You know how everyone just kinda shrugs off how Classic Sonic shows up in Sonic Forces like, “lol, another dimension ig 🤷‍♂️”?

NAH. I got a better theory.

Let’s start from the beginning—Sonic Generations. Yeah, the birthday game where Time Eater tries to ruin everything.

🧠 Phase 1: Eggman & Classic Eggman Found Something

After Generations, we know both Eggmans teamed up.

But what if, instead of splitting, they stuck together for a while?

They were trying to locate a powerful relic... something beyond time: 👉 The Phantom Ruby.

🤖 Phase 2: Sonic Mania’s Secret Setup

In Sonic Mania, Classic Sonic is vibing back in his timeline, and suddenly—BOOM— Hard-Boiled Heavies and Eggman find the Ruby.

Where did it come from? 🌀 From the timeline meddling that happened in Generations. The Time Eater fractured reality, and the Phantom Ruby slipped through the cracks.

📌 The Ruby was drawn to Eggman—like a magnet to chaos. 📌 The Heavies? Part of a subroutine from Eggman’s robots sent to hunt it down. 📌 Sonic? Just caught in the middle.

🔥 Phase 3: Sonic Mania’s Ending is Forces’ Beginning

After defeating Egg Reverie and reclaiming the Ruby, Classic Sonic is pulled into a final portal.

Where does it lead?

👉 Straight into the war-torn world of Sonic Forces.

Not a coincidence. That portal wasn’t random—it was the Ruby returning to its last known “master”...

🥁 Modern Eggman.

But Modern Eggman is like “?? tf is this rock again??” Because it's been YEARS. He doesn’t remember the Ruby, doesn't recognize Sonic looking all chibi again, and just assumes “okay new threat cool.”

💥 TL;DR Timeline Fix:

🧪 Generations – Eggmen tamper with time = unstable reality

💎 Phantom Ruby leaks into Classic world → Mania

🤖 Robots programmed by Eggman hunt the Ruby in the past

🌀 Sonic uses Ruby = portal to Forces

🧠 Eggman (present) forgets it was his old plan

💥 Classic Sonic is back, and he ain’t from another dimension... He’s from a botched timeline.

Bonus Headcanon: