EXT. RUINED PLAINS - EVENING
Green hill has changed to be more flat. Pillars and ruined architecture surrounds the area. Sonic is walking around.
SONIC
Man what is this place? Why don't I
know more about this? Can't think
about that now. I can't see
anything.
He jumps up across several pillars and perches on the tallest one.
SONIC (CONT'D)
Now if I was a rotten egg where
would I be? He can't have gotten
very far.
He drops off the pillar and rolls into a ball midair. He lands on a slope in the ground rolling and gaining momentum. He jumps out of his ball and runs weaving between the environment.
SONIC (CONT'D)
I think the Emerald knows exactly
where the big man went.
Sonic gains height off a larger piece of marble and kicks Robotniks mobile.
SONIC (CONT'D)
You can't run from me Doc!
DR. ROBOTNIK
No way, I can't believe this! I
thought I took care of this pest.
SONIC
I can't believe you just have your
pets loose like that. Someone could
get hurt you know.
DR. ROBOTNIK
I won't let myself get mocked by a
child any longer. Fool, I am Ivo
Robotnik, greatest genius in the
world!
SONIC
Greatest genius? Keep telling
yourself that Doc. You can barely
make junk that stays together.
Sonic runs under, jumps into a ball and hits the Doctor from bellow.
DR. ROBOTNIK
Your childish insults won't matter
once I take care of you.
Robotnik pulls out a blaster and starts firing laser shots but Sonic easily outruns them.
SONIC
You really didn't think this
through did you?
He runs under delivering another hit.
SONIC (V.O.)
I have to end this.
He continues running around until he lines up a pillar and the Doctor. He leaps off it dodging shots when he lands in front and kicks the blaster away.
SONIC
Now we can do this the easy way or
the hard way.
They start wrestling when Robotnik pins Sonic down and starts beating him. He grabs him and throws him off.
DR. ROBOTNIK
Just as I thought. No child can be
a hero. No one will remember your
efforts.
The Doctor flies off when Sonic starts to get up.
SONIC
Dammit. I can't believe I just let
my guard down like that. I can't
have that happen again. I think he
said something about taking over
Starlight. I'll drop by Rotor's place. Than
I'll take out the kingpin.
He brushes his clothes off and proceeds to his next destination.
INT. ROTOR'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
The wide view of Starlight City's skyline is visible. Cut to Rotor in his bedroom sitting at his desk. A knock on the window is heard and he jolts up. He gets up to look, opens the window and Sonic climbs inside from a fire escape.
ROTOR
You scared me man! I really love
and hate that you can do all this.
Gym class is so unfair sometimes.
SONIC
I don't really like
overcompensating anymore.
ROTOR
Hey man, where have you been? Your
parents didn't know where you were
and they called Sally's place. She
said you weren't there and your mom
called my parents a little while
ago.
SONIC
Listen you won't believe what
happened. So basically, I think my
entire life just changed.
A red transparent glow comes from his chest and lands in his outstretched hand. The glow forms into the red gemstone.
ROTOR
Whoa, where'd you find that?
SONIC
I found it in the forest right
before I was about to go home. Do
you might know anything about this?
Rotor takes the Emerald and examines it.
ROTOR
This can't be any ordinary rock.
SONIC
Kinda figured that already.
Rotor walks over to his bookshelf and pulls out a title related to myths and mysteries. He flips through and shows Sonic a page.
ROTOR
Here it reminds me of this. The
Chaos Emeralds. A group of powerful
gems. Right out of a fantasy novel.
SONIC
So why don't we know about these?
ROTOR
No one knows how many there are.
One hasn't been seen for a least a
millennia. Part of ancient history.
Some debate if they're even real.
SONIC
But then why do they show up now?
Why am I the one to find it? It
makes no sense. When I found it it
made this maze that I had to solve
first.
ROTOR
I'm not sure if even magic rocks do
that.
SONIC
You don't get it man. It feels like
the Emerald talks to me. Almost
like I can feel something growing
inside me.
ROTOR
Okay, so now your're a mutant who
can talk to a gem that no one has
seen for thousands of years.
SONIC
It's just so surreal that all this
is happening. After I left I was
able to find the Doc.
ROTOR
Wait really? The man himself?
SONIC
The Emerald seems to have led me to
him. And I fought him.
ROTOR
And what happened? Did you beat
him?
SONIC
You see that's the embarrassing
part.
ROTOR
He kicked your ass didn't he?
SONIC
We don't talk about that part. He
was dumb enough to say his name and
he's hitting the city tonight just
like we thought.
ROTOR
And what are you going to do?
SONIC
Well I can't just sit around. I
have to end this. It doesn't matter
if anyone sees. My parents are
gonna kill me regardless.
ROTOR
Are you sure you can do it though?
Few have tried to take on the
Empire. I'm not sure you can be a
hero.
SONIC
I'm so sick and tired of everyone
saying what I can and can't do.
Everything is falling into place
for me to be that person who breaks
the mold. I don't want to be a kid
anymore.
ROTOR
Yeah, I suppose life doesn't
usually hit all at once. It's not
often you see instant destiny.
SONIC
Listen, I have to head out soon. I
got a long road ahead.
ROTOR
I think I'm just scared of you
getting killed out there just like
all the others.
Sonic lets out a deep sigh.
SONIC
There has to be a reason why all of
this is happening. A greater world
lies undiscovered. There's a
mystery here and I have to find out
what it is.
EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT
The city is loud and bustling even at night. People are on the streets living and having fun. From the skies large metal capsules fall. They open up and badniks come out of them and start attacking innocents. Small bombs also fall damaging buildings. The screams and panic of civilians can be heard everywhere. Police come to try to help. Sonic suddenly comes from behind the crowd and leaps over several people.
SONIC
Watch out! Big time super hero
comin' through!
POLICE OFFICER
Hey kid, get out of the way!
Sonic jumps into a group of badniks and dismantles them easily.
POLICE OFFICER (CONT'D)
You have no right to be here kid.
SONIC
You know, you should be grateful
considering that I just did your
job for you. Now if you excuse me,
I have a party to crash.
He leaps off a car, grabs a light pole and swings up onto a rooftop.
SONIC (CONT'D)
Knowing Ivo, he's dumb enough to be
hiding somewhere, watching this all
happen. I just have to find him
first.
Sonic runs and bounces across the rooftops. The scene cuts to the Doctor admiring his plan.
DR. ROBOTNIK
Yes! It's working! Soon those
worthless fools will bow down
before my might.
He spirals out of control towards the ground as Sonic kicks him from behind and lands on a lamp post.
SONIC
Wow! I knew you were comically evil
and all. But I didn't think you got
this into the mad scientist
persona.
DR. ROBOTNIK
This can't be happening! I thought
I took care of this annoying
rodent.
SONIC
It's really a shame you never
planned that this would happen.
He leaps off landing right in front of Ivo as he starts to ascend. Sonic starts throwing punches and lands a few good hits. Robotnik starts choking him and throws him off. Sonic smashes into the top of a random car.
SONIC (CONT'D)
Three times in a row huh? Doc's one
hell of a one trick pony.
Sonic gets up and notices his surroundings. Groups of people are beginning to reform to watch the battle. Down the street he sees a news crew setting up. The camera cuts to them.
NEWS REPORTER (INTO CAMERA)
As we can see amongst the chaos,
the fear has finally become
reality. But it seems we have an
unexpected hero.
Sonic drops in front of the camera.
SONIC
Hey are you guys talking about me?
Listen I'd love to chat but it
seems Ivo Robotnik over there is a
bit mad that I'm ruining his fun.
For everyone watching at home, all
you need to know is that there's a
big bad eggman over there and I'm
going to kick his butt.
Sonic turns around to leave.
NEWS REPORTER
Wait! Young man, the world is dying
to know who you are.
SONIC
Call me Blue, the Blue Blur.
He runs off. As Robotnik is trying to organize his troops Sonic bounces off the top of a capsule in the middle of the street. He hits the mobile again and the Doctor starts fuming.
SONIC (CONT'D)
You know egghead, we really need to
wrap this up. It's getting late and
fighting all your pets is getting
pretty boring after a dozen times.
DR. ROBOTNIK
I knew it was a good idea to add
these.
The sides of the mobile open and larger blasters come out and start aiming at Sonic.
SONIC
Yikes! This calls for a new
approach.
He starts running and zigzagging across the streets with the Doctor in close pursuit firing at him.
DR. ROBOTNIK
Hold still and let me kill you!
Sonic is able to position himself to get Ivo to friendly fire at his minions. Sonic speeds up and slips into an alleyway getting away.
DR. ROBOTNIK (CONT'D)
Where'd the pest go? Don't be
afraid of the exterminator.
SONIC
Here I am Egghead!
He jumps down from above and starts hitting him. Sonic jumps off just as Robotnik crashes to the ground. Sonic notices they are on the same street as before as the news crew is up ahead.
SONIC (V.O.)
You've really done it this time
Hill.
DR. ROBOTNIK
I won't let my plans be foiled by
someone who thinks they can be a
hero.
Sonic walks toward his foe.
SONIC
Oh yeah? Well I won't let you stick
your mustache in my city!
Sonic grabs Ivo by the collar and gives him a nasty uppercut. The Doctor lands more hits and sends Sonic to the ground. He walks back to his mobile and it starts up again.
DR. ROBOTNIK
Lets see how you deal with this one
hero!
He presses a button on his control console and some of the bombs that landed earlier in the area finally go off. Civilians scream and disperse. Sonic jumps onto a nearby civilian trying to protect them.
SONIC
I've got you! You alright?
Sonic helps them to their feet.
NEWS REPORTER
Young man! Over Here!
Sonic jumps over to the news crew.
NEWS REPORTER (CONT'D)
All of South Island is watching you
right now. How does that make you
feel?
SONIC
Well honestly I'm quite flattered.
Everyone should know that they're
not alone for being scarred. Right
now you are watching history being
written. I am just like any of you.
NEWS REPORTER
We want to trust in every word you
say. Everyone wants to know, what
are your motives.
SONIC
I believe that simply put, the
right choice has to be made. And
when no one else is going to do
that thing, you can't just be a
bystander. You have to speak for
others when no one has a voice. I
have to put others before myself
because I man I admire told me that
growing up. And that's the kind of
man I want to become.
NEWS REPORTER
Thanks for being here for all of us
Blue. Mobius needs more people like
you. You should really see if you
can join the Chaotix.
SONIC
I'm good. For now I've got to go
fry the Eggman for tomorrows
breakfast.
Sonic jumps up and swings off a lamp pole and leaps onto a rooftop and disappears into the night.
NEWS REPORTER
You're gonna go far kid.
EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT
Sonic perches on the corner of a rooftop looking over the city. He looks down and spots something on the ground.
SONIC
That's incredibly convenient.
He drops down the empty street and picks up a small bronze ring.
SONIC (CONT'D)
Loose change, just what I needed.
He hops over a car to a nearby phone booth and slips inside. He puts the ring in the slot and punches in a familiar number. He picks up the receiver as the line connects to the other end.
SONIC (CONT'D)
Hey Mrs. Acorn, is Sally home right
now?
SALLY'S MOM
Just what do you think you're doing
young man? I turn to any channel on
TV and they're talking about you.
SONIC
Look, can I just know If I can talk
to her or not?
The camera cuts to the Acorn house. Sally's mom lets out a sigh.
SALLY'S MOM
Sally dear! Your boyfriend's on the phone.
Sally comes in from the living room. She grabs the phone and her mother walks away. The camera changes back and forth to have that character on screen when they are speaking. Every line is spoken into the phone.
SALLY
Do you have any idea what you've
just done?
SONIC
If you mean saving the day than I'm
very aware of what I'm doing.
SALLY
This is one thing that I really
hate about you! You're too wrapped
up in your own head to understand
the effects of your actions.
SONIC
Hey! If I wasn't there you have no
idea what could've happened
tonight.
SALLY
Oh yeah? Like what? You don't get
to be the center of attention?
SONIC
You don't get it Sal. If no one
tried to intervene people would be
dead. Plain and simple.
SALLY
I hate that you have to be the
hero.
SONIC
Why does it matter if it's me? Few
are trying to stop this from
happening. The Empire shouldn't
even exist.
SALLY
You're trying to make this about
you right? You could've sat this
whole thing out.
SONIC
I hate when people tell me what to
do. I've used my powers to help
myself before and that's not right.
All I really want to do is help
people.
SALLY
Don't be stupid Sonic. You're going
to get yourself killed out there.
Do you have any idea what we
thought when we saw you on TV?
SONIC
I know you're trying to make me
feel bad about putting myself into
danger but It doesn't matter. I'm
doing what's right because I know
that's what my dad taught me.
SALLY
I think you're a bit too much like
your dad.
SONIC
What's that supposed to mean?
SALLY
You know exactly what I mean. You
spend to much time thinking about
how Punk you are or obsessing over
comic heroes.
SONIC
It's not my fault we live in this
hellscape that the Eggman wants to
make so badly. Those characters and
people are role models.
SALLY
And they're making you think like
an idiot. If your antics keep going
you're going to die out there.
SONIC
There are people out there who are
dying in the streets in other
countries because of this madman.
All I want is to care more than you
do.
SALLY
I want to care. It's just that
violence has become so normalized.
SONIC
If the violence continues people
die and I can stop that from
happening.
SALLY
You're one kid facing the world.
What are you even gonna do?
SONIC
You know what I'm gonna do, stick
it to the big guy. You know, we
call ourselves the Freedom Fighters
at school.
SALLY
That's just a stupid name we made
for our friend group!
SONIC
Well I don't care. It means
something greater to me now. I am a
Freedom Fighter and I stand for
everyone else because that's what's
right.
SALLY
You go and follow your little
beliefs. I can't put up with you
Sonic. I'm breaking up with you.
Sally hangs up on the phone. Sonic puts the receiver back and has his head down.