To say Sonic has had a messy track record would be an understatement. It feels as though the entirety of the 2010's was nothing but mediocre to downright garbage games with even more garbage stories. However, I firmly believe that the worst of the 2010's lineup was the game known as Sonic Forces, a game that is almost as infamous as Sonic 06 itself. Whilst the game is hated for a variety of reasons, one of the most hated aspects of Forces is that of the main antagonist himself.

Infinite

     A lot of people heavily dislike Infinite. I mean HEAVILY dislike him. Some even say he is one of the worst villains in the Sonic franchise. Once you look at the basics of Infinite, he may seem not so bad of an antagonist. He's got the edgy yet badass look, his powers are interesting, and his theme song is an absolute banger to listen to. The real problem, as with all forms of potentially great media, is that the story with and behind Infinite is extremely lacking.

     Essentially, the main motive for Infinite's rise to power and reasons for world domination by teaming up with Eggman, was that his entire squad was killed by Shadow the Hedgehog when he was still a mercenary. Now that may seem like a good motive, but for a character to immediately resort to world domination from that alone, it's pretty lackluster. This, along with the lack of expansion on the writers' part, is the reason why people chalk Infinite's entire motive to be that of "I'm not weak!"

     Heck, Infinite isn't even the main villain of the game! Infinite's entire role in the story is so meaningless that he feels like a henchman compared to Eggman. Despite being the brand-new antagonist, he is the definition of a character who has fallen under the hellscape known as "WASTED POTENTIAL."

     That being said, a lot of people wish for Infinite to make a return as a sort of redemption to his villainy. Because as said before, he had everything down to be a fantastic villain. It's just that the writing needed to be fixed. Well, it's a good thing that I love doing this stuff. With anything there is bound to be an opportunity to pull out its full potential. With that being said...LETS FIX!

     Our story begins just as the game did. Eggman's robotic forces are attacking the citizens of Mobius. Luckily, Sonic is able to jump in to save a group of innocents thanks to Tails plane. Sonic and his allies fight the robots head on, destroying them with relative ease and acting as if this is another day of Eggman's crazy plans of world domination. Sonic even says in a snarky manner when Eggman shows up in one of his massive warships. Just as he is prepared to head up there with Tail's help, an explosion of red energy erupts in front of them and sends the group back. A new figure slowly floats down in front of them, wearing an intimidating mask with only one visible eye. Sonic has a bad feeling about this guy and immediately takes action. However, no matter how fast Sonic runs or how hard he punches, this new entity either blocks with red energy shields or hits him with powerful blasts. Soon enough, the figure overpowers Sonic's strength and knocks him out, defeating the blue blur.

      Everyone is in shock at the defeat of their friend, the hero of the world. Eggman laughs in his warship, using the microphones to exclaim that Sonic has finally fallen and that he, the glorious Doctor Robotnik, shall take over the world in his own image. All thanks to his new mysterious comrade. The fighter raises a hand as a cube of red energy envelop Sonic, lifting him up in the prison he molded. As Eggman is having his victory laugh, the entity holds up a hand full of energy and begins to shake. To everyone's shock and horror, the figure turns and blasts the energy ball into Eggman's ship, tearing it in half and causing Eggman to try and escape. That was until the figure blasted forward and captured him to in his energy barrier, floating high above the city.

     "Finally...you two are no longer a threat. I wish I could have gone back further...but this will have to do. This world will never be tainted by your constant destruction. This world and its people will fall under my control, my dominion to save it. Rejoice! For I, Infinite, have come for your salvation!" The figure, now known as Infinite, floats down as his power erupts. "I will have no insubordination...." He proclaimed as copies of previous Sonic heroes and villains begin to appear. Their bodies coated in the red energy and in full servitude to the new world leader....

     Months would pass and the world is seemingly at peace with Infinite's dictatorship. To combat this, Sonic's friends had formed a resistance to fight against Infinite and free their friend. Infinite has proclaimed the resistance to be that of terrorists, threatening to ruin the balance he has created to keep the world safe. He sends his copies of the heroes and villains to hunt them down, revealing that the resistance is being backed into a corner time and time again and only able to survive due to sheer luck.

      The resistances' goal is to track down and find the Chaos Emeralds to break Sonic out of the prison Infinite has created. However, they've only been able to get two thanks to Infinite's constant pressure on them. What makes things worse is that he is in possession of three of the Chaos Emeralds. Why does Infinite need them? For ultimate power as to never be challenged ever again in his world.

     One such Chaos Emerald hunt has Tails and Knuckles being forced to fight off a copy of Shadow and Metal Sonic. While they are practically impossible to fight head on, the two know that the copies lose their individuality yet retain the abilities. They're practically automatons. With quick thinking and sharp movements, they're able to outsmart and get away from the copies. Now with a third Chaos Emerald under their belt, they are hopeful this can be enough to start their weapon. Just then, a sense of dread and hopelessness fills their souls as a familiar face appears in front of them. Infinite.

    With a wave of his hand, he blasts the plane Tails is piloting and causes it to crash. Tails is able to save them by using his twin tail flying technique, but Infinite catches up and blasts them down onto the ground. Knuckles tries to fight head on but his attacks are blocked and countered easily. Tails then distracts Infinite by trying to hit him with his gadgets. Knuckles starts to harbor energy from the Chaos Emerald they have and rushes forward, using the power of chaos to boost his strength and break through the barrier Infinite erects. He is slugged in the chest, sending him flying back and dragging his feet on the ground. Once Infinite rises, the two are perplexed when they see that white cracks are forming on his body. "No...I need more time!" He tries to fire another blast but the cracks grow larger. Infinite stumbles before looking at the two. "You'll pay soon." He spoke before leaving.

     This new revelation gives Tails a sense of hope. If Infinite is starting to falter, then that gives them more of a chance to win their war. However, Infinite has returned to his home and is struggling to even stand. He breaths heavily as he focuses, the cracks reforming slowly as red energy forms around him. "The damn ruby...I thought I had a year..." He said as he regains his composure. His gaze falling to the three emeralds he holds. "I need them...now!"

     The pressure on the resistance has only gotten worse, with more copies forming assaults on them and taking down any base of operations they may have. All of them given the specific task to find the chaos emeralds at all costs. More losing battles take place until the resistance has lost practically all of their bases, only now hiding in a tiny hideout designed only to keep secret the hidden weapon. People have given up hope, claiming that its useless. Infinite's overwhelming forces are too much for them. Tails himself is down, but he stands up and begins to give a speech.

     "Would Sonic falter under this? Would he say its too much and that all is hopeless? Would Eggman just lay down without even the slightest hint of fighting back? NO! Sonic would never back down, he would keep running and fighting until he wins! Eggman wouldn't give up even if he suffered a hundred losses! Should we give up? Should we give up hope on this world and let Infinite rule our lives? Well, I won't! Because I know that deep down, Sonic is in that prison and he holds onto the hope that we will win! Believe in yourselves the same way Sonic believes in all of us!"

     With those words, everyone left in the resistance rises up. Their spirits having risen to soaring heights. If Sonic believes in them, then they must believe in themselves. With that, they formulate a plan with the few chaos emeralds they have. A final sneak attack on Infinite at the heart of his empire. Their plan is revealed, a massive cannon forged from the wrecked remains of one of Eggman's ships. The heavy hitters of the resistance would face against the copies head on as the others provided backup. While tired, they're able to create a hole big enough to fire their weapon directly into Infinite's facility.

     The building is damaged and allows the resistance to rush in despite the copies chasing after them. However, they're unable to even find the chaos emeralds, not even Sonic or Eggman. Suddenly, Infinite appears before them, holding the chaos emeralds beneath him. He tells them that they will not be able to find Sonic in this world, for he has them held in Cyberspace. The reality between space and time, one that he holds complete domination over. Without warning, he blasts the entire roof of the building apart, flying above them as he forms a massive portal to Cyberspace above them.

     A complete sense of dread falls under them all as massive entities form out of the portal. The monstrous forms of Metal Sonic Overlord and Finalhazard looms over them. Everyone is tired and afraid, but they prepare to fight. Without warning, Tails launches himself up, flying towards the massive portal. Infinite doesn't even try to stop him, telling him that he will fail and become a prisoner as well. The portal closes and the resistance is left to fight both monstrosities.

      Before Infinite can give an order, he is blasted away but regains his composure in the air. Everyone is in shock to see that Shadow has arrived, holding the last Chaos Emerald they needed. Infinite suddenly begins to shake in rage, his power rising with more cracks appearing on his body. The grand battle commences with Infinite using the power of the Phantom Ruby against Shadow's Chaos control.

      Meanwhile, Tails is flying with his tails as he's looking throughout Cyberspace to find Sonic. His tails are beginning to slow down, but he keeps moving forward to find his friend. Just as all hope seems lost, he suddenly spots a pair of glowing cubes. There he spots Sonic and Eggman, both completely shocked to see him. Tails lands on the cube, panting and beyond tired, but he's so relieved to see his best friend he begins to cry. Tails tells Sonic that they never stopped fighting, that they never stopped believing in him. Sonic couldn't help but begin tearing up as well, telling Tails that he never stopped believing in them. Unfortunately, Eggman butts in to ask what Tails even plans on doing. Sonic has been blasting at this cell every day since they got imprisoned. Tails then smirks and reaches into his bag, revealing a chaos emerald. "Maybe with a little help we can bust you out."

     Back in real space, Shadow is knocked back and falls to the ground, panting heavily as he grips onto his chaos emerald tightly. Infinite floats up to him, five chaos emeralds now floating around him. All the resistance fighters having been knocked down; Knuckles barely able to keep his eyes open. "You're all brave yet foolish. Your actions have only doomed you to a world of isolation and imprisonment. Once I am done, all of you shall be placed in Cyberspace, unable to witness this world becoming the paradise it was to be. But you..." Infinite turns to Shadow. "I will take my time in tearing you apart for what you did to my friends..." Shadow looks up in confusion. "What are you even talking about?" Before Infinite can answer, he turns up as a loud crack is heard.

     The sky itself seems to be cracking apart before blasting open, Cyberspace shown as a blur of blue zooms down. The dust clears, revealing Sonic, Tails, and Eggman. Infinite widens his eyes, completely shocked that they were able to escape the Cyberspace. Tails gives a smug grin as he waves a chaos emerald in his hand. Sonic suddenly begins to spin as Infinite angrily charges up his power. Shadow raises up as Infinite notices him. "Chaos Control!" Shadow yells as Sonic blasts forward, unaffected by the time stop as he had grabbed the chaos emerald in Tails hand. Infinite is unable to move as his head is struck by Sonic's full force blitz. Time resumes and Infinite is knocked back, the chaos emeralds escaping his grasp.

     Sonic thanks Shadow as the chaos emeralds float around him, soon shooting into his body as he gains his powerful Super Sonic form. Infinite groans as he gets up, his entire body now covered in cracks. He damns Sonic, damns Eggman and damns all of these foolish warriors. Sonic finally has the time to ask why he is doing this, why is he wanting to control the entire world? Infinite begins to laugh maniacally. His cracked mask barely showing the scarred and tired face of the warrior. Finally, Infinite reveals the truth. His backstory.

     Years upon years of Sonic and Eggman's fighting has taken a negative impact on the world. Eggman unleashed a powerful weapon that not only killed Sonic, but himself as well. The world was turned into an apocalyptic hellhole, the age of despair brought on by the duos constant fighting. Infinite was born into this future, one filled with pain and suffering for all Mobians. He lost his friends, the only family he ever had, to a black and red hedgehog who killed them for their resources. Infinite was the only survivor, and having lost the only joy he had, tried to end it all. Yet, fate held a different outcome. He discovered the strange, ancient artifact known as the Phantom Ruby. A gem that was of equal power to that of the Chaos Emeralds. With it, he was granted immense power, but at the cost of his body slowly being destroyed. He used the power of the Phantom Ruby to rip through space and time itself, going back far enough to defeat Sonic and Eggman so that he will be the one to rule the world. To dictate it so that no chaos can ever exist to ruin the planet ever again. However, he estimated that he was given one year, but the immense use of the Phantom Ruby had cut his life span to that of five months. His body has been tearing itself apart, the only way to stop that is to absorb the chaos emeralds to become the ultimate being, to ensure a future of peace.

      Yet now? All of that is ruined. Infinite begins to shake as his power skyrockets. The Phantom Ruby glows brightly in his chest as he unleashes his full power, one last assault to eradicate Sonic and Eggman. Not only that, but he erects an entire army of copies. Sonic stands defensively in front of his friends, now waking up to see what is going on. Sonic may be at his strongest, but he can't fight all of them and Infinite. Eggman suddenly smiles, telling them that he's hurt they would forget that he always comes prepared. He pulls out a small remote and presses it. Within moments, an entire armada of Eggman's robots arrives, led by Metal Sonic. The final battle commences, with Infinite's army facing the resistance and Eggman's robots. Sonic and Infinite clash overhead.

      Their speed and power almost equal, but Infinite is starting to break down more and more. The more power he pulls the more damage he does to himself. He doesn't care anymore. Madness has overtaken his mind and he is willing to damn himself in order to kill Sonic. The two clash more and more, their shockwaves erupting out as they were preparing to finally end this fight. With a flash of gold and red light, both rush forward, roaring before connecting their strikes. Without warning, Infinite's copy army disappears, leaving everyone to watch as Sonic floats above them.

     Infinite is now broken, his body cracked apart as the Phantom Ruby was on the verge of breaking itself. Infinite grabs onto Sonic's arm, claiming that as long as he breaths, he will forever hunt Sonic down. Sonic, with a glare, doesn't say a word as he slams his fist into Infinite's chest, shattering the Phantom Ruby and launching him into the Cyberspace portal that closes soon after. Sonic falls to the ground, the emeralds blasting away from him as everyone gathers around and cheers. Eggman and Sonic shake before the scientist leaves, eager to get a good meal after months of eating terrible cyberfood.

     An epilogue scene reveals Sonic and Tails resting along a cliffside, having fixed the plane that got destroyed. A few weeks have passed since they defeated Infinite. Tails says that something about Infinite bugged him. He said that he came from the future, but the only ones they know that came from their own future was Silver and Blaze. Sonic is confused, but Tails then states that Infinite may have been from an entirely alternate timeline. Tails asks Sonic if their future is truly going to turn into the one like Infinite's. Sonic only chuckles and pats his friend on the back, claiming that he'll make sure to tone down his and Eggman's fighting in the future. Though Sonic does tell Tails something. Deep down, he's not sure if Infinite truly died or not. He believes that somewhere out there, Infinite is still alive. Tails only hopes that he was sent to a better world than his old one....

     And that is my fixed version of Infinite. What do you think? Did you like it or dislike it? If so, give me your opinions in the comments please. Hope you guys have a good day!