-Chapter 121-
Media Attention
Station Square
A week or so passed after Uncle Chuck and Coco were liberated from Robotnik's control. Station Square had been put back in working order enough for City Hall to arrange a small award ceremony. Mayor Bullyani stood at the ready, the press gathered as Tails approached him.
"Citizens of Station Square! It is my privilege to honor one of our heroes, one who risked his life to save us all! Miles 'Tails' Prower!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, including many of the Freedom Fighters, and Sonic himself. The mayor revealed a small box, opening it to reveal the yellow Chaos Emerald. The crowd gasped.
"We found it on the outskirts of the city after the Chaos mess," the mayor explained. "You're much better equipped to hold it than we are."
He closed the box, holding it out for Tails, who took it with a smile.
"Thank you, sir," he said politely. "I greatly appreciate this gesture."
"No, thank you and your Freedom Fighters for all you do to protect not only Station Square, but all of Mobius."
The crowd cheered and clapped as Tails shook the mayor's hand.
Knothole
Later, at Freedom HQ, the Freedom Fighters and their friends had gathered in the TV room. Charmy and Cream were bouncing atop the couch excitedly.
"C'mon, c'mon!" Charmy urged. "It's almost time!"
"Sheesh, calm down, Charmy," Sonic said.
"Telling Charmy to calm down is like telling you to walk slowly," Kat informed him.
The others were setting out snacks and drinks, discussing things.
"Refresh my memory," Amy requested. "What's the occasion?"
"I ever tell you the head of Breeze Media is my cousin?" Sonic asked,
"I think I recall that coming up in casual conversation once or twice," Amy admitted.
"Well, Breezie has created a new TV show based on us," Sonic explained. "Or at least our main group. It's called 'Sonic-Man and the Emerald Squad'."
"Wow," Knuckles mused. "Lotta good publicity we've been getting nowadays. What's next? Plushies?"
"Who knows?" Tails shrugged.
"Guys! It's about to start!" Charmy screamed.
They gathered around the TV as the show began its title sequence. A blue blur ran across the screen from both sides, forming the show's title before stopping short, revealing himself to be a human man wearing an outfit based on Sonic. It consisted of a blue suit with white accents, red boots coming up to his knees, and a helm that was shaped like Sonic's spines. A visor covered his eyes, and he had gloves exactly like Sonic's.
"Gotta go fast," he boasted.
"Comin' at ya from the speed of sound, it's Sonic Man!" the narrator declared. "Fighter of truth, and leader of the Emerald Squad!"
From there, four more characters made an appearance, each wearing suits that made them look like humanoid versions of various Freedom Fighters.
"Fists!"
The Knuckles character sneered, pounding his fist into his palm.
"MPH!"
The Tails character grinned, landing in a triumphant hero pose.
"Rosie!"
The Amy character summoned a hammer, giving it a few swings before flashing the camera a peace sign.
"And Princess Pinecone!"
The Sally character gave a proper curtsy, which transformed into a back kick at the camera.
"Hmmm…" Sally mused. "Names could use a little work, but not too shabby."
On the screen, everything began to shake as the heroes all turned.
"The Squad has sworn to protect all life from the vile machinations of the vile machinist... Eggborg!"
From a hole in the ground emerged a hilariously ridiculous parody of Robotnik. He was excessively fat, dressed in a red and black suit with yellow accents that just seemed to accentuate his size. His face was absurdly cartoony with black eyes with red irises, a drooping pink nose, a massive mouth, and his usual mustache. A grey mask covered his face and metal gauntlets covered his arms. Kat was just taking a swig of Chao Cola, and at the sight of Eggborg, promptly spewed it out of her nose. She held her nose, laughing hysterically as she fell off the couch. The other kids were in similar states of hysteria, Chris nearly choking on some popcorn. Keith slapped his back to help him, then they all just devolved into further laughing.
"Oh, Aurora…" Frances managed. "That's supposed to be Eggman?!"
"He's almost as stupid looking as the real thing!" Vector laughed.
The laughter managed to subside and they all began watching the actual show. Sonic Man engaged Eggborg in an epic fight, ending when he knocked him off his glider-esque Egg Mobile and onto the ground. Eggborg flailed around, shaking his fist as the Emerald Squad walked away.
"This isn't the end of it!" he shouted. "I'll get you next time, Sonic Man! NEXT TIME!"
He tried to get up desperately, but failed. "Help! I've fallen, and I can't get up!"
That set off another round of uproarious laughter. Tails was eventually forced to pause the program.
"This is my new favorite show!" Kat laughed. "They really nailed Eggman!"
"You can say that again!" Chris chuckled. "They even got his defeatist attitude down perfectly!"
"Wait," Helen snickered. "I've got a way to make this even funnier."
She took the remote, rewinding it to the point where Sonic Man knocked Eggborg off his glider and he was left on his back, narrating the scene with a goofy voice.
"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. But the people of Mobius just stood round and giggled, while that rotten egg just laid there and wiggled!"
At this point, everybody was laughing their butts off. Kat flat-out fell off of the couch, clutching her sides as she dissolved into pure hysterics. Sonic was also clutching his side, his face hurting from the massive grin on his face.
"Stop it!" he laughed. "Oh jeez, I'm gonna pee myself!"
"Oh man, can you imagine what would happen if Eggman saw this?" Tails pondered.
"I'm pretty sure he would react just like his cartoon counterpart, am I right?" Danny suggested.
And thus, the laughter returned.
Robotropolis
Meanwhile, in Citadel Robotnik, Eggatha, Snively, Grimer, and the 6-S were gathered around the TV, watching that very same episode. Eventually, their laughter drew Robotnik's attention.
"What is so funny?" He entered, seeing the TV. "I see, you've been chortling at the television. Is something on here so much more entertaining than my instructive and brilliant discourse?"
He watched over the program, seeing Eggborg suffering his humiliating defeat. Before long, Robotnik was beginning to shake with rage, his face turning beet-red as everyone recoiled.
"N-now now, doctor, you're turning red as a lobster," Grimer cautioned. "Don't blow your top!"
"It's my top, Grimer, and I'll blow it if I want to," Robotnik managed, his voice strained.
With a roar, he pulled some kind of spring loaded device out of his pocket. With a press of a button, a red extendo-boxing glove launched out, punching out the TV screen. The others gave him a wide berth as he let loose.
"How dare anyone on Mobius laugh at the great Dr. Robotnik?!" he exploded. "No one makes fun of me! NO ONE! I demand to know who's responsible for this outrage!"
"Uncle Ivo, calm down," Eggatha tried to soothe. "It's just a TV show. Breeze Media's newest hit show, actually."
"So…" Robotnik growled. "Sonic's cousin is responsible for this."
"With all due respect, doctor, I believe you're overreacting," Orbot said. "It's a television show just for fun."
"I'm reacting just fine! Is this what I've been reduced to?! It's bad enough that blue rodent is popular enough to get his own series, but it's even worse that I, future ruler of Mobius, have been reduced to a two-bit Saturday morning cartoon villain in everyone's eyes!"
"Oh, c'mon, Doc," Cubot insisted. "It's funny! And people love a good villain."
"Shut up!" Robotnik snapped. "How do you expect us to establish a global empire across this planet when everyone sees me as a joke that falls on his back and flails around like a prone turtle?!"
"Well, when you put it that way…" Cubot began.
"I'll teach Breezie to make a jackass out of me," Robotnik swore. "Ready the missiles (1)."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Eggatha stood up. "I know your villain cred is being threatened, but you already shot a missile at Station Square and it failed. If you do the same for a simple studio, it's redundant. If it's the show you hate, then we fix the show. Make it something that shows your villainous essence."
"Hmmm…" Robotnik calmed down, stroking his mustache in thought. "The idea has merit."
Eggatha breathed a small sigh of relief, wiping her brow.
Studiopolis
In her office at Breeze Media sat the owner and founder, Breezie. She was a slightly-taller-than-average Mobian hedgehog with green fur. She had long quill gatherings with blue highlighted tips that fell behind her head, resembling long hair, and two smaller and curved bangs of quills on her forehead. She also had purple irises, peach skin and a short black snout. She wore a red business suit with red high heels, a white undershirt, yellow buttons, and white gloves being held together by yellow cuff rings, along with purple eyeshadow. She examined the ratings for the Sonic Man premiere, grinning.
"Nobody draws an audience like my little cousin," she said proudly. "Talk about star power! I've known plenty of moguls that would kill for that kind of adoring public. This show's gonna make me rich! Like, stupid rich!"
She hugged herself. "Somebody pinch me! I must be dreaming!"
The door was thrown open at that.
"I volunteer for that duty."
Breezie yelped, nearly falling out of her chair as Robotnik stormed in.
"E-Eggman!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?!"
"First, my name is Ivo Robotnik," Robotnik snapped. "And second, I'm here to talk to you about how I was depicted in Sonic Man. To put it bluntly... I didn't like it one bit."
"Y'know, if you don't like the show, you can just change the channel," Breezie suggested.
"SILENCE!"
Breezie backed up, hitting the wall as she held out her hands in a warding-off gesture.
"Y-you so much as blink at me, and Sonic will be all over you like fleas on a Devil Dog!" she warned.
Robotnik scoffed. "My dear, do you truly think I'm afraid of your wretched little cousin?"
"W-well… kinda?"
That was the wrong thing to say. Robotnik's face began to go from red to purple with rage.
"Wait, wait!" Breezie cried. "Can't we sit down and talk about this?"
"As a matter of fact, that's why I'm here," Robotnik said.
Breezie relaxed about three hairs as Robotnik took a seat.
"See, one day I will rule this planet. And I will hardly be taken seriously if the people of Mobius see me as a cartoonish supervillain. So, I came here to negotiate changing the Eggborg character into something that reflects my true villain credentials."
"You're asking me to mess with the show?" Breezie objected. "But everyone else loves it!"
"You are free, of course, to decline," Robotnik said casually. "In which case I will bring your media empire to its knees, and you may pursue a new career opportunity centered around fighting bums in the gutter for your next meal."
The blood drained from Breezie's face at that.
"No, please," she pleaded. "I'll do whatever you want. Just don't do anything to my business."
Robotnik smirked. "I'm so glad you understand."
"I understand you're a job-killing socialist…" Breezie muttered under her breath.
"What was that?"
Breezie backpedaled, putting on a sheepish grin. "N-nothing! Pleasure doing business with you."
Knothole
Next week, the Freedom Fighters gathered to watch Sonic Man, only to find it was now a hardened, dark and edgy version that was completely unlike the last episode. Eggborg was also a far more threatening and far less comedic villain. This version of him was less cartoonish and more frightening. His cybernetics were more imposing and he walked and he talked more like a cruel dictator than the punching bag he was previously.
"I've seen shows undergo some changes after the pilot, but this is ridiculous," Chris noted.
Sonic exchanged looks with Tails and Knuckles, the trio instantly realizing what happened.
"Eggman," they sighed. "Of course."
"I guess this is what happened," Kat rolled her eyes. "Seriously, why didn't he just change the channel?"
"Because that's what sane people do," Keith deadpanned.
"If he thinks he can mess with a kid's show just for making fun of him, he better think again," Sonic stood up. "And if he hurt Breezie... let's just say he might need new legs by the time I'm done with him."
"Count me in," Knuckles decided.
"I'll get my noise canceling headphones," Kat said. "I hate Studiopolis."
"I'm coming too," said Sally.
"Me and Keith as well," Chris insisted.
"That'll do," Sonic declared. "C'mon, let's go."
Studiopolis
In record time, the group Warp Ringed to Studiopolis. The usual din of the city had an added air of tension and uneasiness to it, something that was felt by everyone in the group.
"Ugh…" Sonic shuddered. "Something's just making my skin crawl."
"I thought that was just stimuli based anxiety," Kat remarked.
"No," Sonic shook his head. "It's… it's not that."
"Yeah," Keith agreed. "Something just seems… off."
A police siren sounded, a cop car riding up to them.
"Hey, what're you kids doing out past curfew?" the cop asked, peeking out of his window.
"Uh... you know we're Sonic and the Freedom Fighters, right?" Sonic questioned.
The cop blinked. "Oh... sorry. Thought you were Sonic-Man cosplayers."
"Officer, what's going on here?" Sally asked. "Everyone seems so... on edge."
"And with good reason," said the cop. "There's been a rash of disappearances recently."
"Disappearances?" Knuckles questioned.
"People have just been disappearing off the street."
"How long has this been going on, and where?" Chris asked.
"For the past week," the cop answered. "Mostly within a five-block radius of Breeze Media."
"That tracks…" Kat mused.
"Meaning we need to get to Breeze Media fast," Sonic insisted.
-X-
They hurried to the Breeze Media building, looking around the outside.
"It's quiet…" Sally mused. "Too quiet."
They peeked in, seeing a robotic receptionist at the desk.
"Please tell me that's a Receptionik and not a roboticized person," Sonic pleaded.
"Wish I could," Chris answered. "Her name is Shawna 's been working here for years."
"Damn it," Knuckles cursed. "So Eggman didn't just ruin the show. He turned Breeze Media into a front for Badnik processing."
"Guess it's a good thing I came along," Keith declared as he pulled out a Power Ring capsule. "Alright Shawna, time to wake up."
Sonic, immediately fearing the worst, took off up the stairs toward Breezie's office.
"Sonic, wait up!" Sally cried.
"Go," Keith insisted. "I've got this."
"Chris, you watch his back," Kat ordered. "Knuckles and I will go hunting for more Robians."
Chris nodded as Sally went after Sonic. As Knuckles and Kat went off, Keith crept over to Shawna, opening her access panel and placing the Power Ring inside.
"Come on Shawna, you've never been one to take orders," he insisted. "I mean, you've sassed even the snootiest of stars, and you're gonna let Eggman tell you want to do?"
The ring energy flowed through Shawna at that, life and reason returning to her eyes as she looked around.
"Oh, thank Aurora…" she managed.
"Welcome back," Keith greeted.
"Listen, you need to scram," Shawna insisted. "Almost everyone in the building is a robot."
"What about Miss Breezie?" Chris asked.
"I don't know. She hasn't left her office in a week."
"She has to be a prisoner," Chris deduced.
-X-
Meanwhile, Sonic made it to Breezie's office, finding it locked. Sally ran up to him just as he reeled back, preparing to bust down the door.
"Sonic-!"
Sonic tucked into a ball before ramming into the door, splintering it open and knocking it to the ground, eliciting a yelp from Breezie.
"Breezie!" he shouted.
He stopped short, seeing Breezie was perfectly fine, working at her desk and dealing with paperwork, a pair of glasses on her face.
"For Aurora's sake, Sonic!" she exclaimed, standing up. "You could've knocked!"
"Breezie, you're okay!" Sonic blinked. "And… doing paperwork?"
Breezie shrugged. "Well, I do have a business to run."
Sonic shook his head to clear it. "Where's Eggman?! We know he's here!"
"Down in the boiler room," Breezie replied. "Either that or recording. Why do you ask?"
"'Why'?!" Sonic repeated incredulously. "Breezie, do you even know what's been going on for the past week?!"
"No, I've been swamped with work."
"He's been using the studio as a front for Badnik processing!" Sonic shouted. "Everyone in Studiopolis is scared shitless of being nabbed off the streets! Your secretary's been roboticized!"
"What?" Breezie shook her head. "C'mon Sonic, stop joking. Shawna may be a bit cold, but she's not a robot."
"You really think I'd joke about anything to do with that fat lunatic?!" Sonic demanded.
"Look, Eggman's not the best business partner, but-" Breezie's eyes widened as she realized just what she said. Sonic and Sally were left stunned.
"...What?" Sonic managed.
"Sonic, it's not what you think. I-"
"Are you saying you let Eggman change Sonic-Man and take over the boiler room?" Sally demanded.
"Just let me explain-"
"Did you sell out to the man who roboticized Uncle Chuck?!" Sonic screamed. "Who slaughtered Shēngcún Village and burned Floral Forest to the ground?!"
"We had a deal!" Breezie cried. "Change Sonic-Man to something more to his liking, and let him use my boiler room, that's it!"
"What, and you believed him?!" Sonic shouted. "Did you ever wonder what he could be using the boiler room for? Maybe something, oh, I don't know, EVIL?!"
"Sonic, please," Breezie begged. "He was going to destroy my company, put me back on the streets! What else could I do?!"
"Oh, I dunno," Sonic said sarcastically. "Maybe call me so I could handle the situation? Did you ever think of that?"
"He told me that if I did anything to stop him, he'd ruin everything," Breezie insisted. "I couldn't do anything. I had no choice but to go with it!"
Sonic glared at her.
"You had a choice every step of the way. But you chose to side with the man who turned my uncle, your father, into a robot slave."
"Sonic, please…"
Breezie reached out to him, but Sonic angrily brushed her off, taking a step back.
"I don't know you anymore…"
He turned on his heel and ran out of the office.
"Sonic!" Sally called out.
"Sonic…" Breezie let out.
Sally gave Breezie a dirty look before following Sonic.
-X-
She ended up finding him in the alley dry-heaving by a trash can. She approached cautiously, placing a hand on his back. He recoiled at the touch.
"Sonic, it's me," she soothed.
Sonic relaxed at hearing her voice.
"How could she do something so stupid?" he managed.
Sally gently rubbed his back. "I'm sorry. I can't imagine what you're going through right now."
Sonic took a few deep breaths, rising to his feet.
"There are more important things at stake right now," he insisted. "We'll worry about what to do with Breezie after we chase Eggman out of Studiopolis."
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Sally asked.
"More than,"
"That you can do this?"
"I have to," Sonic got to his feet. "If Breezie's right, Egghead's either in the boiler room or recording studio."
"Sonic-" Sally began.
"Look, Sal. I'm not looking to share my feelings," Sonic cut her off. "I'm gonna find Eggman, then look him straight in the eye."
"And… then what?"
Sonic cracked his knuckles. "Then I'm gonna share my feelings."
Down in the Boiler room, Knuckles and Kat were looking around, trying to find the rest of the Robians. They eventually came across a Roboticizer with several Robians standing off to the side. Eggatha was sitting at a desk, her feet propped up as she read the latest issue of the Crack-Ups comic book.
"Eggatha?" Kat asked.
Eggatha looked over the book. "I was wondering when you guys would show up."
"He's still using the Roboticizer, even after he lost Uncle Chuck and Coco?" Knuckles asked.
"He's exploring other avenues, but until then, it's all we have," Eggatha replied.
"You gonna do this the easy way, or the hard way?" Kat questioned.
"Hmmm…" Eggatha tapped her chin. "Hard way this time."
Knuckles shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Eggatha pulled a remote out of her dress, hitting a large red button. Several Robians began to emerge from the shadows.
"Oh, boy," Knuckles sighed.
"Man... this is gonna be fun," Kat mused.
"Good luck!" Eggatha said cheerily as she scampered off.
Knuckles instantly punched some Robians back as they approached.
"Watch it!" Kat objected. "We can't damage them too much!"
"Relax, I'm pulling my punches."
They were soon forced on the defensive before Kat perked.
"Wait! Eggatha's override!"
"Of course!" Knuckles cleared his throat. "Override AR-113!"
Nothing happened. The Robians kept coming. Knuckles sighed.
"So it is voice coded. Now why didn't we think of bringing the recording Hope had?"
"We weren't exactly thinking straight," Kat defended.
"Knuckles! Kat!"
The two ran to see Keith running down the stairs, lobbing two Power Ring capsules at them.
"Catch!" he shouted.
The two caught them, popping the canisters open.
"Now what?" Knuckles demanded. "We can't open their access panels when they're on the attack!"
"Just slip them around their necks! We'll worry about inserting the rings after!"
"Like ring toss at the fair!" Kat realized.
She took out several rings, throwing them at the Robians. Knuckles did the same, all of the Robians gaining Power Ring necklaces. They slowly stopped in their tracks, the power flowing into their minds and bodies.
"Come on, work…" Keith pleaded.
One by one, the Robians blinked and looked around.
"Yes!" Knuckles cheered. "It worked!"
They heard a struggle, turning to see Chris having Eggatha in a submission hold.
"Ow, not so rough!" Eggatha objected.
"Sorry," Chris said. "But we gotta ask you a few questions."
"Okay! Okay! I yield!"
Chris let go, Eggatha rolling her shoulder
"Alright," Keith began, "So whose brilliant idea was it to hijack Breeze Media and make it into a Badnik processing plant?"
"...Mine," she admitted reluctantly, much to everyone's shock. "Before you fly off the handle, Uncle Ivo initially planned to carpet-bomb the studio. They may be Robians, but it's better than being blown up."
"All this just because he didn't like how Eggborg was depicted?" Chris questioned. "Aurora forbid he just change the channel like everyone else."
"It's not just that," Eggatha clarified. "Uncle Ivo's annoyed that he's apparently fallen so far that people on Mobius see him as a hammy, campy Saturday morning cartoon villain who's no threat to anyone. This was a big play to get his villain cred back, so everyone will take him seriously and know what he's capable of."
"And his plan was to take over a studio and redo a cartoon," Kat deadpanned. "Yeah, real top-notch villainy."
"How pathetic can you get?" Knuckles scoffed.
"Well, I'd say using Breeze Media as a front for Badnik processing helps in that regard, wouldn't you?" Eggatha questioned rhetorically.
The Knuckleheads thought for a minute, then nodded.
"Okay, fair point," Knuckles conceded.
"In any event, you got me dead to rights," Eggatha told them. "I don't really care what happens from here. The old show was way better anyway."
"Nice of you to say so," Knuckles replied.
"He's in the recording room," Eggatha said. "You didn't hear it from me."
"We did, but I made you tell after scaring you," Kat offered, picking up Eggatha. "We do have history."
"True," Eggatha nodded.
They soon met back up with Sonic and Sally, who told them about Breezie's deal with Robotnik.
"Are you serious?!" Knuckles demanded. "She made a deal with Eggman?!"
"Obviously, Breezie didn't consider the full ramifications of doing so," Sally said. "She's been at work in her office for the past week, and had no clue what Eggman's been doing right under her nose."
"Is she a complete idiot?!" Kat shouted.
"Breezie's not the problem right now, Kat," Sonic cut in. "Eggman is. We'll worry about her later."
"He's in recording," Eggatha informed him. "And the second he sees me, he's gonna flip."
"Don't worry," Sonic assured. "He's about to have much more to worry about."
He made a beeline for the recording room, kicking the door in.
"Knock knock, Eggman!"
Robotnik was just about to turn on the recording when Sonic burst in. He jumped, spinning around to see Sonic before composing himself.
"Ah, Sonic," she greeted casually. "If I'd known you were coming, I'd have poisoned a cake. Do you like what I've done with Sonic Man?"
"Frankly, it's an affront to cartoons," Sonic shot back. "Seriously, if you hate the show so much, change the freaking channel."
"It's the principle of the thing!" Robotnik snapped. "I'm supposed to be an evil scientist people fear and respect! This cartoon makes me into a mockery!"
Sonic shrugged. "Eh, seemed accurate to me."
Robotnik turned beet-red. "Get out of here, now!"
"Sure, but you might want to look out the window."
Robotnik glanced out, seeing Kat wave with Eggatha in her grip. He gasped before scowling.
"Winters, I'm only going to say this once. If you don't get your hands off my niece right now, I will personally have Metal Sonic rip out your eyes and shove them down your throat so you can see his claws tear your carcass open!"
"Yeah, right," Kat scoffed. "Now, do I need to snap her rib again, or did you learn from last time?"
"Oh, I've learned."
He seemed to give in, before charging forward, jumping out the window and knocking Kat off of Eggatha. She landed hard as Robotnik grabbed Eggatha. He called in the Egg Mobile, gently depositing her in it before turning on Kat.
"Oi!" Sonic called. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size, Eggborg?"
Robotnik growled, turning to face him.
"Oh, wait," Sonic smirked. "No one else on Mobius looks like a house.
"Laugh it up, hedgehog," Robotnik spat. "I'll destroy you first, then I'll tear that little brat apart!"
"Just try it, Eggman!"
They charged, getting into a big knock-down drag-out brawl. Eventually, Sonic planted his feet in Robotnik's gut and kicked him through the wall. He landed on his back as the others looked, only for smiles and stifled laughter to break out as the doctor struggled to get up.
"Help me!" Robotnik shouted. "Help! HELP ME! I've fallen, and I can't get up!"
His face turned red as he ranted and swore. Kat cracked up at the sight, and her laughter quickly spread.
"And you say you're nothing like Eggborg!" Chris cackled.
"You're him down to a T!" Keith added.
Robotnik rocked from side to side, rolling onto his gut before pulling himself up.
"Fine. Change the stupid show back. But I've still managed to prove my villain credibility," he called in the Egg Mobile, boarding it. "And for laughing at me... there isn't a name yet for the Hell I have planned for you all, but rest assured, you will be screaming in it."
He took off, everyone cheering and exchanging high-fives.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night," Sonic scoffed, his expression souring. "Just one thing left to do…"
Back in Breezie's office, the Freedom Fighters confronted her.
"Miss Breezie, what the hell were you thinking?!" Chris demanded.
"He was going to take everything from me!" Breezie objected.
"At least when I was duped by him, it was the first time I met the guy," Knuckles recalled. "I didn't know any better. But you did!"
"He said he'd destroy everything I worked for! Everything I've built!"
"So you sold out to Eggman to keep your Aurora-damned MONEY?!" Kat shrieked. "How could you?!"
That set Breezie off. She jumped to her feet.
"How dare you! You don't know me!" She got more hysterical as she went on. "You have no idea where I come from! Where I've been! How long I've been there! WHAT I HAD TO DO TO GET FROM WHERE I WAS, TO WHERE I AM NOW!"
"She doesn't," Sonic cut in. "But I do."
That ended Breezie's argument in an instant as he stepped forward.
"I know you had a crappy life before Uncle Chuck took you in, and you worked your ass off every day to build up this company," he said. "But it doesn't give you a free pass to make deals with people like Eggman, and it sure as hell doesn't excuse betraying your employees and family!"
He slammed his fists on her desk, cracking it before composing himself.
"I'm done listening to your excuses, Breezie. Here's what's gonna happen. You turn Sonic Man back the way it does, and from here on out, half the profits from the show go to the Freedom Fighters so we can finish the De-Roboticizer and clean up your mess. Got it?"
Breezie just nodded.
"Consider yourself lucky I don't hand you over to the police, or tell Scarlet Garcia," Sonic spat.
One by one, all of the Freedom Fighters stalked out of the office. Sonic was the last one out. Breezie looked down in shame, tearing up.
"I…" she held her arm as a tear fell onto the desk. "I'm sorry…"
Sonic stopped, turning his head only slightly as tears welled up in his own eyes.
"Yeah…" he said quietly. "Me too."
And with that, he was gone.
Knothole
Sometime later, Sonic was sulking by the Lake of Rings. As he skipped a stone across the water, he heard the sound of metallic footsteps approaching.
"Care for some company?" Uncle Chuck asked.
"Sure," Sonic replied. "Why not?"
Uncle Chuck sat down next to his nephew, putting a gentle hand on his back.
"The princess told me about what happened at Breeze Media." he began.
"I just... can't believe she'd sell out like that," Sonic sighed. "After everything you did for her... and everything Eggman's done. How could Breezie be so stupid?"
"Everyone makes mistakes, acting rashly when things go wrong," Uncle Chuck told him. "She did what she felt she had to."
"She could've called me, Unc," Sonic pointed out. "Gotten in contact with someone that could help."
"She's spent so long with nothing, the idea of losing everything was just too much," Uncle Chuck said. "A weakness Robotnik exploited."
"But that doesn't excuse-"
"What Breezie did was foolish, sonny. I'm not here to argue differently. I'm just asking you to see it from her side. You grew up with a loving family, got everything you could ever want. Breezie's family died during the Great War, and she barely got what she needed before I found her on the streets."
"I understand that, I really do. But-"
"But you're not ready to forgive her yet," Uncle Chuck finished.
"No…" Sonic sighed. "Not yet."
"And no one's asking you," Uncle Chuck patted his back. "I'll go talk to her."
Sonic just nodded as Uncle Chuck rose and departed, leaving his nephew to his thoughts.
Studiopolis
At the Pink Bot club near her building, Breezie was sulking at the bar, taking a shot of a Strawberry Sunrise on the rocks as the bartender set out another one. She downed it, sighing.
"Keep 'em coming," she insisted, putting a small bag of Mobiums on the table.
"Don't you think you've had enough?" the bartender asked.
"Don't judge me, buddy," Breezie replied. "It's been a long day."
"Care for a drinking buddy, Breezie?"
Breezie perked before looking over in surprise to see Uncle Chuck.
"Dad…" she let out.
"Hey there," Uncle Chuck greeted. "Is this seat taken?"
Breezie shook her head, and he took a seat.
"I suppose Sonic told you about my little deal with the Devil," she sighed.
"He did," Uncle Chuck confirmed. "He was quite upset, and from the looks of it, so are you."
Sonic read me the riot act... and rightfully so," Breezie said. "I can't believe I was so stupid... so desperate to protect myself. I didn't care about the consequences."
"At least you admit to your mistake."
Breezie sighed. "He threatened to destroy my company, Dad. I panicked at the thought of losing everything."
"I understand. Believe me, I've been in your shoes, panicking and making rash decisions. It's how I ended up the way I am."
"Sonic was so torn up... he'll never forgive me for this."
Chuck put a hand on Breezie's shoulder, smiling in reassurance.
"He will, in time. Just be patient."
Knothole, one week later…
Everyone was gathered up in the media room of Knothole, more snacks laid out.
"So, we thinking the show's back to normal?" Chris asked.
"Most likely, yeah," Keith nodded.
As they were beginning to kick back, a knock sounded on the door.
"I got it," Sonic decided.
He went over and opened the door, surprised to see a humbled Breezie standing there.
"Hey, Sonic…" she greeted awkwardly.
"Hi," Sonic greeted civilly.
"I know I'm probably the last person you want to see right now, but I just…" Breezie sighed, looking down. "I'm sorry... for everything. I'm so sorry and ashamed of what I did, Sonic. If I could go back in time and stop myself from making that deal with Eggman, I would."
Sonic stood there, just looking at his cousin, watching as she teared up. After a moment, he reached out and took her hand.
"You... wanna join us for the revamped second episode?" he asked.
Breezie blinked. "You... you actually want me around?"
"Eh, I'm extending an olive branch," Sonic replied. "We can't change the past, Breezie. But we can learn from our mistakes and be better people."
After a brief hesitation, Breezie nodded and Sonic let her in. Sally scooted over on the couch, making room for the two hedgehogs. They sat down as the show began, the earlier cartoony feel back in full swing. Within minutes, laughter was ripping through the room, the tension between Sonic and Breezie melting almost instantly.
In this episode, Princess Pinecone had been kidnapped and was hanging from a shark tank. It climaxed with Sonic Man managing to save her and kicking Eggborg to the curb once again. When it was all settled, Sonic Man scooped her up in her arms, dipped her, and gave her a big kiss. The others all cheered and applauded, while Sonic and Sally turned beet-red, looking at one another awkwardly before scooting a few inches away from one another.
Robotropolis
At Citadel Robotnik, Eggatha had managed to persuade Robotnik to watch the latest Sonic-Man episode with her. While initially annoyed, Robotnik eventually began to lighten up and see the funny side of it all.
"Alright, so it has its high points," Robotnik confessed. "While I still find the Eggborg character a juvenile, asinine parody of myself... I'll admit some of his antics are actually pretty funny."
"Exactly," Eggatha agreed. "Besides, it's all for fun. And when you're ruler of Mobius, you can make Sonic the buffoon character."
When they got to the scene of Sonic Man and Princess Pinecone's kiss, he chuckled.
"I'd kill to see the look on Sonic's face at this part." Robotnik remarked.
The two shared a laugh as they watched the show, just enjoying themselves for a brief moment.
Author's Note:
(1): Taken from one of the Sonic Shorts on YouTube, where the SatAM Robotnik launched a missile at 4Kids because he was offended at how he was portrayed in Sonic X.
Another one down. The Sonic Man show is based on something Archie briefly hinted at before it was cancelled, and the Eggborg character is based on both his DiC cartoon versions; the initial one is based on the AoSTH incarnation, and the second based on SatAM. As for Mayor Bullyani, he's from Archie.
Voice cast for this chapter:
* Bullyani - Kelsey Grammer (Sideshow Bob from The Simpsons, Stinky Pete from Toy Story 2, Beast from X-Men: The Last Stand)
* Breezie - Anna Hullum (Raven Branwen from RWBY, Trixie from Nomad of Nowhere)
* Shawna - Pat Musick (Janine Melnitz from Extreme Ghostbusters, Mona Lisa from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1987)
Please R&R. Until next time!