Chapter One
Note: This is a story to end my series "The Nobodies." Hope you enjoy
A few years had passed since Sonic was brought home and helped dissolve G.U.N to restore peace to the world. But while the gang now lives in harmony, others in their community still took work to stay busy.
Espio went through his routine: patrol the border towns solo while Vector cleared refugees and safely guided them to their destination. They'd deterred criminal activity and talked out hostile situations for quite some time, and they were the most likeable agents around these parts.
But today was different. Vector stopped checking in, so Espio assigned someone to his watch while he crossed into 'The Badlands' to inquire about his best friend. He imagined untangling Vector from some James Bond-style trap and spitting out some cheesy one liners during their exit, as they'd done countless times before.
The locals pointed him in the direction his large friend was last seen, and it didn't take long to track down another former colleague. Espio's superior yelled at him over his shoulder-mounted walkie talkie but he ignored this, as usual, and dispatched the guards outside before entering the temple.
"What brings you out this way?"
The chameleon locked eyes with Willful Murder, a G.U.N traitor who'd slithered through the cracks to evade prosecution. Their history was volatile and neither had respect for the other, but Espio didn't enter The Badlands for him. Not today, at least.
"I'm here for Vector. Hand him over and we'll be back on our side of the border."
"You're operating outside of our jurisdiction, stand down!" Agent Warwick shouted through his comm.
Espio drowned out the radio chatter and kept his focus on Will, who only stuck his chest out to show dominance.
"…your pal is dead. Probably suffered before he went, too. It appears you've come to join him."
The chameleon hung his head low and the feeling of dread overwhelmed him. He couldn't stop his hands from twitching and Will picked up on it immediately.
"You'd be wise to start running, boy. My guys don't choke up."
"Espio, you need to leave that temple NOW!"
"Yeah, Espio. Leave-"
Seven shuriken blades hit Will right between the eyes and his body smacking off the wood tiled floor echoed throughout. Espio's fingers trembled. His body filled with immense anger and grief. He never killed a suspect intentionally until today. And to him, the two best agents Mobius ever had died at this moment.
Warwick was shocked when the kill was confirmed. "…you have no idea what you've just done."
He ripped the walkie talkie off his shoulder strap and tossed it next to Will's body. Backup was indeed coming, but it wasn't the good guys. Espio watched hordes of Chambers' gunmen flood the hillside district from every direction. He camouflaged himself and stayed under the cover of darkness as his would-be assassins converged.
Warwick called his team inside his office. "As of now, Espio is no longer an agent, and I'm putting the warrant out. But I fear he won't make it home to face justice."
His second in command stepped forward. "What should we do?"
"Keep this side locked down, and say nothing to Sonic's group. Those kids will jump at any chance to play hero. Unless he somehow manages to return, Espio is on his own."
The chameleon dodged the first wave of syndicate men, but he knew his luck wouldn't last forever. He hustled through the humid countryside roads and followed a map across The Badlands. His uphill battle began now.
LABYRINTH ZONE - SOMETIME LATER
Sonic and Sonia lived in the Green Hill Zone with the rest of the gang, but Manic wasn't doing as well. For his numerous crimes, he was exiled from the clear ocean paradise, and now lives far across the world in the Labyrinth Zone.
Agent Warwick personally brought the thieving hedgehog to the bleak, barely inhabitable zone and warned him never to step foot in his jurisdiction ever again.
However, Manic didn't arrive alone, as members of his street gang and girlfriend made the trip with him. They'd taken refuge inside the Liberation Tower, a structure with in-house amenities for the small community living inside. Other deported families also fled here but resources and space were running out quickly, which forced the green hedgehog and his crew back to work.
"Let's get these trucks loaded, fellas!" Manic called out as he signed paperwork. "The gangs'll be patrolling at sundown and I don't feel like losing another shipment!"
Bark the Polar Bear and B.B the Crow closed a tall wooden crate so their friend Jamie could pick it up with a forklift. They loaded the crates inside their 'company' trucks, driven by stunt drivers Nina and Lita. The guys continued loading inside the warehouse while the hot summer air blew in through the open bay doors.
Manic shook the warehouse worker's hand politely. "You're really saving our asses, Ignancio. Appreciate it."
The frail otter smirked back. "As long as you got the cash, you can count on me."
"Catch ya later."
Manic ran over to another forklift and began loading up a second truck at the next loading bay. The group finished up, waved goodbye and split off between the two trucks. Nina started the engine while B.B shut the back doors and Bark sat shotgun, while Jamie sat in the cab with his driver Lita. Manic shut the doors and hopped inside. The ladies peeled out of the parking lot and were flying down the freeway in minutes. Day turned to night fast and everyone was on edge for the remainder of the trip home.
They cleared townships and rural communities without incident, but as they approached the sky bridge back to Labyrinth, B.B spotted the first wave of bloodthirsty fiends looking to steal their supplies.
"I make ten bozos on the right shoulder," the crow said over the radio. "Looks like they're blocking the bridge, too."
Manic leaned out his window. "Ten? Adorable! …put your ear plugs in. We're going right through 'em!"
He tossed a large silver cartridge at the group on the shoulder of the road, while Bark took the wheel for his girlfriend Nina so she could toss one to the left. They covered their ears and stepped on the gas pedal.
BOOM
The flash bangs shattered glass windows of surrounding buildings and most of the thieves cursed as their eardrums ruptured. The trucks easily rammed through the blockade and proceeded up the sky bridge. A few cars followed them up so Manic climbed out of the cab and on top of the truck's trailer with a gym bag full of deterrents.
"I've got some gifts for you guys!" He called out while digging through the bag.
He ducked the first volley of gunfire and tossed a potato sack down. As it was run over, a small pop was heard and hundreds of spikes shot out, puncturing car tires immediately. This stopped two vehicles but four more maneuvered past and continued. Manic laughed while throwing the next item out; multiple tubs of oil. Three cars roared out as their drivers tried to regain control, but crashed into each other in seconds.
"Hey boss man!" Nina called over the radio. "We're taking fire, get these guys off our backs already!"
"Don't worry, I've got 'em on the ropes. You focus on the road!"
Manic tossed an oil can at the final straggler's windshield and cackled as the car spun out of control. It hit the retaining wall and came to a halt, ensuring the gang's getaway.
The green hedgehog climbed back inside the cab and spoke into his radio. "I think that's a record, B. How long was that?"
"A minute-thirty six." Bark answered. "Still can't touch my time, buddy."
"Well, your big ass brought a grenade launcher last time, no shit you beat me!"
"That reminds me, we need to re-up the cashe."
"I'm gettin' tired of having to fight off killers just to have something to eat.."
"What's the alternative? We're stuck with this." Jamie said.
"For now, my friend." Manic laid back in his seat. "..wake me when we get home."
Nina and Lita drove the trucks across the sky bridge and the group were in the Liberation Tower's garage within two hours. As the underground door shut behind them, a black drone shined a light so a camera could record clearly. Once it got the address, the drone flew back towards the sky bridge.
400 MILES WEST OF LABYRINTH - DAWN
After running and passing through territories all night, Espio reached the site where he'd buried his gear. With the lock box unearthed, the next part of his plan was to reach the closest haven. He couldn't outrun The Chambers' men, so he called in a favor from an old flame.
Rouge was piloting her passenger helicopter through canyons and singing along to her favourite songs. Everyone needed to make a living, and her's involved stealing expensive items for BIG paydays. She had just delivered a package to a client and was on her way back home when she got a call.
She pushed a button on a monitor next to the steering column so she wasn't distracted while flying. "Who is this?"
"It's Espio. I need a lift."
She bit her lip upon hearing his voice. They had a brief relationship in the past but broke it off to focus on their jobs. However, the bat knew the reason she owned a brand new helicopter was because of Espio and Vector's actions, so she was in their debt.
"Right now?"
"Yes. I'll send my coordinates for an extraction point."
"Yeah, well, I'm in The Badlands and it's not exactly a good time-"
"Rouge. You owe me."
"God, you're always angry, aren't you?… fine, text me your location and be ready to climb aboard, I'm not landing this thing just for you."
"Glad I can still count on you, friend."
"Yeah, yeah, save your kind words, Ryu Hyabusa."
She hung up, waited for the coordinates and typed them into her monitor. She scoffed when she realized Espio wasn't too far from where she was.
What business does Warwick's lackeys have out here?
She found him thirty minutes later and tossed a rope ladder down, so he scaled up and the helicopter pushed forward. He pulled the ladder back inside and shut the sliding door.
"Thanks for coming."
"Let's not get all sentimental, and that was your one lifeline. I want gas money next time."
Espio sat back in his seat and Rouge could sense something was wrong, so she dropped the attitude to check on him.
"…you okay? You're not looking so hot."
"Not feeling hot, either. Vectors' dead."
"Oh my god, what happened to him?!"
"Suspect said he was picked up by syndicate men and they, um.."
Rouge put the pieces together and shuttered, but kept her composure.
"So, you're heading back to tell Warwick, now?"
"No. I killed the suspect. I'm most likely wanted by the agency now."
"I thought they could only charge you for stuff committed on the green side?"
Espio sighed. "Warwick is being impartial to crimes committed his agents. I'm done with them."
"Well, clearly you're not going home so… where am I taking you?"
"There's a tower in the Labyrinth Zone, an acquaintance uses it as a safe haven. I'll type in the coordinates."
Rouge watched him work on the touchscreen monitor while she stayed under the cover of the canyons. Sunrise was in an hour so by the time they'd arrive, somebody should be awake.
Manic was curled up in his bed when an alarm sounded, which woke him. He put his runners on, grabbed a gear bag and met Bark in the elevator. They produced sub machine guns and loaded them quickly on the way to the roof. B.B manned a mounted turret while Nina and Jamie covered the approaching helicopter with high powered sniper rifles.
Rouge kept the chopper hovering twenty feet from the tower and Manic's gang pointed their weapons at them. Espio slid the side door open and showed his face, but the glare of the sunrise behind him obscured Manic's vision momentarily. After a tense stand off, the green hedgehog called his friends off and pointed to the helipad, so Rouge went to land.
"I thought Warwick was busy badgering my brother." Manic said as he approached the chopper.
"I'm not here on his behalf," Espio responded. "I'm not even an agent, anymore."
"Ah, You're gettin' out before you get clipped. I've always said crooks and cops don't last forever, especially out here."
Rouge stepped out next. "So, your acquaintance is Manic. That's a surprise."
"I don't believe we've had the pleasure, miss Rouge. Heard a bunch 'a stories from Knucklehead, though. Nice to finally meet ya."
He extended his hand to them but only Espio shook it, so Manic stood firm. Bark stood behind his leader just in case he needed backup.
"Straight to it, then. What the hell are you two doing out here? This some type of surveillance? You come with a message from paradise?"
"I was looking for a place to crash. Thought I'd look you up."
"We're overcrowded 'ere, mate." The polar bear said. "And I don't like the sound of sharing a space with a narc or a stuck up influencer."
"I'm surprised Kuma even knows what an influencer is, you're an above average one, aren't you." Rouge fired back.
Manic took the safety off his assault rifle. "Whoa, I like fiery girls too but that's no way to make friends, considering you came here to hide out. That must be the reason you'd travel all this way, right? Who the hell would want to visit this void? Start talking."
"I have a token." Espio said while reaching into the lockbox.
The green hedgehog kept his weapon ready while Bark covered Rouge. Espio grabbed a necklace and presented a jade medallion to his host. Manic hadn't seen this gem in years, the last time he spoke to Sonic to be precise.
He took his medallion back. "Where did you get this? You steal it?"
"Your sister asked me to deliver it to you, if I was ever in the neighborhood." Espio answered. "I've been hanging on to it for awhile."
"Something happen to Sonia? She could've come here, herself. Why send you?"
"…she was sentenced to house arrest. Handed this to me and Vector before they slapped on the ankle monitor."
Manic laughed while feeling the medallion's energy pulse through his body. It was a high he hadn't experienced in years. Bark still didn't trust the duo, but stood down upon seeing the show of goodwill.
"…I suppose I have to return the curtesy, now. I'll allow you safe harbour, ninja. Are you sticking around, Batgirl?"
"Me? No. I definitely don't have the patience your siblings have for you. But, nice seeing ya."
"At least let me fuel up your chopper."
Bark turned to Manic in confusion but was waved off.
"It's better to have more friends than enemies."
Rouge hesitated but agreed to the request. "Sure. Saves me the hassle. Hey, Kuma! Are you gonna show us around?"
Bark turned his back and went inside, so Manic called B.B to escort his guests through the tower, while he and Jamie went to work.
The two hedgehogs crouched low and as they pumped fuel in, Manic took out a small chip.
"Activate this after I take the hose out. We'll get to the bottom of their little game."