In a pre-credits scene foreshadowing Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Ivo Robotnik has been stranded on the Mushroom Planet for 87 days. Claiming to a personified rock made in the image of his assistant that he is entirely mentally stable, he plans his voyage back to Earth, grinning at Sonic's quill.[1]
On a mountainside looking over Green Hills, Montana, a pile of leaves begins to swirl into the air. They are expelled by an appearing ring, which Tails jumps out of. As he lands, he checks his Miles Electric scanner, exclaiming that he has found Sonic. He hopes that he isn't too late, and flies towards the town.[1]