Sonic Forces: Not a Hero

Prologue

It was a simple job. Break into Eggman's base, take anything valuable and sell it to the highest bidder. None of us imagined that a small ruby would change the outcome of our fierce mercenary band, and of me. There's not a part of me that doesn't wish to go back and smash that ruby before Zero ever got his hands on it. However if I'm going to tell you this story, it's best I start from the very beginning.

I was raised in the city, alone on the streets. I never knew my parents and no one was willing to take a wolf cub like me in. For a time a couple of hobos raised me, but winter took them when I was young. I needed to learn how to survive quick or I would die. So I learned to steal, only what I needed, but I wasn't really any good at it. I made a reputation for myself and eventually was driven out of town. Leaving me to wonder the desert, hungry and cold. I eventually passed out, ready to embrace the end.

I was surprised to wake, in some kind of cave no less. I slowly sat up to find many jackals running around the cave, it seemed like some kind of infirmary.

"Look who's finally decided to join the land of the living?" I turned to my side to find a Jackal, with two different colored eyes. His left eye was yellow, while his right eye was blue with a scar across it.

"Who are you and where am I?" I asked angrily.

"Is that anyway to treat the person who saved your life?" he asked. I just glared at him. I didn't get charity, not without giving up something in return.

"Why did you even bother?" I asked, "Most would just leave me for dead."

"I guess you could say I have a soft spot for stray pups," he laughed, "And it seemed like a shame to waste such potential in the desert."

"What do you know about me," I growled.

"More than most," he sneered, "I had my boys check you out in the city. You've got quite the record, with no one to teach you is impressive."

"You making fun of me?" I growled, "Anyone could tell I'm sloppy at best."

"That's because you've never had a proper teacher," he explained, "What if I told you, I could help sharpen your skills? Join me, and in return for your loyalty, I'll train you to become the fiercest warrior this world has ever seen."

"You'd do that for me?" I asked cautiously.

"I'll warn you Pup, my training isn't for the faint of heart. I intend to push you well over your limit and if you fail, I will throw you back into the desert where I found you," he warned, "Do we have a deal?"

"I'll do it," I said, "I have nowhere else to go. So let's find out how far I can go with you."

"Good," he smiled, "We'll start at first light." As he got up to leave, I called out to him.

"Wait, what do I call you?" I asked.

"My name is Zero, but for now just call me Boss," he said.

"Thank you Boss," I nodded.

"Now then what do I call you, unless you prefer Pup," he asked.

"My name is Artemis, but call me whatever pleases you, Boss," I said.

"Artemis," he repeated, "Can't promise that I'll remember it, but it is pretty."

Since that day, I became Zero's pupil. Day in and day out, he worked me to the bone, building my strength. I transcended through the Jackal Squad, until I became Zero's most trusted companion. The other jackal's called me Huntress, Zero's second in command. My howl pierced fear into all who heard it. I was content, I was happy and I thought Zero was too. That was until he touched that Phantom Ruby.

The assault on Eggman's base was to be an easy heist. Eggman, is an evil scientist who constantly causes trouble for everyone. I told Zero that we should raid the place of valuables. I was hoping something exciting would cheer him up. He had been so down lately, but would never tell me exactly why. He agreed and soon after we were ready to take down Eggman's base. Zero didn't only train me in combat, but in engineering and hacking. So shutting down Eggman's defense systems was a piece of cake. Once it was down, Zero had me signal the troops. I took a deep breath and let out my fearsome howl as we charged into battle.

We hit Eggman's base hard, even though I had disabled his security systems, his robots were still a nuisance. His robot were no match for our strength, it was only a matter of time before we took over the base. Suddenly the sky glowed red and Eggman's robots multiplied. We were surrounded as Eggman appeared chuckling as he held a ruby. Zero then rushed at the ruby, but as soon as he touched it the ruby glowed. The ruby's glow showed the world around us change into a broken and decayed place. Stunned by our new surroundings Zero released the ruby and everything returned to normal. Eggman smirked at Zero, offered him a job in the Eggman Empire to bring that vision to life. We pleaded with Zero to reject his offer, but to our surprised he agreed. Zero said he was bored of his world and wished to see it crumbled.

Eggman had enlisted the whole Jackal Squad as his own personal hit squad, while he kept Zero close to him. After a while Zero distanced himself from the Jackal Squad, even me. Zero was so enticed by the gem Eggman called the Phantom Ruby. I couldn't stay and watch him destroy himself. So one night I left, disappeared, never to return to that life again. That's what I was hoping for anyway.