Sonic the Hedgehog: Climax

by KronikPassion

After Eggman's last defeat, the heroes of Mobius have moved on to fulfill their own pursuits. However, when a major act of terrorism marks the scientist's return, familiar faces gather to confront a crisis that threatens the structure of the universe as they know it. In this tribute to a legendary franchise, friendships are tested, alliances are formed, and time is running out...

4. Part 4 - The Alliance

Sonic the Hedgehog: Climax

By: Joshua Patterson

SCRIPT

Part 4: "The Alliance"

Author's Note: As of this issue, three emeralds are in possession. Dr. Eggman's forces possess the Master Emerald; Shadow has an emerald that augments his already impressive abilities; Tails has an emerald in his Tornado II. Five must be found.

SCENE ONE

The Mobotropolis Penitentiary. ENTER Alphas #1, #2, & #3. They form the squad known as AlphaSect, an elite trio of mechanical soldiers assigned to release Dr. Eggman from his imprisonment. It is evident that, besides the outer defenses, there have been automated defenses that AlphaSect has had to destroy. The charred remnants of turrets and cameras lie throughout the grand hallways of the jail. Small flames erupt in certain areas. As AlphaSect passes by the many jail cells within the prison, various prisoners strive to get their attention.

Prisoner #1: "Hey, you guys are some of Eggman's scrap lackeys, aren't ya? Free me! I'll help ya with world domination!"

Prisoner #2: "Don't listen to him. That loser's of no use to you. If you should release anyone, it's me. I'll work for Eggman and kill that darned hedgehog!"

Prisoner #3: "Hahaha! That's a load of talk from someone who couldn't even beat his little sidekick, Tails!"

Prisoner #2: "You shut up!"

As the prisoners engage in a brutal fight, the NeoMechs continue onward.

Alpha #1: MISSION: LIBERATE DR. EGGMAN

As the three approach the last prison cell, they realize that it is enclosed by a massive door. A computerized voice suddenly speaks.

Voice: ACCESS KEY REQUIRED.

Alpha #1 then exposes a probe within his right arm and inserts it into the security panel beside the door. The probe hacks into the security panel of the penitentiary, sifting through thousands of number codes until the correct one is found. A beep then resounds from the panel.

Voice: ACCESS GRANTED.

As the large door swings open, AlphaSect passes through it to enter a large chamber. After closing the door behind them, a handful of lights turn on to bring just enough light to reveal an imprisoned Eggman in the center. He is inside of a giant, metallic dome, his only outside vision coming from a single window reinforced with a special type of glass. As AlphaSect approaches, Dr. Eggman's eyes widen as he grins with satisfaction. ENTER Dr. Eggman.

Alpha #1: WE HAVE COME TO FULFILL OUR MISSION.

Dr. Eggman: (Elated) "Indeed you have! Soon we shall rule Mobius! But first, I must be released from this accursed cell."

Alpha #1: YOUR WISH IS OUR COMMAND, DOCTOR.

Just as Alpha #1 prepares to insert its probe into the panel on Dr. Eggman's cell, a flash of green light flares and a spear of chaos energy spikes between the robot and the panel. All heads turn to witness the arrival of Shadow the Hedgehog and his loyal partner, E-123 Omega. The two stand near AlphaSect with an air of determination. ENTER Shadow the Hedgehog and E-123 Omega. Dr. Eggman is horrified.

Dr. Eggman: "What?! How can this be?!"

Shadow: (Smiling) "Hello, Doctor. It's been a while."

EXIT ALL

SCENE TWO

The Acorn Kingdom. ENTER Tails. He has only just awakened from his slumber. As he looks around, he sees an otherwise dark room that is lit up by a solitary candle. As he feels his aching torso, he notices that it is well bandaged. Rising from the bed, Tails walks to the candle and takes it from the shelf. As he removes it, he takes notice of various pictures of Sonic, Sally, and himself from days long gone.

Tails: (Thinking) "What's this? And where am I?"

As he points the candle around the room, he sees various items that he treasured in his childhood, such as toys and bedtime books. Many of them were gifts from Sally Acorn. As he leaves the room, Tails notices that he is standing on solid stone, and realizes that he is in a hallway of Acorn Castle. As he walks by a slightly open door, he peers inside to find the still-unconscious form of Amy Rose in a bed. Tails walks onward.

Tails: (Thinking) Sonic must have brought us to the Acorn Kingdom and situated us in these rooms. Our headquarters definitely wasn't an ideal place.

As Tails walks down the hallway, he glances at a painting of one of Sally's distant ancestors.

Tails: (Thinking) The Acorn family always was royalty. Their kingdom's existed for hundreds of years.

As Tails exits the hallway, he enters an empty living room with a nearby chimney. Knowing that Sonic was never one to sleep in beds, he notices a blanket lying on an empty, cushioned chair beside a window. Tails approaches the window and looks outside to see Sonic sitting on the roof, his back turned and head tilted up to the star-filled sky. As Tails climbs out of the window and onto the roof, Sonic takes notice of him. ENTER Sonic.

Sonic: (Smiling) "Hey, Tails. Nice to see you're okay."

Tails: "What's going on? And why are you out here in the cold?"

Sonic: "Rouge, Knuckles, and I decided that you and Amy need to be stationed in a place where you could get medical attention. That's why we decided to take you to the Acorn Castle. Of course, our HQ was too risky a place. So, here we are. We thought that this was the best place to put a plan together."

Sonic turns his head towards Tails. There is a grin on his face.

Sonic: "And you should know that the wind doesn't bug me! I was just out here thinkin'. Couldn't sleep."

Tails: "What are we going to do? First those robots attacked, and then that freakish, robotic hedgehog attacked you! By the way, are you okay?"

As Sonic provides a recount of recent events, the following panels illustrate his narrative.

Sonic: "I'll be fine. (Turns his body to face Tails) Okay, Tails, here's the deal. Apparently, Eggman is up to his biggest plot yet, and it's been working pretty well. While we were celebrating, that creep had his right-hand men do his dirty work, which are two mechanical hedgehogs. One, Requiem, is able to use dark chaos energy, and stole the Master Emerald after defeating Knuckles. The other, Joule, launched an attack on Mobotropolis, and then came after me. The jerk can apparently project and mold light energy, and has a personal goal of eliminating me. Ultimately, Eggman intends on having his robotic army free him so that he can take over Mobius. Our goal now is to begin searching for the Chaos Emeralds."

Tails: (Distressed) "But…What about all of those people still in Mobotropolis?"

Sonic's face turns grim.

Sonic: "Unfortunately, kid, there's not too much that we can do about that right now. The MPD is currently holding any civilians that they were able to secure in secret refuges. Anyone who is not in any of those havens is either captured, enslaved, or…I don't think I have to tell you the third possibility."

Tails: (Angrily) "We can't just let them take over like this! We have to stop them!"

Sonic: "And that's exactly what we're going to do. I've discussed this with Sally. The Royal Guard of the Acorn Kingdom is going to work towards liberating Mobotropolis by using a uniquely-crafted strategy. On the other hand, anyone who possesses the abilities necessary to help retrieve the Chaos Emeralds should do so. You and I are a part of that group, Tails."

Tails nods his head understandingly.

Tails: "I just don't want anyone else to get hurt. Our families are out there."

Sonic: "I understand perfectly, Tails. But you and I both know what will happen if Eggman gets his hands on those emeralds. There may not be a city to save."

Sonic puts a hand on Tails' shoulder.

Sonic: "Now get some rest, buddy. We start searching for the emeralds tomorrow."

Tails: "Alright."

As the brave fox returns to his room, he is lost in thought.

Tails: (Thinking) As bad as things are going right now, it doesn't surprise me that Sonic can't rest.

EXIT ALL

SCENE THREE

The Mobotropolis Penitentiary. ENTER AlphaSect, Dr. Eggman, Shadow the Hedgehog, and E-123 Omega. Shadow and Omega stand between AlphaSect and their imprisoned master. A fanged grin spreads across Shadow's face.

Dr. Eggman: "Shadow? Omega? How could you two possibly be aware of my plans?"

Shadow: (Grinning) "You have one serious problem, Doctor: you're predictable. And you're really not as intelligent as you believe yourself to be.

Omega: "EARTH HAS RECENTLY SEEN LITTLE CONFLICT. SHADOW AND I HAVE ARRIVED HERE TO CHECK THE STATUS OF MOBIUS. AFTER INVESTIGATING RECENT OCCURENCES, AND LEARNING OF YOUR INCARCERATION, SHADOW AND I DEDUCED THAT YOU ARE, AS A HUMAN WOULD SAY, "UP TO YOUR OLD TRICKS."

Dr. Eggman: "Curses! No matter. You possess a small portion of knowledge, as you are unaware of the full extent of my motives!"

Shadow: "Whatever your motives may be, they're negative and ineffective nonetheless. After ensuring that you remain in this prison, I'll reduce your army to scrap, Doctor."

Dr. Eggman: (Pointing at Shadow and Omega) "NeoMechs, attack!"

Alphas #1, 2, & 3: (In unison) NEW OBJECTIVE: ELIMINATE SHADOW THE HEDGEHOG AND E-123 OMEGA.

Shadow: (Amused) "Heh, give it your best shot!"

Omega: PREPARING TO STRIKE!

As Omega unleashes a barrage of homing missiles, the Alphas take advantage of their maneuverability and dodge the oncoming attacks. Shadow uses his air shoes to "glide" towards AlphaSect at an incredible speed.

Shadow: "Alright, then. I see projectiles are no trouble for you."

Shadow then leaps towards Alpha #1 with a jumping kick.

Shadow: "Let's see how you fare with hand-to-hand combat!"

Alpha #1: DEFENSIVE MECHANISMS ENGAGED.

Alpha #1 struggles to defend itself as Shadow repeatedly pummels at its shield gauntlets. As Alphas #2 & 3 approach Omega, the legendary robot draws its built-in gatling guns.

Omega: TARGETS MARKED!

As Omega unleashes a flurry of bullets, Alphas #2 & 3 leap away just in time. Both machines then return fire with weapons of their own. Omega uses his jet-pack to escape the resulting explosion. Alphas #2 & 3 follow closely behind.

Alphas #2 & 3: (In unison) PURSUING TARGET…

Dr. Eggman: (Looking up at a fleeing Omega) "Heheh! Persistent suckers, aren't they?"

Meanwhile, Shadow is pressing his close-range attack. He watches with astonishment as Alpha #1 dodges his punches and kicks. Finding what it believes to be an opening, Alpha #1 draws a blade and nearly scathes Shadow, who cautiously flips backward to reset his attack.

Shadow: (Thinking) Blades? Alright then…

Shadow generates two small blades of chaos energy from his own hands and rushes towards Alpha #1 once more.

Shadow: (Thinking) Two can play that game!

Bright flashes of luminous chaos energy erupt as Shadow's "blades" clash repetitiously against the blade of Alpha #1. As the AlphaSect leader is backed into a corner, Shadow grits his teeth, his blades interlocked with Alpha #1's in a fierce power struggle.

Shadow: "Nowhere to run now, you abomination!"

Alpha #1: PREPARING TO FIRE.

Shadow: (Surprised and Thinking) What?

Shadow reflexively dodges as he is nearly singed by Alpha #1's eye beams. Now granted space, the machine advances towards Shadow, its heartless eyes glowing like twin suns.

Dr. Eggman: "Hohohoho! Need I remind you that the soldiers of the NeoMech Army are powered by chaos energy? You don't stand a chance, Shadow!"

Shadow: (Thinking) Of course! Chaos energy may grant these machines a full arsenal of overwhelming power…

Shadow "sheathes" his chaos blades and extends both of his arms. He then claws his hands.

Shadow: (Thinking) …But it also makes them easy targets for one who can manipulate such energy. (Speaking) "Chaos…"

Shadow's hands glow with a bright green aura of chaos energy.

Shadow: "RIFT!"

Suddenly, Alpha #1 is literally torn to pieces as Shadow's powers cause it to rupture from the inside out. After absorbing the energy from Alpha #1's remains, Shadow uses his chaotic energies to draw the robot's components to his body, donning weaponry and metallic plating as armor and weaponry. The hedgehog then looks up to see Omega firing at Alphas #2 & 3 while struggling to evade their attacks.

Shadow: "Omega, come this way!"

Omega: AFFIRMATIVE!

As Omega swoops down towards Shadow with his thruster packs, bringing Alphas #2 & 3 within shooting range, Shadow uses his new armaments to promptly decimate the remaining members of AlphaSect. Dr. Eggman, bewildered and in utter disbelief, is in anguish.

Dr. Eggman: "My precious machines! How could this have happened? DARN you two!"

Shadow: (Turning to Eggman) "There's something that you fail to realize, Doctor."

Omega: YOU ARE YOUR OWN WORST ENEMY. AND, MUCH TO YOUR MISFORTUNE, YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL CREATION IS AGAINST YOU.

Unknown Voice: "I beg to differ."

ENTER Requiem. Shadow and Omega turn to witness his arrival.

Requiem: "After all, it hasn't been until now that the good doctor has assembled a perfect creation such as myself."

Shadow: "You look much like that robotic hedgehog who declared war on Mobotropolis. Who are you?"

Requiem: "My name is Requiem the Mechog. The other who you saw is my brother, Joule. However, his name isn't all that important. By the time I'm done with you two, my name will be all that you can remember!"

Shadow: "We'll see about that!"

Shadow teleports and appears just behind Requiem, who is hovering in mid-air. Before the hedgehog can strike him, however, Requiem grabs Shadow by his neck and mercilessly afflicts his body with dark chaos energy. Omega then flies towards Requiem.

Shadow: "UNNNGH! Omega-!"

Omega: ATTACKING TARGET!

Omega swings a metallic fist at Requiem, who merely grabs the machine's fist and tears his arm loose. As Omega, critically damaged, falls to the ground, Requiem throws the detached arm into the core of his chest like a spear.

Shadow: "OMEGA! NO!"

Omega: "FATAL DAMAGE INCURRED-*KZZT*!"

Requiem: "Don't worry…"

Requiem drops Shadow on top of what is left of Omega.

Requiem: "You'll join him shortly!"

As an incapacitated Shadow is left unable to move, he looks up at Requiem, his crimson eyes seeming to flare with hatred.

Shadow: "C-Curse you! I'll…make you pay…"

Requiem uses his energies to release Dr. Eggman from his prison. He then carries the tyrant out of the chamber.

Requiem: "Come, Doctor."

Dr. Eggman looks back one last time.

Dr. Eggman: I pity you, Shadow. You could have been something greater."

As Requiem and Dr. Eggman leave the Mobotropolis Penitentiary, the historical facility does something no one thought it would ever do—it explodes.

EXIT ALL

SCENE FOUR

The Acorn Kingdom. ENTER Princess Sally, King and Queen Acorn, the Acorn Kingdom Royal Guard, Sonic, Tails, Amy Rose, Knuckles, Rouge, and many others. It is now morning, and the remaining inhabitants of Mobotropolis who are not enslaved or in hiding are all gathered in a mass assembly at the door of Acorn Castle. All of the leading individuals, including Sonic himself, stand side-by-side on a stage before the crowd of Mobians still willing to fight. As she steps forward to speak, Princess Sally Acorn silences all lingering chatter with a raise of her hand.

Sally: "Good morning, my fellow Mobians. The fact that we are present and unharmed at this very moment testifies to hope for a better future and brighter days. As you all know, Dr. Eggman, a long-time adversary of Mobius, has struck yet again. This time, however, he has done the inconceivable. After a successful surprise attack on the city of Mobotropolis, Dr. Eggman has subjected our people to devastation and oppression. He has also apparently been freed by his robotic army, as the Mobotropolis Penitentiary has recently been reported as destroyed."

The crowd responds with audible gasps and startled conversation. Sally quiets the crowd once again.

Sally: "With the Master Emerald in Dr. Eggman's possession, and the welfare of Mobius at stake, Sonic and I have come to a joint agreement."

Sally turns to Sonic, who steps up to speak as she withdraws from the podium.

Sonic: "Citizens of Mobotropolis and defenders of justice, I ask that you do all in your power to assist me in preserving the safety of this planet. If we fail to recover the Chaos Emeralds before Dr. Eggman does, all hope is lost."

The crowd responds with firm disapproval. A frown spreads across Sonic's face.

Sonic: (Thinking) This isn't good. (Speaking) "Listen, everyone, I understand that you are eager to liberate and become reconciled with your families. I too have family in Mobotropolis. Princess Sally and I have decided to separate our strike force into two groups. One group will work towards freeing the city from the hands of Dr. Eggman's robotic army, while the other will strive towards acquiring the Chaos Emeralds."

The crowd then responds with fiery excitement and anticipation. Princess Sally steps forward and stands beside Sonic.

Sally: "We have all known Sonic long enough to understand that he follows his word to the letter. I have appointed him as the leader of the group assigned to retrieve the emeralds. He and his friends will lead the fight against Dr. Eggman. The rest of you will work towards obtaining complete conquest of Mobius, territory by territory. The Acorn Royal Guard will remain here to protect the castle. With everyone contributing their best effort, Mobius will be saved!"

Cheers erupt as the many courageous people of Mobius approve of Sally's speech. Sonic smiles and turns to Sally.

Sonic: "Good job, Sal. No matter how bad things are, nothing's impossible when everyone is working on one accord."

Sally: (Smiling) "Agreed. Now let's set our plans into action."

King Acorn: (Calling out) "Sally!"

Sally: "Yes, Father?"

King Acorn: "Your mother and I would like to speak with you in private."

Sally: "Yes, Father. (Turning to Sonic) I'll be back shortly. For the time being, I'd like for you to regulate things here, if you're okay with doing so."

Sonic: "No problem! I'll see you in a moment."

As Sally departs, Sonic lets out a depressed sigh.

Sonic: (Thinking) Sometimes I can't help but feel that a tie between us has been severed.

EXIT ALL

SCENE FIVE

The Royal Quarters of the Acorn Kingdom. ENTER Princess Sally Acorn, King Acorn, and Queen Acorn. The Princess of Mobius stands before her parents with an air of confusion. On the other hand, her mother and father appear displeased.

Sally: "Is there a problem, Mother and Father?"

King Acorn: "Yes, there is. It perplexes me that you intend on remaining here rather than assisting your friend."

Sally: "Father, you and Mother understand perhaps better than anyone else my obligations as the Princess of Mobius. I have a kingdom to watch over. It is better that I remain here."

Queen Acorn: "My dear daughter, I must say that that is a poor excuse. You and Sonic the Hedgehog have fought alongside one another for years. Were it not for the revolution that you started, there wouldn't be a Mobotropolis."

King Acorn: "And there won't be either a Mobotropolis or an Acorn Kingdom if you do not assist your closest friend. He is powerful, but he cannot save Mobius alone. I sense a slight division between you two. This is disappointing, as, unless I am mistaken, Sonic is your betrothed?"

Sally: (Indignant) "There's no division between us. It's just…UGH! He has his duties, and I have mine. My duty is to preserve the Acorn Kingdom."

Sally turns her back to her parents, much to their surprise.

Sally: "And that's just the way things are."

King Acorn: (Disappointed) "If your desire is to remain detached from destiny, then your wish may be fulfilled. However…"

Sally looks behind her shoulder.

King Acorn: "…Purpose is something that is only found in unity. I do not believe that I have to tell you what to do to achieve your purpose."

Queen Acorn: "Your father is right, Sally. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not you will follow your heart and do what you know is just."

Turning her head forward, Sally leaves the Royal Quarters in silence. Her parents watch her departure with expressions riddled with sadness and uncertainty.

EXIT ALL

TO BE CONTINUED…