Aeon the Hedgehog

Aeon was once a very studious and gentle teenager, who preferred researching and learning, rather than interacting with their peers. They were very shy, and only spent time with one person. After being imprisoned in the Multiverse, Aeon's heart grew cold. Cursed with the knowledge of an infinite number of realities, which are now part of a much, MUCH larger picture, Aeon has a hard time sympathizing with the plights of individual worlds. They are obsessed with gaining power, and is unconcerned with the methods used to achieve their goal. Aeon grew up in a world isolated and very low in population, following the downfall of a major civilization. At a young age, while most children were playing with wooden swords and having fun and games, Aeon was content to study the legends about the fall of previous civilization that was incredibly advanced. Their only friend was an older hedgehog named Amber. The two were nearly inseparable, and spent most of their time exploring ruins that Aeon had found. Through their studies and field research, Aeon learned of an abandoned laboratory. Curiosity got the better of them, and they went to explore it without Amber.

Upon entering the lab, Aeon found a maze of tunnels, leading to various areas of varying research. They are beamed with delight as they zipped around, mapping out tunnels and raiding data consoles in the various sub-labs they found. Quite relieved to have encountered no resistance so far, Aeon began piecing together the story from the database that they were steadily growing. Different notes, scattered among several dozen reports, indicated that there was a hidden sub-lab somewhere within the structure. That alone was enough to pique the young hedgehog's interest, but they had also noticed hints of some seriously advanced tech that had been sealed away. Excited to piece together yet another puzzle, Aeon swiftly located the hidden entrance behind a tool cabinet in one of the more remote labs. They were disappointed to discover very little in the way of security, finding only a ten-digit keypad, of which their wrist computer made quick work. After hacking their way inside, Aeon discovered a massive room, surrounding a large capsule. As they got closer, they were able to make out what appeared to be a viscous, metallic gel suspended in a thin, clear liquid. With their trusty wrist computer, it didn't take long before Aeon was able to drain the fluid keeping the blob suspended and crack the seal on the capsule. Warning alarms suddenly began blaring as the entity inside burst forth, making a beeline to Aeon. It latched onto them, covering and absorbing into their body, before disappearing completely. The loud ringing from the alarms disoriented them, giving them little opportunity to focus on what just happened. After a few seconds, an automated voice echoed throughout the laboratory, diverting their attention: "Warning, Twilight Virus has been detected; countermeasures engaged. All personnel are to proceed to emergency exits. This is not a drill."

Aeon awakened in a bed of grass outside the main entrance to the complex, utterly confused as to how they escaped.

With their newfound power and an insatiable lust for revenge, Aeon began their assault on Twilight's fortress, where the self-proclaimed ruler sat on his throne, awaiting the hero's arrival with a spell-bound Amber at his side. After tearing their way to the entrance of the throne room, Aeon heard a voice resonating within their head, offering them the power to fight Twilight. Disregarding the voice as a mind game played by her nemesis, Aeon opened the twin doors and stepped inside. What awaited them was more than they could handle.

Twilight had possessed Amber, and was using her as a shield against Aeon's relentless onslaught. Unable to bring themself to harm her only remaining friend, and devastated at the realization that they were now against them, Aeon surrendered, and received the beating of their life. On the verge of death, Aeon once more heard the voice inside their head, offering them the ability to save Amber and themself. Unbeknownst to them, they had also released another phantom entity from the tomb, and with little choice, they accepted. Soon after, a massive hole ripped in the space/time continuum, and the two hedgehogs were sucked into the void between universes, leaving Twilight free to continue his reign of terror in Aeon's world.

Aeon awoke to find themself in a perpetual darkness. Time held no meaning, and minutes turned into millennia. Amber was nowhere to be found, and Aeon found themself almost completely alone. They came to know the new voice in ther head as Traverse, a phantom very similar to Twilight.

"It won't end here. I'll find you, Amber... and we'll go home together." Aeon vowed as a portal to a new world opened...