In 1994, the entire Zone was frozen solid by The Chiller in revenge for the citizens mocking his dangerous inventions. From within his underground laboratory, the scientist invented a Chill-Machine to freeze the Zone and sent his Chill-Bots out to freeze the civilians with Chill-Guns. The operation was successful, but the climate change was restricted to the Zone. The weather brightened up when the Freedom Fighters intervened and Sonic the Hedgehog warmed up the Zone.