Sonic the Hedgehog: A Rip In Time

A Fan-Fic by Sparky Da Hedgehog

"Tonights top story: mysterious disappearances continue to happen all across Central City! People will vanish at random, and reappear in the same spot days later, completely unaware of what's happened! But what about the people who haven't returned? Here over satellite feed is G.U.N. Commander Abraham Tower, to discuss the situation with us. Thanks for joining us, Commander."

"Thanks for having me."

"Now Commander, I sure everyone wants to know: Has the Science and Research department of G.U.N. Made any progress in figuring out just what's causing these vanishings?"

"While we do have some theories, We've come to the conclusion not to discuss these theories to the public as of yet. After all, theories are theories, and we wouldn't want to cause any unnecessary panic. However, we have called in some experts in order to help our research and provide a definite answer, as well as a solution."

One of these experts happened to be an 8 year old, two tailed fox.

Tails was waiting in G.U.N. Head quarters while the interview was going on, as he had been summoned there to try and help solve the situation. Joining him was non-other than Sonic the Hedgehog, willing to use his world-saving skills in anyway he can.

The interview concluded, and the Commander walked into the room.

"I hate talking to the press..." The Commander said, sighing and turning to Sonic and Tails, "Thanks for coming, Mr. Prower. And you too, Sonic."

"No problem!" Sonic said, leaning back in his chair with a smile on his face, "I was wondering when something new was gonna happen!"

"I'm glad to be here!" Tails said, "I didn't know G.U.N. Saw me as such a valuable asset..."

"You've show plenty of intelligence in both fields of Science and Mechanics... I was sure we could use your help" The Commander said, "Our other expert hasn't arrived yet, so I hope you don't mind waiting a little longer..."

"No need to fret, I arrived just moments ago!" Came a rather familiar voice. In the room walked Doctor Robotnik, more commonly called...

"Eggman!" Sonic said, jumping out of his chair and onto the table in front of them. He made an attempt to jump at Eggman, but he was countered by someone who came in with Eggman: a Jet black hedgehog-like creature with droopy quills and yellow eyes.

"I suggest you leave the Doctor alone!" The hedgehog said.

"Oh yeah? Who's gonna make me?" Sonic said, face to face with the creature.

"Oh ho! It's quite all right Circuit, I expected him to do that." Eggman said with a smile, "Sonic; I'm sure you'll be surprised, but I was invited here!"

"What?!" Sonic said is shock.

"How could you just let him in here?!" Tails responded in surprise.

"Relax. He's going to be under constant surveillance, as well as his little pet here." the Commander said, "And he'll only be allowed to access areas that are absolutely necessary to his research... to tell you the truth, this is a desperate move. But we need all the help we can get on this, and there's no denying the Doctor's genius will be invaluable."

"I still don't trust him." Sonic said quite sternly, while getting down off the table.

"Sonic, there's no need to worry. These disappearances are as much of a threat to me as they are to G.U.N.!" Eggman explained, "Metal Sonic, as well as several of my other robots, have vanished just like the citizens of Central City. If this keeps up, I won't have an army at all!"

"Doctor, if you and your acquaintance can sit down?" The Commander said, sitting on the opposite side of Sonic and Tails.

"Oh, where are my manners... I haven't introduced him yet." Eggman said, gesturing towards the creature that came in with him, "This is Circuit. He's an Android of my own creation... part living tissue, and part machine!"

"It's nice to meet you... and you too, Sonic and Miles." Circuit said, bowing to Eggman's adversaries.

"Pretty polite for one of your goons, Eggman." Sonic said, "Nice to meet you too, I guess..."

"Uh, likewise!" Tails said, reaching out and shaking Circuit's hand, "No need to be so formal with my name, though..."

"Fine then. Tails." Circuit said, looking at the handshake oddly.

"If the introductions are over, I'd like to get on with the briefing." The Commander said. The group sat down at the opposite side of the table as the Commander. With long-time enemies being in the same room together, the tension was thick. But everybody tried their best to pay full attention to the briefing on the situation.

"Now, as you've heard..." The Commander said, pressing a button on a remote, which turned on a monitor behind him, "Across Central City, and the surrounding areas, people and objects have been vanishing without a trace, and without warning. After some time has passed, the vanished will reappear in the same spot without any idea as to what has happened. The time they're gone can be as short as a few minutes, to as long as a few weeks. And there are reports that some haven't come back at all."

The monitor was showing example pictures and videos, as well as newspaper scans and website screen-captures of recorded events.

"This has been going on for the past month, and at first, it was just small objects and the like. But as time has passed the disappearances have become more frequent, and larger things have vanished. Most recently, a small car, driver and all, had vanished, and then caused a traffic accident the next day when he reappeared. Nobody was harmed, but the public was rattled to say the least."

"Do you have any idea what it could be?" Tails said.

"We do." The commander said, as a diagram came on screen, "We've named the phenomenon 'Time Rips': an fracture in time and space that only opens up for a second, just long enough to take something in and spit it back out at a later point in time. The cause is unknown, and because they open and close so quickly, they're almost impossible to locate."

"If their impossible to find, then how do you know they're there at all?" Sonic asked, crossing is arms and tipping his chair back.

"We know they're there," The Commander said, "Because we've found a stable Time Rip. Right here in the G.U.N. Base."

"Well lead the way, then!" Eggman said, getting up amongst the surprised faces, "I need to see this for myself!"

"Very well." The Commander said, "Follow me."

The group got up from the meeting room, and proceeded down the halls of the G.U.N. Base. Sonic and Tails stayed at the back of the group, so they could talk.

"Say Tails, does that Circuit dude seem familiar?" Sonic asked.

"He does. But I'm pretty sure this is the first time we've met." Tails said, "I just can't shake the feeling that we've met before, though."

"Oh, and speaking of seeming familiar," Sonic continued, "Any luck on finding out who Sparky and Charge are?"

"Nope. I've asked all over, and searched every place I know. I don't know why we know them, but they just don't seem to exist!" Tails said, "And I haven't found an owner for that bag and photo we found in my workshop, either."

"Ever since we all found ourselves in the city last month with that memory gap, things have been pretty odd." Sonic said. He then had a look of realization on his face, "Oh! Didn't the Commander say this whole Time Rip thing start last month?"

"Yeah... maybe the two are connected somehow... I'll talk about it with the Commander!" Tails said.

"We're here." The Commander said, opening the door in front of them. The room ahead was a seemingly normal cafeteria, aside from one thing: near the back of the room was what looked like a glowing, light blue crack in the air, about the height and width of an adult human.

"So this is a Time Rip..." Tails said in awe.

"Correct." The General said, "It opened about a week ago, and hasn't closed since. It seems stable, but it would be a huge problem if more of them open like this... especially if they are growing larger."

"How far ahead does it send things?" Sonic asked.

"When it first opened, a worker on his lunch break stumbled into it." The commander said, "He came out the other side about two days later."

"Interesting..." Eggman said, walking around the Rip, "Truly remarkable..."

"Indeed. Now: Mr. Prower, Dr. Robotnik." The General said, "You'll be doing research here, along with out best men. We'll provide you with anything you need for research. Figure out how to close it! And remember, Doctor: you and your android are under constant watch! No funny business!"

"You have my word! Right, Circuit?" Eggman said, putting his hand to his heart and looking at his creation.

"Whatever you say, Doctor." Circuit said with obedience.

"Commander!" Said an officer, running in, "They need you in the main surveillance room! They think more stable rips have opened!"

"What?!" The Commander said, "I'll be right there! Prower, Robotnik! You're to begin research immediately! Sonic and the android; you two come with me!"

"Alright! Time for some action!" Sonic said, racing out. Circuit remained behind, looking out the door, and to then to Eggman.

"It's all right, Circuit. You have my permission to follow his orders!" Eggman said.

"As you wish..." Circuit said, taking off as well, leaving Tails and Eggman to their work.

Sonic and Circuit followed the Commander to what seemed like a central room of the base, with large monitors and countless people watching them.

"Bring it up on screen!" The Commander said to a nearby worker in a Labcoat. After tapping on a few panels, an over head map came up on a large, central screen, with three blue dots on it.

"We discovered this just a few minutes ago!" The worker said, "The signal in to the left is the Time Rip in our base, while the other two are almost identical readings. We think that they're stable Time Rips as well, but it's unknown if they'll stay open or not!"

"Where are they coming from?" Sonic asked.

"Because of so many temporary rips opening, it's interfering with the scan and difficult to pin-point an exact location." The worker explained, "But they seem to be coming from the areas of Green Hill and the Mystic Ruins!"

"Well no matter where they are, we need to find them and secure the area!" The Commander said, "Sonic! Circuit! Are you two ready for some field duty? You're sure to be of help!"

"You bet I am!" Sonic said, giving a thumbs up.

"I've been instructed by the Doctor to follow your orders." Circuit said plainly.

"Good." The Commander said, "You're to go to the two areas and pin-point an exact location of the rips. Our troops will be searching as well, and whoever finds the rips will radio in their location and wait for assistance in securing the area. Got it?"

"Got it!" Sonic said, turning to Circuit, "You ready?"

"I'm simply following orders." Circuit said, "But I suppose I am."

"Well, you're quite the ray of sunshine, aren't you?" Sonic said, "I can't say I trust you all that much, but let's do our best to work together, alright?"

Sonic patted Circuit on the back. Circuit looked over at Sonic with sort of a odd expression.

"Although I respect you, my ultimate goal is still to eliminate you, Sonic the Hedgehog." Circuit, "Don't forget that."

Circuit began to walk out of the room with Sonic staring at him.

"I'll assume that's your way of saying 'sure'." Sonic said, shrugging and walking out as well.