Chapter 42: Bean the Dynamite:
Sonic's POV:
The news said there have been reports of things exploding, like banks, stores, pizza parlors. Anyway, me and Team Chaotix are investigating.
"Anything, Guys," I asked.
"I'm dusting for fingerprints," says Vector, "Charmy's interrogating suspects, Mighty's checking surveillance, and I don't know what Espio's doing."
"Guys, this place blew up," I said, "what are you doing Espio?" He was just meditating. "Never mind." What could have caused this?
"It was a woodpecker," says Espio.
"What," I asked.
"It was a bomb throwing woodpecker," says Espio.
"And you know this... how," I asked.
"Through meditation, I was able to see the events that took place in my head," I said.
We all look at him. "Even I know it shouldn't work that way," says Charmy.
"Why didn't he tell us he was psycho," says Vector.
"I think you mean psychic," says Mighty.
"No, that's Tails," says Vector.
"Did you get anything else," I asked, "like, where will this woodpecker strike again?"
"We must follow the trail of destruction," says Espio.
Then a G.U.N. van shows up and Rouge comes out. "Well, hello Boys," says Rouge.
"I forgot, do we still hate her," asks Vector.
"I don't remember us being friends," I said.
"Have any of you met my partner, Agent Topaz Lewis?"
"Good evening," says Agent Lewis. She looked pretty serious.
"Hi," says Mighty.
"What's G.U.N. doing here," I asked.
"The same as you," says Agent Lewis, "we're investigating the strange bombings."
"Well, we already got a lead," says Vector.
"It was a woodpecker," says Espio.
"And how do you know that, Handsome," asks Rouge.
"He learned through meditation," says Charmy.
"He's psycho," says Vector.
"You mean psychic," says Rouge.
"Again, that's Tails," says Vector.
"Ignore them," I said, "we got this."
"Very well," says Agent Lewis, "but we will jump in if needed." They then drove away.
"Let's follow that trail," I said, "and hope Espio isn't just making assumptions."
"You gotta remember, Sonic," says Vector, "Espio was a member of the Shinobi Clan. The Shinobi Clan generally serves the forces of good, though they do not act openly. In the past, they attempted to police the Dragon Kingdom and oppose the less virtuous clans. However, due to their small numbers they were nearly eliminated. Following this, the clan adopted more indirect, secretive methods to ensure its survival, often working by observation and gathering intelligence."
"So, how'd he get stuck with you guys," I asked, "was it because Robotnik took out his clan?"
"We knew him before that, but I don't know why he decided to stay with us," says Vector, "he never tells us."
"Espio's a mysterious one," says Charmy.
We then moved on.
. . .
Espio was right about one thing, we follow the trail of destruction. A lot of things were getting blown up.
"What caused this," I asked.
"It was a woodpecker," says Espio.
"Yeah, I got that," I said, "but why?"
Espio meditates again. "He's an anarchist," says Espio, "he wishes to bring down all structures that represent 'the Man'."
"What man," asks Vector.
"That's just what all rebels say," I said.
"Aren't we technically rebels," asks Vector.
"Yeah, but we rebel for good reasons," I said.
"Good and evil are in the eye of the beholder," says Espio.
"Well, we gotta stop this beholder," I said, "so, let's go."
. . .
We followed the trail until we reached City Hall and we saw the guy. Espio was right, it was a woodpecker.
"Hey, Woody," I said.
"My name is Bean the Dynamite, and I am trying to take down the Man!"
"So, you attacked all those places," I asked, "like the bank?"
"Money is the root of all evil," says Bean.
"And the store," I asked.
"They hold all the food the people need and demand money in return," says Bean.
"The pizza place," I asked.
"TTThhhaaattt... was an accident," says Bean, "I was aiming for the police station. Who are they to decide the law?"
"You need help," says Espio, "there is a better way to seek justice."
"I don't need to hear from the Puppets of the Man!" Bean then started throwing bombs at us. We had to dodge.
"Now I know how cartoon characters feel," says Vector.
"Maybe we can throw his bombs right back at him," I suggested. I then used my speed to create a tornado and it sent the bombs right back at Bean.
"Are you willing to talk," asks Espio.
"Fine," says Bean, "we'll talk."
"You can't just go around destroying things," I said.
"Innocent people could get hurt," says Vector.
"I'm just trying to start a revolution," says Bean.
"We're Freedom Fighters," says Charmy.
"So, you're the guys who would follow a princess," says Bean, "I don't think one person should be giving orders!"
"Sally's not that kind of girl," I said.
"There are better ways to do this," says Might, "ones that don't involve violence."
We almost won Bean over, but then...
"Good work," says Agent Lewis, "now you can take him back to Section Twelve."
"You guys work for the Government," asks Bean, "you were trying to trick me!"
He then flies away. I try to catch him, but somehow, the fastest thing alive lost him. "We were making progress with him," I said.
"Did you not see all the destruction he has caused," asks Lewis, "he needs to be brought in!"
"Says the lady who's partnered with a thief," says Vector, "hey, where is Rouge?"
"And where's Espio," asks Mighty.
Espio's POV:
I found Bean. He was prepared to destroy a courthouse. "No more law," says Bean.
"Before you try anything," I began, "you might want to look in."
Bean looks through a window and sees there's a child in there. Her parents are divorcing, and the case is about custody rights. "Take a look at her," I said, "she must be a good example of tyranny."
"What do you want," asks Bean.
"I too have been on a path of vengeance," I said, "Dr. Robotnik killed my entire clan and I have sworn to kill him, but then I realized that you do not need vengeance."
"I have dealt with oppression for too long," says Bean.
"But all you're doing is hurting others," I said.
Bean then looks down. "How sweet," says Rouge, "now, if you don't mind, Handsome, I'd like you to give me the bird."
"You should watch your words," I said.
We then fought. I tried my camouflage, but Rouge's bat ears allow her to find me. I then stuck out my tongue, but she dodges it. "It's too early for that," says Rouge.
She then kicks me down. Then Bean throws a bomb at her, but Rouge kicks it away. She looks down and sees that I got up and then I knocked her down. I looked and saw Bean was gone. I hope he'll find a path of peace.
Sonic's POV:
We were back at Section Twelve. "Now, we're going to have to put up with G.U.N.," says Agent Bass.
I looked at Espio. I might not be able to understand him, but I think I can trust him.
You don't even know it but, Bean will be meeting Nack the Weasel later. In the next chapter, Sonic and Carl meet Bark the Polar Bear.