HELLO EVERYONE, THIS STORY HAS BEEN INSPIRED BY OTHER MOVIES AND TV SHOWS, AND I THOUGHT MANIC THE HEDGEHOG WOULD BE THE PERFECT CHARACTER FOR IT. ENJOY!
Chapter 1: The Escape
The long night Manic's had isn't over just yet, as he still has to make it out of Green Hill Zone alive, and not in the back of a police cruiser. The recent burn he received earlier in the night has now healed, but the wound still bugs him. With everyone preoccupied with his brother coming home, the green hedgehog took this opportunity to slip out of slight before any of the G.U.N agents had a chance to bring him in for his numerous and very serious crimes.
And disappearing has always been something Manic was good at.
(40oz by Polyphia plays through his cellphone speaker)
Manic set that ringtone for the girl he's been seeing off and on, Cee. He and Tails ran into the high school senior a number of months ago, however Manic hasn't told her of his plan to jump town tonight.
Damnit! He cursed as he contemplated answering her ...sorry Cee. I can't.
He declined her call and instead made one to someone he knew could get him out of sight without anyone batting an eye.
Marine.
He takes cover inside a gazebo while it lightly rains out, and dials the teenagers' number.
"E'llo, you've reached the owner of Mobius' fastest speed machine" Marine says in her thick Australian accent "..'ow may I help ya?"
"My name is Manic and I heard you could ship some cargo under the radar for a good price"
The female raccoon puts her feet up on a dash board as she leans back in her chair "...Manic, ya say? I 'eard of you! You're that green fella who everybody 'an their mum's lookin' for, init?"
Manic looks inside a nearby apartment window and sees his face, along with his 5 other friends, on a TV news station channel.
He laughs dismissively "News travels fast.. Listen kid, I've only got so much money but I can pay you to get me and my friends far from Green Hill. Whaddya say?"
"Hmm, bunch 'a wanted criminals wanna pay me to ship them as faaarrrr from here as possible? ...10G's"
"10 THOUSAND? Are you serious?"
"Aye, I'd be aiding a criminal if the cops picked me up, and BOOM! They take away my boat. I consider it hazard pay" Marine says "...I 'eard you was a big bad thief, Manny, what's a couple thousand to you?"
Manic pauses before answering "...that's why I'm trying to start over somewhere new. I messed up my name down here, now I gotta bolt..."
There's a bit of silence as Manic waits for Marine to say something, but she only exhales, so he continues
"...look, I can get you $7500 tonight, and the other 25 later, alright? Help a brother out"
The raccoon stands up "Fine, I'll do it"
"Oh, thanks Marine, I really-"
"BUT! I want one of d'em Casino Zone style Clubs, with extra pickles, too! Then we got a deal"
"What?! How the hell does a god damn sandwich affect your decision on this particular matter? Tell me!"
"I ain't had one in a long while, and probably won't ever get the chance once I help your skinny ass cross the boarder. So get me that god damn sandwich, and we'll talk business"
Manic knows getting this sandwich will likely get him spotted, but he can't do much except sigh in frustration
"Fine, FINE! I'll get your stupid Casino-whatever club!"
"With extra pickles" Marine reminds
"WITH EXTRA PICKLES!"
The raccoon laughs as she turns on the boat's engine
"Where do you want me to pick you's up?"
Manic has to contain himself before answering "...come to the underground tunnels in one hour, we'll all be there waiting. Alright? OKAY?!"
She chuckles as she shifts through gears "Okay, what's got you all uptight, hehehe"
Manic hangs up and looks back inside the apartment window to get a look at his description police are giving.
Long grey jacket, black vest with pins and matching grey jeans. Great.
The green hedgehog takes off the big jacket and reveals a black muscle shirt underneath, but there's not much muscle to show. He can't do much about his wild quills, but at least now he'll look like just another green hedgehog walking the streets.
He dials his friend Mickie's number and waits for her to pick up.
"Hello?"
"Mick, it's Manic. I've got no time to explain-"
"You BASTARD! Do you know what kinda shit you dragged us into this time?!"
"Okay, but I just said I don't have time to explain it-"
"They think we're your accomplices! Why is that?"
Manic scratches his head "I really don't know-"
"YOU KNOW DAMN WELL WHY!" Mickie shouts
"Okay! I mentioned you guys to someone who was close to the last job I pulled! I'm sorry!"
"We had good lives here, Manic. Then you had to be you and drag us into your mess. How do you think that feels?"
"Look, I know I fucked everything up for you but I'm trying to make it up! I've got a ride outta the Zone for everyone, trust me, this driver is the best-"
"Manic, you don't get it! Our names are forever ruined because of you, do you honestly think running away will make it better?"
"Does going to prison sound any better?"
Another long awkward silence stops either side from speaking, then Mickie finally answers
"...where and when?"
"Those underground tunnels in one hour. Look for a girl captaining a speed boat"
"We'll be there... thanks, dickhead"
That was too be expected...
He hangs up, takes one step into the misty rain and immediately shivers.
Gonna be a cold one, eh... that's fine. As long as I'm on a boat outta here by the end of the night.
The green hedgehog stays off the main streets and sticks to the dark back roads to avoid being seen, and he makes it across town in minutes, mostly due to him speed-walking. The rain lightens up, but he's still very cold after ditching his jacket. He has a close call when he spots two police officers patrolling the downtown mall, but luckily they've got their hands full. Right now he just needs to make it to the underground tunnel docks.
Alright, how should I do this? I'll get Marine's sandwich at the drive-thru, definitely don't wanna get spotted-
A female police officer draws her weapon "HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM, ASSHOLE!"
Oh, yes. Just what I need...
"NOW!" she orders
Manic raises his hands "Yeah, yeah, I'm doing it!.."
"ON YOUR KNEES!"
He complies
The officer presses a button on her radio "Dispatch, I've got Manic the Hedgehog here, requesting backup"
"Whatcha need backup for? You got me dead to rights, lady!"
She quickly slaps a cuff link around his left wrist "Shut your mouth, you're only making it worse for yourself!"
"Yeah, I doubt that-"
She cuffs his right wrist and once both hands are behind his back, she pulls up on the cuffs to apply pressure on his wrists.
"OW! Take it easy, lady, I'm not going anywhere!" Manic says
She picks him up "You don't remember me, do you? I was there that night you pulled your shit! I was off duty that night!"
"You were? I don't remember seeing your fluffy face-"
The cop slams Manic against the back of her police cruiser, smashing him stomach first off the trunk.
"Ophf!... okay, I can see you're serious, lady-"
"It's OFFICER to you, scumbag!" She clarifies as she begins to pat him down
"Whatever, just don't be touching my no-no spots, I will sue you!"
She frisks along each leg and when she goes higher, Manic comically howls out in an over dramatic form.
She pulls up on the cuffs again "STOP resisting!"
"Resisting? You're grabbing all up on my nuts, lady! Take it easy, we've only known each other 30 seconds!"
"You're not doing yourself any favors, resisting arrest like that-"
Out of the blue, Manic hears a gun cocking nearby, clear as day. It's so loud, he's wondering why Mrs. Officer hasn't heard or reacted to it yet. He hears someone taking a deep breath, indicating their aiming the gun from somewhere else
The rooftop directly behind them.
Manic says nothing as he loops one foot around the cop's left leg and performs a leg-scissor takedown. Bullets rain down right where she stood one millisecond prior and shatters glass from the back window.
"What the HELL!" She calls out
Manic nudges her with his legs and she rolls away just as more automatic gunfire sprays the ground around her.
"Get behind cover!" Manic shouts
"Shut up!" She says as pulls out her gun
"The shooter's only targeting you, now use your car for cover before you get shot!"
The officer grudgingly complies with her suspect, and opens the back door as a shield.
Manic takes this opportunity to jump to his feet and take off in the back streets.
"Hey, STOP!"
She aims her gun at him, but has to dive down as more bullets rain from the sky. Manic sprints down a staircase and leans his shoulder against the railing for balance, since his hands are cuffed behind his back.
He reaches street level and runs through local traffic, getting honked at by cars that have to abruptly stop for him. Others take photos and videos as he desperately flees.
He's so busy running down every alleyway he can find that he doesn't have time to react when someone jumps up and kicks him square in the chest. Someone wearing high heels.
Manic lies on his back and looks up to find Rosie, one of the four members of HAZARD,
a group he helped put in prison a couple years ago.
"Hey asshole" Rosie says, looking at his pale upper body "...I see you've stayed skinny these past 3 years"
"Hey sweetcheeks. I'm gonna guess that you're with punisher back there shooting at that cop" Manic says
The black hedgehog nods her head "It's Nack, and he's got a few things he wants you to know since you put him in prison"
As if on cue, a massive Badger appears behind Rosie and grabs Manic by the shirt collar. He gets a running start and drags the green hedgehog a few blocks through the soaking wet streets, then sends him tumbling down a large staircase to finish it off.
Manic groans as he bounces off the final concrete steps and lies face down in a small puddle, while Rosie takes her time to reach him.
She steps on the back of his head "You screwed us over big time three years ago, and this is payback. Obviously Sonic and his friends are untouchable, but you're wanted by the cops AND everyone in the underground. So that means you're open season"
"Well then GET IT OVER WITH!" Manic shouts
Rosie lifts her foot off his head and chuckles "...my friends have a better idea"
Manic coughs as Rosie kicks his shoulder and rolls him on his back so she can look into his eyes
"You're gonna do our dirty work for the rest of your pathetic life"
Manic scoffs "Yeah, let's see how far that goes once you unlock these cuffs!"
Rosie signals for the Badger to hand her a touchscreen device, and the first picture to come up is Manic's mentor Farrell.
"I'd hate to see your 'Pops' kick the bucket, Manic. Or who else, let's see-"
"Don't you touch any of them, you BITCH! I'll kill you all!"
Rosie kneels down to press her hand on his chest "With what? You don't have that Medallion anymore, so what can you do?"
The black haired hedgehog waits for a response but gets none, so she goes to stand up. Manic kicks her ankles as she's off balance and she falls forward, then the Badger charges. Manic avoids getting stomped on, then he up-kicks his opponent in the groin, giving him a few seconds to jump up and spin kick the henchman in the face as hard as he can. Manic lands on his feet and takes off running once again.
"The longer you run, the slower I'll cut you!" Rosie calls out
The green hedgehog ignores this and hops a small chain link fence, runs through a backyard and shoulder blocks through a tall wooden fence to advance to the next yard.
Party guests at this pool party are shocked when Manic busts through the fence, so he says hi while he runs through.
"How's everybody doing, the beer okay tonight? I'm just passing through, don't mind me"
He laughs to himself as the guests yell at him, some even throw cans in his direction. He vaults over another chain link fence and once he reaches the back street, he stops in his tracks as another familiar face hits the breaks in his police cruiser
Agent Warwick.
"Boy, you'd better give yourself up right freakin' NOW! You don't know what the hells' coming for ya!"
"I would but my schedule is all full!" Manic says sarcastically as he takes off into a back alley
Warwick growls as he gets out on foot to chase the handcuffed hedgehog, who is still pretty fast.
"Manic, STOP, boy! I'm serious!"
Manic runs down a long alleyway that goes downhill, and it's littered with cardboard boxes and shopping carts. The green hedgehog hurdles over everything in sight and doesn't stop, while Warwick just kicks things out of the way.
"I know you won't believe me, but I can protect you from these sick bastards!"
Just as Warwick says this, the roar of a massive Dump Truck sounds out, getting the attention of everyone in the neighbourhood, especially those in the alleyway.
Nack the Weasel revs the engine as he steers the yellow truck into the alleyway, then he steps on the pedal.
Warwick's heels touch the red-hot grill of the truck, and he's forced to dive over a backyard fence to avoid being run over.
"Son of a BITCH!" He calls out as he lands on the grass
He can only watch the yellow truck barrel down the steep back alley road after Manic.
The green hedgehog can feel himself losing stamina, but he knows he'll die if Nack catches him. His lungs burn, every muscle in his legs are close to failure and he's covered in fresh bruises
But he needs to survive.
Manic screams out as he forces his legs to move faster than the truck chasing him. He's able to reach the bottom of the hill and barrel roll out of the path just as Nack's truck catches up, narrowly missing him by inches.
The truck slides 10 feet across the busy street as it comes to a stop, and oncoming traffic smash into the sides as a result.
A driver jumps out "What are you doing, you fuckin' moron?!"
Nack jumps out the truck, points his gun at the angry driver, then pushes him out of the way. He runs around his truck and gets in a shooter's stance, ready to shoot Manic
But he's gone.
Rosie calls his cellphone "Any sign of him?"
Upset, Nack says nothing and hangs up. He holsters his weapon and climbs back into the driver's seat of the Dump Truck. He reverses out of the car pile-up and continues to search the streets, leaving three angry drivers to deal with the mess.
About 4 blocks back up the hill, Manic rushes into a backyard and sits on a lawn chair, ducking his head as police cars drive by. As he catches his breath, he tries his best to slip out from the handcuffs, but they're on too tight.
40oz plays once again, and Manic ignores the phone call once again.
You don't deserve this, Cee, and I'm sorry...
He gives up trying to break free and as he rests his head, two teenagers smoking weed come outside and make eye contact with him, noticing the handcuffs right away.
Manic looks over "...one of you kids wanna call me a cab? I'll make it worth your while"
They put out the roach and look down at him "You got a wallet on ya?"
Realizing what they're thinking about doing, Manic sits up and sighs
"Just call me that cab, and there'll be no problems tonight"
The teens rush him and are met by Jackie Chan-style double front kicks to the face. They're instantly knocked out and snoring, while their little brother walks outside and freezes on the spot.
"...hey kid, please call me a cab"
A yellow taxi arrives outside in less than 2 minutes, and Manic sits in the back seat.
The driver looks perplexed at first, making eye contact with Manic in the rear view mirror
"First time seeing a guy in cuffs jump in your backseat?" Manic asks
The older driver laughs "No, I've had a surprising amount of fellas like you come in... one time two young guys was bleeding all over each other while their big pal sat up front. Trust me, son, I've seen it all"
"That's good to hear-"
"But never a wanted criminal whose face is all over town"
Yet another awkward silence falls over one of Manic's conversations tonight
"...where are ya going?" The driver asks, pulling out of the driveway
"The Wharf"
"Sure thing"
Manic can't shake the feeling the old man is going to take him to a police setup, so he starts reaching for the door handle
"Son, I'm not a man who likes the police in this town, so you don't have to worry about me serving you up"
Manic sighs in relief "...you can't be too careful these days"
As they drive under the bright lights, Manic remembers something he has to get before he leaves.
"Actually, Cabbie, cut into the drive-thru at Poncho's"
"Sure, but can I ask what for?"
Manic looks out the window "...I have to pick up this one specific god damn sandwich. You know how girls are"
The driver laughs as he nods "You got it"
Manic reaches as far to the left as the handcuffs will let him, barely able to grab his wallet from his pocket.
He passes it over "Use my card, and give yourself a good tip"
"Thanks, boss"
At the exact same time cross town, Marine sits on the second level of her boat at the meeting spot, the grimy tunnels that sit on the oceanfront. She's watching a small TV when she hears multiple footsteps approaching, so she stands up,
and grabs her loaded .357 Magnum
"Hello? Manic sent us down here for a ride outta town?" a female voice calls out
The female raccoon puts her gun down and leans over the side of the large boat
"Cheerio, folks! I am your guide for tonight! Name's Marine!"
Mickie, a short brown haired hedgehog stands next to her taller boyfriend Thompson, and Farrell next to him. The group is rounded off by Beni Beanz, or B.B, a tiny blue cow, and Bark the Polar Bear. Every single one of them carries luggage of some sort.
"Where's Manic?" B.B asks as he boards
"Oi, that's a good question. Haven't heard a ring from him since he hired me" Marine replies "I 'eard about that mess he dragged you into, nasty business that is"
Mickie rolls her eyes "Then he drags us down here and doesn't bother to show up"
"Let's give him a call, I'm sure he's just running late" Farrell says
Bark calls but gets no answer "...nothing on my end"
Marine notices he's got an Australian accent as well "Oi, you from down under, as well?"
"Whuh? Uh, I've always spoken this way, ma'am"
Marine sits back down "Ahh, you're from the city"
"Wha's that mean?"
Marine puts her legs on the dashboard "N'athing at all, mate. Just load your bags and relax. Manic's still got half 'un hour"
"Hey, I thought Manic said this was a speed boat? This things' like a yacht if anything"
Marine grins "She's a speed boat when I drive 'er"
About 15 minutes later, everyone hears a car squeal to a stop and a door open up quickly. They look back and see the green hedgehog handcuffed with a bag in his hands running along the dock
"Start the engine, let's GO!"
He jumps off a thick metal pole and barely lands inside the boat as Marine pushes the clutch forward. They speed off and bullets whizz past them, so everyone jumps down for cover.
Nack runs to the edge of the dock to get another shot but Rosie pushes his hands down. She blows a kiss to Manic as he escapes into open water.
Mickie looks down at the green hedgehog "Manic, what the HELL is going on?! You really screwed us this ti- oh my god, what happened to you?"
Everybody notices his numerous bruises all along his arms and body, along with the burn mark on his side.
He sighs "...words can't describe how happy I am to see you all right now"
He sits up and throws the bag over to Marine and she picks it up
"You actually got my Club sandwich! I'm impressed" She says
"Yeah, yeah, just take us across the ocean, cap'n..." Manic orders "...does anybody have handcuffs keys?"
B.B opens his backpack "I do! Right here"
As he grabs the keys, Manic's phone vibrates
"Somebody pull that outta my pocket and tell me who that is, please. I've had it on silent for like half an hour"
Thompson grabs the phone "I got - it's someone named Cee, should I answer it?"
"No, don't answer it!"
Manic is too late as the tall hedgehog pushes the talk button, which starts an argument.
"Hello? Manic? Why haven't you been answering me all night?" Cee asks
"I told you not to answer, you big idiot!"
"Sorry, but that's your girl, dude! You can't just ignore her!"
"Hello?"
"I don't have a god damn choice, now end that phone call!"
Thompson pushes the end button and puts the phone down, turning his back on his friend. Mickie shakes her head at Manic disapprovingly and joins her boyfriend.
B.B finally unlocks the handcuffs "I got it!"
Manic tosses the cuff links away and rubs his wrists, which are blood red from being under pressure for nearly an hour. He exhales and relaxes on the cushioned boat seat.
Nobody says a word, so Marine sets the cruise control on and spins around in her captain's chair
"You are a very dysfunctional group of friends, now ain'tcha"
"You got that right..." Mickie says
Farrell drinks his last beer and finally sits up "Manny, I can handle the horseshit on TV, I can tolerate you being a failure at life, but I can't tolerate what you do to this poor girl, Cee. What the hells' a matter with you?"
The green hedgehog sits up, pulls the SIM card out of his phone and throws it over the side of the boat.
"...I was supposed to take her on a big date tonight, we made plans weeks in advance, but I didn't plan on leaving right tonight... and I couldn't bring her along"
Way out in Metropolis, Cee wipes the tears from her eyes as she deletes Manic's number from her phone, then leaves the City Galla alone.
Manic turns around to face his friends with his tired eyes "...I've had enough friends die because of me, and I'd rather Cee hate me than for the same to happen to her"
Thompson stands up to punch Manic across the face and he falls to the floor holding his mouth
"What do you think you've done to us?..."
Mickie pulls the tall hedgehog away and they go down to the interior of Marine's ship to rest for the night. B.B puts his headphones on and heads into the next room, while Bark and Farrell shake their heads and crack open a few more cans of beer.
Marine spins back around to face the wheel and opens her sandwich bag
"You are definitely as advertised, Manic" She says as she bites
The green hedgehog slides a bundle of cash over to her and he lays on the cold floor, occasionally getting splashed by water.
"Yeah, well, do your job and maybe I'll give ya a 5 star review"
"My first 5 star review? You're making me blush"
With that, Manic shuts his eyes and falls asleep almost immediately, not worrying about what he's going to do until the time comes.
HEY GUYS, PLEASE REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU LIKE THIS STORY OR IF I SHOULD CONTINUE IT OR NOT. THANKS!