"Ugh, this is disgusting," Rouge the Bat remarks to herself in a low voice just barely above a whisper.
The 3'5 tall bat with white fur, carefully placed blue eye-shadow, and dark violet wings wince in agony as the muck from the dirty vent she's crawling through partially ruins her favorite hot pink spy uniform. She could have taken the front door as instructed by her potential employer, but then again, that's not really her style. The young adult can't describe it, but whenever she gets a bad feeling about something, she ALWAYS follows her tuition. It's what has kept her alive after all. This anonymous contact instructing her to meet at the ruins of Pumpkin Hill presented a red flag already. What she DIDN'T expect was to stumble across such a massive base of operations.
When Rouge made it to the top of the rocky mountain and overlooked the giant, red and yellow metallic fortress below her, she couldn't believe her eyes. This isn't some desperate art collector or underground crime ring in need of her... "talents." No, this is something big. Whoever contacted her seems to already have a successful operation going on. So what do they need her to steal? The unsure feeling she got at that moment is why the thief is currently dirtying her outfit instead of making a proper introduction. She needs to see who she's dealing with before any further business can progress.
Her eyes widen a little when what started as some low, indistinguishable noise becomes clear to her ears. Voices. A conversation is being had just up ahead. Instinctively, the spy quickens her pace while still being sure not to create any possible noise. It would be unwise to blow her cover now. She proceeds until she stops right at a vent providing a somewhat obscure, but clear enough view of the grey, metal room below her.
As of right now, she sees two people. Judging from their voices, both of them are male. The one on the left certainly looks like bad news if Rouge has ever seen it. A Jackal with black fur, white dreadlocks, blue eyes, and black pointy gloves and shoes. His height of 3'9 is decent for that of a Mobian. He stands in the corner of the room, a frown resting on his face. With his rugged appearance, Rouge can't imagine him without it. He eyes the other person across the room who is-
A human?! Rouge thinks to herself, taken back. What is a human doing in The Outskirts? Especially in a dump like Pumpkin Hill?
The caution the spy just felt is now replaced with intrigue. Something looks familiar about the man who towers over the Jackal with a height of 6'10. He has a surprisingly obese, round frame that's barely constrained by his elegant red coat and black pants with attached boots. His round face sports a large brown mustache, and the mysterious bald man also wears blue goggles. If Rouge didn't know better, the man's frame almost reminds her of an egg-
She just barely suppresses her gasp. Everything makes sense now, much to her horror. The round man isn't a human... nor is he a Mobian. He's a globally known monster.
Is this who hired me? What does EGGMAN want me for? I wasn't sure if he was even alive, will... wait, will GUN give me a reward if I tell them his whereabouts?
As Rouge thinks about what sum of money a force like GUN will be willing to fork over, the Jackal speaks up. However, he seems slighty hesitant to do so.
"They won't stop," he tells Eggman. "You know them."
"Of course I do, you simpleton!" Eggman barks, spit flying from his mouth. "NEVER call my genius into question if you know what's good for you! Besides, I didn't promote you to advise, Zero. I promoted you to serve."
"Yes, your maliciousness," Zero says, bowing. "I'm sorry if I have offended you. Forgive me."
"Pst, I don't know the meaning of the word," Eggman replies. "Anyways, GUN can come after me all they want. In fact, I am counting on it."
Eggman grins widely.
"Speaking of which, Team Eggman is officially a go, now that Rouge has decided to join us."
Rouge watches in horror as Eggman looks up at the vent she's peering through, his grin appearing wider than ever.
...