Salvage
[The scene opens with a shot of the beach during the early hours of dusk. Two figures are walking along the sand as the shot cuts to reveal Usagi and Rei, heading back towards the station to catch the train home]
Usagi: And so, I was in such a hurry, I almost forgot to take my lunch with me, can you imagine, me forgetting food of all things?
Rei: Usagi, there's a lot of things I could see you forgetting.
Usagi: [sweatdrops] That's cold, Rei.
Rei: Am I wrong though…eh!
Usagi: Rei?
Rei: Something just came up.
Usagi: Oh, what was it?
Rei: It's a little hard to describe, but there's something lurking in the water…
[Usagi and Rei turn towards the ocean, staring at it for a few seconds]
Rei: A dark presence is upon us, I can feel it.
Usagi: Oh…
Rei: That isn't all, my senses tell me that it's only half organic…
Usagi: What do you mean by "half organic"?
Rei: Their body is two halves of one whole, one side natural, the other side unnatural…
Usagi: I see…is it cause for alarm?
Rei: At present, I can't say for sure…[puts a hand to her forehead]...but I do think it has some connection to the attacks we faced not too long ago…
Usagi: Oh…
[At that moment, the two hear a whistle, and the shot cuts to Mahogany Station where Charlotte, Mulan, Cat, Dog, Robin, Princess Bubblegum, Twilight, Pinkie, Yogi, Amy, Silver, and Alice are waiting on the platform as James arrives with his coaches while Murdoch passes by on the other line with a goods train]
Usagi: We should get going.
Rei: Indeed…
[The two girls walk up to the platform and take their seats to the right of Tod and Copper while behind Lapis and Peridot. At the sound of the guard's whistle, James sounds his own whistle and sets off from the station. As the shot lingers on the departing train, it then cuts back to the ocean as a wave crashes onto the shore, revealing the silhouette of something big and hulking having washed up on the beach. At that moment, a pair of shoes are seen stopping several feet away from the mass]
[The scene cuts to the clouds in the sky as thunder is heard, the shot panning down at Oak Station where James is shown dropping off his passengers, Philip passing by with some trucks along with Oliver with a set of tankers in tow, Toad at the back as usual. Rei is the last person to leave the train as she looks up at the sky]
Rei: How fitting…
[A gust of wind blows through the area, waving Rei's hair about as she walks down the steps. A flash of lightning is shown striking down from a cloud before another flash takes the scene to a cave. The scene cuts to inside of the cave where the mass is shown set upon a table, revealing itself to be a large white wolf with metallic amputations. A single light shines over the figure before the silhouette of another figure is shown approaching the table]
?: This one has seen better days…Robotnik didn't spare any expense…such a pity that creatures such as these must have their appearance tainted by such minds…it's almost enough to make me feel pity…[holds up a surgical instrument]...almost…
[The figure turns up to see Geoffrey entering the cave]
?: Ah, you're here.
Geoffrey: Alright, Doc, what have you got for me? You were real cryptic in your message.
?: Let's just say your job is going to be a lot easier once I've finished here.
Geoffrey: What's that supposed…is that who I think it is?
?: I take it you know who he is?
Geoffrey: Bloody hell, mate, that's Drago Wolf! What's he doin' here?!
?: Would you believe I found him washed up on the shore…hehe, almost poetic, isn't it? I've heard many things about him, tck, he's made a lot of enemies in his time…reminds me of a certain someone.
Geoffrey: Hmph, I wonder who you could be referring to…but keep in mind, this guy's record foresees him, I at least had honor on my side.
?: How much does that mean in hindsight? Look at him, and then look at yourself, you've both betrayed the same people…doesn't seem like you're all that different.
Geoffrey: I…[sighs]...what are you gonna do with him?
?: His current form is badly weathered, I need him at his strongest, which is why he'll be getting a complete overhaul…[sticks one of the tools into the lupine's arm, causing Geoffrey to cringe]...
[The scene cuts to Warehouse #17 where Scourge, Miles, and Fiona are shooting bottles on a crate. Scourge shoots and nicks the bottle into shards, blowing with satisfaction]
Scourge: Third shot in a row, top that!
Miles: [sighs] You're so primitive. Let me show you how it's done.
[Miles takes aim, but looks in Scourge's direction]
Scourge: You plannin' on losing already, you're one dumb motherfu-
[Miles takes the shot, hitting his target right on point. The fox gives a smirk to the hedgehog who stares with his mouth agape]
Miles: What was that about losing? You're probably just losing your touch, old man.
Scourge: Hey, hey, hey, where's this old man shit comin' from? I'm only just several years older than you, so hold your tongue, smartass.
Miles: [yawns] Whatever you say, tell me that next time you lose another game of poker.
Scourge: Oh, you little sh-
Fiona: Hey, Scourge, mind not payin' attention to the brat, you know he's mouthy as hell.
Miles: Hmph.
[Miles flips off Fiona and walks off to talk with Rosy the Rascal while Scourge goes to sit by Fiona on a crate]
Scourge: Damn kid, really likes to get on my tail.
Fiona: Well, it doesn't take a lot to get you riled up, does it?
Scourge: Oh, what, are you gonna start up now?
Fiona: Didn't say I was, it's your words, not mine.
Scourge: Well, maybe we'll get some more action with the doc's latest project.
Fiona: Oh, what's that then?
Scourge: Apparently, it's some kind of healing process for, and I quote, "an old associate of ours".
Fiona: Is that right…well, if it's someone I know, they're bound to be the group's muscle.
Scourge: Oh yeah, didn't you have a group of meatheads in your line of work?
Fiona: It appears I still do, though at least you lot were already bad eggs, the people from my side turned against those goody twoshoes, some of them branded worse than others.
Scourge: Nervous of coming face to face with 'em if it turns out I'm right?
Fiona: I can hold my own against one of them, and whatever the doctor's got planned, I just hope he knows what he's doing.
Scourge: Well, he's mysterious for one thing, so half the time, I can't tell what's up to, nor could I imagine what goes on in that head of his, but at least we've got this place to crash if all goes awry.
Fiona: Yeah, I suppose you're right there, reminds me of your throne room, dingy, covered in grease, and smelling like ashes.
Scourge: I seem to recall you were comfortable there regardless.
Fiona: Well, you're not wrong, it did have a homely feel to it, well, as much as it could.
Scourge: All I know is that as soon as the new guy gets here, we're gonna have another mouth to feed.
Fiona: The way you say it makes you sound like a dad.
Scourge: Well, I have been referred to as "daddy" before.
Fiona: Oh, shut up. [pushes the hedgehog away]
[The shot pans out to reveal Scourge having fallen over while Miles is shown talking to Rosie while Patch and Buns are conversing to the left]
Scourge: Ah, cheeky…
[The scene cuts back to the cave where a silver light is shining over Drago's body, his metallic amputations having been taken off, revealing the spots where his limbs would have been]
?: You came apart easier than I expected. I suppose that can be said for someone with such a fragile ego…twas your downfall, was it not? Well, I think you'll find your new leash on life rewarding…with a price, of course…
[Drago's body is carried in the light where his nonexistent limbs start to become whole again, from his mangled figure turns into something much like his initial appearance, a fully organic white wolf. As the lupine's body is set back onto the table, the shot cuts to a POV perspective of eyes opening]
Drago: Oooooooh…aaah…[groans]...wha…where am I…ah, God, my head…
?: I expected you'd feel a little lightheaded, rest up while you can…
Drago: What…who said-[looks down his body]-holy shit! My…my body! But…how?
?: Well, I believe a thank you is in order.
Drago: Huh, who said that?
?: I did. I was the one who restored you to your original state…the operations went better than I expected…how do you feel?
Drago: [stretches his arms out] Can't remember the last time I felt like this…I'm all furry again…and back to my former glory.
?: Hmmmm, you were always prideful about your appearance, weren't you? I suppose you could say it was one of the catalysts for how you ended up here.
Drago: Huh? What are you talking about?
?: I've heard many things about you, many unpleasant things…I'm sure you can work out exactly what I'm talking about, your memories are still intact. You're quite an infamous name where you come from, I can only imagine how one survives in an environment like that…
Drago: Well, that shit was a long time ago, and half of it ain't even true, let me tell you!
?: Oh, Drago…you never were good at saving face, it's in your nature to be a compulsive, deceitful, arrogant, vain, traitorious liar…your reputation is quite an enigma, how does one become so vile, willing to sell themselves out for their own self preservation, to an organization they should know would only see themselves as a means to an end…you're not very intelligent, I can tell you that for a fact.
Drago: Hmph, you got anything else besides beating me down like everyone else has done?
?: I didn't salvage you just to point out your many, many flaws, I salvaged you for a purpose…I did you a favor in returning your body to its original form…now, you have to do something for me…
Drago: And just what would that be?
?: It's fairly simple; you will be working for me.
Drago: After all that I've gone through, I ain't so much ready to trust another shady organization, I'm outta here.
[Drago gets up from the table and turns to leave, only for something to click behind him, causing the large lupine to freeze in place]
?: I wouldn't be so hasty…after all, I remade you…I can also break you…go ahead, take another step, see what happens…
[Drago looks back at the silhouetted figure before giving a sigh and turning back]
Drago: Okay, smart guy, what's in it for me if I'm gonna be part of this deal?
?: For your services, you will be granted salvation in the grand scheme of things, life is too precious to go to waste, I'm sure you would agree, there's quick and easy death, or it's a slow, painful trip before you die…I imagine you've experienced the latter…I could tell by the awful shape I found you in…
Drago: I…well…
?: You're a man of self preservation, makes me wonder why you're being so hesitant. After all, don't you care about yourself and only yourself…I would know based on your reputation, you've got nothing to lose, everything you once had is gone anyway, so, I ask of you…what say you to getting vengeance back on those that wronged you…I imagine there's quite a few people you'd wish to see suffer for everything that's happened…
Drago: You're not wrong…there's a number of sum bitches I just wanna wrap my claws around…[clenches his fist]...those goddamn jackasses…I was ruined…not once, not twice…but more times than you could count…
?: Yes…there was never a time where you were given a reprieve…all that happened to you kept piling on until you finally hit rock bottom…literally speaking…in a way, I almost pity you…almost…
Drago: I remember how it all happened…since that time, my life was just an endless cycle of hell…in hindsight, I should have known better in some aspects…between those goddamn rodents and that fat jackass dictator…I never got jack shit from him…all he wanted from me was to be one of his lab experiments…my body never looked so warped…it was too late to turn back, I'd already sold my soul to the devil…the next thing I knew…well, guess that explains how you found me…washed up like the wreck I was…
?: Your story is hardly what many would call a tragedy…a lot of what happened to you was your own fault…however, there's something to be said for how venomous you are…I admire your determination…you'd throw anyone you deemed as weak overboard without a second thought…you would sell off those you didn't care about if just to save your own tail…that's a special sort of despicable…you really had a knack for trying to make yourself out as a monster…and safe to say, you succeeded in more ways than one…
Drago: I take it that's supposed to be a compliment?
?: A compliment, an insult, a reality check, call it what you like. The one thing you can't deny is that there's truth in my words.
Drago: [sighs] I suppose that'll be the best I can get around here.
?: Now then, you won't be working alone, I've assigned a partner for you, the next mission will be your first to see if my salvage was worth something.
Drago: So long as you don't stick me with an ugly brat, things should be fine.
?: It's not your choice to make, whoever you're assigned with is who you're working with, are we understood?
Drago: Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, who's the guy?
?: [presses a button on his radio] St. John, the escort is ready.
Drago: Wait…
[Several seconds later, Geoffrey is shown entering the cave, unsurprised to see Drago staring at him with wide eyes]
Geoffrey: Well, well, well, if it isn't the man himself…see you've been fixed up, wonder if the same can be said for that attitude.
Drago: [scoffs] You're one to talk, I've heard all about the shit you've done.
Geoffrey: [sighs] Word spreads quickly around these parts, init?
Drago: Ironic, one traitor gets paired up with another, guess we ain't so different.
Geoffrey: Hey, you keep putting me on the same level as you off the table, ya' hear?
?: You two will be assigned a location to investigate in the coming days, I want you to remain inconspicuous…[turns to Drago]...do not let anyone see you…remember when you work for me, you're hanging by a thread if you screw anything up.
Drago: Well, given I've worked with similar, that sounds like a given.
Geoffrey: So, you and me, won't be too much of a pain in the ass, will you?
Drago: I should be asking you that, I'll manage as I do, more likely than not I'll be the one saving your ass.
Geoffrey: [sighs] Somehow, I highly doubt that.
Drago: By the way, I never got your name, what with all the shadows.
?: I suppose it was unprofessional not to introduce myself sooner, might as well become affiliated…[walks out to reveal himself as an albino echidna]...I am Doctor Finitevus…
The End…