Chapter 6: The Old Familiar Places
Manic is woken up by his cellphone ringing, this time it's his Mentor, and father-figure, Farrell calling him. He sits up in the driver's seat and answers the call.
"Hey there, Pops"
"What kinda shit are you into now, boy?" The older hedgehog asks "I got your Fox buddy here saying all kinds of crazy things!"
Manic's eyes widen "The hell is he saying about me?!"
Tails gets close to Farrell's phone "I told him the truth! You started this whole thing when you agreed to be in that stupid contest!"
"What the hell, Pops? You got me on speakerphone?"
"All your buddies came by talking crazy, so I wanted to have a group discussion" Farrell says
Manic sighs "Who is all there?"
"It's me, the fox, B.B and Thompson"
"Oh, hey guys. Tom, where is Mickie?"
The tall hedgehog hesitates to answer "...we're taking a break..."
"That's nice. Say, you wouldn't happen to be in the business of believing in bullshit, now would ya?" Manic asks
Thompson looks at the group, then speaks "Umm, no?"
"Right, then why are you listening to Tails' one sided, and fairly untruthful version of this story?"
"Don't even start with that shit, Manic, you know DAMN WELL how this was started!" Tails shouts
"Yeah, it started with me trying to get my dead brother's Medallion back, the same brother who saved your nerdy ass all those times! I told you it wasn't a good idea to come along, but you insisted that you could help me and surprise! (Gasps mockingly) you managed to do FUCK ALL! Seriously, T, I think you might've made things worse, buddy. So, you can get off your high horse and check that attitude at the door"
"What are you even talking about?! Can't you see that I'm the ONLY one whose been helping you this entire time, even after the shit you dragged me into?! I understand you're mad about Sonic's Medallion but you're projecting that anger onto the wrong side. We're on YOUR side, Manic!" Tails says
Farrell nods "The kids' right. They're here to help you, and you'd better watch the way you fuckin' treat your friends. I didn't raise you to be like that, boy... ain't nobody else gonna have your back out there, so relax, Manny. We need ya here"
The green hedgehog looks out the car window "...alright. I'll meet you in Metropolis. Just hang tight, try not to give each other too many hickies and wait for my call"
"You're such an asshole..."
"Love you guys, too"
Manic hangs up and yawns as he starts up the ignition. Cee wakes up just as the car drives down the dirt hill and back onto the asphalt. She rubs her eyes and puts her hand on her forehead, currently trying to nurse this headache away.
"Are you supposed to feel this terrible after drinking alcohol?" Cee asks
"Not every time. Depends on if you ate before you start drinking"
"What is this feeling?"
"You're hung over. Alcohol dehydrates you. Drink some water, eat something. Get some more sleep, too. You should feel better soon. We're in for a long ride"
"Where are we going?"
"We're going back to where I grew up. Metropolis"
The blonde hedgehog drinks an entire bottle of water and falls asleep once more as Manic drives the stolen car down the highway, careful not to get spotted but police. He turns the radio on but the reception isn't great, forcing him to flip through various stations once again.
"Albatross" by Big Wreck suddenly plays loudly over the radio
The green hedgehog grind and leans back in the driver's seat, driving up a massive hill while the sun rises in the distance.
2 HOURS LATER
After driving the stolen vehicle into a parking lot and torching it, Manic walks Cee through the suburban neighbourhoods of Metropolis on their way to meet Tails. While many citizens recognize the green hedgehog, half of them wave, the other half give him dirty looks and show their disapproval as he walks by.
His public image has always garnered mixed reactions, probably because he's not the most conventional hero on Mobius.
He definitely is not his brother.
One phone call later, Manic and Cee wait in a large park for the teenage fox and the rest of Manic's friends. Tails, B.B, Thompson and Farrell arrive, still tired out from the previous nights' activities.
Tails steps up "...so, what's the plan?"
"I am sick of playing a metaphorical game of footsies with this slimeball. We're gonna find Scourge and take him down. That's my plan, little man"
"Okay, so how do we find him?" B.B asks
"Well, I'm sure someone will give us a tip. I mean, we can't be the only ones he's screwed over"
"There is word going around about a robbery Scourge committed. The one he pinned on you, Manic" B.B says
Tails interrupts "Wait, so you really think someone is gonna come up and tell you where Scourge is? Just like that?"
Manic nods "All part of the plan"
"Oi, Manic!" A male voice with a thick Australian accent shouts
The group turn around and are met by Bark the Polar Bear, an old rival from a team Manic, Tails, Amy and Knuckles helped put in jail.
The large bear did 18 months inside and was let out early for good behaviour.
"Bark? They let you out early?" Tails asks
Manic pushes him aside and his Jade Medallion start to glow "You wanna pick up where we left off? I got a few new tricks I'd like to show ya!"
The Polar Bear puts his hands up defensively "Aye, I ain't here to fight'ya! Scourge's men picked me up at the gates, sent me to deliver'a message!"
Manic lowers his glowing fists "Oh. What's the message?"
"He said, "Come meet me at The Foundation" Well, he also said some other crazy things but that's the main point, 'kay?"
"...give us a second to talk about this"
Manic, Tails, B.B, Thompson and Cee huddle together in a circle
"What's the play?" Thompson asks
"I say you guys go in first and I'll cover the outside" Manic says
The guys jump back "What?!"
"Kidding, jeez! I'll go in first and kick his greasy ass back to the 50's"
"You know this is a trap, Manic. He'll have guys waiting" Tails says
"Yeah, no shit, Prower. That's why I said I'M going in. I don't want the rest of you getting caught up in anymore of my bullshit, mostly because I'm sick of hearing you complain about it"
"It's way too late for that, now" The fox responds
"Yeah, and we're the only ones dumb enough to back you up" Thompson says
Manic grins at his friends and everyone turns back to Bark
"Alright, good sir. You tell Scourge we'll be there. And he'd better have some of the meanest, toughest bastards waiting 'cuz we're coming in swinging! Got it?"
"Yeah, ah'right, I'll tell'em" Bark replies "...I just want ya's to know I ain't part of this shit, got me? His boys put me up to it, and I'm gettin' outta town after this"
"Had enough of the life, huh" Manic says
"Trust me, when you're doing time inside, you'll do anything to stay free. I ain't never goin' back"
"Ah'right den, Aussie. Oil see ya back in the land down under!" Manic mocks
"Did you just try to do my accent?"
"Yeah, how'd it sound?"
"Like an Irishman tryna squeeze out a rough shit, ya green prick!" Bark responds
Manic waves to the Polar Bear as he leaves, then faces his Mentor
"Yo, Pops, I need ya to take care of my girl Cee"
Tails eyes' widen "Your girl?"
"Yeah, that's what I said"
The fox looks at Cee, then Farrell escorts her into his car and they drive off.
"C'mon, gentlemen. It's good day to die"
Tails gets in Manic's face "You knew I liked her, you asshole"
He smiles at the short fox "Great, yes, get mad. Use that anger on those henchmen we have to fight. You'll need everything you got to survive, T"
Tails scoffs and jumps inside Thompson's Pickup Truck. The tall hedgehog sits in the driver's seat, Manic sits shotgun, Tails behind him and B.B sits behind the driver.
Usually the friends can't stop talking, but today, they share a feeling of dread, so they remain quiet and think to themselves for the entire ride.
They reach The Foundation and Thompson shuts off the engine. Manic turns to his friends for a final comment before they head in.
"I uh, ...let's go kick some ass, huh. Hurt as many of them as you can... You know the score. Let's sweep these fuckers"
Tails looks at his friend, visibly shaking, and he wonders if he's ready for this.
Not once has he ever seen Manic scared or intimidated, but this sure looks like it to him.
The group enters an old brick building, 3 storeys high, graffiti ridden and plenty of holes in the walls. A glorified flop house in the sketchiest part of town,
Perfect place for the upcoming violence.
As Manic pushes the front door open, day light shines through the otherwise dark flophouse and illuminates the beaten up interior. The group follow a series of spray painted arrows throughout the walls, leading down to the massive basement, deep underground. Tails covers his nose as a rotten smell lingers throughout, the deeper they go. Manic, B.B and Thompson are used to these conditions so they walk down the staircase unaffected.
They walk through broken concrete and eventually reach a tunnel, which looks and smells much better than the basement they just passed. There are two platforms high above them, and movement in the shadows can be seen.
"Come on, boys, get out here and let's get this shit started!" Manic shouts
"Manic!" A deep voice echoes throughout the tunnels
The green hedgehog looks up at one of the metal platforms and locks eyes with Ox, then waves to him sarcastically
"Hey, pal! Remember when I blasted you down that hallway? Good times!"
"I'm bringing your punk ass back to Simian! You and that little faggot Tails!"
A separate door is swung open and everyone turns to the opposite side of the tunnel platform
Sleet enters "They're not going anywhere with you. At least, not until we get the money and the Medallions back"
The MMA girls surround the older Wolf and he crosses his arms
"Hey, piss off, old man! These idiots are coming with me!" Ox shouts
As both sides argue, a third party enters from the third platform high above the ground.
Manic and Tails recognize the mysterious soldier in his blue camouflage uniform, but this time he has backup.
"You amateurs can go home now, the professionals are here"
Ox and Sleet look at the soldier "Alastair?"
"That's right, wimps. Prower and Dumbo are coming with us"
Ox shakes his head "We didn't come all this way to leave empty handed, asshole!"
"Your boss will have to sit this one out, boys. Manic and Tails are mine!" Sleet says
Manic chuckles quietly and Tails looks at him "Dude, what's so funny, we've got three parties after us!"
"I'll tell ya what's funny, bro. These douchebags are about to fight each other over me and you! This is great!"
As Manic laughs, he doesn't see Scourge kick open the back door and race towards him. He tackles Manic and uses his body as a battering ram as they crash through a steel wall, tearing the metal sheets apart.
This is the cue for all the gangs to start fighting, and The Foundation starts to rumble as everyone brawls.
Manic slides across the concrete floor and tries to fire an energy blast, but realizes Scourge snatched his two Medallions during the scuffle.
Scourge puts the gems away "Why do you always gotta make this harder than it needs to be?! Why can't you just DIE?!"
"I guess I just like to piss off all the dipshits in the world like you!"
"Yeah, maybe that's why Sonic got killed, always trying to be a hero! ...shit, I kicked his ass and I kicked yours, as well! Maybe this time your bitch ass will stay down"
Manic puts his fists up "I'd love to see you try"
Scourge rushes in but Manic dodges every attack, knowing he could use the Medallions anytime. He steps to the left, throws a punch, dodges back right and roundhouse kicks Scourge across the face.
Scourge covers his face and turns his back, giving Manic a chance to reach into his backpack and yank one of the Medallions out.
Before he can use it on his opponent, Scourge takes off running through the tunnels to avoid the Jade Energy.
"Ah Yeah, What was that about being a bitch?! Where ya going? I ain't finished with you yet!" Manic calls out "Come on, tough guy! Thought you said you could kick my ass!"
Manic chases Scourge through the dark tunnels, their shoes make a loud clanging sound as they run. Scourge says nothing while Manic continues to shout seemingly every curse word he can think of.
Then they reach the end of the tunnel
5 of Scourge's men, all wearing masks, stand on a platform above Manic. They each hold a harpoon gun and fire one right after the other. Manic shouts in pain as each harpoon rips into both his arms. He drops his Medallion and growls in agony. Even with his Jade Energy, this pain is too much to handle. Scourge comes out of the shadows and slowly makes his way back to Manic, totally defenceless as his arms are strung up.
"...you really are dumb as fuck, huh"
Manic can't do anything as Scourge picks up the Jade Medallion, then begins punching him dozens of times, drawing even more blood from his mouth and nose. He ends his combination with a thrust kick to the abdomen, and Manic drops down to both knees.
He coughs up blood before speaking "..once again, you prove you can't beat me fair.."
Scourge snap kicks him across the face and even more blood splatters against the wall
"...there's no such thing as fair, these days. Not for us"
The masked men on the platform hold the harpoon wires still, keeping Manic's arms raised above his head. By now, he's lost so much blood that he is weak and he slouches over, but Scourge's men raise the wires to keep him up.
The only thing Manic can do is clear his throat of as much blood as possible, while his mortal enemy smirks.
"Cassia, come out here and see how much I've beaten this pathetic piece of shit"
Scourge looks at the Jade and Sapphire Medallions he's just acquired, while his girlfriend joins him with the Crystal Gem.
It takes the evil green hedgehog a second to rip the gem out of her hands and blast Neon Energy through her torso, the exact same way she did to him.
Manic's jaw drops
"CASS!"
The air quickly leaves her lungs and she drops down to the cold floor, grasping her wound while Scourge looks over her.
"Did you think I was gonna let that shit go?! HUH?! YOU TRIED TO KILL ME! Yeah, does that feel good?"
Scourge steps away from Cassia and turns to face his men
"...I want you to know that I never loved you, Cassia. How could anyone love a fucked up freak like you? Seriously? ...you can have her, Manic. But what kinda consolation is she, now..."
Manic tries to get lose and help the black haired hedgehog, but the harpoons are deep into his arms and prevent him from moving. She coughs up blood and spends her final moments looking at him with pain in her eyes.
Scourge grasps the shoulder of one of his men "...waste him. Don't leave 'til you know he's dead"
Manic feels his cellphone vibrate inside his pocket, and the ringtone tells him it's Tails calling.
"Room a thousand years Wide" by Soundgarden plays on his phone
3 masked men jump off the platform while 2 stay above to hold the wires, but Manic doesn't give them a chance to attack. He uses all his strength to rip the harpoon guns out of their hands and he gets to his feet as the rage takes over. He dodges a knife, pushes the blade back to the thug and kicks the handle, piercing his chest and killing him instantly.
The next thug pulls out a pistol but misses every shot as Manic uses spinning acrobatic techniques to avoid the bullets. He lands on his feet, karate chops the third thug in the throat, takes his knife and runs toward his partner. He slices the thug's wrist, forcing him to drop the gun and cover the wound, until Manic kicks him in the face.
"Get down here!" The third thug shouts to his partners on the platform
They jump down and circle Manic on all sides, so he throws the knife at the first one, side thrust-kicks the second in the stomach and ducks under a knife slash. He shoulder tackles the third thug, but then the second pulls the harpoon wires, still dangling from his arms, and drags him away from his partner.
Manic runs at him, elbows him twice, then smashes a harpoon gun into his face, knocking some teeth out. He turns around, grabs the wires and swings the other guns like bull whips at the next thug, knocking him out instantly. The remaining henchman holds his knife up but isn't as confident as he was a minute ago. Manic jumps up and knees him in the face to end the fight.
He breathes heavily and walks over to Cassia's body.
He pulls out his phone and answers the call
"Manic, are you alright?" Tails asks
"Nah..."
"What happened? Where are you?"
"...that piece of shit killed Cass. She's dead, man.."
"...we need to go, the cops are already outside. I'm sorry about Cassia, but there's nothing we can do, now. Come on. We're going to Thompson's"
Manic hangs up and puts his hand on the black haired hedgehog's forehead.