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Chapter Text

Chapter 1: Rings and First Contact

The last thing I remembered was the screech of tires, the blinding glare of headlights, and then… nothing. Now, there was only black. An absolute, all-encompassing void that stretched in every direction, a sensory deprivation tank of infinite scale. It wasn't scary, not exactly. More… peaceful, in a profoundly empty way.

Then, light. Not harsh, but a soft, ethereal blue that coalesced into text right in front of my… well, where my eyes used to be.

[Apologies, Jarred.]

The words hung there, luminous and strangely apologetic.

[Your recent cessation of existence was… an error. A miscalculation in the grand cosmic spreadsheet, so to speak. Our sincerest regrets.]

I blinked, or at least I think I did. "An error?" I thought, the words forming in the silent expanse. "So… I'm dead because someone upstairs messed up?"

More text appeared.

[Precisely. As per your original design, your consciousness was scheduled for transfer to the designated afterlife construct for your originating universe. However…]

The blue text flickered slightly.

[Given the… inconvenience… we are offering you a choice. Option A: Proceed to your universe's intended celestial realm. All memories of this… hiccup… will be gently expunged.]

[Option B: Embrace a… less conventional… alternative. Reincarnation into a randomly selected universe, equipped with a daily Gacha System. You will have an infinite inventory, and each day, you will receive a random item or skill to aid your journey. All memories of your previous life will be retained.]

My non-existent heart did a little flutter. A Gacha System? I'd sunk countless hours into reading fanfiction about situations such as this back on Earth, always dreaming of what it would be like to actually have one. A new world, a new adventure, and a random item or skill daily? Heck, an infinite inventory would be amazing in any world! It sounded… incredible.

"Option B," I thought immediately, the words echoing in the void. "Definitely Option B."

The blue text pulsed.

[Decision confirmed. Preparing for inter-dimensional transfer.]

[Destination Universe: Sonic the Hedgehog (A blend of comic and game continuities).]

My eyebrows, if I had them, would have shot through the roof. Sonic? The blue blur? Robotnik and Chaos Emeralds? That was… unexpected. But also kind of awesome. I'd been a pretty big fan for much of my life, after all.

[Initiating transfer in T-minus 5…]

[4…]

[3…]

[You will awaken in a forested region with your pre-death attire and three complimentary Gacha rolls.]

[2…]

[Good luck.]

[1…]

The sensation of being pulled through reality itself wasn't something I could have prepared for. One moment I was floating in an endless void, and the next, I was being stretched like cosmic taffy, my consciousness elongating across dimensions I couldn't comprehend. Colors I'd never seen before swirled around me, sounds that had no business existing rattled through my non-corporeal form, and then—

I gasped, lungs burning as they filled with air for what felt like the first time. Bright sunlight stabbed into my eyes, and I squeezed them shut against the assault. The soft cushion of grass pressed against my back, a gentle breeze rustling my hair. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, blood rushing through my veins.

I was alive. Really, properly alive.

And I was lying in a meadow, surrounded by towering trees with leaves so vibrant they almost hurt to look at.

"Holy shit," I whispered, my voice hoarse and unfamiliar. "It really happened."

I sat up slowly, my joints protesting the movement. Looking down at myself, I was relieved to find I was still human—still me. Same lanky frame, same faded blue jeans and worn red hoodie I'd been wearing when the accident happened. I patted myself down, checking for injuries, but found none. Whatever cosmic entity had transported me here had, at least, been kind enough to repair the damage from the car accident.

A soft chime echoed around me, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. A translucent blue window materialized in front of me, hovering at eye level.

[Welcome to Mobius, Jarred Sullivan. Your Gacha System has been activated.]

[Welcome Gacha: 3 pulls available]

[Would you like to use your Welcome Gacha pulls now?]

"Uh, yes?" I said hesitantly, not sure if I needed to speak aloud or just think it. The system seemed to understand either way.

[Processing Welcome Gacha Pull #1...]

The screen began to cycle through a dizzying array of images, too fast for me to track. It reminded me of a slot machine, the pictures blurring together until they suddenly stopped on a single item.

[Congratulations! You have received: Chaos Energy Detector (Basic)]

[Description: A small handheld device capable of detecting Chaos Energy signatures within a 1-mile radius. Battery lasts 24 hours before requiring recharge via solar power (6 hours of direct sunlight).]

The device materialized in my hands—a small, rectangular gadget that looked like a cross between a smartphone and a Geiger counter. Its screen was currently dark, but a small green light indicated it was functional.

"That's... actually really useful," I murmured, turning it over in my hands. If I was going to be in Sonic's world, knowing where Chaos Emeralds or other sources of Chaos Energy might be would definitely come in handy.

[Processing Welcome Gacha Pull #2...]

Again, the images cycled rapidly before settling on another prize.

[Congratulations! You have received: Skill - Basic Parkour]

[Description: Grants the user fundamental parkour abilities including wall-running (5 seconds maximum), safe rolling from heights up to 15 feet, and enhanced jumping capability (+25% height/distance compared to your previous physical limits).]

A warm sensation spread through my body, centering particularly in my legs and core. I felt lighter somehow, more aware of my body's capabilities. On impulse, I stood up and jumped—and sailed nearly four feet into the air without even trying.

"Whoa!" I exclaimed as I landed, stumbling slightly but catching myself with newfound agility. "That's going to take some getting used to."

[Processing Welcome Gacha Pull #3...]

The final cycle seemed to take longer, the images blurring past at an even more frantic pace before finally settling.

[Congratulations! You have received: Ring Pouch (Expandable)]

[Description: A compact pouch that can store up to 100 Power Rings. Rings stored within will not disperse upon injury. The pouch exists partially in hammerspace and will not burden the carrier regardless of contents.]

A small leather pouch materialized at my waist, attached to my belt loop. It was barely bigger than my palm, with a drawstring closure and strange symbols embroidered around its edges. When I touched it, I could feel an unusual energy emanating from it—not unpleasant, just different.

"Not bad for starter pulls," I said, examining my new possessions. "Though I don't actually have any rings to put in this thing yet."

The interface blinked once more.

[Inventory system now active. Say or think "Inventory" to access.]

"Inventory," I thought, and another translucent screen appeared, showing three slots filled with my new items and seemingly endless empty slots below them.

I closed the interface with a thought and took a moment to really assess my surroundings. The forest around me was beautiful in a way that Earth's forests weren't—colors too vivid, shapes too perfect. Everything seemed slightly stylized, as though reality itself had been designed rather than evolved. The trees had an almost cartoony perfection to them as well..

In the distance, I could hear running water—a stream or river, perhaps—and the chittering of familiar wildlife. The air smelled fresher than anything I'd experienced before, tinged with unfamiliar floral scents.

"Alright," I muttered to myself, "I'm in Sonic's world. I've got some basic equipment. Now what?"

As if in answer, the Chaos Energy Detector in my hand suddenly beeped to life, its screen illuminating with a pulsing dot about half a mile to the west. I tapped the screen, and it zoomed in slightly, showing more detail. The energy signature wasn't particularly strong, but it was definitely there.

"Guess that's as good a direction as any," I decided, slipping the detector into my pocket and orienting myself toward the signal.

I set off through the forest, testing my new parkour abilities as I went. What would have once been somewhat annoying obstacles—fallen logs, small ravines, dense underbrush—I now navigated with surprising ease. I wasn't exactly doing ninja flips, but I could leap farther, balance better, and fall more safely than ever before. It was exhilarating.

As I traveled, questions swirled through my mind. What version of Sonic's world was this exactly? The cosmic entity had mentioned a blend of comic and game continuities, which could mean almost anything. Was Robotnik actively threatening the world? Were the Freedom Fighters a thing here? And most importantly, how would the inhabitants of this world react to a human suddenly appearing?

After about fifteen minutes of travel, the forest began to thin, giving way to rolling green hills that stretched toward the horizon. The hills were punctuated by loop-shaped natural formations and floating platforms—elements I instantly recognized from the games. The sight was simultaneously awe-inspiring and surreal.

The detector's beeping intensified as I crested a particularly steep hill, and I pulled it out to check the display. The energy signature was close now, just over the next rise.

I moved cautiously, unsure what to expect. A Chaos Emerald? Some other form of Chaos Energy? Or perhaps one of the characters who naturally channeled such power?

What I found instead was a small clearing where a single golden Power Ring hovered, spinning slowly about three feet off the ground. It glowed with inner light, occasionally emitting tiny sparks of energy that quickly dissipated in the air.

"A Power Ring," I breathed, approaching it slowly. In the games, these were usually just collectibles, but in the comics and some of the animated series, they held significant power—particularly for someone like Sonic who could channel their energy.

I reached out tentatively, half expecting my hand to pass through it as though it were a video game asset. Instead, my fingers made contact with a warm, solid surface that vibrated subtly against my skin. The ring seemed to respond to my touch, its glow intensifying slightly.

Carefully, I plucked it from the air. It was surprisingly light, almost weightless, yet undeniably solid. I could feel energy humming through it—not unpleasant, but powerful, like holding a battery that wasn't quite shocking me.

"One down, ninety-nine to go," I said wryly, slipping the ring into my new pouch. It disappeared inside, the pouch not changing in size or weight despite its contents.

The detector beeped again, this time indicating multiple small energy signatures scattered throughout the area. More rings, most likely. I was about to head toward the nearest one when a sound stopped me in my tracks—a distant explosion, followed by the unmistakable whine of machinery.

I spun toward the noise, shielding my eyes against the sun. On the horizon, barely visible through the heat haze, dark smoke billowed into the sky. As I watched, small shapes darted through the air—some mechanical, others moving too quickly to identify clearly.

My heart rate spiked. That had to be Robotnik—or Eggman, depending on which version of the character existed in this world. And those fast-moving objects? Almost certainly Sonic and possibly some of his friends.

I stood frozen for a moment, indecision paralyzing me. Should I run toward the action? That seemed suicidally stupid given that I had exactly one Power Ring and some basic parkour skills to my name. But running away felt wrong too—I'd been dropped into this world for a reason, hadn't I?

Before I could decide, the decision was made for me. A high-pitched mechanical whine grew rapidly louder, and I turned just in time to see a small squadron of robot drones cresting the nearest hill, heading straight for me.

They were Buzz Bombers—wasp-like robots with striped yellow and black bodies, glowing red eyes, and stingers that I knew functioned as laser cannons. Five of them, flying in a V formation, and they'd spotted me.

"Oh, crap," I muttered, backing away instinctively.

The lead Buzz Bomber's eyes flashed, and it emitted a series of beeps that somehow managed to sound threatening. Its stinger began to glow ominously.

I did the only sensible thing—I turned and ran.

My enhanced parkour abilities let me build speed quickly, leaping over obstacles and maintaining momentum as I fled across the hills. But the Buzz Bombers were airborne and mechanically tireless. They gained on me steadily, and I could hear the whine of their weapons powering up.

I glanced back just as the first one fired, a bright energy bolt sizzling past my ear close enough that I felt its heat. The shot hit the ground several feet ahead of me, scorching the grass and sending up a small plume of dirt.

They weren't trying to kill me, I realized—they were trying to herd me. Each subsequent shot came a little closer, driving me away from the open hills and toward a more densely wooded area to the north.

I weighed my options. The woods might provide cover, but they'd also restrict my movement. If these were standard Badniks from the games, they likely contained imprisoned animals that would be freed if the robots were destroyed. But how was I supposed to destroy them without any weapons?

The Ring Pouch at my side suddenly felt heavier, reminding me of its presence. In some versions of Sonic lore, Power Rings could be used offensively by channeling their energy. Would that work here? I had no idea how to even attempt it, but I was running out of options.

Another laser blast struck uncomfortably close, nearly singing the sleeve of my hoodie. Decision time.

I reached into the pouch and pulled out the Ring, which glowed even more brightly in my hand now. On pure instinct, I spun around and hurled it like a frisbee at the nearest Buzz Bomber.

To my utter shock, the Ring cut through the air like a golden discus, trailing energy as it flew. It struck the robot dead center with a satisfying CLANG and a shower of electrical sparks. The Buzz Bomber wobbled in midair, smoke pouring from its chassis, before exploding in a burst of metal fragments. A small bird—a chickadee, I thought—emerged from the wreckage, chirping frantically as it flew away.

But the Ring didn't stop there. Instead of falling to the ground, it ricocheted off the first robot and slammed into a second, destroying it as well and releasing another small animal. Then a third, and a fourth, the Ring moving faster with each impact, until it had destroyed all five Buzz Bombers in the span of seconds.

The final robot exploded spectacularly, and the Ring came arcing back toward me as if drawn by a magnet. I yelped and ducked, but it simply slowed as it approached, hovering before me momentarily before gently dropping into my outstretched hand.

"That... was... AWESOME!" I shouted, pumping my fist in the air. The Ring glowed warmly in response, as if pleased with itself.

I'd just dispatched five Badniks with a single Power Ring. Maybe I wasn't quite as helpless as I'd thought.

My celebration was short-lived, however. A much louder mechanical roar echoed across the hills, and I turned to see a larger shadow passing overhead—a hovercraft of some kind, shaped like a giant egg with a cockpit bubble on top. And peering out from that bubble was a round figure with a distinctive mustache that stretched well beyond the confines of his face.

Dr. Robotnik. Or Eggman. Whichever he called himself here.

He hadn't spotted me yet, his attention focused on something—or someone—moving too fast for me to see clearly, a blue blur racing circles around a battalion of larger robots on the distant hillside. But it was only a matter of time before more Badniks came my way, especially if their sensors had registered the destruction of the Buzz Bombers.

I needed to move, to find somewhere safe while I figured out my next steps. According to the detector, there were more Power Rings nearby. Collecting them seemed like the sensible course of action.

As I turned to head toward the nearest Ring signature, the ground suddenly trembled beneath my feet. The tremor intensified rapidly, and I struggled to maintain my balance as the earth heaved. Trees swayed dangerously, some cracking ominously as their roots were disturbed.

"Earthquake?" I gasped, dropping to one knee to stabilize myself.

But this was no natural earthquake. The ground about thirty feet away began to bulge upward, earth and grass splitting as something massive pushed its way to the surface. With a spray of soil and a mechanical groan, a giant metal drill emerged, followed by a cylindrical metal body that continued to rise until it towered nearly twenty feet above me.

It was a Drill Bot, far larger than most of the ones from any game I remembered. Its body was painted in garish red and yellow, with Robotnik's grinning logo emblazoned on its side. Multiple smaller drills extended from rotating appendages, and a single optical sensor swiveled before locking onto me with a sinister red glow.

"Unidentified organic presence detected," it announced in a tinny, mechanical voice. "Classification: Unknown. Threat assessment: Minimal. Directive: Capture for roboticization."

Well, that answered one question—we were definitely in a continuity where Robotnik turned living beings into robots. Not good news for me.

The Drill Bot's main drill began to spin with a high-pitched whine. "Please do not resist. Dr. Robotnik welcomes all new additions to his mechanical army."

"I'll pass, thanks," I replied, backing away slowly.

The robot lurched forward, surprisingly fast for its size. "Resistance is illogical. Surrender and avoid unnecessary damage to your biological components."

I turned to run, but the Drill Bot fired something from a concealed launcher—a net that expanded in midair, encompassing me before I could dodge. I crashed to the ground, tangled in metallic mesh that immediately contracted, binding my limbs painfully.

"Capture successful," the robot intoned. "Transporting specimen to nearest roboticization facility."

A mechanical arm extended, lifting the net—and me—into the air. Panic surged through me as I struggled against the unyielding mesh. The Ring Pouch was pressed against my side, but I couldn't reach inside with my arms pinned.

"Help!" I shouted, though I had no idea who might hear me. "Somebody! Sonic!"

As if summoned by his name, a flash of blue streaked past, so fast it was nearly invisible to the naked eye. Something slammed into the Drill Bot with tremendous force, causing it to stagger sideways. The mechanical arm holding me aloft wavered, then lost its grip, sending me crashing back to the ground with a painful thud.

"Yo, Drill-brain! Didn't anyone ever teach you it's rude to grab people without asking?"

The voice was cocky, youthful, and immediately recognizable. I twisted in the net, trying to get a better view as a blue hedgehog landed lightly on top of the robot's head, arms crossed and a confident smirk on his face.

Sonic the Hedgehog, in the flesh. Or fur, rather.

"Priority target identified," the Drill Bot announced, all its weapons systems suddenly orienting toward Sonic. "Hedgehog, Sonic. Threat level: Maximum. New directive: Terminate."

"Maximum threat level? I'm flattered!" Sonic laughed, effortlessly dodging as the robot fired a barrage of smaller drills in his direction. "But you're gonna have to be faster than that!"

He leapt from the robot's head just as another attack came, the drills embedding themselves in the machine's own armor instead. Sonic hit the ground running—literally—circling the robot at incredible speed, a blue tornado forming around its base.

The robot tried to track him, weapons systems whirring frantically, but Sonic was simply too fast. Its treads began to lift off the ground as the windstorm intensified.

"Time to send you back to the scrap heap!" Sonic called out, suddenly reversing direction and launching himself into the air. He curled into his iconic spin dash, becoming a whirling blue ball that slammed directly through the robot's midsection.

The Drill Bot froze, sparks flying from the perfectly circular hole now punched through its core. Its limbs twitched spasmodically, and then, with a groan of stressed metal, it collapsed in on itself, exploding in a shower of parts and freeing at least a dozen small animals that had been powering it.

I lay there stunned, still tangled in the net, as Sonic landed gracefully a few feet away. Up close, he was both exactly as I expected and somehow more real than I could have imagined. About three feet tall, cobalt blue fur, emerald green eyes that sparkled with mischief, and his trademark red sneakers.

"You okay there, buddy?" he asked, approaching me with casual confidence. "Let's get you out of that thing."

With a few precise movements, he sliced through the net using the sharp quills on his back, freeing me from my metallic prison.

"Thanks," I managed, still somewhat in awe as I clambered to my feet. "That was... amazing."

Sonic grinned, striking a pose with his thumb up. "All in a day's work! Though I gotta say, you're not from around here, are you? Don't see many humans on this side of Mobius."

"I'm... new," I said, which wasn't technically a lie. "My name's Jarred."

"Well, Jarred, you picked a pretty exciting place for sightseeing," Sonic replied, gesturing toward the distant battle where explosions still lit up the sky. "Eggman's on a rampage today. Something about a new power source he's detected in the area."

My hand instinctively went to the Ring Pouch. Could he be after the Power Rings? Or was there something else?

"Listen," Sonic continued, suddenly more serious, "you should probably get somewhere safe. There's a village about two miles east of here." He pointed toward a stand of trees. "Just head that way, you can't miss it. Ask for Vanilla the Rabbit—tell her Sonic sent you. She'll help you out."

Before I could respond, Sonic's wrist communicator—a device I recognized as similar to the ones from Sonic Boom—beeped urgently.

"Sonic!" a young, slightly high-pitched voice came through the speaker. Tails, I realized with another jolt of excitement. "We've got trouble! Eggman's deployed the Egg Dragoon near the eastern ridge. Amy and Knuckles are holding it off, but they need backup!"

"On my way, little buddy," Sonic replied. He gave me an apologetic look. "Duty calls! Get to that village, okay? Should be safe there."

He turned to sprint away, then paused, looking back at me curiously. "By the way, what's that thing on your belt? Never seen anything like it before."

I glanced down at the Ring Pouch. "It's... for collecting Power Rings," I admitted, seeing no reason to lie.

Sonic's eyes widened slightly. "Power Rings, huh? Interesting hobby." He studied me for a moment longer, then nodded. "We'll talk more later. Gotta juice!"

And with that, he was gone, nothing but a blue streak and a gust of wind marking his passage.

I stood there for a moment, processing what had just happened. I'd been killed in a car accident, offered a second chance by some cosmic entity, transported to Sonic the Hedgehog's world with a Gacha System, nearly captured by one of Robotnik's robots, and then rescued by Sonic himself—all within what couldn't have been more than an hour since my arrival.

"What a day," I murmured, brushing dirt from my clothes.

My Chaos Energy Detector beeped insistently, reminding me of the Power Rings still waiting to be collected. I pulled it out, checking the nearest signature. It was in the direction Sonic had pointed—toward the village.

Safety and Power Rings in the same direction? That seemed like a sign if ever there was one.

As I set off toward the east, carefully picking my way through the forest, I couldn't help but wonder about the enormous coincidence of it all. Had I truly been sent here by random chance? Or was there some greater purpose to my presence in this world?

The Gacha System interface flickered briefly in my peripheral vision, reminding me that I'd have another pull tomorrow. What would I get next? Something useful, I hoped—especially if I was going to be caught in the middle of Sonic and Eggman's eternal conflict.

One thing was certain: my new life was going to be anything but boring.

In the distance, I could see smoke rising from what I assumed was the village Sonic had mentioned. Not the black, oily smoke of destruction, but the white wisps of cooking fires and chimneys. Civilization. Safety. At least temporarily.

I picked up my pace, eager to reach the village before any more of Robotnik's forces found me. The Power Ring in my pouch hummed with energy, a comforting presence against my side.

"Vanilla the Rabbit," I said to myself, committing the name to memory. If she was anything like her portrayal in the comics and games, she'd be kind and hospitable—exactly what I needed right now.

As I walked, I mentally cataloged everything I knew about this world, trying to prepare myself for what lay ahead. One thing was clear: I had a lot to learn, and quickly.

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows through the trees and painting the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks. By my estimate, I'd reach the village just before nightfall.

A new world. A new adventure. And tomorrow, a new Gacha pull.

I smiled despite myself. "Well, Jarred," I murmured, "you always wanted to live in another world, but careful what you wish for."

With renewed determination, I continued toward the village, the Chaos Energy Detector guiding my way as the first stars began to appear in the darkening sky.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2: New Knothole

The remaining daylight faded quickly as I made my way through the forest. My enhanced parkour abilities helped me navigate the increasingly dense undergrowth, but the unfamiliar terrain still slowed my progress. The Chaos Energy Detector beeped softly in my pocket, guiding me toward what I hoped was both safety and more Power Rings.

Night fell completely about an hour into my journey, the forest transforming around me. Bioluminescent fungi began to glow along tree trunks, casting an ethereal blue-green light that reminded me of the cosmic text I'd seen when I used my System. The forest came alive with sounds—chirping insects, rustling leaves, and occasional calls from creatures I couldn't identify. Some sounded like Earth animals, others more alien.

"This is definitely not Green Hill Zone anymore," I muttered to myself, ducking under a low-hanging branch.

According to my best estimate, I'd covered about a mile and a half since parting ways with Sonic. The village should be close, but the forest showed no signs of thinning. If anything, it grew denser, the trees packed more tightly together, their trunks wider and more gnarled.

The smoke I'd spotted earlier was no longer visible through the thick canopy, but my detector indicated I was heading in the right direction. At least, I hoped I was. The thought crossed my mind that I might be following the signal of a Power Ring rather than heading toward civilization.

As if confirming my suspicions, the detector's beeping intensified. I pulled it out, squinting at the screen in the dim light. A Chaos Energy signature pulsed brightly, practically on top of my position.

I slowed my pace, scanning the area carefully. There—nestled in the hollow of a massive oak tree—was another golden Ring, spinning slowly as it hovered a few inches above the ground. I approached carefully, mindful of potential traps or Badniks, but the area seemed peaceful enough.

This Ring, like the first, came easily into my hand when I reached for it, its energy humming pleasantly against my palm. I slipped it into the pouch alongside the first.

"Two down, ninety-eight to go," I said, patting the pouch appreciatively.

I continued my eastward trek, the detector now showing several small energy signatures ahead—more Rings, clustered together in what I hoped was the village Sonic had mentioned. The forest floor began to slope upward, and I found myself climbing a gentle incline that gradually steepened into something more challenging.

My legs burned pleasantly with the effort, my enhanced physicality making the climb less taxing than it would have been before. At the top of the ridge, I paused to catch my breath and get my bearings.

In the distance, through a gap in the trees, I spotted the flickering orange glow of what could only be a campfire. Relief washed over me—civilization at last, or at least some form of it.

"Please be Vanilla's village and not a Robotnik outpost," I whispered, starting down the other side of the ridge toward the light.

The detector continued to show multiple Ring signatures in that direction, which I took as a good sign. Robotnik's forces wouldn't be camping peacefully next to a cluster of Power Rings, would they?

As I descended the ridge, fatigue began to set in. The adrenaline that had carried me through my encounters with the Badniks was wearing off, and my body—though slightly enhanced—was still that of someone who'd been hit by a car and then cosmically transported to another universe all in the same day. Every muscles ached, and my eyelids felt heavy.

"Just a little farther," I encouraged myself, focusing on the distant firelight.

The trees thinned slightly as I approached what appeared to be a small clearing ahead. The campfire glow was stronger now, and I thought I could make out shadows moving around it. People or Mobians, I hoped, rather than robots.

I was about twenty yards from the clearing's edge when something strange happened. The air in front of me seemed to ripple, like heat waves rising from hot asphalt. I slowed my approach, uncertain.

"Hello?" I called out cautiously. "Is anyone there? Sonic sent me. I'm looking for Vanilla."

No response came from the direction of the campfire. Instead, the air rippled more violently, and as I took another step forward, an invisible force pushed back against me, halting my progress completely.

"What the—" I pressed my hand forward, meeting solid resistance where nothing was visible. It felt like pushing against a rubber membrane—firm but with slight give. "A force field?"

I ran my hand along the invisible barrier, trying to gauge its extent. It curved away to both sides, seemingly encircling an area ahead of me. But the campfire I'd been heading toward was clearly visible on the other side of the barrier.

"This doesn't make sense," I muttered, confused. "If the village is protected by a barrier, how can I see that campfire?"

"Because what you're seeing isn't inside our village at all," came a feminine voice from my right.

I spun around, startled, to find myself face to face with a rabbit. Not a small, wild rabbit, but an anthropomorphic Mobian rabbit standing upright at about four feet tall—significantly shorter than my six-foot frame but imposing nonetheless in the dim forest light.

She was clearly an adult, with cream-colored fur and brown patches around her eyes and ears. She wore a modest purple dress with a white trim and a red vest. Her eyes, large and expressive, regarded me with cautious suspicion, and her long ears were perked up attentively.

Most notably, her expression was stern, arms crossed over her chest as she assessed me.

"Password?" she demanded, one foot tapping impatiently against the forest floor.

I blinked in confusion, my tired brain struggling to process what was happening. "P-password? I'm sorry, Ma'am, but Sonic sent me here. He said that someone named Vanilla would help me if I told her he sent me?"

The rabbit's stern façade cracked immediately. Her serious expression melted away as she covered her mouth, a genuine giggle escaping her.

"Oh my, I'm sorry for frightening you, dear," she said, her voice warm and maternal. "There is no password, actually. It's a little test we've developed."

My confusion must have been evident on my face because she continued, her explanation patient.

"You see, everyone in New Knothole knows there's no password. We've found that when trespassers or spies try to get in, they almost always attempt to guess a password—something they assume a secret village would have. But friends sent by Sonic or the others wouldn't be told any password, because there isn't one to tell." She smiled kindly. "It's a simple but effective screening method."

"That's... actually pretty clever," I admitted, impressed by the psychological trick.

"Indeed. Sally came up with it after we had a few too many of Robotnik's infiltrators trying to sneak in." She stepped closer, extending her hand. "I am Vanilla, by the way. Vanilla the Rabbit."

I shook her hand, relieved to have found the right person. "Jarred Sullivan. Thank you for meeting me. I've had... quite a day."

"I can imagine, especially if you encountered Sonic in the middle of one of his confrontations with Robotnik." She glanced at the barrier. "I'm curious, though—what brought you this way specifically? Not many humans wander these forests, especially at night."

I pulled out the Chaos Energy Detector. "This thing was guiding me. Sonic told me the village was east of where we met, and this showed energy signatures in this direction, so I followed it."

Vanilla examined the device with interest. "Fascinating. You must be detecting our Ring Repository. We keep a small collection for emergencies." She glanced at the pouch on my belt. "You're a Ring collector?"

"Something like that," I hedged, not ready to explain my Gacha System or interdimensional origin story just yet. "I've only got two so far."

She nodded, not pressing further. "Well, you look exhausted, dear. Let's get you inside the barrier, and I can show you around New Knothole. Though I'm afraid at this hour, most residents are already settling in for the night."

"That's fine. I just need a safe place to rest, honestly."

"Of course." She turned toward the barrier, then paused. "By the way, that campfire you were heading toward? It's on the other side of our village, outside the barrier. The barrier's camouflage works both ways—it makes the village invisible from the outside, but it also projects images of what's beyond it, so anyone inside can see out without obstruction."

I glanced back at the distant firelight. "So... that's not part of the village?"

"No, someone must have set up camp on the far side. Probably travelers passing through," Vanilla explained. "When I'm done showing you around, I should probably inform Shadow- He's our main law enforcer while Princess Sally is away on adventures with Sonic."

Shadow? Law enforcer? The dissonance between this world and my knowledge of Sonic lore deepened. In the games and comics I knew, Shadow was many things—an antihero, a loner, sometimes Sonic's rival or ally—but never a community police officer. Sure, he occasionally worked with G.U.N., but only for large threats such as Eggman himself. And a place called "New Knothole" protected by a high-tech barrier? This was definitely not matching any continuity I was familiar with.

"Is something wrong, dear?" Vanilla asked, noticing my confused expression.

"No, just tired," I half lied. "Lead the way."

Vanilla approached what appeared to be a large oak tree with sprawling branches. She reached up and pulled on what looked like an ordinary limb, but it moved downward like a lever. A subtle humming sound emanated from the barrier, and a section of it rippled more intensely before seeming to part, creating an invisible doorway.

"After you," she said with a gracious gesture.

I stepped through the opening cautiously. The sensation was strange—like walking through a sheet of cool water without getting wet. Once on the other side, I gasped in amazement.

Where the forest had appeared dense and uninhabited moments before, a village now spread out before me—houses and buildings nestled among the trees, connected by winding pathways lit with softly glowing lanterns. The architecture was unlike anything I'd seen on Earth—a blend of natural and constructed elements, with homes built into massive tree trunks or nestled between their roots, while others were more conventional structures of wood, brick, and straw.

"Welcome to New Knothole," Vanilla said proudly as she stepped through the barrier behind me, the opening sealing itself once she was through.

"It's beautiful," I said sincerely, taking in the sight. "But why can't I see any of this from outside the barrier?"

"A combination of Tails' technology and Sally's planning," Vanilla explained as we started walking along one of the main paths. "The barrier contains holographic projectors that display images of what the area would look like if the village weren't here. It's completely undetectable to most scanning equipment, and visually perfect."

"Even Robotnik can't find you?"

"He knows we're somewhere in this region, but not exactly where. We've had a few close calls, but the barrier has held so far." She gestured to our surroundings. "This was established after the original Knothole Village was discovered and destroyed. Hence, 'New' Knothole."

As we walked through the village, I could see that it was larger than I'd initially thought—not just a collection of huts like the Knothole from the SatAM series, but a proper small town with distinct districts and varying architectural styles.

Despite the late hour, a few Mobians were still out and about. A pair of chipmunks scurried along one path carrying baskets of what looked like freshly harvested berries. An elderly wolf sat on a porch, smoking a pipe and nodding at us as we passed. From an open window, I could hear someone practicing a string instrument—something like a violin but with a deeper, more resonant tone.

"Are all these people... refugees?" I asked quietly.

Vanilla nodded solemnly. "Many of them, yes. Survivors from villages and cities that Robotnik has conquered or destroyed. Others are Freedom Fighters—those actively opposing his rule." She sighed. "It's been a long struggle, but we maintain hope. Especially with Sonic and the others fighting so hard for our freedom."

We turned down a side path that led to a small square centered around a well. Several buildings surrounded the square, including one larger structure that appeared to be a community hall of some kind.

"That's our meeting house," Vanilla confirmed, following my gaze. "Where we gather for announcements and celebrations. Next to it is the medical center, run by Dr. Quack—he's not in at this hour unless there's an emergency."

She continued pointing out locations as we walked—the communal kitchens, the training grounds, the school for the younger Mobians. It was a fully functional community, hidden away in the heart of the forest.

"How many people live here?" I asked.

"Currently about two hundred residents," Vanilla replied. "Though that number fluctuates. Some are permanent inhabitants, while others come and go as their missions require."

As we rounded another corner, a different kind of building came into view—a squat, sturdy structure with a metal door and what appeared to be security cameras mounted on the corners. A sign above the door read "RING REPOSITORY" in bold letters.

"That's where we store our Power Ring collection," Vanilla explained. "Tails has devised a system to harvest them from the Ring Pool not far from here, and we keep them secure for when they're needed."

The Chaos Energy Detector in my pocket beeped faintly in response to the proximity of so many Rings. I patted it through my jeans, as if to calm it down.

"Who's that?" I asked, quickly changing the subject as I spotted a figure moving across a distant rooftop—a silhouette with distinctly bat-like wings.

Vanilla followed my gaze and chuckled. "That would be Rouge. Rouge the Bat. She works with Shadow sometimes, though she has her own agenda most of the time. Bit of a night owl, that one."

As if hearing her name, the figure paused, turning toward us. Even at this distance, I could make out a feminine form and a pair of reflective eyes that caught the lantern light. After a moment's consideration, Rouge gave what appeared to be a casual salute before continuing on her way, disappearing behind a chimney.

"Is she... friendly?" I asked tentatively.

"Rouge?" Vanilla laughed softly. "She's complicated. Not an enemy, certainly. She helps us when it suits her interests. She's quite fond of jewels and treasures, so we've learned to keep anything particularly valuable well secured. But she's fought alongside Sonic and the others against Robotnik many times."

We continued our tour, passing by what Vanilla identified as the communications hub—a crucial facility where Tails and his technical team maintained contact with Freedom Fighter cells throughout Mobius. Next to it stood a more ornate building with elegant architecture and a small garden.

"That's Princess Sally's residence, though she's rarely here these days," Vanilla explained. "She prefers to be on the front lines with Sonic and the others."

"And where does Shadow stay?" I asked, curious about the self-proclaimed "Ultimate Life Form" and his unusual role in this community.

Vanilla pointed to a simple but well-maintained cabin set slightly apart from the others, near the edge of the village. "There. He values his privacy, but he takes his responsibilities to the village very seriously. I wouldn't disturb him tonight unless it's an emergency, though. He can be... grumpy when his rest is interrupted."

That, at least, sounded like the Shadow I knew from the games.

"And you?" I asked. "Where do you live?"

"Just up ahead," she replied with a warm smile. "My daughter Cream and I have a modest home near the eastern edge of the village. You're welcome to use our guest room tonight."

"That's incredibly kind of you," I said, genuinely touched by the offer. "Thank you."

"Think nothing of it, dear. It's nice to see another young man with manners," she said with an approving nod. "Too many these days rush about without proper courtesy. Even Sonic, bless his heart, could use a few lessons in slowing down and saying 'please' and 'thank you' once in a while."

I laughed at that. "He did seem in a hurry when I met him."

"When is he not?" Vanilla replied with fond exasperation. "But he has a good heart, and that counts for much in these troubled times."

As we approached Vanilla's home—a charming cottage with flowers growing around the windows and a small vegetable garden to one side—I couldn't help but reflect on how different this world was from what I'd expected. The comics and games had captured elements of it, certainly, but they'd missed so much of the depth and complexity of the real Mobius.

New Knothole wasn't just a rebel hideout; it was a community, a home for people whose lives had been upended by Robotnik's tyranny. They weren't just characters in a story—they were people with hopes, fears, routines, and relationships.

And I was now one of them. At least for the time being.

Vanilla opened the front door of her cottage, revealing a cozy interior lit by soft amber lamps. The main room served as both a living area and kitchen, with comfortable-looking furniture arranged around a small fireplace and a round wooden table with four chairs in one corner. Dried herbs hung from the ceiling beams, filling the air with pleasant, earthy aromas.

"Cream should be asleep already," Vanilla whispered, gesturing toward a closed door off the main room. "She's a good girl, but she needs her rest. Your room is through there." She pointed to another door on the opposite side.

"Thank you again," I said. "I don't know what I would have done if Sonic hadn't directed me here."

"That's what we do," Vanilla replied simply. "We help each other. Now, you must be hungry after your journey."

As if on cue, my stomach rumbled loudly, and I realized I hadn't eaten since... well, since before I died, technically.

Vanilla chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes. Sit, please. I'll warm up some stew."

I settled into a chair at the table while Vanilla busied herself at the small wood-burning stove, ladling what smelled like vegetable stew from a pot into a bowl. The domesticity of the scene struck me as surreal—hours ago, I'd been fighting for my life against killer robots, and now I was about to enjoy a home-cooked meal in a talking rabbit's cottage.

"Here you are," Vanilla said, placing the steaming bowl in front of me along with a chunk of dark bread. "It's not fancy, but it's nourishing."

"It smells amazing," I assured her, suddenly ravenous.

As I ate—the stew was of course delicious, hearty and perfectly seasoned—Vanilla sat across from me, sipping from a mug of what appeared to be herbal tea.

"So, Jarred," she said after a comfortable silence, "You didn't mention why you were in the forest alone. Are you a traveler? Or perhaps fleeing from somewhere Robotnik has taken over?"

I paused, spoon halfway to my mouth. I'd need a cover story, at least until I understood this world better. The full truth—that I was a reincarnated human from another dimension with a cosmic Gacha System—seemed likely to raise more questions than it answered.

"I'm... a bit lost, to be honest," I said carefully. "I've been traveling for a while, trying to stay ahead of Robotnik's forces. I collect Power Rings when I can find them—they've saved my life more than once." That much, at least, was true.

Vanilla nodded sympathetically. "Many share similar stories these days. Well, you're welcome to stay here as long as you need to get your bearings. New Knothole can always use another pair of helping hands, and if you've survived on your own this long, you clearly have useful skills."

"Thank you," I said, relief washing over me. A safe base of operations would be invaluable while I figured out what I was supposed to be doing in this world. "I'd be happy to help out however I can."

"We can discuss that tomorrow," Vanilla said, rising from her chair. "For now, finish your meal and get some rest. Things always look clearer in the morning light."

As she tidied up around the kitchen area, I finished the stew and bread, already feeling strength returning to my tired body. When I was done, Vanilla showed me to the guest room—a small but comfortable space with a simple bed, a small table with a wash basin, and a window overlooking the garden.

"The washroom is just down the hall if you need it," she explained. "There's fresh water in the pitcher, and extra blankets in the chest if you get cold during the night."

"This is perfect," I assured her. "Thank you for everything, Vanilla."

She smiled warmly. "Sleep well, Jarred. Tomorrow is a new day."

After she left, closing the door quietly behind her, I sat on the edge of the bed and took stock of my situation. I pulled out the Ring Pouch and emptied its contents onto the blanket—two gleaming Power Rings that cast a soft golden glow in the dim room.

"Not a bad start," I murmured, turning one over in my hand. It hummed with energy, responding to my touch.

Next, I checked the Chaos Energy Detector. Its screen showed numerous small energy signatures throughout the village—the Ring Repository that Vanilla had pointed out being the largest cluster—as well as a few isolated signatures in the surrounding forest. More Rings to collect when I had the chance.

Finally, I thought about my daily Gacha pull. According to the system interface, I was sure that I still had a few more hours before my next pull would be available. What would I get? Something defensive, I hoped, given the dangers I'd already encountered.

As I returned the Rings to the pouch and set my meager possessions on the bedside table, exhaustion hit me like a wave. I barely managed to remove my shoes and hoodie before collapsing onto the bed.

The mattress was stuffed with something softer than normal straw—perhaps some feather only found on Mobius animals—and the pillow cradled my head perfectly. As comfortable as any bed I'd ever slept in on Earth, despite its simplicity.

The next day, as I awoke the next day, I was relaxed yet slightly disoriented. The ceiling above was unfamiliar, and the blankets a soft yellow instead of the dark blue I'd grown used to.

I sat up slowly, my body surprisingly well-rested despite everything it had been through. The Gacha-granted parkour abilities had apparently accelerated my recovery ever so slightly, leaving me feeling refreshed rather than the grogginess I would usually have after a day like yesterday.

Suddenly, a soft chime sounded, and the now-familiar blue interface materialized before me.

[Daily Gacha now available!]

[Would you like to use your Daily Gacha pull?]

I grinned, fully awake for my second day in this new world.

The interface began to go through images rapidly, the virtual slot machine spinning through countless possibilities before finally settling on my reward.

[Congratulations! You have received: Skill - Mobian Language Comprehension]

[Description: Grants the ability to understand and speak all Mobian dialects and languages, including ancient and obscure variants. Also provides basic understanding of Mobian written scripts.]

I blinked in surprise. I hadn't even realized there might be language barriers here. Everyone I'd encountered so far had spoken perfect English, but perhaps that was just the common tongue, with other languages or dialects used by different species or in different regions.

A knock at the door interrupted my ongoing thoughts, though it certainly wasn't an unwelcome sound.

"Jarred? Are you awake? Breakfast is ready whenever you are," came Vanilla's voice.

"Yes, thank you! I'll be right out," I called back, quickly slipping into my hoodie and shoes.

I tucked the Ring Pouch and Chaos Energy Detector into my pockets and made my way to the door, wondering what new adventures this day would bring.