Chapter 3: Rise of Fulcrum
Back in those days, Robotnik was unreasonable and extremely irritable. Using an old recorder flute that I found in Knothole, I played some tunes to draw Robotnik's attention. And sure enough, it worked. His angry ranting was music to my ears as I easily evaded the sight of the lumbering SWATbots.
Continuing my tune elsewhere, I lured his mechanical forces into Scrap Valley, waving goodbye as they tumbled into the sea of mechanical waste. I watched with glee as the SWATbots struggled helplessly as they sank under the scraps, and disappeared from sight.
With Robotropolis now mostly unguarded, I made a mad dash for the innermost citadel. I could hear the obese scientist's ranting above as he circled above in his Eggmobile. But his failing eyesight was no match for my unmatched skills at stealth. In no time, I dashed through an air vent, leading into Robotnik's Prison. Quiet as a feather in the wind I was, and no alarms were raised.
I dashed through many cell blocks, careful to make not even the slightest sound. Unfortunately, the Original Freedom Fighters were nowhere to be found. Clearly, they were already banished to the Zone of Silence. I only hoped that King Max didn't suffer the same fate. But when I saw a cell marked, "King Size", I knew I had found the right place.
I clicked a button on my Stun Baton. It extended, and crackled to life. And with it, I stabbed the control panel near the cell door. Luckily, due to Robotnik's utter lack of foresight, no alarms were set off by this. I slid the door open, and there was King Max, laying on a bare, metal surface. A pathetic excuse for a bed. As he rose, we spoke. And I remember the conversation we had, word for word.
"Hello, your majesty." I said. "I have come to get you out of here. We don't have much time."
"Who… are you?" Max asked.
"My name is not important. But if we don't leave here soon, a terrible fate will befall us. But, for now, you may call me… Fulcrum."
The next time that Snively, Robotnik's right hand man, checked Max's cell, it was empty. And to this day, Robotnik is still stumped as to how Maximillian Acorn escaped.
As soon as we escaped to New Mobotropolis, I told him the news. That Trey Scales betrayed the Original Freedom Fighters on the orders of Warlord Kodos, and sent them all, even Leon, which was a lie, to the Zone of Silence. And that Trey himself was sent there by Robotnik.
Upon investigation, we found dirt on Kodos. That he had been working alongside Robotnik, as well as the evil sorcerer known as Naugus. This represented treason of the highest order, and I this would be the last time I use the Silence Projector. This time, on Kodos, before I destroyed it, by virtue of my Stun Baton.
By the King's orders, as well as my suggestions, the Ministry of War was reorganized into the Ministry of Covert Operations. And to my grand delight, King Max appointed me to be its new Director, placing me in charge of his Royal Military, the Royal Secret Service, and various other groups.
Director Fulcrum. That's me, and who I would be for a very long time.