"After all these years, what I finally got... is a solution."
The specific order and/or accurate dates presented on this page have not been officially confirmed by Sega and/or Paramount Pictures. They have been inferred by fans and can be inaccurate, incomplete, or biased.
Nearing the junkyard, Sonic narrates to himself, saying that Green Hills is a nice quiet place before adding that it's too quiet. Tails notes that this isn't the way to the library, and Knuckles adds that he needs to return Maddie's books before she receives late fees. Sonic tells the two that this is just a detour and narrates, saying that there was something mysterious going on at the junkyard.[2][4]
Stopping at the entrance, Tails asks Sonic who he's talking to. Sonic says that he's narrating and that heroes do it in detective movies all the time. Knuckles jumps in, narrating about how handsome he is and how much stronger he was than Sonic while Tails states that he's happy that he was included. Knuckles notes that Tails' narration was weak and sad as the trio enters the junkyard.[2][4]
Inside, Sonic stops and shushes them, telling them that they're on an investigation and that Whipple had told him there has been weird noises coming from here at night. Knuckles walks ahead of them as Tails hides behind Sonic before meeting up with Knuckles.[2][4]
Unit, a Flying EggBadnik, collects discarded components to upgrade itself as part of its programming.[2][4]
The trio hides from the Badnik, with Sonic realizing it's one of Eggman's drones and Tails stating that it's upgrading itself. Knuckles stands up, claiming that it's no match for him.[2][4]
Unit detects the three nearby and aims its modified traffic lights at Knuckles and fires three energy beams at him. Knuckles is knocked back and discovers that the books now have a giant hole in the middle of them. Sonic tells Tails and Knuckles that they need a plan and instructs Tails to take a flanking position.[2][4]
Sonic turns to Knuckles, who ignores him and starts to narrate his actions. Knuckles runs towards the Badnik as Sonic shouts at him to wait. Knuckles grabs a stop sign to block Unit's attack and yells out "time for a knuckle sandwich!" as he jumps up and glides towards Unit.[2][4]
Knuckles crashes into a refrigerator. Unit launches it away from the junkyard as Knuckles screams. Knuckles escapes the refrigerator and crashes into a Green Hills billboard.[2][4]
Unit throws a pick-up truck at Sonic and Tails. Sonic decides that it's time to go, grabs Tails, and activates his super-speed to run out of the way, challenging the Badnik to see how fast it is.[2][4]
Sonic avoids being hit by the energy beams and runs into a man-made tunnel inside the trash pile. Unit tries to shoot at them as Sonic runs through the tunnel with Tails. They exit the tunnel and run to the opposite side of the pile. Unit fires the energy beams at them again, destroying the tunnel they're in, and Sonic curls into a ball and starts attacking Unit.[2][4]
Sonic ends his attack, knocking Unit to the ground and causing a small component to fly out. Sonic catches it, and comments that he hopes it wasn't doing anything important. Unit looks at Sonic, activating the component, and says "Not yet." The component sprays dye in the hedgehog's eyes, temporarily blinding him.[2][4]
Tails fires a binding wire at Unit, who deflects it on to Sonic instead, causing him to fall to the ground. Unit walks over to Sonic, stating that Robotnik had programmed it to think for itself, and prepares to hit him with the crane.[2][4]
Tails swoops in and saves Sonic at the last moment. Unit notices and activates his propellers to catch up to the duo, claiming that their speed is no match for his processing power.[2][4]
Sonic tells Tails to fly left, and after he turns to Sonic's right, the hedgehog clarifies and tells him to fly to his left instead. Unit grabs ahold of Sonic's legs and throws them to the ground before landing.[2][4]
Unit celebrates its victory as Tails begs Sonic to do something. Sonic tells him that he would if his legs weren't bound together, to which Tails tells him that he can still talk to it.[2][4]
Sonic gets up and confronts the Badnik, asking if he can ask it a question. Unit, intrigued that someone has asked it a question for the first time, lets Sonic talk.[2][4]
Sonic asks it why it's doing this, to which Unit states that its programming is to conquer the world. Sonic tells him that's Eggman's doing and asks what it's really into. Surprised at the question, Unit pulls back its weapons as Sonic compliments its design and asks if it makes custom furniture. Unit shyly admits that its passion is poetry, prompting Sonic to suggest to use poetry to conquer the world while Tails says that they'd love to hear its poems.[2][4]
Unit begins to recite one of its poems to Sonic and Tails, who sits down to listen.[2][4]
By sunset, Unit continues to recite its poem to Sonic and Tails until Knuckles suddenly attacks Unit, punching it multiple times. The two beg him to stop and Knuckles claims to not hear them over the sound of his mighty punches. Sonic tells Knuckles that not everything requires punching, to Knuckles' disappointment. Tails flies over to the rubble and takes the drone out, saying that he wasn't trying to kill them anymore and that he was reciting a poem. Unit responds, saying that poem wasn't its best and thanks him for the destructive criticism.[2][4]
Glad that Unit is alright, Tails asks Sonic if they could keep it. Sonic is unsure of his request and Tails claims that he isn't bad anymore. Sonic tells the fox that the drone would be his responsibility; that he'd have to clean up after him and clean up his batteries. Unit states that his battery would last for a billion years as Knuckles expresses his distrust towards the Badnik. Tails reassures him that Unit is an artist now.[2][4]
Unit tells Knuckles that it will soon master the poetic form, that the world will cower, and that Knuckles will be the first to fall before his superior prose.[2][4]
Knuckles tells Sonic and Tails that the drone is still evil and demands justice for Maddie's books as Sonic and Tails fly away.[2][4]
Sonic narrates, saying that this marks one adventure for Team Sonic, and that their next quest of picking up chili dogs on the way home has just begun.[2][4]
↑In Sonic Drone Home, Knuckles says, "I swore an oath to return these sacred tomes or Maddie would be dishonored with late fees." Libraries in Montana allows you to loan/checkout books for a period of 28 days before you receive late fees (1, 2). So, it can be taken that Maddie loaned out a few books from the local library 4 weeks before the main events of the short on February 20 (see other references), so on January 23, 2024.
↑In Sonic Drone Home, Sonic tells Tails and Knuckles, "Wade told me there'd been weird noises up here at night". With this line being said on February 20, 2024 (see other references), it can be taken that Sonic was told about this the day before, so on February 19, 2024.
↑ 4.004.014.024.034.044.054.064.074.084.094.104.114.124.134.144.154.164.174.184.194.204.214.224.234.24Pat Casey has stated that the events of Sonic Drone Home takes place "shortly after the events of Sonic 2," which is set during October-December 2023 (see 2023 references), and suggests that it should be placed closer to the movie's events. Additionally, he has stated unofficially that it should be a month later, ideally placing it in January 2024.
During the short film, the trees shown in the background and at the end of the short are depicted with leaves on their branches. Usually, trees typically start to bloom during late April to early to mid-May in Montana, which suggests a spring placement. However, it's also possible for trees to bloom during January and February in Montana prior to the beginning of spring. Considering all the evidence, a weighted calculation places Sonic Drone Home on February 20, 2024 to be as realistically close to Casey's statements as possible.
↑ 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.66.7Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is explicitly stated to take place in 2024, with the main events placed during the late-summer. Moving backwards from that film, this would place Knuckles, which is stated to be between Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, from July - August 2024 (see other references). With Sonic the Hedgehog placed during March and Sonic the Hedgehog 2's events taking place eight months later in November (see 2023 references), that would place the first two films in 2023.
↑ 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.67.7The main events of Knuckles: Season One has been stated to take place between Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, suggesting that it should be after December 2023 (see 2023 references) and before late-August 2024 (see other references). In The Warrior, shortly after a flashback montage, Sonic is shown to be visibly older than he was during the events of Sonic Drone Home, which suggests that this should be sometime after February 20, 2024 (see other references), which in turn firmly places Knuckles in 2024. In The Shabbat Dinner, after Wade and Knuckles decide to hide out at the Whipple Residence to hide from bounty hunters, Wendy invites them for Shabbat Dinner and states that "Every Friday, for three hours, the Whipple family, whoever's here, sits and eats together until the Shabbat candles burn out." This confirms that The Shabbat Dinner takes place on a Friday. In The Flames of Disaster, a 7-day forecast is shown on the living room TV that ends on "FRI," which firmly places the episode the next day on Saturday. By the end of the episode, Wade and his family, & Knuckles, are seen driving to Reno by sunset, in which a road sign states that they are "100" miles away from their destination. In Reno, Baby, Wade & co. finally arrives at Reno during the evening, which took over 6 hours to get there from Boise, Idaho, implying that this is still on the same day, so on Saturday. Inside the casino area, Wade and Knuckles split from Wanda and Wendy, and Knuckles helps Wade reunite with his father while Mason and Willoughby meet the Buyer for the first time. Following this, the Bowling Tournament of Champions is shown to be hosted by ESPN8 The Ocho, which traditionally airs in early August, and in 2024, it aired from August 1-4. This is supported with Gary and Dylan's comments of being "in sunny Reno, Nevada". Additionally, the scenes prior to this were heavily implied to be on a Saturday, and the only date that can logically fit these events is Sunday, August 4th. This implies that Wade reunites with his father the day before the tournament, which places The Shabbat Dinner on August 2nd, and The Flames of Disaster and the beginning of Reno, Baby on August 3rd. Counting backwards, this firmly places The Warrior and Don't Ever Say I Wasn't There For You on August 1st.
In Reno, Baby, Gary tells the audience, "What an amazing day for bowling! We'll be back tomorrow with the finals," with the scene being paired with a timelapse of the city going into nighttime. In one of the bars, Pistol Pete tells Wade to visit his suite later that night, to which Wade accepts, and afterwards, Wendy warns Wade of his father before being kidnapped by Mason. After Pistol Pete reveals his betrayal to Wade, he compromises with him and tells him to "withdraw from the tournament" and to bring Knuckles in exchange for his mom and sister. This implies that the tournament will be starting up again soon by the time Pete's betrayal happens. This is also supported in What Happens In Reno, Stays In Reno when Knuckles tells Wade that he "must hurry. Your Tournament of Champions is about to conclude!" shortly after Mason and Willoughby are supposedly killed by the collapsing rings. Based off this, it can be inferred that Pistol Pete's betrayal, the Finals, and Knuckles' battle with the Buyer all takes place past midnight on August 5th, with the post-credits scene taking place at sunrise and the first half of the tournament taking place the previous day.
In The Warrior, Sonic comments, "What type of maniac wakes up at dawn to punch boulders?" which implies that Knuckles' training session in the woods takes place in the morning. Afterwards, Knuckles ambushes a renovation construction crew that Maddie hired to fix the living room wall, which prompted her to ask Sonic to have a talk with him. Sonic does so, and after the talk, Knuckles proceeds to meditate on his words and builds a gladiator pit by the following morning. After she grounds him, Maddie mentions that she's "going to be late for work" and attempts to call Wade, who is at the Pin-Demonium preparing for the tournament. This implies that Knuckles ambushing the renovation construction crew did not take place during the week, as Maddie has the supposed free time to hire the crew during the morning without worrying about her job, and that Knuckles getting grounded does take place during the week. Later, shortly after receiving his quest from Pachacamac and arriving at Wade's house, Wade says to Knuckles, "Wait a minute. Didn't I hear you were grounded?" which implies that he has spoken to Maddie at some point. Additionally, when Wade plays the song "Can I Kick It?" in his car, he mentions that "everyone at the station loves these. I send out a link every Monday," which suggests that Monday has already passed.
All of the evidence heavily suggests a time-skip between Knuckles getting grounded and the start of the road trip; and with Mason & Willoughby ambushing Knuckles on August 1st, it can be inferred that Knuckles ambushing the crew can be placed on a Sunday, so on July 28th, with Knuckles getting grounded the next day on July 29th, and Wade's quest beginning on August 1st. Although there is a rodeo poster in the Pin-Demonium that says "MONTANA JUNE 12-13. Make your arrangements by telephone", it can be taken that the event has already passed and reaffirms a late-July placement.
↑ 14.014.114.214.314.414.5Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is explicitly confirmed to be set in 2024. However, it also presents evidence conflicts regarding the time span of the first two films. Throughout the film, there are a couple suggestions that places Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 at least two years or more prior to Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Eggman says "I've spent years trying to cleanse the cosmos of that spiny blue speed freak," and Tom remarks, "After the action and adventure of the last few years, well, I could get used to this," which implies that the events of the first two films occurred at least two years earlier. This, however, is impossible as both of these lines contradicts the 8 month time-span established in those films followed by evidence from Sonic the Hedgehog 2: The Official Movie Pre-Quill placing that time-span within the same year (see 2023 references), and "a few years" generally refers to three years or more. The film heavily suggests a summer placement, with Team Sonic and the Wachowskis camping out near Sonic's cave, and the trees in London already being in full bloom (indicative of summer). Camping season in Montana usually begins from June to August, and given that Knuckles is placed in July-August due to evidence seen in the show (see other references), and is stated to occur between Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, this further supports a late-summer timeframe and suggests that the film should be closer to the TV show. Additionally, Sonic the Hedgehog 3: The Official Movie Novelization mentions that the "big fight with Dr. Robotnik in Green Hills" occurred "last year." Although novelizations adapt earlier versions of the script, this intention can be applied to the final cut of the film itself despite the novel's canonicity, and effectively places it shortly after Knuckles in 2024. In the movie, shortly after Sonic and Shadow's fight in Tokyo, a full moon can be seen in the background as the city regains power. Since the events of What Happens In Reno, Stays In Reno concludes on August 5th (see other references), the night of the battle in Tokyo can therefore be placed on the closest possible date of the full moon; August 20, 2024. Earlier in the film, the Wachowskis and Team Sonic celebrate Sonic's "Bearthday" during the daytime which is followed by a cut to Team Sonic being recruited by Director Rockwell. The sky in the general area appears to be in the civil twilight phase, which would match either 8:42 - 9:16 PM on the 19th or 6:05 - 6:38 AM MDT on the 20th. The best time this matches Tokyo's nighttime setting is if this scene were to take place in the early hours of the morning in Montana, placing the recruitment scene on the 20th and Sonic's "Bearthday" on the 19th. The events following the Tokyo scenes are shown to be during the daytime in different parts of the world, with the Infiltration into G.U.N. HQ occurring sometime before sunset at the River Thames, and Sonic going Super during the daytime in Green Hills, which can be taken to be later that same day.
↑In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Tom is seen with an arm brace sometime after the Battle for Earth on August 20th (see other references). In the UK, an arm brace would normally be applied after a few days to allow for swelling to go down. So, it can be taken that the epilogue scene, and by extension the mid-credits scene, takes place at the midpoint of this range, so on August 24, 2024.
