Sonic the Hedgehog: Climax

By: Joshua Patterson

SCRIPT

Part 2: "Reunion"

SCENE ONE

Floating Island. ENTER Knuckles the Echidna, the legendary warrior and guardian of the Master Emerald. He is sitting at the top of an ancient stairwell, where the Master Emerald, a large, green gem, rests atop a pedestal weathered by centuries' worth of time. The surrounding area is littered with ancient ruins, wooded regions, and expansive grasslands. Knuckles, in an apparent meditative state, is still and calm, with his eyes closed.

Knuckles: (Narrating) My name is Knuckles the Echidna. I am the guardian of the Master Emerald, a powerful relic, and the warrior of a race long-gone. Many years ago, the majority of my people perished in a cataclysmic event that transpired as a result of the Chaos Emeralds. I am the sworn guardian of the Master Emerald, as I cannot afford to allow it to fall into the wrong hands.

The panel cuts to a close-up of the intense expression on Knuckles' face, his eyes opening to portray a fierce and intense glare.

Knuckles: (Thinking) Someone's here.

Knuckles stands to an alert position as he hears the sound of an eerie, ghost-like wind. Strange, black vapors appear and gather in front of the stairwell. The bewildered echidna watches in amazement as the vapors fuse to constitute a single, dark being. ENTER Requiem the Mechog. He is a metallic, robotic hedgehog whose eyes are concealed by a soulless, non-reflective visor. The black sheen that covers his body is accentuated with white, geometric designs, and he is surrounded by an aura of crackling vapors. Requiem, seeing the terror in Knuckles' eyes, takes a step forward.

Requiem: (Chuckling) "Greetings, Knuckles the Echidna."

Knuckles: (Thinking) What sort of being is this?! It's practically brimming with dark chaos energy! (Speaking) "Who are you?"

Requiem: "Oh, that's right. Forgive my lack of manners. My name is Requiem the Mechog, and I have need of that emerald you guard with such fervor. You see, the world as you know it is about to experience a permanent change."

Knuckles: (Thinking) This creep must be one of Eggman's scrap-sculptures. I thought we put that danged doctor out of commission, but it's apparent he still hasn't learned his lesson.

Knuckles readies himself in a combat position. His eyes appear to blaze like fire.

Knuckles: "Listen, Requiem, I don't know where you came from - though I can guess - but I know where you're going!"

Requiem: "Let's be rational here, echidna. There's no need for violence, nor any such threatening words. Besides, it would be unfortunate for your remains to be strewn across this island—"

Knuckles: "That's ENOUGH!"

Knuckles pounds his fist into the earth, causing a massive shockwave that travels directly towards Requiem, who merely teleports, reappearing atop the wreckage shortly.

Requiem: "I see. So, if we must resort to violence…"

Requiem discharges two crackling orbs of dark chaos energy from his gauntlets. These orbs materialize into silhouette-like figures of himself that glow purple.

Requiem: "…Then my loyal acolytes are all too eager to comply!"

The two strange figures charge at Knuckles with glowing, spiked weapons. Knuckles charges towards them in a fit of rage.

Knuckles: "RAARGH!"

A loud *CLANG!* resounds as Knuckles' fists collide with the weapons of his two assailants. The three are locked in a power-struggle for a few moments, until the glowing replicas simultaneously kick Knuckles into the base of the stairwell. Debris scatters everywhere and stair-steps crumble upon the collision.

Knuckles: "Aagh!"

Requiem remains perfectly composed.

Requiem: "Watch yourself, echidna. It is not wise to underestimate their strength."

Knuckles stands to his feet and charges at Requiem's minions once again.

Knuckles: "Oh, I'll show you strength!"

The echidna fiercely fights the glowing figures with all of his might, only to find that they effortlessly dodge his attacks. The clone attackers then take their turns issuing attacks, which Knuckles skillfully evades. The powerful echidna then finds an opportunity, as he avoids an attack, burrows beneath the earth as he lands, and slices cleanly through one of the attackers as he leaps out of the ground. A look of triumph is on his face as he lands on his feet.

Knuckles: (Thinking) Alright! That takes care of one of those creeps…

Knuckles' face quickly changes to one of shock.

Knuckles: (Thinking) What?!

The dismembered clone quickly reassembles itself, like the particles of a liquid forming together. The reconstituted creature then stands to its feet, ready to fight.

Requiem: (Amused) "Hahahaha! You'll find that my chaotic creations are a bit difficult to kill through ordinary means."

Knuckles: "That's alright, then."

Requiem stands perplexed at the smile that spreads across Knuckles' face. The echidna begins to first burrow his fist into the earth, then charge directly towards the mechanized villain.

Knuckles: "If I can't destroy the body…"

Knuckles continues to run after he knocks the glowing minions aside with an entire wave of earth that he hurls with his once-burrowed fist. He leaps at Requiem with both fists outstretched.

Knuckles: "Then I'll severe the head instead!"

Requiem then punches Knuckles in the chest with a fist charged with dark chaos. The hero is then sent flying into the distance, landing slightly beyond the stairwell.

Requiem: "Not in an eon, echidna."

Requiem then proceeds to return his minions to his gauntlets in the form of dark chaos energy. After walking slowly to the top of the stairwell and retrieving the Master Emerald, he turns his head to Knuckles' prone form.

Requiem: "Ordinarily, I would kill you, echidna, but…I have studied you for quite some time. You are a skilled fighter who may be of some use to me.

As Requiem flies off into the distance, the panel zooms in on an unconscious Knuckles. There is a mark on his chest that glows bright with dark chaos energy.

EXIT ALL

SCENE TWO

Emerald Beach. The shore is packed with the citizens of Mobius, all of whom are celebrating Sonic's triumph against the threat of Dr. Eggman. Many are partying, while others are either soaking in the sunlight, swimming, or catching a wave on one of the many devices utilized by Mobians to navigate Emerald Ocean for recreation. ENTER Conley Coonster, a reporter from the Mobotropolis News television station. His eyes are filled with excitement.

Conley: "Good afternoon, citizens of Mobotropolis! I'm Conley Coonster, a reporter of Mobotropolis News! Today is one of the most exciting days in the history of Mobius! Everyone you see here is celebrating what must be Sonic's biggest victory! The dreaded Dr. Eggman is now behind bars, and the Blue Blur is throwing a party at Emerald Beach! I welcome you to come on down! Admission is free, and Sonic will be signing autographs ALL DAY!"

ENTER Sonic the Hedgehog. He is dutifully signing autographs at supersonic speed. Papers fly to their recipients as they are signed.

Sonic: Hereyougohereyougohereyougohereyougohereyougohereyougo…(Thinking) Man, this sucks. I mean, I love my fans, but I really wanted some time to myself. So much for that run in Spring Valley I was looking forward to…

Conley: (Smiling) "Keep it up, Sonic! Only one billion more to go…and COUNTING!"

Sonic begins writing at an insane speed. Anger is riddled all over his face.

Sonic: (Thinking) DARN IT! This is all Amy's fault!

ENTER Tails and Amy. Tails is using one of his own technological inventions to water ski, while Amy is basking in the sun, her eyes shaded by sunglasses.

Tails: (Happily) "Oh yeah! Nothing beats Emerald Beach! Come on, Amy! Have some fun!"

Amy: (Irritably) "No way. I'd rather be left alone right now."

Tails: "Fine! Suit yourself…(Nervously) Uh-oh…"

Tails watches with panic as the engine of his water-skiing device goes haywire. The engine then flies free from the tether to which it was attached, drenching Amy in sea water as it speeds by. After swimming to the shore, Tails begins to dry himself. His fur is more rugged than a torn mat.

Tails: (Smiling) "Um, sorry about that, hee-hee! I guess I should've checked the battery on the Streakster…"

The smile on his face quickly vanishes as he sees an enraged Amy. The erratic hedgehog is so upset that water can be seen evaporating from her skin. Her eyes are blazing like fire.

Amy: (Furiously) "Tails…"

Tails: (Frightened) "Oh, come on, Amy. It was just a little splash. Why are you so irritable, anyway?"

Amy: (Furiously) "Are you kidding?! First of all, I threw this party for the purpose of being able to spend time with Sonic! But NO! The place has become packed with so many people that I can't even SPEAK to him! He's too busy signing autographs!"

Amy points accusingly at Tails.

Amy: (Furiously) "And now you're fooling around on that little skiing thing?! Are you trying to make my day worse than it already is?!"

Tails: (Calmly) "So that's what this is all about? Listen, I don't think it's fair that you're blaming me for your own frustrations and inconveniences. I apologize for soaking you in water, okay? But, it's clear that you obviously didn't think things through. When you plan a party that celebrates the most famous hero on the face of the planet, you should expect every person on the face of the planet to be there. Of course Emerald Beach is full of people. This is Sonic we're talking about! And by the way, I hope you don't still have that juvenile crush on him. He'll be married soon, and the bride's name isn't Amy Rose."

Narrator: Moments later…

Tails can be seen running for his life from Amy, who is armed with her signature Piko Piko Hammer. It is evident that she is extremely tipped-off.

Tails: "Me and my big mouth!"

EXIT ALL

SCENE THREE

The skies of Mobius. ENTER Rouge the Bat. She is soaring across the pleasant winds. Though her eyes are focused straight ahead, her mind is immersed in deep thought.

Rouge: (Thinking) Boy, it's been quiet. I haven't been in action since the last big bout with Eggman, and my days as a member of the F.B.I. are long gone.

The panel now changes to a distant view of Rouge as she continues to fly across the quiet skies.

Rouge: (Thinking) Now all I've been up to is espionage and martial-arts training. Of course, I could always go on a jewel-theft run…AHAA!

Rouge gazes with anticipation as the clouds part to reveal Floating Island, a beautiful mass of land that hovers just above Emerald Ocean. Her eyes widen with excitement.

Rouge: (Thinking) Of course, I can always pay my old buddy Knuckles a visit. He must be lonely, just lounging around and guarding that big, gorgeous emerald…Heh, some things never change.

Rouge flies down into the wooded regions of Floating Island, a once-populous location that has now become somewhat of a place of solitude. As her black heels - accentuated with sleek, pink designs - touch down on the lush grass, she already gets the strange feeling that something is wrong.

Rouge: (Thinking) Something doesn't feel right. It's almost like I can sense this…lingering energy.

Rouge flies further into the forest, noticing distinctly dilapidated features such as devastated trees and crumbled boulders.

Rouge: (Thinking) Okay, I know Floating Island has ancient ruins, but this is ridiculous! Some of these damages look pretty fresh. Shoot, did Knuckles throw a temper tantrum? I would if no one came by my house to visit for years.

Rouge then approaches the center of Floating Island, where there is open grassland. It is clear that a battle has taken place in the area, as there are sections of excavated earth, scorched ground, and sizable craters. The Master Emerald is nowhere in sight, and the staircase leading up to it is heavily damaged. Rouge walks forward cautiously.

Rouge: (Thinking) Yeah, something's definitely amiss. (Shouting) "Knuckles! Knuckles, where are you?! You haven't been taking very good care of this place, you know."

Rouge pauses, listening for a response that doesn't come.

Rouge: "Come on out, big guy. Don't be shy! It's just your favorite bat, Rouge…Oh my gosh!"

Rouge recoils in shock as she sees the unconscious form of Knuckles, who looks as if he has been hit by a train. His face is heavily bruised, and his gloves are torn, revealing tattered flesh. There is a distinct purple mark on his chest. Rouge carries Knuckles into her arms.

Rouge: "Knuckles…Who did this to you?"

Rouge lightly traces a gloved finger across his face. ENTER Knuckles. He awakens, confused and disoriented.

Knuckles: "What? (Surprised) AH!"

Knuckles falls out of Rouge's arms and quickly backs away from her.

Rouge: "Well, you're not exactly looking your best today, either."

Knuckles: "Rouge? What are you doing here?"

Rouge: "Trying to figure out who kicked your butt and where they went with my emerald. And a simple 'hello' or 'thank you' would have been nice."

Knuckles: (Annoyed) "Whatever. How long have I been out like this?"

Rouge: "Don't ask me. I found you busted up like this. Care to tell me what on Mobius happened here?"

Knuckles: (Angrily) "Eggman happened. AGAIN."

Rouge: "What?! But, I thought Eggman was finished for good! I even heard that he was recently locked up!"

Knuckles: "I don't know where Eggman is, but I know that at least one of his creations is running loose. The thing that knocked me out and took the Master Emerald was a mechanical hedgehog named Requiem. He was tough, and he could utilize dark chaos energy. I don't know what that monster plans on doing, but I know that he needs the Master Emerald to do it."

Rouge: "Do you remember anything that this 'Requiem' character may have said?"

Knuckles: "I think so. Something about permanently changing the world…"

Knuckles then has a flashback of Requiem, who glares at him with cold, heartless eyes.

Requiem: "…You see, the world as you know it is about to undergo a permanent change."

Knuckles then returns to reality.

Rouge: "I see. Something is seriously wrong here. We need to alert Sonic and the others!"

Knuckles: (Rising to his feet) "No kidding…"

Rouge notices a strange, purple mark on Knuckles' chest.

Rouge: (Pointing at the mark with concern) "Wait. What is that?"

Knuckles: "It's nothing, really. Just a battle scar from my fight with Requiem. (Touches his chest) It just goes to show how powerful and dangerous dark chaos is."

Rouge: "You should keep an eye on that. Do you need a bandage?"

Knuckles: "There'll be plenty of time for bandages later. Right now, we need to get to Mobotropolis."

Knuckles takes off full sprint. Rouge follows after him.

Rouge: (Thinking) Typical Knuckles. You try to help him recover after he takes a beating, and he tries to be the tough guy who shakes things off and keeps going. Then again, isn't it typical of all men to show no weakness?

EXIT ALL

SCENE FOUR

The Acorn Kingdom Meditation Chamber. ENTER Princess Sally Acorn. She is analyzing a number of documents that concern the city of Mobotropolis. It is obvious that she is both hurting and deep in thought.

Sally: (Narrating) Being the princess of the Acorn Kingdom means placing the weight of the largest city on Mobius on your shoulders. To maintain such a position, one must have an extraordinary degree of discipline, perseverance, and, in some cases, temperance.

Sally looks at a Mobotropolis News Headline titled "World-Famous Hero Does It Again: Eggman Defeated and Incarcerated." A picture of Sonic battling the diabolical doctor's Eggnaught is shown below the headline.

Sally: (Narrating) I, Sally Acorn, princess of Mobius and all that it stands for, now need a hero who is more than just a protector and a close friend. Yes, Sonic the Hedgehog has done many wonderful things, and he has displayed a strength stronger than the mightiest of winds. But...

The panel cuts to a closer view at the forlorn expression on Sally's face.

Sally: (Narrating) Perhaps he is a bit too windy. He's my fiancée, but he lacks a heart that is willing to remain at home. I need a prince that will help me carry this burden. I need someone who can help me bring rule and order. I need my dearest to be with me. But—is Sonic truly my dearest?

ENTER an Acorn Kingdom Royal Guard. He is accompanied by a fellow officer.

Royal Guard: "Princess Acorn! Your presence is required immediately! We have news of the utmost urgency for you!"

Sally: (Surprised) "What is the problem, my loyal guard?"

A dark expression of sadness and fear spreads across the guard's face.

Royal Guard: "Actually, Your Highness, perhaps it is best if we show you."

The royal guards take Sally to the observatory chamber and open the largest window. Sally watches in astonishment as powerful-looking robots streak across the sky, leaving trails of crackling green energy. They wear silver and white armor, and their eyes glow with green energy. Buildings burn as the murderous machines strike them with searing lasers.

Sally: (Stunned) "Wha-…Wh-...What is this?"

TO BE CONTINUED