King Scourge Saga Episode 5: How the Over Half Lives
Early the next morning, Sonic, Eve, Amy, Manic, Sonia, Maria, and little Jazz are in the Science Bay with Sally. Along with Uncle Chuck, Tails, and Rotor who are putting the finishing touches on the new Star Post. They plan on going to Moebius to visit Dr. Ovi Kintobor. Of course, Amy is very happy that she is able to come with Sonic on this mission. Since it will be dangerous, Eve decides to leave Jazz with her birth parents until she gets back.
"So is everyone ready?" Sonic asks.
"I'll be with you, Sonic! I'll be ready for anything!" Amy happily says.
"You all remember the plan right?" Sonia asks.
"Sure do. We find Dr. Kintobor in Scourge's home zone and ask if he can help us turn the tables on the Suppression Squad's invasion," Manic says.
"And cause him problems at home if we can," Amy says, holding her hammer.
Maria giggles, "Sounds like we're going to be busy on this mission."
"And a tough one, just be careful, okay?" Eve says.
"Okay," Eve says.
Sally turns to the boys, "How are the secondary Star Post looking, boys?"
"I think we're done, princess," Rotor says.
"All set to head to Moebius," Tails says.
Uncle Chuck turns to the hedgehogs, "You all be careful in this Moebius. You don't know what you might find over there and stick together."
"Of course dad, we'll be careful," Sonia says.
"No problemo. We'll stick together," Manic says.
Then Rotor says to the hedgehogs, "Just a heads up… we don't know where on Moebius the portal will drop you, so be careful."
"Lovely. Thanks for that, Rotor. On that note, here we go…" Sonic says.
With that, the hedgehogs jump through the portal and appear on the other side of it. To their surprise, they find themselves in a hallway, and it looks very nice. There's even a photo of Chaos flying in the sky with glee.
"You know, the way Rotor put it, I was expecting something more… perilous," Sonic says.
Amy looks at the painting, "For an evil alternate dimension. It's really nice looking."
"I like it. The place looks very nice," Maria says, happily.
"Do you think we're just in a different dimension all together?" Manic asks.
"That… or maybe…" Eve says.
Suddenly, someone shouts and sounds like a girl's voice, "Hold it right there!"
The group quickly turned around in shock.
And Sonic shows a smirk on his face, "Now that's more like it!"
Everyone quickly moves out of the way, as a blue, yellow, and gray color robot that looks a lot like Omega slams the robotic fist on the ground.
"Ain't nobody gettin' a drop on the doctor!" The robot says.
Amy swings her hammer at the robot, "Want to bet this hunk of junk means Anti-Eggman is here?"
"Yep!" Sonic says, spin dashing the robot.
Eve spin dashes the robot too and she lands on the ground, "I have to believe that this robot is his security bot."
Maria asks, "Um, excuse. Ms. Robot. We… um… don't need to intrude or anything but."
Suddenly, the robot sprays some strange gel on the ground, "You ain't layin' a hand on him!"
Before long, Amy, Maria, Sonia, and Manic are now stuck on the floor with the gel hardening their feet.
"What in the?" Manic asks.
"Eww! This disgusting stuff is ruining my shoes!" Sonia shouts.
"And you can just sit a spell!" The robot adds, and sends some strange wave beam and strikes at Sonic and Eve.
The two hedgehogs soon felt dizzy and fell to the ground.
"Wha… what is this?" Eve asks, feeling dizzy.
"Whooah… not cool…" Sonic comments, feel funny.
Suddenly, the skinny man resembles Eggman who is Dr. Kintobor runs over and panics, "No, Buns! Stop! They aren't enemies!"
The robot calls Buns, stops the attack and asks, "You sure, Doc?"
"Positive. This is Sonic the Hedgehog and Eve the Hedgehog, from the Prime Zone. I met them a couple of years ago," Dr. Kintobor says, and helps the two hedgehogs back on their feet.
Buns says, "Oh. Sorry 'bout that. Cain't see colors too well in this thing."
She then smashes the strange gel off of the others, "That riot foam firm up pretty nice, didn't it?"
"It actually did thank you very much?" Sonic says, still not pleased by Buns' action.
"That stuff was pretty hard stuff," Manic adds.
Sonic and Eve soon regain their focus from the effect of the beam.
"Thanks for making sure Buns didn't blast us, Dr. Kintobor," Eve says.
"The pleasure is mine my dear," Dr. Kintobor says.
"Wow! You look kind of different, but the resemblance to Dr. Eggman is almost uncanny," Sonia says.
"I know. And he's actually more nice than Dr. Eggman," Manic says.
"Anyway, these are our friends: Maria and Amy, and our cousin who are twins: Sonia and Manic," Eve says.
"Hello," The group replied.
"Okay. Let's bring this up to speed, your versions of us are making trouble back home. We came to see if you could help us find something here that could stop their invasion," Sonic says.
"I thought Scourge and his Suppression Squad had gone unusually quiet. You have my deepest apologies. Please, shall we continue those outside? It's such a lovely day," Dr. Kintobor says.
"Of course," Eve says.
The group then follows Dr. Kintobor and Buns outside to talk about the situation.
Meanwhile, Rotor, Tails, and Sally are waiting for Sonic, Eve, and the others to return. Sally can't help, but pace back and forth, worrying about the others.
"I hate this part. The waiting is killing me," Sally says, walking around in circles.
"Anything?" Rotor asks.
Working on the Star Post, Rotor answers, "Not yet. The Star Post were originally supposed to go to the Special Zone for a test run, not any of the more distant ones. Not yet anyway. We're lucky the portal stayed open as long as it did."
Suddenly, Nicole digitally appears.
Sally turns to face her, "Nicole?"
"Have Sonic, Eve, and the other already left?" Nicole asks.
"Yes. Why?" Sally answers, looking confused.
Miles and Line-Ra of the Suppression Squad is outside of the city," Nicole says.
Seeing the problem, Sally raced over, "Tell Bunnie, Antoine, Fiona, and Nic to meet us there! Tails…"
"Right behind you!" Tails says, following.
Then Sally says, "Nicole! Rotor! Stay near the Star Post just in case the others are able to come back!"
"You got it, Sally," Rotor says.
Soon enough, Bunnie Antoine, Nic, and Fiona join Tails and Sally in front of the city.
Sally shouts, "Hold it right there!"
They watch as Miles and Line-Ra are standing in front of them.
Miles slowly claps his hands, "A marvelous show of bravado, Freedom Fighters. Now how about you calm down before you hurt yourself, especially by my escort."
Line-Ra holds her scythe up and prepares to fight if needed.
Miles takes a bag from his shoulder and tosses it on the ground to reveal red and gray round objects, "I'm here under the pretense of bombing your city. Given that I made no effort to hide and that I'm explaining myself… slowly… I'm obviously not unending to complete that mission."
"Then what are you here for?" Sally asks.
"The Suppression Squad is less fond of Scourge than you are. You hold trump cards in Sonic and Eve. I came here to propose an alliance," Miles says.
The Freedom Fighters are confused to hear what Miles has in mind. If what Miles saying is true, he plans to bring Scourge down.
Back in Moebius, Dr. Kintobor shows the group to a grass forest area in a place called The Grand Forest. It's kind of different from the Great Forest, but along with similarities.
"Excluding Sonic and Eve. This is your first time in our zone," Dr. Kintobor says.
"Yes sir," Sonia says.
"Then allow me to introduce you to my world. As you were told earlier. I am Dr. Ovi Kintobor. I run the hospital tower we just came from. It houses the force-field generator I used to protect the Grand Forest and all the Moebians who fear King Scourge's Tyranny," Dr. Kintobor says.
"The place is so pretty!" Maria happily says.
"Wow. I can't even see the field," Amy says, amazed.
"Good! You're not supposed to," Dr. Kintobor says
"What can you tell us about Scourge and his latest batch of craziness?" Sonic asks.
"And how on earth did they find a counterpart of myself?" Eve asks.
Dr. Kintobor explains, "That's my fault, I'm afraid. They stormed my tower and managed to steal my experimental Globe Posts. They must have used them to cross into your zone."
"Globe Post? They must be your version of our Star Post?" Sonia suspects.
"What a bunch of creeps," Eve says.
"They're jerks. We understand. What do you need those posts for?" Amy replies.
"I had hoped to search for other zones for new medical techniques. I need something to heal Buns Rabbot," Dr. Kintobor says.
"Come to think of it, I didn't see the Anti-Bunnie with the Stupid Squad," Sonic says, remember the incident at Freedom HQ.
"You're right. We didn't see her at…" Eve says. Then remember something.
She remembers Dr. Kintobor is called the robot Buns.
Eve walks over and asks, "Buns? Is that you?"
"Yes. It's me alright," The robot answers.
The robot's head opens to reveal Buns inside, much to the Freedom Fighters' shock.
Buns explains, "Not long ago, I developed N.I.D.S. Starting in the base of mah spine. Scourge kicked me out and left me for dead."
"That is totally uncool," Manic says.
"It was. The Doc here took my in and built this suit," Buns.
Dr. Kintobor says, "It was the least I could do. My Omega Care Unit creates a stasis field that prevents her condition from progressing and supports her immune system."
Then sadly says, "But she is still mostly trapped within that robot body. I will not rest until she walks freely once more."
"And 'til then I'll protect the doc from those back-stabbin' so-and-sos!"
"I'm still not pleased arming Omega, but at least she only wields non-lethal weapons," Kintobor says.
"Like that quick-hardening riot foam!Ick!" Amy says, sticking her tongue out.
"And the Dizzy-making sound waves. Cool. That explains how this all started…" Sonic says.
But then asks, "But how do we stop it? Is there anything here that could throw Scourge off his game?"
"Maybe more of those robots?" Amy asks.
But Kintobor refuses, "No, no. I named it 'Omega' because it was a Last Resort. I refuse to build an army."
"They could try to recruit you-know-who," Buns says.
"Absolutely not! She's far too dangerous! Don't even joke like that!" Kintobor says.
"Sounds like just the kind of peril I've been looking for!" Sonic says, eagerly.
Maria asks Kintobor, "Please, Dr. Kintobor! They've taken Freedom HQ and may press on at any minute. We need any lead you can give us."
Kintobor is reluctant about it, but seeing Maria's face and those eyes, he knows that they all need the help they can get if they have hope of defeating Scourge and his team.
He answers with a calm, but frightened voice, "Rose the Rascal. The Anti-Amy. She hates Scourge."
Back in Mobius in front of New Mobotropolis, Miles explains to them the situation.
He explains, "We hate Scourge. The leadership of the Anti-Freedom Fighters has always been in flux. That's just how it is. He came back and ruined everything. He beat us into submission. He was bent on making us something 'more' than your 'evil twins.' We had to take new names and appearances. Some of us took that to the extreme. We were his back-up as he conquered the whole planet. He remained our world 'Moebius' and named himself. King. Then he got bored. He had us steal Dr. Kintobor's technology and invaded the Prime Zone. We don't stand against him alone. He's simply too powerful."
"So you want us to help you overwhelm him?" Tails asks.
Miles glares at Tails, "Please don't talk, little boy. We're trying to have an intelligent conversation."
"What?! Who do you think…?" Tails angrily says.
Before he can attack, Bunnie and Nic grab him by his arm and keep him from attacking Miles.
"Not right now, sugah," Bunnie says.
"If it starts to go sour, then you can pound him," Nic says.
"Our Teams are evenly matched. But if Sonic can slow Scourge down, along with the others, our combined strength should beat him," Sally says.
"Precisely. We've already rigged your Star Post to send him back to Moebius,"
Sally turns her head, "You still have access to the lab in Freedom HQ. Can you confirm his story?"
Nicole appears and says, "Just a moment…"
A few seconds past and Nicole confirms, "Yes. He's telling the truth."
"Alright then. Sonic and Eve aren't here now. But we can count on them to show when they need them," Sally says.
"Excellent," Miles says.
Then both he and Sally shake in a truce.
Fiona steps in and asks, "If you don't mind me asking, who did Line-Ra come to be part of your team? And what's different between her and Eve?"
"It's to understand why you're curious. After all, you had your Eveline-Ra much longer than we have. She was, let's just say, a hedgehog of great power, skill, and deep silence when I found her in the slump," Miles says.
Then explains, "After the comparison of what Scourge told me, Line-Ra had remembered everything ever since she loved ones from a space station. She wasn't as talkative until I found her. She explained that she wandered around our world for a long time. Broken of losing everything she loved, but managing to sharpen her skill and her power. The scythe she wields was created out of powerful gems called Anarchy Beryl, and used them to increase her power. The moment I found and gazed in her eyes, I discovered that she had great potential. Scourge sees her as his Ultimate Soldier. Scourge, Patch, and I gave her brutal training, but was up to the challenge to make herself stronger," Miles says.
"Why does she want to get strong?" Fiona asks.
Suddenly, Line-Ra says, "To avenge my brother and my best friend?"
"Avenge your brother and best friend?" Bunnie asks.
"Yes. It's a long story, but in short… a long time ago, my best friend died," Line-Ra says.
Then turns her head away in anger, "No… she was murdered, and my older brother was missing the day she launched us out of the space station where we lived. I swore I would become stronger and avenge them by taking down those who ruined our lives."
"That's… really, really deep," Bunnie says.
"Indeed, but for now, we must send Scourge back to where he came from," Line-Ra says.
"Of course. Here's the plan…." Miles says.
Back in Moebius, Dr. Kintobor helps the gang be prepared for their next part of this adventure. They plan to go find Rosie the Rascal who is actually Amy's counterpart.
"Thank you, Doctor!" Amy says.
"So where do we find Rosy?" Sonic asks.
"My best guess is Castle Acorn. She stalks Scourge relentlessly and that's where he was last seen," Dr. Kintobor says.
Sonic giggles and says, "Sounds a little familiar."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Amy asks, feeling insulted.
"No harm Ames. She's just sayin' that you sometimes do the same to Sonic," Manic says.
Soon the hedgehogs, excluding Amy, begin laughing.
"That's mean, guys," Eve says.
Amy crosses her arms and huffs as she turns her head away.
Kintobor turns to Buns and asks, "Are your systems running? Are there any tune-ups you need? Perhaps if I run another diagnostic…"
"Don't you worry none, Doc. The bot's fine, and I'll keep the do-gooders safe," Buns says.
Then Kintobor asks, "How do you intend to get back home? Is your pack chafing?"
"Hopefully your Globe Posts are still up and running at the castle. That or we wait until Rotor opens the Star Post from his end," Eve says.
Sonic ground and asks, "Can we go now?"
"Yes Sonic. Let's go," Eve says.
With that, Sonic carries Amy and Sonia while Eve does the same with Manic and Maria. Buns is flying the Omega suit right behind them.
She calls out, "Slow down!"
This is Anti-Mobius, right? I remember where our Robotropolis was from the Great Forest…" Sonic says.
"It's like you know the way already," Buns says.
"It makes sense if this place is like how Mobius is," Manic says.
"Yeah. If it is the same as our world, then your Castle Acorn should be in the same direction from the Grand Forest," Sonic says.
Maria turns to Buns, "Um Buns, how do you um, feel about you having N.I.D.S?"
"Well, it's not good I'll give you that. When it affected my spine, it was hard for me to move as much. I felt like I couldn't do anything anymore," Buns says.
Then asks, "Who you askin?"
"Well, I actually used to have N.I.D.S a long time ago. I was so sick, I wouldn't be able to live on Mobius at all. My grandfather had a space station built in space so that I could live while he finds a way to cure me," Maria says.
"I see. But seeing how you are now I have to say you're cured," Buns says.
"It's true, and the cure is the reason she's a hedgehog to begin with," Eve says.
"Beg pardon?" Bunnie says, confused.
"Long story, short, A scientist named Gerald Robotnik is able to create a cure and placed it in Maria for a test run and at the same time was launched in an escape pod to the planet. However, there were some side effects. Maria was actually human before she became a hedgehog, but she's still cured all the same," Eve says.
"Right," Maria happily says.
"Sounds hard to believe, but I'm going to have to," Buns says.
The group continues to speed until they reach the castle. Unknown to them, someone with pink hair is watching them from the castle window. They look at the castle to see that it looks like it's in ruins.
"Cripes… how could you stand to live in this dump?" Amy asks.
"Never was a fan of your cushy lifestyle. 'Sides, it's a castle," Buns says.
"It's a ruined one," Sonia says.
Soon, the group walks down the castle hall. The place actually looks inside rather than outside.
"Y'all see a dump. Ah see the Freedom to do whatever ah want," Buns says.
"And you didn't want a decor that wasn't falling apart," Amy says.
"Or the dust and mold covering the place. Eww!" Sonia says.
Unknown to the group, someone is secretly spying them from close by. At the same time, Buns, Sonia, and Amy argue about the condition of the castle.
"It's symbolic!" Buns says.
"It's depressing!" Sonia says.
Suddenly, Maria lets out a yelp and hugs Eve close by.
"What is it, Maria?" Eve asks, worried.
"I… I… I think we're not the only ones in here!" Maria says, frightened.
Eve hugs Maria, "It's okay Maria. Everything will be okay, just stay close to us and everything will be fine."
"I-I-I- hope it will," Maria says, scared.
Suddenly, they hear something, almost like singing and the voice appears to be a girl, and the lyrics and melody of the song is very creepy..
Mysterious Creepy Girl's Voice:
Deep in the Castle Acorn….
That catches everyone's attention. The song is creepy and eerie that the girls feel chills down their spine.
Mysterious Creepy Girl's Voice:
Invaders sneaking-creeping…
Everyone has their backs against the wall as they look around for the source of the music.
Mysterious Creepy Girl's Voice:
They don't see my mallet coming…
Buns points ahead, "Tracked the source. The throne room."
Mysterious Creepy Girl's Voice:
Pop! Go their he-ads!"
Everyone then hurries down the hall to the throne room. Maria stays close to Eve and she is deeply scarred. Eve begins to regret letting Sally talk her into letting Maria be assigned on this mission.
Just then, they burst through the doors of the throne room.
"Rose the Rascal? I presume You'll forgive us if we don't call for an encore?" Sonic asks.
They look at the castle throne to see a girl resembles Amy, but her fur, muzzle, and her eyes look rather… pale. She wears the same outfit as Amy has worn when she's younger, but older. In fact, she looks exactly like how Amy used to be when she's a little hedgehog, but she is older.
Rose pouts, "Oh, phooey. You're not my Scourgey. My Scourgey ran away, you know."
"Er- right. That's why we're here. We were hoping you'd help…" Sonic says, feeling weary.
But Rosy says, "Scourgey is always so mean. He ignored all my attacks when I was little…"
Then lays her back on the throne with her head sideways and touches her cheek with one hand as she says, "I used the magic in a special ring to make myself older. Now I'm a big girl with a big hammer and still Scourgey runs away."
That kind of statement and vibe makes everyone feel a bit chill, and not in a good way, especially Amy.
"That's kind of like what I did, only she makes it sound creepy," Amy says.
"And you did it to help save our necks," Manic says.
Feeling more concerned, Eve says, "And given this zone, I'm willing to bet there was some kind of side-effect when Rosy used that ring… and not in a good way."
With an evil smile, Rosy stands up, "Oh yes! It broke my brain all to pieces! Shatter-shatter!"
The next moment she grabs a silver pole. Then raise it up to reveal a green hammer and each end has a large spike, and a yellow band with black x's on it.
She then screams like a mad being, "SO NOW I BREAK EVERYTHING ELSE! EEE HEE HEE!"
