In the distant future…
Nicholas the Hedgehog, son of Sonic and Amaya, sprinted across the endless grassy slopes of Green Hill. The wind tugged at his quills, carrying scents of wildflowers, pine, and the spray of waterfalls in the distance. Each step echoed his father’s legacy—the freedom of running, the joy of speed, the rush of adventure.
Life felt simple. Almost too simple.
Then the air split with a strange hum. A glow enveloped him, tugging at his very soul. The ground beneath warped like liquid, his crimson-streaked quills crackling with chaos sparks. Before Nicholas could even shout for his parents, a blinding light consumed him—ripping him from his world.
The next instant, he slammed against cold pavement. The harsh surface scraped his knees, the roar of engines and blare of horns deafening him. The air smelled of smoke and burning fuel. Dizzy, Nicholas staggered upright, staring at towering skyscrapers lit with neon, signs in languages he didn’t know, and streams of metal beasts with wheels rushing past—cars.
Humans. Everywhere.
His chest tightened. His parents had told him stories, but never like this. He felt small, outnumbered, and lost. Quills glowing faintly with unstable chaos sparks, Nicholas drew stares. Fingers pointed. Phones flashed. Cameras turned toward him. He wasn’t just different—he was exposed.
Panic rose in his throat. Before the crowd could close in, Nicholas bolted—vanishing in a streak of indigo light. He tore through side streets until he collapsed in an alley, chest heaving. Sparks danced around him as he whispered to the night: “Where am I?."
Meanwhile, at the Thorndyke residence…
The afternoon had been peaceful. Chris lounged on the couch, flipping channels, while Amy read a magazine. Tails tinkered with a drone, goggles perched on his head, while Cream played with Cheese. The house was full of warmth and laughter.
Sonic paced restlessly. “With all seven Chaos Emeralds, I could unlock Super Sonic’s full potential!” Knuckles crossed his arms. “If Eggman gets them, he could warp reality itself.” Chris frowned. “So… where do we even start searching?”
Suddenly, alarms blared across the city. The television cut to static before flashing to breaking news—chaos in the streets. Eggman’s robots rampaged through the city, explosions shaking the ground. Sirens wailed outside.
Sonic dashed to the window. “It’s Eggman! We have to move—now!” Knuckles cracked his knuckles. “Finally.” Amy sprang up, hammer in hand. “He’s not getting away this time!” Tails grabbed his gadgets. “Let’s go!”
They rushed into battle—Sonic darting ahead, Tails flying overhead with drones, Knuckles smashing bots apart, Amy striking with her hammer. Chris stayed behind, trying to coordinate from the house.
Just as the tide seemed to turn, a massive robot descended from the sky. In its clawed hands shimmered all seven Chaos Emeralds, stolen in one swift strike.
Sonic froze. “No… The Emeralds!”
Eggman’s laughter echoed across the city. “Too late, Sonic! Let’s bring the Future here!”
The robot raised the emeralds high. Energy surged, ripping open a swirling portal in the sky. Chaos lightning crackled, warping the city as time itself twisted.
From the portal came a sudden burst of indigo light—Nicholas. He crashed onto the street, sparks trailing his body, eyes wide with terror and confusion.
The team froze. Chris pointed at the TV, stunned. “That’s him—the hedgehog from the news!” Amy gasped. “He looks… like Sonic.” Tails’ eyes widened. “No… not just like Sonic. He feels like… part of him.”
Sonic himself skidded to a halt, emerald eyes locking with the boy’s ruby-emerald gaze. Time seemed to still between them.
Nicholas’ voice shook as he whispered, “Dad…?”
Sonic’s breath caught in his chest.
Eggman cackled above them, the portal still churning. “Perfect! Let the past and future collide—and watch your legacy crumble, Sonic!”