Purpose
[The scene opens with a shot of George V., Foduck V., and Hank V entering the harbor escorting a container ship into the port as Bluenose and the Coast Guard can be seen cruising alongside each other]
[Transition to a shot of the canal as Whiff is shown going over it with a train of rubbish while Top Hat goes below the bridge with the rail ferries; Frank and Eddie in tow, passing by Warrior in the opposite direction as he tows the garbage barge Lord Stinker behind him]
[Transition to the Star and Zero Docks as Big Mac passes by to the right with a barge of steel pipes while O.J. passes by to the left with a barge containing a propeller. Grampus can be seen passing between them as the shot pans in towards the Zero Dock where the Zed Stacks are all shown lined up to be given their orders via Captain Zero]
Captain Zero: Now, listen up, you miserable lot. We've been approached by an old contact to take care of an important delivery.
Zorran: A'ight, who's this contact then, sir?
Captain Zero: You remember the deal we had in delivering, uh…classified goods to Hemlock a while back.
[This causes the Zed Stacks to groan collectively]
Zak: Oh, you have got to be kiddin' me!
Zebedee: Ya' can't be serious, sir, you know that Scourge was no good.
Zug: Not just him, pretty much all of those lousy dealers.
Zip: Indeed, I swear, those Mobians or whatever cause trouble wherever they go.
Zorran: That's ironic comin' from the dimwit duo standin' next to me.
Zip and Zug: Hey!
[Captain Zero's megaphone shakes as he speaks]
Captain Zero: Shut up! I didn't ask for your opinions, and I especially don't want to hear any whining about this!
Zak: AHEM, of course, sir.
Zug: Uh, right, yes, sir.
Zip: Sorry, sir…
Captain Zero: That's better…now then, the supplies are being held by one of the warehouses in the salvage yard. I need each of you to deliver the supplies at different times so as to not draw any…suspicion from the Port Authorities.
Zebedee: Question, sir, how do you know they're gonna give you the full due this time around?
Captain Zero: Because I have a little trick up my sleeve in case that green rrrrat tries to swindle me. And trust me, I fully intend to get paid for my services…
Zebedee: Ah…makes sense…
Captain Zero: Once you've picked up the goods, they need to be delivered to Mahogany before tomorrow. We have a few other contacts waiting to pick them up so be quick about it.
Zorran: Shouldn't be too hard for us to handle, as they say, we're slippery as snakes, hehehe…
Captain Zero: Rrrright attitude, Zorran, so I want you to pick up the first load as soon as possible, the rest of you will be assigned on other duties till your time is called. And remember, if we pull this off, we'll receive a handsome payment.
[The Zed Stacks turn to each other in agreement, although Zebedee and Zak share a glance at each other]
Zebedee: Ya' don't reckon this'll come back to bite us?
Zak: Hey, if it pays well, I'll put up with the lil' bugga'.
Zebedee: Right…
Zip: I'm still a bit apprehensive…
Zug: Maybe so, but maybe not in front of them…
Zip: Uh, right…yeah…
[However, as the Zeroes have been talking, they weren't completely devoid of someone eavesdropping on their conversation. Hiding within the space of two buildings are Patch and Boomer as they listen intently to the details]
Patch: Soooooo, our old leader has got himself a new business of sorts…interesting…
Boomer: Isn't that typical, leaves us high and dry before going off on his own cuz he's just so special.
Patch: Well, if he's got this whole new enterprise, perhaps it's best we investigate for ourselves, and see if we can…rattle his cage if you will, hmmhmmhmm…
Boomer: You always did have a thing for screwing with people, didn't you?
Patch: What can I say, it's in my blood, well, that and being out for blood.
Boomer: Ah yes, how could we ever forget about "the incident?"
Patch: No one does sadistic quite like me, hahahaaaaaa, not even Scourge…
[As the camera pans away from the duo, we see that their conversation hasn't been completely private as the end of the alley reveals Rosy, Alicia, and Buns having caught the tail end of the discussion]
Rosy: Sooooooooooooo, looks like Scourge's gotten busy, hehehe, time to spoil his fun.
Alicia: …Okay, I don't like the guy much myself, but you really disturb me sometimes.
Buns: Should we really be gettin' involved? I was enjoyin' not havin' to deal with any drama, let alone anythin' involvin' our full group.
Alicia: Under normal circumstances, I would agree, but we can't run away from it forever. At the very least, it sounds like he's finally made something of himself…of course, I'll make sure he gives us our due.
Rosy: Because if he doesn't, hmmhmmhmm, I'm gonna smash his teeth in!
?: I wouldn't recommend it.
Rosy: Huh?
[The three Moebians turn to see Knuckles' anti, O'Nux, with his signature beret and short stache on either side of his muzzle]
Alicia: Where the hell did you come from?
O'Nux: I couldn't help but notice the trend of eavesdropping going on here. A genuine question, are you really going to go back to that supposed "King"?
Alicia: Not necessarily "going back", more like, we need to have a long talk about what happened, what he's been doing, and how he needs to play it fair…I never thought those words would come out of my mouth and I hate myself for it.
O'Nux: Well, the choice is yours, ma'am, but I'd be cautious if I were you. From my scarce interactions with the man…all I'll say is that you could do better.
Alicia: Oh, trust me, I know that for a fact, and so does Fiona.
Buns: Bit of a shame they had that nasty ole split.
Rosy: Pffft, who cares about that? Besides, I wanna get back at Scourge for ditching us.
Buns: Technically, he didn't ditch, we split after that whole Finitevus incident.
O'Nux: [shudders] Heard about that one, don't wanna cross paths with that lot…anyways, ya' seem determined to meet up with the git, so I won't press you on it. Just be wary all the same.
Alicia: I'll keep that in mind…wait a minute, where'd they go?
[The group looks back to the end of the alley, sure enough, Patch and Boomer have disappeared, having gone off to follow Zorran as he makes his way to the salvage yard]
[Cut to an exterior shot of the salvage yard from the perspective of the canal running alongside it, an angle not regularly used up to this point. It shows the more closed-off section of the yard where Scourge and Miles had made their little camp, with said duo waiting on a dock with a red crane mounted to the right. In front of them is a barge covered with a tarpaulin, containing crates of miscellaneous parts]
[Zorran comes into view as he pulls up to the dock and his eyes narrow suspiciously]
Zorran: Hmmmm…better keep on the right side of those two. I'm all about sketchy contacts, but still…[clears throat]...ahoy! You wouldn't happen to be our…benefactors, no?
Scourge: That's right, got the goods all tied down and ready to be shipped off, not a screw outta place.
Zorran: Good to know…just so we're clear, you will pay our Captain in full, won't ya'?
Scourge: I don't think that's somethin' you need to concern yourself over, hat stack.
Zorran: [narrows his eyes] Oi, watch it with that tongue a' yours, heard it landed you in a bit a' trouble before.
Scourge: You gonna take the goods or am I gonna have to set fire to that wheelhouse a' yours?
Zorran: [relents] Just makin' sure everythin' goes according to plan…
[Zorran backs up and positions himself to throw his towline on the barge. Once lashed up, he gives a short blast of his hooter before setting off]
Zorran: A pleasure doin' business with you gentlemen.
Scourge: Oh, believe me, the pleasure is all mine…
[Zorran pulls off with the barge in tow and once out of ear shot from the duo, he mutters to himself]
Zorran: It better be, otherwise there'll be hell to pay…
[Cut back to Scourge and Miles]
Miles: Thank god for that, was getting sick of his ugly mug.
Scourge: They're all ugly to an extent, creepy fuckin' vehicles…either way, that Captain of the L's paid upfront so if his goons screw up, well, I get to keep all the money, hehe.
Miles: You know, sometimes I feel like you'd make even the cleverest of cons blush if they saw you.
Scourge: What can I say? I'm a master at what I do, I sell the parts behind this company's back, I get paid for it, which means more time for my indulgences. Recently got this sick stash from Jafar and Facilier, hehe, those two didn't deal cheap.
Miles: [sighs] You always did go for those high end deals…
[Scourge pulls a pack of cigars from his pocket and then pulls out a lighter. He plucks out one of the sticks before lighting it, putting it to his lips, inhaling…and then exhaling a great cloud of grey smoke]
Scourge: Aaaaaaah…want one?
Miles: You know I don't smoke.
Scourge: 90s PSA…[gives a wheezing laugh]
Miles: Oh please, as if I would degrade myself to that level, I know Sonic did for sure.
Scourge: Yeah, well, he's a little sellout…
[At that moment, a loud bubbly hooter sounds off to the left, causing Scourge and Miles to avert their heads]
Scourge: Oh, for god's sake, not this bitch again.
[Cut to Bluenose, the naval tug, officiously making his way past the salvage yard]
Bluenose: Come out, stragglers! You know you can't hide from the navy, I've got eyes like a hawk!
[Bluenose narrows his eyes as he slows down, trying to see any suspicious characters or activity in his midst…]
Bluenose: …Oh, you sly buggers, I know you're in there.
[Try as he might, Bluenose's findings come up empty-handed and he gives a dissatisfied grunt]
Bluenose: Right, report back to HQ, on the double!
[Three sharp blasts of his hooter and Bluenose scurries off from the salvage yard, making his presence loud and clear for anyone to hear]
[Cut back to Scourge and Miles having taken refugee behind a large pile of scrap metal, to which the green hedgehog flips the bird at the departing naval officer]
Scourge: Ya' know, I would almost say this place is ideal if it weren't for the authorities being all nosy as hell.
Miles: At least it's not the Zone Cops for one thing.
Scourge: Ugh, those weak little turds trying to keep me cooped up in that torture den. I showed them a thing or two breaking out, hehehe, idiots.
Miles: A pity, had you stuck around there for a bit longer, I would have become the new leader.
Scourge: You? Lead that sorry lot? Guess who still held the crown?
Miles: [scoffs] It's meaningless when you don't command any actual authority. Even less so in this environment.
Scourge: Hey…you watch your mouth.
Miles: Or what? You'll bite my face off?
Scourge: You know these things could tear through a whole beast.
[Scourge opens his mouth to reveal his razor sharp fangs for emphasis]
Miles: Point taken…now close your mouth before you start catching flies.
Scourge: I gotta say, for as much as a smug little bastard as you are, Miles…it is kinda nice to have you back on my side.
Miles: Well, I don't exactly have many options around these parts, do I?
Scourge: I mean, hey, those Freedom losers let me stay at their little Christmas gathering a while back and they've not laid a finger on me.
Miles: …I still don't know how you managed to weasel your way into that one.
?: Neither do we.
[Scourge and Miles turn to the right. We cut to various shots of the Suppression Squad revealing themselves from the shadows or among piles of scrap; Patch, Alicia, Boomer, Buns, Rosy, with O'Nux trailing at the back, a despondent expression on his face]
[Cut back to the duo]
Scourge: …Well, look who came crawling back, and with a hippie in tow.
O'Nux: Stow it, ya' blitherin' crackhead, I'm in no mood for your sass.
Scourge: Psst, touchy.
Patch: So, this is what you've been up to? Slaving away like a grease monkey in this dump?
Scourge: More like, churning a profit by selling goods through the black market, you'd be surprised how much dough that pays.
Rosy: In any case, did you miss us? I know I missed you.
[Rosy's mallet manifests out of thin air as she lifts it up with an expression that can be read somewhere between content and sadistic]
Scourge: Uhhhhhh, maybe back the hell away from me with that thing?
Alicia: Another question, what happened to the others?
Scourge: Specifically?
Patch: Ze two meatheads, the turncoat, and…him…
Scourge: They've adjusted back into society believe it or not…I still can't believe it happened to Drago of all people, Geoffrey and Sleuth, maybe, but that big lug…?
Buns: Ironic considering where we came from…
Boomer: I see Miles hasn't usurped you yet either.
Miles: Not unless the setting's right.
Scourge: Which will be never in any setting cuz your two-tailed ass isn't claiming that throne.
Miles: [shrugs] Whatever helps you sleep at night.
O'Nux: You're all a complete mess, you know that?
Scourge: Oh, shut up, two of you weren't in this group to begin with.
Rosy: AHEM!
Scourge: Okay, you were an exception after I promised you could smash whatever you wanted, so long as it wasn't me. You? [points at the echidna] The hell have you been doing?
O'Nux: Livin' my life as a normal person, which isn't as hard as ya' might think.
[Scourge presses his fingers to the bridge of his nose]
Scourge: God, how is this guy real…?
Miles: Actually, what even have the rest of you been doing since the last time? I've at least built myself a shelter and invested in trading.
Patch: Me and Boomer became hitmen for private contacts. A fitting position for someone with my…accuracy.
Boomer: Modesty doesn't suit you, does it?
Patch: It doesn't for you either so shush.
Alicia: Underground accounting, at least one of us needs to know how to manage finances.
Buns: I've been assistin' in the takedown of that ole Birch Grove branch, strange how that tunnel keeps gettin' vandalized…
Rosy: And I've been hacking away at those mines up in the hills. I'm more efficient than a stick a' dynamite!
O'Nux: And more lethal at that…
Scourge: So…we've not hit rock bottom, at least yet.
Patch: Pfft, are you kidding me? Life is so mundane now, there's hardly any fun to it.
Scourge: Believe me, as much as I'd love to start wrecking shit up again…[groans]...'time and a place' as they say…EUGH!
Patch: Never pictured you to have a schedule.
Scourge: Well then, get used to it…god, I need a drink.
[Scourge heads over to a cooler, lifting the top off to reveal a variety of alcoholic drinks. He takes out a bottle before snapping the cap off and chugging the liquid down his throat…he gives a big exhale before chucking the bottle to the side, cutting to it hitting the ground and shattering into pieces]
[Pan-up to reveal the Suppression Squad, plus Rosy and O'Nux sitting around a bonfire. By this point, the scene has transitioned to evening. Cut to Scourge as he swigs down another bottle of alcohol]
Scourge: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah…[sets the bottle down]...ya' know…I look at us now, and think to myself…what the hell even were we…?
[Miles sets a can down containing a non-alcoholic beverage]
Miles: Is that a question, or are you merely intoxicated?
Scourge: Nah, I'm serious, like…what even are we…we're just like…the Freedom Losers, but…not really…
[Patch gulps down a bottle of wine before letting it drop to the ground]
Patch: Nah, we're…we're better…at least, I know I am…
Scourge: Heeeeeeeeeeeeh…think you're real hot shit, don't ya'...? Think you're…the best thing that graced this planet…
[Alicia swings a bottle of her own as she slouches on a deck chair]
Alicia: That's just it…we're in limbo…never gone this long without stirring up chaos…funny, that was our whole purpose to begin with…
Buns: But…that's not all we are…right…?
Scourge: Oh, get it through your gears…we've just been shadows of "better people"...whatever that means…
Miles: Self-deprecating, are we…took long enough…
Scourge: I know you ain't talkin', given that chat we had a while back.
Miles: I…I was in a mood, that's all.
Scourge: Suuuuuuuure, you just wanna…bottle up everything and pretend I can't see…I see everything, nothing is sacred from me…
[Scourge reaches for the bottle, but this time, Miles tries to intervene]
Miles: I think it would be best for you to lay off the booze, for your sanity at least.
Scourge: Nah, you, you can just…piss off on that…I'm gonna speak and you're gonna listen…that's, that's how this works.
Miles: [sighs] Lord, you're so drunk.
Scourge: Be real here…what are we doing…?
Boomer: Currently…we're existing…I know, it's an insane concept…
Scourge: Man…I feel like I just fell off a cliff…it makes me think, does anything I ever did matter? Did I actually accomplish anything, or am I just stuck at square one no matter what I do…?
[The rest of the Suppression Squad pause at this, reflecting…]
Buns: I've been askin' myself that for a long time…I thought I had to be bad to the bone to survive, but when someone showed me genuine kindness, I didn't know what ta' think…I guess old habits die hard…seeing what happened a while back…
Rosy: That whole thing sucked…and what do you know, that stupid doctor flaked on us!
Patch: More like he vanished into thin air, and never came back…lazy bastard.
?: Is that so?
[The Squad suddenly turns up at the sound of someone's voice. They slowly look back to reveal an albino echidna walking out from the shadows as the glow of the bonfire illuminates his presence. None of them dare speak]
Finitevus: Well, well, well, what do we have here? The remnants of a former unit, all drawn to man's one weakness; alcohol. I must say, I didn't expect this turn of events…but I'm not surprised by it.
Scourge: You! You fuckin'...come here, I wanna word with ya'...!
[Scourge tries to stand up and assert a dominant position, but his stance is too wobbly and it only bemuses the echidna. Cut to O'Nux as he looks rather uncomfortable in the albino's presence]
Finitevus: I'm afraid you're a little too intoxicated for any physical altercations, it would be one-sided at best.
Alicia: What are you even doing here?
Boomer: The hell have you even been doing since last time?
Patch: Probably sitting around in some dingy old cave.
Finitevus: Let's just say I found an…alternative way to occupy my time…what's the fun in merely stirring chaos if you don't find other outlets…?
Miles: Um…I don't follow.
Finitevus: You see, I've found myself drawn to a more…recluse means of pleasure, should I offer my services, that person is indebted to my demands…should they refuse, well…I have ways in changing their minds, hmmhmmhmm…and suffice to say, I've found those who share similar views…I'm sure some of you are aware of Mammoth, Naugus?
Scourge: Somethin' like that…why?
Finitevus: Well, we started work on some…underground operations, with the assistance of a new member in the field; Doctor Starline. Might I say, the man knows his way around sadism…I've found it to be producing better results than before…who knew taking all that pent-up frustration and thrusting it onto something subservient could be so…gratifying…
[Alicia and Buns exchange odd looks at each other]
Scourge: Strange shit you're into…can't say I'm surprised…
Finitevus: Neither can I, given your current state. Or in general…
Scourge: So…what? You wanna recruit us again?
Finitevus: I'm leaving the door open, I don't particularly require your services. But who knows, maybe it'll give you some purpose in your lives…oh, and another thing…should any of you see any of the people I…fixed…let them know that they're still indebted to me…
[Scourge and Miles glance at each other, knowing full well who the doctor is referring to]
Scourge: He's…moved on, I imagine.
Finitevus: In a general sense, perhaps, but, should we ever cross paths again, hmmhmmhmmm…until then, I bid you all, adieu…
[On that note, Finitevus departs without another word into the shadows, leaving the Suppression Squad to look at each other, even the intoxicated ones have a good idea of what just happened]
Scourge: Give us purpose…hmmmmmm…
[Scourge thinks back to the world of Moebius…seeing the decrepit, washed out, grimy city, all at the hands of the Suppression Squad when they were top of the pile, and everyone knew it…contrast to their new residence in the primary universe…they're at the same level as everyone else…]
Scourge: …You ever…think about goin' back?
Patch: Pardonne-moi?
Scourge: You know, back?
Alicia: I…I don't know…I really don't…
Miles: …Maybe this was destiny all along.
Scourge: Perhaps…if that's the case…I guess this is it…
[Not another word is said between the group…some think about their past, some think of the present, and some think of the future…pan away from the group]
[Cut to later at night within the Evergreen Forest, we're shown the peaks of the pine trees before we cut to the exterior of Guntiver's cabin…cut to the interior of the cabin as Drago and Guntiver are sat by the fireplace, the two wolves sitting on the couch contentedly…when all of a sudden, Drago feels a chill]
Drago: Vrrrrr…
Guntiver: You alright?
Drago: Yeah, just got a weird shiver.
Guntiver: Oh…you want the blanket?
Drago: Uh, thanks…
[Guntiver hands over the blanket to Drago as the white wolf covers himself]
Guntiver: There…
Drago: Aaah…
[Drago tries to get back into a comfortable position as something lingers in the back of his head…he does his best to suppress it to continue the peace between him and Guntiver]
[Cut to the outside of the cabin with the sound of crickets in the background]
[Cut to black]
Character Guide:
Scourge the Hedgehog, Miles Prower, Patch D'Coolette, Alicia Acorn, Buns Rabbot, Boomer Walrus, Rosy the Rascal, O'Nux, Dr. Finitevus, Drago Wolf, Guntiver the Arctic Wolf, Sonic the Hedgehog, Fiona Fox, Geoffrey St. John, Ixis Naugus, Mammoth Mogul, Doctor Starline - Sonic the Hedgehog
Zorran, Zebedee, Zak, Zug, Zip, Bluenose, Captain Zero, Big Mac, OJ, Top Hat, Warrior, Grampus, Coast Guard, Lord Stinker, Frank and Eddie - TUGS
Whiff - Thomas and Friends
George V., Foduck V., Hank V. - Theodore Tugboat