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Back at the start again.
Sonic had no idea how long he'd been doing this for – blasting past all the zones, smashing up Robotnik's creations as he went by until he thwarted the doctor's latest scheme. Of course, that's what all of his adventures boiled down to in the end really. But this? This was definitely different.
Sonic was sure that he'd done this exact thing before. The same zones, the same enemies, the same evil plan. All his adventures had never blurred together in his head before, despite their similarities. He wasn't old enough for that sorta thing just yet!
As he blazed past the familiar ground, taking a route he found was faster, he wondered if somehow, he'd sent himself back in time.
Spindash into a group of badniks. Take a detour to grab more rings in case.
Time travel was a thing he'd done before, back on Little Planet. It was done with the power of the time stones hidden away on the planet, but they still needed speed to activate, and quite a lot of it. Sending himself back in time was definitely plausible...but how?
His run was easier, muscle memory allowing him to cruise through, the rush of the wind invigorating him. Sonic passed through the area's zones like they were nothing. The look on Robotnik's face every time he lost was always hilarious to see. Sonic could do this forever and never get bored.
After giving it more than a moment's thought, time travel didn't seem right. Sonic remembered the process quite vividly, though the Little Planet shenanigans were a few years ago now. There was noise, and bright and pastel colours that flooded his vision. Sonic didn't get any of that whenever things restarted for him here. He'd defeat Robotnik, pat himself on the back for a job well done, and then-
Back at the start again.
Sonic didn't take off, not immediately. Instead he sat down, stretching. The question of why he was stuck in this...this loop was one that needed a bunch of hard thinking. Why not enjoy the view meanwhile!
There was a prettiness to the landscape that could only be seen outside of a breakneck speed. The way the grass flowed with the wind. Butterflies and bees flying from flower to flower.
It was definitely something to do with time, but probably not time travel. Maybe it was something to do with the Chaos Emeralds? Those were super powerful after all. Maybe Robotnik had found a way to use them to reverse time itself, constantly giving himself a second chance at winning. He definitely would stoop that low.
Sonic eventually ended up on his back, closing his eyes as he basked in the warmth of the sun. He deserved a little break. The chirps of the flickies in the area could lull him to sleep. Maybe later Sonic could have a peaceful nap, once Robotnik was properly dealt with. He planned on having a little break after all.
Sonic supposed that if it really was the work of the Chaos Emeralds he'd have to stop Robotnik from getting them. That would mean he'd probably have to collect all seven of them again – that's what he always did when Robotnik planned to use them for evil.
...Which was pretty much every time, actually.
If that didn't work, next time he'd detour and get Tails to come along for the ride. The kiddo was super smart; If anyone could work out the answer, it'd be him.
Satisfied with his break Sonic got up. He jogged on the spot, warming up for his upcoming run. Within moments he sped off. He'd get it eventually.
Eventually.