Issue 1
Meet me at the corner of Hedgehog and Vine, and You Bet My Life!
It had been weeks now since the heroic Freedom Fighters of Knothole began their fight against the evil Dr. Robotnik, however a big surprise was in the major outer factory of Robotropolis, "Sonic the Hedgehog, you have ruined my evil schemes for the last time!" Dr. Robotnik said as he yanked a rope gagging Sonic, Lt. Crabmeat snapped at Sonic while laughing. "You and your Freedom Fighters have foiled my plans to locate and destroy Knothole far too many times, and now you'll pay the price." Dr. Robotnik said, as he held his walking cane with a poll eight ball and pointed it at Sonic's nose.
"Do it oh circular one." Lt. Crabmeat said.
Then Dr. Robotnik took his walking cane and used it to whack Sonic in his gut and head as hard as possible, Sonic then broke apart! "How pathetic, I the great Ivo Robotnik am desperate enough to hit Sonic with my own devices that I'm destroying piñatas meant to look like him. If only I had that rodent in the palm of my hands." Dr. Robotnik said to Lt. Crabmeat while he looked at his handy work.
Just then a SWATbot holding what looked like a plant in a pot, came walking in and said, "Research and development SWATbot #693-47892 reporting. Behold, I have created this for you Dr. Robotnik." The SWATbot said as it placed what appeared to be a plant on Dr. Robotnik's desk.
"A plant! You have the nerve to bring me a plant?!" Dr. Robotnik said in anger, he then quickly used his walking cane to trip the SWATbot, he then whacked it in the head several times with the eight ball, the SWATbot was badly damaged but still functioning. Dr. Robotnik then used his robotic left hand to grab the SWATbot by the neck, "SWATbot, like all of my machines you know my rules, which include no singing, laughing, dancing, reading, cute animals and of course… No plants! So tell me, what glitch in your programming has made you defy my harsh laws?" Dr. Robotnik said as his robotic eyes glowed while he looked the robot in the face.
"Sir… It is not organic… It is mechanical… I call it Krudzu…" the SWATbot explained as it pointed at the mechanical plant.
Dr. Robotnik let go of the SWATbot, he and Lt. Crabmeat then investigated the mechanical plant, "gadzooks, it truly is a machine." Dr. Robotnik said with delight in his voice.
"And a scary looking one at that." Lt. Crabmeat said.
One of the many plant like mouths on Krudzu then said, "Hail Robotnik." It then looked at Lt. Crabmeat. Then Krudzu grew around Lt. Crabmeat, and covered him in its mechanical vines.
Dr. Robotnik was interested in what the SWATbot had planned with Krudzu, "Tell me SWATbot, what you were intending to do with Krudzu." The doctor asked as he grabbed the SWATbot by the neck.
"I was going… To suggest using… This customized Burrowbot… To dig holes and seed the Great Forest… With the Krudzu seeds…" the SWATbot said, as the Burrowbot demonstrated for the doctor.
"A most interesting plan indeed, one which only I could've come up with." Dr. Robotnik said as he grabbed Lt. Crabmeat out of the Krudzu.
"Please sir… Don't recycle me… I don't like being recycled…" Lt. Crabmeat said.
"Too late Crabmeat, you and this SWATbot are going into spare parts, after with you two gone, I'll be able to claim credit for the invention of Krudzu, isn't that right Burrowbot?" Dr. Robotnik said as he tapped a button on a wall, then a disposal system opened from the wall that said Robot Disposal, Dr. Robotnik then tossed Lt. Crabmeat in after crushing the poor Badnik, he did the same to the SWATbot, he closed the door and said to the Burrowbot. "Or perhaps, you'd like to be promoted to the spare parts department as well." The doctor said to the Burrowbot.
The Burrowbot nervously agreed not to tell a soul the truth about Krudzu's development, later on the Burrowbot went about his mission to seed the Great Forest with the Krudzu seeds, the mechanical plant was able to grow at an alarming pace which its creator intended. Meanwhile in the underground of Knothole, Sally and Sonic were discussing the way to decorate a new map they got, Antoine however assumed that Sally was talking about strategy for missions with Sonic instead of him. Antoine got lost in his thoughts and decided to head up to the surface for fresh air, the coyote felt that he needed to do something to better get Sally's attention, he was thinking out loud that he probably treated her too formally and needed to appeal to her feminine side. He out loud thought of things to get her that boys typically get for girls that they like, such as cards, chocolates and flowers, and that was when Antoine spotted Krudzu but unfortunately he didn't realize it wasn't a real plant and wasn't aware of the danger upon picking it. Burrowbot hid behind a tree and snickered as he watched Antoine try to pick Krudzu, then the machine attacked Antoine and was wrapping him up.
"Aieeeeee!" Antoine cried out, he cried loud enough for Princess Sally and Sonic to hear him from clear underground.
"Oh my gosh! That sounded like Antoine!" Sally said to Sonic.
"A robot must've seen him, but knowing Ant it's probably a spider mistaking him for Miss Muffat. Whatever the case its hero time!" Sonic said as he grabbed Sally by her left hand. He ran while carrying her up the secret entrance/exit of the Knothole underground, "hi ho, hi ho, it's up to the woods we go!" Sonic sang as he went up the hole.
Sally and Sonic pushed open the tree stump, "Oh my gosh! Look!" Sally said as she pointed at Krudzu that wrapped up Antoine.
"Some weird plant has grabbed Antoine." Sonic said.
"Run! Save yourselves! I am doom-ed!" Antoine cried out as he saw his fellow Freedom Fighters.
"Sonic the Hedgehog, never deserts a friend in need! But since there aren't any around, you'll have to do Ant." Sonic said as he teased Antoine while jumping out of the tree stump in order to save him.
"What a touching sentiment." Antoine said as he was getting tangled up more and more by the Krudzu. Sonic then used his signature move to rescue Antoine, "a Sonic Spin! Be careful!" Antoine said as Sonic cut Antoine away from most of Krudzu.
"Chill 'Twan." Sonic said with a grin on his face as he rescued Antoine.
"Hurry Sonic, before this weird plant gets all over the place." Sally said as one of the mouths of Krudzu moved toward her.
"Hiya Toots." It said to her.
"Relax Sal, I've got the Ant-Man, now let's get back to Knothole." Sonic said as he carried Antoine over some of Krudzu.
"Yes and before these plants go down into Knothole!" Sally said as she smacked the mouth of Krudzu that spoke to her a moment ago, Sonic then jumped into the tree stump, he and Sally made sure none of the weird Krudzu machine plants went into Knothole as they escaped from the machine, however they didn't know that Krudzu was really a machine.
Underground in the underground section of Knothole, Sally and Sonic carried Antoine to Boomer/Rotor's shop he kept underground, Boomer/Rotor offered to help cut Antoine out, he took out a chainsaw which scared Antoine so badly that his hair piece went flying into the air, he then fainted, Rotor then cut off part of his work table, he claimed that it was too big. Sally noticed that Antoine probably thought Boomer/Rotor was going to use the chainsaw on the plants covering him, and felt sorry for the tangled Freedom Fighter. For those of you wondering, Antoine does in fact have blonde hair, however he became such a nervous wreck at times that his hair started falling out, the poor soldier now has to wear a hair piece in order to keep himself from looking bald. And so, Boomer/Rotor alongside Sally and Sonic ripped Krudzu off of Antoine, once the coyote was free Boomer/Rotor suggested walking him around. "Antoine are you alright?" Sally asked.
"I am feeling… The dizzy… Weak… And the confused…" Antoine said as he was slowly walking while Sonic and Sally stood on his left and right sides.
"Good, that means he's back to normal." Sonic said as he heard Antoine speak.
Just then Tails came walking by, the little fox cub saw a bucket that Krudzu was tossed into, he thought it was regular plant clippings and watered them, then there was noise coming from Krudzu and the rest of the Freedom Fighters thought that Krudzu was going to grow all over Knothole now because it got watered. Meanwhile in Robotropolis, Dr. Robotnik was using a telescope he created for his outer factory, he then saw Krudzu had grown to the point where the Great Forest was covered. Dr. Robotnik then ordered in Buzzbombers, he gave them orders to patrol the perimeter of the Great Forest, "this is going almost too perfectly. With Krudzu all over the Great Forest, the Freedom Fighters will surely be finished, and if they attempt to escape then my Buzzbombers will destroy them all! A shame that they'll be destroyed so soon… But I truly hope that I can capture Sonic, oh… The idea of having that hedgehog covered in Krudzu and me strangling the life out of him… I just tingle all over…" Dr. Robotnik said to himself as he was admiring his plan and having a bit of an early celebration of his own.
But then back in Knothole, the watered Krudzu exploded due to short-circuiting, it was then that Rotor (or Boomer as his friends call him at times) had quickly analyzed Krudzu and learned that it was a machine, and given the Freedom Fighters' experience with machines they figured out it was likely Dr. Robotnik's creation. But since they figured out that the machine was weak against water, Sonic quickly called up a plan. "All we need to stop this mechanical plant is, an amazing feat of speed and skill, I'll need a five thousand foot garden hose." Sonic said in a somewhat comical manner.
"That won't be necessary Sonic." Sally said with a smile.
"Why not?! I'm the all-star hero here, saving the day is my thing, besides if I don't who will?" Sonic said as he ran around Sally quickly.
"Mother-Nature, will take care of this, Tails be a dear and read Sonic the weather report." Sally said.
"According to this week's weather forecast, we're expecting heavy showers with a chance of thunder and lightning." Tails said as he read a newspaper.
"You mean…" Sonic said as he was a bit speechless for a moment.
"That's right, any second now we'll hear the sweet sound of rain." Sally said as she pointed at the surface of the tunnel.
Just then rain came down, and Krudzu was sparking and exploding all over the Great Forest, "No! No, no! This can't be happening, this can't be happening! No! No! No!" Dr. Robotnik shouted in anger as he slammed his fists on the window frame of his factory while looking through his telescope, as an old saying goes don't count your chickens before they hatch. Dr. Robotnik then looked at Burrowbot, "come… here!" he said to the Badnik, while using his right index finger to call the Badnik over to him.
Burrowbot rolled forward, he then was grabbed by Dr. Robotnik by his back, and Dr. Robotnik was going to dispose of the modified Burrowbot because it reminded Robotnik of Krudzu that failed moments ago. "But all I did was plant the seeds, I did as you ordered me master." Burrowbot said as he was held over the open lid.
"I saw what you did, that's why I'm planting you in the trash." Dr. Robotnik said with an evil chuckle as he dropped Burrowbot in, he then took a moment to enjoy that feeling of destroying something even if it was one of his own machines.
Days later
In the underground of Knothole, everyone was relieved after the threat of Krudzu was truly gone, all traces of the vile mechanical plant were gone now, it was nothing but a bad memory now, though it was but one of many bad memories the people would have to live with.
However, Princess Sally and her Freedom Fighters knew that there was still much to do in their war against Robotnik, while holding a map alongside Rotor aka Boomer, Antoine and Tails, Sally spoke when a major moment happened for them. "Sonic the Hedgehog, is our only hope Boomer." Sally said to her walrus friend.
"I agree Princess Sally, don't you Antoine?" Boomer said to Antoine.
"I must admit, Sonic is our last chance… Call him Tails." Antoine said to Tails.
"Why should I call him Tails? That's my name." Tails said.
"Never mind, we'll do it together." Sally said.
Then all at once, the Freedom Fighters called out, "Sonic!" and within seconds after they called out his name he came running through.
"Wow, the Freedom Fighters sound like a Greek Chorus calling out my name, though with Antoine it's more like a Geek Chorus ahahaha." Sonic said as he ran in, as he dashed in he one by one asked the Freedom Fighters what the trouble was, he started with Tails. "What's the trouble, pollution from one of the nearby robot factories?" he asked his little friend.
"No." Tails said.
Sonic then asked Antoine, "Acres of trees in the Great Forest, being chopped down?" he said.
"No." Antoine said.
Sonic then asked Boomer aka Rotor, "A cave-in, somewhere in our underground village?" he said.
"No." Boomer said.
Sonic then sarcastically asked Sally, "You forgot to program the VCR?" to which Sally answered.
"No." Sally said, and then Sonic asked.
"Then why call on me to make a dramatic entrance?" he asked.
"It's this map of our planet Mobius from a couple years ago, we can't seem to fold it the right way and don't really have the time." Sally said as she handed the map to Sonic.
Sonic sighed as he took the map, "did Mighty Mouse have to start out like this?" he said as he folded the map neatly at quick speeds.
"I don't know, the original comics and cartoons are almost impossible to find." Tails said.
"Anyway, we were pinpointing the location of a base where Dr. Robotnik is going to make a speech to his Badnik Commanders from Robotropolis, among the other high ranking Badniks in the area." Boomer said as he explained why the Freedom Fighters had the map out in the first place.
"And?" Sonic said as he tapped his foot.
Boomer and Sonic stood in front of a Robo-Locater that Boomer invented, it allowed the Freedom Fighters to locate Badniks and other robots. Boomer fed in the information that the Freedom Fighters gathered on Dr. Robotnik's plans, into the Robo-Locater and then within seconds it found the exact location. "The Casino Night base!" Boomer said, he was surprised to learn about this.
"That is one scary place, but not scary enough for me. I'll use my old robo-disguise and break in and find out what Ro-butt-nik is up to." Sonic said as he dashed off, before anyone could caution him or say a word. Sonic soon arrived at the Casino Night base, at the entrance it looked like a big casino with various red and yellow colors, on the left side on top of the casino was a statue of a SWATbot in a cowboy outfit, the casino had a fountain at the front that sprayed out oil in place of water, there was also a flag on the far left with the letter 'R' which was clearly for Robotnik, there was an 'R' on both of the front doors as well, the sign in the center of the casino at the top read out, "Welcome to Renobotnik" and it showed Dr. Robotnik's face on the sign along with dollar bill symbols near his robotic ears, under his chin right above the doors one could see the words Robo-Casino written on the massive sign. "Looks like I found something Robotnik actually loves, money." Sonic said to himself as he put on his robo-disguise. Sonic walked in and saw that although it was one of Robotnik's bases, it was clearly a casino first, there was every single known casino game and then some at the Casino Night base, Sonic could see a female robot offering free oil while the Badniks gambled. "Way past cool, this place is surely juicin' for a place made by Robotnik." Sonic said to himself as he was dazzled by all the lights and sounds.
Sonic looked to his left and saw a Burrowbot playing blackjack, it then said to the SWATbot, "hit me!" and expected a card but was instead hit in the head hard with a mallet.
(Poor bot, should've known Robotnik would still be a creep even here.) Sonic thought to himself. Soon Sonic found where Robotnik was giving his speech, he asked a SWATbot to give him a table for one.
All of the SWATbots at the Casino Night base were dressed as security in black tuxedos, one of them went to Dr. Robotnik and reported that all of the Badnik Commanders had arrived and all but one of the seats was taken, while the SWATbot explained this Dr. Robotnik was having his mustache waxed with mustache wax by a Batbrain and a Buzzbomber Badnik, of course Dr. Robotnik was angered that he didn't get all of the seats sold. But the SWATbot said that a new robot had arrived and refused to pay for his seat, Dr. Robotnik used his robotic eyes to get a good look at this new robot from a distance, Robotnik could easily tell from looking that it was actually Sonic the Hedgehog. (So that foolish hedgehog thought he could fool me with such a simple disguise again? Well this time he's going to pay for underestimating my intelligence.) Dr. Robotnik thought to himself with an evil grin, "Let him in, he may prove to be amusing." Dr. Robotnik ordered with an evil chuckle.
Soon Sonic came in, "Looks like I got a great seat, right in the front." Sonic said to himself as he sat and crossed his legs, he smiled thinking that he could easily fool Robotnik again, and get the information on what Dr. Robotnik was up to.
Soon Dr. Robotnik came in, Lt. Crabmeat (who was recently rebuilt after Dr. Robotnik recycled his parts days ago) announced the doctor. "Thank you Crabmeat, it pleases me to see all of my loyal Badnik Commanders here, among many other high ranking Badniks, some I've known more personally than others." Dr. Robotnik said as he grinned while looking at Sonic in his disguise. He was seen holding something in his robotic hand, there was a cloth covering something, Robotnik removed it and said, "May I present my most recent Badnik, Orbinaut. Notice how it can hover using its four maces, held together with special gravity technology." Dr. Robotnik said.
(That thing looks nasty, I doubt a Sonic Spin can get through the maces.) Sonic thought to himself, blissfully unaware of what was about to happen next.
"And best of all, it can launch the maces with deadly accuracy at an enemy target. Such as… Sonic the Hedgehog!" Dr. Robotnik said as he pointed at Sonic, and no sooner when he did that, Orbinaut launched one of its maces and hit Sonic in the head sending the hedgehog flying out of his seat and crashing, the Badniks gasped as they saw Sonic's disguise easily come off due to the force of impact.
Sonic survived the attack due to the fact he's used the power of various Rings, whenever someone gathers up one hundred Rings found in Zones, they gain the ability to survive an attack that surely would've killed them. However there was a catch, if someone was fatally injured then the magic effect from the Rings would be used up, thankfully for Sonic he used his speed to gather up hundreds of Rings making him very hardy and difficult to kill under normal circumstances. While Sonic was knocked out, a SWATbot captured him, it then placed Sonic inside a super thick glass ball, and the SWATbot carried Sonic into a private area of the Casino Night base where Dr. Robotnik was eagerly waiting. "Sonic the Hedgehog, has been subdued, and is ready to go, oh obese one." The SWATbot said.
"Excellent, put him in the machine!" Dr. Robotnik said as Orbinaut hovered nearby and glared at Sonic.
"Oooh… Anyone get the 1-800 number of that truck…? Hey where am I?" Sonic asked as he was regaining consciousness.
The SWATbot inserted Sonic into Robotnik's machine, "Sonic, you don't realize it. But you are jammed so tight within a super thick glass ball that you can't possibly move in, which is perfect for my giant pinball machine." Dr. Robotnik said as he pulled back a giant pinball spring. The evil doctor then laughed as he saw Sonic sent flying around in the machine, Sonic was hit with flippers and hit many devices until he was zapped and Robotnik let the prison ball roll out.
"Ooh… I don't think I can live through that again…" Sonic said as he was panting.
"Good! Then I'll put you in a dozen times!" Dr. Robotnik said eagerly as he rubbed his hands, "SWATbot! Re-insert Sonic into my machine!" Robotnik ordered.
"I hate to interrupt Dr. Robotnik, but somebody won fifty cents in the casino." The SWATbot said.
"What?! Don't they know the rules? If you try to beat the house, then the house beats you with a hammer! Make sure Sonic is secure while I'm gone!" Dr. Robotnik ordered as he left with Orbinaut alongside him.
(This might be my only chance, it's to snug in here for a Sonic Spin… But maybe if I try using my quills like a class cutter, than I can free myself, never tried it before but it's my only chance.) Sonic thought to himself quickly as he used his quills to try and cut the glass from the inside in order to weaken it.
Minutes later Dr. Robotnik returned, he said, "Business before pleasure." And then ordered Sonic to be placed back into the machine.
"Sonic stands no chance of escape, and this time he is doomed." The SWATbot said as it placed Sonic in the machine.
"Ah blow it out your circuit board you rustpot!" Sonic said to the SWATbot.
Then Dr. Robotnik said, "Farewell rodent, I hoped our games would've lasted longer." He said as he pulled back the spring.
Just as the spring hit Sonic's glass prison, it shattered and set Sonic free, "it actually worked! I'm free! And now time to use a Sonic Spin to destroy this evil machine!" Sonic said as he turned into a Sonic Spin and destroyed the massive pinball machine.
"This can't be happening! How is this even possible?! Orbinaut attack the hedgehog!" Dr. Robotnik yelled as he was perplexed with the sudden turn of events.
"Gimme your best shot you Badnik." Sonic said as he dared Orbinaut to fire at him, Orbinaut fired two shots but Sonic quickly used a Sonic Spin and deflected the attack at the SWATbot and Dr. Robotnik, the SWATbot was destroyed and Dr. Robotnik was hit badly, oil mixed with something else went spraying out of his mouth as he was hit in the head. Orbinaut quickly went to Robotnik's side, while Sonic quickly raided the armory of the base and found a bomb, he then quickly placed it where it would do the most damage. Afterwards he ran out while carrying a bingo sheet, "Hmm… Let's see, B as in Bomb, I as in Inconspicuously placed, N as in nine seconds to go, G as in Get to a safe distance, and O as in Oh boy here it comes." Sonic ran all the way to a hill at a safe distance, "And that spells BINGO!" Sonic said as the bomb went off, it completely destroyed the Casino Night base and everything inside. "I bet old Ro-butt-nik is history now, better tell the Freedom Fighters, I blew up Casino Night." Sonic said as he ran into the Great Forest in order to return home to Knothole.
But what happened to Dr. Robotnik? Well Orbinaut had used all of his robotic might to get Robotnik out of Casino Night, but when the bomb exploded a piece of the building came flying out on to them. But would this kill Dr. Robotnik? "I really hate that hedgehog… I can assure you rodent, that you'll pay for this with your life!" Dr. Robotnik said as he pushed the piece of the base off of him, he didn't look it but he had some strength and his robotic arm was very powerful, Orbinaut would then carry Robotnik all the way to Robotropolis.
Meanwhile back in Knothole, Sally said that Sonic did an excellent job destroying Robotnik's base and so many of his robots, but she asked Sonic to do one more favor for the day before he could rest. He hoped it wasn't another map to fold, but Antoine told him that it wasn't a map, however the coyote was having trouble with a childproof cap. Boomer said to Tails that he bet three to one that Sonic could get the cap off in five seconds, but Tails told him no thanks and that he was too young to gamble.
A few days later
It was the first annual Acorn Awards, something Princess Sally came up with earlier in the year when she decided it was the year for the Freedom Fighters to strike, the awards were meant to help boost morale and to reward those among the Freedom Fighters who showed great skills in the line of duty. This year's rewards were for most resourcefulness against Robotnik's SWATbots, the best robot disguise while behind enemy lines, and best all-around Freedom Fighter. And of course Sonic won all three awards, he took them within seconds as the first two letters of his name was said for each award, Antoine was jealous to say the least. Later on Sonic read some fan mail, Sonic quickly became famous among not just the people of Knothole, but other Mobians who lived in settlements being harassed by Dr. Robotnik, among these letters was one asking when his legs started to turn into a blur when he runs super-fast, Sonic wrote in a response letter that he claimed it was when he went Trans-Sonic Speed. After Sonic wrote the letter, he went out to spend time with some of the younger kids who look up to him such as Tails. During the day Sonic spent with the kids, he showed them his way to make good chilidogs, and the kids enjoyed some good chilidogs for hanging out with him, Sally thought it was sweet Sonic took the time to interact with kids and be a role model.
Meanwhile in Robotropolis
"Sir, we've repaired approximately 24% of the Casino Night base." Lt. Crabmeat reported.
"I'm glad to hear that my favorite base is being repaired since it was ruined by The Hedgehog! Now to move on to some more plans of mine." Dr. Robotnik said as he was thinking of his next evil plan.
Quite the introduction of Krudzu and Orbinaut, here's a little more information on these evil creations of Dr. Ivo Robotnik. Krudzu is actually the creation of one of the R&D SWATbots that Robotnik has, it was made to behave and act like a dangerous plant, Krudzu being modeled to act as a plant can dispose seeds and acts like a combination of a man-eating plant and ivy roots, it can grow at remarkable speeds and can be adaptable to most areas, however the SWATbot didn't have enough time to make Krudzu waterproof and as a result it has the most critical of all machine weaknesses, and is colored light green.
Orbinaut is an aerial series of Badniks, it uses special gravity systems to move four deadly maces around its purple body and fly, it can fire these maces with great speed and accuracy, when all of Orbinaut's maces are gone its completely weak but can hover until it reaches a factory to reload. Sonic can only deal damage to this Badnik safely if at least one of the maces has been fired, and who knows what damage this new line of Badnik can do to the Freedom Fighters.