HZ13-B Report #1: “Chrono Sapphire”
I am Zonic, Elite Zone Cop. And by all accounts, I should no longer exist. We as a force should no longer exist. And yet, somehow, here we are. But that is neither here nor there.
Recently, a multiversal anomaly has occurred, resulting in the fusion of several zones into a single new universe. My fellow Zone Cops and I have tasked ourselves with studying how this occurred and assuring that this new zone is stable, as well as with surveying the newly-dubbed “Heritage Zone” (hereafter referred to as HZ13-B) in order to learn more about it.
(And perhaps figure out how we all found ourselves in this space outside of reality.)
There are many things to speak of regarding HZ13-B, but one thing in particular seems most pressing to address. The subject of what has happened to Little Planet.
In spite of the anomalous nature of things caused by the Fusion, it appear that Little Planet, the satellite that periodically appears in Mobius's orbit, has strangely not changed all that much.
Nearly all Sonics knows about Little Planet, either defeating Robotnik by collecting the seven Time Stones housed on the planet, or traveling through time to stop his operations at their source. Some have even lost to Robotnik there, in some cases even becoming their universe’s Metal Sonic through Robotization.
The Time Stones were never incredibly important outside of Little Planet. Sonics tend to leave them back where they were, and don't return. As a result, no one really knows the nature of Little Planet and why it acts the way it does, coming in and out of orbit. Until recently.
As it turns out, just as the Chaos Emeralds have the Master Emerald to control them, the Time Stones have their own controller as well. Incredibly well hidden within the crust of Little Planet, acting as its core.
It and the Time Stones ensure that Little Planet is always sustained within a small pocket of time separate enough from Mobius's in order to ensure that the sheer gravity doesn't tear the two apart. By all accounts, Little Planet's existence should result in the tides on both worlds being unmanageable and unsuitable for much other than aquatic life. Yet, the globe approaches, then leaves, with no visible effect on the world.
Just as the Master Emerald keeps Angel Island afloat, this controller ensures Little Planet is kept safe.
We have christened this stone as the "Chrono Sapphire," and it has been deduced that its abilities mimic that of the Time Stones, but much more powerfully.
The only reason its existence is even on record is due to some in our force in the past witnessing the creation of the Little Planet in another zone. The Sapphire has never before been witnessed outside of this. It has never needed to be.
It has been theorized that should the Sapphire ever go missing, the Time Stones would become a "backup" core of sorts, keeping Little Planet safe.
Alas, the theories were correct.
Somebody destroyed the Time Stones, and Little Planet, still in orbit around Mobius, fell almost immediately, causing many causalties. Zone Cops immediately were dispatched to survey the rubble for both survivors, and the Sapphire.
It was nowhere to be found.
There was no reason to assume that it didn't survive the Fusion. After all, HZ13-B was recorded to have a set of Chaos Emeralds, a set of Time Stones, and a Master Emerald.
(The only anomaly reported in relation to the gems is an overabundance of overclocked Phantom Rubies, but investigations are currently being made into this, with the suspicion being that they might have been the catalyst for the Fusion.)
The Chrono Sapphire is somewhere in this zone, that we are certain of. But we don't know where. The only lead we have is that an unknown scientific expedition took place as soon as Little Planet most recently entered orbit. The expedition quickly evacuated as a fight between two Chaos-boosted hedgehogs identified as Shadow the Hedgehog formerly from 5A2 and Sonic the Hedgehog formerly from F1337 took place and rapidly grew out of control.
Agents are advised to only observe the fight from HQ. It is too dangerous for us to intervene or even enter the zone proper for the time being.
It is too late to save HZ13-B's Little Planet. Such a wonderful natural wonder, gone.
However, investigation is pending for the location of the Chrono Sapphire. It is important that locate it we keep it out of the hands of those who would abuse it.
Stand by for further reports.
—Zonic the Zone Cop