Y'know that feeling when you really don't have the time to write a fic but your hand slips and out pops the first chapter? That's sorta what happened to me with this.

I don't have much time, but I'm really interested in this story considering how many ideas I have for it, so I'm gonna try and see it through to the end.

Welcome to Sonic Forces, this is a story basically taking the story of the original game, but expanding it to my heart's greatest desires. Buckle up everyone, because we're going to be in for a wild ride.

All you should know is that while some things are going to be kept the same in this story, others will be changed depending on what works for this story I have planned out. So… yeah. Without further ado, let's begin with this chapter that is more or less taken directly from the game. Hehe, sorry guys, gotta start somewhere.

Disclaimer: I don't own Sonic the Hedgehog, because if I did? Well… Forces would've been what this story is and not what it turned out to be.

Sonic Forces

Prologue:
A Fallen World

Doctor Eggman: the world's greatest scientific genius with an IQ of 300 and resident evil mastermind had tried time and time again since to take over the world and defeat its savior, Sonic the Hedgehog. They had been fighting each other for years now, but as the hedgehog got older and older and the world began to change more and more, the doctor began to get bigger and bigger failures.
What was it? He wondered. He had hundreds upon thousands of robots at his disposal, he had foolproof plans capable of besting master tacticians, he had everything in his power to take the world by storm. But always fell short thanks to one hedgehog. It always made him scratch his head.

But that was in the past.

This time things would be different.

After his defeat on the Lost Hex, he had gone into hiding. He remembered that he'd said that he'd find a new conch and use that to conquer the Zeti again. But he quickly grew tired of the idea, especially after what he had found.

This new discovery, it held immense power and after countless hours of experimentation, tests gone wrong and accidentally alerting an emerald guardian, he was proud of what he had accomplished today.

And if it was with that pride that he strolled down the halls of the secret base in Green Hill Zone. Darkness surrounded the mad doctor before he reached his destination and the electronic door slid open, bathing him in the baby blue light of the laboratory.

The laboratory was made up of rows upon rows of stasis tubes containing a mishmash of red cubes in varying degrees of decay that floated aimlessly about in the clear liquid; in the middle of the room was the main console and its screen which displayed his newest creation.

"Sonic… how I hate him." Eggman started.

The only two that were there to hear him were his two robot assistants Cubot and Orbot. The former was scrubbing away at one of the many tubes while the latter typed away at the console, both of them listened to intently to their master.

"And all of that loathing has been focused into this invincible instrument of destruction!"

He pointed at the chamber that Cubot dutifully wiped away at as he hummed a happy tune. He now began to walk towards it.

"Every defeat, every humiliation at that hedgehog's hands will be returned a thousand fold by invincible creation!"

He pushed Cubot away to which the robot let out a cry, as Eggman looked on at it with a prideful grin.

"This is my dream come true… With this invention, I can expand the Eggman Empire across the globe and conquer the world!"

With that he began to out an evil laugh.

"The boss means business this time." Orbot added from where he stood to which Cubot nodded in agreement.

The doctor began to laugh and laugh as soon his newest plan would be allowed to come to fruition.

But as the cackles continued, his creation looked at his master and clenched its fists.

~Sonic Forces~

Sonic couldn't help but grin as he made a mad dash through what couldn't be better described as home. Or well… as close to one as he really had anyway. Being always on the move meant that he didn't stay in one place for too long. But still, amongst maybe a handful of other places, this was probably the place he came back to most often.

There was something that he always loved about his feet pounding on the checkerboard rock… Something about the lush green grass tickling his feet as he breezed on through… Something about exploring the expansive caves underground. There was just something about Green Hill Zone that made him feel so alive.

He chalked it up to nostalgia. But even he knew there was a little more to it than that.

Right now he just needed a break, and that's how he found himself running through his home again.

Eggman had been active these days, but also quiet about it. Places around the world began changing in ways that the hedgehog didn't quite understand. But he knew that it had something to do with Eggman.

And then Knuckles randomly came off of his island and wanted everyone to join him in the fight against Eggman. Sonic would've poked fun at him for being so serious about Eggman being up to his usual tricks. But the fact that Silver of all people had been there with him definitely meant something was up.

So, Sonic and the others joined what Knuckles was calling the resistance and their fearless leader was starting to drive him a little crazy which is why he had broken out of their little base for a bit for a breather.

And that's how he found himself dashing across some of the hills that were still green.

He wasn't even sure how, but Eggman managed to get rid of all the water in the zone. All of it. Sure, some of the plants was able to stay green despite everything. But the rest? A deserted wasteland complete with sand and white, dying grass that saddened the blue blur to no end. Pyramids rose high up into the sky even above the tallest checkered hills and it was just weird. Whatever Eggman had done, it clearly left the place in ruin.

Still, Sonic ran and kicked up grass in his wake. Alone to his thoughts as he zoomed past tikis, over hills and tip-tapping along checkered stretches of land. Even if he was left alone to his thoughts of Eggman and whatever his latest scheme was, he at least managed to get away from Knuckles and his constant badgering.

Of course, his little reprieve wouldn't last long. When he made his way over a large hill and under an archway of rock, his communicator sprang to life.

"Sonic! Eggman's forces are surging into the city. We need you here now!" Tails called.

He was a little surprised to hear his little brother's voice. He had expected Knuckles to reprimand him for hopping off the grid again.

Still, without missing a beat, he answered. "Don't worry, Tails. I'll be there soon!"

And so he was off like a shot, zooming across a long stretch of land high above the sands.

He hated to leave Green Hill so soon, but if people were in trouble, there was no question.

He continued along, using a spring to propel himself onto another stretch of land before boosting ahead. He knew that if he wanted to get to the city there was no time to waste.

He ran into some of Eggman's robots stationed throughout the zone, but that wasn't much of a problem for him, ramming through them and continuing along the path.

It was only when he was propelled into the air with another group of springs that he saw the Sandworm drilling into and out of the sand in the distance.

It stretched over hundreds upon hundreds of feet, sending mountains of sand into the sky. Just the sheer size of it was baffling to Sonic, but he didn't let it get to him as he continued along through the green hills until he went down a tube that lead him to the vast desert below.

He kicked up sand, hopped over fallen totems and rammed into whatever Eggman robots came in his way.

After a quick trot over the bridge, he knew he was almost there. Just a little bit more and he'd be in the city.

Almost there, buddy. Just hold on.

~Sonic Forces~

Tails had had seen better days. Literally any other day before had been better, but this? This was absolutely positively insane.

Eggman had decided to launch a full scale attack on Sunset Heights and of course, the resistance was in a frenzy doing their best to try and contain the situation. Not only was this a location that the resistance was barely able to keep from Eggman, but it was home to their base of operations. They couldn't let the city fall.

Knuckles was quick, dispatching any and all troops around the city to save the people and protect the base.

Tails was on rescue duty and had made quick work of any robots that would come his way while pointing people in the right direction.

But he was running amongst the fire, the destruction and everything. He had to be careful not only for the people running and screaming around him or even the laserfire of Eggman's robot army, but also the debris that fell atop their heads due to the constant cannonfire from the ships above ramming into buildings around them.

It was absolute madness.

Which is why he had to run, saving as many as he could.

It wasn't long before he found a clearing in the city. It wasn't much, just a little square that people could use to get into different buildings.

But what did concern him was the fact that he spotted a group of civilians cowering in fear at the sight of the robots.

Tails ran in, swinging his namesakes around and taking out several of the machines.

People cheered as he fought them. Tails, had saved him. They were going to be okay!

When the robots were cleared out, Tails couldn't help but smile before he looked at the others.

"Is everyone okay?" He asked them.

Several of them gave their affirmations only to stiffen at the sound of a light humming from behind the fox.

"No, Tails. You just so happen to be ruining the fun."

Tails spun around, to come face to face with Doctor Eggman sitting with his usual cheshire grin.

"Eggman!" Tails cried out.

"The one and only. Glad to see you little minscreants are enjoying themselves while I burn down this city."

"The only one having fun here is you!"

"Perhaps. But that makes it all the more enjoyable."

Eggman then leaned back against the Eggpod, bored. Looking at Tails, he lazily added. "Y'know, this could all end if you just surrender. No one's hands have to get dirty and I'll even send you all some nice rooms in the Eggman Empire Maximum Security Prison! Free of charge! Nothing but the best for the resistance!"

"We're never surrendering to you, Eggman!"

"Really now? Suit yourselves. But Tails, you expect to go up against all of these robots by yourself?"

Tails looked at him confusedly. "What robots?"

There was a weird sound at that moment and before them, several Eggpongs appeared between Tails and Eggman.

"Wha?!"

"Oh yes, there they are."

Tails looked back to the civilians who were looking terrified at the robots. He waved them back as he looked a little nervously at them.

"I'm not afraid of them!"

"Suit yourself, friend."

And with that, they marched forward, ready to take out the fox.

He took on a stance, ready to take on the army as Eggman gleefully watched the scene play out in front of him.

But in like the wind, a blue blur homed into a robot at the head of the group before bouncing in between a few more. It rose up into the air revealing the world's fastest hero: Sonic the Hedgehog.

The civilians couldn't help but smile and cheer at the sight, one of them, a human child even pointed in the sky and called out his name. [1]

But just as quick as he appeared, he seemingly disappeared again. The robots tried to fire on him, but he was just too fast. Seemingly blinking into and out of existence before there was nothing left but a pile of scrap on the floor.

"Is everyone okay?"

They could only cheer; not only Sonic saving them, but seeing him in action first hand.

Tails was the one who answered. "We are thanks to you. Cutting it a little close though, pal."

"Yeah, that's pretty much how I roll."

He then turned and pointed to Eggman, who was still wearing his cheshire grin. "Okay. let's finish this, Eggman!"

But he still smiled at him. "But it will be your finish, Sonic. Behold the power of my ultimate masterpiece!"

He was already running at him before he even got the chance to finish his sentence. He jumped up into the air and homed in on the doctor.

At least, he would've.

But from above came an orange streak of light that slammed into him, knocking him out of his attack and towards the ground.

Tails couldn't help but gulp at the sight, quickly ushering the civilians out of the way and too safety.

Sonic was able to land in a crouch and look up at what had interrupted him. Needless to say, he was shocked at what he saw.

Crouched before him was another hedgehog, this one black in color, with red streaks in the quills around his head. Sonic knew him all too well. He was the darkest of days, the ultimate life form, but most importantly he was a foe turned friend. It was…

"Shadow?!" He gasped.

The hedgehog simply crossed his arms and huffed, looking away from Sonic.

He couldn't believe it. Was he truly Eggman's ultimate creation? But it couldn't possibly be him. What the heck?!

Unfortunately he didn't have much time to think as things continued to get worse.

From atop one of the buildings, a new figure leapt out, landing next to Shadow. This one was a hulking red creature with black legs, clawed hands and feet, a long red tail and long striped horns atop its head. With his wild blue ponytail, spikes protruding from his shoulders and the spiked arm bands he wore, it was no doubt in his mind that it was the tallest of mountains, a mighty Zeti and the leader of the Deadly Six. He was...

"Zavok?!"

"We meet again, hedgehog." The creature snarled as he got up and opened his piercing yellow eyes.

The all familiar sound of rushing wind then followed. They looked up into the sky to see a robot made entirely in Sonic's image swoop down and land in front of them. He was the toughest of terrors, created to stop Sonic at every turn and wreak havoc on the world. He was…

"Metal?!"

He beeped an affirmation.

Finally one of the hydrants in the area burst open to which a stream of water flew into the sky and landed in front of them. It collected before solidifying into a humanoid creature with glowing green eyes and a brain that could be seen through its translucent body. The roughest of waves, a long forgotten enemy and the God of Destruction. It was…

"Chaos?!"

Chaos just stared.

The four of them stood together, glaring at Sonic with Eggman in his pod, continuing to grin at the sight of it couldn't help but think that if looks could kill, he'd be a goner. Taking them all on together would be tough. But he's faced them before. He could take them.

At that moment, a new figure decided to hover down in front of him. It was a dark figure bathed in a dark red aura. It looked to be some sort of canine with its short black fur and long bushy striped tail. But along with that, it had on the usual gloves and shoes, although his were a lot grimmer than most and a scarf. But the most striking things about him had to be his mask, a dull, dirtied silver thing that pointed outwards. The one eye he could see was piercing yellow and showed out amongst the red glass of one side of the helmet, the other however was completely covered. That and the ruby red embed in his chest.

He'd never seen him before.

Of course, he couldn't think much of his appearance. He knew that if he was gonna stand a chance here, then the first thing to do would be to take out the unknown threat as soon as possible.

As soon as the figure touched down, he flicked his nose and was off like a shot, boosting towards it at point blank range.

Except he didn't hit his mark.

"Huh?" Sonic said, looking confusedly at the group who were now looking at him. The figure was standing a foot to the right of where he once was.

As the figure rose into the air, Tails gasped. "This guy's faster than Sonic!"

"No he's not! My aim was off!" Sonic retorted he dodged laserfire from the being before homing in on it.

But it knocked him out of the attack, punting him into the air like a soccer ball before flying up and sending a roundhouse into his stomach. He slammed into the wall behind him, causing it to crumble and the rubble to fall around him. He let out a groan at this, knowing that as soon as the adrenaline wore off he was gonna be sore.

Tails cringed at the sight, before snapping his attention back to the figure above. "No, wait! It's something else. Gotta scan him to figure this out."

Sonic was rising up to his feet only for the figure to shoot more lasers at him.

He quickly dodged only for more trouble to come his way in the form of a roaring Zeti.

Sonic was quick to dodge his punch before sending a roundhouse into his stomach, causing him to stumble. [2]

He then boosted away, completely knocking him off balance. He jumped in the air going for the being, but it dodged again.

This time, Metal was the one to attempt to meet him on his path. But he caught wind of this, stomping to the ground so that the he wouldn't get him.

Once again, he tried to hit the being, but it dodged.

He landed atop a building only for Chaos to appear and grapple with him.

"What are you? How are you doing this?" Sonic asked.

He got his answer in the form of a kick to the stomach which knocked him across the pavement.

"Nice." Eggman smiled.

Sonic groaned. Slowly rising to his feet again. "Tails, I need to know what's going on with this guy!"

Tails now had out his Miles Electric and pressed buttons atop the console. "I'm trying Sonic, but these readings are all messed up! They don't make any sense!"

Sonic slipped under another roundhouse from the being before bouncing away.

The thing was upon him before he even had the chance to land, kicking him into the wall.

Once again, it crumbled underneath him. To him it felt like an eternity for his body to slowly peel off of it when it was only a few moments.

When he finally did, the being was already upon him, sending him up into the sky.

He cried out as he was struck by attacks from all of them.

When he was finally thrown to the floor, he tried to get up on shaky legs, ragged breath and swimming vision.

But it was too much for him. His body gave out and the world around him went dark.

The last things he registered were the sounds of his little brother screaming his name and the sight of the figure's feet.

~Sonic Forces~

That day, Sunset Heights had fallen. Eggman's armies were able to seize control of the city with the help of the generals of his empire: Shadow, Metal Sonic, Chaos and Zavok. Not only had the city been lost but the resistance had taken a heavy hit with their base being destroyed and losing so many of their forces that day, including the world's greatest hero: Sonic the Hedgehog.

With that, the world was plunged into chaos. With this new power of his, Eggman had been able to conquer large portions of the world, despite the resistance's best efforts. Battles had been won and battles had been lost.

But in the end? It didn't matter as the Eggman Empire crossed the globe and without Sonic? The world fell.

[1] Humans are included in this story just as much as the animal characters are. I imagine them in the Unleashed style and you'll be seeing a lot of them as both civilians as well as a few in the resistance.
[2] Yes, I know originally Sonic blocks Zavok's punch. But honestly? Are we really supposed to believe that Sonic is able to block a punch from Zavok the frikin' tank with his noodle arms? Zavok's fist alone is about the size of Sonic's head so… yeah.

So... yeah. That's chapter one of Sonic Forces. I'm sorry that I didn't do much with this chapter, I felt the most important thing was just to introduce everything and that the way the game did it was fine. But yeah... I'm off to write the next chapter. Tell me what you thought in reviews or PMs.
But first, if you're interested in this story, I want you to tell me how I should handle the custom character in this story. I want reader input. Should I actually make an OC for this story to use or should I keep them vague so that you all can imagine whoever you want them to be. This fic is for you guys as much as it is for me, so let me know in either your review or answer the poll I left on my profile. This ends whenever I'm ready to update so vote now.