10:47 PM, SOMEWHERE NEAR PRISON ISLAND
ONE YEAR LATER
Loud, mushy footsteps are heard as Sleuth Dogg and Scourge the Hedgehog trek uphill in the mud. The rain has provided them cover from the prison guards and tactical units in pursuit. It also helps that the sky is pitch black, as the criminals are wearing bright orange jumpsuits. Both are slightly injured following the riot they caused to distract the guards while they escaped. Dogg, the 250 pound hitman, has taken a bullet to his left shoulderblade but seems unfazed. Not wanting to look weak, Scourge, much thinner than Dogg, keeps to himself even though his entire body feels like it's on fire.
At the top of the mud hill is a large drainage pipe they can use to hide in.
Being the more agile of the two, Scourge quickly runs ahead of Dogg, grabs the metal lining inside the pipe and reaches his other hand out. Dogg takes it and they climb inside the opening, finally able to rest.
Dogg kneels down and rests his head against the curved metal wall, thankful he's out of the rain
"...there was about 100 different ways we could've done that..." Dogg says
Scourge's eyes widen "Are you kidding me right now? We actually made it out ALIVE! Did you see how many other idiots got blasted in that yard? We're lucky we took the other exit!" Scourge responds with a grin "..I call that a win, my friend"
"Yeah, but now I've got this 50 cal. in my back and I gotta clean out this wound or it'll get infected..." Dogg sighs "You got a light?"
The green hedgehog shrugs "Nah"
"Great..."
"C'mon, we just escaped a SUPER MAX prison! Why're you goin' all depressed Batman on me? YOU SAID YOURSELF-"
Scourge is immediately shut up by a glob of mud thrown at his face. Before he can retaliate, he and Dogg hear sirens and guards barking orders to a search party.
The hitman signals Scourge to follow, but quietly. They make their way deeper into the drainage pipe, just seconds before bright lights illuminate the pipe opening.
Commander: Take a look in there.
Guard 1: That's a sewage pipe!
Guard 2: Just do what the commander says.
Guard 1: Damn!...
Both the escaped convicts quickly "crab walk" through the pipe, now emitting a foul smell that only gets stronger the deeper they go in. Scourge covers his nose while Dogg holds his breath as he moves.
They reach a concrete wall that leaves less than 10 inches between the top and the ceiling to fit through.
"Watch this" Scourge says, shoulder-blocking past his ally
The slender hedgehog gets a running start, jumps up and easily slips between the top of the wall and the ceiling.
Dogg looks back and hears the footsteps of the guard not far behind, making him sweat.
"Anytime, big guy. 'Less you wanna go on a date with the law" Scourge laughs, voice muffled behind the wall
"Shut up"
Dogg runs, climbs up and tries to superman dive through the opening but his body is a little too thick to get through. The upper part of his body hangs on one side of the wall, while his legs dangle on the other.
Scourge stands face-to-face with Dogg smiling ear to ear "Looks like you're a little stuck, friend"
"No shit, now help me outta here"
The green hedgehog turns his back "I'm feeling a little under appreciated, big boy. Maybe it's better if i just go off by myself-"
"PULL ME OUTTA THIS DAMN THING!"
"Apologize for being a dick this whole time"
"I apologize"
"Now say it like you mean it, I don't believe you"
"Holy f- I'M SORRY! PULL ME OUT!"
Scourge chuckles as he grabs Dogg's wrists, kicks off the wall and pulls his ally over the wall. Dogg slams hard on to the asphalt but remains silent as the guard checks the area he was just at.
Guard 1: Ain't nothing down here. This is a waste of time...
Dogg and Scourge wait until they know the guard is gone, then they get back to their feet and continue down the pipeline.
Scourge laughs manically, which echoes throughout the entire pipeline
"What'd I tell you, man, we MADE IT!"
(MADE IT, Made It, made it)
"WOOO! That was fun!"
"Shut the hell up, someone's gonna hear us!" Dogg growls
"Relax, nobody's down here, man, chill out!" Scourge says "We're home free!"
Dogg scoffs "Yeah, a sewage pipe?"
"You're always negative. This is our new life. We're gutter bums, now"
The hitman lets out a deep sigh and looks at the ground, until his strong sense of smell gets a faint scent
Someone is nearby
He jumps up and shows his claws "Who's there?"
"Hey, hey, easy man! I'm not a cop or anything!" A male voice says from the shadows
Scourge stands up "This just got a whole lot more interesting"
"Come outta the shadows and face me like a man" Dogg says
It takes a moment, but the stranger finally gets the courage to raise his arms and face the convicts.
He is a black Bat with shorten wings and a pair of goggles on, no doubt able to see in the pitch black darkness of this pipeline
"Good. I know what you look like, now" Dogg says "...don't tell a soul about us, and you can go home safely"
The stranger looks around the area
"Uh-oh, he knows something we don't" Scourge says "What is it? Spit it out, dude"
"Gentlemen? This uh... this is my home"
The large hitman looks behind the stranger and sees the silhouettes of other creatures looking down at them.
"God Damnit, he's not alone"
As Dogg and Scourge get ready to fight, The Stranger stands in their way with his arms raised
"WAIT! Please, they mean you no harm! They're innocent kids, just leave them be!"
As the two parties stand off, Dogg stares at the ground for a moment, with memories of his past start flooding his mind.
A trio of friends, no older than 17, face the large hitman ready to fight to the death.
Next thing he remembers is Knuckles the Echidna viciously beating him on a rooftop high above the streets
Retribution for the teenagers Dogg had slain.
And a long list of other misdeeds.
His train of thought is broken as Scourge nudges his shoulder
"Hey dipstick! What do you wanna do here?"
Dogg lowers his fists
"...what's your name?" He asks
The Stranger sighs in relief
"Paulie"
"Alright Paulie. My name is Sleuth Dogg. As you can tell, we just escaped prison. It doesn't matter why we were there or how we got out, we're here now... assuming this pipeline leads back to the city, as per every subterranean system in the Metropolis area, me and my associate are only looking to get back into the city indiscreetly. And since this is your uh - home, I'm going to ask nicely... may we pass through without any problems?"
Paulie clears his throat "You gotta understand something, mister: this is where we live, the only thing we got left, apart from each other. We don't need any trouble down here, why do you think we left the city?... we're still a bit weary to outsiders"
Dogg sighs "Look Paulie, we're criminals, but we're not bad guys-"
"Anymore" Scourge interjects
"...anyway, I just wanna tell you, man to man, that we only want to get back to the city, nothing more. If you help us, we won't forget it"
"But if you cross us-"
Dogg pushes Scourge back "Stop. Look, you have my word nothing will happen to you or your friends if you let us by. So please, help us get through the underground"
The Bat looks back at his friends, some of which are shaking their heads no. Paulie lets out another long sigh
"Guys, I don't know-"
"We can pay you back once we reach the city. I promise you"
The Bat clinches his teeth together and turns towards the shadows, making up his mind
"...follow me. And stay close"
Scourge grins and looks up at Dogg
"Wow, that actually worked!"
"Just move"
The Large Hitman and skinny Green Hedgehog start walking behind Paulie as he leads them into the pitch black shadows.
Meanwhile, a tall, slender female hedgehog with long red hair starts walking back to a small table in a dimly lit lounge. There aren't many others in here because this lounge is reserved for the elite members of The Chambers. The evening news is about to start so Redd grabs a mixed drink from the mini bar across the room and sits down to watch on a large TV hanging up on the brown walls.
"Redd! I've got something for ya, come check these out" a male voice calls out
The female hedgehog takes a drink and turns to face the front door of the lounge
A middle aged hedgehog with grey, slicked back hair enters the room holding a metal crate. Due to his public image as an underworld boss, only his closest associates know his real name.
Everyone else simply calls him The Host.
He wears an expensive black three piece suit with a gold watch, showing off his stylish outfit to everyone else in the lounge.
"Is that my Jewelry?" Redd asks as she stands up "I've been waiting so long for these, Slayton"
The older hedgehog smirks "Oh, you know I'd have gotten them to ya sooner if I had control over that"
Slayton opens the crate and places it on the small table. Two large Power Rings made of pure gold sparkle inside the padded interior as Redd looks down at them.
"These are the exact same ones Shadow wore?" She asks
"Pulled right from his cold dead hands, young lady. Why don'tcha give 'em a try"
The female hedgehog reaches in, slips both Power Rings onto her wrists and inhales as a strong Aura of energy fills her body. Her eyes illuminate a bright red shade and quickly return back to normal.
"How do ya feel?" Slayton asks
"...I feel like I could put a hole in the moon with my fists, actually"
The Host smiles "That's good, I'm glad they're compatible with you. I was worried the Rings would only work with Shadow"
Redd disappears and quickly reappears on the other side of the lounge, holding her mixed drink up. She teleports back to Slayton and gulps down a fair amount of her beverage.
"These Rings are AWESOME!" She exclaims "Oh man, I'm gonna kick so much ass with these things!"
Slayton puts his arm around her shoulder "That's the next step, kid. You remember what we talked about, right?"
"Yeah, boss"
"I just wanna know if you're still up for it"
"You know I am! Now that I've got these, I'm a god damn machine!"
The Host laughs "...yes, you are. But you're my Angel, before anything"
Redd quickly kisses the older hedgehog on the cheek and smiles "Thank you, Slayton"
He grins, then he changes the channel on the TV
"Alright, everyone, listen up!" He orders
Everyone in the lounge end their conversations and quiet down as the Host begins. He holds a remote up towards the TV and presses a button, pulling up mug shot photos of two former members of The Chambers.
"...so, these two are our main targets. Sleuth Dogg and Scourge. By now, you all know why The Chambers want their lives, so I'll cut the shit. They took my oath to protect and provide for this organization, in return for wealth and status. Then they betrayed us, each in their own way. They've gone against us, against my brothers and sisters not just in this room, but around the world!... so, we're going to take them down"
The elite cheerfully agree with The Host
"...but let me remind you exactly who we're dealing with"
As Slayton continues his speech, Dogg and Scourge follow Paulie for miles through the pitch black underground tunnels, far below the city streets.
...Sleuth Dogg is a certified killer. An assassin who will not hesistate to pounce on you, should you come at him unprepared. This guy had a big hand in taking down The Cathcarts, Angel's Flock AND the corrupt unit inside the Vace Beach Police Department. So, don't just think he's dumb muscle. He was the best at one time, believe it or not. But... age comes for us all. Still, he's a damn frieght train when he gets rolling, but that doesn't mean he can't be stopped. So, go at him with your absolute best, or don't go at him at all...
Paulie climbs up a metal ladder and opens a manhole cover, then Dogg climbs up to the street, grateful to see any kind of light after the journey he just went on.
...Scourge is a different story. He's not the greatest fighter on the planet, and he won't try to engage you 1-on-1, but he's a viper. He'll stalk and wait, and wait until he knows you feel safe, then he'll come for you!... he's a guy that prefers the power of persuasion to manipulate others, rather than using raw force. And that's what makes him dangerous; he can actually do it. He stole $3 million from us before, he's clearly willing and able to do it again. If you can get to him before he sees you, what ever you do, take the shot first. He won't give you a fighting chance if you miss.
Scourge climbs up to street level next, shivering as the cold wind hits him while he stands up. He zips his prison jumpsuit up and runs for cover in the shadows of a dark alleyway.
Meanwhile, Slayton finishes his rant about the duo and takes a seat with his elite.
"I want you all to hunt these fuckers with every fibre in your body. Them and ANYBODY who tries to help. You all know what the reward is, so I'd like to think that'd be compensation enough. And remember this: We are the last real crime syndicate on Mobius. I don't want that to end at the hands of two reject traitors. So, make us proud out there!"
The elite cheer in solidarity, then they race for the door, each trying to get the $20 million bounty for themselves.
Redd quickly finishes her drink and looks at her watch, purposely giving her associates a head start.
She smiles at Slayton "They're gonna need it. I'll see you in a few hours with Dogg and Scourge's heads"
The Host nods as he watches his favourite assassin teleport out of the lounge. He reads a newspaper and activates a stopwatch, gleefully timing the hunt.
Elsewhere, Dogg has broken into a nearby clothing shop for a change of clothes, and whatever money he can take from the register. He trades his jumpsuit in for a black long sleeve, matching cargo pants and hiking boots. Scourge hurries away with a slick leather jacket, dark blue jeans with holes purposely cut on each pant leg, and a pair of Black converse hi tops.
Dogg walks over to the manhole cover and gives Paulie several hundreds dollars, but the bat refuses to take it.
"I live underground, Mr. Dogg. I don't need money. Besides, I think you two could use it more, given the circumstances..."
The Hitman wonders if word had already gotten out about him and Scourge crossing The Chambers.
"Well, thank you for showing us through the tunnels"
"It's the least I could do for a pair of dead men"
The manhole cover shuts and now, the escaped convicts were on their own. It didn't take long for the silent alarm inside the clothing store to alert the police, and soon sirens were blaring out all around the city.
Scourge looks over at Dogg "Great, so now what?"
"We'll use Sonic and his friends to help us, whether they like it or not"
"Alright. So, whose first?"
"...Knuckles"