Introduction

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If you were to travel 117.63222 light years from Earth, you would come across a small galaxy.

Well, actually, that’s not entirely true.

You see, you wouldn’t come across the galaxy at all because it exists in a parallel dimension, in another time zone and exists in a region of space made entirely out of dark matter.

Then there’s the issue of getting there in the first place, of course, which would require a 4x4 Photon Stratocruiser- and those don’t come cheap, let me tell you. Then, to cap it all off, you’d need the precise directions to ensure you even traverse the right path through the spaceways- and those directions aren’t available.

So, suffice to say, travel to this galaxy is out of the question.

But if you were to travel there, sooner or later you’d find a planet about the same physical dimensions as Earth, with a similarly breathable atmosphere and roughly the same divide between land and ocean. This beautiful, idyllic planet is known as Mobius and it’s approximately at the centre-point of the universe- don’t ask how this information is known, by the way, people far cleverer than you or I have spent aeons working out all the maths behind it.

Mobius is a planet quite unlike any other. It’s largely untouched by pollution or rampant industrialisation, with beautiful clean air and water in just about every region of the planet. These regions are known as Zones and each one varies in size, geology and ecology. It might sound incredible but these Zones can boast entirely disparate eco-systems to even their closest neighbours. Lush, fluffy grass might be found in a Zone sharing a border with a desert made of golden, silky sand. It’s just as likely you’ll find crystal blue waters next door to roaring, raging volcanoes. And you could encounter an icy tundra right alongside luscious woodland.

Mobius is home to a remarkable number of species of inhabitant, though they can usually be placed into one of three categories. Least common of these three are humans. It’s unclear precisely how humans discovered Mobius though most theories involve space wormholes. Historically somewhat aggressive and warlike, the human settlements of Mobius have largely kept to themselves in recent years, even with animosity towards the planet’s other life fading. Truthfully, most human colonies on the planet have little or no desire to be discovered by any others.

The most prominent lifeforms on Mobius are Mobians. These are what some scholars might call “anthropomorphs”. Imagine your average cat or dog. Now, imagine them standing and walking on their hind legs, speaking a shared language, wearing clothes and operating within a civilised society and standing at roughly half the height as your given human. You probably get the picture. Just as humans take many forms, there are Mobians for every species of animal you can think of, including fantastical ones. Though Mobians are generally quite peaceful, there does exist an unfortunate criminal element within their ranks. But, one supposes, that’s just natural. Most of the characters in this story, unless specified otherwise, will be Mobians.

Less common than Mobians but more common than humans are Mobini. Like humans and Mobians, Mobini come in all shapes and sizes. They, too, are animalistic, but they lack the evolved higher brain power of Mobius’ other notable species. Imagine that cat or dog from before. Now shrink them down to a fraction of their size so they might balance on the palm of your hand, perhaps exaggerate some of their more notable features- you’ll pretty much have the right sort of image in mind. These cutesy critters often come from large groups of their kind and are friendly and playful, but don’t operate within what we’d recognise as a civilised society.

Beyond this, there are a variety of lesser species on the planet, some more highly evolved than others- some even devolved but we’ll come to that in due course. If a Mobian is ever seen eating a burger, for instance, its meat likely came not from a cow or a bull as they might on Earth but from an Apterix. There exists an entire town of sausage people famed for their sausages, though fortunately they don’t make them from one another. Mobians would no sooner eat another Mobian or a Mobini than you or I would eat another human. If you would eat another human, you’ll find little of the much-needed psychological help you require in this tome and I’d appreciate you not spoiling my analogy further.

At any rate, the various creatures inhabit the various Zones, which together make up the islands and continents of the world. Just as people in your world adapt to their situation, those on Mobius adapt also. Their societies have technology, spirituality, economy and culture that are as diverse as the wonderful inhabitants of the planet.

Our story concerns a number of these inhabitants. Some of them heroic, a great many of them villainous but all finding their lives touched by two individuals in particular. Though the tale grows through its telling to have many dozens of side characters and bit players, the story at its simplest can really be pared down to a conflict between just two. As this tale begins, one of those two is yet to be brought into existence- and the other is not yet as you may recognise them.

This is the tale of Sonic the Hedgehog, his friends, his allies, his enemies and everyone in between. You may recognise some of them, you may not know others. Because the other interesting thing about Mobius is this: it occupies a multiverse. But our story concerns a Mobius in which familiar events may feature new faces, in which new friendships and rivalries form between individuals whose paths may not otherwise cross in other realities.

This is Sonic Amalgam.

As our story begins, Sonic the Hedgehog is still some way off being the Hero of Mobius you may know him as today. Some stories begin with a bang, others with a whimper. Though the reason why must remain a secret for now, this tale has begun with a bang… which has led to a whimper.

On to Chapter 1