Chapter 01: Dimensional Tear

It was a dark and dreary evening outside the city of Robotropolis, as usual. The air contained the smell of sludge and various gasses from Dr. Robotnik's factories. Scrap Metal laid everywhere; the only sounds to be heard were of hoverships and various robots walking about the city.

In a lonely section of the scrapyards outside the city, standing and waiting, was Sir Charles Hedgehog, who awaited the arrival of Sonic and Sally. He had urgent information for them and he was anxious to see that they got it. A minute later, the sound of Sonic running at full speed could be heard, and a second later he and Sally arrived on the scene.

"What's jucin' Unc'?" Sonic asked as he and his uncle hugged.

"Robotnik, as usual." replied Chuck gravely.

"What's so urgent Sir Charles? Judging by your message, I'll say that Robotnik is up to no good." said Sally in a concerned tone.

"That's correct Princess. Robotnik has a new device that he has crafted in secret for the past few months, and it isn't good." said Chuck.

"Well, aren't you gonna tell us?" said Sonic impatiently.

Chuck replied, "It's called a 'Chrono Transporter'."

"That doesn't sound good. What does it do?" asked Sally.

"This device appears to be some kind of interdimensional transporter that can open up portals to other dimensions. Robotnik wants to use it to travel to other dimensions to expand his power and gain new allies." explained Chuck.

"Definitely a no-good situation Uncle Chuck." replied Sonic, "We need to stop him from finishing it".

Chuck, in a worried tone said, "I wish it was that easy Sonic. He's been keepin' this one pretty quiet for the past couple months, and I don't know how close he is to testing it, less completing this device."

Sally replied: "We need to locate and destroy this device before it goes online." She then asked, "Have you found out where it is Sir Charles?"

Chuck replied, "That I do know. I believe it is based inside the lower levels of his Control Building, but like I said, I don't know the full extent of this machine's power, but my instincts tell me that it could be almost ready."

Sonic, with a stream of confidence, replied, "No prob, Unc. We'll juice it and reduce it, just like always."

"Heh, heh, I know you will Sonic, I have confidence in you." Chuck said.

"Don't get cocky Sonic, we still have to…" but before Sally could finish, NICOLE begin beeping loudly.

"Warning, Warning. Unusual activity detected near Robotnik's Control Building." Sally pulled up NICOLE and asked, "What's happening NICOLE?"

The computer replied, "I am detecting a large dish deploying from the roof the Control Building, and it is pointed directly at the sky."

Sally gasped, "Oh no….Robotnik is testing his device right now! We must stop him!"

"Hang on, Sal, we're gonna juice!" Sonic said as he pulled a power ring out of his backpack. Sally grabbed onto Sonic and they raced away as fast as they could.

By the time they arrived within the Control Building grounds, it was too late. "Sonic, look!" Sally shouted as they looked up at the dish. Then, it fired pulsating energy rings out at the sky, and then there was silence.

"NICOLE, can you determine what is happening up there?" Sally asked.

"Scanning, Sally." "Warning, unstable dimensional tear detected." NICOLE reported.

"How bad is it?" Sally asked, and NICOLE replied, "Unknown, Sally. Warning, tear appears to be expanding around the planet and the moon."

Then, there was a large earthquake planet wide, and then all the lights went out in the city. After almost a minute, there was dead silence. There was not a sound to be heard.

"Can somebody tell me what the heck just happened?" Sonic asked.

NICOLE replied, "Massive Electromagnetic surge on a planet wide scale…."

"English, please!" Sonic asked.

Sally replied, "What she means is that the tear must have caused everything electronic to be knocked out."

"Oh, that makes sense." Sonic said afterward.

Sally then asked, "NICOLE, any suggestions?" "I advise we return to Knothole until the effects wear off, as the whole city is inaccessible due to the power failure." NICOLE advised.

"Good idea, NICOLE." Sally replied. "Come on Sonic, let's go back and tell everyone what happened."

"All right, Sal. We'd better go back and tell the others what has happened." "Come on, let's juice." And they set off for Knothole.

Meanwhile, inside Robotnik's control room, Dr. Robotnik was furious.

"Snively!!!!" he shouted to his incompetent assistant. "What has happened!!? All of our equipment is down, and now we can't pick up any changes!!"

"I don't know sir, but it will take us several hours until we can get our equipment operational again."

Robotnik grabbed Snively and snarled, "Well, you had better get to work you little runt, before I throw you in the reactor!!!!"

"Y-y-yes sir." replied Snively with fright in his eyes.

Then Robotnik gave the order, "When power is restored, inform me of any changes that you see." and he left to tend to other matters. "Yes sir, right away sir." Snively acknowledged and he went to work.

Back at Knothole, Sonic and Sally gave their report to the other Freedom Fighters. "Until Chuck can give us some intel, we won't know if the device worked or if this was an accident." Sally finished.

"Boy, I don't like the sound of that." said Rotor with concern.

"How will we know if it did work Sally-girl?" asked Bunnie.

"I don't know Bunnie, but we'll just have to wait and see what happens over the next few days." Sally replied.

"I want you all to be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary, if you see something unusual, report to me at once!" Sally told the others.

"Sure Sally!" replied Rotor.

"I'll keep my little ol' eyes open Sally." replied Bunnie.

"I'll watch the skies!" said Dulcy.

"Oui, Oui, my Princess." replied Antoine.

"Got it, Aunt Sally!" said Tails.

"Righty o', Sal" replied Sonic. "We'll start lookin' first thing tomorrow."

And the meeting adjourned promptly. Then Sonic spoke to Sally. "Don't worry Sal, if all goes well, it'll be more likely an accident, and nothin' will be different."

"I hope you're right Sonic." replied Sally with worry. Soon, they were all asleep for the night.