3 parts Complete [ NOTE: This fic was written for the Sonic The Hedgehog Big Bang 2024, with artwork done by @premeditatedshitbag and @elsannej on Tumblr! Links to their artwork will be added here in a few moments.]
As the events of Sonic Forces come to a close, the resistance may have won the war - but for E-123 Omega, the next battle is within.
Dr Eggman's so-called strongest creation was able to contribute little to the great conflict, falling to a state of complete shutdown at the hands of a mind-bending sorcerer. For the first time since he swore to destroy the doctor and all that he stood for, Omega had once again been left with nothing to do but ruminate in the darkness of his own faintly-running programming. Before, he could blame the doctor - now, he could blame only himself.
Awoken from six excruciating months out of commission, a new feeling of inadequacy begins festering within Omega. The rest of the world seems content in rebuilding the world with meaningless chores, but Omega can't shake the feeling that he's begun losing his focus, losing his touch for combat. The small-fry Egg Pawns aren't enough - he needs a win, a true win, in a real battle. A big one. With a longing to restore his blood-lust after days of busywork and after meeting with Shadow the Hedgehog, Omega volunteers for a recon mission to the mysterious Lost Hex - with the secret goal of meeting with its bloodthirsty demon king, for a true test of conviction.
With a first act set during Omega's time out of commission during Sonic Forces, and a second and third act then set after the end of said game but before IDW#05, Hex Value is an interquel story focused on E-123 Omega. It explores the mental toll left on the character, as well as on those close to him, from their meetings with the vicious Infinite, and what it truly means to feel weak.
