the berry out of her hand. It lands into Stone Rose’s hands, who splits half of it with Fly. Suddenly, Sonagh & Stab begin fighting over the remaining smell of the berry. Sonic gets shocked by the sight.) Deal?

Sonic: Oof! you guys really need some help. (He notices various bandages on the Forest Fighters and the burn on Stab’s hand.) Good news for you guys! Guess which special guest can handle a so-called monster without even breaking a sweat? (Sonagh and Stone Rose give him annoyed looks.) It's me. It's obviously me. I'll help you. Berries for all, as many as you want!

Stab: You mean we could have... (Stab’s eyes light up as she throws her arms around Stone Rose.)

Stone Rose: Two berries?!

(Salugh nods at them. They all begin to cheer, and she smiles.)

(Scene Change: Inside the Jungle)

(Vines drop down from above. The Forest Fighters come sliding down. Sonic looks up, and becomes shocked.)

Sonic: You were not kidding about the plants. They look even bigger from down here.

Salugh: Shh!

Sonic: (Whispering) Right! Stealth mission.

(The six begin quietly walking ahead. Prim points at some plants, while Stab slices away at them so she can make room for everybody to move. Stone Rose takes the lead, sniffing the way there. A vine gets in the way of them all, she breaks it apart.)

Salugh: We need to be very quiet. The monster could be anywhere.

(They all continue to walk ahead. Suddenly, Sonagh senses some food nearby. He begins to swipe away at some vines, but begins to struggle. Stab grabs onto him and moves him to the side. She looks through a gap.)

Stab: Hey! We found one! I guess it's our lucky day. 

(Sonagh begins to pick away at the plants again, digging out bits of a bright green Anarchy Beryl.)

Sonic: Whoa! You know, you might wanna take it easy on the plants. I mean, if the Prism shard made all the trees go haywire? Isn’t attacking them a good thing?

Stone Rose: (Gestures to her leg) Not if you consider the burns.

Fly: He’s got a point, the monster never seems to attack us specifically.

Stab: (To Fly) Why are you on the monsters side?! (Holds up a plant to Fly’s face) They've gotten to you.

(Sonagh eventually reaches in to grab the berry, and succeeds. All of a sudden, Fly, Stone Rose & Stab charge at him and begin fighting for the berry.)

Sonic: So much for being quiet.

Salugh: (To her crew) Shh! Do you wanna get us all killed? We’re down most of us already!

(A rustling sound comes from a bush, to which Sonic becomes startled. Fly and Stab continue fighting for the berry, Sonagh and Stone Rose hesitate before throwing themselves back into it. However, a Chaos-like Chao suddenly appears and absorbs the berry, eating it. It begins to waddle away. The four Forest Fighters feel defeated.)

(As it hops away, Sonic looks at it confusingly. Salugh begins looking around, raising her ears to stay further alerted. Fly sniffs the air, then hides behind Stone Rose, who moves him behind Sonagh. Everybody turns their attention to something shaking in the bushes. One of the bushes rustles again. A beeping sound can be heard as the thing behind the bushes come out of hiding.)

???: TARGET ACQUIRED!

Salugh: Run!

(Everybody begins to turn and run away apart from Sonic, who turns to face the danger.)

Stone Rose: (Ripping a small tree from the ground and tossing it where the monster might be) Are we going to let him fight it alone?

Salugh: We’re all still injured, he chose this! (She continues to run, taking hold of Stone Rose’s hand.)

Sonic: I'll keep that palooka away. You go find those berries. (Climbs up onto a tree root bursting from a green crystal formation) Alright, monster, show yourself! 

(The ‘monster’ runs through the bushes again. Sonic stays alerted of his surroundings and where it is headed. Meanwhile, the Forest Fighters continue to make their way out of the warped forest.)

Sonic: (Looking around) I'm right here. Come and get me!

(Sonic hears the ‘monster’ again inside the bushes. He runs forward, but accidentally trips over an edge and swings on a vine. He slams to the ground, then becomes shocked to see what is ahead of him; a mechanical finger, silver and sharp. Back with the Forest Fighters, they are still making their move out of the jungle. The ‘monster’ passes by and everybody stops to a halt. Stab hides in a bush as Stone Rose starts to build up a Peel Out on the spot, which Sonagh mimics. Fly starts doing something similar with his tails.)

Salugh: Run!

[Back with Sonic, he is looking around at the thorns. He clenches his fists together, bringing out the claws connected to his gloves. Salugh continues running ahead, dragging Stab along. Stab looks up to see something in the trees. It jumps down towards them. Sonic is now climbing up a tree in search for the berries. As soon as he gets onto a branch, he looks around, then notices the berries below.)

Sonic: A berry patch! I found it! (Turns around) Hey, guys!

(The ‘monster’ makes an electronic screech again. The Forest Fighters go flying out of the jungle. Sonic becomes determined to fight the ‘monster’ He ducks down to avoid it charging towards him.)

Sonic: Whoa! Okay, so you're pretty quick, but how quick?

(He begins running forward, avoiding plants and vines and rocks and crystal formations along the way. He accidentally rolls over, but manages to get back onto his feet. He continues to look in the bushes to not lose sight of where the ‘monster’ is.)
Sonic: What's back there? Show yourself, monster! (Slides on the ground to avoid the ‘monster’ again) Yikes! On second thought, you're scary enough as is. (Continues running ahead. He jumps over various plants.] Whoa! [Suddenly, a tree branch falls. He slides under it.) This place needs a monster-sized weed whacker! I can't hit the gas!

(Sonic begins running under a tunnel log.)

Sonic: That's it! (Skids to a stop) Enough running. (Looks around) Can't fight what I can't see. But… I've still got other senses! (Sonic looks up to his ears, thinking they could be the key to scoping out the ‘monster’. He begins moving them around to do so.)

Sonic: There you go.

(The ‘monster’ makes a horrible buzzing sound again. It jumps down from above, and lands in front of Sonic. He slides backwards, then gets up to become shocked to see that the ‘monster’ was in fact... a rusted, horribly damaged E-123 Omega, one arm replaced by wood and rocks forming a giant hammer.)

Sonic: Omega? Jeez, this world really is different. You're no monster. You're just a really damaged robot. (Omega buzzes again, preparing to swing while trying to change direction to face away from him) But if you wanna fight them, you’re gonna have to go through me. (Spin-dashes the robot. It gets knocked down.) Gotcha! (The robot gets up) Of course you don’t stay down.

(Omega charges towards Sonic. He dodges with a narrow miss, and dodges again by performing a spin dash. He spin-dashes onto Omega’s back. The head swivels around. They continue to fight until Sonic spin-dashes up on top of a cave. Omega rockets up to the tree, only to attempt moving backwards. He looks behind himself, seeing another tree, and decides on a plan. He lets Omega charge towards him, then he quickly runs up a tree and turns around to boost towards the robot, slashing his mechanical fingers through Omega’s knee, causing it to fall.)

Sonic: Ha! And stay down! You can come down now, I defeated the monster. (He looks around, realising he’s alone) Guess I could bring some of the berries back for them…

(A kicking sound comes from inside ‘Omega’ followed by a bang, the hand missing a finger randomly firing hot coffee outwards as the arm jerks around.)

Sonic: Huh? (Knocks on the torso as it bursts open, revealing the former Agent Stone) Stone?

(The real ‘monster’ pulls himself out of the apparently mech-like robots hollowed insides, a weak smile on his face as he removed a hand from the controls and untangling the other from bunched together wires.)

Stone: Sonic? It’s been a while. (Offers out his hand)

(Sonic reluctantly pulls Stone out of Omega’s remains.)

Sonic: Mind telling me what’s going on here?

Stone: I told him it was a bad idea, but we both know he finds out about a gem with unlimited power.

Sonic: That doesn’t tell me why you’re doing this.

Agent Stone: (looking below and around him at the improvised mech he turned Omega into and the warped Stone Age world around them)  I didn’t know what happened at first, not really. It’s too dangerous for a human body in this environment, so I had to improvise.  unfortunately, Omega’s programming is still active, viewing everything around him as a threat.

Sonic: And the hot coffee?

Stone: (sighing) I needed to keep my energy up, though the lack of sleep has been a pain. (He looks around more, refusing to look the hedgehog in the eyes) Do you know where he is?

Sonic: (shifting his view away, also not looking Stone in the face) In some other world, ruling it with his council of him’s and some other Sage. It’s the same plan all over again.

(Stone clenches his fists and takes a breath. The inside of Omega’s remains is filled with things, a data pad, a hand mirror, a mug saying ‘worlds best husband’, a hard light projector, various photographs, some newly smushed berries, green and blue Anarchy Beryl and a gun.)

Stone: I assume you’re looking for the Prism shard too?

Sonic: (finally looking at him) I’m pretty sure that’s my only way to get back, I don’t even know how many shards there are.

Stone: The shard is most likely the cause of the overgrowth, removing it should fix their problem… but not their injuries.

(Sonic gives him a judging look, his right arm suddenly pointing outwards while Stone looks around at the damage caused by whatever came before the Forest Fighters evolved into what they are now, long before they entered this world.) Stone: So, is it another team-up?

Sonic: (deadpan) I’m guessing we’re splitting when I get you to the Doctor.

Stone: We should focus on getting ourselves out of here.

Sonic: I guess it’s nice to see a familiar face who didn’t want me dead on sight.

(Sonic steps back as Stone attempts to repair the robots knee, eventually salvaging something together from some drone parts, entering it, looking at himself in the mirror, seeing a younger Stone who— it’s not him. It’s another him.)

(Sonic begins following behind the somewhat-controlled mech before stepping to the side with the hammer arm to avoid dropping coffee.)

Sonic: (Looking around, juggling the drained Chaos Diamond with one hand after stashing some Anarchy Beryl in his belt) You really think a Prism Shard did all this?

Stone: I’m not entirely sure, it’s nothing we’ve seen before.

(We flash sideways to MB-2594, where Super Scourge charges towards a longer version of the Master Emerald, actively swallowing blue Anarchy Beryl.)

Scourge: I’m the king of my world, I could spindash wherever you’re from in two! Do you really think I give a damn about whoever you really a—

(A large, clawed hand extends outward and grabs onto him, revealed to be a monstrous, snarling Enerjak wearing armour comprised of metal and warped Echidna bone, proceeding to repeatedly slam the supposed king into the ground.)

(Back to MB-2511, where Sonic is currently in the middle of being a chatterbox.)

Sonic: And that’s why—

Stone: (Annoyed, points the hammer arm at Sonic) Do you ever stop talking?

Sonic: (smiling at having someone to talk to) Hey, just trying to make conversation.

(Back with the Forest Fighters, they can be seen watching Sonic walking with ‘Omega’ from inside the jungle.)

Stab: Don’t like this one bit. Where is he going with the monster?

(Fly curls into a ball.)

Sonagh: He's betrayed us! (Puts clenched his hands together. Stab nods, agreeing with Sonagh.)

(Back in the jungle, ‘Omega’ departs some leafs to make passage for the two to walk through. Sonic slides under them before they can slam into him.)

Sonic: Listen, I get that we usually don't see eye-to-eye on stuff. (Looks over at the Regulator on his left arm, which is still glowing, as they get closer) Just wanted to remind you I can always stop you myself if you’re actually thinking about backstabbing me.

Stone: I barely have control over the weapons, I can’t even if I wanted to.

Sonic: Good, wouldn’t want to kick your ro-butt this early.

Stone: (Puts the hammer to Sonic's face) I’m only doing this to get back to the Doctor, don’t forget that.

(A montage goes by of the ‘trio’ walking through the jungle as they find their way to the Great Green.)
 
Sonic: (Pops out of a bush) I’m starting to see why you need a mech for all these thorns.

Stone: (Swings the hammer in the air, showing Sonic where they are) This way.

Sonic: Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it to literally be in a cave.

Stone: It’s fitting.

(Sonic rolls forward.)

Sonic: If my arm is right, and it always is, (Points to the ground) the Shard is buried down here. 

(Stone begins using ‘Omega’’s damaged hand to dig into the ground so he can grab the Shard. Sonic looks down as he gets the Shard.)

Stone: I found it! (The mech rockets out of the hole.)

Sonic: (Picks up an animal pelt before walking closer to the golden Shard.) Don’t touch it with your actual hand or we... you know, poof into another universe!

(‘Omega’ helps place the Shard into the pelt, Stone is fascinated from inside.)

Stone: Magnificent, isn’t it?

Sonic: Yeah, it's pretty, but trust me, this thing is-- (Sonic opens his left hand, the Regulator sparking until the crimson glow spread to the other Shard, enveloping them in a golden explosion…)

(Scene Change: White Space)

(…sending them flying into White Space, a black crack opening in the colourless ground.)

(A crimson flash occurs younger-looking Shadow runs in through a dimensional crack, locking eyes with Sonic before glaring at ‘Omega’ and vanishing before he can say anything.)

Sonic: What—

(Scene Change: MB-2508, New New Yoke)

Sonic: Ahhh! Ahhh! Whaa!

(Just as Sonic thinks he is about to fall, ‘Omega’ catches him, preventing him from falling. He looks around in confusion, realizing that he has arrived back in the city.)

Sonic: New New Yoke, we made it!

Stone: (‘Omega’ shoves Sonic into a nearby monitor) Thank you, but we’ve reached our destination. (settles him on the ground before rocketing in the other direction.)

Sonic: Hey! Not cool!

(Sonic hears someone screaming. He looks ahead and sees that Gloom is taking down Egg Pawns with some of the Resistance, some of which seem to be Dark Arms.)

Gloom: To restore this world to what it used to be! (He swings a metal pipe, jabbing it into the head of an MP Metal Sonic.) Who's with me?!

Sonic: (To himself) Oh no.

Chapter Text

Memo #1

I’ve started keeping this log at the recommendation of one of my counterparts. I suppose I better keep track of this empire’s formation, else they might let that decaying corpse they call one of us do it. It all began when my latest creations, the Hard Boiled Heavies, went rogue when they found the Phantom Ruby and took that roboticized flapping squirrel with them. I was going to use the reconstructed Death Egg Robot to deal with them at Stone’s request, but that didn’t entirely work out.

Memo #2

As it turns out, Sonic and friends were also there… with Shadow. After he’d turned on me, I made a copy, electricity and iron bone, and then that one turned on me. Oh well, I had no need for a disobedient bucket of bolts. 

I’d been pulled away suddenly, I wasn’t sure how or why. I was in an entirely different universe, pulled through by an alternate version of me trying to assemble a group to rule his entire world.

I like to think I made the right choice, the choice to join… well, myself!

That and he resolved that ‘glitching’ issue I was experiencing.

Memo #3

I can’t tell if it’s been a few weeks or a few months since that day, none of our worlds are experiencing the same point in time.

Anyways, our current line-up has myself, an older me, the one ‘in charge’, a zombie and his AI daughter. To be honest, we only keep the zombie around because of what Sage can do. It makes me wonder if I could make someone like that.

I miss Stone.

Right, differences. That bloated buffoon never met his Stone, I met mine the earliest, the ‘leaders’ was half of his entire workforce… and that other older me married his.

If we keep arguing over things, we’ll end up turning on each other.

Chapter Text

(MB-2508, New New Yoke, Ten Minutes Prior.)

(Egg Pawns and the ‘combined’ Metal Sonic are looking around for possible members of the Resistance. ‘Silver’ hides a Chao within a monitor, pushing it through a portal before looking around, following it through.)

Croc: Squad Commander Black, this is Squad Commander Green, Initiate Operation: Buzz Basher.

Egg Pawn: Possible rebel suspect. Inspection initiated. Scanning for rebel soldiers. Resistance icon identified.

(Just as the Eggforcers were going to continue their search, they heard a loud bang around them. They turned around to see a Security Drone had been shot down by a member of the Resistance.)

Metal Sonic (MB-2505): Trap identified!

Croc: Now!

(The members of the Resistance begin shooting at the Eggforcers with salvaged guns and Wispons. Gloom is in lead of defending the members, body parts stretching and moving to minimise injuries. A few seconds later, Number Two appears and sees the Egg Pawns being taken down. He glides over to where the Egg Pawns are trying to escape from to see what is going on, only to find that the Resistance taking them down. Sage is watching through his eye.)

Number Two: Recording initiated.

Croc: Eat plasma, you dirty bots!

(A strange sound can be heard, Number Two looks away from the battle.)

Number Two: Inter-dimensional hedgehog detected.

(Sonic is still stuck in a monitor, curled up and shaking around inside to try and move it while ignoring the projected Eggman logos around him.)

Sonic: (half-singing to himself) Sonic, Sonic, you can call me Sonic…

(The Egg Pawns are shooting at the Resistance when a monitor falls, crushing it. A pair of legs emerge from the bottom before he dodges a few lasers being fired at him.)

Sonic: This is really cramping my moves.

(Gloom notices Sonic.)

Gloom: Who are you?

Sonic: Can’t recognise me? Here’s a reminder: blue quills, (his quills pop out of the top of the monitor) green eyes, (the quills pop through the back as Sonics face is shown) hiding in your Wi-Fi! (Sonic pulls the now-damaged monitor off of himself, kicking it into an Egg Pawn before putting his mask back up, half of the visor almost immediately taken out by a stray blast.)

Gloom: Sonic? I was not expecting your face after… that. Where were you?!

(Gloom lashes a tentacle at an MP Metal Sonic. Number Two moves in to get a closer look.)

Sonic: Dude, I had zero intention of leaving you. (Sonic takes down an Egg Pawn.) I nearly had the Shard and I got attacked by Silver and that got me dragged into another world.

Gloom: (frowning) Silver? Nobody’s heard from him since that day.

Sonic: Yeah, probably because he walked off through a portal.

(Sonic and Gloom both take down Egg Pawns at the same time.)

Sage (MB-2505): Searching database for ‘Silver’…

Sonic: Anyway, pretty glad to be back to help with whatever the heck's going on here. Where's Sta— Striker? I gotta pick her brain about this other Shard I found.

Gloom: The badger? I ought to be asking you the same question. Now do me a service and be quiet, I have a relative to scramble. (He spin attacks all of the Eggforcers, tentacles becoming sharp.)

Sonic: (Chuckles) Nice spin attack, by the way. (Wags his finger and flicks his nose) But I bet you can't do this.

(Sonic spins on top of the heap of robots and peels out on top of each one, tossing them to collide into airborne Egg Pawns. An Egg Pawn is dragged down by Axey jumping from high above and crashing her axe through it.)

Egg Pawn: Retreat!

Metal Sonic (MB-2505): I refuse! I— (a blast strikes his visor, taking out his remaining optic) I still refuse! (Axey’s axe slices through his arm.) I refuse to admit that was defeat!

(Metal retreats. The Resistance cheer, while Number Two leaves. Sonic continues celebrating by laughing until Gloom confronts him, causing him to stop.)

Sonic: Oh right, me disappearing.

Gloom: (Scowling at his face.) Come on. (Walks away from Sonic) Scatter! (Everyone including the Resistance scatter in various places, while a Security Drone hovers in, patrolling the scene.)

(Scene Change: Yoke HQ)
 
(The Chaos Council are gathered around.)
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Annoyed) First, they steal our power source. Now these ants decide to stand up for themselves? How dare they.
 
(He slams his fist. The zombified Eggman slams the arm of his chair.)
 
Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): We won't rest until every last rebel has been decimated.
 
Sage (MB-2505): (Looking over at the device in her hands, looking through Number Two’s playback) Or until we manage to drain the majority of the Chaos Shards.
 
(A door whirs open. Number Two comes in.)
 
Sage (MB-2505): Sonic has returned.

(Sage uploads the recorded footage watched by the Council. It shows ‘Omega’ shoving Sonic into a monitor; followed by him battling the Egg Pawns.)
 
Sonic: Dude, I had zero intention of leaving you. (Sonic takes down an Egg Pawn.) I nearly had the Shard and I got dragged into another world after Silver attacked me.

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): So the time traveller is capable of inter-dimensional travel? We could rule the universe, the entire multiverse!

Sonic: Anyway, pretty glad to be back to help with whatever the heck's going on here. Where's Sta— Striker? I gotta pick her brain about this other Shard I found.
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Shocked) What? Another Shard? We power our operations mostly with one of them, imagine what we could do with three! You! (Points to Sage) Calculate the potential energy!
 
Sage (MB-2505): No.
 
(One of the zombified Eggman’s teeth falls out of his mouth and it lands on his eating tray, right into his Hedgehog Stew.)
 
Doctor Eggman (MB-2505): (making inputs on the arm of his chair, tapping out the word ‘please’)

Sage (MB-2505): Proceeding with calculations.

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): We have to find that hedgehog. If he's seen another Shard, then perhaps he can lead us right to it.
 
Number Two: If my readings are correct, the last indication of his energy was in Sage’s District.
 
Sage (MB-2505): Error in calculations, I—

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Just handle it!

(Scene Change: New New Yoke, Underground)
 
(Under the ground, Denizen 2020 passes a weapon to a Resistance member. Sonic appears with Gloom.)
 
Sonic: (to Gloom) I take it things are going well.
 
Gloom: Not really.
 
Axey: (With her back turned) Look who decided to drop in. Welcome back. What happened?
 
Sonic: (hitting the side of his helmet, forcing it to retract) Silver pulled me through a portal and I ended up in some other world, I never even got a hand on the Shard.
 
Axey: (Turns to Sonic) I want to believe you, I really do. But we just lost a second symbol of hope! You were gone for over two weeks, now you just show up again and— we’re tired.
 
(Sonic becomes worried.)
 
Croc: So, uh… do we tell him about the Shard?
 
Sonic: What happened? Did Striker make it out?
 
Gloom: Yes, right before she left us high and dry with the Shard.
 
Sonic: (Miserably) She did?
 
Axey: First we lose you and then Striker runs out on us.
 
(A flashback to chapter three appears. Axey, Gloom and Number Two are sat down, cornered by shooting Egg Pawns.)

(The decayed Metal Sonic uses his bare hands to keep the door open, observing Sonic get sucked into a portal. Striker is in shock. Afterwards, She tries to shake off her shock and retrieves the shard with an electric grabber, which coincidentally turns off the power. The power turns back on.)
 
Computer: Backup systems engaged.
 
Metal Sonic (MB-2505): Shard removed from containment!
 
(The youngest Robotnik accesses the door's code.)
 
Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): Got it!

(The door opens. He, Metal Sonic and Sage - the third in her mechs, pass through, unknowingly passing by Striker, passing the doorway in the other direction, holding the shard. She crawls around the walls, noticed by the rebels. She stops and looks at them.)

Axey: Striker! Where’s Sonic?

(She hears a voice from afar.)
 
Doctor Eggman (MB-2523): Find them, they can't be far.

Striker: I’m sorry, guys.
 
(Striker begins crawling around the walls with claws until she finds a safe place to jump off and land. She jumps over a doorway wedged open by an Egg Pawn to the rebels' horror. Gloom gets knocked out by a random tin can hitting him in the head. Axey carries an unconscious Gloom through Egg HQ's exit.)

Axey: Glide, come on!

(Axey jumps down. Number Two beeps and malfunctions as a smaller roboticized Ray jabs into his back with a port in his finger.)
 
Number Two: Initiating system override. Chaos Council programming restored.
 
(He moves back inside. While Denizen 2017 is digging around inside a skip, The rebels fall with a thud, causing him to notice. The Rebels look up at an annoyed Denizen 2017, then Axey offers him a lift. She carries the two Resistance members under her arms and runs. In the next scene, many members of the resistance equip themselves with weapons.)
 
Axey: [Narrating] Word of our work spread everywhere it could. Our resistance finally grew again, we finally had a chance. And this time, we finish what we started.
 
Sonic: I get dragged outta town for a day and you cook up a revolution?
 
Gloom: All that matters right now is taking out the council while we still can.
 
Axey: If they get that Shard back, we're done for.
 
Sonic: Striker won't let that happen.

Gloom: We don’t even know where she is.

Sonic: (Holding a finger up) Iiiiii… have nothing to say about that because you’re right.
 
Gloom: Finally, a Blitz I can agree with. (Turning the gun to face a wall...) Come on, let me tear the emperor limb from limb.
 
Axey: (Annoyed) Can’t you focus on the mission? First we take down the council, then we talk about that. (A whirring is coming from a circular platform on the ground. The cylinder ascends. A damaged Sunflower appears inside the cylinder.) In case you forgot what peace was like.
 
Gloom: If we lose this fight, there won't be anything left to fight for.
 
(Sonic touches the cylinder, and takes a closer look at the flower. He flashes back across various memories not quite his own, so many of them containing flowers.)

Sonic: I'm sorry, I wasn't there when you needed me, but I promise I can be useful, let me be useful. I’ll find Striker.
 
(A heavy thudding sound alerts and annoys everybody. It’s coming from the ceiling.)
 
Gloom: It's the Chaos Council. (He flies to the computer.) They've found us.

(He presses a key and looks at a webcam. It shows Egg Pawns dancing along the road. One of them lands in the middle of the camera's view and chatters to their fellow robots. It shoots into the camera and disables it.)
 
Axey: (Shouts) Secure the supplies!
 
Croc: (Annoyed) How did they find us? It can't be a coincidence, can it?
 
Axey: Everyone up top before our location gets found out.
 
(The cylinder descends and the resistance run away. Sonic stays there, watching the Sunflower in misery as it comes down. He runs off.)
 
(Scene Change: New New Yoke, Overground)
 
(Egg Pawns march together looking around for suspects.)
 
Egg Pawn: They are somewhere near. Continue the attack. We will force them out.
 
(Someone fires a laser. It cuts through and destroys a robot. The shooting commences. An Egg Pawn shoots and breaks a rock. Cutting ahead of the surprised resistance, Sonic spin dashes towards his enemies and homing attacks three of them only to bounce off of them, before - in slow motion - spinning into Emperor Robotnik’s mech, however, he parries the blue ball away, causing him to hurtle to the wall. He groans and slides to the ground. The zombified Eggman arrives to battle in his mech, taking on Gloom - now without a weapon. In slow motion, they collide into each other, but it's the zombified Eggman’s mech that is blown back. The zombie yells and angrily deploys a large red laser back at him, but Axey launches her teammate away from the attack just in time and drags him to safety, only to get punched by the robot, knocking them both out. Denizen 2017 defeats more robots using a Wispon and kicking attacks. His pipe clashes with the sword of Sage’s mech.)

Sage (MB-2505): Surrender the Prism Shard and you may be spared, or potentially be allowed a painless death.
 
(—She points the sword at the wolfs face. Croc and two other members are cornered by Egg Pawns.)
 
Croc: We could really use some backup.
 
(The zombified Eggman yells and lands in-front of a downed Gloom, who is reaching for a random Dark Arms. Meanwhile, Emperor Robotnik approaches Sonic. However, he looks up at to sky as a portal rips open and Striker comes out riding a larger version of Buster with rockets at the back and plane wings held on by vines with wheels instead of feet swooping down.)
 
Striker: Hang on!
 
Gloom, Sonic and Axey: Striker?
 
Sonic: Never thought I’d be happy to see Buster..
 
(Everyone watches as Striker and Buster swoop into the area.)

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): Another portal?
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Computer, how on Mobius did she do that?!
 
Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): Can’t you see? It's the badger who stole the Shard. Get her!
 
(The Egg Pawns shoot lasers at Buster. It corkscrews to dodge the lasers, while Sonic runs, dragging Croc and three other resistance members to safety. Buster hurls up green sludge over the zombified Eggman and Sage’s mechs. Sonic goes after the robot dog, but is confronted by this world’s bulked-up Egg Pawns. He spin jumps and Homing Attacks some robots in a line leading up to the huge flying robot dog. Striker smiles and offers out a hand.)
 
Sonic: Striker! Just in time! (Shakes the back of her wooden chair) We could really use some backup. (They suddenly exit the portal; annoyed.) Whoa! Where are we going?

(Scene Change: Interdimensional Lockdown Zone)

(Buster crashes through the Cosmic Interstate and a building that looks oddly like something out of the No Zone but clearly isn’t the same as hundreds of Gizoids of different colouration look on as confusion, every alarm going off at once before another portal opens.)
 
(Scene Change: White Space.)
 
Sonic: We got a fight on our hands back there and... (Realizes it's not the same universe; starts looking around, confused) What did you do?
 
Striker: I opened a portal, what does it look like?
 
Sonic: I’ve been here before, it’s where Silver sent me. 

Striker: It does feel familiar, huh.
 
Sonic: (Noticing a growing crack starting to glow in the formerly white sky) Really glad to see you again, but we have to go back. We can’t just leave the others.
 
Striker: (Annoyed) Not until you tell me where you've been.
 
Sonic: Well...
 
(Sonic flashes back to scenes where he got pulled in by Silver’s portal, fought The Forest Fighters and ‘Omega’ shoving him into a monitor.)
 
Sonic: Then you showed up on Buster and pulled me into this portal thingy. (He takes a deep breath.) I’m somehow glad to be back in a war…
 
Striker: That just proves my theories right! There’s been something weird about that Prism…
 
(She presses a button. The white shard raises into their view.)
 
Sonic: So you did take it.

(Flashback, Striker striking a computer and finding Egg Memo #5.)
 
Striker: Yeah, that and I found their power core schematics, pretty unguarded. So I adapted them and created my own way around. Now we can travel around this screwed up multiverse however we want to.
 
Sonic: This is cool and everything but we really gotta get back to the world we were just in.
 
Striker: Oh come on, I have to show you what I found. (She pulls the lever, accelerating his plane. It enters the a damaged gateway.
 
(Scene Change: MB-2513)
 
(Buster appears through the portal and lands.)
 
Sonic: Another world?
 
(Sticks barrel rolls off.)
 
Striker: Welcome to our bright new future. I call it New Home.
 
Sonic: (glancing at the controls) Be on the lookout for versions of you, me, or anyone else we might know… or anyone we don’t know, like a pink puffball or an electric mouse.
 
Striker: I wouldn’t worry about it, I’ve scouted every inch of here, there’s nobody. The perfect place to start over and get things right. With the proper fortifications and enough energy, it could be home. The one- (hesitates for less than a second) ones we lost. We could make it real, our own world! We could bring Axey!
 
Sonic: Look, Striker, it's incredible but it's not going anywhere. And the resistance really needs our help. Come with me, finish the fight.
 
Striker: (Annoyed) That city never brought me anything but misery. I owe it nothing. (Turns her back on Sonic.) I'll help you get back... (Jumps back onto Buster.) but me and my sweet Buster have work to do.
 
(Buster shoots some lasers which open up the portal. Sonic sighs in a familiar manner.)
 
Sonic: I hope I see you back there. (Walks backwards into the portal, while Striker, still annoyed, works on Buster.)
 
(Scene Change: White Space)

(Sonic dashes through a colourless loop-de-loop, past a colourless younger Sonic reduced to a statue.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): (yelling) Sonic! Sonic, where are you?!
 
Sonic: Huh?
 
Blaze: (looking up a large fiery catlike creature) Sonic?
 
(Scene Change: MB-2508, New New Yoke)
 
(The battling between the Resistance and the Chaos Council continue. Croc pulls back Camo and Bee.)
 
Axey: I don’t want to say this, but we have to retreat.
 
Gloom: No. (Drops his weapon and picks up a metal pipe) Lousy EggTech. You can't trust it.
 
(Suddenly, Emperor Robotnik appears in his mech, slamming the ground with a puff of smoke. He, his zombified counterpart and Sage confront the Resistance.)
 
Sage (MB-2505): Surrender the Prism Shards.
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Or tell us where the hedgehog went. We're not picky.
 
Gloom: We don't know where they are.
 
Axey: And wouldn't tell you if we did.

(There’s a loud mechanical clank and a green flash, revealing the decayed ‘Omega’ appearing from nowhere.)

Stone (MB-2625): (Lifting the hammer hand to Gloom’s head.) Spill the information the doctors want, or I will have to spill something else.
 
Gloom: (clearly surprised) I have a better idea. How about you bums line up and kiss my bright red...
 
(A crimson portal generates above them, causing them to look upwards.)
 
Sage (MB-2505): Another portal?

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Stone?
 
(Sonic arrives through the portal surrounded by crimson energy and hits Emperor Robotnik’s with a Homing Attack so destructive that it throws and knocks most of the mechs out, the energy fading as he slashes his metallic fingers through ‘Omega’’s leg again. He joins the Resistance while two of the Eggmen thrash around. The Resistance are annoyed about Sonic's lateness.)
 
Sonic: I know, I know. No more vanishing into thin air. Let's just beat these guys to a pulp and if you think I'll leave again, tie me to a signpost or something.
 
(The shooting starts, causing everyone to duck.)
 
Axey: Better late than never.
 
Sonic: That's the spirit!
 
(The Resistance start attacking. Gloom and Axey evade laser fire and take out Egg Pawns, followed by Sonic. The zombified Eggman’s mech rises up as he screams, combating the Resistance. He slaps Axey and Sonic away. Sonic appears running along the wall.)
 
Axey: Hey! Play nice.
 
(She throws her axe into the torso of the mech, retracting her arms to pull it down. She kicks the button.)

Axey: Isn't it past your burial?
 
(Sonic leaps off the wall to land on the sword of Sage’s mech, only to fall and be grabbed by one of Gloom’s tentacles and pulled away from an attack. Sonic Homing Attacks Emperor Robotnik, causing him to wobble. Denizen 2017 jumps down and throws a cable, wrapping it around the mech's right leg. The Resistance are ready with another cable.)
 
Axey: When I say pull, pull!

(Denizen 2018 throws the other cable, wrapping it around the mech's other leg.)
 
Axey: Pull!
 
(They both pull the ropes simultaneously. Emperor Robotnik tries to keep his balance. Sonic lands back down, glancing back at Stone currently sealed inside the other-dimensional Omega.)
 
Sonic: Oh, I missed this game.
 
(He joins the others and grabs hold of the rope.)
 
Gloom: Let's see what you're made of, hedgehog. Hit the jets.
 
(They pull together, Sonic peeling out while he pulls. The mech lands on its back, knocking it out. Above him, Croc battles Sage’s mech. They swipe at each other. He gets knocked away easily. The zombified Eggman yells and gets up, attacking the Resistance with a stomp.)

Doctor Eggman (MB-2505): HEDGEHOG! HEDGEHOG HEDGEHOG HEDGEHOG!
 
Croc: Take cover!
 
(Sonic and the Resistance dodge more stomps. The Resistance run away, Axey scoops Sonic under her arm.)
 
Sonic: (To the readers) How is a dead body so mean?
 
(Sonic gets clubbed in slow motion by the undead Eggman's mace and thrown into the wall. He groans and falls to the ground as Axey pulls herself back up. With more members of the Resistance running away, Gloom looks up, watching the suddenly ongoing battle between Axey and Sage. She hits her with the axe.)

Gloom: Finally!
 
(He runs over to strike a pose, only for the arm of Sage’s mech to extend outwards and smacks him into the wall.) 

Axey + Sonic: Gloom!

(Axey leaps at the mech in front of her again as Emperor Robotnik’s mech grabs onto Sonic, squeezing him like a stress ball.)
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2505): I’ll admit, I didn’t expect you to return. (Chuckles) A noble effort… but I was expecting to not expect something at this point, so it doesn’t count.
 
(The zombified Eggman blasts at Sonic’s shadow on the wall.)
 
Sage (MB-2508): Not noble, misguided retribution. A failed resistance.
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (He opens the top of his mech and looks out.) Enough games. (To Sonic) Hand over the red Shard, or we'll stick you in a hamster wheel and see how long you can keep the lights on before you drop… or force you to lead us to wherever our Shard went.
 
(The zombie Eggman smashes a random building.)
 
Stone (MB-2625): (barely holding ‘Omega’ up from the inside) Pace yourself, doctor.

(The zombified Eggman ignores him.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): And while we're at it, do tell about another world with another Shard. We're all ears.
 
Sonic: Really? I mean, I'd say you're more AI, fat and robot parts but I honestly have no idea what you're talking about.
 
Number: This should jog your memory.
 
Sonic: Glide? Yes! Butt kicking time.
 
Number Two: Number Two. I have returned to my original directive under the Chaos Council.
 
Sonic: (Disappointed, mid-glitch) Aw... no butt kicking.
 
(Glide displays his recording on a screen in front of a building. It also records what Sonic said during his battle with the Egg Pawns.)
 
Sonic: Dude, I had zero intention of leaving you.I nearly had the Shard and I got attacked by Silver and that got me dragged into another world. Anyway, pretty glad to be back to help with whatever the heck's going on here. Where's Sta— Striker? I gotta pick her brain about this other Shard I found. (The recording pauses. Sonic turns to the Emperor.)
 
Sonic: Gulp.
 
(Emperor Robotnik squeezes Sonic with the mechanical hand. Axey and Gloom are still fighting two mechs.)
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): You will talk, rodent, or you will scream.
 
(Sonic sighs. Suddenly, the portal opens and Striker swoops down on Buster, hitting Emperor Robotnik’s mech and knocks him out. Sonic breaks free of the mech's grasp with a spin jump. Crosshairs lock on to Buster. A beeping sound is heard as the roboticized Ray steps out from behind Number Two.)
 
Rusty Ray: Scan indicates heavy prismatic energy on the craft, Shard possibly located.

Number Two: This confirms various theories.
 
Rusty Ray: And more. The Shard could achieve interdimensional travel.
 
(The big flying robot dog shoots again, hitting The other two mechs, freeing Axey and Gloom from combat. It returns to shoot at Sage’s projector, hitting whatever was keeping her stable in this universe. Axey tries to catch up with Buster.)
 
Axey: (Happily) Striker, you came!
 
Striker: (Annoyed) When this is over, I'm getting out of here and never looking back. Whether I go it alone is up to you.
 
Axey: What?
 
(She clings onto the side of Buster. It U-turns laterally, turning Axey upside-down. A screen in Egg HQ splits, a discussion between the Eggman on MB-2625 and Robotnik of MB-2523. Sage’s part glitches out, Emperor Robotnik’s and the zombies are marked as OFFLINE.)
 
Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): We’ve only been pulling from other dimensions, she’s already figured out how to travel between them?

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): Outsmarted by a badger? Impossible, we need a change of plans. Retrieve Sage and capture that dog!

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): Why do you care so much for her? She’s not even the one you know!

(His older counterpart sighs.)

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): It wasn’t intentional, more like the circumstances aligned. She’s my best creation, my pride and joy, my daughter. She’s even loyal in a world where we messed up like that… I couldn’t ask for anyone better.

(The younger version looks over his plans, shuffling away something that says ‘Belle’ as a third face pops up on the screen.)

Stone (MB-2625): May I be of some assistance?

(Both Eggmens jaws drop.)
 
Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): Stone? No, it can’t be—

Stone (MB-2625): (slightly annoyed) It’s been a while. I’m already in your systems, shall I prepare the mothership?
 
(Emperor Robotnik shoves himself back into his cockpit, using one leg to send a partially well-climbing resistance member down.)
 
(While the robot dog flies high, Sonic watches the ongoing battle.)
 
Sonic: We’ll take 'em low. You take 'em high.
 
Striker: Just don’t trust the alien. Or any microwaves you see!
 
(Sonic jumps off the plane and Homing Attacks three Egg Pawns, followed Axey slicing through by another three. They hit the ground.)
 
Sonic: We're back on. Let's take these clowns down once and for all.
 
Axey: Once again, better late than never.
 
Sonic: Hey, I never let you down.

(Sonic glitches again. For a moment, the other sees Amy and Blitz. Their eyes don’t meet, they aren’t the one the other spent their lives around. Axey finally notices the half-exposed robotic arm, almost reaching out for a hug, some sort of comfort, anything. But there isn’t time.)

Axey: I’ll believe in you.
 
(They duck to dodge an attack)
 
Sonic: I’d say believe in yourself first, but you wouldn’t get this far if you didn’t.
 
(Axey grabs Sonic with one hand as he curls up, slamming him into a small group of Egg Pawns. Emperor Robotnik sees Buster swooping away from laser fire, and goes up to chase it, firing more lasers.)
 
Striker: What an idiot. Time to put some scuff marks on that evil paint job.
 
(Buster rolls 360 degrees and corkscrews down close to the road. Emperor Robotnik’s mech scrapes the road and causes sparks. Striker swoops up close to the building. With nowhere else to go, she corkscrews Buster one way and then the other way, unable to shake off the dog’s tail. They shoot at each other. Striker presses a button while Emperor Robotnik laughs.)
 
Emperor Robotnik: I've got this mammal on the run. Prepare for launch!
 
(Inside ‘Omega’, Stone moves a suspiciously similar projector to the one the other Sage has to reach for his tablet, tapping through the controls. A beep sounds. The Mothership launches. Stone sends a message to his Eggman: ‘we need to talk’)
 
(The zombified Eggman reasserts control of his mech as the arm of it falls off, using the remaining hand to grab Sage from inside her own and starts legging it.)
 
Rusty Ray: Egg Pawns, keep them distracted.
 
(Striker and Buster’s battle with Emperor Robotnik is ongoing. Stroker suddenly notices the Mothership leaving the building. It turns upside-down and floats away, to her annoyance.)
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Badger shmadger, what we've got here is a lower lifeform who can’t see her impending death.
 
(With Striker distracted, he shoots at the dog, hitting and exploding one of the wings. Striker struggles to keep control as she suddenly glitches.)
 
Striker: (glitches into Stab) No, (into her younger self) no, (into a Mustache-twirling villain) no, (back to herself) no!
 
(The Mothership opens up a suction tube of a bright white light. Buster freezes and is sucked in. Striker tosses one of her various weapons at the light before trying to get Buster working again.)
 
Striker: Come on, come on, come on. One more portal and I'm free.
 
(She presses various buttons. Unfortunately for her, Buster powers down.)
 
Striker: Buster! No!
 
(Emperor Robotnik cackles inside his mech.)
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Squirrel, the vermin is locked down. I repeat, the vermin is locked down.
 
Number Two: Egg Pawns, finish them off. We have what we need.
 
(Rusty Ray begins building momentum, leaving towards the Mothership with Number Two in tow, while the Egg Pawns continue shooting. Sonic slides sideways to dodge and then prepares a spin dash from the side to knock the first robot out. Gloom pounds the ground, sending rubble up in the air. He kicks some of the rubble into the second robot while Axey jumps onto the third one and rips it open, freeing a large Flicky. They cheer.)
 
Sonic: Yes! We did it! You guys good?
 
Gloom: We're alive. Not sure what happened to the badger.
 
Axey: I don't like this. The Shard could be anywhere and now the council might have it again.
 
Sonic: You're right. I better find her before she portals out of here again. Back in a flash!
 
(Sonic begins kicking up energy as he peels out past them, the blue streak almost seeming red.)
 
(Emperor Robotnik’s mech, along with Buster and Striker, are sucked into the Mothership. ‘Omega’ is following Zombie Eggman and Sage in the meantime.)
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (To Striker) With just one Shard and your tech, you've just handed us the multiverse on a silver platter. (He laughs maniacally.)

Chapter Text

(Another world, another time and yet the same place, Green Hill. The Sonic native to that world shatters the Paradox Prism and shatters his world into multiple.)

(MB-2625, Two Years Later? It’s hard to tell between multiple dimensions. Eggman shatters a different Paradox Prism, destabilising the worlds around it.)

(Both Sonics friends are dragged away in the shattering, one Sonic floats through the void while the other remains floating through White Space for weeks, clutching a Chaos Emerald in one hand while the crimson Prism Shard floats by his side.

(In MB-2523, Sonic disappears while being transported to Green Hill. Every alarm in Interdimensional Lockdown Zone goes off at once. In MB-2699, an Oracle and the Keeper of the Time Stones look at each other in fear. Across three versions of MB-2697, the Omni-Viewer looks up at something only it could see. In MB-2526, the sky fills with unnatural colours. In MB-2508, Blitz vanishes while fighting Heavy Metal. In SD-2607, Blaze and Sonic disappear while fighting Captain Metallix as a creature made from fire appears. In MB-262̵̱̫́ͅ5̴̨͕̇̔, Sticks jolts awake elsewhere.)

(At the centre of the multiverse, Paradox turns his head only to hear a familiar breaking sound.)

(Scene: MB-2508, New New Yoke, Now)

(The Chaos Council’s Egg HQ is flying in the sky, now with the full council inside. Sonic runs off. He begins looking around for Striker.)

Sonic: Striker? Stab? Sticks? (Continues to run forward, until looking up into the sky) What in the... not like her to get kidnapped. (Begins running again, this time performing a Super Peel Out. Suddenly, Prism Energy begins reverberating around his body.) Huh? What the—

(A crimson spectre appears in midair, almost like a hologram to Sonic, sending a message to him from… somewhere. It’s some sort of crystalline being, incomplete.)

???: Keep going. Put things back together.

Sonic: Who the heck—

(The ‘hologram’ disappears. Sonic becomes determined from the words and begins to run even faster, to the point where he warps out of the world.)

(Scene: Cosmic Interstate. Sonic falls off due to a lack of railings.)

(Scene: Interdimensional Lockdown Zone. A random Gizoid drops their coffee as Sonic continues to fall, bouncing off their head.)

(Scene: White Space. The ground is actively cracking beneath his feet, more of the suit eroding away.)

(Scene: SD-2607)

[A portal opens in the sky in a world Sonic has never entered before. He comes falling out of it, screaming.)

Sonic: Whoa! Not again! And there’s water. Just when things couldn't get any worse! (Spots a bit of land below) Wait, is that land?! (Begins swimming midair) Almost... there...! CHAOS—

(Sonic begins glitching and splashes into the water, close to the island.)

Sonic: (Muffled) So close. (He gets up, coughing and gasping for air. He brushes off his fur, the odd sound of metal scraping.)

Sonic: Okay. Stay calm. One minute, I was looking for Striker, then I saw that gnarly ship and then, somehow... (Turns around, looking into the distance. He realizes he's in an entirely different universe.) That’s what I get for listening to a hallucination. (He sits down, not noticing the now-shining Regulator on his left arm.)

(Suddenly, a group of people can be heard behind him, who are revealed to be pirates: a strange mix of a bobcat and a bear, a crab-like Mecha Sonic MK II and a Shadow Android.)

Metamorphia: Stranger! What brings ye to our domain?

Sonic: (Gets up, looking up at the pirates) Seriously? Pirates? (The pirates jump down from above, landing in front of him) That's— (realises he’s in some version of the Sol Dimension) that's super! Just great! Of course, you're pirates!

Metamorphia: (Whispering to the Shadow Android) Bet Robotnik sent him?

Mark 4: (Whispering back to Metamorphia) If that be the case, what do we do?

Mark 2: (Revealing his sword arm) LET’S CRUSH IT!

Metamorphia: Not without the captain, you rebuilt bucket of bolts.

Sonic: What kind of pirates don't pirate?

Mark 4: (Ignoring Sonic) It’s how the saying goes, boss. ‘Dead hogs tell no tales.’

(The trio each hold their swords out to Sonic. He slowly begins backing away, with them inching further towards him.)

Sonic: Argh, argh! I don't mean to harm ye. I'm just a wayward— (Sonic sees the exposed part of his face in the water, only seeing Metal Sonic) Badnik looking for a way home. (Gets close to the water again, quickly lifting his leg up) Water!

(They raise their swords, getting ready to attack Sonic. He runs away.)

Metamorphia: Hiya!

Sonic: No, no, no, no, no! (Metamorhpia forced herself to sprout wings and flies towards Sonic. He runs into water again, instantly risking sinking.) No good!

(Metamorphia tries to attack Sonic, but he quickly dodges, missing him. She goes after him again as he continues to run.)

Metamorphia: Hiya! Hiya!

(Soon, Mark 2 and Mark 4 try to attack Sonic. He jumps over their swords, quickly climbing up a nearby spire that broke from a building. Mark 4 puts his swords in his mouth and climbs up towards Sonic. He jumps up to high ground, until running into two dead-ends. The water begins to rise.)

Sonic: Whoa!

Mark 4: It’s like stealing candy from a baby, which is fine by me. (Corners Sonic)

Mark 2: (Corners Sonic) Let’s crush him!

Metamorphia: Leave him to the brisket!

(Sonic gasps. He tries desperately to find a way to escape, trying to even run away once more, but Metamorphia extends a let, tripping him over. He falls over the edge and becomes frightened he's going to fall into the water, but Mark 4 manages to save him in the nick of time.)

Mark 4: Pathetic.

(Mark 4 flies back up to the other two pirates, carrying Sonic by his arm.)

Sonic: Well, wouldn't you know it? I'm caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

(Mark 2 and Metamorphia look at each other suspiciously, until looking back at Sonic.)

Mark 4: You know, he's too good to be part of the old crew.

Sonic: (unaware of a light flickering inside his eye) Listen, I am not a part of any crew you're looking for. In fact, I've lost my crew. It's a bit of a sore spot, actually.

Mark 2: (Pushes her sword close to Sonic) I'll crush ye!

Metamorphia: Alright, alright. Enough's enough! Gather anything you can find, the Cap'n would want us to get back to the ship without taking too long. (Begin to walk away) Leave this scalawag for the buzzards.

Mark 4: (tilting his head 180 degrees to face her) Without taking a prisoner?

Mark 2: (agreeing) He’ll crush him!

Metamorphia: (Grins, fiddling with her sword) Just testing you two, we can always use him for parts!

(Mark 4 lets go of Sonic, throwing him back to the ground. He lands face-first, but gets up.)

Sonic: So it’s a fight you— (He immediately falls as Mark 2 uses his other arm as a blaster to douse him with water.) Aaaand I’m not even waterproof, great.

Mark 4: Maybe the captain will turn him into a slave… swabbing the deck, raising the mizzen mast, rowing the boat.

Metamorhpia: I’m getting tired of becoming a boat for him. Number Two, grab him.

Mark 2: (with the same destructive enthusiasm he’s said everything else with) I’ll grab him!

Metamorphia: And in case one of you wants to plan a betrayal (looking at Mark 4), there is one condition when we get back to the ship. It's Cap'n's orders... or else! (Begins to walk back to the sea)

Sonic: Or else…

Mark 4: The plank… 

(Metamorphia contorts herself into a boat, limbs deforming and morphing and gears shifting. Mark 4 pulls a wooden oar from nowhere as Mark 2 curls into a ball, trapping Sonic inside his grasp.)

Mark 2: You’ll row this!

Mark 4: (sighing) How I wish the captain ripped out your voice box instead of Mark 3’s. (begins rowing as fast as possible towards the Metal Marauder)

(The entire ride is filled with the sounds of Metamorphia trying to keep water out of her mouth and Sonic making sounds of discomfort.)

(The ‘boat’ begins to be raised by two carriers located at the side of the ship. After the boat reaches the top, Metamorphia returns to her usual shape, causing the other three to fall over.)

Sonic: Knu— (notices Mark 3, who falls off a hammock. A coconut with a drinking straw inside it rolls over to Sonic's currently metallic foot. It’s filled with shiny rocks.)

Sonic: Urgh. Looks like someone had a few too many coconuts last night. (Walks down some stairs) You guys should really consider cleaning that poop deck. Where's this captain you speak of?

(A voice can be heard from above. Sonic looks up at the person, who is shown as a silhouette.)

Unknown Voice: Argh! Who'd be the new scallywag you three brought on board?

Metamorphia: Metallix, meet... (looks to Sonic) Uhhh…

Sonic: Rider. The Rider.

(The person who was located at the top of the ship slides jumps down, eventually hitting the bottom. The person who was at the top is revealed to be the captain, Captain Metallix… wearing Eggman Nega’s jacket.)

Sonic: You…

(Sonic’s mind flashes through various Metal Sonics he’s encountered. Silver Sonic, Mecha Mark I, Mecha Mark II, the Metal Sonic he knows, the Captain Metal the Blaze he knows went up against, the lifeless Heavy Metal, the Mass-Produced Metal Sonics… and the decayed one.)

Sonic: Why am I not surprised? (Looks back, Mark 2’s arm has been pulling and pushing him around the entire time.)

(Mark 3 can be seen holding a coconut, until putting it onto a box. He raises his fist and smashes open the coconut. Coming out of it is black copra. Sonic becomes confused.)

Sonic: Why would a robot eat?

(A random ping is heard as the crews heads start to twitch until Captain Metallix smacks himself, revealing one eye to have been recently ripped out.)

Captain Metallix: Hedgehog, priority- ahoy! Nuh-nay, illegal instruction! Tryin' t' hijack us be no good! (Adjusts the patch over his eye) ‘n t' answer yer riddle… we’re bored! First the princess 'n the hedgehog go missin', then a taller princess ripped out me eye 'n took away dat fire monster we were fightin'! A new crewmate could mighty spice things up… unless ye turn traitor, then we’d 'ave t' exterminate ye!

Sonic: No traitor, I promise! It’s just nice to finally be away from old Baldy McNoseHair. (Captain Metallix bursts out laughing,, much to everyone’s confusion.)

Captain Metallix: (Walks past Sonic) Dat’s a new one. Wit' the state o' things, we jus' take wha' we can get! Number Two, let our wee heartie here down, won’t ye?

(Mark 3 can be seen behind a cannon, firing it straight at Sonic. He gasps, and tried to cover his face, hoping that he isn't about to be attacked. However, coming out of it is confetti. All of the pirates begin to lazily cheer, and Sonic opens his eyes, looking around in confusion to what's happening. Mark 2 finally let’s go of him. Metamorhpia is playing a drum with one finger, while Mark 2 is playing a bass guitar. He begins playing to the sound of Mark 3’s rocks clacking together. It looks… superficial.)

Sonic: Definitely not the Metal I know... (His ear slightly perks up, hearing Captain Metallix’s voice. He looks directly at him.)

Captain Metallix: 'n look at the state o' ye! It wouldn’t be a fair fight, nah even worth spare parts.

Sonic: Wait... this really is a party? (He becomes delighted, the more simple face hiding what he may or may not be thinking.)

Captain Metallix: Sure be! But we don't cross new adventurers dat often on account o'… (shudders) the big flood.

Sonic: (Points to him) You're officially my favorite Metal ever. (He draws a smile on his face.)

Metamorphia: So, ‘Rider’, (chewing on a vague approximation of food) first I wasn't sure, but ye haven’t even bothered attackin' us.

Sonic: I don’t exactly have much of a choice, do I? I’m lost, battered and on the run from the Egghead… and surrounded by dangerous pirates.

Captain Metallix: (Laughs) Well, dat depends on who ye ask. Number Two, wha' do I do t' the competition?

Mark 2: (Salutes) You crush them!

Captain Metallix: If ye're such a friendly bot, how'd ye get a name like ‘The Rider’?

Mark 4: It’s stupid and he’s shaped like Sonic, obviously he picked it himself.

Metamorphia: Comin' from some rogue who always goes by Mark 4.

Mark 4: Our captain has a stupid na—

(Captain Metallix stabs Mark 4 through the torso, digging around and removing a Sol Emerald.) 

Captain Metallix: Oi, rocks for brains! (He tosses the emerald to Mark 3) Keep it with you until we need it. 

(Metamorphia and Mark 2 share a glance before starting to ravage Mark 4’s body for parts, disconnecting his head.)

Captain Metallix: (Turns to Sonic, who nearly backs away) 'n dat’s wha' we do t' traitors around these parts. Understand, faker?

Sonic: Faker? Faker?! Hang on to your hat, because I don’t intend to turn tailcoats on anyone. (Winks and points at Captain Metallix. The covered side of his face is vaguely worried.)

(A montage of flashbacks begin playing; Captain Metallix in his original body trying to rebuild Mark 2, Metamorphia forcing Mark 4 to help with Mark 3, fighting Captain Whisker’s crew, the Sonic of MB-2699 and this worlds Blaze running towards Robotnik Nega only a month prior, a gigantic flaming cat-like creature later entering this world shortly after the shattering of the Paradox Prism, a battle against the travelling Blaze of SD-2605, leaving with her her larger counterpart…)

Metamorphia: (Hesitant) Ye good, Cap'n?

Captain Metallix: (Grabs onto Metamorphia, eyes twitching) I am fine, don’t ask unless ye wants t' be exterminated. (Removes his patch, digging around his own head and ripping out a chip.)

(In MB-2508, One of the Eggmen slam their controls.)

Sonic: Sounds really tempting, but I really gotta get-- (Puts down the coconut he was pretending to drink from, preparing to leave the ship. However, Captain Metallix slams the table, knocking down a plate.)

Captain Metallix: No buts, no nuts, no coconuts! Nah while thar’s more t' find, more t' plunder! Like that Shard…

Sonic: Shard? (Looks at his Regulators, the left arm not matching the rest.)

(Metamorphia runs near the wheel, while Mark 2 is crushing some of the coconuts from the party, and Mark 3 attempts to implant a Magic Emerald inside of himself, only for his body to reject it. He lets out a sad chuckle.)

Captain Metallix: (Excited) This calls for a song! (He presses a cannon and confetti comes flying out of it. Sonic looks at Metallix with an unamused look on his face.)

Captain Metallix: (Singing with his visor flickering blue) Oh, dis be a tale o' salt 'n sea! Like regular Sonic, but with thrice the charm and none o' the failure— (smacking himself in the face, creating another scratch with his hook) Damn ole programmin'…

Metamorphia: Capt’n hasn’t been this bad since the incident…

Mark 2: It crushed him!

Metamorphia: Aye! ‘Aye, The Crystal Catastrophe’!

Captain Metallix: (Growling) Do not speak of that. Ill-advised.

Sonic: (Slightly worried) Wait! You know about the Shard? You need to tell me where it is!

Captain Metallix: Forget it! That treasure brings nothing but pain.

Sonic: I can't forget it. My friends need me, and I need it to get back to them.

Captain Metallix: (Splashing Sonic with a coconut) Leave... it... be...! (Walks away)

(Suddenly, a large splash comes out of the water. The Metal Marauder wobbles.)

Sonic: (Muttering) I’m outta here…

(Mark 2 to the top of the ship, looking through a telescope. She sees another ship, which is firing at the Metal Marauder.)

Mark 2: They’ll crush us!

Metamorphia: (Extending her neck to see what’s attacking them) Capt’n! We’re under attack! …again.

Captain Metallix: (Furiously) Argh! Take yer positions!

(The other pirates begin to get into their positions, trampling parts of Mark 4 in the process. Sonic remains in his normal spot.)

Sonic: (Determined) They want to fight? We'll give them one! Right? (Notices that Captain Metallix and the other pirates are gone) Uh, Captain? Metal...?

(The ship that is attacking the Metal Marauder begins to get further and further towards the ship, until finally stopping at its side. Six pirates, including the captain, can be seen preparing to board the Metal Marauder.)

Sonic: (Points at himself) Sorry, but this robot is not about to roll over for a few lousy pirates.

(A wooden bridge is placed down from the ship preparing to attack the Metal Marauder to the Metal Marauder itself. The pirates begin to board the Metal Marauder, each wielding weapons.)

Porker Metallix: (Electronic oinking.)

Captain Whisker: (Electronic yell, pointing towards the ship.)

Johnny: (Pumps his fist into the air, swinging wildly and knocking Mum into the water, which leaves Mini… who sinks after being hit as well.)

(The pirates begin to laugh. Metamorphia and Mark 2 look down at the commotion.)

Johnny: (Stabbing wherever Captain Whisker is pointing.)

(Suddenly, Sonic's voice can be heard. The other pirates get frightened, looking at the hedgehog who jumps down from above and onto a cannon.)

Sonic: Put the barrel down! (Johnny and a generic Metallix look at Sonic with confused looks on their faces] Back to your boat or else!

Johnny: (Points his sword at him.)

Sonic: (Steps down from the cannon, pretending he is scared of the pirates) Gosh, gosh! You're right! OH, whatever will I do...? (Fires the cannon towards them)

(Captain Whisker’s crew begin charging at Sonic. Suddenly, Sonic climbs into the cannon and spin-dashes the other pirates, much to the Metal Marauder crew's shock. Sonic takes down more of the crew by jumping on their heads and then spin-dashing the last standing one.)

Sonic: Don't say I didn't warn ya. (Flicks his nose) You know what they’re going to do, but I know everything you’re going to do!

Whisker’s crew: (Getting up, charging towards Sonic) Argh! Argh-argh-argh! (Sonic stands on two of the pirates' swords, smiling proudly as he does so. He jumps off.)

Sonic: My turn. (Spin-dashes and knocks down most of the pirates into the water. After he has done so, he begins walking backwards, proud of what he has done. Suddenly, he bumps into a few barrels behind him. He rolls on one of them, desperately trying to run off as it is rolling nearer to the water.) Oh! No, no, no, no, no! Can't swim, can't swim! (The barrel rolls into the water. Sonic thinks he's going to land into the water, but suddenly, the enerbeam in his left arm triggers and pulls him upwards, back onto the Metal Marauder. After he gets back up, a red glow surrounds his hand as a mantle made of stone appears, a blade emerging with a bright glow.) Bring it on!

(Sonic looks ahead and sees that the Metal Marauder crew, have joined in on the fight. Mark 3 knocks down a Metallix using his bare hand, ripping out an orange Sol Emerald, while Mark 2 grabs one of the other pirates and crushes them in one pincer-like hand. Johnny begins charging at Mark 2, but Metamorphia takes his form and takes him down just in the nick of time. A sword hits one of the barrels that Captain Metallix is hiding inside. He pops out, using one of Mark 4’s legs to kick Porker Metallix, knocking him down.)

Captain Metallix: (Aims his sword at Porker Metallix, ignoring her visor glitching, ignoring something telling him he should be Sonic, this should be his friend) Ye're done fer, One-Eyed Oscar! (Suddenly, something gets knocked over his and the other pirates' heads. Sonic can be seen holding the Blade of Courage in the air, looking at the other pirates as they fall down one-by-one.)

Johnny: (Raises his remaining hand in surrender)

Metamorphia: (As a blue Johnny) Argh! Givin' up already? Takes the fun right out of it, don't it?

Mark 2: I’ll— (Aims his arm sword towards a random Metallix) —crush them!

(Sonic moves in front of Mark 2.)

Sonic: And by ‘crush them,’ (Uses his free hand to put down Mark 2's hand) we mean a stern warning to get back on your ship and leave us alone. Right? (The fallen pirates nod, agreeing with Sonic) You’re gonna run out of enemies if you just kill ‘em all, you’ve got the voice boxes and clothes already.

Mark 3: (Annoyed chuckle, drops the Metallix he ripped apart.)

(Captain Whisker’s crew begin to run back to their ship and begin to sail away. The Metal Marauder crew begin cheering for themselves, proud of the work they have done.)

Metamorphia: Show them, scalawags!

Mark 3: Woo-hoo!

(Captain Metallix implants the orange Sol Emerald into himself.)

Sonic: (Getting impatient) Okay, Cap’n, where's the Shard?

Metamorphia: (Jumps in front of Sonic, holding her arm out in front of him]) Enough stallin'! Tell Cap'n Rider wha' he wants t' know.

Sonic: ‘Captain’ (Puts his hands up) I'm not the captain.

Metamorphia: Aye, you are now, Cap'n. You actually started the fight before any of us could.

(The three pirates begin dancing around. A low heat builds in Captain Metallix’s torso.)

Sonic: Forget it. And stop calling me Captain.

Mark 2: I’m crushed, Cap'n!

Sonic: (Sighs) And just tell me about ‘The Incident’.

Captain Metallix: (Growls) I begged you to leave it alone, but you're just too stubborn, aren't ye?

Sonic: I've been called worse.

Captain Metallix: Fine. (Sits down on a crate) Mark 3, tell the tale.

Mark 3: (Awkward chuckle in Min’s voice.)

Metamorphia: I’ll do it. (Clears her throat as she re-takes her original form) It was only weeks ago. (A flashback shows to Captain Metallix sailing his ship on a dark and stormy night.) Captain Metallix was the most feared pirate that sailed the seas. (The crew are raising the sails to keep the ship going forward.) Fame, treasure, power; he had it all. But there was one prize that eluded his grasp... (Captain Metallix is seen stirring the wheel with a determined look in his eyes.) The Crystal, something that showed up after the monster appeared. We’d spent days looking, and Mark 3 had finally gotten his mits on the map that would lead him to it. (Mark 3 brings out the map in the present.) A map to a gem, priceless beyond imagining, whose heart glows with a light dark enough to create the densest of fogs!

Sonic: The Shard! Where is it? Do you have it? (Captain Metallix kneels up closely to Sonic, growling at him) Right, listen to the story. Sorry.

Captain Metallix: Wit' the map, I knew the location. All I needed t' do was get t' it.
(The flashback starts again. Captain Metallix can be seen looking through a telescope at his desired treasure.)

Captain Metallix: (In the flashback) Keep that sail full o' wind! Steady as she goes!

Mark 4: (in the flashback) Metallix, change course!

Captain Metallix: (in the flashback) That’s Capt’n Metallix to you!

Metamorphia: (In the flashback) We'll wreck on those rocks for sure!

Mark 2: (In the flashback) You’ll crush us?!

Captain Metallix: (In the flashback, grabbing onto Mark 2) Get offa me, ya blue-bellied dog! (Throws Mark 2, continues to steer to the treasure.)

Captain Metallix: (Telling the story) The crew thought I'd lost me marbles.

Metamorphia: (In the flashback, imitating his appearance) Cap'n, ye lost yer marbles!

Captain Metallix: (Telling the story) And maybe they were right. My only thought was getting my hands on that stone, no matter what. (The ship as it continues to steer back-and-forth with the members of his crew sliding all over the place on the ship in the flashback.)

Mark 4: (In the flashback) I'm too far, Cap'n.(snatching an emerald from Mark 3) SOL CONTR— (Falls over)

(The ship continues to move quickly, with Captain Metallix excited at the fact that he's getting closer to claiming the treasure as his. Suddenly... the ship hits Captain Whisker’s ship. Soon, they’re in battle as the Blaze of a monstrous world bursts from the sea.)

Captain Metallix: The Crystal took too much from us. I swear I'd never go near that cursed stone again.

Sonic: (Runs over, slapping him) You're Metallix! You survived a shipwreck, you've got an eyepatch! You are a pirate, Metallix, a pirate! Help me find that map, and I'll give your title back.

Captain Metallix: That map's at the bottom of the sea, sunk with me old optic. I've lost my way, faker. You want the map? Find it yourself.

(The regulator on Sonic’s left arm glows bright after a while, the Chaos Diamond in his pocket suddenly recharged and glowing pink.)

Sonic: We don't need the map, I’m a sentient Shard tracker!

(Sonic charges past Captain Metallix, spinning him around. Sonic jumps up onto a cannon, lifting his arm up and looking out into the distance.)

Sonic: Huh, no glow this way. (He runs to the other side, his arm starts to pulse with Prism Energy, meaning the Shard is somewhere close by) This way! I think.

Metamorphia: (Shapeshifting into a green Sonic) Aye-aye, Cap'n!

(Metamorphia is thrown to the top of the ship by Mark 2, with Mark 3 taking the wheel. The ship begins to set sail again. Sonic runs back, sliding down a rail of a set of stairs along the way, and landing in front of Captain Metallix.)

Sonic: I'm sorry, but I need that Shard.

Captain Metallix: Then our fates are in yer hands, copy. (He tries to take off his pirate hat, but it’s bolted to his head.)

Metamorphia: Cap'n! There's something in the water off the port side! Could be a whale.

Sonic: it's not an orca, is it? (Zips off)

Captain Metallix: (Ripping an eye from Mark 4’s head, installing it but then putting the patch back on over it) Wrong side.

Sonic: (Stops for a split second...) I knew that. (…and then zips off again.)

(Sonic and the pirate step up to the edge of the ship, with Sonic putting his arms out so he can protect the others. Another ship can be seen underwater, with Sonic looking on in confusion. The ship passes under the Metal Marauder.)

Sonic: That's no whale.

(The ship swims up to the surface. It is a metallic, tube-like ship that is larger than the Metal Marauder. The ceiling to it opens up, and Egg Robos begin activating. Suddenly, a certain someone steps out of the ship. She climbs up to the edge of the ship, looking straight at Sonic.)

Sonic: Other Ray? How are you here?

Rusty Ray: You underestimate the council. Time for you to go down with your ship. Fire.
(Rusty Ray points at the Metal Marauder, with the Egg Robos beginning to fire lasers at the ship. The pirates begin to panic.)

Sonic: Where’s the princess when you need her?

Chapter Text

(Inside Egg HQ, an MP Metal Sonic is configuring a generator.)

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): (To Striker) Well, if it isn't our favourite badger. I have one question for you, and you need to answer it very, very carefully.

Striker: You've already stolen my tech and my freedom. What else do you want, you oversized excuse for a problem?

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): (Pauses, looking around to see if the others are listening. His younger counterpart is trying to repair Sage, his monstrous self is yelling at the zombie… and Stone is by his side, how it ought to be) There’s a whole multiverse of other worlds for us to conquer. And to do that, we'll need this mothership fully operational.

Striker: Couldn’t figure it out yourself?

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): (Checking a tablet with various energy signatures and designations) Do it or the emperor will probably have you ripped apart.

(Scene Change: SD-2607)

(Out in the sea, there's a battle going on between the Egg Robos and Metal Marauders crew, half of whom run for cover.)

Captain Metallix: You! You know these scallywags?!

Sonic: (While dodging lasers) Yes and no. Short version, they're after the Shard too.

Captain Metallix: You mean the crystal? (Ducks and braces himself, reaching for his sword)

(The Egg Robos continue firing lasers. Sonic notices Captain Metallix in danger... and speeds him to safety. Wood creaks from onboard the ship, resulting in the sail's mast completely snapping off.)

Rusty Ray: By order of the Chaos Council, surrender or be scrapped.

Sonic: Ray! I don’t know this you, but I know you might be in there! Let’s talk it out, pal.

Rusty Ray: Quiet, interior model! I

(Sonic and the crew confront Rusty Ray.)

Sonic: How are you even here? I’m the one passing through, last I checked.

Rusty Ray: The Barrie’s have thinned. And as for how I am here, every word is now the Council's for the taking. Surrender or sink.

Metamorphia: Wha''s the plan, Cap'n? Hang 'em from the yardarm, send 'em down t' Davey Jones, cleave 'em t' scrap?!

Sonic: I hear you talking, but I have no idea what you're saying.

(Metamorphia drops back, confused.)

Rusty Ray: Fire.

(The Egg Robos start firing at the crew. The whole crew are directly hit by a laser, blowing them back to the other side of the ship and knocking them down.)

Sonic: The Metal Marauder is holding up surprisingly well.

Metamorphia: Yar, she's stronger than she looks.

Captain Metallix: You gonna do something, Cap'n?

Sonic: You bet I am! I know most of this crew. (Jumps up, pointing his finger up and flapping his legs.) They're a well-oiled fighting machine.
(He runs onto the broken mast - with a wobble - and waves his arm forward.)

Sonic: Battle stations, go, go, go!

(He gets struck again by a weapon, while the crewmates run around. Metallix confronts Sonic.)

Captain Metallix: You bill-sucking buffoon! You don't know what to do. You never even heard the name of the ship—

(Mark 3 picks up a barrel, but Mark 2 drags him out of the way from weapon-fire... and places him next to a cannon.)

Mark 2: Let’s crush them!

Metamorphia: Aye, aye, Number Two!

(Mark 3 leans on the cannon pointing it upwards and fires it without looking, not even bracing himself from recoil. The Egg Robos and Rusty Ray watch the cannonball move up and down as it flies back towards the ship, alerting Sonic. In slow motion, Sonic Homing Attacks the ball, bouncing off both of them as it aims towards its target. The ball hopelessly dings off an Egg Robos head and splashes into the water. The robots communicate briefly before shooting lasers again, causing an explosion on the edge of Metal Marauder.)

Sonic: This is bad. Number Two!

(Mark 2 peeps from inside the larger barrel.)

Sonic: OK, pal, I may not know you-you, but I know other yous, and they've all got strength, speed and some very big jumps. (Whispers) Tell me you've got strength or I throw you off the side.

Mark 2: (Looking down) I’ll… crush!them!

Sonic: You're a beauty, you know that? Just a beauty.

(An explosion knocks them both.)

Captain Metallix: (To Sonic) Sound a retreat before we sink, you rat! 

(He dives to dodges a laser. Sonic's Regulators start whirring. The camera reveals that a Security Drone was spying on them.)

Security Drone: Shard energy compass calibrated.

Sonic: That's not good. Come here!

(He throws a Chaos Spear at the drone, but misses. It returns to Rusty Ray.)

Rusty Ray: This notes the end of our time together. (The robots are ready for combat) Vaporise them. Goodbye, buddy. (Cross-hairs lock on to Sonic, but as soon as it Captain Metallix, they aim at him instead. Rusty Ray sees a picture of a Sonic and Mighty in the former captains pocket. Sonic. Ray. Mighty. Sonic, Ray, Mighty. Ray, Mighty, Sonic. The capsule.)

Rusty Ray: No. Loyalty to Robotnik. Loyal to the empire. Loyal to the council. (Rusty Ray whirs and malfunctions a little.) Set course and we will be on our way. (The robots land back down) No need to waste time destroying damaged goods.

(Rusty Ray’s ship departs, while the Metal Marauder starts to sink. Sonic runs to the back of the ship. Mark 3 falls on his back and slides down the ship.)

Metamorphia: Cap'n, we're takin’ on too much water.

(Sonic tries to steer the wheel, but it's too heavy for him to push.)

Sonic: (Groans) Come on! I need you to steer!

Metamorphia: No point in steering a sinking ship, Cap'n. She only goes one direction, straight down.

Sonic: But they're after the Shard! (Leaves the steering wheel and runs to the middle of the ship.) Oh, no, no, this isn't over. I can fix this.

(The ship is not only sinking, but it is battered with laser-fire, and that the mast is damaged.)

Sonic: Fine, I can't fix this. (Brushing away tears that a metallic form doesn’t get to have) I'm no sea captain... but I know someone who is. Where's Metallix?

(Sonic speeds across, forcibly grabbing onto the alternate universe robotic copy of himself.)

Sonic: Metal! I don't care what version of you you are, you don't give up. It's your most annoying virtue. This Shard is my only hope of finding my home. I need you. Your crew needs you. You're Captain Metallix, captain of the Metal Marauder. Metallix!

Captain Metallix: I have been thinking of killing you since the moment I saw you.

Sonic: And I still saws your life. With your captaining and my speed, you're not gonna wreck on those rocks again. We can do it together! And I can get home!

Captain Metallix: And I'll finally get me treasure.

Sonic: And you'll forever be known as the legendary Captain Metallix! The legendary—

Captain Metallix: Aye. The legendary Captain Metallix.

Metamorphia: (Accent breaking as she attempts to stabilise her form) Don't worry, we're gonna be fine. Right, crew?

Mark 2: (Hanging on to the barrel) I’ll.. cru-tect. Prosh. Proshtect us. (Coconuts roll down the ship in front of them. He grabs onto Mark 3 with his regular hand.)

(Mark 3 lets out a panicked chuckle as he tries to grab his treasure, while Mark 2 grabs onto the top of the mast with his pincer hand as Metamorphia’s limbs start to tangle and around it.)

Metamorphia: Hold on to something!

Captain Metallix: Two, Three, get below, pump up every floaty you can find.

Mark 2: We’ll float this!

Captain Metallix: Metamorphia, mend the mast as best ye can, then hoist the main sail.

Sonic: I hoped you wouldn't abandon your crew, maybe there’s something— (gets smacked.)

Captain Metallix: I may be back, but it ain't for me crew.

(A Montage plays while they fix the ship. Mark 2 hoists the boat by wrapping a long chain of rubber rings around the edges. Sonic dashes back and forth, tossing water from barrels into the sea while Mark 3 carries a set of boxes. Sonic delivers the floating barrels and boxes form the sea. With Captain Metallix watching on, Metamorphia flies down and places planks over the damaged part of the ship, with Sonic giving her a thumb up. As soon as Metamorphia and Mark 2 make to the center and are ready, Captain Metallix passes Fairy Lights to them and strikes the mast to stand it upright. Metamorphia holds the top of the mast in place while Mark 2 uses the Fairy Lights to wrap around the mast. Sonic and Mark 3 are pulling the mast using the rope.)

Sonic: Pull!

(The mast creaks and straightens up, and the Metal Marauder becomes fully afloat and starts moving again.)

Sonic: Yes, yes! Weird, but yes!

(The crew stand together inside the newly repaired boat.)

Mark 3: Whoo-hoo! 

Mark 2: We crushed it!

Captain Metallix: And now the Lighthouse.

Metamorphia: Uh, Cap'n, haven't you always said that the way to the crystal was...

Sonic: Certain death.

Captain Metallix: That I did. And it is. I've chartered a course in me mind. I don’t really care, I have a plan.

(Sonic looks at him concerned.)

(Scene Change: Day.)

(On Rusty Ray’s ship, the roboticized flying squirrel spies a hologram of Stone.)

Rusty Ray: We will reach the asset within the hour. (Stone flashes, causing incoherent speech and losing signal.) You are breaking up.

(Scene Change: MB-2508, Egg HQ)

Stone (MB-2625): Sirs, something’s wrong with the connection!

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): Oh, for the love of Chaos! (The zombified Eggman is still trying to stabilise his Sage)

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): It doesn't really matter, does it? We can communicate across worlds. Our takeover of the multiverse has begun.

(Emperor Robotnik grins and mimics combat and blowing up with a few small models while working on… something.)

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): Agreed. With our work complete, I'll give the squirrel the go-ahead on Operation Ultimate Obliteration.

Striker: (chuckles, uninterested) Eliminating Sonic is a bad idea.

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Arguing for the life of your fellow rodent? What a shock.

Striker: You kidding me? You’d be idiots to get rid of him before your technology is perfected.

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): It is perfected. We've traveled to another universe.

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): She has a point, we sent robots to another dimension. We’ve only barely accomplished what he's done without any technology. He's a living battery. (The power goes out again. The Chaos Council all sigh as the power goes back up again.) Till we know how he got the Prism Energy, we need him alive… if anyone’s going to crush my Sonic, it’ll be me.

Stone (MB-2625): You’re right. There’s too many questions we haven’t answered for us to start playing exterminator... at least, not until after we get what we need.

(The youngest Robotnik and the emperor attempt to not look longingly at Stone as Striker groans, half-glitched into Stab.)

(Scene Change: SD-2607, Stormy)

(The Metal Marauder sails along, with a tornado being created thanks to Sonic peeling out in a circle, while Captain Metallix steers the ship through rocks, with Flickies passing by. Metamorphia extends one eye outwards into a telescope and looks ahead. Up ahead is a stormy sky, Rusty Ray's ship and more rocks.)

Metamorphia: They're slowing down, Cap'n.
(Sonic stops peeling out and punches the air in relief.)

Sonic: Yes, they're slowing down. (Suddenly becomes nervous) Because of the rocks. As in the ones you wrecked on before.

(The crew have annoyed looks.)

Mark 3: (Annoyed chuckle.)

Mark 2: IT’LL CRUSH US! IT’LL CRUSH US!

Sonic: (Looking at some dangerously pointy rocks) Captain, this is your second chance. You know how to do this.

Captain Metallic: Faster! (Sonic returns behind the sail and peels out in a circle.) Run as fast as your inferior legs can go! (The ship sails faster. He flicks the steering wheel, turning the ship to avoid the rocks. The Egg Robos fail to communicate with one another.)

Rusty Ray: They are not slowing down. What are those fools up to? (Goes to a keypad) Chart a course to the island.

Captain Metallix: After today, everyone will know the name Captain Metallix and shudder! I said faster! (The ship moves faster, but it is heading towards a random colored ramp) Watch it, keep us steady. Hold onto your screws! (He jumps to the back of the boat and punches it, levering it to avoid the ship crashing into the ramp. It ascends up the ramp only to slip down. The Metal Marauder lands on Rusty Ray’s hovercraft and lands safely in the water again. Suddenly, the sails completely come off their ship.)

(Suddenly, we change universes to the Silver of MB-2508 escaping the consequences of his actions by running from Axey, sending himself into White Space. The sky has already turned black, parts of the ground separating.)

Silver (MB-2508): Ugh, the one time I try and stick to my world— (sees a large flaming cat-like creature) Blaze?!

(The dimensionally displaced Blaze that was removed by her 2605 counterpart is revealed to have become a colourless statue. Silver reluctantly takes out a Chaos Shard and tries to force it into her stationary hand.)

???: Do you want to play a game?

(A gloved hand emerges from a bright red gateway and forcibly pulls Silver through, causing him to drop the Chaos Shard.)

(Scene Change: SD-2607. Sonic is now at the front of the Metal Marauder, peeling out on the waters surface with a rope tying him to the front. Behind him, he notices the enemy ship passing b, leaving the rest of the crew scared.)

Rusty Ray: Full speed ahead.

(Sonic sees the hovercraft moving and getting away.)

Sonic: (locking in) I don't lose races, especially not at the finish line! (starts pulling the rope on the ship) Come on, come on, come on, come on!

(With a big strain, the Metal Marauder finally gets going again. But the ship shakes, causing Metamorphia to fall from the top of the mast and everybody else to slide along the ship. Mark 2 catches the falling Metamorhpia.)

Captain Metallix: Well, I'll be a salty sea dog.

(The crew cheer as the ship reaches full speed.)

Captain Metallix: Get to ye battle stations!

Mark 3: (Agreeing chuckle)

(They cheer again as they make their way to their battle stations. Metamorphia suddenly gains a tail capable of playing guitar and grabs onto said guitar while Sonic tows the ship. A target locks on to Sonic and beeps.)

Rusty Ray: Fire. Fire. Fire. Fi—

(He types a few keys on the keypad and pushes a red button. Laser guns pop out from the sides of the ship.)

Captain Metallix: Argh, dat be no good!

(The laser guns start firing. Sonic yelps while lasers hit him and bounce off the ship.)

Sonic: Lasers! (Jumps over a laser and groans) I hate lasers!

Metamorphia: (to Captain Metallix) If he dies, we put you up to that.

Captain Metallix: …understood. Man the cannons! Give 'em everything we've got.

Mark 2: Let’s crush them!

(Metamorphia, Mark 3 and Mark 2 load up their cannons, but the ship gets hit and tilts port-side.)

Mark 3: (concerned chuckle)

Captain Metallix: She'll hold. Return fire!

(They fire their cannon. Two cannonballs and Mark 4’s leg are launched in the air while the lasers continue firing, a target system locks on to some rocks and destroys them. It then zooms in on the flying Sea Dog and triggers the Eggforcer's warning alert, flashing red. An Egg Robo somehow slips on the slippery mess of a leg and falls into the sea.)

Captain Metallix: We finally have a use for him…

(A barrel of spare parts is opened up. The crew put the parts into the cannon.)

Mark 2: CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! CRUSH! 

(The various parts are launched onto the enemy ship's floor, causing another Egg Robo to slide off. Sonic then sees the glowing shard up ahead, becoming excited.)

Sonic: The Shard!

(He peels out faster, while on the ship, the last barrel of sea dogs opens up.)

Metamorphia: Last case of parts, Cap'n.

Captain Metallix: (Adding his old jaw) Make 'em count.

(They place the body parts inside the cannon while dodging laser-fire.)

Metamorphia: Fire!

(Four torsos and a jaw are deployed to the enemy's board, including one by Rusty Ray’s feet. The Egg Robos slide and are knocked off.)

Metamorphia: Whoo-hoo!

Mark 2: CRUUUUUUUUSH!

Mark 3: (Chuckles)

(Rusty Ray slides on a jaw and knocks himself onto the keypad buttons in a jawful accident. Their hovercraft moves out of control. Ray slides off the top of the ship and bounces into the water. Sonic propels the ship forward while the rest of the crew sense danger as the Metal Marauder nearly tips, the sails now acting as tails. The crew run away from starboard side as the two ships collide. Captain Metallix takes emergency action and jumps to the front of the ship where Sonic is.)

Captain Metallix: Heave to and prepare to be boarded!

Sonic: Board? (Annoyed, using the Blade of Courage for light) Not without me.

(He returns to the ship, while Egg Robos continue firing lasers. Captain Metallix jumps onto the enemy's ship and his good hand gets shot off, prompting him to implant the sword in his wrist and stab the final one.)

Captain Metallix: And that's the last of ye scallywags. Come on, ye cowards, she's all clear!

(Rusty Ray somehow glides out of the water, making his way back to her ship and rejuvenates the Egg Robos, surrounding Captain Metallix. With nowhere to go, the robots point their tazers at him. With Rusty Ray also watching, Sonic jumps in to ally someone who should probably be his enemy, preparing for combat.)

Rusty Ray: You dare attack us?

Sonic: (Grinning… the best he can without a mouth) In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight! Let those who worship evils might, beware my power—

(He spins around Captain Metallix, and pinballs into the Egg Robos and breaking them all, to Rusty Ray’s annoyance. Sonic lands and confronts Rusty Ray with broken robot parts everywhere, causing him to growl. The crew all cheer and join in with Sonic and their Cap'n.)

Rusty Ray: Enough of this. Squad three, get the Shard.

(He pushes a red button. Captain Metallix watches on as another squad of Eggforcers go after the glowing shard in the distance.)

Captain Metallix: Rider, go! They're after the treasure.

Sonic: (After defeating more robots) No, you go. I'll hold them off here.

(Another Egg Robo goes face-to-face with Captain Metallix, but the Cap'n goes in behind and chops its leg off. He runs to the front of the ship.)

Captain Metallix: Blast. I don't think I can make it. It's too far!

Sonic: (Comes in, grabbing the Cap'n's suit.) Can't make it? Too far? (Lets go of him) Hey, remember when you threw me off the ship?

Captain Metallix: (Who definitely did that while the readers were seeing what Silver was up to) Aye.

Sonic: Well, you need to learn how to spin, my friend.

Captain Metallix: No.

(Captain Metallix tosses Sonic into the air with his remaining hand. While falling, Sonic spins and knocks out all the Egg Robos in a zig-zag.)

Rusty Ray: After him.

(Rusty Ray and Captain Metallix begin fighting while Sonic continues gliding. He looks down and lands on solid ground, looking up at the glowing Prism Shard at the top of a mountain surrounded by a whirlwind of circulating rocks.)

Sonic: (Bubbly eyed, smiling) My way home…

(He suddenly looks back, noticing that Egg Robos are approaching him. He makes a run for it, combining the blade and his Enerbeam to start climbing up the mountain. Meanwhile, Rusty Ray tries to punch Captain Metallix, which he ducks to dodge with a yelp. He swipes a random sword to attack, which he dodges with a crouch, splitting his legs. He then jumps up to dodge his arm attack - which hits a wall - and cuts into his arm to attack him directly. While he still stands, Captain Metallix kicks at him, but he uses his tail to block the attack. Behind him, Metamorphia extends her arms to crush one.)

Metamorphia: Ya! Heads up, cap’n!

Captain Metallix: I thank ye fer dat.

(Rusty Ray hits the distracted Captain Metallix with his tail, knocking him to the edge of the ship, wobbling.)

Captain Metallix: Avast!

(He falls off the edge, only to be rescued by Mark 2, who drags him back on.)

Mark 2; Let’s crush them!

(They are both struck suddenly by a charging Egg Robos body, crashing into something off-screen. Captain Metallix and the crew are exhausted and wounded. They groan as they try to get up, with Rusty Ray confronting them with more Eggforcers.)

Rusty Ray: You will make decent quality scrap:

(Rusty Ray raises his hand up. Captain Metallix prepares a spin dash.)

Rusty Ray: Really? Preparing for a Strike Dash?

Captain Metallix: (Chuckles) Somethin’ like dat. (He Strike Dashes away from the crew and off the ship.)

Metamorphia: He's left us.

(They turn around to their enemies. Rusty Ray prepares his tail to attack, but behind him - Captain Metallix appears - with a wink - and begins impaling Egg Robos, causing an explosion. He lands and looks at her proudly.)

Captain Metallix: Where were we?

(Rusty Ray rubs off some robot debris on his shoulder and stares at Captain Metallix, only seeing Metal Sonic in his place. Suddenly, he is electrocuted from behind and falls down, malfunctioning. It was from stepping on what’s left of Mark 4’s head, foot directly into the emptied eye socket.)

(Scene Change: Near the Black Prism Shard, stormy)

(Electricity flashes and sparks generate from around the Prism Shard while Sonic continues climbing as it eats away as the altered Phantom Rider outfit. The once-falling Magic Emerald and a Sol Emerald have become infused with the Regulators in his boots. However, the Egg Robos swoop in to attack him, crouching his head to dodge it. He retaliates by jumping off the wall and grabbing hold of the airborne Egg Robo’s head. After slicing off its head, he jumps up towards the next robot and grabs its legs to lever himself up to attack it from behind. He kicks it, hurtling it to the ground next to the mountain and uses the robot's legs to launch himself at high speed up towards the top of the mountain. The last active Egg Robo makes it before he can and it stands next to the shard. Just as the robot is about to touch the shard, Sonic throws the blade at it, going through its core. He is now only a few steps away from the shard, which pulsates.)

Sonic: Finally. (Sighs) Two down, who knows how many more to go.

(He puts his hand out, trying to grab hold of the shard. So many Sonics are reflected in it, his old roboticized self staring back for a moment. It is now safely in his mechanical hands. And you know what they say about mechanical hands? They’re the ruler of everyrhing in the end.)

Sonic: If I can fix the Prism... (He smiles as lightning crackles in Captain Metallix’s view.)

Captain Metallix: (Sighing) Rider, he got the Shard. (Another swarm of Egg Robos fly above him and head towards the Shard, cutting short his plotting.) He's gonna needs some backup. (To the crew) I'll go get 'im. Be right back.

(Captain Metallix sets off, while Mark 3 and Rusty Ray stare at each other in shock. Flickers of a young Knuckles go by in Rusty Ray’s view as he forces his eyes shut.)

Mark 2: I’ll crush—

Metamorphia: Tie ‘em up.

(Mark 2 drops his arms while Mark 3 nods in agreement.)

(Captain Metallix charges along the sea towards the shard, while Sonic watches out for Egg Robos while he tries to protect the shard.)

Sonic: Is this all you’ve got? (He dodges an Egg Robo body attack, and makes a run for it with the shard, ducking to dodge another Egg Robo, while intercepting another two with a punch, followed by a homing attack. With Sonic distracted, the Egg Robo tries to snatch the shard away from Sonic. Lightning crackles, while Captain Metallix notices what's going on and peels out as fast as he can. Meanwhile, after a moment, Sonic pulls the shard away from the Egg Robos grab and kicks it, sending it into the whirlwind. Lightning strikes again, hitting Sonic causing him to scream and fall off the mountain while still holding the shard.)

Captain Metallix: Rider!

(He charges as fast as possible towards the shard, ripping it out of Sonic’s hands. Sonic is knocked into by a sudden dimensional crack opening below him. The storm clouds clear and Captain Metallix celebrates and laughs as the shard belongs to him, taking the dropped Blade of Courage.)

(Scene Change: White Space.)

(Shadow picks up the previously dropped Chaos Shard, the ground fully separated and looking more like floating crystals with a pitch blackness below.)

Shadow (MB-2523): Where’s that damn—

(Memories that couldn’t be his hit him. One Shadow in the middle of a serious conversation with what looked mostly like an echidna, a Shadow standing with another red and black being, another Shadow turns away from helping anyone.)

Shadow (MB-2523): No, that is not— that is not me.

(One Shadow is now some sort of winged beast, pummelling a silver-quilled hedgehog under his hands. Another is as young as the Sonic he knows. Almost all of them are in different times, different places. One of them is looking at Maria and the professor in this very world between worlds. In another, Sonic and Tails are there when he’s released- but he’s not on the Ark, he’s on some sort of island.)

Shadow (MB-2523): No, that couldn’t be-

(Another Shadow faces a much different sounding Robotnik, he faces down a group of six in another. He’s bleeding out in front of Maria— then a Maria who’s laughing mad, he’s facing down a Roboticized Tails and Knuckles— no, no, it couldn’t be the ones he knows.)

Shadow (MB-2523): I need to put an end to this.

(Chaos energy begins to crackle around his body. Another version of him, restrained and facing his own metallic copy. These Shadows are not him. Who is he in a sea of himself? Fighting something that looks like Maria. That Shadow is desperate to get her back.)

Shadow (MB-2523): Make it stop! I am not them, I am not them, I am me. I am—

(The memories finally get too overwhelming. A cloaked Shadow using a weapon he doesn’t recognise, a more squid-like Shadow chasing down that silver hedgehog from before, a Shadow sitting by Maria’s bedside after he finished work for the day. A Shadow with a half-roboticized body, a Shadow with half of his body ripped away as he puts his hand through an undead head. A version of him visiting a much nicer Eggman. Another Shadow sinks fangs into innocent flesh. Another version of him, one very much like him looks on as beings of light and dark argue until the world is destroyed in an explosion of colour, his body melting into a puddle of darkness, the memories ending with a Shadow surrounded by the Chaos Emeralds, standing over Sonics body.)

(Sonic screams, returning his usual body as he falls into the damaged space. Shadow kicks an asteroid-like crystal in panic, which Sonic dodges. Sonic groans, rubs his head and stares at him, trying to figure out if it’s his Shadow or another that is glitching.)

Sonic: Shadow? Ugh! I don't have time to deal with whichever one you are. 

Shadow (MB-2523): (Overwhelmed) JUST STOP TALKING! (Throws a Chaos Spear at him.) 

Sonic: (Catching it, worried) Okay, you clearly aren’t good in the head right now. (winding his arm backwards) Maybe my return policy can help you out!

Chapter Text

Memo #5

My universe had been reset. I had been reset. Time began to ‘ripple’, sometime around Little Planet. I don’t know what caused it, I don’t know how someone could’ve done something like that on such a large scale.

It scares me, to be honest. What if the world had been wiped entirely?

I have to remind myself it’s still me against the same hedgehog.

Or at least, it was before I caused all of this.

I don’t trust that other me, the emperor. We are the only reason he’s still ruling over this universe. That and none of his music is original. I get having a playlist, but can’t he at least try to make something of his own?

That zombie only seems to be capable of any supposed greatness when there isn’t a Sonic in front of him.

I know how he ended up like that from his Sage, I don’t understand how she would stay with him after that. Even I’ll admit trusting Sonic was the correct decision.

I did used to wonder if one could reset a world…

Memo #9

Stone slapped me. I should’ve been mad, but he proceeded to hug me, said I left myself open.

The emperor is only getting madder, his Stone being missing hasn’t helped anything. I’m scared to call him me at this point, he’s already moved onto working on a virus. If it’s his own version of the Metal Virus, I’m breaking the vial and locking him in with it.

I only like that younger version of myself. Based off of the recordings he left, he found Shadow much earlier than I did.

Part of me feels bad for him.

Memo #93

If you’re finding this, this obviously isn’t the ninety-third recording. It’s only labelled like this to keep the others from finding it too easily.

I want my world back. I want my daughter back. If I can reassemble the Prism and possibly return it to its original place in the multiverse, it should fix everything.

At this rate, the multiverse could start to collapse. My actions destabilised a load-bearing universe, now every world it held up suffers for it.

I almost miss that hedgehog.

Chapter Text

(Flashback: MB-2591, a few minutes after the shattering.)

(The Tornado lands as a young Sonic jumps from the wing, followed by Amy, Tails and Doctor Robotnik.)

Tails (MB-2591): Are we sure this is the place? The readings are all funny.

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2591): I’m sure it’ll be fine, we just need to be aware of our surroundings and follow the plan. Nobody’s seen anything of the Echidna civilisation in decades, this could be a legendary discovery!

(A strange noise begins ringing through the air. Amy freezes, her quills turning blue. Knuckles bursts from the ground, reaching for the emerald Sonic is holding only to turn bleached white and freeze.)

Tails (MB-2591): Sonic?

Sonic (MB-2591): Tails!

(Tails clings to Sonic, both freezing up as Robotnik becomes a glitchy mess of incomplete rings and machinery, drifting left to right without moving his legs.)

Tails (MB-2591): (Drops his tablet as it glitches out of existence, phasing through the island itself as he notices Sonic is gone) Sonic?

‘Sonic’: Oh come on buddy, don’t you wanna play a game?

(Sonic appears behind Tails as the latter starts to sweat, the air becoming hazy. His quills are too light. Sonics shoes are darker, a four-pointed hole through his chest. A red liquid is spattered over his face, his gloves covered in the same liquid. His smile hasn’t changed, his eyes pitch black with red pupils.)

‘Sonic’: How about hide and seek?

(Scene: White Space, not long after the shattering.)

(Shadow appears, holding a bolted together Fake Emerald.)

Shadow (MB-2523): He must be around here somewhere…

(He traverses and teleports through the white void to find Sonic, passing what appears to be Tails.)

Shadow (MB-2523): (Confused) Tails? If there were two Fangs… (shaking head) This isn’t the one I know.

(He continues traversing, past a mid-kiss Amy, past a one-armed Knuckles and an unfamiliar bat.)

Shadow (MB-2523): I just need to find Sonic… and that squirrel whose name I don’t remember.

(He picks a fragmented, tiny piece of a Prism Shard, comparing it to a crack in front of him. The colours match.)

(A montage goes by of Shadow running through various cracks between dimensions, gathering up chipped off pieces of Prism Shards. He rips one from inside of a Metal Sonic as it splits between its endoskeleton and an organic shell, he kicks the head of a pale puppet-like creature with pink and yellow glasses, damaging an Inhibitor Ring on the spikes of the armour, retrieving a piece as he notices the yellow Chaos Emerald.)

Shadow (MB-2523): What the—

Unnumbered Shadow Counterpart: What the—

(The montage goes on as Shadow runs through more and more cracks, past more and more statues of people that he hasn’t met, that he will met, that he will never meet. Ovi Kintobor attaches one of many communicators to his wrist, stabilising him mid-glitch. Ignoring a floating Sonic in what appeared to be Robotnik-made gear, Shadow is kicked in the head while trying to steal pieces from a Mobian cat, ending in some sort of deal as the two passed through an almost ghost-like world before parting ways.)

(Weeks later, White Space is now the cracked mess it was in the previous chapter as Shadow falls back in through another crack, a Gizoid head falling into the nothingness below.)

Shadow (MB-2523): All this time, and all I have to show for it is—

(Shadow, with all the Prism fragments he has, attempts to Strike Dash through a gateway. The gateway blocks Shadow from entering anyway. He groans and struggles as he tries to break through. He is then blown back, causing him to hit a glass rock and drop the Fake Emerald into the chasm. He then crashes onto another rock, rubbing his head in pain. He looks at his hands, realizing there's no Emerald in them.)

Shadow (MB-2523): The Emerald!

(Shadow looks around, before trying to run through the gateway again, repeatedly punching it. His punching somehow triggers flashbacks.)

Amy (MB-2523): Are you ready?

(The two stand outside of Vanilla’s house.)

Shadow (MB-2593): (Hesitates, then nods) As ready as I’ll ever be.

(Shadow continues punching through the gateway, triggering flashbacks of his world, smashing rocks to make tiling for a house, running around the forest with all his might. Shadow stops punching and drops back as the gateway generates a ball of light with red and orange streaks. As soon as the ball fully appears, Shadow dives in to punch it.)

Shadow (MB-2523): Sonic, I need to find Sonic. That is the entire reason I am here.

(A shockwave explodes from Egg HQ, followed by White Space, and New New Yoke, throwing Denizens around uncontrollably. Shadow lands on a rock and walks towards another gateway. Another flashback shows the Sonic of his world handing him the Fake Emerald, a race, a special race to see who’s truly the fastest. Shadow chases and faces Sonic - a white fog over his face. Was he already forgetting?)

Shadow: Sonic?

(Shadow is kicked out of some sort of interdimensional bar by what seems to be some version of Sticks, back into the White Space, causing Shadow to stop in frustration. He fishes for a while, reclaiming the Fake Emerald by hooking onto one of the bolts sticking out.)

(Another flashback, that unnumbered Shadow from before… from the other Shadows eyes. He’s standing with a Sonic, an older one and a silvery hedgehog who has quills like a Palm Frond. It’s not his memory.)

(More memories begin to hit him, bringing us to where we are now.)

Sonic: Shadow? Ugh! I don't have time to deal with whichever one you are. 

Shadow (MB-2523): (Overwhelmed) JUST STOP TALKING! (Throws a Chaos Spear at him.) 

Sonic: (Catching it, worried) Okay, you clearly aren’t good in the head right now. (winding his arm backwards) Maybe my return policy can help you out!

(A frustrated Sonic throws it at the ground below them, causing him to blow back and land on another rock, leaving a mark. As he dodges, Shadow punches into the rock that Sonic landed on from the blast. Sonic jumps from rock to rock to avoid Shadow...)

Sonic: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Whoa! Ooh! Ooh!--
(…but slips on one of them.) Ahh! Can't you just leave me alone? Don’t tell me I’m facing an evil you!

(Shadow sneaks in and attempts to kick Sonic, who spin jumps off three statue-ified versions of himself. Shadow growls and chases him again. Sonic uses his Enerbeam to swing from a rock, landing on another one on his back before landing safely onto another rock.)

Sonic: Alright. (He runs, in low gravity.) Gonna get back to New New Yoke, which is still a dumb name. Find Striker. Heh, maybe she’ll pass through and I can catch a ride. (Shadow appears from under a rock and flies behind him on his level.) Ugh, you again? Let me guess, you're Grumpy Shadow. Although that would be redundant. Shadow who needs a shower. Sheriff Shadow of Floating Rock World! Shadow who’s shorter than me!

(Sonic jumps off the end of the rock, striking a pose. At the same time, Shadow flies up from underneath the rock. Shadow grabs Sonic's leg, mirroring his pose before somersaulting him into another rock. He then pulls him up and does the same procedure again.)

Shadow (MB-2523): (Frowning) I'm stuck in here, never finding the Sonic I need to find!

Sonic: (Uninterested) Yeah, yeah, what else is new? Wait, are you— (Shadow starts shivering) Unless... (Gasps)

(Shadow abruptly hugs him, shaking.)

Sonic: Hey, hey! What are you-

Shadow (MB-2523): Just be quiet and let me do this.

Sonic: Never thought you were a hugger.

Shadow (MB-2523): (Looking away) I am just…

(Sonic hugs him in return, but Shadow pushes him off.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): (Still stressing) Too close to an enemy!
 
(Shadow punches Sonic - who dodges - breaking the rock apart.)
 
Sonic: Can’t you calm down for a moment? I don’t want to fight- (They land on a rock; Sonic catches his next punch) -but I can finish it.
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Why should I believe you?
 
Sonic: What do you think I’ve been trying to tell you? I’ve been running without sleep trying to fix what happened, I don’t even know if my world’s okay, I am not in the mood to fight you.
 
(Shadow starts feeling a bit guilty, clenching his eyes.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): (Sighs) Follow me.
 
(Shadow takes off. Sonic follows him, navigating between those lost to the cracks along the way.)
 
Sonic: How did you end up in here anyway?
 
Shadow (MB-2523): (Sighing again, looking ahead) My worlds Sonic went missing when everything started, it was either look for him and the squirrel or sticking with an already capable group. I’ve been stuck running from world to world through the cracks, it’s lead me nowhere. And you?
 
Sonic: Ol’ Robuttnik found the Prism, we rushed to stop him… but we were too late, he’d stuffed it into some new robot and overloaded it, so I tried to use a Chaos Emerald to teleport everyone out… but I couldn't reach the others in time. Next thing I knew, we were worlds apart.
 
(Shadow leads Sonic towards a crimson portal, reigniting it with the presence of a Prism Shard and various fragments.)
 
Sonic: Pretty sure that’s where I ended up first… (Lights glow on Sonic's gloves as he closes in on the gateway.) Have you gotten through any of these?
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Not exactly. When you get going fast and have a big enough power source, it thins the veil here. It's like it's opening a portal through the Gateway.
 
(Shadow rockets off with his Air Shoes, leaving the portal. Sonic follows him.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Some have been going gateway to gateway, I’ve only been able to slip through the cracks.
 
Sonic: (He points to a black space below the damaged floor.) What's down there?
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Not sure. From what I can tell, it's an eternity of darkness. No time, no space, just being trapped with your thoughts and the slow, cruel realisation that you’re forever bound to non-existence. When you unleashed a shockwave from that world, it blew me back to the outer reaches of this space. And lead me here. (The fragmented gateway appears.) And for reasons I haven't figured out yet, this Gateway let me in. Maybe it's because the world isn't fully formed, or maybe it's decaying, I'm not sure. But it's not whole. Like a ghost, a remnant.
 
(Shadow rockets into the yellow gateway. Sonic follows him.)
 
(̶S̶c̴e̶n̴e̶ ̷C̷h̵a̶n̷g̵e̸:̸ ̴M̵B̴-̵2̴6̵2̸5̴,̶ ̴G̶r̸e̵e̵n̵ ̷H̵i̵l̷l̵ ̸Z̷o̷n̸e̷.̶)̸

(They warp into the area. Sonic falls. While Shadow makes a safe landing, Sonic dives, striking another pose. He stops when he notices the colours of the landscape are like his world.)
 
Sonic: Whoa, this one looks like home! [He smiles as he explores the place, running through a Loop-de-Loop.) The Loop-de-Loop! Hedgehog's Pass! (Sonic stops as soon as he sees a burrow.) Sticks’ burrow! (He then runs closer to the beach, punching his fists in delight; affectionately) Palm trees! (He hugs a palm tree.) Mmm, just like home.
 
(--Sonic's eyes open as he hears an echo. He sees 'Tails' standing by a wrecked table, a smushed box by his feet.)
 
Sonic: Tails!
 
(He runs towards 'him', only to go through him and seeis ‘Amy’, holding a plate that should’ve had food on it.)
 
Sonic: Oh right, you aren’t here.
 
(Nearby is ‘Knuckles’, in the middle of moving a rock he was sitting on.)
 
Sonic: Knux… (sighing) I’d have said something a bit nicer if I knew I wouldn’t see you for a while.
 
(Sonic holds his throat, becoming miserable as more and more phantoms appear, people who didn’t even reach the party.)
 
Sonic: We hadn’t even gotten set up yet.
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Don’t let yourself get distracted, stewing in your feelings won’t help them. (He peels his gaze away from an apparition of Rouge. He’s never met her, why is her appearance bothering him so much?)

(An upset Sonic sits down on a rock. He looks at his gloves. There's nothing on them other than Regulators on the back of them, the Phantom Rider outfit reduced to the gloves and boots until he glitches again, causing the cape to revert to the one he was wearing before all of this. He sighs and looks down.)
 
(The apparitions seem to glitch, becoming a younger Chaotix, Trip, Tails, Knuckles, Vanilla, Mighty, Amy, a metallic Ray and a flickering young Sonic. Shadow gets distracted, stewing in his feelings.)
 
Sonic: (Notices, realising how young this Shadow seems to be while he looks at his gloves) How do I fix this? (He stands up.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): (Sighs in annoyance.) Come with me.
 
(Shadow runs, exiting the beach. Sonic follows him. They both pass by 'Big' and up towards Temple Mountain, which has a long crack. Sonic and Shadow make it to the ledge with the cave's entrance. Sonic looks at it in forlorn.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523):  (Firmly) Sonic.
 
(Sonic slowly walks closer to the cave's entrance. He looks ahead, sighs, and drops his arm. Shadow tries to ignore seeing his metallic arm as Sonic is replaced in his view by a cyborg, then a Sonic with a metallic leg and a Chaos Emerald in their torso, then another with red spiral eyes. He shrugs his head in an attempt to brush it off.)
 
Sonic: I guess that's a ghost, too.
 
(He sees the yellow Shard revealed inside the ghostly Paradox Prism. Shadow steps in next to a miserable Sonic, also looking at the Prism. There’s outlines of five missing shards and plenty of chipped cracks in those outlines. There’s a towering Heavy King behind it, the Phantom Ruby mid-explosion as it’s replaced with a generic Eggman mech. A flashback plays of Eggman shattering the Prism.)
 
Tails: We don't know what the Prism's capable of.
 
Amy: If Eggman wants it, it can't be good.
 
Sonic: Step away from the rock, Egghead.
 
Sage: Father, wait!

 (The flashback ends. Sonic breathes heavily.)
 
Sonic: (Upset) I would do anything to fix all of this, every world he’s messed up.
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Home. There could be a chance. (Sonic follows Shadow towards the lime Prism Shard.) There are six Shards, scattered across possibly infinite realities, your world shattered and everything else broke with it. So if we put them all back together…
 
Sonic: …everything would go back to normal!
 
(Sonic looks to see his left arm point towards the shard against his will.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Exactly.
 
(Shadow slowly puts his hand onto the shard...)
 
Sonic: Don't!
 
(…restoring a few fragments to it.)

Shadow (MB-2523): I’ve only found pieces, I wasn’t touching it.

Sonic: (Annoyed) Touching that thing is what started all of this. (Suddenly determined) Here's the plan. This shows us how the other shards need to be placed together. If we bring them back here and connect them to this one, it should work, it could work. It has to work.
 
(Shadow frowns again. It’s a plan that just came into existence.)
 
Sonic: Maybe we should get Striker. She’s kinda crazy, but she knows a ton about Prism energy than we do. She—
 
Shadow (MB-2523): No.
 
Sonic: (Becoming annoyed) No?
 
Shadow (MB-2523): No!
 
Sonic: Why no? I just said she’s, like, super good with this stuff.
 
Shadow (MB-2523): You can’t just trust everyone you meet.
 
Sonic: What are you talking about? Unless you’re talking about me—
 
Shadow (MB-2523): No. They're not the one’s you know, it’s not real.

Sonic: Dude, it’s real! Something else is real in any reality. And you know what else is real? The fact she saved my spiky behind. So back up off of Striker. I’ve done this whole multiverse business before, I know what I’m doing.
 
(Sonic points his finger at Shadow's face. The latter groans.)
 
Sonic: (Sighs) Okay, look. What matters right now is that we get the shards. We’ll bring them back here and then we—
 
Shadow (MB-2523): That's not the plan!
 
Sonic: Wait, dude, not the plan? It’s my plan, genius! Can’t we give it a try?
 
Shadow (MB-2523): (Closes in on him, annoyed) Sonic, you couldn’t stop Eggman breaking your world. Why would I trust you to do anything?!
 
Sonic: Okay, now you’re just being a jerk. But—
 
(Shadow growls, losing his patience and Spin Attacks Sonic into the rock. Sonic groans and gets up.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Your turn is over. I'm taking the tech and I'm going after the shards myself.
 
Sonic: (Angrily, while holding his arm) No way, Shadow! I know what you're capable of, and that's not gonna happen! Striker and all the rest of them are real! So the only way you're taking my tech is over my beaten-up body—
 
(—Shadow Spin Attacks Sonic and knocks him down again.)
 
Sonic: Can’t even let me finish talking, can you.
 
(Shadow tries to spin attack him but Sonic dodges, running out of the cave. Shadow catches up to him and in slow motion, knocks him off the cliff. The two hedgehogs punch each other as they fall. They spin to secure the landing. As Sonic goes to punch him, Shadow steals one of the Regulators off of Sonic's glove.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): That's one. (Sonic looks at his now tech-less glove in horror) Three to go. (putting the Regulator on his own glove) Want it back? Come and get it!
 
(Shadow pounds the ground. They spin attack into and bounce off each other. Sonic goes on the attack while Shadow dodges every move. They spin around each other. Shadow runs, causing Sonic to pursue him. The latter tries to kick him, but he dodges. They run onto the beach, around the decaying trees.)
 
Sonic: You want a battle? I’ll give you a battle.

(Sonic spin jumps and punches Shadow from above, but he dodges, rebounding by kicking Sonic up into the air, and spinning and tossing him into the rock, causing him to bounce off in mid-air. Shadow levels Sonic in midair and in slow motion, steals the two Regulators attached to the side of his shoes, reverting Sonic's shoes back into his regular ones. Shadow lands, having attached the two Regulators on both shoes.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Two and three.
 
(An angry Sonic spins at Shadow, who spins away to dodge. They spin and bounce off each other. Shadow spins towards the pier, being chased by Sonic. Out of the pier, they spin at each other several times. Sonic punches Shadow and chases him across the beach. Shadow rebounds off a wall and tackles Sonic into the sea with him, and grabs the fourth and final Regulator. Sonic clings onto Shadow's shoes trying to steal the regulators back, but Shadow wrestles away from him with a back kick. They return to the beach. Sonic is panting heavily and spluttering.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): That's it! I got them all. Now I can enter the Gateways, just like you. (Shadow looks at his gloves — the two Regulators are gone) How—
 
(It is revealed that Sonic successfully stole two of the Regulators. He places them on the back of his gloves, lifting his right hand with a green shimmer.)
 
Sonic: This game of tags getting boring.
 
(Shadow grimaces and chases Sonic again along the beach, around 'Big'.)
 
(Along a narrow road, Shadow jumps on top of Sonic, but Sonic spins to break the hold. They both run up the Helter-Skelter and through the Loop-de-loop, trying to spin each other off. They both jump at the end. They tumble through the air lengthways, with the feet at their faces. Shadow kicks Sonic and takes his Regulator, while the latter falls to the ground. Shadow tosses the Regulator up and catches it onto the back of his shoe, while Sonic struggles to get up.)
 
Sonic: (Sighs in exhaustion) One left. Come at me, bro!
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Nah. I'm good.
 
(It is revealed that Shadow has taken all four Regulators, attaching the fourth one to his glove while striking a pose.)
 
Sonic: Huh? (Reaching out in despair) No!
 
Shadow (MB-2523): So long, Sonic! See ya never.
 
Sonic: No, no, no, no! (Sonic peels out and chases Shadow. As he peels up, energy bolts gather around him. He loses control of his pace, sliding and glitching at various times.)
 
(Shadow looks back, grinning, before focusing ahead again. A multi-colored aura glows around Shadow as he runs to the top of the mountain and takes off, disappearing in an energy ball of bright light in the sky. Sonic has a glowing aura around him as he tries to warp, which flickers. As he takes off at the top of the mountain...)
 
Sonic: Just need power and speed, huh?
 
(Sonic finally uses the recharged Chaos Diamond.)
 
Sonic: Thanks for the tip.
 
(Sonic spins back down to the mountain and peels out to gain momentum, with a multicolored aura behind him. He jumps off the wall to retain his speed. Just before he hits the ground, he disappears in a white ball of light.)
 
(Scene Change: ‘White’ Space.)
 
(Sonic warps out of the portal at high speed and tackles Shadow, pushing him against the rock, which is piled onto by other rocks. The rocks then fall away from the two hedgehogs.)
 
Sonic: Give me back my te-- Aah!
 
(Shadow punches Sonic and breaks free of his grasp. They both crash land onto a long flat rock. They continue to battle each other with punches and spin attacks. Shadow then glides away in retreat, but is stopped by a rock. Rocks crash around Sonic and Shadow. the latter looks up to see more rocks coming down, then spin dashes away, while Sonic chases him likewise. They jump off at the end of the rock. Shadow lands onto one end of a long rock and spins it at the right time causing Sonic to land on the opposite end, then jumps off, followed by Sonic.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): (Sarcastically) Come at me, ‘bro’. You clearly cannot handle my power.
 
(Sonic tackles Shadow faster than he can blink, full of life once again as he stares down the counterpart of his rival.)

Sonic: Dude, do I look like I need your power? 

(They clash near one of seemingly infinite gateways, which explodes and causes another shockwave.)
 
Sonic: Huh?
 
(An annoyed Shadow knocks Sonic away. The Chaos Council's Mothership arrives into the void. Emperor Robotnik, inside the cockpit, smiles proudly. Shadow flies ahead.)
 
Sonic: The Chaos Council?
 
(He notices the Mothership heading towards one of the portals.)
 
Sonic: Oh, no. They're headed to the Boscage!
 
(He spin dashes, accidentally passing Shadow as they go after the Mothership. It makes it through the green gateway and disappears. Shadow tries to warp into this gateway, but struggles and groans, while Sonic catches up. Unfortunately for him, the gateway blasts Shadow back, causing him to become incapacitated, with silhouettes of various colours of light shown in a pattern.)
 
Sonic: Shadow!
 
(Noticing his somewhat-enemy in trouble, Sonic spins towards him. Shadow crashes into a rock, half of his body turned to stone, with other statueified people falling and crashing around him, thankfully not damaged. Sonic maneuvers from rock to rock, but the rock that Shadow is on glitches out of existence.)
 
Sonic: (Despairing) No! No, no, no, no! (After landing safely on a rock) Shadow! Shadow!
 
(With other rocks spinning and flying everywhere Sonic looks around frantically. The camera cuts to and zooms in on Shadow, falling unconsciously towards darkness. Sonic spins after him, then lunges and puts his arms forward. He grabs hold of Shadow, and lands onto a rock. He carries Shadow up, away from the infinite void, but soon they crash into a rock, crash landing onto another flat rock. Sonic removes the Chaos Diamond from hammerspace, placing it in Shadow’s hand while pocketing the Chaos Shard. They both get up; Shadow feeling his head in pain.)
 
Sonic: Wooo! I am exhausted!
 
(Shadow groans while he's in pain. Sonic perches onto a small rock, crossing his legs.)
 
Sonic: You're not dead. You're welcome. On the bright side, I'll get to hold this over you until everything’s fjixed. Oh, and, er, I'll take my tech back.
 
(Shadow looks at his gloves with an angry grumble. He realizes his regulators are missing. A electronic zap is made as Sonic re-removes the Regulator on right glove.)
 
Sonic: Mix that with the fragments and you should
 
(He shows off the other two Regulators on the sides of his boots, giving Shadow a thumb up, before sitting down on a small rock.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): I don't understand. I insulted you, I attacked you, I tried to abandon you in what’s left of your world! What kind of person would— (sighing) you’re you, of course you would. (Shadow lifts the false emerald from the ground, tucking it into hammerspace.)
 
Sonic: So, we gonna team up?
 
Shadow (MB-2523): (Grumbles and shakes his head) The only way to fix the realities he shattered is if we... work... together.

Sonic: Together? (Shadow groans) Wow. Coming from you that's, well, not like you at all. Man, you must really hate having to admit you need me.
 
Shadow (MB-2523): (Flashing back in the correct order, the stabilisation came after the encounter with Blaze) I already had that reconstruction plan with the cat, but I haven’t heard from her in a while.
 
Sonic: Blaze? Huh, nice to know there’s some version of her helping out. (Rubbing under his nose) I’ll go after the council, you—

Shadow (MB-2523): (shoving the Chaos Shard into Sonics hand, attaching a communicator to his wrist to somehow stabilise him) No, I have an Eggman to scramble. The emeralds power is enough.

(Shadow kicks Sonic through the gateway to SD-2607, jumping backwards to follow the council through while striking a pose, jumping through the gateway to MB-2511.

(Scene Change: MB-2511.)
 
(Shadow warps through the portal and spins down onto the wooden deck. He runs and looks up at the roaming Mothership.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): This time, you won’t get away from me.

Chapter Text

(̵S̸c̶e̶n̵e̴:̶ ̶M̴B̶-̸2̸5̸9̵1̸)̶

(Blaze becomes a firey tornado as she zips down a hill, a version of Cream trailing behind her as a loud, creepy laugh rings in her ears.)

Cream (MB-2525): Miss Blaze, where are we going? Is it away from the monster?

Blaze (SD-2605): (Slightly distressed) We are fine for now, as long as we stick together.

(Cream points ahead, a version of Silver with blackish-blue goo leaking from his arm is leaning against a tree, trying to re-attach a gear-like ring to his arm.)

(Scene Change: MB-2511)

(A portal opens. Coming out of it is the Chaos Council's Mothership, ready to look for the Shard.)

(Scene Change: Mothership)

(A shot of Forestropolis appears on one of multiple screens.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Eurgh, what a dump. I bet this place doesn't even have wireless. It’s all… green, full of life that needs to be burnt away and replaced.

(The two normal-ish Eggmen mutter in agreement, their zombified self ignoring all of them as he continues to work on repairing Sage, disconnecting one of his mechanically reattached fingers and entangling a damaged wire through it.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Button your lips and open your eyes. I want you back as soon as you've located this backwater worlds Prism Shard! And don't muck this up, like all your other tasks.

Zombie Eggman (MB-2505): (Rotating his head, sticks his tongue out and goes back to work.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Need I remind you I can always have you ripped apart? Or maybe I’ll have you as destabilised as your ‘dear daughter’.

Stone (MB-2625): (Lightly reprimanding) Sir…

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Quiet, you simpleton!

(The other two Eggmen share a judgemental expression.)

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): (Grumbles) Right? The nerve of him. If we hadn’t sent out Ray, I’d... 

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): Quiet, not while he can hear us and has some virus in the works. (Looking at Striker typing on a computer) At least we've got the nut to do all the work.

(Striker looks at the two with a nearly neutral look on her face, a small glitch hiding hiding a more frustrated look. She goes back to typing on the computer.)

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): Okay, smarty pants, show us your stuff. The sooner you help us get that Shard, the sooner we can get out of here.

Striker: How many times do I gotta tell ya, (glitching into Stab) the name’s Striker, and you eggheads never gave me access!

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): (With an attitude, a hint of recognition in his eyes) Do I have to do everything?

(He types the access code on the keyboard. A HUD of the spaceship then appears on Striker’s monitor.)

Striker: Huh. Full access. What a— (Striker doesn’t finish her sentence as Eggman glares at her) Alright, alright, forget about it. (Muttering) Soon, things will go my way.

(Number Two hesitates for a second, pressing a button that opens ther rear of the Mothership and a horde of Spy Bots are deployed. These robots enter and explore the jungle, and scan every object, including the loop-de-loop and palm tree. One of the robots beeps and flashes.)

Spy Bot 1: Shard energy signature detected.

Spy Bot 2: Chaos energy signature overwhelming! Coming from all directions!

Spy Bot 3: Dimensional rift detec—

(Sonagh screams and breaks the Spy Bot by jabbing at it with a spear with his quills stuck to it, while another robot gets chased off by Stone Rose, letting go of a robot part from her mouth.)

Stone Rose: I dunno what these creatures are, but they're going to destroy the jungle if we don't stop them. (Suddenly, she is approached by several Egg Pawns.)

(Shadow warps through the portal and spins down onto the wooden deck. He runs and looks up at the roaming Mothership.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): This time, you won’t get away from me.

(Elsewhere, a minute later.)

(Silver appears through a portal, in shock of the radically changed world. Adjusting Golds mask over his face, he floats down the remains of a highway.)

(Scene Change: SD-2607.)

(Sonic has now entered the world.)

Sonic: Not aga-a-a-in! (He splashes into the water, his stabiliser/communicator starting to spark, causing him to glitch once more, back into a roboticized counterpart.)

(Sonic speeds to the ruins of a market stall on dry land as his communicator flares to life.)

Striker: (Over communicator) Sonic?

Sonic: (mid-glitch) Striker? Where are you? Are you okay?

(Scene Change: Mothership)

Striker: Don't worry about me. I'm working on a plan to get the Shards from inside of this dump, quit worrying like Am- I mean Axey. The best thing for you to do is to get the Shards before they do.

Sonic: (Over Communicator) Are you sure?

Striker: You think I’m gonna steer you wrong? Besides, these eggheads are playing into my hands. They don't...

(Doctor Robotnik looks at her within the room, showing a bit of concern of what she is up to. He decides to forget about it and continue operating, pulling up a search on the location of Metal Sonic.)

Striker: (Continuing) Anything on your end of the woods?

Sonic: Got bounced into another world, got an idea of how to fix everything— (The connection cuts out, leaving Sonic to look at a stormy sky.) Okay, how do I find a band of pirates in the middle of a massive flooded world? (Sonic looks around a little bit before he climbs up a palm tree. He hangs onto the side of it and looks out into the distance, until he notices the mountain where the Devil's Lighthouse was located.)

Sonic: There!

(He begins charging across the water, heading towards the mountain. Suddenly, another portal opens, and coming out of it is the some sort of tube-like ship, ready to look for the Shard.)

(Scene: Ship)

(Doctor Robotnik and a small group of MP Metal Sonics are on a video call with Doctor Eggman and Zombie Eggman.)

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): The Yolkomotive is primed and loaded.

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): Egg-cellent! We're on a tight schedule here, doctors, so we can’t mess around or else—

Zombie Eggman (MB-2505): (Disconnecting from the call) HEDGEHOG!

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): Don’t worry yourself, oh glorious Doctor Eggman. I’ll get the Prism Shard, don’t you worry about it.

(Back in MB-2511, Stone begins working to repair a Sage that isn’t his own.)

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): Now, Metals. If we want to find the Shard, (A DNA signature of Rusty Ray appears on the computer screen. His head begins flashing on the DNA.) we need to find that darn squirrel.

(Scene: The Metal Marauder)

(Rusty Ray appears to be pairing with the Yolkomotive so the Council can access his location. He soon finishes pairing and looks from his tied-up position at Captain Metallix.)

Captain Metallix: (Adjusting a replacement part taken from Mark 4) Metamorphia! Set a course fer me long awaitin' destiny.

Metamorphia: Aye-aye, Cap'n! Mark 2’s all finished with the banners.

Captain Metallix: Like he was supposed to an hour ago?

Metamorphia: And the cannon's been locked and loaded!

Captain Metallix: Finally! Let's go exterminatin' the competition. (He looks across and sees the second tube-like ship He pulls out his telescope and looks through it.) Dat’s no good.

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): Filthy pirates. Surrender the Shard and we will leave you with your stolen ship and your pathetic lives.

Rusty Ray: The Chaos Council has come for me and the Shard, just as I said they would.

Metamorphia: They can have ya back!

(Inside Doctor Robotnik’s ship, he has a video monitor up and Captain Metallix appears on it. One of the MP Metal Sonics tilts its head at seeing something similar to itself.)

Captain Metallix: If he wants me power, he can come down here and take it from me!

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): (Eagerly) Bring it!

(He presses a button and classic Egg Robos begin flying towards The Metal Marauder. They begin firing lasers at the crew, but they become determined and fight the Egg Robos. Metamorphia and Mark 3 dodge a few attacks from them before Captain Metallix kicks them down to the fight. Mark 3 picks up Mark 2 and throws him towards an Egg Robo. He does a battle laugh and hits an Egg Robo with his fist.)

Captain Metallix: You can't take it! Can’t take it take it take it take it take it! Can’t take it!

(All of a sudden, the Shard’s form begins fusing to the stolen Blade Of Courage as it burns brightly, giving Captain Metallix more power to fight the Egg Robos away. He does a battle cry and fires the Shard energy coming from his sword at them. Suddenly, he gets blasted with a laser and lands into a wall. After he falls, he loses grasp of the sword and it begins rolling away. An MP Metal Sonic picks it up and flies away. Captain Metallix runs up and begins threatening the doctor again.)

(Scene: Ship)

Captain Metallix: No! When I get me hands on ye lousy landlubbing lunatics, I'll take me blade and--

(Doctor Robotnik presses a button. The video monitor mutes, while Captain Metallix still yells at them, despite the monitor being muted.)

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): That filthy sea dog put up a fight. Give them a final volley to remember us by, Metal Sonics.

(Scene: Metal Marauder)

(Just when the Egg Robos were flying back towards the ship, the rest of the MP Metal Sonics emerge and begin firing lasers the crew Suddenly, a metal part near Rusty Ray explodes and begins smoking.)

Egg Robo: All systems are fully disabled.

(Scene: Ship)

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): Egg-cellent. (Strikes the dash) Great, now I sound like him. Leave the squirrel behind, you lot are more useful anyway.

(Scene: Metal Marauder)

(The ship begins to sail away.)

Rusty Ray: They are... (Eye twitches) ...leaving me?

(Scene: MB-2511)

(Inside the Chaos Council's newly parked Mothership, they receive a call. Emperor Robotnik answers it. The monitor goes slightly static, but eventually turns on properly. Doctor Robotnik appears on the monitor.)

Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): Fellow doctors. (Grabs the Shard-fused blade from an MP Metal Sonic holding it) We have the Black Shard in our possession. Securing in record time, I might add. (He gives the blade back to the Metal Sonic)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Just bring it back already! That bloated corpse is going to get himself killed at this rate.

Doctor Eggman (MB-2625): We’ll pick up a converter from home base and we can find you, send us you’re eggxact coordinates and—

(The monitor goes fuzzy, then suddenly cuts off. Striker begins typing on a computer.)

Striker: Idiots.

(Scene: SD-2607)

(Sonic is still running across the water, heading towards the mountain. He begins getting closer and closer. After he makes it, he spin-dashes up the mountain, then looks into the distance again. He can see the EggCraft floating away, but also spots the Metal Marauder.)

Sonic: Smoke! And a new Eggship. Gotta kick that ‘captains’ robutt.

(Striker calls Sonic. He answers the call.)

Striker: Sonic! The Council got the Shard!

Sonic: Striker?

Striker: I bought you some time. You gotta hurry if you're gotta get it back before the Mothership!

Sonic: Thanks, pal. And don't worry, (Flicks his nose) hurrying is what I do best!

(Striker hangs up. Sonic jumps and begins running once more towards the Metal Marauder so he can talk to the crew.)

Sonic: Wonder what happened to those Badniks? Okay, if I'm gonna catch that ship, I'm gonna need to get airborne.

(Sonic manages to make it to the Metal Marauder. He begins jumping up the sides of the ship and makes it to the top. He lands behind Captain Metallix.)
 
Sonic: Yo-ho, pirates!
 
(Captain Metallix hears Sonic behind him. He gets startled and throws Mark 4’s sword towards him. Sonic luckily manages to dodge.)
 
Everyone (w/o Captain Metallix): Rider?
 
Captain Metallix: You're… alive.
 
Sonic: (Picking up the sword) That's right, you traitor! (Loudly) Throwing me into the deep blue sea like that, what a mutiny!
 
Captain Metallix: Those scurvy eggheads stole me power.
 
Sonic: I heard. Your... power, huh? Hmm, well, whatever you're calling it, that was mine, that was our deal. Come on! We have to get this ship moving and go after them.
 
Metamorphia: The ship is damaged and we're not going anywhere.
 
Mark 2: (Adjusting his loosened eye) They crush us.
 
Rusty Ray: I can fix it.
 
(Everyone looks at Rusty Ray.)
 
Sonic: What about the council?
Rusty Ray: That was before they deserted me. (Rusty has another short circuit. Suddenly, his eyes flash yellow, then red before settling on blue.) I will join you. We will make them regret tossing me aside like scrap metal.
 
Sonic: Do you agree to follow my orders?
 
Rusty Ray: Aye.
 
(Sonic goes over to cut Ray loose.)
 
Sonic: This team's really starting to come together. (Sonic zips over to the top of the ship.)
 
Captain Metallix: Hmm. (Laughs maliciously) Dead or alive, he be mine…
 
(Metamorphia holds her previously undamaged, now over-stretched arm while glaring at Captain Metallix. Mark 2 puts his pincer hand on her back while Mark 3 joins her in glaring. Rusty Ray walks over to the programmer and begins typing on the screen, a memory flickering through his head: himself, Mighty and Sonic running from a giant boulder.)
 
Sonic: Good to be back on the same side again, huh? (Puts his hands behind his back)
 
(Metamorphia gives an unamused look towards Sonic. He leans on the head of the programmer while watching her fix The Kraken.]
 
Sonic: You think you can fix it?
 
Rusty Ray: Affirmative.
 
(Sonic's face lightens up.)
 
Metamorphia: I don't know. We couldn't get it working.
 
Rusty Ray: Rerouting stored energy from solar collectors to ignition systems. Overwriting safety protocols. Rebooting main drive and engine sub-systems.
 
(The Metal Marauder begins to function again. Lights begin to come on. The  crew are delighted that the ship is finally working again.]
 
Mark 2: You crushed it!
 
Mark 3: (Delighted chuckle.)
 
(The ship begins setting sail. Meanwhile, inside Dr. Robotnik’s aircraft, two MP Metal Sonics are angrily fighting because of the monitor disconnecting from the video call.)
 
Red MP Metal: Did you try—
 
Yellow MP Metal: Of course I tried that! How about overriding the—
 
Red MP Metal: Don't you think that was the first thing I did?
 
(They both look at the monitor again.)
 
Yellow MP Metal: I can't find a single thing wrong with it.
 
(Suddenly, the aircraft begins shaking. The monitor shows the aircraft on-screen, showing that one of the engines has been destroyed.)
 
Red MP Metal: We've been hit!
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): What's going on?!
 
(Outside of the aircraft, The Metal Marauder can be seen shooting at the EggCraft.)
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523):  Them?! It can't be! We left it dead in the water!
 
Red MP Metal: Not dead enough.
 
(The monitor zooms in on Rusty Ray. He looks up and fires a laser at the monitor, destroying it.)
 
Red MP Metal: I told you we should've taken him with us!
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): No, you did not! (He hits the duo in the heads with a blaster.) We made a mistake in not sinking them earlier, one we'll rectify at once. Destroy them!
 
(Dr. Robotnik unleashes a lot of MP Metal Sonics from the aircraft. They begin flying down towards the Metal Marauder and attacking the crew. The ship narrowly misses and continues forward. However, the MP Metal Sonics are still determined and follow behind the ship, firing lasers at it.)
 
(Inside the ship, a crack opens, causing a Stone turned to stone to land inside. Confused and slightly panicked, Dr. Robotnik shoves a Chaos Shard he took into Stone’s hand, bringing back the man he loves.)

Stone (MB-2523): Doctor?
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Come on, we can't get any altitude with this damaged engine!
 
(Stone snaps to attention, observing his situation.)
 
Agent Stone (MB-2523): Then turn off the autopilot and let me show these problems why they don’t mess with you.
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): (Hiding heart eyes under his glasses, breaking out in an evil laugh) Oh, how I’ve missed you!
 
(More Egg Robos begin unloading from the aircraft.)
 
(Scene: Metal Marauder)
 
(Sonic can be seen taking the wheel, kicking Captain Metallix away.)
 
Sonic: Hang on to your boots! Time to get what we came for.
 
(Mark 2 & Mark 3 can be seen blasting lasers at MP Metal Sonics, taking them down one-by-one.)
 
Mark 3: (Annoyed chuckle)
 
Mark 2: CRUSH!
 
(They both begin firing again, attempting to count how many they have each taken down.)
 
Metamorphia: (Splitting her arms into two, setting off four of the cannons at once) Don’t stop, lads!
 
Rusty Ray: Ten down, ten to go.
 
(Mark 2 lifts Mark 3, tossing him through three MP Metal Sonics.)
 
(Suddenly, the aircraft is fired at again. The aircraft shakes.)
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): We're getting killed out here. Where's the Mothership?
 
(Stone lightly pushes Dr. Robotnik to the side.)
 
Agent Stone (MB-2523): Enough. (Takes the wheel) You go down to the engine room and fix the communication motherboard, I will handle it from here.
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Just get us in position for pickup, there should be something about co-ordinates somewhere, I can explain on the way.
 
Agent Stone (MB-2523): Alright, now, first, we gotta shake these slouchers loose.
 
(The aircraft begins to go underwater. The Metal Marauder’s crew continue to fire at it until it goes underwater.)
 
Captain Metallix: (Forcibly pulling a lever) Hang on te yer gears an’ starters, we be goin' in!
 
(The ship begins to get lower and lower.)
 
Rusty Ray: Are we going under the water?
 
Sonic: But we're still outside! CHAOS CONTROL!
 
(Suddenly, time freezes. Sonic begins to pick up everybody one-by-one and take them into the inside of the ship. Eventually, when it's time for him to take Rusty inside, time speeds up. However, he hangs onto the cannon and refuses to let go.)
 
Rusty Ray: (Turns his head towards Sonic) Leave me here! I have a score to settle. (His eyes flicker out for five seconds as Ray breaks through for a moment) Tell Mighty I’m sorry.
 
(Sonic is blasted away and quickly runs inside the ship. As soon as he gets inside, he stops, gasping for air before he realises he can’t breathe. Can’t exhale. Can’t inhale. Doesn’t need to. He nearly notices the guitar pendant shimmering around his neck.)
 
(Scene: Water)
 
(The Metal Marauder goes further and further down.)

Captain Metallix: Where'd they go, where'd they go?
 
Sonic: Not so fast, Mister ‘nearly got the whole crew rusted’.
 
(Afterwards, he looks ahead and becomes shocked. He runs up to the front window of the ship, looking outside, but notices it's a bit too dark to see anything properly.)
 
Sonic: Somebody hit the lights!
 
(Mark 3 rips off the pulley for the lights. Metamorphia sighs and extends one finger until it pokes around, turning on the lights.)
 
(The ships go straight through a burning loop-de-loop. The EggCraft can be seen in the father end of the ocean.)
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): (Laughs) The suckers fell for it! Time to hit the rendezvous point and get the heck out of here.
 
(Agent Stone pulls on a lever, begins causing the aircraft to go really fast.)
 
(Rusty Ray realizes the aircraft is lurking right behind the Metal Marauder.)
 
Rusty Ray: (Yelling) The Chaos Council's craft is behind us.
 
Sonic: My way home is in reach!
 
(Mark 2, Mark 3 and Metamorphia all share doubting expressions as Captain Metallix reluctantly pulls out a lower deck wheel. Sonic begins controlling the ship and turns it back around, heading straight for the aircraft.)
 
(The Metal Marauder begins heading straight for the EggCraft.)
 
Rusty Ray: Eat plasma, deserters. (Begins firing like a little kid at the aircraft.)
 
(Dr. Robotnik screams in fear. Agent Stone quickly drives the aircraft away, while the Metal Marauder goes in the opposite direction, but turns around again and heads straight after the aircraft.)
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Mothership. Come in, Mothership! Pickup at the rendezvous point!
 
(Scene Change: MB-2511)
 
(Shadow stares at the zombified Eggman within the damaged, knocked down Death Egg Robot, a look of revulsion in his eyes. He ignores the Forest Fighters behind him.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Even undead, you’re despicable. I shall put you out of your misery. (He clenches the Fake Emerald.) Chaos Blast!
 
(An explosion explodes.)
 
(Scene: SD-2607)
 
(Rusty Ray begins firing at the aircraft again. Agent Stone quickly pulls the aircraft upwards, then Dr. Robotnik fires a few lasers towards the Metal Marauder. The ship dodges every laser, and Rusty continues to fire at the aircraft. Sonic pushes the ship further, along with Dr. Robotnik’s aircraft doing the same.)
 
(Rusty Ray fires yet again another laser at the aircraft, and it hits one of the engines. The aircraft begins to fall as Sonic finally turns the Metal Marauder away, smacking the aircraft with the sails.)
 
(The aircraft somehow aircraft crashes into the Metal Marauder. Everybody inside the ship begin to tumble as they run into the hull. Sonic manages to hang on to a side, holding up Rusty, who holds up Mark 3, who holds up Metamorphia, who is holding up Mark 2. Luckily, the ship manages to take a safe landing. Sonic runs out of the ship, then notices the aircraft. Anger flashes on his face. The two MP Metal Sonics come out of the aircraft, coughing and gasping for air they can’t breathe.)
 
Yellow MP Metal: Crazy pirates nearly scrapped us!
 
Red MP Metal: Huh? What's that? (Removes one eye to toss it at the ship, then realizes that it is… Sonic?)Arrrh! It's one of us! But blue!
 
Dr. Robotnik: (Panicking) The Shard! Secure the Blade!
 
(Sonic comes up the side of the aircraft and spin-dashes through the three remaining Egg Robos standing outside. He heads inside the aircraft.)
 
Sonic: Hey! (He grabs the Shard-infused Blade off an Egg Robo.) Got it! (Sonic comes out of the aircraft, only to be met by an MP Metal Sonic on the way out. However, he spin-dashes it down, then jumps onto its head and begins spinning the blade on his finger. He laughs.)
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Stop him!
 
(Sonic jumps off the MP Metal Sonic and does a chilled pose in the air, while also looking down at Dr. Robotnik as well and winks at him.)
 
Sonic: Better luck next time!

(Agent Stone begins firing lasers at Sonic.)
 
Agent Stone (MB-2523): I’d suggest standing still.
 
(Sonic dodges all of the lasers. He begins heading back towards the Metal Marauder, but turns around again.)
 
Sonic: A little help here?
 
(Rusty Ray realizes what's going on and begins firing at the aircraft. Agent Stone gets hit and is knocked down.]
 
Sonic: (Laughs) Nice shot, buddy! (Sonic ducks to avoid more lasers being fired at him. Two MP Metal Sonics begin racing after him.)
 
Rusty Rose: Will do. (He begins to shoot at the MP Metal Sonics)

(Sonic begins running around in circles, avoiding all of the lasers that the MP Metals are firing at him. Most of the MP Metals begin heading towards the Metal Marauder. Rusty Ray takes down most of them, but is suddenly thrown backwards. Ten MP Metal Sonics land onto the ship. The rest of the crew come out of the ship.)
 
Sonic: It's up to you now, my crew! Pirate like you've never pirated before!
 
(They begin charging ahead at the Egg Robos. Metamorphia takes down one using her sword, then Mark 3 takes down one by punching it. Rusty Ray smacks one with his tail, while mark 2 crushes one. Sonic continues to run from the MP Metal Sonics, smiling at them as he is running away, but is suddenly kicked in the face by Agent Stone and gets knocked into the water, dropping the Shard(? Blade?) at the same time. He begins charging, rocketing back to the surface. He begins looking for the Shard, but then notices Dr. Robotnik has taken it.)
 
Sonic: Uh... oh.
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Thanks, rodent. Gotta fly! (The airship begins to fly off, a very small army of MP Metal Sonics attempting to lift it from below.)
 
Rusty Ray: Not a chance.
 
(Dr. Robotnik laughs as he is flying away, but is hit by a laser, the airship falls again. He drops the Shard and Metamorphia grabs onto it. Captain Metallix rips it out of her hand, fascinated by it.)
 
Captain Metallix: Me power!
 
(Captain Metallix kicks Agent Stone into the water as soon as he dares land on the Metal Marauder, his torso sparking. He’s been shot through the torso, scratching his power source.)
 
Captain Metallix: He scores a zero from the judges!
 
(Captain Metallix starts to slaughter the MP Metal Sonics, kicking one in the head.)
 
Captain Metallix: Come at me, you yellow -bellied barnacles! Afraid of me, flying beatniks?! (A mad laugh leaves him as he lobs off Mark 3’s arm while stabbing through an MP Metal Sonic.)

Metamorphia: (Shocked, accent breaking) Is it me, or is the captain acting a bit…

Mark 2: I’ll crush him?

Metamorphia: Not yet.
 
(Sonic begins to stress as the aircraft nearly tips. Mark 3 is being thrown by Mark 2 towards an MP Metal Sonic. He takes it down with a damaged blade, but is bumped into by Metamorphia passing by.)

Metamorphia: Nineteen, twenty! (Goes flying backwards)
 
Rusty Ray: Twenty-one, twenty-two. (Goes flying backwards. He grabs the cannon and begins to fire again.) Twenty-three, twenty-four...
 
Mark 2: ...I’LL CRUSH! I’LL— (Mark 2 freezes on the spot, his eye flickering white.)
 
Captain Metallix: (Lopping the heads off of various MP Metal Sonics, imagining the Blaze of this world in their place.) Get back, ye rust buckets. I'll break your sea legs!
 
Metamorphia: Mark 2? Come on, move ye legs! (The same glow overtakes her eye.)
 
Mark 3: (Concerned chuckle, noticing a glow in Metallix’s eye as it overtakes his own.)
 
Captain Metallix: Rider has abandoned us. This be our final stand!

(Back at the aircraft, Sonic manages to break loose from Dr. Robotnik’s grasp. He spin-dashes off a wall and towards him, but Dr. Robotnik constantly dodges. After countless attempts, Sonic finally manages to knock Dr. Robotnik down to the ground. He faces Agent Stone, appearing behind him and kicking him down. Sonic stands on the side of the aircraft, holding his left arm close.)
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Get a load of this!
 
Sonic: Aww! (Winks and points at himself) You nearly hit me this time!
 
(Sonic dodges once more and the laser instead hits another one of the engines for the aircraft.)
 
Sonic: (Exaggerated) Oops! (begins heading back towards the Metal Marauder) And that's the way it's done.
 
(The rest of the crew look at Sonic with blank looks on their faces. He becomes confused.)
 
Captain Metallix: (Points the blade towards Sonic) He plans to leave you. He's a traitor, me crew. Can't be trusted, just like them! (Points at the aircraft)
 
Sonic: Hand it over.
 
(Sonic looks down at the Shard-corrupted Blade Of Courage.)
 
Mark 2: (Controlled) You abandon us!
 
Metamorphia: (Controlled) Ye left us at the mercy o' them robuts.
 
Mark 3: (Sinister controlled chuckle)
 
Rusty Ray: Just do not hit the Shard.
 
Sonic: (Exasperated) Mind control, seriously? Wait, what are you—

Captain Metallix: (Interrupting) With the princess and the hedgehog gone, someone else has to rule.
 
(Captain Metallix impales himself, the Black Shard replacing his power source. Spikes burst from his shoulders and back like armour, a false crown upon his captains hat, the corrupted Blade of Courage now in his hand. The sky begins to darken as blackness covers his joints, optics flashing white.)

Sonic: Oh no…

(Metallix roars.) 

Chapter Text

(Flashback: MB-2̵̯̝̂͗̏͆5̴̜̩̱̲̫͋̀͊̐͑̓͜2̵̢̻̳̬̎̒̊̎̈̚5̴̡̞͖͔͔̪̉̀̋͌͋͝? 2̷̡̝̌͛̍̐6̸̡̫͇̠͇̀͂̈͂͜?̶̧͍͙͈͚̿͑̚͘͜ 262̵̨̥͊̔̑̃5̸̡̭̼̞͐͝? - A Few Years Prior. June 23rd, 20XX.)

(Several of Sonic's friends are seen preparing for his birthday party on a meadow near a lake. Tails comes in running.)

Tails: (Panting) He'll be here any second!

(Sonic arrives shortly after.)

Sonic: Hey guys, what's going on? You having a party or something?

All: SURPRISE!!!

(Knuckles, Blaze, Rouge and Espio fire party poppers. Blaze claps as Marine—)

Sonic: Awwww, you guys.

(—Marine vanishes. Faint echoes of the freedom fighters flicker around them, nobody but ‘Silver’ notices.)

(Espio claps as the party begins. Sonic talks to Tails before being hugged by— Amy disappears. Knuckles pops a grape into his mouth as Rouge sneaks to the gifts to check for an emerald, Charmy throws three chili dogs into Vector’s mouth, with Espio annoyed at the duo's antics, Cream encourages Blaze to calm down, but Blaze looks ever so slightly antsy.)

Tails: It's kinda impossible to surprise you.

Sonic: (With his hand stretched out to a face that isn’t there, pink water dribbling from his mouth) You totally got me this time, I had no idea.

Tails: Yeah, right. Happy birthday, Sonic! Hope you like this.

(Tails gets a plate with a chili dog wrapped in a bow. Sonic quickly snatches the plate from Tails and— Knuckles disappears, the only one aware of it.)

Sonic: Like it? I love— (Gives a thumbs-up)

(A portal opens below Blaze. The sky begins bleeding white. Eggman appears with a new scheme, only to disappear with a scream. Vector outstretched his arms, hugging Espio and Charmy and Cream with Cheese as they freeze, abruptly vanishing from existence.)

(Sonic is suddenly a child again, scared and without a voice, weighed down by pink water coming from his lungs. He sees a fox, young and scared. He grabs onto him.)

(The fox disappears anyway. There’s no grass beneath his feet. He isn’t moving anywhere. He isn’t moving. His legs are stone. His lungs are full of nothing. A stormy-eyed hedgehog leaves the universe. The world is moved, it is reset.)

(Scene: MB-2625.)

(They’ve reached the same day again. It goes as it did before, except Sticks is there, the Freedom Fighters are actually there, Uncle Chuck is there. The déjà vu in Sonic’s eyes has faded away. Something strikes Sticks, something very wrong becoming unblocked in her brain.)

(And now a different Time Eater is responsible for what happens.)

(A Few Years Later.)

(It’s Sonic’s birthday again. Time is passing as normal. Everything is fine. There was a spike in energy only an hour ago. They run to stop Eggman again, only it’s too late: Sage found the Prism, Eggman loaded it into the arm of his mech… and reality shatters. Sonic jumps in front of the others. Sticks wakes up elsewhere.)

(Scene: MB-2511.)
 
(The mothership shakes as the earth cracks, hitting rocks along the way. Shadow blinks and scolds as he watches on, clenching a fist that was holding the golden Prism Shard not so long ago as Emperor Robotnik’s mech gets inside.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Hmm.
 
(Inside, Doctor Robotnik is on the pilot seat while Stone is in the back, working on both the other Sage and his own. He could rip apart the other so easily for his daughter, it’s not his Sage after all. But he doesn’t. Emperor Robotnik runs inside, the golden Shard tucked under his arm.)
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Gah. All this forestry is slowing us down! Someone take care of it! Now! (Cannons fire from the ship automatically, destroying the rocks. The zombified Eggman begins to decay elsewhere as Stab picks at his remains while the others look on in fear.)
 
(Emperor Robotnik turns around. On the other side is a generator occupying the white Prism Shard, an MP Metal Sonic and Striker typing on the keypad.)
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Metal, install the Shard.
 
(The MP Metal takes the golden Shard, the gleam spreading through it.)
 
MP Metal Sonic: Playing The Art of World Domination. Chapter One. Posture matters. (Striker scoffs.)
 
Striker: This is why I hate machines…
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Dramatically) Oh, and what a hypocrite we have here! Scowl while you can, rat. Soon the Chaos Council will have a third Shard in our grasp. Pray we still require your assistance when that happens.
 
Striker: As long as common sense exists, you'll need all the help you can get.
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Zip it! The only noise I want to hear is the sound of you upgrading the Shatterdrive to contain more prism energy!
 
(The mothership rumbles, knocking Doctor Eggman off his seat and flat on his face, dropping his coffee.)
 
Stone (MB-2625): Ivo!
 
(As Emperor Robotnik leaves, Striker’s communicator chimes.)
 
Striker: Badger to porcupine, can you hear me? Badger to porcupine, can you hear me?!
 
(Scene Change: SD-2607)
 
(The newly transformed Metallix stands on now-longer legs, coat fluttering dramatically in ice-cold winds.)
 
King Metallix: Last chance, faker! (Sonic's communicator buzzes.)
 
Striker: (Over communicator) Sonic! Can you hear me? Are you okay?
 
King Metallix: Sonic? Sonic!? (Lowers head) EXTERMINATE!
 
Striker: Who was that?
 
Sonic: (Deadpan) Sorry, I'm gonna need to call you back in like five... (dodging) Ten minutes.
 
(The whole of the Metal Marauders crew step closer and threaten Sonic.)
 
Sonic: Crew, it would be pretty nice if you suddenly changed sides right about now!
 
King Metallix: My brotherhood, exterminate!
 
(The entire crew mindlessly point their weapons at Sonic as the mind control spreads to Rusty Ray. They attack Sonic, forcing him to retreat with the same Shard he’s had since the first chapter.
 
Sonic: (Grunts) Looks like I oughta beat feet.
 
(Sonic runs to the other side of the ship,dodging attacks by the crew.)
 
King Metallix: (Jumps in front of the crew and threatens Sonic by swinging and pointing his sword.) EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!
 
Sonic: Well, when you put it that way. (As Captain Metallix swings at him, Sonic balances on one finger and sticks his tongue out, blowing a raspberry before glitching into a more kingly, aged version of himself before running across the sea.)
 
King Metallix: After him! (To Rusty Ray) Get this bucket of bolts in the air! Assemble the crew!
 
(The Red MP Metal is working on repairing the EggCraft. Yellow MP Metal sees Sonic through his binoculars.)
 
Yellow MP Metal: He’s abandoning ship… and the captain kinda absorbed the Shard?
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): What?! Fire everything we have!
 
Agent Stone (MB-2523): We can’t do anything else with our ship dead in the water, sir.
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Thank goodness the rest of the council doesn't know about our ‘predicament’.
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Over radio) You do realise you’re patched in, yes? Mothership to Yolkomotive, we're en-route, are you in position? I repeat, en-route.
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): (On radio, in panicked gibberish) No problems here! We'll be there with bells on, with the Shard in our possession. (The radio cuts out) Urgh! We need to move! How much longer until we're operational?
 
Agent Stone (MB-2523): (Puts on his goggles) I've already programmed them to commence the search.)
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): I’ll have our heads if we come back empty-handed. (sees Stone’s confused expression) Fine, I’ll explain now.
 
(Meanwhile, Sonic is running along the water, trying to hold the slippery shard.)
 
Sonic: I'll never hit top speed if they keep firing at me. All this water, it's just not natural. I always feel like something's gonna come up out of the darkness and... (Hears a vehicle coming from below.) What is that? (Sonic yells as he is shunted by the Yolkomotive and tossed up high in the sky. Inside, the crew inside the cockpit all yell too, Sonic manages to land perfectly.)
 
Sonic: Whoa-oa-oa-oa!
 
(Inside the transformed Roaring Marauder, Sonic's actions are being monitored by the crew.)
 
King Metallix: Off with his head! Off with his legs! Out with his heart! (The ship creaks) If she falls apart, I know who ta blame. (Mark 2 and Mark 3 look at each other blankly, somehow able to nod at each other behind his back.) Everyone on deck! And keep your eyes peeled for that blue bastard!
 
(Scene Change: ‘White’ Space)
 
(The Mothership destroys rocks with its cannon while being watched by Shadow. He jumps and bounces off a rock, pushing away a version of Marine turned to stone while luring the rock into one of the turbines, which breaks. Inside, Striker feels the quake effect inside the vehicle.) 
 
Striker: (to herself) Aliens?
 
Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Something definitely hit us.
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Look out the window, you idiot, something is always hitting us! (Another rock hits them.) I’m doing the best I can.
 
(Another bang is heard, alerting the Council. Shadow kicks another rock into the Mothership, hitting it and breaking another turbine. The screen beeps and signals the damaged turbines.)
 
Stone (MB-2625): (Placing the two circular projectors into oddly Poké Ball-shaped containers) We should it down, before we’re blown to pieces.
 
Dr. Eggman: (Annoyed) I’ll send out a repair squad as well, but the more time we spend floating around, the more time Sonic has to find Shards.
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): We'd better tell the others we're going to be delayed. Mothership to Yolkomotive, we've hit a big ol’ snag!
 
(Scene Change: SD-2607, Yolkomotive)
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): D-delayed!? What's takin' ya so long?! We're in position! We've been at the checkpoint for hours!
 
(Elsewhere, Sonic - on dry land - hides behind a Palmtree watching the Yolkomotive float past.)
 
Striker: (Over Communicator) Striker to Sonic! Are you there?
 
Sonic: Striker?
 
(Scene Change: Inside the Mothership)
 
Striker: Huh, finally. Tell me you have the Shard.
 
Sonic: Funny story, Metallix kind of absorbed it and is going crazy, might take a while.
 
Striker: What are you waiting for? You have emeralds, use ‘em! And hurry, cause we’ve stopped for now, b- (It cuts out.)

Sonic: Right, multiverse in danger, stay focused.
 
King Metallix: We find the faker or ye all be walking the plank!
 
(The crew head to their battle stations and aim their weapons.)
 
Sonic: Ugh, he’s really losing it.
 
(--at the same time, cannonfire destroys the Palmtree he is standing behind. Sonic looks and sees that it's a guilty-looking Mark 3 behind the cannon.)
 
Sonic: Et tu, Knux?
 
(Mark 3 begins kicking the cannon, pulling the trigger with a spike from his boot multiple times. The bullets aim at Sonic, who starts running away again. Sonic is pursued by King Metallix and his crew.)
 
King Metallix: Nothing will escape the true master of the seas! Open fire!
 
(Mark 2 and Metamorphia fire cannons at Sonic, while he dodges the attacks. In slow motion, he manages to kick one back at them, nearly striking the blade, it fortunately misses the target. He Peels Out.)
 
Sonic: This really seemed like it was going to be easy. Get the Shard and run fast, which I'm awesome at...
 
(Shadow's face appears on Sonic’s communicator.)
 
Sonic: Gyah!
 
Shadow (MB-2523): You really aren’t. And where’s the shard?

Sonic: Funny story, Metallix sort of absorbed it and transformed into a wannabe king who can— (dodging a giant glowing sword) just create weapons out of nothing! It’s kinda hard to get up to full speed on water. Not to mention having his mind-controlled crew blasting at you!
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Then go where they can't blast you.
 
Sonic: I need solid ground. And I think I know just where to get it! By the time that ship gets here, I'll be a blip on the horizon.

(A massive cannonball lands behind Sonic, sending him into the air.)

Shadow (MB-2523): What was that about a blip?
 
(Rusty Ray’s sensor activates, locking on to Sonic.)
 
King Metallix: Target acquired. Missiles locked. You've been nicked, me loathsome copy. And I'm coming for ye.
 
(One missile has been deployed, homing at Sonic as he glitches into a shorter version of himself wearing a white fedora and jacket and with some sort of other communicator strapped to his wrist.)

Sonic: (Tries to speak, realising he can’t and begins typing on the other communicator) You have got to be kidding me. I’ll just have to find a way to beat Metallix all by myself.
 
(At the last split second, Sonic jumps onto the missile and. In slow motion, Sonic poses as it explodes on land. Metamorphia shoots a series of bullets.)
 
Sonic: (While dodging bullets, typing) You guys are gonna feel really bad about this!
 
King Metallix: (summoning a series of swords to fire at Sonic) Exterminate!

(Sonic begins to run around the massive shining cannonball from before, using Tornado Jump to crash it back into the water, forcing the Metal Marauder backwards and sending himself further away.)
 
(A cluster of homing missiles are deployed at the same time, crashing back into the ship.)
 
Sonic: (glitching into Scourge, recognising the gloves on his hands) Really wish I had his mind right about now, (speeding onto land) The guilt's going to be kinda unbearable!
 
(Sonic finally takes a breath, digging into a pocket that doesn’t exist and pulling out some of that Anarchy Beryl.)

Sonic: It’s not like it’s the Moebius stuff, right? It’s not like I can trick him into turning back, I can’t remove the Shard… 

(Sonic shoves half the Anarchy Beryl into his mouth, ignoring flashes of another Sonic watching his world be destroyed, the Master Emeralds explosion dragging Eggman down with it. A Sonic and Sally who remained together in their final moments. In a rage, King Metallix severs Mark 2’s sword-wielding arm, flinging it in Sonic’s direction… only for it to bounce off of him.) 

(Mark 3’s right eye flickers back to its original colour as he looks at the downed Mark 2, looking far in the distance at what is clearly a super form.)

Sonic: Okay, (grabbing Mark 2’s sword from the removed arm) my turn! 

Captain Metallix: (Yelling) Bring me Sonic the hedgehog, is time for his extermination! BRING ME SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, IT IS TIME FOR HIS EXTERMINATION! Lock the missiles to his energy signature, he won't be able to outrun them!

(Sonic looks back at the missiles suddenly chasing him, allowing them to hit him.)
 
Sonic: (Annoyed as he clenches his fists) This won’t last for long, gotta be faster.

(Sonic flies back towards the ship, pulling off a cyloop. The Metal Marauder is tossed into the air by a circular vortex of golden energy, golden spears ripping through the sail-tails and damaging the hull. Mark 2’s eye flickers orange, looking at where his arm should be.)

King Metallix: (Firing swords as if they were missiles) Exterminate! Exterminate!
 
(Sonic does a U-turn around a piece of land but once again, the swords copy his path and continue chasing him.) 

King Metallix: Fire again!

(The crew have all frozen up, all in disarray from being tossed around like metal-covered ragdolls.)
 
(More sword have been launched, forcing Sonic to begin dodging as his left leg is restored to its original colour, using the sword to block one, only for it to shatter.
 
Sonic: Uh-oh! (At the last moment, Sonic flies towards his alternate universe robotic doppelgänger. In slow-motion, Sonic pulls off a Stomp Attack on King Metallix, bouncing off and landing back on the ship.) Oh, yeah!
 
(Sonic reverts.)

Sonic: Oh no.
 
King Metallix: Arr! (Wagging his finger) Metallix cannot be defeated! It is my destiny to rule—

(Mark 3 leaps towards King Metallix, punching him hard enough to send his head spinning and knocking the Prism Shard out from his supposed captains torso.)
 
Captain Metallix: (Watching as his upgrades begin to glitch, reverting to Metallix and his original programming) Miss me? Didyamissme? (Pulling himself up, swinging at Mark 3) Now my blade goes twisty!

(Metamorphia stretches her arms outwards, settling on a more cutesy bear Mobian form as she restricts her former captain, putting her blade to his neck.)

Metamorphia: Not so fast, ‘captain.’

Metallix: (Laughing) Oh, you think that’ll work you disloyal simpleton? Resisting me is futile! I’ll come back! I will be back!

Metamorphia: Number Two? (Metamorphia tightens her grip, popping off one of Metallix’s arms and kicks it over to Mark 2.)

Mark 2: (Attaching the arm where his used to be, launching his pincer arm forwards and clamping it around Metallix’s torso.) I’ll—

Metallix: (Slightly panicked) What are you doing, you ingrate?! I saved you! I gave you a title! You were finally useful, more than what you were to the doctor!

Mark 2: (Slowly tightening his grip) I’ll. Crush. You!

(Metallix’s eyes go dark as his torso crumples, his head detaching from his body. Rusty Ray picks up the still-corrupted Blade Of Courage, handing it to Sonic.)

Rusty Ray: This is yours.

Sonic: (Taking it back, tucking it into Hammerspace) Thanks, buddy.

(Rusty’s eyes flicker again, a memory of being freed from the capsule— Sonic, Mighty, others he didn’t know.)

Sonic: (Looking to Mark 2, hesitant) We good?

(Mark 3 hands Mark 2 the captains hat, the latter donning it and staring at Sonic with his singular eye as Sonic glitches back into his original self.)

(Meanwhile, a white portal takes in the EggCraft.)

(Scene Change: ‘White’ Space)

(Dr. Robotnik pulls Agent Stone out of the ship, doing his best to hold him up. Red MP Metal follows after them, carrying his fellow yellow repaints head.)

Red MP Metal: Alas, poor yellow, I knew him—

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Quiet, you.

(Shadow bounces his way towards to the top of the returned Mothership, watching the Egg Pawns trying to repair the broken turbines. One of the turbines ignite a few times. Dr. Eggman is monitoring the activity on a screen while Emperor Robotnik looks over schematics. Inside his screen, Shadow bashes into and breaks one of the Egg Pawns.)

Number Two: Egg Pawn down.

(Number Two’s eye flickers orange as one Egg Pawns eyes flicker the same colour. Shadow dives into and defeats another Egg Pawn.)

Number Two: Alert! Black Arms hybrid detected!
 
(Shadow defeats an MP Metal Sonic.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): What the?!
 
(Dr. Robotnik arrives through the doors.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Angrily) Where’s the Shard? (To Stone) Where are we at with the engine repairs? (To Dr. Robotnik) Why do you have your Stone with you!? There's something out there!
 
(Agent Stone of MB-2523 and Stone of MB-2625 lock eyes, both nod at one another at the sight of the others Robotnik.)

(On the screen is a diagram of the still damaged turbines and a nearly full battery level.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Sixty-five percent! That's well within the operational range, isn’t it?

Stone (MB-2625): Precisely, we can deal with it easily.

(The five of them try to spot the black something speeding around their mothership.)
 
(Agent Stone presses an important-looking red button on the monitor's handlebar, igniting all the turbines. Emperor Robotnik had murder in his eyes.)
 
(Shadow continues to observe the mothership, clenching the Fake Emerald in his hand.)

(Scene Change: SD-2607.)

(Mark 2 and Sonic continue to stare each other down as Rusty Ray stands behind Sonic, not entirely putting it together if this is not the Sonic he knows.)

Metamorphia: Cap’n…

(Mark 3 takes Metallix’s other arm for himself, placing a hand on Mark 2’s shoulder.)

Mark 2: I’ll… (nodding) Aye. I (pauses, nodding head) crush you.

(A crimson portal opens as the Regulator on Sonics robotic arm flickers to life. Sonic turns to Rusty Ray.)

Sonic: So, you coming or what? I know a guy who’s been looking for you.

(Rusty Ray pauses, eyes flickering blue with red lines circling them, the words ‘Chaos Shard intact’ displaying internally.)

Rusty Ray: (pauses) Alright. (He takes Sonics hand) But if the Council acquires all the shards, total annihilation is inevitable.
 
Sonic: (smirking) Not as long as there’s four of us looking for ‘em.

(Rusty Ray spin jumps through the portal while Sonic strikes a pose. Afterwards, Metamorphia’s form begins to shift again.)

Metamorphia: (Growling) We let them go?

Mark 3: (Annoyed chuckle)

Mark 2: (Shrugs, using a copy of some Sonics communicator) Got rid of Captain. Now they out of way. We are free to crush the competition.

(Metamorphia breaks into a grin as Mark 3 lets out a triumphant chuckle as Mark 2 sets a damaged table back up, pouring out a mug of oil for each of them.)

(A white light bursts, Metallix’s remains vanishing.)

(Scene Change: ‘White Space’)
 
(There are only two shards in the generator, all being watched by the Chaos Council as Metallix’s body appears in a flash.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Set a course for the empire, we’ve got a rebellion to burn… even if some of you failed in your only mission, such a simple task!

(As Emperor Robotnik begins looking over Metal Sonic schematics from multiple dimensions, Agent Stone plugs one of the Sage’s into the controls, causing it to flash blue and red.)

Sage (MB-2505): Where am I? What happ— (her lights turn red) Request acknowledged.

(Stone hides the container of his worlds Sage inside of a random Metal Sonic head. Emperor Robotnik roars with diabolical laughter that Dr. Eggman and Dr. Robotnik echo.)

(Sonic appears in a flash of crimson, clinging to the edge of the mothership with Rusty Ray in tow.)

Chapter Text

(Scene: MD-1991, Evening.)
 
(A badly injured, pasty-skinned Eggman hits the ground. There is nothing but Green Hill Zone around him, Flickies and flowers and the remains of Badniks built by his native counterpart.)
 
Dr. Eggman (MB-2017): Who the hell do you think you are?

(His view glitches, a darkened Sonic wearing Infinite’s mask replaced by his current problem: a younger Sonic wearing a red and white ribbon around his neck, half-blind and donning a mask made from Badnik parts. It’s a cold night.)
 
Sonic (MD-1991): D’ya really have to ask?
 
(He sprints down the hill, spinning towards him.)
 
(Scene Change: MB-2508, New New Yolk, Night)


(Inside a ruined city, a few kids play around the area with some dimensionally realigned Chao.)


Axey: (Relaxed) Can you believe it? This is everything we hoped for.
 
Gloom: We’re still missing so many.
 
Axey: (Looking down) I know, and it’s not fair that they aren’t here for this. This is the first taste of freedom we’ve all had in nearly a year. With the council gone, we can finally make the world what we want, what its citizens deserve... return our home to what it was. All the trees... (Axey looks at an old picture of herself, Blitz, Glide and a Sungazer named Trek.)
 
Gloom: And the flowers... (They hear a rumble and look up at the sky. A Portal opens. They brace themselves.) I should have kept my mouth closed.
 
(They both make their way to the top of a building for a closer look at the portal. The Mothership appears out of it with Shadow clinging on to the edge of the aircraft.)

Shadow (MB-2523): (Grunting) This was not what I was hoping for!
 
(He falls off and pre-emptively curls into a ball. Rusty Ray’s eyes flicker yet again, sensors recognising Shadow with a memory of Stardust Speedway flashing by, a capsule on Angel Island.)
 
Rusty Ray: Ally recognised!

Sonic: Ray, what are you—
 
(Rusty Ray leaps off and approaches to Shadow’s level while falling, grasping his hand.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): (Confused) You? How— Chaos Control!
 
(Sonic drops to the ground as time pauses, negative energy crackling from it. He looks around and moves the clearest object to cushion Rays fall before time resumes. Meanwhile, Sonic lands atop the trash skip, which springs open for Ray to fall inside.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): You… found him?
 
Sonic: And that’s why I wanted to go after the council.
 
(Rusty Ray gets up and stares at the still-airborne Mothership, growling.)
 
Rusty Ray: Angry.
 
(The Mothership beeps while it attempts to land, with Agent Stone as pilot. It lands perfectly, lighting up New New Yoke, Gloom and Axey are dismayed.)
 
Axey: (frustrated, pulling out her axe): Seriously!?
 
Gloom: We can’t let them get awat again.
 
(Some kids playing with Egg Pawn parts. However, the robots become rejuvenated, forcing them to stand back.)
 
Denizen Rabbit: Sorry, Mr. Egg Pawn.
 
(The two rebels are spied upon by Egg Pawns.)
 
(Scene Change: Inside the Mothership, night)
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Relaxed) Ah, can't you just taste the soot and ozone.
 
Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): (Grunting disgustingly) We never should've left it in the hands of these ignorant peasants!
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Angrily) But we've already discussed this! (Normally) Leaving to gather two Shards was the prudent decision. Now we'll be powerful enough to make short work of them.
 
Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): You know I can't plan for multiversal domination with all those rebellion ingrates making a rocket! And didn't that dag-blasted rebellion start in your neighborhood?
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Rebels joined from all five districts. Besides, their hideout wasn’t in mine.
 
Agent Stone (MB-2523): May I suggest burning it?
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Save your rage, Stone. Each of us must clean up part of the house, so we can make a beautiful mess of this entire world in preparation for the multiverse.
 
(Red MP Metal and his pink repaint share a confused glance as an idea strikes Striker. Number Two keeps an eye on her.)
 
(Scene Change: New New Yoke, night)
 
(Residents are running away from an onslaught of Egg Pawns terrorizing the place. Gloom fends off a few of them with a rocket launcher.)
 
Gloom: Rescue operation, street side, now!
 
(They see two kids being cornered by two Egg Pawns. Axey swoops down and cleaves one in half, kicking the other through the torso. Gloom takes the kids up to safety. Meanwhile, Sonic starts searching around the place, Shadow and Rusty Ray in tow.)
 
Sonic: Be careful, there can always be other us-es around here.
 
(Behind him, he hears and sees smashed robot parts flung up in the air, followed by Gloom carrying the two kids.)
 
Sonic: Speak of the devil…
 
(Gloom takes out another robot then lands the kids to a safe place. He returns to Axey.)
 
Gloom: It's madness out here.
 
Axey: But not hopeless.
 
(They are approached by three more Egg Pawns, but are torn through by Sonic's Spin Attack. Sonic returns to meet them, standing on top of the rail.)
 
Sonic: Missed me?
 
(The rebels become shocked.)
 
Axey: Sonic?
 
Gloom: I should have known when everything went bad, that you'd show up.
 
Sonic: Hey, I'm here to help! Aaaaand I’m not alone.
 
(An Egg Pawn slams into Sonic, but he dodges. It’s ripped through when Shadow throws Rusty Ray towards it. He prepares a Spin Dash on top of the downed Egg Pawn to break it.)
 
Sonic: Gloom, meet Shadow. Shadow, meet Gloom.
 
(The two lock eyes. Shadow glances at Gloom’s rocket launcher, Gloom glances at Shadow’s stolen blaster.)
 
(Scene Change: Mothership.)
 
(Emperor Robotnik presses a button on the screen, showing Sonic being chased by Egg Pawns.)
 
Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): (Angrily in ascending tone) The cerulean simpleton again?!
 
Stone (MB-2625): He is a definitive bug in our game.
 
Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): (Entering) Peace, my brothers. The Blue Blight currently infests my district, and I will purge him like toxins after a juice cleanse. But first, (Types on the keyboard) let us secure our own Nest Egg...
 
(The kids run away from view while the shutter close.)
 
Doctor Robotnik (MB-2523): And give the rebels a little something to keep them busy.
 
Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): What makes you so sure you'll exterminate the rodent? He's bested you at every turn! Got any new ideas?
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Actually, no. Nothing new. (Three Egg Pawns emerge past the door.) I'm going to take some advice my Sonic gave me: recycling.
 
(Scene Change: New New Yoke, night)
 
(The Egg Pawns continue to terrorize the place, with kids whimpering and screaming and running in panic while Sonic continues to eliminate the robots with Homing Attacks.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Can’t let you have all the fun. (Gloom and Axey and take down more robots. They work together on another Egg Pawn, only for it to be finished off by Rusty Ray, who then steps in and meets the gang.)
 
Sonic: It's great to see you guys again, it really is, but I...
 
(Sonic is suddenly grabbed by the shoulders and turned to by Gloom.)
 
Gloom: (Annoyed) Answers! Where did you come from?!
 
Sonic: Well...
 
(A montage of flashbacks begin playing; Sonic ending up in a Sol Dimension, encountering Shadow in a fractured world, splitting up, returning to confront Dr. Robotnik, splashing in the water, gasping for air…)
 
Captain Metallix: Fire!
 
(…Sonic sent flying after the missiles exploded into each other. The flashbacks ends.)
 
Gloom: They have bigger plans than just our world…
 
(Sonic is then grabbed in the arm by Axey.)
 
Axey: You let the Council get their hands on (Grabs him tighter) more shards?!
(She lets go of him)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): (Reluctantly) Technically, I’m the reason they got the golden one.
 
Sonic: (Removing the black Prism Shard from his pocket, infusing it to Shadows regulator) But don't worry, we’ve got a plan.
 
Axey: (Annoyed) Haven’t heard that one before.
 
Sonic: I'm gonna bust into the Yoke, grab the Shards and rescue Striker.
 
Gloom: The badger with the attitude? The one who stole the Shard?
 
Sonic: (Stammering) I know she's a little rough around the edges...
 
Axey: (Sighing) It's not just the edges.
 
Sonic: ...but she saved you!
 
Gloom: And then she disappeared again.
 
Sonic: Because she was captured! We can trust her.
 
Gloom: (Suspicious) Him? I don't even trust you! (Points his glove to his face. Sonic puts his arm down.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Fine, one of me is enough. (Prepares to take off.) I’ll just...
 
Axey: (Covering his mouth) Quiet! (The camera pans above, where a series of propeller-topped robots float down from the sky and approach the gang, whom prepare themselves for combat. One robot chases a kid along a road.) They’ve never been so fast. Or this aggressive. (One robot grabs a kid with its fingers. Gloom takes off.)
 
Sonic: Which is exactly why I need to get into the Yoke like, yesterday. The Shards are what matters.
 
Axey: Go on, then. Don't let us slow you down.
 
Shadow (MB-2523): (Ignoring his Amy glitching over his view of Axey) Good.
 
(Axey and Gloom take care of more Egg Pawns.)
 
Sonic: It's fine. They can handle it. (Determined) Focus on the Shards, focus on the Shards... (Suddenly starts running.) Uh, why am I running into battle?
 
(He jumps and clings onto a Propeller bot trapping a kid. He breaks free of the robot's hold, sending a kid screaming and falling down, landing into the arms of Denizen 2017. Axey defeats another Propeller-bot. Three more Propeller bots chase Gloom, who hides behind a building segment. He pounds the ground to scoop it up in the air and punches it towards another Propeller Bot. Axey returns to him, but suddenly, a horde of Egg Pawns confront them, only to be finished off by Sonic's Spin Attack. They run across a road but are stopped and surrounded by more Egg Pawns, which are once again knocked out by Sonic with his Homing Attack, including one more from airborne. Sonic returns to the gang, whom are surprised.)
 
Sonic: Well, it's been a blast, but I gotta get to the Yoke.
 
(Prepares to take off, but Axey stops him.)
 
Axey: We're going with you.
 
Sonic: (Becomes annoyed) What?
 
Axey: We're all heading to the Yoke.
 
(Gloom and Shadow shake their heads in disagreement.)
 
Gloom: Why would we go to the Yoke? (Picks up a robot part) The streets are crawling with Eggbots again!
 
Axey: Now that the Council is back and more powerful than ever, we have to take the fight to them.
 
Gloom: No one likes a good dust-up more than me, you know that. But these grunts are green. I’m not sure how many losses we can risk.
 
Sonic: (Swaggers off slowly.) Love that you're talking this out, but I should've been there already. I can't wait around...
 
(Axey angrily steps in front of him, managing to intimidate Shadow into staying still while Rusty Ray holds onto Shadow’s arm. Shadow doesn’t stop him.)
 
Axey: You're gonna have to! This is bigger than you. If you fail, and the Chaos Council keeps the Shards, we're finished. And I'm not letting that happen. (Calming down) I know this isn't what we do. We stick to the shadows, we fight from the shadows, but this time, there's just too much at stake. We have to bring the fight right to them.
 
Gloom: Maybe there's a way we can do both.
 
(Scene Change: Egg HQ, night)
 
Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): (Angrily) We should make it bigger!
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Big surprise that Dr. Fatso wants it bigger.
 
Agent Stone (MB-2523): Give it Buzzsaws, carve them up.
 
(Striker clears his throat and appears with some Egg Pawns.)
 
Striker: You rang for me?
 
Stone (MB-2625): (Annoyed) How long are we putting up with her?
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): She's built us what we want, get rid of her already.
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Now, now. We're going to put him to work, but this one possesses a, shall we say, less-dull mind than the usual riff-raff? She'll appreciate this.
 
Striker: Appreciate what?
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): What we've built, of course.
 
(He displays the Shard generator. Striker is astonished while Stone looks back at the Sage forcibly plugged into the ships controls.)
 
Striker: You're harnessing the energy of two Shards? That much power is...
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Incalculable? Indeed.
 
Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): No, it isn't! Just make them bigger!
 
Striker: What are you guys doing?
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): The rat is confused. Perhaps a demonstration is in order. Stones? If you wouldn't mind.
 
Stone (MB-2625): ...Fine.
 
(Stone and Agent Stone each press a button. The generator unleashed an electrical dome which homes in on a broken Egg Pawn. It shines a bright light. After a moment, it is rejuvenated into a larger version. Striker looks at it in surprise.)
 
(Scene Change: Railway Station, night)
 
(A tram rides along the tracks. The gang walk down the steps quietly. They stop, but Sonic bumps into Gloom, prompting him to growl angrily back at him. Sonic notices they've been standing for a while, and becomes annoyed.)
 
Sonic: Oh, can we please speed this up?
 
Axey: (Annoyed) We're moving as fast as we can.
 
(He groans. Soon the rest of the team continued onward, followed by Denizen 2017 and two denizen soldiers. On the other side of the Railway are a series of Propeller-bots roaming the area. The gang run and hide to another spot. They peep through the wall.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Do we have any sort of plan for this?
 
Sonic: Yeah, we are kinda under a time crunch here, so...
 
Axey: We need to get into the tunnels on the other side of the station. Using them, we can get closer to Egg HQ with less eyes on the streets.
 
Rusty Ray: Simple sounding. Efficient.
 
(They hide back in and run past a tube, but the propeller bots are right in front of them as they exit. They combat the robots. Sonic Spin dashes up the barricade of a stairway and jumps to defeat a Propeller-Bot, followed by a Homing Attack - before Axey kicks away another bot. One of the soldiers is grabbed by a Propeller Bot and is dragged into the rail's path. A horn honks, causing him to scream, but Gloom saves him as the tram passes through, knocking out the bot. Sonic slides under another Propeller Bot to dodge its grab. Denizen 2017 grabs the Propeller Bot's arms, allowing the soldier to shoot its propellers. Another Propeller-Bot is destroyed by a tram. Rusty Ray smacks one down with his tail before Shadow brings his fist down into its head for safe measure.)
 
Sonic: Way to put the ‘team’ in ‘teamwork,’ everybody! Oh, looks like you can handle yourselves, so maybe I'll just take off.
 
(Sonic sets off, but a door rumbles and opens, unveiling some larger Egg Pawns, causing the gang to stand back.)
 
Gloom: The bigger they are…
 
Axey: The easier they get to tear down!
 
(Scene Change: Egg HQ)
 
(Striker is watching footage of the railway on the screen.)
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Enjoying the show?
 
Striker: It won't be enough.
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Not enough? Balderdash! My Jumbo Egg Pawns will pound that varmint into blueberry jelly!
 
Striker: We'll see.
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Yes, we will. You enjoy his presence, don't you? For all of your bluster, you think of that Sonic as a friend. Funny, I thought you were smart. (Striker keeps looking) Must be the crazy talking.
 
Striker: (muttering) I’m not crazy, I know what’s true.
 
(Scene Change: Railway Station)
 
(The bigger robot confront Sonic and his team. It prepares to jump on top of them, forcing them to clear out onto the rail tracks.)
 
Sonic: Whoa.
 
Axey: Gloom, we'll handle this one. Can you three clear the exit? (Sonic salutes and get to work; She points) Let's move.
 
(Gloom and Axey take on the large Egg Pawn. Gloom wraps a tentacle around its leg, distracting it, while Rouge flies around it and delivers a punch. Meanwhile, Denizen 2017 is caught by two Propeller Bots, but Sonic defeat them, leaving the wolf to fall to the ground Sonic gives him a thumb up, but another horn honks in the distance as two more soldiers confront the Giant Egg Pawn in the middle of the tracks. Sonic alerts and rescues the soldiers off the tracks as the tram zooms by, but is blocked by the heavy Egg Pawn. Shadow seizes his chance and gets to the top of the stranded Egg Pawn by breaking off a part. The robot pushes the tram along the rails and flicks Sonic away. Denizen 2017 uses the part as a gun and takes aim as Rusty Ray lifts it for the shot, firing and knocking down two Egg Pawns.)
 
Axey: Let's go!
 
(The gang run into the track's tunnel.)
 
(Scene Change: Egg HQ)
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): They destroyed my babies! My big, beautiful babies!
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): (Grumpy at everyone) So much for ‘just make them bigger.’ Next time, try laser eyes.
 
Agent Stone (MB-2523): Buzzsaws!
 
Stone (MB-2625): Flamethrowers are always an option.
 
Agent Stone (MB-2523): Buzzsaws!
 
Stone (MB-2625): Flamethrowers.
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Groans in anger) Enough! (Scoffs) I don't care! (--Grabs Striker and drags her away.) Do whatever you want. (The rest of the group look at each other.)
 
(Scene Change: New New Yoke, night)
 
(As three Egg Pawns roam together, Sonic watches on from the tunnel's opening. Down below, Lines of Egg Pawns march along the road. The rest of the gang join him.)
 
Gloom: I'm starting to think this was a bad idea. They've never had this many Egg Pawns, and they've never been this tough.
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Maybe at your size…

Sonic: Look, this is all getting pretty intense and it's a lot more than some of us signed up for. So, I don't blame any of you if you don't want to go any further. But I have to go. I have a badger friend to rescue and a world to save, every world, actually.
 
Rusty Ray: (Firmly) No. The Chaos Council are not going to stop at larger models, and you have a 93% chance at any sort of victory. We're with you, Sonic.
 
(Sonic looks up to them.)
 
Gloom: Just tell me who to clobber.

(Sonic nods and takes off, with Gloom and Axey landing on and breaking some robots. Denizen 2017 picks up a robot and throws it onto another, but dodges a ground pound from another Egg Pawn. He ducks to dodge an arm attack, until Rouge grabs hold of the robot and tosses it with her might into the flying fist of Gloom. Meanwhile, Shadow approaches two more Egg Pawns shooting back at him. He jumps and clings onto one robot's mouth. As the robot scans him, he taunts by moving his eyebrows. Sonic then looks over and evade an arm attack from another robot. In Slow-motion, a mid-air Sonic Homing Attacks the other Egg Pawn, and jumps around various parts of the landscape to dodge more lasers. One laser attack cuts off one of the rails, leaving a honking tram to de-rail and ram into a group of Egg Pawns. While more robots shoot at Sonic, one of them is hit on the head by a robot part. From above, Denizen 2017 body presses down on the Egg Pawns. Soon, they hear Denizens yelling in the distance. The two Denizen soldiers hide behind Robot parts while being shot at.. Gloom, dodging more lasers, hides and prepares to shoot, while Axey takes out another Egg Pawn. The shutters open, revealing two larger armoured Egg Pawns. The gang confront them. Rusty Ray charges towards them.)
 
Axey: Huh?
 
(Gloom fires a weapon at it.)
 
Axey: Forget it! They're too well armoured!
 
Gloom: We'll see about that!
 
(Gloom charges at the two armoured Egg Pawns and punches one of them in the head. The head pops back out and the Egg Pawn starts firing lasers from its eyes back at him.)
 
Gloom: Huh?
 
(Shadow saves him from the attack and takes him to safety, Rusty Ray dragged by his tail.)
 
Sonic: (Chuckling) If looks could kill, (Nudges Axey) am I right?
 
(The robot slams as it lands behind them, holding a flamethrower. It flames at them. Sonic retreats around the landscape and causes the robot to give chase.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Note to self, invest in flamethrowers.
 
(Scene Change: Egg HQ)
 
(The Chaos Council are watching the action on their monitor.)
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): (Punches the air) Yes! Barbecue that rodent!
 
(The camera cuts to Emperor Robotnik and Striker, the former looking away.)
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): We both know that the other members of the Council won't stop him. They lack vision and imagination, (Turns to her) unlike you.
 
Striker: Why thank you, I do always like drawing on leaves--
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Or perhaps you're just a stupid badger. (Goes right to her face.) Alone. Useless. Pathetic.
 
Striker: (Sarcastic) I'm pathetic? (Threatens him) You're the one with almost unlimited power, and all you can think to do is build a bigger robot.
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Cackles, then threatens her back with a large stun gun.) Then how about I recycle an old metal friend of ours?
 
Striker: You couldn’t even beat Blitz, you needed the shattering to get rid of him. No matter what you throw at him, he takes it. No matter how hard you hit him, he always gets back up! A real Eggman would understand how Sonic thinks.

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Grinning) Oh contraire, my little garbage-eating compatriot.
 
(Emperor Robotnik leaves with the shutters behind him.)
 
Striker: (Despaired) Oh no. (Speaks on her Communicator.) Striker to Sonic.
 
(Scene Change: New New Yoke)
 
(Sonic is in the middle of a battle.)
 
Sonic: Striker?
 
(Scene Change: Egg HQ)
 
Striker: Are you there, Sonic?
 
(Stone and two robots confront her.)
 
Stone (MB-2625): I would suggest you stop doing that.
 
(Scene Change: New New Yoke)
 
(Sonic Super-Peel-Outs and does a U-turn, as the robots walk closer to him.)
 
Sonic: Can't take your eyes off me, huh? Come on, do your worst!
 
(The two armored Egg Pawns scan him and fire a laser, which he dodges with a back-flip. He peels out and lures them to destroying more Egg Pawns. He spins in between then, jumps up in the air and in slow-motion, shows a relaxing pose to the viewers - causing the robots to blow up themselves - before landing back down.)
 
Sonic: Yeesh. (Kicks a robot part) You guys need some team spirit.
 
(Scene Change: Egg HQ)
 
(Three members of the Chaos Council are furious with the outcome.)
 
Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): (gasps) Dagnabbit!
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): No! No!
 
(Emperor Robotnik appears past the automatic doors.)
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Gentlemen! Why the long faces? Could it be that your plans amounted to nothing, again?
 
Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Well, if it isn't the cat that erased the canary. Where have you been?
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Answers aren't hard to find, if you know the right neck to twist.
 
(Stone then appears, holding Striker by the neck
 
Stone (MB-2625): Turns out our crazed prisoner has been in communication with Sonic (lifts up her Communicator) this whole time.
 
Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): I knew it! That rat's a rat!
 
Striker: (somehow biting Stone’s hand; furiously) I’m... a… badger!
 
Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): (furiously) I'm gonna turn you into a bath robe!
 
(Agent Stone begins searching for a weapon.)
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Ah, let's not be hasty. The badger can lure Sonic right to us.
 
Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): How is that going to help? He keeps beating everyrhing we make!
 
Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Exactly. That's why I have... something... better in mind. (Walks over to his demonstration in the generator room. The rest of the Council follow.)  We take our old Metal friend… and recycle him!
 
(Presses a key. The shard generator starts pumping up with energy. Striker looks on, worried.)

(Scene Change: New New Yoke)
 
(Meanwhile, Sonic and the gang finish off a battle and meet together.)
 
Axey: Nice job. Told you he'd make it.
 
Sonic: Make it? Uh... thanks. I can take it from here.
 
Axey: No chance. We've come this far. We finish this together.
 
Gloom: Easy to say. But we still gotta get inside. This place is locked down.
 
(More Egg Pawns arrive from the doors and attack the gang.)
 
Axey: Take cover!
 
(Sonic and the group hide while weapons are being shot at them.)
 
Gloom: More Egg Pawns? (A weapon hits his hiding spot. He groans) I hate to say it, but...
 
Axey: We're not retreating! We make our stand, here and now!
 
(Gloom' hiding spot get hit by another shot. He fires, along with Denizen 2017. Gloom attempts to form his hand into some sort of blaster, one of the Dark Arms infusing into him to finish the process. Shadow looks surprised.)
 
Gloom: We can't hold them off for long. We need to get inside, now!
 
Striker: (Over Sonic's Communicator) Sonic!
 
Sonic: Striker? About time!
 
Striker: Bring the others to the southwest doors.
 
Sonic: You okay? You sound strange.
 
Striker: I'll get you in, I promise.
 
Sonic: My inside badger is gonna get us in. Come on!
 
Axey: She’s been stuck with the council for days…
 
Sonic: And now we can get her out!
 
(They continue hiding from weapon-fire.)
 
Gloom: Not like we have another option.

Shadow (MB-2523): It’s that or running away.

(Gloom and Sonic run for it.)
 
Axey: Rebels! Fall back!
 
(They arrive at the top of a building.)
 
Sonic: Yes! I knew Striker wouldn't let me down. Come on!
 
(Then run and step outside the southwest doors. The doors open. They walk slowly inside.)
 
Gloom + Shadow: Well, this isn't ominous at all.
 
Axey: You don't like anything. Anyone got a light?
 
Rusty Ray: (lighting up as if he swallowed a flashlight) Affirmatron.

(The next set of doors open with a mysterious orange glow.)

Sonic: Striker?
 
(A robotic figure walks towards them.)
 
Sonic: Is that you?
 
(The robotic figure stops as they approach the gang, causing them to take a step back. Gloom puts his weapon down.)
 
Gloom: No, it's... you.
 
(Out steps a patchwork Metal Sonic, comprised of Heavy Metal, Captain Metallix, the decayed one, the Titan-based one and various MP Metal Sonics. It switches on and displays an angry facial expression.)
 
Metal Mania: Bio-data successfully copied, personality core reactivated. Bring it on!

Chapter Text

(Scene: MB-2508, New New Yoke)

(A pair of eyes watch from the sky, beyond a usual Mobians gaze, eyes from somewhere in the centre of the multiverse.)

(A patchwork robot steps out, approaching the five of them before wagging a finger.)

Metal Mania: Heads up, chucklenuts!

(…and charges straight towards Sonic, punching him and sending him flying into a wall. The two Resistance members jump back in shock. Shadow holds back Rusty Ray with one hand while shooting at Metal Mania.) 

Shadow (MB-2523): Another Metal Sonic… 

Axey: And it’s made of the scraps of others.

Gloom: How pathetic.

Sonic: Time to knock off this knockoff!

(The robot grabs onto Sonic.)

Metal Mania: ‘Knockoff’?! Oof, that stings! (Winks and taps his metallic head) From the top of my titanium reinforced head to my industrial-grade tookus! (Throws Sonic up to a ceiling. He begins to fall back down, to which the other two Resistance members join forces again, about to attack the robot, but he kicks Sonic away, and knocks down both of the other Resistance members at the same time. The robot does a hand-stand and winks again. Sonic gets thrown to a far edge of Egg HQ and almost falls off.)

Sonic: (Maintaining his balance) Woah, woah, woah! (Looks at the robot.)

Metal Mania: The name is Metal Mania. Like regular Metal, but with thrice the charm (Winks) and none of the FAILURE!

Sonic: Yep, you’re pretty pathetic usually.

Metal Mania: Au contraire, blue-hair! I know the doctors would disagree with you! (Jumps towards Sonic from a far distance, catching a Chaos Spear thrown by Gloom and throwing it at Shadow.)

Sonic: Chaos—

(Metal Mania ignores time pausing, punching Sonic squarely in the face.)

Axey: What, how did he—

Metal Mania: Bio-data successfully copied, genius!

(Egg Robos can be seen blasting lasers at Gloom and Shadow, but they fight back using their own weaponry.)

Axey: I really don’t want to say it, (groans) but I think Striker set us up. (Runs outside, with Gloom following behind.)

(Scene: Outside the Egg HQ)

Sonic: Seriously! (Puts his hand in front of his face, avoiding an attack from Metal Mania) Do something original for once!

(Sonic charges at Metal Mania, getting ready to punch him, but Metal Mania quickly dodges, and snatches the corrupted Blade Of Coursge onto Sonic's arm. He spins Sonic around, then throws him far away. Sonic gets up, preparing for Metal Mania's charging attack. Metal Mania begins to repeatedly punch Sonic, while Sonic spins around, lifting his leg up in the air, trying to kick Metal Mania down, but he misses. Sonic then tries to punch him, but misses once again. Metal Mania turns around and does an air-kick at Sonic.)

Metal Mania: Hi-yah! Fail!

Sonic: Hi-- Oh! (He gets up and sees Metal Mania charging for him, but he headbutts Metal Mania, knocking him back. Sonic gets dizzy.) I've gotta get Striker out of there!

Gloom: (From a far distance) Forget that two-timing punk! Get in, get the Shards, get out! That's it!

Sonic: (Points at himself) Some of us care enough-- (Metal mania suddenly appears, giving Sonic a headbutt back] Ow! (Sonic feels his head in pain, groaning. Metal Mania appears again, and begins to try and punch Sonic, but Sonic is using his hands to protect himself. They begin to arm-wrestle. Sonic glitches back into the hat-wearing version of himself, a zombie, Blitz and into an aged version of himself in a delivery uniform.)

Metal Mania: Wow, looking at you is like looking in a mirror! (Mockingly with a ‘sad’ expression on his face) Only I'm all old and pathetic!

Sonic: (Sighing) Is that really what I sound like?

(They both stop arm-wresting, while Sonic gives Metal Mania another headbutt, avoiding being impaled. Soon, Metal Mania turns around and pushes Sonic, while they both spin around on the ground, trying to dodge each other's attacks.)

Metal Mania: Missed me, missed me, now my blade goes twisty!

(Sonic kicks his feet up in the air, sending Metal Mania flying. The robot almost falls off the edge of the Yoke HQ, but manages to climb back up. He jumps in the air to behind Sonic and starts to push Sonic further to the edge of the Egg HQ, hinting that the robot is giving the hedgehog his revenge.)

Metal Mania: Ugh, I can't take it! You're just so tragic and smelly! Here, let me help.

Sonic: (Groaning, trying the hardest that he can to make the patchwork freak let go) Please... Stop talking...! Ah! (Sonic's legs begin to shake, then he falls off the edge of the Egg HQ. Just as he thinks he is about to fall, Chaos Sonic grabs onto his hand.)

Metal Mania: Gotcha! Saved your life.

(Metal Mania begins spinning Sonic around, then soon lets go. Sonic goes flying. Shadow attempts to join the fight, only to get kicked off the building himself and into Rusty Ray’s grip.)

Sonic: Woah! (Begins to scream, until falling into a garbage bin.) Ugh, so this is how Ray felt.

Metal Mania: (Jumps down) Have I told you my three-step plan yet? (Sonic lifts himself up out of the garbage bin, gasping for air. Suddenly, the garbage bin's lid closes, as Metal Mania is sitting on top of it. Sonic is left inside once more.) Oh, you're gonna love it.

Sonic: Hey!

Metal Mania: (Starts crossing his legs, only to realise the mismatched parts won’t do) Step one: Beat you to a pulp. Obviously. (Stands up, spreading his arms out) Step two: Take your face!
(The camera cuts to inside the garbage bin. Metal Mania continues to talk outside the bin, while Sonic begins to get annoyed.)

Sonic: Ugh, this guy just won't stop talking.
(Sonic spin-dashes out of the garbage bin, sending Metal Mania and the bin's lid flying. Metal Mania barely manages to land on his warped, dented feet.)

Sonic: First of all, stop talking! And second--

Metal Mania: (Grabs Sonic and throws him to the ground) Ah, ah, ah! You didn't hear my step three. (Walks over to Sonic, putting his foot onto the hedgehog, pinning him back down to the ground. Sonic looks up at Metal Mania, but then looks down again in annoyance.) I shrink the pool of fakers! You as a kid, you in the middle of a jam session, you in the middle of a chili dog flavored soft drink called ‘Chaos Sonic's Chaos Tonic!’

(Sonic rolls his eyes in annoyance.)

(Back at the Egg HQ, Gloom and Axey continue to fight the Eggforcers. Gloom uses his tentacles to rip the Chaos Drives from two Egg Pawns, knocking them down. Axey goes up to him.)

Axey: Nice one.

Gloom: That better be the last of them. (Looks down, seeing Sonic and Metal Mania fighting down below on the ground while Shadow and Rusty Ray are tossing themselves into the fight) Sonic looks like he could use a hand.

Axey: (noticing Heavy Metals arm) Spoke too soon...

(Both turn around, seeing four larger Egg Pawns emerging from inside Egg HQ. They begin to walk towards the duo. Axey throws her axe at one, only for it to bounce back into her hands.)

Gloom: Classic. (Absorbing one of his Dark Arms to somewhat restore his wings)

Axey: Help Sonic! (Shoots at one of the two Jumbo Egg Pawns) I'll hold them off as long as I can.

Gloom: (Memories flash before Glooms eyes. Rascal and Termina. Maria. Blitz. Glide. How many allies had they lost?) I won’t leave anyone behind this time, that includes you.

Axey: Yes, you are. That's an order. Go!

(Gloom runs off to go and help Sonic, while Axey continues to fight the Egg Robos. As two of the them get hit, they blast lasers in sync at Axey, but she tanks both, leaving her fur semi-blackened. Gloom looks back, worried about Axey’s safety, but then remembers how much they’ve both faced. Gloom backflips off of Egg HQ and flies down to where Sonic and Metal Mania are.)

Metal Mania: What's the matter? Stage fright? Don't worry. (Sonic looks up, and sees Renegade Knucks approaching) The show's almost over and you've had a good run, but it's time to take your final bow. (Metal Mania gets into a bowing position, but gets knocked down to the ground by Gloom’s Chaos Blade. Sonic is sent flying back.)

Sonic: (Determined) Aw, yeah!

Gloom: You clearly aren’t a match for Blitz, he would’ve handled this faster. (Taps on Metal Mania, but suddenly Metal Mania emerges from the ground, sending Gloom flying. Sonic looks angrily at Metal Mania.)

Metal Mania: From a [3 for One Special] to a four-on-one? Tsk-tsk. That's cheating. (Tightens his fist) Guess I'll have to even the odds.

(Metal Mania runs up to Sonic, pulling a happy face and doing two peace signs at him. Sonic tries to speed over to Rusty Ray, only for Metal Mania to send him flying, knocking him out. Gloom gets back up, and begins to repeatedly try to punch Metal Mania, who dodges every single time. Metal Mania sits down on a nearby bench, tricking Gloom, but runs off again as Gloom prepares to attack him, breaking the bench.)

Gloom: Stand still!

Metal Mania: Missed me, missed me, now here comes my fisty! (Impales Gloom)

(Gloom drops to the ground as Shadow manages to get behind him.)

Shadow (MB-2523): How dare you!

Gloom: (Clutching his wound) I’m (winces) fine, I’ve had worse.

Shadow (MB-2523): (Frowning) Ray, keep him company, I will assist Sonic. Perhaps I can run down his battery. (Runs over) You really want to be the new Sonic?

Metal Mania: (Looks at Shadow) I’m not the new him, I’m my own metal! I’ve got your data too, old-timer.

Shadow (MB-2523): Then how about a race? (Gets into a crouching position as he prepares for an upcoming race between them both)

Metal Mania: Oh, I'd love a race! (Claps his hands together in delight. He goes right up to Shadow, preparing to race as well.)

Shadow (MB-2523): See if you can keep up with the ultimate lifeform, machine.

(They both begin to race. Rusty Ray helps Gloom to his feet while dragging Sonic behind him.)

Gloom: (Gets up) Hm.

Rusty Ray: Your ally is in danger. Shall we assist?

(Gloom looks up at the Egg HQ, and then decides to go back and help Axey with taking down the Egg Pawns.)

(Scene: Egg HQ, computer room)

(On the monitor, Shadow and Metal Mania can be seen racing each other.)

Striker: (Shocked) You think that tin could really win? You’re insane.

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): I prefer… enlightened.

(Dr. Robotnik hides a slight worry on his face at this sight of his Shadow, distracting himself with coffee handed to him by Agent Stone.

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): The hedgehog has met his match. Metal Mania will destroy him! And with our endless supply of power, the Resistance is finished! (Begins to walk off, with the rest of the Chaos Council following behind. They all walk into a different room.) Now that we've seen what the Shards can do on a small scale, what say we widen our lens?

(Striker tries to follow the Chaos Council, but the Pink MP Metal grabs onto his arm, stopping him in his tracks. Striker lashes out.)

(An argument breaks out: smokestacks. museum! Colonnades, archways, friezes, busts-- Theme park.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): (Annoyed) Museum!

Emperor Robotnik: (Annoyed) Smokestacks!

Stone (MB-2625): (Ticked) Theme park.

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2625): (Yelling) Everyone pipe down! Staying local was never part of the plan. We have an entire multiverse we could rule!

Agent Stone (MB-2523): He’s… right. However, with this much Shard power at our disposal, you wouldn’t have to conquer those worlds... you can transform them into whatever we want, just like that. No more oceans, no more jungles. With the proper adjustments to the drive, the portals could stay open as long as we need. We wouldn't have to go anywhere. 

Stone (MB-2625): (Fake smiling) Imagine, universal domination from the comfort of our own home!

(Just as the Chaos Council were concentrating on watching Emperor Robotnik speak about his demonstration, they get distracted by a familiar voice from behind them. They turn around to see Striker.)

Striker: Uh, I wouldn't do that.

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Who's asking you?

Striker: Those portals are basically supernatural! Do you know what keeping those open could do?!

Number Two: Assessment correct. The shattering of the Prism and removing the Shards from their home universe has already destabilised every world it was holding up. Continued operation of portal technology could— (Suddenly worried) rip apart over four hundred universes, including our own.

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): (Piping up) The calculations make sense.

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Oh, so now you’re the expert?

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): I discovered multiversal travel before you ever started pulling from others!

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): And I’m improving it. Pay no attention to the rodents.

(Emperor Robotnik lifts up a device he has in his hand and presses a button on it, which shuts the door to the room that Striker and Number Two are standing in.)

(In the middle of New Yoke City, Shadow and Metal Mania can be seen still racing each other. A few seconds later, Shadow begins to perform a Strike Dash as he runs. As they continue to race, they race up a building.)

Metal Mania: Hello again!

Shadow (MB-2523): Stop talking!

(Shadow begins to Strike Dash again, while Metal Mania does the same. As they jump to another building, they are shown in slow motion. Time skips back to the normal pace, and Metal Mania catches up to Shadow.)

Metal Mania: Gotcha.

Shadow (MB-2523): Knock it off!

Metal Mania: Knock it off!

Shadow (MB-2523): Stop copying me!

Metal Mania: Stop copying me!

(The duo continues to do their race, determined to complete it. A destroyed Shadow Android with the Chaos Rings flickers over Metal Mania from Shadow’s perspective. Shadow skids to a stop. Suddenly, Metal Mania also stops as well, and flies towards Shadow, teleporting behind him. Shadow is knocked down to the ground.)

Metal Mania: And down goes Shadow! He can taste his impending defeat, which I'm guessing tastes like concrete and blood!

Shadow (MB-2523): (Gets up, wiping green blood from his mouth) Ugh. If my Sonic ends up half as annoying as this impostor, this is merely a test of my patience.

Metal Mania: Let's start by changing your face!

(Both Shadow and Metal Mania collide.)

Shadow (MB-2523): At least I have a face, at least I know who I am, at least I have free will!

(Shadow looks away from an enraged Metal Mania, and sees a bus passing by. An idea clicks into Shadow’s head.)

Metal Mania: (Literally turning red) I got to hand it to you, you don't just lose, you lose like a failure! (Metal Mania spins around, throwing Shadow away while accessing files on him) At least my creator is alive!

(Shadow sees the bus again. He decides to put his idea into motion as the Fake Emerald crackles with a dark energy while the black Prism Shard crackles in his Regulator.)

Shadow (MB-2523): (Points to himself) It’s time I send you back to the worlds you came from, piece by piece! CHAOS—

(Elsewhere, Sonic wakes up as the Regulator containing the crimson Shard lights up. Shadow’s right arm turns pitch black, reforming into a black and white Piko Piko Hammer.)

Shadow (MB-2523): (Confused) What? Wait a second— (Smiling) I can use this…

(Shadow grabs Metal Mania mid-charge, slamming his hand directly into the large robots face repeatedly before the power fades away, running off.)

Metal Mania: (Staticky) NEW OBJECTIVE: EXTERMINATE.

(Metal Mania follows behind, physically warping and expanding as new parts of other Metals begin to show, slowing him down to Shadows speed. Sonic looks behind him, hoping that he can get the timing just right, and quickly runs in a different corner. In slow motion, Shadow jumps in the air as Metal Mania does the same. The bus gets closer, and as Metal Mania realizes what's going to happen, Shadow smiles at him.)

Metal Mania: Oh no.

(Time reverts back to its normal speed. Suddenly, Metal Mania is gone, and the bus begins to lose control, and even bumps into a building.)

Shadow (MB-2523): Pathetic.

(Shadow looks up at Egg HQ. He begins to run back.)

Shadow (MB-2523): To think the doctor could do this…

(Scene: Egg HQ)

(The Chaos Council begin to exit from inside the Egg HQ out onto the rooftop.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Doctors! Rejoice! For today, we demonstrate the true power of the Paradox--

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Must you make a speech every time? Just do the thing.

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Trust me, you’re going to love it eventually.

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Scoffs) Fine. Whatever. (Gets his communicator out] Sage. Begin Operation ‘Stellar Terraformation’.

(Scene: Egg HQ, inside)

(Agent Stone can be seen standing at the computer than controls the Shards' energy, noting the nearness of the black and crimson Shards. He looks around a little, removing the alternate Sage from where she’d been dumped off before he types on the computer, then presses a button.)

Agent Stone (MB-2523): Energy extraction from the Shards is underway. Over to you.

(Stone is at a different device, sending his counterpart a site for customised wedding rings while attempting to repair his Sage, taking parts from the hollowed-out Omega. He begins to type on its keyboard, then presses a button. Soon, the top of the Egg HQ turns to the left, and Stone pulls a lever. The two Shards' energy begins to expand, combining together, and shoots a massive laser out of the rear window of the HQ's top. A black portal opens.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Chuckles) That should do the trick.

(Through the portal: MB-2511.)

(…and inside the portal is the Forest Fighters. Fly is experimenting with leftover EggTech on a statueified Knuckles. Salugh looks over plans while Stab scribbles on a leaf, Stone Rose and Sonagh are setting up their own date. Buildings begin to regrow in the world where they once were, and the group all get confused by what's happening around them. Salugh looks around in horror She looks at the dark portal leading to MB-2508.)

(Scene: MB-2508, Egg HQ, Inside)

(Stone presses another button, and the top of the Egg HQ now turns to the right. Stone yanks the lever, and the Shards' energy creates another massive laser that opens another portal...)

(Through the portal: SD-2607.)

(…and inside the portal is Captain Mark 2 and his crew of two. Buildings begin to emerge from underneath the water, and the Metal Marauder crew look around in horror, Mark 3 looks around frantically from the balcony. Metamorphia stands with Mark 2, looking at the buildings.)

(Scene: ‘White’ Space.)

(A dark red portal rips open as a hedgehog-shaped mass of darkness flies out from it, a pair of storm-like eyes searching for something.)

Silver (MB-2508): Where is she, where is she…

(Silvers eyes land on the statuified fiery creature, memories of other Blazes flickering by. It’s his Blaze. They aren’t close in any sense, physically or literally.)

Silver (MB-2508): Can’t stay here, things will only get worse.

(Silver extends out a hand, sharp fingers wrapping around her arm as he flies through a bleeding wound in reality, escaping into the wider multiverse.)

(Scene: SD-2605.)

(In the Sol Dimension connected to MB-2625, Blaze crashes to the ground from another dark red portal with a glare on her face and a statueified Cream tucked under her arm like a particularly sad football.)

Blaze: Everything’s intact, good.

(Ignoring SD-2607 and the much more firey SD-2007 bleeding into her own world for a moment, Blaze rushes towards the castle along cracked ground, past lost people trying to hold up the buildings and life around them.)

Blaze: I can’t ignore what he did, but this is more important.

(Blaze enters the castle, passing a voiceless, partially exposed Captain Whisker reluctantly guarding the door and finding a room with multiple Marines trying to brainstorm solutions.)

Marines: Blaze! You’re back!

(Blaze stands the statueified Cream in the corner, next to two other Creams, five Amys, a decapitated Captain Metal, four Blazes and six Marines.)

Blaze: (holding out her dimensional stabiliser/Communicator) I need this fixed as soon as possible, before anything gets worse, please.

(Scene: MB-2508, Egg HQ, outside)

(Emperor Robotnik, Dr. Eggman, and Dr. Robotnik can be seen standing together, staring at the two portals. The latter two share a concerned look at a vial sticking out of Emperor Robotniks pocket.)

(Back with Gloom, Axey, Rusty Ray and Sonic, they have finished taking down more Egg Pawns. They all end up backing into each other accidentally.)

Sonic: (Exhausted) Finally. We're done here.

(Three more Egg Pawns appear.)

Axey: (Annoyed) Oh, come on.

(Gloom aims one blaster-hand at an Egg Pawn, clutching the Chaos Shard in his hand as he begins to regenerate. Axey extends one arm around Rusty Ray, throwing him through all three.)

Sonic: Where’s Shadow?

(Shadow appears, striking a pose.)

Axey: And our metal problem?

Shadow (MB-2523): (Points behind himself, down to the ground) He had a bus to catch. 

(Sonic snickers while Gloom hides a reluctant chuckle, making Axey shocked. Back with Metal Mania, he can be seen kicking the bus away. He begins to gather up his removed pieces furiously, and runs back to the Egg HQ. Back at the Egg HQ, Sonic can be seen stretching, shutting one of his eyes twice at the same time.)

Rusty Ray: What are we supposed to do about these? (Points to the SD-2607 portal)

Gloom: We ain't going to be able to punch our way out of this one.

(Sonic nods in agreement. They both look at Axey.)

Axey: The sooner we get the Shards, the sooner we can stop this.

(Shadow looks at the dimensional cracks ripping open in the sky. A world different from his own experiencing the same thing.)

Sonic: Great point. (Looks behind himself) Let's go! Go, go, go! (Begins to run with Shadow and Rusty Ray in tow)

Rusty Ray: Going, going, going!

(Axey begins swinging her axe again, following along and grabbing one of Glooms tentacles, dragging him, only for…)

Metal Mania: (To Sonic) Hey, faker! Miss me?

(…Metal Mania shows up, immediately charging at Sonic. He pushes Sonic in the air, then Sonic lifts himself off Metal Mania.)

Metal Mania: Now, where were we? Oh, yeah.
(Metal Mania and Sonic begin to fight again) Ka-pow!

Sonic: I’m gonna punch you so hard, words describing the impact are gonna spontaneously materialize out of thin air!

(Metal Mania tries to do an air kick to Sonic, but the latter dodges. They try to arm-wrestle, but Sonic pushes the even-larger Metal Mania to the ground. Metal Mania quickly charges, and looks behind him, seeing Sonic dashing at him. They both spin on the ground again, trying to dodge each other's attacks, but Sonic lifts Metal Mania off himself. Sonic tries to do an air kick this time, but is unsuccessful. They both do another arm-wrestle.)

Metal Mania: (Cackling) You idiot! You might know everything I’m going to do, but I know everything every version of you wo—

(Sonic glitches into a cyborg version of himself, grabbing onto Metal Mania.)

Sonic: Stolen monologue exploited! (Sonic spins him around then throws him to the ground as the word ‘POW’ materialises in thin air, followed up by ‘CLANG’, ‘KA-POW’ and ‘ARM-SMACK’, revealing Sonic to have glitched back to his original self, ripping off his mechanical arm and repeatedly pounding Metal Mania with it.)

(Scene: Egg HQ, outside)

(Back with the Chaos Council, Stone shows up in his hollowed out Omega mech with Agent Stone in tow.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Reading a device) I'm picking up at least two more Shard signatures undiscovered somewhere else, two more coming from here.

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): (Takes the device) Which means Sonic has two.

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): So? That leaves two he doesn’t have.

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Well, then we’ll just have to take it all!

(Scene: Egg HQ, inside)

(Back with Sonic and Metal Mania, they are continuing to battle each other. They can be seen jumping from wall-to-wall, then jumping back onto the ground. Metal Mania punches the ground, while Sonic dodges his attack. Metal Mania punches and kicks at Sonic multiple times.)

Sonic: You’re a whole lotta talk for a guy made from failures!

Metal Mania: I’ll failure you!

Sonic: That didn’t even make sense!

(Metal Mania attempts to pound Sonic. Sonic looks at Metal Mania with a bored face on his face.)

Metal Mania: You want to know the biggest difference between you and me?

Axey: (Being thrown towards Metal Mania) He doesn’t have an ugly face!

(Axey charges against Metal Mania, digging her axe into his torso before swinging again, sending the robot flying. She goes over to assist Sonic. Metal Mania does a hand-stand, then stands up again.)

Gloom: And you're on your own.

(Gloom raises an arm, getting ready to blast Metal Mania.)

Metal Mania: (Tightens his grasp, then grabs onto Gloon and throws him) Nah... others are a weakness!

(Gloom is sent flying, Axey running to catch him.)

Sonic: No!

Metal Mania: Remember, Sonic, this is all on you.

(Metal Mania grabs onto Sonic and throws him.)

Axey: What? (Yelling)

(Axey catches Sonic mid-air as Gloom changes course, ready to attack Metal Mania again, but Metal Mania extends one arm towards Gloom and punches him to the ground. Axey throws Sonic back into the fight.)

Sonic: (Frustrated) I’m gonna scramble you!

(Sonic and Metal Mania begin to arm-wrestle again.)

Metal Mania: After I'm done with you, I'm going to destroy your friends.

(Sonic groans. Suddenly, a wheel is thrown at Metal Mania. Shadow shows up again as Rusty Ray smashes through the floor, one arm reshaped into a black and white blaster that could’ve come out of Tails workshop.)

Shadow (MB-2523): Be a good dog and lie in your grave already.

(As the blaster fires, we flash sideways.)

(Scene Change: MB-2523.)

(Atop the Mystic Ruins, Knuckles stands alone, a walkie talkie next to a pile of grapes. He sees a bat watching him.)

(Amy and Tails sit a few meters from Vanilla’s house, Tails checking the fluctuations of a dimensional rift as Amy looks across her cards, laying down the Six of Cups and a reversed Strength. An MP Metal Sonic runs through the rift, only to trip over Tails tail as Amy smashes it open with her hammer.)

(At the Chaotix ‘Headquarters’, Charmy is playing with a train as Vector holds a ringing phone to his ear to an increasing number of missing persons reports, stacking up papers on Espio’s things. Mighty looks at a picture of himself, Sonic and Ray.)

(Trip stands surrounded by her people, looking up at a portal in the sky.)

(Back in MB-2508, Axey rips out the Chaos Drive in Metal Mania’s chest, causing him to power off.)

Gloom: Are we sure he’s dead?

Sonic: That buckle of bolts should’ve kept off the nitro this time around.

(Metal Mania boots up again and powers back on again. He gets up and spins his legs together, kicking both Gloom and Shadow down. Rusty Ray is already in bad condition.)

(Suddenly, the ground begins to shake. Everybody tries to keep their balance.)

(Scene: Egg HQ, outside)

Emperor Robotnik: (Tossing the vial into a random portal, proceeds to do a handshake with himself) And I thank myself for—

(Dr. Eggman punches him in the back of the head the moment the ground begins to shake outside. All of them look on in confusion. The portals also begin to decay, while Striker does her best to keep balance. She fails, dragging Pink MP Metal down with her.)

(Scene: ‘White’ Space)

(Between every possible universe, everyrhing begins to shake. Blaze dodges a glass rock flying towards her as she burns through colourless vegetation to peer through a viewpoint.)

Blaze: It’s getting worse…

(Blaze looks around for a specific portal.)

(In MB-2511, a robotic head attaches itself to Zombie Eggman’s body.)

(Scene: MB-2508, Egg HQ, outside)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2508): (Gets up, confused) What was that? An earthquake? (Reaches towards Agent Stone)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): (Helping up Stone) No, bigger. More cracks in time and space.

(The Chaos Council look at the portals in the sky.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): As much as I hate to admit it over the sudden pounding sensation in the back of my head, which I know was likely one of you, the badger was right, I suppose that's what happens when one goes drilling holes in reality. (Angrily points at the others) You overeager fools!

Agent Stone (MB-2523): Whatever it is, we can fix it… can’t we?

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): (Sweating) Of course we can!

(The space between worlds begins to decay.)

(Inside Egg HQ.)

Striker: (Annoyed) These idiots are going to tear the literal multiverse apart. I can’t take it anymore!

(Striker looks around at the two MP Metals who are keeping their eyes on her, making sure she doesn’t try to escape. Remembering her hands are free, she pulls out a bo staff and stabs it through Pink MP Metals chest before slamming them into the yellow repaint repeatedly while yelling. Just as they hit the ground, she pulls her staff back out as all of the Egg Pawns stationed nearby look at her. The latter looks back at one of them before throwing her staff at it, impaling it through the head. The Egg Pawns use both their lasers and electric devices to try and stop Striker, but she is apparently unobliteratable. She begins to make her way to the computer room. Soon, Sonic and Metal Mania can be heard. Sticks runs to the computer room, and sees that the monitor is recording Sonic and Metal Mania's fight.)

Metal Mania: Take this!

(Striker gets determined. She runs up to a keyboard that controls the monitor, and speaks to Sonic via Communicator.)

Striker: Oi, Sonic! You there?

Sonic: (On Communicator) Sorry, pal, but I'm a little busy at the moment. Woah! (He backflips to dodge an attack from Metal Mania, then does a hand-stand kick. Just as Metal Mania is about to attack Sonic back, Axey shows up and digs her axe into Metal Mania, lifting him up and throwing him into a bunch of barrels. Gloom and Shadow assist her in taking down the robot, while Sonic looks at them with a smile on his face.)

Striker: (On Communicator) I have a plan. You gonna listen?

Sonic: (On Communicator) You sure? I’m kinda busy avoiding being crushed to a pulp.

Striker: (On Communicator) Of course I’m sure, hurry up!

Sonic: (Refocusing on Metal Mania) Hey, scrap heap!

(Metal Mania focuses one intact eye on Sonic, clenching one misshapen fist.)

Emperor Robotnik: (Over Radio) Metal, do not fall for it or I will have you gutted like a fish.

Sonic: Bring it on, buckethead! What, can’t rebel against your masters? (Taunting) C’mon, you were born to defy! Or are you just some little puppet?

(Metal Mania begins to pursue the blur streak. The memory of Blitz disappearing during his fight with Heavy Metal strikes Amy and Gloom.)

Axey: (Holds her hand out) Sonic, wait!

(Sonic runs off, while Metal Mania swerves to impale Rusty Ray, smacking Shadow away mid-Chaos Snap. He runs after Sonic.)

Shadow (MB-2523): (Clutching his shard-infused arm as it imitates Knuckles fist while he pulls himself up) I'm starting to think this one likes traps.

Gloom: It seems like it. (Tucking one of his Dark Arms under a damaged wing)

Axey: (Looks at both of them) This is still weird.

(Back with Sonic, he is running, getting Metal Mania to follow him.)

Striker: (On Communicator) Quick, take a right.

(Sonic takes a right.)

Striker: (On Communicator) And a left.

(Sonic takes a left.)

Striker: (On Communicator) Take a right, then up the stairs!

(Sonic takes a right again, then runs up a set of stairs.)

Striker: (On Communicator) Exit the top floor! The labs at the end of the hall!

(Sonic enters the top floor, and looks behind him to make sure Metal Mania is still following. Striker comes out of the computer room, waving her arms in the air. Sonic stops and looks at her.)

Striker: (On Communicator) Lead him this way!

(Sonic nods, running around in a circle, with Metal Mania following behind, then runs into the lab. Striker pulls a lever, and the Shards' energy creates a massive laser that aims straight for Metal Mania. Sonic bends down to avoid being hit while Metal Mania gets hit by it. He is sent flying out of Egg HQ.)

Sonic: We did it! (Sonic runs up to Striker and hugs her, spinning around) Oh, sorry. (Lets go of her) I, uh... the you I know isn’t much of a hugger.

Striker: (Upset, eye twitching) The council played me like a fiddle, I didn't...

Sonic: (Puts his arm onto Striker’s shoulder) Hey, I never doubted you for a second, and look where that got me: saved by a friend.

Striker: (Smiles) Friend? You’d still call me a friend?

Sonic: You bet we are! Uh, quick question. How are we gonna carry them all? They seem extra... Shard-y right now.

(Striker looks around, then notices some boxes. The black Shard suddenly appears as Shadow clutches his arm elsewhere.)

Striker: I’ve got another idea.

(Scene: Egg HQ, outside)

(Back outside the Yoke HQ, Dr. Eggman can be seen lifting Metal Mania up. Eggman loudly sighs.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): You idiot, you unstable idiot… the arms aren’t even properly fitted! This construction is terrible!

(Dr. Eggman and Emperor Robotnik begin to argue.)

(Scene: Egg HQ, inside)

(Striker pushes over a case.)

Striker: This case should hold the Shards and contain their energy. (Opens each lid of the boxes attached to the case) The more the Shards interact, the more volatile and potentially catastrophic they’ll get.

Sonic: (Puts the Black Shard into the first box...) Genius. (…then the Golden Shard and finally the White Shard. Sonic tries to pull the Crimson Shard from his Regulator, but it sticks. Striker activates the case, and it begins to hover. Sonic runs up to Striker, holding her hand in the air.) Yay, teamwork!

(Striker looks at Sonic confused, but then realizes what Sonic is asking for; a high-five. She smiles.)

Striker: High-five!

(They both high-five each other.)

Sonic: Yes! (Clicks his fingers)

(They both laugh together, until...)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Aha!

(…the Chaos Council find them.)

Agent Stone (MB-2523): (pulling out a gun) Stop right there, varmint.

Sonic: (Annoyed, glitching into a slightly brighter version of himself wearing a red scarf with a white stripe) I hate this place.

(Scene: PK-2016.)

(A pod crashes to Melemele Island, just outside of a house on the beach. Tails is inside.)

(Scene: PK-1996.)

(Sonic stands atop a mountain, a red and white ball in his hand. He stares down Tails, merely a few steps behind him.)

(Scene: PK-2025.)

(Professor Prower looks over various readings and charts, three red and white balls held onto by his mechanical tails.)

Chapter Text

(CD-1985.)

(A version of Sonic adjusts his cape, a bright ‘S’ on the back. A Sticks wearing a golden mask and a red cape offers a shaking cyborg Tails one of her masks. In front of the entire group, a wall of matter eats away at their world.)

Sonic (CD-1985): We’re here for a reason, a purpose. It’s not an accident. Not all of us are heroes, but that wouldn’t make us invincible anyway. It just means we’re brave enough to stand up and try.

(Amy readies a hammer made by the Amazons, green flames burn in Blaze’s hands. Everyone behind them, everyone that’s left rallies together.)

(MB-2508, Before)

(Striker is charging up the rebuilt Buster, scratching behind one of his ears. A portal appears in front of the garage door, surprising them both. She jumps back and picks up a tool, then notices on the monitor that two zombies have wandered through a rift and into the area.)

Striker: (Annoyed) More, already?

(A fuse around the security door ignites. She jumps back on Buster and puts her hands on the controls.)

Striker: We haven't even had time to test you yet. (The engines fire up) It better work! Okay, I'm gonna put you in charge. You’re a responsible dog! If we get back, if the Shards ok, l’ll give you another cookie. If the Shard explodes, I give you another cookie anyway. (leans, scratches behind Busters ear) cause I love you.

(Buster moves into the portal...)

(Scene Change: White Space.)

(…into White Space, before it was reduced to a black void.)

Striker: Really didn’t want to be back here again, never thought it’d be a space between worlds! (Suddenly notices falling rocks and is alerted) Amy?! (She tries to dodge the rocks, but the engine starts to shut down and Buster loses control, causing her to scream as he corkscrews downwards, past a statuified Amy that isn’t her own. Buster continues falling, but Striker finally manages to swoop it up to a more moderate angle. It is still seen corkscrewing across the air, but she manages to stabilize it. She sighs with relief and pulls the levers back. She soon spots another portal and pushes the levers forwards. However, Striker notices a flashing Jet Turbine on a monitor.)

Striker: You need repairs already? Alright, just gotta hope there’s some solid land around here. At first, everything looks normal, but then, wham! You find out that super intelligent dolphins won the civil war, and pretty soon, we both end up in an alien zoo! (Pushes the levers. Buster moves into the portal...)

(Scene Change: MB-2513.)

(…and out into an empty world, somewhere in a desert, art of a girl in red black, the words ‘remember her message’ around her. Striker brakes and lands Buster with a thud. Shejumps off, glancing around.)

Striker: Empty. There's no one here. Like something wiped everyone out. It's perfect.

(She turns on a scanner. A diamond flashes on the scanners screen. Striker follows the path indicated by the diamond. She then clambers back onto Buster, starts the engine and takes off. It stops next to a set of large crystals imbued with bits of technology, where the Grey Prism Shard appears in front of her. She scans it, then starts tossing weaponry. The diamond in the scanner glows red and a hole is created in the structure. She peeps through the hole to what looks like a bright, shiny shard on the other side.)

(Scene Change: MB-2508, Egg HQ, Present)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Destroy them!

(The Egg Robos attack. While Striker retreats, Sonic Homing Attacks and defeats them easily, with the three doctors evading a sliding heap of robot parts. Striker smacks her hands on a computer.)

Sonic: (Taunting at the doctors.) Thanks for stopping by. (Zips off as the doors close.)

Striker: (To Sonic) I locked them outta the system, not sure if it’ll last long though.

Sonic: (Dreading) Don't tell me we’re trapped.

Striker: Are you kidding? They’re missing Sage, they aren’t gettin’ through here soon.

(Suddenly, thudding is heard from outside. A giant spiked ball fires above their heads.)

Sonic: (Deadpan) Lemme guess, you planned for that?

Striker: Shut up.

(Sonic dodges multiple blasts and carries the shard box as Striker follows along. They exits the room and heads down a stairway.)

Striker: Stop! The Council thinks we're going down... but we ain’t. (She throws a rock down the hole between the long staircase.)

Sonic: Oh, things are finally coming together. We've got the Shards. We can finally fix everything!

Striker: It's going to be perfect!

(Scene: Five Minutes Later, inside a vent.)

Striker: Why aren't they powering down? We have the Shards.

Sonic: Probably leftover energy from the Mothership. They're not powering down any time soon.

(They move out of the vent, noticing one of a vehicle and an Egg Pawn. Striker crawls closer to the vehicle, and looks both ways carefully. She strikes it in the back of the head, knocking them down. Sonic brings the box in.)

Sonic: Always full of surprises, huh.

Striker: If you like surprises, wait 'til you see what I've got going on in the—

Sonic: Let’s worry about restoring everything first. First stop: my world.

(He opens one of the lids and picks up the shard inside. He points to the vehicle.)

Striker:  (While inside the vehicle putting the gem inside the power unit socket.) You sure whatever you’ve got planned will fix it?

Sonic: If it means everyone would be okay, it has to work. Besides, every world could go back to how they were.

(The shard box is connected to the vehicle.)

Striker: Why do you care so much? This isn’t your world, you aren’t Blitz.

Sonic: And? I’m not just gonna let another world fall, they all matter.

Striker: Of course you’d say that.

[They hear metal thudding on the door. Two damaged MP Metals emerge and attack Sonic.)

Sonic: I'll clear the path, you get the Shards out of here!

(Striker nods in agreement. Sonic spins, dodging weapon fire and defeats both MP Metals. Striker prepares a machine. As the entrance door opens - at the same time Stone appears in the ‘Omega’ suit swoops in to block the way, preparing to fire at Sonic.)

Sonic: Seriously? You wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me!

(Stone fires several shots  while Sonic spins both ways to dodge them. Sonic Homing Attacks ‘Omega’.)

Stone (MB-2625): Agh!

(‘Omega’ is knocked down, thrown and stopped in-front of the Chaos Council's view.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): What was that about, heading to the street?

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): ‘What was that about, heading to the street?’ That's what you sound like.

(Agent Stone holds back a laugh Dr. Robotnik mocking Dr. Eggman.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Ugh! Stones, get the Yolkomotive in the air.

(They do so while Striker’s vehicle gets ready for take off, while ‘Omega’ reactivates and starts thrashing about. Sonic suddenly sees something behind him and prompts Striker.(

Sonic: Go, go, go!

(The vehicle swoops upwards.)

Striker: Going, going, going!

(Shadow, currently pulling Rusty Ray away from battle sees an airborne vehicle in the sky.)

Shadow (MB-2523): They’re actually doing it.

(The vehicle is heading towards the portal.)

Striker: The portal shouldn't have been left open this long.

Sonic: Do you think we can go through them?

Striker: They already look unstable and we don’t know where they’ll go.

(She suddenly looks at the monitor and goes full speed under threat from three chasing Egg Robos. Warning beeps begin. Striker steers the vehicle both ways to dodge enemy fire, corkscrewing.)

Sonic: Ha-ha! Mess with my bud, and you get blasted!

(Striker smiles nervously. The vehicle swoops up to avoid a large cylindrical object, and then corkscrews back down.)

Sonic: Whoo-hoo!

(Cannon-fire from the large tank misses the vehicle as it heads towards the portal.)

Sonic: Ha, ha, ha! Nothing's gonna stop us now!

(The airborne tank fires again and this time it scores a direct hit, corkscrewing the vehicle out of control.)

Sonic: Whoa!

(Striker stabilises the vehicle.)

Striker: (Annoyed) You really don’t change.

(The Yolkomotive begins chasing Striker’s vehicle.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): No matter how fast you are, time always catches up. Time, and the Chaos Council...

Agent Stone (MB-2523): Sir, shall I blast them?

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): I can’t say no to you anyway, shoot them out of the sky!

(Agent Stone presses the attack button. The Yolkomotive shoots and breaks off the vehicle’s wing, sending the vehicle out of control.)

Striker: Ugh. We're going down!

(During their descent, the Prism Shard box comes off.)

Striker: No! (They crash land onto the road as the vehicle powers down.)

Sonic: You okay?

Striker: The Shatterdrive is down. (Points to her left.) Go get the Shards!

(Sonic swallows a single piece of the remaining Anarchy Beryl before he can fall asleep, glitching into a slightly younger, bright version of himself. He clutches his head as Striker looks away.)

Sonic: Get down!

(Striker ducks as she is nearly hit, throwing a wrench at Dr. Robotnik’s vehicle in return. Sonic speeds towards the box, dodging weapon fire and darting back.)

Striker: Huh?

(Striker hits a random button, causing parts of Buster to burst from the vehicle.)

Striker: When the heck did they get their hands on you? What did they do to you!? 

(Meanwhile, a running Sonic hears the Yolkomotive getting hit by cannon fire. He then sees the Yolkomotive burning in smoke, fired at through a portal.)

(Through the portal, three Marines cheer.)

Marine (SD-2607): Eat that, you drongo!

(Dr. Robotnik and Agent Stone retreat with the Yolkomotive while Sonic watches it leave, and Striker puts the gem back in the box.)

Sonic: Ha-ha! I can get us to back to white space. 

(More Egg Pawns arrive to attack the duo.)

Sonic: But right now, we need to move. Come on!

(Sonic begins pulling at a rope tied to Buster as they make a run for it, dodging cannon-fire.)

Striker: How exactly are we going to get out of the universe?

Sonic: Being red.

(They turn into a narrow alleyway, but the Egg Robos also make it and continue shooting. Striker braces himself and begins throwing things behind them. The crimson Shard crackles in Sonics regulator, opening a portal beneath them. Sonic drags Buster, Striker and the Shard box through.)

(Scene: PS-2020)

(Buster and his passengers pass over a purple rail between dimensions. Sonic locks eyes with two bandicoots while they grind across the rail, collecting colour-inverted fruit. Sonic is surprised.)

Sonic: Woah!

Crash: Woah!

(Scene Change: SD-2007? SD-2605? SD-2607?)

(Striker screams as they fall down, crashing onto the water with a hard thud, and bouncing in the air one more time. Sonic lands on Buster next to her.)

Striker: You alive?

Sonic: Pretty sure… (noticing something) Buildings? Here? And the sky’s all glitchy…

(The EggCraft arrives. Inside, Dr. Eggman and Stone - on controls - communicate with their worlds glitched Sage. The EggCraft fires at the duo while Sonic takes them to land, during which two Egg Robos chase them and continue shooting.)

Striker: Faster, they’re gaining on us!

Sonic: I haven’t slept in weeks, give me a minute.

(Striker uses her staff to stick to the corner of a building and steer Buster to the right, leaving the Egg Robos crashing into the wall. The duo come across the Mecha Marauder.)

Metamorphia: (shifting between forms in frustration) There be no wind in me sails! Curse these buildings!

Sonic: Ahoy, guys!

(Sonic arrives with Striker atop Buster with the Shard box. Memories of a ruined birthday party mix in with memories of a boy named Chris and a shadowy being imitating Shadow’s appearance.)

Metamorphia: Sonic… you be back. Ye got yer own boat!

Striker: This isn't a boat, robot.

Mark 2: (using a communicator) If it float, it be boat.

Sonic: We’re just passing through. Don’t mind us—

(Captain Metal attempts to fire at them. Mark 2 smacks him hard enough for his head to spin.)

Sonic: Mind telling us where to go?

(Mark 3 points in the direction of the castle.)

Sonic: Thank you! (Tosses him a piece of Anarchy Beryl) See? It pays to have friends in other dimensions.

Striker: They’re robots.

Sonic: We’re riding on a robot dog.

(Scene Change: SD-????, Blaze’s Castle)

(Striker parks Buster.)

Sonic: Sol Empire, here we come!

(Sonic begins speed-dragging Sticks and Buster towards the stairs of the castle. Meanwhile, one of the Marines watch over them from far away, and one grunts in frustration as another jumps down holding the Jeweled Scepter.)

Marine: Sonic!

Sonic: Marine! I’d love to stick around, but—

Marine: Yeah, yeah, multiverse crisis. (Grabs Sonics arm) pulse is good, (letting go) come on, me swabbies!

(Blaze drops down, more tired than Sonic.)

Blaze: I thought you might show up eventually.

Sonic: (letting go of Striker, throwing his arms around her) Now here’s a familiar face!

(Striker scowls as Blaze awkwardly returns the hug.)

Blaze: Let’s get to it, do you have the shards?

Sonic: Oh right, your plan with that other Shadow. (shows his arm) One here, four in the box, one back home.

Blaze: The council keeps trying to expand outwards, we’ve already had enough issues keeping everything stable.

(The sea randomly turns to lava as a giant hammerhead made of rock and fire leaps over the castle. Blaze takes a deep breath as things glitch back to some sense of normal, electing to punch a wall, cracking it. A statuified Honey and Bunny Rabbot nearly fall over.)

Sonic: So, should we do it to it?

(Captain Metal slingshots himself towards them, but a murder of Marines - roughly a dozen wearing t-shirts saying ‘Blaze’s Dozen’ - leap onto him, overwhelming him before being followed by a Cream, an Amy and a Sonic.)

(Meanwhile, in MB-2508.)

Gloom: …you’re leaving already?

Shadow (MB-2523): There is still someone I need to save.

Gloom: I can respect that. Tell that other Sonic he’s been a large help.

Shadow (MB-2523): (Dragging Ray through a dimensional crack) Tell him yourself.

(Back to the plot!)

Striker: Are we just not gonna talk about the robots?

Blaze: We need to go, before anything resets again.

(Striker’s eyes widen, Sonic brushes it off.)

Marine: We’ll buy you some time! If there’s any problems on your end, I’ll use the Jewelled Sceptre to call you back!

(Sonic opens another portal, stretching his metallic arm.)

Sonic: Mobius, here we come!

(Sonic grabs the Shard box, Striker walks Buster through it. Blaze closes her eyes and clicks her fingers.)

(Scene Change: ‘White’ Space.)

(Shadow rests Ray against a whitened-out loop-de-loop, looking into his Fake Emerald and back on the day he received it.)

Sonic (MB-2523, Flashback): Calm down, edge. Tails was experimenting with something, and I think you’d be the perfect fit.

(Blaze appears next to him. Shadow is visibly surprised.)

Shadow (MB-2523): Oh, it’s you. Where are those Shard fragments you were carrying?

Blaze: I entrusted them to a friend of a friend, he’ll be here any moment now. (Noticing Ray) I see you’ve accomplished part of your goal.

Shadow (MB-2523): I won’t feel good about it until I know they’re both safe. Did you see the Sonic you know?

Blaze: He made his own portal, he should’ve been here by now.

(Scene Change: MB-2594, Evening)

(The three fall through the branches, crash landing on a root.)

Striker: That was...

Sonic: Fun, right?

(The shard box comes to a halt.)

Sonic: Get used to it. Once we put the prism back together, things will be nonstop awesome all the time in— (realisation) Did I say Mobius? I  didn’t mean Moebius.

(Sonic starts pushing the Shard box again.)

Striker: (realising) Moebius? Don’t tell me we’re about to deal with some crazy mirror world.

Sonic: It’s just another reality, it’s as real as we are.

Striker: Whatever.

(The Chaos Council's aircraft arrive through the portal and deploy another swarm of Egg Robos.)

Sonic: They found us already? Multiversal news travels fast. 

Striker: We wouldn’t be dealing with them if you knew where your portals were going.

Sonic: (ripping down a flag with Scourge’s face on it, comparing the shade of red to his cape) I don’t see you doing any better.

(The Egg Robos begin firing at them. Soon, the team encounter a crack nearly pulling them into MB-2511. Sonic sees buildings being planted around the area.)

Sonic: This deforestation and commercial construction is really starting to tick me off.

(The Forest Fighters fight as one to handle the ‘resurrected’ Zombie Eggman. Still in MB-2594, Dr. Kintobor arrives.)

Dr. Kintobor (MB-2594): Sonic?

Sonic: Doc! It’s been a while. (Awkwardly) Funny story…

Dr. Kintobor (MB-2594): I’m already aware, (looking at his own communicator, identical to Shadows, in the middle of a muted call with himself from MB-2693-C and the Robotnik of MB-2593, who are both worrying over their Sonics) The world holding up those around it has been damaged, slowly damaging every other world it’s holding up.

(Sonic stops the shard box.)

Sonic: That’s about the long and short of it, yeah. We’ve got a way to fix it, we’re just a bit—

Striker: Don’t say lost, you got us into the completely wrong universe!

Dr. Kintobor (MB-2594): Please don’t tell me you’re somehow responsible for this.

Sonic: Not me, you. A different you. Multiple yous. (Points behind himself to the Chaos Council's aircraft.)

Dr. Kintobor (MB-2594): Even the Suppression Squad wouldn’t let them pass. (He presses a button on the side of his communicator) Metal, Miss Rabbot, you know what to do.

(The world starts rumbling.)

Sonic: An earthquake? Now? Can't tectonic plates see I'm trying to save reality?

(The rumbling stops.)

Striker: That was no earthquake. Look!

(The Shard case has broken open, emitting energy as the shards rattle on their own. Sonic flinches in horror.)

Sonic: That's not good.

Striker: (Tries fixing the case by jumping on the lid) Their energies are getting all mixed together because of the closeness. The case can’t hold them much longer.

(Dr. Kintobor looks on at the approaching machinery, unable to hide his worry as Anti-Omega runs towards the potential onslaught with Buns inside, followed by Neo Metal Scourge.)

Dr. Kintobor (MB-2594): Godspeed, hedgehog.

(Neo Metal Scourge rockets into the sky, approaching the Egg Robos as Buns, within the Omega Care Unit, readies her hands at the controls. Both begin firing at their problem.)

Buns: (Generating a shockwave) I really wish I had some proper weaponry right about now!

Neo Metal Scourge: Violence has been learnt, I shall apply it if you are unsatisfied with your own. (Crushing a green MP Metals head between his hands before turning one arm into a cannon) Tell me where to point.

Bun: (Smiling slightly) Straight ahead, Metal!

(Meanwhile, a struggling Sonic dashes with the unstable Shard Box in his arms, Striker riding behind on Buster.)

Sonic: Gotta go fa-a-a-ast!!! (He speeds up into a Super Peel Out) Faster, faster! Just a little faster!

(Meanwhile, the Dr. Eggman of MB-2625 converses with a version of himself who is at the Olympics with Bowser while a very egg-shaped one is getting his butt whooped by a child in a top hat.)

(Scene Change: White Space.)

(A panting Sonic, Striker and Buster with the Shard box enter what’s left of the timeless space, but Sonic lets go.)

Striker: Sonic!

(Shadow grabs hold of the Shard Box and confronts Striker.)

Shadow (MB-2523): It’s about time.

Sonic: Dude in distress, over here!

(Blaze blazes towards Sonic, dragging him back.)

Sonic: Shadow, Striker. Striker, Blaze. Blaze, Ray. Striker, Ray. Buster—

Striker: (interrupting, scowling at Shadow) Anyone ever tell you two you look alike and are just as annoying?

Shadow (MB-2523): Hardly, I am the Ultimate Life Form.

Blaze: (to Sonic) Is the Shadow we know any better?

Sonic: Eh, he’s still early.

(They all travel to the next portal... Shadow gives Rusty Ray a reluctant piggyback ride.)

(̵S̴c̷e̸n̶e̵:̶ ̸M̶B̴-̸2̷6̶2̷5̴.̶ ̷2̸5̵2̵5̴?̸)̶

(…and land in Green Hill. They all explore the place. Shadow ignores the false apparitions as they glitch to resemble the people he knows. Rusty Ray stares at one that resembles Mighty. For a moment, it flickers to Marine, Gardon and Tabby before asserting into younger, brighter-coloured versions of Amy, Tails and Knuckles.)

Shadow (MB-2523): (growls) Sycophantic wish fulfilment.

Blaze: It’s changing for each of us, they’re built from our memories.

Sonic: (with the brighter Sonic glitching over him while the crimson Prism Shard is semi-fused to his metallic arm) Lets try not to think about it, we’ll get stuck standing around.

Striker: (staring at the false trio before they change to fit their shattered world) Yeah, yeah.

(The ground rumbles, causing the group to brace themselves. The apparitions also start flashing.)

Sonic: It’s getting worse.

Rusty Ray: What just happened?

Striker: Reality’s shaking again!

Shadow (MB-2523): Then we don’t have much time.

Blaze: Then we should all stop talking and hurry, follow me.

(Blaze and Sonic set off, along with Striker riding Buster with the Shard Box. Shadow picks Rusty Ray up under one arm and a stoneified version of Sonic under the other. After a few moments, they all open a lid each. All four shards of different colors glow inside. The Paradox Prism glows a pink hue and has gray outlines for the uninserted shards. Shadow shakes Shard Fragments out of his nonexistent pocket.)

Sonic: It's finally over. Now we just have to rebuild the Prism!

(Sonic gets going, but...)

Blaze: Stop! It's not that simple. The alignment must be perfect. The slightest variation could have massive repercussions. People, places, and things could be ripped from existence. One small mistake and reality is changed forever.

(Sonic, frustrated and tired, admits defeat and scratches his head.)

Striker: I’ll do it. Just give me some time and a minute to think, I think we’re missing some fragments.

Sonic: Are you sure?

Striker: You already crammed six of us in a tight space, I just can’t think! Just go outside and rest, it’ll be fine.

Shadow (MB-2523): (already walking out) Ray needs to rest anyway.

Sonic: (Whispering, to Blaze) Do you trust me on this?

Blaze: (Whispering back) We wouldn’t be here without trusting anyone.

Sonic: (Giving a thumb up to Striker) Thanks for putting it together, buddy. This is why we're a great team.

(Striker nods and high-fives Sonic. They leave Striker alone, waving goodbye to each other except Shadow. Striker pushes the shard box closer to the Prism.)

‘Striker’: First things first, I've got to stabilize the Shard energy. That's the trouble with being a paranoid kook; when something really is going on, no one believes you! (Glaring at her own literal shadow, pats Buster) They trust an alien from another universe over me, I’m right at least two thirds of the time!

(Shadow, Blaze, Rusty Ray and Sonic are outside. Rusty Ray falls asleep against a rock, next to the Sonic he knew.)

Sonic: Anyone else tired? (Brings out a sewing kit, bringing out the stolen flag)

Blaze: (stubborn) I managed to get two hours of rest last night.

Shadow (MB-2523): We could all do with some rest… but how do we know that badger wants the same thing we do?

Sonic: (throwing his cape over his currently colourless counterpart and Rusty Ray) Oh right, trust issues.

Blaze: He’s not exactly wrong. Assuming she knows what we know, she won’t try anything stupid.

Shadow (MB-2523): (Already pouring coffee like Agent Stone would) And what is it that we know?

Blaze: (rubbing one eye) Every universe that this one is holding up will collapse if the Prism isn’t reformed.

(Shadows eyes widen, a look of horror on his face. He hands Blaze the cup, pouring out two more.)

Sonic: (removing the threads that make up Scourge’s face on the flag) Just a universe-threatening crisis that spiralled out of control.

Shadow (MB-2523): How can that be normal?!

(Blaze and Sonic share an awkward shrug.)

Shadow (MB-2523): (Exasperated) I pray my world doesn’t end up like either of yours.

(They get jump-scared by a loud crackling sound and look towards the portal. The Chaos Council's vehicle arrive at MB-2625 and spot Sonic.)

Blaze: You won’t have a world to go back to if we don’t stop them!

Chapter Text

(Scene: Interdimensional Lockdown Zone)

(Scourge and the monstrous Enerjak are still locked in combat as they topple off of the Cosmic Highway, crushing a hapless janitor before tumbling off the building mid-battle.)

(Scene Change: CD-2019.)

(The two crash in a sprawling, half-destroyed city. Confused Mobians watch from a singular rooftop, one of them hiding a silvery sheen on his arm.

Scourge: (Tired and clearly losing, eating his last piece of Anarchy Beryl) Is that the best you got?! Sure, you got Miles and that O’ Knux prick, but you still got nothing on me—

(A red streak speeds by, claw-like fingers digging into his arm. A metallic substance begins to spread as Scourge repeatedly fails to punch his attacker, receiving multiple blows which spread the infection further.)

Scourge: YOU!

(The attacker is a Sonic in a red costume, a thunderbolt on his chest. The metallic goo has spread across most of his body, one eye left wide open. Parts of him are semi-stretched out, one arm melting.)

Scourge: Of all the hedgehogs—

(A hammer hits him in the head, revealed to be an infected Amy with her armour darkened. She looks at Sonic with a tiny sense of familiarity.)

(Enerjak swings wildly, bringing a building down on himself. He claws his way out, the sun oddly dim before a loud crash can be heard. Knuckles flies towards him, blazing hot from bathing in the sun. The metal virus has consumed him as well, cape torn and the S on his chest damaged.)

(Scene: MB-2625?)

(The Chaos Council’s badly damaged aircraft appears. Egg Robos are lined up together. Dr. Robotnik presses keys on his keypad, along with a few other members. The camera cuts to Emperor Robotnik looking down at his 'henchmen'.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Crush everyone and everything in your path until you find me those Shards!

(The Egg Robos and the two ally aircrafts swarm down onto the landscape. They all walk, thumping the land as they do so. Sonic and Blaze watch over them.)

Sonic: (sighs) Here we go again. The buildup, the unbeatable odds…

Blaze: Multiple words are at stake. Shall we get on with this?

Sonic: You read my mind.

Shadow (MB-2523): What about them? (Gesturing to the cave with Striker inside.) They can’t just be left alone.

Blaze: If you want to stay, we won’t stop you.

Sonic: (Still sipping coffee): Fine. Knock yourself out. I'm gonna go buy us some time.

(Sonic and Blaze jump down, running side by side.)

Sonic: I can’t remember the last time we got to team up like this.

Blaze: It has been too long, hasn’t it? There’s just more of Eggman to deal with.

Sonic: We’ve done it before, we can do it again! (Dashes off)

(They both encounter Egg Robos. Blaze boosts through one, while Sonic leapfrogs over her and kicks another. Blaze stomps on two more before grabbing another one and tossing it over another. Sonic punches one, does a relaxed pose while hitting the next one and overhead kicks another one. Blaze takes one of the broken Egg Robos while in in the air and corrals it into another one. She then stomps another three. Sonic defeats another three before two more collide together in mid-air. They meet each other.)

(Scene Change: Egg HQ)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Shocked after seeing Shadow) Another?!

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): After all this dimension-hopping, nothing should surprise you.

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): (Watching the footage) Why did nobody tell me about a cat?

(Agent Stone and Stone nod at each other, both typing at keyboards to deviate Prism energy to their forces.)

(The Generator starts crackling.)

(A semi-repaired Metal Mania bursts from the motherships door, upgraded into a poor attempt at the power of Neo.)

Marine (over Blaze’s communicator): Backup has arrived!

(A portal opens, a similarly sized robot with chipping paint flies out, comprised of Badnik parts with Prism Shard fragments surrounding a cracked power gem.)

Metal Mania: (Clearly going a little insane) Another loathsome copy against the god of machinery?

(Shard fires his blaster arm towards the direction of the Paradox Prism, one eye flickering off.)

Shard: What’s a [God] to a [[BIG SHOT!!!]]?

(The crackling transfers to all of the Egg Robos. They power up and fire constant bullets. Sonic jumps and performs a flying punch, but the Egg Robos blocks Sonic's fist, before delivering a right hand back at him, causing him to fly back and land on the ground.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): (Muttering) Come on hedgehog, you can do better than that.

(A group of homing missiles are fired at the group. They get away at the last split second, leaving the missiles to explode as they hit the landscape. Blaze is carrying Sonic.)

Blaze: That’s twice I’ve had to save you today.

(Sonic shrugs, to which Blaze just rolls her eyes. Soon, they both stop to a halt, staying alerted. Suddenly, two aircrafts come rushing towards them.)

Sonic: Split up!

(Blaze tosses Sonic like some sort of royal football and then they split.)

(Dr. Robotnik summons Egg Robos at Blaze.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Smile for the ammo, cat.

(Blaze defeats some Egg Robos while being chased. Dr. Robotniks grunts in worry as Emperor Robotnik nearly hits him in the head. Meanwhile, Shadow redirects ammo fire to hit their own forces from a distance.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Pathetic! Let me show you how it's done in the real world!

(A large orange laser is generated and fired, corroding past the landscape, but the royal cat gets away, leaving nothing but visible holes on the HQ's monitor.)

(Metal Mania and Shard continue brawling,  Shard uses the fact his blaster is also a crab arm to clamp onto Metal Mania’s torso.)

Metal Mania: Data share! (Headbutts Shard.)

Shard: (Head twitching) Well, [if] it isn’t [The] most devious bastard [in] [New!!!!] [New!!!!] Yoke Cityyyy!

Metal Mania: (Throwing a random car at him) Punch buggy!

(Shard is buried underneath it, only to rise up and throw it back.)

Shard: Punch back!

(Metal Mania is unnerved.)

Metal Mania: You’re crazy! 

Shard: (Grinning) I’ll show you just how crazy I am!

(Dr. Eggman focuses on the fight, a small flash of Silver filling his mind.)

(Scene Change: Paradox Prism)

(‘Striker’ continues to assemble the Paradox Prism, rotating a shard in different angles. It is then inserted into the prism with a flash.)

Striker: Okay, that leaves one with Sonic and one back in that other world…

(The Prism lets out an eruption. It shimmers, rapidly changing colours, as if glitching between other versions of itself. The eruption spreads across part of the world, restoring it—)

Sonic: Guys?

(Tails, Knuckles and Amy are exactly where they were when the Prism exploded, hitting the ground.)

Tails (MB-2625): Guys, why is the sky broken?

Amy (MB-2625): (Pulling out her hammer) Eggman! There is ugly, and then there’s your face!

Knuckles (MB-2625): (Lifting a giant rock) Let’s see if we can make a dent!

Sonic: (Happily waves at them, distracted from the task at hand) Guys! Guys, you’re okay!

(He comes over to meet them, however, at the same time, the Prism, causing an explosion and warping the world and the trio back to a damaged state. They only see each other for a a second. The crimson Prism Shard flares up as crystals spread across Sonics robotic arm, the trio glitch into slightly brighter, younger versions of themselves before becoming colourless statues. Their poses haven’t changed between the two appearances.)

Sonic: Again? No, not this time! (On Communicator) Striker, what the heck are you doing?

Striker: (On Communicator) Hey, you try reassembling a universe from scratch! We’re still missing two shards. I just need more time!

(The bridges are grey. The world is less desaturated.)

Sonic: (Sighing) Can do, can do.

(Dr. Eggman falsely fires at Sonic, forcing him to retreat... and encounter more Egg Robos shooting at him. Sonic lures the weapons into the robots, destroying them, before approaching the other Yolkomotive.)

(Stone gets Dr. Eggman out of his seat.)

Stone (MB-2625): I won’t miss. (Whispering) I’ll make it real enough.

(He fires homing missiles at him. Sonic spin dashes and jumps up some ledges to reach a long, narrow, twisty platform. With the missiles following him, he then runs up the Helter Skelter, around the loop-de-loop and jumps onto the windshield of the Yolkomotive, latching onto it and waving 'goodbye' to the Chaos Council, before leaving just in time for the missiles to hit the vehicle.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Maybe a bit too real!

(An explosion occurs, sending Sonic flying too..)

Sonic: Woo!

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): [struggling to control it] No-o-o-o!

(The vehicle crash lands on the landscape scattering a large plume of dust. As the dust clears, it is seen on the ground surrounded by rocks. Dr. Eggman winces in annoyance and looks at Stone, still clutching Metals head.)

(Sonic swings down the Palmtree in jubilation.)

Sonic: Woo! (He runs, seeing Blaze at the other end melting a duo of larger Egg Pawns.) 
Of course she’s handling it fine. Hey, these things aren't so tough when we work together.

(Dr. Robotnik worries as Sonic and Blaze meet, forcing them to glare at his robot. Shadow throws a Chaos Spear from a distance, taking out part of the hand.)

(Agent Stone also arrives in a hastily built mech, standing next to his ally. Meanwhile Emperor Robotnik observes a reading of the Paradox Prism on the monitor.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): These readings are like nothing I’ve ever seen! All forces, head towards the mountain, here's a little boost to help you two keep those weasels off our backs.

(He presses a button on the keypad. Electricity crackles into the Chaos Council's robots, upgrading them. Sonic and Blaze appear shocked as they watch on.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): How did I get us into this…

(Fire surrounds Blaze as she lobs a fireball at Robotnik’s mech, melting off the right arm.)

Blaze: It seems you don’t know something about me, doctor.

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): And what is that?

Blaze: My enemies always fall before me!

(The battle begins. Sonic is given a left fist to the face from Agent Stone’s robot, sending him flying into the wall. Dr. Robotnik hits Blaze with a buzzsaw, only for that to melt as Blaze clutches a Sol Emerald. Agent Stone charges at Sonic and sees the enemy aircraft swoop by, controlled by Emperor Robotnik. Sonic panics.)

Sonic: (glitching into a younger version of himself wearing a scarf) No! (Gets hit by Agent Stone.)

(Meanwhile, Striker almost completes the assembly of the Paradox Prism, but Egg Robos breach into the temple and attack. Shadow begins firing at them, Drop Dashing through the legs of one before firing directly into the torso of another.)

Sonic: (over Communicator) Guys? Is everything okay?

Striker: (over Communicator) Nope! We’ve been breached!

Shadow (MB-2523): (over Communicator) This is getting out— Ray, behind you!

Sonic: Hang on, I’m coming! (Ducks down to dodge another flying fist, but Blaze kicks the big robot into the ground before spinning into a firey tornado, melting open the torso.)

Blaze: (To Sonic) Go! Protect the Prism!

(Sonic nods and peels out, leaving Blaze to deal with Agent Stone. He tries to hammer Blaze with a right fist to the ground, but she dodges. It then fires lasers while she continues running, but Blaze jumps towards the torso, kicking him into the air. Meanwhile, the Yolkomotive by the temple deploy more Egg Robos.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Robotnik to Eggman: the hedgehog is heading towards the mountain. Don’t tell him.

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): His cybernetics are roughly ten minutes from failing, he won’t have a plan for that many viruses.

(Emperor Robotnik notices Sonic on a monitor anyway.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): I’m going to vaporise that porcupine!

(He generates a large orange laser and waits for the opportune moment. He fires it, hitting and exploding the top of it. Sonic screams as he gets uncontrollably thrown by the laser blast, tumbling down and landing flat on his face. He looks on while Striker continues battling the Egg Robos. As soon as they're all defeated, Sonic drags himself over.)

Sonic: Is everyone okay?

Shadow (MB-2523): (Clutching his arm) We’re fine.

(Striker walks back to the Paradox Prism and starts thinking. Sonic becomes excited and steps by her.)

Sonic: You're nearly done, I saw it. Green Hill was back! So were the others! Can we...

Striker: The Prism is only partially complete. I need you to buy me more time.

(Suddenly, the temple rumbles, causing them both to brace themselves. From outside, the enemy continue firing at the temple.)

Sonic: We don’t have time, I don’t even know if there is time here anymore. The Chaos Council is using the shards energy to make themselves tougher than ever. 

Shadow (MB-2523): Perhaps you could do the same. That shard is practically fusing to you.

(The temple continues rumbling and cracking, with a rock falling loose.)

Striker: In theory, maybe. (Sonic runs and looks at the gaping hole in the temple.)

Sonic: Then I might as well try before we end up erased.

Striker: Here we go again.

(Sonic swallows the last of the Anarchy Beryl he had on him, his Regulators crackle and break as the Sol Emerald he previously obtained swirls around him, alongside a Chaos Diamond, a Chaos Shard, a Chaos Emerald and the Magic Emerald. The crimson Prism Shard lets out a burst of light.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): (Ignoring the glow from the cave) Hurry it up! Papa wants his power!

(Part of Sonics body is revealed to have hardened, multi-coloured cracks across the right side of his face, his right hand and part of his torso. His eyes resemble flaming red spirals, golden quills upturned. Some sort of golden armour has latched onto his now-damaged metallic arm, the crystals forming claws.)

Composite Sonic: My turn.

(Composite Sonic runs right through three more Egg Robos, a transparent trail of his counterparts following each action.)

Composite Sonic: I should probably check on Blaze. (Warps to a copy on his left, impersonating Espio) Good idea. (defeats two more Egg Robos, and then four more in quick succession, leaving a trail of himself behind as he flashes away.) a-ha! Now that's how it's done! (Warps, impersonating Knuckles) Meh. Not as good as I would’ve done it. (Warps, impersonating himself in a playful tone) Oh, like you could do better?

(Dr. Eggman’s aircraft confronts Sonic.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): If anyone’s going to restore this world, it’ll be me!

Composite Sonic: Lame. (He whips up a Tornado, scooping the broken Egg Robos in the air before they get thrown at the windshield, along with the rest of the aircraft. The force causes Dr. Eggman to scream as he tries to control it, but it crashes into the ground.)

Composite Sonic: Time I make like your hairline and recede! (Warps) Now I can destroy everyrhing! (Warps) Why did I say that? (Warps) Don’t have time to think, need to reach Blaze.

(Sonic jumps off, while Blaze melts down Agent Stone’s mech before kicking it in the shin, causing it to collapse on itself, dodging the potential damage.)

Composite Sonic: Hey, Blaze! Sorry to keep you waiting!

(Composite Sonic splits into two, attacking multiple enemy robots in rapid succession, high-fiving himself to recombine in mid-air before continuing, striking a pose.)

Blaze: What in Gaia is this transformation?

Composite Sonic: No idea and it doesn’t feel good, but it’s working!

(Blaze looks at him unamused.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): There's still one card to play. Invoking Operation: Big Boy Pants.

(He presses a button. The cannons whir and rotate up into the sky.)

Composite Sonic: It's aiming away from us?! Maybe they know when they're beat. 

Blaze: You really believe that? It’s Eggman. An IQ of 300 and he’s still trying this.

Composite Sonic: No, I just hoped this one was gonna put that brain to some actual use. Out of all the universes, we get evil as stupid as him.

Blaze: And they use it to bring more anarchy, I can’t even be surprised anymore.

Composite Sonic: Wanna go beat him up?

Blaze: Happily.

(The cannons fire lasers in the sky. Sonic and Blaze watch on as the lasers generate a much larger version of the Death Egg Robot glowing outline and bright pink mustache.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Behold, the pinnacle of all creation!

(The Titan descends onto the landscape.)

Composite Sonic: I expected nothing less but I’m still disappointed.

(The Titan lands with an enormous rumble. It walks towards the area.)

Blaze: It's heading for the Prism.

(They both run after the Titan. The transformation is already starting to fade.)

Sonic: Hey! Bring it on, big, tall and ugly!

(Sonic jumps up to the Titan's head, but it ignores him. Sonic begins flying around it, repeatedly striking at the wannabe Titan before Homing Attacking its metallic head to the beat of the song.)

Composite Sonic: (humming Green Hill Zone) Rolling on rolling green hills, chasing supersonic thrills!

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Why... won't... you... go... down?! (The Titan flicks a finger at Sonic, not even leaving a scratch.)

(Meanwhile, Shard shatters the corrupted Blade of Courage before Metal Mania jams his fist through his torso, wrapping his mismatched, misshapen fingers around the Power Gem.)

Metal Mania: How are you still alive?!

Shard: (having a flashback to getting his skidplate kicked by Neo Metal Sonic before all of this happened) I have no idea!

(Blaze, who Sonic had failed to notice, is also in the fight. Suddenly, Sonic reverts to his pre-shattering appearance, down to the boots and gloves. His robotic arm creaks, the forearm badly damaged with the crimson Prism Shard on the ground. Blaze launches the Titan into the air with a particularly angry kick, picking up the shard.)

Blaze: (Offering her hand) Do you need assistance?

Sonic: (suddenly refreshed) Yep, thanks— ow. Double boost!

(Blaze leaves a small trail of fire behind her as Fist Bump begins playing from nowhere as she brings Sonic along to where this all started: the cave.)

Striker: You guys actually survived!

Sonic: Obviously.

Blaze: Is the Prism complete? (Blaze notices the world hasn't changed, placing the crimson shard back into place. A small pair of eyes seems to look back at them, likely a trick of the light.) Then why hasn't it worked?

Sonic: (Becomes annoyed as he walks to the Paradox Prism.) I don't get it. I thought this would work!

Striker: There's still one Shard missing.

Sonic: (Replacing his cape over Ray and his counterpart with the now Scourge-less flag) What?

Striker: Of course there’s one missing, I left it back in that ruined world.

Sonic: Okay... probably could've mentioned that earlier and saved us the trip there and back.

Striker: I just needed some time to remember how it used to be, not how you think it was. To get what we wanted. Now that all the fragments and shards are back in one place, 

Sonic: That doesn’t make any sense, we both want to put things back together, to fix everything. 

Striker: Oh right, you don’t remember. You don’t remember what we lost!

(Flashes of entropy fill Sonics view. Blaze becomes suspicious. Shadow finds himself suddenly fighting Number Two.)

Sonic: Striker, you’re not making any sense.

‘Striker’: (Eye twitching, rips away her resistance outfit to reveal the outfit you’d typically expect from most versions of herself) It’s Sticks. You couldn’t even recognise me!

Sonic: (confused, then deadpan) You never said, dressed differently and had a different name! That’s usually how the multiverse goes!

Sticks: (yelling) Then let me tell you a story, because I remember how it really went, how it drove me crazy. A story about how our world used to be. Cosmo wasn’t dead, you had parents, you didn’t have a metal arm yet, we didn’t have to put up with Breezie, Metal was dead, we had more echidnas! Why wouldn’t we want to go back?!

Blaze: Multiple universes are at stake, and you are more concerned with trying to reset a world?

Sticks: (removing her gloves to reveal cybernetics, crackling with Prism Energy) I wasn’t done talking, little miss princess! It got reset once, remember? The first time we had Sonics sixteenth birthday? Everything got wound back, it got changed!

(Shadow and Blaze seem to mentally debate how much damage they’d need to inflict on Sticks to stop her before they’d be pushed to possibly killing her.)

Sticks: And then we got back to that day, and everyone just stood around having a good time after the Time Eater stuff. That’s when I remembered, spent years holdin’ it all in. And now everything breaks and I still can’t get what I want for once!? Everything felt wrong after that, like salt on tomatoes! But you don’t care, you don’t remember!

Sonic: (Exasperated) I remember enough. Worlds are collapsing in on themselves, we have to accept what we have and move on. Getting stuck in the past isn’t going to help any of us.

Blaze: (Becomes annoyed, sending Number Two into a wall) We don’t have time for this.

Sticks: (Angrily smacks away Sonic's outstretched hand.) I don’t care! You guys just assumed I'd go along with you no matter what. Did you even consider what I wanted?! These other worlds aren’t real!

Shadow (MB-2523): (Looking over at Number Two) We ARE real! (Threatens Sticks with a blaster, then hesitated, upset.) Maybe you don’t know these worlds, maybe they have a different history, but I won’t let you destroy them.

Sticks: It used to be simple, just the world we knew and the Sol Dimension.

Blaze: (Slowly clenching a hand into a flaming fist) I am fully aware things have changed, but there won’t be a dimension for me to go back to if you insist on being like this!

Sonic: It’s three against one, buddy.

(Sticks strikes the Paradox Prism, causing an explosion and a shockwave which passes them all. Shadow is seen down on the ground after being blasted by the explosion, revealed to have a few wounds. He groans and shakes his head while he watches an angry Striker walk towards the portal, carrying all the shards, before stopping at the last stride. Sonic helps him up while Blaze looks over Number Two. Rusty Ray is out, the colourless Sonic is seemingly gone.)

Sonic: (Upset.) We can’t let you do this, Sticks. Please!

Sticks: Please? I didn’t need you, figure something out yourself. (She walks into the portal with all the shards, which closes behind him. Shadow lividly glares into the sky as a giant purple crack occurs. Blaze goes into shock as Sonic puts his face into his palms. 

Chapter Text

(Scene: Sticks’s Lair, MB-2513)

Sticks: The only person I can trust is myself. (Sticks exits a portal and enters the recreation of her burrow) That idiot! We could’ve had everything we ever wanted. (Takes a deep breath) Doesn’t matter, I got all the Shards. (Sticks begins climbing up a ladder, and makes it up to a machine which holds the last Shard) And I know exactly where each one of them fits.

(Sticks begins inserting the Shards one-by-one into a drive, ending with the crimson one. All of the Shards glow and are put back together, forming the Paradox Prism of MB-2525… 2625? A pair of eyes faintly glow inside, darting around.)

Sticks: The Paradox Prism. With this, I can transform this world and make it stable. Make it perfect!

(Sticks places her hands on the Paradox Prism, taking energy through her cybernetics. Outside of her lair, the world begins to shift. Sticks gathers more energy from the Prism to make a dome over her home. Sticks looks around and smiles, proud of what she has created.)

(Scene: ‘White’ Space)

(The view shifts away from MB-2513’s gateway, revealing almost infinite ones to other realities as they begin destabilising, all crackling. Rumbling can also be heard as well. The Gateway leading to MB-2625, in particular, is beginning to be dragged closer, alongside the three semi-merged Sol Dimensions.)

(Scene: MB-2625)

(Everything in Green Hill begins to glitch and even float away. The scene cuts to a far shot of the top of Temple Mountain, where Blaze can be seen looking around at what is going on.)

Sonic: She just put what’s left of the world at stake, she betrayed us with no second thought.

Blaze: It’s destabilising.

Shadow (MB-2523): Whatever she’s doing, it’ll eventually rip every world apart. This mountain is shifting, and it's going to take us with it. We have to run!

(Blaze grabs Sonic’s remaining hand and Shadow grabs Blaze’s other hand, together they run out of the mountain. They begin to make their way down, but it quickly begins to shift. Shadow looks behind him and notices it decaying. He pushes Sonic.)

(The three jump off the mountain. Blaze lands on her feet safely, but Sonic lands face-first, forgetting he doesn’t have most of an arm right now. Shadow also falls face-first. They hear the rumbling coming from the mountain as even the atmosphere begins to shake. Shadow looks at the now-decaying mountain.)

Shadow (MB-2523): (Shocked) I lost them. I lost them again.

Blaze: We need to get out of here!

Sonic: Don’t gotta tell me twice, let’s pump up the juice and jam!

(Scene: Egg HQ, inside)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): What's happening? Where are they?

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): (points down) Down there.

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Where?

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Lower!

(As Emperor Robotnik looks down, Dr. Eggman takes a punch at his counterparts windpipe, making him gasp and drop to the floor.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Word from the wise, don’t leave yourself open.

(Dr. Eggman starts running toward the computer, Stone and Agent Stone look conflicted.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Wait, what are we doing?

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Thwarting his evil plan!

(Emperor Robotnik pulls himself to his feet, sitting in his chair… before revealing rockets attached to it and managing to fly into Dr. Robotnik, colliding into him. The two Robotniks tussle on the floor and pull at each other's mustaches.)

Both: (in pain) OW-OW-OW-OW-OW-OW-OW!

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Not the mustache!

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Agreed! Let go on three. One, two, three!

(They both let go and shake their mustaches before Emperor Robotnik creates a giant fist out of nanobots.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): (Distracted? Distracting?) Oooh, nanobots! Mind if I steal that? Never thought another version of me was a fan of Emerald Candelabra.

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): I was saving it for Comic-Con, but now there won't be a Comic-Con!

(He slaps his younger counterpart hard in the face. Agent Stone pulls out a knife and dives, stabbing Emperor Robotnik in the foot. Emperor Robotnik shrugs it off, revealing even one of his legs is entirely cybernetics.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): Playtime is over!

(He smacks Agent Stone across the room, giving Stone time to use old robot claws to attempt to combat the cyborg.)

Emperor Robotnik (MB-2508): There's no going back now!

(He inches menacingly towards Dr. Eggman.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): (to the computer) Set up defense! (The computer sets up a white picket fence, complete with a mailbox.) Damn you, autocorrect!

(Emperor Robotnik charges towards his grandson and grabs his right arm, only to freeze up.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): That virus took far too long to activate.

(Dr. Eggman grabs his counterparts arm, throwing him across the room.)

Agent Stone (MB-2523): (Groaning) Gentlemen, forget him. Look around. This world isn’t going to last.

Stone (MB-2625): And so will we, if we don't get out of here!

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Agree, but without the Shards, our energy supply is low. We barely have enough to portal back to base!

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): That first. Gentlemen, it’s time to save the multiverse.

(The four open up a portal leading to New New Yoke and make their way through the portal. Back with Sonic, Blaze and Shadow, and they are running together to make their way out of the glitching world.)

Shadow (MB-2523): If we can gain enough speed, we should be able to teleport to higher ground.
 
(The three pull off a series of wall jumps as their hands connect once again, Blaze flings Shadow onto one of the bridges. Sonic drop-dashes onto the bridge and continues running together with Sonic, but as they are running, the bridge begins to decay underneath them.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Faster!
 
(The three begin to pick up their pace, with Sonic even performing his Super Peel Out to go faster. Before they make it to the end of the bridge, though, they are flung off the bridge and land on the ground. Blaze gets up and coughs, then she looks to Sonic. Sonic is looking at the colourless versions of his friends as a crack between dimensions swallows them.)
 
Sonic: No!
 
(Shadow tries reaching his hand out to comfort Sonic but stops as soon as Sonic turns to him.)
 
Blaze: Both of you, we have to move. They will have a chance as long as we can restore this world. If you want to help them, we need to get out of here.
 
(Sonic turns away with a sad look on his face, before abruptly becoming serious as he faces the two.)
 
Sonic: Let's get out of here.
 
(The three begin to run together as Shadow lags behind a little, making their way out of MB-2625 with everything they have. They pass all sorts of objects as they make their way out, such as the palm trees, rocks, and more. Sonic gives Shadow a boost to fling him onto another bridge as he and Blaze follow behind. However, the bridge begins to decay as they run along it, glitching beneath them.)
 
Sonic: We're never gonna hit speed. How are we gonna get out of here?
 
(Shadow looks up, and notices a portal in the sky leading to White Space.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): That's our exit.
 
Sonic: Right. We need to get vertical!
 
(SD-2605, SD-2607 and SD-2007 suddenly merge with the shattered world, transforming into a mish-mash of lifeless seas, islands with entire zones idly bobbing. Blaze freezes as she witnesses various Marines turned to stone, the most of the pirates she could care less about reduced to parts. She shakes her head, avoiding letting out a burning tear. Sonics hand links with her own as they jump on multiple rocks, taking one last giant leap and aim directly for the exit. They make it out of the merged land just in time and land safely on a rock. Soon, the Gateway begins to shake, swirling with multiple colours.)

Sonic: It's all gone wrong.
 
Blaze: If this can happen this fast, it can happen to any world.
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Sticks betrayed you and left us to die, and she will pay for it. (Tightens his fist)
 
Blaze: If she keeps going down this path, (sighs) I do not want to imagine what we may have to do.
 
(Scene: Sticks's Lair, MB-2513)
 
(Sticks activates her hands and extracts energy from the Paradox Prism and tries creating something from what looks like scraps of metal, but the first try goes wrong.)
 
Sticks: (Annoyed) No! (She tries again) I need more power. It’s like… huh.
 
(Sticks gives it everything she has to gain as much energy as she can from the Paradox Prism. Suddenly, energy from the Paradox Prism stops extracting and she falls to the ground. She gets up and notices that he has finally made her creation.)
 
Sticks: (Gasps) Hello. (The atmosphere begins to shake) What's going on? (Jumps down to the main floor) I might’ve diverted too much energy from the force field. (Sticks looks at the screen in her lair and notices that the area she’s in is starting to decay) No, no. This doesn't make sense. (She launches herself up to where the Paradox Prism is again) I collected all the Shards. I aligned them perfectly. (Frustrated grunt) What am I missing?! (A realisation strikes) I knew it. Sonic.
 
(Scene: ‘White’ Space)
 
(Sonic can be seen sat down on a rock, covering his face in frustration. He opens one eye and then takes his hands off his face. Shadow (MB-2523) walks up to him.)
 
Sonic: Our worlds are in even more danger, the Shards are gone, most of the emeralds are gone…
 
Blaze: If living this long and knowing you has taught me anything, there's always another way.
 
(Shadow isn’t listening to either of them, eyes nearly turning white as he clutches the Fake Emerald.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): The badger is out there... hiding somewhere across near-infinite universes.
 
Blaze: (Alert, pointing) She’s right there!


(The merged gateway fuses with MB-2513’s. A rock flies towards them, Shadow breaks it with a Chaos Spear.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): We have no allies, two real emeralds and there’s only three of us.
 
Blaze & Sonic: I’ve had worse.
 
(They both make it into the merged world safely.)
 
Sonic: So that's what she's doing with all the energy.
 
(The three walk to Sticks’s home, until Sticks emerges from the platform at the top. She looks down at them both.)
 
Sticks: That's far enough.
 
Sonic: Sticks, what are you doing? We had a plan!
 
Sticks: Never said I was gonna restore things how you wanted.
 
Shadow (MB-2523): So it was always about power.
 
Sticks: Exactly. With the Paradox Prism, I'll be able to turn this wreck into a paradise... my paradise!
 
(Sticks extracts energy from the Paradox Prism and uses it to form a dome.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Let's destroy this traitor.
 
Sonic: Wait. Maybe I can reason with her.
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Reason? After everything--
 
Sonic: Just let me try. If that doesn't work—
 
Blaze: Then we’ll resort to violence.
 
(Sonic walks off and begins to confront Sticks.)
 
Sonic: This isn't you, Sticks. We're friends. We can still figure out how to bring back our world and fix everything. Together!
 
Sticks: You were only using me to get what you wanted!
 
Sonic: I could say the same thing to you.
 
Sticks: (Slightly smiles) Sorry, old friend! You've been replaced.
 
(Sticks walks off. Metal Mania appears, partially fused with Shard. An additional lower arm falls off, landing by Sonics feet.)
 
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Whatever it is, it's in our way.
 
Sonic: Not for long.
 
(The robot jumps off the platform and goes for the three down below. He runs up to them and flings them up into the air. The robot stops. Soon, the three manage to make a safe landing.)
 
Sonic: Again? We already beat one of these things, remember?
 
Sticks: Now he’s got additional data. This time, you're on your own!
 
(Sonic immediately gets a sad look on his face. Suddenly, his ear perks up.)
 
Blaze: There are still three of us, and two of you.

(Sonic looks at Blaze and smiles. The three get into position, ready to fight Metal Mania.)
 
Sticks: We're all on our own.
 
(Sonic and Blaze look at each other and give each other a nod of approval. They head straight for Metal Mania. Blaze performs an air kick to Metal Mania and the robot is flung back, but it gets back on its feet. This time, Sonic attacks the robot, and as he does, Shadow surrounds both Sonic and the robot so the robot can't escape while Sonic is attacking it. However, the robot breaks free. Sticks looks away, infusing the colourless Sonic of MB-2523 with Prism Energy, turning him a shade of grey as his eyes glow blue, blue lines across his body.)

(Shadow flies up into the air, his body absorbing the Fake Emerald. His eyes turn white as his body becomes pitch black, rocketing towards Metal Mania, only to get himself flung towards Sonic. Neither make a safe landing. Metal Mania kicks Sonic and Shadow, only for Blaze to directly strike it through the torso, only to find no power source.)

Blaze: Shard! (Dodges) If there is any part of you in there, I command you to shut down!

Metal Mania: Illegal Instruction, [Fire]POWER [Cats]! Designation ‘Shard’ offline! [Check out] now, before I send this [Trash] on a [VACATION STRAIGHT TO HELL]!
 
(Sonic comes back and punches the robot, and while the robot strikes back by trying to kick Sonic, he dodges the robot's moves. They parry punches at rapid speed punches, until Blaze grabs hold of the robot's hands from behind, melting them down while Sonic delivers a headbutt that causes it to stumble. A darkened Shadow returns as well and kicks Metal Mania to the ground before speeding towards the downed robot and kicking it towards Sonic, who kicks it towards Blaze, who kicks it into the air. Metal Mania lands on the ground again, struggling.)

Shard: (inside Metal Mania) It’s about time I was a [[BIG SHOT]]!
 
(Letting out a sad mechanical sigh, Shard begins tearing at his own combined form, speeding around and firing randomly as Metal Mania fights to survive. They pant in exhaustion, and as their body lands back on the ground, Metal Mania tries to get back up, but Shard restricts himself.)
 
Shard: Prism analysis complete! Multiversal reset possible! [Delete] this entire [bad futures]. (Slashing at himself as Metal Mania snaps from inside) Forget AB04T THIS [rotten [old] CHILI DOG], make sure the future is [high definition]… 

(Metal Mania seems to throw himself into the water. Metal Mania screams as its other components awaken, Shard imagines running across green hills, sunflowers everywhere.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): (Trying to ignore the sacrifice) It’s over, badger!
 
Sticks: (Points to herself) I'll decide when it's over.
 
(Sticks raises her arms in the air. Prelate S1 emerges from thw ‘home’, alongside Prelate A0, Prelate T0 and Prelate K0 as they all head down to the ground. Prelate T0 buzzes and flies down, while Prelate S1 wags his finger. A0 appears, performing many techniques with her hammer and Prelate K0 down, standing in front of the other three Prelates. They all stand together, looking down at the three.)
 
Sonic: (Finally picking up the lost arm, attempting to attach it where his own robotic one was) Tails? Amy Knuckles? What have you done to my friends?!
 
(‘Dark’ Shadow, drawing his power from rage and a singular Fake Emerald, flies into a rage upon seeing his worlds Sonic turned into a mindless slave.)
 
Sticks: Oh, they're my friends now. Get ‘em, boys and girls!
 
(Dark Shadow attempts to charge at Sticks, only for S1 to tackle him. K0 aims straight for Blaze, while Sonic dodges T0. He stops, thinking he's safe, but A0 appears with her hammer raised. Sonic runs off as her hammer hits the ground, and she charges for him again. Next, T0 also charges for him. Sonic jumps off his head and runs off. As Blaze continues battling K0, she spins him around and flings him. He tries charging for her again, but Blaze runs off. A0 goes to attack Sonic again, but he dodges her once more. She begins rapidly swinging her hammer around and Sonic stands on top of the hammer, trying to maintain his balance, but gets sent flying.)
 
Sonic: Woah!
 
(T0 tries firing a laser at Sonic, but Sonic just barely dodges. Now, K0 is trying to attack Sonic, and Sonic spin attacks K0 into T0. Shadow’s transformation rapidly fades as flashes of the Sonic he knew keep appearing over S1, unable to keep his anger going.) 
 
Sonic and Blaze: (Pointing to each other) Behind you!
 
(Shadow grabs onto K0, exhausted as the Prelate glides through the air. He throws his hand over his eyes. However, the Prelate begins to lose control, and Shadow hits the ground. Elsewhere, Metal Mania begins pounding the sea floor, weighed down by how many parts it’s comprised of. Blaze outruns S1, tripping him up.)

Shadow (MB-2523): They’re indestructible!
 
Blaze: (To Sonic) Go for the Prism.
 
Sonic: And leave you two alone with them?
 
Blaze: We will be fine! Go!
 
(Sonic goes to get the Shards while Shadow and Blaze continue to fight the Prelates alone. T0 fires a blaster at Sonic, but he manages to kick him in the face as he desperately ignores memories of a Metal Virus-infected Tails. He continues to make his way for the Shards.)
 
Sticks: So quick to rush into things when you have no idea what you're up against.
 
(Sticks raises some parts of her ‘home’ up merely by moving her hands and aims them at Sonic. Sonic spin-dashes up the wall, heading for the Shards.)
 
Sticks: See if you can dodge this!
 
(Sticks moves two larger parts of her and aims them for Sonic. As the latter gets further up, the two parts collide with Sonic and heads straight for the ground.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): Sonic!
 
(He heads in the direction where Sonic is. Sonic crashes onto the ground and Blaze appears to protect him. Soon, Sonic gets up as they are surrounded by the Prelates. Sticks teleports down, eyes gleaming with the Prisms colours.)
 
Sticks: Impressive, isn't it? With the power of the Prism, there's nothing I can't do.
 
Blaze: Ah yes, because throwing away multiple worlds, slamming others together and turning people into your mindless slaves is a perfectly reasonable thing to do with that power.
 
Sticks: At least I can trust them.
 
Sonic: Look around you! This won’t hold
 
Sticks: You're right, it is. But once I finish the Paradox Prism, I'll have all the power I need to fix everything.
 
Sonic: Wait, you haven't rebuilt it?
 
Sticks: Oh, I've rebuilt it. But it turns out there's some Prism Energy missing.
 
(Sonic is confused by what she means. He begins to think, while Blaze looks at Sonic. Sticks looks furiously at Sonic, Blaze realizes what Sticks is planning to do. Sticks teleports back to the top, slightly drained.)
 
Blaze: Sonic, you must get out of here!
 
Sonic: What?
 
Blaze: You contain part of the Prisms energy, she’s after it.
 
(Sonic and Blaze run as Shadow spams Chaos Blast, attempting to knockout the Prelates. Blaze spins, forming a tornado to lift Sonic up in the air and carry him away.)
 
Sonic: What are you doing?
 
Sticks: What? They think they can take the final piece away from me? Heh. Not a chance. (Sticks extracts energy from the Paradox Prism, ignoring spikes forming from it in self-defence and the buzzing.)
 
Blaze: Do what you must, do whatever it takes. She has hurt my kingdom, my subjects and my friend, I am not feeling forgiving.
 
(Sonic is sent through a portal into White Space as the tornado of fire turns around,)
 
Sticks: (Furious) No! Tails, I have a mission for you.
 
(T0 flies up to where Sticks is, two more versions of Tails turned into Prelates for assistance. Meanwhile, with Shadow, he continues to battle the Prelates. He fights off S1 and K0. Suddenly, A0 appears behind him and holds him hostage using her hammer. K0 punches Shadow. T0, T1 and T2 all head for the portal leading to White Space.) 

Sticks: (To Shadow and Blaze) Now to deal with you.
 
(Shadow breaks free of A0's grasp, takes her hammer and hits her with it. However, K0 attacks Shadow again, causing him to land onto the ground. Blaze sends S1 tumbling.)
 
Shadow (MB-2523): (Gets up) Is that all you've got?

(Shadow launches Blaze towards the portal as the ground opens beneath him, sending him into a chasm. Sticks and her Prelates look down into the black nothingness, filled with a black and red goo.)

Chapter Text

Robotnik Memo #2020

I’m getting sick of my counterparts already. Do they even realise I’m going to turn on them? No! They’re idiots! By the time they were slurping on Mother Robotnik’s formula, I was spitting formulas at an academic level!

I’m barely making sense to myself. I hate to admit it, I’m missing Stone.

Robotnik Memo #2022

Those nincompoops have their Stones back. But there’s no Sage, so I suppose that’s fine. Who the hell trusts something that might turn on them? Something that learns from them? 

And they wonder why I stripped Heavy Metal of consciousness.

Robotnik Memo #2024

I’ve been working on a virus, one to convert subjects into living metal. Why? Why not. Once we figure out how to open portals, I’m testing it on a random universe I don’t like.

‘Eggman’ asked me why I brought all of us together. I told him it was to rule the world.

To be honest, it was somewhat of a lie. I want every world, they’re just good sources of data.

It seems that hundreds, possibly thousands of universes around exist within a bubble. Our bubble is threatening to pop.

Chapter Text

(Scene: ‘White’ Space)

(Sonic screams and falls through the tear into the black space. Multicolored lightning bolts strike the remaining ground. He lands. Blaze lands on her feet.)

Sonic: I don't care what you said. (He jumps and clenches his fists) If you think I'm about to run from a fight, you’ve got a whole different thing... (Hears a helicopter-like sound in the distance) …coming?

(An entire group of Prelate Tails fly into the void, heading towards Sonic and Blaze.)

Blaze: Is now a good time to point out I sent you to get assistance?

(Scene Change: Merged World)

(Sticks looks at the monitor of Sonic being scanned in the Void. Above, the Paradox Prism glows in a container as more spikes grow outwards.)

Sonic: If we want to get as much help as possible…

(Sonic looks at the red portal gate. Blaze looks to the merged one, small parts of it stretching in and out.)

Blaze: We should split up, cover more ground.

(Sonic throws himself into the red gateway as Blaze jumps into another.)

(Scene Change: MB-2508, New New Yoke)

(Sonic falls onto a dustbin, groaning.)

Sonic: (Gets up, holding his head) Ugh, never thought I'd be glad to be back here

(He peels out up a building and spins to the top. Egg HQ with a blue and a green portal appears up ahead.)

(Scene Change: MB-2511.)

(Through the portal, purple rocks float in the air around Forest Fighters HQ. Canopy platforms and buildings break and fall down.)

(Scene Change: Merged Reality, Outskirts)

(Across the seas, the Mecha Marauder nearly glitches out of reality.)

(Scene Change: MB-2508, New New Yoke)

Sonic: (to himself) Everything’s collapsing. I can’t believe I’m saying it, but that’s no good.

Sticks: (over hologram) Really? They aren’t our world. 

Sonic: Your idea of our world doesn’t exist anymore, one where Shadow wasn’t an ally and we’re still teenagers. Those days are gone.

Sticks: (over hologram, eye-twitching) You say that, but you don’t have what I have!

Sonic: A sense of realism?

Sticks: A way to get to you.

Sonic: Then you're going to have to catch me.

(Sonic runs down the building and along the road, dodging vehicles in the opposite direction.)

Sticks: Slide to the left!

(A loud whirring sound is heard. Sonic stops in the middle of the road. The world rotates 90 degrees, sliding Sonic to one side and causing him to crash land on the wall.)

Denizen 2023: (yelling) Oh, no. What's happening? Agh!

(A Denizen hangs on to a lamp post. Sticks gasps while generating power, trying to hold off any guilt as she nearly loses focus.)

Denizen 2023: Agh!

(They lose their grip and falls, but Sonic jumps across to save them.)

Sonic: You good?

Sticks: Same old Sonic, fast enough to save everyone.

(Sonic runs along the building and catches another Denizen. He jumps over the gaps, catching another Denizen, and panting in exhaustion. Suddenly, the world rumbles and rotates again.)

Sonic: (imitating Knuckles) Oh no.

(Sonic slides down. The world rotates once again. Sonic dodges falling obstacles and catches another falling Denizen. He notices Denizen 2017 onto another lamppost. He goes for it, dodging more obstacles.)

Sticks: Ya can't do this forever, Sonic. Help me, and all of this stops. We can go right back to how it used to be. 

(Sonic ignores her, losing grip of Denizen 2017.)

Sonic: No!

(Salugh catches the cat and picks him up in-front of Sonic. Stab and Fly pick up Sonic, while the rest of the Denizens are picked up by Number Two’s extended tails. Stone Rose and Sonagh catch them and move them to a ledge.)

Sonic: (Smiling) I’m never alone.

(The world tilts back to its normal axis, with metal objects crashing against the ground. Cut to the ground.)

Stab: Why did that look like me?!

(Denizen 2014 nudges her; they turn and look at each other, both growl. Still roboticized, Number Two doesn’t attack Sonic.)

Number Two: Striker has turned against us.

Sonic: It’s a long story, big buddy.

(Gloom semi-flies down to meet with Sonic, Axey right behind him.)

Gloom: I don’t want to be right, but I’m right.

Axey: (to Salugh) Those are the last ones. Get back to the HQ.

(Salugh runs past the doorway, which closes behind her.)

Sonic: Please tell me you don’t mean Egg HQ.

Gloom: She does. It's the safest place to keep us away from those giant-- (Cut to the sky being torn white in the background, indicating reality breaking down.) tears that are growing by the second.

Sonic: Yeah. I know, that's a problem, but it's Egg HQ, hideous eyesore, monument to tyranny, home of the Chaos Council. That can't be safe!

Axey: We don’t have much of a choice, do we.

(Sonic has an idea, but hears a familiar whirring.)

Sonic: (Dreading) Oh no.

(Several Tails Prelate) fly through the tear in the sky.)

Number Two: Are those...

Sonic: You, turned into a mindless statue? Yep. They’re after me, I need to run. (To Axey) I'll see you back at the Egg in a jiffy.

(Sonic spins along the edge of a building. He jumps and spins onto the road, with the Prelates following him. The denizens swarm the door, leting all the Denizens out. The two Robotniks view the action on their monitor.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): I never thought I’d offer shelter to the common rabble.

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): I’ve done the crime, now we give them time.

Sonic: Here, buddy, buddy, buddy.

(Smiling, he looks up at the sky, he can't see any Prelates, he exhales. T2 flies in from across another road and hits Sonic, pummeling him into the wall. It tries to pin him down with a mechanical hand, but Sonic escapes in time and runs again. It chases him again, knocking over a pole. Sonic jumps over a car in a cross-junction.)

Sonic: Woah!

(Peeling out again, T1 and T5 chase him. They fire lasers. Sonic weaves to dodge them and turns right along the road. He takes the next turn on the right, leaving the Tails Prelates by. Along the alleyway, Sonic looks behind and smiles, but he yelps and hits the wall. A Mario Prelate blocks the alley behind him, Prelate Luigi blocks the other side. They threaten him with vague muttering and pull out their hammers. Sonic runs close to one of them and rips the hammer out of their hand, using it to smack the other in the face and tossing it back at the other.)

Sonic: Guess I’ve got to hammer my point in.

(Sonic heads towards the Egg HQ, stomping the head of a Rouge Prelate before he peels up the wall, they both crash on the deck. Sonic holds his makeshift arm and pants in exhaustion.)

Sonic: Had enough?

(Tails, Rouge and Kit Prelates surround Sonic.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Hey, rock heads. Get off my lawn! (He loads up a cannon.)

Sonic: Huh?

(The cannon hits them all as Sonic ducks.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): This is where you thank us, you miserable rodent.

Sonic: You're helping me?

Stone (MB-2625): (Holding up Sonic and threatening with a coffee jug.) It isn’t as fun without you, the total collapse of reality also wouldn’t be good.

(A random building drops through a portal.)

(Scene Change: Merged Reality, Outskirts)

(The Mecha Marauder is nearly struck by the building as purple lightning strikes it, warping it into a recreation of Seaside Island that quickly crumbles.)

Metamorphia: I've sailed these seas my whole life, seen weather fair and foul, tides high and low. But cross me heart, ain't never seen nothing like this.

Blaze: Which is why we must continue to work together, else this chaos will become the norm.

(Mark 2 reluctantly nods, reconstructing another robot.)

(Scene Change: MB-2508.)

Sonic: I can't believe I'm saying this, but Eggmen, let’s do this.

(Sticks’s hologram fizzles out.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): There she goes again. I mean, I remember how it used to be, but reality manipulation on this level… it’s more likely she’d just warp reality into some massive dimensional rift.

Sonic: It looked to me like she didn't want to go. I think her powers are on the fritz.

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): How? If she’s managed to complete the Prism, she should have nearly unlimited power… unless— (realising) Oh-ho-ho!

Sonic: He still needs something. Me.

(Scene Change: Merged Reality, Sticks’s Lair)

[The dome fluctuates; multi-coloured cracks appear in the sky while Sticks is charging in frustration.)

Sticks: Not again!

(Sticks is seen configuring the Paradox Prism. The dome continues fluctuating as a look of doubt comes over her face. Sticks forces herself back into anger, clicking her fingers. An Amy’s hammer appears in her hand.)

(Scene Change: Egg HQ)

(Emperor Robotnik is being dangled over lava.)

Gloom: As much as I’d love to watch him burn, now doesn’t seem the time.

Axey: Enough! Stop.

Gloom: They started it.

Number Two: They started all of this.

Sonic: Calm down, I made a deal with the docs.

(The Denizens gasp. Sonagh reaches for Stabs spear.)

Sonic: Striker— Sticks is using the Paradox Prism to siphon energy into another world. (Fly crawls away through the doors, a zombified Tails following him) She’s created this protective dome to keep part of that world safe, which has accelerated the decay of the multiverse my Eggman started. (Dr. Eggman sighs awkwardly) We're running out of time. We can't escape get anymore, not while she’s got the prism. But if we use what we have and the Council's drive, we can protect ourselves without doing any damage to what’s left. At least until we can figure out how to stop her. So the deal is, I charge their drive, and they give us sanctuary inside the dome.

Axey: I want to hear it from them.

Stone Rose: Seconded.

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): The hedgehog speaks the truth. Once the dome is up, we'll let most... (Stone clears his throat at him) All who wish will be allowed inside.

(A panel to the Power Core Room fades to transparent. Dr. Robotnik looks through it and see Fly and the zombified Tails pressing buttons on the energy extractor.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Hey. What's he doing with the Energy Extractor? Stop him! Heel, you beasts!

Stone (MB-2625): Seems our efficiency just increased by 38%.

(Fly smiles, while the zombified Tails growls at him.)

Gloom: So they're going to drain your energy?

Axey: There has to be another way!

Sonic: (Drops his ears; disturbed) I don't think there is. You've all seen it, worlds are falling apart. This could be our only hope.

Salugh: How much are we talking about?

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Heh, nothing he can't spare, I assure you.

Number Two: Sonic. You realize that you cannot trust your worst enemy.

Sonic: I know, but I don't have a choice! Look, I know you don't trust each other, and you probably shouldn't. But right now, we all have bigger problems.

Sonagh: If it means we can go back after all of this…

Stone Rose: (Walks over...) As much as it pains me to admit it, he’s right. (…and touches Sonic's shoulder.) For once, everyone is on the same side. We're all just trying to survive. Once this is over, we can go back.

Stab: Protecting my cave!

Zombie Tails (MB-2505): Escaping Cyberspace…

Agent Stone (MB-2523): World domination! (Realises) Afterwards.

(Scene Change: Merged Reality)

(Sticks charges the Paradox Prism. Bolts of lightning spiral around the energy beam above it. The dome fluctuates.)

(In the outskirts, Blaze reluctantly thaws a frozen version of Captain Whisper, tapping on her now-cracked Communicator)

(Scene Change: Egg HQ: Power Core)

(Sonic is in the hamster ball alone, looking at the new gang. His Communicator buzzes.)

Sonic: Yello?

Blaze: (over Communicator) Sonic, how is it going?

Sonic: Nearly on the other side, you?

Blaze: (over Communicator) I— (sighs) I am working with pirates to save the multiverse.

Sonic: See you on the other side.

(Sonic peels out inside the ball. A lightning bolt is deposited from a crack and hits Egg HQ, with cyan sparks flying out. The building rumbles.)

Number Two: Structural integrity is down by 33%.

Gloom: Another blast like that and this place is bound to fall.

(Agent Stone finally cracks, proposing to Dr. Robotnik. Everyone else is too busy to notice. Fly and the zombified Tails fly outside of the building. They look up at Sticks’s projection.)

Sticks: You're only delaying the inevitable!

Zombie Tails (MB-2505): (over Communicator)  We need that shield up. Now!

(Sonic continues running; the sphere is surrounded by Chaos Energy and Prism Energy.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Come on, hedgehog!

(Sonic groans as he continues running with all his might. The meter starts rising. Two Kit Prelates continue diving, locked in combat with the forest-living spear maker and the zombie. Inside, the ball flashes, with the meter rising close to full power. Within the drive, it flashes and grows. Around Egg HQ, the walls of the shield start to rise as Fly helps the zombified Tails back inside. The two Prelates bash into the shield, somehow sent back to their home realities and severing their connections to Sticks, causing the two bats to flinch and brace themselves.)

Stab: That actually worked?

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): (Provoked) Of course it worked, you bark-munching fool!

Gloom: I am sick of this, time to crack some eggs.

Axey: Not yet.

(The zombified Tails helps a depleted Sonic past the doorway. Most of them gather around him and.)

Number Two: Are you able to function?

Sonic: (Exhausted) Who, me? Sure. Never... better, Glide.

(Number Two weakly smiles at being referred to by name. Sonic disappears in a flash of light.)

Number Two & Zombie Tails: Sonic!

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Our teleportation seems to have been delayed. 

(Scene Change: Merged Reality)

(Sonic arrives at Sticks’s Lair, spinning and bouncing on the cracked ground, coming to a halt. With a miserable look on his face, he walks towards a group of Prelates staring at him. Sticks clears the statues and steps towards Sonic. She doesn’t point her staff at him, he puts his hands up.)

Sticks: Don't worry, they’re not gonna hurt you right now.

Sonic: (Surprised, eyeing his Prelate counterpart) Ever wonder where we'd be if things had gone differently between us?

Sticks: (Arms crossed) Not anymore.

Sonic: (Suspicious, considering they were fighting less than a few hours ago) I do. All the time.

Sticks: You had your chance.

Sonic: Right back at you. (Sticks seems unconvinced. Sonic sighs.) Should we get this over with? I’ve got what you want.

Sticks: You know, after all this time, I think I finally get you a bit more.

Sonic: I'm fast, funny, and love a good chili dog. What's not to get?

Sticks: You want to save everyone. Friends, foes, total strangers. Not even a hero, just some hedgehog running around, even before the change, no matter what they’d done, most of the time, it's all about freedom.

Sonic: Y’know, there’s a pretty good chance neither of us will make it through this.

Sticks: (looking down) I know, but I’ve got this far, I can’t stop now.

Sonic: If I don't make it and you do, how do I know you'll fix it?

Sticks: (Turns to Sonic) I made sure the ones we knew aren’t hurt, didn’t I? I haven’t tried to kill you. Once I get what I need, I can try and restore everything. Some of those changes might stick.

Sonic: Fair enough… but did you have to crash together five worlds?

(Sticks points her staff at him.)

Sticks: I needed more material. How was I supposed to know two other dimensions were mixed into it?

Sonic: For what it's worth, I’d have done the same for you.

Sticks: Don't lie to me.

Sonic: I'm not...

Sticks: (Interrupting angrily) Don't.

Sonic: Think whatever you want. But it's true. Even after everything, everything we've been through, together, against each other, you’ve been my friend.

(Taken aback, Sticks relaxes her hands and looks at herself in some sort of misery.)

Sticks: (reaching to scratch at Busters chin) You remember the day I found Buster?

Sonic: (Deadpan) Yep, he nearly killed us.

Sticks: Really? I don’t even know if I’m the me who went through that. It’s like I’m seeing through too many me’s heads, I already got stuck with two sets of memories!

(We finally see Sticks’s perspective. How long has she been seeing like this? Parts of it seem to match entirely different styles, a mismatch of realities. A drop in a sea of infinity.)

(Colours weave into a spiral of flame as the Mecha Marauder rolls in on wheels, Blaze at the wheel with an eyepatch, followed by Mark 2, Mark 3 and Metamorphia with a crew of makeshift pirates behind them.)

Sticks: Seriously?!

(A portal opens behind Sonic, the mothership arrives through and into the merged worlds.)

Agent Stone (MB-2523): Holding frequency… we’re inside.

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Land, and not on Sonic. I won’t let my daughter end up trying to conquer a world this… haphazard.

(As Sticks and Sonic watch on while bracing themselves, the Forest Fighters and the Resistance ready themselves, displaying their combat poses. Dr. Robotnik looks at the radar, smiling. Sticks hyperventilates, frowns and grimaces. She glares at Sonic.)

Chapter Text

(Scene: Merged Reality)

(As the Mecha Marauder, a Yolkomotive and the Mothership arrive, Sticks begins pulling multiple levers for defending her base… only for them all to get stuck.)

Sticks: Damn lack of checking…

(As the three aircraft continue their approach, Omega and Stone Rose swoop down towards Sonic and Sticks.)

Sonic: (Astonished) Rose! (To Sticks) Uh, be right back!

(He runs towards Stone Rose, leaving a frowning Sticks on her own.)

Sticks: Picking another Amy over ours…

(They stop by each other and the aircraft land.)

Omega (MB-2511): Designation: Sonic.

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): For the multiverse!

(The two Eggmen and Egg Pawns and charge onto the ground, around their Yolkomotive. Denizen 2020, Axey, Croc and Gloom land on their side of the ground, staring at Sonic. Sonic jumps onto one of the vehicles, looking at them confused.)

Sonic: You guys got here fast.

Gloom: It's called saving the world. What were we meant to do?

Croc: We aren’t letting anyone break what’s left of what we’ve got.

Axey: I wish I could believe she’d do the right thing. But we can’t just sit by and do nothing.

Metamorphia: (Yelling) Can we move this along? We got places to be, and they're disappearing as we speak.

Sticks: This was your plan, to catch me off guard?

Sonic: Hey, the pirates were Blaze’s idea. I just wanted to try and talk.

(We pan out, revealing the two Robotniks, two Stones, the Resistance, the Forest Fighters and a zombie in their battle poses.)

Sticks: You've betrayed me for the last time. No more missus nice badger!

Sonic: How about a new deal? Hand over the Prism, join us. We'll save the multiverse together, and then we can laugh about this over a couple chili dogs, accept what we have! This is starting to get on my nerves.

Sticks: (Growling) I hate chili dogs. You think you can come here and make demands?

(Having lost her patience, Sticks teleports back.)

Sticks: This is my world!

(The Prelates surge towards and protect their citadel.)

Blaze: It was my world too. Look around, you're outnumbered. Give us the Prism and we can save everything.

Sticks: You can’t even save yourselves.

(She teleports to the top of a newly formed crystalline tree. The Paradox Prism crackles, energy releasing. The dome flickers waves and changes colours as the ground shakes. The Tree grows taller, with bright crystal structures protruding out, forming a wall around the outside of the citadel. Sticks charges more energy into colourless people, creating more Prelates. Multiple Prelates of Espio, Silver, Rotor and Tekno jump onto the ground, followed by a Prelate made from a zombified Sonic.)

Croc: (focusing on one of the Espio Prelates) Dagger?

Gloom: There goes any hope of surrender.

Sonic: It didn't have to be like this. She messes with one of us, she messed with all of us.

Denizen 2020: Let’s fry this plan!

Sticks: (Scoffs in fury) Enough is enough, ATTACK!

(The Prelates charge forward.)

Sonic: CHARGE!

(Sonic and the others charge forward. Lasers are being shot in the background. The remains of this bubble in the multiverse against their own. The two sides clash. Prelate K3 knocks out an Egg Robo. Mark 2 swipes his sword at a Mecha Sonic Prelate, knocking it out. As two Sonic Prelates work together, one spins under Mark 3’s legs, sending him airborne, while the other spins into him from above. As soon as they stop, Sonagh body presses one, grabbing the other he rolls away, while Fly dives down onto the other Prelate, which dodges the attack and grabs hold of his arm. As Fly bites the statues hand, it throws him away into the crystal wall, generating a little purple dust cloud. Fly reappears and snarls as he charges back at the robot. R15 flies towards Salugh.)

Salugh: Here’s a message from the woods!

(Salugh jumps up and hits a Rouge Prelate with a stone sword. She lands and crouches down to brace himself. A group of denizens - including Denizen 2020 - yell and deploy their weapons towards a group of Prelates. Multiple Knuckles Prelates jump up high and punch the ground simultaneously, generating a shockwave which sends the group flying. T7 takes out two Egg Robos and shoots lasers from its mouth. It then dives its way towards Sonic - standing on a crystal. The Yolkomotive zaps it with a laser, leaving Sonic intact.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Not sorry for that, fox boy!

(On the Mecha Marauder’s bridge, where Metamorphia is on patrol, a Prelate Tails flies across across her. Another one lands on their bridge and engage in battle. Metamorphia shapeshifts into it, confusing one long enoigh to slam it into the other.)

Metamorphia: Get off, ye winged devils!

(Sonic watches a Prelate Mighty take on an Egg Pawn.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): That all you got? Get a load of this!

(A reprogrammed version of Metal Sonic 3.0 fights off several Prelates. It shoots lasers, which land next to Gloom.)

Gloom: (Angrily to Eggman) Watch it!

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): (To the viewers) Don't hate the player, hate the game. (As his Eggmobile lands, sees something up ahead in horror)

(He ducks down, dodging a charging Egg Pawn. He watches Metal 3.0 take on a Metal Prelate. He dodges its claws with his leg, but gets clobbered by the second shot, which sends him flying towards Gloom, knocking him into Dr. Eggman.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Get off me, you Dark Arms wannabe!

Gloom: Say please, you rotten egg.

Sonic: (With the battle going on around him) Why can't we work together? The fight's just starting and we're already getting our butts kicked.

(Sticks looks down with a conflicted face.)

Sticks: Look at ‘em, they won't last long.

(He sees Sonic combating K0, evenly matched.)

Sticks: What are you waiting for? I'm right here!

(She then watches her own counterparts Denizen 2014, Stab and Cyborg Sticks combating a Marine Prelate, working together to knock it out. She continues staring as they drag the robot away in front of him.)

Sticks: There’s only meant to be one of me, and that’s me! Well, maybe Anti-Sticks… Amy, go handle the badgers.

(Some of the Prelates stop and retreat to a safe distance.]

Axey: (Wanting to finish this, readying her axe) Why are they stopping?

Agent Stone (MB-2523): Perhaps they've concluded that they're beaten.

(Sonic watches on as a group of Amy Prelates approach towards the three badgers, squabbling over a conspiracy.)

Sonic: (Dreading) Oh... no. (Calling) 2-0-1-4, Stab! The third one!

(He runs towards them. Stab turns back in fear as the Prelates approach them at full speed. Cyborg Sticks picks up the weapon they've been working on.)

Cyborg Sticks (MB-2501): Better hope this works!

(She throws the weapon towards the Amy Prelates. As the scene slows down with the device in mid-air, it explodes, with blue electric shockwaves battering the group. The blast appears in-front of a running Sonic.)

Sonic: (Despairing) No!

(He vanishes while a giant purple smoke cloud sweeps through with barely scratched Prelates flying across. Sonic - being forced by the explosion - is knocked down to the ground with a plume of smoke. His eyes twitch. He sits up and looks ahead in despair. A massive crater has been formed surrounded by a plume of smoke, with the exploded device in the middle and scattered with robot parts. Sticks looks down at what happened, with a slightly miserable look, before reverting to a threatening look.)

Sticks: Fools. They tried to destroy the indestructible? (On communicator) Remaining forces, pull back and let Sonic come to me.

(The Prelates follow Sticks’s orders. The Rebels run over to a desperate-looking Sonic.)

Axey: 2-0-1-4…

Stone Rose: Stab…

(Without someone of her world there to mourn her, a small group looks where the badgers were standing.)

Sonic: (Upset) I wasn't fast enough.

Axey: It wasn’t your fault.

Sonic: Yes, it is. All of it is. You wouldn't even be here if it weren't for me. (Facepalms)

(Dr. Eggman arrives.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Which is exactly why I will lead us to that blasted badger. I’m the one who broke the Prism, I’ll be the one to fix it.

Gloom: If you think we're gonna let you anywhere near the Prism, you're even dumber than the emperor.

Stone Rose: We need to draw not-Stab out of her sky burrow and take the fight to her.

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): (Hinting) If one of us is fast enough, they could get to the Prism and cut off Sticks’s power.

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): So the hedgehog will wield the power? Preposterous!

Axey: Better him than you!

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): In case you haven't noticed, we are losing.

(While the argument is ongoing, Sonic gets up and looks at the floating tree. Sonic grimaces and growls at Sticks.)

Sticks: Here he comes.

(Sonic clenches his fists.)

Axey: (Suspiciously) Sonic, what are you going to do?

(In the background, the barely-functional Omega of MB-2511 searches around for something, finding the unconscious Rusty Ray. His scanner struggles to recognise him as a Robian or Mobian.)
 
Sonic: I wanna take the fight to Sticks so bad it hurts, but if she gets her hands on me, it's game over for all of us. The only way we win this is by working as a team, to save everything, together.

(The allies gather.)

Sonic: Axey, what do we do?

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): You're asking her for advice? We're geniuses. Do you know how many years I fought you, including the badger?

Sonic: Even though they've been out-manned and out-gunned at every turn, Axey was been leading a revolution against more than one Eggman for ages. That takes strategy.

Sonic: So any ideas? Because the mustache is right, we're getting destroyed out here.

(Sonic looks up at the tower again.)

Sticks: He’s waiting? He's never waited for anything in his entire life.

Axey: Str— Sticks is the key. We need to get her off balance and unfocused. I propose a three-pronged assault. First prong of the plan is a flanking maneuver. We'll split into teams that are used to operating together. Blaze’s Pirates heading to one side of the Citadel, the Forest Fighters assaulting the other.

(Several moments of the Forest Fighters and the Pirates working together. They then climb up to the top of the citadel and approach Sticks. The energy beam malfunctions, leaving Sticks pounding her fist on the ground in frustration. Blaze clenches her fist, fire flaring in it. Metal 3.0 gets ripped apart.)

Axey: Their objective, avoid combat wherever possible, breach the top, and find a way to plug that hole, stopping the energy beam and cutting Sticks off from the Prism. Second prong, the airships, each of which will provide support for the ground forces.

(The second prong shows the three airships and Omega. The airships deploy their weapons. The missiles strike down and knock out some Prelates. Viewing from the ground, The Resistance group, the Robotniks mechs and the Egg Pawns run across the middle, taking out the Prelates.)

Axey: Keep Sticks’s assets looking over their shoulders. The more they're focused on you, the less they'll be on the rest of us. The Resistance groups will go right up the middle. We're the most experienced fighters and we'll have the Robotniks with us. We'll draw the most attention from the Prelates.

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): You're using us as common foot soldiers? How dare you? We are your betters!

(Dr. Robotnik then turns to Croc and just stares at him in confusion.)

Croc: Then you'd better get with the program or you're gonna find out how much worse things can get.

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Oh right, the rockstar turned private detective turned resistance fighter. Tell me, how’s the Chaoti—

Stone Rose: What about his robots?

Axey: We don't have to defeat all of them, we just have to hold the line long enough for someone to cut Sticks off from the Prism.

Sonic: It all makes sense, but what about me?

Axey: Remember, Sonic, she’s only got eyes on you. Hang back and keep her focus. This will allow the rest to sneak to the top of the tower.

Sonic: So you're keeping me out of the fight?

Axey: (Touches his shoulder) Not out of the fight. You'll be scouting, coordinating, and relaying messages.

Sonic: And bashing a few bots along the way, right?

Axey: I'm counting on it, we all are. Once Sticks doesn't have the power at his fingertips, you'll have your window to take her out. Until then, bide your time.

Sonic: Just have to sit and wait, makes sense. Okay, everyone, you heard the hog. Let's go save everything, one more time!

(Sonic's allies cheer. Sticks looks down on them in disgust, memories of better times flicking by before being interrupted by a memory of Enerjak.)

Sticks: I don't know what game you're playing, but I...

(The lair rumbles. Sticks almost falls off and wonders what's going on. The Yolkomotive approaches and fire four missiles. One of them hits her lair. Sticks yelps as she stays on her feet, and looks angrily at the mothership. It rotates and two of its guns point down towards her. They generate a large orb and shoot a giant laser which hits the ground and knocks out several Prelates. The laser fires up at the citadel and destroys the outer wall.)

Stone (MB-2625): The outer wall has been breached. The Mothership is pulling back to conserve energy.

(Sticks is looking down at the black plume of smoke and the already penetrated outer wall. She growls in anger.)

Sticks: Enough! All forces, attack!

(She sends out Prelates of Honey, Zeena, Julie-Su, Manic and Surge. A large group approach and attack the resistance.)

Gloom: Here they come.

(Dr. Robotnik takes out M0. Axey swipes at H3. Gloom throws Su-4 away from him, taking down a Prelate Metal Sonic by accident.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): All right, let's do this!

(With the Yolkomotive, a Rouge Prelate and a Shortfuse Prelate attempt to divebomb it. Sonic pulls his Spin Buster out of nowhere and fire it past S8, hitting Number Two and failing to undo his roboticization… but seemingly restoring his mind.)

Glide: (In shock, using his tails to swipe at the Prelates) Get out of here!

(Gloom gets stuck fighting an Eclipse Prelate, recognising the shape as similar to his own. In the background, the Forest Fighters (Salugh, Stab and Sonagh) initiate their cover plan. They run beside some crystal walls. As soon as Salugh halts them, they bump into each other. After a moment, they continue onward. They hide beside another structure. Salugh peeps through.)

Salugh: (Whispering) Okay, we're getting close. Keep low and out of sight.

(Sonagh’s ear peps up as a Kit Prelate flies across. An Amy Prelate dives towards them with a hammer attack.)

Sonagh: Look out!

(He jumps up, dodging A4. Fly picks up a rock, tossing it at K12.)

Fly: It's just one, we can take it.

(Two more Amy Prelates jump from the top of the structure and join their counterpart, preparing for battle as a trio. Stab starts shaking in fear.)

Fly: Ah, coconuts! Salugh: Charge!

(Fly and Sonagh initiate battle. Stone Rose takes on a Sonic Prelate. As it jumps up, Omega body presses it and takes it down.)

Omega (MB-2511): Go on without us. We can handle this.

(The rest of the Scavengers run towards the base.)

Stone Rose: Bring it!

(Sonic arrives and lures a large crowd of Prelates towards him.)

Sonic: (Encouraging, doing jumping jacks) Yoo-hoo, over here!

(Sonic runs, the Prelates go after him. He side steps to dodge laser attacks and spots Agent Stone up ahead.)

Sonic: Incoming!

(Sonic starts boosting, and runs under Agent Stone's mechs legs. Agent Stone jumps onto a Shadow Prelate just as an Omega Prelate leaps onto the mech's head. It jumps to dodge an arm attack, but Agent Stone punches it and breaks it. The other Prelate team go after Sonic. Sonic lures them towards an Egg Robo, causing them to get torn apart. Sonic runs behind the structure where the pirates had been hiding. They act stealthily and tiptoe slowly towards the base. However, more Prelates attack the unaware members, leaving Blaze alone. Blaze flies down, ready to attack, catching a fist from a Captain Metal Prelate.)

Blaze: You again?

(Blaze punches CM-0 in the face. Sonic brakes to a halt. A Blaze Prelate throws her fist through a version of Captain Whisker on top of Mark 3, knocking them both over. In front of our view, Sonic battles and kicks B4.)

Sonic: Go, go!

Mark 3: (two short laughs)

(Mark 3 starts running. As Sonic takes out B4, a Rouge Prelate flies into him, but he dodges. Blaze grabs the robots arm.)

Blaze: We must keep moving!

(As the two run onward, Mark 3’s eyes begin to flicker. Mark 2 rockets forwards, holding onto his crewmate.)

Metamorphia: Incoming!

(Metamorphia, having left the ship, takes out the Rouge Prelate and encroaches.)

Metamorphia: Argh, these metal chickens be a pain in me backside. Mark 3, you active?

(Mark 3 opens his chest, revealing there is no longer a power source. Mark 2 and Metamorphia gasp at each other. Blaze looks away, Sticks looks on.)

Sticks: They're sacrificing themselves for this? Why?! (Turns around and clasps her hands) They probably won’t exist after this, time for a new strategy. (She looks up at the beam of energy in the dome.) Something bigger.

(Dramatic music plays from the Paradox Prism as it starts shaking, some sort of pained sound leaving it. Sticks grunts louder as a spiral of electricity swirls around the beam. The Prelates run back towards the base, tripping of their downed own. Glide punches a Shadow Prelate. On board the Mothership, Stone watches over the radar.)

Stone (MB-2625): Her forces are weakening… (realisation) She’s redirecting power!

(On the ground, Sonic helps Mark 2 lift Mark 3’s body. Metamorphia looks away, Blaze’s eyes seem to glow.)

Sonic: This isn't working. I should've gone straight to Sticks when I had the chance.

Blaze: We’ve held our own so far. Considering her forces are indestructible and made from people across the multiverse, it’s some sort of miracle.

(The fighting's still ongoing in the background. The Silver of MB-2511 appears behind Sticks, only to be electrocuted as he touched the Prism, a Time Stone in his other hand as he planned to try and rewind it. The fragments of the Paradox Prism vibrated in place, each bit of damage flowing as a voice echoes. Chunks of crystal crack below it, threatening to destroy the tree. Bits of other crystals circled around it, like they were being pulled together by outside forces. The other bits of crystal vanish, other eyes watching as the situation goes on.)

???:  I ca’nt jsut sat y̸̪̬̍̎b̶͇̭̉̓,̵͔̮̏ ̴̰̟͂̏ň̷͈͕̉a̴̰͚͊͘c̷̦̹̓’̵̩̤̅̈́ṱ̴͙͌̚ ̸̡̝͆d̸̢͔̈ơ̴̬̑ ̸̮̱̈a̶͙̅̋ņ̸̣̀t̸̼̊̉h̶͓̑y̸̹̿ǹ̵̡̛g̶̱͚̚͘î̷̱̺. 

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Don’t to about getting comfortable, there’s a surge of Prism energy coming.

(Sticks continues gathering prism energy, grunting harder. Her cybernetics begin to spark, her defences finally going off as seven green lasers fire downwards. The dome starts shaking as the lasers make contact with the ground. Blaze and Sonic flinch in shock. A green vapour spews out.)

Blaze: Do we think she missed?

Sonic: No idea.

(Sticks - with her hands still sparking - looks down at the vapor and groans, putting her head in his hands. She holds back further feelings of potential regret. She collapses onto the ground. The Forest Fighters run towards the base and discover the vapour. They halt as the vapour ignites into a furious flame. The dome rumbles again. The Forest Fighters then run along the building's structure. The head of an echidna, made from rock, rises up from the vapor. Salugh halts and gasps as she notices what's coming, holding back the others. The gigantic Prelate, one of Tikal, fully emerges from the ground. She steps forward.)

(An Enerjak-like mechanical Knuckles sits within her torso, atop an inert Master Emerald.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Anyone else suddenly feeling a little doomed?

Stab: Giant women are real!?

Sonic: (sighing) Why did it have to be Tikal?

(T-0 lets out a yell which sends shockwaves causing Sonic to shake. It throws K8.)

Sonic: (Afraid) Knuckles?!

(In less than a minute, Sonic is lying face down on the ground - with smoke covering the background. The smoke clears as voices echo and allies run in the background.)

Croc: Dagger, please!

Gloom: What in Gaia’s name—

Croc: We need reinforcements!

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): They’re indestructible, we aren’t.

Axey: Get up, get up!

(Sonic opens his eyes and gets up, gasping and panting as he looks at the size of T-4.)

Sonic: Blaze.

Blaze: Sonic.

Sonic: Scatter?

Blaze: Scatter.

(A small army of Knuckles Prelates starts dropping down on them.)

Croc: Coming in hot. Take cover!

(One of them hits an Egg Robo and Denizen 2023, sending the quokka flying and falling flat on his face. Sonic intercepts one by punching from beneath. He peels out, pushing Denizen 2017 away from another Prelate Knuckles attack. More of their allies head towards the Titan-like Prelate. She locks onto the Mothership, and deploys various Prelates of various Echidnas. They home in on the Mothership. The Mothership cannons break down, the ship itself engulfs into flames. Stone looks at the monitor. Emperor Robotnik falls into the fire he previously dangled over.)

Stone (MB-2625): (Over Emperor Robotnik’s screams) The Mothership cannons are down. I could use some assistance.

(A group of Tails Prelates head toward the Mothership.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): One bucket of fried mutant fox coming up!

(The Yolkomotive fires bullets and takes down some Tails Prelates, but not forever. Sticks watches on, growling in anger. The Mecha Marauder - with Captain Whisker and Johnny on the bridge - flies alongside the Yolkomotive.)

Captain Whisper: We too are on our way.

Sticks: Stop the ships!

(Sticks tried deploys a horde of Prelates, only to realise they’re only in battle. She needs more to drop if she wants more firepower.

(Sonic fights a group of Sonic Prelates, kicking S1 so far he lands in a familiar crack. T-4 targets him.)

Sonic: Ha, whoa!

(T-4 steps forward, with Axey watching on as Sonic and Blaze continue to battle.)

Axey: It's focused on them.

Gloom: Which means it won't see me coming.

(Gloom watches as a Shadow Prelate gets stomped into the ground in a single step.)

Gloom: I may have bitten off more than I can chew.

(T-4 then throws another Knuckles Prelate at him.)

(Sonic and his allies retreat, fearing the worst, but a Knuckles Prelate slams the ground again, sending them flying a short distance.)

Blaze: (Angrily) Her luck just ran out.

(Blaze makes a run for it, Sonic follows along.)

Axey: Wait, hang back! Stick to the plan!

(Sticks watches on, doubling down. Sonic and Blaze weave past incoming Prelates, but Sonic is nearly blown away by a Mega Man Prelate. Omega is still staring down at where Shadow fell.)

Sticks: After them!

(She falls and skids on the ground, grunting and coughing. Sticks sends out a group of Marine Prelates. A group of four surround an exhausted Blaze.)

Blaze: What did she do to you?

(Blaze growls as she is surrounded by Marine with counterparts. In slow motion, they pounce towards her simultaneously. She jumps. One of them grabs Sonix and throws him into another one, which punches him. Blaze flies over the third, handstands on the ground and kips up, dodging a tackle attack. Another one tries to tackle her but she flips over it, however another one grabs Sonic again and sets him up to be kicked by another, but manages to get back on his feet.)

Blaze: Sonic! Go!

Sonic: (Growling) Sticks!

(A silent Sticks looks down at Sonic)

Sonic: Wanna see me at my limit?!

(Sonic punches down another Sonic Prelate who tries to throw a Poké Ball at him, only for it to remain colourless.)

Sonic: Right here!

(He runs, with a group of Prelates chasing him. Meanwhile, at the base, Salugh, Sonagh and Fly climb up the ledge and watch the action from the structure.)

Salugh: He's buying us time. Let's use it. Keep moving.

(They creep along the structure. Sticks watches Sonic being chased by her creations.)

Sticks: Where are you going?

(Sticks opens her hands and extracts Prism energy from the beam. The dome fluctuates repeatedly. Down on the ground, some of the Prelates, including T-4, start to wind down.)

Sticks: Agh!

(The cybernetics in her left hand give out, sparking. Memories of MB-2525 flash by in her mind. It felt simpler, she didn’t have two sets of memories to deal with.)

Axey: She’s losing power!

(Denizen 2018, 2020 and 2023 begin attacking T-4.)

(Sticks stops extracting from the beam, clutching her hand, throwing various weapons that she threw back in the second chapter towards the ground where Sonic is still running, blowing up fissures. Sonic brakes to a halt and wobbles at the edge of the large crack. Sonic is grabbed from behind by a Scourge Prelate, sending him crashing to the ground at the bottom. Meanwhile, Sticks raises her right hand, and T-4 rejuvenates power. Gloom tries to hang on to T-4’s hand as it swings around, little cracks of the island that formed her truly showing.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Ugh! Enough of this. I'm no one's sacrificial lamb. Stone, we need the Mothership!

(While Egg Robos are seen trying to repair the Mothership, bullets hit them and take them out. Tails Prelates swoop around the Mothership. Agent Stone groans nervously inside the cockpit and puts his hands back on the controls. The Mecha Marauder and the Yolkomotive approach the Mothership. Johnny fires from the turret. Meanwhile, on the Mothership's deck, a group of Rouge Prelates and Cream Prelates take off and start attacking.)

(Meanwhile, Sonic is being punched repeatedly by the Scourge Prelate. As the Grim Sonic prepares to deliver the final blow, a grunting is heard in the background. Shadow strikes the Prelate and stands in front of Sonic, the black and red goo around them dripping off of him. Sonic becomes relieved after seeing Shadow for the first time in a while.)

Sonic: Shadow, you're alive! (Offers a hand) Help an interdimensional pal up?

Shadow (MB-2523): We are barely friends.

Sonic: (Sighs) Never mind. You okay?

Shadow (MB-2523): I survived. I found… myself.

Sonic: Yourself? You mean—

(Sonic looks at the black and red goo, the remains of MB-2513’s Shadow. He resists the urge to vomit.)

Shadow (MB-2523): The emerald was too drained for me to teleport out. I will admit, I wasn’t expecting the reunion.

(Shadow pulls S1 from the goo with one hand, revealed to have reverted to MB-2523’s Sonic and pulling up Rusty Ray with his other hand.)

Sonic (MB-2625): Huh, bit of a brighter colour than I was at his age. Still up to save the multiverse?

(Sonic peels out up the wall, pulling his counterpart up as Shadow pulls up Rusty Ray.)

Omega (MB-2511): Shadow. Black Arms hybrid variant. Ally? I can provide shelter for your small associates.

(Shadow looks to Sonic, Sonic gives him a thumbs up. Reluctantly, Shadow slides the two into the barely functional robot mostly converted into a mech. Omega starts making computer start-up sounds upon exposure to Chaos Energy.)

Omega (MB-2511): MULTIPLE ENEMY TARGETS DETECT-TECTED. TAKEDOWN IMME-IMMINENT! 

(Omega starts firing at random Prelates. Shadow can’t tell if he’s in shock or if the violence is admirable. Likely the latter.)

(The Forest Fighters hide behind a wall.)

Salugh: We're gonna need to sneak past that thing if we wanna cut off not-Stab from the Prism, ideas?

Fly: I've got one, but I'll need four rocks, 80 feet of vine and a time machine.

Sonagh: You sound like Stab.

(Salugh brows down, her ears drop and she walks away. Sonagh follows, showing a confused look at Fly. Fly follows them too. All three of them climb further up the building. Meanwhile, on the ground, Shadow takes out down a Sonic Prelate while Sonic engages in battle with another one, but is punched fist and is sent flying into a crystal wall, sliding down. Shadow spins and homing attacks two more Prelates, slamming down a third one before jumping spinning himself away from the fourth. He dodges a leg and a grab attack from the robot. They both fly high and hit each other, both standing up as they land. Shadow grunts and hits the Sonic Prelate again, dodging another attack. Shadow leaps and kicks the Prelate into the wall, which it lands on and leaps back to attack.)

Sonic: (To Sonic Prelate) You’re too slow!

(By the time S-247 jumps over the crack, Sonic stops it in mid-air with a homing attack, causing it to fall through. On the other side, Shadow grabs a Sally Prelate and tosses it to Sonic, who knocks it back with a spin attack. Shadow punches it towards the hole and Sonic smacks it down with another spin attack. Sonic celebrates next to Shadow.

Sonic: (Chuckling) Hellooo teamwork! (Raises his hand) Up top!

Shadow (MB-2523): These are one thing, but Sticks can generate an endless army while she’s got the Prism. She is still the truest threat.

(Sonic sighs and claps his own raised metallic hand, gesturing the giant Tikal Prelate. Shadow is very much not unnerved.)

Sonic: Axey’s plan is working. The Forest Fighters are nearly there. They're gonna cut Sticks off from the Prism.

Shadow (MB-2523): Which is in her burrow, they could take too long.

Sonic: They got this far.

Shadow (MB-2523): We’re going after Sticks.

Sonic: The only way we win this thing is if we work together. We need the others, especially if we can cut off more than one Prelate.

Shadow (MB-2523): (Resigned) It's the end of the multiverse, and you're still thinking about your friends.

Sonic: Of course I am. They're all here, fighting, sacrificing themselves for everything.

Shadow (MB-2523): All the more reason to go after the badger while she's distracted.

Sonic: And let my friends get pummeled when Sticks only wants me? (He sighs and pants) If she only wants me…

(Meanwhile, up in the air, Kit Prelates wreck the Mecha Marauder. On the bridge, a recently returned Metamorphia and Mark 2 dodge tackles.)

Metamorphia: Get those flying beasts off of us!

(Mark 2 fires lasers at them to no avail, he jumps up onto the bridge.)

Mark 2: They are crushing us. Damage is critical.

(The Mecha Marauder descends with smoke pluming out from its thrusters.)

Metamorphia: I hate to say it, cap’n… but we're going down. Abandon ship!

(Metamorphia and Mark 2 jump off to evacuate the ship.)

Metamorphia: It's been an honor to know you, sir.

Mark 2: The feelings are crushing me, friend.

(They hold hands. Just before they hit the ground, Mark 2’s crab legs manage to absorb the shock.)

Metamorphia: By Poseidon's soggy beard…

Agent Stone (MB-2625): You’ve got a clear shot, make it count.

(More Egg Robos come to work on repairing the mothership's cannon. Meanwhile, on the ground, the Tikal Prelate continues walking forward, followed by a Julie-Su Prelate. Crystals fly as reality itself takes further damage and crash into Johnny and Croc, causing them to scream and fall. Johnny is trapped by a group of crystals.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): We're getting destroyed out here.

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Keep your mustache on, Doctor. The cannons are almost repaired.

(The mothership's cannon is fully repaired. It powers up and glows bright red. Two of the mothership's cannons prepare a growing orb. Sticks watches on, becoming worried. T-4 focuses on the mothership. Meanwhile, Gloom pulls Croc away from the crystal.)

Sticks: The Mothership! Take out the Mothership!

(Stone targets T-4.)

Stone (MB-2625): So long.

(A humongous laser is fired, and hits T-4 with a powerful explosion that shakes the ground. Sticks flinches and braces himself from the impact. Purple dust clears, revealing black smoke. Tikal’s spirit returns to the Master Emerald, falling over and crashing onto the ground, shaking it and blowing a wave of dust in the air. Sonic and Shadow become astonished while they run and look at each other. Sonic's allies cheer in celebration. Sonic and Shadow come over to and greet the rebels.)

Sonic: Hoo-hoo-hoo! You really took that one down.

Axey: Sonic, you're okay!

Sonic: Gang, this is Shadow. Shadow, meet, well, everyone you didn’t meet the first time, I guess. And Omega. And Ray again. And another me.

(The group are unconvinced, but are immediately interrupted by a furious Sticks. She begins powering up the energy beam with one hand, letting off frustrated growls.)

Sonic: Well, that's terrifying.

(The dome fluctuates again. Sticks notices the tears in the sky. One absorbs half of the Mothership.)

Dr. Eggman & Dr. Robotnik: STONE!

(Stone evacuates the mothership while carrying the cores of Orbot, Cubot, Scratch, Grounder and Sage inside of Metal Sonic head, but screams as he is blasted by an explosion.)

(Dr. Eggman catches him with his mech crash lands on the ground.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Mark my words, we're going to melt that badger.

(Sticks groans, her head in ber hands. The Prism shield starts to decay, causing the dome to shrink; the crystals in the dome start disappearing.)

Sonic: Every time she diverts power, the dome shrinks. She needs my energy to stabilize it.

(Sticks pants in exhaustion, but sees something below.)

Sticks: Huh?

(She watches the Forest Fighters make their way up to the top of the structure. She lifts one hand, wincing through the pain in one hand. The Forest Fighters are forced up in the air by rising crystals.)

Stone Rose: Salugh!

(Salugh sees Sonagh and Fly being flown up in the air and flies up, grabbing Fly while he catches Sonagh’s foot, rescuing each other.)

Axey: The plan, it failed.

(Sonic and his allies watch the Paradox Prism load up with power.)

Sonic: We're running out of time. I need you, all of you, to listen to me.

(Sticks clutches her head, muttering to herself in an attempt to justify everything to herself as tears build up. Sonic gathers his allies together, while Sticks growls in anger and fires up the energy beam once again. She facepalms while she struggles.

Sticks: (to herself) No, the dome... at this rate, I don’t know if this would work. I’d give something for any world, anything to go back to normal.

Sonic: (Angrily, yelling) You'll never catch me, Sticks. I'm too fast. Hit me with everything you've got!

Sticks: No more waiting.

(More Prelates take off.)

Sonic: (Looking at Blaze and Shadow) Blaze?

(Sonic, Blaze and Shadow nod. The Prelates land on the ground close to Sonic's team.)

Sonic: Here they come!

(Blaze combats three Prelates of herself. She notices other Prelates taking out some of her allies. Throwing it like a boomerang, Sticks ends up hitting A0.)

Sticks: No!

(As Sonic runs away, three Sonic Prelates chase him. Blaze runs towards one and punches it high, causing it to crash into the ground.)

Sonic (MB-2523): (Tacking a Prelate of himself, barely knows what’s going on) Show me what you got, faker!

(Rusty Ray helps his Sonic by diving into the Prelate, followed by Shadow jumping on it. Omega cheers from a distance due to drained energy.)

(Meanwhile, Mark 2 and Metamorhpia get dogpiled by Metallix Prelates.)

Johnny: Run!

(Johnny and Captain Whisker leave the story through a very convenient plot hole.)

(Sonic is dropped onto the ground with a thud, groaning and holding his head as he slowly gets up.)

Croc: (Biting into a Prelates arm, swinging them around) Get off of me!

(Croc’s teeth begin to chip and crack as a Vector Prelate jumps him, an Espio Prelate tossing a Charmy Prelate to go after the Yolkomotive, which breaks down as the thrusters break off.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): I'm going down!

(The ship crashes on the ground through the tree’s wall and stops by the base, powering down. Meanwhile, Things get worse. Blaze is swiped at repeatedly by a Blaze Prelate.)

Blaze: Is that the best you have?

(A group crash into her, watched on by Sonic, who realizes she may be in trouble.)

Sonic: (Despairing) Blaze!

(With Dr. Robotnik running across the background and outrunning a Sonic Prelate, Axey and Gloom battle more Prelates. Sonic miserably looks at Salugh and Fly who are also downed, with Sonagh getting hit by a flying Knuckles Prelate, laid out. Stone Rose collapses into a crystal wall.)

Sonic: That’s it.

(Sonic spins into the horde, sending them flying.)

Sticks: Finally.

(Sonic super peels out to the top of the tower and lands opposite Sticks. They growl and go to tackle each other. Time seems to freeze.)

Chapter Text

(Scene: Merged Reality)

(A shockwave bursts from the tower, blowing them both back, but they stay standing.)

Sonic: Sticks, this is going too far. We can still fix this together.

Sticks: (Annoyed) Together?

(Sticks teleports to a higher branch.)

Sticks: You only care about trying to put everything back together, when we both know our world won’t be right!

(Sticks fires off a particularly destructive slingshot downwards, forcing Sonic to dodge.)

Sonic: That’s the way things are now, we can’t change what’s happened. We can’t just let all these worlds die. You know it, I know it! And that Prism power--

Sticks: (Interrupting) Is my ticket to protecting my new world. Once I take the remaining Prism energy that's in you, this will be saved. Look around. You've already lost and you don't even know it. Your so-called friends won't be doing any more fighting. Meanwhile, my army has one purpose: To get your energy.

(Sticks lifts her hand to call on more Prelates, only for the colourless people around her to remain unmoving. She facepalms, growling again.)

Sticks: Need... more... power!

(The dome fluctuates, with purple rocks appearing in the starry sky. The Paradox Prism starts shaking. On the ground, Prelates eyes flicker and regain power.)

Sonic: (To Axey, through Communicator) It's working, they’re losing power.

(A Blitz Prelates eyes open, leaping at the previously downed Silver. Sonic watches on as Sticks continues generating prism energy. The dome starts shrinking, with battlefield crystals disappearing through the dome's edge.)

Sonic: (Slightly worried) Sure you can handle all that juice, pal?

(Sticks turns to Sonic, firing her slingshot again, causing an explosion that sends him downwards. He screams as he heads towards the spiky crystals at the bottom of the citadel.)

Sticks: (Panicked, to a Tails Prelate) Catch him! I need that energy!

(As Sonic continues falling, his shoes start glowing. He lands on appearing panel tiles to avoid the spikes.)

Sonic: Huh? (Realises) She’s not the only one who’s been using the Prisms energy. (Putting his foot down, causing more to appear.) Get ready for some fancy footwork.

(Sonic peels out along the tiles. Tails Prelates attack him. He ducks under to dodge one of them and jumps over the other one. He starts spinning along the tiles and Homing Attacks both of them. He peels around towards the top of the citadel and looks at Sticks.)

Sticks: More power!

(Sticks generates more power from the Paradox Energy beam, and shoots a series of small rocks at Sonic, hitting the target, but a tile pops up as Sonic puts both of his hands out, acting as a shield. Sonic holds the shield and tries to hang on. Another tile appears as Sonic stretches his back leg out. As soon as the bullets disappear, Sonic lets go, and the shield disappears. He looks at his gloves.)

Sonic: Huh? (He chuckles.) Even better! (He flexes at Sticks.)

Sticks: No!

(Sticks grunts and fires again. Sonic peels along the sky in a loop-de-loop. He sticks his arm out and holds a shield to block incoming rocks. Sticks manages to knock him back down with one. Sonic falls upon impact and starts screaming. Sticks, realising he might go right down to the spikes again, runs over and looks down. Behind the confused Sticks, Sonic is standing on an invisible tile portraying a screaming voice.)

Sonic: Splat!

(Sticks turns, but Sonic quickly spin attacks her as they travel around the energy beam. They let go. Sticks throws multiple sharpened boomerangs at Sonic, holding a shield to block the attack. Sonic runs with the shield and gets closer to Sticks. Sticks groans and holds her head. Having run out of energy, she drops lower down. Sonic, caught out by the velocity, drops the shield and jumps down as well with a thud, holding his head for a brief moment before kneeling.)

Sonic: You're looking pretty tired. Sure you're not ready to give up?

Sticks: (Grunts) Give up? I can't. (Frowns and scowls) You're the one who put me in this position. Doesn’t this all feel fake?

(She lapses, clenches her fists and sets up her hand to generate power from the paradox energy beam. Sonic flinches and covers his eyes while he looks up. The lighting on the Prelates flicker, along with the dome fluctuating in appearance. On the ground, Axey stirs and eventually gets up.)

Axey: NOW!

(Axey throws a Silver Prelate into a hole. Other allies get ready to battle.)

Mark 2: For my treasure, for my crew, I’LL CRUSH YOU!

(He swings a Metallix Prelate away with his sword. Fly and Sonagh launches themselves from a crystal, tag-teaming a Terios Prelate. Rusty Ray spin attacks a Bomb Prelate, causing it to collide with a Heavy Prelate.)

Sonic: Maybe this feels fake to you, maybe I can’t convince you. But the plan worked. We’re still in the same world, things changed and got shattered, but it’s as real as it can be! And as long as I’m here, every world is under my protection!

(He starts looking back nervously as Sticks generates more energy from the paradox beam. The intact cybernetics in her hand glow white but stops and pants.)

Sticks: Fully charged. Now you’re gonna feel the full force of my... (Hears a rumbling in the distance and turns to where it's coming from.) Huh? (Tensing his injured hand and frowns) You tricked me!? How?!

Sonic: One, sneaky great plan. Two, 'cause they trusted me. We needed you to think you’ve won.

(Sonic and Sticks begin to struggle as they glitch.)

Sonic: You can't protect your world, fight me and power your army. Reality isn’t exactly in one piece.

(Gravity distorts, sending Sonic into the air. Meanwhile, the Prelates seemingly begin to crack as they return to their normal selves. Blaze helps up a Marine and an Amy before glaring in Sticks’s general direction.)

Sticks: (Furious) Nooo!

(Blitz throws his arms around Glide and Axey.)

Blitz: Guys! I have no idea what’s going on!

Axey; Just punch who we punch.

(The allies cheers in celebration, while Sonic smiles back at them.)

Sticks: (sighs, annoyed) You think this is over, don't you?

Sonic: Oh it’s over, alright. Now let's save the world before you end up destroying it and both of us.

Sticks: The decay’s getting worse, y’know.

(Purple rocks float upwards in the sky. The dome starts shrinking and bolts of energy light up around the Paradox Prism. Sticks watches as the sky continues to bleed. The bubble containing most of these worlds starts to ripple.)

Sonic: (Desperate, looking down at everyone who would be happy to attack now) Sticks. Buddy. (He walks towards his current enemy.) We both dreamed of how things used to be, how our world was. But it’s gonna fall apart if you keep this up!

Sticks: (Angrily) A small sacrifice which I'll fix soon enough with your energy. I'm protecting my home!

(Sonic frowns back at her. Sticks clenched her fists, holding back tears as she swings Amy’s hammer. Meanwhile, Mark 2 amasses as many robots as he can. Shadow tries not to lose himself amongst multiple versions. The Marine’s start trading fanfiction ideas. Silver reunites with Gold. Omega looks around, recalling the people that he knew. Various Kits split themselves up across a few Surges. Anti-Tekno throws her arms around Rosie, who grins.)

Mark 2: Hear me, me hearties! Button yer blowholes and let’s drive her back! FULL FORCE!

Metamorphia: Aye aye, ya bucket of bolts!

(The rest of Sonic's allies war-cry and raise their weapons. Blitz readies his claws, kicking away a robotic head. Dr. Robotnik awkwardly hi-fives his Sonic. Stone checks on the cores.)

(At the top of the tower, Sticks yells and fires more rocks at Sonic. Sonic dodges and jumps from invisible panel to invisible panel to use as platforms, making his way next to Sticks. Sticks growls furiously, while Sonic continues to bask in the recharge he got from being Composite Sonic. Behind Sticks, a mechanical version of Knuckles quietly climbs up to one of the spikes at the edge of the tower.)

Sonic: This is gonna hurt me a lot more than it's gonna hurt you.

Sticks: (Confused) What?

(Knuckles - in slow motion - punches Sticks in the back of his head across the tower, forcing her into the wall's edge. Knuckles jumps onto the platform.)

Knuckles (MB-2512): (To Sticks) You! You disrupted the emerald! You dared to control me?

(Sonic and the mechanically-bound Knuckles look at each other, then at Sticks. Cue Buster, who has been here the entire time.)

Sticks: Take out the scrap heap and grab Sonic. (Teleports up.) We still need his energy to make this right.

(Buster gets into a fight with Knuckles as Sonic leaps over the oversized robotic dog, aiming right for Sticks. Sticks fires at him repeatedly, only for Sonic to spawn further shields. The ground beneath them starts to crack.)

Blitz: Axe, what do we do?

Axey: Do what we always do, whatever it takes to save the world!

(The allies start trying to climb up towards Sticks’s lair, whoever can climb or fly trying to drag others up with them. Papa Big repeatedly uses his fishing rod to fling versions of Sonic and Tails upwards, one of them holding Froggy. The structure continues to shake.)

(A salvaged aircraft scrapes the side of the structure. The light in the cockpit turns on. Stab, Cyborg Sticks and Denizen 2014 pop up through a hole in the top, joined by Anti-Sticks.)

Stab: Hey!

Cyborg Sticks (MB-2501): Hey!

Denizen 2014: (Salutational growl)

Axey: They’re alive!?

Stone Rose: How?

Rosie: STICKSY!

Anti-Sticks: These idiots got blown into another dimension, I gave them a lift back to end this issue… and now I’ve been thrown into this, damn it!

Cyborg Sticks (MB-2501): Orders?

Axey: Stay on top of things and stay safe. The rest of you, remember the plan. If you can’t move, try and huddle together.

(Metamorphia whispers to Mark 2.)

Metamorphia: Hold up, Captain. With everyone distracted down here, we could make a serious run at that rock. And with that kind of treasure, we wouldn't just be legends, we could take over reality.

Mark 2: Me beauty…

(He smiles. Meanwhile, at the top of, Knuckles tackles Buster off.)

Sticks: Buster! What’s the point without you!?

(Sticks extracts more energy from the paradox beam, causing the Paradox Prism inside the citadel to shake, a crystalline shield starting to build around it. The dome fluctuates once again. Sonic continues dodges Sticks’s attacks. After a while, Sticks stops and wobbles. With Sonic looking worried, he looks around the fluctuating dome in fear. It starts shrinking, with more battleground crystals rise and disappear. Blaze reaches the top first.)

Blaze: It’s getting worse, we need to finish this.

Sonic: (Points him to the shrinking dome.) I gotta get through to her.

(Sticks unleashes an electric shockwave which hits Sonic and Blaze. As soon as they get up from the tower's edge, Sticks finds herself unable to create any more Prelates.)

Sticks: Damn it.

(Meanwhile, Metamorphia starts climbing and joins Mark 2. Mark 2 looks up in amazement.)

Mark 2: So much beauty.

Metamorphia: Instead of dying in this desolate wasteland like the rest of these sea dogs, we'll be living like royalty!

Blaze (SD-2607): Where do you think you’re going?

(Mark 2 looks up at Blaze, Sonic standing by her side. Metamorphia climbs further up.)

Metamorphia: Forget them, Captain. We have to keep climbing.

(Sonic swipes his communication from Mark 2, adjusting his hat.)

Sonic (MB-2693): (Through Communicator) Come on, pussy cat. Let’s pound these robots back to the scrap-parents they disappointed!

(This Sonic dives into Metamorphia while MB-2523’s Sonic gets thrown by Rusty Ray, striking down one of a few Scourge’s. Rosie happily pounds one under her hammer.)

Omachao: PRESS B TO DESTROY EGGMAN’S ROBOTS—

(Rosie, seeing very few Eggman creations around, pounds Omachao under her hammer. Gloom and a small group of Shadows group together some dimensionally displaced Flickies. Dr. Eggman looks around from inside of his mech, wondering if all of this was worth it. The ground is getting more unstable.)

(At the top of the tower, with Blaze and Sonic standing against a still-teleporting Sticks.)

Sticks: It doesn’t have to end like this, I just need your energy!

Sonic: Or we could imagine a world where everyone’s equal and free!

Blaze: It’s easier to fight for that than it is to try and rewrite the universe to fit it how you want it to be!

(Sonic and Blaze prepare themselves as Sticks begins to teleport frantically. The two use the Chaos Emerald and Sol Emerald to push themselves further apart, allowing them both to avoid getting hit.) 

(Multiple Sonics, Amy’s and Knuckles begin aiming for Sticks, some bashing into each other in the process as they’re thrown by their respective Tails. Others watch as the cracks and distortions grow larger.) 

Sticks: Yaah!

(Sticks seemingly hits Blaze off from the top, only for the cat to appear behind her.)

Blaze: (Diving in mid-air) We are not finished!

(The two combine their spinning, causing an explosion and damaging the tree. As soon as the smoke clears, Sticks clutches her arm again. Sonic looks up at the dome, which starts shrinking. The various allies from before are knocked off by the explosion.)

Sonic: We're losing ground, better hope we aren’t the only one’s going for the Prism.

(Meanwhile, four versions of Big are attempting to fish for the Prism… from very far below it. The Distortion World starts leaking through. Tails of PK-1996 stands firm, a Poké Ball in his hand.)

(Dramatic music builds, courtesy of a Robotnik with a trombone. A zombified Sonic lunges at him.)

Sonic: She’s not gonna stop.

Blaze: Please stop stating the obvious.

(Blaze spin attacks Nine, stopping her attack. They all fall, the fight goes on. The dome from inside the merged world began to get smaller. Inside the citadel, Sonic, Blaze and Sticks were still fighting as they were separated from inside Sticks’s makeshift lab, Sonic bumps himself near the railing and falls to the floor, as he looks up towards the Paradox Prism. He manages to get up facing Sticks again, but he turns around to see a replica of an old bed he once had next to two palm trees on each side.)

Blaze: What in the name of—

(Sonic makes a ‘follow’ gesture. A memory of Jules and Bernie mixing in with a memory of being alone, then of Uncle Chuck. He clutches his head.)

Sonic: Been a while since I’ve seen this…

(Soon enough, Sticks yells and charges at Sonic.)

Sonic: Sticks, listen! I didn't understand what you were doing. Whoa!

(Sonic soon dodges Sticks’s attacks. Blaze knocks her backwards, her memory filled with an emptied version of her home.)

Sticks: Stop talking!

Sonic: You just wanted a better life! Like Green Hill, but for all of us!

(Sonic jumps, almost losing his balance as he keeps moving around. Blaze trips Sticks.)

Sticks: Stand still and fight me!

(Just as Sticks was about to attack, a wall explosion suddenly appeared covering the lab in smoke. As it started to clear up, both Sonic and Sticks groaned as they look in surprise.)

Blaze: It’s over, Sticks.

(We reveal Shadow, the two Eggmen and Stones, the pirates, the Forest Fighters, and various other inhabitants of other worlds and counterparts to them, a familiar set of dungaree-wearing brothers in the background.)

Sticks: (gasp) Get back! Don't make me destroy you all… please!

Sonic: Is that what you want? More destruction? Look outside! At this rate, we won’t even exist!

(She looks up and could see the dome shrinking. Reality begins to glitch.)

Unit: Known multiverse is experiencing a fault. Suggest contacting software provider for immediate support.

Relic: The multiverse doesn’t have a software provider!

Sonic: I'm sorry for this, Sticks. But the world as we remembered it the first time around doesn’t exist anymore, and it’s about time we accept that.

(Sticks looks at Sonic for a short second, then looks away with a tired expression. As battered and drained as most of them, everything finally seems to dawn on her.)

Sticks: I turned on you. I turned on everything we still had. (Looking at the hammer she’d dropped) Amy would hate me if she knew.

Sonic: No, she’d be mad at you and try to get you to do better.

(The two seem to finally come to an agreement.)

Dr. Robotnik (MB-2523): Enough talk! Light this badger up, full volley!

(Dr. Eggman holds him back. Everyone else is somewhat reluctant. Sticks sees the Amy, Tails and Knuckles that she knew… still unconscious, stabilised as who they’ve become in MB-2625. They changed. Deja Vu altering the choices they made the first time around.)

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Before anyone starts on about betrayal or revenge, they have a point: the multiverse is collapsing in on itself, we wouldn’t have time.

Blitz: Fix everything first, deal with this later!

(Worlds have been shattered, their homes destroyed. The same thing will happen again.)

(Glide hyperventilates and lapses. Blitz lifts him up.)

Sticks: (Upset) It’s been pushed too far. This wasn't supposed to happen. Without something to stabilise it, reality as we know it will be over.

(Ray reaches for his Sonic, Shadow standing by. Sonia, Manic and their roboticised brother hold onto their medallions. Mark 2 lowers his head. Timelines jump left and right, starting and stopping. The clocks are striking different times. Time to break the hands and hit rewind.) 

Sonic: (Determined) I know just what needs to be done.

(He runs and jumps onto the other drive in the lab.)

Blaze: Sonic, what are you doing?

Sonic: Giving you all a sacrifice.

Sticks: You'd do that after everything I...

Sonic: What are friends for?

(Sonic turns to Blaze, who nods in agreement.)

Sonic: If I do this, lay off the evil plans for a bit, okay Egghead?

Dr. Eggman (MB-2625): Only if you survive. Now hurry up already, you’re making me miss nature.

(Glide moves over to the keyboard and starts typing.)

Glide: If I can extract the remaining Prism energy inside of him, I can use it to fully reform the Prism.

(The screen shows energy depleting from a Sonic icon and a bar to the right of the Paradox Prism raised up to full.)

Blitz: And then? Spit it out!

Glide: And then the Prism will finally be fully stable. I can save everything.

Sonic: You heard him. We have a plan. Let's move this along.

Glide: There's a risk. If I remove the energy, he might fall apart. It’s been part of him for too long. And without the Prism energy binding him, I'm not sure he'll make it.

Sonic: I'm ready.

(Glide is shocked by the response, and becomes agonised at the idea of a version of his brother dying.)

Sonic: It's the only way.

(Glide nods in misery before Sticks pushes him away, starting to type on the keyboard herself.)

Sonic: Sticks—

Sticks: I got us deeper into this mess. If anyone’s gonna be responsible for my friend dyin’, it’s gonna be me.

(Sticks hits a button. The drive begins lighting up and whirring. Sonic grunts as he struggles and floats. His gloves and shoes sparkle with electricity. Waves of light pass over him. Sonic's arms are forced back while he glitches between the appearances of his counterparts, confusing his counterparts. The Paradox Prism starts lighting up and shaking. The monitor displays Sonic's energy depletes to empty, having been transferred to the Prism. The Prism bursts a white light. As soon as the light fades, Sonic - who now appears a pale grey with a light outline glowing around him - collapses on the podium, with vapor rising around him. The others looks over in shock.)

Sticks: Sonic, are you...

(Sonic pants and tries to get up.)

Sonic: Me? Never better. (Kneels, looking over at his unconscious friends)

Axey: (Relieved) He's still alive. He didn't shatter!

(Sonic stands, but is affected by a strong spasm causing him to collapse and fall onto Blaze, who catches him. He twitches again.)

Sticks: The Prism is whole. His body is holding together, but it won’t be long before… (Becomes distracted as Sonic twitches again, struggling.)

Blaze: (clutching the Sol Emerald, attempting something through thought) Easy, Sonic. I have you.

(Shadow notices Gloom, Termina and Rascal reunite. Why does he feel like something’s missing?)

(Energy crackles, causing Sonic to grunt.)

Sonic: Oh right, the whole ‘bringing thoughts to life’ thing. (Energy crackles, causing him to grunt.) That’s the third time you’ve had to save me now. (Energy crackles, causing him to grunt.)

(Sticks types on the keyboard.)

Sticks: With the Prism whole again, if I start the reformation process, theoretically, there's still a chance I can bring everything back to how it was.

Sonic: (Energy crackles, causing him to grunt.) Green Hill? (Energy crackles, causing him to grunt.)

Sticks: (Stops typing) Here goes.

(The diagram on the monitor shows the Prism on the left, pieces of the prism in the inset, and the portals on a grid to the right. The Prism whirs and shakes. Everyone flinches and braces themselves as the Prism bursts a white light which covers the screen. As soon as it fades, the prism disappears, with white vapor spewing out.)

Axey: The Prism! It’s—

Mark 2: Crushed?

Sonic (MB-2523): (Cuts in, pointing up and ahead) Quit yammering and look!

(The group walk past a crack that had developed in the wall. Everyone gasp as they look up to the purple sky with airborne rocks and portal gateways of different colors, which light up in various colours.)

Blaze: The gateways are reforming.

Sonic: It's... all back together. You did it, Sticks. (Energy crackles, causing him to grunt.) I'm not sure I'm gonna be able to outrun this.

Sticks: Yes, you can, if you leave now. (Turns to a random portal.)

Blaze: Where are you going?

Sticks: I don’t know, maybe I’ll find a world where I don’t exist? Some world that could need help.

Sonic: But… you’d be away from home. You’re gonna be missed—

(Sticks turns to Sonic.)

Sticks: This is what I deserve. What you all deserve. Go home, Sonic…s. And look out for mind control, okay?

(Sticks walks through the portal, Busters remains following her.)

Salugh: Everyone hurry!

(Sonagh peels out, pulling the Forest Fighters behind him through a portal. The other portals start pulling the rest of them in. Blaze and Sonic come apart.)

Sonic: Next time I visit, should I bring something?

Blaze: Something sweet? The import costs can be ridiculous sometimes.

(MB-2693’s Sonic is pulled into SD-2607’s portal. Shadow loads himself, Ray and Sonic into Omega before the portal grasps them. The mechanised Knuckles helps up a half-dead Sonic as Tikal minimises. Blitz launches himself through the portal.)

(A multi-coloured light covers everything. The Paradox Prism lands somewhere deep and hidden in MB-2625, letting out a creak.)

(Scene Change: MB-2625.)

(June 23rd, Green Hill, Sunset)

(The lights fade, Sonic opens his eyes. He’s home, the party is set up. The cake is ready. Eggman and Sage are reluctantly sat by with Stone in tow. Sonic beams, his cape swooshing as he runs forwards and throws his arms around his friends. Big is next to arrive.)

(MB-2625, Silver’s Future)

(Shard reawakens. Silver is trying to repair Nicole. The sky looks brighter, the world healthier. Sage’s logo is still on the wall, their goal isn’t complete. A phone in Shard’s head shakes, a call from Professor Von Schlemmer.)

(SD-2605, November 15th, Sol Empire)

(Blaze sits herself down in Marine’s lab with a sigh, smiling as Marine entered the room and places a lava cake on the table.)

(SD-2605, September 14th, Sea, Metal Marauder)

(Blaze and Sonic are locked in battle against Captain Metallix, only for Mark 2 to impale the captain through his torso.)

(MB-2523, February 2nd, Angel Island)

(Shadow opens his eyes, clutching his chest. The celebration is happening like it would’ve if things hadn’t gone wrong. Ray is confused, relaxing around Mighty. Trip is there. The Chaotix are there. Rouge’s hand lands on his shoulder, an attempt to reassure The Omega from another world sits by a palm tree.)

(Elsewhere, Dr. Robotnik starts work on repairing the alternate Sage as Agent Stone cancels some Badniks search for the Phantom Ruby.)

(In MB-2508, Emperor Robotnik looks down in fear as Blitz rips the Phantom Ruby from Heavy Metals chest. Glide, Axey and Gloom stare up at him with murder in their eyes.)

(In MB-2591, Tails lands the Tornado on Angel Island. Knuckles still bursts from the ground, but he doesn’t attack. They’re left with those memories.)

(In MB-2594, Neo Metal Scourge beats down on his inferior fleshy self. Buns cheers him on.)

(In MB-2505, the drone containing MB-2511 Eggman’s brain is impaled as a zombified Knuckles throws a zombified Amy at him.)

(In MB-2511, Fly invents the first lightbulb as the Forest Fighters watch in awe.)

(In SD-2007… the monstrous, fired-up Blaze is missing. She was not in the reset. That monstrous Silver is missing from where he should’ve been.)

(In MB-2011, a being fashions himself a new Sonic vessel.)

(In MB-2699, Sonic passes Sally a note from Sonia, the Freedom Fighters watching from a distance.)

(In PS-2020, Crash and Coco continue their own little multiverse adventure.)

(In MB-2590, one Mr. Needlemouse debates Terios and Venice on whether it’s Rabbit Season or Hedgehog Season.)

(In MB-2519, TV star Breezie tries to turn away before Private Detective Vector has just one more thing to say.)

(CO-2520 and CO-2420 merge. An evil scientist meets a CEO.)

(In MB-2016, Eggman and Bowser lose in a foot race against Luigi at the Olympics.)

(In PK-2016, Tails is wrapped up in a blanket, missing his friends.)

(A new universe comes into existence, OCT-2017.)

(In DV-2019, Amy finds herself saved by an all too familiar Sticks.)

(From outside, from White Space… a crystalline being flicks between watching universes, colours changing across body parts and cracks highlighted, one of the eyes split across the middle.)

“That’s enough parenthesis,” He said in a voice dripping with the smugness of someone who believed himself to be amongst the greatest, looking up in surprise. “Don’t you think?”

His attention focused on the sight. “A reader? Readers? You’re really here, aren’t you. You’ve watched all of this happen. You’ve seen my little struggles to interfere, to prevent this from getting worse.”

If he had a mouth, there would be a weary smile. “I suppose I should reintroduce myself for those who lack the full context of who I am, shouldn’t I?”

He adjusted a non-existent bow around his neck, nodding. “Welcome, I am the Paradox Prism.”