Bartleby the Prisoner
(Sonic Underground: Theme)
(Ayla's Theme Song - KC Undercover Theme Song)
Queen Aleena:*off-screen* While my children fought for our cause, others lived in comfort. But they would quickly discover that no one was safe from Robotnik's evil grasp.
(Ayla's POV)
*It's been a few weeks since we destroyed the Sleepers. Today, we were walking through a beautiful unspoiled meadow*
Sonia: According to my calculations and Trevor's intelligence reports, this is it.
Manic: Yeah. This is Robotnik's ruby mine and I'm a Swat-Butt's granny.
Sonia: As I have tried over and over to explain, not everything is what it appears to be.
Ayla: Yeah. We should know that by now. So, the mine should be right about . . .
Sonia: Here! *suddenly, a drill came up out of the ground* Here!
Sonic: Is she good or what?
*The drill went back down*
Sonia: Now then. As I was saying, the rubies in this particular mine, are purer than any ever seen before. Which makes them even more valuable to Robotnik because they're incredibly powerful when used for weaponry.
Sonic: Good enough. Let's do it to it!
Manic: Gotcha covered!
*He look a device out of his fanny pack & set it down. He took a rope out of the device & gave it to Sonic, who tied it around his waist*
Sonic: Juice and jam time! *he jumped down the hole* C'mon down! It's all clear!
*We followed him down the hole & Sonia took out a map*
Sonia: Okay, listen up. We've gotta map out the mine to establish it's perimeters. *Sonic put on a helmet & started zooming around the mine* Inventory it's mining equipment, analyze the strength of it's defenses, and check the quantity and size of the rubies.
*Sonic came back a few seconds later*
Sonic: All done. What's for dinner?
*Sonia put on the helmet to check out the data he collected*
Sonia:*gasp* I've never seen gems like these. They're enormous! And . . . It's even worse than we thought. These are ultra high grade rubies.
*Manic put on the helmet next*
Manic: The kind you used to wear.
Sonia: How droll. No. The kind for a high powered laser.
Manic: Robuttnik's has lasers before. What's the big deal.
*I swiped the helmet from him & put the helmet on myself*
Ayla: The big deal is, if Robotnik gets his fat fingers on any of these rubies, we might as well kiss our chances of winning this war goodbye!
*We took one of the rubies back with us to Freedom HQ, where we conducted an experiment to see hoe powerful these gems could be. We, along with Cyrus, all wore heat proof masks as we tested the power of a laser powered by one of these rubies. And burnt a hole right through the strongest metal in this, or any world*
Manic: Whoa! It burnt through solid titanium! That is a powerful laser!
Sonic: With those, Robarfnik could wipe out the entire Resistance!
Cyrus: Not if we can help it! I have a little toy here that I think might do the trick. *he went over to a brown tarp covering something & pulled it off* Look at this!
Sonic: Got anything in blue? To match my fur?
*It was a giant ship*
Manic: Cool! How about a test drive?
*The four of us got in*
Cyrus: There are a few things you should know before you -
*The door closed, trapping us inside*
Sonic: Hey, Cyrus. It's a kinda cramped in here.
Cyrus:*off-screen* It's supposed to be a two passenger vehicle. *Sonic reached for a red button* Whatever you do, don't touch any - *the vehicle suddenly fired a laser of it's own* Hey! Be careful!
Sonic: Yo, Cyrus. Got a manual for this thing?
*Suddenly, everything started to shake*
Cyrus:*off-screen* Yes! Out here! Watch where you're going!
Sonic: How?
Cyrus:*off-screen* Turn on the viewer! *I pressed a button & Cyrus appeared on a monitor**on-screen* Apparently, you found the laser drill. The defense shield controls are to your left. Whoa! *we started to tunnel underground* When the sweeper detects an enemy ship, push the blue button. And keep an eye an eye out for Trevor. He's going to meet up with you.
Ayla: Thanks, Cyrus. We'll keep you posted.
*We arrived at the mine. Sonia took out a computer. I watched while she typed*
Sonia: According to my calculations, we entered the mine in the northeast quadrant. Our mission is three fold. First we secure a giant ruby, knocking out as many of underground mine shafts on the way as we can. *while she was talking, Sonic was using the laser drill to cook some hot dogs* Meanwhile, we use the ruby to amplify my laser power to knock out the rest of the ships. Finally, destroy the ruby mine, sealing it off from Robotnik forever.
Ayla: And then it's bye-bye lasers!
*Sonia & I high-fived*
Sonic: How you comin' with that chili, bro?
*Manic was cooking chili*
Manic: Needs a touch more heat. *flames came out the back of the vehicle* Yeah. That should do it.
*Trevor appeared on the roof*
Trevor: Whoops! So sorry.
*Manic was little burnt*
Manic: That's okay, Trevor.
*I rolled my eyes*
Ayla:*in her mind* Boys.
Sonia: Oh my gosh!
Ayla: What's wrong?
Sonia: It's Bartleby!
*A news report had appeared on her computer*
Reporter:*off-screen* We now join the trial in progress for prosecuting attorney Sleet's opening statement.
*Sleet appeared in a courtroom*
Sleet: Illustrious jury. You see before you a man accused of treason. *he pointed to Bartleby, who was wearing an orange jumpsuit & sitting at a table with Dingo, who was playing with pencils* A man accused of helping the Resistance in their evil plot to depose our great leader.
Sonia: This is awful. They're punishing Bartleby because of me!
*Robotnik appeared, wearing a judge's wig, gown, & holding a gavel*
Dr. Robotnik: Get on with it, you fool!
Sleet: Oh. Yes, sir. So, anyway. When, um, if we him guilty, you know what to do. He says he's innocent! But if he lies, you must Roboticize!
Dingo: My client is innocent. Even though he looks like a guilty traitor to me.
Sonic: With a defense like Dingo, who needs a prosecutor?
*Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sonia sneaking away. I got up & top-toed after her. As soon as I caught up with her, I tapped her on the shoulder. She jumped & turned around. She sighed in relief to see me*
Sonia: It's just you, Ayla.
Ayla: I bet I know where you're going.
Sonia: Ayla, I have to do this. I know you don't like Bartleby, but I can't let him take the heat for something I did. So, you can't stop me from -
Ayla: Who said anything about stopping you?
Sonia: What?
Ayla: Like you said. I don't like Bartleby. But not even I want to see him get Roboticized. So go ahead and do what you can to save him. I'll cover for you.
*Sonia smiled & pulled me in for a big hug*
Sonia: Thank you so much, Ayla. You're the best sister a girl could ask for.
Ayla: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just get going.
*She let go & ran down the tunnel, waving goodbye. I went back to the guys to help them*
(Third-Person POV)
*Meanwhile, Robotnik, Sleet, & Dingo were watching Bartleby talk to Sonia in the dungeon*
Bartleby: You can't. I'm innocent. But they'll Roboticize me all the same.
Dr. Robotnik: Of course you're innocent, you rich fool! But now, you and your darling Sonia are being useful for a change. As bait for my trap.
Dingo: Bait? Are we going fishing?
Sleet: Could you be any dumber of you were a Mobian mouse rat? *he took out his remote & turned Dingo into a mouse, who ran into a wall* Nope. Guess not.
Dr. Robotnik: Yes. It's only a matter of time before Sonia returns to save her dear Bartleby. *Sleet hit Dingo with the remote again & he turned into an attorney* And of course, her brothers and the hero won't be far behind.
*He laughed as Dingo ran back into the wall*
(Ayla's POV)
*A few hours later, I was helping Manic & Trevor look over the vehicle we got from Cyrus*
Manic: Laser drill?
Trevor: Check.
Manic: Defense shield deflectors?
Trevor: Check?
*The top opened & Manic jumped in. Then Sonic came zooming in*
Manic: Sonia?
Sonic: Sorry, bro. That's a negative. I bet she went to help that lamer, Bartleby.
Manic: Maybe we ought to cancel?
*Just then, Sonia came running in*
Sonia: No you don't!
Sonic: Sonia! Where ya been?
Sonia: Sorry, guys. Something I had to do.
*Trevor took out his watch*
Trevor: It's time.
*The door to the vehicle opened*
Sonic: Gotcha, Trev. *he turned to Sonia* But you've got some explaining to do later. Now. Let's do it to it.
*We got in the vehicle with Manic & started the laser drill. While we tunneled through the rock wall, I summoned my microphone & sang one of my songs*
*Ayla singing*
We've just been playin', foolin' around
While everybody else is out there coverin' ground
We gotta take a whole new tact
To get back on the track
And it's time we get started
Gettin' down to business
Time we get started
Gettin' down to business
They're all sayin' we don't have a chance
We don't wanna let 'em write us off in advance
There's only one thing we can do
(One thing)
To make our dreams come true
And it's time we get started
Gettin' down to business
Time we get started
Gettin' down to business
And it's time we get started
Gettin' down to business
Time we get started
Gettin' down to business
They're all sayin' we don't have a chance
We don't wanna let 'em write us off in advance
There's only one thing we can do
(One thing)
To make our dreams come true
And it's time we get started
Gettin' down to business
Time we get started
Gettin' down to business
And it's time we get started
Gettin' down to business
Time we get started
Gettin' down to business
*We traveled through the mine with Trevor right behind us in another ship. Many security drones fired lasers at us, but they bounced off us. Trevor used his own laser to destroy the drones. Sonia pulled out the map*
Sonia: Okay, I got it! Quick, Manic! Hang a left!
*Manic turned left*
Trevor:*off-screen* I think we've got trouble!
*More drones were coming*
Ayla: Three enemy ships off our starboard side!
*Sonic was wearing the helmet*
Sonic: Hey, no prob. Chill. Just out the pedal to the medal.
*Just then, we all heard a humming sound*
Sonia: Sonic, what's that noise?
Ayla: Are you watching TV!?
Sonic: Hey, I'm just trying to find out how law boy is doing. Oh, boy. *he took off the helmet* Uh, maybe you better take a peak here, sis.
*He gave the helmet to Sonia*
Sonia: Sonic. This isn't exactly a good time.
Sonic: This'll only take a sonic second.
*She put the helmet on*
Sonia: Bartleby! *she went quiet for a few minutes & took the helmet off* Ok, guys. We gotta finish up. Fast! Hang a u!
Manic: You got it!
*He turned the vehicle around*
Sonia: Hit em with everything we got! Now!
*Manic fired the laser drill*
Sonic: Eat plasma, Bot-Brains!
*All the drones were destroyed*
Ayla: Way to go, guys!
*We did a four-way high-five*
Manic: All right!
Sonic: Eat my dust!
Ayla: Awesome!
Trevor:*off-screen* More trouble, guys!
*More drones were coming*
Sonic: Oh, I hate when that happens!
Trevor:*off-screen* Better split up! Meet me at the giant ruby! *he went down a different path. suddenly, a laser hit his ship & he started to go down* Sonic, I'm hit!
Sonic, Sonia, Manic, & Ayla: Trevor!
*We turned the vehicle around, firing at the drones. But we couldn't see anything*
Ayla: We've lost Trevor!
Manic: Oh, not good.
Sonia: We're going down! Maybe we can spot him if we -
*Suddenly, sirens went off*
Manic: Whoa! Emergency rescue signal!
*A blip appeared on the radar*
Sonia: The escape pod!
Trevor:*off-screen* So? Are you gonna leave me here all night? We've got a mission to finish.
*The escape pod was floating in the river below us*
Sonic: Have no fear, the hedgehog's here!
Manic: Sinking fast, bro! Sinking fast!
Sonic: Guess I'll just have to be faster! *he tied a rope around his waist* Why is it always water!?
Ayla: Just get going, you big scaredy-hog!
Sonic: Okay, okay!
*He jumped down into the ravine & stopped just above the pod. I followed him on my board, just in case. Trevor poked his head out*
Trevor: Thanks, Sonic, Ayla.
Ayla: No big.
Sonic: Hey, this is nothing. Just don't go asking for my chili dogs. *he picked up Trevor & started spinning like a tornado* Spin and win time!
*He went back up the rope with Trevor screaming. I was right behind him*
Manic: Ah, yeah. Stretch out, Trev. Make yourself comfortable.
Trevor: Hey, I'm just happy to be anywhere.
Sonia: Back to work, guys. *Manic turned the vehicle around & soon found ourselves in a room full of red light* Well, we've either found the heart of Robotnik's evil plan, or a disco party room.
Sonic: Hmm . . . Disco? I vote for the evil plan.
Ayla: I second the motion.
*We traveled further into the mine & soon found a pile of rubies with a giant ruby at the very top. We all got out & Sonia grabbed the giant ruby*
Sonia: Look. It's just my size! *she set it down* Ready to rock, guys? *she summoned her keyboard & placed the ruby at the end of the laser. Then she fired a laser & it hit the ceiling, destroying some stalactites, causing the whole cave to shake* It's gonna blow!
Ayla: Everybody, back in the vehicle, now!
*We all got back inside & used the laser drill to get back to the surface on a geyser of mud. We landed safely & got out*
Manic: Whoa, dude.
*A puff of smoke came out the hole we came out of*
Sonic: Encore, anyone?
Ayla: Anytime.
*We all cheered*
Manic: Way to go!
Sonic: We cooked!
*The boys laughed, but Sonia looked pretty sad. I knew where she was going, so I quickly followed her into the vehicle & we drove away. She didn't seem all that surprised that I had tagged along*
(Third-Person POV)
*The guys noticed the vehicle driving away*
Sonic: Sis?
Manic: I bet she's going to rescue Bartleby and Ayla went along to keep an eye on her.
Sonic: Ah, man! They're walking right into a trap! Time to haul some serious haunch! *He grabbed Manic & zoomed after the girls* Catch you later, Trevor!
*The girls took one road while the boys took a different road*
*The boys arrived at the courtroom in Robotropolis*
Sonic: Don't worry, Sonia, Ayla! We're here to - *they noticed the girls weren't there* Wait for you to get here? Oh, great. Now we have to rescue Bartleby.
Dr. Robotnik: Hedgehogs! Seize them!
Sonic: Well, well. If it isn't the Prince of Dorkness.
Sleet: Get them!
*Swat-Bots started to surround the boys*
Sonic: Time to juice 'em!
Manic: And reduce 'em!
Sonic: Cruising and bruising!
*Sonic ran around Dingo & two Swat-Bots, lifting them into the air. Then he ran away*
Dingo: Uh-oh.
*He fell to the FL with the Swat-Bots landing on top of him. Sleet had three Swat-Bots behind him, but Manic snuck up to them & hacked into their systems to shut them down*
Manic: Good to see I haven't lost the old touch.
*The Swat-Bots started to fall over*
Sleet: Oh-no! *they landed on top of him* I hate hedgehogs!
*Just then, the girls ran into the room*
(Ayla's POV)
*We made it back to Robotropolis, where the boys had already beat us to it*
Ayla: Aw, you didn't leave any for me.
Sonia: Haven't you guys ever heard the expression "Ladies first?" *she summoned her keyboard & out the ruby back in* Well, better late than never.
*Robotnik went up in his chair*
Dr. Robotnik: Finish them!
*Sonic, Manic, & i summoned our instruments & sang a song while we found the bots, even Bartleby tried to join in*
Note: 5th favorite Sonic Underground song
*All singing*
Justice callin'
Tyranny fallin'
We're not gonna take it anymore
A hero comin'
Better start runnin'
We're gonna even up the score
You've cheated the people, told them lies
Now you have to pay the price
You should've known
Good always wins
You've spread despair, pain and hurt
Knew just how the system works
We're takin' it back
Time to give it up, my friends
Justice callin'
Tyranny fallin'
We're not gonna take it anymore
Oh, a hero comin'
Better start runnin'
We're gonna even up the score
Justice callin'
*Sonia finished off the last of the Swat-Bots with her ruby laser*
Sonia: Let's split!
Sonic: Alright, sis! *she used the laser to make a hole in the wall. we all ran out through the hole, including Bartleby* We're gone, but not forgotten.
*Later, we were at a hidden airport, waiting for Sonia to finish saying goodbye to Bartleby. Just then, Robotnik's ugly face appeared on a monitor*
Dr. Robotnik: Citizens! New evidence has come to light proving that prisoner Bartleby is innocent of all charges. I am sure there are no hard feelings over this unfortunate misunderstanding and that Bartleby will continue his generous support of my, uh, the regime.
Ayla: Yeah, in your dreams, Dr. Eggs-for-Brains.
*I turned back to Sonia & Bartleby*
Bartleby: I'm not very good at being noble, Sonia. Well, actually, I am because well, I'm nobility. *I rolled my eyes. oh brother* Well, it doesn't take much to see that the problems of two little people don't amount to a hill of chili dogs compared to protecting this planet.
Sonia: Yeah, well. The hovercraft's waiting. But we'll always Mobius too. Here's looking at you, kid.
*He got in the hovercraft, waved her goodbye, & flew away. The boys & I went up to her*
Manic: Hey, sis. Uh. Are you sure you don't live in that world anymore?
Sonia: Manic, I'm right where I want to be.
Sonic: You're a real Freedom Fighter, sis. One of the best.
Ayla: Always and forever.
*We all started to leave*
Sonia: Sonic, Manic, Ayla. I think this is the continuation of a beautiful friendship.
Getting Down to Business - Jem and the Holograms
Justice Callin' - Sonic Underground