Single post in Zero's Wall of Ramblings

The player hero (red wolf) holds a gem, the Phantom Ruby, that's a weaker version of Infinite's gem and source of power. Essentially being a prototype. So if Infinite can willingly create something from nothing, then perhaps the hero can too. The Phantom Ruby creates illusions that can become reality (no, the game does not do a good job explaining this, it's best not to overthink it.) and this includes what the beholder desires. In this case the player has a flashback to friends they may not see again and emotions swell. (Sonic freaking out not reassuring this inexperienced fighter at all) and this desire to see his friends again activates the Phantom Ruby, creating a path to the exit. A theoretical stage in my mind would have platforms with no rhyme or reason to their formation (altering gravity was used in a previous stage and I'd bring it back here too.) only the platforms have gravity, so unlike most tag team stages where you can just play as Sonic, the custom hero would need to grapple to different platforms to get around. As they advance closer to the end of the stage, things start to dissipate and they'd come to realise the prototype is weakening as they get closer to the exit. Their exit is beginning to fade and so the two make one last mad dash (a double boost, being a main mechanic of the game and how they originally escape the void in game) and are able to escape. But even if you didn't bother with a stage and went with the original stage in the game, you could use this as a mini cutscene that follows on from them both getting sucked in and with nobody but an inexperience rookie with him, Sonic lets slip some insecurity and worries about letting everyone down again but upon seeing the rookie is also struggling with this and still manages to help, Sonic is able to refocus and strives to get them both out in one piece, leaving Null Space and justifying the music that plays in the actual stage. And if you've actually read all of that. Thank you very much for entertaining my silly, fangirl ideas. ^-^